Donald Young has advanced to the fourth round of the US Open for the second time, recovering from a slow start to upset 22nd seed Viktor Troicki 4-6, 0-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-4.
The American, who reached the final 16 of his home slam in 2011, needed 3 hours and 33 minutes to clinch the win. The 26-year-old Young had two match points at 5-3, but sealed the victory in the following game with a forehand winner down the line. It’s only the second time in his career that Young has come back from a two-sets-to-love deficit. He first achieved the feat against 11th seed Gilles Simon on Tuesday.
“Showing you can fight and come back is a great feeling at the end of the day,” said Young. “It was 90 per cent you guys, 10 per cent me. I am so happy to be able to do it in front of you guys, thanks for the support,” he told the crowd on Grandstand, which chanted “U-S-A” throughout the match. “It definitely did [feel a bit like Davis Cup]. I was on the other end of a match like this earlier this year in Scotland against Andy Murray, so to have you guys 100 per cent for me felt amazing. I really appreciate that,” he said, later adding that he may not have won the match if it had been played anywhere else.
The American credited part of his success to improvements in his strength and conditioning. “I’ve been slaving in the gym, killing it. It was a weak point in my career and it’s something you have full control over, so I wasn’t going to let that hold me back anymore. Now I’m exactly where I want to be and I’m moving in the right direction,” said Young. “You can control how your body is, how much work you put in, how strong you can be, and that’s what I’m trying to do,” said Young, who is currently reading a self-help book by former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy.
The left-hander joins John Isner in the round of 16, where there are two Americans for the first time since 2012. “It’s awesome for John and I; he’s been doing it longer than me and more consistently,” said Young.
Though friends and fellow athletes including basketball legend Kobe Bryant have congratulated Young over social media, he said he’s choosing not to look at his phone much. “I’m trying to keep focused…[and] not get too caught up in everything else,” said the American, who cited improvement and resilience as two factors for which he could be recognised.
He noted that as a junior, he developed his game by outmaneuvering his opponents by putting them in awkward positions. “I was always smaller than the guys so I had to find a way to defuse the power, do something different,” said Young. “I’m never going to be one of the guys like Isner or some of the guys who are a lot taller than me, I’m not going to be hitting a ton of aces, I’m not going to be slapping you off the court. I’m going to have to find other ways.”
The left-hander reflected on a practice session he had with Pete Sampras some years ago. “He said he expected to see some really big things from me; that was big to hear from a guy like that. Those things haven’t come yet; hopefully they will arrive [and] I’m going to give it all I have.”
Young took time to explain the hashtag “yimlife”, which is also part of his Twitter username. “It just means Young in Motion, something me and my friends came up with. I want it to move to the point where it helps kids stay active,” he said. He believes that if kids see players they relate to, of any demographic, it will encourage them to play tennis.
The Atlanta resident next meets fifth seed Stan Wawrinka, who dispatched Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-4 in 1 hour and 57 minutes. Wawrinka saved two break points at 5-4, 15/40 before clinching the win with a forehand winner.
Young and Wawrinka split their two previous meetings, with the American’s victory coming in the second round of the 2011 US Open. “It’s going to be an exciting match for sure; he’s playing at home…he’s a great fighter,” said the Swiss, later adding that he watched part of Young’s match against Troicki. “He’s a tough player, he improved a lot especially [in] his attitude on the court, he’s fighting way more,” Wawrinka added.
“I’m looking forward to going out there and battling again,” said Young. “I’m sure it’s going to be a battle, every match is going to be one. I’m happy to be able to push forward. This is what you put the hours in the gym for.”
( Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/young-upsets-troicki-in-comeback-win )
Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Donald Young jr, Sports, Tennis News, US Open, Viktor Troicki
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