Roger Federer Has Clearest Path to French Open Final Among Elite Players

Second-seeded Roger Federer easily rolled to a routine victory in the second round of the French Open on Wednesday, thumping qualifier Somdev Devvarman by a score of 6-2, 6-1, 6-1.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner should continue cruising in similar fashion at Roland Garros, because his portion of the men's draw is extremely favorable compared to the road his elite counterparts have to navigate.

Wednesday's outcome was never in doubt, and extended an impressive streak for Federer, per ESPN Stats & Info:

There shouldn't be too much more resistance on Federer's path, either.

Certainly helping the cause in Federer's bid for Grand Slam No. 18 is the unfortunate absence of Andy Murray, who had to pull out of the event due to a back injury.

It's no secret that clay is King Roger's kryptonite—relatively speaking, of course, given that he's arguably the greatest tennis player ever. Clay has a different king in Rafael Nadal, whom Federer sports a measly 2-13 record against on this surface.

Thankfully, Federer wouldn't have to battle his longtime rival until the final, though it will be a challenge for Nadal to reach that point. In the semifinals, Nadal will likely have to duke it out with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is looking to complete the career Grand Slam by going the distance in Paris.

The next opponent up for Federer is No. 30 seed Julien Benneteau, a Frenchman who should have the home crowd on his side.

It will be tough for Benneteau to get up for this match, though, because he needed five sets to weather his Round 2 clash with unseeded Tobias Kamke. Benneteau blew the middle two sets before salvaging victory in the fifth.

Thereafter, the winner of Gilles Simon and Sam Querrey draws Federer, who beat Simon 6-1, 6-2 in the last event in Rome, and has never lost to Querrey, beating him in the 2008 French Open in straight sets.

The highest seeds remaining in the quarterfinal are Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6) and Marin Cilic (10). In four previous meetings against Cilic, Federer has dropped only one set.

Tsonga presents a physically demanding challenge with his power and natural ability, and he did beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2011. However, Tsonga has never advanced further than the quarterfinals at this prestigious tournament.

David Ferrer has the best chance of meeting Federer in the semis. Although he's among the most physically fit players in men's tennis, Ferrer hasn't had quite enough to beat the very best on a consistent basis. In a different era, it's even feasible that Ferrer would be a multiple Grand Slam champion.

But this is a special era, and Federer is a perfect 15-0 against his prospective semifinal foe.

Federer's reign atop the game may be essentially over, but he won't miss this golden of an opportunity to compete in the final for his second French Open trophy.

Note: Head-to-head numbers were obtained from MatchStat.com. Other statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com. For an overview of the French Open draw, visit RolandGarros.com.