US Open 2011 Preview: Roger Federer vs. Santiago Giraldo

Six-time champion Roger Federer headlines the night session against Santiago Giraldo on day one of the US Open.

Now the wrong side of 30, Federer is not the force he once was but he will be quietly enjoying the feeling of flying under the radar at this year's US Open. After a couple of one-sided defeats in Montreal and Cincinnati no one is talking about Federer as a potential just as was the case at the French Open a few months ago. Just the time for Federer to produce a fortnight of his best tennis, defeating Novak Djokovic for the first time in 2011 and coming within a whisker of lifting the Coupe de Mousquetaires once more. Federer is always a far sharper player at the slams, he enjoys the challenge of best of five set tennis. He feels he's much harder to beat over the full distance compared to best of three and his record on the fast cement of New York is exemplary.

"I feel my game allows me to still play for many more years because I have a relaxing playing style," Federer said. "I have almost played a thousand matches on tour and that leaves its toll. But I'm very professional when it comes to massages, stretching diet, sleep . . . I have always looked in the long term. That's why I'm confident I can still pay for many more years to come at the highest of levels."

He should not have too many problems tonight against Giraldo, a Columbian clay-courter ranked 54 in the world. Andy Roddick beat him 6-1, 6-3 in Winston-Salem last week and Federer will be confident of handing out a similar result on Arthur Ashe tonight.