By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, August 28, 2019
NEW YORK—Road tripping helped Roger Federer process a painful Wimbledon final loss.
The 38-year-old Swiss has spun his wheels in the early stages of this US Open, but remains on course for his traditional post Labor Day run.
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Surrendering the first four games in a stumbling start, Federer found his range and rhythm in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Damir Dzumhur advancing to the US Open third round for the 19th time.
It wasn’t a pristine performance, but Federer beat the rain and tricky former Top 25-ranked opponent who owns career wins over Rafa Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Our Top 5 Takeaways from Federer’s US Open second-round win.
Century Mark
Contesting his 100th career US Open match, the five-time champion improved to 87-13 in Flushing Meadows and a perfect 19-0 in second-round matches in New York.
There were bumps along the way. Federer was down a double break early, committed 45 unforced errors after scattering 57 in his first-round win, but grew stronger as the match progressed and saved all six break points he faced over the final three sets.
First-Set Ceiling
Playing his first match beneath a closed Arthur Ashe Stadium roof, Federer hit a first-set ceiling again.
In the opening round, 190th-ranked Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal took the opening set from Federer, 6-4, in his US Open debut.
Today, Federer was a sluggish and sloppy at the start opening the door for his opponent to charge through. Dzumhur dabbed a drop shot prompting a floating Federer reply as the Bosnian broke again for a 4-0 lead en route to the first set.
The third-seeded Swiss’ first-set issues stem from erratic shot-making. Federer clanked 19 errors in the first set of his opener and hit 17 errors and won just three points on second serve in the opening set today.
Federer said there have been no surprises so far, but knows he needs to play cleaner tennis at the start as the tournament progresses.
“I got exactly what I expected from both guys,” Federer said. “I knew what Nagal was going to give me. I knew what Dzumhur was going to give me. But I didn't expect to hit 15 to 20 unforced errors, which is basically in the entire set just sort of donated. But look, they came out and they were well prepared and got me to do that. But I clearly have to play better from the get-go.”
Driving Down Deficits
Rod Laver, who completed his second Grand Slam at Forest Hills 50 years ago, had a simple approach to regaining his range when his game went off. Laver would drive hard shots deep down the middle to both loosen up his arm and take the sidelines out of play.
In both round this week, Federer has sprayed shots long and met deficits not by dropping back further, but by stepping forward and playing even more assertively.
It’s an approach he used at Wimbledon where he lost opening sets to Lloyd Harris in the first round and Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals en route to the finals.
Federer channeled positive emotion to fight first-set frustration today.
“I don't think there is per se a secret to a good start other than warming up well, being well-prepared mentally,” Federer said. “Not underestimating your opponent. I did all of that…
“So when it happens like this back-to-back matches, you know, it's just a bit frustrating more than anything, especially when the level is that low and there is that many errors and the energy is not kind of there. (I) can only do better, which is a great thing moving forward.”
Adjusting To Slower Track
During Federer’s record five-year reign as US Open champion from 2004 to 2008, he exploited the fast Flushing Meadows track and sometimes gusty wind blowing off nearby Flushing Bay to his advantage.
A year ago, Federer met his match in slow, swampy conditions falling to Australian John Millman in a sweaty, steamy fourth-round loss.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion describes current conditions as “definitely slower” than past years, which will require adjustments—particularly if hotter weather hits this weekend as forecast.
“I do believe it's definitely slower than it has in previous years,” Federer said. “I'm not sure if it's the balls or the speed of the court. But it's definitely not on the faster side. If you look at this was like an indoor match, so it's great for ball striking, for big servers, and it's hard to go through guys, you know.
“So I feel like it's medium, at best. I also was told we're going to make it faster to last year. I don't feel it that way yet but maybe I've just got to figure out how to play and use the conditions to your advantage.”
Who’s Next?
Standing between Federer and his 19th US Open fourth-round appearance is either Australian Open semifinalist Lucas Pouille or Briton Daniel Evans who trained with Federer in Switzerland earlier this year.
It will be his second Grand Slam match of the season against one of those two opponents.
The five-time US Open champion swept Pouille, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (4) at Wimbledon last month. Federer erased Evans, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-3 at the Australian Open in January.
"Look, I know I can't reinvent myself from today to the third round," Federer said. "That's where experience kicks in. I know it's more of the mind that needs either a rest from, you know, from either a lot of practice or busy days or pressure, whatever it may be. I think this is where you find the energy, in my opinion."