Federer Moves into 4th Round Beats Lopez in Straight Sets - UBITENNIS

Federer Moves into 4th Round Beats Lopez in Straight Sets

By John Horn
4 Min Read

@Sportshorn

It was certainly much easier match than his previous two encounters at this years US Open. After two five setters in the opening two rounds, Roger Federer had his easiest match yet in the third round. The five time US Open champ needed just an hour and 47 minutes to get past 31st seed Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3 7-5 on Saturday night.

Federer, who struggled at times against American Frances Tiafoe and then two days ago needed a comeback against Mikhail Youhzny played a much cleaner match and never really faced any adversity. After an uncharacteristic 68 unforced errors in the second round, he had just 16 in the match on Saturday. He won 85 percent of his first serve points and was broken just once.

Federer needed just an hour to capture the first two sets breaking Lopez once in each. His groundstrokes looked much smoother than they did in the first two rounds and he showed no signs of any back problems or fatigue.

The third set was closer but it was Federer who won the big points when needed. He broke Lopez three times in the final set including the final game after a Lopez forehand miss.

“It was clearly nice to go up two sets to love for a change, said the 19-time Grand Slam winner. “Overall I have felt better, too. I was happy I had good energy because I think that was my biggest worry, that somehow after the two five-setters that I had, I was going to feel a little slow, hard to throw the engine on, you know, that I would have to force myself so much, I would get tired from that. It didn’t happen…a little bit of a wobble in the third maybe. But, you know, it’s all good. I’m really pleased with the performance.”

Federer has now defeated Lopez 13 straight times including the last time they played at the US Open back in 2007. Federer also had 13 aces in the match. He now sits second on the all-time ace list two ahead of Goran Ivanisevic but over two thousand behind leader Ivo Karlovic.

Next up is German Philipp Kohlschreiber. The 33-year old, seeded 33rd at Flushing Meadows, hasn’t dropped a set in his first three matches. However, he has never defeated Federer in 11 previous head to head meetings.

“I know Philipp very well. Practiced with him a ton,” said Federer. “Had some good matches against him in the past. Played him here a few years back, first round or second round…he’s a good player. Got great rotation on the ball. Plays with a lot of topspin. Has a nice one-handed backhand, which I love to see, of course. He seems in good shape. He’s in good physical condition always. Prides himself on working hard.”

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