There have been no upsets, but both of this year’s French Open champions have been made to work in their opening round matches at the US Open.
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Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, gnawed on his fingernails, looking nervous as can be.
“It’s getting better and better each day”.
The world number one came through a 6-3 5-7 6-2 6-1 triumph to reach the second round of the Grand Slam, which he has won twice.
“I think in that instance I actually probably played the best return game I played all match”, Isner said of the break back.
After a sizzling start to the season that brought grand slam wins No. 11 and 12 at the Australian and French Opens, Djokovic’s form has plummeted, with a third-round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon followed by a first-round exit at the Rio Olympics.
Heading into the U.S. Open, Djokovic spoke about a left wrist injury that flared up before the Rio Olympics, where he lost in the first round.
Rafa Nadal was worn out from his Rio Olympics exertions after emerging from an injury absence to win doubles gold, but the Spaniard perked back up with his trip to NY for the US Open. “Never easy to play on this level throughout the year”.
But the German did it the hard way, squandering a 4-1 second set lead and having to save two set points in the tiebreaker.
John Inser of the United States fired 38 aces to beat Belgian qualifier Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (10/12), 6-3 and next faces Edmund.
The British number one won 6-3 6-3 against Mattek-Sands, who was celebrating a mixed doubles Olympic gold medal only two weeks ago, to book a clash with former Wimbledon semi-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova.
Still, even if the weather is dry, the new $150 million retractable roof atop the tournament’s main arena will make a debut of sorts: The U.S. Tennis Association plans to shut the structure after the day session, then open it while Phil Collins performs “In the Air Tonight” during the opening-night ceremony.
Vancouver’s Vasek Pospisil earned his first Grand Slam victory of they year, downing Slovakia’s Jozef Kovalik in straight sets. The left-handed Vesely hurt his arm in Winston-Salem (N.C.) last week and had to retire from his final match before the U.S. Open. Radek Stepanek is the most senior of the senior citizens at 37 years and nine months old.
That match, which finished just before 1:50am local time, is the latest finish to a women’s match in US Open history.
Croatian seventh seed Marin Cilic, the 2014 champion, eased past Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 7-5, 6-1. By the way, the most important thing. I’m sure it’s going to be a good tournament. So I need to find again the normal movement. Nadal, of course, is a lefty who relies on that wing for his heavy topspin forehand that is among the best strokes in the game.
Istomin, who is from Uzbekistan and is ranked 107th, was not exactly likely to give Nadal much of a test.
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Nadal and Seppi play the nightcap on Ashe.
