US Open Thursday Preview: Federer Headlines Action

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer plays Bjorn Phau on Thursday.

Five-time former champion Roger Federer headlines second-round play at the US Open on Thursday. ATPWorldTour.com previews at three matches worth watching at Flushing Meadows.

Arthur Ashe Stadium

[1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs Bjorn Phau (GER)
FedEx ATP Head2Head Series: Federer Leads 2-1
Top seed Roger Federer contest their second North American hard-court meeting, 13 years after their first at the 1999 Legg Mason Tennis Classic. The pair is just two of 33 players in the second round aged 30 or over. The 32-year-old Phau has the unenviable task of trying to end Federer’s 22-0 record in night sessions on Arthur Ashe. Federer, 31, is on a six-match winning streak after lifting his sixth title of the year at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Phau is looking to reach the third round of a Grand Slam championship for the first time.

Federer’s Match Record In New York

Read About Phau In Form And Fitness Presented By COMPEED®

Louis Armstrong Stadium

[24] Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs (WC) James Blake (USA)
FedEx ATP Head2Head Series: Granollers Leads 1-0
Marcel Granollers, the No. 24 seed, beat James Blake in the 2008 US Men’s Clay Court Championship final in Houston and celebrated by jumping into the club’s swimming pool. Former World No. 4 Blake, who reached the 2005 (l. to Agassi) and 2006 quarter-finals (l. to Federer), will be looking to make another run in New York at the age of 32, with his daughter, Riley, born in June, watching courtside. Granollers has a 36-44 record on hard courts and is bidding to reach the third round for the second straight year. Blake is 5-7 against seeded players at the US Open, with his marquee win coming over No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the 2005 third round.

Court 17

[15] Milos Raonic (CAN) vs Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
FedEx ATP Head2Head Series: First Meeting
Milos Raonic, the No. 15 seed, is attempting to become the first Canadian man to reach the US Open third round since Martin Laurendeau in 1988. Heading into the US Open, the 21 year old led two RICOH ATP MatchFacts categories for most first service points won (1,811 of 2,190, 83%) and also break points saved (117 of 157, 75%) in 2012. Mathieu, 30, missed the entire 2011 season due to a knee injury and is contesting his 10th US Open. The former Top 20 player advanced to the third round in 2004 (l. to Sargsian) and 2010 (l. to Federer).

Other Matches Of Interest
At 34 years and 247 days, Ramirez-Hidalgo is bidding to become the oldest man through to the US Open third round since Andre Agassi in 2006 aged 36 years and 134 days. He faces Sam Querrey in the third match on Grandstand. Fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga challenges Martin Klizan second match on Louis Armstrong Stadium, while sixth seed Tomas Berdych faces Jurgen Zopp fourth match on Court 11.  

Follow ATP World Tour On Facebook & Twitter

View TV Schedule

Watch Live Online at USOpen.org (available only in the U.S. and its territories)
Watch Ashe Stadium
Watch Armstrong Stadium
Watch Grandstand
Watch Court 11
Watch Court 13
Watch Court 17