ATP US Open: Roger Federer tops Sumit Nagal in four sets for winning start
Roger Federer is through to the second round at the US Open for the 19th time in as many appearances in New York, defeating Sumit Nagal 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 30 minutes. It was the 87th triumph in New York for the five-time champion who had to work hard for it in sets one and four, making a slow start before raising his level to bring the victory home in four sets, not spending too much time on the court. Firing 61 winners and 57 unforced errors, Federer had the upper hand on the court but gave the young Indian a lot of opportunities on the return, fending off ten out of 13 break chances and delivering seven breaks from 13 break points that made all the difference and propelled himself into the second round. Serving at 48%, Federer struggled to control the pace in his service games, taking only five points behind the second serve and suffering two breaks fro four chances offered to Nagal.
The Swiss broke at 15 in the second game after a backhand winner, losing the advantage in the very next game thanks to a double fault that kept Nagal in the set. Sumit served well in the rest of the set and broke Roger at 15 in game nine to move in front after a terrible forehand from the five-time champion who found himself 6-4 down when the Indian hit a service winner in that tenth game. Federer held after a couple of deuces at the beginning of the second set and converted the fourth chance for a break in game two that pushed him ahead after a double fault from Sumit. The Swiss earned another break in game four with a forehand winner and sealed the set following a marathon game seven, fending off two break chances and seizing the seventh set point for a 6-1 and the momentum ahead of the rest of the encounter.
The third set was fast and fluid, with Federer losing four points on serve and delivering two breaks for a 6-2, looking good to move over the top in set number four. Roger broke at love in the first game when Sumit netted a backhand, adding another one to his tally in game five and bringing the set home after a volley error from the Indian at 5-2 to move closer to the finish line. From 2-0 up in the fourth set, Roger suffered a break in game four to keep Nagal in contention, unable to reach the Indian's forehand and having to start all over from there. The Swiss broke again in the very next game thanks to a loose forehand from Sumit, serving well in the rest of the encounter and clinching the victory in game ten after fending off four break points that could have made things even more serious for him.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Pj6qNE
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