US Open Qualifying Tournament 2013 #2

Above: Japan’s Go Soeda

Wednesday August 21, 2013 – Back to the US Open for the second day of the 2013 qualifying tournament; it was much hotter than yesterday and there were considerably larger crowds at most of the matches. I had a good time though I may not go back for the two remaining days: I no longer enjoy being in the sun for such long stretches of time.

At 11:00 AM two Chinese players had their matches on nearly-adjacent courts: Ze Zhang (above) faced the Austrian Martin Fischer on Court 15…

…while Di Wu (above) played France’s Josselin Ouanna on Court 12.

Ze Zhang has a lot of natural talent; he began rather casually and lost the first set but then he really perked up and played some brilliant points. He won the second set and the tide had clearly turned. An exciting third set produced a tie-breaker and althought Zhang lost, he really played impressively. 

Di Wu (above) is a dynamic, compactly built player. Facing the taller and stronger Mssr. Ouanna, Di Wu had his work cut out for him. Ouanna hits big, but Di Wu never flinched; he simply played his own game and outclassed the Frenchman time and again. Ouanna may have been off his best form (he’s a very fine player) as he called for the trainer at one point. For a moment I thought he might withdraw, but he gamely continued and Di Wu moved on to secure the victory.

Di Wu after the match.

I shuttled back and forth between the two matches and they each wrapped up just in time for me to grab a seat at Court 11 where Go Soeda (above), a great favorite of mine, played an exceptionally clean and brilliant match against Austin Krajicek. Krajicek is a powerful player; he serves big and employs plenty of driving force. Go stuck with his steady, sure-handed style of play, winning a high percentage of his first-serve points and keeping unforced errors to a minimum.

The heat index reached its apex during this match; the air was still and heavy and we were all baking under the intense sun. I don’t know how the players kept up the pace. After Go took the first set I went off to get hydrated and saw that my other Japanese guy, Tatsuma Ito, was about to start his match. Since they were showing the Soeda match on the big screen, I could keep tabs on that while watching Tatsuma play against Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Japan’s Tatsuma Ito

Each player had his contingent of supporters in the crowd and there was a good atmosphere; the sun was beginning to drop into the West and a lovely breeze kicked up. I really enjoyed this match and watching Tatsuma calmly and methodically dismantle his opponent. Damir had some exciting moments but Tatsuma simply soldiered thru and wrapped up the win in just 70 minutes of playing time.

Tatsuma Ito after the match.

I’d planned to go back for more tennis on Thursday but I’m sunburnt, and rain is predicted. I think I just need a day to chill. We’ll see who moves on to the Friday matches and then decide whether to go back for the final day.