Federer starts Cincinnati title bid with solid win
August 20th, 2009 - 2:32 am ICT by IANS
Cincinnati (Ohio), Aug 20 (DPA) Roger Federer charged out of the blocks to start the Cincinnati Masters with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Argentine Jose Acasuso Wednesday.
But seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who defeated the Swiss five days ago in the Montreal quarter-finals, was dispatched under a barrage of 20 aces by Aussie qualifier Chris Guccione.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic, last year’s losing finalist to Andy Murray, beat Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
“That’s quite a good stat I think for the first match,” said Djokovic, who lost only only one first-serve point the entire match.
“It’s really important to get my serve going and have a high percentage of the first serves in, which wasn’t case really in my last match in Montreal.
“Today I served well when I needed to and made only one double fault. He was serving really well and going for the shots but he didn’t really care to play too many long rallies.”
France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu beat Croatian Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (11-9), 6-4 to eliminate one of the biggest servers in the game at the second-round stage.
Federer, travelling with wife Mirka and the couple’s new-born twin daughters, next plays Spain’s David Ferrer in the third round.
The Swiss said he had to get used to conditions in the Midwest in his opening match as he plays his final event prior to the US Open starting a week from Monday.
“This court plays much faster than the rest of Tour and it takes time to get accustomed. Today was a good performance.
“Ferrer is a fighter and one of the best returners in the game. I look forward to the challenge.”
The win lifted Federer’s record to 43-7 on the season as he chases his fourth title of 2009 after winning the French Open and Wimbledon in recent weeks.
The winner in 69 minutes produced 14 aces and saved the only break point he faced.
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- Ferrer thrashes Djokovic to reach semis at ATP final - Nov 24, 2011
- Djokovic cruises past Ferrer in Miami - Mar 30, 2012
- Roddick to meet Ljubicic at Indian Wells final - Mar 21, 2010
- Federer backs Murray to win Oz Open 2011 - Jan 28, 2011
- Federer to take on Tsonga in Paris final - Nov 13, 2011
- Djokovic eases through, Li Na exits at US Open (Lead) - Aug 31, 2011
- Ljubicic completes Masters title dream - Mar 22, 2010
- Jokovic struggles with court and qualifier before winning - May 09, 2012
Tags: andy murray, break point, chris guccione, cincinnati masters, cincinnati ohio, david ferrer, double fault, entire match, ivan ljubicic, ivo karlovic, jo wilfried tsonga, jose acasuso, last match, mirka, novak djokovic, paul henri mathieu, returners, s paul, twin daughters, week from monday