Federer aiming for more success

Source:AFP-Global Times Published: 2014-8-12 23:53:01

First-round bye for Swiss maestro at Cincinnati Masters


Roger Federer of Switzerland returns to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in his 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) loss in the men's singles final at the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Sunday. Photo: CFP



A weekend title defeat in Canada did not dent the hopes of a resurgent Roger Federer as the world No.3 keeps to a steady pace in his buildup to the US Open.

The Swiss, who turned 33 last week, said that his 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) final loss in Toronto to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was a disappointment but also a huge chance to gather more ­information on the current state of his game.

While the Swiss missed out on his third title of the ­season after playing in seven finals, he did start putting the pieces in place as he begins as second seed at this week's final US Open tuneup, the Cincinnati Masters.

"I'm overall pretty happy that I made the finals in my first tournament back on hard courts," ­Federer said after going down to Tsonga. "I had a few tough matches which ­clearly gave me a lot of information.

"I know what I need to work on the next few days and next few weeks, which is good to know what I need to do other than feeling lost.

"There were things I could have done better, but overall it was a positive week. I go away from this feeling good about my chances and also at the US Open and for the rest of the season."

Federer will be bidding to win his sixth trophy in Cincinnati, where he has a first-round bye.

Toronto protagonists made their way quickly to Cincinnati for the week of polish on the hard court, with Tsonga flying out of Canada on Sunday night with his team to be ready for Monday practice in Ohio. Federer also had a late afternoon session in the steamy heat which ­always characterizes the week in the Midwest.

In first-round action on Monday, American John Isner redeemed himself after his early exit in Toronto a week ago, with the 11th seed beating South African Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-4.

Spanish 16th seed Tommy Robredo advanced over American Jack Sock 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Jeremy Chardy of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 and Benjamin Becker surprised Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to end a six-match losing streak against the giant Croat.

In women's opening-round matches, ninth-seeded Serbian Ana Ivanovic kept her back problem ­under control to defeat good friend Sorona Cirstea of Romania 6-1, 7-5.

Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova upset 11th seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 6-3 while No.12 Caroline Wozniacki started with a win over Magdelena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-3. Italian 13th seed Flavia Pennetta beat South African Chanelle Scheepers 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.

China's Zhang Shuai beat British qualifier Heather Watson 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.



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