Federer turns in strong performance in straight-set win over Gojowczyk

WATCH—Daily Serve from Day 3 in Cincinnati:

After a heartbreaking loss to Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Roger Federer needed a month to get himself some rest. He had looked both physically and emotionally drained after the early exit in London, and he knew he couldn't push himself too hard before the US Open.

But Federer is now back in action at the Cincinnati Masters, and he beat Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 6-4 in his first match at the event.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion—and seven-time Cincinnati champion—is now into the third round at the event, and his performance on Tuesday was actually quite encouraging.

Federer opened the match looking a bit rusty, but he settled in nicely and showed why he will be one of the favorites to win in Flushing in a few weeks. The 37-year-old was moving well, and he mixed in a couple of perfectly executed serve-and-volleys. Overall, his serve was giving Gojowczyk a lot of trouble. Federer won 79 percent of his first serve points, but he also won a ridiculous 83 percent of his second serve points.

The second-seeded Federer will now face Leonardo Mayer for a spot in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Mayer beat Lucas Pouille 7-6 (7), 6-4 in their match on Tuesday. Pouille had eliminated Andy Murray in the opening round in Cincinnati, so Federer isn't going to be able to take this match against Mayer lightly—even if he is 2-0 against the Argentine in his career.

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