US Open Qualifying Day 2: Gauff; Mattek-Sands; Auger-Aliassime; More

Stories of the Open Era: Tennis Channel launches

Lauren Davis vs Lina Gjorcheska
11 AM ET, Tennis Channel

Davis will kick off Day 2 of Tennis Channel’s US Open Qualifying coverage. The diminutive Ohioan started 2018 with a bang, reaching the round of 32 at the Australian Open and winning over $100K in prize money. Since then she is a lousy 1-9 on the season with a losing streak dating back to Wimbledon. She will look to find her footing on the hard courts against Gjorcheska of Macedonia.

Cori Gauff vs Heather Watson
2nd on court 11 (approximately 1 PM ET), Tennis Channel

14-year-old Cori “Coco” Gauff may be the most promising American junior tennis player since...dare I say it…Serena Williams. At just 13 years old, she reached the final of the Junior US Open. At age 14, Gauff hoisted the junior Roland Garros trophy, a week later she won her first professional-level match. She is the real deal, having already signed with Nike and Team 8, Roger Federer’s agency. Gauff will play former world No. 38 Watson in what should be a great litmus test for the young American sensation.

Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Tallon Griekspoor
Not Before 5 PM ET, Tennis Channel

Perhaps the most exciting young player in the men’s qualifying draw, 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime of Canada is already drawing huge crowds at ATP tour events. The hyper-athletic teenager plays like a young Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, crushing forehands at every opportunity and using his sensational speed and shot-making ability to extend rallies. Two weeks ago at the Rogers Cup he crushed world No. 18 Lucas Pouille in straight sets, giving us all a small glimpse into his immense potential.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs Tereza Smitkova

Not Before 7 PM ET, Tennis Channel

Bethanie Mattek-Sands will be playing the qualifying rounds with a chip on her shoulder. According to her coach, former Georgia Bulldog All-American Austin Smith, BMS “hoped to receive a wild card into the main draw, so she opted not to utilize her protected ranking.” If she chose to use her protected ranking she would have been accepted into the main draw. Look for the veteran American to make quick work of her Czech opponent Smitkova.