US Open: Federer ‘Exhibits’ Into the Second Round
Number two seeded Roger Federer produced a delightful night in his first round at the US Open. The Swiss showed once again his ‘through-the-legs’ winner against Argentinean Brian Dabul whom Federer passed in an easy 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 exhibition. His shot was widely applauded by the Arthur Ashe crowd who rose for seconds in order to acclaim the wonderful Swiss jewel. The 29-year-old declared that he used the ‘through the legs’ shot only few times in his career, but some of them transformed also in winners. “”I’ve only hit a few in my life and two on center court in night session play here in New York,” Federer remembered.
“It’s amazing to share this moment with you guys. Thanks for the ovation and I love it,” he also added right after the meeting against Dabul, who freezed once he saw the ball coming inside. The Swiss also guaranteed a place into the ATP World Finals this season, tournament he has won four times so far, in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. He played perfectly on Monday blasting 18 aces to none for Dabul. Thus, the Swiss continues his personal record of not losing any of the first rounds he played at the US Open. “I’ve never lost night sessions. I feel very much at home here. I always come out and played some good tennis here over the years. I’ve been in six straight finals. I would like to go there again this year. The path is long and rough, we’ll see how it goes. I’m excited to be back and playing well,” he said. Federer will face in the second round German Andreas Beck who also passed compatriot Michael Berrer in the debut with 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Roger won two ATP titles this year, the first one at the Australian Open in January when he defeated Briton Andy Murray in three straight sets, while his second came seven month later and two weeks ago in Cincinnati where he got the Rogers Cup against American Mardy Fish whom the Swiss hardly beat in three sets, after losing the first one.
