Federer launches U.S. Open bid against Mayer

Roger Federer of Switzerland with the runner up trophy after losing his Men's Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Wimbledon Tennis hampionships in London, July 12, 2015. REUTERS/Toby Melville

(Reuters) - World number two Roger Federer launches his bid for a sixth U.S. Open title, and his first since 2008, with a first-round match against Argentina's Leonardo Mayer at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Swiss has been in sparkling form this season and heads into the final grand slam event of 2015 buoyed by an impressive hardcourt run in Cincinnati earlier this month.