- World No 1 beats British challenger 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
- Former fan Auger-Aliassime ready to take on Murray
- Get in touch! Email Bryan or tweet @BryanAGraham
As we wait for Naomi Osaka and Camila Giorgi to take the court inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for tonight’s first prime-time match, here’s more on today’s day session, including the surprise ouster of the No 1 seed on the women’s side.
Related: Karolina Pliskova crashes out of US Open with defeat to Caroline Garcia
Kristina Mladenovic was 6-1, 5-1 up against Varvara Gracheva and managed to lose 6-1, 6-7, 0-6. So that explains why she may have been a little salty when talking about this year’s tournament.
“I have the impression that we are prisoners, that we are criminals … We’re living a nightmare,” she told L’Equipe. “We are powerless and we only suffer, we have the right to do nothing, we are a prisoner of everything.”
Pablo Carreno Busta, the No 20 seed, is two sets up against wildcard Mitchell Krueger. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie has secured the second set against Fedrico Coria and is just one set from the third round.
Cameron Norrie is now a break up in the second set against Coria. He leads 6-3, 5-3. Taylor Fritz, the No 19 seed in the men’s draw, has won the first set of his match against Gilles Simon, who made his US Open debut in 2004, when Fritz was six.
Remember I told you Karolina Pliskova had recovered against Caroline Garcia? Well, I was wrong. The No1 seed has crashed out after the second set lost went to a tiebreak, which the Frenchwoman won handily 7-2. In fairness, it was a tough draw for Pliskova – Garcia was ranked No4 in the world a couple of years ago and was always going to be a tough test, particularly given her crunching forehand. Garcia has actually reached a final here in New York before too – although it was the doubles back in 2016.
Britain’s Cameron Norrie has made a good start to his second round tie against Federico Coria of Argentina. He won the first set 6-3, while the second is on serve. Neither man has reached the third round of a major before, so someone is going to make a (very minor) piece of history.
An upset in the women’s draw, where the No 13 seed, Alison Riske, has been beaten by her compatriot Ann Li in an all-Pennsylvania matchup. It’s the first time in the main draw at the US Open for the 20-year-old Li, who was ranked No 128 in the world coming into the tournament. She’ll be quite a bit higher than that the next time the rankings come out.
Big day for Philadelphia tennis as Ann Li makes the third round of the US Open in her main-draw debut after hitting the cover off the ball in a 6-0, 6-3 beatdown of 13th-seeded Allison Riske. Ann came up playing at Arthur Ashe in East Falls under Lance Lee and Jon Glover.
The No 1 women’s seed, Karolina Pliskova, was in plenty of trouble after she lost the first set of her match against Caroline Garcia 1-6 and was down a break in the second. But she appears to have steadied the ship and is up 5-4 in the second.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Edmund
No throat-clearing from the world No 1 at the finish as he closes it out in style: 122mph ace, 122mph ace, unreturnable serve, overhand winner. Novak Djokovic is into the third after surviving an early test from Kyle Edmund.
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 5-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund holds from love-15 down, pounding his seventh ace of the afternoon along the way. But the end is nigh.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 5-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
An uncomplicated hold for Djokovic and Edmund will serve to stay in the tournament.
Djokovic breaks in fifth game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 4-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Another brisk hold for Djokovic, who appears to have righted the ship after those bizarre service games late in the third. He caps it with one of the shots of the tournament so far, then proceeds to shout for nearly 20 seconds in celebration.
#USOpen (@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/MPZUOynwCG
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Djokovic continues to turn the screw on the serve of Edmund, who goes down love-15 and 15-30. He rattles off two quick points but follows with an unforced error off his backhand for deuce. Another marathon service game unfolds, though this time Edmund is able to escape with the sorely needed hold.
Fourth set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 2-0 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic holds comfortably to back up the break.
Djokovic breaks in first game of fourth set!
Fourth set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 1-0 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 Edmund
Djokovic closes it out in style: backhand passing winner, 121mph ace out wide, 107mph ace out wide, forehand baseline winner. A strange third set, indeed. But the predictable outcome given a quick glance at Kyle Edmund’s numbers: four winners, 12 unforced errors.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 5-4 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund races to 40-love on his serve before making his sixth double fault of the day. But he steadies himself and cracks a 116mph ace to Djokovic’s body for the hold. Djokovic will again serve for the third set after the changeover.
Edmund breaks in eighth game of third set!
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 5-3 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic breaks in seventh game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 5-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund breaks in sixth game of third set!
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 4-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic breaks in fifth game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 4-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 3-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic always seems to be at his laser-focused best in his service games following a break – and this one is no different. He consolidates with a straightforward love hold, just as he did in the second set.
Djokovic breaks in third game of third set!
Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 2-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Third set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 1-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Another business-like hold for Djokovic, who’s won 24 of the last 31 points on his serve.
Third set: *Djokovic 6-7, 6-3, 0-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
A patchy start for Edmund, who quickly goes down love-30 on his serve. But he responds with an unreturnable serve, overhead winner, 112mph ace out wide and 111mph service winner down the middle. Danger averted.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 6-3 Edmund
Edmund inches closer toward his first break of the match after Djokovic sprays an inside-out forehand wide, then nets a backhand for love-30. But Djokovic digs in to win the next three points before painting the service line with a 123mph ace to nail down the set. Edmund only had five unforced errors in the set, but three of them came in the fatal fourth game (including two double faults).
Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 5-3 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund holds from love-15 and 15-30 down. Djokovic to serve for the second set.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 5-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
A glimmer of hope for Edmund as Djokovic misfires off the forehand side to go down love-15 on his serve, but the Serb rattles off four quick points from there to hold easily. Edmund will serve to stay in the second set after the changeover.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 4-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund needed a drama-free hold to stem the tide and that’s what he’s produced, crunching a 110mph ace out wide for 40-love followed by another quick point to close it out. But he will need to make some headway on Djokovic’s serve if he hopes to keep the pressure on the world No 1.
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 4-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic consolidates the break in expeditious fashion, pounding a pair of aces down the middle en route to a quick love hold. Edmund is changing his socks during the changeover for the second time today.
Djokovic breaks in fourth game of second set!
Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 3-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 2-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic races to an easy hold, bookended by his fifth and sixth aces of the afternoon. He’s won 29 of 35 first-serve points so far, a tidy 83% clip.
Second set: *Djokovic 6-7, 1-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
A stress-free hold of serve for Edmund, which he closes out with a pretty forehand winner from the baseline – his 17th of the day against 11 unforced errors.
Check out who’s come to support @kyle8edmund #BackTheBrits | #USOpen
️ @usopen pic.twitter.com/DZTdsccZ80
Second set: Djokovic 6-7, 1-0 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Edmund wins the first point on Djokovic’s serve with a crisp backhand winner, but Djokovic cruises to the hold from there, closing out the game with a 119mph ace down the middle.
First-set tiebreak: Djokovic 5-7 Edmund
Well, well, well. Serving at 5-all, Djokovic gives Edmund a sliver of daylight with a misfire off the forehand side … and Edmund smashes right through with a 123mph ace down Broadway to close out the set in style after 68 minutes. Djokovic had been a perfect 10-for-10 in tiebreakers this season. No longer.
First-set tiebreak: *Djokovic 3-3 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund holds his serve to start, then goes up a minibreak with forehand winner early in the rally. It’s the first point he’s won on Djokovic’s serve in nearly a half hour, but moments later Djokovic gets the minibreak back with a forehand winner at the net and they’re back on level terms with Djokovic to serve at 2-3. A 17-stroke rally follows and it’s Edmund who blinks first, making an unforced error off the backhand side, and they’re even at the change of ends.
First set: Djokovic 6-6 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic cruises to another love hold. That’s 15 straight points on his serve and 23 of the last 26. Heading to first-set tiebreaker.
First set: *Djokovic 5-6 Edmund (*denotes next server)
A dangerous moment for Edmund, who goes down love-30 after Djokovic gets the better of him over a grueling 24-stroke exchange where he’s at his backboard-like finest. But the 25-year-old digs in and rattles off four quick points to hold from there. An impressive escape for Edmund, who quickly darts into the tunnel as the changeover starts for, presumably, a quick bathroom break.
First set: Djokovic 5-5 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is dialed in on his serve, holding at love for a second straight game. He’s gotten 68% of his first serves in and won 84% of his first-serve points, both a few clicks above his season averages.
First set: *Djokovic 4-5 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund cracks his first ace of the day, a 116mph missile down the pipe for 30-love, then holds comfortably from there. Another confidence-building service game for the Yorkshireman, who’s 10 of the last 12 points on his racket. Djokovic will serve to stay in the first set after the change of ends.
First set: Djokovic 4-4 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic breezes through a business-like hold at love. He’s won 12 of the last 15 points on his serve.
First set: *Djokovic 3-4 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund races out to 40-love before making his first double fault of the day, but wins the next point to hold. Cleanest service game for the 25-year-old so far.
First set: Djokovic 3-3 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Another stress-free service game for Djokovic, who holds with a backhand winner following a short rally which saw Edmund hit at least three brilliant shots. I’d imagine that’s quite frustrating. High-quality shotmaking on both ends so far.
First set: *Djokovic 2-3 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Serving at 15-all, Edmund mixes in his sixth unforced error of the day and he’s behind for the third time in as many service games. He wins the next point with a overhand smash following a 25-stroke rally, the longest of the day so far, before holding from there.
First set: Djokovic 2-2 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
An early chance for Edmund as Djokovic mishits a volley then double-faults to fall behind love-30. Djokovic gets it back to 30-all with his second ace of the day, but Edmund responds with a backhand passing winner at the net off a feeble drop-shot attempt by the Serb. It’s a first break-point opportunity chance of the day for Edmund, but Djokovic quickly erases it with a 118mph service winner down the middle then holds from there.
First set: *Djokovic 1-2 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Serving at 30-all, Edmund misfires on a forehand from the baseline and will face his first break point of the day. He saves it with a 112mph serve that Djokovic can’t return into the court, then saves a second moments later with a gorgeous cross-court backhand winner set up by a kicking second serve. The dogged world No 1 scratches back to force a third break chance and Edmund erases that one, too. Finally – after 11 minutes, 16 points and three break points saved – Edmund holds with an overhand winner.
That double-handed backhand looks good @kyle8edmund I #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Vm6qzRyrTn
First set: Djokovic 1-1 Edmund* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic holds comfortably in his opening service game, crunching an 118mph ace down the middle along the way.
First set: *Djokovic 0-1 Edmund (*denotes next server)
Edmund won the toss and has elected to serve. Djokovic wins the opening point, getting his teeth into a lengthy baseline rally and forcing Edmund to falter off the forehand side. But Edmund rights the ship from there, winning four quick points to hold serve and get on the board against the world No 1.
Happy Tuesday and welcome to day three at Flushing Meadows. We’re moments away from one of the showcase matches of the day session as Britain’s Kyle Edmund takes on world No 1 and three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The players have taken the court and are going through their warm-ups. While we wait, here’s Kevin Mitchell’s lookahead to today’s second-rounder.
Related: Kyle Edmund revels in underdog tag before Djokovic showdown at US Open
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s how Andy Murray is getting ready for his next match:
Félix Auger-Aliassime was a skinny kid in New York down from Canada nine years ago when he scored some tickets for a night match on Arthur Ashe at Flushing Meadows and saw Andy Murray thrash Feliciano López in the third round on his way to the semi-finals of the US Open.
Related: Andy Murray ready for Auger-Aliassime at the net and not in the stands
