Djokovic, Federer Sail Through As Serena Williams Pulls Out In Cincinnati
14th August 2019
But the 23-time Grand Slam champion said her back was "still not right" casting a further shadow on her chances at the US Open starting in Flushing Meadows on August 26
- Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic overwhelmed opponents at the WTA-ATP Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, where Serena Williams withdrew because of back trouble
- Williams had hoped to rebound from the back spasms that forced her out of the WTA final in Toronto on Sunday, where she lasted only four games before retiring
- For Djokovic and Federer, back in action for the first time since the Serb's victory over the Swiss in the Wimbledon final, it was a smooth start to their US Open build-up
CINCINNATI, United States- Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic overwhelmed opponents at the WTA-ATP
Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, where Serena Williams withdrew because of back
trouble.
Williams had hoped
to rebound from the back spasms that forced her out of the WTA final in Toronto
on Sunday, where she lasted only four games before retiring.
But the 23-time
Grand Slam champion said her back was "still not right" casting a
further shadow on her chances at the US Open starting in Flushing Meadows on
August 26.
For Djokovic and
Federer, back in action for the first time since the Serb's victory over the
Swiss in the Wimbledon final, it was a smooth start to their US Open build-up.
Federer, seeded
third, remained unruffled by a one-hour rain interruption at 2-2 in the second
set, eventually defeating Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero 6-3, 6-4 to reach
the third round at the event he has won seven times.
MUST
READ: Barcelona Officials Head To France For PSG Ace Neymar Talks
"I'm very
happy, even if it was a bit tricky with the rain delay," Federer said.
"I'm happy to be back on court.
"This is the
start of a long, long hardcourt swing. It's good to begin with a win.
"I didn't know
that much about my opponent -- he's new to the tour -- but at the end you have
to concentrate on your own game."
Defending champion
Djokovic double faulted three times as he dropped serve in the opening game
against Sam Querrey but quickly put things right and pulled away for a 7-5, 6-1
victory over the American.
"I ended the
match well even if the start was nervy," said Djokovic, who would break
Querrey twice to take the first set then roll to victory.
"Sam was
feeling comfortable on the court at the start and dictating. It was tough
facing his big serve," Djokovic said.
He added that he was
"hoping for a better performance in the next round," when he'll take
on Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta -- who withstood 32 aces from John
Isner and a match point before beating the American 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (8/6).
Williams, meanwhile,
was left just trying to get healthy after pulling out of her scheduled
first-round match against qualifier Zarina Diyas.
RECOMMENDED
READ: Gor Mahia Coach Pollack Confident Despite CAF First Leg Draw
"I came to
Mason (Ohio) on Sunday and have tried everything to be ready to play tonight,
and was still hopeful after my practice this morning," Williams said in a
statement released by tournament officials.
"But
unfortunately my back is still not right."
It's another injury
blow for the 37-year-old American, who was hampered by knee trouble earlier
this season and remains in search of her first title since the 2017 Australian
Open.
In early action,
Stan Wawrinka won a first-round battle as he eliminated 2017 Cincinnati
champion Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).
Under leaden skies
after an overnight thunderstorm, Dimitrov broke in the 12th game of the first
set to take the lead. The 33-year-old Swiss fought back with the only break in
the second set.
Wawrinka then raced
into a 5-1 lead in the final set but wasted two match points in the eighth game
and was broken twice while serving for victory.
MUST
READ: Migne Out! Amrouche Next? The Search For Kenya's Next Coach Continues
Wawrinka had to hold
off his Bulgarian opponent in the final-set tiebreaker before squeezing through
in more than two and a half hours with his 10th ace.
- Venus topples Bertens -
Venus Williams kept
the family flag flying, the 39-year-old American putting her decades of
experience to good use in a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) victory over defending champion
Kiki Bertens.
"Before the
match I felt quite good. Stepping on court, I'd say first few games was pretty
bad," Bertens said. "I didn't start the match in a loose way. I
knew that I had to defend the title."