Getting to know: Feliciano Lopez

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Roger Federer was forced to battle through two tough five-setters in his first two matches at this year's US Open. Despite a 12-0 lead in their head-to-head, Federer's path to a sixth title in Flushing Meadows will not get any easier Saturday night when he faces off against Feliciano Lopez.

Here's a quick primer on the tournament's 31st seed:

  • While Lopez has climbed as high as 12th in the singles rankings, the Spaniard has enjoyed significant success on the doubles court, winning last year's French Open men's doubles title with Marc Lopez.

  • In 2005, Lopez became the first Spaniard since 1972 to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Lopez has made three Grand Slam quarterfinals since, advancing that far at Wimbledon twice and the US Open once, losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in 2015.

  • Lopez defeated Tim Henman, the British former world No. 4, in his final match at Wimbledon, in 2007.

  • The first head-to-head matchup between Lopez and Federer came in the first round at Wimbledon 2003. Federer, who won the match in straight sets, would go on to win his first Grand Slam title. In the duo's three meetings at majors, the Swiss has gone on to at least make the final each time.

  • Lopez, 35, is the third-oldest player inside the world's Top 50 behind Ivo Karlovic (38) and his opponent on Saturday, Federer (36).