Wednesday 2 September 2015 06:51, UK
Roger Federer put on a masterclass for an awe-struck crowd as he blitzed Leonardo Mayer in straight sets at the US Open.
The Swiss legend is aiming for a sixth Flushing Meadows title and demonstrated the intimidating form that his rivals must contend with by winning 6-1 6-2 6-2 in the first round on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old raced through the opening set, breaking at the first time of asking thanks to the generosity of the world No 34 who gave away three double-faults.
Federer broke again for 4-0, although Mayer did manage one backhand winner that was followed by the second seed brutally taking the game away from him.
Mayer, from Argentina, surprisingly edged into a break point opportunity but it only seemed to irk Federer who wasn't in the mood to give the New York crowd their money's worth. He bludgeoned a pair of aces for a fifth game on the trot.
A first-set bagel was avoided as Mayer briefly displayed his repertoire, winning a rally then firing twice past his foe. It took until the third opportunity for Federer to break, doing so with a whipped cross-court winner. A half-volley broke Mayer at the next chance and an acrobatic smash from Federer sealed set point in the most stylish way.
In the final set Federer broke at the second and third times of asking as Mayer visibly lost the will to continue chasing balls that flew past him. The Argentine held a late serve but Federer ended his hopes moments later in typically smooth fashion.
Elsewhere, Tomas Berdych won in straight sets by beating Bjorn Fratangelo 6-3 6-2 6-4. John Isner also progressed with a 6-2 6-3 6-4 win against Malek Jaziri while former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka beat Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5 6-4 7-6 (8-6).
Donald Young upset Gilles Simon over five sets winning 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4. Fabio Fognini won 2-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 against Steve Johnson. Thanasi Kokkinakis retired injured to hand Richard Gasquet the win.
Other results from Tuesday:
29-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) beat Alexander Zverev (Germany) 6-7(0) 6-2 6-0 2-6 6-4.
Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) beat Aleksandr Nedovyesov (Kazakhstan) 6-0 7-6(2) 1-0 (Nedovyesov retired).
Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) beat John-Patrick Smith (Australia) 6-1 3-6 7-5 7-6(4).
Austin Krajicek (U.S.) beat Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(6) 7-6(1).
Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) beat Paul-Henri Mathieu (France) 6-4 2-6 6-7(7) 6-1 6-2.
Robin Haase (Netherlands) beat Dustin Brown (Germany) 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 6-4.
21-Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) beat Federico Delbonis (Argentina) 6-3 7-5 7-5.
Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) beat Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Jurgen Melzer (Austria) beat Denis Kudla (U.S.) 6-3 7-5 6-1.
