US Open 2014: Roger Federer Warns Marinko Matosevic of Grand Slam Nerves Ahead of New York Clash

Roger Federer has warned US Open opponent Marinko Matosevic of the nerves he faces at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center ahead of their first round encounter.

Five-time US Open men's champion Federer has hit top form at the right time after picking up the Cincinnati Masters on 17 August and is hoping to become only the fourth player in history to win six US Open titles.

Blocking his path is Australian Matosevic who has reached four quarter-finals this year and Federer admits he could cause him some problems.

"Clearly I'm aware that he can play some dangerous tennis. But at the same time, I feel like it's on my racquet," Federer told his press conference.

"I have to make sure he has to work extremely hard and he knows the finish line is really far away, and I will try to keep it that way throughout the match."

Seventeen-time Grand Slam winner Federer is competing in his 60<sup>th consecutive Grand Slam tournament and has been handed a favourable path to this year's final.

He is projected to meet Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-finals and fourth seed David Ferrer, whom the Swiss has beat every time in their 16 encounters, in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, world number one Novak Djokovic could face 2012 champion Andy Murray, third seed Stanislas Wawrinka and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he navigates his way to the final.

Federer hopes his experience will mean he is better prepared to play in front of the big crowds and cope with the conditions better in New York tonight.

"You can get used to the speeds of the courts, the way the ball flies, the wind, the humidity, all those things," Federer said.

"But the tension you do feel on a match court, it's just totally different. That can really either block you from playing great or sometimes it frees you up. That's the unknown, and that's why that first-round match is always crucial."