The first round in Flushing Meadows produced a number of upsets, but normalcy has ruled the day in the second round, for the most part. However, the heat and humid conditions continued to take a toll at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center on Thursday.

Federer Rolls

Roger Federer continued to make quick work of his opponents thus far, as he rolled past Steve Darcis of Belgium, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.

Federer wasted little time in an 80-minute mismatch where the Swiss would completely have his way on the court. The 17-time major champion struck 46 winners, while Darcis could only find eight to go with his 18 unforced errors.

The Swiss was pleased to still compete at a high level. “I've enjoyed myself so many times, so many years. It's wonderful that I can still experience it and play this well. It's great,” Federer said. “I hope this is not my last one, of course.”

Federer has lost just nine games in his first two matches in New York. He will face the veteran Phillipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.

Murray digs out of a hole

It took some time, but Andy Murray finally turned around what appeared to be a sinking ship to defeat Adrian Mannarino 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.

Mannarino jumped out to a quick start as the No. 3 seed appeared to be in a funk. The Frenchman broke service early, and while Murray would eventually earn it back, Mannarino would strike once more. As the Scot served at 5-5, the world No. 35 would break serve and quickly finish out the first set.

In the second set, both players protected their service games until Mannarino broke through late once more. He would close out the set on his serve. However, in the third set with a sense of urgency behind him, Murray stepped up the intensity and ran through the set without incident.

The world No. 3 began to further turn the tide in the fourth set as heavy legs crept into Mannarino’s game. As quickly as he had fallen into a hole, Murray had dug himself out. And in what became a fitness test between the two, Murray clearly held the upper hand. He would close out a match that had looked bleak in the early going, taking 18 out of the last 23 games.

Murray shared the keys to his comeback after the match. “You need to believe for a start, which is not always easy. I obviously had quite a few opportunities, I think I was one for seven on break points,” he said. “In the first set I had 0-40 at 6-5 on his serve and I just was not able to break him at any of the important moments unfortunately. I just had to tell myself that I would get there eventually and managed to turn it around.”

Gritty performance ousts Wozniacki

Fourth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki had few answers for Petra Cetkovska early, but with her back to the wall she turned the match around. However, in a match with many ebbs and flows, it was the Czech who would prevail, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6.

In the first set and the beginning of the second, the veteran Cetkovska frustrated the counter-punching Dane by peppering her with deep, flat groundstrokes. The usually cool-headed Wozniacki could not hide her frustrations as she failed to turn the match in her favor, and it appeared her stay in New York was coming to an abrupt end. However, down 1-4 in the second set, she turned the match around, benefiting from obvious nerves from Cetkovska. The 30-year-old, whose career has been plagued by injuries, sprayed balls and played tight as Wozniacki rallied to take the second set.

In the decisive third set, Cetkovska settled her nerves and began to play more consistent and confident tennis. The two players continued to battle, each stingy with their service games. Each played outstanding, competitive tennis down the stretch, much to the delight of the late night crowd. Cetkovska fired aggressive groundstrokes, while Wozniacki seemingly chased every shot down. Appropriately, with neither competitor relenting and after the Czech saved a handful of match points serving at 5-6, the contest would be decided by a tiebreak.

In the tiebreaker, it was Cetkovska who would separate herself, making all the clutch, timely shots. She would upset the fourth seed in a match that lasted more than three hours. The former world No. 1 was in the opposite half of the draw from Serena Williams, but her exit clears the path for fifth seed Petra Kvitova, who has been strong thus far.

Azarenka wins after overcoming slow start

One of the most dangerous lower-seeded players in the women’s draw returned to action on Thursday. Victoria Azarenka entered Flushing Meadows as a No. 20 seed, but most acknowledge that she is one of the most dangerous players in the draw.

The two-time major champion slipped to her current ranking of world No. 20 due to injuries, but she has proven in the past that she can compete toe-to-toe with Serena Williams. Azarenka advanced with a 7-5, 6-4 victory against Yanina Wickmayer. It wasn’t the Belarusian’s best effort, but in a survive-and-advance mentality, the former world No. 1 will take the result.

Azarenka was forced to overcome a slow start where she fell behind 4-5 in the first set. She managed to break Wickmayer’s serve to stay in the set and then rode that momentum to the victory.

Azarenka stated that she is comfortable dealing with adversity in matches. “I think in the tough moments, pressure moments, that's where I find my best game,” she said. “I like to be in that battle, and I like to test myself. Sometimes when things always go your way, it gets a little bit boring.”

Wickmayer actually struck more winners than Azarenka, who misfired with 21 unforced errors on the day to just 16 winners. Nevertheless, she was a winner in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Halep eases into the Third Round

Much has been made as to the inability of Simona Halep to win a major, given her high ranking and success in the last two seasons. The Romanian took a step in that direction with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Kateryna Bondarenko.

It was a business-like effort for the No. 2  seed, who outdueled her opponent from the baseline. Halep’s groundstrokes were clean for most of the match, while her opponent committed 24 unforced errors, leading to her demise.

After past difficulties as world No. 2, Halep feels much more comfortable in that position this time. “I couldn't be focused for what I have to do,” she said. “With experience now I'm much better. I feel I have much more confidence in myself. I'm stronger mentally — and physically.” Reflecting on her last stint at the high ranking, she stated, “I lost my mind a little bit.” Halep is in the opposite side of the bracket from Serena Williams.

News and Notes

The humidity coupled with mid-90s temperatures have continued to wreak havoc on players. Jack Sock was the latest to feel the effects of the extreme conditions. The young American fainted on the court and was forced to retire in his match against Ruben Bemelmans leading 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 1-2. Sock left the court unable to shake the hand of the Belgian. Sock joins Denis Istomin as one of two players on the day forced to retire, joining the previous 10 men thus far.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that those who navigate through the difficult conditions in the first week will reap dividends in the second when the marathon tournament winds towards its conclusion.

There was a changing of the guard in Australian tennis on Thursday, at least at the U. S. Open. Bernard Tomic eliminated Lleyton Hewitt in a dramatic five-set encounter, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5. It was a match where the Aussie legend, known for his “never say die” attitude, would mount a comeback after a two-set deficit. He would actually work his way to two match points in the fifth set but could not cash in.

It was a tough match for Tomic to play. “He's a huge legend for me,” he said. “I always looked up to him. It was difficult to play him. It was very emotional for me.”