SECOND SEED Dominic Thiem eased into the third round of the US Open on Thursday (3) with a straight-sets win on his birthday.
The Austrian celebrated turning 27 by defeating India's Sumit Nagal 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 inside an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I was trying to play my fastest tennis to keep him on the backhand, to not let him dictate with the forehand. I did that very well today," said Thiem.
The world number three will play 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic in round three.
"He's one of the big champions of the last decade, one of the very few players, active players, who won a Grand Slam tournament here in New York," said Thiem.
"Even though for sure he's not on the top of his game, beginning of this year, maybe also last year, he's always dangerous for a big and deep run in these big tournaments.
"It's not a guy I want to face in the third round," he added.
Thiem said it was difficult playing in front of empty stands at the US National Tennis Center because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"In negative moments the fans' energy can get you up again. Now you play a great point and it's complete silence. That is tough.
"Hopefully this is the only or one of very few slams where we have the situation like that," Thiem added.
Cilic, seeded 31st, took four sets to overcome Slovakian Norbert Gombos 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, 7-5.
Nagal had become the first Indian man since 2013 to reach the second round of a Grand Slam.
Nirmala Sitharaman speaks at the India-UK Investor Roundtable in London last Wednesday (9). On the panel were India’s department of economic affairs secretary Ajay Seth and Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak
Sitharaman with Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
Sitharaman with Jonathan Reynolds 
Sitharaman with Reynolds, Alastair King, India’s high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and other delegates
Miranda Priestly’s icy elegance and Andy Sachs' transformation set the standard for modern power dressingJio Hotstar Screengrab
Audrey Hepburn’s timeless little black dress remains a symbol of sophistication and styleYoutube Screengrab
Cher Horowitz’s yellow plaid suit redefined 90s teen fashion with its bold preppy charmYoutube Screengrab
Carrie Bradshaw’s eclectic mix of high fashion and casual flair made her an icon of NYC street styleNetflix 
Lady Gaga’s extravagant Gucci ensembles brought vintage luxury and dramatic glamour back to the forefrontPrime Video