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By Erik Gudris / Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Roger Federer completed yet another tennis record during
his opening round match. But injury forced out the highest
seeded American man in this year’s Australian Open.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
With former Grand Slam great Stefan Edberg watching him
from the stands, Roger Federer posted a solid
straight sets win in his opener at this year’s Australian
Open.
But Federer was made to work by young Australian James
Duckworth during their first round match on Rod Laver
Arena. Buoyed by the local support, Duckworth held his own
throughout most of the afternoon. This included often attacking
the net, sometimes during his return games, as Duckworth tried
to keep Federer off balance.
Federer held on to an early break lead as he went on to close
out the first set 6-4 on a scorching day in Melbourne with
temperatures reaching well over 100 degrees on court.
Undeterred, Duckworth kept up his aggressive plan that often
saw both men trying to outduel each other up at net. Yet
Duckworth tossed in an untimely double fault followed by
forehand error to give Federer yet another key break.
Having taken the second set, Federer soon took total control
after breaking Duckworth to begin the third. Though Duckworth
acquitted himself well, it was Federer who walked away with the
6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win.
Just by taking the court on Tuesday, Federer completed his 57th
straight appearance at a Grand Slam. He now owns the record for
the longest streak of consecutive Grand Slam Open Era
appearances.
Asked on court about how his new coaching relationship with
Edberg was going, Federer answered in succinct terms. “Two days
old,” Federer said in an answer that drew a laugh from the
crowd.
“It’s always great fun playing in front of him. It’s really a
dream come true for me. I used to watch his matches and get
inspired and pick up this great game. So to have him in my
corner throughout this tournament is very special.”
Isner Retires in Opening Round Due to Ankle
Injury
No. 13 seed John Isner became the biggest
casualty of the ongoing wave of player injuries that
contributed to several withdrawals and retirements in the
opening round.
Isner, who entered the tournament fresh off of winning the
Auckland title last week, was favored against Martin
Klizan in their first round meeting. But the American,
still dealing with a sore ankle, looked hobbled at times as he
dropped the opening set 6-2. Despite holding a 4-0 lead in a
second set tiebreak, untimely volley errors from Isner allowed
Klizan back in. Klizan eventually went on to take the set
7-6(6), thanks to a forehand miss from Isner.
With that, Isner decided he could not go on and retired down
6-2 7-6(6).
Also in that section of the draw, No. 21 seed Philipp
Kohlschreiber withdrew with a left hamstring injury
before the start of his match against Aljaz
Bedene. France’s Stephane Robert
entered as a lucky loser and went on to beat Bedene 7-6(3),
6-3, 6-0.
Other winners on the day included No. 10 seed
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 11 seed Milos
Raonic, and No. 22 seed Grigor
Dimitrov.
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