US Open Delivers Action and Atmosphere

With a straight-sets rout of American wildcard Bobby Reynolds in the opening round, Nadal in his skin-tight, sleeveless red shirt and black toreador pants unleashed fiery flashes reminiscent of a young Jimmy Connors. And the crowd loved every minute of it.

Hopefully, the US Open crowd will get to see more of Nadal then they did during his first two go-rounds in Flushing, where he was knocked out each time by the second round. Interestingly, the crowd will be a factor should Nadal eventually meet up with American Andy Roddick, and there is no guarantee that Roddick will be the people’s choice in that dream match-up.

After winning his match against Reynolds, Nadal dropped dramatically to his knees and bounced to his feet, punching the air with a left-handed uppercut just as Connors and McEnroe used to do. This guy certainly knows how to win over the US crowds.

Hopefully as the men’s field thins through to the later rounds, Nadal will still be playing along with Roger Federer and Andy Roddick because these are the guys who will sell tennis in the United States.