Federer makes quick work of Nishioka in New York
ROGER Federer had the relative luxury of playing in the night session – although it was still hot – and breezed past Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2 6-2 6-4.
The second seed might have won even more comfortably but seemed in a hurry to get over the line and was broken for the only time serving for the match in a flurry of wild shots.
He put things right at the second time of asking though and goes on to face Benoit Paire in the second round.
Federer said: “I’m very happy to be back in New York healthy. I’m happy I never stumbled at the first hurdle. Almost time to retire but not yet.”
Maria Sharapova headlined the night session on Louis Armstrong and battled to a 6-2 7-6 (8/6) victory over 39-year-old qualifier Patty Schnyder.
The Swiss reached a career-high ranking of seven in 2007 and initially retired in 2011 before returning to the tour four years later following the birth of daughter Kim.
Her victory in the final round of qualifying made her the oldest player to take that route into a grand slam in the Open era.
Defending champion Sloane Stephens avoided an early exit, recovering from a set down to defeat Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina 4-6 7-5 6-2.
Meanwhile, 2016 men’s champion Stan Wawrinka, who missed last year’s tournament following knee surgery, is through to the third round at a slam for the first time since last summer’s French Open after beating Ugo Humbert 7-6 (7/5) 4-6 6-3 7-5.