Raonic Grinds as Djokovic, Roddick Win at U.S. Open

Milos Raonic earned his first ever win in New York with a scratchy, error-filled five set win. Andy Roddick had an easier time as did many of the top seeds on day two at the U.S. Open.

By Erik Gudris

Andy Roddick plays in the first round of the 2012 US Open

(August 28, 2012) -- Despite the threat of rain, it was all clear skies on day two of the U.S. Open that saw more of the top seeds get their first round matches underway.

The match of the day ended up being between No. 15 seed Milos Raonic and Colombian Santiago Giraldo. The rising Canadian star was seeking his first ever win at Flushing Meadows. When Raonic quickly won the first set, it looked like he was on his way to a possible straight sets win.

Instead, the match turned into a perplexing, messy and yet sometimes entertaining five set grind as Giraldo, with the help of a late call against Raonic's serve, broke the Canadian to take the second set and level the match. Raonic, who served 15 double faults on the day, often looked content to hit shots from well beyond the baseline with Giraldo who took the third set and then broke Raonic to start the fourth.

But it was an overrule from the umpire on a Giraldo shot that just missed clipping the baseline that sent the Colombian into an angry tirade that seemed to throw off the rest of his game. Raonic finally broke Giraldo back to take the fourth set and despite the fifth set being close, Raonic raised his game just enough to break Giraldo in the final game to close out a 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Afterwards, a relieved Raonic admitted that his serving woes for the day was the biggest reason why he struggled in the match.

"He was dictating. I feel like he was going for quite a bit and not missing," said Raonic. "The thing is, most of the time my initial way of creating pressure on my opponents is with the serve, serving and holding quite comfortably, and then they hesitate a little more on their service games and that gives me a little bit more freedom. He was holding easier than I was. So it's sort of like a double-edged sword. It was hurting me today that I wasn't serving well."

No. 20 seed Andy Roddick, appearing in his 13th straight U.S. Open, faced American qualifier Rhyne Williams of Knoxville, Tennessee. Despite Williams staying close with the former 2003 champion for most of the match, it only took one loose game from Williams in each of the three sets to allow Roddick to get a break of serve that helped him to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win.

Roddick, who will turn 30 this month, when asked what he wanted for his birthday during his post-match merely said, "I just want to be around next week. Then we'll renegotiate."

When asked what he thought of Williams's game, Roddick said, "He has a good base. I mean, he can create something. Now it's just a matter of -- he's got to be a little bit quicker. I have dealt with an average backhand for many years and have had to kind of learn to get around it a little bit and become a better mover later on, you know, in my career. So there is plenty of things. I think if you can win free points off your serve it's a good start."

Roddick will next face Australia's Bernard Tomic who beat Carlos Berlocq 4-6, 7-5 6-3, 6-4.

No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a mental lapse in his third set against Karol Beck before closing out the match in a tiebreak 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(2). No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych struggled early against Belgian David Goffin before the Czech was able to close out a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win.

No. 27 seed Sam Querrey, who just missed winning the U.S. Open Series, was forced to battle in four sets against Yen-Hsun Lu before emerging with a 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 victory. Philipp Petzschner came back from being two sets to love down against Nicolas Mahut before the German closed out the match in a fifth set tiebreak 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. 7-6(3).

David Nalbandian, who was scheduled to play No. 7 seed Juan Martin Del Potro, withdrew from the tournament due to a rib injury. Lucky loser Florent Serra will take Nalbandian's place in the draw.

Djokovic Breaks a Sweat But Not Much Else in Opening Win

Defending champion and No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic may have been expecting a tougher battle in his opening round match tonight against Italy's Paolo Lorenzi and when Lorenzi won an extended rally in the first game to break Djokovic's serve, it looked like it might happen.

But that game was the lone highlight for Lorezni who was playing in his first ever U.S. Open match as Djokovic reeled off the next six games and took the set 6-1 with a forehand winner. The next two sets saw Djokovic remain in total control as hit a total of 32 winners to complete a 6-1, 6-0, 6-1 win in just 73 minutes.

In men's doubles action, top seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor were upset by the young American team of Steve Johnson and Jack Sock 1-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)