PETE ZIEBRON in CINCINNATI
Play is suspended yet again on the first day of qualifying in Cincinnati. Pete Ziebron Images
A rainy opening day at the 2016 Western & Southern Open brought 4 rain delays before play was eventually called after 10:00 PM. The match between Cagla Buyukakcay of Turkey and Russian Wild Card Varvara Flink was the only contest that was not able to start, despite the players warming up on Court 3 before rain arrived yet again in southern Ohio. In total, 6 first round matches still need to be completed and the winners of those matches will need to play their 2nd round match later on Sunday.
John Isner took time to meet with the media on Saturday afternoon. Since he recently played two of the Western & Southern Wild Cards, Reilly Opelja and Taylor Fritz in Atlanta, I asked him about their games. Isner: "Opelka is a big guy with a big serve, he reminds me a bit of myself actually. Fritz is already in the top 60 and keeps improving."
John Isner meets with the media on the opening day of the Western & Southern Open. Pete Ziebron Images
Isner was also impressed about the crowd support on the first day of qualifying in Cincinnati, elaborating: "There were more than a hundred people watching me practice with Zverev."
One of the most competitive matches on Saturday went to a third set tiebreaker. Lukas Rosol of Czech Republic eliminated 4th seed Frenchman Stepen Robert 8-6 in the final set breaker to win the match 7-5 2-6 7-6(8). Robert won 5 consecutive games at 3-2 in the 2nd set to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the final set before Rosol rallied to win 4 straight games. Finally, on his 4th match point in the final set breaker, Rosol finally closed out the match and will play Australia John Millman, who saved 2 match points and withstood 14 aces before closing out American Wild Card Ryan Harrison.
Lukas Rosol on his way to eliminating the #4 seed in the qualification draw. Pete Ziebron Images
The match between Italians Karen Knapp and #18 seed Camila Giorgi on Court 10 was interrupted by two rain delays in the final set. Knapp would eventually prevail 7-6(0) 3-6 6-4. Knapp advance to play Japanese Kurumi Nara who upset #12 seed Monica Niculescu of Romania 7-6(3) 6-3.
Camila Giorgi battles on Court 10 in Cincinnati. Pete Ziebron Images
The ATP Masters 1000 main draw will get underway on Sunday with Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov taking on Kevin Anderson of South Africa and Borna Coric of Croatia playing Frenchman Benoit Paire in the opening night session match.
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