Pegula, Top Ranking American Female
If you had asked me a few years ago who would be the top-ranking female, I honestly would not have picked Jessica Pegula. However, I have grown to appreciate her game. Pegula brings something to the game that many players are lacking. She is consistent and she is calm. Both traits allow her to function with clarity and that is why she is the top American female tennis player. She made it look easy against a potentially tricky opponent, Camila Giorgi. Jessica Pegula leads their H2H, 8:2. Five of those encounters went the distance, so either Giorgi was off her game, or the American was simply on fire. Pegula won 6-2, 6-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Other Victorious Americans
[17] Madison Keys defeated Arantxa Rus, 6-2, 6-4. John Isner has announced that he is retiring after the US Open. The big serving American will be missed; however, I am sure he will be fully occupied off the courts with his family. Isner defeated Facundo Diaz Acosta. The Argentinian offered up some resistance in the third set, but it was a little too late. Isner won 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(1).
Embed from Getty ImagesSofia Kenin is trying to climb back to the top of the sport. She was pushed in the first set but settled in to defeat Ana Bogdan 7-6(2), 6-4. Sachia Vickery, currently ranked 204, got the upset in round one. She defeated Vekic 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. This was a pleasant surprise; however, we know Vekic can be a tad sporadic.
Nice win for Alex Michelsen. The nineteen-year-old defeated the veteran Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. I am thrilled to see Michael Mmoh growing into his game. Mmoh easily dispatched on the big serving Russian. [11] Karen Khachanov had no answers for Mmoh’s game, and he lost 2-6, 4-6, 2-6. Peyton Stearns defeated Viktoriya Tomova, 6-3, 6-4.
The Seeds That Fell On Day 2
It was not a good day for [7] Caroline Garcia. Although it appeared that she was rounding into form, the French player was dispatched in straight sets by Yafan Wang. Wang won 6-4, 6-1. Former top ten player, [12] Barbora Krejcikova, continues to struggle to find her top form. She lost to Lucia Bronzetti, 4-6, 6-7(3). [21] Donna Vekic lost to Sachia Vickery. [27] Anastasia Potapova lost to Clara Tauson. Tauson won 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-3.
Embed from Getty Images[24] Tallon Griekspoor lost to the upcoming French player, Arthur Fils. The nineteen-year-old Frenchman won 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5. [27] Borna Coric lost to Sebastian Baez. Baez came into the Open riding high after winning his first hard court tournament last week. The Argentinian won 7-5, 7-5, 6-1.
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES