By Mark Meadows
PARIS (Reuters) - Roger Federer was on and off court in a flash Friday in his latest attempt to sneak up on the French Open field and catch them unawares with his almost forgotten brilliance.
Much of the focus in Paris has been on stuttering champion Rafael Nadal and red-hot second seed Novak Djokovic but 2009 winner Federer is lurking in the Roland Garros shadows and ready to pounce.
His choice of a red shirt this week almost makes him merge in with the red clay of the court but the third seed cannot go through the draw unnoticed any longer given he looks in better form than anyone except Djokovic.
"Expectations are sky high for Novak and Rafa as defending champion. That leaves me out of a pressure situation and that's no bad thing for me," a very relaxed Federer told a news conference.
"Overall it was a really good match for me and I'm happy to have another early finish."
The record 16-times grand slam champion was especially impressive at the net, winning five out of five exchanges in the first set when he came forward.
The only break point offered in the second set was quickly gobbled up by Federer, who waited patiently for his chance in the third as he looks increasingly comfortable on his least favored surface.
"I think my game is good enough to win here, sure, otherwise I wouldn't be here," he said.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ed Osmond)
