Anderson Surges Into USO Fourth Round; More Coaching Updates; Recommended Reads

Kevin Anderson was one of Friday’s big winners at the US Open with the former Illini rolling into the fourth round with a sound straight set win over Croatia’s Borna Coric. The opening set was the closest of the three with Anderson only winning three more points than Coric but the South African cashed in his one break opportunity to close out the set 6-4.

After not facing any break points in the first set, Anderson would face five in his 2-2 service game in the second set. Anderson managed to come all the way back from 0/40 down to get the hold and then three games later he’d break Coric from 30/40 to go up 5-3. Anderson held at love to take the second 6-3.

In the third set, Anderson broke Coric from 15/40 to go up 2-1 and he’d add one more break in a one-deuce game to go up 5-2. Anderson served it out from 40/30 with a service winner to take it 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 49 minutes. Anderson’s career best result at a grand slam came in 2015 when he made the quarters in Flushing Meadow and he now sits one win away from equaling that result. Next up is Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi (ATP 40) with Anderson leading the H2H 3-0 including a straight set win on clay this past May in Geneva. 

The University of Connecticut (American Conf) announced the hiring of Reinaldo Valor as the new men’s head tennis coach. Valor was most recently the head men’s and women’s coach at the Savannah College of Art & Design (NAIA) from 2013 to 2016 and was named the ITA National Coach of the Year in 2016. Valor left the program last fall to become head tennis pro at the Cheval Golf & Athletic Club in Tampa but the lure of a Division I job was enough to get him back into the collegiate ranks. Valor replaces Michael Louis who resigned in July after four seasons with the Huskies going 25-61 (.291). Below are some quotes from UConn’s release:

“I’m elated to become the next head men’s tennis coach for the Huskies,” stated Valor. “We have a talented group of young men and are looking forward to improving upon last season’s success.”

“Moving forward my goal is to challenge these players to help take the program to new heights and continue the momentum with a strong recruiting class for 2018-19 season,” Valor said. “I would like to thank Athletic Director David Benedict and the entire interview committee for selecting me to lead this fine program. In addition, a special thanks to Director of Tennis Glenn Marshall for believing in my passion to improve the men’s tennis program. “

Wagner College (Northeast Conf) named Anett Ferenczi-Bako as the new women’s head coach. Ferenczi-Bako played at UNLV from 2011 to 2015 and then served in Wagner’s athletic department last season while working on her masters degree. Ferenczi-Bako replaces Aida Castany who departs after one season. 

College of Charleston (Colonial) named Robb Stone as the new men’s and women’s assistant coach. Stone replaces Oliver Reynolds who was named the head men’s and women’s coach at Washington College (Maryland).

University of Georgia’s women’s associate head coach Drake Bernstein was reinstated on Friday after being suspended for the last four months due to an ongoing police investigation into a prescription drug theft. 

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Below are some good pieces that I’ve read or watched over the last week that I believe are worth your time.  

LA Times article & USA Today article about Jennifer Brady – both talk about her time at UCLA

Danielle Lao wrote about her experience at the US Open in her blog The Little Giant 

The Undefeated article about Chris Eubanks 

New York Times article about NCAA singles champion Brienne Minor

World Tennis Q&A, New York Times article, Tennis Channel video interview, BBC audio interview all with recent Virginia graduate JC Aragone

Newsday article about Hofstra junior Marcus Smith serving as a US Open practice partner

Cronkite News article about the Arizona State’s Benjamin Hannestad 

Texas Tech video feature on Connor Curry and his brother Chase

Game Set Match Q&A with former Virginia Tech Hokie Patrick Daciek 

Tennis Recruiting Network article about former New Mexico tennis player Brent Salazar