By Chris Soderstrom
Aussie teen Jessica Moore flew the flag on day two at Flushing Meadows as other compatriots hit snags in their opening clashes.
Casey Dellacqua, Australia’s No. 1 woman, ended her tremendous 2008 Grand Slam form with a loss to little known Frenchwoman Julie Coin 7-6(6), 7-6(4).
The story was also grim for comeback girl Sam Stosur, who lost to seventh-seeded American Venus Williams 6-2, 6-3 on centre court.
Moore, the 2008 Wimbledon girls’ doubles champion, squeezed past 16-year-old Melanie Oudin 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to set up a second round showdown with Germany’s Anna-Lena Groenefeld, who upset 11 th seeded Slovak Daniela Hantuchova.
“I knew when I saw the draw it was a good opportunity (against Oudin) and I thought I did pretty well today,” said the 18-year-old from Western Australia. “I was pretty pumped about playing because I knew my opponent Melanie ... we both played in the juniors together.
“I know I have the tennis in me, it’s just allowing myself to play and believe in myself, and that’s what I’m working on and I think I did a good job today.”
In the men’s draw, qualifier Robert Smeets joined fellow countryman Carsten Ball as a first-round casualty despite a spirited performance against Fish.
World No. 87 Chris Guccione is Australia’s final hope in the men’s draw and plays American ‘danger-man’ Jesse Levine tomorrow.