Speed Post News Network
Patna : World No 2 Rafael Nadal, 33, Spain, World No 6 Alexander Zverev, 22, Germany, and World No 70 Pablo Andujar, 33, Spain, entered the Round of 16 of US Open at New York City, USA, in the wee hours on September 1, 2019.
Three-time champion Nadal beat World No 170 Hyeon Chung, 23, South Korea, in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 3rd round at Arthur Ashe Stadium breaking the latter’s service 4 times besides winning 3 games in a row. Nadal had created 8 break point opportunities but could convert only 4 of them but even that was enough for him to win in straight sets.
Nadal’s winning percentage on both his first and second serve (89 % & 71 %) was much higher than that of Chung (58 & & 68 %). Chung fired 5 Aces to 4 by Nadal. Chung had defeated World No 1 Novak Djokovic and Zverev in 2018 Australian Open.
Zverev edged past World No 80 Aljaz Bedene, 30, Slovenia, in a tough four-set contest in third round coming from behind at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Zverev beat Bedene 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 to advance to the 4th round. Zverev hammered 25 Aces in the match to 16 by Bedene. But, he also committed 7 double faults to 3 by Bedene. The German won 3 break points to 2 by Bedene. Zverev won 105 service points to 99 by the Slovenian. Zverev won 5 games in a row in the match to 3 by Bedene.
Andujar beat World No 75 Alexander Bublik, 22, Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in 3rd round. Andujar won 6 games in a row in the match to 2 by Bublik. He also won 5 break points to 1 by Bublik. The Spaniard won 61 service points to 49 by Bublik.
Marin Cilic, 30, Croatia, the 2014 champion, beat World No 15 John Isner, 34, USA, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 to enter the 4th round of US Open. Isner though hammered 40 Aces in the match to 22 by Cilic. The Croatian committed 17 double faults in the match to 4 by the American. Cilic won 2 break points to 1 by Isner. The Croatian won 104 service points to 94 by Isner. Both the players won 3 games each in a row in the match. Cilic will face Nadal in the 4th round on September 2, 2019.