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Federer has No. 1 on his mind
- Article by: HOWARD FENDRICH , Associated Press
- Updated: September 1, 2008 - 7:48 AM
After coming so close at Wimbledon, the four-time defending U.S. Open champion is intent on taking the next step here and returning to the top of the heap.
No. 2-ranked Roger Federer served to Radek Stepanek during their match Sunday. Federer won 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, a positive step in a season that, by his standards, had gone bad.
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NEW YORK – As if trying to remind everyone where he’s been and where he’s quite certain he’ll return, Roger Federer thrust his right fist overhead and pointed skyward with his index finger on Sunday.
As Federer made that signal, the 1970s song “Still the One” by Orleans rang through Arthur Ashe Stadium, marking the end of the four-time defending champion’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over 28th-seeded Radek Stepanek in the U.S. Open’s third round.
Actually, for the first time in a while, Federer is not No. 1 — in the seedings for the hard-court Grand Slam tournament or in the ATP rankings. Those honors belong to Rafael Nadal, who beat Federer in the lopsided French Open and epic Wimbledon finals and last week ended his record 237-week stay at the top.
Federer harbors no doubts that he can re-establish his ranking and his reputation among opponents, both built on the strength of 12 career major singles titles, two shy of Pete Sampras’ record.
“That’s the advantage I have. If I were to win a big tournament again, one of those Slams, whatever, right away I have the invincibility factor again,” he said. “So that’s what I’m working for. I was that close in Wimbledon, so I hope to go a step further and win it this time.”
It’s been a poor-by-his-standards season for Federer, whose 12 losses already are more than he absorbed in any entire year from 2004-07. His two titles, at minor events, are his fewest entering the U.S. Open since 2002.
“I would love his bad year. ... The guy has the best four-year run ever, and we’re all sitting here in shock that it’s not the best five-year run ever. We have to use a little bit of perspective here as far as how good he’s been,” said Andy Roddick, the last man other than Federer to win the U.S. Open, back in 2003, and his potential semifinal opponent this year.
Roddick reached the fourth round by beating No. 31 Andreas Seppi 6-2, 7-5, 7-6 (4) and next will play No. 11 Fernando Gonzalez. Federer’s next opponent is No. 23 Igor Andreev of Russia, who beat No. 13 Fernando Verdasco of Spain in straight sets.
The women are a round ahead, and No. 2 Jelena Jankovic reached the quarterfinals by coming back to beat No. 21 Caroline Wozniacki 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Jankovic is among five women with a shot at reaching No. 1 in the rankings.
“It’s a goal,” Jankovic said, “but I want to win a Grand Slam.”
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