US OPEN: Trick shot brilliance from confident Federer

By Sportsbeat staff

ROGER Federer produced another moment of cheeky brilliance as he made rapid progress past Argentina's Brian Dabul at the US Open.

COMMANDING: Roger Federer looked in impressive form as he started his US Open campaign. Juan Martin Del Potro, who beat him in last year's final, in absent from his defence due to injury (Reuters)

In an almost carbon copy of his famous winner against Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadow 12 months ago, the world number one scampered to the back of the court to retrieve a seemingly inch-perfect lob and then fired a winner from between his legs.

Federer went on to secure his progress 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in just 93 minutes but an hour later was still buzzing about his trick shot antics.

"I've only hit a few of those shots in my life and to do two here on Centre Court in night session matches is amazing," he said.

"I always feel at home here and I play good tennis in New York. I've been to six straight matches and it looks like I'm playing well again."

Elsewhere, Andy Roddick celebrated his 28th birthday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over France's Stephane Robert but fifth seed Robin Soderling was given a through examination by Austrian qualifier Andrea Haider-Maurer.

He needed five sets to progress, as did France's Gael Monfils against American Robert Kendrick.

Two seeds crashed out - Paul Henri Mathieu seeing off the stubborn resistance of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, and Fernando Gonzalez, who withdrew injured from his match with Croatia's Ivan Dodig with the scores deadlocked at one set each.