US Open

Marin Cilic moves through to third round

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter and Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: September 2 2015 | 20:10

Last updated: September 2 2015 | 21:32

Defending champion Marin Cilic progresses through to the third round of the US Open with a straight-sets win over Evgeny Donskoy.

Marin Cilic has defeated Evgeny Donskoy in straight sets to book his place in the third round of the US Open.

The defending champion powered down 19 aces on his way to a 6-2 6-3 7-5 triumph over the Russian on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Marin Cilic of Croatia celebrates his win over Evgeny Donskoy of Russia during their 2015 US Open Men's singles round 2 match at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 2, 2015. Cilic won 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD © Getty Images

The ninth seed suffered an early scare in the opening game, but he managed to save three break points before eventually snatching serve himself.

After edging ahead, Cilic found his stride to take a one-set lead and was patient in the second as games initially went by way of serve.

Donskoy struggled to muster a break point as Cilic comfortably doubled his lead, but he dropped serve for the first time in the third as his opponent attempted a comeback.

It proved to be just a momentary lapse, though, as the Croatian stormed back with two breaks of his own to continue his quest to win back-to-back crowns at Flushing Meadows.