Federer to take 2-1 career lead over Kyrgios into their Saturday duel
Friday 31 August 2018 07:12, UK
Roger Federer stayed on course for his first US Open title in 10 years as he set up a mouth-watering third-round clash with Nick Kyrgios.
The second seed defeated France's Benoit Paire 7-5 6-4 6-4 and will now take on the controversial Australian for a place in the last-16 on Saturday.
Federer was in cruise control on Arthur Ashe Stadium as he stretched his career lead over world No 56 Paire to 7-0 with a comfortable display.
Paire recovered from 4-2 down in the first set to lead 5-4 but once Federer reeled off the next three games, the writing was on the wall for the 29-year-old.
Early breaks in the second set and third put Federer en route to extending his unblemished record of 18 victories in 18 second round appearances at Flushing Meadows.
Federer, 37, will take a 2-1 career lead over the combustible Kyrgios into their duel but all three of the pair's encounters have gone to three sets.
The Swiss star defeated Kyrgios on grass in the Stuttgart final in June after also winning in the Miami semi-finals in 2017, but Kyrgios had stunned the 20-time major winner in their first meeting in Madrid in 2015.
"We've had some brutal matches over the years. We enjoy playing against each other," said Federer. "He has one of the best serves in the game and he's super talented."
Although Kyrgios dropped the opening set his level of play and interest appeared to rise dramatically after the pep talk and he swept the next three sets for a 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-0 win.
Federer weighed in on the debate with strong criticism of Lahyani, saying: "It's not the umpire's role to go down from the chair. You don't go and speak like that in my opinion. He was there for too long. Conversations can change your mindset."
Alexander Zverev made it through to the third round for the first time in four attempts after a 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory over French lucky loser Nicolas Mahut.
"I'm doing a lot of stuff different. I don't go out at all," said the 21-year-old, who will meet unseeded countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round on Saturday, having won their last two meetings. "I have my three restaurants that I go to and that's it. I spend the least possible time here on-site because that takes energy away, as well.
"(I'm) having it more like a home tournament for me, like where I am only with my friends, only with my family and my team. I may be enjoying New York a little less, but that gives me the credibility to play better."
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.
