August 31st, 2010 by Adam Davies

Although many of us have been fast asleep during play, it has been a sensational start to the US Open. Roger Federer again demonstrated why many believe he is the best player of all time.

Of course, Brian Dabul of Argentina was never going to be the most challenging of opponents, but the Swiss maestro’s near capitulation to Colombian ace Alejandro Falla at Wimbledon in July will have prevented complacency, and he was in fine form as he defeated Dabul 6-1 6-4 6-2, which included a wonderful through-the-legs winner in the third set.

The man who beat Federer in the French Open at Roland Garros had an enormous fright yesterday. Robin Soderling needed five sets to beat Austrian qualifier Andreas Haider-Maurer, while Jurgen Melzer and Gael Monfils also required their matches to go the full length to progress.

With such exciting tennis on display on Day One of the US Open, ATP World Tour Finals tickets are rising in demand. With his win yesterday, Roger Federer has confirmed his place at the O2 Arena in London this November alongside Rafael Nadal, while the likes of Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick are expected to join them. Last year’s winner Nikolay Davydenko is considered by many a dark hope for the year’s final Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows, and the title would secure his participation, but Juan Martin Del Potro’s wrist injury continues to trouble him.