Top seeds survive 🙏 

All was well for the top seeds on day two at the Open, probably to the relief of tournament organisers and fans.

The only big shock of the day saw Venus Williams 🇺🇸 tumble out of the draw with what could be described as her career-worse US Open loss 😲 . The veteran was taken to the cleaners by Belgian qualifier Greet Minnen 🇧🇪 6-1, 6-1.

At 43 years old, with a dodgy knee and a team of doctors needed just to keep her on court, we wonder if this could be the last dance 💃 in New York for the second Williams sister.

For other results here’s a quick wrap up of the day:

On the men’s side, top seed Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 advanced after his opponent had to retire midway through the second set, suffering from an ankle roll 🚑️.

Daniil Medvedev was in a hurry to get back to his gaming console 🕹️ , playing one of his quickest matches ever beating Attila Balazs 🇭🇺 in just 72 minutes, 6-1, 6-1, 6-0.

It wasn’t the same result for his compatriot and 11th seed Karen Khachanov was upset 6-2 6-4 6-2 by Michael Mmoh 🇺🇸 

Alexander Zverev 🇩🇪 , Matteo Berrettini 🇮🇹 , brits Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie 🇬🇧 , as well as crowd favourite Gael Monfils 🇫🇷 are all through to the next round comfortably.

For the women’s, last year’s runner-up Ons Jabeur 🇹🇳 struggled with her first round match but eventually overcame Camila Osorio 🇨🇴 on Louis Armstrong Stadium 7-5, 7-6.

Elsewhere, saw wins for third seed and billionaire daughter Jessica Pegula 🇺🇸 , Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 🇨🇿 and Madison Keys 🇺🇲 .

US Open crowd: No respect 😲 

It was a tough night for Germany’s Laura Seigemund 🇩🇪 on the opening day of the US Open. She had to battle the inform American hope Coco Gauff 🇺🇸 , the muggy New York heat, the Obamas and then a crowd out to get her 🗡️ .

As it went down: The 19-year-old American overcame Siegemund in a grueling battle that lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes, resulting in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.

However, the controversy came in the final set surrounding Siegemund's slow play leading Gauff to call out the chair umpire, Marijana Veljovic. Siegemund, known for taking her time between points ⏰ , drew the boo’s from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff, who had initially remained patient, started them off when she eventually expressed her frustrations to the umpire 😤.

Siegemund was given a warning for time violation earlier in the match but eventually, in what seemed like the umpire giving into the crowd, was then given a point penalty on game point for Gauff late in the third set.

Visibly emotional 😭 during her post-match press conference, the German qualifier criticised the crowd, saying they had “no respect” and stating, "they treated me like I was a bad person." She defended her style of play, emphasising that she's on the court for the fans and the love of the game.

“I’m 35. What do I play tennis for? I make good money, I’m not gonna probably reach my best ranking anymore – not in singles. I play out there for the people.”

Gauff, on the other hand, pointed out that Siegemund consistently exceeded the allowed time between points and warmly welcomed the time violation called against her opponent 😅 .

In the end, the match won’t be remembered for the fierce competition but for the debate surrounding the pace of play and the state of the crowd at the US Open.

Will there be a men’s Serena? 🐈‍⬛ 

Christopher Eubanks 🇺🇸 , the rising star in men's tennis, highlighted the need for a dominant Black male figure similar to Serena Williams 🐈‍⬛ in men’s tennis.

Eubanks believes that such a presence could inspire a generation of young Black boys to pursue tennis as a viable career option.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, has been a beacon of inspiration for Black female players like Naomi Osaka and Cori Gauff. They credit her for showing them that success knows no boundaries. Eubanks emphasised that this visibility plays a vital role in shaping young aspirations.

"It's tough for a kid to believe they can achieve something if they don't see someone who looks like them doing it"

Eubanks who pays tribute to his own role models, like Jarmere Jenkins and Donald Young, is hoping to emulate the historic achievements of Arthur Ashe at the US Open.

Since Arthur Ashe, there has not been another black male tennis players who has dominated the game - nowhere near the likes of Serena. Looking back, here is a list of past notable black male tennis players:

• Arthur Ashe 🇺🇸 First and only African American male tennis player to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon singles titles. Also the first African American man to earn the No. 1 ranking and inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

• Yannick Noah 🇫🇷 Won the French Open in 1983 and is currently the captain of both France's Davis Cup and Fed Cup team.

• James Blake 🇺🇸 Won 10 titles on the ATP Tour (out of 24 finals contested), reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4. Reached the final of the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup, the semifinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

• MaliVai Washington 🇺🇸 Reached the men's singles final at Wimbledon in 1996, won four ATP titles and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 11.

• Ronald Agénor 🇭🇹 The only Haitian to have ever earned a Top 25 world ranking in singles, reaching a highest ranking of world No. 22 in May 1989. Won three ATP tour singles titles.

• Wanaro N'Godrella 🇫🇷 Reached the quarterfinals of 1973 Australian Open. Played a doubles for the French Davis Cup team. Highest singles ranking of No. 71 in October 1973.

• Jimmie McDaniel 🇺🇸 4 time American Tennis Association singles champion. Said to be the "greatest black player of the pre-war (WWII) era.

Wakanda forever!

The Shot Clock 🎾⏰

Rafael Nadal may not been seen on tour this year but he’s been spotted getting rid of some of those extra helpings of paella this summer 🥘 

Andy Murray named Iga Swiatek as his preferred doubles partner when asked on twitter. Swiatek was quick to respond with her own meme, what?? 🫣 

Novak Djokovic had flash backs of Roger when Muller pulled a tweener in their first round match. Hotdog anyone? 🌭 

Nick Kyrgios started some Twitter beef with Noah Lyles after world champion sprinter dissed some NBA players 🙀 

Casper Ruud, who is usually ice-cool, got a little heated over some ‘so-called tennis experts’ on Twitter, saying “most of them have no clue”. Amen Casper! 😤 

Tennis Fitness 🏋️‍♀️ 

At 36, Novak Djokovic has the legs and fitness of a 20 year old. If there wasn’t proof, then we just have to look at this year’s Cincinnati final for it.

Fitness is critical to playing well and levelling up your game.

Who better then to get some tips from than the man who looks after Djokovic’s fitness - Marco Panichi 🇮🇹 

Watch his 1 hour training plan ⏲️  by clicking here to improve your preparation…

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