Kiwi doubles ace Michael Venus has eased through to the third round of the US Open men's doubles draw, but hasn't fared so well with countrywomen Erin Routliffe in mixed play.
Teamed with Brit Neil Skupski, Venus has overcome Indian N.Sriram Balaji and Argentinian Guido Andreozzi 7-6(4) 6-4 in 1h 37m to book their place in the next stage.
The eighth seeds converted the only breakpoint in the match during the second set and enjoyed a clear service advantage, winning 69% of their own second serves.
After winning two tournaments in the build-up to Wimbledon, Venus and Skupski reached the semifinals of the grass Grand Slam, but have struggled on the hard court swing of the ATP Tour, with a 3-4 record across four events.
In the third round at Flushing Meadow, they will face either Americans Tristan Boyer and Emilio Nava or American Robert Galloway and Brit Julian Cash, as Venus — a former French Open champion — matches his best result in New York.
Meanwhile, Venus and Routliffe have stumbled in their opening match of the mixed doubles, losing 6-4 6-4 to Americans Alycia Parks and Jackson Withgrow. The Kiwi duo has reached the Wimbledon semis on grass.
World No.1 Routliffe and Canadian partner Gabriela Dobrowski — defending US Open champions and top seeds — are into the second round of women's doubles, where they face American Catherine Harrison and Pole Alicja Rosolska.
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