Roger Federer is fresh off a finals win in Cincinnati against the world's number one, Novak Djokovic. Federer started off his US Open run Tuesday afternoon against Leonardo Mayer from Argentina. Mayer is a familiar face to Federer, who met earlier this year in the Shanghai Open, which Federer went on to win. But the catch is, Mayer had five match points against Federer in their lone meeting and could not capitalize. Something to add, Federer before the draw had practiced with Mayer, so there's no hiding as each player knows each other's game.
It's a packed house, including many celebrities such as baseball legend Derek Jeter and Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, all here to see Roger Federer. Federer started off the match with a routinely hold, even though he started a little shaky down 30 love. On Mayer's service game, Federer gets the break early in the first set, only in the second game played. Federer would then hold his serve and secure the break to go up 3-0 in the first set. On Mayer's second service game, Federer comes at him charging, breaking him at 40-15. After only 17 minutes, Federer found himself up five-love. Mayer would manage to win a game on his serve, followed by a Federer 40-love hold, to claim the first set at 6-1. Federer did have three double faults and Mayer chipped in with four himself, which didn't help at all. A dominant first set for Federer, winning 83 percent of his first serve points won.
A good start for Leonardo Mayer in the second set, holds easily despite another double fault (total of five). Same goes on the other side with Federer, with an easy hold to level the second set at 1-1. Good crowd moment in the third game, Federer with a huge shank, and a lucky fan gets a souvenir (ball) in the fifth row. Mayer holds for 2-1 and applies what we call "scoreboard pressure." Federer had an easy hold and hit his seventh ace to level the second set at two all. But, just when we thought the level of tennis was raising, Mayer seemed to look either gassed or may have encountered an injury. The weather has gone really muggy, it was quite humid out there. With another gift of a double, Mayer gave Federer the break and Federer would go on to hold with a 4-2 lead in the second set. Federer cruised past Mayer with another break and ending the set with a leaping smash at 6-2.
Mayer started the third set, just as he did with the second set, with a hold. Federer's quickness on his serve seemed to be a problem for Mayer the whole match. There was no way for him to capture a feel for the game, leading to many short points/games for Federer. Which would evidentially give Federer another break on Mayer's serve, leading to a 3-1 Federer lead. Expectantly, Federer would cruise through the third set and defeated Mayer in straights 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
Pure dominance for Roger Federer in his first round match-up, beating his opponent in only one hour and 17 minutes. 12 aces and winning 84 percent of first serve percentage. Great win for Federer, especially in drastic humid conditions.
There were eight retirements in the men's first round, which is a US Open (open era) record. Federer will continue his route for the record six US Open titles, and will face either Steve Darcis from Belgium or Marcos Baghdatis from Cyprus next.