By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 17, 2018
Roger Federer charged into his 10th Cincinnati quarterfinal—and a showdown with buddy Stan Wawrinka tonight.
Photo credit: Western & Southern Open Facebook
August is anniversary month and Roger Federer is sharing the celebration.
Playing his first tournament as a 37-year-old, Federer did not face break point charging into his 10th Cincinnati quarterfinal with a 6-1, 7-6 (6) triumph over Leonardo Mayer.
Watch: Farewell Friends
Federer slashed his 10th ace down the T on his second match point, stretching his Cincinnati winning streaks to 12 matches and 15 sets in the first of a twinbill today.
"Today I tried to really focus on just the one match, not thinking that there is possibly going to be two," Federer said. "But obviously I'm very happy with my first round today against Mayer."
The second-ranked Swiss raised his 2018 record to 31-4, including 19-2 on hard courts.
The rain-interrupted round of 16 means Federer will play two matches on the same day for the first time since the 2004 Gstaad.
The victory vaults Federer into tonight's buddy battle vs. Stan Wawrinka a decade after the pair partnered to strike Olympic gold.
"Playing Stan obviously is always very special, especially after what we have gone through the last few years with my knee surgery but especially his, which was even bigger and more difficult," Federer said. "So I'm very happy that he's back.
"You know, it's been just a bit over 10 years since we celebrated Olympic gold medals together. A lot has happened since. And, yeah, I'm excited for a second match today."
Wild card Wawrinka won 31 of 36 first-serve points and did not face a break point dismissing Marton Fucsovics, 6-4, 6-3.
It was Wawrinka's second win over the world No. 48 in a week, following his 1-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (10) victory at the Rogers Cup.
Friends and frequent practice partners, Federer and Wawrinka have produced some of their most rousing career moments together.
They're scheduled to square off on Center Court following the 7 p.m. quarterfinal between Madison Keys and Aryna Sabalenka, weather permitting.
Wawrinka and Federer joined forces to capture the Olympic gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and reunited leading Switzerland to the 2014 Davis Cup championship.
The seven-time Cincinnati champion has won 20 of 23 meetings with Wawrinka, whose three victories were all on clay courts.
“I remember giving Stan a lot of advice on how he should play certain guys,” Federer said. “What I like with Stan is if I would tell him something, I felt like he was able to do it. That showed me that he's a great player, that he's got a mind of somebody who understands what I'm trying to explain him.
“Some players, you tell them something, they've just got no clue what to do, what it means. Stan had that early on, so I think he was a great learner.”
Two guys who know just about everything about each other will try to leverage their insight when they square off tonight. Federer is 7-2 lifetime in Cincinnati quarterfinals.
Facing a twinbill of tennis today, Federer looked fired up for a fast finish in his third meeting with Mayer.
Transitioning to hard court after his run to a second straight Hamburg final on red clay, Mayer struggled to adapt to Federer's all-court attack and the quick court conditions for a set.
The world No. 50 was launching shots fending off three break points fighting through a 12-point test in his opening service game.
Imposing a fast tempo, Federer held so quickly he immediately ratched up the pressure against the Argentinian again.
Trying a surprise serve-and-volley, Mayer pushed an open-court backhand volley wide to face break point. Then he double faulted away the break.
Flying through a 55-second hold, Federer backed up the break for 4-1.
Mixing angled slice backhands with some crackling flat drives, Federer stepped into the court with aggression breaking again in the sixth game.
The second-seeded Swiss served 70 percent and won 13 of 14 first-serve points snatching the 23-minute opener.
Credit Mayer for elevating his level and minimizing errors in a high-quality second set.
A serve-and-volley set up a flying smash from Federer, who held at 15 for 5-all.
Exploding off the court like a volleyball player, Federer spiked another smash then slashed his ninth ace for a 5-1 tie break lead. Mayer answered, leveling at 5-all then fighting off a match point with a twisting forehand.
Lasering a return, Federer followed it forward for a backhand volley that gave him a second match point. Federer fired his 10th ace down the T closing in 72 minutes.