Agencies
New York, August 31: Whisper it quietly, the Brits are coming.
Of the eight British players in the main draw at the US Open, the most since 1985, five made it through to round two, with Andy Murray, Dan Evans and Naomi Broady joining Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund in the last 64 here, Tuesday.
Second seed Murray, looking ominous in all black, was the last of the five to progress with a late night 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech Lukas Rosol, effortlessly advancing without facing a single breakpoint.
“I served very well,” said Murray, who set up a second round encounter against Marcel Granollers of Spain. “It was a tough start to the match, he had a few chances early on but once I got the break up, I played well.”
Evans was ranked as low as 772 in May 2015, but since then he has recovered and carried on the good work with a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over the American Rajeev Ram.
The other British player in action in the men’s section, Aljaz Bedene, suffered a straight sets defeat, with Australian 14th seed Nick Kyrgios proving too strong in a 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 victory.
Meanwhile former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro looms as a danger man here after barreling into the second round in straight sets over fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman. The Olympic silver medallist won 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) while rifling 11 aces.
“I am so glad to be part of this tournament once again after three years,” said Del Potro, who was given a wild card to join the main draw and said he was inspired by the crowd support. “Always, in every match here at the US Open, the crowd makes me feel special.”
Next up for del Potro will be 19th-seeded American Steve Johnson, who overcame Russian Evgeny Donskoy 4-6, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-3 to advance.
Meanwhile two-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka dealt Fernando Verdasco a rare first round loss here sweeping aside the Spaniard with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-4 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Wawrinka, winner of last year’s French Open and the 2014 Australian Open, had trailed Verdasco 2-3 in head-to-head action after falling to the Spaniard in straight sets in the first round this year at the Queen’s Club run-up to Wimbledon.
“I’m really happy. I think it was a great match, especially for the first round,” Wawrinka told reporters. “You never expect to play your best game and (be) full of confidence, but I think the level was quite high.”
In another match played on the day, Olympic bronze medallist Kei Nishikori defeated Benjamin Becker 6-1, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. victory.
