<p>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. <br /><br />It was a much closer encounter in the second set which was played to serve until the Swiss broke to go 6-5 up. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />"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. <br /><br />"I don't think I really allowed Juan Martin to be able to play the game he usually plays. </p>.<p>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." <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated South African Chanelle Scheepers 7-6, 6-3.<br />In the first round, Italian Flavia Pennetta enjoyed a surprise 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia's 12th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.<br /><br />Wozniacki ousted<br /><br />World number one Caroline Wozniacki suffered a shock second-round loss to 19-year-old American Christina McHale on Wednesday. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Serena injured<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />Reuters</p>
<p>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. <br /><br />It was a much closer encounter in the second set which was played to serve until the Swiss broke to go 6-5 up. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />"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. <br /><br />"I don't think I really allowed Juan Martin to be able to play the game he usually plays. </p>.<p>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." <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova defeated South African Chanelle Scheepers 7-6, 6-3.<br />In the first round, Italian Flavia Pennetta enjoyed a surprise 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Russia's 12th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.<br /><br />Wozniacki ousted<br /><br />World number one Caroline Wozniacki suffered a shock second-round loss to 19-year-old American Christina McHale on Wednesday. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Serena injured<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br />Reuters</p>