Fed enjoys express win

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:47

Five-time defending champion Federer had gone into the fourth round clash at Flushing Meadows with an 8-1 playing record over the Spaniard having won their last eight meetings. That winning streak was never seriously under threat at Arthur Ashe Stadium as Federer, in their first match since the 2007 French Open, defeated Robredo 7-5, 6-2, 6-2.

“I tried to figure him out a little bit, the way he played me,” Federer said of a cautious first set.

It was a measured performance from the world number one, slowly turning the screw before killing off his opponent in clinical fashion.

Robredo had began the match solidly, earning break points in fourth game only to see Federer take advantage of poor returns from the Spaniard to hold at 2-2.

Robredo did take the opening set to 5-5, before a sloppy 11th game ended with a poor backhand and Federer had the break, from which he took a one-set lead.

“I thought he really played my backhand a lot. I expected him to open it up sometimes towards my forehand but he didn’t.

“I was a little unsure there for a while, how I should play him. He was doing a good job of keeping me off balance and being intense from the baseline.

“So it was a key to get the break and not having to go through the tie-break. I was even down break points so it was kind of tough.

“Once I got the lead I could also hit a bit more freely.”

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