Spain's Wawrinka, Ferrer, Halep advance to second round in US Open

New York, Aug 31: Spanish players Stan Wawrinka, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez were among the winners in the men's first-round matches at the US Open in Flushing Meadow here.

The third-seed Wawrinka, who reached the semi-finals last year, defeated Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 17 minutes.

The Swiss player survived four break points and broke Verdasco twice.

On the other hand, Ferrer eased past Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov, who was trailing 6-5 in the first set when he retired due to an injury.

Another Spaniard, 16th-seeded Feliciano Lopez won in similar fashion, falling behind 3-4 in the first set to Borna Coric before the Croatian was forced to retire because of injury.

In the women's category, fifth-seed Simona Halep and 11th seed Carla Suarez Navarro advanced to the second round.

Halep rolled over Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens 6-0, 6-2 to claim her spot in the second round while Suarez Navarro, playing in her ninth US Open, dominated Teliana Pereira of Brazil 6-0, 6-0 to advance.

IANS