Open-Federer in action on opening day of U.S. Open
Open-Federer in action on opening day of U.S. Open
Roger Federer looks to cap an "incredible" season when
he launches his bid for a sixth U.S. Open title against American Donald
Young on Monday.
Federer beat Briton Andy Murray to win the 2012
Wimbledon title, regained his world number one ranking and comes into
the final grand slam of the year in ominous form.
"I'm just happy how I'm playing," said Federer. "I
already reached my goal for the year becoming world number one and
getting Wimbledon again and getting a medal for Switzerland.
"It's been incredible."
Murray, who lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final but
beat the Swiss weeks later at the same venue to win gold at the London
Olympics, is also in action on Monday against Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr.
Despite his golden summer, Murray said he was not about to slack off.
"I needed to make sure that afterwards I worked hard,"
he said. "Whether you're confident or not confident, providing you work
hard and you do all the right things in training, then you'll get a good
result.
"That was the most important thing, to make sure I kept
my feet on the ground and keep working hard and try to improve.
"Am I more confident? You never know what's going to
happen when you get out there on the court. I prepared well. I trained
hard the last five, six days, so I'm ready to go."
Also taking the court on Monday will be last year's
women's winner Samantha Stosur, as well as former champions Maria
Sharapova, who completed her career grand slam this year at the French
Open, and three-times U.S. Open titlist Kim Clijsters.
Clijsters, who faces American Victoria Duval, will retire after the tournament.
"Obviously this place is magical for me," the Belgian
said. "I have had so many beautiful memories. I have enjoyed coming here
from when I was a junior.
"I love the surface, I love the atmosphere, and I'm excited."
Sharapova, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2006, will
face Hungary's Melinda Czink in her opening-round match. The Russian has
not played since winning a silver medal at the Olympics.
"I feel really good," she said. "I went into Montreal
and was supposed to play but I got a stomach bug and just decided to
give it a rest.
"I think it was a sign my body just needed to slow
down. It was a lot of travel, a lot of playing. Had a hectic summer.
"I know that if I feel healthy and I have enough
practice, I'm okay. I don't feel like I need to play three tournaments
in a row in order to be ready for the U.S. Open."
