Lucky 13: Cressy, Fritz Highlight Success of American Men in First Round

September 1, 2021 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Cressy_crop
Photo Credit: Kathryn Riley/USTA

 

Maxime Cressy shocked ninth-seeded Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta on Tuesday, fighting back from two sets down to win 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4) on Court 4.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish today,” he said. “It’s my third main draw slam, so it’s always a very difficult scenario for me to handle as I’m just starting the tour. I’m very proud of myself for staying focused and consistent mentally on what I had to do throughout the match. I didn’t give up. I gave it my all, and it came out my way.”

After dropping the first two sets, Cressy began to find rhythm on his serve and was booming 130+ MPH serves, often serving and volleying, which allowed him to work his way back into the match. The better he played, the more the crowds started to form around Court 4, and the pressure built up on Carreno Busta’s side of the net.

“My main thought I kept telling myself was on really holding my serve efficiently. One of my good qualities, I’m not really scared of my opponent or whoever I’m playing,” said Cressy. “I was just focused on me and holding serve. That gave me some confidence. I was able to really loosen up and make some great shots to break him.”

Cressy will play Nikoloz Basilashvili next, and is one of 13 American men who advanced to the second round. Joining him is Taylor Fritz, who defeated 14th seed Alex de Minaur for the first time in his career, moving on with a 7-6(4), 6-2, 1-6-, 6-4 victory.Taylor Fritz beat Alex de Minaur for the first time in five tries to move on in Queens. (Photo Credit: Brad Penner/USTA)

“I stayed aggressive and played the big points well… In the fourth set, some of the points I was, like, I can’t get the ball by this guy, but I just had to keep trying. Obviously, I’m so stubborn I just wanted to keep hitting it harder and harder to get the ball past him, so I didn’t give up and got through.”

Fritz plays compatriot Jensen Brooksby next. Brooksby held on to defeat Sweden’s Mikael Ymer 7-5, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

Teenager Zachary Svajda, who received a Wild Card by way of him winning the Kalamazoo title last month, made good on his entry by knocking off Italian Marco Cecchinato 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

In addition to Brooksby, Cressy, Fritz and Svajda, Brand Nakashima, Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka, Ernesto Escobedo, Mackenzie McDonald, Jack Sock, Marcos Giron, Denis Kudla and Steve Johnson will be representing the United States in round two.

Click Here to see the full results from Day Two at the 2021 U.S. Open

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Century
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