Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during the men's singles second round match against Alejandro Falla of Colombia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, capital of France, May 26, 2010. [Xinhua/Laurent Zabulon]

Defending champion Roger Federer from Switzerland overcame a slow start and disruption of the rain to win his second round match in 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 at the French Open on Wednesday.

Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, Federer's counterpart in the women's singles, survived from early exit by edging German Andrea Petkovic 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The top-seeded Federer showed no sign of dominance in the opening set against Colombian Alejandro Falla, even broken first by his world No. 70 opponent in the 11th game. However, the 16-time Grand Slam champion seemed inspired suddenly, returning a service break in the following game before taking the tiebreak in 7-4.

Although both the second and third set were intervened by heavy rain, Federer didn't lose his momentum after the unscheduled breaks. The 28-year-old Swiss finally wrapped it up in 6-2, 6-4.

Federer even admitted that the rain delay helped me for he could get a chance to speak to his coach then came up with the proper game plan.

"I think that helped me, actually, because after that I played a good set," said Federer."He gave me some good advice, and obviously the second rain delay was actually quite comfortable because I was up two sets to love."