NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Frenchman Gilles Simon delivered the first big surprise in the men’s draw at the U.S. Open, taking down fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-3 to move into the fourth round on a sweltering yesterday at Flushing Meadows.
With the loss. Ferrer earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first top 10 men’s seed to be sent home from the year’s final grand slam while Simon moves on to face big-serving Croatian Marin Cilic, who was a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 winner over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.
A well-rested Ferrer, who reached the third round in a walkover after Australian Bernard Tomic withdrew with a hip injury, got off to a sluggish start then fought back to take the second.