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US Open

Federer blasts into second round of US Open

27/08/2008

Defending champion Roger Federer was untroubled by Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez in the first round of the US Open, emerging the 6-3 6-0 6-3 victor.

Federer is bidding for a fifth successive Flushing Meadows title but has seen his performances dip lately, losing the French Open and Wimbledon finals to new world number one Rafael Nadal.

The Swiss star had no problems overcoming world number 118 Gonzalez though, dismissing him in one hour and 20 minutes.

The 27-year-old, seeded number two at a grand slam for the first time since the 2004 Australian Open, broke the Argentinean in the eighth game of the first set before taking the second set without losing a game.

Both players exchanged breaks at the start of the third set, but Federer broke Gonzalez again in the seventh claim to effectively seal victory.

Federer will next play Brazilian Thiago Alves in the second round.

Speaking after the game, the Swiss player admitted he had never seen his opponent play before and added he was unfazed by his slip down the rankings.

"One or two is always pretty much the same thing," Federer said of his ranking.

"The change I feel is, fans are really supporting me and telling me I'm still number one and still the best, saying, 'You're going to be there again'.

"I feel like I've got unbelievable support from the fans watching me and seeing people in the streets and stuff. It's really nice."