Federer irked by claims of schedule favouritism

Roger Federer said he was "sick and tired" at suggestions he dictated the scheduling at the US Open after thrashing Britain's Dan Evans, who was hampered by a quick turnaround between matches.

Five-time champion Federer motored into the last 16 by blowing Evans away 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in only 80 minutes, the Swiss third seed taking full advantage as just one of five men who benefited from a rest on Thursday.

Evans, on the other hand, complained of fatigue and stiffness as he returned to the court barely 18 hours after his four-set win over Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the second round.

"I have been there. I know what you're talking about. Yeah, you could definitely argue that the scheduling was not in his favor," Federer said.

"But it's anyway not fair for me to play my match under the roof, get it done, sit back, relax the next day while he's battling out a four-hour or a three-hour match, whatever it is, against Pouille.

"The problem already starts there. That's tennis. It's entertainment, and the show must go on," he added.

"I've lost maybe matches this way. I've won some this time. Luck was on my side. There you have it. So, yeah, I understand if Danny is, like, a little bit frustrated."
"I'm sick and tired of it, that apparently I call the shots. The tournament and the TV stations do. We can give our opinion. That's what we do. But I'm still going to walk out even if they schedule me at 4:00 in the morning."
- 'Short straw' -
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"The tournament would rather Roger be going through that match than me so it's understandable."
"Just to try and beat him feeling tired, stiff, playing four sets yesterday, it's near on impossible. But I actually thought he played pretty much, you know, no-error tennis."