Facing the Federer factor

The fourth-seeded Kuznetsova didn’t dally in beating Camille Pin of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. The 2004 champion seemed especially determined after missing an easy forehand that lost the second set. Trying to finish off each rally in a hurry, Kuznetsova took every opportunity to rush the net. She smacked 46 winners in all, enough to overcome her 34 unforced errors.

Young also made it to the third round, and he didn’t have to pick up his racket. The 18-year-old Wimbledon junior champion won in a walkover when No 13 Richard Gasquet of France withdrew because of a fever and a sore throat.

“Prefer to win it,” Young said after hearing of Gasquet’s withdrawal, “but I’ll take this.”

“With my illness, I’m sure I can’t win this match,” Gasquet said. “I am really, really disappointed because it’s an important tournament for me.”

Also out of the tournament, at least on the singles side, was Bethanie Mattek. Known for her outlandish outfits, she didn’t disappoint. Wearing a low-cut silver top and headdress that semi-resembled her gold Wonder Woman-inspired ensemble in the first round, Mattek lost to No 18 Shahar Peer of Israel 6-2, 6-1.

Also, No 6 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia beat Nicole Pratt 6-3, 6-4.

Andy Murray reached the third round for the second year in a row, beating Jonas Bjorkman 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 Thursday.

The 19th-seeded Murray showed no signs of the right wrist injury that sidelined him for three months and forced him to skip the French Open and Wimbledon.

The Briton built a 71-42 edge in winners, including 32-6 on the forehand side, during the 3-hour, 37-minute match.

Murray will face No 14 Guillermo Canas or Lee Hyung-taik for a spot in the fourth round.

Maria Sharapova, birthday boy Andy Roddick and James Blake were among the top players scheduled to play later.

Federer was always Isner’s favourite, the only player he enjoyed watching on television.

“I don’t know if it’s going to help me out. I don’t know if anything’s going to help me out,” Isner said. “I’m going to believe. I’m not saying I’m going to win, but I’m going to believe.”

After knocking out seeded Jarkko Nieminen in the first round, Isner — ranked 184 in the world — booked a place in round three by beating South Africa’s Rik de Voest 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4).