Australia's Lleyton Hewitt turned back the hour glass on Friday, as the former top-ranked tennis star pulled off a 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-1 stunner over ex-US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 32-year-old Hewitt was sensation in the five-set duel, firing 10 aces and 42 winners. The Australian recorded 43 unforced errors, but Del Potro faltered more with 70 miscues. All in all, the match combined for 113 unforced errors as tough conditions continued to be prevalent in Flushing Meadows.
"I was obviously trying to regroup but the conditions were tough out here," Hewitt told reporters via ATP Tour about the unpredictable winds that made his match with Del Potro tougher than everybody expected.
Hewitt, who won his first of his two Grand Slam titles in Flushing Meadows 13 years ago, will next face Russian Evgeny Donskoy in the third round. Donskoy punched his way to the next round after surviving Peter Gojowczyk in another three-set thriller on Friday.
Aside from Hewitt, world's no.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic also complained about the volatile playing conditions in the tournament. Nole cruised through an easy victory over Benjamin Becker 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2, but the Serb had to solve a shaky start caused by unpredictable winds.
"It was very tough," Djokovic told reporters. "It was a lot of unforced errors, very windy conditions. You couldn't really read and kind of predict where the ball is going to go, so you have to be very alert. At the start I had difficulty with my footwork. But as I won a set after that, it was very much, much better."
With this kind of environment, there are chances that upsets could pile in over the next few days in Queens, N.Y. The Big Four of men's tennis--Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal--all advanced to the next round, but things could be challenging for them ahead.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams arranged an interesting All-American showdown with the 20-year old Sloane Stephens, who ironically is one of only three players to defeat the world's no.1 this season.
Williams is out to avenge her quarterfinal 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to Stephens earlier this year at the Australian Open. On the other hand, Stephens looks to reach her third Grand Slam quarterfinal this year after playing in the semis of Australian Open and quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Open.
"I definitely look forward to it. Whatever happens ... an American for sure will be in the quarterfinals, which is really good," Williams told USA Today about her looming showdown with Stephens.
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