Reuters
New York, Sept 3: Novak Djokovic took a while to warm up against Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer but shifted into gear to close out the first set and then raced to a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win that closed Wednesday’s play of the US Open.
While Spanish eighth seed Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, ousted Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5.
Nadal was down 5-4 in the first set tie-breaker before battling back against Schwartzman. “Happy to be through,” Nadal said. “Was a tough battle. I feel lucky to be through…. To take that first set was very important to me.”
Djokovic, who lost only three games in his opening-round victory, led 5-4 in an indifferent first set that went with serve before suddenly snapping into focus to break the Austrian to love.
Flicking winners off his forehand and burying backhands deep into corners, the Serb dropped only three more games as he sailed to victory and a place in the third round.
“I think he had an average serve of 130 miles per hour, so he came out firing from that shot in his game,” said the top seed.
Djokovic next plays Italy’s Andreas Seppi, a 3-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 winner against Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili.
Returning to the scene of his grandest tennis achievement had a magical impact on defending champion Marin Cilic, who powered his way into the third round at Arthur Ashe Stadium Wednesday.
Cilic blasted home 19 aces to sweep past Russian Evgeny Donskoy 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
“This court is very special for me, brings back special memories,” said Cilic. “It’s sort of unreal. I was working all my life to win a Grand Slam and now I’m in position to defend one.”
Under a blazing sun a drained Mardy Fish walked onto the court in front of thousands of adoring fans, raised his hands, battled tears, smiled and waved goodbye to the US Open and a career following a second-round loss.
For those suffering from severe anxiety disorders, who at times struggle just to leave their home, it is probably the last place they would want to be, but Fish tried to soak up the moment as he signed off on his own terms.
“It’s tough to say because I don’t feel that great just from the match,” the 33-yer-old American said after his 2-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 loss to Spain’s Feliciano Lopez.
David Ferrer beat Serb Filip Krajinovic 7-5, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) and Canadian 10th seed Milos Raonic fought off back pain to beat Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1).
While Mikhail Kukushkin knocked out Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 4-6, 6-4 in a hard fought five setter.
Lee, Bops advance
New York: Indian tennis stars enjoyed a successful start in the US Open as veteran Leander Paes entered the mixed doubles second round while Rohan Bopanna also won his opening tie in the men’s doubles competition here Wednesday. Paes, along with Martina Hingis, eased past the local pair of Taylor Harry Fritz and C Lui 6-2, 6-2 in the first round. Bopanna combined with Florin Mergea to dispatch the US duo of Austin Krajicek and Nicholas Monroe 6-3, 6-4 in the first-round encounter.
