US Open Under Way

Roger Federer served notice he was still a powerhouse at the US Open and punctuated his performance with another sensational shot for the ages in a first-round rout over Argentine Brian Dabul.

Federer, whose run of five successive US titles was snapped last year in a five-set final against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, closed the opening day’s action with a 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory on Arthur Ashe center court.

The Swiss maestro turned master showman when he reprised the between-the-legs winner he hit last year in the semi-finals against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with an equally spectacular between-the-legs winner that left Dabul stunned on the other side of the net late in the second set.

Federer threw his arms up in triumph while cheers rained down and fans showed their adulation by bowing to the 16-times Major champion while Dabul applauded with his racket.

“I’ve only hit a few in my life and two on center court in night session play here in New York,” the second-seeded Federer said in an on-court interview.

“It’s amazing to share this moment with you guys. Thanks for the ovation and I love it.”

Federer raced back to retrieve a lob from left-hander Dabul and with his back to his opponent, stretched to reach it from well beyond the baseline and uncorked a rifle shot through his legs that rocketed deep into the backhand corner leaving the Argentine frozen in stunned appreciation.

The incredible shot highlighted a bravura performance by Federer, who improved to 16-0 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium and guaranteed himself a spot in the ATP World Tour Finals.

Federer blasted 18 aces to none for Dabul and cranked out 46 winners to his opponent’s four.

“I’ve never lost night sessions. I feel very much at home here,” said the 29-year-old Federer. “I always come out and played some good tennis here over the years. I’ve been in six straight finals.

“I would like to go there again this year. The path is long and rough, we’ll see how it goes. I’m excited to be back and playing well.”

The second-seeded Federer next plays Germany’s Andreas Beck, who beat compatriot Michael Berrer 7-6(3) 6-3 6-1 in straight sets.

Venus Williams showed some effects of a troublesome knee but displayed enough of her trademark power to beat Italian Roberta Vinci 6-4 6-1 in the opening night match.

Two-times former champion Williams winced after landing on her left leg while striking a swinging forehand volley in the first set but the third-seeded American battled on in her first match since Wimbledon.

“I landed on that leg on the swing volley,” Williams said in an on-court interview, but gave credit to the 65th-ranked Vinci for putting up a good fight and clawing back from 3-0 to tie the first set 4-4.

“I was playing against a tough opponent today. She hits that slice so well. She didn’t make a lot of errors … so I was really happy to get through after not playing in forever.”

Williams, the top American in the draw since her sister and world number one Serena Williams did not enter the championship due to a foot injury, blasted in 10 aces under the lights on the Arthur Ashe Stadium center court.

“It’s not the same without two Williamses,” Venus told a crowd of nearly 24,000. “I have a lot of big shoes to fill with just one Willliams here.”

She celebrated the opening night occasion by wearing a short black party dress with fringe on the bottom.

“It’s my evening dress,” said Williams about her design. “It’s so much fun wearing lace on the court.”

Williams, who made 12 unforced errors from her backhand side, never looked entirely comfortable in the first set as Vinci moved her around the court.

The consistent Vinci invited Williams to take chances as the Italian made just 12 unforced errors in the match.

But five-times Wimbledon winner Williams lifted her game to close out the first set by breaking Vinci at love in the 10th game and finished the 74-minute match by winning the last five games of the second set.

The 30-year-old Williams will next meet Canadian Rebecca Marino, who beat Ksenia Pervak of Russia 6-4 4-6 7-5 in her first-round match.
Reuters