Novak Djokovic’s striking summer on hard court persists in style at the US Open as he knocks down Robin Haase 6-2, 6-1 & 6-3 to progress through the second round.
Stunned by a mammoth crowd turning at Louis Armstrong Stadium for his opening prologue, the third seed displayed complete dominance and offered Haase a ruthless introduction to the grand-slam in 1hour and 36 minutes.
Having control of the first two sets just inside an hour, Djokovic got held up a little in the third set as the Dutchman found some fighting spirit, saving a match point at 5-3 with an ace. However it was too late, as Djokovic clinched on the decisive opportunity.
Last weekend, Haase was denied a berth in the championship after a loss at the final qualifying round match, but a shoulder injury to Croatian Mario Ancic saw him invited into the draw as a lucky loser.
Djokovic said:
Hard court is my favourite surface, the surface where I play my best tennis and probably I’m most dangerous for the top guys here. But looking at the past years in US Open I didn’t do so well. I played two times in the third round, but this year is much different. I’ve had great results, an impressive year, number three in the world. My best results were on this surface so it’s a positive thing for the continuation of the tournament.
In the next errand Djokovic confronts the Czech, Radek Stepanek.
With confidence soaring high from his ATP Masters Series title in Montreal earlier this month by toppling Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in successive rounds, Djokovic appears to outshine in the ongoing grand-slam.
Big names like Lleyton Hewitt and James Blake have also advanced through.
Via: BBC
