The much anticipated showdown at Stadium Court Tuesday night between Argentine top seed Dante PAGANI ranked 55 and unseeded Ryan COZAD of USA ranked 104 did not disappoint. Both played well, trading laser guided groundstrokes to the delight of a packed stadium audience. In both tight sets the American was able to overcome a set down by breaking the last 2 service games of the Argentine, taking the match 7-5, 6-4. Remaining first round matches were played out with the better ranked player prevailing in each one. The top seeded player on the boys side is now no. 2 Jack SECORD of USA.
In the other Tuesday night match, it was not easy for girls no. 1 seed Kaitlin ROLLS of USA (no. 17 ITF), but she was able to pull out a tough 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(4) score in a thriller against a determined Kori MONTOYA of USA ranked 149. ROLLS is a crafty player who does not overpower but finesses her way to win and we will see if she can maintain her top ranking in the tournament . In the remaining girls first round matches a major upset occurred as Canadian Clemence MERCIER ranked 614 eliminated USA`s third seeded Leena FRIEDMAN (ranked 70) by a score of 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5. FRIEDMAN struggled, and MERCIER took advantage. Ireland O`BRIEN of USA, ranked 367 and in from the Qualy, surprised Jinshu XIA of China ranked 196 by 6-1, 6-3. No. 2 seed Capucine JAUFFRET of USA cruised 6-0, 6-0 over qualifier Sara SHUMATE to round out Round 1.
Doubles first round action was played out during the rest of Tuesday play. Doubles is difficult to handicap as ranking is a bit mysterious, but doubles action did not disappoint. All boys seeds lost, including the team of Francisco CASTRO of Ecuador and Dante PAGANI. The 2 talented South Americans are now out of the tournament, having lost the only boys 3 set match to the team of Keaton HANCE and Yubel UBRI of USA, by 6-4, 3-6, 10-6. In girls Doubles 3 seeded teams prevailed and 7 of the 8 matches were played out in straight sets. The 3 setter was won in an entertaining match won by the team of Alyssa JAMES of Jamaica and American Capucine Jauffret 7-5, 4-6, 10-5 over Carrie Ann HOO and Kaya MOE of USA.
