New York (AFP)

The favorites were on the economy Wednesday at the US Open: the defending champion Naomi Osaka qualified for the third round without playing, thanks to the forfeit of the Serbian Olga Danilovic, Daniil Medvedev having been expeditious against to the German Dominik Koepfer.

The Russian (2nd), one of Novak Djokovic's main rivals in his historic quest for a calendar Grand Slam, won 6-4, 6-1, 6-2.

He only spent 1 hour 48 minutes on the Arthur Ashe, which has a roof like the Louis Armstrong, which was useful given the scattered showers that disrupted the course on the other courts.

"I played at an excellent level. There are rare times when it was a bit tight between us and I managed to manage them well. Most of all I'm happy to have done this in less than two hours", he congratulated himself.

Russian Daniil Medvedev, winner of German Dominik Koepfer, during the 2nd round of the US Open, September 1, 2021 in New York MATTHEW STOCKMAN GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The Russian, finalist in 2019 and semi-finalist last year at Flushing Meadows, was indeed ultra-domineering in all areas of the game, committing only seven unforced errors and procuring no less than 17 break points including 7 have been converted.

His next opponent will be the Spaniard Pablo Andujar (74th), easy winner of the German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

- Rublev drops a set -

His compatriot Andrey Rublev (7th) let him slip a set, 7-6 (6/2), 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-1, against the Spaniard Martinez (70th).

The joy of Russian Andrey Rublev, winner of Spaniard Pedro Martinez, in the 2nd round of the US Open, September 1, 2021 in New York MATTHEW STOCKMAN GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The 24-year-old slugger, quarter-finalist last year, could have finished in three sets, if he had converted his two balls at 6-5 to lead two to zero.

But the rain then interrupted the game for a few minutes and lost track, leaving his opponent to equalize in the tie-break.

On which, after getting angry, he immediately set the record straight to pocket the other two races at full speed.

In the next round, he will face the American Frances Tiafoe (50th), who easily beat the Argentinian Guido Pella (85th) 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

Other qualifiers, who will also be opposed in the third round: the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (15th) and the Spaniard Roberto Bautista (21st).

The surprise of the day came from the Norwegian Casper Ruud (11th), out 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 by the Dutchman Botic Van De Zandschulp (117th), from the qualifications.

In the night session Stefanos Tsitsipas (3rd), criticized for his long toilet breaks after his hard-won victory against Andy Murray, will play against the French Adrian Mannarino (44th).

- Azarenka-Muguruza in the 3rd round -

Among the ladies, Naomi Osaka did not have to tread on Arthur Ashe at midday, the Serbian Olga Danilovic having withdrawn for a health problem not related to Covid-19, she assured on her account Instagram.

The Japanese, world No.3, will face in the next round the Canadian Leylah Fernandez (73rd), an opponent well within her reach, on her road to a fifth Grand Slam title, which would also be the third in four years at Flushing Meadows.

Aryna Sabalenka, who passed her in 2nd place in the world just before the US Open, qualified without any problem by beating 6-3, 6-1 the Slovenian Tamara Zidansek (40th).

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (r), victorious over Slovenian Tamara Zidansek, in the 2nd round of the US Open, September 1, 2021 in New York ANGELA WEISS AFP

The 23-year-old, whose best Grand Slam run took her to a semi-final at Wimbledon this summer, spent just 59 minutes on the GrandStand.

She will be opposed in the next round to the American Danielle Collins (29th).

Another Belarusian in form, Victoria Azarenka, finalist last year, also advanced without a hitch 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) against the Italian Jasmine Paolini.

The 19th world will be opposed to the Spanish Garbine Muguruza (10th), victorious over the German Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-2.

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, during her second round match against Italy's Jasmine Paolini, on September 1, 2021 at the US Open in New York Kena Betancur AFP

Between two showers, finally, the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (5th), the Romanian Simona Halep (13th), the Belgian Elise Mertens (16th) and the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (21st), also easily validated their tickets for the 3rd round. .

© 2021 AFP