Ever since night sessions were introduced and immediately came into vogue at the US Open at Forest Hills back in 1975, the standard procedure was almost always opening the program with a women's match and then following with a men's singles contest. That was a tried-and-true formula that seemed set in stone, and those who made the schedule on a daily basis had no reason to tamper with what had been established so successfully.
But on this night in 2009, tournament organizers decided to break from tradition. A pair of superstars – Roger Federer and Serena Williams – were slated for that night session. And yet, Federer opened the proceedings against Simon Greul. As usual, he put on a good show for the New York fans. But Greul was inspired for this meeting against the Swiss Maestro, who was striving for a sixth US Open title in a row.
This second-round appointment commenced as many anticipated it would, with Federer dictating the tempo and setting the pace almost entirely in the first set. Federer prevailed 6-3 with almost regal assurance.
But Greul, a German ranked 65th in the world, was undismayed by his start. He battled hard in the second set. With Federer serving at 4-5, Greul had two set points but Federer saved them stylishly with an unanswerable drop shot and an ace released at 131 mph down the T. He held on and took the next two games for a two-set lead.
Greul was not through, however. He built a 2-0 lead in the third set but Federer eventually prevailed, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, in a highly entertaining match. Afterward, Federer was happy to get the job done in his first night match of 2009.
"It's never easy, the first night session of the year [for me] in New York," he remarked. "I saw him play a couple of times before and he played really, really well. The level was high and there was great intensity. It was great to be back and win again."
The shuffling of the evening session had worked out well. Serena won her match easily over Melinda Czink, 6-1, 6-1. The fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium had the benefit of watching two of the sport's most visible figures, but in reverse order. The break from tradition was in their favor.
