Arthur Ashe Stadium announcer Andy Taylor recaps Alexander Zverev’s Quarterfinal victory over Lloyd Harris. It was last year’s finalist — versus an inspired South African who’s posted wins this year over Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal.
Full disclosure: This one got weird at the tail end of the first set. Zverev wasn’t happy with the video walls high atop Arthur Ashe Stadium, which show footage of the match during play. Kind of strange, considering the fact that he’s played at least a dozen matches on this court, and never once complained. It appeared the distraction was enough to cost Zverev the set, as Lloyd Harris served for it, up 6-5 in the tiebreak. But — Zverev recovered, winning the tiebreak (8-6).
Frustrated by the missed opportunity, during the set-break Harris tried to throw a bottle of water down on his gear bag. Instead, the slippery bottle flew from his hand, crashed to the court, and spewed water all over the field of play. The chair umpire, ball persons, and both Harris and Zverev spent the next five minutes mopping-up the water with towels. Sadly, that was the highlight of the match.
Alexander Zverev is back in the US Open’s Final-4 for the second year in a row.
Andy Taylor | The Voice of the US Open
Known as the Voice of the US Open, 2021 marks Taylor’s 20th year shaping the sound of the tennis season’s final Grand Slam. With his individual style and delivery, Andy writes and narrates every player’s introduction — highlighting their career accomplishments, providing context for fans before each match. As a voice talent, he also narrates video content and special announcements broadcast across the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For twenty years, his distinctive sound and energy has helped drive and enhance the fan experience — Informing. Entertaining. Celebrating the sport and its colorful cast of characters.
In addition to his long-standing role in New York, Taylor also emcees other global tennis events including the Olympic Games, Qatar ExxonMobil Open, and Qatar Total Open.
Third meeting. Spoiler(?): Every time the German beats Harris, he wins a title.
Zverev and Harris have faced each other three times in the past year — last October in the Cologne Quarterfinal, and last month in Cincinnati’s 2nd-Round. Alexander Zverev won both of those matches, and went on to capture both of those titles.
[4] Alexander Zverev -04- (GER) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
In 2021, he has played the best tennis of his career – and it all started right here, last year, in an empty Arthur Ashe Stadium. For the first time, he won six consecutive matches at a Major – reaching his first Grand Slam Final – where he and Dominic Thiem battled for over 4-hours in an unforgettable match decided in an extended championship tiebreak. Since then, he’s won six titles, reached the Semi’s (3rd Major Semifinal) at Roland Garros; and earlier this month, captured Gold in Tokyo – becoming the first German to top the Olympic tennis podium since Steffi Graf won the Calendar Golden Slam in 1988. Back in New York, on a 15-match win streak after winning his 5th Masters-1000 title in Cincinnati – From Germany, please welcome 2020 US Open Finalist, Alexander Zverev.
- QF — W — Lloyd Harris -46- (RSA) | Score: 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-4
- R4 — W — [13] Jannik Sinner -16- (ITA) | Score: 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(7) | RECAP / 2:25
- R3 — W — [WC] Jack Sock -184- (USA) | Score: 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, 2-1 RET | RECAP / 1:58
- R2 — W — Albert Ramos-Vinolas -48- (ESP) | Score: 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 | RECAP / 1:14
- R1 — W — Sam Querrey -78- (USA) | Score: 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 | RECAP / 1:39
Lloyd Harris -46- (RSA) | Quarterfinal Announcer Introduction
At 24-years-old — this is, without question, his breakout season on Tour. In March, as a qualifier in Doha, he defeated his childhood idol and 2016 US Open Champion Stan Wawrinka. A week later in Dubai, he upset 2020 US Open Champion Dominic Thiem. And last month, he earned the biggest win of his career in Washington D.C., defeating 4-time US Open Champion Rafael Nadal. Now a 2-time Tour-level Finalist, he is back in New York with a career-high ranking of World #46 — and is through to the second week of a Major for the first time. Making his Arthur Ashe Stadium debut – From South Africa, please welcome Lloyd Harris.
- QF — L — [4] Alexander Zverev -04- (GER) | Score: 6-7(6), 3-6, 4-6
- R4 — W — [22] Reilly Opelka -24- (USA) | Score: 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 | ARMSTRONG / 2:31
- R3 — W — [7] Denis Shapovalov -10- (CAN) | Score: 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 | ARMSTRONG / 2:12
- R2 — W — [WC] Ernesto Escobedo -178- (USA) | Score: 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 | COURT-7 / 1:59
- R1 — W — [25] Karen Khachanov -28- (RUS) | Score: 6-4, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 | COURT-6 / 3:07
► MORE ANNOUNCER RECAPS FROM THE 2021 US OPEN
US OPEN | Open Era Men’s Singles Champions
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MILESTONE ON THE LINE AT THE 2021 US OPEN
No man has achieved the Calendar Grand Slam (winning all four Major titles in the same year) since the great Rod Laver accomplished the feat for a second time in 1969. World #1 Novak Djokovic intends to rewrite that history by capturing his 4th US Open title.
Now a 20-time Grand Slam Champion – Djokovic is the reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion. He is one of only 3 men to earn the Career Grand Slam twice (Roy Emerson and Rod Laver). In anticipation of Novak’s milestone, all four Grand Slam trophies are in New York for the fortnight.
That said, last month at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Djokovic was poised to become the first player since Steffi Graf (1988) to earn the Calendar Golden Slam (winning all four Major title and Olympic Gold in the same year). In the Olympic Semifinals, Alexander Zverev erased that possibility with an improbable, come-from-behind victory over the World #1. Zverev went on to capture the Gold Medal. Djokovic fell in the Bronze Medal match.
141 YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE 54th US OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The US Open, as we know it today, began in 1881. Four years after the first Wimbledon Championships, members of the Newport Casino in Rhode Island established the U.S. National Singles Championship. Popularity of the sport exploded during the following eight decades. And by 1968, the Open Era began, finally allowing professionals to compete alongside amateurs. Ever since, the sports four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open – cemented their status as the premiere events in professional tennis. Today, these Major trophies and titles are the pinnacle of career achievement.
GRAND SLAM TENNIS TOURNAMENTS – A LONG AND STORIED HISTORY
First, a quick timeline reflecting the roots of the Grand Slam:
- 1877 – The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club organized the first Wimbledon Championship.
- 1881 – Members of the Newport Casino in Rhode Island (now home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame) created the first U.S. National Singles Championship.
- 1891 – France joined the party. Though the tournament itself was not recognized as a Grand Slam until international participation was allowed in 1925.
- 1905 – Australia’s Major began as the Australasian Championships, earning Grand Slam status by 1924.
THE OPEN ERA BUILDS GRAND SLAM PRESTIGE
For decades, the Grand Slams only showcased amateur competition, the U.S. National Championship included. Prize money was paltry. Professional talents earned a living through traveling tours, rather than tournaments like Grand Slams. Essentially, two or more professionals would travel together from city to city. Competing night after night. Earning money through ticket sales.
Then in 1968, the Open Era began – allowing both amateur and professional athletes in a tournament format. That year, France hosted the first Open, followed by England and the United States. Brisbane hosted Australia’s Open debut the following January. With the sport’s top global talents all converging on the same four annual tournaments, the Grand Slams put themselves in position to grow alongside the popularity of the game.
Today, the US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. In 2019, over 720-thousand fans passed through the gates of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. That year, Singles champions earned over $3.8-million, while players who fell in the First Round grossed $60-thousand.
To put that in perspective: In 1968, the inaugural US Open committed $14,000 for the Men’s Singles Champion. When Arthur Ashe won – because he was an amateur – he turned down the prize money. Instead, the legendary humanitarian settled for a $20 per diem. What a difference 54-years makes.
COVID-19 AND THE 2021 US OPEN
Last year, the 2020 US Open was the first Major to return after COVID-19 transformed life as we knew it. No fans. Cavernous, empty stadiums. Separate “bubbles” for players and crew. Regular coronavirus testing. Strict social distancing.
Today, thanks to vaccines and those who’ve chosen to receive them, the gates are open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center — with some specific requirements.
QUICK COURSE CORRECTION BEFORE DAY ONE
Originally, in the months leading up to the 2021 US Open, all fans were welcome (vaccinated and unvaccinated), provided each guest followed CDC guidance based on individual vaccination status. However, on the Friday before the start of main-draw play, the New York City Mayor’s office changed course — instead mandating that all Arthur Ashe Stadium ticket holders provide proof of vaccination.
In response, due to continued concern over COVID’s highly-infectious Delta variant, the USTA extended the Mayor’s mandate to every US Open ticket holder — including those with passes to Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, and fans with grounds admission tickets. In other words, to enter the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis center, all ticket holders 12-years and older must provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Acceptable forms of proof include: CDC Vaccination Card (photo/photocopy accepted), NYC Vaccination Record (photo/photocopy accepted), NYC COVID Safe App, Excelsior Pass, or Excelsior Pass Plus.
That said, unlike events held before vaccines were widely available, there are no temperature checks or health questionnaires to complete before entering the grounds. Additionally, negative COVID tests are not required to get on site. Simply put, each guest must be vaccinated.
COVID’s grip continues, as we navigate an uncertain landscape full of both vaccinated and unvaccinated tennis fans. Responsibly, the USTA is relying on the guidance of the CDC, the New York City Mayor’s Office, and the New York City Department of Health to hopefully ensure a safe and healthy experience for all.
