‘It’s not a bad thing to go through a match like this,’ says Roger Federer after US Open scare

Roger Federer recovered from a sluggish start against Indian qualifier Sumit Nagal to ease himself into the second round of the US Open.
The 38-year-old, wearing an all-black kit, suffered from a plague of unforced errors in the first set before surprisingly dropping it to a grateful Nagal.
However, the Indian’s ascendancy didn’t last long, with Federer immediately hitting back before hitting cruise control to earn a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win.
“Maybe it’s not a bad thing to go through a match like this. It was very similar at Wimbledon when I dropped the first set there, as well, in the first round,” Federer said after the match.
“At the end you look at the last three sets, and they were good. That’s encouraging.
“I broke every time first game each set. That was good. I think trying to forget the first set is never sort of easy I guess in a first round, under the lights. People expect a different result. I expect something else.
“I just wanted to pick up my game really, start to play better. I was able to do that. That was a relief, going up 3-0 in the second set, realizing that it is in my racket, how I also felt it in the first set.
“The thing is I wasn’t serving consistently enough. I was hitting double-faults that usually I don’t do. Also I was just hitting too many unforced errors. I was in two minds, I guess.”
Federer’s first-round record at Grand Slams now stands at 62-0 dating back to the 2003 French Open, but he did reserve some praise for 22-year-old Nagal, who he thought simply ran out of belief.
“I thought he was getting a bit down on himself naturally after set two and three. That’s why it was key to stay ahead, and I did,” Federer explained.
“He did a good job to stay with me. I had to close it out. That was a tough last game. Maybe exactly the kind of service game I needed to serve it out.”
Federer, who has qualified for the ATP Finals as a result of this win, will now face Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur in round two.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
News
Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer’s record of weeks as world number one
Djokovic is guaranteed to set a new mark next week.
-
ATP Tour
David Goffin ends long wait for an ATP title with a win in Montpellier
David Goffin captured his first ATP Tour title for more than three years by winning the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer sends his fans into a frenzy with Twitter post ahead of his return to action
Roger Federer fans are counting down to his return to action in Doha next week and his tweet teasing his return instantly became a big hit.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek’s perfect week as she claims her second WTA title
Iga Swiatek won her second career WTA title with victory over Belinda Bencic in the final of the Adelaide International.
-
News
Jamie Murray says quarantine threat on tour means players must be ready to adapt
The doubles specialist plans to travel to tournaments in Mexico and Miami next month without knowing what to expect on arrival.
-
Tennis News
Battle of the Brits event is back and this time with spectators
The Battle of the Brits events were a huge success during the Covid-19 crisis and now they are set to return with spectators.
-
Tennis Features
The only way is up for Naomi Osaka as she looks to replicate hard-court success on clay and grass
Oli Jefford on the world being Naomi Osaka’s oyster.
-
Kevin Palmer
Britain’s strength in depth in doubles highlights quality of structure
British tennis may be wondering who can replace Andy Murray, but they have a very different story to tell in the doubles arena.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal pulls out of his next event due to ‘ongoing’ back problem
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ABN…
-
Tennis News
Lleyton Hewitt to be inducted into International Tennis Hall Of Fame
Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt is the latest player who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.