On the second day of the Us Open, Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Germany’s Alexander Zverev won tough matches, while Philipp Kohlschreiber and Alexandr Dolgopolov retired due to injury.
Sixth seed Nishikori defeated 35 year-old Benjamin Becker in four sets, 6-1 6-1 3-6 6-3 on Grandstand court. After dominating the first two sets, the Japanese lost the third and was a break down in the fourth, before storming back. In the second round he will face Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat Italian Thomas Fabbiano 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3.
Third seed Stan Wawrinka needed just three sets to down Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who failed to convert all his four break points. With two breaks of serve, the Swiss closed it out 7-6(4) 6-4 6-4.
19 year-old Alexander Zverev won a tough opening match against fellow German Daniel Brands, who played a brilliant qualifying tournament last week. When he was two sets to one up, Zverev served for the match on 5-4, but he was broken at love. Brands forced a fourth set tie-break, but on 4-all Zverev won three straight points to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 7-6(4).
22nd seed Grigor Dimitrov knocked out in three sets Span’s Inigo Cervantes 6-2 6-4 7-6(7). Cervantes served for the third set on 6-5 and had a set point in the tie-break, but the Bulgarian was too solid.
Unfortunately, two players were forced to retire from the tournament.
Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, who had retired in Cincinnati first round as well, left the court when he was 6-5 down to Spaniard David Ferrer, while German 25th seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew when French Nicolas Mahut was leading 6-4 7-5 1-0.
British hopeful Daniel Evans eliminated America’s Rajeev Ram 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1 and France’s Jeremy Chardy ousted wild-card Michael Mmoh 6-4 6-4 6-1.
