rogerfederer.com - Roger survives opening round

Roger survives opening round

Roger made it past the opening round of the US Open thanks to a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Santiago Giraldo.

"It's always one of those moments you train for, to get on the first night of the US Open. You try to put on a good show and I was able to play a good match today, so I'm pleased. It could have been swifter maybe but I'm happy," Roger said.

Roger started powerfully, needing just 20 minutes to take a 5-1 lead in the opening set. But instead of easily taking the set, he suddenly struggled and dropped his serve twice before making the final game to capture the set. The second was similar, with Roger racing into the lead, being broken back, and then pulling away again. But Giraldo never seemed a real threat despite Roger's weakness during certain stages of the match. So our champ was able to see out the match in an hour and 46 minutes.

Roger will be back on court on Thursday when he meets Israel's Dudi Sela (ATP 96). The only match the two have played so far goes back over six years to the French Open, where Roger won 6-1, 6-4, 6-0.