Federer wants to avoid repeat of 2014 US Open loss to Cilic

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  • In the zone: Roger Federer has dropped serve just twice in his four matches.

    At 34, Roger Federer is still learning from his experiences on Tour and the Swiss insists he will not allow fatigue – mental or physical – to affect his chances at this year’s US Open the way it may have hindered him in his semi-final defeat to Marin Cilic in New York 12 months ago.

    The world No2, who takes on Richard Gasquet in the quarters today, had come back from two sets down to beat Gael Monfils in the last eight in the 2014 US Open 

    before falling to Cilic in straight sets in the semis.

    Federer says the Monfils victory took a lot out of him and that this week, he is being extra careful with regards to conserving his energy.

    – US Open: Serena beats Venus to sustain Grand Slam bid

    – US Open: Cilic continues Flushing Meadows run
    – US Open: Azarenka finds her inner warrior in win

    The 17-time grand slam champion played only one warm-up event for the US Open, which ended up being a title-winning week in Cincinnati, and says it was a smart decision to skip Toronto.

    “I definitely think the Monfils match took some emotional energy out of me because it was razor’s edge. It was a fun match, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t feel tired going into the Cilic match necessarily, but maybe somewhere deep down you’re a little bit tired somewhere. You don’t know exactly how and where and what, but I had definitely played a lot,” explained Federer.

    “This year that shouldn’t happen. I will tell myself it cannot happen. Even if I play five sets, it doesn’t matter. 

    “I think I’ve had a great preparation now with Cincinnati, now here playing great, not dropping sets. Clearly I feel really good about my chances in the quarters now.”

    Federer, who is trying to become the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall in 1970, faces a familiar foe in the last eight today. He is 14-2 lifetime against the 12th-seeded Gasquet and has won their last six meetings, but feels he will face a tougher version of the Frenchman than he’s faced in the past.

    Gasquet made the semi-finals at Wimbledon a couple of months ago and took out sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych in four sets on Monday night to set up his clash with Federer.

    “I’m not sure if I’ve seen maybe Gasquet play as well as he has right now. I really like the way he played in Wimbledon. He had a good 
    attitude. He was fighting. Good shot selection,” said Federer of the 29-year-old Frenchman.

    “Now he’s backing it up. I’m sure he gained confidence from Wimbledon. That’s why I expect it to be tougher. I feel like this could be one of the tougher Gasquets I’ve played in previous years, so I expect it to be difficult.” 

    Federer has been in imperious form this summer and was unbroken in 78 consecutive service games up until he dropped serve to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round last week. He’s dropped serve just twice this tournament.

    “I guess I got good focus. I got confidence. It’s easier probably on the faster courts to do it, to get on streaks like these,” said Federer.

    “I think I’m taking the right decisions at the right times. The focus is where it needs to be. I think the racquet is helping me, easier power. Now having played with it for over one-and-a-half years, I feel like I’m really finding the zones, where to hit them. I can place it more accurately right now than I ever could.”

    Other quarter-final action will see Swiss No5 seed Stan Wawrinka face South African No15 seed Kevin Anderson, who is brimming with confidence having upset Andy Murray to reach his maiden grand slam quarter-final. 

    Anderson’s win over Murray saw him snap a 0-7 record in grand slam fourth round clashes as well as his 0-15 record against top-10 opponents in majors. 

    He insists he never gave up hope of landing a significant grand slam blow despite being 29.

    “My body’s holding up great. I really do as much as I can to take care of myself,” said Anderson, the first South African since Wayne Ferriera in 1992 to make the US Open quarters.

    “Going to college and turning pro a little bit later, I always felt myself a little younger than maybe some of the other guys my age who have been on the tour a little bit longer. 

    “Just watching Roger playing at 34, just moving incredible. Obviously he’s one of the best athletes of all time. Ivo Karlovic is over 35. I definitely feel my trajectory is still going up.”

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