Reuters
New York, Sept 2: Roger Federer glided into the second round on a hot, steamy day at Flushing Meadows, while Andy Murray ushered talented young Australian Nick Kyrgios out of another grand Slam event at the US Open Tuesday.
Murray had beaten 37th-ranked Kyrgios in straight sets in their three previous meetings, eliminating him this year from two other Grand Slams, in the Australian quarter-finals and third round of the French Open.
The third-seeded Scotsman sent Kyrgios packing in the first round after playing straight man to the flippant Australian, who unnecessarily tried ‘tweener’ shots through his legs and jumped extravagantly on routine forehands that he buried into the net.
“I expected a very tough match, and that’s what I got,” Murray, 28, said.
Earlier, second seed Federer was the envy of a clutch of men’s players made to work overtime in the heat by quickly dismissing his opening opponent.
Federer, who has been in sizzling form since reaching the Wimbledon finals, dashed past 34th-ranked Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to launch his campaign for a sixth US Open crown and first slam title since the 2012 Wimbledon.
“I feel good now,” said Federer. “I actually wasn’t so confident yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday). I just felt like maybe (this) could be one of those matches I just couldn’t see coming. Thankfully I took this match extremely serious.”
Murray next meets French left-hander Adrian Mannarino, while Federer faces Belgian Steve Darcis, who advanced 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-2, 3-1 when Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus retired.
Baghdatis became the fifth player to retire Tuesday after seven quit their matches Monday as the toll of late season injuries and the searing heat presented severe challenges at the US National Tennis Center.
Among other shortened matches, Australian Lleyton Hewitt, advanced 6-0, 7-6 (7-2), 1-0 when Aleksandr Nedovyseov of Kazakhstan retired.
Misfortune favoured the French and went the other way for the Aussies when 12th seed Richard Gasquet advanced 4-6, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 2-0 when Thanasi Kokkinakis retired.
Gilles Simon surrendered a 6-2, 6-4, 3-0 lead over American Donald Young who saw an opportunity and turned the match upside down for a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win.
In another wrenching defeat for France, Paul-Henri Mathieu fell to Yoshihito Nishioka in five sets. The Japanese won 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (7-9), 6-1, 6-2 victory.
Dutchman Robin Haase also made a Houdini-like escape against Germany’s Dustin Brown to register a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory.