Djokovic through
World number four Novak Djokovic was rewarded for his greater consistency as he claimed a 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory over Carsten Ball in the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
While Djokovic hit only three aces to his opponent’s nine with Ball producing serves of up to 135mph, the Australian foundered after producing seven double faults and making 45 unforced errors.
Djokovic eased through the first set in little more than half an hour finding greater success on his first serve and converting his vital break point to win 6-3.
The 2008 semi-finalist then broke his opponent in the third game of the second set and held serve to take a 3-1 lead.
The rest of the set went with serve and Djokovic appeared on the brink of a two-set lead but he could not convert two set points and instead Ball held for 4-5.
However, Djokovic responded by winning the next game to love to take the set 6-4.
The fourth seed had two break points in the first game of the third but Ball managed to hold and proceedings went with serve until the ninth game when Djokovic made a vital break.
The 22-year-old raced into a 40-0 lead and although Ball recovered to deuce, Djokovic managed to convert on his sixth break point for 5-4 and he then successfully served out for the match.
