2014 U.S. Open Awards

 The 2014 grand slam season has come to a close, and it didn’t come without some surprises. Serena played the first three majors, coming away with only six victories. There were three first-time finalists in Dominika Cibulkova (Australian Open), Simona Halep (French Open), and Eugenie Bouchard (Wimbledon). Based on the events that have transpired at the majors this year; in addition to the current, transitioning state of women’s tennis, the early upsets of top players, as well as the historic breakthroughs by young players were expected to continue at the U.S. Open.   

At the conclusion of the fortnight, tennis fans saw a familiar face achieve history, along with several unrecognizable faces making a statement about what people can expect on the horizon. The 2014 U.S. Open did not disappoint in terms of drama-filled matches and stunning upsets. Now that a champion has been crowned, and play has concluded, it is time to bestow select individuals distinction for their efforts (or lack thereof), during the 2014 U.S. Open. Furthermore, here are the individuals I deemed worthy of a U.S. Open Award.     

Student of The Month: Serena Williams

Outside of the majors this year, Serena Williams has been hands down been the best player in the world. The world number one has won five titles, including the premier events in Miami and Rome. Conversely, the success at the smaller WTA events did not carry over into the first three majors of the year. At the Australian Open, Williams was eliminated in a tough three setter by the resurgent Serbian Ana Ivanovic. In Paris, Garbiné Muguruza handed Williams her worst grand slam loss, beating the American in under an hour. Lastly, the world number one suffered a shocking third-round loss to Alize Cornet. Furthermore, heading into the summer hard court swing, there was a lot of doubt regarding Serena Williams’ game.

As the U.S. Open Series progressed, the belief whether Williams could capture her 18^th major title in New York gradually increased. Following Williams’s bizarre exit at Wimbledon, I thought there was little chance she would win her third consecutive U.S. Open. However, the match that completely changed my outlook on Serena, and the U.S. Open, was the championship match in Cincinnati. In their fourth meeting of 2014, Williams took on Ana Ivanovic, and displayed the aggressive-style of tennis that has helped her dominate women’s tennis over the past few years. Heading into the U.S. Open, Serena Williams was hands down my favorite to win the title.

Through the first six rounds of the tournament, Serena Williams exhibited nothing but confidence. The strain and anxiety, which plagued Williams during the first three majors this year, were a distance memory. In her semifinal match against first-time semifinalist, Ekaterina Makarova, the world number one played the best tennis I have seen since she captured the title in Brisbane in January. Even though Williams was set to play Caroline Wozniacki, an opponent who pushed the American to three sets in their two meetings this summer, Williams seemed poised to make history.

After a shaky first set from the American, where she was broken twice, Williams took complete control of the match in the second. The world number one never appeared threatened by the Dane, who was playing in her second career grand slam final. In fact, it wasn’t until well into the second that Wozniacki hit her first groundstroke winner. Even with the tighter score line in the second set, Williams was able to use her biggest weapon, the serve, to race to her sixth-career U.S. Open title. Did the memories of the 2013 final where Serena Williams failed to serve out the match twice in the second set against Victoria Azarenka? Yes. However, with all the matches that Serena Williams had played coming into the U.S. Open, as well as the dominant form she exhibited in the previous six rounds, I had little doubt Williams would close out the match in straight sets.

Based on her historic run at the 2014 U.S. Open, I bestow Serena Williams with the Student of the Month Award.

Most Improved: Caroline Wozniacki

In 2010,Caroline Wozniacki sat atop of women’s tennis. During the 67 weeks Wozniacki spent at number one in the world, the Danish superstar captured six titles including Indian Wells, Dubai, Charleston and New Haven. However, following Wozniacki’s successful 2011 campaign, it has been nothing but a tough road for the Dane. In a span of eight months, Wozniacki’s ranking fell from No. 1 to No. 11 (finished 2012 ranked No.10).

Much of the Dane’s fall from grace can be attributed to the lack of a huge weapon, as well as inconsistent play at the bigger WTA events. However, at the start of this year’s U.S. Open series, I noticed a new and improved Caroline Wozniacki. Once again coached by her father Piotr Wozniacki, the Dane appeared to have worked on two areas of her game, the serve and court positioning. Prior to this summer, a typical Wozniacki match consisted of the Dane standing well behind the baseline, relying heavily on her foot speed and defensive skills to wear down opponents. Now, the world number 9 is more committed to playing on or inside the baseline.

The first indication of her new, more aggressive game plan was against Serena Williams in Montreal. Even though Wozniacki cannot compete with Williams off the ground, the former world number one used her foot speed to gain the upper hand in rallies. Her improved first serve also gave Williams trouble, providing the Dane with much needed free points. As a result of this game plan, Wozniacki nearly defeated Williams in both Montreal and Cincinnati.

Heading into the U.S. Open, Caroline Wozniacki was one of my tournament dark horses. However, the match that presented a huge test for the resurgent Dane was her Round of 16 encounter with Maria Sharapova. Much to my surprise, Wozniacki handled the breezy conditions and Sharapova’s pace of shot beautifully. In fact, Wozniacki was often times the aggressor, striking the ball from well inside the baseline. When the Dane conquered the 2006 champion in three well-contested sets, she became my favorite in the decimated bottom half of the draw.

Even though Wozniacki was unable to capture her first grand slam title, the former world number one made two big statements at this year’s U.S. Open. One, she exhibited the ability to play more aggressively, and do it successfully. Second and more importantly, her run in New York put her back in the conversation of contenders at the majors. In conclusion, it is my honor to present the Most Improved Award to Caroline Wozniacki.       

Biggest Disappointment(s): Sloane Stephens/ Madison Keys 

After successful 2013 seasons, a high level of expectation was placed on Americans Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys. As we all know, Stephens began 2013 with a semifinal run at the Australian Open, defeating Serena Williams along the way. Keys on the other hand, made the third round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. At season’s end, Stephens and Keys were ranked No. 11 and No. 37 respectively.

Prior to the U.S Open, I predicted big things for both women. Stephens and Keys’ were coming off disappointing losses at Wimbledon, with Stephens losing in the opening round and Keys having to retire from her third round match. Conversely, both women’s games are well suited for the hard courts, specially the hard courts at the U.S. Open. Furthermore, after sub-par U.S. Open Series results, I expected a turnaround at the final major of the year.

Luckily for Stephens and Keys, the draw gods appeared to be kind to the young Americans. Stephens, seeded 21^st, was drawn into the top quarter of the bottom half of the draw. The quarter, which was by far the weakest, possessed top players Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Jelena Jankovic. Stephens cruised through her opening round match against Germany’s Annika Beck, and looked poised for another deep run at a major. However, after fighting to a 7-5 3-0 lead against Johanna Larsson in her second round encounter, the wheels fell off for the young American. Stephens would lose 12 of the next 15 games, committing 63 unforced errors in the 2 hour and 13 minute match.  The loss ended what was a disappointing grand slam season for Stephens. The American only made the second week twice at the Australian Open and the French Open.

Madison Keys found herself in the second quarter of the draw, with top seeds Petra Kvitova, Dominika Cibulkova, and Eugenie Bouchard. Despite having both Wimbledon finalists and the Australian Open finalist in this section, I found this quarter winnable for the 19-year-old for several reasons. One, Petra Kvitova struggles to find her game on the American hard courts. Two, since making their first grand slam finals, both Cibulkova and Bouchard have failed to regain their form. Keys started her U.S. Open campaign strongly with a win over the always-dangerous Jarmila Gajdosova. Unfortunately for the American, she would face one of the Cinderella’s of the 2014 U.S. Open, Aleksandra Krunic, in the next round. Like her compatriot Stephens, Keys struggled with her consistency, and committed 60 unforced errors in her tough three set loss to the young Serbian.

Was I unrealistic in my expectations of Stephens and Keys, given their mediocre results since Wimbledon? Maybe. However, both players seem to bring their best form to the majors. Also, the weakness of their respective sections presented a huge opportunity for both. Unfortunately, neither was able to capitalize on what turned out to be a decimation of the seeded players. Given the events that transpired during the fortnight at Flushing Meadows, I hereby present the Biggest Disappointment Award to Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys.

Rising Star(s): Belinda Bencic/Cici Bellis

While the 2014 U.S. Open saw a veteran capture the title, the year’s final major provided a glimpse into the future of women’s tennis. Seventeen-year-old Belinda Bencic and 15-year-old Cici Bellis, became household names with their performances at Flushing Meadows. Women’s tennis has been desperately awaiting the arrival of the next superstar. Bencic and Bellis both made strong cases as to why they are players to watch going forward.

Bencic, who I named as one of the juniors to watch, has had a successful year on tour, given her limited playing capabilities. Beginning the year ranked No. 212, the former top junior in the world has quickly ascended up the rankings. Following her semifinal run at the Family Circle Cup in April, Bencic cracked the Top 100 at No. 91. Ever since her run in Charleston, the 17-year-old has suffered mostly first or second round losses, with the exception being a third round showing at Wimbledon. However, Bencic’s performance in New York highlighted the potential of the young Swiss.

Playing in her first U.S. Open as a professional, Belinda Bencic proved to be a giant killer, taking down three seeds en route to her first career major quarterfinal. In the very first round, Bencic eliminated former world No. 11 and U.S. Open semifinalist, Yanina Wickmayer. Following the 17-year-old’s upset of No. 31 seed Kurumi Nara came her biggest upset. Facing Angelique Kerber, the No. 6 seed, Bencic put on a glorious display, eliminating another former U.S. Open semifinalist in straight sets. In the round of 16, the Swiss faced the former world number one, Jelena Jankovic. Despite falling behind early against the veteran Serb, Bencic exhibited great maturity and poise for someone just 17 years of age. What impressed me most about Bencic’s straight sets victory over Jankovic was not how well she struck the ball, but rather the mental fortitude she exhibited given the pressure of playing in her first career round of 16. As a result of her quarterfinal showing, Bencic’s ranking rose to No. 33, just outside being seeded at a major. If the 2014 U.S. Open is a sign of things to come, the future is very bright for the 17-year-old Swiss.

Over the years, the U.S. Open has been host to several sweetheart stories. At the 2014 edition of the event, the story came from youngster Cici Bellis. Just 15 years of age, Bellis captured the 18-and-under title at the U.S. Nationals prior to the U.S. Open. As a result of her victory, the young American received a wildcard into the main draw of the women’s event.

In her first round match, Bellis faced No. 12 seed, and Australian Open finalist, Dominika Cibulkova. When the draw was released, I expected a simple match for Cibulkova. However, the match turned out to be just the opposite. Bellis began the match strongly, taking the first set from Cibulkova, 6-1. As expected, the experienced Slovak fought back to take the second set 6-4.

On most occasions, I expect the less experienced player to succumb to the pressure of a third and deciding set. However, with camera crews flocking to the non-camera court, the young American put on a show, striking winner after winner against her speedy opponent. Showing no signs of nerves despite being down an early break, Bellis would grab the lead for the first time in the set at 5-4. In what turned out to be the final game of the match, Bellis played aggressively, striking three winners and forcing an error from Cibulkova. With the win, Bellis became the youngest player since Anna Kournikova to win a match at the U.S. Open.    

At the start of every major, I look forward to seeing which young player(s) will make a breakthrough. Each of the three previous majors had a player make their first grand slam final. Even though there wasn’t another first time finalist at the final major of the year, the 2014 U.S. Open saw Belinda Bencic and Cici Bellis have their respective Cinderella stories. Both players proved that they are players to watch in the coming years. Lastly, it is my distinct pleasure to give the Rising Star Award to both Belinda Bencic and Cici Bellis.         

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