Close observers of American history know American revolutionaries actually voted to break from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. A magnifying glass to the history books is not necessary right now. 243 years later, almost to the day, American tennis players made a statement. This time the statement was made on British soil and against the world. American men and women combined to go 11-3 in singles competition on Day 2 at Wimbledon. Which means, of course, that 11 American women will be playing on Thursday, July 4. Of the three Americans eliminated from the tournament, two already won three matches in qualifying. The third found himself on the tough end of a matchup with a Top 10 player.
The Favorites
John Isner and Sloane Stephens are the highest-ranked male and female Americans playing at Wimbledon. Each is seeded #9 in their respective draw, and each took care of business swiftly today.
On the men’s side, Isner eliminated Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 7-6. The highest ranked American fired 29 aces and ripped off 56 winners. Ruud coughed up more double faults (9) than aces (7) in dropping the opening round match. Isner is recovering from a foot injury and seemed to move gingerly, but it didn’t stop him from winning comfortably.
Three seeded American women, from age 17-37, moved on without dropping a set today. Sloane Stephens defeated Timea Bacinszky smoothly, 6-2 6-4. The World #9 needed just over an hour to advance the second round. Former World #1 and 7-time Wimbledon champion, 37-year-old Serena Williams continued the advance of seeded American women with her 6-2 7-5 win over Italy’s Giula Gatto-Monticone. America’s “older teenager,” #17 seed and 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova, knocked out Sorana Cirstea 6-3 6-3–becoming the second American teen to advance in two days. Anisimova is more than 2twoyears older than 15-year-old first round winner Cori Gauff.
Taking Care of Business
A slew of American unseeded men and women who reached the main draw without having to qualify took aim at first-round opponents, in which neither player held a seed. Each time, the American won the day.
American women Lauren Davis, Taylor Townsend, and Alison Riske each advanced to the second round. Riske won the last match of the day over Donna Vekic after dropping the first set, 3-6 6-3 7-5.
On the men’s side, Tennys Sandgren, Steve Johnson, and Taylor Fritz all moved into the second round. Fritz knocked out former Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Johnson did the same with Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sandgren dropped the first set before rolling over Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama 3-6 6-3 6-4 6-3.
Upset Special
Sam Querrey earned the most surprising win of the day for the American contingent. Querrey dropped a set, regrouped, and eventually ran over #4 seed and recent Roland Garros finalist Dominic Thiem. Querrey fired 22 aces, ripped off 53 winners and converted on all 4 of the break points he generated to move past Thiem 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-0. A 2017 semi-finalist Querrey hopes this win can ignite another run at SW19.
Only Americans Noah Rubin, Christina McHale, and Frances Tiafoe stumbled in Day 2 at Wimbledon. Rubin and McHale both already won three matches in qualifying. Tiafoe ran into world #10 Fabio Fognini. All in all, an impressive run for Americans in Britain. Look for the 11 victors to get back at it on the 4th of July, in Britain.
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