By Steve Ginsburg
NEW YORK Aug 29 (Reuters) – The top guns at the U.S. Open
encountered little resistance once again at the U.S. Open as
Victoria Azarenka and David Ferrer cruised to straight-sets
victories at upset-free Flushing Meadows on Wednesday.
Day three of the year’s final grand slam tournament was
similar to the first two, with upsets as scarce as a wood
racquet at the National Tennis Center.
World number one Azarenka overpowered Belgian qualifier
Kirsten Flipkens 6-2 6-2 in 65 minutes in blustery Arthur Ashe
Stadium, while on the men’s side, fourth-seeded Ferrer stopped
erratic South African Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-2 7-6.
“It was another good performance today,” said Azarenka, who
routed Russian Alexandra Panova 6-0 6-1 in her first-round
match. “It was a little bit difficult with the wind today, to
adjust.
“It was blowing a lot from one side. You kind of had to
adjust every time you changed sides. When the wind is behind you
had to be more patient, sometimes more aggressive, more spin.”
Flipkens tried to mix the pace of her shots in hopes of
getting Azarenka off stride.
“I wanted to come to the net but if you’re against the wind
it’s not that easy,” she said. “I was trying to get her out of
the rhythm with my slice and a few topspin forehands.
“But if you’re number one in the world you should be able to
play every shot. She’s a fighter. She’s goes for every shot.”
Continued…
