Federer Wins Meeting Of 30-Somethings

Written by: on 30th August 2012
US Open Tennis
Federer Wins Meeting Of 30-Somethings

epa03376350 Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after defeating Bjoern Phau of Germany during their match on the fourth day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 30 August 2012. The US Open runs through 09 September 2012. EPA/JASON SZENES  |

(Original Story: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/35/US-Open-Thursday-Federer-Into-Third-Round.aspx)

Mere hours after the newly turned 30 Andy Roddick announced he would be retiring, 31-year-old Roger Federer defeated 32-year-old Bjorn Phau 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday night at the US Open.

 

“A bit of a shock to be honest,” Federer said of Roddick’s retirement in a pre-match interview on ESPN. “I thought maybe he was going to get past this US Open and maybe play one more year, so obviously a disappointment, but I think big celebrations for him because he’s had a wonderful career. He told me one hour before the press conference and he seemed extremely happy and at peace and excited, so I wish him the best US Open he’s ever had.”

 

The World No. 1 and five-time US Open champion showed no signs of slowing down in his second-round match, as he improved to a 23-0 record in the night session at Flushing Meadows. Federer struck 44 winners and broke Phau five times from 12 opportunities to clinch the victory in 90 minutes – four minutes shorter than his first-round match against American Donald Young.

 

“Great opponent who was also ready to do some shot making,” said Federer. “It’s a long time, it was obviously going to be fair, tough, and nice. But I enjoyed it, like I always do, particularly the night sessions here in New York.”

 

The two had first faced off in 1999 in Washington, D.C., where Phau defeated a 19-year-old Federer in straight sets. The Swiss has now won their past three meetings.

 

“I remember going to a Futures [tournament] in Greece, spending some time with him there,” said Federer. “I think we were both waiting for lucky losers at one point. He got in and I didn’t because he was ahead of me in the rankings. Here we are on centre court at the US Open. It’s quite amazing. I’m glad we both got the opportunity to experience something like we did tonight.”

 

Federer, who won a record-tying 21st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati on the eve of the US Open, has not dropped a set in seven matches, losing serve just once in that span.

 

He will next play Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, whom he has beaten in all four of their previous meetings. The 25th-seeded Verdasco secured his place in the third round with a hard-fought 7-6(4), 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-4 win over countryman Albert Ramos.

 

The 28-year-old Verdasco, a former World No. 7, reached the US Open quarter-finals in 2009 (l. to Djokovic) and ’10 (l. to Nadal).

 

 

 

Topics: , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.