US Open: Djokovic’s the favourite, not me, says Federer

World number one keeps feet on the ground after easy first-round win.

NEW YORK: Roger Federer began his campaign for a record sixth US Open with an easy 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over America’s Donald Young, but insisted Novak Djokovic remains the hot favourite to deny him an 18th major.

“For me, Novak goes in as the favourite because he’s the defending champion,” said the Swiss maestro. “He’s probably won most titles on hard courts in the last couple of years. It’s where he feels most comfortable. He’s beaten me the last couple of years here as well. It’s strange for me to be the favourite just after beating him a couple of times.”

Federer, who won his 17th Grand Slam trophy courtesy a seventh Wimbledon title in July, goes on to face German veteran Bjorn Phau for a place in the last-32.

Murray battles into second round

In another match, Olympic champion Andy Murray labored into the second round dispatching Russia’s 73rd-ranked Alex Bogomolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

Murray put a scare into his supporters by clutching his left leg after a point in the fifth game of the final set but blamed the problem on cramping after being pushed throughout the match, which lasted two hours and 15 minutes.

“Struggling a little bit,” said Murray. “There were a lot of long points, especially at the beginning of the match. Just a little bit of cramping. I have to stay better hydrated for the next matches.”

Clijsters advances at farewell event

Meanwhile, three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters is ready to give up the globe-trotting tennis star life at the age of 29 in order to spend more time as a wife and mother. But first, she is going to give winning a Grand Slam title one last try.

The Belgian star began the final tournament of her WTA career by defeating American teen Victoria Duval 6-3, 6-1 on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court where she captured US Open crowns in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

“You feel it when it’s the right time to retire,” said Clijsters. “It’s a feeling you need to have inside if you still want to keep going and you want more of those adrenaline rushes. I just know for me the time is right.”

In other matches, Australian seventh-seed Samantha Stosur began her repeat bid with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Croatia’s Petra Martic while ninth-seed Li Na beat Britain’s Heather Watson 6-2, 6-3. Top-seed Victoria Azarenka cruised past Alexandra Panova 6-0, 6-1 in 50 minutes and Maria Sharapova dispatched Hungary’s Melinda Czink 6-2, 6-2.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2012.