WHAT HAPPENED: The Federer Express rolled through Flushing Meadows on Tuesday night. Ten years on from the last of his five consecutive US Open titles, the 20-time Grand Slam champion opened his 2018 campaign with an efficient three-set victory over Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Roger Federer graced the Arthur Ashe Stadium stage in a dark red Uniqlo kit, the first time the maestro has sported an ensemble designed by the Japanese brand in New York. But the Swiss showed no mercy for his Japanese opponent, firing 56 winners in a never-in-doubt rout that ended 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.
Nishioka used a protected ranking to gain entry into the main draw after a left-knee injury stopped his climb up ATP rankings just shy of the Top 50 in March of 2017. The 22-year-old is one to watch for the future, but this night belonged to Federer.
An immediate break of serve set the tone for the match, and began a pattern that would repeat in all three sets. Federer raced out to a 2-0 lead in set one and held a 4-0 edge in sets two and three as he enjoyed a low-stress outing.
The only hiccup came late in set three, as Nishioka began to enjoy his time in front of a supportive Ashe crowd. Up 5-1, Federer coughed up three straight games as he was broken for the only time on his first attempt to serve out the match.
Always a showman, Federer did not appear bothered by the opportunity to produce a few more highlight-reel moments before he served out the match in his final act of the evening.
"When you do walk out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, you feel like people are there to see the show, enjoy themselves. Sure, they come for the tennis, but it's also sort of a bucket list, wanting to be there," said Federer after the match.
"I love coming to play here. It's been so many years now. So it's great to have played also a good first round against an entertaining first-round opponent. I'm very pleased to be back in New York, of course."
WHAT IT MEANS: Federer remains perfect in the opening round of the US Open, with the victory extending his record to 18-0. One year ago, that flawless run was nearly ended by American Frances Tiafoe, who pushed the Swiss to five sets on Day 2.
I'm happy I never stumbled at the first hurdle," he said in a post-match interview. "Almost time to retire, but not yet," he continued, teasing the crowd.
Federer's Day 2 performance was not perfect -- he was forced to save eight break points in 13 service games and needed four match points to seal the win -- but his best is rarely required at this stage of a Grand Slam.
“I’m happy I never stumbled at the first hurdle ... Almost time to retire, but not yet,"
Next up, on Thursday, is France’s Benoit Paire. While Federer will be focused on that, his fans will be looking ahead to a potential quarterfinal showdown with Novak Djokovic, and what could be a chance to avenge a one-sided loss in the Rogers Cup final less than two weeks ago.
MATCH POINT: Per the ATP, Federer was playing his 40th US Open match since his 40-match win streak at the tournament from 2004-09. Federer won five consecutive titles from 2004-08, and reached the final in 2009.
