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 3rd, 2012.
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 3rd, 2012.