Federer eases into Masters' third round

ROME, May 6 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Roger Federer beat Guillermo Canas in straight sets Tuesday in second-round play at the $3.5 million Italian Masters tennis tournament in Rome.

Federer improved to 10-1 this year on clay courts as he tunes up on the surface for the French Open, which opens May 25. Federer, who has 12 Grand Slam titles, has never won the clay court French Open.

He romped by Canas 6-3, 6-3 in his first match in Rome. Canas beat Federer twice last year.

Sixth-seeded Andy Roddick, who like Federer and other top-seeded players was given a first-round bye, was also a straight-set winner Tuesday, posting a 6-1, 6-4 decision over Mardy Fish. Roddick increased his winning streak over Fish to eight matches.

In first-round play Tuesday, 14th-seeded Tommy Robredo swept out Ignacio Chela 6-4, 6-1; Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated Nicolas Kiefer 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4; Jose Acasuso took out Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-2; and Mario Ancic topped Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4.

The 2008 Italian Masters champion will earn $558,000.