Federer survives Tiafoe in five at US Open

Roger Federer was pushed to the limit in an unexpectedly tough first-round encounter at the US Open against teenage rising star Frances Tiafoe.

Federer survived the American 4-6 6-2 6-1 1-6 6-4 to take his place in the second round of the year’s final major event, where he will next face either Mikhail Youzhny or Blaz Kavcic.

In a scratchy display highlighted by the their combined tally of 95 unforced errors to just 42 winners, Federer and Tiafoe each looked at times brilliant and brittle as their contest extended toward midnight local time.

RELATED: Nadal off to winning start at US Open

“It was a good test – I think we both enjoyed ourselves out here,” Federer said on court, after taking his five-set record in 2017 to 4-0. “I’m happy with the match – it was exciting.”

He also extended his record against American players at the majors to a near-perfect 35-1; his only loss came against Andre Agassi in the fourth round of the 2001 US Open.

Federer began the match against Tiafoe mired in errors as his young opponent lapped up the prime-time spotlight to take the opening set.

The Swiss settled in the second and third against the increasingly frustrated Tiafoe, and when he dropped just three games en route to establishing a two-sets-to-one lead, the first set looked to be a mere aberration.

Yet the errors that plagued him in set one returned in the fourth, and Tiafoe wrested control of the contest, producing an impressive blend of consistency and flash to send the match into a fifth.

He's bloody good at making you think that everything's just hunkydory, isn't he? Power of positive thinking. #Federer

— DavidLaw (@DavidLawTennis) August 30, 2017

Before a somewhat sparse yet vocal crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Federer built a commanding 5-2 lead, only for Tiafoe to break back when Federer was serving for the match at 5-3.

But Tiafoe’s unorthodox forehand broke down in the final game, with two errors putting him on the back foot. A few points later, he found the net, helping Federer seal his passage through to the second round.

Federer’s movement appeared laboured throughout the match; a back injury forced him to skip the recent Cincinnati Masters.