Federer, Americans Advance into U.S. Open 3rd Round

On a day dominated by Andy Roddick's surprise announcement, it was probably appropriate that several American players advanced into the third round. Roger Federer also won in straight sets.

By Erik Gudris

(August 30, 2012) -- On a day that was dominated by the surprise announcement by Andy Roddick that he would retire from the sport after this year's U.S. Open, it was probably appropriate that several American players advanced into the third round.

Mardy Fish continued the trend of being yet another player to come back from two sets to love down as he became the tenth man to do so with a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win over Nikolay Davydenko. When asked afterwards if the Majors should change the best-of-five format, Fish was decidedly against it.

"No, I don't think they should do that," said Fish. "There needs to be something that's separate from the regular events, and that's why the Grand Slams are so great."

Fish lead the charge of Americans into the third round as young Jack Sock staved off multiple break points to beat Flavio Cipolla 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round of a Major for the first time in his career. Sam Querrey defeated Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 and James Blake pulled off an upset win over No. 23 seed Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Blake said later that it was his best performance in years and will next meet Milos Raonic who defeated Paul-Henri Matthieu in straight sets.

Tsonga Crashes Out to Kilzan

In the biggest upset of the event so far on the men's side, No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looked to be on his way to victory when he took the first set over Martin Kilzan of Slovakia. But then Tsonga began to play horrible tennis as he dropped the next two sets. Klizan jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set and though Tsonga managed a mini-rally to pull to within 3-4, it was more sloppy play from the Frenchman that allowed Klizan to close out the biggest win of his career 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

"I don't know, today I was not in a good shape. I didn't play, you know, good tennis," said Tsonga afterwards. "It seemed like I couldn't, you know, hit the ball enough hard, you know, to put my opponents out of position. I don't really know why it was like this today, but sometimes it's happen with me. I don't know, I guess."

Federer Cruises into Third Round over Phau

In the night session, top seed Roger Federer took on Germany's Bjorn Phau, a man who had beaten Federer in their first ever meeting. But times have changed and it was Federer who took control early in the first set as he jumped out to a 4-1 lead and then closed out the set 6-2.

Despite Phau's speedy movement on all sides of the court, he simply was not match for Federer who again broke serve early to take the second set 6-2. Federer went up an early break in the third set and though Phau came up with some spectacular shotmaking at the end, it wasn't enough as Federer aced out the German to win 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and will next face Fernando Verdasco.

When asked about Roddick's upcoming, and possible last match against Bernard Tomic tomorrow night, the always gracious Federer seemed to tip his hand on who he will be rooting for.

"I hope you guys make it tough on Tomic," said Federer to the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I know I will be watching tomorrow."

(File Photo: Federer plays against Donald Young in the first round of the 2012 U.S. Open; Credit: Andy Kentla)