Federer shines in New York rain

By
AFP
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Federer shines in New York rain
NEW YORK: Five-time champion Roger Federer sat out a two-hour break for torrential rain to race into the US Open fourth round on Sunday on a stormy, humid New York day.

Second-seeded Federer, the champion between 2004-2008, came back from a set down to defeat Spain´s Marcel Granollers 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 by racing away with 20 of the last 24 games of the match which had been interrupted due to rain and the threat of lightning.

Federer, bidding to become the oldest Grand Slam champion in more than 40 years, clinched his 70th win at the tournament on the back of 57 winners and 13 aces. But the 33-year-old had struggled in the first set where he slipped to 2-5 down against the world number 42 before he grasped welcome respite in the locker room to sit out the storm.

"It was a good match and I managed to turn it around as Marcel was on fire at the start," said Federer.

"The break helped me and when I came back I played some great tennis. The conditions were windy and quick at the start but when we got back it was humid and that played in my favour."

Federer will face Spain´s Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the quarter-finals. (AFP)