Anastasija Sevastova defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the first round at the US Open on Monday.

Sevastova from Latvia and the #19 seed had never lost to the talented, young Croatian, Donna Vekic.  They had played three times prior to today’s encounter-all on hard courts-including the third round at the 2017 US Open.

You know you are in the dog days of summer when the temperature is ninety degrees plus on opening day of the US Open. The last grand slam event of the year taxes the game’s elite with soaring temperatures, humidity, noise and traffic but that’s what makes New York one of the greatest and most challenging cities to navigate.

This first round match on court 17 provided fans a fantastic and intimate venue in which to watch world-class tennis. Vekic, with two career titles, is currently ranked #41 and was all too aware she was in for a tough day at the office. Sevastova, just twenty-eight years of age with three career titles, had reached the quarters at the Open the last two years. 

Sevastova served first and immediately faced a break point following an incredible passing shot from Vekic. The Latvian held following three consecutive unforced errors by Vekic.

The twenty-two-year-old Croatian came to play as she struck an amazing inside-out forehand winner to earn her first point on serve. Vekic continued to go for her shots and executed another scintillating inside-out forehand followed by a swinging forehand volley winner to earn game point. She held for 1-2 when Sevastova’s return sailed long.

Sevastova held for 2-1 despite throwing in a double fault and missing wide on a cross-court forehand. Vekic faced her first break points of the set in her next service game as Sevastova demonstrated her versatility with two exquisite lobs and broke when the Croatian missed wide.

Sevastova held for 4-1 and Vekic, despite hitting a double fault, rebounded with two consecutive aces to hold for 2-4. Sevastova held for 5-2 and though Vekic would serve to stay in the set with new balls, was broken following two double faults and an outstanding two-handed back-hand cross-court winner by Sevastova.

It appeared as if the Latvian might continue the momentum she had created in the first set but was immediately on the defensive as she served first in the second. Both players strike the ball with conviction and purpose off both wings and are comfortable moving forward and defending the net.

Following an outstanding return winner and backhand cross-court winner, Vekic was up double break point and converted when Sevastova’s cross-court backhand landed wide. Vekic continued to serve big and crush the forehand following weak returns on serve. She held easily and consolidated the break.

Sevastova seemed to lose her focus and continued to misfire off the ground. Vekic went up triple break point following an extraordinary backhand drop shot winner and only needed one when Sevastova’s forehand found the net.

Serving to go up 4-0, Vekic faced a handful of break points as Sevastova continued to apply the pressure. Vekic threw in another double fault and was eventually broken following a deft, forehand volley winner by Sevastova.

The Latvian consolidated the break and held for 2-3. Vekic hit her third ace and smashed an over-head to go up 40-15. She wisely employed the moon-ball on several occasions and it paid off; Sevastova’s backhand eventually found the net.

Down a break at 2-4, Sevastova once again faced double break point as her backhand slice lob went long and on the next point found the net as she was broken for a third time. Vekic, up 5-2, served to level the match at a set apiece and wasted no time holding to 15.

Due to the excessive heat and humidity, the umpire allotted the players a ten-minute off-court break to cool down. For the fans – myself included - lacking umbrellas or any semblance of a roof or shade, ten minutes felt like an eternity.

Sevastova served first and with new balls. Both players continued to strike the ball with authority but at times played passively and it cost them as the unforced errors began to mount. The Latvian faced break point as she over-cooked another backhand. Despite four deuces and three break points, Sevastova held for 1-0.

Although she threw in her fifth double fault, Vekic continued to make her way forward and held following another swinging forehand volley winner. Sevastova seemed undaunted and was committed to employing the slice as well as topspin to keep her opponent guessing and held at love for 2-1. 

Vekic was broken following her sixth double fault and a litany of unforced errors. Sevastova once again held at love to take a commanding 4-1 lead in the final set.

Even though she double-faulted, Vekic continued to serve big and along with another emphatic, swinging forehand volley winner and lethal backhand down the line, held for 2-4.

The Latvian was now just two games from the second round. Every shot in her arsenal was on display this game as they traded drop shots and lobs in a marvelous point that ended when Sevastova executed a slice backhand drop shot winner. She held for 5-2 when Vekic’s over-hit on the return.

Vekic continued to compete well despite being just four points from defeat. She hit a remarkable running backhand volley winner in addition to a magnificent backhand down the line. She held for 3-5 following a textbook over-head winner.

Sevastova served for the match at 5-3 and despite a double fault, secured victory when Vekic’s backhand landed wide.

It was not the cleanest of matches from either player, but it was highly competitive and entertaining as both demonstrated enormous versatility and determination. Up next for Sevastova, the young American phenom, Claire Liu.