Donald Young making another U.S. Open run, hopes to keep it going into Week 2 by Ricky Dimon
The U.S. Open has not always been kind to Donald Young, but he has already delivered a few memorable moments at what almost any American considers his or her most important tournament.
In 2007, Young picked up his first-ever Grand Slam match win by beating Chris Guccione in Flushing Meadows. The Atlanta native then got a walkover from Richard Gasquet before succumbing to Feliciano Lopez in four tight sets.
Young went won step further in 2011, and this time it was without the benefit of any free pass from an opponent. Among Young’s victories en route to the last 16 was a five-set upset of Stan Wawrinka on Court 17.
“That was great,” he said of his run four summers ago. “That was my first five-set win, against Stan. It was awesome–doing it here on Court 17, coming back from two sets to one. It was great.”
An even more improbable run could be developing in 2015. Young is more of an established player at 26 years old and he registers at a solid 68th in the world, but the way things have transpired so far is what makes it almost hard to believe.
When Young trailed Gilles Simon two sets to love on Tuesday, he was 0-5 lifetime in matches against the Frenchman and 0-13 in total sets. Moreover, Young even fell behind 3-0 in the third. Somehow, though, he stormed back to prevail in five. Two days later the former world No. 38 recovered from a set and 2-0 down against Aljaz Bedene to win in four.
“This one is totally different,” Young said, comparing 2015 to 2011. “I’m a little older. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I’ve put in some work. To come back from two sets to love down in the first match and to come back from a set down and 2-0 in [the next] one, it totally feels different and I’m really excited about it.”
Young will look to keep the train rolling against Viktor Troicki on Saturday. Troicki won their only previous encounter, but it was a three-setter and it came three years ago on clay.
“It’s going to be a battle,” Young said of the showdown scheduled for the afternoon session on the Grandstand. “It’s going to be another fight and grind. He’s a really good player.
“Hopefully the fans come out and support me, and hopefully I can try to go out there and get a win.”
Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Donald Young jr, DY, Flushing Meadows, Sports, Tennis News, U.S. Open
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