New York Sep 1 (IANS) Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer needed a second successive five-setter to reach the US Open third round while Rafael Nadal of Spain also made it to third round.
A 6-1 6-7(3) 4-6 6-4 6-2 win on Thursday over fellow veteran Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in three hours was Federer s 17th win in 17 matches against Youzhny in a rivalry stretching back to 2000 reports Xinhua news agency.
Five-time US Open champion and third seed Federer had also needed five sets to see off US teenager Frances Tiafoe in the opening round.
"It wasn t always like this. Back then I used to win or lose in straight sets. But battles can be fun. I feel quite warmed up now " the Swiss player said.
"Losing that second set was huge for him tough for me. It really put me in a tough spot there. I had to come up with something " he added.
In other match World No.1 Rafael Nadal clawed back after dropping the first set to defeat Japan s 121st-ranked Taro Daniel and also reached the third round here.
The 31-year-old Spaniard won 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 over the 24-year-old Daniel who fell to 0-4 against the top-10 rival.
"It s a very important victory. It s true I didn t play very well tonight but it s true I m through to the third round " Nadal said.
There were also wins for Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina who defeated Adrian Menendez of Spain 6-2 6-3 7-6(3) and sixth seed Dominic Thiem of Austria who beat Taylor Fritz of the US 6-4 6-4 4-6 7-5.
--IANS
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