The matches continued to come quickly on the second day of the US Open. There were top players such as champion Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in action, but the fans got treated to much excellent tennis on the smaller courts in particular. This included three dramatic contests that went to a deciding fifth set. Read on to discover who looked good, bad and which match stood out the most.
US Open Day 2 Men’s Recap
Who looked good
Carlos Alcaraz looked mostly good, but his time on Arthur Ashe Stadium was quite limited. His opponent Dominik Koepfer retired with the score at 6-2 3-2 in favour of the Spaniard. The defending champion showed glimpses of his brilliant self during what play there was. But it was sad for the fans on Arthur Ashe that they did not get to see the young star for longer.
Alcaraz’s potential quarterfinal opponent Jannik Sinner did play his match to completion. The Italian #1 was very impressive, dropping just five games in a 6-3 6-1 6-1 drubbing of Yannick Hanfmann in the US Open first round. It is fair to say that the German was far from his best, but very few players would have been able to handle Sinner. His huge forehand in particular was truly devastating throughout the contest.
Alexander Zverev continued the promising form he showed in Cincinnati. He defeated Aleksandar Vukic 6-4 6-4 6-4. The Australian has had a very good North American hard court season, and was a dangerous opponent for Zverev. But the semifinalist at the French Open this year was solid throughout, taking four of his 12 break point chances on the way to victory.
John Isner extended his career by another match. Isner announced that this year’s tournament in New York is his last as a professional player. But he saw off Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-4 6-3 7-6 to delay his farewell. The all-time leader for aces on the ATP tour was characteristically strong on serve. He did not face a break point throughout the encounter.
Who looked bad
11th seed Karen Khachanov was the highest seed to lose on day 2. He was soundly beaten by an impressive Michael Mmoh 6-2 6-4 6-2. Khachanov had not competed since the French Open, and did not seem ready for a professional return. Those mitigating circumstances make the display of last year’s semifinalist more understandable. But it was still bad compared to what we are used to witnessing from him.
Andy Murray’s match with Corentin Moutet was one that promised much on paper. But the 2012 US Open champion won comfortably 6-2 7-5 6-3. The Frenchman never reached his best level. He did serve for the second set at 5-4, but got broken. After that he totally lost it, engaging in arguments with the umpire, and never looking fully committed to the cause in the third set. Such antics seem to hinder rather than help Moutet, but unfortunately it is something seen regularly from him.
Facing the #3 seed and former champion Daniil Medvedev on Arthur Ashe Stadium is a hard challenge for any player in the world. Therefore only a particularly poor performance earns a place in this section. But that is what Attila Balaz produced. He was crushed 6-1 6-1 6-0 in just one hour and 14 minutes. It was the most one-sided match I can remember witnessing at the US Open. Medvedev broke eight times and did not face a single break point. In truth, Attila never looked fully engaged from the beginning, which is disappointing.
Match of the day
Two matches deserve to be mentioned despite not being picked as match of the day. Firstly Arthur Fils dramatic 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 7-5 win against Tallon Griekspoor. The French teenager seemed to be doomed when he forfeited a game to be treated for cramp midway through the fourth set. But Fils somehow regained his energy to strike back. Secondly, 17th seed Hubert Hurkacz’s recovery from two sets down against Marc-Andrea Huesler. The contest turned when the Pole won the third set tiebreak 7-0. Huesler’s level dropped suddenly after that, and Hurkacz o won 4-6 5-7 7-6 6-3 6-1.
But the best match was played by Grigor Dimitrov and Alex Molcan on Court 7. Molcan won two extremely close sets on tiebreaks, as Dimitrov faltered in the big moments. The Bulgarian then comfortably won the third set. Molcan was two points away from victory in the fourth set, but Dimitrov held his nerve on serve, before breaking to love to take the fourth set 7-5. But Molcan broke and then served for the match in the final set. Yet despite being 30-0 up, he was unable to close it out.
The contest went to a championship tiebreak, and Molcan had two match points at 9-7. But Dimitrov somehow found inspiration to win four straight points and sensationally win, including an extraordinary half-volley at 9-8 down.
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
