The mostly cloudy skies gave the players and fans a reprieve from the sun on Day 2 of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, Rhode Island. Freshly-minted top 100 player Denis Kudla was outfoxed by Canadian Vasek Pospisil of Canada in 3 sets, 6-1, 3-6, 3-6 while freshly-minted top 100 American Jack Sock barely broke a sweat over the retiring Marinko Matosevic, winning 6-2, 0-0.
#3 seed Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands was relegated to Court 2 for his match against Matteo Viola, but Sijs still brought his show court game in winning 6-4, 6-1. A healthy Ivo Karlovic bombed Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 7-6(5), 6-4 and Prakash Amritraj, with his famous father in the stands, defeated Flavio Cipolla 6-2, 6-3. Jan Hernych out-qualifiered Ante Pavic 7-6(6), 6-3, Rajeev Ram bested qualifier Adrian Bossel 6-2, 6-2 and Lleyton Hewitt won the Aussie Bowl over Matt Ebden, 6-4, 6-1.
But those were the undercards.
In the main event, top seed Sam Querrey was shocked by Tim Smyczek in straights, 6-4, 7-6(8). Querrey’s game was errant today, and Smyczek was able to capitalize on the slow surface. Though Querrey had 16 aces, the 5 double faults cost him dearly.
This is the biggest win of Smyczek’s career, and it showed on his face as he left the court to a swarm of autograph-seekers, despite the crowd obviously favoring Querrey throughout the match. In fairness, the fans were a little more familiar with the top seed. Smyczek will now face the winner of Rhyne Williams and Nico Mahut. Don’t be surprised to find him Smyczek in the Quarterfinals later in the week.
—Steve Fogleman
Tennis Atlantic 
Return Serve?