Paolini wins in straight sets

Jessica Pegula has taken the first set 6-3 against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Putintseva 3-6, 4-5 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

So Putintseva must hold here or she will be knocked out. The pressure is not showing as she quickly gets to 30-0, she hits a shot out to give Paolini light in this game. The longest rally of the match sees Putintseva forcing a shot to level the game 30-30. Putintseva wins the next point and she holds with a well placed shot. She must break next.

Putintseva* 3-6, 3-5 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

Paolini has won all 12 matches in majors this year when she wins the first set, she is on track to keep that record going. She races to a 30-0 lead in her service game. Putintseva hits the net twice for Paolini to hold.

After a medical timeout Putintseva is okay to continue, she had a toe wrapped in a bandage but she can play on here. It is being said by the commentators that she has blisters.

Botic van de Zandschulp and Jack Draper are now out on court and their match will begin soon, I will keep you up to date with the early stages there but we will stay with Paolini and Putintseva.

The physio has been called to the court with Putintseva needing some attention here. It looks like a problem with her foot, hopefully she is okay.

Putintseva 3-6, 3-4 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

Paolini has some errors in the early stages of this game and Putintseva gets to a 30-0 lead. It is key she holds here. She sews up this game quickly and she remains in this match.

Putintseva* 3-6, 2-4 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

If Putintseva could break here it would be perfect, it would get her back in this set that she must win. 30-30, Paolini pops a shot long and Putintseva has break point. She then smacks her racquet on her leg as her return hits the net and so we go to deuce. She quickly gets another break point but she lets the opportunity pass her by with a long shot. A long rally ends with a stunning shot which has the crowd in rapturous applause. Can she close out the game here? No she can’t, she pops a shot long and we’re back to deuce. An out call comes from a Putintseva shot and she puts in a challenge but it is one millimetre out, so much frustration for her. But Paolini cannot close out the game and back to deuce we go, this is insane! Paolini then holds.

Putintseva 3-6, 2-3 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

Putintseva records the first ace of the match, Paolini challenged the call but it was in. She races to a hold, exactly what she needed at this point.

Muchova through to next round

Putintseva* 3-6, 1-3 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

What a beautiful shot from Putintseva, she comes to the net and sends the ball into the right hand corner. 15-15, Putintseva perfectly orchestrates a point but she can’t execute the final shot as it goes out. Crushing. She looks depleted as Paolini gets to 40-15 and she holds.

Muchova has taken the first set 6-4 and lead 5-2 in the second against Potapova.

Machac has taken the second set 6-1 after winning the first 6-3.

Putintseva 3-6, 1-2 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

Cleverly played shots from both players but Paolini gets the upper hand in this game at 30-15. The Italian seems more comfortable in this match now but Putintseva is still fighting, it is quite the match! But Paolini lands a blow early on here as she takes the upper hand and turns it into a break.

Putintseva* 3-6, 1-1 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

Paolini gets to 30-0 , she looks a lot more settled on her serve in this set. She comes close to the net and hits it with her shot, she apologises but also gets to 40-0. The Italian then seals a perfect opening service set to the second set.

Putintseva 3-6, 1-0 Paolini*(*denotes the next server)

Paolini gets to a 30-15 lead in the first game of the second set. Putintseva needs to hold to not give the Italian any advantage in this set – one Putintseva needs to win. She looks to hold but she forces the ball out and so we’re at deuce again. She wins advantage but she has another error on her backhand, she is starting to look really frustrated at the amount of errors she is forcing. Advantage goes Putintseva’s way once more but she smacks the net, she drops her racquet in disbelief and waves her arms in the air. Putintseva gets ahead again, can she hold now? Yes she can!

There is a real battle taking place between Goffin and Machac but the Czech player has taken the first set 6-3.

Paolini takes first set. Putintseva* 3-6 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

Wow, what a way to open a serve game. A deftly hit drop shot but she follows it up with a long shot so we are 15-15. A double fault gives Putintseva the lead in this game but she then throws her racquet to the floor twice as she has two errors to gift Paolini set point. She gets it and shouts in delight.

Putintseva 3-5 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

We have new balls for this game. Paolini approaches the net after a rally and times it perfectly to pop a ball in the top left corner. A looping ball comes to Paolini and she smashes it past Putintseva but the Italian has not had this game all her own way, we are 30-30 now. Putintseva shouts as her shot hit the net, giving Paolini break point. And she gets it on the first time of asking, this is huge. She will now serve for the set.

Putintseva* 3-4 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

The crowd are getting really into this one and the umpire has had to tell them to be quiet during play. At 30-15 to Putintseva looks to find a way into this set and she has great reflexes to return a shot and has break point. But Paolini beats Putintseva in the right hand corner, Putintseva shouts to herself for not returning that one. But she wins the next point to break, what a battle this is.

Putintseva 2-4 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

This is a great opportunity for Putintseva to land another blow to Paolini, a hold here will completely cancel out her earlier break. Paolini wants to maintain the advantage and plays well to get to 30-0. Putintseva lobs the ball and Paolini jumps but cannot return it and another clever shot from the Italian sees it 30-30. This battle has really cranked up a few gears as we head to deuce again, Putintseva plays the right shot but there’s too much power it and Paolini gets the break! WOW.

Goffin has been broken by Machac with the Czech player having a 4-2 lead in the first set.

Muchova also has a break advantage, leading Potpova 4-3 in the first set.

Putintseva* 2-3 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

A loose ball goes out from Paolini but then Putintseva does the same, 15-15. Another error from Paolini but she corrects it with a beautiful volley, 30-30 here now. Putintseva roars with delight as she gets around Paolini to have break point but the Italian controls the next point completely to take it to deuce. Putintseva gets advantage and another break point but Paolini pops the shot in the left corner with Putintseva anticipating it to come on the right, deuce it is. Again Putinseva gets advantage, can she break this time? No she can’t! A rally ends with a clever forehand winner and we’re back to deuce. Putintseva gets to the position again but she can’t turn the screw, she won’t get too many of these chances so she has to take them. She has yet another break point and this time she takes it! What a point.

Putintseva 1-3 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

Putintseva needs a clean hold just to get a grip on this set. She wins the first point but Paolini levels at 15-15 but Putintseva then races t 40-15, can she wrap it up? Not yet, a double fault gifts Paolini a point but then the Italian pushes the ball too far.

Putintseva* 0-3 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

Paolini controls the opening of the third game but Putintseva is finding pockets of great play, if she can be more consistent in her play she will challenge Paolini. This time though the Italian races to take the game.

Elsewhere, David Goffin is leading Tomas Machac 2-1 in the first set. And Karolina Muchova and Anastasia Potapova are level at 2-2 in the first set.

Putintseva 0-2 Paolini* (*denotes the next server)

Putintseva’s serve is good but she sends a return out, a great forehand winner from Paolini and Putintseva then hits the net to give Paolini break point. She doesn’t take it on the first time of asking and she can’t on the second time either with a well worked point from Putintseva to take it to deuce. She gets the advantage after Paolini smacks the net, Putintseva then slips and almost does the splits on the return which goes out – deuce we go again. Deuce and back as these two setting into this game and Paolini then gets her first advantage and she seals it to break.

Putintseva* 0-1 Paolini (*denotes the next server)

We are underway in this one and Paolini is serving first. Putintseva’s return on the first serve is out and a drop shot then hits the net, Paolini starting the game perfectly – racing to a 40-0 lead in the first game. She then pushes a shot too long to give her opponent some light in this game. Then Putintseva has some absolutely stunning tennis to march Paolini across the court to get to 40-30 but the Italian then seals it.

The ball people are holding a towel in one hand and scraping the rest along the floor to get rid of the water that did get on the court before the roof was closed.

The pair are getting their warm-up underway.

There have been some shocks in this year’s US Open and another was delivered yesterday with Novak Djokovic knocked out by Alexei Popryn. Have a read of the report below:

There is a slight delay to the start of the game as they are closing the roof as it is a rainy day in New York.

First up we will be focusing on Jasmine Paolini’s match against Yulia Putintseva. I will be bringing you all the updates from the other courts too!

The pair are now preparing to get going.

Preamble