New Delhi:
Roger Federer was put to yet another tough test in the UP Open as he was taken to five sets by Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the second round on Friday .The Swiss Maestro recorded his 80th US Open win and maintained his perfect record against the Russian opponent to reach the last 32. Fedex he was joined by Andrey Rublev, the latest teenage upstart in New York.
Federer, 36, needed a second successive five-setter to reach the third round with a 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over fellow veteran Youzhny, just one year his junior.Five-time champion and third seed Federer had also needed five sets to see off US teenager Frances Tiafoe in the first round.
The 36-year-old next faces another 35-year-old, Feliciano Lopez of Spain, for a place in the last 16. Federer has a perfect record against Lopez is just as solid -- 12-0. "It was quite a lot of fun out there -- I feel quite warmed up by now," said Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Federer, who fired 63 winners and 68 unforced errors.
Spanish veteran Rafael Nadal had to fend off a spirited challenge to beat Japanese Taro Daniel in four closely contested sets. Nadal had to rally hard to beat the Japanese teenager 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 for a place in the third round. The Japanese youngster notched up the first set in convincing style using his big serve and ground strokes to great effect. However, the two-time champion Nadal used all his experience and to seal the next three sets in convincing style and advance to the next round.
