slides: Tennis Hall of Fame: A View from the Draw

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Carol Anne Costa, GoLocal Contributor

Day one in Newport showcased plenty of outstanding tennis, including a first round upset of #3 seed Bernard Tomic by fellow Aussie John Patrick Smith, 6-3, 7-5. Big serving Ivo Karlovic was pushed hard by Ukraniain, Illya Marchenko, whose forehand and return of service were powerful. Marchenko hung in the match until the middle of the 3rd set with Karlovic prevailing 7-6(4), 6–7(6), 6 - 4 with big service games. This was a tough three set match. Both Marchenko and Karlovic treated fans to blazing ground strokes, booming serves and volleys which were hard as nails and soft as feathers.

Not to be outdone, the outer courts were as lively and compelling as the action in the stadium, as Noah Rubin and Tatsumato Ito went shot for shot in a fabulous three set battle. At times fans in the North Box did not know where to look, as the play on center was matched on the side courts. Ito ultimately won 6-3, 6-7-(7), 6-4.

The crowd favorite, Dustin Brown, fresh from a Wimbledon defeat of Rafa Nadal took to Court 2 with his doubles partner, Aussie John Patrick Smith, in a marathon loss to Aliaksandr Bury and Andreasstunner Siljestrom, 6-3, 3-6, 12-10. The match wowed the fans with dazzling play on all sides of the net.

Featured Match

But, for sure all eyes were on the match scheduled last on stadium court for Rhode Island’s own Jared Donaldson. Donaldson, a crowd favorite, came with his game and a fan base dressed in orange, calling themselves the J-BLOCK. Donaldson played solid tennis, and the intangible of having home court advantage seemed a piece of the win. Donaldson’s plan to win by “playing point to point and game to game” was successful and smart.

The match went on late and as dusk settled in over stadium court, it only fired up the J-BLOCK who waited all day for their favorite player to take to the court. Screams of, “Jared, Jared, Jared!” filled the Newport air. They were there in force and ready to help the effort. Can you say #homecourtadvantage?

Jared Donaldson over and above his mighty accomplishments in tennis has developed a rabid fan base. That fan base is made up of local kids who now want to play. The J- Block stayed and cheered their man on to a victory over fellow American Austin Krajicek, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2. WOW what a day for tennis! And, just think, tomorrow brings more clashes of Titians including the match-up of two former champions, Rajeev Ram and John Isner. Both history makers: Isner breaking the curse of the #1 seeds and Rajeev Ram being the first and only lucky looser to the win the Van Alen Cup. #tennisanyone?

Order of Play for Tuesday

Carol Anne Costa in addition to being a Mindsetter for GoLocalProv has solid roots in the tennis world. Costa founded the Rhode Island High School Tennis Coaches Association. A Rhode Island Interscholastic High School Coach from 1981–1990. She is also a Rhode Island High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Famer, inducted in the class of 2011. Carol will be reporting from the grass courts of International Tennis Hall of Fame on the tennis and so much more, as the Hall of Fame Championships main draw singles and doubles are underway.

Related Slideshow: Hall of Fame Tennis Championships - Day 1 Action

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Illya Marchenko really stretched the big man, Ivo Karlovic

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Ivo Karlovic ready to return a Marchenko serve

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A gracious Marchenko signs for the fans.

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A victorious Karlovic takes time for the kids.

Karlovic won his match 7-6(4), 6-7(6), 6-4. The match lasted two hours and 23 minutes.

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Ito finishes a winning shot as he prevailed in his 1st round singles match over American Noah Rubin

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Giant killer, Dustin Brown ready to serve. Dustin Brown eliminated Rafa NaAdal from Wimbledon. Although he lost in doubles he is still in main draw singles.