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US Open 2020: Medvedev, Thiem ease through as Cilic and Murray survive

Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem eased through the US Open first round, while Marin Cilic and Andy Murray fought back from the brink.

By Dejan Kalinic
Daniil Medvedev

New York, September 2: Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem eased through the US Open first round, while Marin Cilic and Andy Murray fought back from the brink.

Medvedev had few problems against Federico Delbonis as he got his campaign underway in New York on Tuesday (September 1).

Thiem, a three-time grand slam runner-up, was also largely untroubled at Flushing Meadows.

However, Cilic and Murray were pushed hard in the opening round.

MARVELLOUS MEDVEDEV, TERRIFIC THIEM

Medvedev was far too strong for Delbonis in a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory after just one hour, 46 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Russian third seed hit 27 winners and 24 unforced errors while giving up just 13 points on serve in a comprehensive win.

Thiem was on court for almost two hours, leading Jaume Munar 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 when the Spaniard retired.

It was a good day for the seeds, with Matteo Berrettini also cruising on Tuesday.

The Italian sixth seed, a semi-finalist last year, was too good for Go Soeda 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-4.

CILIC, MURRAY SURVIVE

Cilic came from two sets and a break down to edge past Denis Kudla 6-7 (3-7) 3-6 7-5 7-5 6-3.

The 2014 champion looked on track for an early exit before fighting back, hitting 62 winners to advance in three hours, 33 minutes.

Playing singles at a grand slam for the first time since the 2019 Australian Open, Murray needed almost five hours to get past Yoshihito Nishioka.

The three-time grand slam winner saved a match point before advancing 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

Murray faces another huge test in the second round, where Felix Auger-Aliassime awaits after the Canadian 15th seed beat Thiago Monteiro.

RAONIC, DIMITROV SHOW FINE FORM

After a runner-up finish at the Western & Southern Open, Milos Raonic continued his good form in New York.

The Canadian served 14 aces in a 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Leonardo Mayer.

"I would say I think for me the most important thing was to leave last week behind quickly in two days and understand and not expect like last week automatically carries over, but that I start fresh," Raonic said after his win.

"Hopefully with the experience and the matches from last week, I can find my game a little bit quicker. I think I started off pretty well today."

Grigor Dimitrov, the 14th seed, also looked in good form in a 6-4 6-3 6-1 win over Tommy Paul.

Paul stunned Dimitrov at the Australian Open this year, but the Bulgarian was too good in New York.

It was yet another dominant day for the male seeds.

Medvedev was the 13th of 15 in action to advance, with only Nikoloz Basilashvili and Guido Pella bowing out.

Story first published: Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 9:43 [IST]
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