New York: Roger Federer crushed Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 to ease into the quarterfinals of the US Open and remain on collision course for a semifinal showdown with Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard kept his side of the bargain with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 trouncing of Ukraine’s Alexander Dolgopolov, his 50th win here at the Flushing Meadows, Monday.
However, to get to Nadal, the Federer, the Swiss World No. 3 will have to get past Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentine who was unwell played an epic five-setter to overcome sixth seed Dominic Thiem 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(7/1), 6-4 in a match that lasted a little over four hours.
Down 2-5 in the fourth, it looked all over for DelPo, but he found gas in the tank to force a stunning turnaround. “Oh my God,” said Del Potro after the match. “I was sick the last two days. I came here trying to play the best I can and then when I see this crowd cheering for me, I was trying to play better every game. I will always remember this night forever.”
Federer meanwhile dismissed Kohlschreiber in 109 minutes without facing a breakpoint. Unbeaten by the German in 11 matches prior to Monday’s clash, Federer started quietly and was content to feel out his opponent but it was not long until he turned up the pressure and broke his opponent with a thundering forehand before wrapping up the first set.
With the match on serve at 2-1, razor sharp Federer tore through six successive games to take the second set and go 1-0 up in the third. With Kohlschreiber on the ropes, the 36-year-old Swiss seemed to ease up but he took the decisive break at 6-5 before closing out the match with a classic forehand winner.
Federer had lost to DelPo in the final here in 2009 and he said that he knew a tough match is on the cards. Federer leads 16-5 in their overall record, but the two have split the last six matches between them.
“It’s great to see him back on tour. He’s had a rough ride with wrist problems. He’s a good guy. And I also know it won’t be easy,” said the Swiss.
Reporters also asked Federer as to why he had taken a timeout during the beginning of the third set. The player however, downplayed the incident, declaring himself 100 per cent healthy. “I just felt something, sort of my muscle being tight at the back,” explained Federer. “It was more precaution. It’s all good. No problems there. I‘m not worried about it.”
Nadal meanwhile will face Russian 19-year-old Andrey Rublev, who stunned Belgian ninth seed David Goffin 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to become the youngest quarterfinalist since Andy Roddick in 2001.
Results
Roger Federer bt Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2, 7-5
Rafael Nadal bt Alexander Dolgopolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1
Del Potro bt Dominic Thiem 1-6, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(7/1), 6-4
Andrey Rublev bt David Goffin 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3
Agencies
