Florida players (and a mysterious villain) storm into this US Open weekend

Florida tennis fans were cheering yesterday when Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys pulled out some impressive wins. Boca Raton-based Pegula beat a tough Elina Svitolina from Ukraine, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Meanwhile Orlando-based Keys took out Russian Liudmila Samsonova, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. 

As fate would have it, Keys and Pegula have to face off against one another in the next round. So only one of these Floridians will move ahead after their much-anticipated bout at the US Open.

Today, something similar is going down on the men's side of the draw. Former Florida Gator, Ben Shelton will battle Boca Raton-based Tommy Paul in an all-American showdown. One of these two players will be sent packing after their match this afternoon. 

Above: Florida Tennis cover boy (and hometown hero) Ben Shelton. Photo: © On.

Meanwhile, Bradenton's Michael Mmoh was ousted by Britain's big-serving Jack Draper yesterday, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Unfortunately a few players from the Sunshine State will have to fly back to the searing heat.

One player who isn't looking to leave the Big Apple is Coco Gauff. The Delray Beach-based Gauff was working hard at the practice courts yesterday prepping for her match against Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki. I'm picking the Floridian to beat the Dane today.

Looking outside of Team Florida, there's one player I just couldn't miss. During the qualifiers, all eyes were on Croatia's Borna Gojo. He's a 6' 5" machine with a white-blond buzz cut and steely glare. He looks like the villain from the sci-fi flick Blade Runner.

Above: Staring down his victims, Borna Gojo has been a stone cold killer at this year's US Open. Photo by Andrew Ong/USTA.

Well, Gojo's already won six matches: three wins in qualies and three more in the main draw. In fact, he hasn't dropped a set in the main draw. So, who will Gojo meet in his next match? None other than Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Yes, Gojo will have his hands full in tonight's big night match against the Djoker. But I wouldn't miss it for the world.

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Written by Florida Tennis' Executive Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Top Photo of Madison Keys by Mike Lawrence/USTA.