The Year of the Qualifier at the Grand Slams?
The 2010 U.S. Open has witnessed a lot of impressive results by qualifiers and also a couple wildcards. There has not been a Melanie Oudin run at the U.S. Open this year, but American qualifier, Ryan Harrison, and American wildcard, Beatrice Capra, came very
close. All in all, nine of the sixteen women who came through the qualifying tournament, reached at least the second round, and two wildcards, Capra and Frenchwoman, Virginie Razzano, reached the third round. On the men’s side, seven of the sixteen men who came through qualies, reached at least the second round. At the same time, three wildcards reached the second round with James Blake advancing to the third round where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
In contrast, at the other Slams, the numbers were generally lower. At the Australian Open, seven male qualifiers and four female qualifiers reached the second round. At the French Open, six men and five women, including one lucky loser, reached the second round after qualifying. At Wimbledon, nine men, including one lucky loser, and eight women, including one lucky loser, who qualified, progressed to the second round.
In a way, it’s not surprising that players coming through the qualies could have some success in the main draw. Qualifiers have the confidence that comes from having won a few matches in the qualies. However, qualifiers have already logged several sets/matches and some, like Kei Nishikori, who retired in his third round match, can become more fatigued if they progress into the main draw and have some tough, long matches.
Success at the Grand Slams can be very important for a player’s career, both in the short-term and the long-term. In terms of points earned, reaching the second round of a Grand Slam can have a huge impact on a player’s ranking and allow him/her to potentially gain direct entry into the main draw at future Grand Slams.
In contrast, at the other Slams, the numbers were generally lower. At the Australian Open, seven male qualifiers and four female qualifiers reached the second round. At the French Open, six men and five women, including one lucky loser, reached the second round after qualifying. At Wimbledon, nine men, including one lucky loser, and eight women, including one lucky loser, who qualified, progressed to the second round.
In a way, it’s not surprising that players coming through the qualies could have some success in the main draw. Qualifiers have the confidence that comes from having won a few matches in the qualies. However, qualifiers have already logged several sets/matches and some, like Kei Nishikori, who retired in his third round match, can become more fatigued if they progress into the main draw and have some tough, long matches.
Success at the Grand Slams can be very important for a player’s career, both in the short-term and the long-term. In terms of points earned, reaching the second round of a Grand Slam can have a huge impact on a player’s ranking and allow him/her to potentially gain direct entry into the main draw at future Grand Slams.
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