US Open – Second Round – Summary and Preview

For the first time in US Open history, officials have been forced to introduce their heat policy. Forecasts predict warmer weather over the next few days of competition with temperatures around 34-degrees with high percentages of humidity. The men are afforded a 10 minute break after the third set as spectators and players struggle through the conditions. There have been more than three games in the men’s draw concluded early due to heat related illness. One player that has openly voiced their concerns is Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal is in scintillating form and easily accounted for Vasek Pospisil in three sets to advance into the third round. Nadal said in his press conference after the match “Winning in straight sets is always very positive, especially under these warm conditions.”

The Spaniard has won 24 of his last 25 matches and currently has a record in 2018 of 42-3. He will now face Karen Khachanov from Russia who managed to save four break points against his opponent Lorenzo Sonego. When asked about his upcoming opponent, Nadal said “He’s a great opponent. He’s a great player. Young, strong, i played against him in Toronto three weeks ago. It was a tough one.”

Roger Federer, a five time US Open Champion takes on Benoit Paire in the second round of the tournament at Flushing Meadows. Paire has never beaten the no. 2 seed in six previous outings, although he had two match points against the Swiss legend at their most recent battle. Federer cruised to a straight sets win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round and could potentially clash with Australian Nick Kyrgios in the third round should he defeat France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

The Australian contingent has a strong presence with Kyrgios, John Millman, Alex De Minaur and Matt Ebden still alive in the tournament with only Jared Kubler that has suffered defeat in the second round.

In the Womens draw, sibling rivalry will again take place between Serena and Venus Williams with the winner set to battle it out in the round of 16. As it stands Venus leads Serena 17-12 in head-to-head battles with the most recent showdown at the Indian Wells Masters this year. Fellow American and defending champion Sloane Stephens survived a three set marathon with Anhelina Kalinina which lasted 2 hours and 46 minutes. The third seed will now take on Victoria Azarenka.

Australian Ash Barty advanced to the third round after a display exceptional serving to defeat Lucie Safarova under lights on Show Court 17. While Daria Gavrilova, Sam Stosur and Lizette Cabrera have been bundled out of the tournament. Cabrera was beaten by her Aussie team mate Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6 1-6.

Mens Division – 2nd Round
Results

Nadal #2 (ESP) 6 / 6 / 6
def
Pospisil (CAN) 3 / 4 / 2

Del Potro #3 (ARG) 6 / 6 / 7 (7)
def
Kudla (USA) 3 / 1 / 6 (4)

Anderson #5 (SAF) 6 / 6 / 6
def
Chardy (FRA) 2 / 4 / 4

Upcoming

Federer #2 (SUI)
v
Paire (FRA)

Zverev #4 (GER)
v
Mahut (FRA)

Aussies in action

Kyrgios
v
Herbert (FRA)

De Minaur
v
Tiafoe (USA)

Ebden
v
Kohlschreiber (GER)

Millman
v
Fognini (ITA)

Kubler 3 / 6 / 3 / 0 (retired)
def by
Fritz (USA) 6 / 3 / 6 / 0

Womens Division – 2nd Round
Results

Stephens #3 (USA) 4 / 7 / 6
def
Kalinina (UKR) 6 / 5 / 2

Upcoming

Wozniacki #2 (DEN)
v
Tsurenko (UKR)

Kerber #4 (GER)
v
Larsson (SWE)

Kvitova #5 (RUS)
v
Wang (CHA)

Aussies in action

Barty 7 / 6
def
Safarova (RUS) 5 / 3

Gavrilova 1 / 2
def by
Azarenka 6 / 6

Tomljanovic
v
Siniakova (RUS)