U.S. Open Daily: Day 12 Preview
| By Anthony Pastecchi
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Day 12 of the 2011 U.S. Open kicks off today at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with some American men's singles action in Arthur Ashe Stadium beginning at noon EST. American John Isner, the 28-seed. will be playing the number four seed Andy Murray of Scotland in the quarterfinals, where in previous meetings, Murray has defeated Isner on two other occasions. Murray defeated American Donald Young in the fourth round in straight sets yesterday to advance to today's quarterfinals and Isner defeated the 12-seed Gilles Simon of France in a close four-setter to advance.
Following the Isner-Murray match, another American, 21st-seeded Andy Roddick, will go up against the Spaniard powerhouse Rafael Nadal, the number two seed, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Roddick has met Nadal on nine other occasions where he trails with an overall win record of 3-6. Roddick does look stronger than in the past, regaining his serving power and having strong motivation to go up against U.S. Open officials along with proclaiming a need for a player's union and changes to the tournament format. It seems that Roddick may have a new flame burning inside to give a close match against Nadal with an American victory possible in front of a supportive crowd. But regardless of Roddick's drive, he must not forget that Nadal is currently ranked number two in the world.
Rounding out the day at Ashe is the Mixed-Doubles Finals between the underdog American duo of Melanie Oudin & Jack Sock competing against Argentina's team of Gisela Dulko & Eduardo Schwank, the number eight seeds. The duo of Oudin & Sock knocked out the top-seeded and defending champion team of Bob Bryan & Liezel Huber in the second round en route to the finals. Coming into the final, Oudin said, "Any Grand Slam final you get to is a great achievement, especially because mixed-doubles is probably the last thing I thought I'd get to the finals in, personally."
Merrick, N.Y.'s Noah Rubin will be competing at the 2011 Junior U.S. Open this year, where he is partnered with fellow countryman, Gage Brymer of Irvine, Calif., playing in the Boy's Doubles first round on Court Four at 11:00 a.m. today.
Matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are set to begin at noon on Ashe with outside court matches beginning at 11:00 a.m. For full schedule of play for Day 12, click here.