US Open 2020: Andy Murray beaten by awesome Auger-Aliassime as Medvedev, Thiem cruise

Dejan Kalinic

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US Open 2020: Andy Murray beaten by awesome Auger-Aliassime as Medvedev, Thiem cruise image

Andy Murray's return at the US Open ended in the second round, while Daniil Medvedev's strong form continued on Thursday.

In singles action at a grand slam for the first time since the 2019 Australian Open, Murray produced a gutsy win in his opener, but fell in the second round in a rainy New York.

The three-time grand slam champion was joined by Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov in exiting the major, which is being played behind closed doors at Flushing Meadows.

Medvedev, meanwhile, continued to cruise, while Dominic Thiem was also untroubled.

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MURRAY BOWS OUT

Murray fought hard but was sent packing by Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Canadian 15th seed recording a 6-2 6-3 6-4 win.

Auger-Aliassime was in impressive form on Arthur Ashe Stadium, hitting 52 winners and just 30 unforced errors.

Murray needed more than four and a half hours to get past Yoshihito Nishioka in the opening round, but Auger-Aliassime was too good.

The 20-year-old lost just 14 points on serve for the match, winning in two hours, seven minutes.

MEDVEDEV, THIEM EASE THROUGH

Medvedev is yet to drop a set at the grand slam after brushing past Australian Christopher O'Connell 6-3 6-2 6-4.

The Russian third seed and last year's runner-up was satisfied with his performance as he mixed 32 winners with 31 unforced errors.

"It was great. It was a great match. Nothing special but really happy to win in three sets," Medvedev said.

"I didn't lose my serve, which is always important. Managed to break early in the second and third set, and first set was, I think, under control also.

"Happy to be through, and let's see what the next rounds will give us."

Up next for Medvedev is J.J. Wolf, the American 21-year-old recording a 6-2 6-4 6-3 win over Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round.

Thiem, the three-time grand slam runner-up and second seed, cruised past Sumit Nagal 6-3 6-3 6-2 on his 27th birthday.

A tougher test is awaiting the Austrian, who will meet Marin Cilic after the 2014 champion beat Norbert Gombos 6-3 1-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.

 

RAONIC, DIMITROV STUNNED

Having reached the Western & Southern Open final, Raonic looked in fine form in the United States.

However, the 25th seed fell in the second round, losing to fellow Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

Dimitrov, the 14th seed, also exited, edged by Marton Fucsovics 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 6-1 after four hours, 50 minutes.

But last year's semi-finalist Matteo Berrettini is embarking on another run, the Italian sixth seed beating Ugo Humbert 6-4 6-4 7-6 (8-6).

Roberto Bautista Agut, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, Alex de Minaur and Casper Ruud also advanced on what was another good day for male seeds.

Dejan Kalinic