Federer takes out Beck in straight sets

On Thursday, the five-time US Open champion moved into the third round with a solid 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Andreas Beck of Germany, ranked No. 104 in the world. He was broken just once in the match and stayed firmly in control.

Federer jumped out early going up 5-1 in the opening set before Beck held and then broke Federer - for the only time in the match - but the 16-time Grand Slam tournament champion closed the set out at love in the next game.

Federer converted just 54 percent of his first serves, but he was extremely successful when he did land them. He smacked 15 aces, won 80 percent of his first serves and faced only two break points. For the match, he also hit 29 winners to 18 unforced errors against an opponent he had never faced before.

"Even though I got broken today, I feel really good," he said. "Tougher matches will only be coming up now, I guess. I underestimate nobody. But today was already a little bit dangerous of an opponent. He hits hard, flat, and through the wind it's not so easy to all of a sudden try to brush up the ball because you shank a lot so you start playing more careful."

Beck, a lefty, had trouble converting first serves as well, but also had trouble landing second ones. He hit 11 double faults, including one that gave Federer his only break in the second set for a lead the world No. 2 never relinquished. The German's level of play increased in the second and third sets, but the great Swiss did not give him any openings. Beck also made too many mistakes against a player of Federer's caliber, hitting 36 unforced errors.

In the third set, Federer broke in the opening game and then never relinquished the lead as he continues to pursue his sixth US Open title. And so far he is feeling great about his performance in Flushing Meadows.

"It's the perfect start, sure. I played Monday, had two days off. I had another easy one physically today, and here I am in the third round feeling like I'm completely in the tournament," he said.

Match Facts

- Roger Federer has never lost before the third round at the US Open.

- This was the first meeting between Roger Federer and Andreas Beck.

- Andreas Beck equalled his best Grand Slam result by reaching the second round.

Source: usopen.org