Canada’s Milos Raonic beats Italian qualifier to advance at U.S. Open

NEW YORK, United Nations – Milos Raonic has advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open.

The 10th-seeded player from Thornhill, Ont., defeated Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano 6-3, 7-6 (6), 6-3 on Tuesday.

Raonic will face Pablo Andujar in the second round after the Spaniard beat Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Vasek Pospisil of Vernon, B.C., is scheduled to return to court Tuesday to complete a first-round rain-delayed match from Monday.

The Rogers Cup semifinalist was leading Brazilian qualifier Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (9), 0-4 but appeared to have suffered a leg injury during the match.

In the women’s draw, Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., faces Vesna Dolonc of Serbia.

Raonic put on a serving display against the 179th-ranked Fabbiano, who was making his Grand Slam debut. The Italian gave only the slightest hint of trouble when he got a break back in the second set for 4-all before losing the set in a tiebreaker.

Raonic took a 4-2 lead in the third set and sealed the victory with a series of untouchable serves.

The Canadian finished with 52 winners, including 28 aces.