Most of the bottom half of the draws played their matches on day 2 of the 2012 US Open. Some more of the world’s top players faced off and had some success. Even a couple went down in flames, but more on that a little later. Though, it was a thrilling day 2 of the Open, and if it is any indication of what is to come, then we, as spectators, are in for a real treat!
2012 US Open Day 2 notable matches
First up, 2003 US Open champion, Andy Roddick debuted against newcomer Rhyne Williams (first main draw USO appearance). The two Americans exchanged groundstrokes under the hot New York sun. Williams, whom I have never heard of before, impressed on Arthur Ashe. He bombed his first serves and played an aggressive baseline game, going for his shots and going for angles at the right time. Rhyne even made good use of the dropshot, winning a bunch of points against Roddick.
Roddick, the veteran, held steady against the fire power from his younger compatriot. Roddick was on point with his big first serves, bombing an impressive 20 aces. Andy’s experience paid off in the 7th game of the first set, where he drew first blood and never looked back. Roddick wrapped up the second and third set in less than 2 hours. Andy Roddick will meet Bernard Tomic in the second round of the US Open.
Speaking of Williams’, Venus and Serena Williams played their first round matches today. The two, combined, played less than 2 hours. Venus dispatched fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in just over an hour. Bethanie, could not seem to find the right spots (maybe has something to do with that stupid eye black she wears), she sprayed her forehand and backhand all over the place. Venus took charge, only allowing Mattek-Sands 4 games in the match.
Sister Serena had an even easier first round match against, American, Coco Vandeweghe. Coco lacked the experience Serena has, and it showed very quickly. Serena blasted stroke after stroke, server after serve, not giving an inch to Coco. Serena wrapped up her match in under an hour, 6-1, 6-1.
Novak Djokovic blasts through his first round US Open match
2011 US Open champion, Novak Djokovic also made quick work with his first round match. He faced a, what looked like, a distracted Paolo Lorenzi. The weaker Italian had really no answer to Djokovic’s overpowering game. The reality is, Lorenzi was lucky to even get on the scoreboard. Novak looked relaxed and confident, nothing could have stopped him from taking the match.
Biggest US Open day 2 losers
Nobody likes to lose, and I can assure you that nobody likes to lose at a major like the US Open. There were two surprising losses on day 2, one on the men’s side and one from the women.
Former world #1, Caroline Wozniacki had no answer to Irina-Camelia Begu (Begu who?) from Romania. Irna who is currently ranked #96 kept steady and let the Wozniacki train derail all on it’s own. Wozniacki did have something going on with her knee though, she had it taped up, which I hadn’t seen this year. So perhaps, her knee was the cause of her 2-6, 2-6 first round loss today. Who knows what it was, either way a very disappointing loss for the Dame.
The shocking loss for the men came from the tennis racquet of world #11, Juan Monaco. He battled against Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. The two faced off on the more intimate Grandstand of the US Open, where there have been some epic matches in previous years. Monaco had a big lead, two sets and 4-1 in the third; unfortunately for him, he has some sort of brain fart. Garcia-Lopez somehow turned the match around and started playing smarter tennis. The Spaniard sent some decently paced balls down the middle which the Argentine seemed to struggle with those balls and sent many wide, long, or into the net. Garcia-Lopez battled his way to a fifth set, where Monaco played “catch up” the entire time. The match ended in a tie breaker, with Garcia-Lopez taking an early mini-break and the match when a Monaco forehand sailed long. Shocking indeed.
Other 2012 US Open winners from day 2
Bernard Tomic over Carlos Berlocq
Alexandr Dolgopolov over Jessie Levine
Sloane Stephens over Fancesca Schiavone
Maria Kirilenko over Chanelle Scheepers
Matches to watch on Day 3 of the 2012 US Open
John Isner vs. Xavier Malisse
Kim Clijsters vs. Laura Robson
Kevin Anderson vs. David Ferrer
Ryan Harrison vs. Benjamin Becker
Steve Johnson vs. Rajeev Ram
Oh and Argentine David Nalbandian has officially withdrawn from the 2012 US Open in both singles and double dues to a rib injury. I wish him the speediest of recoveries.
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