Sports

An inside look at Day 1 of the Open

Georgia Power

The state of Georgia is slowly replacing Florida as the haven for training tennis prodigies. Of the 17 Americans who played singles yesterday, eight hail from Georgia or are now training in the Peachtree State. The contingent includes Robby Ginepri, Victoria Duval, Donald Young, Melanie Oudin, Jamie Hampton, Bobby Reynolds, Samantha Crawford and Mallory Burdette.

Russian Dressing

Maria Sharapova lit up the Ashe Stadium at dusk in the last day afternoon match as the 6-foot-2 third-seeded Russian breezed past Melinda Czink 6-2, 6-2, in a very short, muted-pink Nike tennis dress with a gray pattern across the middle (see left). Sharapova has a new candy out called “Sugarpova.’’ How sweet it is.

Upset of the day

Qualifier Kristyna Pliskova, ranked 126th in the world, pulled the biggest shocker, defeating No. 18 seed Julia Goerges, 7-6 (4), 6-1.

It was the 20-year-old Czech’s second career Grand Slam victory.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

‘They’re here just to see that match. They may also be here just for a night of enjoying cocktails, so they have more energy and are pretty rowdy. You have to give them your best. They will get on you if you’re not.’

TODAY’S FEATURED MATCHES

Arthur Ashe Stadium, afternoon

Andy Roddick (20) vs. Rhyne Williams

Venus Williams vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands

Louis Armstrong Stadium, afternoon

Francesca Schiavone (22) vs. Sloane Stephens

Grandstand, after 3:30 p.m.

Christina McHale (21) vs. Kiki Bertens

Arthur Ashe Stadium, 7 p.m.

Novak Djokovic (2) vs. Paolo Lorenzi

Serena Williams (4) vs. CoCo Vandeweghe

TODAY’S TV SCHEDULE

Tennis Channel, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

ESPN2, 1-11 p.m.