Another Close Call for Roger Federer at the US Open

Federer was broken serving for the second set at 5-3 and Youzhny took the tie-break to level the match.

“When you are younger, it’s different”. “Looked like Mikhail was cramping at the end and that was hard to watch”. He’s moved up the rankings and now he’s got a taste of Arthur Ashe Stadium, how it is to play against top players. Meanwhile, Federer’s magic fountain of youth was running dry.

During the third game of the decider, Youzhny collapsed to the court, apparently with cramp in his thigh.

Federer: Not always, but most of the time.

Meanwhile, World number one Rafael Nadal overcame a shaky start to comfortably beat Dusan Lajovic in round one of the US Open on Tuesday. Even if he isn’t quite himself, those two factors are a lethal combination. Big smile on his face. But battles can be fun. It’s true I didn’t play very well but it’s true that I’m through to the next round. On the third – with Federer’s wife, Mirka, covering her eyes in the stands – Tiafoe hit a stumbling forehand into the net.

Five-time US Open victor Federer and twice champion Nadal have clashed 37 times over the years, with the Spaniard leading 23-14 in their head-to-head meetings.

Kid: I wanted to ask you Switzerland is really cool, right?

Federer said: “It was a good one”. This is more just a grind. I felt different, completely different, the way it played and everything. It really put me in a tough spot there.

“I don’t think I had the preparation I was hoping to get”, Federer said after recording his 79th career victory at this tournament, which leaves him in joint second place alongside Andre Agassi and behind only Jimmy Connors (98 wins) on the all-time list.

“But I’m still in the draw, which gives me a chance”.

“Look, if I enter the tournament, it’s because I believe I can play and go deep”. But that’s passed now. With a bit of fatigue, that’s okay. I say OK, he’s beaten me 17 times but today it was closer. “That’s not something I’m too concerned about”. Both players missed shots they’d normally make and took poor options, but it was a memorable win for Federer for the grit he showed if not his usual fluency.

There was no sign of the drama to come when Federer sprinted through the opener in just 25 minutes on the back of two breaks of serve on the Arthur Ashe court. Federer’s back has hindered him since he strained it earlier in August, and he had an uncharacteristic 68 unforced errors. His last two matches have emphatically silenced those questions.

He was then asked about his “dodgy” back.

I remember when I lost in the French Open the first round against Horna, I lost the first set.

Federer: I don’t know. I don’t call myself that.

That’s a 12-0 whitewash.

Earlier this month, Federer reached the final at the Canadian Open in Montreal, losing to Zverev in straight sets.