Rubin Moves on at U.S. Open Qualifiers as Loeb Falls

August 24, 2016 | By Brian Coleman
Photo credit: Brian Coleman

New Yorker Noah Rubin made his way into the second round of the 2016 U.S. Open Qualifiers on Wednesday morning at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center much quicker than even he expected, leading 3-0 in the opening set before China’s Yan Bai was forced to retire with a wrist injury.

“I haven’t really had any retirements in my career, I think that’s the first one,” Rubin said afterwards.

The 20-year-old Rubin got off to a great start, breaking Bai in the opening game before converting a routine hold for an early 2-0 lead. Rubin would break once again, punctuating the game with a blistering backhand winner to open up a 3-0 lead, but that would be the last point of the match.

At the changeover, Bai sought the trainer and was unable to return, retiring down 0-3.

With the quick victory, Rubin will spend the rest of his Wednesday hitting the practice courts.

“I’m going to get in a practice. It’s a tough practice situation here at the U.S. Open, so I’m going to try and get on one of the practice courts or head to Sportime Randall’s Island,” said Rubin. “Even though it was only three games, it was good to get rid of some of those nerves and just get out on the court.”

Rubin moves on next to play 28th-seeded German Michael Berrer, a 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 winner Wednesday over American Stefan Kozlov.

“Berrer is a great player,” said Rubin. “I know him well, and I just have to continue to play my game.”

Fellow New Yorker Jamie Loeb of Ossining lost a hard-fought three-set affair on Wednesday, as Czech Republic’s Tereza Smitkova came back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and advance to the second round of qualifying.

After Smitkova came back to win the second set and force a deciding third, she immediately broke to open up the final set. Loeb would respond with a big break of serve to get things back on serve at 3-3, but Smitkova dug in and broke right back. After consolidating that break with a hold for a 5-3 lead, Smitkova broke one more time to close things out and advance.

Smitkova moves on to face Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson, a 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 winner over Ukranian Anhelina Kalinina.

American Grace Min will advance to round two in the women's field, defeating fellow American Julia Boserup, the number 21 seed, 6-4, 6-2.

On the men’s side of the draw, American wild card Ryan Shane came back from a set down to defeat Kimmer Coppejans of Belgium, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, setting up a matchup with Ilya Ivashka of Belarus, who defeated 20th seed Argentine Nicolas Kicker 6-3, 6-2. Another American, the number 23 seed, Austin Krajicek, fell to Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia on Wednesday, 7-5, 7-6.

Credit all photos to Brian Coleman

Jamie Loeb of Ossining, N.Y. lost a hard-fought three-set affair on Wednesday at the 2016 U.S. Open Qualifiers to the Czech Republic’s Tereza Smitkova, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3

 


Long Island's Noah Rubin moves into the second round of U.S. Open Qualifiers with his win Wednesday as his opponent Yan Bai was forced to retire due to a wrist injury

 


Jamie Loeb celebrates a point during her Wednesday morning U.S. Open Qualifying match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

 

 


Brian Coleman

 Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com

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