US Open: Simona Halep beats Safarova, Zhang topples Stosur, Pavlyuchenkova wins three-hour epic

ByToby Keel

Updated 02/09/2016 at 02:04 GMT

World number five Simona Halep won, while Zhang Shuai toppled former champion Sam Stosur and 17th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won a classic clash.

Simona Halep - US Open 2016

Image credit: Reuters

Halep brushes aside Safarova

World number five Simona Halep was in solid form as she beat Lucie Safarova in straight sets.

Safarova was the world number five a year ago and only unseeded due to injury issues at the start of 2016.

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And the Czech player did threaten at times, breaking Halep's serve on several occasions.

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But she was unable to play at a consistently high level and in the end Halep brushed her aside, winning 6-3 6-4 in the first ever competitive match played from start to finish under the $150 million roof at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The roof, which has been a huge source of fascination for the Flushing Meadows crowds, was first used on Wednesday when it was put into action in the middle of Rafa Nadal's second-round victory over Andreas Seppi.

Highlights: Halep sees off Safarova

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While there were plenty of long rallies, Safarova's unforced error count of 44 was simply too high for her to be competitive.

"It was amazing to have this experience, it was very nice," said Halep of the roof, adding that it was even "a little cold" due to the air conditioning - a welcome relief after three blazingly hot days in New York.

Halep shrugged off the struggles which saw her lose concentration at times.

"I lost a little bit the rhythm," explained Halep. "But in the important moments I found the rhythm. I found the way that I have to hit.

"Always it's a good match against her. Gives me confidence that I can beat her."

Zhang topples Stosur

China's Zhang Shuai, who broke through with a stunning run to this year's Australian Open quarter-finals, advanced to the third round with a victory over former champion Sam Stosur.

Shuai Zhang of China (R) shakes hands with Samantha Stosur of Australia (L) after their match on day four of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

Zhang lost serve just once in ousting the 16th-seeded Australian 6-3 6-3 on the Grandstand court.

The 51st-ranked Zhang became the first women's qualifier since 1990 to reach the quarters in Melbourne, in a surprise charge that came after she had failed to get past the first round of 14 successive majors dating back eight years.

Against 2011 US Open champion Stosur, who reached the semi-finals at this year's French Open, Zhang won a baseline battle by outmanoeuvring the Australian, forcing her into 27 errors, including 20 from the forehand side.

Shuai Zhang of China waves to the crowd after her match against Samantha Stosur of Australia (not pictured) on day four of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Image credit: Reuters

Zhang next faces 52nd-ranked Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan, who routed China's Wang Qiang 6-0 6-1.

Pavlyuchenkova survives epic clash

17th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia came out on top of one of the matches of the tournament so far against France's Kristina Mladenovic.

The pair split the opening two sets, with almost nothing to choose between them.

Highlights: Pavlyuchenkova beats Mladenovic in amazing epic

And fittingly the finale went to a tie-breaker, with the Russian holding her nerve to progress.

"I'm so proud of how I ended this match. And she's a great player and fighter", said the winner, adding that she slept for the entire duration of the three-hour rain delay.

Pliskova waltzes into third round

10th seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic was in top form as she blitzed Paraguay's Montserrat Gonzalez in the opening set, then battled through a much tougher second to win 6-1 7-5.

The 24-year-old, who has never made it past the third round in New York, will face Kristina Mladenovic or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next, after which a potential clash against Venus Williams could await.