U.S. Open Day 2: Federer moves on; Cibulkova taken down by 15-year-old CiCi Bellis
Tennis, anyone?
The U.S. Open rolled on in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., on Tuesday, with Day 2 action that featured a handful of mild upsets. Here is what you need to know:
Federer wows the crowd
Roger Federer was really excited about Michael Jordan being in attendance, so this ridiculous between-the-legs shot was probably inspired by his love for the ex-NBA star. He beat Marinko Matosevic of Australia 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
Let's be honest, this was probably the best part of the whole thing:
15-year-old Bellis knocks out No. 12 Cibulkova
Fifteen-year-old CiCi Bellis made sure her Grand Slam debut would be one to remember after destroying No. 12 (and Australian Open finalist) Dominika Cibulkova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open. For what it is worth, Bellis is ranked No. 1,028th in the world. She is the youngest player to win a U.S. Open match since a 15-year-old Anna Kournikova in 1996.
No. 1 Serena Williams did not take long (less than an hour, really) to take down Taylor Townsend in a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
No. 7 Eugenie Bouchard - seemingly most comfortable on the Grand Slam stage - and No. 8 Ana Ivanovic are advancing on the women's side, both winners in straight sets. No. 11 Flavia Pennetta is moving on, too, but she needed three sets to get past Julia Goerges. No. 3 Petra Kvitova made quick work of Kristina Mladenovic, 6-1, 6-0.
Meanwhile, two seeded players fell: Mona Barthel upset No. 32 Shuai Zhang, 6-1, 6-2, while Marina Erakovic beat No. 20 Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
Isner, Nishikori move on
On the men's side, No. 10 Kei Nishikori beat Wayne Odesnik in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, and No. 13 John Isner, who's carrying American tennis hopes at home, beat countryman Marcos Giron 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (2).
American Jack Sock was forced to retire from his first-round match against Pablo Andújar, after suffering a possible foot injury.
Here are some more winners from a busy Tuesday in Queens:
Serena to come
Tuesday night's action will feature some heavy hitters: No. 1 Serena Williams will face American teenager Taylor Townsend at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
HEADLINES
- Sinner-inspired Italy books rematch vs. Australia in Davis Cup semifinals
- 3 Nigerian players suspended, fined for violating match-fixing rules
- Bob Bryan's failed late doubles switch prolongs U.S. Davis Cup drought
- Tennis world enters new era after Nadal's retirement
- Germany wins both singles matches to top Canada, reach Davis Cup semis