Home>News Center>Sports
         
 

Federer, a tranquil victor, triumphs to meet Hewitt
(AP)
Updated: 2005-09-09 10:55

NEW YORK (AP) _ Roger Federer sure knows how to kill a party.

Federer's quiet brilliance tranquilized U.S. Open fans one night after they roared nonstop for Andre Agassi and James Blake.

Watching Federer, the defending champion and top seed, roll past Argentine David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 Thursday night was like watching a rerun of a mediocre movie that has one star, no plot and no drama.

Federer was too good _ too strong with his serves, too quick with his returns, too sharp on his groundstrokes and volleys _ to let the match become anything more than a predictable step into the semifinals against Lleyton Hewitt, a winner earlier in the day in five sets against Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.

Federer beat Hewitt in the Open final last year and has won their last eight matches, four in Grand Slam events, going back to the 2004 Australian Open.

"Maybe we had enough men's tennis over the last few days," said Federer, the only semifinalist who did not play five sets in the quarters.

Federer didn't shy away from saying that he couldn't play much better than he did against the 11th-seeded Nalbandian in a 1-hour, 40-minute sweep.

"I played great last year and it's just looking great again," Federer said. "It's exactly the way I should be playing at this stage of tournament because the opponents are only getting tougher. The result really shows it. I've been struggling a little bit over the last few days, but this is a great rhythm I got against David. I'm surprised it went so quick."

So was Nalbandian.
Page: 123



Yao with AIDS orphans
Isinbayeva, gatlin and Nelson
'Virgen del Puerto' bullfighting fair
 
  Today's Top News     Top Sports News
 

Siberian oil pipeline to go to China first: Putin

 

   
 

China to expand relations with Canada: Hu

 

   
 

ADB: China economy to grow 9.2% this year

 

   
 

Showbiz opens up to foreign investors

 

   
 

Officer acquitted in beating of Chinese tourist

 

   
 

Wu : Co-operation crucial for peace

 

   
  Yao leads China past Iran 76-61 in Champions
   
  Federer, a tranquil victor, triumphs to meet Hewitt
   
  Hewitt advances to U.S. Open semifinals
   
  Armstrong more than welcome: Tour of Spain director
   
  Beckham backs Eriksson as knives point at England
   
  NBA stars to play in Katrina relief game
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
Advertisement