Week one of the 2013 US Open Tennis Championships saw it’s share of surprises and electrifying shot-making. We witnessed farewells, first-time achievement, timely upsets and grueling five-setters. Here in Arthur Ashe Stadium, it’s been a rewarding US Open for fans – several have been upgraded to court-side seats, others have won Westin Heavenly beds, Panasonic cameras and New York Times gift bags; we’ve even given away a trip to Italy courtesy of Emirates Airline. Here’s a quick review of week one.
Day 1
Day one was defined by James Blake’s announced retirement, and an amazing shot by Rafael Nadal.
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Day 2
Day two’s highlight: Victoria Duval’s win over defending US Open Champion Sam Stosur in first round play.
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Day 3
Day three saw Venus Williams lose in the second-round to Jie Zheng of China in a third-set tie-break…and also featured the final match of James Blake’s professional tennis career, losing to Ivo Karlovic 7-6(2), 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(2), 6-7(2).
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Day 4
Day four saw another late night on Louis Armstrong Stadium with John Isner’s 4-set win over Gael Monfils, with a pro-Monfils crowd in attendance. Isner would go-on to lose in the 3rd round to Phillip Kohlschreiber…
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Day 5
Day five’s shockers included Marcos Baghdatis’ straight-sets win over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson and Lleyton Hewitt’s stunning five-set win over 2009 US Open Champion Juan Martin del Potro. The match lasted 4-hours, concluded at 11:26pm, and we still had the Serena Williams match left to play on center court!
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Day 6
Day six saw a couple of upsets, as well – with wild card Alison Riske’s win over the 7-seed Petra Kvitova (6-3, 6-0). In the night session, Italy’s Camila Giorgi ended Caroline Wozniacki’s US Open in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
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Day 7
Day seven’s surprises included Agnieszka Radwanska’s loss to the 24-seed Ekaterina Makarova and Tommy Haas’ four-set loss to Mikhail Youzhny, who’s head an incredible run in Flushing. Youzhny and his doubles partner Sergiy Stakhovsky defeated Poland’s Fyrstenberg and Matkowski in the first round and are still in the hunt at this year’s Open. Another Day Seven highlight: Marcel Granollers’ win over the final American man standing, Tim Smyczek, in a grueling five setter: 6-4, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3, 7-5. So far, every single match Marcel has played has been a five setter…
