Roger Federer sympathises with Juan Monaco after crushing 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 win to set-up quarter-final clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Roger Federer sympathises with Juan Monaco after crushing 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 win to set-up quarter-final clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
ADVERTISEMENT
Winning WAYS: Roger Federer returns to Juan Monaco in the US Open
on Monday. PICs/AFP
The match did not start until 11.50pm after the marathon encounter between Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kuznetsova, but Federer took only 18 minutes to wrap up the first set and continued in the same vein to triumph 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. He is likely to have a much tougher time in the last eight, though, with big-hitting Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - who has beaten Federer in their last two meetingsu00a0-- lying in wait.
The third seed looked like he meant business straight away, firing winners off both wings and it took Argentinian Monaco until the sixth game to get on the board.
Another break at the start of the second set was not a surprise but Monaco, who had given Federer a good test in both their previous meetings, at least had slightly more success, although he did suffer the indignity of a complete game of aces against him.
He battled to hold onto his serve in a lengthy fifth game, at one point turning to his box with his arms outstretched as he sought an answer to the Federer onslaught.
But if there was a way to stop the Swiss, Monaco certainly could not find it, and another break in the seventh game put Federer well on his way to victory.
Mats Wilander and Mikael Pernfors' record for the latest finish at the US Open of 2.26am did not look in any danger at all as the third seed made another blistering start to the third set.
This time there was not even the consolation of a game for poor Monaco, ranked 36th in the world, as Federer wrapped up victory in an hour and 22 minutes at 1.13am.
The 30-year-old had sympathy for his opponent, saying: "It's tough for Juan. I've been in that position before when I lost badly on this court to Andre Agassi, so I know what it feels like.
"Sometimes it's just not your day, but it was mine tonight and it feels great."
Of the late start he added: "You have to be ready. I knew I was going to play late and there were all kinds of possibilities that they might move us to another court. As tennis players we're used to it."
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
