2005 US OPEN
2nd Round
ROGER FEDERER v FABRICE SANTORO
7-5, 7-5, 7-6
Defending champion Roger
Federer came through a tougher-than-expected test at the U.S. Open on Friday,
beating wily Frenchman Fabrice Santoro to reach the third round.
Santoro, the "magician", had Federer rattled and irritable at times with a
dazzling array of shot-making, but the Swiss found his best tennis when it
mattered to advance.
"I had a blast out there today," Federer said. "Rarely the crowd gets into a
match like they did tonight. The way he plays, the way I play, I knew it could
be a great one."
The top seed looked on course for a comfortable victory when he stormed to a 5-1
lead but Santoro, the world number 76,
broke back twice and
Federer needed a third break, in the 12th game, to clinch the set.
The Swiss saved three break points in the seventh game of the second set before
again breaking to win it, and then played a stunning tiebreak in the third,
and ending up with an
incredible 73 winners on the night.
Federer said, "He's tough to break because he has so many options. He mixes it
up very well, that's the best part of his game."
Santoro, was disappointed to lose, but satisfied that he gave his all during the
match.
"I can't play any better than I did tonight," he said. "I was a little nervous
before the match because if you play even a little under your level against
Roger then it's over in an hour.
"I was so happy to play a tiebreak in the third set and then in about two
minutes the score was 6-0 for him."
USA ORDERS:
NON-USA ORDERS: $16.00