US Open: Federer survives another 5-set marathon

New York Sep 1 (IANS) Roger Federer outlasted Mikhail Youzhny 6-1 6-7 4-6 6-4 6-2 here to advance to the third round of the 2017 US Open.

The third-seeded Swiss great boosted his lifetime record against the Russian to 17-0 during the match on Thursday Efe news reported.

Federer 36 has never before reached the third round of a tournament by winning consecutive five-set matches.

The 35-year-old Youzhny was suffering with cramps through the fourth and fifth sets of the match which lasted more than three hours.

"It wasn t always like this " Federer said following the epic contest at Flushing Meadows acknowledging that he has not been accustomed to playing long matches over the course of a brilliant career.

"These 5-set battles are lots of fun I feel quite warmed-up by now " he added.

Federer s next opponent will be Feliciano Lopez of Spain who defeated countryman Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 in two hours and 10 minutes to claim a spot in the third round.

Tournament top-seed Rafael Nadal will square off Thursday night with Japan s Taro Daniel.

A victory for the Spaniard would fuel hopes for a semifinal match-up between world number 1 Nadal and Federer: arch-rivals all-time greats and winners of the first three Grand Slam events of 2017.

--IANS
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