Federer cruises past unknown Alves
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Clinical... Federer hammered 19 aces and won 80 per cent of his first serve points. (Getty Images: Jim McIsaac)
Four-time reigning champion Roger Federer stretched his US Open winning streak to 29 games as he cruised past Thiago Alves 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round this morning.
Federer, who is trying to salvage a season where he has yet to win on hard courts, has not lost a match at Flushing Meadows since 2003.
He hammered 19 aces and won 80 per cent of his first serve points in the two hours, 14 minutes match on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I served really well which is a big bonus," Federer said. "I am concentrating on my own game and physically I am fine."
Meanwhile Serbia's third seed Novak Djokovic tamed big-hitting American qualifier Robert Kendrick, 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round.
Djokovic, runner-up to Federer last year, saved two set points in the first-set tie break before eventually clinching a hard-earned victory.
Federer seeks to become the only player to win five or more successive titles at two separate grand slams. He has had just as much success at Wimbledon winning five straight beginning in 2003.
After a record 237 weeks as the world's number one, Federer lost his position to Rafael Nadal on August 18.
This is the first time since the 2004 Australian Open that the Swiss has not been the top seed at a grand slam.
He clinched Friday's match with a forehand flick from the baseline that sailed crosscourt, just catching the line.
Alves, who is ranked 137th in the world, challenged the call. He joked about it at the net with Federer while they waited for the replay.
Alves did not get the call he hoped for, but it kept him on the court for a few extra seconds with the man many considered to be one of the greatest players of all-time.
"I had never heard of him," Federer said of the 26-year-old Alves. "It was a difficult match so I am happy to be through.
"Players like that have nothing to lose so they start going for their shots."
Alves has reached the second round in both his appearances at the US Open. He also competed in the 2006 US Open.
It has been a rough year for Federer that was punctuated earlier this month when he lost the world number one ranking.
He did manage to win the gold medal in doubles at the Beijing Olympics with countryman Stanislas Wawrinka.
Federer, who has reached the semi-finals or better in 17 straight majors and remains two grand slam titles shy of tying Pete Sampras's all-time record of 14.
-AFP
