Roger Federer barely put a foot wrong on his way to a rather comfortable 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 win over Bjorn Phau in the second round of the U.S. Open.
On the day that 30-year-old Andy Roddick announced his retirement at the end of the tournament, Federer, 31, showed absolutely no signs of slowing down, cracking 44 winners, including 15 aces.
"I remember going to a Future in Greece, spending some time with him there," Federer recalled. "I think we were both waiting for lucky losers at one point.
"He got in and I didn't because he was ahead of me in the rankings. Here we are on center court at the U.S. Open.
"It's quite amazing. I'm glad we both got the opportunity to experience something like we did tonight."
The win took Federer to 23-0 in night sessions and the Swiss master admitted he likes playing late at Flushing Meadows. "It (was) a great night of tennis, not too much wind," the 17-time Grand Slam winner said. "(I had a) great opponent who was also ready to do some shot making.
"I enjoyed it, like I always do, particularly the night sessions here in New York."
Federer has enjoyed some monumental matches with Roddick in the past and the Swiss great paid tribute to the American he beat a total of three times in Wimbledon finals, including that epic match in 2009. "He could have gotten that title," Federer said.
"That's what I said about him in 2009. He deserves this title as well. In my mind, he is a Wimbledon champion, a wonderful ambassador for the game.
"I am thankful for everything he has done in the sport here in America. It's not been easy after (Andre) Agassi, (Pete) Sampras, (Jim) Courier, (Michael) Chang, (Jimmy) Connors, (John) McEnroe, you name them.
"It's been hard for him at times but I thought he always did the best he could. That's all you can ask for from a guy like Andy."
