Ferrero, Haas Turn Back The Clock; Berdych Wins 14 Straight Games

© Getty ImagesJanko Tipsarevic advances to face Tomas Berdych in the third round.

Former World No. 1 and 2003 US Open finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero upstaged No. 7 seed Gael Monfils in a thrilling contest on Louis Armstrong Stadium to reach the US Open third round with a 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 victory.

In a match lasting four hours and 48 minutes, the 31-year-old Ferrero upset Monfils’ 25th birthday celebrations as he reaped the rewards of a more solid display, reining his unforced errors in at 52 while Monfils committed 81, and withstanding 81 winners from the athletic Frenchman.

Watch Ferrero Interview | Watch Monfils Interview

The Spaniard, who finished runner-up to Andy Roddick in the 2003 final, recorded just his 13th win in what has been an injury-marred season. He won his 16th tour-level trophy in Stuttgart (d. Andujar), but in the lead up to Flushing Meadows he lost first round in both Montreal and Cincinnati and has dropped to World No. 105 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings. He is playing his first Grand Slam event since reaching the third round at the US Open (l. to Melzer) last year.

“For me it is a fantastic victory,” Ferrero said. “I played with injuries the whole year and now this will give me confidence to go forward in the tournament.”

Another of the game’s veterans booked his place in the third round as 33-year-old Tommy Haas overcame Colombian Alejandro Falla 7-6(5), 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes. The German, a former World No. 2 who has dropped to No. 475 after hip and elbow surgery, came into Flushing Meadows having won just two matches all season.

Watch Haas Interview

World No. 9 Tomas Berdych powered into the third round after winning 14 consecutive games to crush Italian Fabio Fognini 7-5, 6-0, 6-0 earlier in the day. The Czech dropped just three points on his first serve and fired 10 aces.

Berdych will next play No. 20 seed Janko Tipsarevic, who took out German Philipp Petzschner 6-0, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.  Last year Tipsarevic upset Andy Roddick in the second round of the Open.

Big-serving South African Kevin Anderson conceded just five games in a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 29 seed Michael Llodra. Anderson fired 14 aces and saved the lone break point he faced.

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