It was a day of highs and lows for American women at the U.S. Open with three players capturing second-round victories and four leaving the court disappointed. Top seed Serena Williams cruised through her second round match while unseeded Nicole Gibbs pulled a major upset to secure a spot in the third round. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Madison Keys, who was dubbed a “player to watch” this year made it no further in the tournament than her debut appearance in 2011.
Winners:
Former Stanford University player Nicole Gibbs pulled an upset over no. 23 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. After winning the first set 6-4, Gibbs had multiple match points, but lost the second in a 6-8 tiebreaker. She secured the final set 6-3 to send Pavlyuchenkova packing.
Serena Williams had an effortless win over fellow American Vania King, dropping just one game. Williams hit five times as many winners as King, proving once again why she’s earned the title of no. 1 in the world.
On Court 13 Uzbek-American Vavara Lepchenko defeated Germany’s Mona Barthel 6-4, 6-0. She’ll face Serena next so we’re pretty sure which American will come out on top.
Losers:
Young talent Madison Keys made an astounding 60 unforced errors in a three set match with Aleksandra Krunic to lose 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 5-7. Keys, the no. 27 seed, looked impatient and frustrated on the court, and gave Krunic her first third-round appearance in a grand slam. The Serbian player lost in the first round of the U.S. Open last year and did not make it past the qualifying round at any other grand slams.
Three other American women were ousted by seeded players, all in straight sets. Christina McHale fell to no. 16 seed Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-2, despite getting an early run and winning the first three games. Italian Flavia Pennetta, the no. 11 seed, toppled Shelby Rogers 6-4, 6-3, while Coco Vandeweghe lost 6-3, 6-2, to no. 15 seed Carla Suarez-Navarro of Spain.
Upcoming:
We can’t wait to watch teenager CiCi Bellis play again after her thrilling win Tuesday. The 15-year-old overnight sensation will face Zarina Diyas, who is also making her first U.S. Open appearance. J.ISNER [13]
