The bracket has fallen into Federer’s favor now that Andy Murray has lost. He will play Richard Gasquet next. Everything seems to be working for the player who has climbed back to No. 2 in the world to at least get back to the final. Federer hasn’t won a major since 2012 but this might be his best chance to do so the way he has played the last couple months. We might be witnessing the next big run of Roger Federer.
That’s all for me. Thank you for staying up for this.
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Federer was cool in his post match interview with John McEnroe, even commenting on the fan who proposed to his girlfriend during a changeover in the second set (she said: “yes.”)
I think it was a great move. I’m happy for him that she says “yes.” I think it is very cute. I wouldn’t do it like that but if they like tennis I wish them well.
Game, set and match! Federer wins 7-6, 7-6, 7-5!
The first break of the night comes in the last game. But this was coming for several games now. Federer moves into the quarterfinal. Isner played him hard, blasting serve after serve at Federer and as the night went on Federer got stronger. This was an impressive, Federer-like win. In this last game he goes up 0-30 and you could feel Isner start to wobble. A final return went wide and that was the match.
Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6, 6-5 (* denotes server)
Now Federer has won 15 straight points on his serve. He is in control of this match and yet it still lingers on mainly because Isner is battling through his service games. The last thing Federer wants here is to go to another set and make this match stretch past midnight.
Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 5-5 Isner * (* denotes server)
Federer comes within two points of the match but Isner just will not go away. He seems overmatched and frustrated but he continues to fight, winning back the rest of the points in the game and managing to hold serve -- something he has done since the start of last year’s Open. It feels now like we are on our way to yet another tie-breaker.
Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6, 5-4 Isner (* denotes server)
Federer continues to put pressure on Isner by once again winning all four points in the game. Now Isner must hold in the next game or this match will be over.
Summary
Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 4-4 Isner * (*denotes server)
Federer looked ready to break Isner. He goes up 0-40 and then Isner fights back. to win all the next points and continue to hold serve. He has a lot of battle left in him even as he appears to have little chance of winning this match. If only he could go back and change that second set tie-break. He has survived once in this third set. How long can he continue?
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Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6, 4-3 Isner (*denotes server)
It takes barely more than a minute for Federer to win every point while on serve for the third game tonight. It almost feels now like he is just waiting for Isner to crack. One mistake from Isner might be all it takes for Federer to finish this match.
Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 3-3 Isner * (* denotes server)
Isner is holding serve but it doesn’t feel like he believes he can win this match. Throughout his career he has come close in big moments but always falls short. He’s matched Federer the entire night and is down two sets because of two glitches. His body language is starting to show less of the enthusiasm he had earlier.
Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6, 3-2 Isner (* denotes server)
It’s hard to imagine that once early in this match Federer had only managed to get 31 percent of his first serves in. He is on a serving roll now. He’s making this look so easy and putting more stress on Isner who must be perfect the rest of the night.
Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6, 2-2 Isner * (* denotes server)
Isner holds serve but the crowd (that had been muted) jumps to life not for something he does but for a Federer return that forced him to run down a lob and smack a no-look return over his shoulder that nearly hit Isner in the face. Isner managed to deaden the ball for a winner but the roar was for Federer’s effort.
Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6, 2-1 Isner (* denotes server)
Isner has only one once after going down two sets. That doesn’t bode well for him when he is playing someone like Federer. Federer made this game look easy and puts more pressure on Isner to keep holding serve.
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Third set: Federer 7-6, 7-6 , 1-1 Isner * (* denotes server)
Television shows the referee giving a stern lecture to Isner after his return from the uniform change (or perhaps toilet break) there has been no official word. The referee points a finger in Isner’s face. Isner nods. He does hold serve in this game to at least keep giving him a chance.
Third set: Federer * 7-6, 7-6 1-0 Isner (* denotes server)
Isner might be wearing fresh new clothes but Federer remains Federer. He slices a backhand behind Isner and wins on a serve to take all but one point of the game. He seems in control now.
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After a break of more than five minutes Isner returns with fresh clothes on. The wait was a long one. Federer does not seem flustered -- but when does Federer ever seem flustered? It will be interesting to see if the time away helps or hurts Isner.
Isner has left the court for a moment. It appears this is a change of clothes. Not as McEnroe suggested on TV that he has retreated to cry. While he is gone it’s a good time to assess just how good Federer has been at just the right moments. He pulled out his finest returns of the night in the tie-break. Isner could very easily be up 2-0. This should at least be 1-1 but that’s how Federer
Roger Federer wins the second set 7-6 (8-6)!
Federer is so good. Isner is playing well tonight, blasting serves past his older opponent, making Federer run all over the court and still Federer manages to come up with that one winner just as he needs it. After two outstanding returns, he blasts a forehand to Isner’s left. It just catches the line. A challenge is called but all the replay does is confirm the obvious: Federer has hit one more great shot. Now he is firmly in control of this match.
Just as Isner looked to be crumbling, he drops a volley in front of Federer who knocks a backhand into the net 6-6. On the next serve, Federer jumps on a 128 mph serve and knocks a forehand past Isner to go up 7-6
Federer manages to return a 140 mph serve and then wins the ensuing rally to cut the lead to 5-4. Then he leads Isner into a wide return and follows with a forehand winer 6-5 Federer...
At a point when he could have cracked Federer, Isner misses on a backhand volley return. He wins a point but is only up 5-3...
Isner gets an extra challenge for the tie-break and he uses it wisely, winning on a return that looked (and was called) out. The ball catches the line and he goes up 4-2...
Isner saves himself with a big ace and then gets Federer to hit a backhand return into the net, 3-2 Isner...
Isner steals a point on a Federer serve but Federer grabs one back to go up 2-1...
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 6-6 Isner (*denotes server)
Once again we go to a tie-breaker. Federer is still strong on his serve. He drops a forehand winner behind a lumbering Isner once again. These next few minutes could determine the match.
Second set: Federer 7-6, 5-6 Isner * (*denotes server)
Isner, in danger of getting broken at the worst time, goes down 0-30 and then fights back. He blasts a 131 mph ace to tie the set at 30-30. Federer has two chances to drop lobs behind the towering American and misses both. These are rare misses for Federer and they allow Isner to linger in the match and gain some energy lost after he dropped the tie-breaker.
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 5-5 Isner (* denotes server)
No break here as Federer wins all four points. When his serve is on like this he makes everything look so easy. The pressure is back on Isner who must hold serve to keep from falling in a two-set hole.
Second set: Federer 7-6, 4-5 Isner * (*denotes server)
Isner is out-acing (is that even a phrase?) Federer 14-7 so far tonight. His struggles earlier in the set seem like an hour ago. This is back to being a serve, serve, serve match again. Isner desperately needs a break in the next game.
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 4-4 Isner (* denotes server)
For a moment it looked like Isner might have been on the verge of the first break in this match. He clawed back from 0-40 and appeared to have Federer rattled but Federer pulled out his seventh ace of the night. Isner slumped in frustration. We seem destined for another tie-breaker.
Second set: Federer 7-6, 3-4 Isner * (*denotes server)
And so it continues... Both players remain on serve. Isner is consistently hitting his at more than 130 mph. He isn’t throwing much of a change of speed out there, just lots of fastballs. But the fastballs have been working so far.
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 3-3 Isner (* denotes server)
Big surprise, Federer holds serve...
Reader Adam Hirst makes an interesting point going back to the earlier discussion about Federer and if he is playing the best tennis of his career.
I don’t think Federer is playing his best tennis, but certainly his most effective. The semi against Murray at Wimbledon and the 1000 win against Djokovic in Cincinnati are probably the matches I’ll remember as being his greatest, the real proof that he is the finest player I’ve seen.
Second set: Federer 7-6, 2-3 Isner * (*denotes server)
After the frenzy of the last two games this one plays more like the script Federer and Isner have played tonight. Isner struggles a tiny bit but manages to maintain the power and accuracy on his booming serve and manages to hold serve: the theme of the evening.
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 2-2 Isner (*denotes server)
Isner gets his first break points of the match, going up 0-40, then drops the next three points, gets another break point and then eventually loses the game to Federer who always manages to prevail in those moments when he looks to be faltering. This could have been a huge momentum builder for Isner after the previous game. The final pont comes on a Federer forehand that catches the gigantic, lumbering Isner heading forward as the ball goes behind him. Isner drops his racket in frustration.
Updated
Second set: Federer 7-6, 2-1 Isner * (* denotes server)
Isner has won his last 101 service games at the US Open. But he came close to squandering one here. Federer roared back after being down 40-0, including a decent drop volley that Isner inexplicably does not run after. Obviously, mobility is a problem for Isner but this was an odd moment in an otherwise crisp match. It allows Federer to creep back in and extended the game to seven deuces.
In a dull match dominated by serve, serve, serve this game was refreshing -- tje first real battle of the night. They played for more than 10 minutes before Isner was able to smash an overhand volley past Federer to take the game. But a bigger problem for Isner is the fact he used two challenges (both failed) and has not burned all of his challenges in a match that is still young.
Isner holds serve but it’s a costly win.
Second set: Federer * 7-6, 1-1 Isner (* denotes server)
Don’t blink or you will miss a game. Barely I had I finished typing up the last game than Federer was serving out this one. Both men are back on a serve roll. This could be a very quick set.
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Second set: Federer 7-6, 0-1 Isner * (* denotes server)
Isner comes back from his tie-breaker meltdown to return to pinpoint serving, taking the first game of the second set with four booming serves. Let’s see if Isner can find a place to steal a break from Federer and perhaps even this match.
Roger Federer wins the first set 7-6 (7-0)!
After serving so well throughout the first set, Isner crumbles in the tie-breaker. Federer’s winning the first two points seemed to rattle him. His serve, so dominant tonight, failed him at the moment he needed it. He lost four points on the serve. This might be the shortest tie-break you will ever see. A huge first set win for Federer who plays these moments so well. Vintage Federer.
Federer drops a beautiful backhand past a flat-footed Isner to go up 3-0, then another winner 4-0. Federer is taking control of the tie-break...
Federer wins the first two points of the tie break. Not surprisingly on his serve...
First set: Federer 6-6 Isner * (* denotes server)
Federer has a brief chance at trying to break Isner and take the set when he wins two points after going down 30-0. But Isner tightens his serve and wins the last two points. We head to a tie-breaker.
First set: Federer * 6-5 Isner (* denotes server)
Federer loses the first point and then wins the next three to stay on serve. He had one other blemish, striking a forehand from the baseline too long, but he remains effective on the serve. His three missed break points from a few games back loom large right now. If he had been able to win one of those he’d have won this set.
First set: Federer 5-5 Isner * (*denotes server)
Finally, the string of serve winners ends at 19. Isner does manage to win the game but only after giving up two games. Both players remain on serve and are blasting away. Big hitting tennis at its best.
First set: Federer * 5-4 Isner (*denotes server)
The server has won the last 17 points as Federer blasts through this game without a blemish. He also gets his first ace. He is really starting to hit his serve strong after struggling a bit with it very early.
First set: Federer 4-4 Isner * (*denotes server)
A much easier time for Isner this time as he serves out, winning every point as opposed to fighting off three break points as he did two games ago. Isner has five aces so far, including the final point of this game. Federer has yet to have an ace.
First set: Federer * 4-3 Isner (*denotes server)
For the second time this set Federer wins all of his serves. So far this match is all about serving. A break will be huge for either player. But both are serving very, very well.
First set: Federer 3-3 Isner * (*denotes server)
Federer loses two break points and then wins a beautiful rally on deuce, running from both sides of the court, slicing a backhand across court that defies every bit of his 34 years. Isner gets deuce back with a gentle return that spins on the net and drops in. Ultimately Isner wins the game as Federer is unable to take advantage of three total break points.
First set: Federer * 3-2 Isner (*denotes server)
We are still on serve but Federer is not as sharp on the serve as Isner. So far Isner has gotten 75 percent of his first serves in as compared to about 35 percent for Federer. Isner was able to get this game to 40-40 before Federer was able to serve out the last two points.
First set: Federer 2-2 Isner * (* denotes server)
On TV a debate is raging: Is Federer playing his best tennis now? The thought seems absurd when you consider all of his Grand Slam titles. But at 34 he is playing smarter, more efficient tennis -- stealing points when he can. He might be returning better than any time in his career. As the talk continues, Isner wins the game, though Federer does win two points.
First set: Federer * 2-1 Isner (*denotes server)
Federer makes a rare mistake. Up 40-15, he goes to slam a Isner lob return at the net and instead smashes the ball into the net. Isner is incapable of taking advantage, however, as Federer wins the next point and remains on serve.
First set: Federer 1-1 Isner * (*denotes server)
True to form, Isner is crushing his serve. Not much of a chance for a Federer SABR attack -- think we’ll be talking a lot about it tonight -- Isner hits as hard as anyone on the first serve. Federer does win a point but this has started as big serve night.
Updated
First set: Federer * 1-0 Isner (*denotes server)
Federer jumps out to an early lead winning all points on his serve. He is aggressive and attacking at the start of this match. Humidity is low for the northeastern US this time of year so maybe he is feeling strong. He might have a long night ahead of him though.
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Both players received warm welcomes in Arthur Ashe Stadium but the roar for Federer was pretty strong. Here’s an interesting stat about Federer as the two start to warm up. He’s won 12 consecutive matches against Americans at the US Open. His last defeat to someone from the US here came in 2001 when he lost in the fourth round to Andre Agassi. The majority of Federer’s US Open defeats have been in the fourth round. Four times he has lost in the fourth round. This is, of course, the fourth round.
Federer prematch interview: He’s very muted and doesn’t have much to say. He does expect a mixed crowd supporting both he and the American Isner.
Isner doing prematch inteview: He says he is well-rested. He also expects the crowd to be supportive even though Federer is very popular here. What does he need to do to win? “Play well.” Insightful stuff.
Good evening (or good morning) wherever you may be, welcome to the liveblog of the Federer-Isner match. Things are quite interesting tonight as you can see in the Murray-Anderson epic (now at 4:18) on the old stadium court. The lights are down on Arthur Ashe Stadium, lots of techno music blaring, spotlights flashing. It’s Club US Open. Soon Federer and Isner should appear.
Les will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s a report on Donald Young’s match from earlier today:
The French Open champion Stan Wawrinka kept the pressure on to end the threat posed by Donald Young and register a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over the American to reach the quarter-finals at the US Open on Monday.
Fifth seed Wawrinka stayed on track for a possible last eight clash against Andy Murray, who was meeting big-serving South African Kevin Anderson in the fourth round.
The Swiss, who also owns the 2014 Australian Open title, shut the door on the 68th-ranked Young by not allowing the American to reach a single break point in the fourth set.
The 26-year-old Young, regarded during his teenage years as the next great American men’s player, had advanced to the fourth round with two epic wins from two sets down
