Several others lost their second-rounders in three sets, including Stefan Kozlov. A highly-anticipated showdown between two 17-year-olds did not go America’s way as Borna Coric of Croatia held off Kozlov 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Coric is already in the top 200 at No. 190 in the world and he recently advanced to the quarterfinals of an ATP event on the clay courts of Umag. His relative experience may have been the difference after a slow start, as he faced only three break points in the final two sets and dropped serve just once in that span. Coric made only 15 unforced errors in sets two and three compared to Kozlov’s 31.
In other qualifying news, 36-year-old Oscar Hernandez has extended his career with two qualifying wins this week. The veteran Spaniard, who announced that he will retire–again–after the U.S. Open, reached the final round of qualifying with a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 win over Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi.
“I came to New York and did this like it was a holiday,” Hernandez said. “I arrived here one week ago, practiced one hour before the tournament and here I am! I’ll try my best for sure, but either way it’s going to be my last tournament.”
Hernandez is going up against Niels Desein of Belgium on Friday.
Sorry that Koslov couldn’t pull thru, but at least he’s in the doubles…hope to see him play next week…my 33rd year at the US OPEN!!!
^^33rd time at the US Open? I’m envious.
legend
Food for thought:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/08/why-americans-are-lacking-at-the-us-open/378887/