US Open 2019: Coco Gauff is mounting her comeback

Serena, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic are maintaining the status quo, while teenage sensation Coco Gauff electrified in her comeback.

Australian John Millman famously sent Roger Federer packing last year, but he was unable to produce another upset over Rafael Nadal, who defeated him ruthlessly, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Rafa also took time to offer Andy Murray support, who is competing in Nadal’s hometown Challenger event in Mallorca.

https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1166690497223647232

Novak Djokovic is playing with full confidence, having defeated 26-year-old Roberto Carballés Baena in straight sets on Monday, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. He looks poised to defend his title, but next he faces another 26-year-old, Juan Ignacio Londero, the surprise ouster of the Sam Querrey match.

Roger Federer looked the rustiest of the three, taking one set to find his groove, but ultimately prevailing over India’s Sumit Nagal, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. It’s been 11 years since he won at Flushing Meadows, and perhaps it will take some time to shake off the painful loss in the Wimbledon final.

Serena’s match against non-rival Maria Sharapova probably looked more intriguing on paper than the event that transpired, with the American dispatching her competitor 6-1, 6-1. The back issues that plagued the 23-time slam champion seem to be a thing of the past. She will face 17-year-old compatriot Caty McNally later today.

Neighbors up North doing just fine

Vasek Pospisil—on the heels of an injury comeback—produced one of the early upsets by ousting NextGen phenomenon Karen Khachanov, in a hard-fought five setter, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Pospisil, who’s made more headlines as a vocal member of the ATP Council, clocked in the surprise win, an excellent signal of his return to the sport.

“I’ve been working really hard. I did a ton of fitness before I kind of made my comeback just to make sure that I was strong. But, of course, match play is a different kind of beast,” Pospisil said, according to the ATP.

In another battle of Canadians, two NextGen stars, Denis Shapovalov had an easier time defeating rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime, 6-1, 6-1, 6-4, adding to his already stellar year.

Nextgen names fall, but Alexander Zverev still standing

There’s been a lot of criticism of Alexander Zverev’s personal woes and dip in form this year, but with Top 10 seeds Roberto Bautista Agut, Khachanov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and most shockingly, Dominic Thiem going out, 22-year-old Zverev can rest assured that his emergence into the next round is keeping the younger generation flame alive. However, the fact that he had to go five setters already—a common malady for the German—is another example of his inability to dictate play quicker, defeating Delray Beach titlist Radu Albot, 6-1, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.

Next up for him is a marquee match with another NextGen luminary, Frances Tiafoe, who defeated Ivo Karlovic, who retired, 6-2, 6-3, 1-2.

French Open finalist and world No. 4 Dominic Thiem is continuing his grand slam slump, bowing out of the first round at the US Open after doing the same at Wimbledon, losing to Italian slayer Thomas Fabbiano—who is having a terrific year—6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Tsitsipas succumbed to cramps, but put on a thrilling fight, ultimately losing to youngster Andrey Rublev, who is on a hot streak since making the quarters at Winston-Salem and Cincinnati, in three tense hours, 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5.

Americans through, Kyrgios sticking to playing tennis

Americans John Isner and Tennys Sandgren made use of the home-court advantage. Isner—who has baby No. 2 on the way—won his match over Spain’s Guillermo García-López, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Sandgren, however, had to go the distance to defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in a come-from-behind victory, 1-6, 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(5), 7-5. Up next is Pospisil.

The last match of the evening was Nick Kyrgios. We weren’t sure which version of the mercurial player would show up. Thankfully, the efficient, disciplined one did, sending American Steve Johnson packing, 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-4. Nick being Nick, he did manage to stir up a little umpire controversy and lobbed an insult at the ATP afterwards.

Coco’s legend continues

On the women’s side, ‘Coco’ Gauff once again enthralled the crowd by coming back from being down a set and a break, playing with heart and belief, and ultimately battling for the win into the second round over another teenager, Anastasia Potapova, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Former slam champs out

Gauff’s compatriot, Alison Riske—capping off her terrific year—ousted two-time slam winner Garbiñe Muguruza, 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. She follows three-time slam winner Angelique Kerber, who was defeated by Kristina Mladenovic on Monday, 7-5, 0-6, 6-4.

American WTA contenders

While former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens disappointed by going out in the first round, Kristie Ahn, Taylor Townsend, Danielle Collins, Francesca Di Lorenzo, Lauren Davis, and Venus Williams are keeping patriotic hope alive.

Additionally, Madison Keys—on the cusp of her incredible victory in Cincinnati—and Sonia Kenin are true contenders for the last major of the year.

Shaky starts

Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, and Ashleigh Barty each survived one-set-down scares, but rallied to win their matches.

Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, however, is looking stronger than ever, winning in straight sets. I wouldn’t be surprised if the electrifying WTA star makes the final. It’s been that kind of breakthrough year for the 19-year-old.

Round two matches resume at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, with coverage provided by ESPN. Check out my US open predictions on Just End the Suffering podcast here.