Fun first day for me, humid, but the sun was rarely out.
Started at Wolf, he’s just your vintage US ball basher, I bailed at 2 sets down and double break in the third, was stunned he came all the way back, but still came up short in the end. Zheng, nice serve, not a terrible game overall, but definitely someone that gets nervous.
Watched end of Watanuki and Mannarino, this was a bad matchup for Watanuki. He loves going for broke, and that plays right into Adrian’s hands who can lull you to sleep, and has no problem waiting for you to make the error.
Watched first set of Korda, he’s just so blah. Credit to Fucsovics, seemed like it was a never ending match, and Korda again can’t close.
Tommy Paul was probably best player I saw today on the men’s side, he does a great job just never getting too high or low. I bailed on it after two sets, was surprised to see he lost a third set.
Young player that I knew nothing about, and was impressed with was 17 year old Jakub Mensik, really great all around game for his age, great win for him.
Didn’t see much women’s stuff until end of the day, watched pretty much all of Mertens and Bjorklund, was a fun one. Bjorklund probably won’t be able to sleep tonight after losing three match points, but she didn’t give them away, Elise had ice water in her veins saving those, and in the final set tiebreaker, the difference in ranking comes out. Shapo was out supporting Bjorklund, he looked more nervous watching then he probably ever has when playing. Always stayed positive for his fiancé though pumping her up.
Ended the night watching the younger Andreeva, she’s got all the tools, just some unreal shot making from her, good serve. Anything can happen, but she has all the makings of a future GS champ. However, like any 16 year old in life, her emotions can get the best of her. There were points where she’s just banging her hand against her head really hard. I just hope she had a good support team around her, could see her being overwhelmed on Ashe Wednesday night.
Random non match thought, just too many people on the grounds, it was impossible to get into FAA/McDonald. It was full for the entirety of Jenny Brady just so people could have seats for it.
Back on Thursday, hopefully rain isn’t bad next two days.