Mertens downs Timofeeva in straight sets at US Open

Elise Mertens moved into the US Open third round with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Maria Timofeeva in the Round of 64, controlling the opening set before surviving a much tighter second. The Belgian's first serve was the difference: she landed 62.3 percent of them and won 76.3 percent of those points, while Timofeeva managed just 56.8 percent behind her own first delivery despite putting 67.7 percent in play. Timofeeva's second serve was the bigger leak, yielding only 38.1 percent of points against Mertens' 47.8. Both women struck three double faults, but Mertens never let the pressure tell.