Federer express rushes to third round appointment

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Grand slam king Roger Federer kept up his sprint through the early rounds of the U.S. Open by steamrolling Steve Darcis of Belgium 6-1 6-2 6-1 to reach the third round of the year’s final grand slam.

Second seed Federer, who took just 80 minutes to register victory over the 66th-ranked Darcis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, has lost just nine games in his first two matches at Flushing Meadows this week.

The 34-year-old Swiss, so comfortable in the spotlight of the night program, matched Serena Williams for most U.S. Open wins registered under the lights as he improved his record to 29-1.

“I’ve enjoyed myself so many times, so many years. It’s wonderful that I can still experience it and play this well. It’s great,” Federer said in an on-court interview. “I hope this is not my last one, of course.