US Open: Order of Play for Thursday September 1, 2011

Thursday’s order of play at the US Open can be found at the link below.

Link: Order of play

For last minute ticket and travel packages to the US Open, click here.

Murray, Roddick and Del Potro reach second round at US Open; Soderling, Venus Williams withdraw

US Open—New York

In a day that saw No. 6 seed Robin Soderling exit the tournament due to illness, No. 4 seed Andy Murray and 2009 winner Juan Martin del Potro recorded routine first round victories.

For Murray, his road to a maiden grand slam title began in slow fashion. Playing gritty and determined Somdev Devvarman from India, Murray fell behind 4-2 in the first set before recovering. Defeating his unseeded opponent 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-2, Murray showcased his court speed and net game throughout the encounter.

Reaching the finals of the US Open in 2008, Murray also lost in the finals of the Australian Open earlier this year (in straight sets) to Novak Djokovic.

Striking 33 winners in total, Murray broke his Indian opponent on six occasions during the two hour and 27 minute contest. Murray will next face Robin Haase, who defeated Rui Machado 6-0, 6-4, 6-4.

Elsewhere, towering Argentine del Potro scored a convincing 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Filippo Volandri to capture his eighth straight victory in New York. Defeating Roger Federer in five thrilling sets during the 2009 final, del Potro hammered 18 aces, hit 38 winners, and broke Volandri seven times.

Del Potro will next face countryman Diego Junqueira, who reached the second round after Karol Beck retired after losing the first set 6-2.

In other disappointing news, former French Open finalist Soderling was forced to withdraw from the tournament with a viral illness. Soderling missed both North American hard-court Masters with a wrist injury. Soderling’s place in the draw was filled by lucky loser Rogerio Dutra Da Silva, who entered the second round after Louk Sorensen was also forced to retire from his match with an illness.

Former winner Andy Roddick struggled to hold off Michael Russell, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5; Canadian Vasek Pospisil won his first ever grand slam match against Lukas Rosol, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1; Guillermo Garcia-Lopez defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(1), 4-6, 7-6(4); Julien Benneteau upset No. 10 seed Nicolas Almagro, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3, and Feilciano Lopez dismissed Tatsuma Ito, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

On the women’s side, former two-time winner Venus Williams was forced to withdraw with an auto-immune disease. Williams was set to take on No. 22 seed Sabine Lisciki in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Lisicki will next face either Dominika Cibulkova or Irina Falconi.

US Open 2011: Day 3 Preview

by: Tom Cochrane

Another day at the 2011 US Open, another early exit for a 2011 Grand Slam champion. This time it was French Open champ Li Na, who went down to Romanian Simona Halep in an error-riddled performance.

Day 2 Recap

Apart Li Na’s shock loss, it was business as usual for the women’s top seeds in action on Day 2. At Arthur Ashe Stadium Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki recorded solid straight sets wins, while Serena Williams enjoyed an emphatic victory over Bojana Jovanovski in the night session.

On outside courts, Francesca Schiavone was forced to 3 sets but prevailed, Shahar Peer beat Sania Mirza, Jelena Jankovic thrashed Alison Riske and Andrea Petkovic lost just 4 games in booking a second round appearance.

In the men’s tournament, world number one Novak Djokovic cruised through to the second round when his opponent, Conor Niland, retired down a set and 5-1. In contrast, Rafael Nadal was forced to work extremely hard to see off the Kazakh Andrey Golubev, having to fight back from a break down in 2 of the 3 sets.

Ferrer, Verdasco, Wawrinka and Tsonga also advanced to round 2, while there were good wins for veterans James Blake and Nikolay Davydenko. The biggest upset on the men’s side on Day 2 was the exit of two-time US Open semi-finalist Mikhail Youzhny, the Russian thoroughly outplayed by Ernests Gulbis.

Matches of the Day – Day 3

1. Venus Williams vs. Sabine Lisicki

Venus Williams looked surprisingly comfortable in her opening round match, considering that the American hadn’t played a match on tour since Wimbledon due to injury and illness. But the veteran will need to step up a gear in this encounter against the big-serving Lisicki. The German, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon this year, also has a powerful forehand and is a pretty decent mover around the court.

I think Venus’ days of claiming Grand Slams anywhere outside of Wimbledon are over, but she is still capable of going deep into the second week at every Grand Slam. If she can serve well and keep her baseline play ultra-consistent, I think she can overcome Lisicki. Williams in 3.

2. Marcos Baghdatis vs. John Isner

Fresh off a tournament win last week, lanky American John Isner should enter the US Open with plenty of confidence. Unfortunately for the big-serving Isner, he faces a tricky opening round opponent in Marcos Baghdatis. Whereas the American’s game revolves around brute force and not a lot of subtlety, the Cypriot has a shotmaking ability and flair that few players can match.

Having said that, Baghdatis can get lazy at times and doesn’t always prepare super-professionally for his matches. I think Baghdatis will be able to get on top of Isner’s serve in certain parts of the match, but that big weapon will eventually get the American over the line. Isner in 5.

3. Julien Benneteau vs. Nicolas Almagro

Frenchman Julien Benneteau has enjoyed a good North American hard court season, making the final at the Winston-Salem Open last week after being forced to qualify for the tournament. Today, Benneteau faces Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who is consistent, competitive and very fit. In many ways, Almagro is similar to his compatriot David Ferrer, but perhaps a step or two slower than the tenacious Ferrer.

Benneteau has nothing to lose in this match and is in good form on the American hard courts, so I sense he can steal at least a set from Almagro, perhaps 2. But the Spanish tenth seed is the consummate professional and I think he will dig deep into his reserves to eke out a victory. Almagro in 4.

4. Madison Keys vs. Lucie Safarova

At just 16 years of age, Madison Keys is one of the new breed of Americans of whom big things have been predicted. Keys showed maturity beyond her years in the first round, seeing off Jill Craybas in straight sets. It will be fascinating to see how the young American responds to that win, and how she handles the atmosphere inside Louis Armstrong Stadium today.

Safarova is the women’s twenty-seventh seed and the left-handed Czech has claimed some big scalps during her many years on the WTA Tour. Keys will have nothing to lose in this clash, but I think Safarova will have too much poise and experience for the youngster. Safarova in 2.

5. Marion Bartoli vs. Christina McHale

This match-up sees a pair of in-form players going head to head. After a successful Wimbledon campaign, in which she defeated Serena Williams and made the quarter-finals, Marion Bartoli has enjoyed a prosperous North American summer and enters the US Open looking to make a deep run into the second week.

New Jersey native Christina McHale has also been in form in recent weeks on the WTA Tour, but I think she will have her work cut out for her in this clash. Bartoli’s heavy weight of shot and general intensity often conspire to wear her opponents down, and I think that will be the case today. Bartoli in 2.

That’s it for today. Enjoy the tennis and I’ll be back with another serve tomorrow.

Tom Cochrane will be covering the US Open live from New York for TennisConnected throughout the two week tournament. You can follow him on Twitter @thesatelliteserve.

Nadal struggles past Golubev to reach US Open second round

US Open—New York

Defending champ Rafael Nadal struggled to win his first match at the US Open on Tuesday evening, defeating Andrey Golubev 6-3, 7-6(1), 7-5.

Trailing by numerous breaks of serve throughout the contest, Nadal saved seven set points in the second set before digging out the victory in two hours and 49 minutes. Striking a forehand winner on his first match point, Nadal committed 16 unforced errors against his powerful opponent.

Attempting to win his 11th grand slam title, Nadal won 66 percent of his first serve points, while hitting his biggest serve of the night at 133 MPH. Golubev, who lost 18 straight matches before stopping the streak in Cincinnati, struck 41 winners and committed 59 unforced errors.

Facing Nicolas Mahut in the second round, Nadal will look to improve on his court positioning and return of serve for the remainder of the event.

Elsewhere, James Blake set up a second round match with David Ferrer after scoring a four set win over Jesse Huta Galung.

Wednesday’s action in New York will feature Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin del Potro.

US Open: Order of Play for Wednesday August 31, 2011

Wednesday’s order of play at the US Open can be found at the link below.

Link: Order of play

For last minute ticket and travel packages to the US Open, click here.

Djokovic not tested in US Open opener

US Open—New York

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic barely broke a sweat in advancing to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday, defeating qualifier Conor Niland 6-0, 5-1 ret.

The Irishman, who was contesting his second grand slam event, was forced to retire after 44 minutes with food poisoning. Improving to 58-2 on the season, Djokovic will next face Carlos Berlocq or Pere Riba for a third round birth.

Djokovic is attempting to win his third grand slam title this year after capturing the Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships.

Elsewhere, No. 5 seed David Ferrer overcame a first set loss to defeat Igor Andreev 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4; No. 11 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga blasted into the second round, dismissing Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 6-4, 6-4; No. 14 seed Stanislas Wawrinka ousted Maximo Gonzalez 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, and last year’s semifinalist Mikhail Youzhny was upset by Los Angeles winner Ernests Gulibs, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Gulbis’ victory was his first in a grand slam since Wimbledon in 2009.

Other first round winners included Steve Darcis, Florian Mayer, Sergei Bubka, Gilles Muller, Juan Ignacio Chela, Igor Kunitsyn and Donald Young.

The night session will be highlighted by defending champ Rafael Nadal, and New York native James Blake.

US Open 2011: Day 2 Preview

by: Tom Cochrane

After a stormy weekend in New York, bright sunshine greeted players and spectators alike at Flushing Meadows on Day 1 of the 2011 US Open. But the news wasn’t so sunny for Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova, the Czech bundled out of the tournament in straight sets by Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru.

Day 1 Recap

After Kvitova’s shock loss, another major upset was looming in the women’s tournament when Maria Sharapova lost the opening set to Heather Watson. But the experienced Russian gritted her teeth and ground out a hard-fought 3 set victory to keep her Open chances alive. Having an easier time of it was second seed Vera Zvonareva, who cruised into the second round in straight sets along with Marion Bartoli and Venus Williams.

Aussie Sam Stosur also enjoyed a straight sets win, while Agnieszka Radwanksa got the better of her sister Urszula. Among the seeds forced to 3 sets were Lucie Safarova, Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko, all of whom managed to find success in the deciding set.

In the men’s tournament, Roger Federer got his campaign off to a positive start with a routine victory over Santiago Giraldo, while Gael Monfils was impressive in dispatching the dangerous Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets. Earlier on Centre Court, American Mardy Fish lived up to his billing as the highest ranked local player with a dominant display against Tobias Kamke, the eighth seed dropping just 5 games against the German. Also progressing with ease was Alexandr Dolgopolov, Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Marin Cilic (who enjoyed a good win over young gun Ryan Harrison) and teenager Bernard Tomic in 3.

The biggest upset on the men’s side on Day 1 was the defeat of fifteenth seed Viktor Troicki at the hands of the Colombian Falla. While that 5-setter was a contender for match of the day, the Frenchman Llodra’s 5 set win over Victor Hanescu won out in my book. And in a feel good story for Day 1, it was pleasing to see injury-plagued veteran Tommy Haas record a win in what could well be the final US Open for the former world number two.

Matches of the Day – Day 2

1. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Yen-Hsun Lu

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has never produced his best tennis at Flushing Meadows, which is surprising given that the quick hard-courts are well-suited to his game. Perhaps this is the year that the Frenchman makes his mark at the US Open. The eleventh seed is in good form of late, making the Wimbledon semi-finals and knocking out Federer in Montreal a couple of weeks ago.

Lu is a steady player who defeated Andy Roddick at Wimbledon last year en route to reaching the quarter-finals. He’s a good mover, but I don’t think Lu possesses the kind of firepower to trade blows with the energetic Frenchman. Tsonga in 3.

2. Jarkko Nieminen vs. Fernando Verdasco

Finnish veteran Jarrko Nieminen doesn’t represent the same kind of threat on the tennis court that he did a few years ago, when his awkward lefty game posed serious problems for some of the world’s best players. Nieminen is still a decent player, but he hasn’t been able to produce his best tennis against the top players in the last couple of seasons.

Similarly, Fernando Verdasco hasn’t been able to reproduce the kind of tennis he exhibited during his breakout season of 2009, when he rocketed into the world’s top 10, but the Spaniard is still playing some good tennis on tour and is managing to hover in and around the world’s top 20. As both players are left-handers, no advantage will be given to either player on that basis, but Verdasco’s ballistic forehand and superb fitness should get him over the line. Verdasco in 4.

3. Shahar Peer vs. Sania Mirza

Once considered the most popular sportswoman in India, Sania Mirza’s tennis has rarely been able to live up to the hype generated around her in her home country. Although Mirza is a very good doubles player, she has never been able to establish herself as an elite singles player, despite showing glimpses of her talent from time to time.

Shahar Peer, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer over many years and has produced some good tennis at the US Open in the past. Mirza has more of an all-court game and better volleys, but Peer is the more consistent of the pair from the baseline. Peer in 2.

4. Nikolay Davydenko vs. Ivan Dodig

Injuries and old age have conspired to slow down Nikolay Davydenko, who for many years was one of the ATP Tour’s best movers and most consistent players.  For the first time in many years, Davydenko enters the US Open unseeded, as the Russian battles to fight his way back into the world’s top 30.

Davydenko faces Croat Ivan Dodig in this opening round clash, the improving Croat seeded thirty-second and just one of many Balkans players who is following in Novak Djokovic’s footsteps and making a mark on the ATP Tour. If Davydenko is fit enough, I think he can cause an upset in this encounter. Davydenko in 5.

5. Mikhail Youzhny vs. Ernests Gulbis

Russian sixteenth seed Mikhail Youzhny has enjoyed his greatest Grand Slam success here in New York, twice making the US Open semi-finals. The Russian’s reliable game has held him in good stead at a tournament where players have to endure the whole spectrum of playing conditions. But this will be a tricky match for Youzhny, as he is up against the unpredictable Latvian, Ernests Gulbis.

Gulbis, who has an unquestionably high amount of talent and potential, is about as erratic a professional tennis player as you will ever see. The Latvian has endured a horror run of opening round losses in Grand Slams, and has endured a generally poor 2011 season, yet after losing 5 matches in a row Gulbis managed to work his way through qualifying and win his second career title in Los Angeles just a few weeks ago, defeating Juan Martin Del Potro and Mardy Fish among others. Gulbis could do anything in this match, but my money is on the more consistent Youzhny. Youzhny in 4.

That’s it for today. Enjoy the tennis and I’ll be back with another serve tomorrow.

Tom Cochrane will be covering the US Open live from New York for TennisConnected throughout the two week tournament. You can follow him on Twitter @thesatelliteserve.

Federer defeats Giraldo at US Open

US Open—New York

Five-time former winner Roger Federer won his first grand slam match as a 30 year old at the US Open on Monday evening. Defeating Santiago Giraldo 6-4, 6-3, 6-1, Federer raced out to a 5-2 first set lead before losing his serve on two occasions. After capturing the first set, Federer once again let a sizable lead in the second set slip before regaining full control in the final set.

Striking 36 winners in total, Federer won 70 percent of his first serve points during the 106 minute match.

Tying Andre Agassi in second place with 224 wins at the Grand Slam level, Federer will next face Dudi Sela in the second round. Sela overcame a two sets to love deficit to defeat Thomaz Bellucci, 4-6, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.

Other night winners on the day included Gael Monfils and Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Video: Dimitrov & Monfils kiss after US Open match

After playing an entertaining three sets of tennis at the US Open on Monday evening, Bulgarian upstart Grigor Dimitrov felt the need to congratulate his conqueror Gael Monfils by providing him with a kiss at the net.

To Dimitrov’s dismay, he not only lost the match but it appeared that Monfils was also against his initial gesture. At any rate, Dimitrov still put on a great show in front of the Armstrong crowd, while Monfils still remains alive (and loved) in the event.

Enjoy.

Fish, Berdych and Gasquet reach second round of US Open

US Open—New York

US Open Series winner Mardy Fish overcame some initial nerves in his first round match at the US Open on Monday, defeating Tobias Kamke 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

Never reaching the semifinals of any major, Fish enters this year’s US Open with high hopes. Striking 28 winners in total, Fish broke his German opponent on seven of eight occasions, while only losing his serve once.

Fish, who is ranked No. 8 in the world, will next face Malek Jaziri for a place in the third round. Jaziri won his first ever grand slam match in his first appearance.

Elsewhere, powerful Czech Tomas Berdych scored an easy 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1 victory over Romain Jouan. Losing in the first round of the US Open last year, Berdych will next face Fabio Fognini. The Italian defeated Horacio Zeballos 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-4.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet also advanced to the round of 64, dismissing Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.

Other winners on day one action included, Janko Tipsarevic, Alexander Dolgopolov, Radek Stepanek, Marin Cilic, Michael Llodra, Marcel Granollers, Tommy Haas, Flavo Cipolla, Bernard Tomic, Ivo Karlovic, Juan Monaco, Kevin Anderson, Mikhail Kukushkin and Philipp Petzschner.

Tuesday’s action in New York will feature Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

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