Federer Squeaks Victory By Acasuso at French Open

Roger Federer had a close call. (AP Images)"]

Roger Federer found himself in a much tighter and tougher match than he would have expected in the French Open’s second round Thursday before producing a 7-6 (8), 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over Jose Acasuso of Argentina.

How near did the 45th-ranked Acasuso come to a startling upset? On four occasions, the Argentine was a point from taking the first set. After winning the second, he held a set point in the third.

But this has not been a French Open for underdogs or upsets, and no seeded men lost Thursday, when the winners included No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro, No. 6 Andy Roddick, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko, No. 11 Gael Monfils and No. 16 Tommy Robredo.

The biggest surprise Thursday might have been how well Roddick played, given that he hadn’t made the third round at Roland Garros since his 2001 tournament debut. Be sure to place your French Open bets in the Bodog Sportsbook.