rogerfederer.com - Istomin has to retire

Istomin has to retire

Roger advanced into the round of the last sixteen in Cininnati as his opponent, qualifier Denis Istomin, had to retire at 5-2.

"If there is a right timing for this, it's now, I guess," Roger said. "It gives me an extra day to get into it. From that standpoint, it's good."

Istomin hurt his right foot and ankle during a rally and had to quit the match after only 28 minutes. Roger controlled the match and had a 5-2 lead when Istomin pulled up and sat down in the corner of the court, removing his shoe. He got the foot and ankle taped, but couldn't put much weight on the leg and decided to retire.

Roger certainly welcomed the easy night coming off his finals match in Toronto but was obviously also sorry for his opponent's injury.

Roger will now meet Germany's Phlipp Kohlschreiber.