US Open 2018: Federer, Djokovic through, Sharapova wins
Day 4 of the US Open 2018 saw the regular top guns move to the third round at the Flushing Meadows. There were wins for men's top guns Roger Federer and Djokovic. Fans also ensured that they stayed behind past midnight to watch Maria Sharapova notch a victory. Meanwhile, women's second seed Caroline Wozniacki was ousted. Here are the updates.
Federer's bid for his 21st Slam and 6th US Open title took shape as he swept aside Frenchman Benoit Paire to progress to the third round. Federer won 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 to in one hour and 56 minutes. This was the 7th straight loss for Paire against Federer in career meetings. Roger will be up against Australia's Nick Kyrgios next.
Serbian Djokovic needed four sets to overcome big-hitting American Tennys Sandgren. The 2018 Wimbledon champion won 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 to progress to next round. He will play Richard Gasquet next. Croatian Marin Cilic raced through a 6-2, 6-0, 6-0, win over Poland's Hubert Hurkacz. World number four Alexander Zverev beat France's Nicolas Mahut. Kei Nishikori and David Goffin also booked next round berths.
Russian Sharapova overcame Romania's Sorana Cirstea in the 2nd round to set up a battle against former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko. The 22nd seed won 6-2, 7-5 to make it to the next round. Interestingly, Maria has a 21-0 win record in night matches at the US Open. "You've got to be crazy to be here after midnight," she said post her match.
Second seed Caroline Wozniacki suffered an exit in round 2. The Dane lost against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko 4-6, 2-6 in an unconvincing fashion. She followed world number one Simona Halep in the early exit list. 2018 Wimbledon winner Angelique Kerber won 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to progress. There were victories for Petra Kvitova, Madison Keys and Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
