By Donald Duff
Guyana’s Sachia Vickery produced one of the biggest upsets of this year’s US Open tournament when she ousted the number 21 seeded player Croatia’s Donna Vekic in three energy sapping games yesterday at the USTA Billie Jean King, National Tennis Centre, New York.
Vickery, who played unbeaten to win the US Open qualification tournament last week, triumphed 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.
A 67 per cent first serve percentage, coupled with seven aces and only two double faults, put paid to the Croatia’s hopes of advancing to the second round.
Vickery also managed to convert four of nine break point chances to her opponent’s three of 13.
“It’s a good win for her, she’s getting back to this level of play that she’s accustomed to,” her coach told Stabroek Sports after the match.
“The first set was very tough, when you’re playing someone that’s top 20 in the world. Sachia had a very good level but I knew that once Sachia stayed in there she would be able to get a break or hope that Vekic’s level would drop but Sachia kind of upped her level and she actually ran away with the third.
Even though she lost the first set she didn’t play badly and she stuck to her game plan and eventually she came out with the win.
Vickery will play her second round match tomorrow against Greet Minnen of Belgium.
Minnen yesterday defeated former two-time US Open women’s singles champion Venus Williams 6-1, 6-1.
