Day 3 of the 2012 US Open was the most thrilling day so far. Day 2 of the tournament featured several past US Open champions, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Martin Del Potro, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, and Samantha Stosur. Unfortunately, not all the past champs won their matches and it just so happens it was her last US Open…ever.
Kim Clijsters played her final US Open match in Day 3
Yep, Kimmy announced earlier this year that after the 2012 US Open, win or lose, she would no longer play tennis professionally; she retired again.
I was a little sad watching Kim lose in her second round match against Britain’s Laura Robson. Kim played a pretty decent match, she did struggle with her first serve but was able to find her groundstrokes at key moment. Robson on the other side of the net, defended beautifully and hit some spectacular winners. Clijsters simply was outplayed.
At least the loss came from a very tight match. Kim hit a forehand just long in the second set tiebreak giving the match to Robson. Kim, like always, handled her loss and composed herself to meet the victor at the net for the obligatory handshake.
Clijsters spoke after her match, “One of my biggest dreams came true here in 2005 (winning the US Open). It completely feels like the perfect place to retire, I just wish it wasn’t today.” Kim continued, “Since I retired for the first time, it’s been a great adventure for me, my team and my family. And it’s all been worth it. But I’m looking forward to the next adventure.”
She will be dearly missed, by tennis, myself and all her fans. She showed the world that not only can you play a sport well, but you can take some time off, start a family and come back without skipping a beat. I admire her courage for taking the risk of coming back, it paid off in the end and I’m just sad to see her go so early in the tournament.
2012 US Open Day 3 key match recaps
2009 US Open champion, Juan Martin Del Potro found his stride against Frenchman Florent Serra. Delpo appeared to be in decent form today, he seemed to move well. More importantly, the Argentine won 88% of his first serves and most of the points on the ground. Delpo did, however, struggle to find the service box, finding his first serve to actually go in only 55% of the time. That won’t cut it if he plans to have a deep run at the US Open. His groundstrokes were big, like usual, and found himself with a straight sets victory. He will face American Ryan Harrison in round 3.
2012 Wimbledon finalist, Andy Murray also played his second round match, this match was much less eventful than some of the others. Murray met Croat Ivan Dodig. Dodig really did not have a single answer to the Murray offense. Andy blasted aces and winners all match long. Perhaps it felt like a glorified practice session for him, only allowing Dodig to take 6 games total. Murray wrapped up his match in under 2 hours. It’s hard to gauge how Murray is playing so far as he has not be challenged…yet. Murray will face either Pablo Andujar or Feliciano Lopez in round 3.
2006 US Open champion, Maria Sharapova stomped on her second round opponent, Lourdes Dominguez Lino. I kind of feel bad for Lourdes, she didn’t hit a single winner in the entire match (has that ever happened?). Sharapova took charge of hitting winners, she 30. The match was over in less than an hour. Sharapova will face off against American Mallory Burdette in round 3.
Defending champion, Samantha Stosur also made quick work of her second round match. The Aussie was on fire! Sammy was everywhere, hitting forehands and backhands with ease. Edina Gallovits-Hall really was out of sorts, lacking confidence and was shaky on every point. The Romanian was only able to win 3 games in the match. Side note: Stosur’s Fila kit was pretty slick tonight. Stosur will face Varvara Lepchenko in round 3.
2012 US Open Day 4 must watch matches:
Roger Federer vs. Bjorn Phau
Mardy Fish vs. Nikolay Davydenko
Venus Williams vs. Angelique Kerber
Jack Sock vs. Flavio Cipolla
Maria Kirilenko vs. Greta Arn
Serena Williams vs. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez
Check back tomorrow for Day 4’s US Open recap!
Oh yeah, and August 30th is American’s Andy Roddick’s 30th birthday! Be sure to sent him a happy birthday tweet!