Roger taken to 5 again

Day four and Roger Federer again proved that as well as being one of the greatest tennis players in history, he is one of the luckiest.

Roger has won majors against the like of Baghdatis, Gonzalez and Soderling, and always has the Centre Court when he wants it.

On Day Two of the 2017 US Open he had the pleasure of the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof and was one of a handful of players able to complete their first round matches.

His second round opponent Mikhail Youzhny needed Day Three to start and finish his first match while Rog sat back enjoying a cigar and brandy.

Once the two met late on Day Four Federer outclassed the Russian in set one 6-1.  Out in quick time, making it 17 out of 17 clashes between the two was looking a good bet.

Then the stuff of fairytales began, first a tie break won by Youzhny seven points to three. Then another set against the failing Swiss 6-3, making it the first time Mikhail had ever taken two sets off Federer in a match.

Sadly Youzhny suffered an injury in the fourth set and yet another piece of luck went Roger's way.  In spite of a brave fight to the finish, Mikhail just couldn't match the fitter player, and fell short 1-6 7-6 (3) 6-4 4-6 2-6.

The fourth of the top eight women's seeds bowed out in the second round, 2004 champ Sveta Kuznetsova (8). The Russian joined compatriot Youzhny on the exit route, directed by Japanese 116th ranked Kurumi Nara who won 6-3 3-6 6-3.

Another Russian carries the flag, Elena Vesnina (17), carrying some surprising good form into this tournament.  Her carriage into round three was at the expense of Kirsten Flipkens.

Another big name to fall was men's seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov, whose first round form was turned on its head as he was dumped in straight sets by young Russian Andrey Rublev, will jump into the top 50 after the the US Open, and achieve his career high ranking.

Other seeds to say farewell on this day:

Barbara Strycova (23) a Czech smashed by 91st ranked American Jennifer Brady 6-1 6-1

Tomas Berdych (15) another Czech defeated by Alexandr Dolgopolov in four sets

Dasha Gavrilova (25) finally downed by another unseeded American Shelby Rogers after a record three hours and thirty three minutes.

Americans will be thrilled as they have 7 women in the final 32.  Four are unseeded.

Half of the 32 are unseeded, making for an exciting third round.

Pick of the matches for me are:

Petra Kvitova (13) v Caroline Garcia (18)

Ash Barty v Sloane Stephens

The men's matches to watch are:

Mischa Zverev (23) v John Isner (10)

Kevin Anderson (28) v Borna Coric