Blockx routs Barrios Vera in straight sets at US Open

Alexander Blockx needed just three efficient sets to see off Tomas Barrios Vera 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the US Open first round. The Belgian's serve was the difference: he struck 10 aces to his opponent's three and won 81.6 percent of his first-serve points, a number Barrios Vera could not approach at 65.5 percent. Blockx also held firm behind his second delivery, taking 61.3 percent of those points against the Chilean's 57.1, and his three double faults never cost him control. It was a clean, authoritative start to his campaign in New York.