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US Open

Third-round latest:

R FEDERER (Swi) * v R STEPANEK (Cze)

6-3 1-2

* denotes server

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By Sam Lyon

SECOND SET

Federer 6-3 1-2 Stepanek
More pressure on the Stepanek serve from Federer as he moves into position at 30-30, but a great serve out wide from the Czech and a backhand overhead volley help him hold well.

Federer 6-3 1-1 Stepanek
More delightful tennis from Fed as he follows an ace with a crunching backhand winner down the line. Another unreturnable serve sees him hold with ease.

Federer 6-3 0-1 Stepanek
Stepanek cuts the angles well, stepping into the net on occasion and chasing down every ball, as he holds to 15 and that's just the start he will have wanted to this set.

FIRST SET

Federer 6-3 Stepanek
Another hint of the inconsistency that has crept into Fed's game this year as a double fault precedes an ace at the start of the game, but it's the world number two's only blip as he storms to a hold to 15 and that's the first set won in 32 minutes.

Federer 5-3 Stepanek
Oh dear, Raddy! Stepanek's first serve abandons him and Federer takes advantage by probing away at the Czech's forehand, edging to a three break points. Federer only needs one as Stepanek nets another brutal Fed return and the Swiss is back in charge.

"Stepanek breaks back. Awesome stuff..."
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Federer 4-3 Stepanek
Federer is clearly aware of Stepanek's threat out there as he is going for the corners with every groundstroke - and it is still a bit hit and miss from the Swiss in the face of some impressive returning from the Czech and the game goes to deuce. A delicious forehand winner down the line then brings up Stepanek's first break opportunity and despite some fine play at the net from Federer, the Czech makes the opening count with another tonking forehand winner. Not so infallible after all, then, the Fedster.

Federer 4-2 Stepanek
Stepanek goes to a serve-volley game at 30-30 with Federer looking to drill his returns to the open court, and even though a backhand goes wide from the Swiss, another slip on the forehand side from Raddy brings it back to deuce. The sheer ferocity of Fed's return forces the error at game point from Stepanek, but Raddy recovers well to hold his nerve and see out the game.

Federer 4-1 Stepanek
A brief glimpse at an opening for Stepanek as the Czech presses nicely on Federer's second serve, but the world number two responds ominously well and drills an ace to seal the game from 15-30 down.

Federer 3-1 Stepanek
Fed's passing shots abandon him for a spell as Stepanek gets on the board with a love game, aided by a good first-serve percentage and a crashing forehand winner.

Federer 3-0 Stepanek
And that's the break consolidated, Federer looking almost infallible on his returns while Stepanek sends a couple long going for the big shot - perfect start for the Swiss.

Federer 2-0 Stepanek
A devastating return from Federer sets him up nicely as he gets a first look at Stepanek's serve, and a double fault from the Czech opens the door to an early break. An unsuccessful challenge on a long baseline call from Raddy hands Federer three break points and even though the Czech saves two impressively, a sensational backhand down the line on the run from the Fed seals the game.

Federer 1-0 Stepanek
Early glimpses of Federer's booming serve and beautiful groundstrokes as Stepanek's attempts to put pressure on the Swiss early doors are repelled rather easily. A hold to 30.

"Is anyone thinking this may be tricky for Roger? I have a feeling for a big upset today. Hope it's not, though, as I am still hoping for another Rafa-Roger final."
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1813: Federer may have lost his number one ranking, managed just two titles all year, and lost in the final of the French Open and Wimbledon this year - but his doubles success at the Olympics alongside Stanislas Wawrinka has certainly helped buoy his confidence and before this match he said: "It will only get better from here. I'm really happy to be playing well and everybody's cheering me on, so it's a nice feeling."

We're moments away from seeing if Fed's newly-restored confidence is on show again today.

1807: As the players go through their warm-ups out on the Arthur Ashe court, let's have a look at the record between them. Fed's got the edge over six encounters, leading 4-2, but Stepanek won the last match between the two, edging a 7-6 7-6 win at the Rome Masters earlier this year. That, though, just like his other win against the Swiss, was on clay and with Federer chasing a fifth straight US Open title, you have to fancy the big man on this surface. And not just because of his floppy hair and dashing good looks.

"I am quite nervous about the match today."
Niecie (Federer fan) on 606
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1800: Afternoon folks, how we doing? Still catching your breath after Andy Murray's four-hour marathon against Jurgen Melzer yesterday? Me too. Although that's not saying much, I'm still catching my breath from running for the 147 bus to Ilford - and that was a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway, we're here for the US Open third-round match between former world number one Roger Federer and 28th seed Radek Stepanek - and I have an inkling that it might just be a bit of a belter. Raddy is no mug and I think we all know about Fed's struggles this year...

(BBC)

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