Roger Federer Must Stay Focused After 3 Easy US Open Wins

Yet to drop a single set in his U.S. Open endeavours this year, Roger Federer looks set to cruise into the finals of the competition. But in order to continue his current hot streak, Fed must remain focused and cannot look ahead.

The Swiss sensation recently booked a spot in Round 4 of the competition, where he’ll come up against 19th seed Tommy Robredo.

As BBC Sport announced via Twitter, Adrian Mannarino was the latest to fall victim:

However, for all the pedigree in Federer’s considerable arsenal, even a superstar such as him can fall victim to complacency. That's exactly why he can't get too carried away with what he's already accomplished in New York as opposed to what’s ahead.

Robredo will be a tough opponent. It was Robredo who, in the previous round, knocked out British hopeful Dan Evans, much to the dismay of many a Briton.

The Spaniard has shown good ability so far this tournament and, irrespective of a leg injury Robredo appeared to show in his most recent victory, will be a test of Federer’s resolve.

It wasn’t too long ago, after all, that Robredo made the quarterfinals of the 2013 French Open, where he would bow out to fellow Spaniard and eventual finalist David Ferrer.

It was also at the quarterfinal stage of the French Open that Federer made his exit this season, losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

And don't forget the 32-year-old’s shocking second-round defeat at Wimbledon this year, marking the first time since 2004 that Federer failed to reach at least the quarterfinal stage of a Grand Slam tournament.

Against Robredo, he might compound that shortcoming if his confidence is too high, and he would fail to reach the semifinals phase of two Grand Slams in a year for the first time since 2003.

Of course, with a player of Federer’s calibre, that still remains a big “if.” The Swiss star need not defend the fact that he still has the ability to reach such levels.

The only real questions lie around the player’s mental fortitude and whether that same hunger still exists in a Federer who has now won just one major title in the last three years.

Considering his age and all that he’s won over the last decade, it’s only inevitable that Federer’s ferocity on the court begins to die down in these latter stages of his career, but that’s not to say it’s over in the slightest just yet.

The 2013 season still holds the door of possibility open for one final Grand Slam opportunity. And who knows, New York could yet play host to the revival of one of the sport’s greatest ever ambassadors.

That being said, Federer’s will to win has shone early in this tournament, and his renewed focus will be the key to him carrying on his current vein of form.