Federer pounces on Matosevic mistakes

RogerFederer_high_s

Under lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Swiss maestro benefitted from some momentary lapses from Matosevic to take out a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory in two hours seven minutes.

The 17-time major winner will meet Matosevic's compatriot Sam Groth in the second round.

Federer was comfortable throughout, hitting 10 aces and serving at 69 per cent - winning 53 of 60 points behind his first ball.

Matosevic, meanwhile, served at 59 per cent, produced 44 unforced errors and 15 fewer winners than Federer (41-26).

The Australian was a steady starter, holding his serve without giving Federer a look at a break point until the eighth game - when a double-fault handed the Swiss a big opening.

Federer duly held to love to claim the first set, and Matosevic's good work for the most part was undone.

The second set followed a similar pattern, Matosevic untroubled on serve until the seventh game when Federer broke through.

Matosevic bravely saved three set points from 0-40 down on his own serve in the ninth game, but for the second time in the match, a love hold saw Federer win the set.

Federer struck again in the seventh game of the third set, as Matosevic struggled to string together enough consistency on serve to get him to a tie-break untroubled.

That said, the Mark Woodforde-coached Matosevic broke back immediately, and ended up getting to 6-6 in a small win.

The first mini-break went the way of the Australian, but Federer steadied the ship and eventually closed out the match with his 41st winner.

Author(s)