US Open happenings

Federer survives Tiafoe. 

Roger Federer survived a challenge from Frances Tiafoe in a first round 5-setter.  This match was the worst Federer played this year, though Tiafoe deserves credit for outstanding play as well.  Tiafoe served well, hit a monster forehand, particularly of the “inside in” variety, and moved very well.  Tiafoe’s biggest weakness was at the net.  If he addresses this problem, which involves both decision-making about when to come in and flexibility when hitting the volley, he could become a top 10 player.  Federer was able to win by using his experience and consummate talent.  Concerns that back problems contributed to his spotty play were dismissed by Roger.

Though I hate to have to say it, aging appeared to compromise Federer’s play in this match.  It seemed to me that Federer rushed his serve, particularly in the first set.  He bounced the ball fewer times than usual and took less time between the bounces and initiation of his service motion.  This kind of impatience, which borders on jaded indifference that perhaps cannot be avoided when one has played more than 1350 career matches, led to relatively poor serving and a higher number of double faults than Roger typically hits.  Federer also appeared to be snatching at his forehand a bit, with less smoothness to the stroke.  It was interesting to see how these issues gradually abated during the match with Tiafoe.  In the second and third sets the typical Federer was evident.  Still, Roger failed to serve out the match in the 5^th set and had to break serve to win it.  Federer cannot win this tournament with the level of play he showed in this match with Tiafoe.  Over the year, Federer has exhibited a pattern of steadily improving play as tournaments progress.  We’ll see if that happens here, where Roger has more miles on his legs than at the start of the season.

Kerber down

            Angelique Kerber, the defending champ, went down in straight sets to Naomi Osaka.  Kerber’s play has been poor by her standards for several months.  Osaka is also a dangerous floater – a player with tremendous power who throws caution to the winds.  That kind of play can beat anyone on a good day, and such was the case here.  Kerber’s quarter has Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko and Elina Svitolina, the highest seed in the quarter.