US OPEN, New York

Day 2

Why would anyone who is not playing go out and sit in this heat? It is for the love of the game. I baked in the sun for hours and could feel the effects of the heat and humidity as I sat in my seat; however, I stayed for the entire day shift. I wondered how the players were able to stay standing much less compete at such high levels.

I saw players dig deep, fighting back from deficits to win their match. American Mackenzie McDonald led two sets to none; yet, somehow he could not hold on to the lead. Robin Haase dug deep to come back and win 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

PHOTO: Robin Haase (NED)

 

Fabio Fognini fought back to claim the victory in four sets against American, Michael Mmoh.  Mmoh won the first set but could not keep the momentum going. Mmoh expended so much mental energy to win the first set that he had nothing left for the rest of the match. Despite a last ditch effort in the fourth set, he could not mount a comeback. Fognini won 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(4).

PHOTO: Fabio Fognini (ITA)

 

 

THE HEAT TOOK A TOLL

I saw players and fans wilt under the heat.  Filip Krajinovic seemed to have turned things around in his match; yet, Matthew Ebden did not wilt under the brutal conditions. Perhaps growing up in Australia came to his rescue, he dug deep to take the five-set victory 7-6(1), 6-7(5), 4-6, 6-1, 4-1 after Krajinovic retired in the fifth set.

PHOTO: Matthew Ebden (AUS)

 

Mikhail Youzhny succumbed to the effects on the heat and humidity in his match against Marcos Baghdatis. The Russian gave a valiant effort, he fought back to win the third set; yet, he could not keep the momentum going. Baghdatis won 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 3-1 when Youzhny threw in the towel and literally collapsed on the court. There was no reviving the Russian.

PHOTO: Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)

 

OLD FAVORITES WON IN STYLE

Always an entertainer and a favorite of the fans no matter where he plays, Gael Monfils dropped the second set and then never dropped another game for the rest of the match. The Frenchman won 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-0, 6-0.

Monica Puig completely dominated her opponent; she never dropped a game and won her match 6-0, 6-0 in forty-five minutes. Stefanie Voegele simply had no answer to the heat from her opponent or the heat of the sun. It’s quite fitting that Puig won her match love and love.

PHOTO: Monica Puig (PUR)

 

SOURCE OF IMAGES:  serveandrally originals