Federer wins, questions slew of retirements

Roger Federer needed four sets to win at the U.S. Open on Saturday, showing the kind of fight that he finds curiously lacking in too many other players at this tournament.

The No. 3-seeded Federer won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Croatia's Marin Cilic, progressing to the fourth round in a men's draw that saw two other players quit when trailing.

No. 9 Tomas Berdych (shoulder) and No. 31 Marcel Granollers (abdominal muscle) retired on Saturday, raising the total retirements in men's and women's singles to a record 14 by the third round.

Never before had more than 12 players stopped during a match throughout the course of any entire Grand Slam tournament in the Open era.

"For me, it is shocking to see so many retirements. I have never retired in my whole life, except once when I played against (James) Blake in Paris, but I didn't even walk onto the court. For me it doesn't matter how bad I'm feeling, I will be out there and giving it a try, because you never know what's gonna happen," 16-time major champion Roger Federer said.

"Look, every player feels different," he added. "It's unfortunate it happens."

Federer's next opponent will be unseeded Argentine Juan Monaco, who came from a set down to beat Tommy Haas 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.