Federer reaches qtrs
Saturday, 18 August 2007
CINCINNATI, Aug 17 (AFP): Roger Federer struggled but survived Thursday, beating Marcos Baghdatis for a fifth time to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.
The world number one was pleased to get his teeth into the US Open warm- up with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 victory over the smiling Cypriot, whom he defeated for the 2006 Australian Open title.
"It was a struggle out there for both of us," said the Swiss, the 2005 champion here. "I struggled really all the way, at times I served a bit better. I'm just really happy I came through. I can't believe it was two sets."
Baghdatis had plenty of chances with four set points in the first set, but he failed to convert thanks to errors that included a costly pair of double-faults.
He then broke the solid Swiss as he served for the match leading 5-4 in the second.
But nerves entered the frame, Federer breaking back and then producing a service winner in the next game to advance in 1hr 24min.
"I didn't take my chances, maybe the reason is because I didn't, like, believe in it," confessed Baghdatis.
The world number one was pleased to get his teeth into the US Open warm- up with a 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 victory over the smiling Cypriot, whom he defeated for the 2006 Australian Open title.
"It was a struggle out there for both of us," said the Swiss, the 2005 champion here. "I struggled really all the way, at times I served a bit better. I'm just really happy I came through. I can't believe it was two sets."
Baghdatis had plenty of chances with four set points in the first set, but he failed to convert thanks to errors that included a costly pair of double-faults.
He then broke the solid Swiss as he served for the match leading 5-4 in the second.
But nerves entered the frame, Federer breaking back and then producing a service winner in the next game to advance in 1hr 24min.
"I didn't take my chances, maybe the reason is because I didn't, like, believe in it," confessed Baghdatis.