Djoko, Murray write off foes
ON TRACK FOR SEMIS DUEL
NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic and Andy both had their moments of concern before winning in the second round of the US Open on Friday, taking strides toward a seemingly destined semifinal clash.
The top-seeded Djokovic faced two early set points against him and needed a tiebreaker to win the first set before overwhelming Benjamin Becker of ermany, 7-6 (2), 6-2, 6-2.
eonardo ayer, ranked 81st, ran urray all over the court and temporarily threatened an upset when he took the third set but the defending champion won the last five games for a 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 victory.
It was another former champion, though, who pulled off the most impressive result of the day, as leyton Hewitt turned back the clock in a stirring 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1 victory over 2009 winner uan artin del otro.
It was the ninth time in the past 10 years that two previous title winners faced each other in ew ork Hewitt was a participant in three of those in the past, going 0-3.
The 32-year-old ustralian, a former o. 1 now ranked 66th after a series of injuries, repeatedly scrambled along the baseline to come up with passing winners against the si th-seeded del otro.
“I don’t know how many years I’ve got left in me. I keep getting asked the question,” said Hewitt, who won Wimbledon in 2002. “I’m just pumped to get out on this court and try to put on a great show.”
urray too looked like he might fall victim to a persistent opponent when ayer snatched the third set, but the cot was able to steady and quickly get through the fourth for victory.
“He’s a big hitter of the ball. I had to defend a lot,” urray said in an on-court interview. “He played some really, really good tennis. It made for an entertaining match.”
Becker had a chance to serve for the first set against Djokovic at 5-4. But he wasted the first set point with a forehand into the net and the second when a backhand sailed wide.
“Becker is a quality opponent and he should have won the first set,” Djokovic said. “I was fortunate enough to come back and win the first set, and after that, I was much more comfortable on the court.”
Djokovic was playing in rthur she tadium, where the wind often swirls to players’ frustration.
“ ou need to have this adjustment, footwork, steps, in order to get on the ball,” Djokovic said. “I didn’t have that in the first set. I was still trying to find my way from baseline, and the other side he was serving well. ... fter I played a good tiebreak, everything kind of settled. I started to serve better, started to step into the court, which is important.”
In the women’s draw, defending champion and top seed erena Williams had a predictably comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over aroslava hvedova of a akhstan.
That set up a fourth-round clash with merican compatriot loane tephens, who produced one of the upsets of the year at the ustralian pen when she beat Williams in the quarterfinals.
“It will be epic,” said tephens, who downed merican compatriot amie Hampton 6-1, 6-3. “I’m really looking forward to it. ee what happens.”