Osaka advances in U.S. Open walkover

NEW YORK — Defending champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the U.S. Open third round after Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic withdrew ahead of their second-round match on Wednesday due to illness, tournament organizers said.

The Japanese third seed and world number 145 Danilovic, who was competing in her first U.S. Open main draw, were scheduled to be the day's second match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I am so sad to have to (withdraw) from my match this morning," Danilovic wrote on social media.

"I have been feeling unwell these past few days dealing with a non-covid related viral illness. I was really looking forward to playing against Naomi on Arthur Ashe Stadium today, but not to be this time."

Osaka will face Canada's Leylah Fernandez or Estonian Kaia Kanepi in the third round.

Bianca Andreescu overcame stomach pain and a stiff challenge from Viktorija Golubic to advance 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 into the second round..

The 21-year-old, making her return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since she won the tournament in 2019, got all she could handle from the Swiss in the nearly three-hour affair on a hot and humid night in New York.

But the sixth-seeded Andreescu's seven aces and punishing groundstrokes ultimately proved too much for Golubic.

Next up for Andreescu is a second round clash with American Lauren Davis on Thursday.

Novak Djokovic had hoped to have the crowd behind him as he began his bid to win the U.S. Open and complete the calendar-year Grand Slam, but the Serb said the atmosphere was "not ideal" as Flushing Meadows fans roared on his underdog opponent.

Djokovic, looking to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four slams in the same year, beat Holger Rune 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the second round after the 18-year-old Danish qualifier ran himself into the ground against the world No. 1.

Fans chanted "Rune" throughout and applauded the young Dane's bravery as he played on despite being hampered by cramp.

After wrapping up victory Djokovic did not deliver his customary post-match celebration — sharing his heart with all four sides of the court — and he later said he thought the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd had been booing him.

"I didn't know what they were chanting honestly. I thought they were booing," Djokovic said at a news conference.

"I don't know, it was not ideal atmosphere for me ... But I've been in these particular atmospheres before, so I knew how to handle it."

JERRY LAI • USA TODAY SPORTS Bianca Andreescu of Canada returns a shot against Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in a first round match at the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament.