Unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny battled back against qualifier John-Patrick Smith to advance to the second round of the U.S. Open for the first time in two years. Youzhny prevailed 6-1, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6.

The Russian Rolls Through The Opening Set

It took Youzhny very little time to take advantage of the Aussie youngster as he broke Smith in the second game of the set. He consolidated quickly for a 3-0 lead. Smith would hold to 3-1 and then see a break point on Youzhny's next service game. The Russian stayed resolute though as he held for a 4-1 lead in the set. Smith was again extremely loose on serve in the sixth game as Youzhny saw a pair of break chances.

He converted on the second and then closed it out 6-1 in just 26 minutes. Smith won just seven of 17 points on his serve and was getting in just 47 percent of his first serves. Youzhny won 71 percent of his points on both first and second serve. For a 6-1 set, it was clean for both players with just one unforced error each.

Smith Strikes First In The Second

The second set opened with Smith steadying some on serve as he held for a 1-0 lead. The two would then exchange holds to 2-2. In the fifth game, Smith dug out of a 15-40 spot on his own serve, saving both break points to make the score 3-2. Youzhny unraveled slightly in his next service game as Smith saw just his second break chance of the match. He converted for a 4-2 lead. Smith would hold twice to win the set 6-3.

The Aussie improved dramatically on serve this set, winning 85 percent of his first serve points. Youzhny had an awful time getting his first serve in with only 43 percent getting in. That left him vulnerable on second serve where Smith pounded him, winning seven of 13 points. There were still very few unforced errors or winners for both with the two combining for just five winners and four unforced errors.

Smith Can't Serve The Third Set Out

Buoyed by the second set, John-Patrick Smith struck quickly on Youzhny's serve in the third set as he broke to open up a quick 2-0 lead after consolidating the break with a service hold. It would be nothing but service holds to 5-4 with Smith trying to serve for a two sets to one lead. Smith got noticeably tight and was broken for the first time since the opening set as Youzhny evened it at 5-5.

Youzhny would hold to a 6-5 lead and then Smith wobbled again on serve as the Russian broke to unexpectedly take the set 7-5. Youzhny did much better this set to get his first serve in at 62 percent which allowed him to control his service games better than the previous set. He won 18 of 21 points off his first serve.

Smith Roars Back, But Fades Out

Much like the third set, Smith opened quickly against Youzhny with a break of serve at-love against the Russian. He would get a quick hold and then grab a bonus break to take a 3-0 lead. That was a good thing for Smith as Youzhny would bite back with a break of his own to make it 3-1.

They would exchange holds to 4-3 when the Russian got the second break back to even the set at 4-4. Service holds from both would send it to a tie break. Youzhny made no mistakes as he opened on serve and then took two points from Smith right away to roll to a 7-4 tie break win to claim the match.

Second Round Match-up
The Russian will take on 13th seeded John Isner in the second round. Youzhny has beaten Isner both times they played with the last meeting coming at the 2010 U.S. Open in the second round.