Federer survives Acasuso challenge

PARIS: Roger Federer survived a French Open second round scare yestersday when unheralded Argentine Jose Acasuso threw away a golden opportunity to cause a major Roland Garros sensation.

World No 2 Federer claimed a 7-6 (10/8), 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 win but Acasuso was left to regret wasting four set points in the opening set and another in the third where he twice served for a 2-1 lead.

Acasuso, who has only progressed beyond the second round of a Grand Slam once in 28 attempts, cut a weary figure by the end, worn down as much by his own physical shortcomings as the Swiss star's pinpoint hitting.