American women standing tall at 2013 French Open
The 2013 French Open is underway and thus far it has not disappointed for American tennis fans. The United States has a decent group of representatives giving their all on the courts as they fight to bring back some hardware from Paris. Here’s a quick update on the Americans still in contention as of Saturday afternoon.
MEN
John Isner was once in the Top 10 in tennis but has since fallen down the rankings due to several injuries. Isner had been good but not great early in the tournament, as mobility has been a big issue for the 6-foot-9 competitor. He played quite an interesting third-round match against Tommy Haas, saving 12 match points to win the fourth set and going the distance in the fifth set before ultimately falling, 5-7, 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (12), 8-10.
Sam Querrey was the highest-ranking American male in the French Open, pinning much of American tennis fans’ hopes on his success. He coasted through his first two matches, winning both in straight sets, but bowed out after a five-setter against hometown favorite Gilles Simon.
WOMEN
Serena Williams advanced to the fourth round of play easily, beating Sorana Cirstea, 6-0, 6-2. Serena has lost just six games in her first three matches at Roland Garros this year. Although she is known as one of the best women’s players to ever step on the court, she has won just one French Open (the 2002 tournament) in her career. As always, however, Williams has a very good chance at making it to the Final but as is the case in any sport, a bit of luck and timing are always necessary ingredients for success.
Sloane Stephens got her name on the map when she beat Serena Williams in the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open. Stephens rose to fame after that match and has continued to make her name known before arriving in Paris. Stephens will also play in the fourth round but the 20-year-old is up against a tough competitor: defending champion Maria Sharapova.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands is one of the more surprising names to appear in the fourth round as the 28-year-old made it past the third round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career this year. There’s no telling what Mattek-Sands can do, as she shocked the world with her second-round win over six-seed Li Na.
Jamie Hampton, a 23-year-old playing in just her second French Open, became the fourth American woman to make it to the fourth round thanks to her straight sets win over seven-seed Petra Kvitova on Saturday. Thanks to Hampton’s win, this year’s French Open will be the first Grand Slam since the 2004 US Open to feature four Americans in the fourth round.
Have you been watching this year’s French Open? What do you think of all the Americans still in it? Let us know in the comments below.
