Action at the 2021 US Open is heating up with the first two rounds of the competition completed at Flushing Meadows.
Following a largely uneventful first round, the second round has been much more interesting as upsets have taken place and we have seen some absolutely dominant performances from some of the big hitters at the tournament. Here is a recap of some of the major matches from Round 2 of the competition;
In the men’s category, Serbian World number one Novak Djokovic continued his search for a record 21st Grand Slam title by defeating unseeded Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets 6-2 6-3 6-2 to progress to the third round.
World number two Daniil Medvedev showed that he is ready for business in the tournament as he defeated unseeded German Dominik Koepfer in straight sets 6-4 6-1 6-2.
World number three Stefano Tsitsipas defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-0 to qualify for the third round.
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev also claimed a 76 6-7 6-1 6-1 victory over Pedro Martinez to qualify for the third round.
Matteo Berrettini defeated Corentin Moutet 7-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 to qualify for the third round. World number four Alexander Zverev also defeated Spain’s Albert Ramos Vinolas in ruthless fashion 6-1 6-0 6-3.
Canadian seventh seed Denis Shapovalov defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 6-3 6-0. Aslan Karatsev came from two sets down to win against Jordan Thompson 3-6 3-6 7-5 7-6 6-1.
In the rounds shocking upsets, 10th seed Hibbert Hurkacz was knocked out by Italy’s Andreas Seppi after the Italian came back from a set down to win 2-6 6-4 6-4 7-6. Alexei Popyrin also defeated 15th seed Grigor Dimitrov as he led 7-6 7-6 4-0 before Dimitrov retired from the match.
Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp defeated Norwegian eighth seed Casper Ruud 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-4. Eleventh seed Diego Schwartzman defeated South African Kevin Anderson 7-6 6-3 6-4 to qualify for the third round. Jannik Sinner defeated Zachary Svajda 6-3 7-6 6-7 6-4 to reach the third round.
In the women’s category, 17-year-old Coco Gauff was knocked out by experienced compatriot Stone Stephens 6-4 6-2.
World number one Ashleigh Barty eased her way past Clara Tauson 6-1 7-5, and number two Aryna Sabalenka defeated Tamara Zidane 6-3 6-1.
Naomi Osaka did not have to lift a finger as her opponent Olga Danilovic pulled out before the start of their match due to illness.
Fourth seed Karolina Pliskova defeated American Amanda Anisimova 7-5 6-7 7-6. Bianca Andreescu defeated Lauren Davis 6-4 6-4, and Elina Svitolina beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2 7-5. Iga Swiatek came from two set down to defeat Fiona Ferro 3-6 7-6 6-0.
In other matches, Angelique Kerber defeated Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-2, and Petra Kvitova defeated compatriot Kristyna Pliskova 7-6 6-2.
Olympic champion Belinda Bencic defeated Martina Trevisan 6-3 6-1 as Anastasia Pavluychenkova defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-2 5-7 6-2.
Unseeded Sara Sorribes Tormo defeated veteran Hsieh Su Wei 6-1 6-3. Maria Sakkari defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-4 6-2, and Tunisian Ons Jabeur defeated Maria Camila Osorio Serrano 6-0 6-1 to progress to the third round.
