What a way to start the opening day of the 2013 edition of the United States Open. The final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season. Poor Lauren Davis, what did she do to get double bagelled by Carla Suarez-Navarro. Rybarikova. How can you have such a big game and play so dismally. Sloane Stephens did her magic trick today, pulling out a tough win against Mandy Minella. Our sympathies to Minella. She fought hard.
Aga Radwanska lived up to her No. 3 seeding and routined her opponent. Laura Robson got things back on track after being down 5-4 and seeing her opponent serve for the set. She would not lose another game.
Onwards to our Match Report from Aces' 3 matches to watch
Match Report
Williams d Flipkens (6-1, 6-2)
It was the rematch that wasn’t. The last time these two met at Toronto, Venus got out to a great start putting down a bagel on Flipkens but Flipkens would rally to win in 3 sets. This time around, Venus played much better. While serving at 2-all in second set , Venus managed to get a huge hold in a fifteen minute serving game saving multiple break points with stellar net play and big serves. After that point, Flipkens did not threaten while Venus closed out the match.
Venus moved very well. She served big when she needed to and her forehand held up under pressure. She sounds quite confident about her game and her back troubles seem to be a distant memory. It is lovely to see Venus playing like the Venus of old and as a big fan of hers I was heartened to see her staying mentally focused throughout this match. It was a very good win for Venus and to see that smile on her face as she raised her arms in victory did this blogger proud.
Bouchard d Pliskova (4-6, 6-4, 7-5)
This match had everything and then some. This was my first time watching the majority of a Pliskova match and I am impressed with her poise and game. However, Bouchard did what I expected her to do. She started slow but she picked it up as the match went on and I can really see her having a breakout tournament at this year’s USO.
Jankovic d Keys (6-3, 6-4)
As expected, one of the best returners and movers on court exposed Keys’ movement and blunted her most powerful weapon, i.e. her serve. Jankovic did what she was supposed to do. She used her experience as a former No. 1 and big match player to out think Keys. Going forward Keys needs to work on her backhand and movement. I know that Keys has been injured for most of this hard court season, and the score line really does not indicate that she fought hard in this match.
Below are Spin’s Picks for Day 2.
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v Ying-Ying Duan (CHN)
Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) v Chanel Simmonds (RSA)
Jana Cepelova (SVK) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) v Klara Zakopalova (CZE) [31]
Elena Vesnina (RUS) [22] v Annika Beck (GER)
Karin Knapp (ITA) v Grace Min (USA)
Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) v Lucie Safarova (CZE)
Timea Babos (HUN) v Roberta Vinci (ITA) [10]
Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [14] v Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)
M.Larcher De Brito (POR) v Eleni Daniilidou (GRE)
Donna Vekic (CRO) v Mariana Duque-Marino (COL)
Heather Watson (GBR) v Simona Halep (ROU) [21]
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [27] v Mallory Burdette (USA)
Shuai Peng (CHN) v Yvonne Meusburger (AUT)
Nicole Gibbs (USA) v Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
Olivia Rogowska (AUS) v Sara Errani (ITA) [4]
Petra Kvitova (CZE) [7] v Misaki Doi (JPN)
Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) v Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) v Alison Riske (USA)
Johanna Larsson (SWE) v Mona Barthel (GER) [28]
Nadia Petrova (RUS) [20] v Julia Glushko (ISR)
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) v Sachia Vickery (USA)
Maria Sanchez (USA) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)
Victoria Duval (USA) v Samantha Stosur (AUS) [11]
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [13] v Anna Tatishvili (GEO)
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) v Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Julia Goerges (GER) v Christina McHale (USA)
Elina Svitolina (UKR) v Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [17]
Alize Cornet (FRA) [26] v Maria Joao Koehler (POR)
Casey Dellacqua (AUS) v Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO)
Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) v Vesna Dolonc (SRB)
Dinah Pfizenmaier (GER) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [2]
Ace’s Matches to Watch on Day 2 are:
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Mallory Burdette – Kuznetsova won the title in 2004 and has an all around game but the question is her motivation and focus. She took S Williams to three sets at the French Open. Also, in two separate years, she lost to Wozniacki in up and down matches. Burdette made her debut last year and decided to turn professional after losing in the third round to Sharapova.
Maria Kirilenko vs Yanina Wickmayer - Kirilenko could be a solid choice to make the semifinals in the wide open quarter but has not played well during the past few weeks. Wickmayer is a very athletic player who made the semifinals in 2009. Since making that semifinal in 2009 and losing in three sets to Henin at 2010 Australian Open, she has struggled to meet expectations. During that time, Wickmayer felt like she should have been on her country’s Fed Cup team when Clijsters and Henin was named.
Julia Goerges vs Christina McHale – Goerges have struggled mightily losing her first match in about 10 to 11 tournaments. She managed to win a match at New Haven before losing to Stephens. During 2011, can you believe, other than maybe the Williams Sisters, McHale was the top American getting her signature win over Wozniacki, who was number 1 at the time, in Cincinnati. She contracted mono in the fall and has not gotten back to her consistent play. Today, she is the 12th ranked American and maybe a good run may give her the confidence that she needs.
Spin’s Matches to Watch
Ana Ivanovic v. Anna Tatishvili
Why you should watch - Former No.1 and Grand Slam champ against a player who is mercurial at best but who will hit you off the court if given the chance. Battle of the fiery personalities in this one
Dinah Pfizenmaier v. Victoria Azarenka
Why you should watch - Is Vika ready to assume the throne? Is she really ready to take down Serena at a Grand Slam. This will be a test. Pfizenmaier is a wily opponent. Good serve, great movement and not afraid of the spotlight. Expect fireworks in this one
Upset Special - Mallory Burdette taking out Svetlana Kuznetsova
