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On a warm day in New York, Roger Federer won his eighth straight match yesterday dispatching Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round at the US Open. Afterward, the top seed revealed he was having nasal issues.
“I have a little bit of a blocked nose, but not bad,” Federer said after reaching his 34th straight Slam fourth round. “No, today honestly wasn’t hot at all for me. Bit of a breeze. It almost cools you down a bit. I know when you’re sitting there, it feels even warmer. For me anyway it was no problem. I enjoyed it. Had a great time out there. I was happy with my performance today.”
Next for the 5-time US Open champion is Mardy Fish. The American fish outlasted an ailing Gilles Simon in a four setter that ended after 1am. The Frenchman who had shoulder problems over the summer appeared to have aggravated his leg during the match.
“It’s tough to play someone when they’re not 100 percent because it can affect your concentration out there,” said Fish. “And apart from his serve, he was hitting the ball extremely well out there. It made it difficult out there.”
Fish’s compatriots Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and James Blake were dismissed in four sets by Tomas Berdych, Nicolas Alamgro and Milos Raonic, respectively.
Raonic blasted 29 aces en route to his first US Open fourth round where he’ll meet Andy Murray on Monday. The Scot needed four sets to turn away Feliciano Lopez.
“If I’m serving well, I’m hitting my spots, it’s about making him feel as uncomfortable as possible,” said Raonic of Murray. “If I serve well, that’s sort of what sort of happens. It’s a ripple effect.”
Murray, who lost to Raonic earlier this year in Barcelona, looked ahead to the meeting with the Canadian.
“He’s improved a lot from the back of the court,” Murray said. “He goes for his second serve, as well. He can serve some doubles but also get free points from his second serve, too. It’s a similar kind of match to playing Isner. I would say they have a similar game style.”
After two five set wins, Marin Cilic showed his fitness taking out Kei Nishikori in four and 23-year-old lefty Martin Klizan continued his dream run ending the hopes of Jeremy Chardy.
This afternoon Andy Roddick resumes his final pro tennis event against drama king Fabio Fognini. The Italian Fognini took a set off Roddick at Eastbourne this year and he has a flair for the big stage. Roddick announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday then crushed a hapless Bernard Tomic the following night.
If Roddick wins his 50th career match on Ashe today, Tuesday night he’ll meet the winner of the all Argentine clash between Leonardo Mayer and Juan Martin Del Potro.
Novak Djokovic, who’s lost just seven games, faces Julean Benneteau and former champion Lleyton Hewitt matches up with David Ferrer. Under the lights John Isner tries to win for a fourth time against Philipp Kohlschreiber.
In the women’s draw, Serena Williams gained revenge for her loss to Ekatarina Makarovic at the Australian Open. Serena won the last eight games of the match pounding the Russian 6-4, 6-0.
“Definitely was motivated,” Serena said. “Knowing that I lost, could definitely happen again. Did not want that to happen. So whether I learned something, I don’t know. I really hate watching matches that I lose unless I’m punishing myself. I didn’t punish myself.”
Serena will face surprising Andrea Hlavackova Monday. The Czech upset No. 14 seed Maria Kirilenko to reach her first Grand Slam fourth round.
Other fourth round winners in the women’s draw were Agnieszka Radwanska, Roberta Vinci, Angelique Kerber and Ana Ivanovic who beat Sloane Stephens in a three setter Saturday night.
Three-time champion Kim Clijsters finished off her career yesterday in mixed doubles. The 29-year-old Belgian and partner Bob Bryan fell to the tandem of Bruno Suares and Makarova.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Clijsters said. “A lot of dreams have come true for me because of tennis. As a little girl I got tennis racquets under the tree and outfits of Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, and I wanted to wear them to bed, I was so excited. So for me to have been able to be a part of women’s tennis, and on top of women’s tennis for so many years… you don’t think about it when you’re in it.
“You’re kind of on automatic pilot. You don’t think about these things.”
Today’s women’s matches include World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, former champions Maria Sharapova and Samantha Stosur who faces rising teen Laura Robson. The 18-year-old Robson is bidding to win her third straight match over a Grand Slam champion.
Arthur Ashe Stadium 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 3rd Round
Julien Benneteau (FRA)[31] v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[2]
Not Before:1:30 PM
2. Men’s Singles – 3rd Round
Andy Roddick (USA)[20] v. Fabio Fognini (ITA)
This match may be moved.Not Before:3:30 PM
3. Women’s Singles – 4th Round
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[1] v. Anna Tatishvili (GEO)
Arthur Ashe Stadium 7:00 PM Start Time
1. Women’s Singles – 4th Round
Maria Sharapova (RUS)[3] v. Nadia Petrova (RUS)[19]
2. Men’s Singles – 3rd Round
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[19] v. John Isner (USA)[9]
Louis Armstrong Stadium 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 3rd Round
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v. David Ferrer (ESP)[4]
Not Before:1:00 PM
2. Men’s Singles – 3rd Round
Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)[14] v. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)[18]
3. Women’s Singles – 4th Round
Laura Robson (GBR) v. Samantha Stosur (AUS)[7]
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