Roger Federer defeated No. 33 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets — 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 — on Labor Day to advance to the US Open quarterfinals.
There, his opponent will be Juan Martin del Potro, who won a five-setter against him in the tournament’s 2009 final. Today, del Potro completed an epic five-set victory versus No. 6 seed Dominic Thiem while Federer’s match was just getting started.
“We could even hear it on center court,” Federer said of today’s pro-del Potro crowd support. “That’s the first time I experienced that. Clearly Grandstand wasn’t where it used to be. But, I mean, they had epic crowds.”
Federer has a 16-5 career record versus del Potro.
They always talk about Roger's record on Ashe at night. I'm also undefeated there at night & they never mention. #neverplayed #whoscounting
— Bruno Soares (@BrunoSoares82) September 5, 2017
With the opening set tied 3-3, Federer turned a 40-0 Kohlschreiber lead into a break point, which he converted with a forehand winner down his left sideline. Then, with an ace out wide, the 19-time Grand Slam champion consolidated for 5-3. He held his next service game to win the first set 6-4.
At 2-2 in the second, Kohlschreiber fell behind 0-40. Federer won the third break point, taking a set-and-a-break advantage. He followed it up with a hold to go up 4-2.
In the next game, Federer earned another break point with a crosscourt forehand winner. With a forehand into the net, Kohlschreiber let the score get to 5-2, allowing Federer to serve for the second set. Federer held gracefully for 6-2.
https://twitter.com/Ubitennis/status/904864206062854146
“I just felt something, sort of my muscle being tight at the back,” Federer said. “Sort of my quad, I guess. I don’t know what you call it (smiling).”
"I just needed a bit of a rub on my back…or…my bottom. And I didn't want to do it on court." -Roger Federer. #usopen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 5, 2017
At 1-1 in Set 3, Federer had a break point, but wasted it with a backhand return into the net. Kohlschreiber went on to hold. At 5-5, Federer had two more break chances. He won the second one with a backhand pass, giving himself the opportunity to serve for the match. And with a forehand winner, Federer held to 15 for a spot in the quarterfinals.