Switzerland’s Roger Federer has enjoyed a comfortable win over Brian Dubal of Argentina in the first round of the United States Open tennis tournament in New York.

The five-time US Open champion hit 18 aces in his 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win on Monday night over 96th-ranked Dabul. “There's nothing you can do when he has those days," Dabul said. "He's perfect.”

No shot seemed more spectacular than the one Federer came up with while leading 5-3 in the second set. He was at the net when Dabul sailed a lob high overhead.

Federer turned and sprinted toward the baseline and with his back to the net, hit the ball through his legs.

The shot cleared the net and landed in a corner for a winner beside Dabul, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. “Only he can do that,” Dabul said.

Federer has reached six consecutive US Open finals with the only loss in
that stretch to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina a year ago. “I'd like to go there again this year,” Federer said. “The path is long and rough.”

Monday’s victory gives the Swiss a place in the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals at London in November, which is for the top eight men.

In other Swiss action, Timea Bacsinszky was defeated 7:6 (7:0), 7:6 (7:1) by China's Zheng Jie.

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