Ivanovic suffers US Open exit as Serena nets win
EIGHTH seed Ana Ivanovic crashed out of the US Open after suffering a shock second-round defeat to Czech Karolina Pliskova yesterday.
The 26-year-old’s exit was the second upset of the week after fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska slumped to defeat on Wednesday, with Ivanovic bowing out 7-5, 6-4.
There were no such problems for world No1 Serena Williams who won 10 games in a row to dispatch compatriot Vania King 6-1, 6-0 and reach the third round.
Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka shrugged off a stuttering first-round performance to win 12 of the last 14 games during a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over America’s Christina McHale at Flushing Meadows.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is bidding to reach the US Open final for the fifth year in succession and coasted through his second- round clash with France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu, winning in commanding style 6-1, 6-3, 6-0.
Elsewhere in the early games, ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga eased into the next round after dispatching Ukraine’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov in straight sets, posting a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Tenth seed Kei Nishikori was two sets up when opponent Pablo Andujar retired while American number one John Isner was untroubled as he brushed aside Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 [7/5], 6-4, 6-2.