Federer crushes old pal Youzhny in Dubai

DUBAI: Roger Federer crushed a familiar opponent for the 16th successive time as he made an encouraging return to the ATP World Tour after his Australian Open debacle.
The Grand Slam record-holder’s lively 6-3, 6-1 win over Mikhail Youzhny, a regular sparring partner, in the first round of the Dubai Open helped him begin to rebuild after a dispiriting third round loss in Melbourne.
The Swiss legend did this consistently well, serving forcefully, striking the ball with surprisingly good rhythm in a stiff breeze, and shortening the rallies by coming to the net successfully on plenty of occasions.
“He’s (Youzhny) beaten me a lot in practice,” Federer said when asked how he managed to be so ruthless against someone he had been playing since the turn of the century and to whom he had never lost.
“For some reason he has not done so in a match. You can’t feel sorry. You have to make your best effort.”
Youzhny, who has twice reached the final here, is still a fluent ground-stroker but only remained a contender in this match for the first seven games against a Federer intent on not playing too carefully in tricky conditions — a mistake he believes he made in Australia.
Youzhny then saved three break points before being pressured into driving too long on the fourth.
After that Federer consolidated the break with a sharp service game before breaking again to close the first set. The second was so quick the match was over inside one hour.
“In the best of three (sets) on a quick court, the score can run away from you. A bad five to ten minutes can cost you the match,” Federer said.