re was slow start to this U.S. Open outing for Roger Federer, who bristled at suggestion that he might have played a role in some favorable scheduling. After dropping opening set in each of his initial two matches for first time in 19 appearances at Flushing Meows, . 3-seeded Federer was back at his absolute best on August 30, in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Dan Evans, accumulating a 48-7 edge in winners as opening act in Arthur Ashe Stium day session that began at on.

Evans ackwledged 20-time major champion Federer’s superiority. How couldn’t he? But 58th-ranked player from Britain also thought timing was “a bit disappointing,” because his rain-postponed second-round match was played on August 29, whereas Federer got to play on August 28, under Ashe roof.

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'Competitive vant' for Federer

Being first up on Friday’s program meant Evans h to be back on court about 18 hours after he’d left tournament grounds.

“It was always going to be a competitive vant for me. ... Luck was on my side,” Federer said, although he did d that his team was asked about wher it h a preference for when to play.

“But that doesn’t mean, like, ‘Roger asks, Roger gets.’ Just remember that, because I have heard this (stuff) too often w,” he said, with a more colorful word choice. “I’m sick and tired of it, that apparently I call shots; tournament and TV stations do. We can give our opinion. That’s what we do. But I’m still going to walk out (on court), even if y schedule me at 4 in morning.”

Tournament spokesman Chris Widmaier would t discuss specifics of conversations between tournament officials and representatives of any player.

“That was schedule we put forth, and we’re comfortable with decision,” Widmaier said.

When a reporter asked Evans wher he me any requests about later start time, he replied: “You think a guy who has my ranking has any say in that?”

“re is probably about four people in this tournament who has a say when y play,” Evans said. “Maybe three.”

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Djokovic's vs Kudla

In last match in Ashe at end of night, defending champion and . 1 seed vak Djokovic’s left shoulder looked just fine in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Denis Kudla of United States. During his win Wednesday, Djokovic was visited several times by a trainer for treatment on shoulder, which he said was hurting quite a bit. But that did t appear to be an issue at all against Kudla. Wher or t he h any input — wink, wink — Djokovic surely must have been pleased to get such a late start.

“I mand to play almost pain-free,” Djokovic said. “That’s a big improvement.”

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Medvedev's four-set victory

Drama of highest order was going on across way at Louis Armstrong Stium, where . 5 Daniil Medvedev seemed to relish booing he heard during and after his four-set victory over Felicia Lopez, negativity from spectators that bubbled up after Russian snatched a towel from a ball person, chucked his racket and later held his middle finger against his face. When he was jeered after match ended, Medvedev waved his arms and n cupped an ear as if wanting more, n said into microphone used for on-court interview: “I want all of you to kw, when you sleep tonight, I won because of you.”

Truth be told, Federer-Evans could have been contested at any hour on any day and outcome might t have changed. Evans has w faced Federer three times, each at a Grand Slam tournament, and lost all nine sets y’ve played.

“I guess he has every shot,” Evans said, “so it’s t ideal to have an opponent that has every shot.”

Federer, who faces . 15 David Goffin next, displayed a bunch of m, too. leaping, over--shoulder volley packed with pace. drop volley winners. forehand passes. serve with which he won 21 consecutive points in one stretch. returns that accumulated 14 breakpoints, converting half.

Federer went from making 17 unforced errors in first set of his previous match to finishing with 19 for entire match against Evans.

“You almost tend to forget what happened,” Federer said, “and you move forward.”

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William's in US Open

That’s exactly what Serena Williams did, too. She lost opening set of her second-round match against 17-year-old Caty McNally before coming back to win, n was much better in a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon quarterfinalist Karolina Muchova. Williams seized control with a seven-game run that began after she trailed 3-2 at beginning.

“I knew what she could do,” Williams said — after t allowing Muchova to do much.

She’ll face . 22 Petra Martic on Sunday for a spot in quarterfinals. Or women’s winners Friday included . 2 Ash Barty, . 3 Karolina Pliskova, . 5 Elina Svitolina, . 10 Mison Keys and . 16 Johanna Konta. Keys, 2017 runner-up in New York, h her blood pressure and pulse checked during a second-set medical visit but held on to beat . 20 Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5 in an all-American matchup.

Men who vanced included 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka; Alex de Minaur, who kcked off 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori; and Dominik Koepfer, a German ranked 118th who defeated . 17 Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to become only second qualifier in last dece to reach men’s fourth round at U.S. Open.

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