Novak starts US Open buildup with Montreal win

AFP, MONTREAL: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic began his preparation for the US Open by defeating Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) Tuesday, advancing to the third round of the ATP Montreal Masters.
But there was no luck with the weather for Andy Murray, with the British second seed forced off court at 4-4 against Spain’s Tommy Robredo when rain struck less than an hour before midnight, postponing the finish of the contest until Wednesday.
Serbian top seed Djokovic made his first appearance since winning Wimbledon more than a month ago. He also created a bit of personal history with his 250th win at the Masters 1000 level.
Djokovic is riding a win steak in the elite series, winning the last five he has contested dating to Paris Bercy last November. He remains undefeated in his last 27 matches at the Masters.
Djokovic will now wait for a winner from American Jack Sock and 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov. Sock beat Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) while Dimitrov eliminated Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-5.
Ivo Karlovic beat eighth seed Milos Raonic 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/1), after the Canadian saved three match points before losing for his earliest exit in Montreal since 2010. The winner’s 22 aces sent him past 10,000 for his career.

Novak starts US Open buildup with Montreal win

AFP, MONTREAL: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic began his preparation for the US Open by defeating Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) Tuesday, advancing to the third round of the ATP Montreal Masters. But there was no luck with the weather for Andy Murray, with the British second seed forced off court at 4-4 against Spains Tommy Robredo when rain struck less than an hour before midnight, postponing the finish of the contest until Wednesday. Serbian top seed Djokovic made his first appearance since winning Wimbledon more than a month ago. He also created a bit of personal history with his 250th win at the Masters 1000 level. Djokovic is riding a win steak in the elite series, winning the last five he has contested dating to Paris Bercy last November. He remains undefeated in his last 27 matches at the Masters. Djokovic will now wait for a winner from American Jack Sock and 14th seed Grigor Dimitrov. Sock beat Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) while Dimitrov eliminated Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 7-5. Ivo Karlovic beat eighth seed Milos Raonic 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/1), after the Canadian saved three match points before losing for his earliest exit in Montreal since 2010. The winners 22 aces sent him past 10,000 for his career.