US Open ‘23 — Week 2, let’s go!
Tennis is life
Match-ups to watch this week:
Ben Shelton vs Frances Tiafoe
Alexander Zverev vs Jannik Sinner
Coco Gauff vs Jelena Ostapenko
Ons Jabeur vs Qinwen Zheng
Who’s left in the women’s draw:
I’m personally enjoying the thirst of the Americans but the Czechs have been bringing it big time. I don’t remember so many Czechs on tour before but they are showing up and showing out. Muchova and Vondrousova are the last Czechs standing and they’re both steady eddy. I sat on the edge of my seat last night taking in the Swiatek vs Ostapenko match! What a blitzer of first strike tennis. You would be right to call it a demolition. Coco’s going to have her work cut out for her there.
There’s been some serious take downs coming from Cristea which really isn’t too surprising given her A-game ability. She said goodbye to Rybakina and Bencic in back to back matches. When she’s on, she’s dangerous. Madison Keys is playing lights out and seems to have figured out playing with flexibility. She’s going to be a tough out if she keeps that level. Vondrousova is staying lefty strong and is exhibiting a winner’s mentality but she really hasn’t been tested much beyond her match with Peyton Stearns. Her next match against Madison should be interesting if she doesn’t succumb to her shoulder injury.
The red carpet to the final is laid out for the new world #1 Aryna Sabalenka. This easy draw can go both ways. The level she’s faced so far just has not given her any trouble and while it’s good for the money it hasn’t been making her match strong. This could become a disadvantage if she makes the final.
Special mention on the men’s side
We’re all anticipating the Djokovic/Alcaraz showdown in the final but the Americans might have somethings to say about it. Ben Shelton vs Tommy Paul was my favorite men’s match in the first week. 149MPH TWICE! Go Ben! He’s got the fastest serve for the tournament and he did it twice in the same game. Phenom much?! So far, the men’s draw seems to be sticking to predictions but who really knows. Lots of surprises could be in store. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak are top contenders with outliers like Tiafoe, Sinner and Medvedev. We’ll see.
Have any favorites? I’d be delighted to see who you’re backing in the comments.
lOVE All, dEUCES
