Day three at the US Open 2016 saw two top-10 players in both men’s and women’s draw tumble out. Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic fell prey to Ryan Harrison and Garbine Muruguza crashed out in the second round for a second straight Grand Slam. However, there was no trouble for Rafael Nadal in the final match of the night – with the roof coming into play for the very first time at Flushing Meadows.
On day 4, five former champions will be in contention to progress into the third round with Serena Williams and Andy Murray leading the pack. Other former champions in action are Venus Williams, Sam Stosur and Juan Martin del Potro.
Proceedings on Arthur Ashe Stadium start with Lucie Safarova against Simona Halep followed by Andy Murray versus Spaniard Marcel Granollers. Venus closes the day’s proceedings on the main court before the evening session sees Serena against fellow American Vania King and the highlight of the day – Del Potro against new US No 1 Steve Johnson.
For Indians, Rohan Bopanna is in action in mixed doubles, Leander Paes in men’s doubles and Sania Mirza in mixed doubles.
Day 4 Live Updates:
2350 hrs IST: Murray with a running forehand winner to win the first set 6-4. Needed seven set points and a 12 minute Granollers service game to get there!
2345 hrs IST: Nicolas Mahut downs fellow Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to progress into third round
2335 hrs IST: Five deuces and three set points later, Granollers has another break point. This game well into ten minutes now. And Murray sends volley wide! The Spaniard breaks and it is on serve at 4-5
2330 hrs IST: Timea Babos beats Richel Hogenkamp 6-2, 6-4. The Hungarian next faces Simona Halep
2329 hrs IST: Murray with an error on the forehand and it hits the net. Another break chance
2329 hrs IST: And on break point, Murray moving back thunders a forehand cross court for a winner to bring it back to deuce. Huge scream after that!
2328 hrs IST: Granollers much more convincing and aggressive now. Stepping up with deep returns on the backhand side and brings up a break point
2325 hrs IST: Murray to serve for the first set at 5-3
2324 hrs IST: Nicely done by the Spaniard to fast pick up a low volley and then put away the reply
2323 hrs IST: Granollers saves set point with a huge serve out wide. Deuce at 2-5
2315 hrs IST: Denisa Allertova, who had beaten Ana Ivanovic, loses to Johanna Larsson 6-3, 6-1
2312 hrs IST: Mahut is up 6-4, 6-4 against fellow Frenchman Mathieu
2311 hrs IST: Tipsarevic carrying the momentum from first round win over Querrey to go two sets up over Carreno Busta
2310 hrs IST: Nishikori and Khachanov are one set apiece. The Russian taking the second 6-4
2308 hrs IST: After a long game and lots of hustle, Granollers gets on the board. Murray up 3-1 in the first set
2226 hrs IST: Pavlyuchenkova wins the first set 6-2 over Mladenovic.
2217 hrs IST: Halep through to the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Safarova
2208 hrs IST: Meanwhile on Ashe, things all even between Safraova and Halep after early exchange of breaks. 4-4
2207 hrs IST: Pliskova is quick to take the first set 6-1 over Gonzalez. Done in 25 minutes
2148 hrs IST: Play underway on other courts: Nishikori vs Khachachanov, Pliskova vs Gonzalez, Busta vs Tipsarevic, Mladenovic vs Pavlyuchenkova and Mathieu vs Mahut
2147 hrs IST: Safarova’s forehand is into the net and Halep holds to go up 2-1 in the second
2145 hrs IST: Halep moves Safarova to both sides of the court to save a break point.
2142 hrs IST: Disappointed look on Safarova’s face as her backhand goes wide and she’s broken early. It is 1-1 now
2137 hrs IST: Good news! Matches will begin on Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, 17 & P6 at noon with all other courts to follow
2134 hrs IST: Halep pounces on the second serve and sends it down the line for a winner. Takes the first set 6-3
2132 hrs IST: Halep saves one break point and then holds after a Safarova backhand is marginally wide. Up 5-3
2123 hrs IST: Pushed on the run, Safarova sends forehand into the net and is broken. Halep up 4-3
2123 hrs IST: And then Safarova with a double fault to bring it back to deuce.
2122 hrs IST: Halep is clearly frustrated after an error on deuce. Had two break chances after clawing back from 15-40
2121 hrs IST: Make that two break point saved with an outside serve and then stepping up to take the return on the bounce to bring it back to deuce.
2120 hrs IST: Safarova comes from 40-15 up to saving one break point.
2115 hrs IST: Three straight games for Safarova as Halep sends backhand long. The depth by Lucie affecting the Romanian. 3-3 now
2110 hrs IST: Halep stretched side-to-side by Safarova and errs eventually after a great rally. 3-2 to the Romanian
2108 hrs IST: Meanwhile weather better now and courts being worked on. Tennis soon, YAY!
2108 hrs IST: Halep’s forehand on the run is narrowly wide and Safarova saves a break point.
2104 hrs IST: Safarova gets one break back with Halep finding the net on backhand. 3-1 now to Halep
2058 hrs IST: Halep with a crushing backhand cross court winner on serve to break Safarova again. 3-0 up now
2058 hrs IST: Safarova once again had Halep pegged back and once again she ruins the chance with an error – sends the forehand long. Another break point chance
2057 hrs IST: Saved it with Halep’s forehand hitting the net. Deuce.
2056 hrs IST: Halep and Safarova exchanging strong blows and at the end the the Czech sends her shot long to bring up a break point.
2048 hrs IST: Safarova to serve first. From 40-15 up, Safarova concedes serve as her forehand sails wide. Halep needs one chance to get that break
2042 hrs IST: Halep and Safarova are warming up under the roof with rain falling outside
2020 hrs IST: Play on the Arthur Ashe Stadium will start under the roof with Lucie Safarova and Simona Halep to open proceedings. Delays everywhere else due to rain.
[source;indianexpress]
