There was more drama in the men’s singles of the US Open on Day 3. 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and French Open runner-up Alexander Zverev were both in action in New York. Relive who impressed, which players struggled, and which match was the best of the day.
US Open Day 3 Men’s Recap
Who Looked Good
Novak Djokovic benefited from Laslo Djere’s retirement in the third set. The match was played in intense humidity under the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the night session. Djokovic sometimes struggled with the conditions, but Djere sustained his injury while 4-2 up in the second. His illustrious opponent took advantage and was 6-4 6-4 2-0 up when he decided to end the match.
Taylor Fritz players superbly to overcome the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini on Louis Armstrong Stadium. The American did not face a break point in his 6-3 7-6 6-1 triumph. Berrettini could not cope with Fritz’s serving and baseline game throughout the match.
Ben Shelton was another American who triumphed without losing his serve on Day 3 of the US Open, beating the veteran Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4 6-4. The Spaniard played well for long periods of the match, but his opponent’s superior serve put him under constant pressure.
Andrey Rublev needed five sets to make the third round. He was 4-6 5-7 down against Arthur Rinderknech, who knocked out last year’s Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks in the previous round. But Rublev responded superbly to ease through the last three sets 6-1 6-2 6-2.
Alexander Zverev played better than in the first round, overcoming Alexandre Muller 6-4 7-6 6-1. He lost a set in his opening match against Maximilian Marterer but was more consistent in his victory against Muller.
Who Looked Bad
2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka is out after losing 4-6 6-7 3-6 to Mattia Bellucci. It would be harsh to say the 39-year-old was poor since being on the court at that age is already impressive. However, he did make some surprising errors at key moments, and this was a match he could have won if he had been close to his best.
Rinky Hijikata had a terrible first two sets against Grigor Dimitrov on Day 3, losing them 1-6 1-6. He improved in the third set but lost it on a tiebreak. The Australian’s level in the opening two sets was among the worst at Flushing Meadows this year. However, despite those difficulties, he deserves credit for continuing to fight hard in the third.
Match of the Day
Lorenzo Musetti’s five-set battle against Miomir Kecmanovic was the best men’s match on Day 3 of the US Open. The Italian made a slow start to the contest in the opening set. His serve was uncharacteristically wayward, and he was broken twice to lose it 3-6. The Wimbledon semifinalist responded by winning the second set, securing the crucial break in the fifth game.
The third set had three consecutive breaks, with the score tied at 3-3. Two of those went Musetti’s way, allowing him to serve it out at 5-4 to take a two sets to one lead. But Kecmanovic played his best tennis in the fourth. Incredibly, he broke Musetti three times, claiming the set 6-2 and forcing a deciding set in front of a loud crowd on Court 5.
After the pair traded breaks earlier in the set, Musetti was down a match point at 4-5, but he saved it with an ace. That proved to be the pivotal moment in the match. After holding serve, the Italian won the final two games to seal a dramatic 3-6 6-4 6-4 2-6 7-5 triumph.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
