Sport / Tennis

Kim Clijsters into US Open semi-finals after beating Samantha Stosur

www.guardian.co.uk - Defending champion wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 Clijsters now plays Venus Williams in semi-finalsKim Clijsters, the defending champion, held off a gritty challenge from fifth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur, surviving a three-set battle to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.With both players struggling to hold serve in windy conditions , the second-seeded Clijsters steadied herself at the end to complete a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 win and set up a match against Venus Williams.Clijsters stopped a string of six successive service breaks at the start of the final set to seize a 4-3 lead before breaking Stosur again and then holding serve to end it. The victory was the 19th in a row for the Belgian at Flushing Meadows, including her championship run in 2005. Injury and then a temporary retirement to begin a family kept her away from the tournament until her triumphant return last year.Williams, like Clijsters a two-time US Open winner, was a straight-sets winner over the French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the day's other women's quarter-final.Clijsters was relieved to emerge with a victory but concerned she might not be so fortunate against Williams unless she improved her serving."I didn't play a good match, but I was obviously able to win it. The next match everything will have to be a lot better. My serve hasn't been going the way that I want it to go. I think it's because when I play players who play aggressively, I tend to not finish off my service motion properly. In my movement, as soon as I land on my left foot, which normally you're supposed to land forward, I'm already pushing off to try to get to the next shot. I know that that's not what you're supposed to do."Kim ClijstersUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Kim Clijsters into US Open semi-finals after holding off Samantha Stosur

www.guardian.co.uk - Defending champion wins 6-4 5-7 6-3 Faces Venus Williams in semi-finalsDefending champion Kim Clijsters held off a gritty challenge from fifth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur, surviving a three-set battle on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the US Open.With both players struggling to hold serve in windy conditions on Arthur Ashe centre court, the second-seeded Belgian steadied herself at the end to complete a 6-4 5-7 6-3 win to set up a match against Venus Williams.Clijsters stopped a string of six successive service breaks at the start of the final set to seize a 4-3 lead before breaking Stosur again and then holding serve to end it.The victory was the 19th in a row for Clijsters at Flushing Meadows, including her championship run in 2005. Injury and then a temporary retirement to begin a family kept her away from the tournament until her triumphant return last year.Williams, like Clijsters a two-time US Open winner, was a straight-sets winner over French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the day's other women's quarter-final.Clijsters was relieved to emerge with a victory but concerned she might not be so fortunate against Williams unless she improved her serving."I didn't play a good match, but I was obviously able to win it. The next match everything will have to be a lot better. My serve hasn't been going the way that I want it to go."I think it's because when I play players who play aggressively, I tend to not finish off my service motion properly. In my movement, as soon as I land on my left foot, which normally you're supposed to land forward, I'm already pushing off to try to get to the next shot. I know that that's not what you're supposed to do."US Open tennisKim ClijstersTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Rafael Nadal closer to US Open final after thrashing Feliciano López

www.guardian.co.uk - Nadal overpowers fellow Spaniard 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 World No1 now plays Fernando Verdasco on ThursdayRafael Nadal edged closer to a place in his first US Open final after thrashing fellow Spaniard Feliciano López 6-3, 6-4, 6-with another devastating serving performance.The world No1, who can complete the collection of grand slam titles with victory at Flushing Meadows, overcame swirling winds at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to wrap up his fourth straight sets win of this year's championship in a little over two hours. The result appeared a foregone conclusion from the moment Nadal strolled out to centre court and opened up a 3-0 lead."I think I am playing well, but I am not playing yet at my highest level," Nadal said. "I am playing better and better every day and I had to play a little bit better this match."Nadal has yet to lose a game on his service in the entire championship and against López, the 23rd seed, he won a staggering 90%of first serve points. His fastest delivery was timed at 135mph.López had a great chance to break Nadal in the first set when he had him 0-40 but the top seed immediately snuffed him out."I didn't play bad but he played better in the important points than me," López said. "Rafa, he doesn't give you so many chances in one match."Nadal's opponent in Thursday's quarter-final is another Davis Cup team mate, Fernando Verdasco, who advanced the hard way by wearing down David Ferrer 5-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 after almost four and a half hours on court.US Open tennisRafael NadalTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Rafael Nadal edges closer to first US Open final by thrashing Feliciano Lopez

www.guardian.co.uk - Nadal overpowers fellow Spaniard 6-3 6-4 6-4 Now plays Fernando Verdasco on ThursdayRafael Nadal edged closer to a place in his first US Open final after thrashing fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday with another devastating serving performance.The world number one, who would complete the collection of grand slam titles with a victory at Flushing Meadows, overcame swirling winds at Arthur Ashe Stadium to wrap up his fourth straight sets win of this year's championship in a little over two hours.The start was delayed because of a backlog of matches and did not finish until early on Wednesday morning despite Nadal's best efforts to get it over as quickly as possible.The result appeared a foregone conclusion from the moment Nadal strolled out to centre court and opened up a 3-0 lead."I think I am playing well, but I am not playing yet at my highest level," Nadal said. "I am playing better and better every day and I had to play a little bit better this match."Nadal has yet to lose a game on his service in the entire championship and against Lopez, the 23rd seed, he won a staggering 90 per cent of first serve points. His fastest delivery was timed at 135 mph (217 kph).Lopez had a great chance to break Nadal in the first set when he had him 0-40 but the top seed immediately snuffed him out."I didn't play bad but he played better in the important points than me," Lopez said. "Rafa, he doesn't give you so many chances in one match."Nadal has worked hard on his serve in the belief that it is key to his chances of finally conquering New York. If his form over the past week is any guide, the wait may soon be over."To be in quarter-finals of the US Open without losing a set and without losing a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," Nadal said.Nadal's opponent in Thursday's quarter-final is another Davis Cup team mate, Fernando Verdasco, who advanced the hard way by wearing down David Ferrer 5-7 6-7 6-3 6-3 7-6 after almost four and a half hours on court."Yeah, that was long, but I played in Australia five hours 15 minutes in semi-finals, and I had to play the final one day later," Nadal said. "I was very tired, but I was ready. I think for sure he's gonna be ready."US Open tennisRafael NadalTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters does just enough to see off Sam Stosur

www.dailymail.co.uk - Second seed Kim Clijsters is looking forward to a US Open semi-final against Venus Williams but she will have to improve on an error-strewn display against Sam Stosur. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Rafael Nadal through to last eight

www.dailymail.co.uk - Top seed Rafael Nadal booked his place in the US Open quarter-finals with a business-like victory over fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez at Flushing Meadows. Nadal broke Lopez, ranked 23rd for the tournament, once in each of the three sets to record a 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory. More... (Tennis)

US Open order of play: Wednesday

www.guardian.co.uk - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki faces unseeded Slovakian Roger Federer follows against Sweden's Robin SoderlingToday's order of play on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on day 10 of the US Open (prefix denotes seeding):Not before 1700GMT7-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) v 31-Kaia Kanepi (Estonia)3-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v 17-Gael Monfils (France)Not before 2300GMT1-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) v Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia)2-Roger Federer (Switzerland) v 5-Robin Soderling (Sweden)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Laura Robson eases into third round of US Open girls' singles

www.guardian.co.uk - Laura Robson defeats Chanelle van Nguyen in straight sets Roger Federer faces tough test against smouldering SoderlingLaura Robson seems not to care which way the wind blows. She was serenity itself as she eased into the third round of the junior girls' tournament with a quick win over the American qualifier Chanelle van Nguyen. If she does make this US Open her last in a junior event, as she hinted this week, she is determined to enjoy herself as any 16-year-old with a golden future is entitled to.Her smiling demeanour was in stark contrast to the departure of her friend Andy Murray. The Scot seemed to take the last vestiges of Hurricane Earl away from these shores in the form of a large, grey cloud hanging over a hangdog expression that shouted bewilderment. There were no such worries for Robson, who hit freely and with power in her debut on the Grandstand Court. Those who turned up had a fine choice of seats on a warm but not stifling morning, with a breeze much gentler than in previous days flitting across the court.Oliver Golding, in excellent touch in round one, never got into his match against the American wild card Mitchell Frank on court 11. Frank won in a canter, 6-4, 6-2 in less than an hour. George Morgan is also going home, after losing 6-3, 6-3 to Slovakia's Filip Horansky in 65 minutes.Robson, meanwhile, next meets Robin Anderson, who beat her fellow American Kyle McPhillips 6-3, 6-0. "I've never seen her play before," Robson said. "My coach watched her a bit when she was playing An-Sophie [Mestach] in the first round but I kind of know nothing about her. I think she's a lefty." The innocence of youth.After an easy work-out on the first day against the Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Robson was pretty much on song against Van Nguyen, winning in straight sets in just over an hour-and-a-half, although she had to battle through a tie-break in the second set.While happy enough with the score of 6-3, 7-6, she mixed five double faults with seven aces. So relaxed is she, however, that this did not overly concern her. "My second serve is pretty consistent so I don't feel under pressure to make a first serve every time. But it definitely helps when I can hit one 110mph down the T. But on my first serve, I can mix it up, quite well, which makes it so effective - when it goes in."Roger Federer knows as well as any bookmaker that he is the rightful favourite to win this US Open, even though he is the second seed. So does Jürgen Melzer, whose best efforts proved futile against the Swiss last night, and so, probably, do all but one of the remaining aspirants - and his name is too obvious to mention and is seeded one.There is, though, one man who resents strongly never being mentioned as a centre-stage threat: Robin Soderling, seeded five and bursting with confidence before his quarter-final against Federer tomorrow.Did he mind being called a "giant killer", he was asked. The Swede, wearing the semi-threatening smile of the hired gun, shrugged and skipped around the irritation. He is keeping his venom for Federer, whom he punished so completely in the quarter-finals in Paris on what the Swiss reminded us here was "wet clay" and therefore constituted some sort of alibi for losing.There will be no excuses tomorrow night. After the wicked weather of the first week the elements have calmed, though light winds still carve through the courts. The Russian Mikhail Youzhny, seeded 12, handled the breeze well in finishing off Spain's Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 today.US Open tennisLaura RobsonTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Roger Federer prepares to face giant killer Robin Soderling at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Roger Federer breezes past Jürgen Melzer in straight sets Laura Robson defeats Chanelle van Nguyen in girls' singlesLaura Robson seems not to care which way the wind blows. She was serenity itself as she eased into the third round of the junior girls' tournament with a quick win over the American qualifier Chanelle van Nguyen. If she does make this US Open her last in a junior event, as she hinted this week, she is determined to enjoy herself as any 16-year-old with a golden future is entitled to.Her smiling demeanour was in stark contrast to the departure of her friend Andy Murray. The Scot seemed to take the last vestiges of Hurricane Earl away from these shores in the form of a large, grey cloud hanging over a hangdog expression that shouted bewilderment. There were no such worries for Robson, who hit freely and with power in her debut on the Grandstand Court. Those who turned up had a fine choice of seats on a warm but not stifling morning, with a breeze much gentler than in previous days flitting across the court.Oliver Golding, in excellent touch in round one, never got into his match against the American wild card Mitchell Frank on court 11. Frank won in a canter, 6-4, 6-2 in less than an hour. George Morgan is also going home, after losing 6-3, 6-3 to Slovakia's Filip Horansky in 65 minutes.Robson, meanwhile, next meets Robin Anderson, who beat her fellow American Kyle McPhillips 6-3, 6-0. "I've never seen her play before," Robson said. "My coach watched her a bit when she was playing An-Sophie [Mestach] in the first round but I kind of know nothing about her. I think she's a lefty." The innocence of youth.After an easy work-out on the first day against the Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Robson was pretty much on song against Van Nguyen, winning in straight sets in just over an hour-and-a-half, although she had to battle through a tie-break in the second set.While happy enough with the score of 6-3, 7-6, she mixed five double faults with seven aces. So relaxed is she, however, that this did not overly concern her. "My second serve is pretty consistent so I don't feel under pressure to make a first serve every time. But it definitely helps when I can hit one 110mph down the T. But on my first serve, I can mix it up, quite well, which makes it so effective - when it goes in."Roger Federer knows as well as any bookmaker that he is the rightful favourite to win this US Open, even though he is the second seed. So does Jürgen Melzer, whose best efforts proved futile against the Swiss last night, and so, probably, do all but one of the remaining aspirants - and his name is too obvious to mention and is seeded one.There is, though, one man who resents strongly never being mentioned as a centre-stage threat: Robin Soderling, seeded five and bursting with confidence before his quarter-final against Federer tomorrow.Did he mind being called a "giant killer", he was asked. The Swede, wearing the semi-threatening smile of the hired gun, shrugged and skipped around the irritation. He is keeping his venom for Federer, whom he punished so completely in the quarter-finals in Paris on what the Swiss reminded us here was "wet clay" and therefore constituted some sort of alibi for losing.There will be no excuses tomorrow night. After the wicked weather of the first week the elements have calmed, though light winds still carve through the courts. The Russian Mikhail Youzhny, seeded 12, handled the breeze well in finishing off Spain's Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 today.US Open tennisRoger FedererLaura RobsonTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Will Andy Murray ever win a grand slam?

www.guardian.co.uk - Is it time to stop expecting the British No1 to make an impact at a major and accept he is an also-ran? More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Roger Federer eyes revenge for French Open defeat to Robin Soderling

www.dailymail.co.uk - Roger Federer knows he is in for a tough time in his quarter-final against Robin Soderling. Federer lost their last match at the French Open this year, ending his run of 23 semi-finals. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray only has two years left to realise his Grand Slam dreams, insists Brad Gilbert

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray puts enormous pressure on himself and the longer he goes without a major title the harder it is going to get. I'm thinking it has to got to happen in the next couple of years. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Caroline Wozniacki sees off Maria Sharapova to reach quarter-finals

www.dailymail.co.uk - Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki underlined her status as top seed at the US Open with a fourth round victory over former champion Maria Sharapova. More... (Tennis)

Caroline Wozniacki beats Maria Sharapova in US Open fourth round

www.guardian.co.uk - Dane 'just happy to win' against Russian No11 seed Kuznetsova beaten by CibulkovaIt would have made a great final. Instead, Caroline Wozniacki justified her top seeding and ensured that she would go on to meet Dominika Cibulkova in the quarter-finals and Maria Sharapova, much to the disgust of the photographers, was sent home.Wozniacki, a keen boxing fan and a friend of Denmark's world super middleweight champion, Mikkel Kessler, was cool and commanding in a slugfest before beating the Russian 6-3, 6-4. It was not as easy a victory as the score might suggest.Sharapova's serve deserted her at key moments, suggesting her retuned action to accommodate her lingering shoulder problems is not clicking properly, although she has not used that as an excuse in this tournament, having cruised past some outclassed opponents. Yesterday she sent down nine double faults and hit 36 unforced errors."She's a fighter but to be honest I'm just happy to win," Wozniacki said, charming the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, who maybe now are convinced that the Dane is worth her seeding, despite continued sniping in the media.Sharapova's Russian compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova, who is seeded 11th, was not so gracious after losing 7-5, 7-6 to the unfancied Cibulkova. She said: "I just didn't feel good. I was very flat. I think she plays good but my level is higher. I played against myself, not against her."In the men's fourth round, Gaël Monfils had one of his "on" days in beating another Frenchman, Richard Gasquet, 6-4, 7-5, 7-5. Gasquet, who is even more erratic than Monfils, had not dropped a set until yesterday. He conceded: "I think that's my fault. But that's tennis."Mardy Fish, who came to New York in great form (he beat Andy Murray in Cincinnati), was no match for Novak Djokovic, who won 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. The Serb will play Monfils in the quarter-finals."Novak played great today," Fish said. "He puts a lot of pressure on you with his movement. He's probably one of the three fastest guys on tour. I just didn't execute, but it's been a great summer."George Morgan joins Oliver Golding in the next round of the boys' tournament, after beating Roberto Quiroz of Ecuador 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. A player to watch might by the Irishman Sam Barry, who looked terrific in beating the American Nick Chappell in straight sets.US Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Patrick McEnroe resigns as US Davis Cup captain after 10 years in the job

www.guardian.co.uk - McEnroe will leave after play-off against Colombia Jim Courier says he is interested in taking overPatrick McEnroe has resigned as US Davis Cup captain after 10 years and will leave after the play-off against Colombia this month.McEnroe led the United States to a Davis Cup title in 2007 but for the first time since 2005 the team must win in the play-offs to secure a spot in the top tier of the competition."Obviously it's mixed emotions for me because of what Davis Cup has meant to me for 10 years, to the players that have supported it," McEnroe said. "But I feel now is a good time for a transition."McEnroe, the younger brother of the seven-time grand slam champion John, was hired two years ago to run the US Tennis Association's programme to develop elite players. "I can focus on my professional energies, player development, and obviously will still be very involved with the team and who plays on the team and supporting the guys that are part of the team," he said.Jim Courier, a four-times major champion who is a commentator for CBS, said today he would be interested in the job.The title in 2007 was the first for the US since 1995, ending the longest drought in their Davis Cup history. McEnroe's record is 16-9, second only to Tom Gorman's 18 wins. Under McEnroe, the line-up of Andy Roddick, James Blake and Bob and Mike Bryan played in 10 consecutive Davis Cup events.Jim Curley, the USTA's chief professional tournaments officer, said: "Patrick changed the culture of Davis Cup in the United States, creating a true team environment and a sense of camaraderie that the US has never before seen. He has been a champion of the competition in every sense of the word and elevated the stature of the event in this country."TennisDavis Cupguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Laura Robson claims comfortable victory to move into third round of girls' singles

www.dailymail.co.uk - Britain's Laura Robson cruised into the second round of the girls' singles at the US Open in New York with victory over Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray needs to fix his body after US Open defeat, not his game

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray cut a forlorn figure after his third-round defeat but Britain's No1 still has talent and time on his sideAt the risk of sounding like a cheap shrink, there are good reasons to believe that Andy Murray is not the happiest man on Planet Tennis this morning. Defeat in the third round of the US Open at the expert hands of Stanislas Wawrinka, the second best Swiss in tennis, has left him sore, sorry and bewildered.He flew home from New York tonight spiritually and physically shredded, confused as to why the well-muscled legs that normally carry him to every last inch of a tennis court as if he were some sort of human jet had let him down when it mattered most. He called it "pins and needles" but the blade went deeper than that. He was cut to the heart.What worried Murray most was that all the hard work he puts in - probably more than anyone on the circuit - and the precise pre-tournament planning he had constructed with his mother, Judy, and part-time coach, Alex Corretja, had not inured him to the A-game of an opponent he had beaten five times in eight matches. The most recent of those was last year at Wimbledon over five sets and, before that, he won in straight sets at this tournament en route to his first grand slam final in 2008. Yesterday, it all went wrong in just under four befuddled hours.Wawrinka, for one, was surprised by Murray's lethargy in the later stages of the match. He reckoned Murray had a "little bit of an injury", which is why he chipped and lobbed to such good effect. Significantly, Wawrinka shrugged off his own more obvious problem, a seized-up right quad in the third set, giving Murray the illusion of a way back. There was no comeback, not that the Scot did not fight but, as John McEnroe observed, the struggle was internal. Murray later agreed with that diagnosis.And that is where Murray's search for solutions resides. There is not much wrong with the essential mechanics of his game, yet a player who could serve in his sleep foot-faulted four times, something seasoned observers could notremember him doing - ever. The machine clunked badly, and Murray could not work out why.There will be accusations of choking, an absurdity. The man does not have a give-up gene in his body. The fact he has lost in big matches is an obsession with all but the man himself; every player loses. The difference here is he lost to someone he should have beaten, especially given his recent form, and he has been robbed of the opportunity of going very deep into the tournament.It is long forgotten that Roger Federer, who denied him here and in Melbourne, the player generally and rightly regarded as the best the game has ever had, did not win his first major until his 17th slam. This was Murray's 20th and he is still only 23. To be judged alongside legends is tough. Murray will win a major one day because he is too good not to.Yet, even by his own downbeat standards, he left town like someone who had been ejected from his own party with a half-empty bottle of champagne and no cab number. Last year was similar, but it emerged later that he had injured a wrist in losing to Marin Cilic. It was as if he did not want to use even that legitimate excuse for his defeat, and we might yet discover that he was suffering some unseen physical ailment this time.That, in fact, would be his perfect solution. It would mean it was not his tennis that let him down but his body. His body he can fix. His tennis, he will reckon, should not need attending to because he has worked it into a pleasing groove since he was a small boy.He did go on the attack more against Wawrinka than he had done in earlier matches but the strategy brought him mixed results. If he was injured, it would explain why he tried to cut the points short, but that does not totally add up. Wawrinka was hurting more, yet moved more with greater ease, even at the end, when he pulled out a couple of remarkable winners, leaving Murray stranded at the net.Beijing and Shanghai are next up, by which time the "little niggles" Murray complained about will have cleared, no doubt. Then it is the homeward loop to London via Paris to round off a year of hugely contrasting form and mood.It is unlikely he will have picked up a new coach by then, but you never know with Murray. After the match, he was as near to inconsolable as he gets. He was polite but kept it short. Being quizzed about losing was not what he'd had in mind earlier in the day.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Rafa Nadal refuses a ride in Mercedes emblazoned with image of triumphant Roger Federer

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rafael Nadal refused to board a complimentary Mercedes shuttle bus back to his hotel which was emblazoned with an image of his Swiss nemesis. More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray v Stanislas Wawrinka in pictures

www.guardian.co.uk - Look back at the best images from Andy Murray's third-round US Open defeat at Flushing Meadows More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray looking for answers as fatigue issues resurface at Flushing Meadows

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray will aim to find the answer to why he struggled to cope physically in his US Open defeat to Stanislas Wawrinka on Sunday night as another tilt at a first Grand Slam title ended in disappointment. More... (Tennis)

Video: Andy Murray: I was struggling physically

www.guardian.co.uk - British tennis No1 Andy Murray speaks about his exit from the US Open More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray falls apart and exits US Open with a whimper

www.guardian.co.uk - 'He played better than me - I'm very disappointed' Murray suffers four set defeat to Stanislas WawrinkaAndy Murray was as confused as the rest of us in defeat and piercing his despondency was a struggle as we sought to discover why his usually pitch-perfect fitness deserted him when he needed it against Stanislas Wawrinka in the US Open.Another grand slam championship has slipped by and, after four sets of anxious and fitful tennis, the Scot was at least honest enough to admit the prize might never be his. "I might never win a grand slam," he said, "but, if I give it 100% and train and work as hard as I can, that's all I can do."Murray, who punishes himself at his training camp near Key Biscayne in Florida during the heat and wind of the American summer, had looked in superb shape in his first two matches but his legs were drained of bounce in the fading stages of this match, which Wawrinka deserved to win, hobbling himself midway, by 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 in four minutes short of four hours.Wawrinka plays the American Sam Querrey in the last 16 tomorrow. That slot looked as if it belonged to Murray after he had scrambled his way through the first set. He should have taken the second, too, but there was no denying Wawrinka's more focused charge."I don't know why I felt the way I did," Murray said. "I haven't felt like that in a very, very long time, since I was maybe 20 or 21. I think the last two, three years it's not the reason why I've been losing matches. I can't explain it."He dismissed the physical breakdown as "part and parcel" of a long match but it looked as if a deeper malaise had invaded his soul, as his mood went from subdued to dark as ink. He swore at himself, his racket and any inanimate object in his line of vision as the match ebbed from his unsteady grasp. "I'm very disappointed, of course," he said. "That's it. He played a very good match. He served well when he needed to."These were the stock responses of a man still coming to terms with a minor nightmare, although he did not think he played badly. That would not be a view held by most of those close at hand, as he blew point after point with misdirected ground-strokes, tugged at tightening leg muscles, foot-faulted three times and was passed with worrying regularity as he strove desperately to get back in the match by attacking randomly rather than selectively, as he normally does.Murray came to the net 50 times and won the point 30 times; those that he lost, though, were crucial, giving Wawrinka not just encouragement to keep banging them down the line but the momentum in a fluctuating contest.Losing ceases to be a learning process when it arrives at a moment of high expectation, which Murray would be ready to accept. All that lessened its sting, he said, was that it was not in the final, scant consolation and then it might have been another Swiss.He made dreadfully hard work of the first set, after going 4-1 down, and looked to be at his combative best when he rescued it in the tie-break. But the second should have been in his pocket after going 2-0 up, only for his own disciplined tennis to unravel and his opponent's crunch serve to start dragging the deficit back. When Wawrinka won that tie-break, the pendulum was heading for Switzerland.Then Wawrinka suffered a wretched twist of fate, as his right quad gave up on him during a lunge at a wide ball on his backhand, a shot that most of the match was a killer winner for him. He took a medical time out, then his left quad seized up. Then Murray's leg seized up. Then Murray's whole strategy seized up. It went from not looking very good to anarchic in a few minutes in that third set and Murray never recovered.It was Wawrinka who held his nerve, and Murray, the ice-cool pro, who struggled like a lost soul to find a winning formula or even the occasional kind bounce. None came.In his efforts to explain what went wrong, Murray tried to keep it simple but it was not wholly convincing. "He played better than me," he said. "There's not a whole lot more to it. He had a chance to win the first set; didn't take it. I had a chance to win the second set; didn't take it. I just struggled from then on."I think you need to play your best tennis during the tournament, and that's it. That's the only way to win one."He did not agree that defeat should rush him into deciding on a coach. "No, no. You've got to be patient. I was getting asked five, six days ago, 'You're playing great tennis; will you think about going without a coach?' It's based on one match. I'm not going to panic and hire someone to try and make things better."As he has done before, he will go away and rest. He gave as good as he got. It was not good enough.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Paul Annacone quits LTA role to become Roger Federer's coach

www.dailymail.co.uk - Paul Annacone has stepped down from his role as head coach of the LTA having worked out the remainder of his contract while on trial to become Roger Federer's coach. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Ana Ivanovic exits as women struggle to give value

www.dailymail.co.uk - Monday's crunch match between top seed Caroline Wozniacki and former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova promises to add some much-needed ammunition. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: It's hard labour as Andy Murray limps out

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murra y limped out of the US Open last night, unable to keep body and mind together long enough to sustain his US Open challenge beyond America's Labour Day weekend. More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray exits US Open as Stanislas Wawrinka proves too strong

www.guardian.co.uk - Wawrinka triumphs 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3 in nearly four hours Sam Querrey will play Wawrinka in the fourth roundAn attack of the blues swept over Andy Murray as his game unravelled against Stanislas Wawrinka and his 2010 US Open campaign ended in drab defeat.The Swiss won 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3 in four minutes short of four hours. Murray, tugging at tightening leg muscles, was left drained and disheartened at what he and most observers, bar Wawrinka, would consider an unexpectedly early exit for the fourth seed.Everything had been going so well for the Scot all week but his tennis fell apart horribly at the worst possible time, and Wawrinka seized on nearly every mistake, 43 of which were unforced.Murray's touch and radar - so sure in the first two rounds - were, at times, way off, and his mood went from subdued to dark as ink.What made defeat doubly poor was his opponent was hampered by spasms in both quads from midway through the third set. Wawrinka needed an extended time out and left the court briefly in the fourth set too. Neither setback helped Murray, whose game slowly fell apart under pressure. It was as bad as he has played since Monte Carlo.It could been so different had Murray taken his early chances. The first set almost got away from him, as he was passed three times in the break game, before getting back on terms with similar daring at 5-5.After trying to volley Wawrinka out of it, Murray, rightly, chose to take the sting from his bustling, uncomplicated tennis by mixing it up more after going 4-1 behind, and it worked. Serving to stay in, Murray fashioned a beautiful backhand volley at 30-all and went on to ensure a tie-break. This one went Murray's way - but not before a rare and minor row.At 2-0 up, Murray's shot clipped the net and sat up for Wawrinka, who shouted "allez!" after hitting his return - which Murray netted. "As long as it was on it's way, that is not a distraction," the umpire, Steve Ulrich, said. Murray was not convinced, but went on to take the tie-break 7-3, and a tough, tense first set ended after an hour and nine minutes, one of the longest of the tournament.Just as he looked to be getting control of the exchanges, at 2-0 up in the second, he lost concentration again and Wawrinka, a top 10 player only two years ago, did well to claw his way back. The set was there for Murray to take at 5-3 up when he dropped serve again, swearing at anyone and anything within earshot. Wawrinka earned second tie-break - and this time took it.Murray continued his up-down pattern, breaking and dropping serve at the start of the third. But Wawrinka's big serve had a lot to do with that. With fewer opportunities now, Murray's frustrations mounted.At 1-2 and 0-30 on his own serve, Murray hit an inexplicably weak half-volley that fell invitingly in mid-court, hinting at disintegration. He foot-faulted (the first of three), hit a return wide, then double-faulted to drop serve. From this point on, Murray was never really in the match.Wawrinka stayed strong and, at 4-1 up, the set was his to lose. Then, he suffered the most wretched twist of fate, as his right quad went on him when he chased down a wide shot at 40-15 down on Murray's serve.He looked to be restored to full working order and way to 5-2, only for his left quad to start giving up on him. When Murray invited him to the net, however, Wawrinka bolted in like a colt and thrashed a cross-court winner.Wawrinka had the crowd with him as he served for the set. Holding three set points, he double-faulted, then Murray tamely patted a simple volley wide.The fourth set started as anarchically as the third, Murray dropped serve, then broke back, his last success.Murray, striving for rhythm, looked to be reasserting himself until broken again in the fifth game to trail 3-2. There were faint cheers of "Andy! Andy!" in far corners of the cavernous stadium, but they faded with the light as the match ebbed away from him.Serving to stay in the match, Murray double-faulted. He was then passed in a chip-lobby exchange by the most exquisite backhand of the tournament and was two points from defeat. He pushed a volley wide and Wawrinka had match point, which Murray saved. There was nothing he could do about another backhand winner off his second serve for deuce. When his final stroke went long and wide, the agony was over.A few weeks ago, American tennis had nobody in the men's top 10 for the first time since rankings began 37 years ago. Now they have four in the top 20 and, one of them, Sam Querrey, is next up for Wawrinka.US Open tennisTennisAndy MurrayKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Spot the ball: Beatrice Capra at the US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Can you figure out where the ball is in this match between Beatrice Capra and Maria Sharapova? More... (Tennis)

Maria Sharapova ensures there is no Hollywood ending for Beatrice Capra

www.guardian.co.uk - Oliver Golding cautioned for throwing his racket Ana Ivanovic gone in less than 60 minutesAll of a sudden, women's tennis is a game for grown-ups. In the nineties, the poppets ruled. Martina Hingis was the world No1 at 17, three years after she started playing for money. Now, the average age of women in the top 10 is 26. That's progress. Probably.Whatever the view that tennis devoured young talent and threw it into rehab a decade or so ago, the modern game requires a better mix of precocious talent and maturity, as was witnessed at the US Open again, when the latest American beauty, Beatrice Capra, 18, from Ellicott City, Maryland, learnt the hard way that It's A Wonderful Life is a movie directed by her unrelated namesake, Frank, and not a script for the real world, when she got nilled for the second time this summer, here at the expert hands of Maria Sharapova.Asked to comment on the strength or otherwise of American women's tennis, Sharapova replied: "To be honest, I get asked this question every single grand slam. We're in Australia, you get asked about the Australians. No. You really have to worry about your own results." Well said.Capra, apparently, cannot make her mind up about turning pro or going to college. Check the score, Beatrice, and your ranking: 371.Last year here it was Melanie Oudin, of Marietta, Georgia, starlet for the star-struck, when she went up against four Russians; she gave it a good go again this time before succumbing to reality in round two. The American press (hopefully with tongue in cheek) were calling Capra the new Oudin. They are both the new yesterday.And so, possibly, to tomorrow. Take a bow Oliver Golding from Twickenham. The former child actor was cautioned for throwing his racket, which almost hit a spectator as it left Court 15, on his way to beating the Spaniard Andres Artunedo Martinavarr, a young man who has to live with a surname that sounds like it is unfinished and a tennis game, ditto. Golding, a genuine talent, hung on to his racket long enough to win 7-6, 6-3."I went for a shot at the net and the racket just slipped out of my hand and trickled over the fence," he said. "Thank God it didn't hit anyone."Towards the end, Golding took a break for a muscle spasm in his glutes, a pain in the butt that he admitted "also gave me time for a break". A career in script writing awaits.The grown-ups, meanwhile, were getting on with the serious business of winning and losing for bigger stakes.Francesca Schiavone, who charmed Paris with her breathstaking win over Sam Stosur and is seeded sixth, widened her fan base among commentators struggling with pronunciation when she beat the Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-0.The Italian, in the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows for the second time, said: "I feel better than when I [won] the French Open, because I know how to do it and how to win a match like this."Ana Ivanovic, No1 in the world two years ago, learned in a minute under an hour that the defending champion Kim Clijsters resides in a different universe. The Belgian won 6-2, 6-1, another lopsided score at these championships to invite the suspicion that women's tennis is a most uneven version of the sport. If the distaff side want equal pay, they should provide equal entertainment."I've been improving every match," Clijsters said. "The pressure is a privilege. It's something that comes because you've done well in the past."She contested the view that her comeback last year was designed to prove something to other people. She did it to justify tennis as a profession to herself."I wouldn't have been satisfied being ranked in the top 20 and just playing tournaments here and there and not competing for titles," she said. "I don't know if I would have still been going if I felt, physically I couldn't handle it or if, tennis-wise, I wasn't able to produce the same kind of level."The Belgian, the only mother left in the tournament, remains one of the most articulate players on the circuit. It is a pity she didn't have more time on court to entertain a crowd hungry for some quality tennis on the women's side.Serena Williams, nursing a cut foot, watched sister Venus, on one leg, get the better of Shahar Peer, 7-6, 6-3, despite serving five double faults.David Ferrer justified his 10th seeding with a sound 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver.Another member of the formidable Spanish Armada, the number eight seed Fernando Verdasco, brought David Nalbandian's revival to a halt, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.US Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams advance in New York

www.guardian.co.uk - Clijsters beat Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-1 in less than an hour Venus Williams beat Shahar Peer 7-6 (7-3), 6-3Kim Clijsters extended her winning streak at the US Open to 18 matches with a straight-sets victory over Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. Third seed Venus Williams also advanced to the next round with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory over Israel's Shahar Peer.Clijsters won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2005 and came out of retirement last year to lift the trophy again.The second seed again demonstrated her liking for New York by brushing aside former world No1 Ivanovic 6-2, 6-1 in just 59 minutes to advance to a quarter-final clash with either fifth seed Samantha Stosur or 12th seed Elena Dementieva."At the beginning you have to settle down with the wind and adjust, especially with the serve, and then I felt I started moving forward better and dictating the points better and was defending pretty good as well," said Clijsters, who has dropped just 14 games in four matches."I've always played really good matches in America, I enjoy playing on hard courts and you automatically do well in places where you feel good and have done well before, so the US Open is a special tournament for me."US Open tennisTennisKim ClijstersVenus Williamsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters brushes aside Ana Ivanovic

www.dailymail.co.uk - Defending champion Kim Clijsters today extended her winning streak at the US Open to 18 matches with a straight-sets victory over Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round. More... (Tennis)

Paul Annacone leaves LTA early to coach Roger Federer

www.guardian.co.uk - Head of men's tennis was due to go in November American had successful trial with the world No2Paul Annacone has stepped down as head of men's tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association, in order to take up a coaching role with Roger Federer, the world No2.The move comes two months before the American was due to leave the LTA, which announced his departure in May.Annacone, whose contract with the LTA was set to the expire in November, opted to leave British tennis after a successful month-long trial with the 16-times Grand Slam winner. He had been due to work with the Swiss on a part-time basis until November but came to agreement with the LTA.The LTA's player director, Steven Martens, said in a statement that the American coach "was always going to be moving on in November but we were aware we would need to keep it under constant review, to avoid any potential conflict of interest".Annacone had been at the LTA since November 2006, after a spell coaching the former British No1 Tim Henman.The American, 47, was Pete Sampras's coach and had a moderately successful playing career as a singles player, winning three titles.His real success came in doubles, in which he won the Australian Open in 1985 and lost the US Open final in 1990.TennisRoger Federerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Order of play, Sunday 5 September

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray third on in Louis Armstrong Stadium Play begins at 4pm, BSTAll times local -5hrs BST:Arthur Ashe Stadium: (11:00) Ana Ivanovic (Ser) v (2) Kim Clijsters (Bel); (16) Shahar Peer (Isr) v (3) Venus Williams (US); (1) Rafael Nadal (Sp) v Gilles Simon (Fr); (12) Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) v (18) John Isner (US); (5) Samantha Stosur (Aus) v (12) Elena Dementieva (Rus)Louis Armstrong Stadium: (11:00) (6) Francesca Schiavone (It) v (20) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus); (20) Sam Querrey (US) v (14) Nicolás Almagro (Sp); (4) Andy Murray (GB) v (25) Stanislas Wawrinka (Swi); Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (It) v (2) Liezel Huber (US) & Nadia Petrova (Rus)Grandstand: (11:00) (31) David Nalbandian (Arg) v (8) Fernando Verdasco (Sp); (23) Feliciano López (Sp) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr); Tommy Robredo (Sp) v Michael Llodra (Fr)Court 4: (9) Mariusz Fyrstenberg (Pol) & Marcin Matkowski (Pol) v Jérémy Chardy (Fr) & Christopher Kas (Ger); Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) & Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk) v (14) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Vera Zvonareva (Rus); (4) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US) & Daniel Nestor (Can) v Aravane Rezai (Fr) & Rajeev Ram (US); Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) & Paul Hanley (Aus) v Abigail Spears (US) & Scott Lipsky (US)Court 7: (16) Rohan Bopanna (Ind) & Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (Pak) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser); (5) Lisa Raymond (US) & Rennae Stubbs (Aus) v (10) Maria Kirilenko (Rus) & Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol)Court 11: (11:00) (10) David Ferrer (Sp) v Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Sp); (12) Iveta Benesova (Cze) & Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova (Cze) v (6) Vania King (US) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz); Kaia Kanepi (Est) & Robert Lindstedt (Swe) v (2) Cara Black (Zim) & Leander Paes (Ind)Court 13: Marcelo Melo (Br) & Bruno Soares (Br) v (10) Wesley Moodie (SA) & Dick Norman (Bel); (7) Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) & Zheng Jie (Chn) v Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)Court 15: (11:00) Junior boys' singles 1st rd: Oliver Golding (GB) v Andres Artunedo Martinavarro (Sp)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki trounce opponents to set up dream quarter-final

www.dailymail.co.uk - Ruthless Maria Sharapova whitewashed American wildcard Beatrice Capra 6-0, 6-0 to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with top seed Caroline Wozniacki. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Roger Federer strolls into next round with easy win over Paul-Henri Mathieu

www.dailymail.co.uk - Five-times champion Roger Federer dismissed Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 6-4 6-3 6-3 on Saturday to reach the fourth round of the U.S. Open. 'I thought I played great today in the wind,' Federer said. More... (Tennis)

Ana Ivanovic's personal heartache leads to a professional return

www.dailymail.co.uk - Former World No 1 Ana Ivanovic has dropped her boyfriend, Australian golf star Adam Scott, and fallen in love with tennis again. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray calls on old friend as he closes in on Flushing Meadows glory

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray's belief in his oldest, closest friend is at the heart of his mission to win the US Open without an established coach. Dani Vallverdu has moved from the shadows to the foreground of the British No 1’s professional life. More... (Tennis)

US Open tennis: the best of the action from day five

www.guardian.co.uk - Check out the best images from Andy Murray's second round match against Dustin Brown and the best of the day's other matches More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic blown away by Kaia Kenepi

www.dailymail.co.uk - Jelena Jankovic's bid for a first Grand Slam title was blown off court by a combination of Kaia Kanepi and strong, blustery winds at the US Open. More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray calls on friends and family as Rafa Nadal rematch looms

www.guardian.co.uk - Mum and best pal on hand to help Scot counter immediate threat of Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka in third roundAfter one week and two wins, Andy Murray is looking as good in this US Open as he did at the same stage at Wimbledon, where he reached the semi-finals but could not get past Rafa Nadal.That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that Nadal is looking as impressive as he did at Wimbledon - and has every prospect of another semi-final against Murray.Both won their second-round matches on Friday, Murray without fuss in an hour and 25 minutes against the Jamaican power-hitter Dustin Brown, Nadal in a tighter match whose centrepiece comprised two sets of longer than an hour each, including a tie-break in the second set that might have gone Denis Istomin's way had the Uzbek not lost his nerve trying to hold a 5-1 lead.Before he even thinks about Nadal, Murray must get past Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat Juan Ignacio Chela comfortably in three sets; Nadal plays Gilles Simon, whose five-setter against Philipp Kohlschreiber had more twists and turns than an episode of Poirot.Murray knows better than to read too much into two easy wins, or to look past Wawrinka, whom he beat in three short sets en route to the 2008 final here, but whom he remembers just as well for their five-set fight under lights at Wimbledon the following summer."I feel physically good," he says. "It's nice to get a couple of quick matches after having the late start [his first match was on Wednesday]. But it is difficult to judge how well I am playing based on [the Brown] match because there were so few rallies. The first round was a good one. Today I served well, so it is a good start, but the matches get tougher from now."Unfulfilled after his 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win over Brown, Murray took to the practice court with the former Venezuelan Davis Cup player Dani Vallverdu, who has been a regular member of his travelling team on the American hardcourt loop."He is my best friend," Murray says. "He's known me since I was 15. We used to play doubles together. He knows my game well and knows me well as a person. He watches all my matches on the TV. It's nice to have friends and family around. I would not say he is coaching me, he is just here to help out. I have hit with him every single day since I have been here."He is a very good player, knows his tennis. He was the No1 player at the University of Miami and No3 in college tennis, and he was a good junior player, too."Vallverdu, Murray's Spanish part-time coach, Alex Corretja, and his mother, Judy, watched the end of the Wawrinka-Chela match and came back with a report on the Swiss, seeded 25th here but always dangerous. "He does everything well," Murray says. "He serves well, he's got a solid return. He's won the Olympics with Roger [Federer], so he can volley well."Next to Murray and Vallverdu while they were hitting up on Flushing Meadows' Court Four were two players who just cannot let go, who still enjoy the thwack and ping of tennis for its own sake: John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. Murray got a kick out of it, too. "It is good for tennis and for the players to see them around," he says. "It is great that they still enjoy the game."The thing is that all of the guys who play tennis right at the top love the game, but, because of the way tennis is now, they tend to take a few years away from it when they finish playing."Could he envisage himself doing the same so long after retiring from competitive tennis? "No, I can't really see it, to be honest. I am sure I will still be around tennis - the game has obviously given a lot to me and my family - but I don't think I will be thrashing the ball like that pair."For Murray, tennis is a serious business. It's about to get a bit more serious against Wawrinka and then he has the winner of Sam Querrey and Nicolás Almagro to look forward to in the fourth round. Querrey is one of three Americans left in the tournament, alongside his friend John Isner and Mardy Fish, but none is expected to figure in the final; Almagro is one of nine Spaniards still in contention. At least one of them has every ambition of doing so.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open: 'Lucky' Rafael Nadal thankful after tough win over Denis Istomin

www.guardian.co.uk - Rafael Nadal beats Denis Istomin in three sets US teenager Ryan Harrison knocked out in thrillerTop seed Rafael Nadal displayed all his fighting spirit to beat Denis Istomin and complete the third round line-up at Flushing Meadows.Nadal cruised through the opening set against the in-form Istomin - who reached the final in New Haven last week - on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but found himself 5-1 down in a second-set tie-break. But the world No1 dug deep to win the next six points - one of them with a lucky net cord - on his way to a 6-2 7-6 (7/5) 7-5 victory that lasted two hours and 44 minutes.Nadal, who needs to lift the title on 12 September to complete the career grand slam, paid tribute to a gutsy performance from Istomin, the world No39. "He was playing really well," Nadal admitted. "He had a great tournament last week and so he was playing with confidence today and I was a little lucky in the tie-break. I started the match well, my serve keeps working well but every match is really difficult."One of Nadal's serves was clocked at 134mph, the fastest he has recorded. "I am working on my serve all my life, sometimes it works well, sometimes it's not working all that well," Nadal added. "A few days ago I started to feel very well with my serve and the first two matches I have not lost my serve which is very good for the confidence."Much earlier on day five, American teenager Ryan Harrison squandered a great chance to claim a second shock victory after letting slip three match points against Sergiy Stakhovsky. Harrison, 18, who beat 15th seed Ivan Ljubicic in the opening round, was 6-3 ahead in the fifth-set tie-break but lost the next five points in succession - one of them by crucially serving a double fault - as Stakhovsky held on for a 6-3 5-7 3-6 6-3 7-6 (8/6) victory."I just got a little bit tight when I needed to come through," admitted Harrison, who has been tipped by John McEnroe to eventually become one of the top 10 players in the world. "It was incredibly fun, the first time I've played in the main draw at the US Open was two days ago and to have a crowd like that behind me was incredible. I'm obviously not the happiest person in the world right now, but looking back it was a great experience."There was better news for the home crowd with John Isner - winner of the longest match in history at Wimbledon earlier this year - reaching the third round with a four-set win over Switzerland's Marco Chiudinelli. Isner hammered down 24 aces on his way to a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (9/7) 6-4 win in just under three hours on Louis Armstrong Court.Earlier in the day, unseeded Frenchman Michael Llodra continued his superb form by also advancing to the last 32.Llodra knocked out Wimbledon finalist and seventh seed Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the opening round and enjoyed a similarly comfortable win on Friday against Romania's Victor Hanescu.The 30-year-old, who had lost 22 of his previous 36 first-round matches in Grand Slams, won 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 6-2 to set up a clash with Spain's Tommy Robredo. Robredo had won the first set of his match with France's Julien Benneteau 6-4 and was in a second set tie-break when Benneteau was forced to retire hurt. The 28-year-old looked to injure his left wrist while playing a double-handed backhand, the innocuous incident appearing worryingly similar to the problem suffered by Britain's Andy Murray in Hamburg in 2007.US Open tennisTennisRafael Nadalguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters to face Ana Ivanovic after both ease to third round wins

www.dailymail.co.uk - Defending champion Kim Clijsters will face former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round of the US Open after easy wins were the order of day five at Flushing Meadows. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Rafael Nadal battles to second round win over Denis Istomin

www.dailymail.co.uk - World No 1 Rafael Nadal turned the tables in a dramatic second set tie-break on his way to a 6-2 7-6 7-5 victory over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan to reach the third round. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Mystery of missing Serena Williams sparks rumours

www.dailymail.co.uk - A broken beer bottle, the botched decision to play a lucrative exhibition and possible plastic surgery are being floated as circumstantial evidence for Serena's absence. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray through to round three

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray eased through to the third round of the US Open with a routine straight sets victory over Jamaican Dustin Brown. The Scot raced to a 7-5 6-4 6-0 victory in less than an hour and a half. More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray primed for US Open charge after beating Dustin Brown

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray advances with 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 win Jamaican Brown impresses but Scot hits top formOn his way to Arthur Ashe Court, Dustin Brown walks through a tunnel that, even on this steamy day, is unusually cool. He passes the portraits of the former US Open champions Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi, each of them three feet tall but appearing larger than life. It is a deceptively welcoming oasis.However, once the 25-year-old Jamaican from the outskirts of tennis steps on to Centre Court and looks across at his opponent, Andy Murray, his sweating hands tell him things are about to get a good deal hotter. An hour and 25 minutes later, his grand adventure is over, but what a time he and the rest of us had.Losing to the world No4 in only his second grand slam tournament was no disgrace at all and, at times, Brown hit some wondrous shots, among them six aces thrashed across the net at up to 137mph on the end of a spindly, muscular right arm. Nevertheless, the scoreline of 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 accurately describes the steady disintegration of his fragile if exciting game, as well as Murray's mastery of a tricky assignment.Murray third-round opponent, Stanislas Wawrinka, will be trickier still. The Swiss No25 seed, who beat Juan Ignacio Chela 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 yesterday, took Murray to five sets at Wimbledon last year. Murray defeated him in three sets on his way to the final in New York that year. "He does everything well," the Scot said. "He serves well, he's got a solid return."Murray gave as good as he got against Brown, with interest, acing him 12 times and keeping his first serve at a respectable 59%. He did double-fault three times, but never when it was going to hurt him, and Brown did not quite have the quality to punish him. "I didn't really give him many chances," Murray said. "I returned well in the second and third sets. He started off very, very flashy but towards the end of the first set I had some opportunities.Hurricane Earl did not quite exert its venom on New York, and it would have taken an earthquake to save Brown. They went off in spitting rain in the first set, with Murray leading 2-1, and the brief interruption only delayed the inevitable, as the Scot soaked up his opponent's fierce, flat forehands and drop-shots so delicate they might have been played by McEnroe.Brown, resplendent in blue beach shorts and bright shoes, did not look out of place in this environment; he has been doing it for a living for eight years, much of it on European clay from his base in Germany, where he lives and was born. Still, his small but vocal band of supporters and most of the scattered crowd won over by his blistering start were soon to share with him the size of his task.On his day of days, it was Brown's misfortune, perhaps, to be playing in front of a stadium maybe a third full, the absentees, understandably, hanging from the rafters at the nearby Grandstand Stadium, where the 18-year-old American hope, Ryan Harrison, was putting up an heroic but futile struggle over five sets of sizzling quality and drama against the Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky. That, in truth, was probably the match of the tournament thus far - but Murray had his job to do and went about it in that cool, professional manner that so many opponents find disarming.Better players than Brown - who is ranked 123rd in the world after a brief sojourn inside the top 100 earlier in the summer - have succumbed to Murray's guile. It is in matches such as this, as he asserts himself slowly but irresistibly, that we can more easily appreciate how Murray has moved to another level, even over the past year. After his dispiriting post-Melbourne blues, he seems to have made a full recovery.And how much further Murray has come than Stakhovsky since beating him here in the junior final in 2004; maybe Harrison will go further than both of them. He certainly has the all-round game to leave a lasting impression in big events.Brown, meanwhile, was going backwards from the latter part of the first set, when Murray pinned him to the baseline and induced a limp backhand which found the net for 7-5 after 39 minutes. The match was littered with memorable moments, most of them when it was still competitive early on. Brown caught Murray off-guard a couple of times with his drop-shots and lob, and in one service game of frightening intensity he had the crowd on their feet in celebration of his unfettered power.However, class told. Nearly all of it came from Murray, as Brown's ground strokes increasingly went just a little too long or wide and he more than once found himself stranded in mid-court, stuck between attack and defence. Each time, Murray spotted the opening like a circling hawk.Murray pulled out the big guns when needed. He belted three aces to stun Brown in the third game, aced him again to finish off the seventh game and stretched Brown into saving a set point at 4-5. Thereafter, though, the Jamaican who says he wants to play Davis Cup for Great Britain (through an English grandmother) was like a sailor lost at sea.Murray breezed through the second set, looking more relaxed as the points flowed, then finished it off in 18 minutes, taking the third set to love. He could hardly be in better shape to make a charge in this tournament. Brown, meanwhile, has his memories to cherish.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open: Andy Roddick puts his foot in it for bullying millionaires

www.guardian.co.uk - The American has been allowed to develop in this way by a culture of cringing compliance towards the sport's cash cowsTennis players always need something or someone to whinge about. In New York this week, it has, yet again, been the officials who judge their marginal shots and indiscretions.Andy Roddick has been the most prominent and predictable, but by no means isolated, whinger. His reaction when caught foot-vaulting on his way out in the second round of the US Open was appalling, and it remains a mystery why he was not even cautioned, let alone fined - as Serena Williams was last year. His uncouth verbal assault was made on the line judge who rightly caught him out with one foot on the line when serving at 2-5 in the third set against the altogether more agreeable Janko Tipsarevic.Roddick, an occasionally endearing brat who should have grown up several years ago, turned on the official with all the good grace of a kid caught logging on to a porn site. Or, as the New York Times delicately phrased it, "lost his cool".The player said later: "It wasn't like I was up, and after it happened it was a different result. I'm sure a lot is going to get written about it, but the actual impact on the match was probably close to zero."The impact on tennis did not seem to concern him.Which foot, he wanted to know from the unfortunate official, was at fault? As it happens, she got the wrong foot but the right result, so Roddick, weirdly, felt justified in ranting like some third‑rate Broadway extra at a total stranger, who was powerless to reply and, more importantly, embarrassed on national television in front of a gob-smacked audience of millions.Roddick's skewed view was: "It was the fact that I couldn't get her to admit that it wasn't the right foot that just infuriated me ... The lack of common sense involved in that was unbelievable to me. I just have trouble when they stick to an argument that obviously isn't right."Such is the locker-room mentality of the disconnected modern sports moron. Roddick - in all innocence probably, given that he has been allowed to develop in this way over many years in a culture of cringing compliance by a sport terrified of upsetting its cash cows - could not, initially at least, see what he had done wrong. He had no thought at all for the embarrassment he had delivered on a woman paid a pittance to help him and his opponent to complete their match according to the rules of the game.Yet, at the same venue last year, Williams felt the brunt of the establishment for her foul-mouthed abuse of Shino Tsurubuchi at match point in her semi-final against Kim Clijsters.Williams, no darling outside her own home, was docked a point, lost the match, was subsequently fined and, as she put it to me earlier this year with heavy sarcasm, "put on probation".She was as wrong as Roddick was this week, probably more so. But the crimes were in the same ballpark and Williams' punishment was quick and unequivocal. Roddick escaped with the fleeting opprobrium of media commentators.A black line judge confided in me recently that he felt sickened by the way Williams was treated. "It was not that she didn't deserve to be censured," he said. "It was really bad. But the umpire made the unusual step of instigating action without any complaint from the line judge. Why do you think that was?"It might seem like a scant defence - actually, no defence at all - but it does make the point that different rules sometimes apply to different players.As unedifying as both spectacles were, however, they are of a piece with thousands of similar incidents stretching back to the bad days of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and, well, pick your villain.Tennis, supposedly the sporting home of probity alongside golf and cricket, accommodates, for reasons impossible to justify, behaviour that would not look out of place in a brothel. Millionaires screaming at the annoyingly compliant officials has always been the most bizarre spectacle. It is no more than bullying.Where does it come from? Almost without fail, their parents. Anyone who has read Andre Agassi's compelling autobiography will make that connection. His father was an unremitting ogre, turning the talented and sensitive Andre into a sulking grown-up of explosive tendencies, a minor monster of the court.Agassi had the good grace to come clean. We will probably wait a long time for Williams or Roddick to do likewise, even though Roddick admitted on reflection that he might have gone "too far".He has gone too far quite often in the early days of his career. As have many players, given latitude afforded to athletes in few other sports, notably football, where petulance is tolerated because "that's the way it is".Andy RoddickUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray v Dustin Brown - as it happened | Simon Burnton

www.guardian.co.uk - Dustin Brown dazzled but then disintegrated against the unrelenting class of Andy Murray6.54pm: Evening world! Kim Clijsters is roaring through her match - 5-0 in the second set, having won the first 6-3 - so Murray should be on shortly and it's about time I settled into my seat and got ready for the ride. You can still read Kevin Mitchell's match preview here, if you'd like. And as I write, Clijsters completes a suddenly-very-straightforward victory, after a fairly troubled start, and it's time for Murray to tie his shoelaces and introduce himself to Dustin Brown.7.00pm: Other than a fairly brief glimpse at Wimbledon, when his potential Davis Cup defection was the issue of the day, I'm afraid I don't know any more than Murray about Brown. The next few hours will be a learning experience for the both of us.7.03pm: The good news: it's not very hot. The bad news: it's raining.7.13pm: Looks like a brief and light shower - nobody's come off the other courts. Meanwhile, if you like football at all take a look at this unbelievable scorcher from today's Kazakhstan v Turkey game.7.13pm: In fact, they're out already. Action imminent.7.19pm: "I'm a bit disappointed to see that Andy Murray isn't wearing a Bulgarian flag headband," writes Gary Naylor, as Greg Rusedski predicts an easy win for Murray in "not the prettiest of matches".7.20pm: Murray's going to serve first. Balls in hand. Action.First set: Murray* 1-0 Brown Still a lot of empty seats as Murray holds serve, not as easily as he might have liked. One deuce required. Impressive returns from both sides from Brown.First set: Murray 1-1 Brown* Brown's first serve is a massive 130mph+ ace, which Murray challenged but was well in. His second is another massive ace which Murray also challenged, and was on the line. That's one challenge left for the set. The third serve Murray gets a racket on, but the ball doesn't make it over the net. An easy hold.First set: Murray* 2-1 Brown Three aces in that game, held to love. More worrying, the rain seems to have returned.7.30pm: The players leave the court. The skyline looks grey and dreary in New York. Time to check that weather forecast.7.33pm: Looks like this might be a light but lingering shower. I'll bring you updates as and when I have them, of course.7.37pm: There's no doubt who the crowd will be behind. Brown is obviously not like the average tennis player, even when he doesn't turn up in a camper van. He's got an interesting back-story, is tall, black, dreadlocked, genial and possesses one heck of a serve. But he's not, or rather has never been in the past, good enough to beat the top players.7.41pm: "How is it that Flushing Meadows' courts are faster than Wimbledon's?" asks Gary Naylor. "Are the balls different? At Wimbledon (in person for the first time this year), I felt the balls were too heavy and "died" too much on the grass. The power game needs tempering, but pace on the ball - whatever the sport - improves the spectacle and favours the more skilful players." The balls are different, as it happens - Slazenger at Wimbledon, Wilson in New York. Indeed, even at the US Open there are different balls - I believe the men have a slightly more hard-wearing felt on theirs, even though they're only used for six games.7.42pm: Meanwhile it's still raining, but not as heavily.7.52pm: The rain has stopped, so more action imminent.First set: Murray 2-2 Brown* No thunder aces from Brown but two points won with the help of his other trademark - forehand drop-shots.First set: Murray* 3-2 Brown Straightforward hold for Murray, with one double fault. "Surely the faster courts are more about the surfaces than the balls. Wimbledon is of course grass whilst Flushing Meadows er ... isn´t," writes Trevor Holden from Portugal. There was a time, though, when grass was the fastest surface out there. As Wikipedia says: "Hard courts can vary in speed; they are faster than clay but not as fast as grass courts."First set: Murray 3-3 Brown* Great touch-volley from Brown to win the first point. He then does the old Rusedski trick of demanding to have the same ball back for the next couple of points (until he loses one). Some further debate on the courts issue from a couple of years back here.First set: Murray* 4-3 Brown This is really fun - very watchable, Brown producing some excellent shots when given the chance. He's more than just a service, that's for sure. And Jermain Defoe has given England a third-minute lead against Bulgaria.First set: Murray 4-4 Brown* He's quite the showman, Brown. A flying double-handed punch-volley with the score delicately poised at 15-30 has the crowd whooping with delight. He's got a 100% record when he lands his first serve.First set: Murray* 5-4 Brown "It's tennis on broadway out here," says Mark Petchey after a peach of a point - a booming forehand from Brown scrambled back by Murray, a drop shot also scrambled back, an underhit lob and eventually a smashed crosscourt pass from the Scot. No breaks or even a sniff.First set: Murray 5-5 Brown* Murray complains to the umpire about Brown's habit of standing up throughout the changeover, then promptly sets up his first break point - defended successfully by Brown with the help of a killer serve. Brown seems entirely nerveless, volleying bang into the corner to win the game.First set: Murray* 6-5 Brown Murray, from 30-30 and under some pressure, serves a perfect ace and then wins the game with a flying forehand power-volley. It's as if showmanship were contageous.First set: Murray 7-5 Brown* Two excellent points from Murray puts him 0-30 up, but then he overhits an easy second-serve return. Next point, he improvises a perfect passing shot when he looked out of position to earn two set points. Brown serves one ace, but his second serve is weak and Murray is increasingly superior in open play.Second set: Murray* 1-0 Brown. Murray leads by one set to love Brown has this really intertaining schtick of, whenever he's hit a weak, loopy shot that Murray will surely smash away for an easy winner, appearing to give up the point before coming back to life at the last moment. It's enough to keep him in the first point for an extra couple of shots. He later hits a totally awesome crosscourt winner, but it's his only point of the game.Second set: Murray 2-0 Brown*. Murray leads by one set to love Suddenly, it's all going wrong for Brown. The wind seems to have picked up, and Brown appears to have reacted by serving off a lower toss. His serve is as a result not the weapon it was at the start of the game, and he's duly broken to 15.Second set: Murray* 3-0 Brown. Murray leads by one set to love And Murray wins his own service game to love in about 60 seconds, with two aces.Second set: Murray 4-0 Brown*. Murray leads by one set to love At 0-15, with the match threatening to disappear and Murray seemingly in control of the rally, Brown hits an inside-out cross-court forehand winner of immense beauty. The next point is won with a perfect topspin lob, and it's game (back) on. Briefly. Murray, though, has changed his gameplan, coming into the net when given the chance and daring Brown to pass him, which he can't very often.Second set: Murray* 5-0 Brown. Murray leads by one set to love It's serve-and-volley now from Murray, which has a pleasingly retro charm. There's not much difference between Brown's early-match relaxed brilliance and his latter-day carefree laziness, but in eight out of 10 points he's looking totally useless now. Murray has won the last seven games.Second set: Murray 5-1 Brown*. Murray leads by one set to love Brown finally stops the rot, though surely it's much too late to save this set. He was helped, though, by a few unforced errors from Murray.Second set: Murray* 5-2 Brown. Murray leads by one set to love Murray saves Brown a challenge by volunteering that a ball was good, earning himself a round of applause from the crowd and a grateful wave from his opponent. It's good to know the crowd are still awake. He might come to regret it: Brown wins the replayed point, earns a single break point and converts.Second set: Murray 5-3 Brown*. Murray leads by one set to love Brown's official support, up in the players' box, is singing to him between points. Literally, singing. We hear a refrain of Jimmy Cliff's You Can Go It If You Really Want after the first point, and it does look like he might really want.Second set: Murray* 6-3 Brown. Murray leads by two sets to love It would have been bad, and stupid, and wrong for Murray to panic after losing three games on the spin. Fortunately, he doesn't. Though he's dropped his serve-volley tactics, he holds to love to take a two-set lead.Third set: Murray 1-0 Brown*. Murray leads by two sets to love Murray is now punishing Brown's second serve at every opportunity - as he should, it's not much of a weapon.Third set: Murray* 2-0 Brown. Murray leads by two sets to love A totally different match now, with Murray relaxed and Brown utterly defeated, content to unleash the occasional killer shot when he gets a decent chance but pretty much ready to give up on everything else.Third set: Murray 3-0 Brown*. Murray leads by two sets to love Brown's forehand was really impressive in the first set. Where has it gone? Suddenly, straightforward shots are looping off the frame of the racket or being scooped 10 yards long. Only more rain can keep Murray here much longer.Third set: Murray* 4-0 Brown. Murray leads by two sets to love Murray almost taunting Brown as he hits a perfect forehand drop-shot winner. This is really easy now. For all the talk of Brown's widespread fan appeal, the Arthur Ashe court is still a long way from being full, and the top tier is almost empty.Third set: Murray 5-0 Brown*. Murray leads by two sets to love I'm afraid I spent about half that game looking at replays of a delicate Wayne Rooney chip at Wembley. But this was probably Brown's low-point. He won the first two points but thereafter served three double-faults. His first two serves of the match were brilliant aces, but there's been only one since the first set.Third set: Murray* 6-0 Brown. Murray wins by three sets to love Only one match point required by Murray. Brown looked good at the start but when the wheels came off they really flew.Final thoughts: A decent work-out for Murray, who spent about 45 minutes being genuinely tested before being allowed to coast into the third round. The stats are fairly telling: Brown in the first set: 54% of first serves in, five aces, 79% of first-serve points won; Brown in the second set: 38% of first serves in, no aces, 70% of first-serve points won; Brown in the third set: 42% of first serves in, one ace and 40% of first-serve points won. Murray will get a lot of credit for this result, but Brown simply fell apart.Murray speaks: Murray takes credit for Brown's collapse - "It just took a little time to work out his serve," he shrugs. "Second and third sets were very good." On the balls debate, which we touched on earlier, he says: "They change balls at almost every tournament, which I don't think is great. The balls here are very, very light." "I think they need to have a uniform ball throughout the hard-court season," agrees Rusedski. "Changing ball hurts your wrists, hurts your shoulders." It's amazing how little differences which you or I (I'm assuming you're not a world-class tennis player) wouldn't even notice are significant enough to actually cause injury to elite athletes. Anyway, Murray will go off, rest up and be ready to rock in round four. A potential champion? Frankly, Brown wasn't, in the end, good enough to help us find out.US Open tennisAndy MurrayTennisSimon Burntonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray v Dustin Brown - live! | Simon Burnton

www.guardian.co.uk - Hit F5 for the latest updates or click the auto-refresh button, email simon.burnton@guardian.co.uk and view the live scores7.03pm: The good news: it's not very hot. The bad news: it's raining.7.00pm: Other than a fairly brief glimpse at Wimbledon, when his potential Davis Cup defection was the issue of the day, I'm afraid I don't know any more than Murray about Brown. The next few hours will be a learning experience for the both of us.6.54pm: Evening world! Kim Clijsters is roaring through her match - 5-0 in the second set, having won the first 6-3 - so Murray should be on shortly and it's about time I settled into my seat and got ready for the ride. You can still read Kevin Mitchell's match preview here, if you'd like. And as I write, Clijsters completes a suddenly-very-straightforward victory, after a fairly troubled start, and it's time for Murray to tie his shoelaces and introduce himself to Dustin Brown.US Open tennisAndy MurrayTennisSimon Burntonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Order of play, Friday

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray v Dustin Brown is third up in Arthur Ashe Stadium Follows Hantuchova v Dementieva and Kvitova v ClijstersOrder of play for Friday 3rd September, with play starting at 11am local time, 4pm BST, unless statedArthur Ashe Stadium(24) Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) v (12) Elena Dementieva (Rus), (27) Petra Kvitova (Cze) v (2) Kim Clijsters (Bel), (4) Andy Murray (GB) v Dustin Brown (Jam), Mandy Minella (Lux) v (3) Venus Williams (USA), (1) Rafael Nadal (Spa) v Denis Istomin (Uzb)Louis Armstrong Stadium(5) Samantha Stosur (Aus) v Sara Errani (Ita), Marco Chiudinelli (Swi) v (18) John Isner (USA), Virginie Razzano (Fra) v Ana Ivanovic (Ser), (20) Sam Querrey (USA) v Marcel Granollers (Spa)GrandstandSergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) v Ryan Harrison (USA), (6) Francesca Schiavone (Ita) v (29) Alona Bondarenko (Ukr), (31) David Nalbandian (Arg) v Florent Serra (Fra), (16) Shahar Peer (Isr) v (19) Flavia Pennetta (Ita)Court 4Máximo González (Arg) & Santiago Ventura (Spa) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser), (12) Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) v Dudi Sela (Isr), Jamie Hampton (USA) & Melanie Oudin (USA) v (10) Maria Kirilenko (Rus) & Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol), Marco Chiudinelli (Swi) & Lukas Lacko (Svk) v (15) Mardy Fish (USA) & Mark Knowles (Bah)Court 6(16) Rohan Bopanna (Ind) & Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (Pak) v Michael Kohlmann (Ger) & Jarkko Nieminen (Fin), David Marrero (Spa) & Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo (Spa) v (10) Wesley Moodie (Rsa) & Dick Norman (Bel), Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) v (25) Stanislas Wawrinka (Swi), Abigail Spears (USA) & Scott Lipsky (USA) v (5) Rennae Stubbs (Aus) & Dick Norman (Bel), Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) & Paul Hanley (Aus) v Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova (Cze) & Philipp Petzschner (Ger)Court 7Polona Hercog (Slo) & Petra Martic (Cro) v (11) Alisa Kleybanova (Rus) & Ekaterina Makarova (Rus), Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Spa) v Jérémy Chardy (Fra), (12) Iveta Benesova (Cze) & Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova (Cze) v Kimiko Date Krumm (Jpn) & Ayumi Morita (Jpn), Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spa) v (14) Nicolás Almagro (Spa)Court 812:30pm: (23) Feliciano López (Spa) v Benoît Paire (Fra), Vitalia Diatchenko (Rus) & Ipek Senoglu (Tur) v (14) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Vera Zvonareva (Rus), Andrea Petkovic (Ger) & Mariusz Fyrstenberg (Pol) v (3) Katarina Srebotnik (Slo) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser), Florian Mayer (Ger) & Rogier Wassen (Ned) v Kevin Anderson (Rsa) & Victor Hanescu (Rom)Court 10Jarmila Groth (Svk) & Klara Zakopalova (Cze) v (6) Vania King (USA) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz), Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) & Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk) v Edina Gallovits (Rom) & Klaudia Jans (Pol), (15) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) & Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) v Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) & Caroline Wozniacki (Den), Julia Görges (Ger) & Anna-Lena Grönefeld (Ger) v (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spa) & Yan Zi (Chn), Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Oliver Marach (Aut) v Olga Govortsova (Blr) & Marcin Matkowski (Pol)Court 11Julien Benneteau (Fra) v Tommy Robredo (Spa), (20) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus) v Gisela Dulko (Arg), Adrian Mannarino (Fra) v (8) Fernando Verdasco (Spa), (1) Bob Bryan (USA) & Mike Bryan (USA) v Bradley Klahn (USA) & Tim Smyczek (USA)Court 13Victor Hanescu (Rom) v Michael Llodra (Fra), (10) David Ferrer (Spa) v Benjamin Becker (Ger), Lucie Hradecka (Cze) & Frantisek Cermak (Cze) v (2) Cara Black (Zim) & Leander Paes (Ind), Gilles Simon (Fra) v (29) Philipp Kohlschreiber (Ger)Court 1412:00pm: Philipp Marx (Ger) & Igor Zelenay (Svk) v (14) Simon Aspelin (Swe) & Paul Hanley (Aus), (13) Robert Lindstedt (Swe) & Horia Tecau (Rom) v Daniele Bracciali (Ita) & Potito Starace (Ita), (16) Hsieh Su-wei (Tpe) & Peng Shuai (Chn) v Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (Ita), Alona Bondarenko (Ukr) & Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr) v (2) Liezel Huber (USA) & Nadia Petrova (Rus)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010 in pictures

www.guardian.co.uk - All the best images from the action at Flushing Meadows More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Novak Djokovic reaches third round as fans fight in the stands

www.dailymail.co.uk - Novak Djokovic ignored fans fighting in the crowd to reach the third round of the US Open. A scuffle broke out between spectators at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Maria Sharapova coasts into third round and a meeting with Beatrice Capra

www.dailymail.co.uk - Maria Sharapova will face the new hero of American tennis for the second year running at the US Open after booking her place in the third round at Flushing Meadows. More... (Tennis)

Novak Djokovic ignores fighting to beat Philipp Petzschner at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Djokovik triumphed 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) Third seed will now face New Yorker James BlakeNovak Djokovic ignored fans fighting in the crowd to beat Germany's Philipp Petzschner and reach the third round of the US Open.A fight broke out between spectators on the Arthur Ashe Stadium midway through the first set of Djokovic's match , but the third seed ignored the distractions on his way to a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) triumph.Djokovic, US Open runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007 and semi-final loser to the same opponent the last two years, will go up against unseeded American James Blake, who beat Canada's Peter Polansky.New Yorker Blake, who is ranked No108 in the world and needed a wild card to get into the tournament, is hoping to feed off the hometown crowd's energy at Flushing Meadows, where he has made it to the quarter-finals twice before, when he faces Djokovic."When I come to the Open, there is definitely something different, some memories for me, some good feelings," he said. "Just the energy level from the crowd gets my feet moving a little better. I want to go on a good run for them."US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Serena Williams reveals details of her serious foot injury

www.guardian.co.uk - American explains freak tendon injury in Munich in July Williams had 12 stitches in her right footSerena Williams has broken a three-month silence to reveal details of the accident that has put her out of tennis since she won Wimbledon in June.The world No1, who is not playing in the US Open title but will attend Flushing Meadows tomorrow to support her sister Venus, told USA Today she cut tendons in her right foot when she stepped on broken glass on her way out of a restaurant in Munich on 7 July. She was wearing sandals at the time and did not immediately realise what had happened.She said: "The pain felt like kind of a stubbed foot, like 'Ow,' and I thought, 'Wow, I stubbed my foot.' Then in 20 seconds, or a minute, I started walking again. And it hurt some more. So we looked down and there was glass all over the floor. I was standing, recovering, thinking I got a little cut and telling my nephew, who was with us, to be careful. Then my practice partner put a cellphone down to the floor so we could see, and there was a huge puddle of blood. I said, 'OMG, I don't think this is good.'"Williams had 12 stitches in her right foot and six on the bottom of her left foot. She said she had surgery a week later in Los Angeles to correct a drooping right toe."I came back to the United States from Germany and knew something was not right," said Williams. "My big toe was drooping, and I thought, 'My toe shouldn't be hanging like this.' I saw a specialist in New York and had an MRI, and he said I had a tendon that was torn. He said I didn't necessarily have to fix it, but I'd have a droopy toe the rest of my life. I thought it over and decided it was better to have the surgical procedure, for my career and for my life."Williams had repeatedly refused to talk about the accident until today. Although her injury needed stitches, she was able to play in an exhibition against Kim Clijsters in Belgium shortly afterwards.She nevertheless withdrew from the US Open, where she was disqualified and fined last year for swearing at a line judge.Serena WilliamsTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Camper van kid Dustin Brown aiming to stall Andy Murray

www.guardian.co.uk - Pair face off in second round of US Open Jamaican says he does not envy MurrayThey have never met, never even spoken. "Well, I know him from the TV, yeah," says Dustin Brown of Andy Murray, who will make him more famous in New York today than he might ever have dreamed while slogging around Europe in his camper van for years, picking up small cheques in small towns.Brown does not make it on to TV often, except when he crashes the party like he has done this week at the US Open, blitzing the Spaniard Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo in straight sets in the first round. Even that match, out on uncovered court eight, went under the television radar.Murray did not see it. He was still finishing off the Slovak Lukas Lacko in the literal and figurative glare of Arthur Ashe Court, the featured TV match on ESPN. So this, without question, is the biggest day of the Jamaican's eight-year career, and may be one of the Scot's trickiest if Brown gets his booming serve going as he did when he aced Hildago 21 times on Wednesday. For that reason alone, the fourth seed will not take Brown lightly, a hungry opponent 119 places below him in the world rankings. The likelihood is that Murray's wicked return of serve will check Brown's power.If they were to make a tennis version of Trading Places, Murray and Brown would provide perfect story material. On one side of the net there is the complex, intense Scot, reluctant owner of a red Ferrari, with more than $12m (£7.8m) in the bank and counting, who does not have a coach because he let the last one go and has not yet sifted through the candidates for the job of guiding his career to the next high point. He travels with his friends, family and trainers, has a condominium in Florida and every expectation of one day being No1 in the world.Facing him is the freewheeling, dreadlocked hipster whose wind-in-the-hair, nomadic existence on the circuit has earned him an average of $29,182.50 a year, roughly an eightieth of Murray's annual income. The gap between immense wealth and scraping-along money is reflected in the rankings. It is a ruthless meritocracy."The last year has been very good for me," Brown says, "ranked from maybe 400-something to inside the top 100, and that with limited support from federations, limited practice. I think there's definitely much more to come. If I get the chance, financial backing and, you know, have my own coach travelling with me..."I'm getting a purse of maybe $18,000 here. So I will go home with a plus. If you're playing challengers and you're maybe going to Australia to play a challenger, or to Johannesburg, and you lose in the first round, you could go home with a minus."Brown does not have a coach, either. He cannot afford one. So his friend Daniel Puttkammer, a Swiss who has done a bit of coaching in the past, is with him. Does he not envy Murray just a little? "Well, it depends. There are a lot of people who have a lot of money. But it also depends if you're still a free person. I'm very free. I can do what I want. If I don't feel like playing, for example next week, then I'll go home."Being in his position and having his type of money, there are a certain amount of contracts that you're tied down to and definitely rules you have to follow."So that's why, probably, I don't have any contracts, besides Topspin Clothing and Air Berlin, because of playing Bundesliga [Germany's club league tennis]. I've been free most of my life. I'm definitely looking to make sure I don't give away too much of my freedom and have other people deciding for me where I have to play, where I have to train. Then I just can't perform good."They are not trading places tonight, then, just fizzing forehands, drop shots and maybe even the odd stare. It is not a fairy tale. Not yet. Not unless there is an almighty upset. When we turn the TV back on for the third round, in all probability it will be Murray's determined features we will see. But Brown's will light up New York for a while.Yesterday Mardy Fish gave American fans something to cheer about as he reached the third round with a 7-5 6-0 6-2 victory over Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas. The women's top seed, Caroline Wozniacki, demolished Chang Kai-chen 6-0 6-0.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: LTA coach Paul Annacone admits he favours Roger Federer over Andy Murray

www.dailymail.co.uk - Outgoing LTA coach Paul Annacone could face a conflict of interest in the event of Andy Murray facing Roger Federer in the US Open final. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Top seed Caroline Wozniacki hands Chang Kai-chen the dreaded double bagel en route to third round

www.dailymail.co.uk - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki wasted no time on another hot and sunny day at the US Open, beating the heat with a 6-0 6-0 whitewash of unseeded Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan. More... (Tennis)

Nikolay Davydenko and Marin Cilic fall but Roger Federer marches on

www.guardian.co.uk - Kei Nishikori beats Cilic, Richard Gasquet sinks Davydenko The favourite Roger Federer untroubled by Andreas BeckThe early exits of the ninth seed, Andy Roddick, and Tomas Berdych (7) yesterday, followed by Nikolay Davydenko (6) and Marin Cilic (11) today, have breathed unexpected life into this US Open. Yet the focus remains trained on the man favoured to win it, Roger Federer.Even when he is playing nobody, Federer is somebody. The second seed strolled past Brian Dabul in the first round and was equally relaxed in beating Andreas Beck 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Progress does not come more serene.The heat has provided the X-factor in several matches, testing fitness and commitment to the limit. No result is taken for granted. Today Cilic seized up with cramp and went out in five tough sets to Japan's Kei Nishikori; Richard Gasquet, untroubled, accounted for Davydenko 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.While local audiences clearly bemoan Roddick's loud departure more, Berdych's loss was a greater shock, those of Davydenko and Cilic about on a par. Gasquet, a player nowhere near as reliable as this New York weather, would be lethal if he could find some consistency.After the abrasive Roddick had foot-faulted and mouth-faulted his way out of his own national tournament last night against the more thoughtful Janko Tipsarevic (the Serb reads Nietzsche and has a tattoo that whispers: "Beauty will save the world"), the Americans looked to reformed lard-arse Mardy Fish.He did not let them down. Fish clearly has put his many wasted years behind him and looked convincing in beating the Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in exactly two hours to reach the third round.Fish, who outlasted Murray in Cincinnati before reaching the final there against Federer, did his bit for Uncle Sam. He dropped serve early but broke back twice to take the first set, then eroded Cuevas's confidence to win 7-5, 6-0, 6-2.Fish, who is asked at every press conference about his impressive loss of two stones since last September, looks more dangerous than in his precocious youth. His backhand is lethal. He is serving big aces (although his first percentage is down to 52) and he actually likes talking about his fitness. Few here have handled the heat better, apart from maybe Murray who, oddly, wobbled in their Ohio quarter-final."There's a lot of people that have talked about my summer and how well I've played," Fish said. "To be honest, I felt like I've been the underdog most matches in my career. This is the spot that I want to be in. You want to be the favourite and winning a lot. I have played well here the past couple times. I've got a really good opportunity."He is, sadly, burdened by the pre-tournament endorsement of the Guardian as the best outside bet in the field. Punters tempted to lay off ought to do so before Fish collides with Federer, which could not happen before the semi-finals.Federer, lurking like a basking shark on the other side of the draw, knows he will not have either Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray to deal with until the crunch on Sunday week (perhaps neither of them) but, in the meantime, next up he has either Guillaume Rufin or Paul-Henri Mathieu, the Frenchmen who were beating each other up on court four, as the shadows grew across Flushing Meadows. The Swiss could not have asked for a quieter start.Roger FedererUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Roger Federer dispatches Andreas Beck in straight sets

www.dailymail.co.uk - Roger Federer enjoyed another comfortable victory to secure his place in the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Thursday. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Dustin Brown would 'dread' a life like Andy Murray's

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blockbooking a set of hotel rooms in Manhattan amounts to relatively small change for Andy Murray, whose back-up team ensure every detail is catered for in his bid for the US Open title. Dustin Brown has a friend who coaches him gratis when he can, and the Jamaican, 25, is accustomed to travelling around the European circuit in a camper van to cut costs. More... (Tennis)

Video: Andy Roddick 'stupefied' by umpire after defeat at US Open 2010

www.guardian.co.uk - The American No9 seed has spoken about his tirade over a foot-fault as he crashed out at Flushing Meadows More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Order of play, Thursday

www.guardian.co.uk - The fourth day of the 2010 US Open sees, among others, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in actionOrder of play for Thursday 2 September, with play on all courts starting at 4pm BSTArthur Ashe StadiumSabine Lisicki (Ger) v (7) Vera Zvonareva (Rus),(1) Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v Chang Kai-chen (Tpe),Andreas Beck (Ger) v (2) Roger Federer (Swi),Iveta Benesova (Cze) v (14) Maria Sharapova (Rus),Philipp Petzschner (Ger) v (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser)Louis Armstrong Stadium11.00: Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v (19) Mardy Fish (US),(11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) v Anastasija Sevastova (Lat),(4) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Mirjana Lucic (Cro),Peter Polansky (Can) v James Blake (US)Grandstand 11:00: (18) Aravane Rezai (Fr) v Beatrice Capra (US),(6) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v Richard Gasquet (Fr),(5) Robin Soderling (Swe) v Taylor Dent (US),Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)Court 4 11:00: Julia Goerges (Ger) v (15) Yanina Wickmayer (Bel),Andreas Seppi (Ita) & Simone Vagnozzi (It) v Ryan Harrison (USA) & Robert Kendrick (US),Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fr) v Guillaume Rufin (Fr),Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) v (31) Kaia Kanepi (Est),(1) Liezel Huber (US) & Bob Bryan (US) v Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Bruno Soares (Br)Court 6 11.00: Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) v Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr),Thiemo de Bakker (Neth) v Ivan Dodig (Cro),Lauren Herring (US) & Grace Min (US) v Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus),(9) Cara Black (Zim) & Anastasia Rodionova (Rus) v Victoria Azarenka (Blr) & Dinara Safina (Rus)Court 711.00: Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) v Tamira Paszek (Aut),Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Sp) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol), (13)Jürgen Melzer (Aut) v Ricardas Berankis (Ltu),Patty Schnyder (Swi) & Agnes Szavay (Hun) v (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Sp) & Yan Zi (Chn),(5) Lisa Raymond (US) & Rennae Stubbs (Aus) v Maria Kondratieva (Rus) & Vladimira Uhlirova (Cze)Court 8 11:00: (21) Albert Montañés (Sp) v Carsten Ball (Aus),Sara Errani (It) & Roberta Vinci (It) v Carly Gullickson (US) & Chelsey Gullickson (US),Martin Damm (Cze) & Filip Polasek (Svk) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) & Mikhail Youzhny (Rus),(13) Robert Lindstedt (Swe) & Horia Tecau (Rom) v Robby Ginepri (US) & Ryan Sweeting (US)Court 1011:00: Eric Butorac (US) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Ant) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser),Jamie Hampton (US) & Melanie Oudin (US) v Jill Craybas (US) & Sloane Stephens (US),Marc Gicquel (Fr) & Gaël Monfils (Fr) v Bradley Klahn (US) & Tim Smyczek (US),Melanie Oudin (US) & Ryan Harrison (US) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze) & Michal Mertinak (Svk),Anne Keothavong (GB) & Anastasija Sevastova (Lat) v Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (Ita)Court 1111:00: (22) María José Martínez Sánchez (Sp) v Patty Schnyder (Swi),Arnaud Clement (Fr) v Eduardo Schwank (Arg),Yvonne Meusburger (Aut) v (23) Maria Kirilenko (Rus),Ricardo Mello (Br) v (22) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Sp)Court 1211:00: Anna-Lena Grönefeld (Ger) & Mark Knowles (Bah) v Nicole Gibbs (US) & Sam Querrey (US),Florian Mayer (Ger) & Rogier Wassen (Neth) v Johan Brunstrom (Swe) & Travis Parrott (US),Jelena Kostanic Tosic (Cro) & Romina Oprandi (It) v (6) Vania King (US) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz),Carsten Ball (Aus) & Chris Guccione (Aus) v (11) Julien Benneteau (Fr) & Michael Llodra (Fr)Court 1311:00: Kei Nishikori (Jpn) v (11) Marin Cilic (Cro),(25) Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) v Sofia Arvidsson (Swe),Kevin Anderson (SA) v (26) Thomaz Bellucci (Br),(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Shuai Peng (Chn)Court 14 11:00: Alicia Molik (Aus) & Francesca Schiavone (Ita) v Polona Hercog (Slo) & Petra Martic (Cro),Andrey Golubev (Kaz) & Denis Istomin (Uzb) v Daniele Bracciali (It) & Potito Starace (It),Frederico Gil (Por) & Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Sp) v Xavier Malisse (Bel) & Olivier Rochus (Bel),Aravane Rezai (Fr) & Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Alona Bondarenko (Ukr) & Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr)Court 1511:00: Edina Gallovits (Rom) & Klaudia Jans (Pol) v Natalie Grandin (SA) & Abigail Spears (US),Vera Dushevina (Rus) & Sania Mirza (Ind) v (11) Alisa Kleybanova (Rus) & Ekaterina Makarova (Rus),Petra Kvitova (Cze) & Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v (4) Kveta Peschke (Cze) & Katarina Srebotnik (Slo),Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) & Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Rus) & Feliciano López (Sp)Court 1611:00: Philipp Marx (Ger) & Igor Zelenay (Svk) v Daniel Brands (Ger) & Simon Greul (Ger),Jonathan Erlich (Isr) & Jordan Kerr (Aus) v (8) Julian Knowle (Aut) & Andy Ram (Isr),Michaella Krajicek (Neth) & Marie-Eve Pelletier (Can) v (13) Monica Niculescu (Rom) & Shahar Peer (Isr),(6) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Andy Ram (Isr) v Raquel Kops-Jones (US) & Eric Butorac (US)Court 17 11:00: Benjamin Becker (Ger) & Leonardo Mayer (Arg) v Leos Friedl (Cze) & Dusan Vemic (Ser),(12) Marcel Granollers-Pujol (Sp) & Tommy Robredo (Sp) v Santiago González (Mex) & Travis Rettenmaier (US), (1) Gisela Dulko (Arg) & Flavia Pennetta (It) v Arantxa Parra Santonja (Sp) & Renata Voracova (Cze),(7) Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) & Zheng Jie (Chn) v Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) & Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Order of play Thursday

www.guardian.co.uk - The fourth day of the 2010 US Open sees, among others, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in actionOrder of play for Thursday 2 September, with play on all courts starting at 4pm BSTArthur Ashe StadiumSabine Lisicki (Ger) v (7) Vera Zvonareva (Rus),(1) Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v Kai Chen Chang (Tpe),Andreas Beck (Ger) v (2) Roger Federer (Swi),Iveta Benesova (Cze) v (14) Maria Sharapova (Rus),Philipp Petzschner (Ger) v (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser)Louis Armstrong Stadium11.00: Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v (19) Mardy Fish (USA),(11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) v Anastasija Sevastova (Lat),(4) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Mirjana Lucic (Cro),Peter Polansky (Can) v James Blake (USA)Grandstand 11:00: (18) Aravane Rezai (Fra) v Beatrice Capra (USA),(6) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v Richard Gasquet (Fra),(5) Robin Soderling (Swe) v Taylor Dent (USA),Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)Court 4 11:00: Julia Goerges (Ger) v (15) Yanina Wickmayer (Bel),Andreas Seppi (Ita) & Simone Vagnozzi (Ita) v Ryan Harrison (USA) & Robert Kendrick (USA),Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) v Guillaume Rufin (Fra),Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) v (31) Kaia Kanepi (Est),(1) Liezel Huber (USA) & Bob Bryan (USA) v Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Bruno Soares (Bra)Court 6 11.00: Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) v Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr),Thiemo De Bakker (Ned) v Ivan Dodig (Cro),Lauren Herring (USA) & Grace Min (USA) v Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus),(9) Cara Black (Zim) & Anastasia Rodionova (Rus) v Victoria Azarenka (Blr) & Dinara Safina (Rus)Court 711.00: Yung-Jan Chan (Tpe) v Tamira Paszek (Aut),Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Spa) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol), (13)Jürgen Melzer (Aut) v Ricardas Berankis (Ltu),Patty Schnyder (Swi) & Agnes Szavay (Hun) v (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spa) & Zi Yan (Chn),(5) Lisa Raymond (USA) & Rennae Stubbs (Aus) v Maria Kondratieva (Rus) & Vladimira Uhlirova (Cze)Court 8 11:00: (21) Albert Montanes (Spa) v Carsten Ball (Aus),Sara Errani (Ita) & Roberta Vinci (Ita) v Carly Gullickson (USA) & Chelsey Gullickson (USA),Martin Damm (Cze) & Filip Polasek (Svk) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) & Mikhail Youzhny (Rus),(13) Robert Lindstedt (Swe) & Horia Tecau (Rom) v Robby Ginepri (USA) & Ryan Sweeting (USA)Court 1011:00: Eric Butorac (USA) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Aho) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser),Jamie Hampton (USA) & Melanie Oudin (USA) v Jill Craybas (USA) & Sloane Stephens (USA),Marc Gicquel (Fra) & Gael Monfils (Fra) v Bradley Klahn (USA) & Tim Smyczek (USA),Melanie Oudin (USA) & Ryan Harrison (USA) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze) & Michal Mertinak (Svk),Anne Keothavong (Gbr) & Anastasija Sevastova (Lat) v Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (Ita)Court 1111:00: (22) Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spa) v Patty Schnyder (Swi),Arnaud Clement (Fra) v Eduardo Schwank (Arg),Yvonne Meusburger (Aut) v (23) Maria Kirilenko (Rus),Ricardo Mello (Bra) v (22) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa)Court 1211:00: Anna-Lena Groenefeld (Ger) & Mark Knowles (Bah) v Nicole Gibbs (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA),Florian Mayer (Ger) & Rogier Wassen (Ned) v Johan Brunstrom (Swe) & Travis Parrott (USA),Jelena Kostanic Tosic (Cro) & Romina Oprandi (Ita) v (6) Vania King (USA) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz),Carsten Ball (Aus) & Chris Guccione (Aus) v (11) Julien Benneteau (Fra) & Michael Llodra (Fra)Court 1311:00: Kei Nishikori (Jpn) v (11) Marin Cilic (Cro),(25) Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) v Sofia Arvidsson (Swe),Kevin Anderson (Rsa) v (26) Thomaz Bellucci (Bra),(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Shuai Peng (Chn)Court 14 11:00: Alicia Molik (Aus) & Francesca Schiavone (Ita) v Polona Hercog (Slo) & Petra Martic (Cro),Andrey Golubev (Kaz) & Denis Istomin (Uzb) v Daniele Bracciali (Ita) & Potito Starace (Ita),Frederico Gil (Por) & Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Spa) v Xavier Malisse (Bel) & Olivier Rochus (Bel),Aravane Rezai (Fra) & Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Alona Bondarenko (Ukr) & Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr)Court 1511:00: Edina Gallovits (Rom) & Klaudia Jans (Pol) v Natalie Grandin (Rsa) & Abigail Spears (USA),Vera Dushevina (Rus) & Sania Mirza (Ind) v (11) Alisa Kleybanova (Rus) & Ekaterina Makarova (Rus),Petra Kvitova (Cze) & Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v (4) Kveta Peschke (Cze) & Katarina Srebotnik (Slo),Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) & Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Rus) & Feliciano Lopez (Spa)Court 1611:00: Philipp Marx (Ger) & Igor Zelenay (Svk) v Daniel Brands (Ger) & Simon Greul (Ger),Jonathan Erlich (Isr) & Jordan Kerr (Aus) v (8) Julian Knowle (Aut) & Andy Ram (Isr),Michaella Krajicek (Ned) & Marie-Eve Pelletier (Can) v (13) Monica Niculescu (Rom) & Shahar Peer (Isr),(6) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Andy Ram (Isr) v Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) & Eric Butorac (USA)Court 17 11:00: Benjamin Becker (Ger) & Leonardo Mayer (Arg) v Leos Friedl (Cze) & Dusan Vemic (Ser),(12) Marcel Granollers-Pujol (Spa) & Tommy Robredo (Spa) v Santiago Gonzalez (Mex) & Travis Rettenmaier (USA), (1) Gisela Dulko (Arg) & Flavia Pennetta (Ita) v Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spa) & Renata Voracova (Cze),(7) Yung-Jan Chan (Tpe) & Jie Zheng (Chn) v Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) & Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Kim Clijsters progresses but wants improvement

www.guardian.co.uk - Kim Clijsters beats Australian Sally Peers 6-2, 6-1 Venus Williams made to work in win against Rebecca MarinoThe reigning champion Kim Clijsters said her game was still a work in progress despite easing into the third round of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over the Australian Sally Peers.Clijsters has lost just eight games so far at Flushing Meadows but admitted there was plenty of room for improvement after dropping her serve twice against the qualifier.The 27-year-old Belgian only got 51% of her first serves in and committed 21 unforced errors. "I just had to find my footing again a little bit," said Clijsters, who is seeded second this year behind Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the player she beat in last year's final."I felt as the match went on I got to read her game a bit better and moved a bit better, but I still have a little further to go before I play my best tennis."Earlier on the third day Serbia's Ana Ivanovic revealed she feels close to rediscovering the form which made her world No1 after cruising into the third round. Ivanovic dropped only five games in beating Ekaterina Makarova in the opening round and lost just three as she thrashed China's 21st seed Jie Zheng 6-3, 6-0.The 22-year-old, who has dropped to 40th in the world rankings because of injuries and a loss of form, had lost two of her previous three matches against Zheng, including at Wimbledon in 2008 when Zheng was ranked 133rd and Ivanovic No1."I remember a couple of years ago when I was here and I was saying, even though I'm No1 I don't feel I'm playing as No1," Ivanovic said. "But now I feel like I'm playing like a top-10 player, I have confidence that I can beat these players. That's huge for me."The third seed Venus Williams was pushed all the way by Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino, the two-time champion eventually recording a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory.Williams will face another qualifier in the third round after Mandy Minella, the world No185 from Luxembourg, dispatched the 32nd seed Tsvetana Pironkova for the loss of just four games."It was challenging, not just with the conditions, but also my opponent. She served so well and mixes up her shots," Williams said. "It seemed like every time I had an opening she came up with a big serve, so I guess I now know what it's like to play myself."Elsewhere, the French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, the sixth seed, hammered Maria Elena Camerin 6-2, 6-1, while the 24th seed Daniela Hantuchova came from a set down to beat the American Vania King 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.The No12 seed Elena Dementieva had an easier time in seeing off Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-3, 6-4, while the 20th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also advanced to the third round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over India's Sania Mirza.But the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli, the 13th seed, lost in straight sets to fellow Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, who will play Ivanovic in the third round.The fifth seed Samantha Stosur, runner-up in the French Open this year, also advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow Australian Anastasia Rodionova.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Andy Roddick crashes out after tirade at line judge

www.guardian.co.uk - Roddick loses 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 to Janko Tipsarevic Tomas Berdych beaten in straight sets by Michael LlodraThe former champion Andy Roddick crashed out of the US Open in the second round - but did not go quietly as he ranted at the officials over a foot fault.Roddick was serving at 5-2 down in the third set against Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic when a line judge called the fault on what would have been an ace.The ninth seed appeared to ask the female official if it was his right foot which caused the fault and was told it was, when in fact it was his left foot which touched the line. "Not once in my career has my right foot gone in front of my left foot, never. That is unbelievable," Roddick complained. "Why don't you get some umpires who know what they are doing? 1-800-rent-a-ref."The 28-year-old's tirade went on for some time, although he stopped short of the infamous foul-mouthed outburst by Serena Williams which occurred during last year's semi-final against Kim Clijsters.However, he did tell the umpire Enrique Molina "I think you and I both know that's ridiculous," as he left the court to change his shorts after the fourth set. Tipsarevic won that set 6-3 and went on to seal a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory to book his place in the third round.Roddick admitted he had gone "too far" with his tirade, adding: "I wasn't upset with the call, I just expect my umpires to know their left foot from the right foot. The stubbornness ... I let mine get in the way. I got called for two others after that and have no issue with it. In the moment I was just stupefied."It's the fact I couldn't get her to admit it wasn't the right foot which infuriated me, the lack of common sense was unbelievable to me. We have got to be able to have a test like 'Point to your right foot, point to your left foot, now call lines'."In hindsight did I let it go too far? Probably. It was probably a correctable mistake and I let it get to me more than I should have."However, Roddick refused to blame his defeat on the incident, which came just two days after he celebrated his 28th birthday with a comfortable victory in the first round. "I was down 5-2 in the third set already, if anything it shifted the energy a little bit and after that I played OK," he added."It had zero impact in the match, it's not like I was up. I'm sure a lot's going to get written about it but the actual impact on the match was close to zero. At that point any change in energy was a good change for me. He [Tipsarevic] played great tonight. He played very high risk and executed for four sets. I kept telling myself this has to have an expiration date on it but unfortunately I needed another set for that. He deserved to win tonight."The Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych also crashed out of the US Open, the Czech losing his first-round match against France's Michael Llodra.The world No35 Llodra just missed out on being seeded for the main draw, but proved why he was a player many of the seeds wanted to avoid with a 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.The 30-year-old left-hander had lost in the first round in 22 of his previous 36 grand slam singles events, but drove the seventh seed Berdych to distraction with his serve-and-volley tactics."I don't know whether I played well or not," complained Berdych, who knocked out the defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon but lost in straight sets to Rafael Nadal in the final. "I had no chance to play on my terms. I don't see what I could have done better or differently."Llodra will play Victor Hanescu in the second round after the unseeded Romanian beat Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.The 15th seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia was beaten in four sets by 18-year-old American qualifier Ryan Harrison. "The weather was my biggest enemy today," admitted 31-year-old Ljubicic. "Throughout my career I [have] struggled with the heat. Today was no different."I sweat a lot and I just feel really bad. I mean, I can't move. It gets to me really quickly actually. Already in the first set I was struggling with it. It's really a physical problem."US Open tennisAndy RoddickTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters eases into third round

www.dailymail.co.uk - Reigning champion Kim Clijsters insisted her game was still a work in progress despite easing into the third round of the US Open with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Australian Sally Peers. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Roddick out after clashing with line judge

www.dailymail.co.uk - Former champion Andy Roddick crashed out of the US Open after ranting at a line judge who called a foot fault against him. Roddick lost to Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Elena Baltacha misses out on date with Kim Clijsters after second round defeat to Petra Kvitova

www.dailymail.co.uk - Elena Baltacha missed out on an expected third round meeting with defending champion Kim Clijsters when she was sent packing from the US Open by Petra Kvitova. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: SW19 finalist Tomas Berdych crashes out in first round at Flushing Meadows

www.dailymail.co.uk - Tomas Berdych became the biggest casualty of the US Open so far, the seventh seed crashing out of the US Open in the first round to France's Michael Llodra. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray eases to first round win over Lukas Lacko

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray coasted into the second round of the US Open with a comfortable straight sets win over Lukas Lacko. Murray will next play Jamaican Dustin Brown. More... (Tennis)

Victoria Azarenka taken to hospital after collapsing at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Belarussian diagnosed with concussion No10 seed taken off court in wheelchairThe No10 seed, Victoria Azarenka, was taken to hospital after collapsing on court during her second-round US Open match against Gisela Dulko today. Azarenka slumped to the ground while 1-5 and 15-30 down on the Grandstand court and, after receiving medical treatment, was taken off in a wheelchair.It was initially thought the high temperatures were to blame but Azarenka said she had injured herself before going out on court."I was warming up in the gym prior to my match when I fell while running a sprint," she said. "I fell forward and hit my arm and head. I was checked by the medical team before I went on court and they were courtside for monitoring. I felt worse as the match went on, having a headache and feeling dizzy. I also started having trouble seeing and felt weak before I fell. I was taken to the hospital for some medical tests and have been diagnosed with a mild concussion."The Belarussian appeared to struggle in the third game when the trainer was called. She received treatment for an apparent arm injury but complained of blurred vision, too. It became increasingly clear that the 21-year-old was in difficulty. Then, while serving for the fourth time in the match, she collapsed on the baseline. Brian Earley, the tournament referee, said later: 'She is having diagnostic testing and it does not seem to be primarily a heat-related illness.'Caroline Wozniacki has so far justified her top seeding after making short work of the American wild card Chelsey Gullickson, winning 6-1, 6-1. The 20-year-old Dane, runner-up to the Belgian Kim Clijsters here last year, never lost serve in the 61-minute rout.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open tennis: Day 3 action

www.guardian.co.uk - We bring you the best images from day 3 at Flushing Meadow as Andy Murray continues his quest to land his first Grand Slam title More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Day three

www.guardian.co.uk - We bring you the best images from the third day at Flushing Meadows as Andy Murray continues his quest for a grand slam More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray breezes past Lukas Lacko in US Open first round

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray wins first-round match 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 Next opponent is Jamaica's unpredictable Dustin BrownThe sight of Victoria Azarenka collapsed in a heat-ravaged heap, then carried from the court in a wheelchair on her way to hospital, underlined the physical demands of this US Open, with only brief relief from the tail feathers of Hurricane Earl in sight tomorrow and 11 days to go in New York's hottest ever summer.However, a be-capped Andy Murray, his pale Scottish skin smothered in sun screen and his demeanour ice cool, came through the first-round match unstretched against the unseeded Slovakian Lukas Lacko.Murray, who teetered in the even greater heat of Cincinnati two weeks ago, when he admitted he got his hydration wrong, looked in fine form on Arthur Ashe Court yesterday winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in nine minutes short of two hours. It was a comfortable win, but he did linger quite long in the sun.Murray's reward for the win is a second-round match against Dustin Brown, born in Germany, raised and disillusioned in Jamaica, and keen to play Davis Cup for Great Britain - however unlikely that prospect is.Brown soaked it up well enough out on the totally exposed court eight against the experienced Spaniard Rubén Ramírez Hildago, winning 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.Dread-locked and loud in every sense, from his pyjama-like shorts and luminous orange and lime shoe laces to his unconfined celebration of his 21 aces, minced Hildago.In heat tempered only by the sahara-like gusts that eddied through the baking crowd, he lit up every exchange with a brand of tennis rarely seen in the modern game, dismissive of risk and high on entertainment.Brown was a big hit at Queen's this year and qualified for Wimbledon when he went inside the top 100, has lost more than he has won on the clay courts of Europe this year, five out of 13, and his ranking has slipped to 123. But his personality and his game are irresistible."I'm from Jamaica, so it felt like home out there today," he said after a match that detained him 149 minutes. Brown, angry at lack of support by the tennis federation in Jamaica, said he has not heard from the Lawn Tennis Association about qualifying for Great Britain, through his grandmother, since discussions at Wimbledon.But he is happy to roam on the outskirts of Planet Tennis. He does not envy Andy Murray and the other superstars, he says, because he can play when he pleases - although not for any great financial return.Making it to the big tournaments, like Wimbledon and US Open, eases his money worries. "You get $18,000 (£11,650) for coming here," he said, "so that's good. But I'm keeping the camper van at home, just in case."Brown for years drove around Europe following the Challenger and Futures crumbs in a van bought for him by his parents.This, though, is the journey of his life, mixing it in the big time, and he did not look at all out of place against Hildago.On his day, Brown's power tennis is hard to counter. Yesterday was his day. Whether or not Friday will belong to him also is problematic. He has a killer serve, clever chip shots - "my favourite," he says - but lacks consistency. We should enjoy him in his brief bursts on to centre stage.Azarenka, the women's 10th seed, was preparing to serve in the seventh game of the first set against the Argentinian Gisela Dulko when she staggered along the baseline, dropped to her knees and rolled on to her side, motionless, in front of a shocked Grandstand Court crowd.She was the first, and so far, only, victim of a heatwave that has been broiling New York for nearly a week. It has affected some players more than others; Azarenka, though, was a story waiting to happen. Her temperament is as explosive as her screaming and she has a history of bailing out under pressure.The 21-year-old Belarussian, wearing an all-black outfit hardly best suited to reflecting the heat, was taken to hospital and was recovering satisfactorily. Dulko, who was leading 5-1, rushed to her aid when she fell, and said later: "I was scared. She went to the floor. I was worried for her. I went to see her, brought some ice, did what I could do to help. It was terrible. I hope she is OK."It's tough to play out there. It's really hot, really humid. You sweat so much, sometimes it's impossible to hold the racket."Azarenka looked unsteady on her feet from early in the match, which began in rising temperatures in late morning, and there were rumours that she might have been suffering from more than heat exhaustion. ESPN reported that she had complained earlier of blurred vision and had received medical attention before the match.It is not the first time Azarenka has succumbed to tough conditions. At the Australian Open last year, she took a set off Serena Williams in the fourth round then quit in a tearful exit on a fiercely hot day, complaining of dizziness.On that occasion she said she had been suffering from food poisoning the night before.Andy MurrayUS Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Victoria Azarenka collapses on court in sweltering heat

www.dailymail.co.uk - Number 10 seed Victoria Azarenka has collapsed on court during her second-round match against Gisela Dulko at the US Open. Azarenka slumped to the ground in sweltering temperatures. More... (Tennis)

Victoria Azarenka needs hospital treatment after collapsing at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Belarussian's tournament ends in searing heat No10 seed taken off court in wheelchairThe No10 seed, Victoria Azarenka, was taken to hospital after collapsing on court in the searing heat in New York during her second-round US Open match against Gisela Dulko today. Azarenka slumped to the ground while 1-5 and 15-30 down on the Grandstand court and, after receiving medical treatment, was taken off in a wheelchair.The Belarussian appeared to struggle as early as the third game when the trainer was called. She received treatment for an apparent arm injury but complained of blurred vision, too. It became increasingly clear that the 21-year-old was in difficulty. Then, while serving for the fourth time in the match, she collapsed on the baseline. Brian Earley, the tournament referee, said later: 'She is having diagnostic testing and it does not seem to be primarily a heat-related illness.'Caroline Wozniacki has so far justified her top seeding after making short work of the American wild card Chelsey Gullickson, winning 6-1, 6-1. The 20-year-old Dane, runner-up to the Belgian Kim Clijsters here last year, never lost serve in the 61-minute rout.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Victoria Azarenka collapses in the heat at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Belarussian's tournament ends in distress No10 seed taken off court in wheelchairThe No10 seed, Victoria Azarenka, collapsed on court in the searing heat in New York during her second-round match against Gisela Dulko today. Azarenka slumped to the ground while 1-5 and 15-30 down on the Grandstand court and, after receiving medical treatment, was taken off in a wheelchair.The Belarussian appeared to struggle as early as the third game when the trainer was called. She received treatment for an apparent arm injury but also complained of blurred vision. It became increasingly clear that the 21-year-old was in difficulty as she took time out between every subsequent point and was ill at ease on her feet. Then, while serving for the fourth time in the match, she collapsed on the baseline, leading to gasps from the crowd and forcing her retirement from the tournament.Caroline Wozniacki has so far justified her top seeding after making short work of the American wild card Chelsey Gullickson, winning 6-1 6-1. The 20-year-old Dane, runner-up to the Belgian Kim Clijsters here last year, never lost serve in the 61-minute rout.TennisUS Open tennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray v Lukas Lacko - live! | Marcus Christenson

www.guardian.co.uk - Hit F5 for the latest or select the auto-refresh button below Follow all today's live game-by-game scores at the US Open Email your thoughts to marcus.christenson@guardian.co.ukDay three at Flushing Meadows and finally we are going to see Andy Murray in action. The world No4 is (as you know) up against the little-known Lukas Lacko. Well, he is really "Lukáš" Lacko but we only do accents on a few countries here at the Guardian (don't ask) so today he will be just "Lukas".Good afternoon everyone. Ivanovic, the former world No1, has beaten Zheng in straight sets but it appears we are still set for a 6pm BST start for Murray. The Scot looked relaxed as he arrived at Flushing Meadows and does not think that the heat will be a problem. "Loving the heat in new york! Perfect weather to see who's put in the work," he tweeted this week.Marcus will be here somewhere around 6pm, when Andy Murray is expected to be on Arthur Ash court to face the world No71, Lukas Lacko of Slovakia. The match is scheduled second after Ana Ivanovic takes on the 21st seed Zheng Jie in the second round of the women's singles, with that match beginning at 4pm BST.It ought to be routine for the world No4, such is Murray's quality and confidence on this, his favourite surface in the world. But Lacko is no pushover, and it will be hot, hot, hot in blazing sunshine of New York's Flushing Meadows.Join Marcus for the action as the Scot begins his assault on the grand slam he feels he has the best chance of winning.In the meantime, you can get all the latest from the US Open on our dedicated site.US Open tennisAndy MurrayTennisMarcus Christensonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Andy Murray v Lukas Lacko - as it happened | Marcus Christenson

www.guardian.co.uk - Follow all today's live game-by-game scores at the US OpenMarcus will be here somewhere around 6pm, when Andy Murray is expected to be on Arthur Ash court to face the world No71, Lukas Lacko of Slovakia. The match is scheduled second after Ana Ivanovic takes on the 21st seed Zheng Jie in the second round of the women's singles, with that match beginning at 4pm BST.It ought to be routine for the world No4, such is Murray's quality and confidence on this, his favourite surface in the world. But Lacko is no pushover, and it will be hot, hot, hot in blazing sunshine of New York's Flushing Meadows.Join Marcus for the action as the Scot begins his assault on the grand slam he feels he has the best chance of winning.In the meantime, you can get all the latest from the US Open on our dedicated site.Good afternoon everyone. Ivanovic, the former world No1, has beaten Zheng in straight sets but it appears we are still set for a 6pm BST start for Murray. The Scot looked relaxed as he arrived at Flushing Meadows and does not think that the heat will be a problem. "Loving the heat in new york! Perfect weather to see who's put in the work," he tweeted this week.5.30pm: Day three at Flushing Meadows and finally we are going to see Andy Murray in action. The world No4 is (as you know) up against the little-known Lukas Lacko. Well, he is really "Lukáš" Lacko but we only do accents on a few countries here at the Guardian (don't ask) so today he will be just "Lukas".5.38pm: The bad news for Murray? Lacko has reached the second round of every slam he has ever played in (a total of three, since you ask) and is the biggest thing to come out of Slovakia since, er, Dominik Hrbaty.The good news for Murray? Lacko is, apparently, not very good.5.44pm: Lacko was born in Piestany, north-east of Bratislava, 22 years ago. I have to say, looking at the map, that it is surprising how close Bratislava is to Vienna. Both of Lacko's parents (Ladislav and Dagmar) are teachers, the official ATP website tells me. Do we know anything else about this man, apart from that he rates winning the Seoul Challenger tournament as the highlight of his career? Let me know.5.49pm: It is hot in New York today. Really hot. So hot that the No10 seed Victoria Azarenka collapsed on court during her second-round match against Gisela Dulko. It didn't look good at all. Azarenka slumped to the ground while 1-5 15-30 down on the Grandstand court and, after receiving medical treatment, was taken off in a wheelchair.5.55pm: While we wait for the players we can have a look - if you have not seen it yet - at Roger Federer's great between-the-legs-shot against Brian Dabul in his first-round match... Tennis at its best. Who said Federer was past it?6.00pm: This what Murray had to say about Lacko an hour ago (after his practice session): "He is a good player, he has had a few good wins this summer. He hits the ball flat and it is going to be tough for me out there."6.05pm: And this is what Lacko had to say about Murray yesterday: "We know each other from our junior time. I don't think Andy has seen me play recently so that may be an advantage for me. It is on a big court so I think it will be a good atmosphere. The great advantage for me is that I am not under pressure but he is."6.06pm: Ah, an email! From David Stanley."Lucky Luke is possibly part of a golden generation of Slovak tennis stars. In addition to Hrbaty there's also the large shouldered Dominika Cibulkova. By contrast, we...I mean Scotland, have Murray. With a relative embarassment of riches it's disappointing neither Lucko nor Cibulkova bothered lending Hrbaty a few vowels."6.13pm: 6.12pm: The players are out on the court with Murray sporting a white cap to keep his head as cool as possible. Greg Rusedski looks excited on Sky Sports and is, in addition, complimented on his tan. Well, as you can see, there is nothing more I can add before this match kicks off...6.16pm: Talking about vowels, my favourite ever name of an ice hockey player was from Slovakia. His surname was Vlk. How do you pronounce that?First set: Murray* 1-0 Lacko Murray starts off with two aces, the second at an impressive 182kph, but Lacko comes back to 30-40 before an average drop shot by Murray wins the game.First set: Murray 1-1 Lacko* Murray tries the drop shot again but it is short and Lacko takes the game. The Slovak looks comfortable out there and he too served up an ace in his first service game. Neil Brock emails: "Right here's the scenario, I'm working late tonight and luckily we have televisions in our office which are showing Sky. Unluckily for me the remotes are downstairs so I'm stuck watching Sky Sports News (IN HD!!!) in a mind-bending continuous loop. Is this tennis match really going to be worth me traipsing all the way downstairs to change it or will I be doing better having Jim White shout at me instead for the next hour or so?"See it as a challenge Neil. Try to mentally block out Whitey's voice while working and reading this game-by-game report. If you can manage that, you can do anything.First set: Murray* 2-1 Lacko Lacko wins the first point with a beautiful croos-court forehand but Murray rallies back to win the game. His first serve is looking very solid. At the moment he is doing exactly what John McEnroe this week told him to do: "Use a little less power and make sure you get more than 60% of them in".First set: Murray 3-1 Lacko* Murray's forehand does the talking as he moves into a 30-0 lead. The Scot then sees a backhand land just behind the baseline. He challenges but it is clearly out. However, a wonderful drop shot and an equally measured forehand lob leads to the first break of the match. Weirdly, no one else has picked up on great Slovakian ice hockey names but how could I forget Miroslav Satan.First set: Murray* 4-1 Lacko Murray is playing really well here and wins the game to love. Everything he tries is coming off at the moment with the low backhand volley - by his feet - the pick of the bunch in this game.First set: Murray 4-2* Lacko The Slovakian is losing his concentration at times in the heat and his long, long forehand at 15-15 was as unforced as you get. He recovers, however, to reach deuce three times before Murray sends a wild backhand wide and then sees another return shot hit the cord and also go wide. David Sargent emails: "Lukas Lacko? Sounds like Superman's arch enemy." Well, Murray is all Superman at the moment while Lacko is finding it very difficult to keep up.First set: Murray* 5-2 Lacko Murray continues to serve well and wins the game to 15, finishing it off with some crushing forehands. Mark Petchey on Sky is impressed: "He has come here with a real sense of belief. He looks even more relaxed this time around and he knows that he has left no stone unturned."First set: Murray 5-3 Lacko* The Slovakian, who has beaten Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis in 2010, comes out aggressively after the break and Murray is unable to cope with his serve. Why did I get these Wasabi Peas? They are far too strong for me. I should have got a croissant instead. And none of my colleagues are offering me tea.First set: Murray* 6-3 Lacko A first double fault on the first point of this game from Murray, who is not looking quite as impressive as in the first few games. He then gets away with a less-than-perfect drop shot to go 30-0 up. I always feel that the drop shot is a lazy way to win a point, a sign of a player being tired. But Murray then proceeds to win the best rally of the match with a superb double-handed backhand to get a set point (which he then wastes on a really poor drop shot).A lovely weighted backhand volley gives Murray advantage again but he slices a smash woefully wide to give Lacko another chance to survive. He then finally sees off Lacko's stubborn resistance to win the first set.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 1-0 Murray finishes off the longest rally of the match so far by scurrying forward to reach a Lacko drop shot and pass the Slovakian with a forehand. Murray's powerful groundstrokes then puts Lacko on the backfoot and a poor backhand sees the Scot break in the first game of the second set.Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 1-1 Some superb tennis in this game. On the second point, Murray lobs Lacko only to see the Slovakian turn around and - with the back to his net - fire a neat passing shot out of Murray's reach. Murray loses the game and slams his racket into the court. It is his first bad game of the match, still he seems very upset with himself. Peter Gibbs emails: "This tennis malarkey will be over soon.....where can I catch the two semi finals (without resorting to Sky or flying to the Stoop) ? Eng vs Oz.....always tasty."Well, I'm afriad it is Sky who has got the rights. I am pleased to say, however, that our own Ian Malin has set off for the Stoop to cover the game. I doubt he'll be doing a minute-by-minute though.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 2-1 The two players have lost all their inhibitions now. They take turns to over-hit shots before, at 30-30, two clever returns from Murray sees him break back straight away. You get the feeling the Scot wants this match over and done with as soon as possible because of the heat. That outburst after the lost service game was still surprising though. And I think I am right in saying that whoever wins this match will take on the Jamaican Dustin Brown who beat Spain's Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 (16-14)Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 3-1 Murray finds himself 15-30 down but he wins the next three points - including an ace and another good serve - to go 3-1 up. It's not been a particularly aesthetically pleasing match thus far, but that is not what matters today. Murray is wearing a nice blue adidas shirt today (although I think the style guide says we should cap up the a in adidas) but it makes you wonder why, considering the heat, is not playing in all white. And what about Lacko in his blue-black outfit? Crazy.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 3-2 Murray does all the running to catch a tonking Lacko forehand but then gives away the point with a wristy forehand effort. Once again, he vents his frustration by shouting loudly. The game finishes when a poor Murray backhand lands about a metre outside the tramline.It is so hot out there that a spectator has keeled over in the vicinity of the Sky commentators' box, Barry Millns informs us. Get this over and done with Andy!Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 4-2 Murray holds his serve despite another ill-judged drop shot. He is totally in control but will not be happy with the 18 unforced errors he has made so far. The first service percentage, however, is a healthy 66%.The No7 seed Tomas Berdych, meanwhile, is struggling, two sets down against Michael Llodra.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 5-2 This must have been a tiring game for Murray. He is all over the court as Lacko spreads his shots around but the Scot has an answer to everything - lobs, drop shots, passing shots - and breaks again. He is now serving for the second set. This is all going according to plan. Anyone know the rugby score? Oh, it hasn't kicked off yet.Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 6-2 Murray produces some world-class tennis with a whipped, top-spin forehand followed by an angled volley to go 30-15 up. An ace and a cracking forehand wins the set for Murray and he - justifiably - looks quite pleased as he is handed his towel on his way to his chair.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 6-2, 0-1 You can sense the match drifting away from the young Slovakian but he picks himself up and wins this game. It was important for him to hold here. He double faulted once but some scintillating forehands saw him claw the game back and take a 1-0 lead in the third set.Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 6-2, 1-1 The camera zooms in on Alex Corretja, who has been helping Murray with some coaching, but the way the Scot is playing at the moment you wonder how much of an impact a coach has these days. Murray certainly hasn't been playing worse since he split with Miles MacLagan - and he makes it 1-1 here quite easily.What do you think? Do players really need coaches?Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 6-2, 2-1 Murray has really impressed me with his attacking play today. He has been superb at the net. In this game he wins one point with a sumptuous, smooth backhand volley, reminiscent of Stefan Edberg at his best. A joy to watch. This game included some tough rallies but Lacko ends with a double fault. He is really in trouble now. Jason R emails to ask what colour Murray's socks are and I can tell you that they are positively white. As are his shorts...Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 6-2, 3-1 Lacko bullies Murray with some authoritative forehands but, just as it seems he is on top of things, he sends the final shot wide. He has been too inconsistent to trouble Murray today. It is 3-1 to Murray now. The first seed Murray can come against is Stanislas Wawrinka, and he has just won the first set against Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin. Kazakhstan is a wonderfully large country, isn't it? World's ninth largest is it?Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 6-2, 3-2 Some rare relief for Lacko, who wins the game easily. It contains his fifth ace of the match and some neat volleys. But there is nothing there to indicate that he will turn this around. Berdych, who lost in the final at Wimbledon, is facing a match point against Llodra.Murray* leads Lacko 6-3, 6-2, 4-2 Murray momentarily loses his focus and gets annoyed with himself after a failed drop shot. He thinks about smashing his racket into the court again but then remembers that he is two sets and a break up in the third. He slaps his hand into the racket a few times instead and proceeds to win the game to 30.Murray leads Lacko* 6-3, 6-2, 5-2 Lacko seems to have lost interest and hammers a weird, sliced shot from Murray way past the baseline. He then double faults before almost hitting a spectator with an attempted passing shot. The biggest applause of the day goes to the spectator, who catches the ball impressively. It has been that one-sided here today.Murray beats Lacko* 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 No problems for Murray as he completes a very, very comfortable first-round win. He wins the final game of the match to 15, clenches his fist and shakes Lacko's hand. He did everything he needed to: he played well, he did not spend too much time out in the heat and got a decent work-out. It took him less than two hours and he will now play Dustin Brown in the second round. Probably on Friday. That's all from me tonight but don't forget that women's rugby game at the Stoop. It is Australia v England after all. And Kevin Mitchell's report from this match will be up here soon.US Open tennisAndy MurrayTennisMarcus Christensonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Rafael Nadal progresses to second round

www.dailymail.co.uk - World No 1 Rafael Nadal was made to work hard before finally breaking the resistance of Russia's Teymuraz Gabashvili to book his place in the second round of the US Open. More... (Tennis)

US Open tennis: The best images from Flushing Meadows

www.guardian.co.uk - A look back at the opening two days at Flushing Meadows, including first-round victories for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal More... (Tennis)

Rafael Nadal struggles to victory over Teymuraz Gabashvili in US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Nadal made to work in win over world number 93 Novak Djokovic fights back to beat Viktor TroickiRafael Nadal was made to work hard before finally breaking the resistance of world No93, Teymuraz Gabashvili, to book his place in the second round of the US Open.Nadal won in straight sets at Flushing Meadows, but it took until the seventh game of the third set for him to break Gabashvili's serve.The world No1, who needs to win the title in New York on 12 September to complete a career grand slam, eventually broke a gallant Gabashvili again to seal a 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 57 minutes."It was a very tough match tonight," conceded Nadal. "My serve worked well and hopefully I can continue like this. It's not my best shot but I always try hard to keep improving. I know if I want to have chances to win here, this year or any year, I need to serve really well and that's one thing I am focusing on."Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic was forced to come back from the brink of defeat to also advance to the next round. Djokovic trailed two sets to one and saved a break point in the fourth set to avoid going a double-break down before rallying to beat his Serbian Davis Cup team-mate Viktor Troicki 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 in three hours 40 minutes.The No3 seed, who often has breathing difficulties in hot weather, struggled as the temperature in New York approached 100 degrees, but dug deep to grind out the win.Asked about finally getting some shade on the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the fifth set, Djokovic said: "Oh my God, it was a sleeping with my girlfriend kind of feeling! Somebody from the stands kept on saying 'Hold on and try to hang in there' and that's exactly what I did."I have to give Viktor credit, he played really well and served incredibly well. If I lost it would have been so deserved on his side. Only a couple of points turned the match around."Marcos Baghdatis became the biggest casualty of the US Open so far, the 16th seed losing in five sets to the veteran Frenchman Arnaud Clement. Clement, 32, recovered from two sets to one down to secure a 6-3, 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory on the Louis Armstrong court."What can I say? I was really heavy on court, I wasn't feeling very fit," admitted Baghdatis. "I couldn't play aggressive. I was really defensive today and Arnaud played a very good first set. I didn't play very good tennis and he won the match."Latvia's Ernests Gulbis was another seed to fall, the 24th seed losing in straight sets to France's Jeremy Chardy, but the eighth seed, Fernando Verdasco, came through in five sets against Fabio Fognini of Italy, while the 31st seed, David Nalbandian, also needed five sets to see off the South African qualifier Rik de Voest.Rafael NadalUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki eases into US Open second round

www.guardian.co.uk - Wozniacki beats American Chelsey Gullickson 6-1 6-1 Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic scrapes past Simona HalepTop seed Caroline Wozniacki made comfortable progress into the second round of the US Open with a 6-1 6-1 victory over American wild card entrant Chelsey Gullickson.The 20-year-old Wozniacki, seeded first due to the absence of Serena Williams with a foot injury, arrived at Flushing Meadows in excellent form having won in Montreal and New Haven in the space of six days last week.Wozniacki saved a break point in game one and it proved to be the first of six points she won in a row on the way to breaking Gullickson instead, setting the tone for the first set which began just before midnight in New York.A long forehand from the American gave Wozniacki a second break in the sixth game and allowed the Dane to serve for the first set, and she wrapped up the first set with the match only 30 minutes old. Gullickson was gutsy but too many unforced errors ultimately cost her dearly as the second set followed the pattern of the first.Wozniacki will be aiming to go one better here than she did last year, when she lost to Kim Clijsters in the final.Much earlier in the day, fourth seed Jelena Jankovic admitted she had enjoyed a lucky escape after scraping past Simona Halep, winning 6-4 4-6 7-5 but only after world number 96 Halep had served for the match at 5-4 in the decider."First-round matches are never easy and today was really hard. It wasn't my best game, so I had to work hard to get through," Jankovic said. "It was tough, I was lucky to get through and to have another chance."Jankovic will face Croatia's Mirjana Lucic in the second round, the 1999 Wimbledon semi-finalist who vanished off the tour for several years due to personal and financial problems.Lucic, who beat Australian Alicia Molik 7-6 6-1, turned professional in April 1997 at the age of 15 and promptly won her first tournament, and was still just 15 when she won the Australian Open doubles title in 1998 with Martina Hingis."I don't want to go into the reasons about everything, it was just unfortunate why I haven't played," Lucic said. "It wasn't because I was sick of tennis or anything like that. It was just a lot of unfortunate circumstances."My dream never died and never went away. I was just waiting for an opportunity. I have it and I've been living my dream the last couple of years. Every match I win now it's like winning an entire tournament."I was really lucky and blessed to be so good when I was so young. I grew up winning since I was six years old and it was always normal. But once that was taken away for years it's incredible; every match gives me such satisfaction."It's almost like walking blind for years and really struggling a lot to finally be free again and reminding myself of the old ways and how good I can play and that I can play with these girls and beat them."Former champion Maria Sharapova recovered from losing the first set to beat Australia's Jarmila Groth 4-6 6-3 6-1 in a match which ran over into the evening session."I knew I had a tough first-round opponent, she's been playing some really good tennis," a relieved Sharapova said. "She came out firing and did not give me many opportunities and I just hung in there and fought and those are the matches you want to get through."Elsewhere, former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova needed three sets to beat Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, the 11th seed eventually winning 6-2 4-6 6-1.It took until 4:45pm local time on the second day for the first female seed to lose, China's Li Na going down in three sets to Kateryna Bondarenko.Li, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year and was seeded eighth, won the first set 6-2 but Ukrainian Bondarenko hit back to win the next two 6-4 6-2.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Caroline Wozniacki eases into US Open second round

www.guardian.co.uk - No1 seed beats American Chelsey Gullickson 6-1 6-1 Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic scrapes past Simona HalepCaroline Wozniacki, the top seed, made comfortable progress into the second round of the US Open with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over the American wild card entrant Chelsey Gullickson.The 20-year-old Wozniacki, seeded first due to the absence of the injured Serena Williams, arrived at Flushing Meadows in excellent form having won in Montreal and New Haven in the space of six days last week and she wrapped up the victory in only 61 minutes.Much earlier in the day, the fourth seed Jelena Jankovic admitted she had enjoyed a lucky escape after scraping past Simona Halep, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 but only after the world No96 Halep had served for the match at 5-4 in the decider."First-round matches are never easy and today was really hard. It wasn't my best game, so I had to work hard to get through," Jankovic said. "It was tough, I was lucky to get through and to have another chance."Jankovic will face Croatia's Mirjana Lucic in the second round, the 1999 Wimbledon semi-finalist who vanished off the tour for several years due to personal and financial problems.Lucic, who beat the Australian Alicia Molik 7-6, 6-1, turned professional in April 1997 at the age of 15 and promptly won her first tournament. She was still only 15 when she won the Australian Open doubles title in 1998 with Martina Hingis."I don't want to go into the reasons about everything, it was just unfortunate why I haven't played," Lucic said. "It wasn't because I was sick of tennis or anything like that. It was just a lot of unfortunate circumstances."My dream never died and never went away. I was just waiting for an opportunity. I have it and I've been living my dream the last couple of years. Every match I win now it's like winning an entire tournament."Maria Sharapova, a former US Open champion, recovered from losing the first set to beat Australia's Jarmila Groth 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in a match which ran over into the evening session."I knew I had a tough first-round opponent, she's been playing some really good tennis," a relieved Sharapova said. "She came out firing and did not give me many opportunities and I just hung in there and fought and those are the matches you want to get through."Elsewhere another former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova needed three sets to beat the Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, the 11th seed eventually winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.It took until 4:45pm local time on the second day for the first female seed to lose, China's Li Na going down in three sets to Kateryna Bondarenko. Li, who reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year and was seeded eighth, won the first set 6-2 but her Ukrainian opponent hit back to win the next two 6-4, 6-2.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Rafael Nadal serves up warning to rivals at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - World No1 beats Gabashvili without conceding a break Nadal: 'If I want to win here I need to serve really well'World No1 Rafael Nadal made a confident start to his bid to complete a career grand slam by winning 7-6 7-6 6-3 in a heavy-hitting contest against Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili at the US Open.Looking comfortable on the fast Arthur Ashe centre court, and with a newly powerful serve, the 24-year-old Spaniard claimed the first two tiebreaks by 7-4.Nadal, the No1 seed, who topped 130 mph (210 kph) on his fastest serve, registered the first service break of the match when the 93rd-ranked Gabashvili netted an easy forehand in the seventh game. Nadal then closed out the match with another break."My serve tonight worked well," said the eight-times grand slam winner, who needs a US Open title to complete a career grand slam. "Hopefully it will continue like this. My serve is not my best shot but I always try hard to keep improving and that's what I'm working on all the time."He produced seven aces and a first-serve success rate of 67 percent in a match that lasted nearly three hours."I know if I want to have chances to win here I need to serve really, really well, so that's one of the things I am most focused on," said Nadal.Nadal, winner of this year's French and Wimbledon championships, will next meet Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, a straight sets winner over Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina.US Open tennisRafael NadalTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray targets substance over style as he bids for Grand Slam glory

www.dailymail.co.uk - It will be a case of substance over style for Andy Murray when his US Open campaign finally gets under way at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: John McEnroe tips aggressive Andy Murray for Flushing Meadows title

www.dailymail.co.uk - John McEnroe's every word is hung on more than ever in his native New York, so Andy Murray will welcome an endorsement from the Sage of Long Island at the start of the US Open. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Seeded Marcos Baghdatis crashes out after shock defeat against Arnaud Clement

www.dailymail.co.uk - Marcos Baghdatis today became the biggest casualty of the US Open so far, the 16th seed losing in five sets to veteran Frenchman Arnaud Clement. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: New York nightmare for Anne Keothavong as Brit crashes out in first round

www.dailymail.co.uk - Flushing Meadows can be the cruellest place to play tennis. The physical and mental distress of defeat proved almost too much to bear for Britain's Anne Keothavong. More... (Tennis)

US Open: Wednesday's order of play

www.guardian.co.uk - Andy Murray begins campaign against Lukas Lacko Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick also play(Show courts, all times local, -5 hours from BST)Arthur Ashe Stadium11amAna Ivanovic (Serbia) v 21-Zheng Jie (China)4-Andy Murray (Britain) v Lukas Lacko (Slovakia)3-Venus Williams (US) v Rebecca Marino (Canada)7pm2-Kim Clijsters (Belgium) v Sally Peers (Australia) 9-Andy Roddick (US) v Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia)Louis Armstrong Stadium11am20-Sam Querrey (U.S.) v Bradley Klahn (US) 24-Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) v Vania King (US) Melanie Oudin (US) v 29-Alona Bondarenko (Ukraine)Frederico Gil (Portugal) v 18-John Isner (US)Grandstand11am10-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) v Gisela Dulko (Argentina)7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) v Michael Llodra (France) 6-Francesca Schiavone (Italy) v Maria Elena Camerin (Italy) 17-Gael Monfils (France) v Igor Andreev (Russia)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Novak Djokovic forced to sweat for win over dogged Viktor Troicki

www.dailymail.co.uk - Novak Djokovic came back from the brink of defeat to book his place in the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows today. More... (Tennis)

Anne Keothavong to reassess career after first-round US Open defeat

www.guardian.co.uk - Briton throws away one-set lead against Yung-Jan Chan 'I'm not the player I was ... I need time to decide what to do'Britain's Anne Keothavong today admitted she needed time to "reassess" her career after crashing out of the US Open with a first-round defeat to Yung-Jan Chan in sweltering conditions at Flushing Meadows.Keothavong appeared on course to join her compatriot Elena Baltacha in the second round when she cruised through the opening set, but she lost 12 of the next 14 games as the world No77 Chan, of Taiwan, completed a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory on court 14.It was a second disappointing performance in succession in a grand slam for the British No3, who lost to Anastasia Rodionova in the first round at Wimbledon this summer after leading 4-0 in the final set.The 26-year-old Londoner was ranked as high as 48 in the world in February last year, but then ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in July, a similar injury to the one she suffered on her right knee in 2004."My ranking and my tennis isn't where I would want it to be, I have higher expectations for myself," a tearful Keothavong said.Asked about getting back to her best, she added: "I'm not the player I was two years ago here [when she reached the third round]. I don't know. Who knows what's going to happen after this? I'm going to need time to reassess and decide what I want to do."Keothavong had no answer to Chan's use of moon balls - slow, defensive looping shots - and as the match progressed Keothavong grew increasingly frustrated and made a raft of unforced errors."I played a good first set and was completely dominating and then she changed her tactics and started throwing in the moon balls and I just didn't deal with it very well," said Keothavong, who also received treatment for blisters on her feet early in the deciding set."You either have to be brave and take it on and come forward or step back and be strong and work your way within the point. I got stuck in between and it wasn't very good."In some ways you've got to give it to her because it worked and she just kept doing it. It's not the way I expected her to play but against me today it was effective. She changed her tactics and that's where I shot myself in the foot."I've been playing long enough, I should know better. It happens to all of us when you might not think as clearly as you would like out there."Anne KeothavongUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open: Roger Federer's nutmeg adds spice to his statement of intent

www.guardian.co.uk - Roger Federer's winner against Brian Dabul underlines a great champion's desire to prove himself again, says John McEnroeIf a tennis tournament can be reduced to one moment - albeit one that was embroidered by an eight-minute standing ovation - it was Roger Federer's repeat of his outrageous back-to-the-net, between-the-legs winner that sent a tremor through the rest of this US Open field.It was not just the audacity of the shot - a YouTube classic to outdo his fake William Tell stunt for a razor blade ad - but the fact that in dismissing the feeble challenge of the bedazzled centre court debutant Brian Dabul in the first round, Federer was making the most emphatic statement: he is back.Speaking not long before that stunning effort night (an almost exact replica of the shot he played at Flushing Meadows last year), John McEnroe, no mean magician himself, said that the Swiss had something to prove here. McEnroe could not agree with the player's recent ambition of winning four more majors to go with the record haul of 16 he has got already.When Federer was asked if he would settle for five more years as a player and three more slams, the world No2 said, no, he would want more than that."I would have taken it," McEnroe said, "but then again I'm a different person. Maybe that's why he has the all-time record. Maybe if you switched it: five [slams] and three years."But it's hard to envision - as great as his results have been - that he can keep it up and then only win one slam, say, every other year. I don't know if he'll last that long."What is clearer is Federer should last the fortnight in pursuit of a sixth title in New York. Still, McEnroe cannot separate him from Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray, who are on the same side of the draw. "I saw Andy beat Nadal in a tune-up event," McEnroe said in an interview aired on Radio 5 Live. "He's strong, looked like he was saving himself a little in [Cincinnati]. Heat was an issue there."Federer's not going to have to deal with both of them, which is good for him. You have to wait and see if [Nadal and Murray] play in the semis, how much would they beat up on each other and that would favour the other guy [Federer]. So it's hard to predict - but I'd be very surprised if one of those three guys didn't win it."McEnroe says Murray has got to take a look at his strategy, though, if he is to win his first slam. "He does have a tendency to be [more passive] against the lesser players. But in some of his biggest matches it seems like he hasn't been aggressive enough. If I were to change one thing I would do that."At times, for me at least, he has a tendency to go for too much on his first serve. I'd prefer to see his percentage up in the 60s, take a little bit off it and place it a little better, and that would get him ahead in more points instead of just shooting for aces."McEnroe does not think Novak Djokovic's game is in the right shape to win, but he senses that Nadal has had a near-perfect preparation."This time, Rafa's healthier. He's set up his schedule better. If he's ever going to win it, it's this year. It's the best chance he's ever got. He's tougher to beat in a long match and, if he can get through some tricky moments where he doesn't have to expend himself too much, so that he's got a lot left in the end, I think he can win it finally."He still thinks Murray's best shot will be next year - with a revamped game. "Now is time for the next step," he said. "It seems like a good thing to try."Murray is still looking for a coach. He could do worse than give McEnroe a call now and again.US Open tennisRoger FedererAndy MurrayTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010 video special: Roger Federer's 'hot dog' shot

www.dailymail.co.uk - Roger Federer produced another moment of sheer genius during an otherwise routine first-round victory in the US Open earlier on Tuesday. More... (Tennis)

Roger Federer produces another magic moment at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Shot mirrors winner against Djokovic in 2009 semi-final 'You could see from my reaction that I couldn't believe it'Roger Federer progressed to the second round of the US Open with a routine victory over Argentina's Brian Dabul, but the first-round match will be remembered for a moment of genius from the Swiss.Federer had won the first set and was 5-3 up in the second when he conjured up a winner from between his legs with his back to the court. Dabul seemed to have played a perfect lob which landed just inside the baseline, but Federer came up with a mirror image of his famous winner in last year's semi-final against Novak Djokovic.The world No2 two received a standing ovation from the crowd in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, while a wave of his arms suggested Federer could not believe the shot himself, which he confirmed after the match.Dabul, the world No96, saved five break points in that game as well as four in his previous service game before Federer eventually served out for the set on his way to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory which took just 93 minutes.Speaking about the shot between his legs, Federer said: "I thought I was a bit late and had to give it one last push to get there but thought 'I could do this again'. It's different because Novak was at the net but I've only hit a few in my life and to do two on Centre Court in night sessions is amazing."Last year's was probably a little bit more important just because I think it was 0-30 to go 0-40, two points away from the match, and it was a semi-final," the Swiss said. "So obviously that has a little bit of an impact, too. But maybe in terms of difficulty this one was harder, because I had the feeling I had to run a longer distance and I was further back somehow, I felt."I had to really give the last big push at the end. I didn't have time to set it up. So I felt like this one was incredible again. I turned around and couldn't believe the shot landed in the corner. The ovation was fantastic. The crowds went wild. You could see from my reaction I couldn't believe it."In an otherwise impressive performance, Federer converted only five of 19 break points, but the 16-time grand slam winner said: "I had a lot of chances but credit to Brian too, his first time in a major and on centre court and I think he did a good job."Roger FedererUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters cautious about her chances despite dishing out first-round thrashing

www.dailymail.co.uk - Kim Clijsters admits she no longer has the element of surprise on her side after beginning the defence of her US Open title with victory over Hungary's Greta Arn. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Roddick cruises through but Robin Soderling endures five-set battle

www.dailymail.co.uk - American Andy Roddick celebrated his 28th birthday with a comfortable first round victory at Flushing Meadows. Roddick beat Stephane Robert in straight sets. More... (Tennis)

US Open: Tuesday's order of play

www.guardian.co.uk - Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki in action Britain's Anne Keothavong also plays(Selected courts, all times local, -5 hours from BST)Arthur Ashe Stadium11am(4) Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) v Simona Halep (Romania)(3) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Viktor Troicki (Serbia)(14) Maria Sharapova (Russia) v Jarmila Groth (Australia)7pm(1) Rafael Nadal (Spain) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Russia)(1) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) v Chelsey Gullickson (US)Louis Armstrong Stadium11am(16) Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) v Arnaud Clement (France)(8) Li Na (China) v Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukraine)Kristof Vliegen (Belgium) v James Blake (US)(7) Vera Zvonareva (Russia) v Zuzana Kucova (Slovakia)Grandstand11am(11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) v Kimiko Date Krumm (Japan)(19) Mardy Fish (US) v Jan Hajek (Czech Republic)(8) Fernando Verdasco (Spain) v Fabio Fognini (Italy)Coco Vandeweghe (US) v Sabine Lisicki (Germany)Court 1411amSofia Arvidsson (Sweden) v Sorana Cirstea (Romania)Anne Keothavong (Britain) v Yung-Jan Chan (Chinese Taipei)Pere Riba (Spain) v Adrian Mannarino (France)Chanelle Scheepers (South Africa) v Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzbekistan)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Elena Baltacha off to a flyer with victory over Petra Martic

www.dailymail.co.uk - Britain's No 1 Elena Baltacha did what proved beyond her at Wimbledon, and comfortably put away the same opponent who caused her such angst at the All England Club. More... (Tennis)

Elena Baltacha defeats her Wimbledon nemesis Petra Martic at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Baltacha overwhelms opponent with a commanding display Second British woman to get past the first round since 1997Tennis is full of recurring nightmares - but Elena Baltacha put her worst one behind her in just 64 minutes, beating Petra Martic 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the US Open. At the same point at Wimbledon the 27-year-old Scot was a set and 5-4 up when the Croatian teenager broke her serve and went on to take the second and third sets.Baltacha, here for the first time by right rather than having to qualify, becomes only the second British woman to get past the first round since Sam Smith in 1997. Only eight have managed it in the past 20 years, the last being Anne Keothavong in 2008, when she beat Francesca Schiavone.Today Baltacha got her revenge over Martic with a commanding display of percentage tennis. Of the 19 first serves that went in, she won the point on 18 of them, as Martic struggled to cope with Baltacha's power."Obviously losing to her at Wimbledon was very difficult to take," she said, "because I was two points away from the match. I took that loss quite hard and there were a lot of things to get over afterwards. It was either going to make me or break me - but it helped a lot today."I knew that if I stayed very professional and focused I could win. That was the difference, big time. I really did believe in myself, and not at any stage in the match did I let up. I just kept putting her under pressure."Kim Clijsters overcame a second-set stumble to begin her title defence with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Greta Arn of Hungary. The Belgian sailed through an 18-minute opening set but fell 4-0 down in the second, before roaring back to claim victory.Schiavone, who captivated Paris with her smile and her grit to win the French Open this year, had the easiest of workouts, beating Japan's Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-0 on the Grandstand Court.Melanie Oudin, the American teenaged darling of this tournament last year, when she beat four Russians, had the fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium screaming their heads off on her way to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the Ukrainian Olga Savchuk. Oudin belted 20 clean winners.US Open tennisTennisKevin Mitchellguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)