Krunic upends draw, ousts No. 7 Konta.
WHAT HAPPENED: Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic shocked British No. 7 seed Johanna Konta to produce the first big upset of the 2017 US Open: a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win inside the Grandstand.
Krunic kept the Wimbledon semifinalist off balance with a collection of chips, slices and drop shots, doing just enough with her defense-to-attack counterpunching style of game to scrape into the second round.
Konta’s game plan of hugging the baseline and overpowering her opponent with hard, flat ground strokes worked for the first 30 minutes before inexplicably going away as she refused to make adjustments to her offense-first approach.
Krunic played the role of scrambler perfectly, gaining confidence as the match progressed. Konta’s mental strength appeared to get her back into the match after falling down a break in the third set, but it was Krunic who played the better points in the waning moments.
The world No. 7 raced out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set behind consecutive breaks of serve, the latter of which prompted the 24-year-old to toss her racquet to the foot of her chair at the changeover.
The No. 2-ranked Serb, behind Jelena Jankovic, Krunic regrouped quickly and put the slow start behind her by the start of the second set. Konta saved four break points at 2-3 to stay on serve, but Krunic sprinted through the next three games as Konta uncharacteristically started spraying balls around the court.
Krunic earned an early break in the third set when Konta double-faulted in the third game, and she consolidated a second break to forge ahead 5-3 and put Konta on the brink. The Brit held to make Krunic serve for the match, which she did when Konta thumped a backhand into the doubles alley.
WHAT IT MEANS: Krunic turned in her best performance in New York in three years, channeling the form that saw her reach the fourth round as a qualifier in 2014 with wins over seeds Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova.
Although she entered as the underdog, Krunic executed her game plan perfectly to overcome a tough opponent who has plenty of raw power but is often too stubborn to switch to a Plan B.
The top-ranked Brit was far from perfect, and she only showed glimpses of the form that saw her advance to the quarterfinal in Cincinnati earlier this month. For Konta, it’s her own repeat of 2014, when she fell in the first round to Shahar Peer – the only other time she had failed to make the second round in New York.
Konta had reached the round of 16 or better at five of the past eight Grand Slams, and she was among the leading contenders for a deep run in a wide open women’s field where there is no real title favorite.
Krunic now plays the winner of Ajla Tomljanovic and Johnna Larsson, with a potential third-round encounter with No. 30 seed Julia Goerges waiting in the wings. It creates a great opportunity for No. 11 seed Dominika Cibulkova, who was in line to potentially meet Konta in the fourth round.
MATCH POINT: Krunic’s unorthodox game gave Konta problems throughout. But can the Serbian offer enough variety and offensive weapons to trouble a player who moves better than Konta and is more comfortable moving forward and playing at the net?
WHAT HAPPENED: Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic shocked British No. 7 seed Johanna Konta to produce the first big upset of the 2017 US Open: a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win inside the Grandstand.
Krunic kept the Wimbledon semifinalist off balance with a collection of chips, slices and drop shots, doing just enough with her defense-to-attack counterpunching style of game to scrape into the second round.
Konta’s game plan of hugging the baseline and overpowering her opponent with hard, flat ground strokes worked for the first 30 minutes before inexplicably going away as she refused to make adjustments to her offense-first approach.
Krunic played the role of scrambler perfectly, gaining confidence as the match progressed. Konta’s mental strength appeared to get her back into the match after falling down a break in the third set, but it was Krunic who played the better points in the waning moments.
The world No. 7 raced out to a 4-1 lead in the opening set behind consecutive breaks of serve, the latter of which prompted the 24-year-old to toss her racquet to the foot of her chair at the changeover.
The No. 2-ranked Serb, behind Jelena Jankovic, Krunic regrouped quickly and put the slow start behind her by the start of the second set. Konta saved four break points at 2-3 to stay on serve, but Krunic sprinted through the next three games as Konta uncharacteristically started spraying balls around the court.
Krunic earned an early break in the third set when Konta double-faulted in the third game, and she consolidated a second break to forge ahead 5-3 and put Konta on the brink. The Brit held to make Krunic serve for the match, which she did when Konta thumped a backhand into the doubles alley.
WHAT IT MEANS: Krunic turned in her best performance in New York in three years, channeling the form that saw her reach the fourth round as a qualifier in 2014 with wins over seeds Madison Keys and Petra Kvitova.
Although she entered as the underdog, Krunic executed her game plan perfectly to overcome a tough opponent who has plenty of raw power but is often too stubborn to switch to a Plan B.
The top-ranked Brit was far from perfect, and she only showed glimpses of the form that saw her advance to the quarterfinal in Cincinnati earlier this month. For Konta, it’s her own repeat of 2014, when she fell in the first round to Shahar Peer – the only other time she had failed to make the second round in New York.
Konta had reached the round of 16 or better at five of the past eight Grand Slams, and she was among the leading contenders for a deep run in a wide open women’s field where there is no real title favorite.
Krunic now plays the winner of Ajla Tomljanovic and Johnna Larsson, with a potential third-round encounter with No. 30 seed Julia Goerges waiting in the wings. It creates a great opportunity for No. 11 seed Dominika Cibulkova, who was in line to potentially meet Konta in the fourth round.
MATCH POINT: Krunic’s unorthodox game gave Konta problems throughout. But can the Serbian offer enough variety and offensive weapons to trouble a player who moves better than Konta and is more comfortable moving forward and playing at the net?
Wozniacki earns milestone win vs. Buzarnescu.
WHAT HAPPENED: Caroline Wozniacki needed 80 minutes to defeat Mihaela Buzarnescu in her opening-round match, 6-1, 7-5, in the Grandstand on Monday for her 100th victory in a Grand Slam main draw.
Wozniacki, the No. 5 seed, improved to 35-10 in the US Open main draw in her career and has made at least the semifinals five times since 2009. Only three active women - Serena Williams (89), Venus Williams (71) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (34) - have more wins at Flushing Meadows.
Buzarnescu, 29, was making her Grand Slam main draw debut. The No. 133-ranked player has risen 400 spots in the WTA rankings since the start of 2017. After taking a 40-0 lead in the first game of the match, served by Wozniacki, she lost the next five points en route to first-set loss in a breezy 25 minutes.
Wozniacki won five of seven break points and won despite only having eight winners to Buzarnescu's 18. The Romanian qualifier made 41 unforced errors.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Dane, who made the semifinals last year and is a two-time US Open runner up (2009, 2014), will face Ekaterina Makarova, a straight-sets winner against Mona Barthel on Monday. Wozniacki is 7-0 in her career against Makarova, although the two have never met at a Grand Slam and haven't played one another since the 2014 Madrid Masters.
Makarova fell in the first round at the US Open last year but has had recent success in Flushing, reaching at least the fourth round the past three years, including the quarterfinals in 2013 and the semifinals in 2014.
MATCH POINT: With one of her main rivals, Serena Williams, out of the tournament, is this the year Wozniacki finally wins a Slam? She made the quarterfinals at the French Open in June but is 0-6 in tournament finals in 2017.
WHAT HAPPENED: Caroline Wozniacki needed 80 minutes to defeat Mihaela Buzarnescu in her opening-round match, 6-1, 7-5, in the Grandstand on Monday for her 100th victory in a Grand Slam main draw.
Wozniacki, the No. 5 seed, improved to 35-10 in the US Open main draw in her career and has made at least the semifinals five times since 2009. Only three active women - Serena Williams (89), Venus Williams (71) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (34) - have more wins at Flushing Meadows.
Buzarnescu, 29, was making her Grand Slam main draw debut. The No. 133-ranked player has risen 400 spots in the WTA rankings since the start of 2017. After taking a 40-0 lead in the first game of the match, served by Wozniacki, she lost the next five points en route to first-set loss in a breezy 25 minutes.
Wozniacki won five of seven break points and won despite only having eight winners to Buzarnescu's 18. The Romanian qualifier made 41 unforced errors.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Dane, who made the semifinals last year and is a two-time US Open runner up (2009, 2014), will face Ekaterina Makarova, a straight-sets winner against Mona Barthel on Monday. Wozniacki is 7-0 in her career against Makarova, although the two have never met at a Grand Slam and haven't played one another since the 2014 Madrid Masters.
Makarova fell in the first round at the US Open last year but has had recent success in Flushing, reaching at least the fourth round the past three years, including the quarterfinals in 2013 and the semifinals in 2014.
MATCH POINT: With one of her main rivals, Serena Williams, out of the tournament, is this the year Wozniacki finally wins a Slam? She made the quarterfinals at the French Open in June but is 0-6 in tournament finals in 2017.
Slovakian qualifier gives Venus first-round scare.
WHAT HAPPENED: Monday's first-round match between qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova and No. 9 seed Venus Williams was certainly a match between players on opposite ends of the career spectrum. The 19-year-old Kuzmova was not only playing in her first Grand Slam main draw but also in her first tour-level main draw, whereas the veteran Williams, 37, has come to Flushing Meadows 18 times before (76 times at a major), taking the US Open title on two occasions and the runner-up trophy on her debut here 20 years ago, when Kuzmova was only a year old.
Making your tour-level debut is overwhelming enough, but doing so against an opponent named Williams on the grand stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium is downright nerve-racking. Yet the young Slovak ignored her nerves and came out swinging, firing aces and winners to shake Williams just enough to steal a set off of her. But when the dust had settled, experience prevailed, as Williams secured a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win to escape the Kuzmova threat and advance to the second round.
Asked about what she knew of her Tour-debuting opponent when preparing for the match, Williams admitted, "I had no idea what she looked like, who she was, anything. But she played amazing. She played well, served well, competed well. Definitely a match I had to earn."
After taking a quick one-set lead, Williams looked poised to sweep through the second after taking a 2-0 lead, but Kuzmova had other plans. She broke back to take the lead 3-2 and followed with another break of Williams' serve to take the last three games and force a third set. By then, Kuzmova's momentum had slowed, and Williams held steady with a more conservative game to prevail easily in the third set.
Williams admits it was a tough challenge to face in the first round, but her experience was key as the match progressed.
"I definitely wasn't expecting or planning on dropping sets today," said Williams. "But things happen. So it's just all about regrouping. It's the first round. You figure out what's going on. I feel like my game always rises a lot in the bigger events. That's what I feel like, like I'll be ready to play when push comes to shove."
Kuzmova finished with 27 winners and 42 unforced errors, compared to Williams' 19 winners and 28 unforced errors.
WHAT IT MEANS: Williams remains undefeated in US Open first-round matches, with a record of 19-0. Her next match will be against the winner of the match between Frenchwomen Oceane Dodin and Pauline Parmentier. She sits in the same quarter of the draw as No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza and No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki.
MATCH POINT: After reaching this year's Wimbledon final, can Williams repeat her Grand Slam success and reach back-to-back major finals with a run to the championship match?
WHAT HAPPENED: Monday's first-round match between qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova and No. 9 seed Venus Williams was certainly a match between players on opposite ends of the career spectrum. The 19-year-old Kuzmova was not only playing in her first Grand Slam main draw but also in her first tour-level main draw, whereas the veteran Williams, 37, has come to Flushing Meadows 18 times before (76 times at a major), taking the US Open title on two occasions and the runner-up trophy on her debut here 20 years ago, when Kuzmova was only a year old.
Making your tour-level debut is overwhelming enough, but doing so against an opponent named Williams on the grand stage of Arthur Ashe Stadium is downright nerve-racking. Yet the young Slovak ignored her nerves and came out swinging, firing aces and winners to shake Williams just enough to steal a set off of her. But when the dust had settled, experience prevailed, as Williams secured a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 win to escape the Kuzmova threat and advance to the second round.
Asked about what she knew of her Tour-debuting opponent when preparing for the match, Williams admitted, "I had no idea what she looked like, who she was, anything. But she played amazing. She played well, served well, competed well. Definitely a match I had to earn."
After taking a quick one-set lead, Williams looked poised to sweep through the second after taking a 2-0 lead, but Kuzmova had other plans. She broke back to take the lead 3-2 and followed with another break of Williams' serve to take the last three games and force a third set. By then, Kuzmova's momentum had slowed, and Williams held steady with a more conservative game to prevail easily in the third set.
Williams admits it was a tough challenge to face in the first round, but her experience was key as the match progressed.
"I definitely wasn't expecting or planning on dropping sets today," said Williams. "But things happen. So it's just all about regrouping. It's the first round. You figure out what's going on. I feel like my game always rises a lot in the bigger events. That's what I feel like, like I'll be ready to play when push comes to shove."
Kuzmova finished with 27 winners and 42 unforced errors, compared to Williams' 19 winners and 28 unforced errors.
WHAT IT MEANS: Williams remains undefeated in US Open first-round matches, with a record of 19-0. Her next match will be against the winner of the match between Frenchwomen Oceane Dodin and Pauline Parmentier. She sits in the same quarter of the draw as No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza and No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki.
MATCH POINT: After reaching this year's Wimbledon final, can Williams repeat her Grand Slam success and reach back-to-back major finals with a run to the championship match?
Nadal, Federer, Pliskova kick off campaigns on Day 2.
Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal. Arthur Ashe Stadium. Need we say more?
The five-time Swiss champion and the two-time trophy-hoisting Spaniard both begin their US Open campaigns Tuesday in the biggest stadium in tennis.
Federer has perhaps the trickier, more enticing opener. The 36-year-old Swiss will face one of the rising Americans in 19-year-old Frances Tiafoe during Tuesday's final match in Ashe.
Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion, opens against Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the final match of the day session in Ashe. The left-hander won their only prior head-to-head, at 2014 Roland Garros.
You won't have to wait until the late afternoon for the headline names to take the court, though. World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova kicks off the blockbuster day against Poland's Magna Linette, followed by reigning champion Angelique Kerber, who meets Japan's Naomi Osaka during the second match in the 23,000-plus-capacity stadium.
Speaking of 23, American tennis fans will have that number of players to root for on Tuesday, including 15th seed Madison Keys, who kicks off the night session in Ashe against Belgian Elise Mertens.
In other action, fourth seed Elina Svitolina takes on Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, and Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko, the always-entertaining Nick Kyrgios and 24th seed Juan Martin del Potro will also look to start strong on Day 2 in Queens.
Roger Federer. Rafael Nadal. Arthur Ashe Stadium. Need we say more?
The five-time Swiss champion and the two-time trophy-hoisting Spaniard both begin their US Open campaigns Tuesday in the biggest stadium in tennis.
Federer has perhaps the trickier, more enticing opener. The 36-year-old Swiss will face one of the rising Americans in 19-year-old Frances Tiafoe during Tuesday's final match in Ashe.
Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion, opens against Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the final match of the day session in Ashe. The left-hander won their only prior head-to-head, at 2014 Roland Garros.
You won't have to wait until the late afternoon for the headline names to take the court, though. World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova kicks off the blockbuster day against Poland's Magna Linette, followed by reigning champion Angelique Kerber, who meets Japan's Naomi Osaka during the second match in the 23,000-plus-capacity stadium.
Speaking of 23, American tennis fans will have that number of players to root for on Tuesday, including 15th seed Madison Keys, who kicks off the night session in Ashe against Belgian Elise Mertens.
In other action, fourth seed Elina Svitolina takes on Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, and Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko, the always-entertaining Nick Kyrgios and 24th seed Juan Martin del Potro will also look to start strong on Day 2 in Queens.
:aktion033 Welcome back Maria :aktion033.....I missed you!.....She takes out the #2 seed Simona Halep.....6-4...4-6...6-3
She gets in as a wild card and they try to stick it to her by setting up her 1st match up with the #2 seed.
How did that workout for you committee???
Stick it up your fucking ass.
:aktion033 I`m Back :aktion033
How did that workout for you committee???
Stick it up your fucking ass.
:aktion033 I`m Back :aktion033
She gets in as a wild card and they try to stick it to her by setting up her 1st match up with the #2 seed.
How did that workout for you committee???
Stick it up your fucking ass.
:aktion033 I`m Back :aktion033
BIG Statement by Shara. Two-Seed Halep: "Hit The Door. Buh-Bye."
"18-0 on Ashe Court at Night."
Swarovski Crystals, on that skirt plus she has a matching jacket. Shara showing OUT
"Take THAT........Committee" lmao
Not Rhinestones.
Curtain goes up for Shapovalov.
WHAT HAPPENED: The curtain went up on the US Open career of one of the game's most exciting, highly-touted youngsters Denis Shapovalov on Monday.
The multi-talented Shapovalov did not flop, taking the final curtain call from an apprectative Court 7 full house on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center after a dominating 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 win over Russian Daniil Medvedev.
This month has been a blockbuster coming out party for the 18-year-old left-hander with the long blond hair, strong serve, consistent one-handed backhand and bludgeoning topspin forehand.
After making his first career Grand Slam main draw at Wimbledon, losing in the first round, the Canadian went on a tear before his countrymen by beating former US Open champions Juan Martin del Portro and Rafael Nadal to reach the semifinals in Montreal. His ranking soared from world No. 143 to No. 69.
However, as he had not broken into the Top 100 when the entry list was closed last month, Shapovalov was forced to play his way into the US Open, winning three qualifying matches last week.
On paper, the match-up against the 21-year-old Medvedev, also making his US Open debut, looked like it should have been a rousing contest. Medevedev, No. 54 in the world, had knocked out 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the opening round at Wimbledon.
Instead, it was pretty much all Shapovalov from first ball to his last booming ace to wrap up the 1 hour and 36 minute match.
After exchanging early service breaks in the opening set, Shapovalov broke Medvedev at love in the 12th game, taking the set with a crisp and confident forehand volley winner. He ran away with the second set, racing to a 5-0 lead and then he rolled through the final set, reeling off the last five games.
WHAT IT MEANS: Shapovalov's victory sets up a most intriguing and entertaining second round clash with the veteran French star Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. The No. 8 seed powered his way into the second round without dropping his serve against Marius Copil of Romania. Three times a US Open quarterfinalist, Tsonga, 32, is one of the sport's most physically talented players amd is enjoying a strong season with three titles.
MATCH POINT: Can Shapovalov hold up physically after already playing four matches in the last week?
WHAT HAPPENED: The curtain went up on the US Open career of one of the game's most exciting, highly-touted youngsters Denis Shapovalov on Monday.
The multi-talented Shapovalov did not flop, taking the final curtain call from an apprectative Court 7 full house on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center after a dominating 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 win over Russian Daniil Medvedev.
This month has been a blockbuster coming out party for the 18-year-old left-hander with the long blond hair, strong serve, consistent one-handed backhand and bludgeoning topspin forehand.
After making his first career Grand Slam main draw at Wimbledon, losing in the first round, the Canadian went on a tear before his countrymen by beating former US Open champions Juan Martin del Portro and Rafael Nadal to reach the semifinals in Montreal. His ranking soared from world No. 143 to No. 69.
However, as he had not broken into the Top 100 when the entry list was closed last month, Shapovalov was forced to play his way into the US Open, winning three qualifying matches last week.
On paper, the match-up against the 21-year-old Medvedev, also making his US Open debut, looked like it should have been a rousing contest. Medevedev, No. 54 in the world, had knocked out 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka in the opening round at Wimbledon.
Instead, it was pretty much all Shapovalov from first ball to his last booming ace to wrap up the 1 hour and 36 minute match.
After exchanging early service breaks in the opening set, Shapovalov broke Medvedev at love in the 12th game, taking the set with a crisp and confident forehand volley winner. He ran away with the second set, racing to a 5-0 lead and then he rolled through the final set, reeling off the last five games.
WHAT IT MEANS: Shapovalov's victory sets up a most intriguing and entertaining second round clash with the veteran French star Jo-Wilfred Tsonga. The No. 8 seed powered his way into the second round without dropping his serve against Marius Copil of Romania. Three times a US Open quarterfinalist, Tsonga, 32, is one of the sport's most physically talented players amd is enjoying a strong season with three titles.
MATCH POINT: Can Shapovalov hold up physically after already playing four matches in the last week?
[h=1]Viktoria KUZMOVA vs Venus WILLIAMS (Highlights)[/h]
Venus Williams Interview After Match.
[h=1]Aleksandra Krunic Upsets Konta.[/h]
[h=1]Garbine Muguruza "My first win in Arthur Ashe"[/h]
