World number one Roger Federer [Images] criticised organisers of the French Open for making him play on the opening day in Paris, the first time a Grand Slam event has begun on a Sunday.

The top seed, looking to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, looked rusty as he stumbled past Diego Hartfield, an Argentine qualifier, 7-5, 7-6, 6-2 to reach round two.

Federer said he had asked not to play on the opening day but his requests were rejected by organisers who have extended the event to 15 days in order to increase its exposure, particularly on television.

"I requested not to play Sunday, so I wasn't happy to play today," Federer told reporters.

"I heard I was going to play Sunday a couple weeks ago. I was never happy about that idea. I told everybody that I didn't want to play Sunday.

"Anyway, they decided to do it that way. That's grand slams. They don't listen to us as much as the other tournaments, which is unfortunate sometimes.

"I asked when I was going to play my second-round match in case I win. They said Wednesday. I wasn't happy the last time I had a Monday-Thursday in any tournament. It's been ages ago."

Federer, who was beaten by Rafael Nadal [Images] in the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, was concerned that he could lose his rhythm before his second-round match on Wednesday.

"I think it's just tricky," Federer said. "You play Sunday, first up. You feel like the tournament hasn't started and right away you're challenged.

"Full stadium, pressure. Then you have to wait. I think if you pass the first two rounds, then obviously it's okay because you're in the rhythm. I think it needs the first two days to get over."

Hartfield, the world number 156, led 5-3 in the first set and pushed Federer hard in the second before the Swiss eased through the third.

"It was very similar to the match I played in Australia in the first round (against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan)," Federer said.

"This time around it was even more difficult because I only knew one day ahead who I was going to play, and I never heard of his name. First time I saw him was five minutes before the match."

Seventh seed Tommy Robredo also criticised the Sunday start.

"If my match had been a five-set match in five hours, I would have had two days to rest," said the Spaniard, who beat Czech Tomas Zib 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

"If you have a two-hour match with three sets, then you have two days off, it's a bit unfair really.

"I need to be able to manage those two days because it's like starting a new tournament. When you have two or three days off, it's a bit dangerous sometimes."

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