Tennis: Federer razor sharp in win over Evans

After slow starts in his first two US Open matches, Roger Federer took his game up a notch on Friday (Aug 30) with a stress-free 6-2 6-2 6-1 win over Briton Daniel Evans to reach the round of 16 in New York.

Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland after beating Daniel Evans of the United Kingdom the third round on day five of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Reuters)
Aug 30, 2019; Flushing, NY, USA; Roger Federer of Switzerland after beating Daniel Evans of the United Kingdom the third round on day five of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Reuters)

The Swiss great was brimming with confidence from the start, taking advantage of the speedy hardcourts under the open roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium on a warm and sunny day.

Federer, who is seeking his sixth U.S. Open title, rifled 48 winners and 10 aces to see off the overmatched Evans, who is now 0-3 lifetime against the 38-year-old.

Federer has had limited court time since his epic defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Wimbledon final in July but appeared to shake off any remaining rust with the win.

Next up for third seeded Federer is a meeting with either Pablo Carreno Busta or David Goffin, and Federer said he would not underestimate either opponent.

Alex de Minaur reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time after he produced an inspired performance to upset seventh seed Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-4 2-6 6-3 in the US Open third round. Next up for him is either Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov or Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.

Former champion Stan Wawrinka fought off a spirited challenge from Italian Paolo Lorenzi to secure a 6-4 7-6(9) 7-6(4) victory on Friday and advance to the fourth round of the US Open.

On the women’s side, Serena Williams moved another step closer to a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Czech Karolina Muchova on Friday to reach the last 16.

Up next for Williams will be Croatian 22nd seed Petra Martic, who beat Latvian Anastasija Sevastova.

Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova, chasing her first Grand Slam title, advanced to the fourth round by outlasting Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

Reuters