2005 CINCINNATI MASTERS
1st Rnd
ROGER FEDERER v JAMES BLAKE
7-6, 7-5
World number one Roger Federer struggled to a first-round win over James
Blake in the Cincinnati Masters.
In his first outing since winning Wimbledon, Federer showed his ring rust in a
7-6 7-5 victory over the American wild-card entry Blake.
Federer made a series of errors but rallied from 3-0 down in the second set to
clinch a hard-fought win.
Federer looked rusty after a five-week lay-off with a sore foot and had to save
the only break-point of the first set in the ninth game.
After taking the first set to a tie-break, Federer took it 7-3 and finding
himself 3-0 down in the second set, raised his game.
"It was really what I expected," said Federer afterwards.
"I was disappointed at times where I just couldn't make all the returns I wanted
to.
"It just shows how the eye is not quite there like it was maybe at Wimbledon,
obviously, in the finals.
James Blake continued his resurgence after his horrible luck last year that
made him endure injuries and illness. Blake showed he is close to contending
with the best in the world.
USA ORDERS:
NON-USA ORDERS: $15.00