US Open: One Qualifier Left – By: Chris McMillen

Written by: Staff on 31st August 2012

US Open: One Qualifier Left - By: Chris McMillen

epa03373107 Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands hits a return to Christina McHale of the US during their match on the second day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 28 August 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/PETER FOLEY |

Getting to the second round is one thing, but cracking the 3rd round at the US Open is quite another. Seven qualifiers stepped up to the net today and only Olga Puhcova (143) was up to the challenge.

Based on how the draw is laid out the third round is where the seeds start to play each other. So chances are you will need to get by one in the first or second round for a chance at that guaranteed $65,000 with the chance to play for $120, 000.

Puchova’s round 2 opponent, Kiki Bertens (77) took care of that for her by knocking out a visible under the weather #21 seed Christina McHale.

After dropping the first set 5-7, Olga proceeded to break Berten’s serve seven times and had 11 aces to support her service game as she took the match in three sets. Puchkova’s 3rd round opponent is the #10 seed Sara Errani.

Tatjana Malek saw her run come to an end losing in three sets to Sloane Stephens. After taking the first set 7-5, Malek could not keep her nerves 6-4in check and despite a less than stellar performance from the highly touted American dropped the next two. Sloan showed real grit in overcoming 68 unforced errors and 7 double faults to make it through.

Johanna Konta’s back and forth play was evident again as she squandered a 5 -2 lead in the third and deciding set to Olga Govortsova. However, it was a great run for the young Brit and once she stabilizes her emotions on big points has the game to be a top 50 player.

Lara Arruabarrenaa-Vecino’s run came to an end in straight sets to the #30 seed and former world #1 Jelena Janovic. The young Spaniard was never really in and had no answers for Janovic’s game. Broken early in both sets she was never able to get back on serve and was closed out 6-4 , 6-2.

All three men’s qualifiers were eliminated and all to seeded players. Young American Tim Smyczek was dismantled in straight sets by #17 seed Kei Nashikori of Japan. Nishikori has not dropped a set on his way to the third round, but also has only played qualifiers defeating Guido Andreozzi in the first round. Be quite surprised if the trend continues against Marin Cilic in round of 16. Smyczek seemed sluggish and that’s not surprising coming off a grueling 5 setter vs. Booby Reynolds.

Jimmie Wang’s gallant run came to an end at the racket of Gilles Simon. The #16 seed was able to match Wang’s style of play, which has been so successful here, but only do it a bit better. All four sets were played tightly and of high quality with Simon getting the big point time and again.

Daniel Brands put a huge scare into Milos Celic (#12 seed) taking the match the distance and losing the fifth and final match 7-5 dropping his serve in game 11 and mounting no comeback in the decider.

Today marks the last chance for a qualifying male to get to the 3rd round with three tries at it on deck.

First up is Igor Sijsling taking on David Ferrer at the Grandstand. This will be a very difficult task with the #5 seed playing top flight tennis.

On the second match at Court 17 young American Bradley Klahn attempts to sustain this incredible run against #13 seed Richard Gasquet. Klahn is not only a qualifier, he was a wild card entry into that field, and lays his #485 ranking up against one of the more consistent players on the World Tour this year. Gasquet has been playing quite well of that as evident in his recent trip to the finals at the Rogers Cup.

Finally, the last match of the day on Court 8 with feature Grega Zemlja (99) taking on Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (99). This looks like the best chance of the day, at least on paper, for a qualifier to get through.

Topics: Christina Mchale, Kiki Bertens, Olga Puhcova, Sara Errani, Sports, Tennis News, US Open 2012