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Roger Federer cruised in his first hard court match of the summer. The 7-time champion needed just 74 minutes to beat Peter Gojowzcyk 6-4, 6-4.
“I felt good in that first match, to be honest, walking out, hardly any nerves,” Federer said. “I think I knew what I wanted to do, what I had to do. Game plan is very simple. It’s straightforward, it’s fast-court tennis.
“I’m only feeling better every day that has gone by after Wimbledon. So it’s nice to have played a match so my last match is not the Anderson match, so you’ve kind of turned the page, I guess, in that regard. It’s a good thing.”
It was Federer’s first hard court match since a stunning opening round loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis at Miami, and a first match in Cincinnati since 2015.
Federer, who has won his 11 matches in Cincinnati, will have the day off on Wednesday before returning on Thursday to face Leonardo Mayer. The Argentine Mayer upset the man who beat Andy Murray, Lucas Pouille, 7-6, 6-4.
2017 finalist Nick Kyrgios saved a match point and cracked 39 aces to beat Denis Kudla 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-6(9). Up next for the Aussie tomorrow is Borna Coria who blew out qualifier Andrey Medvedev 6-2, 6-3.
“[In my mind] I don’t feel as if I can miss that serve again, so I just go for it,” said Kyrgios of the second serve ace he hit down match point. “It came off today, but obviously some days it’s not going to work. But on days like today, obviously it got me the win.
“I have won a lot of matches doing that… It’s high percentage for me. My serve is my best shot. It’s high percentage to back myself and go for those serves under pressure. Sometimes you’re going to lose, and most of the time, if you back yourself, you win the match.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas was the story of the Canadian Open, but after his final run in Toronto, the 20-year-old had nothing left today against the steady David Goffin who overcame three set points in the first to win 7-5, 6-3.
Australian Open semifinalist Hyeon Chung kept Jack Sock in a downward spiral with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 over the American. Sock, who was bothered by a back issue, has now lost his last eight matches.
Big men Karen Khachanov and Milos Raonic were also winners on the day. Denis Shapovalov ousted Kyle Edmund in the final match of the night.
No. 8 seed Dominic Thiem withdrew with an illness. He was replaced by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
On Wednesday, Novak Djokovic resumes his bid for a first Cincinnati title against Adrian Mannarino. Juan Martin del Potro will face Chung and in the match of the day, Stan Wawrinka collides with Kei Nishikori.
Kevin Anderson, Marin Cilic, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov are also in action.
WEDNESDAY CINCINNATI SCHEDULE
CENTER Starts At 11:00 Am
3 Alexander Zverev vs Robin Haase
Not Before 1:00 PM
Lesia Tsurenko vs 7 Garbiñe Muguruza
Mischa Zverev vs 5 Grigor Dimitrov
Not Before 7:00 PM
1 Simona Halep vs (Q) Ajla Tomljanovic
Not Before 8:30 PM
Hyeon Chung vs 4 Juan Martin del Potro
GRANDSTAND Starts At 11:00 AM
(Q) Tatjana Maria vs 3 Sloane Stephens
Not Before 12:30 PM
10 Novak Djokovic vs Adrian Mannarino
4 Angelique Kerber vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Not Before 7:00 PM
Kei Nishikori vs (WC) Stan Wawrinka
(O) Xinyun Ha/nDarija Jurak vs (G) Kaitlyn Christian/Sabrina Santamaria
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