Roger Federer believes Novak Djokovic is favourite to win the US Open – Tennis News
World number one, Roger Federer, has made a superb start at the US Open but the Swiss Maestro shared that second ranked player, Novak Djokovic, has the most chances to win the last Grand Slam of the season according to him.
Federer accepted that the Serbian juggernaut has been the best player on the hard courts in the last two years and acknowledged that he failed to topple him in the previous two championships.
The Swiss Maestro started his campaign in style as he did not face any difficulty in beating local player, Donald Young, in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.
After the match, Federer said, "Novak to me goes in as the favourite here still at the Open just because he’s defending champion, he probably won the most titles on hard courts in the last couple of years, it’s where he feels most
comfortable. He’s beaten me the last couple years as well, so it’s strange for me to be the favourite after just beating him a couple times.”
Djokovic defeated Federer after saving a couple of match points in last two years at the US Open. The Swiss Maestro squandered two sets to love lead and then a couple of match points on his own serve in the final set in 2011.
Federer went on to say that Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and he himself had a very good summer. Nadal captured his record levelling seventh French Open, Federer also grabbed his record equaling seventh Wimbledon title and Murray won
his maiden Olympics Gold Medal.
The Swiss star added, "Then again, I’ve had a great summer and so has Murray and Rafa won the French - it’s a pity he can’t be here. It’s going to be an interesting US Open. I’m happy I’m through the first round."
Nadal, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s final, withdrew from the 2012 US Open due to his niggling knee injury.
Federer and Djokovic will not face much challenge before the quarter-finals. The Swiss Maestro is drawn to meet Germany’s Bjorn Phau in the second round. On the other hand, Djokovic will play Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil at the
next stage.
The real test for Federer will come in the semi-finals, where he is expected to lock horns with Murray. The British number one stunned Federer in the Gold Medal match at the London Olympics.
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