The US Open, Roger Federer, and Americans In Action Today

Written by: Staff on 29th August 2011

The US Open, Roger Federer, and Americans In Action Today

Swiss Davis Cup tennis player Roger Federer returns a ball during a practice session in Bern, Switzerland, Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Switzerland faces Portugal in the BNP Paribas Europe/Africa Zone Group I second round. EPA/PETER KLAUNZER |

(Courtesy of USTA)

Among the men, Roger Federer begins his quest for an Open Era-record sixth men’s singles title in the nightcap of the Night Session and red-hot American Mardy Fish begins his first US Open as the top-ranked American against Tobias Kamke. Also, up-and-coming young American Ryan Harrison will attempt to knock off a seeded Croatian for a second straight year.

ON THIS DAY IN US OPEN HISTORY – August 29

1952 – Two years after Althea Gibson breaks the color barrier as the first black player to compete in the U.S. Championships, Dr. Reginald Weir becomes the first black man to accomplish the feat when he takes the court in the first round of the men’s singles. Weir is defeated in the first round by William Stucki, 11-9, 5-7, 8-6, 6-1. One day later, George Stewart also loses in the first round of the U.S. Championships to Bernard “Tut” Bartzen, 6-3, 9-7, 6-0.

1968 – Open tennis begins at the U.S. Championships and Billie Jean King plays the first stadium match at the US Open, defeating Long Island dentist and alternate player Dr. Vija Vuskains, 6-1, 6-0. Amateurs Ray Moore and Jim Osborne register upset wins over professionals; Moore defeats No. 10 seed Andres Gimeno, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1, and Osborne tops Barry MacKay, 8-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

1978 – The gates open at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., for the facility’s grand opening. Bjorn Borg and Bob Hewitt play the first match at the new facility, with Borg winning the best-of-three set first round match, 6-0, 6-2.

2005 – US Open blue tennis courts make their debut at the USTA National Tennis Center after serving as a unifying element at the 10 Olympus US Open Series tournaments leading up to the event. The courts, however, are not kind to Svetlana Kuznetsova, who becomes the first defending women’s champion eliminated in the first round, falling 6-3, 6-2 to fellow Russian Ekaterina Bychkova.

Comedian Jim Carrey makes an unscheduled appearance in Arthur Ashe Stadium before the opening ceremonies. Afterward, Andre Agassi defeats Razvan Sabau, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, for his 25th win in a night match at the US Open, breaking a tie with Jimmy Connors for most US Open night wins.

THEY SAID IT!!!

“The emotions probably are a little bit different, because when you come back after the victory of last year, the emotions are higher. Of course, it was the last Grand Slam for me to complete all four. Was very, very nice moment of my career, one of the biggest moments of my career. That makes the comeback a little more special. But if we talk about the goal, [it] is the same: play well, try to arrive to the final rounds. And pressure? I don’t feel extra pressure. I am happy about how I did. I didn’t play very well during the summer, but I am practicing much better here. So we’ll see.”

— Rafael Nadal, on returning to the US Open as the defending champion for the first time

“It’s a significant difference for me. It’s just great. I mean, this is probably one of the biggest events that I’ll ever play, you know, just being in this position right now and coming in playing extremely well. Winning the US Open Series and just coming in on a high and playing great the last two events as well. … You know, it’s one of those where a lot of times you kinda want to work your way into the tournament. I want to play Monday. I want to get out there and start, start the whole process of it, because it’s exciting for me.”

— Mardy Fish, on coming into this year’s US Open on a roll and as the top-ranked American

“It’s just great to still be a tennis player. I’ve said this many times. I’m very fortunate to do what I do, obviously, to do it at a high level and to win tournaments and to win big matches. It gives you tremendous amount of confidence and delight that the work you’ve put in is paying off. It’s the time that you spend away from the courts, the time that people don’t see what you put into the sport of trying to get back there. … So to be able to prove to yourself that you’ve put in that work and there you are at that stage again, giving yourself these opportunities to win Grand Slams again, it’s a good feeling.”

— Maria Sharapova, on her comeback from shoulder surgery to the No. 3 seed at this year’s US Open

“This is my 13th time here, 12th time maybe in the main draw, so it’s definitely an inspiration seeing guys being around for a long time like Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, and then there are tons of other players who were there for a long time. I feel my game allows me to still play for many more years because I have a relaxing playing style. … I have always looked in the long term. I have never been chasing stuff around since I turned world No. 1 seven years ago. That’s why I’m confident I can still play for many more years to come at the highest of levels.”

— Roger Federer, on his plans to compete and contend at the US Open and in the majors into his 30s

“I’ve always liked busy places. I have always enjoyed having things to do. There’s a lot really close by. It doesn’t take long to get anywhere. And also [Arthur Ashe Stadium Court] I think is just [an] incredible atmosphere. It’s so different to anything on the tennis calendar, and I really like playing here.”

— Andy Murray, on why he enjoys playing in New York and at the US Open

AMERICANS IN ACTION TODAY

Men’s Singles Women’s Singles

Mardy Fish, Tampa, Fla. Jill Craybas, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Ryan Harrison, Bradenton, Fla. Lauren Davis, Gates Mills, Ohio

Michael Yani, Durham, N.C. Irina Falconi, Jupiter, Fla.

Madison Keys, Boca Raton, Fla.

Varvara Lepchenko, Allentown, Pa.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Phoenix

Christina McHale, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Melanie Oudin, Marietta, Ga.

CoCo Vandewehge, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.