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FEDERER FENDS OFF ACASUSO
World number one Roger Federer held off a challenge in the second set to defeat Jose Acasuso 6-3 7-5 at the Cincinnati Masters in what was an ideal second-round workout for the Swiss.
Despite Acasuso's relentless attack, it was Federer's all-round game of both defence and attack that saw him triumph in one hour and 10 minutes to earn a tie with David Ferrer.
The game went with serve with Federer cruising on his own delivery - with seven aces in the first four games alone - and it appeared a matter of time before the top seed broke through after playing his opponent around the court.
The Argentinian finally succumbed in the eighth game and the Swiss was imperious, serving out to take the first set.
Federer was gliding through his service games until the sixth when Acasuso had break point for a 4-2 lead but he put the ball into the net and then lost his control, smashing his racket against the ground, as his opponent held.
The match went with serve although in the ninth game a wild shot by Acasuso gave Federer three break points.
The 26-year-old saved them all, then successfully challenged a double-fault ruling before forcing Federer to put the ball into the net.
Federer levelled at 5-5 and then brought up break point by defending from the net as Acasuso attempted to go down the line rather than cross court before the world number 51 went wide for the Swiss to claim a vital break.
The 28-year-old then held to love to complete a win which was never really threatened.
Federer told Sky Sports Xtra: I am very happy, happy to have made the transition from Montreal."
On Ferrer he added: "He is one of the best return players in the game.
"I will have to be careful even though I have a good record against him."
Novak Djokovic was first on Centre Court today and the fourth seed prevailed in a close match against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.
The pair were closely matched with Djokovic taking the first set 7-5 on the tie-break before he won the second set 6-4 after crucially converting one of his four break points.
The 22-year-old was especially effective on his first serve.
Seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was today's major casualty, going down 7-6 (14-12) 6-2 to qualifier Chris Guccione.
Paul-Henri Matthieu edged out Ivo Karlovic who could not reproduce the form which saw him beat Gael Monfils in the previous round.
The Frenchman triumphed 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 after taking advantage of his one break of serve.
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, of Spain, beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 6-3.
Rafael Nadal was made to work for his win over Italy's Andreas Seppi, who forced tie-breaks in both sets of the Spaniard's 7-6(4) 7-6(3) win.
World number one Roger Federer held off a challenge in the second set to defeat Jose Acasuso 6-3 7-5 at the Cincinnati Masters in what was an ideal second-round workout for the Swiss.
Despite Acasuso's relentless attack, it was Federer's all-round game of both defence and attack that saw him triumph in one hour and 10 minutes to earn a tie with David Ferrer.
The game went with serve with Federer cruising on his own delivery - with seven aces in the first four games alone - and it appeared a matter of time before the top seed broke through after playing his opponent around the court.
The Argentinian finally succumbed in the eighth game and the Swiss was imperious, serving out to take the first set.
Federer was gliding through his service games until the sixth when Acasuso had break point for a 4-2 lead but he put the ball into the net and then lost his control, smashing his racket against the ground, as his opponent held.
The match went with serve although in the ninth game a wild shot by Acasuso gave Federer three break points.
The 26-year-old saved them all, then successfully challenged a double-fault ruling before forcing Federer to put the ball into the net.
Federer levelled at 5-5 and then brought up break point by defending from the net as Acasuso attempted to go down the line rather than cross court before the world number 51 went wide for the Swiss to claim a vital break.
The 28-year-old then held to love to complete a win which was never really threatened.
Federer told Sky Sports Xtra: I am very happy, happy to have made the transition from Montreal."
On Ferrer he added: "He is one of the best return players in the game.
"I will have to be careful even though I have a good record against him."
Novak Djokovic was first on Centre Court today and the fourth seed prevailed in a close match against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.
The pair were closely matched with Djokovic taking the first set 7-5 on the tie-break before he won the second set 6-4 after crucially converting one of his four break points.
The 22-year-old was especially effective on his first serve.
Seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was today's major casualty, going down 7-6 (14-12) 6-2 to qualifier Chris Guccione.
Paul-Henri Matthieu edged out Ivo Karlovic who could not reproduce the form which saw him beat Gael Monfils in the previous round.
The Frenchman triumphed 7-6 (11-9) 6-4 after taking advantage of his one break of serve.
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, of Spain, beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 6-3.
Rafael Nadal was made to work for his win over Italy's Andreas Seppi, who forced tie-breaks in both sets of the Spaniard's 7-6(4) 7-6(3) win.