A runner-up in Flushing Meadows in 2014, Nishikori is looking to reach round three at the U.S. Open for the first time since reaching final two years ago, while Thursday’s meeting will mark Khachanov’s first ever top 10 opponent faced in his career.
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Pavlyuchenkova, a quarterfinalist in NY in 2011, came out on top 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5) on Wednesday.
Serena Williams returns a shot to Ekaterina Makarova, of Russian Federation, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, in NY.
Juan Martin del Potro is living the dream at the US Open after returning from a nightmare two years with injury. The hard-hitting forehand worked his way past No. 19 Steve Johnson on Thursday night, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-2, to book his spot in the third round.
Based on the rankings, Johnson was the overwhelming favorite; he’s seeded 19th, while del Potro is No. 142 in the world. “It’s wonderful the atmosphere out there”, del Potro said on court after his emphatic victory.
Given top billing in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Del Potro vs. Stevie Johnson turned out to be a mere appetizer to the main course being offered elsewhere on the grounds.
As it is, Johnson barely made it to this intriguing matchup.
Britain’s world number 64 Dan Evans overcame American Rajeev Ram 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1 to make the second round of the US Open.
Del Potro cruised past Spain’s David Ferrer 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 6-3 to make his first major fourth round since Wimbledon three years ago.
Second-seeded Andy Murray held on to win his third-round match at the U.S. Open on Saturday, ensuring at least two British men will be in the tournament’s final 16 for the first time in the Open era. But I think I’m surprised with my level at the moment. This was in full evidence on Saturday as Del Potro dismissed the always hard and tenacious David Ferrer 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 in front of a packed house in Louis Armstrong Stadium on a cool and windy afternoon.
Del Potro, who won the Silver medal at the Olympic Games and knocked off world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the process, came to NY as a wild card because his current ranking would not allow him entry to the main draw. The 2009 US Open champion has suffered through multiple wrist surgeries for the better part of the last three years, but 2016 has seen a huge resurgence in his health, and game.
“I think they are proud to see me playing tennis again after all my surgeries”.
Williams can match Federer’s total by beating 47th-ranked Johanna Larsson of Sweden on Saturday.
Venus Williams breezed through her second-round match at the U.S. Open. The siblings are coming off quite contrasting first-round outings on Tuesday.
At Wimbledon in July, when Williams was en route to her record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam title, a reporter asked her about being considered one of history’s greatest female athletes.
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He clinched a silver medal at the Olympics last month, losing to Andy Murray in a brutal final, and now faces Austrian Dominic Thiem for a quarter-final spot in NY.
