Americans struggle on Day 2 of US Open qualifying

The US Open is America’s Grand Slam but it was a difficult day for the players representing the red, white, and blue at Flushing Meadows Tuesday. Nine Americans went down on Day 2, while eight would survive.

The youngest player in the qualifying draw in New York was 14-year-old Coco Gauff, who hoisted the French Open junior trophy earlier this year. She fell in a tough first match 6-4, 6-1 against former top Brit Heather Watson.

There was bad luck for one of the older players as Bethanie Mattek-Sands lost in a rollercoaster three-set affair to Tereza Smitkova.

American ATP NextGen star Reilly Opelka’s big serves and power game wasn’t enough against Miomir Kecmanovic, losing in a very close 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 match.

Lauren Davis’ poor luck in 2018 continued at the final major of the season. After coming within a point of upsetting world No. 1 Simona Halep in a marathon Australian Open match earlier this year, Davis has struggled mightily, tumbling out on Tuesday to unheralded Macedonian Lina Gjorcheska.

Veteran Irina Falconi was unable to make it out of the US Open qualies after losing in two tight straight sets to Elena Rybakina.

There was some good news for American fans however, as Ernesto Escobedo upset qualifying top seed Jozef Kovalik 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 to keep his main draw hopes alive. Danielle Lao, Madison Brengle, Collin Altamarino and Mitchell Krueger also won.

US Open qualifying continues on Thursday, where Americans Escobedo, Kristie Ahn, and Sebastian Korda will get to play on the brand new Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The main draw will be announced on Thursday, with play beginning on Monday.