👋 Big upsets on day one

Rune and Sakkari out, Thiem here to play and the 2023 player outfits

August 29, 2023

Howdy, it’s the daily serve here. We’re the daily tennis newsletter that’s talked about as much as that epic final in Cincinnati between Djokovic and Alcaraz.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

  • Big upsets: Day one saw the exit of Rune and Sakkari 😯 

  • Former champ confident: Dominic Thiem here to play ✊ 

  • Who’s wearing what: A splash of colour on the courts 🎨 

+ We check out Patrick Mouratoglou’s tennis tactics masterclass 🤓 

Big upsets on day one 😯 

The US Open's first round didn’t disappoint with some unexpected early upsets, as title contenders faced shock exits.

Adios Holger 👋 
Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena 🇪🇸 punched well above his weight, overpowering the fourth seed and Djokovic/Alcaraz challenger, Holger Rune🇩🇰, in a gripping 4 set match that concluded 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Carballes Baena's baseline play and seven aces left Rune struggling in the muggy Flushing Meadows conditions. Rune’s run of poor form continues and will now have to wait until next year to taste further Grand Slam success.

Smells like weed in here?! 🪴 
On the women’s side, Maria Sakkari's 🇬🇷 promising North American hard-court campaign, including a final appearance in Washington, D.C., failed to bear fruit. Complaining of weed smell coming from the stands, the Greek player, seeded eighth, was surprisingly ousted by 71st-ranked Rebeka Masarova 🇪🇸 , who capitalized on three break points to secure victory, ending Sakkari's journey in straight sets.

While other seeds looked solid, (Swiatek, Tiafoe and Ruud all through) these departures have set the stage for what could be an unpredictable and thrilling tournament ahead.

Thiem feeling confident ✊ 

2020 US Open champion, Dominic Thiem 🇦🇹 , made a resounding comeback at Flushing Meadows with a decisive first round victory over Alexander Bublik 🇰🇿 , defeating him 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

It marked Thiem's first win at the US Open since his unforgettable comeback against Alexander Zverev in the 2020 final.

Breaking a 2 year losing-streak ✌️ 
The Austrian star's journey to this point has been riddled with challenges, including a chronic wrist injury that affected his performance and confidence. However, Thiem's recent resurgence is evident, breaking a streak of six major opening-round exits. Notably, he secured his first Grand Slam win since the 2021 Australian Open, where he fought back from two sets down to defeat Nick Kyrgios.

Young challenge ahead 👀 
With his huge forehand and return game, Thiem now faces Australian Open quarterfinalist and American youngster Ben Shelton 🇺🇸 in a much anticipated second-round clash. Definitely one to watch!

As for Bublik, he has already hinted at his career after tennis as ‘carer for the disabled’… 🤣 

Colour back on the courts 👕 👗 

The players have dropped the white of Wimbledon and gone full colour for the US Open. The US summer brings an element of experimentation for the brands and players, and this year was no exception 🎨 .

Lacoste 🐊 revealed Novak Djokovic’s 🇷🇸 outfit, called the US Open Blue. An original name that suggests, blue will is the primary color at Flushing Meadows…

If there wasn’t enough blue on the courts, Lacoste had some leftover material and shared it with Adidas, as players will also be feeling blue in what the brand says is a collection honouring Billie Jean King’s historic ‘Battle of the sexes’ 50 years ago 🙅‍♀️…

For Nike, no blue. But they have gone in a totally in the other direction with what is being called “the worst looking outfit line in recent history” 😲 . Watching yesterday you might have thought you had to adjust the contrast on your TV looking at the new range streaking across the courts 🤣 …

New Balance on the other hand has gone lightening ⚡️ for the electric courts of New York. Coco Gauff 🇺🇸 will be hero’ing the new range for a brand that has been on the bounce back over the past few years…

Finally, the Roger Federer 🇨🇭 backed brand ON will be worn by 4-time Grand Slam winner and defending champion Iga Swiatek 🇵🇱 . Just like the Swiss maestro himself, the collection looks calm and collected amongst all the noise around it 🥶.

Like some of the looks? Check them all out at the Tennis Warehouse 🛒 

Minis 🎾⏰

Carlos Alcaraz reveals Nike’s newest tennis shoe the Supreme x Nike Courtposite 👟 

US Open celebrates 50th anniversary of equal prize money with Michelle Obama honouring Bille Jean King on the opening night 👏 

Daniil Medvedev the "‘disrupter” says he thinks the rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz is “great” but he’ll do everything he can to stop the much anticipated final match-up to happen. Go team 🐙 !

Dominik Koepfer, from mystery arm injury to big-time return against Alcaraz. Check out the German’s story 🇩🇪 

Stefanos Tsitsipas, spills all on Reddit, including his relationship with his father and Badosa, and his opinions on the controversial Netflix series Break Point 😤 

Tennis Tactics Masterclass 🤓 

Ever wonder why you can’t quite climb the rankings or continue to lose to the same players? Tactics might be the key 🔑 . 

Distinguishing match players from ball strikers, tactics can enhance match toughness and give you the edge before you even step on court.

Former coach of Serena Williams and tennis’s most internationally suave coach Patrick Mouratoglou 🤵‍♂️ , share’s his tactical insights on becoming a better player.

Watch below and apply these measures in your next match for increased success…

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