Federer coasts into second round at U.S. Open

Christopher Devine

Federer coasts into second round at U.S. Open image

Roger Federer sauntered into the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday with a straight-sets triumph over Leonardo Mayer.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic had dropped just three games in winning his opening match 24 hours earlier and Federer was similarly comfortable as he made light work of the world's 34th-ranked player.

Federer, a five-time winner at Flushing Meadows, eased through in 1 hour, 17 minutes, triumphing 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Marcos Baghdatis or Steve Darcis.

Given his position as one of the highest-ranked non-seeds at Flushing Meadows, Mayer could have been expected to provide a stiff test to the veteran Swiss master.

But Federer was in control from the start, breaking at the first opportunity and swiftly moving into a 4-0 lead courtesy of a running forehand pass down the line as his opponent struggled badly.

Mayer earned a break point in game five, only for the second seed to respond with successive aces on his way to a hold.

The first set was duly secured in 22 minutes with a love service game and Federer was similarly dominant in the second, giving up just four points on serve and breaking Mayer again at 2-2 and 4-2.

When Mayer dropped serve again early in set three, it was clear there was no way back for the Argentinian.

Yet another break put Federer 4-1 ahead and the match was soon brought to a swift end.

Christopher Devine