US Open day 3 wrap: Nadal makes history, Muguruza & Raonic stunned

While Rafa Nadal strolled under the roof, Garbine Muguruza and Milos Raonic became the biggest casualties of the 2016 US Open to date, both players suffering shock defeats on a hot, humid day at Flushing Meadows.

Quick hits:

• Third seed Muguruza beaten by Sevastova
• Milos Raonic crashes out against Ryan Harrison
• Wozniacki roars past Kuznetsova
• Rafa Nadal made US Open history

The women’s action:

Garbine Muguruza became the highest seeded casualty of the US Open thus far, the No.3 seed crashing out of the tournament to Anastasia Sevastova. In a tense, tight affair, both players struggled at crucial points in the match, before the Latvian broke at the death to win 7-5 6-4.

“I had to show myself what could be, I am so happy that it went well,” Sevastova said post match. “I think this stage, grand slams, playing on the biggest stage, it cannot get bigger.”

Muguruza wasn’t the only upset on Ashe. Two-time finalist Caroline Wozniacki upset ninth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova earlier in the day. Wozniacki, who was struggled for form throughout 2016, roared back from 4-0 down in the first set to win 6-4 6-4.

“I stopped looking at the ranking once I fell out of the top 10,” Caroline cooed. “I feel like I belong at the top. Today I beat someone who’s been playing really well this year and that’s definitely going to build my confidence.”

Angelique Kerber continued her march through the draw, dismissing a potentially tricky opponent in Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. The second seed, who has a shot at taking the world No.1 at Flushing Meadows, survived a tight second set to win 6-2 7-6(7).

Elsewhere, Jo Konta survived a mid-match collapse to beat Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 5-7 6-2; Petra Kvitova beat Buyukakcay 7-6(2) 6-3; Belinda Bencic downed Andrea Petkovic 6-3 6-2; and Madison Keys beat Kayla Day 6-1 6-1.

The men’s action:

Rafa Nadal made a little bit of history at the US Open tonight, becoming the first player to win a point with the roof closed on Arthur Ashe (coincidentally, he was also the first to practice under it). The fourth seed put in an utterly commanding performance against Italian Andreas Seppi, wowing the late night Arthur Ashe crowd with a 6-0 7-5 6-1 demolition.

“I am going to be part of a history of this amazing event. To be the first player to play with the roof closed is amazing,” Rafa said. “I feel the conditions are pretty similar when the roof is closed or open, but the conditions are very different from the year before. This used to be one of the hardest courts to play on.”

Who saw that coming? Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic is out of the US Open. The Canadian needed treatment in the third set as he was beaten by qualifier Ryan Harrison 6-7(4) 7-5 7-5 6-1 on Grandstand.

Raonic, who cited “nerves, stress and mental over-exuberance” as the reason behind his cramping, gave a typically candid interview to reporters. “It’s happened to me before. I didn’t serve well to start the tournament and that’s my go-to. That added more than I normally have to deal with.”

Harrison headlined a very good day for American tennis. John Isner came through a potentially tricky match-up against Steve Darcis, winning 6-3 6-4 6-7(10) 6-3. Meanwhile, Jack Sock was utterly dominant against Mischa Zverev, winning 6-1 6-1 6-2.

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic was handed a straight pass into the third round when Jiri Vesely retired; 2014 champion Marin Cilic won the battle of the big servers as he dismissed Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-1 6-2 6-3; Gael walloped Jan Satral 7-5 6-4 6-3; and Marcos Baghdatis scored an impressive 6-2 6-4 3-6 6-4 win over Benoit Paire.