Federer, Murray, Nadal advance
Friday, 21 August 2009
CINCINNATI, Aug 20 (AFP): World number one Roger Federer, No 2 Andy Murray and No 3 Rafael Nadal advanced Wednesday to the third round of the ATP Cincinnati Masters hardcourt tournament while Andy Roddick was ousted.
Federer moved on by defeating Argentina's Jose Acasuso 6-3, 7-5, British defending champion Murray defeated Spain's Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 and Nadal vanquished Italy's Andrea Seppi 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3).
The biggest upset came when American Sam Querrey, who won last month at Los Angeles after runner-up efforts in Indianapolis and Newport, eliminated US fifth seed Roddick 7-6 (13/11), 7-6 (7/3).
Swiss star Federer, who won his record 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month but was ousted in the quarter-finals last week at Montreal, will next face Spain's 19th-ranked David Ferrer in the US Open tuneup.
"The transition to Cincy is always a difficult one," Federer said. "I've had very up and down results here. Not very bad, but maybe just not to the standard I would like it sometimes."
Federer will try to capture a sixth consecutive US Open crown and third Grand Slam in a row at Flushing Meadows.
"I'm know I'm fit enough and ready to go when the US Open rolls around so I feel like I'm in great shape, which is most important," Federer said.
Scotland's Murray, in his first match since claiming the No. 2 ranking, saved a set point in the 12th game of the opening set and shrugged off a 20-minute rain delay to book a date with Czech 16th seed Radek Stepanek.
Nadal, whose match was also halted by a lengthy shower, excelled in the tie-breakers to reach a round-of-16 matchup with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.
"I don't know if it was a very good match for me, but it was very important, because these matches help me a lot to get my best performance and to get physical training, too, so everything is positive," Nadal said.
Asked who he considered the US Open favorite, Nadal made it clear that Federer is the man to beat next month, but will have plenty of competition.
Federer moved on by defeating Argentina's Jose Acasuso 6-3, 7-5, British defending champion Murray defeated Spain's Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 and Nadal vanquished Italy's Andrea Seppi 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3).
The biggest upset came when American Sam Querrey, who won last month at Los Angeles after runner-up efforts in Indianapolis and Newport, eliminated US fifth seed Roddick 7-6 (13/11), 7-6 (7/3).
Swiss star Federer, who won his record 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month but was ousted in the quarter-finals last week at Montreal, will next face Spain's 19th-ranked David Ferrer in the US Open tuneup.
"The transition to Cincy is always a difficult one," Federer said. "I've had very up and down results here. Not very bad, but maybe just not to the standard I would like it sometimes."
Federer will try to capture a sixth consecutive US Open crown and third Grand Slam in a row at Flushing Meadows.
"I'm know I'm fit enough and ready to go when the US Open rolls around so I feel like I'm in great shape, which is most important," Federer said.
Scotland's Murray, in his first match since claiming the No. 2 ranking, saved a set point in the 12th game of the opening set and shrugged off a 20-minute rain delay to book a date with Czech 16th seed Radek Stepanek.
Nadal, whose match was also halted by a lengthy shower, excelled in the tie-breakers to reach a round-of-16 matchup with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.
"I don't know if it was a very good match for me, but it was very important, because these matches help me a lot to get my best performance and to get physical training, too, so everything is positive," Nadal said.
Asked who he considered the US Open favorite, Nadal made it clear that Federer is the man to beat next month, but will have plenty of competition.