Even the qualification had a lot to offer drama.
The main draw of the US Open 2018 is complete. The final qualifying rounds were played and the winners were distributed to the main draw. If you take the qualification as a benchmark, then we can look forward to some exciting stories in the tournament.
Old hands are getting through
On the ladies‘ side, two qualifiers stand out in particular: Vera Zvonareva and Patty Schnyder. Both have already been away from the tour and have now played in the peloton. Schnyder is now 39 years old and mother had reached the quarter-finals in New York for the first time exactly 20 years ago. The Swiss will meet Maria Sharapova in the first round. A retro match is therefore inevitable.
20 years after reaching the #USOpen quarterfinals, @pattyschnyder has qualified for the main draw at age 39!
This is also her first Slam main draw since becoming a mom. Read More: https://t.co/ip2VWTb0wz pic.twitter.com/vtzLMVnZzv — US Open Tennis (@usopen) 24. August 2018
Vera Zvonareva had to fight really hard. The Russian defended five match points before biting Lin Zhu in three sets. Zvonareva had denied in 2010 against Kim Clijsters the final of the US Open.
Vera Zvonareva was down 2-5 40-0 in the final set, saved 5 match points and is through to the #USOpen main draw. Legend 😩😍 pic.twitter.com/XLRc4tYQb8
— Matthew (@MRisingStar18) 24. August 2018
Also a beautiful story is that of Kathinka von Deichmann. She is the first Liechtenstein player to make the leap into the single main field of a Grand Slam.
Debut in the main field
On the men’s side, the US Open qualification was less dramatic. But two young players make their debut in a Grand Slam peloton. So could the 18-year-old Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime qualify. He meets in the first round now just his compatriot Denis Shapovalov, who also counts to Canada’s young hope. In addition, the 20-year-old Frenchman Ugo Humbert will attend the Grand Slam for the first time.
From the German perspective, the qualification of Yannick Maden is pleasing. For the Austrians Dennis Novak could play in the peloton.
Players at their 1st Slam #UsOpen
Mitchell #Krueger (Q) Yannick #Hanfmann (DA) Jenson #Brooksby (WC) Lloyd #Harris (Q) Ugo Humbert (Q) Felix #AugerAliassime (Q) Federico #Gaio (Q) — Luca Brancher (@LucaBeck) 25. August 2018
The first round of qualifiers in the overview:
Ladies
Jill Teichmann (SUI) vs. Dalila Jakupovic
Marie Bouzkova (CZE) vs. Ana Bogdan
Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) vs. Julia Görges
Julia Glushko (ISR) vs. Monica Niculescu
Karolina Muchova (CZE) vs. Dayana Yastremska
Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) vs. Kathinka von Deichmann
Arantxa Rus (NED) vs. Dominika Cibulkova
Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA) vs. Christina McHale
Ons Jabeur (TUN) vs. Ashleigh Barty
Nicole Gibbs (USA) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro
Heather Watson (GBR) vs. Ekaterina Makarova
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) vs. Anna Blinkova
Kathinka von Deichmann (LIE) vs. Anhelina Kalinina
Danielle Lao (USA) vs. Babora Strycova
Patty Schnyder (SUI) vs. Maria Sharapova
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) vs. Harmony Tan
Men’s
Ugo Humbert (FRA) vs. Collin Altamirano
Stefano Travaglia (ITA) vs. Hubert Hurkacz
Federico Gaio (ITA) vs. David Goffin
Casper Ruud (NOR) vs. Guido Pella
Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs. Joao Sousa
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) vs. Stefano Travaglia
Lloyd Harris (RSA) vs. Gilles Simon
Dennis Novak (AUT) vs. Benoit Paire
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs. Denis Shapovalov
Collin Altamirano (USA) vs. Ugo Humbert
Mitchell Krueger (USA) vs. Roberto Carballes Baena
Donald Young (USA) vs. Juan-Martin del Potro
Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Facundo Bagnis (ARG) vs. Gael Monfils
Yannick Maden (GER) vs. Lucas Pouille
Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs. Milos Raonic
(Picture © imago/AFP7)
