For the first time since 1976, which happens to be the year Mark Edmondson became the last Aussie male to win their home major, there are eight Australian men through to the second round at New York.
Aside from the stunning victory of four-time major champion Naomi Osaka over No.10 seed Jelena Ostapenko, the talk of Flushing Meadows on Tuesday was the form of a couple of Aussie surprise packets in Thanasi Kokkinakis and Li Tu.
While foxsports.com.au has tales of their individual exploits out there, it was a good opportunity to detail a little of their friendship as they both enjoyed a massive day in New York.
And a shout out, as well, to Dan Evans, and not just for his role in setting a new record for the longest ever match played at Flushing Meadows.
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KOKKINAKIS’S HEART BEATS TRUE FOR ALCARAZ
Carlos Alcaraz is a crowd fancy for many and he is also Kokkinakis’s favourite player to watch at the moment.
And the reception the Spaniard, who admittedly smiled a little less than usual when pressured by Tu, was stark in contrast to that received by world No.1 when he stepped out to begin his US Open campaign earlier in the day. But more on that later.
“Alcaraz, for me. He’s my favourite to watch. He’s just so good for the game. He’s so entertaining,” Kokkinakis said.
“He always plays with a massive smile on his face. (He) plays the right way (and) looks like he’s enjoying it. He looks like a little kid that’s just like playing a sport for the first time.
“So to do that and smile through all the pressure and the big moments. I mean, he’s probably got a fair few reasons to smile, but I just love the way he goes about it.
“I haven’t seen someone play with that much joy (and) I think that’s why he’s so popular and I think that’s why everyone kind of likes watching him.”
SINNER RECEIVES A LUKEWARM RECEPTION AS EVERT SAYS THE TOP STARS ARE PROTECTED
The Australian Open champion Sinner, meanwhile, received a less than positive reception from some elements of the crowd in his 2-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 triumph over Mackenzie McDonald, but that may well have been due to the fact he was pitted against an American.
The Italian also said he was aware of the negative reaction from some of his peers to the revelation had had tested positive twice to a banned substance earlier this year, but subsequently found to be at no fault, with Kyrgios among those who have been critical.
“I cannot really control what they think and what they talk (about). That’s how everything went and how it was,” he said.
“I cannot control the players’ reaction, and if I have something to say to someone, I go there privately, because I’m this kind of person. But, look, overall, it has been not bad. So I’m happy about that.”
American legend Chris Evert believes the top players are given favourable treatment when a controversy arises amid complaints from some of Sinner’s peers about the differences in the handling of his case compared to lower-ranked players.
“Look, I do think that they protect top players,” she said in a conference call, as reported by The Washington Post.
“By ‘protecting,’ they’re going to keep the secret for a couple months. They’re going to keep certain things secret if you’re a top player because they don’t want the press, the player doesn’t want the press.
“It’s all going to come out in three months anyway. I do think there’s [more] protection there than if you were Joe Smith, ranked 400 in the world.”
ANDY RODDICK BAFFLED BY PRIZE MONEY FARCE FACING AUSSIE STAR MAYA JOINT
American great Andy Roddick is among those bemused by the bizarre rules which could see emerging Australian talent Maya Joint forfeit more than A$200,000 in US Open prize money.
The former world No.1 and Ahmad Nassar, who heads the Professional Tennis Players Association co-founded by Novak Djokovic, are among critics of a situation which sees tennis players aligned to a U.S. college unable to accept purses beyond a negligible amount.
Roddick, who won the US Open in 2003 and does work with his foundation in Austin, said it was unfair collegiate aspirants in tennis were unable to accept prize money but athletes such as footballers could be sponsored by a local car dealership, for example.
“It’s absurd to me that a college athlete can take money from a local car dealership but can’t accept earned prize money from the US Open,” he posted on social media.
Joint, who will play former US Open finalist Madison Keys in the second round in New York on Wednesday, is committed to the Texas Longhorns based in Austin.
The 18-year-old, who will study a psychology degree while rounding her game in collegiate ranks, demonstrated why the prestigious sporting university offered her a scholarship with a superb performance on debut against German veteran Laura Siegemund on Monday.
After her triumph, she said she was looking forward to joining her new classmates, who began studying in Austin on Monday, once her commitments at Flushing Meadows were complete.
She is aware there are complexities associated with the situation facing herself and others including American Matthew Forbes, who was beaten in the first round on Tuesday and will join the University of Michigan on a sporting scholarship.
But she said her mother was working through the situation with compliance officials in Texas and that they were receiving advice from former college player and friend Reese Brantmeier, who has launched a lawsuit against the NCAA after foregoing prize money in recent years. A hearing regarding the case, which alleges breaches of US antitrust laws, was held earlier this month.
Nassar, the executive director of the PTPA, suggested the current scenario involving tennis players like Joint bordered on illegal.
“Absurd and potentially illegal. The NCAA prevents the direct payment of prize money to college athletes — the USTA/USOpen doesn’t prohibit paying,” he said.
“Yet the NCAA indeed ‘allows’ the car dealership to pay college athletes. That was only after the NCAA fought NIL (name, image, likeness) for ten plus years and lost 9-0 at the Supreme Court a few years ago.”
Dual-Wimbledon quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic, meanwhile, said it was a boost to see a talent like Joint emerging from the ranks for Australia and said she should be proud of her effort against Siegemund.
“I have not hit with her, but we’ve almost hit a few times, because she trains pretty close to where I train, so I know her coach well,” she said.
“I’m sure we will have some practices together, but it’s really nice to see her just win so many matches at lower levels, so you can see her confidence is there. To come out here and qualify, I mean ‘wow’. I hadn’t done that at 18, so kudos to her.”
A SHOUT OUT TO OLD-FASHIONED PRO AS A NEW MARK IS SET IN NEW YORK
Kudos, as well, to Englishman Dan Evans for several reasons, but for starters in relation to his deeds to overcome a 4-0 deficit in the deciding set against dual-grand slam semifinalist Karen Khachanov in stifling conditions to set a new mark in New York.
Evans defeated the No.23 seed 6-7 (6) 7-6 (2) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted 5hr 35min, which surpassed the 1992 semifinal between Stefan Edberg and Michael Chang by nine minutes.
Just two days prior the 34-year-old spent Sunday evening playing Bethpage Black Golf Course with a Scottish journalist and a couple of other mates as they sought to get a look at the track that will host next year’s Ryder Cup. For the record, the English beat the Scots.
He deserves credit, too, for his commitment to partnering his good mate Andy Murray at the Olympics in his farewell, despite a hefty individual cost for Evans in relation to the hit to his ranking.
As a result of his Paris appearance, he was unable to defend the points he claimed when winning in Washington D.C last year because of the clash, which has seen his ranking plummet to 184.
And, finally, a belated thank you to him for shouting thirsty journalists a case of extremely decent red wine as part of a tribute at Wimbledon to the respected English journalist Mike Dickson, who died suddenly while reporting on the Australian Open in January.
Well played.
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