NEWS-FINANCE -QUOTE-EDUCATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL
Key events
Sebastian Korda retires against Cameron Norrie
Cam Norrie claims the second set and Sebastian Korda shakes hands, the American having received treatment on his back earlier. Korda buries his head in his towel. Poor guy. Norrie was up 7-5, 6-4.
Jack Draper’s tournament has begun. He’s in action against Federico Agustín Gómez on Louis Armstrong. Keys, meanwhile, has claimed that first set with a 12-10 tiebreak. She’s not been at her best but she’s on the board.
Keys double-faults for the fifth time in the set, taking us to 3-3 in the tiebreak. She’s racked up more than 30 unforced errors and they continue to pile up, Keys’ forehand losing its radar as Zarazúa goes up 6-4. Keys saves the two set points and then another as they get to 9-9 … no one wants to win this set.
Let’s get to Madison Keys, the sixth seed, who is serving to stay in the set: Renata Zarazúa leads 6-5 … and the underdog has two set points. Keys saves the first with a laser backhand, and a powerful forehand takes the game to deuce. Keys finds an ace at the perfect moment, and another down the middle to set up a tie-break.
Barbora Krejcikova beats Victoria Mboko (22) 6-3, 6-2
Krejcikova has her first match point but goes wide with a forehand. A double fault gives Krejcikova another chance but Mboko battles on. It takes a third match point for Krejcikova to convert, sending the promising 18-year-old home.
Krejcikova has won nine of her 11 points at the net and she thunders a volley on her way to another game. She now leads 6-3, 5-2, with Mboko – tipped as one to watch this tournament – on her way out. Her heavily bandaged right wrist is getting some attention from the commentary team on Sky.
Things get worse for Korda: he’s now getting some treatment on the court, his lower back getting rubbed.
Victoria Mboko is up against it on Louis Armstrong against Barbora Krejcikova. The latter leads 4-1 in the second set.
Cam Norrie is in control against Sebastian Korda, 2-0 up in the second set after taking the first. Korda’s troubles continue in the third game: when up to the net, he gets it all wrong with a straightforward smash. The American’s serve-and-volley isn’t bringing him all that much joy, but he does manage to hold. Norrie leads 7-5, 2-1.
Madison Keys is up and running against Renata Zarazua on Arthur Ashe. Keys broke early but Zarazua has launched back; the latter leads 3-2 in the first set, with Keys serving.
It’s all over for Petra Kvitova. Diane Parry triumphs 6-1, 6-0 inside an hour and that brings an end to the career of the former world No 2. A two-time Wimbledon champion, French Open runner-up and an Olympic bronze in there too.
Elsewhere, Cam Norrie has taken the first set 7-5 against Sebastian Korda.
Cam Norrie has three chances to break against Sebastian Korda … and he needs just one. Korda, up to the net, goes wide with a forehand and Norrie will serve for the first set: he’s up 6-5.
Barbora Krejcikova has taken the first set against Victoria Mboko 6-3. The first point of the second set should be Mboko’s … but she overhits a volley.
Korda goes long – just – with a forehand and Norrie has break point. But Korda matches Norrie’s trick in the previous game, launching an ace to get out of trouble. A p***ing forehand, from way behind the baseline, puts a smile on Norrie’s face: he’s got another break point. And it’s another ace from Korda! That’s his 10th of the match. Norrie gets his third chance to break with a backhand down the line but Korda’s serve is a serious force. The American battles on to take a 5-4 lead in the first set.
Korda has a break point against Norrie … but out comes an ace down the middle. Norrie’s then up to the net, a delightfully delicate volley bringing him the advantage. He escapes danger and we’re 4-4 in this rather even fight.
Victoria Mboko has a chance to break against Barbora Krejcikova, but a backhand slice finds the net. Mboko goes long with a forehand to give her opponent a 4-2 lead in the first set.
Diane Parry has won the first set 6-1 against Petra Kvitova. Here’s a great interview Kvitova – two-time Wimbledon champion – did before the tournament.
Yep, there’s that big serve. Korda sends down two more aces to go 3-2 up against Norrie in the first set.
Norrie holds to go 2-2 but he’s got a proper challenge against Korda’s serve, the 25-year-old American reeling off aces – he’s ticked off six inside the opening 20 minutes.
Cam Norrie is 1-1 with Sebastian Korda, the latter on serve. Norrie takes him to deuce, but Korda responds with an ace … and then a double fault. Deuce once again. Korda advances inside the baseline to sweep a backhand winner but Norrie’s p***ing forehand brings deuce again. Korda holds his nerve after four deuces and leads 2-1 in the first set.
Mboko, the 22nd seed, has a nervy start and is broken in the first game by Krejcikova. Petra Kvitova, who will retire from tennis after this tournament, is a break down against Diane Parry of France.
The future is here at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Victoria Mboko of Canada, the 18-year-old who triumphed in Montreal this month, beating Naomi Osaka in the final, is up against Barbora Krejcikova, Wimbledon champion last year. Mboko won’t be fazed by another slam winner.
Preamble
Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to the second day of singles action at Flushing Meadows – hopefully Daniil Medvedev’s calmed down by now. Venus Williams, 45 years young, will be up on Arthur Ashe in the evening but before then we’ve got plenty of names to keep an eye on: Madison Keys, Jack Draper, Petra Kvitova and Cam Norrie are in action over the next few hours.
Drop me a line with your thoughts, queries and anything I’ve missed – there’s only so many screens I can use. Let’s get going.
