Elina Svitolina rallies late to down Pavlyuchenkova

Elina Svitolina clenches her fist during a comeback that gave her a three set win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the US Open. 

Elina Svitolina found the energy to keep fighting, coming through to make the third round of the US Open on Thursday. Anastasia Pavlyunchenkova played terrific through the first set, but felt the challenges of her opponent’s rally at Louis Armstrong Stadium, losing 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

The two played for the sixth time, with the tennis vet holding the series lead even after Svitolina clinched her second win in Rome three years ago. On the hard courts, the 32-year-old had more wins against the Ukrainian, giving her a chance to do the same in New York. The 26th seed dominated her opening-round match against Anna Lena Friedsam but knew that her history with Pavlyunchenkova was within reach of changing for the better.

She went after the 32-year-old’s service, but let her grip on a break chance slip out of her hands. When it came time for her to match up, Svitolina ran to a 40-0 run fast and held Pavlyunchenkova to a point. The two continued to hold serve on each other, but at times saw double faults from the players.

Reaching the business end of the set, Svitolina leveled at five-all to keep her efforts alive and take the first. Pavlyunchenkova refused to give it to her, holding in the 11th and taking advantage of her errors from the Ukrainian to reach set point. The 32-year-old produced two more before it was enough to take the set 7-5 in one hour and two minutes. The final game was the only game to go down as a break for Svitolina, who only struggled with the serve in the set.

The two continued their slow pace, playing the first two games on serve through 10 minutes. They held serve through four, but the efforts for the 28-year-old to gain a break were challenging. After leveling the score, Svitolina finally got the edge on Pavlyunchenkova in a comeback to deuce and take the AD point. Despite her battle in the fifth, backing it up didn’t go as planned, with double faults rattling her offense. Pavlyunchenkova got the break to love to level at three-all, continuing a long march to the end.

A third consecutive break of serve went the way of Svitolina, who had the lead back for the second time. It set off a boost of energy that worked into her service game and hold, taking a 5-3 stance. Pavlyunchenkova answered on serve to sit a game down, keeping the match within reach. It was the Ukrainian getting the job done, firing two aces on serve in the tenth. Reaching set point, the 28-year-old had three chances and blew every one of them.

Despite all the free points lost, Pavlyunchenkova gave her another with a long return to send them the distance after 52 minutes. The first serve was nearly flawless for the 26th seed, but her second serve was most dismal. The 32-year-old produced plenty of breakpoints to maintain her status as a player to go for it all.

Pavlyunchenkova served to open the deciding set but faced a determined Svitolina, who turned the tables to break her. She fed off another energizing success and held firm to go into the third and score the double break. With her biggest lead of the match, the 26th seed didn’t get a clean service through in the fourth but denied Pavlyunchenkova any breakpoints on deuce. The 32-year-old achieved a victory in the set, but it was an uphill climb with the Ukrainian two games away.

Pavlyunchenkova played a good strategy, finishing the sixth with great positioning at the net to answer every shot and break. She denied a break back and sat a game from leveling the 26th seed, carrying a winning streak. At 30-all in the eighth, Svitolina set up two monster winners to hold serve and cap off her opponent, who served to stay alive. The 26th seed got ambitious on returns, watching too many fall wide of the court. Pavlyunchenkova took the win on a long ball, leaving her opponent to finish it herself.

Two loose points came back as errors by Pavlyunchenkova on the next two. She laid down an ace but couldn’t get the match point down. On deuce, she produced two match points, setting up the third, which did the trick on an ace, ending a 2 hour and 47 minute tussle.

“It was a tough match today,” Svitolina said during her post-match interview. “I didn’t play so well today, and it was up and down.” When asked about the change in her game, the Ukrainian explained the strategy of her coach's tactics. “I try to be a little more aggressive and I’m not young anymore, so I have to hit a bit stronger to run less, but I’m trusting my physical condition and really happy I’m back playing.”

She’ll await the winner between Jessica Pegula and Patricia Tig on Saturday. “I played Jess a couple of times,” she said. “Played in Washington, had an extremely good match there, so If she wins it is gonna be amazing. If it’s gonna be Tig, it’s gonna be another challenge in the third round so I’m gonna try to prepare and recover from today and I’m happy that I could win this match today.”

Lin Zhu upsets Azarenka at US Open

Victoria Azarenka struggled with the forehand during her second round defeat to Lin Zhu at the US Open

Lin Zhu wanted to make a statement for her loss at the Australian Open, doing so in fine fashion at the US Open on Wednesday. The 29-year-old stayed tight, while errors from Victoria Azarenka were too much in a 6-3, 6-3 score line on Grandstand court at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

The two met in the round of 16 at this year’s Australian Open, with the Chinese youngster going three sets against the former world number one. Though Azarenka got out of that challenge, she prepared to expect the same amount of fight against Zhu in the second round. The world number 44 upset Mayar Sherif in straight sets Monday, equaling her personal best of 2019. Defeating the Egyptian marked her seventh top-50 win this season, hungry enough to make it eight against the three-time finalist.

She got into a long rally for the first point, but a return crosscourt fell wide of the tramlines for Zhu. She made a quick adjustment, painted the corners, and took the break off Azarenka to lead. Zhu consolidated the break making very few errors on serve and reminding her opponent what to expect. The 18th seed answered on serve in the third from 0-40 down to force deuce and avoid the double break.

Despite her loss of a shutout, Zhu had great control of her offense and made it a difficult outing for Azarenka. The competition got heavy in the seventh just after the 18th seed forced deuce on serve. The two went through nine deuces where she managed to deny two breakpoints but struggled to close it out. Zhu opened the gap to a pair of games after eight, then went for the break, where Azarenka handed her the set on a double fault.

It was a 51-minute feat for the Chinese star, who had a near-perfect set, while unforced errors rattled 14 times from the 34-year-old. The second set got underway quickly, with Zhu on the ball, running the rallies. The 18th seed failed to capitalize on early chances and produced more errors from the forehand. Azarenka somehow held in the second, but the effort was short-lived as Zhu rushed through her service and broke the 34-year-old in the fourth. Zhu scored another service hold against the former world number one, sitting comfortably at 4-1.

Azarenka produced a positive game, but it was still an uphill battle sitting a set down. Zhu fed off the errors of Azarenka and coasted to a service hold. The 18th seed tied another service hold together, turning the table on Zhu to falter on her service for the match. Azarenka delivered challenges to the Chinese star, who watched two unanswered points slip by. A long ball from Azarenka handed Zhu a match point, but double-faulted, forcing deuce.

Breakpoint chances were coming for Azarenka, who played a 20-shot rally to gain her second attempt. Each time Zhu denied Azarenka her first break of the day but couldn’t bring up an AD point for the match herself. On her second attempt, Zhu watched Azarenka smash the return into the net, ending her singles run in 1 hour and 31 minutes.

Belinda Bencic makes round three in straight sets win over Miyazaki

Belinda Bencic had her eyes on the ball during the second round match of the US Open. 

Belinda Bencic faced an impressive rookie on the tour but pushed herself into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday. Yuriko Miyazaki had history against the 15th seed when they were kids and challenged through two sets only to fall 6-3, 6-3 on Court Five at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

The Swiss star had a comfortable finish to her opening round, giving up six games in her straight sets result. Being in gear set her up for another first-time meeting with the Brit, who did well in her US Open debut. She remains hot on a four-match streak, dropping one set so far. Still looking for a top 90 career win, Miyazaki would have a hard time expecting one against a resurgent Bencic.

The 15th seed opened service, closing her game fast with a point to Miyazaki. She applied the pressure against the Brit, forcing deuce and redirecting the ball for the AD point. She finished control of the point with a smash, gaining an early break. Bencic consolidated in the third, opening the gap wider on Miyazaki, who continued to wait for her first game win. Using her second serve, Miyazaki played through the points to beat the Swiss star in the fourth.

The 27-year-old scored her first point on Bencic’s first serve, but the 15th seed made it 4-1. Miyazaki notched another service in the sixth, slowing  Bencic, who struggled against the returns. The Swiss struggled to serve the seventh game, losing momentum while her opponent took another step closer. Serving for the set didn’t come any easy for the 15th seed, who recorded the first double fault of the match. She managed to rally back from 0-30, winning the next four to take the set in 44 minutes.

Miyazaki’s second serve was a push for her performance, but the first serve of Bencic held together to move her forward and a great handle on the pressure. She opened the second set breaking Miyazaki’s service and fought to contain service. The 15th seed backed up the break and achieved the double break for a 3-0 lead. Miyazaki answered back in the fourth, crushing Bencic’s second serve shots to produce a break of the 15th seed. The 27-year-old hadn’t held serve in the set, and in the fifth, she got on the board causing Bencic to throw her racket in frustration.

Despite losing the chance for a shutout, Bencic raged to hold serve in the sixth, returning a two-game buffer. She battled the serve of Miyazaki, but the forehand let her down on control of the lead. The Brit took care of it after a few deuces to hold and stay within reach of the Swiss. Bencic remained firm on serve, taking the important step to play for the match. The 15th seed jumped ahead on the scoreboard until an error got Miyazaki into it. She erred back, giving Bencic a match point, but watched a mishit from the Swiss negate that.

Two chances were left for the 26-year-old and a final error from Miyazaki into the net made Bencic the first player to make the round of 32 after 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Svitolina cruises to victory in straight sets over Friedsam

Elina Svitolina waves to the crowd after her first-round match against Anna-Lena Friedsam at the US Open. 

Elina Svitolina kept laser-focused to come through in spectacular fashion at the US Open on Tuesday. Anna Lena Friedsam was no match for the tactics the Ukrainian brought to court 17, winning 6-3, 6-1 in just under an hour at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. It was the fifth opening victory in a row for Svitolina, who played in her sixth tournament since becoming a mother. 

The two met for the first time, allowing the Ukrainian to have another solid opening to her strongest major of the year. Since her return from maternity five months ago, Svitolina gained the attention of the tennis world, making it to the semifinal of Wimbledon and quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Washington DC. She took time off to prepare for the Open so that she could vie for a second-week spot for the fifth year in a row. The German hasn’t been at her best, dealing with injuries over the last six years. Her 6-10 record in first-round slams, leaves her with a slim chance to upset the 26th seed.

She opened the service with a couple of drop shots that beat the 28-year-old. Svitolina struck back staying balanced to recover the deficit and force deuce. Friedsam captured the AD point to avoid producing a break opportunity on serve. Svitolina served the German to love, coming out hot with the forehand. Friedsam didn’t get clean through the third but held serve to make things clear to her opponent. The Ukrainian didn’t let Friedsam’s game bother her and put together a second straight love service.

In the fifth, the 26th seed pushed Friedsam to hit another ball, bringing up her first breakpoint chance. The German denied her the first, but the Ukrainian pressed on her second to gain the lead at 3-2. She comfortably backed up the break on serve to open the gap on Friedsam, ready to hunt down more. Despite struggling to get to the balls near the net, the German avoided the double break, putting herself back in reach after seven games.

Svitolina had yet to drop a service game, inching herself closer to the set, with Friedsam playing to stay in it. The German got into place for game point, but Svitolina ravaged back to force deuce. It didn’t take her long to have set point in place, smacking a winning lob while at the net to finish the first in 35 minutes. It was the 11th winner posted in the set, showing her dominant form against Friedsam, who had four but notched 12 total errors and a rough second serve.

Svitolina jumped off her seat and got back to work to begin the second set, allowing Friedsam to get another break point opportunity. The Ukrainian forced deuce and didn’t give another break point to clear the service. She attacked the German at the body, taking the second game, and flew to a 5-0 run, winning nine of the next ten points.

Friedsam was all but out, yet found a way to serve Svitolina to love in the sixth, avoiding the shutout. The 28-year-old didn’t mind missing the flawless victory, serving the German to love in the seventh. It was a 59-minute mission accomplished for the 26th seed, who fired off 26 winners and made only four unforced errors in the match.

Caroline Wozniacki defeats rookie in US Open return

Caroline Wozniacki waves to the crowd in her return to the US Open. 

Caroline Wozniacki did well in her return to the US Open Monday night. Returning to Louis Armstrong Stadium was no problem for the former world number one, who handled her first major back against Tatiana Prozorova to win 6-3, 6-2 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

It marked the first match in a major for the Dane since the Australian Open three years ago when she retired. She returned to Montreal and Cincinnati, not making it deep into those tournaments, but was more than prepared to be back in comfortable surroundings. Prozorova made her major debut and got into the top 200 two months ago. Facing one of the biggest names in tennis was a big moment for Prozorova but also a nerve-wracking one.

Wozniacki suffered a break when it was her time to serve in the second but had a break in hand to start. She got into gear, with a serve to love in the fourth, and another in the sixth. By the end of the set, Wozniacki had three breaks of serve on Prozorova, completing the first in 39 minutes.

The second stretched out further as the competition from Prozorova grew. She challenged the Dane in the opening game, forcing deuce, but gained no break chances. She stopped two in the second game before holding serve on the first deuce. The 33-year-old struggled in the third but kept it together to contain the service. She finally got a grip of the second and tallied a break against Prozorova. By the time the match closed in, the Dane had a double break in hand and was broken back.

Wozniacki delivered the final blow in the eighth, gaining a breakpoint for the match to end in 1 hour and 22 minutes.

Jelena Ostapenko goes three to win opening round at US Open

Jelena Ostapenko went to three sets but came out a winner at the US Open Monday night. The 20th seed had a rough second set, but turned it around in the final set with Jasmine Paolini to win 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 on Court 12 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. The Latvian had six beautiful aces but numerous double faults and errors.

The Italian came into her fourth appearance in the year’s final major, holding a previous victory over her opponent’s head. Though it came nine years ago, Paolini needed the notion to help her with a 4-11 record in first-round majors against top 20 players. Ostapenko won two matches in her last three tournaments, leaving her vulnerable to an early exit. The Latvian did make the quarterfinal in the three previous majors this season, but her opponent put in a lot more time on the hard courts since the grass court season ended. In Cincinnati, Paolini played six matches before losing in the quarterfinal, giving her a lot of momentum to make a strong run in New York.

Ostapenko made her mark to begin the set despite being forced to deuce. The 20th seed produced two breakpoints before notching the break for a two-game lead on Paolini. Back on serve in the third, the Latvian fired winners and an ace for a 40-0 run before capping it with a crosscourt winner. The Italian responded with a serve to love in the fourth and later made it a two-game margin after her service in the sixth.

Ostapenko stopped Paolini from gaining another victory, holding the seventh and breaking her in the eighth to take the set. It was a 30-minute run for the 20th seed, who had the most winners but also errors with 16. The Italian’s second serve got her into the competition late, but consistency had to come in order to make a threat.

She started the second set, breaking Ostapenko, but suffered a break back to love by the 20th seed. The Italian brushed off the loss of serve, clinching the double break and backing it up on serve in the fourth. The double faults were rolling in for Ostapenko, notching six in the set after five games. She managed to overcome her struggles and force deuce to contain the service. Paolini kept the heat on the 20th seed, winning on serve to build up confidence in her offense that was leading the way.

Ostapenko was fighting to dig back into her service game, but the Italian was all over her in the seventh. The two went five breaks until the 20th seed got the AD point clinched on a service winner. A break for the Latvian arrived in the eighth when Paolini suffered a double fault. She then made two errors from the backhand that brought Ostapenko level. Double faults continued to rattle the 26-year-old, notching two more to hand a break back to Paolini.

The Italian put her offense to work on serve and sealed up the second set in 47 minutes. While her service points rolled along fine, the double faults from Ostapenko broke hers apart. The same went for her return game, leaving her to remain in pieces or find a way to take control back.

She got into comeback mode right off the bat, holding the Italian back while on serve. Paolini followed suit, but the third set was going the way Ostapenko wanted. She contained the third easily  hunting down a chance of a break. Forcing errors on Paolini, the 20th seed almost had a shutout but let one slip. She dominated in the following two games, handling deuce in the fifth and allowing a point to the Italian in the sixth. The Latvian served for the match with the double break in hand but got into a 30-all tie. She fired two winners, with the last one cross-courting the forced error to end her night in 1 hour and 48 minutes.

It was another match filled with good points and bad for the 26-year-old, who had 54 winners to Paolini’s nine, but the 41 errors and 11 double faults were a lot to have had the finish the 20th seed produced. She’ll need to tone it down facing the winner between Alize Corner or Elina Avanesyan in the second round.

Belinda Bencic puts the brakes on Kamilla Rakhimova at US Open

Belinda Bencic celebrated a point won during her first round match at the US Open. 

Belinda Bencic had a late slip of control occur late, but held it together for a straight-sets win at the US Open. Kamilla Rakhimova almost had a third set on the horizon against the 15th seed but couldn’t keep her momentum up, losing 6-2, 6-4 on Court 7 at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center. It was a match full of errors that changed the tide of control in their opening-round match.

The Swiss entered her eighth time at the US Open, having a strong output in Montreal and Washington DC. Her two quarterfinals in those cities left her, with a chance to make the second week. Having not faced Rakhimova before left no worries for the 15th seed, who could handle a three-setter but would prefer to close out the first round early. Taking time off after her first-round loss in Cincinnati was not a bad move for the 26-year-old, who had the best success at the major in her career.

She started the match behind on the scoreboard but forced deuce on Rakhimova’s service. After a few breaks, the Swiss star gained the AD point twice and put a break in her pocket. Bencic backed up the break, with an easy service game, leading the 22-year-old. The Swiss star denied anything from Rakhimova in the third, breaking her to love for a commanding 3-0 lead.

Rakhimova broke back to love in the fourth, but the battle to contain service was a tough challenge. The 15th seed traded points in the fifth, reaching another breakpoint opportunity. She earned it on a double fault from the 22-year-old, regaining her three-game gap. Bencic held the sixth game, dealing with a challenge on deuce from Rakhimova. She earned a shot at playing for the set on her opponent’s service but fell behind 0-40. Bencic gained two points on errors from the 22-year-old, then forced deuce on a clean forehand crosscourt.

Rakhimova got a grip on the AD point and scored another win against Bencic on an ace down the T. Sitting three games up, the Swiss star served to close out the first but had to come back from 15-40 down to force deuce. After saving a breakpoint, Bencic clinched set point and sealed the match lead after 43 minutes. Both players had 13 errors each, but the offense from Bencic was the strongest on both the first and second serves.

Rakhimova knew she couldn’t let the second go the way of the first and served to love to make a statement. Bencic didn’t let that bother her but was forced to fight her way into control on serve in the second. She worked herself into the third to break and backed it up on serve in the fourth. She clinched the double break for a 4-1 lead, inching closer to victory. Rakhimova had a break to love shot in the sixth, but Bencic fought to save every breakpoint.

It was a short stint for the Swiss star, who clinched the AD point and was up 5-1. The 22-year-old served to stay in the match, allowing Bencic a single point en route to a service hold. She added a break to her momentum, sitting two games from threatening the 15th seed. Rakhimova put Bencic on the ropes, winning on serve in the ninth.

Knowing she couldn’t let a third set come to fruition, the Swiss star held her opponent back and made good of the second match point. A forehand error from Rakhimova gave Bencic a sign of relief, ending what could have been a drama-filled match in 1 hour and 40 minutes.