Federer Cruises In Cincinnati Opener; Nadal, Djokovic Murray Today

by Staff | August 19th, 2015, 9:25 am
  • 79 Comments

Six-time champion Roger Federer breezed the opening match of his title defense. The World No. 3 ousted Spaniard Roberto Buatista Agut 6-4, 6-4.

The Swiss made just 43% of first serves for the match, but he never faced a break point in the victory.

“It’s the first round of the hard court season for the next six plus months or so,” said Federer. “I have things in mind to work on for the hard-court season. No. 1, you have to be fit and tough, because you can stop on a dime and move the other direction, which on other surfaces is not so easy to do.


“Here in Cincy it plays pretty quick, so why not move forward a bit. You have to just pick the right times and keep your opponent off balance. I think it is a good play for me.”

Embattled Nick Kyrgios crashed out to Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-1. The 20-year-old received treatment during the match for his back.

Also, Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic were both easy winners. Grigor Dimitrov beat Wimbledon quarterfinalist Vasek Pospisil in two breakers.

Two upsets were Feliciano Lopez beating Milos Raonic and Sam Querrey upset his fatigued good friend John Isner 6-3, 7-6.

“I thought I played well,” said Querrey. “I know he was a little wobbled there in the first set, but besides that I felt I did everything well. Returned well. Did everything. Forehand and backhand were solid. Didn’t make many mistakes. I was happy how I played.”

In the match of the day, 18-year-old future stars Borna Coric and Alexander Zverev played to a final set breaking with the Croat coming ahead 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(5).

Today, former champions Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray make their 2015 debuts and Novak Djokovic begins his attempt once again to win the only Masters title missing from his trophy case.

Murray will play 2-time finalist Mardy Fish who is appearing in his final Cincinnati tournament.

WEDNESDAY CINCINNATI SCHEDULE
CENTER start 11:00 am
ATP – B. Coric (CRO) vs [5] S. Wawrinka (SUI)
Not Before 1:00 pm
WTA – [1] S. Williams (USA) vs T. Pironkova (BUL)
Not Before 3:00 pm
ATP – [1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [LL] B. Paire (FRA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA – [5] C. Wozniacki (DEN) vs V. Azarenka (BLR)
Not Before 8:30 pm
ATP – [8] R. Nadal (ESP) vs J. Chardy (FRA)

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
WTA – K. Mladenovic (FRA) vs [3] S. Halep (ROU)
ATP – S. Querrey (USA) vs T. Robredo (ESP)
Not Before 3:00 pm
WTA – S. Stephens (USA) vs [Q] M. Barthel (GER)

Not Before 7:00 pm
ATP – [WC] M. Fish (USA) vs [3] A. Murray (GBR)
ATP – A. Peya (AUT) / B. Soares (BRA) vs [3] J. Rojer (NED) / H. Tecau (ROU)


You Might Like:
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Sharapova Suffers Arm Injury In Stanford; Wimbledon Champ Muguruza Cruises In Hard Court Opener
No Big 4 Reunion In Cincinnati, Rafael Nadal Withdraws
Djokovic Cruises Past Federer To Win Cincinnati Title And Become First Man To Win All 9 Masters
Exhausted Andy Murray Withdraws From Washington, Toronto

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79 Comments for Federer Cruises In Cincinnati Opener; Nadal, Djokovic Murray Today

Daniel Says:

Rain forecasted for all today’s afternoon and night. Don’t know if we’ll see any match at all in a packed day.


jane Says:

daniel i saw “periods of heavy rain” but yeah it’s not looking good! i hope they get in as many matches as possible today. this site says “occasional thunderstorms.” lol. : /

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/USOH0188:1:US


sienna Says:

Im glad Federer takes up majority of article again.
without Federer this site runs empty. sad that other elite players cant fill the shoes. where is the leadership?


Daniel Says:

I saw it similar Jane but 30% chance or more all day every hour. Hoping for a bunch of 2 sets matches today to not mess up schedule for tomorrow onwards.


jane Says:

agree daniel; hope players can finish quickly.

jalep, did you see this summary of the coric vs zverev match? it’s quite fun to think about these players and where they’ll end up!

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/08/kids-today/55975/#.VdSVayn-9Hg


jalep Says:

jane, thanks for posting the weather link – love the hourly radar maps the most but you see what I did trying to post that link on the 1st Cincy thread…*face palm*

Stan and Borna about to start. Not sure how long it will last, though.

Interesting read from Tennis dot com. thanks for that, too.

Not sure I can call Coric baby Djokovic but he’s got a thoughtful defensive game and his work ethic seems committed – mature young man. Sascha is flashier and more fun to watch. The two of them made an interesting match – it’s an exciting potential for tennis.

Too bad there was so few people there – that’s the court where I’d have parked myself.


jane Says:

yeah, i see coric is up a break on stan. also 4-k and gasquet are on court.


jalep Says:

Do you have any matches on TV or streaming, jane?

Stan is not his Stanimal self — yet, at least, but he just broke back.

I only have flashscore for 4K and GasK – like see that one too. Kokkinakis another exciting prospect at 19.


jane Says:

and b.t.w., i know others are, but I am not writing off stan as a top contender to win the us open. i believe it’s a strategy of stan and magnus’ to peak for the slams. other than the FO last year, for the past 2 years stan has been a force at all of the slams:

USO2013 – SF – lost to Novak (finalist)
A02014 – W – beat Novak and Rafa
FO2014 – blip
W2014 – QF – lost to Fed (finalist)
USO2014 – QF – BARELY lost to Kei (finalist)
AO2015 – SF – lost to Novak (winner)
FO2015 – W – beat Fed and Novak
W2015- QF – lost to Gasquet

Until I see him lose early at a slam I am assuming he is a top guy to win the whole thing, because he can beat anyone when he gets on a roll, as he’s proven.


jalep Says:

^^ talking in baby talk this morning – “like see that one too” whaa


jane Says:

no i don’t jalep. have to go to work for a few hours so can’t even watch a stream. will have to peek at scores…


jalep Says:

^ my post at 12:04 is to myself.

Stan had a turning point in his tennis game – 2013 . I don’t remember is that when he hooked up with Norman? makes sense.


jalep Says:

Sorry to hear that, jane – no stream.

Yeah I leave for work at 6 pm.

Coric playing solid. Still a break ahead and if he can hold his serve, he’ll get a set!


jalep Says:

Coric 1st set 6-3!

Stan is dangerous for anyone it’s true but this tennis from him reminds me of his 2nd match, Montecarlo. After duffing up his opponent 1st match -Juan Monaco – he lost the next match meekly, I’d say. Stan might be letting stuff outside tennis get to him? Coric catching on an off day?

19 UE’s Stan v Coric that 1st set.


jalep Says:

As much as I love Simona, in an appropriate way like WogBoy says, feeling on the bandwagon for Bencic. Brilliant win for her over Kerber yesterday and I was expecting a title winner hangover after Toronto.

Halep is a set up over Mladenovic
Bencic takes on Flavia Panetta later


jalep Says:

What a shame. 4K had potential mp’s in the tb and couldn’t do it.

4K vs Sascha Zverev is looking good for the future.

Coric showing a lot of poise and fight. TC doing a good job showing both matches. Did I just say that? lol


jalep Says:

Coric is moving a step in to return Stan’s serve.

That a little change from where he camped v Zverev.

Borna is rolling on some confidence after beating AZ, I’m thinking. Stan showing signs of life but Coric doing a good job holding with assistance from Stan this time. 6-5 Coric. Stan will serve…

Cheering on the kid here. Go Borna!


jalep Says:

Reeshard is kryptonite for the young Ozzie guns.

Bye bye, 4K. Almost got the 1st set…almost.

Change in momentum to favor Stan after tb. Mood improvement is noticeable.


Daniel Says:

Wawrinka was 2 points away from losing another first roubd but now is leading third set. Hope we got to see him play Novak Friday


sienna Says:

Federer cruises and this weekend headliner will say crushes Murphy. talk about borrowing #2 spot


Colin Says:

This is a useful link, a list of stadiums with roofs. More and more tournaments are being affected by rain, and roofs are becoming essential, but where will the money come from?.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_covered_stadiums_by_capacity#Tennis

I still treasure that moment at the USO when water was welling up through the surface, and Andy Roddick took charge and marched everyone off to another court. A bit cheeky, but it probably saved a half hour’s dithering.


FedExpress Says:

in the pilot interview with sky sports wawrinka said that kyrgios DIDNT apologize. didnt want to go into details. understandable. wasnt happy at all. gave only short answers.


jalep Says:

Stan on the mend in the end, gets the win and will face Dr. Ivo who is serving better than ever at 37 yrs old. Kudos Karlovic.

Donna Vekic speaks:

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/donna-vekic-finally-hits-back-at-nick-kyrgios-over-stan-wawrinka-sex-slur_sto4868878/story.shtml


FedExpress Says:

stan looked absolutly broken in the interview. poor fellow


FedExpress Says:

buckland could have been sensible and sensitive to not ask such questions.


FedExpress Says:

kookinakis is also guilty. why do tell your friends with whom you sleep? why? have some self esteem.


Ben Pronin Says:

“why do tell your friends with whom you sleep?”

This is sarcasm.


jalep Says:

Where’s the interview you mention FedExpress? Would like to see it.


jalep Says:

Thanks, FE


FedExpress Says:

welcome jalep


jalep Says:

Still not satisfied with what was done, I think. Can hardly hear NK name: “I don’t want to talk about him.”

The best thing for Stan was winning that TB today – changed his mood and he focused on finishing the match.


madmax Says:

Just the most wonderful commentary from Peter Bodo that I have read in quite a while.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13465372/tennis-roger-federer-shows-new-strategy-cincy-win


Jock-KatH Says:

Madmax – It was this article I read a.m. UK time that made me ask 10 hours ago what North American fans thought of the Federer match – the responses were pretty contradictory —

I asked because the Bodo article was pretty glowing.

Seems to be so many different versions and opinions….nobody seems to agree? On another thread?


Jock-KatH Says:

Madmax – it was on the “6-time Roger Fed. in Action Tonight” thread.
Cheers


courbon Says:

Novak is playing badly.unforced error’s are huge…


Daniel Says:

Djoko missing an easy FH on set point mid court. Third set point now, hope he closes and finish this match quick because rain is coming soon.


elina Says:

Boom Boom had lost a lot of weight at least 10 kilos.

Maybe Nole gave him his cook book.

Looks good on him.


courbon Says:

This is becoming good match.Bienot’s dropshots are fantastic


mat4 Says:

Good match indeed, Courbon.

The way Novak plays, he definitely needs such challenges. Of course, I guess he will eventually prevail, but he doesn’t play at his usual level.

But, watching Benoit play, I just wonder how good the field is today, and how difficult it is to remain at the top.


courbon Says:

mat4- Like many players out of top10, Benoit has moments of brilliants ridled with silly mistakes.
Just as I write Novak looks focused and easily breaks Benoit to get a first set…


mat4 Says:

The FFT and has to think deeply why French players are physically so unprepared. Paire is tired at the end of the first set. OK, it’s very humid, but even then. Paire is a big guy, and as such he needs special, careful preparation.

Then, when we look at the careers of Monfils, Tsonga, Simon… we see that they are injuries plagued. Monfils has never been fit in the last five years. There’s obviously a big problem there.

The other problem is quantity. France has so many talents, that it’s clear that [great point by Paire!] this is the reason of French presence at the top. But there’s a latent lack of good work.


courbon Says:

You have a point there.French players are also very interesting to watch_from classic style of Gasquet to madness of Monfils, power of Tsonga to grinding of Simon…lots of variety.
But, you are right.Physically not great.


mat4 Says:

It’s incredible how such a close match, with many beautiful points, lacks tension.


courbon Says:

Yeap, it is flat…Benoit nervous, Novak in a bad mood, not enough crowd, grey skies…yeap, it is rather dull.


courbon Says:

Its funny-I go to toilet and I think is different match-but no-Novak changed the shirt.
I go for a fag, come back and I’m confused-Benoit now changed the shirt…what is this? Fashion show?


courbon Says:

Battle of dropshots!This is great..


mat4 Says:

Terrific match. Paire lacks consistency, but I guess that you can’t consistently play such difficult and spectacular shots.


jane Says:

paire made great use of droppers in the first set, when nole was still finding his range. benoit was so accurate and consistent. very nice player, easy on the eyes. novak got a little looser in the second set and cleaned up some of the errors. good first match!


jane Says:

hi mat4, i mentioned you on the contentious federer thread. ;)


courbon Says:

Novak got it…. good night mat


jane Says:

good points about the french players re: fitness mat4 and variety in styles courbon. apparently gasquet has worked on his fitness and it’s paying off with, for example, the semis run at wimbledon. if they were all very professional and fit, they could have a tennis dynasty methinks? ah, well. they might lose some of that je ne sais quoi non?

elina, i agree -boris is looking trimmer. i noticed it at wimbledon.


RZ Says:

@Mat4 and Jane – It’s looking likely that this current crop of French players will not win a Davis Cup title, which is a shame because between Monfils, Simon, Gasquet, Tsonga, and Benneteau, there’s quite a lot of singles and doubles talent. They came close last year but Clement made some major mis-steps for the final round and they were up against the determined Fedrinka tandem.


mat4 Says:

@jane:

Finally found the thread and the comments, and I was very glad you wrote it.

Tennis wise, I still think that Federer is better than ever. I don’t even think that he has slowed down perceptibly, and just like he said, he still has a great serve, a big forehand, and his backhand and net game are better.

His problems are, of course, stamina, and recovery, and it all affects his consistency and results in best of five. He played an exceptional semi at Wimby, but his legs slowly gave up from the third set of the final, just to mention an example.

Another one would be my comparison of the WB finals in 2008 and 2014 — I also don’t have a doubt that had Roger played in 2008 the way he did in 2014, avoiding baseline rallies, making a good use of the slice return, exploiting better the third shot (he was spectacular then, he is just wiser now), he would have easily won. In 2008, he just allowed Rafa to play his game — on a turf where Roger had so many options…

Why isn’t he winning so much now? Because tennis is an exhausting sport, with a very dense field, levelled lately even more by the evolution of racquet and strings technology. I just watched Paire play sensational tennis. A week ago, I was impressed by Bellucci. Goffin and Nishikori played a wonderful match, with all the elements of tennis, great movement, great shots, versatility, even some net play. Roger just can’t play 7 best of 5 matches in a row on the same level.

Then, he was unlucky to play the later part of his career against 2 of the top 5 ever, and one of them was a very bad match-up. But even then, the fact that he wins his fair share of matches against Novak — at his peak — is a sign of greatness.


mat4 Says:

@RZ:

Clément is just… no words.

I can’t understand why Chardy wasn’t in the team against GB, in Mahut stead. Chardy was in great form, something visible in Paris and London, and he is one of the best French double players: he played two finals last year and won a tournament this year.

Then, I have the impression that Clément has no authority on the players. They’re buddies or something alike. It’s not a way to lead a team to victory. You don’t allow your best player not to play because he doesn’t feel like it.

The FFT is a very rich federation, but there are a lot of things that could be done better: standardise training (there’s not French school of tennis, and players, even the best of them, often have big wholes in their respective games: Tsonga has no BH, Simon doesn’t volley, Gasquet never learned to serve, Monfils never learned to think, Paire lacks a reliable FH… etc.).

There are no players with a clear sense of purpose on the court, like Spanish players are. Take a look at Nadal, Robredo, or Ferrer, watch GGL, Batista Agut… there’s nothing superfluous in their game. No “flamboyance”. But the results are here.

And they are always well prepared. You won’t see any of them panting and breathing hard at the end of the first set.


Daniel Says:

3 more mans matches to finish today, Nadal, Murray and Lopez. There will ve a gap of 2 hours from 21 to 23 with no rai. Hope they can finish as much as possible today.


jane Says:

is it raining now daniel? i was watching on a stream before as no t.v. coverage.


jane Says:

yeah… just saw a twitter pic. it’s *pouring*…


Daniel Says:

And it got worse again. Thibk they won’t finish today. Too bad, they will have to play 2 matches tomorrow. In case of Nadal x Chardy and Lopez x Seppi at least they are in the same situation with both winners play twice. Murray got a disavantage because Dimitrov will be rested and he will to play one match and gets Dimi next.

Let’s see of there is a break in the next 2-3 hours maybe they start play 23 hs local time.


jane Says:

do you think murray will finish daniel? i guess it’s almost 9:00 pm there already. as you say, it’s definitely looking like the other matches won’t.


jane Says:

apparently they’re just drying the courts. brad gilbert tweeted he thought they might get in a half hour of play only. : /


Daniel Says:

Finally some matches going on


jane Says:

murray won first set over fish, lopez over seppi, and nadal and chardy just got started. it’s 11:20 but better late than never i guess.


Daniel Says:

Murray was broken serving for the set but eventually break back to close 6-4.

Hope he finishes quick second set.
Lopez won first set tiebreak and Nadal and Chardy are on now.With some lucky all matches could end today.


jane Says:

rafa seems to be cruising versus chardy a.t.m.


Daniel Says:

Jane,

But last two times Nadal served he faced BP, 5-40 hen serving to close the set, which he did, and now 30-40 which he saved after Chardy hit a FH long.


Daniel Says:

Chardy FH is misfiring a lot, he should use his inside out flat,which is much better than this spin he is trying to use and overhitting.


jane Says:

daniel, am just following scores, not too closely either, so thanks for the update.


Daniel Says:

Lopez is easily through. Chardy with another bP after a FH return winner. He should take advantage because Nadal served DF alot of second serves. But now an ace to save BP.

Great point with a lot of balls on the lines. Another BP for Chardy.


Daniel Says:

Fish breaksMurray serve again and will serve for second set. A lot of breaks in that match. Murray seems bit tired.

Maybe that Montreal final took something out of him.


Daniel Says:

Bad game from Nadal and Chardy is not taking advantage, 4th BP gone with another error.


Daniel Says:

Nadal hold after saving 5 or 6 BP’s


Daniel Says:

Murray again breaks back and force a tiebreak.Leading 2-1 with a mini break.


Daniel Says:

Murray wins.
Nadal break up, Lopez tomorrow, who is playing and serving very good. He will need to serve extremely well to have a chance against Nadal.

Hope Anderson doesn’t have a good serving day and soil the party as it seems we could have another Fedal on Friday, long due.


Georgy Gal Says:

Murray won! In straight sets so he can now go and sleep.
Hope Rafa also seals the deal in 2 sets. His forehand is still erratic. Once he gets it back into its old lethal mode, Rafa will be back. Nobody forgets how to play tennis. Why is Rafa’s forehand erratic? Not in position in time? Back or shoulder problem? I do not think it is mental.


Georgy Gal Says:

Rafa definitely seems to have lost half a step. He was so unbelievably quick in the past.


Daniel Says:

Chardy saves 2 MP on his serve, had 0-30, saves 1 MP on Nadal serve and now BP


Daniel Says:

He missed another sitter FH to break.


Daniel Says:

After 5 MP, he made it.

End of night.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam