The world number two’s fantastic shot was similar to a jaw-dropping winner he hit against Novak Djokovic in last year’s US Open semi-finals, a between-the-legs blast for a crucial point as he was running from the net behind the baseline.
In the ninth game of the second set, Federer hit a between-the-legs, back-to-the-net running forehand winner from behind the baseline, and raised his arms and smiled after blasting the winner past Dabul, who could only stare and shrug. The thrilling point, part of a 46-4 edge in winners for Federer, brought him to deuce and the crowd to its feet. The Swiss superstar held in the last game and went on the claim the match in 93 minutes.
Federer is seeking to regain the crown he lost to Juan Martin del Potro last year after five consecutive titles.
“I’ve never lost a night session match here and feel very much at home. I have been in six straight finals and would like to be there again this year, but the path is long and rough,” said Federer. “I missed many break chances but credit to Brian, too. It was his first time on centre court at a major.”
Injured Venus progresses
There was a comfortable winning start for Venus Williams. However, there were signs in her 6-4, 6-1 win against Italy’s Roberta Vinci that the 30-year-old third seed was feeling some pain from the left knee injury that has sidelined her since Wimbledon.
“I was doing pretty good until I landed on my leg on a swing volley,” said Venus. “Roberta didn’t make a lot of errors so I was very happy to get through after not playing forever.”
Defending champion
Clijsters advances
Tournament favourite Kim Clijsters secured a 6-0, 7-5 win against Greta Arn of Hungary. She took the first set in just 18 minutes, but needed to fight back after going 0-4 down in the second. Clijsters said that she felt under no extra pressure to repeat her outstanding play of last year.
“Obviously last year I had a few more probably unanswered questions, but I think this year I know what I have to do if I want to try and do as well as I did last year,” said Clijsters.
But there were upsets too, as 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt and former world number one Dinara Safina both crashed out.
Robin Soderling needed five sets to see off unheralded Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer 7-5, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 5-7, 6-4. There were wins also for sixth-seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 winner over Michael Russell of the US, and ninth seed Andy Roddick, who saw off Stephane Robert of France 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Fifth seed Samantha Stosur of Australia defeated Russia’s Elena Vesnina 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-1.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2010.
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