US Open 2018: Murray stunned, Nadal and Williams sisters through
Day 3 of the US Open 2018 continued to gather pace and gave us several exciting matches on the road. The biggest upset of the day was Andy Murray's loss at the hands of Fernando Verdasco. Regulars Rafa Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro advanced. Meanwhile, the Williams sisters have set up an exciting 3rd round battle. Here are the updates.
A lot was expected from Andy Murray, who is on his comeback trail. The Scot's dream of advancing was cut short by Fernando Verdasco. Murray, who was playing in a Grand Slam after 14 months, lost 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 in New York. The rusty Scot looked exhausted at times with humidity and heat impacting his game.
Defending champion Nadal progressed swiftly to the third round after a victory over unseeded Pospisil. The Spaniard beat Pospisil 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in exactly two hours. The 17-time Slam champion will be up against Karen Khachanov next. Third seed Juan Martin del Potro beat American Denis Kudla to advance as well. The in-form player won 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 in one hour and 56 minutes.
Swiss maestro Stan Wawrinka beat French qualifier Ugo Humbert 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in four sets to advance to the 3rd round. Stan was joined by Raonic, who beat Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The duo will face each other in the 3rd round. Wimbledon 2018 finalist Kevin Anderson stormed past France's Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. Dominic Thiem progressed safely as well.
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena will be up against her elder sister Venus in a mouth-watering third round clash at the Flushing Meadows. The Williams sisters have won the US Open 8 times between them. Serena beat Carina Witthoft 6-2, 6-2 to show her dominance. Veteran Venus overcame Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-5. "We'd rather have met later," said Serena post her win.
Women's singles defending champion Sloane Stephens came back from behind to advance further with a win over Anhelina Kalinina 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Stephens opined that she was relieved to have battled though the conditions. Stephens will be up against Victoria Azarenka next, who beat Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 6-2. 7th seed Elina Svitolina progressed alongside 8th seed Karolina Pliskova.
