Tim Smyczek can be forgiven for his slow start at the US Open on Wednesday, given his courtesy car ran out of gas on the way to Flushing Meadows and he momentarily feared he would not make it to the court at all.

The American eventually overcame Australian opponent James Duckworth 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 and was able to laugh at the morning's events, which were like something out of a pre-match anxiety nightmare.

When Smyczek noticed other vehicles passing them on the highway, he looked at the fuel gauge and saw his driver had her foot off the gas pedal.

"She thought she was going to be able to make it to the site without stepping on the gas again," Smyczek said.

"We had to be five, six miles away, still. I don't know what the thought process was."

When a truck cut them off, the driver had to hit the brakes, and they couldn't coast any farther. They pulled over to the side of the road, where Smyczek tweeted out photos as they waited to be picked up.

"I felt bad for the lady because she knew she screwed up. But there was nothing you could do but laugh."

Associated Press

(China Daily 08/30/2013 page23)