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A22 sports
Friday 25 august 2017
U.S. OPEN ‘17: Federer says 3rd major of year would be surreal

By HOWARD FENDRICH U.S. Open and other tour- was the last time Federer
AP Tennis Writer naments allowed him to was in action; he tweaked
Even Roger Federer finds it return to the ATP Tour re- his back and withdrew
all a little surprising. freshed and reinvigorated, from a tuneup in Ohio the
After going 4 ½ years with- not to mention fully fit. following week.
out collecting a major The payoff? He is 35-3 with If his back is problematic at
championship, now firmly five titles this season. Flushing Meadows, it could
in his mid-30s, he heads “The long break last year stand in Federer’s way.
into Monday’s start of the really helped him. He Otherwise, he could be the
U.S. Open with a chance to (went) a little bit away last man standing there for
win his third such trophy of and looked at everything the first time since winning
2017. from the outside again. It his last of five consecutive
“I mean, I have a hard gives you a little bit of dis- U.S. Open titles in 2008.
time thinking I could win tance,” said Severin Luthi, That would please Federer,
three Slams in one year. It one of Federer’s coaches. of course. But what he real-
just sounds totally surreal “In general, I know with him ly derives satisfaction from
to me,” Federer said in an that if he takes a break and lately is his aggressive style
interview with The Associ- This Sept. 8, 2008 file photo shows Roger Federer, of if he’s fresh, happy to play, on court. “I like the way I’m
ated Press. “But I’ll prepare Switzerland, kissing the championship trophy after motivated ... that’s one of playing. I’m playing going
myself the best way pos- winning the men’s finals championship over Andy Murray, his biggest strengths.” forward. I’m going for it. I’m
sible, so that I will have the of Britain, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. The day before beating not holding back. I’m play-
best chance to really excel Associated Press Cilic in the final at the All ing the kind of tennis I like
there in New York.” I’m a better player today, with a sore hip and hasn’t England Club to claim his to play, personally, myself.
Yes, Federer is most cer- just (by) virtue of time that’s played since Wimbledon. eighth Wimbledon champi- And I’m not, like, doing ev-
tainly back. All the way gone by and I’ve had time Neither has 2014 U.S. Open onship and 19th at a major erything only for success.
back. He’s back in the field to practice and train and champion Marin Cilic, side- overall — both records for I’m actually letting it fly off
at Flushing Meadows after all that stuff,” he said with a lined by a foot blister. Last a man — Federer sat down my racket. And that makes
sitting out the hard-court sigh. “But better? In a way I year’s Wimbledon runner- with Luthi to discuss prepa- me happy,” he said.
tournament a year ago would hope so.” up, Milos Raonic, with- ration for the U.S. Open. “People who’ve been
while taking off the last half Federer turned 36 on Aug. drew from the U.S. Open Yes, time marches on, waiting for me to come
of the season to let his sur- 8, making him older than all because of an injured left even for Federer, although back strong, maybe one
gically repaired left knee but two men to have ever wrist. Reigning U.S. Open it doesn’t really seem as if more time, I’ve given them
heal. And he’s back in the won the most important champion Stan Wawrinka, that’s the case at the mo- even more now by win-
role of Grand Slam title fa- tennis tournament held in who had knee surgery, ment. “He’s been play- ning a couple of Slams this
vorite after winning the past the United States, an event and 2016 runner-up Novak ing amazing tennis,” said year. So it’s extremely spe-
two majors he entered, the first held in 1881. Djokovic , whose right el- 20-year-old Alexander cial times. I’m aware of
Australian Open in January He will be facing a deplet- bow is injured, are out for Zverev, considered the that. I know it’s just only bo-
and Wimbledon in July. ed draw in New York as he the rest of the season. So is sport’s “Next Big Thing.” nus, whatever is about to
Is he playing as well as — seeks his first title there in 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori, “He pretty much won every come,” Federer continued,
or perhaps better than — nearly a decade . because of a hurt wrist. single big tournament he with a hint of a smile. “So I
ever? Three-time major cham- That trio of top-10 players played this year,” added hope I can keep this level
“I don’t know. It’s hard to pion Andy Murray, recently is following Federer’s ex- Zverev, who defeated Fe- up and then maybe good
tell. It doesn’t really matter replaced at No. 1 by Rafael ample. Skipping the Rio derer in the hard-court final things can continue. We’ll
to me. I would hope that Nadal, has been dealing de Janeiro Olympics, the at Montreal this month. That see.”q
Froome holds Vuelta lead after Van Garderen crashes twice

SAGUNT, Spain (AP) — Chris Sagunt that included four after his home race, said
Froome maintained his category-three and one he knew the terrain was the
lead of the Spanish Vuelta category-two climbs. perfect place to strike.
after Tejay van Garderen It was the Loto Soudal rid- “I planned the attack.
crashed twice during the er’s first win at a grand tour. I thought it was a good
sixth stage on Thursday. “It’s an incredible emotion. day to get rid of some rid-
Van Garderen entered the I came here really wanting ers,” said Contador, who
stage in second place at to fight for a stage,” Marc- remained more than three
10 seconds behind Froome. zynski said. “I believed that minutes behind.
But the American slipped I would do it and today was Van Garderen crashed
to fourth place and :30 sec- the day.” shortly after on that ascent.
onds back after his error- After a large breakaway He then went down again
prone day. group set off, the long going through a round-
Esteban Chaves relieved stage became a frantic about.
Van Garderen as Froome’s chase when Alberto Con- Chaves, Roche, Fabio Aru
closest chaser at :11 be- tador attacked the top and Vincenzo Nibali all
hind, followed by Nicolas riders on the final ascent managed to make up the
Roche at :13 back. over the Puerto del Garbi distance in the descent to
Poland’s Tomasz Marczyn- summit. Froome was the the finish line.
ski claimed the stage after only title rival able to keep Friday’s stage is a hilly
beating two other break- up, leaving the rest to play 207-kilometer (128-miles)
away riders to the finish line catch up. ride from Lliria to Cuenca.
of the 204-kilometer (127- Contador, a three-time The three-week race ends
mile) run from Vila-real to champion who will retire in Madrid on Sept. 10.q