Berlocq has an unusual bit of trivia associated with him.  In 2006 at Miami, Berlocq faced Donald Young, who was also playing his first official ATP event (that is, ATP 250 or above).  He beat Young love and love.  In the second round, he lost to James Blake, love and love.

Love had a lot to do with this match.  The big concern heading into the US Open was the health of Djokovic’s shoulder.  The first match didn’t show too much because Connor Niland was suffering from food poisoning and only won 1 game in two sets until he retired.

In this match, Djokovic won the first set in twenty minutes.  Despite good scrambling, Berlocq was unable to track down much of Djokovic’s shots.  Djokovic was playing with machine like efficiency.

Finally, in the third set, Berlocq was able to lift his play and get a break and his first game.  Up to that point, the audience was cheering points that he’d win.  He even had a chance to break, but didn’t.  Djokovic wasn’t happy with the break and broke back, but then Berlocq broke again, but Djokovic broke back then won the remaining games.

AT 5-2, with Berlocq down 0-30, Djokovic was lured to net with a short volley.  Djokovic hit the ball and Berlocq got a lob over Djokovic’s head.  He ran back, hit the tweener, and Berlocq hit it into the net for triple break point.  However, Berlocq did win a few points before Djokovic closed the deal.

So, in two matches, Djokovic has only dropped 3 games.

Up next for Djokovic is Nikolay Davydenko who beat Potito Starace in straight sets.  Davydenko had chances to take a set off of Djokovic back in Montreal, but ultimately couldn’t keep the ball in play enough to prevent Djokovic from cruising to the win.

A brief summary of the other matches

  • Dolgopolov needed 5 sets to beat Flavio Cipolla
  • Verdasco beat Ilhan in straight sets
  • Fish beat Tunisian player, Jaziri, in straight sets
  • Karlovic upset Gasquet in 4 sets

Tomorrow, both Andy Roddick and Andy Murray will play.  Roddick plays fellow Nebraskan, Jack Sock, in the evening match.  Murray plays Robin Hasse who came close to reaching the finals of Winston Salem.  Nadal plays Nicolas Mahut.  Juan Martin del Potro and David Ferrer are also in action tomorrow.