Tennis on Sling: Opening Round of the 2016 U.S. Open
Coverage begins at 1pm
(All times Eastern)
The first day of the opening round at the 2016 U.S. Open brought little in the way of surprises, as Richard Gasquet was the only seeded player to suffer an upset, he at the hands of Kyle Edmund, who won in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. There was some drama, however, as 20-seed John Isner found himself down 2 sets to none against 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe, ranked 125th in the world, but he managed to fight his way back, taking the next three sets 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3).
#1 Serena Williams vs. Ekaterina Makarova
7pm ET
Serena Williams returns to Flushing Meadows tied with Chris Evert for sixth-most U.S. Open Women’s Singles titles, and is no doubt as hungry as ever after suffering a stunning upset at least year’s Open, when she got bounced in the semis by unseeded Roberta Vinci. The loss not only thwarted Williams’ quest for a 7th U.S. Open title, but also a share of the record for consecutive Open titles, as well as a record 23rd Grand Slam title, which she eventually won at Wimbledon this summer. Even at 34, she is still the one to beat.
Russian Ekaterina Makarova comes into the Open ranked 29th in the world, after advancing to the 4th round at the Austalian Open, and Wimbledon, and most recently winning a Women’s Doubles gold medal at the Rio Olympics. She’s faced Williams four times previously, each time on hard surfaces, and winning just once, at the 2012 Australian Open, Williams defeated her a the U.S. Open in 2012 and 2014, as well Beijing in 2009.
Lukas Rosol vs. Andy Murray #2
Following Williams vs. Makarova
Reigning Wimbledon and Olympic champion Andy Murray won here in Queens back in 2012, defeating Novak Djokovic in the finals 7–6 (12–10), 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2, but since has lost twice in the quarterfinals, and last year in the 4th round. But what makes today’s match interesting is that it’s the rare opening round showdown that comes with a side of grudge match. Murray’s opponent is Lukas Rosol, who comes into the Open ranked 81st in the world. Murray faced Rosol at a tournament in Munich last spring and during one of the changeovers, Rosol apparently dropped a shoulder on Murray, bumping him as the two passed each other in front of the umpire’s chair.
Moments later, as Rosol was being scolded by the umpire, Murray was heard to declare “No one likes you on the tour. Everyone hates you.”
Ouch. Murray insists there’s no bad blood, saying, “Yeah I mean, I spoke to him after the match last year, it was fine.” Uh-huh, OK buddy.
Anyway, this will be Rosol’s 5th U.S. Open, and he’s only once made it as far as the second round, back ink 2014. Murray has won both of their previous meetings.
Here’s today’s complete lineup.
Watch the 2016 U.S. Open at 11am ET Monday on ESPN by subscribing to the Sling Orange.