While most sports fans were gearing up for football season, tennis fans have enjoyed two amazing weeks of tennis from Flushing Meadows, NY. This year’s US Open was full of upsets and new hopes, as young American Ryan Harrison made his debut in New York, topping seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia. Others fell short of their previous results and expectations like Melanie Oudin and Victoria Azarenka. But amongst all of these athletes, the stars emerged, and now two weeks later, the champions have been crowned.
On Super Saturday, the top seeded and ranked player, Rafael Nadal, took on twelfth seed, Russian Mikhail Youzhny, who he defeated in straight sets, securing his place in his first ever US Open final. The match that followed was arguably the match of the tournament. It saw third seed Novak Djokovic take on world number two and five time US Open champion Roger Federer. What followed was an epic semifinal match, which ended in five sets, stretching both men to their limits, but ultimately saw Novak Djokovic secure himself a spot in the men’s finals the following day. Djokovic’s victory over Roger Federer thwarted a much anticipated clash between tennis heavyweights Nadal and Federer for the first time at the US Open.
Late Saturday night, defending US Open champion Kim Clijsters took the stage against seventh seed Vera Zvonereva of Russia. Zvonereva had reached the Wimbledon finals earlier in the summer, and after not dropping a set on her way to the final, was poised to win her first grand slam. However, nerves and a talented opponent got the best of Zvonereva. While the match looked promising, opening with long rallies and athletic splits from both players, a break of serve in the sixth game gave Clijsters an edge, as she went up 4-2. After losing serve, Zvonereva slowly began falling apart, and Clijsters maintained a tight hold on the match, which she would carry through until the final ball was struck. It took Clijsters just one hour to dismiss her final opponent before she was able to lift the champion’s trophy for the third time, winning 6-2, 6-1.
The US Open concluded on Monday, after the men’s final was rained out Sunday afternoon. Inclement weather continued to plague New York, forcing the tournament to be extended an extra day for the third year in a row. The wait, however, was ultimately worth it. Djokovic proved a worthy opponent for Nadal, pushing him to four sets. Prior to the final, Nadal had not lost a set, a testament to his improved serve. The weather remained a factor throughout the Monday afternoon final, as rain fell, causing a two hour break in play. But the downpour only rejuvenated Djokovic, spurring him on to a winning streak and adding to the drama of the finals. Djokovic played great defense to claim the second set of the match, a feat no other player had been able to accomplish. Despite Djokovic’s best efforts, the world number one, Rafael Nadal, prevailed 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, winning his first US Open title and in the process, becoming one of only seven men ever to achieve the elusive career grand slam.
Other standout stories from the 2010 US Open include that of young American Ryan Harrison, who made his debut this year, impressing fans and displaying promising tennis to come. The weather was a huge factor throughout the tournament, ranging from excessive heat in the opening week which caused Victoria Azarenka to pass out on court, to gusting winds over 30mph, to nagging rain that ultimately forced the tournament to be extended an extra day. And finally, the doubles team of Bopanna and Quereshi, from India and Pakistan, respectively, sought to unite their warring countries through their on-court union. While the doubles team failed to bring home the championship trophy, they did make it to the finals, and there to witness their feats were ambassadors from each of their countries, sitting side by side, an amazing feat despite their loss.
The 2010 US Open saw many great matches from opening day through to the men’s final. Rafael Nadal’s victory saw history in the making and Kim Clijsters’ run brought smiles to fans everywhere. Great tennis can be expected in the coming year, as we look back on an historic and successful tournament.
