Classy Federer outguns Del Potro

McHale stuns Wozniacki; Injured Serena pulls out

Del Potro had upset Federer in the 2009 US Open final before injuries set back his career but the Swiss looked at is comfortable best in the first set.

It was a much closer encounter in the second set which was played to serve until the Swiss broke to go 6-5 up.

Federer had missed out on six break points prior to winning that game. He then held serve to go through to face American James Blake.

"I expected a tough match with Juan Martin for obvious reasons, and it went better than I thought," said a relaxed Federer. "I thought I played a wonderful first set and a very good second set, too. That was obviously enough tonight.

"I don't think I really allowed Juan Martin to be able to play the game he usually plays.

It's quick conditions, so you're never going to maybe find the rhythm like you would on a slower court. But I was able to mix it up well, I served well, and did all the right things tonight."

Del Potro's chances of repeating his success of 2009 in New York this year look slim but he was pleased that his many physical problems, including a bad wrist injury, seem to be behind him. France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looked back to full fitness while Czechs Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek came through their first tests. Wimbledon semifinalist Tsonga defeated Croat Marin Cilic 6-3 6-4 in the opening round, dropping just six points on serve and hitting nine aces.

Berdych, the eighth seed, breezed through his second round match against Argentine Juan Monaco in straight sets 7-6 6-0, winning 83 percent of first serve points.

Compatriot Stepanek, who had to qualify, came out on top against big-serving American John Isner 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 in a tough first-round encounter lasting two hours and 46 minutes.  Stepanek triumphed, despite 21 aces from Isner, and the Czech saved three break points in the final set.

Tenth-seeded Stosur brushed aside Eleni Daniilidou of Greece 6-3 6-1 in her opening match. World number seven Maria Sharapova had little trouble defeating Australian Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-3 in her second round match.

World number five Li Na of China, the French Open champion, won her second round match against Czech Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-4 while eighth seed Marion Bartoli of France beat Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko 6-1 6-2.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated South African Chanelle Scheepers 7-6, 6-3.
In the first round, Italian Flavia Pennetta enjoyed a surprise 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia's 12th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Wozniacki ousted

World number one Caroline Wozniacki suffered a shock second-round loss to 19-year-old American Christina McHale on Wednesday.

With golf sensation and friend Rory McIlroy in attendance, the Danish top seed never looked close to her best and lacked winning shots as she fell 6-4, 7-5 to the 76th ranked McHale.

Serena injured

Former world number one Serena Williams has pulled out of the Cincinnati Open with a toe injury, tournament organisers said. Williams was due to face Australian 10th seed Samantha Stosur in the second round.

The 13-times grand slam champion suffered an "aggravation of a right toe injury" a statement from the organisers said. Williams has won her last two tournaments since returning to competition in June after 11 months out with injuries and health problems.

After her straight sets 6-3, 7-5 victory over Czech Lucie Hradecka on Tuesday, Williams said she was wary of becoming tired before the US Open later this month.
Reuters