Cramping Nadal, Roddick into fourth round, Del Potro out of US Open

Cramping Nadal, Roddick into fourth round, Del Potro out of US Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits balls in the crowd after after his opponent Nicolas Mahut of France retired with an injury at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 2, 2011.

NEW YORK, Sept. 4 -- Defending champion Rafael Nadal and former winner Andy Roddick both marched into the fourth round of US Open with straight-set victories.

Nadal, the second seed, won 7-6 (5), 6-1, 7-5 in 2 hours, 39 minutes against David Nalbandian of Argentina.

About two hours later, the 25-year-old Spaniard suddenly slumped to the floor under a large table because of right leg cramps during a press conference.

"I just have cramping in my leg, that's all," Nadal said in a statement after the interview room was locked for about 10 minutes while trainers and his family attended to him. "That's why I fell. It was so painful."

"It could have happened anywhere, it was just bad luck it happened here," Nadal said in Spanish while standing in front of the interview podium.

Nadal will play Gilles Muller of Luxembourg for a place in the quarterfinals at the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year. Muller breezed past Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

Roddick, the 21st seed from the United States and the champion in 2003, won 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (5) against Frenchman Julien Benneteau and set up a match against David Ferrer, the fifth seed from Spain for a quarterfinal place.

Ferrer moved on also in straight sets against 26th seed Florian Mayer from Germany 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (2).

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, the 2009 US Open champion and the 18th seed this year, lost 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3) to Gilles Simon, the 12th seed from France, in a 3 hour, 57 minute match.

"It's very hard make a winner playing against Simon," said Del Potro.

"But I try until the end, and I play in lower level the tiebreaks. He take the chance and he close the match on fourth set," added the Argentinean, who lost both tiebreakers.

Donald Young became the second American player progressing in men's draw as the 22-year-old got into the tournament as a wild-card entrant, winning 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 against Juan Ignacio Chela, the 24th seed from Argentina, and next faces the winner between fourth-seeded Andy Murray of Britain and Feliciano Lopez, the 25th seed from Spain.

(Reuters)

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Russia's Lysenko wins women's hammer throw in Daegu worlds

Russia's Lysenko wins women's hammer throw in Daegu worlds

Gold medalist Tatyana Lysenko of Russia competes in the women's hammer throw final at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, on Sept. 4, 2011. Lysenko won the final with 77.13 metres.

DAEGU, South Korea, Sept. 4 -- Russia's former world record holder Tatyana Lysenko defeated the current holder Betty Heidler from Germany to claim her first world title here on Sunday with a 77.13-meter effort in the women's hammer throw final.

The 27-year-old opened the final by improving her seasonal best mark by three times out of three attempts to 77.13m, which brought her the first ever gold medal in a global major event. The mark is also the second longest in the world championships history, just behind Anita Wlodarczyk's winning mark of 77.96m in Berlin 2009.

"Until the last attempt, I was not sure I will get gold," said the Russian. "My throws were very solid and stable but hammer throw is the event in which you can never be sure about your victory until the last throw."

Lysenko made a below par start to the season but her form has taken an upward trajectory in recent weeks. The European silver medalist clinched the Russian title with 73.26m on July 24 before recording a then-season's best 75.70m at her final pre-Daegu competition in Moscow.

The 2006 Euro champion served two-year doping suspension to July 14, 2009 after failing an out-of-competition test on May 9, 2007. Her world record of 78.61m on May 26, 2007 and her European Cup win for that year were annulled.

Heidler, the 2007 world champion who smashed the world record with a stunning 79.42m in Halle in May 2011, got the silver with 76.06m from her penultimate throw.

"I do not know what was wrong with me today, why I did not get it today, why I did not get it together today. There was just no rhythm. It was not a good competition," said the 27-year-old. "I am not happy about this competition and my result. But at least I still got a silver medal because until the fifth attempt I was only third."

"Today's championship is a good motivation for me for 2012. Because I know that I am the best in the world this year and also the world record holder," she added.

China's Zhang Wenxiu won her third bronze medal in major global events by throwing the hammer to 75.03m in her first attempt. The 25-year-old Asian record holder landed world bronze in 2007 and the same color medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"I achieved my second best throw of the season and managed to return to the medals after missing the podium in Berlin," she said. "The gold and silver medal winner were very strong today and I wanted to achieve my best result in the first round. I am satisfied with my performance coming back from a long injury last year."

Cuba's twice world champion Yipsi Moreno managed to record only twice out of six attempts and finished fourth with her seasonal best of 74.48m.

"This is the first time I finish fourth at a major championship since 2001 and I am not unhappy," said the 30-year-old veteran. "I did not compete against the top girls this year and I only saw them here. Lack of competition was reflected in a number of fouls and playing safe to score a valid throw. Despite all this, I fought and produced my season's best."

"I feel I can improve today's result before the end of the season. The motivation is there and I will continue to pursue my Olympic dreams," she added.

Defending champion Wlodarczyk followed Moreno with this year's personal best mark of 73.56m.

"After many injuries, I only managed to do physical conditioning before coming here. I wanted 75m, but I am satisfied with my season's best and the fact that I did not commit many fouls," said the 26-year-old Pole.

Tatyana Lysenko of Russia competes during the women's hammer throw final at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, on Sept. 4, 2011. Lysenko won the final with 77.13 metres.

(Xinhua)

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Farah of Britain snatches gold in men's 5,000m at Daegu worlds

Farah of Britain snatches gold in men's 5,000m at Daegu worlds

Mohamed Farah of Britain reacts after winning the men's 5,000 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, September 4, 2011. He claimed the title of the event in 13 minites and 23.36 seconds.

DAEGU, South Korea, Sept. 4 -- Mohamed Farah of Britain took gold in the men's 5,000m in 13 minutes and 23.36 seconds on Sunday night at the Daegu world championships.

Fatah, 28, who is a Somali-born British middle-distance runner, took the lead in the last lap. In the final 100 meters, his competitors were challenging him, but he also charged ahead and crossed the finish line first.

It was his first world title in the men's 5,000m.

Bernard Lagat of the United States finished second in 13:23.64.

Imane Merga of Ethiopia finished third in 13:23.78, but was then disqualified by track referee for running inside his lane for 10-15m.

His fellow Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel then replaced him as the bronze medalist.

Mohamed Farah of Britain reacts after winning the men's 5,000 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, September 4, 2011. He claimed the title of the event in 13 minites and 23.36 seconds.

(Xinhua)

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Bolt makes amends with lightning 200

Bolt makes amends with lightning 200

DAEGU, South Korea - The doubters said Usain Bolt was vulnerable and that his star was on the wane. In response, the Jamaican showman silenced his critics on Saturday with the fastest feet in the world.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

Six days after his humiliating disqualification from the 100 metres final, the lanky Jamaican blew away his rivals in the 200, his favourite event, to retain his Berlin title and give the Daegu crowd the show they had been waiting for.

The 25-year-old, who set the world record of 19.19 in winning the title in Berlin two years ago, has struggled to regain top form after a back injury ended his 2010 season prematurely but he was back to his imperious best on the penultimate day of competition.

"I wasn't running angry, I was running hard just to say to fans sorry about the 100 metres," said Bolt. Only he and Michael Johnson have run 19.40 or faster over 200 metres.

"I came out here to do my best...19.40 for me, it is a good time. I am not in my best shape, but it is all about fun and enjoyment. Fans will decide if I made it up to them."

Bolt admitted he had been anxious before last Sunday's 100 final, which had contributed to his false start.

"I think it was anxiety," he said. "I was ready to go, I was excited, I wanted to get on the track and run.

"Anxiety got the best of me. I was in the blocks and after he said 'set' a second after that I thought I heard someone say 'go'. I left the blocks. It was all my fault."

During the race buildup to the 200 final on Saturday, Bolt looked loose and relaxed, playfully fist-bumping with the track assistant looking after his gear and handing him his numbers.

After putting his fingers to his lips to hush the crowd as the runners took their marks, the world record holder burst from the blocks in lane three and ate up the ground on American Walter Dix on his outside in a matter of strides.

Moving up through the gears around the bend, Bolt emerged at the top of the home straight with the race in the bag, pushing himself towards the line as the crowd rose to the sight of Bolt in full flight.

With his country's flag draped around his shoulders like a cape, the Jamaican super-sprinter worked the Korean crowd into a frenzy, delivering his signature victory pose and playing cat-and-mouse with the chasing pack of photographers.

Bolt said he was looking forward to the chance of winning another gold in the 4x100 on Sunday and paid tribute to Frenchman Lemaitre, who clocked 19.80 to finish behind Dix.

"It is good to run a good 200. It is my favorite event," he added. "I said over the years that Christophe was going to be a good athlete."

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica holds his shoes after winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica bows after winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after crossing the finish line next to Walter Dix of the US (L) winning the men's 200 metres final at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu September 3, 2011.

(Agencies)

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Serena Williams beats Azarenka in US Open

Serena Williams beats Azarenka in US Open

NEW YORK - Victoria Azarenka weathered the full force of Serena Williams at her best, an experience she described as "painful", before turning their US Open third-round match into a taut drama.

Serena Williams of the US celebrates a point against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2011.

Williams battered the fourth-seeded Belarussian in the first set but then was pushed to a scintillating tie-break to decide a dynamic second set before advancing to the round of 16 at Flushing Meadows with a 6-1 7-6 win.

Firing on all cylinders, Williams roared out to a 5-0 lead in just 17 minutes against Azarenka, a two-time tournament winner this season who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and is ranked fifth in the world.

"I think I played really well," said Williams. "I was doing the right things.

"It's a good feeling, for sure. It feels amazing."

The 22-year-old Azarenka described it differently.

"o have somebody just going at you like that, it's a little bit painful," she said.

"You try to do your best, but somebody's on fire."

Williams, seeded 28th after a long layoff due to injury dropped her from the world number one ranking, looked set to turn the tough match-up into a rout but Azarenka bounced back with some of her best tennis.

She changed the rhythm by playing aggressively and the pair produced the best tennis of the women's tournament so far.

Azarenka used deep groundstrokes to force Williams to race from corner to corner, but the American met the challenge, going into a full split after reaching for one forehand, and nearly crashing into a photographers' well after chasing down another shot into the corner.

Williams looked set to finally subdue her opponent when she took a 0-40 lead with Azarenka serving in the ninth game trailing 5-3 and trying to stay alive. The Belarussian fought off three break points in a row and held serve to make it 5-4.

With Williams serving for the match, Azarenka saved another match point in the next game, and put the set back on serve with a reflex block of a forehand smash to break serve for 5-5.

It went to a tie-break and the decider was 5-5 when Azarenka, a semi-finalist at Wimbledon this year, netted a forehand to give Williams her fifth match point.

Williams did not squander this one, inducing Azarenka to send a forehand wide to claim the tie-break 7-5.

"I think the whole match was (the quality of) a semi-final," Williams said.

"At the end of the day, it was a third round. I'm only in the round of 16 now. So, you know, I got to keep going the best I can."

The 29-year-old Williams will next face former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic, the 16th seed, who beat American wildcard Sloane Stephens.

Serena Williams of the US serves to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, September 3, 2011.

(Agencies)

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Brawl over penalty spoils Spain win over Chile

Brawl over penalty spoils Spain win over Chile

Spain's Cesc Fabregas celebrates with team mates David Silva (back) and Pedro Rodriguez (L) after he scored the second goal for the team during their international friendly soccer match against Chile in St Gallen, Sept 2, 2011.

ST GALLEN, Switzerland - Cesc Fabregas scored twice, including an injury-time winner, to give Spain a 3-2 victory over Chile on Friday in a friendly that ended in an ugly brawl involving players and officials from both sides.

Television replays suggested the penalty which resulted in substitute Fabregas's winner should not have been awarded as Alvaro Arbeloa seemed to dive.

Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas stunned Spain with early goals as a sizeable contingent of Chileans fans produced a carnival atmosphere rarely seen at the home of Swiss second division club St Gallen.

Halftime substitute Andres Iniesta inspired a Spanish revival by pulling one back and he also set up the equaliser for Fabregas.

The former Arsenal player then saw his penalty saved by Claudio Bravo but fired home the rebound for the late winner.

A huge brawl then erupted involving almost all of the players, and the benches joined in.

Spain's goalkeeper Pepe Reina tries to calm down his team mate Sergio Busquets (L) as Spain players argue with Chile players at the end of their international friendly soccer match in St Gallen, Sept 2, 2011.

Spain left Iniesta on the bench and appeared unprepared for the whirlwind which was unleashed against them as Chile began with the same mesmerising style which made them stand out at the 2010 World Cup.

The South Americans went ahead when a raking 60-metre crossfield ball by Gonzalo Jara from the left of the defence found Isla who took his time before firing an unstoppable shot past Iker Casillas in the 10th minute.

Chile struck again when Alexis Sanchez flicked the ball over a defender's head to send Vargas away and the 21-year-old Universidad de Chile forward rounded Casillas before flicking the ball in after 20 minutes.

Casillas then diverted Jean Beausejour's shot on to the post before Sanchez chipped over as Chile repeatedly caught out the Spanish rearguard.

Some of Chile's play bordered on show-boating while the Spanish showed an uglier, petulant side with numerous late tackles flying in as their frustration got the better of them.

The game changed completely after Iniesta was one of three Spanish substitutions at halftime.

The Barcelona midfielder reduced the arrears with a deflected low shot from the edge of the area nine minutes after the restart.

Fabregas and Fernando Torres came on in the 64th minute and the former Arsenal captain needed only seven minutes before slipping the ball under Bravo.

Spain and Chile players argue at the end of their international friendly soccer match against Chile in St Gallen, Sept 2, 2011.

(Agencies)

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Germany humiliates Austria 6-2 in Euro qualifiers

Germany humiliates Austria 6-2 in Euro qualifiers

Germany's Lukas Podolski and Holger Badstuber (R) celebrate a goal against Austria during their Euro 2012 Group A qualifying soccer match in Gelsenkirchen, Sept 2, 2011.

BERLIN - Germany remained with a clean sheet in Euro qualifiers 2012 when they trashed Austria 6-2 thanks to a hat-trick by midfielder Mesut Oezil at Veltins Arena on Friday.

The Germans shocked the guests with an early goal when midfielder Oezil hammered a shot into bottom left in the 8th minute. Oezil doubled the score for Germany at the 23rd minute when he rounded Austrian goalkeeper Christian Gartzei.

Only five minutes later, German striker Lukas Podolski tripled the lead when he netted from sharp angle inside penalty area. Just before break Austria showed a vital sign as striker Marko Arnautovic headed home a cross to make it 3-1 on the scoreboards.

After the break, Oezil sealed his hat-trick when he netted a pass into path for the 4-1 lead.

Austria was only able to make it 2-4 on the scoreboards through striker Martin Harnik as Germany kept it bowling with another two goals by joker youngster's striker Andre Schuerrle and midfielder mate Mario Goetze to mark the final 6-2 score to stun the guests.

"During the European Championship qualifying this team has done great," Joachim Loew said after his 70th match as German head coach.

Germany dominated Group A with 24 points from eight victories, followed by Turkey with 13 points, Belgium 12 points, Austria 7 points, Azerbaijan 4 points and Kazakhstan with 3 points. In October the German squad faces Turkey for the 9th match day of Euro qualifiers 2012.

(Xinhua)

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China beats Singapore 2-1 in World Cup qualifier

China beats Singapore 2-1 in World Cup qualifier

Singapore's Shahril Ishak (L) fights for the ball with China's Liu Jianye during their Asian qualifying soccer match for the 2014 World Cup, in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province September 2, 2011.

KUNMING - China laboured out a 2-1 comeback win over Singapore at the first group match in the third round of the 2014 World Cup Asian qualifiers here on Friday.

Singapore opened the scoring in the 33rd minute from China skipper Li Weifeng's dribbling error in the hosts' own half field. Tall striker Aleksandar Duric and his front line partner Qiu Li took good use of the chance to carve open the Chinese defence in the counter-attack, and Duric drove home a sharp small angle shot from Qiu's assist.

After missing a 59th-minute penalty, China levelled the score also by a penalty ten minutes later by substitute midfielder Zheng Zhi. Yu Hai took the winner on 73 mintues after substitute Yu Dabao's powerful shot following Zheng Zhi's left wing cross was blocked by keeper Lewis, who replaced injured Izwan Mahbud in the 54 minute and denied Qu Bo's penalty five minutes later.

Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic was sent off for protesting the referee after giving the hosts two penalties.

It is the first win for China's head coach Jose Antonio Camacho, who took over from Gao Hongbo on August 14. China is grouped with Iraq, Jordan and Singapore in Group A at the third round of the Asian qualifiers. The top two will qualify for the fourth round, which is made up of 10 teams.

China will meet Jordan in the next group match on September 6.

China had only one world cup experience: Bora Miludinovic guided them to the 2002 South Korea/Japan edition.

Singapore's Mustafic Fahrudin (L) fights for the ball with China's Chen Tao during their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match in Kunming, Yunnan province September 2, 2011.

(Xinhua)

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China braves early scare to beat Singapore

China braves early scare to beat Singapore

Singapore's goalkeeper Lionel Lewis fails to save a penalty goal by China's Zheng Zhi (2nd R) during their 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match in Kunming, Yunnan province Sept 2, 2011.

China's coach Jose Antonio Camacho Alfaro of Spain reacts during his team's 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match against Singapore in Kunming, Yunnan province, Sept 2, 2011.

KUNMING, Yunan - China won Friday at Kunming Tuodong Stadium.

That wasn't a big surprise - China never loses there.

The men's team kicked off 2014 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Singapore.

The Chinese team hasn't lost a game on the pitch since 1985, going 8-0-2 over its past ten matches there.

There was, of course, more to the victory than home-field advantage.

China survived an early 1-0 deficit with some gritty play in the clutch, and a healthy dose of luck.

Singapore took the lead in the 33rd minute, when 41-year-old striker Aleksandar Duric found the net after Chinese captain Li Weifeng lost the ball at midfield.

Yu Hai from China celebrates scoring a goal against Singapore during their 2014 World Cup Asian Zone qualifier in Kunming, Yunan province on Friday.

China wasted a chance to equalize in the second half when striker Qu Bo missed a penalty created by teammate Chen Tao in the 57th minute.

Things would get much worse for Singapore.

The home side got another penalty in the 69th minute. Midfielder Zheng Zhi converted the goal, giving China a fresh slate at 1-1.

Three minutes later, Singapore coach Avramovic Radojko was sent off the field for arguing with officials. One minute later, Yu Hai scored another goal for China and sealed the team's first-round-of-20 qualifier.

In other games, the Republic of Korea trashed Lebanon 6-0 at home, with Park Chu-young contributing a hat trick.

Japan secured a 1-0 victory against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with a late goal.

Australia defeated Thailand 2-1.

China will play its second game on Sept 7 in Jordan.

Singapore's coach Radjoko Avramovic of Serbia (C) is escorted off the field after he was kicked out of the pitch during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying soccer match against China in Kunming, Yunnan province, Sept 2, 2011.

(China Daily)

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Bolt back on centre stage on day seven in Daegu

Bolt back on centre stage on day seven in Daegu

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (R) competes in the men's 200 metres heat at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Sept 2, 2011.

DAEGU, South Korea - Jamaican Usain Bolt returns to the Daegu Stadium on Friday with a second chance to put his stamp on the 13th world championships five days after his 100 metres debacle.

The world's fastest man, who stormed out of the arena after a false start in the final of the blue riband sprint on Sunday, opens the defence of his 200 title in the heats on the seventh morning of the championships.

While he was thought to be vulnerable in the shorter sprint after a patchy season, Olympic champion and world record holder Bolt could hardly be a stronger favourite in the half-lap event.

American Allyson Felix admitted her decision to add the 400m to her schedule had left her sluggish in the heats of the 200m and she will need to be at her best when she goes for a fourth straight world title in the highlight of the evening session.

Compatriot Carmelita Jeter has targeted a double of her own after winning the 100 earlier in the championships, while Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and a third American, Shalonda Solomon, all looked impressive in the heats.

Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot and Ethiopian Meseret Defar will be battling it out for 5,000 metres gold immediately before the 200 final in an intriguing contest between the past two champions.

There could be American success in the men's shot put final through defending champion Christian Cantwell, while Czech world record holder and Olympic champion Barbora Spotakova and German Christina Obergfoell will be among those fighting it out for gold in the women's javelin.

Australian Mitchell Watt has made no secret of his belief that he can turn his bronze in Berlin two years ago into gold in the men's long jump although defending champion Dwight Phillips enjoyed a return to form in the heats.

In the last event of the evening, double amputee Oscar Pistorius will open South Africa's bid for gold in the 4x400 relay final.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica points skyward while preparing himself in the starting blocks during his men's 200 metres heat at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Sept 2, 2011.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica comes out of the starting blocks during his men's 200 metres heat at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Sept 2, 2011.

(Agencies)

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Djokovic romps past Berlocq in US Open 2nd round

Djokovic romps past Berlocq in US Open 2nd round

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York September 1, 2011.

NEW YORK - Novak Djokovic got a full match in but barely a full workout as the world number one romped past unseeded Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-0 6-0 6-2 on Thursday to advance to the third round of the US Open.

The Serb had won his first round match when Irish qualifier Conor Niland retired trailing 6-0 5-1 over worries he would get sick on court from a bad case of food poisoning.

Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Djokovic spent a bit more time on Arthur Ashe Stadium court against Berlocq, with the greatest suspense being whether the soft-hitting Argentine would be able to win a game from the top seed.

Berlocq broke through in the 15th game and won a standing ovation from the centre court crowd.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits tennis balls into the crowd after winning his evening match against Carlos Berlocq of Argentina at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a forehand to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball between his legs against Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot between his legs to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a forehand to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.

(Agencies)

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Top seed Wozniacki surges into 3rd round at US Open

Top seed Wozniacki surges into 3rd round at US Open

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark returns volley to Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York Sept 1, 2011.


NEW YORK - Top seed Caroline Wozniacki took another step in her campaign for a first grand slam title by surging past Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-2 6-0 on Thursday to reach the third round of the US Open.

After a stuttering start in which she was twice broken by the 82nd-ranked Rus, Wozniacki swept the last nine games of the 63-minute match.

"I think I started off a little bit slower, I didn't get too many first serves in," Wozniacki said in an on-court interview.

The Dane picked up steam as the match wore on, landing 13 of 15 first serves in the second set.

Wozniacki, who has won six tournaments this year, next plays unseeded American Vania King, a straight-sets winner against 29th seed Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia.

(Agencies)

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