Wimbledon Opening Day; Six US Juniors into Third Round at Roehampton; Buchanan Wins Futures; DeHeart Joins Alabama, Keckley Named Princeton Assistant
An even dozen Americans took the courts today for first round matches at Wimbledon, with only five managing to advance to the second round. Although she wasn't seeded, Venus Williams' loss to Elena Vesnina of Russia was probably the biggest surprise, because even though she hasn't been a factor since being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, Williams has always been a threat at the All England Club. John Isner, the No. 11 seed, had a match point in the fourth set tiebreaker with Colombia's Alejandro Falla but wound up losing 6-4, 6-7(7), 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-5. James Blake lost to Baylor's 2004 NCAA champion Benjamin Becker of Germany and Donald Young lost to No. 26 seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia. For an interesting take on that match, see Howard Bryant's piece for espn.com.
Qualifiers Michael Russell and Ryan Sweeting picked up wins, as did Ryan Harrison, who will face defending champion and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the second round.
Melanie Oudin lost to Timea Babos of Hungary and Vania King went quietly against No. 23 seed Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic, but Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton advanced. Stephens had no trouble with qualifier Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in their second meeting, posting a 6-2, 6-2 win. At the 2010 US Open Junior Championships, Stephens beat Pliskova 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. Hampton took out No. 27 seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-4, 7-6(1) and will next play wild card Heather Watson of Great Britain. Christina McHale, the No. 28 seed, twice served for the match against British wild card Joanna Konta, but couldn't convert either time and their match was suspended due to darkness at 7-7 in the third set.
Tuesday has ten Americans playing their first round matches: Irina Falconi, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Jesse Levine, Wayne Odesnik, Mardy Fish, Brian Baker, Varvara Lepchenko, Sam Querrey and CoCo Vandeweghe.
For the schedule and draws, see the Wimbledon website.
At the Grade 1 ITF in Roehampton today, the unfinished first round and the second round were completed, with six US juniors surviving into the third round. Top seed Taylor Townsend is the only American girl in the top half, but in the bottom half, Allie Kiick(8), Sachia Vickery(4) and Kyle McPhillips are still alive. In the boys draw, the two remaining Americans are Mitchell Krueger(7), in the top half, and Noah Rubin(13), in the bottom half.
For complete results, see the LTA website.
With all the havoc caused by tropical storm Debby, it was this evening before the result of the Indian Harbour Beach Futures final was known. Chase Buchanan defeated Alex Domijan 6-3, 6-4 to win his first Futures since Vero Beach in 2008. Ruben Gonzales and Darian King won the doubles over Georgia Tech's Juan Spir and Kevin King 6-2, 3-6, 10-4.
Torrential rain has caused problems on the other side of the state as well, where the Innisbrook Futures qualifying is taking place. This has left two final round qualifying matches unfinished, but those and some main draw matches are on the schedule for Tuesday.
For results, see the Pro Circuit page at usta.com.
There were a couple of assistant announcements today, with Ryan Keckley, who has been the men's assistant coach at the University of San Diego for the past three years, joining Billy Pate at Princeton in the same capacity, and Ryler DeHeart, an all-American at Illinois, taking the assistant position for new Alabama coach George Husack.
The Princeton announcement is here and the Alabama announcement is here.
14 comments:
If Ryan Harrison didn't have crappy luck in Grand Slam draws, he would have no luck at all. Good grief.
Isner loss is very disappointing. How do you get in three quarters of that huge first serve and lose to a clay court specialist on grass.
I'm hoping for someone other than the Big Three to break through and win this thing.
Thank you for the link to the Young article. When he decided to go back to his mom as his coach I knew his career would take steps backwards.
As to Isner, I agree with a previous poster. How can Isner lose on grass to a clay court specialist who serves 110mph max? It appears Isner is a much better clay court player which confounds me.
DY3's mom is so delusional, it's sad really, and hurting her sons game. His immaturity is always on full display. It's a shame he will never realize his potential. He may lead the pro tour in match losses after winning the first set. It reminds me of a female tennis player from the perspective where they think their mom or dad is a better coach than one that is actually qualified. You see that in the womens game all the time, but not usually in mens tennis. The mentality that the USTA is still against them is just so off base it just makes you shake your head. I have always been a supporter of his, and still root for him, but it has now become apparent he cant get away from his parents when it comes to his career. And even if his ranking was high enough where they felt he should get a Davis Cup spot, who wants to be around him and his group all week? I hope he realizes he needs to be on his own, but at this point it doesnt look like it, kinda sad.
How is playing another non seed in the first round a bad draw? if he (Harrison) loses second round he finishes 32-64, in line with his ranking.
Regarding Isner, Falla almost beat Federer a few years ago at Wimbledon, up 2 sets, so its not totally out of left field.
I love how everybody knows more that DY's parents - they raised a player that achieved top 50 status in the entire world. Wish my parents had been so delusional. Yes he is immature and not probably not maximizing his talent, it happens all the time, don't take it personally.
The whole Donald Young situation is SAD.
Donald's entire career was about Donald's mother and no one else. She has burned bridges with agents, players, coaches, companies, etc. She has left Donald with no contracts and an immature attitude. She will never let him grow up.
Same story and pattern throughout -Donald's failures are caused by the USTA and no Davis Cup nomination AND all of his successes are about her.
For all the blame the usta gets and deserves this is NOT one of them.
He is 2-15 this year. Illona IS still coaching him and not one time Has she said "it is my fault or I need to do better."
The beginning of the year's struggles was about racquet issues. The middle of the year struggles is about not getting a Davis Cup nomination.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR ILLONA
Andy M
Success should be measured where you end up with the talent you have.
With that said, Donald made a brief glimpse in the Top 100 at 18, then years out of it, then now in the top 50 and will soon be out of it.
People who know donald is aware of his situation - an over bearing mother who no one likes - and she is the most disliked and unrespected person/coach on the atp tour.
Donald is 34-74 in his career (31%).
This is NOT a success for Donald Young. Its embarrassing.
All the Mother can do is blame others and Donald cannot realize he needs help.
Andy, playing the #1 seed in the 2nd round is not a bad draw? OK...
Add to that...
French - first round, #12 Giles Simon
Miami - second round, #3 seed Roger Federer
Australian - first round, #4 seed Andy Murray
US Open - first round, #28 seed Marin Cilic
Cincinnati - second round, #1 seed Novak Djokovic
Wimbledon - second round, #6 seed David Ferrer
French Open - first round, #5 seed Robin Soderling
So, out of the last 8 biggest tournaments he's played over the last 15 months, that is a remarkably tough road in every one. In a 128 draw, as a non-seed, you only have a 1/3 chance of playing a seed in the first round, and he's running into top 5 guys all over the place. Playing Cilic in the first as a #28 seed in last year's US Open is arguably the best draw he had. If you can look at that, and think he hasn't had a remarkable string of bad luck, I can't help you.
Brent, not great draws you are right but you become a seeded player by beating seeded players. And Harrison will soon.
Hopefully Harrison will make his move this summer. He is not going to the Olympics, which I think may be an advantage, I think he can either make a final or win a tournament between now and the US Open, his breakthrough is coming any day now.
Austin, did you mean to say that Harrison IS going to the Olympics?
Donald Young on the Olympic Team? The USTA does not seem to be able to let go of him. It borders on the embarrassing. And why should his mother give up coaching him? Simple answer - ego and he is the meal ticket. One wonders if there is a way to sit her down and make her understand the damage she has done and the need to make changes. Perhaps it has been tried. No chance she would listen. It is indeed a sad situation and one that may go as footnote in American sports.
Yeah, I screwed that up, he is going. Well, that ends my theory for his summer, although I do think his breakthrough is right around the corner.
Pro Look
I am assuming the USTA selection of Donald Young to the Olympic team is based on an automatic pick based on ranking and not achievement or wanting him on the team. He is 2-15 this year and only excuses are coming from the Young camp. Zero accountability. It is sad and a completely wasted talent.
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