U.S. Open Day 2 lineup: 18 Americans, Federer, Murray-Kyrgios in action
NEW YORK – Day 2 at the U.S. Open features a slew of American talent, including John Isner, Jack Sock, Christina McHale and 15 other Americans in action on Tuesday. Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Simona Help and 2014 finalist Caroline Wozniacki also begin their campaigns. Matches begin at 11 a.m. ET on WatchESPN and coverage on ESPN begins 1 p.m. ET. Check out the full television and broadcast schedule here. Full order of play for Tuesday can be found here.
Matches and storylines to watch on Day 2
Roger Federer starts his quest for major title No. 18:Federer, who employed an unorthodox attacking style of play to claim his sixth Cincinnati title just weeks ago, begins his bid for a sixth U.S. Open title (third match, Arthur Ashe). Federer last won in Flushing Meadows in 2008 and made the finals in '09 as well as the semis in '10, '11 and last year. The Swiss maestro, who is seeded No. 2, plays Argentine Leonardo Mayer. The two have played just once, last year at the Shanghai Masters, where Federer needed three sets to advance, 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(7). Said Federer about his first round match: “I’m just really focused on my first round. It’s really tough to be playing Leonardo Mayer, so I have to come back to reality after the good week I had last week and go from there.”
John Isner looks to cap off summer season with U.S. Open run
Top-ranked American John Isner makes his 2015 debut: Isner, the 6’10” big-serving American, has had a successful summer, taking his third consecutive Atlanta title and also advancing to the finals at the Citi Open. He did, however, burn out at Cincinnati where he lost in the first round to compatriot and buddy Sam Querrey (who’s also in action on Tuesday, third match, Court 17). Isner, who has lost the last three years to Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, looks to get back to his best showing at a major, which was the 2011 U.S. Open quarterfinals. He starts against an in-form Malek Jaziri of Tunisia, who advanced to the Winston-Salem semis last week (second match, Louis Armstrong). Read more about Isner's form and mentality heading into the U.S. Open here.
No. 2 Simona Halep starts play on Ashe: On Tuesday, Halep begins her attempt at another shot against Serena Williams (for the third time this year). Halep starts play on Arthur Ashe during the day, playing Marina Erakovic. Already this year, Halep has met Serena in the Cincinnati finals as well as in the Miami semis.
U.S. Open Day 1 recap: '14 runner-up Nishikori, Ivanovic upset in first round
Andy Murray takes on the bad boy of tennis at night: It’s been a controversial summer for Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who made some unsavory remarks during a match with Stan Wawrinka. He also happens to be Murray’s first round opponent (first night match, Arthur Ashe). While fans hope to see some more antics from the flashy Australian, Murray could very well shut him down, having claimed their three matches in fine form. Notably, the 2012 U.S. Open champion defeated Kyrgios in straight sets at the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year.
It’s a jam-packed day of American talent on Day 2: If Isner and Querrey aren’t enough for U.S. fans outs there, check out 16 other American players vying for the title on Day 2. This year’s NCAA singles champion Jamie Loeb plays last year’s runner-up Caroline Wozniacki (second match, Arthur Ashe). There’s also Bjorn Fratangelo against No. 6 Tomas Berdych (second match, Grandstand), No. 28 Jack Sock vs. Victor Estrella Burgos (fourth match, Grandstand). Donald Young plays Frenchman Gilles Simon (first match, Court 17), while rising stars Louisa Chirico and Frances Tiafoe will also be on Court 11, too. If that weren’t enough, check out Austin Krajicek, Christina McHale and a match between U.S. players Rajeev Ram and Ryan Harrison all on Court 4. Varvara Lepchenko, Shelby Rogers, Sachia Vickery, Denis Kudla, Nicole Gibbs, Jared Donaldson also play throughout the day.
Victoria Azarenka: Opponents aren't focused on Serena's quest
More matches to watch: Great Britain’s Laura Robson continues her comeback from injury on Day 2. Robson, who made waves at the 2012 U.S. Open by advancing to the fourth round after beating fan-favorite Kim Clijsters in the Round of 64, starts off against Russia’s Elena Vesnina (second match, Court 11). Meanwhile, 2001 U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt plays what’s expected to be his last event in New York, as he announced he’d retire following the 2016 Australian Open. He faces Aleksandr Nedovyesov (third match, Court 11). Victoria Azarenka also kicks off her U.S. Open campaign against Lucie Hradecka (third match, Armstrong).
SNAPSHOTS FROM DAY 1
U.S. Open 2015 Day 1
Ana Ivanovic
Cibulkova d. Ivanovic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Agnieszka Radwanska
Radwanska d. Siniakova, 6–2, 6–3.
Mardy Fish
Fish d. Cecchinato, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
Jessica Pegula
Pegula d. Van Uytvanck 7–5, 6–3.
Kei Nishikori
Paire d. Nishikori, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.
Dominika Cibulkova
Cibulkova d. Ivanovic, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Venus Williams
Benoit Paire
Paire d. Nishikori, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.
Mardy Fish
Fish d. Cecchinato, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.