Federer Dominates While Bouchard Chokes On Bagel Sandwich; Serena, Djokovic Wednesday
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Roger Federer opened his 2014 summer hardcourt campaign with a brisk 6-2, 6-0 victory over native son Peter Polansky in the second round of the Canadian Open Masters in Toronto.
The Swiss, who has twice won the title in Canada, only lost five points on first serve in the 52-minute blowout.
“I started well and that’s always helpful to play more freely,” said Federer who celebrates his 33rd birthday on Friday. “I think I could have served better at times, but other than that, already in practice I felt I was moving well. Didn’t feel so good hitting the ball yet. Wasn’t quite getting used to the surface, and now the last few days have been much better and I’m happy that in the match it kind of all worked really well.”
Next for Federer is a third round date on Thursday against either Malek Jazeri or Marin Cilic.
Federer’s countryman Stan Wawrinka fought off a match point from good friend Benoit Paire to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) in 2:04. The Australian Open champion moves on to await the Kevin Anderson-Fabio Fognini victor in the third round. Wawrinka won the Australian Open and was a semifinalist last year at the US Open.
Much to the dismay of the locals, Canadian favorite Vasek Pospisil couldn’t reprise his win Saturday night over Richard Gasquet in the Washington semis this time losing to the Frenchman in straight sets 7-5, 7-5.
“The difference was I think he was a little bit tired,” said Gasquet. “He was in the final, it’s never easy. [There were] many occasions in Washington he played unbelievable, so I wasn’t lucky. He plays well, he’s very talented, very powerful, so he’s a big opponent for me, it’s a big win for me to win against him.”
Making matters worse, Pospisil, playing with Wimbledon doubles champion teammate Jack Sock, later retired to Gasquet in the doubles. And the Canadian also drops out the US Open seedings once his 2013 Rogers Cup semifinal points fall off on Monday.
Also through was Wimbledon sensation Nick Kyrgios who continued his impressive form upending Santiago Giraldo in straight sets. The 19-year-old Kyrgios was not overwhelmed one bit in his Masters debut.
“First match back so I knew it was going to be tough,” said Kyrgios. “I came out a bit flat. I thought I hung in well. I played the big points pretty well, as well. I’m relatively happy.”
Kyrgios has little time to enjoy the win because on Wednesday he’ll face Andy Murray in the second round.
“He’s a great player,” Kyrgios said of the Scot. “I’m just going to go out there and just enjoy the experience to get to play another player like that. I will hopefully serve well and keep it on my racquet and do the best I can out there.”
Elsewhere, Gilles Simon, Donald Young, Ernests Gulbis and Gael Monfils were winners. Tomorrow Monfils has the task of facing world No. 1 and newly married Novak Djokovic.
In the women’s event in Montreal, blossoming Canadian superstar Eugenie Bouchard fell to the pressure losing to unheralded American Shelby Rogers 6-0, 2-6, 6-0. After reaching the Wimbledon finals and the Australian and French Open semis, Bouchard crumbled under the lofty expectations to the 113th ranked American who had never before beaten a Top 20 player.
“I think I was feeling the pressure a little bit on the court – I felt a little match rusty, kind of,” she said. “But I knew coming into the match that I can’t use those as excuses. I knew it would be kind of a difficult situation. But I’m happy I was able to at least prove to myself that I could turn things around and not let the match run away from me completely. That’s a positive from the match.”
“She definitely took the match.”
A positive she got a set? Good luck with that.
“This was my first experience in an atmosphere like this – the whole stadium cheering for one person,” The Charleston native Rogers said. “I really respect what she’s done. It’s incredible to see how much support she has.”
Other winners were Sam Stosur, Caroline Wozniacki, Aga Radwanska and Venus Williams who won her first career match in Canada.
In the late match, a hobbled Victoria Azarenka overcame a second set ankle turn to dispatch Alize Cornet 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
Tomorrow Stanford winner Serena Williams, who was in the Bouchard quarter, takes on Stosur in a US Open finals rematch. Maria Sharapova faces rising star Garbine Muguruza and Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is also on court. Also, Jelena Jankovic battles Sloane Stephens and we’ll see the return of Venus Williams.
In Toronto, following losses today by Pospisil and Bouchard, Milos Roanic tries to renew Canadian hopes against Jack Sock. Grigor Dimitrov makes his summer debut against the improving Donald Young and Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet are also in scheduled.
WEDNESDAY TORONTO SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 11:00 am
[WC] N Kyrgios (AUS) vs [8] A Murray (GBR)
Not Before 1:00 pm
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs G Monfils (FRA)
D Young (USA) vs [7] G Dimitrov (BUL)
Not Before 6:30 pm
[6] M Raonic (CAN) vs [WC] J Sock (USA)
Y Lu (TPE) vs [4] T Berdych (CZE)
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