US Open SmashTalk: digesting Sharapova v Halep

The 2017 US Open began with a bang on Monday, featuring an electric bout between Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep under lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In a match many say felt more like a final than a first-rounder, Sharapova walked away a three-set victor, announcing her return to the Grand Slam stage while raising questions of world No.2 Halep’s mental strength.

REPORT: Sharapova scores statement win over Halep

We discuss this in our first US Open Smashtalk of the tournament, as well as previewing the best of what’s to come on Day 2.

Agree or disagree with our panel? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

What is the biggest takeaway from the Sharapova v Halep first-round result?

Moore: That Simona Halep will never be a bona fide world beater. Yes, it was a rubbish draw (more on that in the next question), but if Simona is going to ever be No.1 or win a Grand Slam, she needs to be able to beat Maria at the moment. That she couldn’t – and that she was playing catch up from the start – shows how far off the very top she really is.

FEATURE: Halep falls short … yet again

Christie: For all the glamour that she brings to tennis, Maria Sharapova is all about grit. Until now, it’s been the element missing to a comeback that seemed dangerously short. Typical, really, that Sharapova would make such a statement win on the biggest stage in tennis.  As the winner of a first-round match that seemed like a final, Sharapova regained some much-needed spark.

Trollope: The star power of Sharapova. Almost 24,000 fans streamed through the gates for the night session headlined by Sharapova and Halep – a sellout crowd. And the match delivered in so many ways. All of Sharapova’s power, grit and grunts were on display, as well as her renowned glamour, with the Russian’s custom-designed, tennis-meets-catwalk, crystal-and-black-lace number generating almost as much conversation as her performance. It was an electric atmosphere on Ashe and she came away with the win on the biggest stage. As she often does.

SAY WHAT? US Open Day 1 quotes

Rogers: All credit to Maria for playing exceptionally well – but it is alarming that Simona has failed on a big occasion, yet again. The Romanian’s self-belief isn’t quite at the level it should be and there are big mental strength improvements she needs to make if she is ever to fulfil her potential.

Who was the worst loser on Day 1?

Moore: Simona Halep, who else? Like I said before, yes it was a rubbish draw. But this is a woman five points (5) off the world No.1 spot. She was playing another woman who has played one competitive match since May. After Sharapova lost the first point of the match, Halep was always playing catch up. She needed that win, she couldn’t deliver, and it simply underlines her big match fragility.

Christie: It’s not technically a surprise that Jack Sock would lose to the highly capable Aussie Jordan Thompson, also a winner of their only other match in Davis Cup. The worry is that after starting 2017 with wins at Auckland and Delray Beach, all of Sock’s early-season momentum seems lost. After fighting his way back into a fifth set against Thompson, this could have been an important turning point for the home favourite; instead, Sock notched his fifth opening-round loss for 2017.

DAY 1 WRAP: Sharapova wins thriller, Cilic up and running

Trollope: Johanna Konta. The Brit was in with a shot at the No.1 ranking and has enjoyed a great season in 2017. But despite being the seventh seed at a tournament where she has performed strongly before (she reached the last 16 in her two previous visits) she flopped against the world No.78, even after winning the first set.

Rogers: Ana Konjuh. The No.21 seed started promisingly against rising Australian Ash Barty, but imploded to lose 16 of the final 19 games. After a breakthrough quarterfinal run last year, the Croatian’s ranking is going to take a harsh tumble after the tournament.

What are you most looking forward to on Tuesday?

Moore: Roger Federer v Frances Tiafoe. Of course, Roger is the drawcard. But Tiafoe is turning into a talented force on the ATP, and plays a brilliant brand of tennis. If the American isn’t overawed by the occasion, we should witness some pretty awesome shotmaking.

Christie: Angelique Kerber’s first career meeting with Naomi Osaka could answer big questions of both. Will Kerber feel the pressure as defending champion? Or does a lack of match wins since reduce expectations and create a freedom of sorts? Or is it time for the talented but still-erratic Osaka to better last year’s third-round result? It will be fun to find out.

GALLERY: best snaps of Day 1 in New York

Trollope: Nick Kyrgios v John Millman. You couldn’t get a starker contrast in styles – Kyrgios’s unpredictable flair and shotmaking talent will match up against the gritty, workmanlike style of Millman. Kyrgios loved to play quick and keep points short; Millman thrives in a lengthy baseline grind. Yet the two players – friendly countrymen – will no doubt play out the match in good spirit. It will be an interesting spectacle.

Rogers: Elina Svitolina v Katerina Siniakova. This is not an easy draw for the fourth-seeded Svitolina. Siniakova is a rising Czech player who boasts three top-10 wins so far this season.

Day 2 upset alert?

Moore: Gael Monfils in gone. The last thing the Frenchman needed was to face a fellow Frenchie who, on his day, can frustrate anyone. Jeremy Chardy is the man, and Monfils is in trouble.

Christie: Jeremy Chardy over Gael Monfils. There’s always a sense of ‘anything can happen’ in a match featuring Gael Monfils but it’s especially pronounced as the No.18 seed meets Jeremy Chardy. Monfils not only lost to his countryman at the same stage of 2016 Wimbledon but he’s also playing with the pressure of reaching the US Open semis last year – and achieving comparatively little since.

Trollope: Petra Martic over No.10 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. The Pole has never played well at the US Open and is enduring a lean year, while Martic has soared, going 30-7 and reaching the fourth round at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Her power and athleticism could prove too much for Aga.

Rogers: Jelena Ostapenko. The French Open champion has lost her past four matches on hard court and seems to be struggling for confidence. She should beat Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena – but it is no guarantee she will.