Tomas Berdych has comfortably grabbed a place in the second round of the US Open after seeing off Bjorn Fratangelo 6-3 6-2 6-4 at Flushing Meadows in New York.
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The 2012 semi-finalist was close to losing serve in the fifth game of the opening set, but the Czech was able to save five break points.
The momentum then swung in Berdych's favour as he took the first break of the match, which was enough to give him a one-set lead.
Fratangelo struggled to bounce back in the second set as he lost his second service game and failed to create a single break point as Berdych doubled his lead.
The 29-year-old made life difficult for his opponent as he went a break up instantly in the third set, and rushed to a 4-1 lead in the Grandstand.
Berdych needed a single break point to push him through to the next round, but he failed to do so and Fratangelo gave himself a slice of hope by breaking back.
The American 22-year-old did not make it easy for Berdych, but the Czech was eventually able to see out the match.
Danielle Joynson
