Federer "has all the answers," wins in straight sets
Andreas Beck wasn't a pushover, but he was no match for the world's No. 2 player.
Roger Federer beat Beck in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. Federer did not show signs of domination, but he won by chipping away at Beck, who is ranked 104.
The game came down to double faults and break points. Federer was spotless with his second serves, while Beck had 11 double faults. Federer won five of 10 break points, while Beck won one of two.
Federer's 15 aces didn't hurt him either.
Earlier this week, Federer said he played in Toronto last month with muscle pain in his arm, wrist, chest and shoulder.
Some criticized him for trying to make excuses for losing to Andy Murray at the Rogers Cup, but he said today he feels no more pain.
“The body has gotten used to playing matches … for three, four hours in a row. I have no muscle pain anymore. It’s just about saving your energy for the really big matches later.
“Now it’s almost easier to handle tougher matches just because you know what the body can take … Whereas when you’re younger it hits you like a truck.”
The five-time Open champion joked about the hot conditions. “The match wasn’t that long and I played like an hour the last two days, but I’ve been eating more than I’ve been practicing,” he said and chuckled.
The weather was the only subject on which he spoke lightly. He expressed a seemingly unbreakable confidence about his winning pace through two rounds and the slight effect new coach Paul Annacone has had.
“It’s the perfect start, sure. I played Monday, had two days off. I had another easy one physically today, and here I am in the third round feeling like I’m completely in the tournament … I got the sense of the crowd and the wind now as well. I played one night, one day. I have all the answers after two matches.”
As for the influence of Annacone, Federer said: “When I’m playing great, regardless of who’s in my player box, I can beat anybody, you know. It’s about being consistent and being confident in the way I play. I’m not all of a sudden going to play a two-handed backhand or serve and volley on my second serve nonstop. It’s just not going to happen. It’s in the details.”
Federer also aid he was disappointed to see Andy Roddick exit yesterday.
“He played well in Miami. You figure he knows what he’s doing and if he keeps that up he’s going to have a shot at the title, so obviously it’s a big surprise for me to see him go out."
“Look, him and his coach need to know what’s best for him," Federer said, taking nothing away from Roddick's competitor. "[Tipsarevic] played well yesterday. It was a tough match for Andy, and I feel bad for him.”
Federer has won 42 of his past 43 matches at Flushing Meadows, the only loss coming in last year's final. With Andy Roddick's exit in the second round, and Lleyton Hewitt's loss in the first, Federer is the only previous winner of the U.S. Open left in the men's field.
