Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Federer starts fast; teen stuns Stosur
NEW YORK — Roger Federer has spoken for a week about whether his career as a top player, as a man who will be favored to win major tournaments, is over. At 32, is he too old? Is his back that seems to ache whenever he posts a loss ready to let him down?
After his first-round victory Tuesday— 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 over Slovenian Grega Zemlja — Federer was reflective about his career.
“Clearly when you win, everything it’s fun,” the No. 7 seed said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you love the game more. You just like winning. ... It’s nice.
“But even if youlose, that doesn’t mean you still don’t actually love it. Whatever my ranking is, I’m in a good spot right now. I want to enjoy it as long as it lasts.”
Two U.S. men moved into the second round. John Isner, seeded 13th, had 18 aces and was untroubled by Filippo Volandri. Sam Querrey stumbled but recovered to send home Guido Pella 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
One of a crop of rising young U.S. women, 17-yearold Victoria Duval upset 2011 Open champion Samantha Stosur 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
“This is the best I played inmy career,” Duval said on the court after her upset of the 11th-seeded Australian.
And Christina McHale, 21, was equally as happy. Bothered almost all of last year by mononucleosis, she was full of energy Tuesday, running down balls to beat Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-3.
“I lacked match play last year,” McHale said. “Without a lot of matches, it’s hard to gain confidence.”
Also trying to regain confidence is sixth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, who defeated qualifier Duan Ying-Ying 6-2, 7-5 with boyfriend Rory McIlroy watching from the stands.
“Itwas a day of survival,” said Wozniacki, the 2009 runner-up. “It’s not about being pretty; it’s about getting the job done. I did.”
Isner said his close loss to Rafael Nadal in the final in Cincinnati this month gave him confidence.
“I seem to have finally put everything together,” Isner said. “When I’m confident, I’m very tough to beat and that showed today.”