Bernard Tomic is the latest Aussie into the second round of the US Open after claiming a straight sets win over Dustin Brown.
Tomic emerged 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) from the one hour and 54 minute opener, using a backhand winner to force match point in the third set tiebreak before dismissing his world No.97 opponent with a forehand winner.
“I dug deep and I played well. I played the right tennis. It was what I needed to do against Dusty because we all know what he is capable of doing,” wild card entrant Tomic said of the sporadically brilliant Brown.
“He can beat anyone. He has done that before. He has beaten Nadal and has had wins over Lleyton, so you have to be ready for him.”
Tomic became the seventh Aussie to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows, joining Nick Kyrgios, Anastasia Rodionova, Matt Ebden, Sam Stosur, Casey Dellacqua and Sam Groth. Unfortunately for the 21-year-old, he faces fourth seed David Ferrer in the next round.
Fellow Aussie Marinko Matosevic suffered a first round exit at the hands of five-time champ Roger Federer, edging the world No.76 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in the third set tiebreaker.
In search of his first major title win since Wimbledon in 2012, Federer received a tougher first round encounter than he was hoping for.
“It was a bit more difficult than I thought it was going to be,” admitted the 18-time Grand Slam champion.
“Marinko has got a big game. He serves and volleys so it gave me a chance to hit some good passing shots.”
Lleyton Hewitt kicks off his US Open campaign against sixth seed Tomas Berdych early Thursday morning while Rodionova takes on 13th seed Italian Sara Errani in a second round matchup.
Photo: Stretter Lecka/Getty Images
