Simona Halep Defeated Li Na

The best teenager on the WTA tour, Simona Halep, put forth a focused, consistent game plan that unnerved the 6th seed and French Open Champion, Li Na 6-2, 7-5. In the wake of countrymate Alexandra Dulgheru’s stunning upset of Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova, Romania’s two young stars have eliminated the only current 2011 Grand Slam titleholders in the first round in New York. Kim Clijsters won in Melbourne but is injured for the U.S. Open.

For Simona Halep and for Dulgheru, the 2011 U.S. Open is already a success. The Romanians have made a statement and whatever happens the rest of the way, it is all good. Halep finished last year as the tour’s 81st ranked player. She has risen in 2011 to the 53rd spot and will move up a bit further off this first round surprise.

Prior to Tuesday’s shocker, Halep’s biggest win was over 24th seed Anna Kelybanova when Simona moved ahead to the third round in Melbourne this year. Halep fashioned her win using tactics that Li has made her trademark. The young Romanian made Li hit more balls than she wanted and she effectively mixed the pace of her groundstrokes.

After capturing the first set in 33 minutes, the stage was set for the upset but fans rightfully expected China’s number one to make a run. But, Halep would not crack. After an early break, Halep broke back to square the match a 4-4.

Li upped her pace and tried to control play but Halep had the answers. Li committed an uncharacteristically high 53 unforced errors against 22 winners. Halep committed 19 unforced errors against just 5 outright winners.

In the last game, Li seemed out of sorts and out of patience. She committed three unforced errors ending the match on a misguided forehand. Halep slumped as if stunned by the inspired triumph.

With the upset, Halep will next play Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. The bottom half of the Wozniacki quarterfinal bracket is wide open with Germany’s Andrea Petkovic assuming the favorite’s role.

There was plenty of female action on Tuesday. Top seed Caroline Wozniacki started slowly but took control against Nuria Vives and recorded a 6-3,6-1 lead. Wozniacki seemed to be working on adding some power to her game.

Fourth seed, Victoria Azarenka, looked sharp against Johanna Larrson in her 6-1, 6-3 win. Azarenka is on track to meet Serena Williams in the third round. That match will look, taste and feel like a Grand Slam final match.

As usual, Serena Williams put forth the consummate professional play that has made her the favorite to win the women’s crown. Williams never let Serb Bojana Jovanovski in the match in her 6-1, 6-1 triumph.

One of the tour’s hottest players, Jelena Jankovic made quick work of American Alison Riske, 6-2, 6-0. Jankovic is peaking at a good time and looks ready to challenge for a semifinal berth.

The youngest player in the draw, Madison Keys of the USA, took out veteran Jill Craybas. The 455th ranked Keys is no stranger to the role of youngest player to reach landmarks and Keys may well reach the third round.

With her 6-3,6-3 win against Alona Bondarenko, 22nd seed set Sabine Lisicki set herself up to match serves against Venus Williams in round two. Lisicki is just one of three Germans with a good chance to win the tournament. Petkovic and Goerges stayed on course and are sure to be game.

Novak Djokovic Cruises, Rafael Nadal Struggles

Novak Djokovic posted his 58th win of the season against just two losses by racing ahead of overmatched Conor Niland 6-0, 5-1, who was forced to retire. Djokovic looked to be fit and strong in the abbreviated workout.

The second seed, Rafael Nadal, had a two hour forty-five minute match against Kazmania’s Andrev Golubev. Nadal has his hands full in the 6-3,7-6 (1), 7-5 victory. Golubev was serving for the sec9nd set and had a 5-2 lead in the third set. Nadal did not look sharp and appeared unusually edgy.

5th seed David Ferrer was pushed to a fourth set by Russian Igor Andreev, 2-6, 6-3,6-0, 6-4. Jo Willy Tsonga won in straight sets and Fernando Verdasco both won as the Men’s Draw has held form through round one.

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