PARIS - PLAYING on his least favourite surface, in his nightmare conditions and on the brink of going two-sets-to-one down, Roger Federer concluded his bumpy victory in the French Open second round on Thursday had been 'fun'.

The Swiss world number two saved a set point at 5-2 in the third set on his way to a 7-6 5-7 7-6 6-2 victory over Argentine Jose Acasuso.

'It was sort of a fun match to be part of with so many ups and downs,' Federer told a news conference.

'I'm not part of such close matches that often. So when they happen, it's great to put in the fight when you can. Definitely it was a sign of mental strength and the physical abilities I have.'

A fan of hot weather that speeds up the clay, the Swiss did not relish the cool and damp conditions on Philippe Chatrier court which played into the hands of claycourt specialist Acasuso who has won three titles on the surface.

'I think conditions made it definitely hard today for the players. It was slow, so you had to really be very patient and that might have played in his favour,' said Federer.

'Conditions were very slow, extremely slow. It was even raining in the beginning. So of course that takes away game plans because you can't just attack the net blindly and try to bluff your way through a match like this.' -- REUTERS