As his rivals crumble around him, Roger Federer is staying cool about his chances at this year’s US Open.
Bidding to win his third grand slam title of the season, the 36-year-old is only one out of four top 10 seeds remaining in the tournament. The situation of the men’s draw occurs during a year where there has been a series of high profile withdrawals, including Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. Federer is now trying to fulfil the expectations of both fans and tournament officials with a potential semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal looming in the future.
“When you see a lot of seeds going out, I don’t know, you naturally put the focus on you for it not to happen to you.” Explained Federer. “You become more not worried, but you’re, like, more aware of it, that it seems a tournament of the upsets.”
Top 10 seeds in the men’s draw
1. Rafael Nadal
2. Roger Federer
3. Alexander Zverev (Second round)
4. Marin Čilić (Third round)
5. Dominic Thiem
6. Grigor Dimitrov (Second round)
7. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Second round)
8. David Goffin
9. John Isner (Third round)
10. Roberto Bautista Agut (Third round)
Federer is seeking solace from his third round win over Feliciano Lopez. Facing the Spaniard, he was only broken once in the entire match. Securing a straight sets win with the help of 13 aces and 32 winners. The outcome has reassured a ‘worried’ Federer following his two opening matches, where he battled to come through in five sets.
“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, that I would have to force myself so much, I would get tired from that.” The 36-year-old revealed.
Heading into the second week of the New York major for the 17th time of his career, Federer is maintaining a positive outlook about both himself and the state of the men’s tournament. Hitting back at some critics.
“I don’t feel necessarily the pressure’s there. We’ll see. A new Grand Slam finalist I think in the bottom section that we’ve never seen before, which is exciting in itself, I think.” Said Federer.
“At the top we actually really have good players left. A lot of them can play at a very high level. They’re all facing off now. I think it’s an exciting tournament. I’m happy I’m still around.”
In the fourth round, Federer will play Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. He currently leads their head-to-head 11-0.
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