NADAL, FEDERER EDGE CLOSER TO CLASH
Roger Federer beats Feliciano Lopez in straight sets in third round, happy to put injury concerns behind him
NEW YORK: A confident Roger Federer is delighted to have put injury concerns behind him as he chases a sixth US Open title at Flushing Meadows.
After being troubled by a back problem in the lead-up to the year’s final Grand Slam, Federer was unconvincing in five-set victories over Frances Tiafoe and Mikhail Youzhny.
Yet the Swiss enjoyed a much more comfortable outing in round three, beating Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to remain on course for a Friday semi-final meeting with great rival Rafael Nadal.
“I guess I maybe needed just a few hours here on this court,” said Federer of his improved display on Saturday.
“I needed to get over the fear of the back issue, especially in that first match, the first set.
“Then I think the wobble I had in the second round was due to my preparation. I think now I’m just trusting my movement better.
“My serve is there. My mind is there. I can finally focus on playing tennis and not so much about the past. So it’s nice to be in the present in my mind, looking ahead, thinking tactics.
“I’m happy where I am right now. I think we did the right thing by taking a slow approach in the preparation week. I think forcing it too early...I would have maybe had a setback and I couldn’t have played at all. Who knows what would have happened.
“I think this way we rolled the dice a little bit. Now we are in the fourth round and things are looking much better. I’m really excited how I feel after two fivesetters.
“I’m confident in my physical shape. I’ve done well in five-setters lately. I’m happy that today was straight. But I’m feeling better also.”
Federer and Nadal are clear favourites for the men’s singles title, with a host of seeded players having already exited the tournament. Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori are out due to injury.
While Federer is in line to meet Nadal in the last four, the bottom half of the draw has been totally shorn of star names, with Pablo Carreno Busta and Lucas Pouille now the highest seeds in that section.