Djokovic hails ‘controlled performance’
Serb, Federer advance with ease at the US Open; Stosur receives shock exit.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates victory after his men's singles first round match against Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania on Day Two of the 2013 US Open. PHOTO: AFP
NEW YORK:
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic was pleased with his overall performance as he and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer advanced with ease at the US Open. However, 2011 winner Samantha Stosur was ousted by US teen qualifier Victoria Duval.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic launched his quest for a fourth consecutive US Open final by beating 112th-ranked Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
“I managed to make a lot of breaks in the beginning of the match and take control,” said Djokovic. “That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to play every point like it’s a match point and I’m happy with the performance overall.”
Djokovic will now face Germany’s Benjamin Becker.
Meanwhile, Federer made a solid start to his bid for a sixth US Open title by defeating Slovenia’s Grega Zemlja 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in a match delayed a day by rain.
“There wasn’t much rhythm out there, but I was happy the way I played,” said Federer. “Overall I’m pleased to be in the next round.”
The 32-year-old Swiss star will face Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq in round two.
Duval ‘happy’ after shocking win against Stosur
Duval, a daughter of Haitian parents ranked 296th in the world, pulled the day’s shocker with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Australian 11th-seed Stosur in a tense struggle that lasted for two hours and 39 minutes.
“A lot of different emotions,” said the 17-year old. “Mostly happiness. I played amazing today. The whole match was just incredible match and I’m happy I pulled through.”
In another match, two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who lost to Serena Williams in last year’s final, downed German Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-0, 6-0. The second seed from Belarus faces Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak next.
“Last time I was here it was very emotional,” said Azarenka. “I’m happy to be back. I raised my level when I needed to. There were a few unforced errors (10) but overall I felt pretty consistent.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic was pleased with his overall performance as he and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer advanced with ease at the US Open. However, 2011 winner Samantha Stosur was ousted by US teen qualifier Victoria Duval.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic launched his quest for a fourth consecutive US Open final by beating 112th-ranked Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
“I managed to make a lot of breaks in the beginning of the match and take control,” said Djokovic. “That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to play every point like it’s a match point and I’m happy with the performance overall.”
Djokovic will now face Germany’s Benjamin Becker.
Meanwhile, Federer made a solid start to his bid for a sixth US Open title by defeating Slovenia’s Grega Zemlja 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in a match delayed a day by rain.
“There wasn’t much rhythm out there, but I was happy the way I played,” said Federer. “Overall I’m pleased to be in the next round.”
The 32-year-old Swiss star will face Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq in round two.
Duval ‘happy’ after shocking win against Stosur
Duval, a daughter of Haitian parents ranked 296th in the world, pulled the day’s shocker with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Australian 11th-seed Stosur in a tense struggle that lasted for two hours and 39 minutes.
“A lot of different emotions,” said the 17-year old. “Mostly happiness. I played amazing today. The whole match was just incredible match and I’m happy I pulled through.”
In another match, two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who lost to Serena Williams in last year’s final, downed German Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-0, 6-0. The second seed from Belarus faces Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak next.
“Last time I was here it was very emotional,” said Azarenka. “I’m happy to be back. I raised my level when I needed to. There were a few unforced errors (10) but overall I felt pretty consistent.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.