Day 3: Isner, Del Potro Debut; Murray Glides

John Isner and Juan Martin Del Potro finally got their first round matches at the U.S. Open underway as Andy Murray made it an early night on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

By Erik Gudris

(August 29, 2012) -- Wednesday marked the debut of several of the top seeds on the men's side as they competed in their opening round matches on day three of the U.S. Open.

No. 4 seed David Ferrer was forced into a third set tiebreak by big serving Kevin Anderson but the Spaniard managed to close out a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(3) win. No. 7 seed Juan Martin Del Potro, who was to face fellow Argentine David Nalbandian before he withdrew due to injury, took on lucky loser Florent Serra. But Del Potro, despite some patchy play, eventually won 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-4.

"It's not easy because I was thinking about six days playing against one player and then last night they changed," said Del Potro about facing a new opponent. "It's not easy, but anyway, anything can happen. And this morning I wake up thinking about Serra, trying to do my game like always, and the other thing was completely the past."

Del Potro will next meet American Ryan Harrison who after a slow start in the first set came back to win over Benjamin Becker 7-5, 6-4, 6-2.

No. 9 seed John Isner, fresh off winning the title in Winston-Salem, took on veteran Xavier Malisse in a match that was filled with tense moments throughout as Malisse often argued with officials over line calls and with fans that he felt made too much noise. Despite dropping the third set, Isner as expected managed to win two tight tiebreaks to eventually close out a 6-3, 7-6(7), 5-7, 7-6(11) victory.

"I wish I could make it easier on myself but I tend to not do that, as a lot of people know,” said a happy Isner who next meets Jarkko Nieminen in the next round.

Brian Baker, playing in the U.S. Open for the first time in seven years after injuries derailed his career, got back to his winning ways over Jan Hajek in a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win. Baker afterwards admitted to some nerves during the match, but that it was more a help than a hindrance.

"I think just getting out and not having played the U.S. Open in seven years and having expectations and having a lot of friends and family just gives you ‑‑ I mean, it's good nerves," Baker said. "I think it helps you focus a little bit more and want it a little bit more, but it was exciting time to be back after so much time off."

Five Set Dramas Continue

Five set matches are nothing new at a Major but the number of comebacks by players being two sets to love down this week continued to be a big factor in week one.

No. 8 seed Janko Tipsarevic found himself down two sets to love to France's Guillaume Rufin before coming back to win 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Ernests Gulbis also pulled off the same feat as he dismissed No. 21 seed Tommy Haas in a grueling three hour and forty minute match 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 marking the ninth such comeback win by a player from two sets to love down so far in the tournament.

In the night session, young American Bradley Klahn with the help of a boisterous crowd on Court 17 knocked out Jurgen Melzer 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.

Several seeds fell today including No. 26 seed Andreas Seppi to Tommy Robredo, No. 29 seed Viktor Troicki to Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and No. 28 seed Mikhail Youzhny who lost to Gilles Muller after the Russian was up two sets 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-7(6), 6-7(6).

Murray Romps Into Third Round Over Dodig

Despite Croatia's Ivan Dodig having several wins against top ten players in his career including one over Rafael Nadal, his past success meant very little during his meeting tonight versus No. 3 seed Andy Murray, as fans watching at Arthur Ashe Stadium were treated to yet another blowout match.Murray jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the first set with help from a forehand error from Dodig and that was all Murray needed to eventually wrap up the first set 6-2.

Murray rolled through the second set and though he did face a break point against him midway through the third set while up 4-3, the Scot fought off Dodig's last chance to make the evening somewhat competitive as Murray closed out a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 win to reach the third round.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)