2013 US Open Day Three: Ivo Karlovic Brings Curtain Down On James Blake’s Career, 6-4; 7-6; 7-6.

In yesterday’s match of the day, Croatian Ivo Karlovic was able to overcome a two-set deficit against James Blake and win the match and secure his spot in the second round, as well as end Blake’s storied career. Blake was playing great and jumped out to 2:0 lead early (7:6; 6:3) but then Karlovic turned the things around. Starting with a much better serve,  Karlovic would go to win the next three sets, 6-4; 7-6; 7-6. Blake, who has stated that he plans to retire, saw his career end on the hard courts of Queens in tough fashion.

After three hours and two minutes, China’s  Zheng Jie upset American Venus Williams (6:3; 2:6; 7:6)  and move onto the third round. Williams was able to rally time and time again, In the end, it wasn’t enough as Zheng won a dramatic third set tie-breaker.

Defending champion Andy Murray advanced without any trouble and Juan Martin Del Potro battled his way into the second round.

Most Important Men’s Singles First Round scores (Day 3):

Juan Martin Del Potro (6) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez  (3:1)  (6:3; 6:7; 6:4; 7:6)

Andy Murray (3) def. Michael Llodra  (3:0)  (6:2; 6:4; 6:3)

Ivo Karlovic def. James Blake  (3:2)  (6:7; 3:6; 6:4; 7:6; 7:6)

Kevin Anderson (17) def. Daniel Brands  (3:1)  (7:5; 4:6; 6:2; 6:3)

Lleyton Hewitt def Brian Baker  (3:1)  (6:3; 4:6; 6:3; 6:4)

Rajeev Ram def. Fabio Fognini (16)  (3:0)  (6:1; 6:2, 6:2)

Stanislas Wawrinka (9) def. Radek Stepanek  (3:0)  (7:6; 6:3; 6:2)

Mikhail Youzhny (21) def. Nicolas Mahut  (3:0)  (6:4; 6:4; 7:6)

Most Important Women’s Singles Second Round scores (Day 3):

Na Li (5) def. Sofia Arvidsson  (2:0)  (6:2; 6:2)

Sloane Stephens (15) def. Urszula Radwanska  (2:0)  (6:1, 6:1)

Agnieszka Radwanska (3) def. Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor  (2:0)  (6:0; 7:5)

Jie Zheng def. Venus Williams  (2:1)  (6:3; 2:6; 7:6)

Jamie Hampton def. Kristina Mladenovic  (2:0)  (7:5; 6:4)

Carla Suarez Navaro (18) def. Coco Vandeweghe  (2:0)  (6.3, 6:4)

Laura Robson (30) def. Caroline Garcia  (2:0)  (6:4; 7:6)

Anatasia Pavlyuchenkova (32) def. Ashleigh Barty  (2:0)  (6:4; 6:0)