US Open: Julia Görges fights her way into round two

Wimbledon semi-finalist Julia Görges fought her way into the second round of the US Open with more problems than expected. The world ranking ninth from Bad Oldesloe prevailed against the 19-year-old qualifier Anna Kalinskaya from Russia after 2:12 hours 6:2, 6:7 (5:7), 6:2.

On Wednesday Görges meets Kalinskaya’s countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova.

Tatjana Maria (31) also won her opening match in New York before Görges (29). The Fed Cup player from Bad Saulgau won 6-3, 6-3 against former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) and in the second round Maria will face the seventh seeded Ukrainian Jelena Switolina.

Görges had reached the semi-finals in New Haven last week; she herself spoke of the optimal preparation for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. Against Kalinskaya it looked like a clear success for a long time before Görges’ error rate increased in the second set. Thanks to their strong serve (17 aces) and greater experience, however, victory in the third round was no longer in danger.

A total of six German players qualified for the main draw in New York. On Tuesday Angelique Kerber (Kiel/No. 4) intervenes in the action. The Wimbledon winner will play Margarita Gasparjan from Russia. Andrea Petkovic (Darmstadt) and Laura Siegemund (Metzingen) are also only in action on the second day of the tournament.