US Open: Federer into quarters after Fish withdrawal

American pulled out due to health reasons.

NEW YORK: World number one Roger Federer reached his 34th consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final without touching a racquet after his opponent, American Mardy Fish, withdrew over health concerns.

The 31-year-old Swiss star will play Tomas Berdych, who dispatched Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-1.

“I am really sorry for Mardy,” said Federer. “I just want to wish him a speedy recovery. We all want to see him back on tour soon. It will be a tough match against Tomas. We have played many times in the past and he has always been a tough opponent. I will have to continue to serve well and dictate the points.”

Meanwhile, Andy Murray defeated Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and will now play Marin Cilic in a last-eight tie.

“I used a lot of variation,” said Murray. “Milos has a huge game, massive serves. I guessed right a couple times, got lucky and was able to hit a few passing shots on him.”

Errani, Vinci to be foes, not friends

In the women’s singles event, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci will put their friendship to one side when they clash in the quarter-finals, the first time Italy has seen two of its players reach the last-eight of a major.

Errani defeated German sixth-seed Angelique Kerber 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, while Vinci saw off Polish second-seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-4.

“We are very good friends in and outside the court,” said Errani. “This is one thing that helps very much on the court, because, you know, the other will try and help the other.”

In other matches, Serena Williams demolished Andrea Hlavackov 6-0, 6-0 to set up a quarter-final match with Ana Invanovic, who beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0, 6-4. The other two quarter-finals will see Maria Sharapova clash with Marion Bartoli and Victoria Azarenka take on Samantha Stosur.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2012.