The United States and the Czech Republic each produced six winners in the opening round of US Open qualifying, but they got there in very different ways.
That curious contrast told much of the story across the first three days in New York.
Seven Americans advanced from a huge 20-player contingent, but 14 were eliminated, leaving the host nation with a success rate of just 30 percent. The Czech Republic was considerably more efficient: six of its eight players survived, giving it perhaps the strongest national performance of the first round when both volume and success rate are considered.
Japan, Spain and Great Britain were even more clinical percentage-wise, each putting four of five players into the next round.
Czech Republic Leads the First-Round Standouts
The Czech strength went considerably deeper than one or two names.
Linda Fruhvirtova beat Polina Kudermetova 6-1, 6-3, Dominika Salkova survived Akasha Urhobo 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, Gabriela Knutson defeated Varvara Lepchenko 6-1, 7-5 and Vendula Valdmannova saw off Maria Lourdes Carle 6-3, 6-3.
Lucie Havlickova added a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Elizara Yaneva, while alternate Anna Siskova came through a difficult match against Germany’s Noma Noha Akugue 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Only two of the eight Czech players who actually took the court failed to advance.
The American picture was almost the reverse. The depth of the home entry meant the United States still finished with a first-round-high six winners, including Julieta Pareja, Madison Brengle, Robin Montgomery, Mary Stoiana, Elvina Kalieva and Kristina Penickova.
But 20 Americans started. Fourteen are already gone.
First-Round Qualifying by Country
| Country | Started | Won | Lost | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 20 | 6 | 14 | 30.0% |
| Czech Republic | 8 | 6 | 2 | 75.0% |
| Japan | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80.0% |
| Spain | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80.0% |
| Great Britain | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80.0% |
Andreescu Makes an Impressive Start but Gets No Free Pass
One of the most recognizable names in qualifying had considerably less trouble than many around her.
Bianca Andreescu defeated Eva Vedder 6-1, 6-2, producing one of the cleaner first-round victories in the draw.
The Canadian now faces a much more intriguing test against Veronika Podrez of Ukraine.
Podrez showed exactly why that cannot be treated as a routine qualifying match when she eliminated American Caroline Dolehide 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. Recovering from a love set and still winning the decider makes her an awkward next assignment for Andreescu.
Andreescu is therefore through comfortably, but the route from here immediately becomes less comfortable.
Zheng Qinwen Is Back Winning, With Burel Waiting
Qinwen Zheng also negotiated her opening match in straight sets, defeating compatriot Xiaodi You 6-3, 6-2.
Her next opponent is Clara Burel, and that is hardly the sort of second-round draw a big name would choose.
The Frenchwoman was equally convincing in her opener, beating Ye-Xin Ma 6-4, 6-2.
Zheng may carry the bigger name into the match, but Burel arrives having already demonstrated that she is comfortable in these conditions and required only two sets to move on.
For both Andreescu and Zheng, the first hurdle was negotiated cleanly. The second looks considerably higher.
Japan, Spain and Britain Quietly Clean Up
Away from the headline names, three countries produced remarkably similar first-round records.
Japan advanced four of five through Mai Hontama, Himeno Sakatsume, Nao Hibino and Moyuka Uchijima. Only Haruna Kinoshita was eliminated.
Spain matched that 4-1 record through Andrea Lazaro Garcia, Angela Fita Boluda, Marina Bassols Ribera and Guiomar Maristany Zuleta de Reales.
Great Britain did the same. Heather Watson, Katie Swan, Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones advanced, with Jodie Burrage the lone British player to fall.
All three therefore finished the round with an 80 percent conversion rate, the best percentage among the five nations sending at least four players through.
America Has Numbers, but the Czech Republic Has Momentum
Six American wins initially looks like domination.
Twenty American starters changes the picture.
The host nation still has six players left, level with the Czech Republic, but losing two out of every three entrants in the opening round makes that advantage far less imposing.
The Czech Republic’s six from eight is the stronger collective performance.
And with Andreescu and Zheng now heading into difficult second-round assignments against Podrez and Burel, qualifying is already beginning to narrow from a sprawling opening field into something much less forgiving.
The first round rewarded depth.
The next one starts asking much harder questions.