New York: Roger Federer cruised into the fourth round of the US Open by crushing Britain’s Dan Evans last night while 2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori was upset by Australian Alex de Minaur.
A well-rested Federer, aided by scheduling that gave Evans only 18 hours between matches, routed the 58th-ranked Englishman 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in only 80 minutes, blasting 48 winners to just seven for Evans.
“I really enjoyed myself,” Federer said. “I was able to adjust and take care of business so it was good.”
Evans blasted organisers for playing him first on limited rest after a rain-delayed match on Thursday while his 38-year-old Swiss rival rested after playing Wednesday under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I was fatigued,” Evans said. “I thought it was pretty tough I was first up after playing yesterday, if I’m being brutally honest, so it was a bit disappointing.
“Just to try and beat him feeling tired, stiff, playing four sets yesterday, it’s near on impossible, but I actually thought he played pretty much no-error tennis.”
Control
Federer sympathised with Evans’ frustration.
“You could definitely argue the scheduling was not in his favor,” Federer said. “It’s not fair for me to play my match under the roof, get it done, sit back, relax the next day while he’s battling out a three-hour match. That’s tennis. It’s entertainment and the show must go on.”
The 20-year-old De Minaur was in control from the outset against Nishikori, going up a double break in the first set and leapt in the air and pumped his fist when the Japanese sent a forehand into the net on match point.
De Minaur, nicknamed “the demon”, was delighted to notch up his first win over a top 10 player.
“The crowd support was amazing,” said De Minaur, who won last month’s Atlanta Open for his second ATP title.
Nishikori was far from his best, committing 60 unforced errors and seven double faults on the sunsoaked Grand Stand court.