Roger Federer, U.s. Open | featured news

The Big Four in men’s tennis came to New York minus Rafael Nadal, and for stretches of Saturday afternoon it looked as if the three present might be reduced to two.

Roger Federer dismantled Donald Young in the first round of the U.S. Open. Victoria Duval of the United States had the crowd on her side, but the veteran Kim Clijsters advanced.

On a day judged as much by elapsed time as games won, Rafael Nadal came out looking the freshest. Nadal and Andy Murray won Friday to set up a semifinal matchup at the U.S. Open. They'll be back on the court Saturday - their third straight day of tennis at a tournament that has been forced into some drastic scheduling changes after losing two days to the rain.

So much for Rafa vs. Roger in the U.S. Open final.

The Open House twosome take a stab at defining great tennis, which, for New York, demands a Federer-Nadal final.

On a wind-swept day at the U.S. Open that had everyone complaining about the conditions, Roger Federer simply embraced them.

Five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer beat 13th-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 Monday night to reach the quarterfinals at a 26th Grand Slam tournament in a row.

This trick shot by Roger Federer was most definitely real. He's even hit it before. The five-time U.S. Open champion was up at the net when his first-round opponent, 96th-ranked Brian Dabul of Argentina, lofted a lob. Federer spun around to sprint toward the baseline. A couple of steps before reaching the wall behind the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and with his back to the net, Federer swatted the ball between his legs. The shot landed in a corner beside Dabul, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged.