US Open - Murray drops a set but still progresses

US Open - Murray drops a set but still progresses

Andy Murray dropped a set for the first time at this year's US Open but recovered quickly to ease his way into the third round.

 

The defending champion beat Argentina's Leonardo Mayer 7-5 6-1 3-6 6-1 in two hours and 41 minutes on a steaming hot day at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

It was clear the Scotsman was in for tough workout when he needed almost an hour to clinch the first set but he seemed to back in control when he raced through the second.

Mayer broke Murray's serve at the start of the second set and calmly held all of his own service games to push the match into a fourth set but the third seed regained control and ran away with it.

"It was a very tough match," said Murray, whose next opponent is Germany's Florian Mayer. "Both of us did a lot of running.

"I started to move better as the match went on. He's a big hitter of the ball and I had to defend a lot."

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US Open - Stephens beats fellow US hope Hampton

US Open - Stephens beats fellow US hope Hampton

Rising US player Sloane Stephens took care of business against Fed Cup team-mate and friend Jamie Hampton, powering her way to a 6-1 6-3 victory to earn a place in the round of 16 at the US Open.

 

In a showcase between two players among a promising group of emerging US women, 15th seed Stephens used a combination of bigger groundstrokes and more accurate serves to charge past an error-prone Hampton in 63 minutes.

"I just tried to play my best. It's tough playing Jamie, a good friend. Definitely a tough match to come out here on Ashe," said 20-year-old Stephens. "I just tried to stay focused and do my best and luckily got the 'W'."

Stephens, who burst into the international spotlight by upsetting Serena Williams in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and reached the last eight at Wimbledon, benefitted from 34 unforced errors from Hampton.

Stephens, who also reached the fourth round at Roland Garros for the second successive year, put 70 percent of her first serves into play, while Hampton found the range on less than half of her first deliveries, putting her on the defensive.

Hampton, ranked 26th, broke serve in the sixth game of the second set to put it back on serve at 3-3, but at 30-30 in the next game she missed a backhand overhead volley and Stephens broke her one point later and did not lose another game.

Hampton, 23, had enjoyed an impressive stretch on tour, beating two seeded players at the French Open including 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova to reach the fourth round. She made it to the Eastbourne final on grass and the semi-finals on the hard courts of Stanford.

The Americans had last played in the first round at Wimbledon, with Stephens winning 6-3 6-3.

Next up for Stephens could be another all-American clash as she faces either defending champion Williams or Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.

Stephens said her approach going forward would remain simple.

"Just play my best, play my game," she said. "All you can do is do your best and that's what I'm going to count on."

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US Open - Day six order of play

US Open - Day six order of play

Order of play for day six of the US Open, with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Victoria Azarenka and surprise package Dan Evans on court.

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [13] vs. Christina McHale (USA)

Not before 1pm (6pm UK)

Ivan Dodig (CRO) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

7pm (midnight UK)

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [6] vs. Camila Giorgi (ITA)

Roger Federer (SUI) [7] vs. Adrian Mannarino (FRA)

Louis Armstrong Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [14] vs. Simona Halep (ROU) [21]

Alize Cornet (FRA) [26] vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]

John Isner (USA) [13] vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) [22]

Tommy Robredo (ESP) [19] vs. Daniel Evans (GBR)

Grandstand

11am (4pm UK)

Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) [4]

Not before 1pm (6pm UK)

Jack Sock (USA) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) [18]

Karin Knapp (ITA) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA) [10]

Court 17

11am (4pm UK)

Petra Kvitova (CZE) [7] vs. Alison Riske (USA)

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [23] vs. Milos Raonic (CAN) [10]

Richard Gasquet (FRA) [8] vs. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) [32]

Court 11

11am (4pm UK)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [27] vs. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

Julia Glushko (ISR) vs. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)

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US Open - Djokovic shrugs off slow start to speed into third round

US Open - Djokovic shrugs off slow start to speed into third round

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic saved two set points in the opening set but lost just four games the rest of the way in beating Germany's Benjamin Becker 7-6 (2) 6-2 6-2 on Friday to reach the third round of the U.S.

 

 

Djokovic was broken in the ninth game of the first set to fall behind 4-5, but broke right back and forced a tie-breaker, which he won 7-2 before cruising the rest of the way.

The 26-year-old Serb said he had trouble with his footwork in the tricky conditions against a dangerous opponent in 87th-ranked Becker, best known for beating Andre Agassi at the 2006 US Open in the last match of the American's career.

"It was a struggle," Djokovic, the 2011 US Open winner, said about the opening set.

"I tried to move him around the court...that was my tactics.

"But it was very tough. It was a lot of unforced errors, very windy conditions."

Djokovic made an uncharacteristic 18 unforced errors in the first set before getting comfortable with his approach on the blustery court - an adjustment that might pay dividends as the tournament progresses.

"It was a lot of wind, wind that is not consistent. It changes direction all the time, you have to be alert," added Djokovic, stressing the importance of being balanced when attacking the ball.

"You need to have this adjustment, footwork, steps, in order to get on the ball. I didn't have that in the first set."

Djokovic adapted and after the 52-minute first set struggle won the next two sets in a total of 59 minutes.

"After I played a good tiebreak, then everything kind of settled. I started to serve better," said Djokovic, who belted in 13 aces.

"I started to step into the court, which is important." Djokovic, who lost in five sets to Andy Murray in last year's final in Flushing Meadows, has designs on adding to his haul of six Grand Slam titles.

"My game is getting there. I feel that it was a big test for me today. It was a challenge and I needed to overcome it."

Djokovic will next face either Finland's Jarkko Nieminen or Portugal's Joao Sousa.

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US Open - Li Na overcomes Robson in New York

US Open - Li Na overcomes Robson in New York

Li Na recorded a straight sets 6-2 7-5 win over Laura Robson to progress to round four of the US Open.

 

Li, seeded fifth after reaching the Australian Open final earlier this season, needed 81 minutes to avenge her third round loss to Robson at Flushing Meadows last year.

"At least this year I'm in the second week," said Li, whose next opponent will be either Serbia's Jelena Jankovic or Japan's Kurumi Nara.

As a former French Open champion and two-time Australian Open finalist, Li had too much experience and firepower for the British teenager, 12 years her junior.

The 31-year-old Li was rewarded for her aggressive approach, hitting 23 winners and banging down 11 aces on a windy day at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I was a little bit surprised because today I have a lot of aces. It was like, wow." Li said.

Robson contributed to her own downfall by committing 30 unforced errors, 15 in each set, but was satisfied with her overall performance in the tournament.

"I'm disappointed about today for sure and I thought I could have played a lot better," she said. "But I always knew it was going to be a tough match. All in all, I guess it was an average week.

"In my first two rounds I thought I played really well and I closed out the matches really well, which is something that has improved a lot over the last 12 months."

Still just 19, Robson is making steady improvement each season and was the first British woman to be seeded at a Grand Slam in more than a quarter of a century.

"I think I'm going in the right direction. I feel like I'm improving and working on a more all-around game," she said.

"It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I'm willing to do that."

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US Open - Radwanska downs Pavlyuchenkova to reach last 16

US Open - Radwanska downs Pavlyuchenkova to reach last 16

The ultra-consistent Agnieszka Radwanska wore down Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6 (1) on Friday to reach the fourth round at the US Open.

 

Open, continuing her impressive streak at this year's grand slams.

The third seeded Radwanksa survived some anxious moments against Pavlyuchenkova before sealing victory in 73 minutes.

She will play Ekaterina Makarova next who beat Sabine Lisicki 6-4 7-5.

If she wins her next match, the Pole will become the only woman to reach the quarter-finals at all four grand slams this year.

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US Open - Duval's US Open comes to an end

US Open - Duval's US Open comes to an end

Victoria Duval bowed out of the US Open with a 6-2 6-3 loss to Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova before revealing she was likely to become one of the tallest player on the women's tour.

 

"I know I have a lot of room to grow," the 5-feet 9-inches Duval said. "I'm still growing right now. My growth plates are still open.

"I'm not sure how that's happening. But I think once my body settles in, I'll be able to work a little more on my fitness. I haven't really been able to because of injuries and growing.

"One doctor told me I will be at least six feet. My grandmother was six-four."

The animated 17-year-old American's romance with the US Open ended quickly but the Atlanta-based teenager was inspired by becoming a role model during her whirlwind 48 hours at Flushing Meadows.

Feted as the new darling of American tennis following her opening-round triumph, Duval was unable to replicate the blistering form that disposed of former Open champion Sam Stosur when she was handed a reality check by Hantuchova in one hour and 12 minutes.

"It was overwhelming," she said of the media attention.

"Obviously winning my first round was quite an achievement.

I'm just really proud that I've been able to give myself a good image on the court, and off the court.

"I was touched by all the little kids that came up to me and told me I'm their role model. I think for a 17-year-old, that's pretty cool."

Duval admitted to feeling restricted against Hantuchova in front of a boisterous crowd on Court 17.

"I don't think I ever felt free in the match today," she said.

"I don't think it had to do with the score or anything. She hits really hard and I couldn't really get myself going. I just never felt comfortable.

"I missed a couple of really close shots when I had opportunities. A couple of shots make the difference in matches ... and I don't really have an easy time playing in the dark with my glasses."

Despite new-found confidence from beating Stosur, Duval said she would keep her ambitions realistic, aiming to raise her ranking from 296 to the top 150 by the end of the year.

"I'm not going to go above and beyond myself," he said.

"I'm going to set reasonable goals. This was just another tournament, but I've had a great experience."

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US Open - Nadal crushes Brazilian Silva

US Open - Nadal crushes Brazilian Silva

Overcoming hardship makes you stronger, according to Rafa Nadal, who is proving his point with a sensational comeback year and a sparkling hardcourt run after a debilitating knee injury.

 

Nadal was sidelined for seven months by the injury, but hard work and determination have again made him a ferocious force as evidenced by his 6-2 6-1 6-0 mauling of Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil to reach the third round of the US Open.

The victory improved the Spanish second seed to 17-0 on hardcourts this year, which has included titles at Indian Wells, Montreal and Cincinnati among his nine trophies in 2013.

Nadal said overcoming adversity was enormously satisfying.

"When you are coming back after hard times, after an injury ... you need to work hard. You need to work with the right attitude every day," said 12-times winner Nadal.

"You need to be ready to suffer, to enjoy the suffering, and to be able to change the situation."

Nadal, the 2010 US Open champion, has dramatically turned around his fortunes, posting a 2013 match record of 55-3.

He put his dominance on display in a 92-minute rout at Arthur Ashe Stadium, facing only one break point but saving it and ripping 30 winners to the Brazilian's nine.

World number two Nadal, who missed the 2012 US Open because of a knee injury, will next play Ivan Dodig of Croatia, a 6-1 6-4 6-4 winner against Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

Silva had shown extraordinary grit in his opening round five-set victory against Canada's Vasek Pospisil, saving an astonishing seven match points - the most in the ATP Tour this season - before closing out the decisive tiebreaker 12-10.

Nadal gave the Brazilian no room to escape, however.

Victory on the court was sweet, but the Spaniard said making the climb back made it all the more satisfying.

"When you are in a low position, low situation, you are able to work to change that dynamic because you really feel the love for sport, the passion for sport," said 27-year-old Nadal.

"After overcoming a tough situation, then you are ready to compete better than before. That's something that I am sure. All my life I played with a lot of passion. I love the sport. I love the competition.

"So I feel very lucky and very happy to be back on the tour and playing well again."

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US Open - Wozniacki skips into third round with comfortable win

US Open - Wozniacki skips into third round with comfortable win

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki raced to a 6-1 6-2 win over South Africa's Chanelle Scheepers to reach the third round of the US Open and put last year's struggles behind her.

The sixth-seeded Dane, made to work hard for her first-round victory over Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying, dropped her first service game on Arthur Ashe Stadium court then never looked back in a 67-minute romp.

"I'm really pleased with the way I was moving today and moving from defence to offence," Wozniacki said on-court after her efficient groundstroke game contrasted with 27 unforced errors from the South African.

Wozniacki, 23, was slowed by a right knee injury last year when she failed to make it out of the first round at the US Open following a first-round exit at Wimbledon.

"I think I always improve as a player. I think I'm playing good tennis. I think I've improved since then," she said.

Neither player registered an ace but Wozniacki's superior return game gave her an upper hand as she put all but three of Scheepers's 47 serves into play.

"She didn't give me any errors in the beginning and I thought I was pressing too much and made some unforced errors," said the South African. "I was trying to get into the net a little bit and made the mistakes.

"With a player like Caroline, once you get behind, it gets tough to get yourself back in because she's such a tough competitor and doesn't give you anything."

Wozniacki, who reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2010 and 2011 and the final in 2009, will next play Italy's Camila Giorgi, a 6-4 7-6 (8) winner over Hsieh Su-Wei of Taiwan.

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US Open - Azarenka's love affair with New York continues

US Open - Azarenka's love affair with New York continues

Victoria Azarenka charged into the third round of the US Open with a 6-3 6-1 win over Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak.

 

 

Azarenka's love affair with New York's hardcourts is starting to get serious. The Belarusian is so smitten with Flushing Meadows that she now thinks of them as an old lover.

"I would say it's my husband," she said after her 6-3 6-1 win over Wozniak.

"Because we have been together for a long time (we) got really comfortable with each other. Yeah, it's my husband."

Azarenka's affection for hardcourts, the sport's most physically demanding surface, appears mutual. Her greatest successes have all come on hardcourts. She has won each of the past two Australian Opens and reached the final of the US Open last year.

"Yeah, (I'm a) hardcourt lover," she joked.

Azarenka's popstar boyfriend Redfoo need not worry. He is always in her mind when she goes to play, providing the soundtrack she listens to on her headphones when she walks on court.

Azarenka had few real problems in her second round match with Wozniak.

The blustery winds at the Louis Armstrong Stadium made serving difficult and she was broken three times but the world number two was always in control, cruising to victory in a little over an hour.

"It was a good match. It was very good and solid beginning of the first set, and a good second set," she said. "Towards the end I felt like I let her play a little bit and she really went for her shots, so I had to adjust a little bit better."

Azarenka expects a tougher match from her next opponent in the third round, Alize Cornet of France, after the 26th seed beat Croatia's Ajla Tomljanovic 6-2 6-2.

"Alize is a great player with a lot of experience. She's been top 20 before," Azarenka said.

"She's a young player. She's the same age, highly motivated. Yeah, it's going to be a great match."

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US Open - Federer and Serena cruise in New York, Errani cracks

US Open - Federer and Serena cruise in New York, Errani cracks

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, stress-free and loving the limelight, strolled into the third round of the US Open as the pressure began to mount at the season's last Grand Slam.

 

For Federer and Williams, it was business as usual at Flushing Meadows but not for Italy's Sara Errani, the women's fourth seed.

Crumbling under the weight of expectation, Errani crashed to a 6-3 6-1 loss to compatriot Flavia Pennetta, then made the startling admission she choked under pressure.

"I don't know why, but I'm not enjoying going on the courts," she confessed. "And that is the worst thing a player can have."

Federer, unflappable even as he struggles to add to his record collection of 17 Grand Slam singles titles, hardly raised a sweat as he brushed aside Argentina's Carlos Berlocq 6-3 6-2 6-1.

"For me it was pretty straightforward, to be honest," Federer said. "It's one of those matches I expect myself to win if possible in straight sets and gain confidence in the process.

"All those things happened, so, yeah, I'm pleased about it."

Williams was also unflustered even though the wind was blowing hard when she strolled on to the Arthur Ashe Stadium centre court.

Her match against Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was held over because of rain. Unfazed, she cruised to a 6-3 6-0 win.

"I'm just trying to do the best I can," Williams said. "Just always trying to get a little better."

With Wednesday's rain giving way to brilliant sunshine, most of Thursday's other daytime matches went according to the rankings with none of the men's seeds losing.

David Ferrer, the men's fourth seed and this year's French Open finalist, beat fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 6-2.

Richard Gasquet, Janko Tipsarevic and Dmitry Tursunov all won without dropping a set. If there was surprise in the men's draw, it was when Dan Evans toppled Australia's Bernard Tomic 1-6 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3.

Evans, who is ranked 179th in the world and had to come through the qualifiers just to make the main draw, upset Japan's Kei Nishikori in the first round then followed up by beating Tomic, ranked 52nd.

Petra Kvitova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic were among the winners in the women's draw, which lost four seeds, the most notable being Errani.

One of the sport's rising stars, ranked number one in the world in doubles and fifth in singles, she admitted after her loss that she was overcome by pressure.

The 26-year-old, who was promoted to fourth seed when Maria Sharapova pulled out of the tournament, said she had been shaking and struggling to sleep for four days and did not want to go on court.

"I don't want to go to play. I don't want to stay there on the court. I feel very bad," she said. "So that is the problem for me."

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US Open - Serena continues defence with crushing win

US Open - Serena continues defence with crushing win

Serena Williams took another emphatic step in defence of her US Open title by crushing Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-3 6-0 on Thursday to reach the third round of the year's final Grand Slam.

 

The top-seeded American needed a short while to get accustomed to breezy conditions on Arthur Ashe Stadium court before winning 10 of the last 11 games in a 69-minute rout.

Williams, 31, has dropped just four games in four sets at Flushing Meadows this year, slamming the door on the 77th-ranked Voskoboeva by limiting her to nine points in the second set.

"I'm just trying to do the best I can, just always trying to get a little better," said Williams, who dismissed Italy's Francesca Schiavone 6-0 6-1 in her opening match.

Williams was not at her top form, guilty of 13 unforced errors including seven from her forehand side, and faced a busy day at the National Tennis Center with a doubles match alongside her sister, Venus, scheduled for later on Thursday.

Battling the gusting winds, Williams landed just 64 percent of her first serves, but took advantage of the weak second serve of Voskoboeva.

The 16-times Grand Slam singles winner was supposed to play her second-round match on Wednesday but rain forced a postponement.

Williams said following her singles match with a doubles game was a positive.

"Definitely gives you more time to work on things you want to do in your next match," the younger Williams sister said. "That's kind of how I look at it, just as getting more time to be more ready."

Williams will be returning Friday to close the night programme at Arthur Ashe against Voskoboeva's compatriot Yaroslava Shvedova, a 6-2 6-3 winner against Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria.

The top seed said playing on successive days did not bother her.

"I usually play every day," she said. "In regular tournaments I don't have a day off. Only in the grand slams I get the luxury of having a day off. I guess I didn't get that, (but) I'm definitely used to it."

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US Open - Evans continues New York fairytale with Tomic win

US Open - Evans continues New York fairytale with Tomic win

Englishman Dan Evans revealed a snub from the father of Bernard Tomic was the motivation behind his upset victory over the combative Australian in the second round of the US Open.

 

The world No.179 eliminated Tomic 1-6 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 before recalling the time John Tomic, who is banned from the ATP Tour because of an assault charge against him in Spain, told him he was not good enough to train with his son.

"It was quite funny, actually," Evans said.

"I was there playing quallies. His dad sort of fobbed me off and said I wasn't good enough to practice with him. I remembered that.

"We went to practice. It was all booked. In Miami, there's a little practice hut. I got to the practice hut. His dad said, 'No, no. He's a qualifier, I'm not hitting with you. So, it was one of those. A bit embarrassing, but hey."

Evans said he held no grudge against Tomic jnr because he wasn't there when he was given his marching orders.

"I know him (Bernard) pretty well," Evans said. "Played juniors with him. But I don't think it was his doing. He wasn't there."

Evans, who has been of the big surprises of the tournament, also revealed he needed medical treatment against Tomic for an unusual affliction.

"My nipples were about the colour of your shirt," he told a reporter wearing a bright pink shirt.

"Oh, the stick I'm going to get back home is, like, devastating....I don't know what it was. It was just agony."

Evans, who beat Japan's world No.12 Kei Nishikori in the opening round, moved into an unexpected third-round clash against Spain's 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo.

Trailing a set and a break at 2-3, Evans swore while admonishing himself and the fightback began.

"I'm not pleased with the F-bomb," he said.

"It was pleasing I could find some belief inside and find my game, because it wasn't there. I looked at the clock, I think it was 34 minutes and I was a set and a break down. It was looking like the airport for me."

Evans said Tomic's defensive playing style had given him the chance to play aggressively.

"He gave me a lot of opportunities to play," Evans said.

"He made me look pretty good in the tiebreak. He was just pushing the ball into the middle of the court. It was like I had to be brave and hit the ball. That's what he makes you do. He lures you in."

Roger Federer looms as a possible fourth-round opponent for Evans. The Englishman has never played Federer but unlike Tomic's father, the Swiss master had no reservations about practising with him at Flushing Meadows this week.

"It was amazing to hit with someone so good. I really enjoyed it," Evans said.

"We actually had a really good hit. He was a nice guy, interested in what I did. It was good."

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US Open - Ferrer cruises into third round

US Open - Ferrer cruises into third round

David Ferrer sailed into the third round of the US Open with a 6-3 6-7(5) 6-1 6-2 win over his fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.

 

 

Ferrer, seeded fourth, lost the second set in a tiebreak but was otherwise untroubled as he continued his consistent run at the Grand Slams.

The Spaniard has made it to at least the third round in each of the last 15 Grand Slams.

During his streak, Ferrer has reached five semi-finals, including last year's USOpen, and one final, at this season's French Open.

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US Open - Day five order of play

US Open - Day five order of play

Order of play for day five of the US Open, with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Laura Robson all expected on court.

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Laura Robson (GBR) [30] vs. Na Li (CHN) [5]

Not Before 1pm (6pm UK)

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] vs. Benjamin Becker (GER)

Jamie Hampton (USA) [23] vs. Sloane Stephens (USA) [15]

7pm (midnight UK)

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [6]

Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)

Louis Armstrong Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [3] vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) [32]

Denis Kudla (USA) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [5]

Andy Murray (GBR) [3] vs. Leonardo Mayer (ARG)

Grandstand

11am (4pm UK)

Tommy Haas (GER) [12] vs. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [24] vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER) [16]

Donald Young (USA) vs. Florian Mayer (GER)

Jie Zheng (CHN) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) [18]

Court 17

11am (4pm UK)

Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. Rajeev Ram (USA)

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [9] vs. Kurumi Nara (JPN)

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) vs. Kevin Anderson (RSA) [17]

Court 13

11am (4pm UK)

Julien Benneteau (FRA) [31] vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Andreas Seppi (ITA) [20] vs. Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Court 11

11am (4pm UK)

Alex Bogomolov Jr. (RUS) vs. Tim Smyczek (USA)

Kaia Kanepi (EST) [25] vs. Angelique Kerber (GER) [8]

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [9] vs. Ivo Karlovic (CRO)

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US Open - Federer cruises into third round

US Open - Federer cruises into third round

Roger Federer enjoyed a routine 6-3 6-2 6-1 win over Argentina's Carlos Berlocq in the second round of the US Open to stay on track for a mouthwatering early clash with Rafa Nadal.

 

'Routine' was greeted positively by Federer, the all-time leading Grand Slam singles winner with 17 titles, who is seeded seventh after slipping in the rankings while hampered by injury.

"It's one of those matches I expect myself to win if possible in straight sets and gain confidence in the process," the 32-year-old Swiss maestro said.

"All those things happened, so I'm pleased about it."

The five-times US Open champion needed just 95 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium court to dispatch the overmatched Berlocq and secure a spot in the third round.

Federer is on a collision course to meet world number two Nadal in the quarter-finals instead of the usual semi-final or finals stage where he most often has encountered the Spaniard.

But it has been a down year for Federer, who has been bothered by a back injury and notched just one tournament win. He claimed the grass title at Halle over Michael Youzhny in a lead-up to Wimbledon, where the Swiss suffered a shock second-round ouster by Sergiy Stakhovsky.

"It hasn't been actually a terrible season up until Wimbledon really, and Wimbledon was just a disappointment," said Federer, who lost a five-set Australian Open semi-final to Andy Murray and denies he is in decline.

"I wish I could have played better, but I thought Stakhovsky overall played pretty well. Let's give him some credit.

"After that, I just really hoped I could win Hamburg and Gstaad back-to-back to gain confidence," said Federer, who lost in the Hamburg semi-finals and in his first match in Gstaad.

Yet Federer appears relaxed and said after his first-round, straight-sets US Open win over Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania that he was as passionate as ever about tennis.

"For me it was just sort of like playing matches again, enjoying myself training really hard, and I really got the matches I was looking for in Cincinnati," said Federer, who lost there in the quarters to Nadal in his US Open build-up.

"I'm still hopefully gaining confidence match by match.

"It might not just take a match but might take just a few matches, and next thing you know you're playing really, really good tennis again and you're close to playing some really great tennis," he said.

"I think that's kind of where I am right now, and that's where every match is really important to me now and that's how I play every single point right now."

While a Federer-Nadal clash in the quarters is awaited with great expectations, the Swiss veteran wants more than that.

"For me, one match against Rafa is not going to make my season or going to make me super confident or not," he said. "It needs to be more than that."

Federer will next play either 26th-seeded American Sam Querrey or Adrian Mannarino of France.

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US Open - Fourth seed Errani dumped out by Pennetta

US Open - Fourth seed Errani dumped out by Pennetta

Sara Errani became the highest seed to be knocked out of this year's US Open, losing 6-3 6-1 to fellow Italian Flavia Pennetta.

 

Errani, seeded fourth for the women's singles, was sent packing after just 71 minutes by her fellow Italian in a second round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

A semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows last year, Errani was looming as a contender this year and appeared to be in great form after doling out a rare double-bagel win in her opening match against Australia's Olivia Rogowska in under an hour.

Errani will now focus her attention on the doubles where she and her countrywoman Roberta Vinci will defend the title they won last year.

Vinci fared better in her second round singles match on Thursday with the 10th seed defeating Lucie Safarova 4-6 6-1 6-2.

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US Open - Stephens at ease on the big stage

US Open - Stephens at ease on the big stage

As the anointed leader of the next generation of American tennis players, Sloane Stephens is getting used to being in the spotlight.

 

At the US Open on Wednesday, there was she again, under the bright lights of New York but in the most intimidating stadium in world tennis.

The 20-year-old had been a bundle of nerves in her first match on Monday at Louis Armstrong Stadium and needed nearly three hours to advance.

But on Wednesday, in front of a much bigger audience, she passed her latest test with flying colours, demolishing Poland's Urszula Radwanksa 6-1 6-1 to ease into the third round.

"I just had a goal, I was going to come out here and play aggressive, not miss a ball and make her work. That's all I can do," she said in a courtside interview.

"I have nothing to lose. It's the US Open so might as well come out and swing and have fun and I think that's what I did tonight."

If Stephens was unfazed by the boisterous crowds and the daunting size of the centre court stadium, she was unruffled by the late timing of her match.

After rain had washed out most of the day session and delayed the start of the night programme, her match did not begin until 11.53 p.m.

Only one match, the 1987 clash between Gabriela Sabatini and Beverly Bowes that started at midnight, had begun later.

"I never started that late. It was definitely a long experience," she said.

"But I played good. Maybe I should do that more often.

"Winning my first match on Ashe is a good feeling, a good way to do it."

Stephens also made the third round in her two previous appearances in the main draw at the US Open. To make the fourth round for the first time, she will need to beat her Fed Cup team-mate Jamie Hampton after she beat Kristina Mladenovic of France 7-5 6-4.

"It's always tough playing obviously another American. Jamie is a good friend. Obviously it will be a good match," Stephens said.

"Playing at the US Open, it's a pretty big deal. I'm looking forward to it."

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US Open - Night owl Murray opens defence with dominant win

US Open - Night owl Murray opens defence with dominant win

Andy Murray was not happy about having to wait until Wednesday night to open the defence of his US Open title but the Briton was quite pleased with the result after delivering a masterly thrashing of Michael Llodra.

 

 

Wimbledon champion Murray, whose starting time was further delayed after four hours of rain delays had stalled proceedings at Flushing Meadows, raced through an entertaining 6-2 6-4 6-3, 98-minute drubbing of the 49th-ranked Frenchman on centre court.

"The rallies were quick, sharp. Wasn't much time between points. He was playing quickly on his serves in between points," the third-seeded Scot rattled off like winners from his racquet.

"It was a fairly, I thought, high standard match. Lots of reactions and dropshots, and definitely tested my movement today. I thought I moved well. I didn't make too many errors.

"It was a solid match."

The world number three's only lapse on Arthur Ashe Stadium court was when he allowed the Frenchman to break his serve in the second game of the second set.

Murray, who made only five unforced errors, faced just two break points while converting a tidy five-of-seven to set up a second-round clash against Leonardo Mayer of Argentina, a 7-6 (4) 6-4 3-6 7-6 (4) winner against Romania's Victor Hanescu.

The Briton put on a splendid show of athleticism, with his cat-like agility, timing at the net and piercing angles on his groundstrokes.

Llodra entertained with a 'hot dog' shot between his legs, an underarm serve, a juggling of the tennis ball with his feet and a futile tossing of his racquet into the air as Murray's soft, tantalising lob carried over him on match point.

Despite those good vibes, the 26-year-old from Dunblane still registered his disdain over waiting so long to join the fray in the last Grand Slam tournament of the season.

"I think playing at that time for your first round is not ideal," Murray said. "It's just not ideal.

"I don't know how many guys have played their first match at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday.

"You just want to get on the court and play."

When all was said and done, Murray enjoyed his return to the scene of his maiden Grand Slam victory a little less than a year ago, a five-set triumph over long-time rival and friend Novak Djokovic.

"It was nice. Going back onto that court again for me was the nicest part about it because, obviously, I have great memories here from last year.

"I didn't necessarily feel like I had much time to enjoy last year because I was so relieved. I was also a little bit in disbelief as well.

"To actually be out there and play a night match in front of a big crowd was really nice. I performed well. It was good."
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US Open - Serena washed out as rain plays havoc

US Open - Serena washed out as rain plays havoc

Serena Williams' centre court clash was among dozens of matches postponed because of rain on a gloomy third day at the US Open.

 

 

 

Around four hours of play were washed out, forcing tournament officials to drastically revise the schedule so Andy Murray could finally begin his title defence.

In the women's draw, Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, the third seed, easily defeated Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain 6-0 7-5 while China's Li Na beat the rain to dispose of Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson 6-2 6-2.

"I was a little bit happy because at least I'm done for my job today," said Li.

Only five matches were completed in the morning before the rain arrived, sending players and spectators scampering for cover.

Players made a brief return to the courts when the drizzle stopped midway through the afternoon but another downpour saw them retreat to the locker room, forcing organisers to cancel 28 matches.

Serena was due to play Galina Voskoboeva on centre court but their second round meeting was among the matches postponed in a bid to complete the men's first round.

Because of the unique scheduling at the US Open, where the men's first round is played over three days, Murray was not scheduled to play his opening match until Wednesday night.

His match against Frenchman Michael Llodra did not begin until almost 10 p.m. local time but at least he avoided the prospect of starting his defence on day four.

New York's fickle weather has been a major talking point at Flushing Meadows for years with each of the last five men's finals spilling into a third week because of rain delays.

The problem has been exacerbated because of the tournament's controversial scheduling.

Apart from playing the men's first round over three days, the U.S. Open was previously the only Grand Slam where both singles semi-finals and finals were played on successive days, leaving no room for catch-up if rain falls on the last weekend.

Tournament organisers tweaked the schedule this year to provide a day off between the semi-finals and final, but remain powerless to combat Mother Nature.

The US Open is the only Grand Slam where the main stadium is not covered by a roof. For years, US Tennis Association officials balked at the idea of building one because of the cost of covering Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world.

But they have finally relented, announcing two weeks ago that they would commence a massive renovation program, which would include a roof, but not until 2016 at the earliest.

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US Open - Day four order of play

US Open - Day four order of play

Order of play for day four of the US Open, with Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka all expected on court.

 

Arthur Ashe Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Flavia Pennetta (ITA) vs. Sara Errani (ITA) [4]

Not before 1pm (6pm UK)

Serena Williams (USA) [1] vs. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ)

Roger Federer (SUI) [7] vs. Carlos Berlocq (ARG)

7pm (midnight UK)

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [6] vs. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)

Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA) vs. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2]

Louis Armstrong Stadium

11am (4pm UK)

Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) vs. Angelique Kerber (GER) [8]

Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs. David Ferrer (ESP) [4]

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) vs. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]

Not before 5.30pm (10.30pm UK)

John Isner (USA) [13] vs. Gael Monfils (FRA)

Grandstand

11am (4pm UK)

Christina McHale (USA) vs. Elina Svitolina (UKR)

Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [13] vs. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)

Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs. Sam Querrey (USA) [26]

Pablo Andujar (ESP) vs. Milos Raonic (CAN) [10]

Court 17

11am (4pm UK)

Paula Ormaechea (ARG) vs. Sabine Lisicki (GER) [16]

Alize Cornet (FRA) [26] vs. Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO)

Bernard Tomic (AUS) vs. Daniel Evans (GBR)

Feliciano Lopez (ESP) [23] vs. Bradley Klahn (USA)

Court 13

11am (4pm UK)

Kurumi Nara (JPN) vs. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) [19]

Richard Gasquet (FRA) [8] vs. Stephane Robert (FRA)

Alison Riske (USA) vs. Mona Barthel (GER) [28]

Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) [22]

Court 11

11am (4pm UK)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [27] vs. Shuai Peng (CHN)

Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) vs. Jack Sock (USA)

Tommy Robredo (ESP) [19] vs. Frank Dancevic (CAN)

Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) vs. Victoria Duval (USA)

Court 4

11am (4pm UK)

Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [9] vs. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)

Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) [18]

Petra Kvitova (CZE) [7] vs. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB)

Julia Glushko (ISR) vs. Sachia Vickery (USA)

Court 6

11am (4pm UK)

Kaia Kanepi (EST) [25] vs. Anna Schmiedlova (SVK)

Elena Vesnina (RUS) [22] vs. Karin Knapp (ITA)

Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) vs. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ)

Ivan Dodig (CRO) vs. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

Court 7

11am (4pm UK)

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [24] vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)

Guillaume Rufin (FRA) vs. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) [32]

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [14] vs. Michelle Larcher De Brito (POR)

Camila Giorgi (ITA) vs. Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)

Court 8

11am (4pm UK)

Lucie Safarova (CZE) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA) [10]

Donna Vekic (CRO) vs. Simona Halep (ROU) [21]

Court 10

11am (4pm UK)

Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) vs. Patricia Mayr-Achleitner (AUT)

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US Open - Former champion Del Potro passes tight first test

US Open - Former champion Del Potro passes tight first test

Former champion Juan Martin del Potro outslugged a gritty Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in a contentious four-set match to reach the second round of the US Open.

 

 

Argentine Del Potro, who won his only Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in 2009, beat the 74th-ranked Spaniard 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 7-6(7) on his fourth match point.

"Felt good because I won the big battle for the first round," Del Potro said. "He's a very tough opponent. He plays so solid on the baseline. He made a good forehands, backhands.

"We play like every time long rallies. I (had) to make three or four winners in the same point to win the point."

The match included a bad-tempered exchange between the towering sixth seed and the inspired Garcia-Lopez as the players bickered on a changeover when Del Potro questioned whether the Spaniard was entitled to treatment on his left leg.

Garcia-Lopez, who ended up on the losing end of several extremely close calls, later kicked at his towel in disgust after a replay of a point was ordered in the tiebreaker that he thought should have been ruled in his favour.

"I'm proud of the way I played, but I am a little bit disappointed because I gave everything, physically and mentally," the Spaniard said.

The four hour, 13 minute marathon actually lasted twice as long with two rain delays totalling more than four hours.

Despite the long day spent at the National Tennis Center, Del Potro said he was happy to be back in New York.

"As everybody knows it's my favourite tournament," said Del Potro, who ended Roger Federer's streak of five straight US Open titles in their five-set final.

"This court means a lot for me after winning 2009. I'm trying to be ready for the two weeks. I pass a good, tough opponent tonight and I'm looking forward to my second round."

Del Potro will next play 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt, who beat American wild card Brian Baker 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4.

Garcia-Lopez, a 30-year-old veteran who entered with a 26-36 Grand Slam record, raised his game against Del Potro, showing great energy in running down the booming forehands launched by the Argentine, while whistling top spin groundstokes himself.

Still, Del Potro, winner of their only previous match six years ago in Paris, had the upper hand and struck 52 winners.

"I feel good with my level," said Del Potro, who waged the longest semi-final ever at Wimbledon this year in losing a tight five-setter to Novak Djokovic.

"My forehand was good. My serve improved since the last tournament. That's important."

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US Open - Venus vows to return after defeat to Zheng

US Open - Venus vows to return after defeat to Zheng

Venus Williams lost a heartbreaker to China's Zheng Jie 6-3 2-6 7-6(5) in the second round of the US Open but rejected any possibility of retirement.

 

"Oh wow, I definitely want to come back for the atmosphere," the 33-year-old American said. "I'll get there. I just have to keep working on it.

"I've had a tough set of circumstances to work through, especially this year, last year and the year before.

"I've been dealt some cards that aren't easy, but I have to play with them. I'm a fighter."

Williams suffers Sjogren's Syndrome, which causes fatigue and joint pain, and has been hampered this year by back pain.

Champion in New York in 2000 and 2001, Williams had a parochial crowd on her side as the match went down to the wire.

A rushed volley at five-all in the deciding tiebreaker proved costly.

"I should have made the shot," she said. "I rushed so badly and didn't make it. I had a lot of opportunities, I was always stepping up and putting myself in a good position ... but I just dug myself into so many holes.

"I fought as hard as I could to get out of them, but sometimes it just wasn't enough."

Williams will contest the doubles with her sister Serena.

She planned to sit back and watch the next era of American women's tennis.

"I'm happy to see them doing so well," she said. "They all seem really talented.

"I'm looking forward to them continuing to develop their games and hopefully be able to win big matches, big tournaments, and continue to influence the next generation, as well."

Former world number one Williams, who upset 12th-seeded Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in the first round, is now ranked 60 in the world, but Zheng was thrilled to fell the former champion in front of her home crowd.

"It's unbelievable I can beat her," she said.

Zheng next faces 18th-seeded Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the third round.

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Tennis - Watson adamant she'll start taking chances soon after US Open loss

Tennis - Watson adamant she'll start taking chances soon after US Open loss

Heather Watson believes it is only a matter of time before she makes a major breakthrough at a Grand Slam despite losing in the first round at the US Open.

 

Watson, who competed for Team GB in the women's singles and doubles at the London 2012 Olympics, lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to Simona Halep of Romania in her first clash at Flushing Meadows.

It could have all been different though had Watson converted when 40-0 up at 4-4 in the second set however she dropped five points in a row and the next four games.

Watson therefore failed to join fellow London 2012 Olympian and mixed doubles silver medallist Laura Robson as well as Dan Evans in advancing to round two.

It is also the third successive time that Watson has failed in the first round at the US Open while she is yet to progress beyond the third round at a Grand Slam.

However the 21-year-old is adamant the more she finds herself in the position she was against Halep the less chance there is that she'll squander the opportunity.

"I knew she wouldn't give it to me and she didn't, and I didn't make first serves on any of those game points," said Watson.

"That game was extremely important and I think once I get a few matches under my belt, I'll learn how to play those points smarter and take my time.

"I think that's why it hurts a lot, because I was so close. But if I keep making these opportunities for myself, I'll take some.

"I played better than I have been. I was playing one of the hottest players on tour right now; she made a lot of balls.

"I thought I played a good two sets and in the third my fitness let me down a bit; I was cramping in my legs. I was bit tense in the way I was moving and hitting the ball.

"All in all, I'm pleased with how I played but I had my chances and I had an opportunity to win that match in two sets. But she's got the confidence and she won the points when it mattered."

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Nike US Open 2013 Apparel for 7 Nike Tennis Stars

Nike US Open 2013 Apparel for 7 Nike Tennis Stars

 

America’s most prestigious tennis tournament begins later this month, which means it’s about that time to unveil the Nike US Open 2013 apparel for several of Nike Tennis’s biggest stars.
Reining Ladies’ Champion Serena Williams will don the Nike Heathered V-Neck Dress in red during the day, and dark blue at night. The dress ideally blends sartorial style with performance features like Dri-FIT jersey and taffeta fabric.
Likewise Maria Sharapova’s Day Dress, equally pairing runway good looks with lightweight, breathable performance.
Victoria Azarenka and Li Na meanwhile will don two items apiece. Vika sports the Nike Strappy Knit Tank with Dri-FIT fabric and built-in bra, doing so along with a high-waisted skirt. Na meanwhile combines the Nike Pure Short-Sleeve Top with Nike Flounce Knit Skirt.
Moving on to the gentlemen, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will dip into their signature lines. Federer mixes the Nike Premier RF Jacket, Nike Premier RF Polo and Nike Premier Twill Shorts. Rafa meanwhile dons the Nike Premier Rafa Jacket en route to the court, followed by the Nike Premier Rafa Crew and Nike Premier Woven Shorts.
And finally, Juan Martin Del Potro will sport the Nike Advantage UV Crew and Nike Gladiator 10-inch Plaid Shorts.
Stay tuned for Nike US Open 2013 Shoes, which we’ll drop later today.

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