Isner Advances, While Heat Overcomes Sock on Day Four in Flushing

American John Isner, the number 13 seed, moved onto the third round at the U.S. Open in one hour and 41 minutes on Wednesday, taking down Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Isner entered the match having lost twice in two meetings with Youzhny. Isner has held serve in all 83 of his games at the U.S. Open since the start of last year's tournament.

“There's a level of pressure before any Grand Slam, let alone the U.S. Open,” said Isner. “The U.S. Open, I guess, maybe a little bit more, with being American. The one thing I have on my side every year here is it's a surface I really like. The fans are on my side, which helps so much.”

Up next for Isner is Jiri Vesely, an upset winner on the day over the 21st-seeded Ivo Karlovic, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6. Isner has never met Vesley

“I played well here every year of my whole career really,” said Isner. “I have gotten tripped up in the third round the past few years. But I'm again in the third round. I'm playing well and a lot of things are going well for me. I feel like the pressure's really off.”

The American luck was not running with Isner’s compatriot Jack Sock, who was forced to retire as he was leading in his match with Ruben Bemelmans. Cramping and temperatures on the Grandstand Court in the mid-90s forced Sock out of the Open.

With Sock serving at 30-40, he stopped at the baseline as his body cramped. He was given a point penalty for time delay by the chair umpire. He was helped off by the medical staff and issued the following statement after receiving medical attention:

“'Playing in the U.S. Open is the biggest and most important moment of the season for me, so having to retire from my match today is extremely disappointing. I want to thank everyone for their support and can't wait to be back next year. I feel better already and look forward to playing Davis Cup.''

Up next for Bemelmans, who is into the third round in a major for the first time in his career, is Stan Wawrinka, a winner earlier Thursday over Korean teenager Hyeon Chung.