US Open: I was never in trouble, says Federer

Federer clinches straight-sets win to reach last-16.

NEW YORK: Five-time champion Roger Federer defied heat and crushing humidity to reach the US Open last-16 with an easy win over Fernando Verdasco.

“I was never really in big trouble on my service games,” said the Swiss. “The heat and wind weren’t really a problem, but Fernando keeps you guessing, he’s a great shot-maker.”

Federer won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to set up a last-16 clash with Mardy Fish, who beat Gilles Simon 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3. In stark contrast, Andy Murray needed almost four hours to clinch a 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Feliciano Lopez.

Clijsters bids farewell

Kim Clijsters bid farewell to her playing career after she and American Bob Bryan were defeated by Bruno Soares and Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 3-6, 12-10 in a second-round mixed doubles match.

“It was an honour to be part of this sport. I started when I was four and had so many dreams come true,” said Clijsters. “Tennis will always be a part of my life and I will always follow it. I have won many beautiful things and have so many friendships.”

Serena Williams claimed a 6-4, 6-0 win over Ekaterina Makarova, while Agnieszka Radwanska beat Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 7-5. Ana Ivanovic reached the last-16 with a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 win over Sloane Stephens.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Aisamul Haq Qureshi and his Dutch partner Jean-Julien Rojer were through to the men’s doubles third round where they will face Russian Alex Bogomolov junior and South Africa’s Raven Klaasen.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2012.