The American contingent got off to a strong start at their home Grand Slam on Monday. John Isner and Jack Sock led the charge on Day 1 of the US Open, with both securing straight-set wins.
World No. 11 Isner, the top American in the ATP Rankings, needed one hour and 53 minutes to dispatch countryman Bradley Klahn 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-4. The North Carolina native launched 34 winners, including 20 aces, to blast into the second round. A quarter-finalist in 2011, Isner notched his 25th match win at Flushing Meadows.
Next up for the big-serving 33-year-old is Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, who dismissed Peter Gojowczyk 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1, 7-5. Jarry is making his US Open debut after scoring his first Grand Slam match win at Wimbledon last month. The grandson of former Top 20 star Jaime Fillol Sr., he will face Isner for the first time.
“It was a good match,” said Isner. “I thought I played pretty well. Leading up to this tournament, I have been practising well. I think I got rested, which was imperative. I was feeling a bit run down this summer.
“I was home. After Cincinnati I didn’t hit for five, six days, maybe longer than that. I just got back on the court. I did a lot of physical work. Finally feel rested. I think it showed today, because I thought I played pretty well.”
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Meanwhile, 18th seed Sock got the party started on Monday with an opening 6-0, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory over Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi. The Nebraska native is hoping to rediscover his top form with a strong run in New York. Having won just six of 21 singles matches this year, the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals contestant scored his first victory of the North American hard-court season.
Sock converted six of 14 break chances for his 10th match win at his home major. He will face Nikoloz Basilashvili next, following the Georgian’s rollercoaster five-set win over Aljaz Bedene.
“I’m relieved,” Sock said. “You guys follow tennis throughout the year, so you know it’s been a tough road for a little bit here. A little bit for nine months (smiling). It hasn’t been my best result, but that’s why you have a good team, good family, good support system around you to keep me positive.
“And obviously I love the game. I have loved it my whole life. I wouldn’t be here without the support system I’ve had. So they just kept pushing me. It was only a matter of time I think for it to turn around. I know the level of tennis I can play. It hasn’t shown in every match this year, but one week it was going to turn and I’m glad it’s at least started here. Hopefully I can keep it going.”
Meanwhile, qualifier Collin Altamirano wasn’t as fortunate. Making his first main draw appearance in five years, the American fell to Ugo Humbert 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3. It was the first tour-level match win for the #NextGenATP Frenchman.
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