CORIC SERVES A STUNNER
Croat teenager upstages Zverev
NEW YORK
BORNA Coric upset fellow 20-year-old and fourth seed Alexander Zverev to end the talented German’s bid for a maiden Grand Slam, while former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki was knocked out by Ekaterina Makarova on a busy Wednesday in New York.
Zverev, who has won five titles this season and beat Roger Federer in the final of a warm-up tournament in Montreal, took the first set but could do little to stem the tide as Croatia’s Coric battled back to seal a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 7-6(4) victory.
The German’s 58 unforced errors and seven double faults did little to help his cause on a busy day of action in which 87 matches were completed to make up for Tuesday’s rain-affected programme.
Denmark’s Caroline, who was among seven players left in the draw with a chance of taking over the top ranking, failed to capitalise on her opportunities in a late clash and the two-time finalist was beaten 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-1 by an inspired Ekaterina.
Elsewhere, Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov upset eighth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3) with the 18year-old hitting 28 winners and looking every bit a star in the making as he lit up the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Former World No 1 Maria Sharapova continued her love affair with the New York crowds as the Russian showed plenty of grit and determination to advance to the third round with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-1 win over Hungary’s Timea Babos.
“I’ve had an amazing reaction from fans since I’ve been back and that’s been special. I mean, I felt it while I was away. I felt it in a real presence since I’ve been back,” said Maria, making her first Grand Slam appearance since serving a 15-month doping ban.
Local hope Sloane Stephens outlasted Slovakia’s 11th seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the third round, while Russian Evgeniya Rodina beat 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard of Canada 7-6(2) 6-1 in a first round tie.
Australian 14th seed Nick Kyrgios, who struggled with shoulder pain in his 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 opening round defeat to compatriot John Millman, was unforgiving in his self-assessment.
“I’m not dedicated to the game at all. There are players out there that are more dedicated, that want to get better, that strive to get better every day, the one-percenters. I’m not that guy,” the mercurial 22-year-old said.
David Goffin endured a nervy encounter before seeing off France’s Julien Benneteau 6-4, 26, 6-4, 6-2 in over two hours in the first round, while Austria’s Dominic Thiem, the men’s sixth seed, made short work of Australian Alex de Minaur.
Ninth seed Venus Williams hit 32 winners as she felled France’s Oceane Dodin 7-5 6-4, while 13th seed Petra Kvitova powered on with a 6-1 6-2 win over France’s Alize Cornet. Reuters