Former champion Roger Federer eased into the last eight of the US Open after producing an emphatic win over 15th seed David Goffin.
The 20-time grand slam winner brushed aside the occasional lacklustre service game during his dominant 6-2, 6-2, 6-0, victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. His 357th win in a major tournament. During the one-sided encounter, the third seed blasted 35 winners to 17 unforced errors, as he won 84% of his first service points.
“It was great. I had a good feeling out here (on the court) like in the previous match.” Federer said during his on-court interview.
“I gotta say that David didn’t have his best day either. He was struggling.”
Heading into his ninth clash with Belgian, Federer boasted a 8-1 head-to-head lead. Losing his only match to Goffin at the 2017 ATP Finals. Initially, it looked as if he could be in for another battle after dropping his serve only three games into the match. However, the Swiss maestro managed to swiftly find his footing on the Arthur Ashe stadium with the help of a 16-point winning streak. Turning a 1-2 deficit to a 5-2 advantage in the blink of an eye. Leaving a perplexed Goffin with plenty to think about. After 32 minutes of play, Federer clinched the 6-2 lead with the help of a deep shot the triggered an error from across the court.
It was a case of deja vu in the second set. Goffin, who has been ranked as high as seventh in the world, illustrated glimpses of his best tennis. But he lacked consistency to place Federer into any significant trouble. Enabling the world No.3 to break Goffin three times in a row to edge closer to victory.
Racing towards the finish line, the 38-year-old closed the match out with a bagel set. The first time he has done that against a player in the tournament since Adrian Mannarino back in 2013. After missing his first match point opportunity, he seized his second after a lengthy rally concluded with a blistering backhand winner down the line.
As one of the oldest men on the ATP Tour, Federer said it is his passion for the game that keeps him going. Although speaking candidly about his career, he admits that there has been moments where he questioned his future in the sport.
“I think at this stage it (enjoyment) is very crucial. Also at the beginning of my career or otherwise I wouldn’t have picked up a racket.” He explained.
“In between, you maybe go through stages at a time when being on the road is something you don’t want to do. You also feel like you miss out on a few things.’
“But I see the glass as half full. I’ve come to see so many incredible people around the world and see these cities and countries that I never thought I would see as a little boy.”
Federer is now through to his 13th Grand Slam quarter-final and 56th in a major overall. Pacing him second on the all-time list along with Andre Agassi. He will next play either Grigor Dimitrov or Alex de Minaur. He has won all seven of his previous meetings with Dimitrov, but is yet to play de Minaur on the tour.
This year Federer is bidding to win the US Open for the first time since 2008.
