One of the worst ever days on a Grand Slam centre court, that's for sure... #USOpen
Five Things We Learned from Day Two at US Open including worst day ever on Ashe and is it the end for Venus Williams?
Tennis NewsWednesday, 30 August 2023 at 16:34
Day Three of the 2023 US Open is incoming and as a result, TennisUpToDate looks back at five things we learned from Day Two which featured Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz and Venus Williams.
1. Tennis VAR similar to football in first use in Murray match
In one of the earlier contests, Andy Murray found his way through to the second round at Flushing Meadows albeit with late drama with the first use of tennis VAR.
A contentious point in the main sport it is used in football, it has made its way into tennis with the umpires now able to look back at key moments and change the outcome. Likely a legacy of players complaining of no hawkeye currently being implemented.
But like in football, it was beset with a teething problem which made its first use downright embarrassing. That being the umpire not being able to actually see the footage so they couldn't change the decision so it stayed the same.
A process likely set to be used again, it also added further time onto the match which in reality wasn't particularly needed. As a school report would say must try harder.
2. Was that the worst Ashe day ever?
With one day of the tournament featuring Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek among others - the other side paled in comparison with many remarking that it was the worst Ashe schedule in history.
Daniil Medvedev won by the loss of only two games in his opener, four was the note for Jessica Pegula. While Venus Williams as ever was shoehorned onto Arthur Ashe to be obliterated by Greet Minnen 6-1, 6-1. Carlos Alcaraz too won by retirement for Dominik Koepfer.
Compared to today which features matches on Louis Armstrong which would've steadied the ship on Tuesday with Swiatek, Rybakina etc not on the main court, many who pay the top ticket prices will feel aggrieved at forking out for a pale imitation.
But as is the nature of the draw bracket with fans getting lucky seemingly if they are going on alternate days and with certain players seemingly dead certs to be on the show courts, this could've been seen coming.
3. Is it time to retire Venus?
One of those players who is a tennis legend is Venus Williams who still at 43 shows no sign unlike her sister Serena Williams of retiring at Flushing Meadows.
She even remarked at Wimbledon about playing when she was 50. It was always going to be a tall task though with Williams pulling out of Cleveland last week and saying she was struggling with a knee injury she aggravated at Wimbledon.
Full of praise for an opponent ranked number 99 and had never gone past the third round of a major, she was left in awe at Greet Minnen. But it perhaps shines a light on Williams future and how long she can go on.
Almost like a faded boxer who once was heavyweight champion in the world but needs to be told when to stop almost, Williams will continue to get wildcards and adulation due to her status and Grand Slam title wins but the doubts about how long that will continue can be set on the clock after the US Open.
Venus Williams has competed at the #USOpen in four different decades 🤯 Incredible longevity 👏
4. Zanevska's career ends with another no handshake in Sabalenka match
Maryna Zanevska retired from tennis with defeat to Aryna Sabalenka on Tuesday with back pain being the main issue.
She said she was saying goodbye for now at the age of 30 and lost to the second seed albeit in another mark of the current state of politics in sport.
There was no handshake between the pair with Zanevska seemingly taking the route of her compatriots.
Despite representing Belgium for six year and living there since 2008, she was born in Odessa, Ukraine and to some criticism despite not calling Ukraine her home anymore followed Svitolina and co. Some though pointed out that she had been shaking hands with Russian players since the war began so sensed hypocrisy.
Albeit it seemed Sabalenka sensed it happening so didn't do a Roland Garros type moment of waiting at the net. An emotional end to Zanevska's career, but one which will be dominated by no handshake.
Sabalenka with the win! A dominant display from the world No.2! 🎾🥈
5. Murray's astonishing longevity continues
While Venus Williams seemingly has gone on for longer than needed, Andy Murray continues to defy his injuries and despite not needing to play continues to show why he is needed in the sport.
Albeit with that VAR farce, Murray found his way past Corentin Moutet into the second round where he will face marathon man, Grigor Dimitrov.
It is a 200th major win for the former US Open champion and one that puts him among the greats in that camp.
Always a player that has defied logic and punched above his weight with the Big Three, he shows that he belongs with the biggest names of all and with only him and Djokovic left now of the Big Four, tennis certainly still needs the Brit.
Most Grand Slam men's singles wins, all time: Federer - 369 Djokovic - 355 Nadal - 314 Connors - 233 Agassi - 224 Lendl - 222 Emerson - 210 Sampras - 203 Murray - 200 🆕 Edberg - 178 This wee guy joins the 200 Grand Slam wins club ☺️ #USOpen @andy_murray
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