John Isner

It’s the hotly anticipated match of the first week. Federer v. Isner: The giant of tennis versus the boy giant.

It’s not really a matter if Isner can beat Federer -- no one thinks that -- but about how good a fight the young American can put up. Everyone seems to agree that Isner could be a headache.

“John probably has a game that can make Roger a little bit more uncomfortable than most people just because you can go game sometimes without hitting a ball,” said Andy Roddick when asked about the match.  read more »

In addition to the big news of Rafael Nadal's injury, the big news out of yesterday's play was the number 7 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile lost in five sets yesterday, becoming the highest-seeded player to crash out of the tournament and potentially clearing a path for American Robby Ginepri to move into the third round.

Also last night, boy-giant John Isner won in straight sets, setting up a tantalizing third round match-up with Roger Federer to be played this weekend.
John McEnroe said of Isner: "This guy's gonna be a headache for Federer."

Match of the Day today: Impressive American prospect Donald Young takes on the super-talented and super-emotional Richard Gasquet at Louis Armstrong a little after noon.

At around 2:30 p.m., South African doubles player Jeff Coetzee dropped by the Julien Farel salon for a quick trim. (This year, for the first time, Farel has set up shop on the third floor of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, down the hall from the players lounge.)

"I just felt cleaning things up," said Mr. Coetzee, as stylist Stephanie Mille worked her clippers around his sides and neck area. "Some players are very superstitious about their hair. But I'm not."  read more »

No surprises so far today. Martina Hingis and Lleyton Hewitt both won easily and Novak Djokovic is cruising.

A young American contender, Sam Querrey, lost easily in straight sets, so he won't join unheralded countrymen Donald Young and John Isner in the second round.

Pay attention to James Blake's match, which is playing out very, very tight early on.

You can track live scores here on the very good (and very fast) Open web site, which we have in our blogroll here to the right.

Tennis's new giant, the 6-foot-9 University of Georgia graduate (!) John Isner, blasted 34 aces to upset No. 27 Jarkko Nieminen.

In his next match he'll take on the South African qualifier, Rik De Voest.

He is not overawed.

"Who?" Isner said yesterday, when asked about De Voest. "I have no -- never heard of him. Not that he's not -- I just don't know many people here. Not that he's not a good player, but I just don't know anybody."