Roger Federer was given a stern workout despite recording a straight sets victory over Simon Greul at Flushing Meadows.
World No.1 forced to raise his game to reach the third round
Roger Federer was given a stern workout despite recording a straight sets victory over Simon Greul at Flushing Meadows.
Federer, who will now play Lleyton Hewitt in the third round, beat Gruel 6-3 7-5 7-5 but only after the German forced the five-time champion into playing some top-drawer tennis.
Gruel had his chances in the match but every time he got himself in a position to break, Federer responded in emphatic fashion.
Federer, bidding to emulate Bill Tilden by becoming a six-time consecutive winner of the US Open title, saved set points in the second set with a neat drop shot and a 131mph ace.
Gruel did break in the third set to lead 3-0, but again that brought the best out of the world No.1.
And Federer admitted that he had been forced to work hard by Gruel.
"I just had to make him play more shots, be more tough," said Federer. "I had to raise my level today to win because that's what was required to get through.
Intensity
"It's never easy, the first night session of the year here in New York and I saw him play a couple of times and he played really, really well so I knew it would be difficult.
"The level was really high, there was great intensity but it's good to be back and it's great to win again."
Hewitt booked his place in the third round against Federer with a straight sets win over Juan Ignacio Chela.
The former world No.1 rattled off a 6-3 6-3 6-4 to set up a repeat of the 2004 final.
Sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro opened up his US Open campaign with a comfortable win over compatriot Juan Monaco.
The 20-year-old French Open semi-finalist will now take on Austrian Jurgen Melzer after brushing aside Monaco 6-3 6-3 6-1.
Ninth seed Gilles Simon and David Ferrer, ranked 18th, are also through to the second round.
Simon overcame Daniel Gimeno-Tarver 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-3, while Ferrer was a 7-5 5-7 6-3 6-3 winner over fellow Spaniard Albero Martin.
