DAY 2: AMERICAN RESULTS
[2] Serena Williams (USA) defeated Belinda Bencic (SUI) 6-4, 6-3. It started off shaky and got better in the middle; however, she stumbled across the finish line. Nevertheless, this is a positive for Serena, who traditionally struggles in round one of the Majors. Given that this opponent had beaten her the last time they met, it was indeed a good victory for her. Unfortunately, her draw just gets tougher, next up is the always dangerous Lucie Safarova and she has the weapons to make life very uncomfortable for the American down under.
Reilly Opelka (USA) lost to [11] David Goffin (BEL) 4-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 4-6. Opelka had chances to close this out with the victory but just could not convert on his break point opportunities late in the match.
Jared Donaldson (USA) lost to Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA) 6-3, 6-0, 1-6, 4-6, 4-6
Jennifer Brady (USA) def. Maryna Zanevska (BEL) 6-3, 6-2
Kayla Day (USA) lost to Andrea Petkovic (GER) 3-6, 2-6
Donald Young (USA) def. Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-4
Taylor Fritz (USA) lost to Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-7(6), 6-7(5), 3-6
Irina Falconi (USA) def. Xinyun Han (CHN) 6-1, 7-5
Frances Tiafoe (USA) def. Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2
Michael Mmoh (USA) lost to [25] Gilles Simon (FRA) 1-6, 3-6, 3-6
Nicole Gibbs (USA) def. [25] Timea Babos (HUN) 7-6(3), 6-4
Ernesto Escobedo (USA) def. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1
SPECIAL MENTION
[24] Alexander Zverev (GER) comes back from a 2:1 deficit down under to defeat Robin Haase 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. He did not wilt in the heat, nor cave under the determined attack of Haase. This was a good effort from our spotlight player and it is a positive sign that he is continuing to mature.
[9] Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Florian Mayer (GER) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
[18] Samantha Stosur (AUS) lost to Heather Watson (GBR) 3-6, 6-3, 0-6
Naomi Osaka (JPN) def. Luksika Kumkhum (THA) 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5
[28] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) lost to Fabio Fognini (ITA) 5-7, 3-6, 5-7
SOURCE OF IMAGE: Zimbio
Opening round was a little difficult for my two favorites…Serena and Rafa. Although they won in straight sets…they struggled. It surely won’t get any easier. I’d really like to see one or both of them add to their long list of awards and accomplishments this year.
That is their wish as well; however, watching their matches I was particularly concerned by the errors that kept cropping up in their games. They are not as confident as they once were and it continues to show. Can they win another Major this year? I am hoping that they each will, if not at the Australian Open, at least at one of the other Majors.
If Serena and Venus are both in the tournament. I’m cheering them both on, especially Venus. It has been a long time since she’s been on the winning side. So here’s to both of you bringing home the championship.