体坛英语资讯：Federer enjoys rain, Kuznetsova escapes defeat at French Open

 Defending champion Roger Federer from Switzerland overcame a slow start and disruption of the rain to win his second round match in 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 at the French Open on Wednesday.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, Federer's counterpart in the women's singles, survived from early exit by edging German Andrea Petkovic 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The top-seeded Federer showed no sign of dominance in the opening set against Colombian Alejandro Falla, even broken first by his world No. 70 opponent in the 11th game. However, the 16-time Grand Slam champion seemed inspired suddenly, returning a service break in the following game before taking the tiebreak in 7-4.

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during the men's singles second round match against Alejandro Falla of Colombia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, capital of France, May 26, 2010.

Although both the second and third set were intervened by heavy rain, Federer didn't lose his momentum after the unscheduled breaks. The 28-year-old Swiss finally wrapped it up in 6-2, 6-4.

Federer even admitted that the rain delay helped me for he could get a chance to speak to his coach then came up with the proper game plan.

"I think that helped me, actually, because after that I played a good set," said Federer."He gave me some good advice, and obviously the second rain delay was actually quite comfortable because I was up two sets to love."

Kuznetsova was on the brink when Petkovic served at 5-4, 40-0 in the second set, but the tough minded sixth seed took advantage of her opponent's unforced errors to turn the tables.

British fourth seeded Andy Murray grabbed an easy first set win in the men's second round.

The Australian Open runnerup Murray, who edged French talent Richard Gasquet in a five-set marathon fight on Monday, met little challenge from Aargentine Juan Ignacio Chela on Wednesday, taking the opening set in 6-2. But since the rain bothered the whole competition schedule, they had to continue their duel on Thursday.

At the same time, the 13th seeded French Gael Monfils needs to make a final fight on Thursday in the deciding set against Fabio Fognini. Monfils took the first two sets, but lost the following two to the Italian. Then, they tied 5-5 in the final set.

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova returns the ball to Germany's Andrea Petkovic during a second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

Both Robin Soderling from Sweden and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France enjoyed comfortable win in the men's second round.

The 5th-seeded Soderling smashed American Taylor Dent in 6-0, 6-1, 6-1. The 8th-seeded Tsonga knocked out compatriot and friend Josselin Ouanna in 6-0, 6-1 and 6-4.

American second seed Venus Williams, who led the opening show on the center court, wasted little time to beat Spainish Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2, 6-4.

Russia's Svetlana Kuznetsova reacts after defeating Germany's Andrea Petkovic during a second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, May 26, 2010.