Despite common belief, tennis does continue to be played outside of Wimbledon and today brought the opening day's play in this year's US Open at Flushing Meadows. The home interest is obviously 2012 champion Andy Murray who will begin the defence of his title against France's tricky vet Michael Llodra. That match is expected on Wednesday. However, it was a great first day for the Brits, as the unheralded qualifier Dan Evans (179th in the world) took a big first round scalp in the shape of 11th seed Kei Nishikori and Laura Robson also progressed to the second round in straight sets. In the men's singles other things to watch will be Nadal's first proper test of his knee on hardcourts since his comeback from serious injury, Djokovic's pursuit of a second major in 2013 and Federer's continued attempts to win another slam late in his career. Outside the big four can Grigor Dimitrov and Bernard Tomic, often cited as the next gen, start to deliver results on their undoubted talent, will Tommy Haas continue playing some of the best tennis of his life well into the Autumn of his career, and will any of the top ten, Del Potro perhaps after finding great form at Wimbledon and who won this slam in 2009, put an unstoppable run together? For the women there will be a lot of focus on the top players, S. Williams, Azarenka, Stosur, Li Na, Wozniaki, hoping to go deep into the draw after collectively quite a poor Wimbledon. And there will also be attention given to the bright young things, players such as Sloane Stephens, Genie Bouchard, Madison Keys and Robson all of whom will want to continue making an impact. Of course the big story pre-tourny was Sharapova pulling out and also hoping to change her name for the tournament to 'Sugarpova' in an effort to promote her line of sweets.
