Here are just a few random pictures from the first day of the 2013 US Open qualification tournament. Just a couple of the day’s highlights were 16 year old American Jared Donaldson beating Farrukh Dustov and Julia Cohen moonballing and cramping her way to victory over Tadeja Majeric in the last match of the night. It is truly amazing how many people attend the quallies now, and it has really become an event unto itself. I remember no more than 10 years ago when hardly anyone was there and you had to make sure to bring your own food and drink. Now the food court is open and the stands are packed.
I will be back on Friday and will try to post more later, but here are just a few pics for now:
Gerald Melzer – yes, it’s Jurgen’s baby brother.
Boy Westerhof – Best name in tennis?
Little Noah Rubin was very focused.
New in 2013 – Heineken House above the food court.
Jared Donaldson had composure way beyond his 16 years.
More Baby Melzer trying to return Jarmere Jenkins’ serve.
Melzer frustrated. Jarmere was just “TOO BIG. TOO BIG.” (annoying fan cheer)
Ksenia Pervak takes out #1 seed Shahar Peer 64 76(3)
Jarmere Jenkins about to serve TOO BIG….
Farrukh Dustov was one frustrated man losing to a boy named Donaldson.
Amir Weintraub held off little Noah Rubin.
Old Frenchman Marc Gicquel had no reason to hide.
Marc Gicquel out-steadied Thiago Alves 64 in the 3rd.
Giovanni Lapentti serves in a losing effort versus Ginepri on Court 17
No radar gun, but Dr. Ivo was hitting bombs.
Jan Mertl ran Renzo Olivo ragged.
More of golden boy Jared Donaldson
So composed and so polite. Big Donaldson fan here.
Jared Donaldson spent a lot of time signing autographs and posing for pictures.
Julia Cohen, fierceness in more ways than one.
Tadeja Majeric was getting so frustrated by Julia Cohen.
Renzo Olivo returning so far back like he was still on clay.
Good form from Olivo, but just not ready for primetime.
It’s hard to believe that former #14 Shahar Peer has to qualify for US Open. And harder to see her lose, but Ksenia Pervak is no pushover either.
It’s no Wimbledon, but there is still nice shrubbery in Flushing.
Thomas Fabbiano is a feisty scrapper who eliminated Antonio Veic.
American teenager Viktoria Duval is what I like to call a fun-ness!
