2009 US Open Live Draw Show Redux

Incredible. I was toying with Nadal-Gasquet since last week, but this is hilarious.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

Some of those openers are tough.

So Nadal and Federer on opposite sides, with Djoko and Roddick on Fed’s side (AGAIN!) and Murray on Nadal’s, or Nadal on Murray’s as the case may be (again!).

August 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

“How does Mary Joe keep getting better looking as she gets older?”

It’s called Botox, gone are the crossed/furrowed eyebrows and eye creases when she speaks. Ask Tracy Austin and Lindsay Davenport.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

LOL Jeremy – what’s with all the hair quips? Are you having a bad hair day?

I agree with you that they might’ve at least mentioned Nadal and where he’s at with the injury, but c’est la vie.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

jane: I thought you wanted Djoko to be kept away from Nadal? How could No. 5 be on Federer’s side and not No. 3?

August 27th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/26082009/58/open-expert-optimistic-nadal-fitness.html

Expert optimistic on Nadal’s fitness.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

Please do not show Nadal picking his a** – just show top like Ed Sullivan did to Elvis. PLEASE

August 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

“I thought you wanted Djoko to be kept away from Nadal?” Huh Von? I never said that did I?

“How could No. 5 be on Federer’s side and not No. 3?” I’m not sure understand this question – only 1 and 2 are a lock in the draw (i.e., to be on opposite sides), as I mentioned to tenisbebe on that other thread.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

poor roddick. must’ve groaned when he saw this draw.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Von, Roddick has Verdasco, Isner, Tipsy, Haas in his 1/8 so some stiff competition, but I think he has good records against most of these guys.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Also, Roddick-Đokovic quarters, again. Murray-Del Potro, again. Possible Murray-Wawrinka in fourth, again.

August 27th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Roddick may be tested by these guys but none of them could beat him at the US Open. They will make him tougher for the later rounds. I hope. We’ll see.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

scineram it does feel like deja vu eh?

Fed’s a shoe in for the semis by the looks of things.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

Dammit we really have to have Federer in Roddick’s half???

I saw a LOT of american qualifiers, a few of which I haven’t heard of. Levine’s draw looked doable to the third round…

August 27th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Polo, that’s a good way of looking at it; I agree, over 5 sets I think Roddick can beat those guys.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Federer’s draw is beautifully simple to the Semis. He’ll only have one tough match to the Final: the winner of a Djokovic-Roddick QF. It should be his only tough match of the tournament.

The Nadal Quarter looks good for him to the make the second week. Murray’s the one who took it on the chin with the draw. He has Gulbis first, then Del Potro in the QF, and either Nadal, Gonzo ro Tsonga in the Semis. If he makes it through all of that, he’ll likely be sapped by the time the Final rolls around.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

Why would Roddick groan? It’s not as if he has legitimate chance at winning this event anyways. He’s a perpetual loser in the big events and a choke artist of the 10 degree. I think he’ll be happy to make qrts, semis and I think he’ll be crying again.

Nadal is the wild car but he just has not played good tennis this summer and has not come in with good form. But who cares because if he can tighten the screws down on his game he’ll beat everyone.

Muzza is my pick for the title, that’s Andy Murray for the lay person. You say Murray is the guy no one has talked about but he has good records against Fed, he’s beat Nadal 2 out of the last 3 times they played here and oh yea he made the final last year. It’s Murray’s time!!

August 27th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Wow! What a draw!

Rafa has got to feel a little dizzy…. Gasquet as an opener. Ok, granted he doesn’t have much match play. But Rafa is coming back himself. Then after a possible match with Monfils in R16, Tsonga in QF and then Murray. He is unlucky!

Fed seems to have a soft draw. Novak too until SF.
Murray has a nice opener too. Although Gulbis didn’t turn out to be what everybody expected. It’s been quiet around for the last 2 years.

Von; your man is not entirely unlucky. I think Andy has the best chance against Novak from all the top 4 seeds! Ok, maybe Fed is his worst. But does it matter if he faces him in the semis or final? All Andy wants is to win the tournament.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

With the draw out, I’d like to invite everyone to participate in the (unofficial) Tennis-X messageboard contest. It’s all for bragging rights, and we’ve been doing it for several years now (I think this is the 5th US Open one).

Rules are here:

http://www.tennisxforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3116

August 27th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

PietjeP – ” Novak too until SF.” I agree Djoko’s draw is pretty good (though he could meet Khols again before the quarters); however, I could easily see him losing in the quarters if he meets Roddick, so I don’t think it’s comfortable “until the SF” but until the QF.

I agree that Fed “seems to have a soft draw”.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

PietjeP:

“Von; your man is not entirely unlucky. I think Andy has the best chance against Novak from all the top 4 seeds!”

I feel the same as Shaky does, dang it all, does Roddick HAVE to land in Fed’s Quarter. OUCh. andy has isner, Verdasco, Haas, Tipsy. Ay caramba and OY VEY.
_________________
jane: “I thought you wanted Djoko to be kept away from Nadal?” Huh Von? I never said that did I?”

Yes, At Madrid and prior, you said you’d like to see Djoko not land in Nadal’s side of the draw …. back track …..

August 27th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

PietjeP: “But does it matter if he faces him in the semis or final? All Andy wants is to win the tournament.”

Yes, it does! If they meet in the SF, it would eliminate Roddick’s chances to get to the finals going by their H2H, so yes it does matter. OY, OY. Can you tell I’m crying already? LOL.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Ah, you’re right Von – but that was on clay. I don’t think anyone wants to see their faves land on Nadal’s side on clay! : )

I was just having a closer look and Andy R. can only meet ONE of Verdasco, Haas or Tipsy as they’re all in the same little section, so that’s relieving; however, he will likely meet Isner.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

“I feel the same as Shaky does, dang it all, does Roddick HAVE to land in Fed’s Quarter. OUCh. andy has isner, Verdasco, Haas, Tipsy. Ay caramba and OY VEY.”

She means half. Half.

Whatever. Guess you have to beat the champ to be the champ. At least Novak’s still vulnerable. Truth be told I wanted to see a Murray-Roddick rematch, with Nadal in Fed’s half (but having to go through Del Potro or Novak).

Basically I’m just whining. Fed and Nadal both got relatively nice quarters. I’d take Nadal’s because I’d rather be tested a little before my quarter rounder, but I’m sure the Federer haters will say he’s “lucky” again.

… nobody’s got a comment about the Williams sisters being in the same half? Seems like if that’s not rigged it ought to be: I hate seeing them play each other in the final.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

Voicemale1 you’re so right about Andy Murray’s draw – OUCH! He has Karlovic, Cilic, Wawrinka, Simon, Lu, Fish, Safin, Del Potro all in his quarter, and then as you say he could meet Nadal, Tsonga, Berdych, Gonzalez in the semis – all this before a potential final match. He did indeed take it “on the chin”.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

I don’t agree with Nadal still being a “young” (or younger) player, like suggested in that article on Eurosport. The guy has all the mileage of a 25/26 year old. He has been playing on the tour since 16,5, whereas other players start at around 18.

Just look at his career matches against guys 2-3 years older. Rafa played 468 matches since 2003. Compare that with Soderling (2 years older); 325 matches; Verdasco (2,5 years older) 381 matches.

And Rafa played those matches in a shorter period of time with gruelling intensity. I think Rafa has 1 maybe 2 more chances where he can win the US Open. After that I think we can forget about it. Maybe we should all hope he will do it, albeit a miracle, this year….

August 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Shaky “I’d take Nadal’s because I’d rather be tested a little before my quarter rounder”

He does have some good tests in there – opening with Gasquet (hard to say how Richard will do coming back from a long break), then possibly Monfils, and Berdych or Tsonga. Then, if Murray comes through, a semi against him.

But I wonder if Delpo might upset Murray? I think Andy M’s record is pretty good against him.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Von;

Maybe it would even be better should he lose to Fed for that to happen in the SF; better that then to get the same heart felt pain like at that Wimbledon final? Or to lose any final.

Maybe in a way it would be even better, pressure wise… Specially at his ‘home’ tournament.

Don’t cry; I predicted Andy will win 1, maybe 2 more slams. And I am never wrong… :)

August 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Interesting NYT article on the draw ceremony – how the draw was *really* done last night, so analysts were able to plan ahead what they would say on TV and so forth; here’s the link –

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/the-espn-ization-of-the-united-states-open-begins/

August 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Ouch! Ouch! I’m feeling the pain for Andy M already! Voicemale 1, you are so right alas! Also don’t think Andy M looked too good at Cincy, not enough time to rectify that terrible second serve either. Read that he feels he’ll play his best tennis next year and his own predictions about his progress have been 100% so perhaps I’ve got to go to wait another year for a slam.
Sigh.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

If you’re a fan of the Djoker, you must not be too happy with his draw. Amongst the top four, he has got the toughest quarter in my view. Ivan Ljubicic is not an easy first round match even though he has clearly fallen off the map. A potential third round match against Igor Andreev is also no guarantee. And either Philip Kohlschreiber or Radek Stepanek, both who have given Novak problems in the past, in the fourth round is not something to look forward. Then he’ll get Andy Roddick of Fernando Verdasco in the Quarter.

In a nutshell, it seems like someone is going to trip him up early again.

August 27th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

unreal, the luck the swiss monogram gets with rigged draws

August 27th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Looking at the draw, well, Fed got certainly lucky this time! His first 2 matches can’t be even considered as matches, as it’ll only be a warm up… As for the next rounds, there’s hardly anyone who could pose even a slightest threat to him, except maybe Soderling and Davydenko… Make that 22nd consecutive GS semi in a row.

Nadal certainly could’ve gotten someone else than Gasquet, but then again, he’s won all 6 meetings against the Frenchman, so he should be fine. Anyway, too bad, since I really wanted him to land in Fed’s half!

August 27th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

“I like tennis bullies Says:

unreal, the luck the swiss monogram gets with rigged draws”

You make me laugh. This made my day.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

Art: oh oh, you’re making me rethink my earlier post that Djoko’s quarter wasn’t too bad. But you’re right that Andreev is tough and even took Fed to 5 sets last year, and also that Khols (who beat Novak at the FO) and Step (who took Novak to a marathon match at the USO in 07) could be threats. I hope he can make it through to at least the quarters this year.

I’d like to see, ideally, Djoko-Roddick in one quarter; Querrey and Hewiit in another (LOL! I know Fed will be there, but I’d like to see Djoko or Rod in the final – so if Fed’s not there they have a better shot at that!); Murray vs. Delpo (Murray winning); and Nadal vs. Tsonga (best man winning). So in the final I’d like to see either Djoko or Roddick vs. Murray or Nadal/Tsonga. And may the best man win. (I wouldn’t be utterly disappointed if there were a surprise finalist either; I like surprises. Like maybe Safin? :-))

Oh, to dream…

August 27th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

To contrast my dream with reality, I think Fed will win again.

But I have a feeling there may (?) be a new winner on the women’s side. I am glad, as someone mentioned above, that the Williams sisters will NOT be playing each other in another final Woot! Spread the wealth. : -)

August 27th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

“Murray on Nadal’s, or Nadal on Murray’s”

Good one, Jane. LOL!

My bet is that Roodick gets his revenge by ending Fed’s 21 SF streak, in front of his home crowd.

Go Roddick!

August 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

You already lost your “twocents”! Fed-Rod only happening in semis, so no way the streak ends!

August 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

“I wouldn’t be utterly disappointed if there were a surprise finalist either; I like surprises. ”

>>>>> How about Federer (going by your wishlist, that would be a surprise finalist :D)

Anyways, Roger should just check with the USOpen organizers and see if he can just hit the courts on super-saturday! ;) (i just hope hewitt or querrey dont go all crazy now and do a soderling!)

August 27th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

Good quick thinking LLTK!

August 27th, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Ok, King.

Another try:

Djok was the one who split Fed’s 16 slam final streak into 10 + 6. So he’ll stop the SF streak.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

“How about Federer (going by your wishlist, that would be a surprise finalist :D”

LOL Long Live – Fed’s the favorite by far – come on! No surprises if he is to reach the finals and win it. He’s got a pretty comfy draw and he’s also playing some excellent tennis at the moment. All things point towards his coming through.

But you never know, on the other hand.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Oops, too early for me. I meant Djok for final.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

There is no such thing as a sure thing. At the start of the French Open, Nadal was everybody’s sure thing. Any of the top 6 guys can win it. A small question mark on Nadal, maybe. And del Potro due to fitness issues, maybe.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Twocents, Djoko has lost his last 3 matches against Roddick, most recently in Montreal, so if Roddick is in the quarterfinals, where it’s his home court, when he is playing fantastic under Larry, I really see Andy R playing against Fed in the semis. And who knows? Like you say, maybe this is where and when Andy R knocks out Fed? It’d sure be nice to see him get the W in that scenario – that could carry him to a slam win as the crowd would go bonkers and throw all their support behind him.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

You’re right Polo about this “There is no such thing as a sure thing” but there are surely odds-on favorites.

August 27th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

jane, polo: Feds gotta be the favourite of course. Perehaps someone could tie his shoelaces together…( Johnny Mac re beating Borg, I believe.)

August 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Jane,

True Roddick has very good chance. But Djok’s win over Nadal and his cool at Cincy impressed me a lot. Djok seems matured a lot more than Murray. That should help him.

60/40, Djok/Roddick

August 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Del Potro, Nadal and Murray all on the same side! And these are players that have consistently beaten each other…so it’s just going to boil down to that day (my bet’s going to be on either Murray or Del Potro; I am not confident Nadal can beat these two in a 5 set match on hard court considering his state now). And by the time if any one of these three reach the final, it’s going to be a tough ask, especially if the opponent is Fed or Roddick. I think the crowd will boo away Novak easily. Having watched Djoko in Canada both this year and last year, he easily gets flustered if some one in the crowd keeps yelling at him. In NY it’s not going to be few…it will be 1000s of them yelling during his serve toss. Too bad for him, also considering the fact that he is not in the best mental shape possible. Because of all this I’d be surprised if he even reaches the finals.

August 27th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

margot – shoe laces, yes, maybe that’s the answer! LOL.

blank says “I think the crowd will boo away Novak easily.” All I can say in response to this is : (

August 27th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Jane;

You’re right. It should have said QF in my post. I still think Novak’s draw is not too bad until the QF. When he meets Roddick, I would slighty lean towards Andy. Just based on their latest results.

Should promise an interesting match though…

August 27th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

margot,

You’re not far off. Fed was tied to net by a long string tied to his waist, in one of his training videos.

Tough draw for Murray.

August 27th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

Tennis needs to do a straight draw seed 1 vs. seed 16 in the rd of 16 – round of 16 matches the seeds should add up to 17 – quarterfinals add up to 9

Murray gets no benefit for being #2 having to play #6 in the quarters. I love to see those two play, but … Murray should not face JMDP in the quarters.

August 27th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Jane – I like Djoko a lot. I really appreciate his talent. Sure, Fed and Nadal are on top…but I think he let Murray overshadow him a bit too easily. Until a year ago, maybe he was expecting to be the successor should Fed or Nadal slip, but Murray’s rise has been very impressive.

Djoko, imo, didn’t handle few things the best way – the racquet change when he was playing awesome, getting into trouble with the USO crowd (though I pity him, he’s young and he realizes what he shouldn’t have said…but unfortunately unless he gets it out of his head to concentrate on tennis rather than hope NY will embrace him…it’s very difficult), and I don’t like his recent negative outlook (admittedly continuing to stay affected by the clay season loss to Nadal and his repeated talk about being born in the wrong era…for goodness sake he is so much younger than Fed (beat him in a grand slam) and even younger than Nadal).

At the end, I or no one knows what’s going to happen…it’s so interesting if you follow someone’s career and look at things unfold. One thing is certain..it’s is so hard to continue to stay on top and not be distracted by things happening around. That’s why I have so much appreciation for people such as Sampras, Fed, Nadal etc. I hope men’s tennis is as interesting always as it is today!

August 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

jane, two cents: that’s it! Tie Rog to the net and kick over Rafa’s water bottles and the way is suddenly clear for OUR favourites!

August 27th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

margot – yeah, the water bottles too. LOL. Rafa has a tougher draw this time though and with his knees being suspect you (or your insiders ;)) may not have to resort to said kicking!

Blank – I agree with your assessment of where Djoko’s at presently (as well as Murray’s impressive rise). I also concur with your take on Djoko’s, to quote the Killers – “All these things that I have done”- dilemma, in other words, his mistakes/missteps in his career thus far. Hopefully he will be in a better mental state soon and get back to playing some efficient and crackling tennis. He looked pretty good against Nadal in Cincy, even if Rafa isn’t up to snuff at the moment. Novak stayed on track, focused and served well. So that’s a step in the right direction.

August 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Odds on favorite would have to be Federer. If he slips us, Roddick, Murray and Djokovic could sneek up a win. Of the 3, Roddick would most likely take advantage and make the most out of it, just like Federer saw an opening to win the French with Nadal’s early loss and seized it. The same could happen to Roddick. May I be so bold as to predict that if Federer loses to somebody else, Roddick will win this US Open. In a any major, if Roddick is not thinking of Federer, he can beat everybody else.

August 27th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

Fumus Says:

Why would Roddick groan? It’s not as if he has legitimate chance at winning this event anyways. He’s a perpetual loser in the big events and a choke artist of the 10 degree. I think he’ll be happy to make qrts, semis and I think he’ll be crying again.

if he makes it to the semis and so does roger, it’ll be the 19-2 record and the magic dust that seems to encircle roger at the GS’s which tells the tale of who would win.

otherwise, your point is correct. andy’s GS record as of late (save for wimbeldon 09) has been erratic.

August 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

Re: Andy Murray’s draw

Why all the whining about Andy Murray’s draw? If he is not good enough to beat all those players then he doesn’t deserve to win USO.

August 27th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Here and on the BBC forum, people are mentioning Karlovic as part of Murray’s “tough draw”. I wonder why. Andy has always beaten him pretty handily.
As for Djokovic, I wish he had been tough enough to tell that crowd to go and jump in the lake, and then tough enough to continue to do so.
By the way, I’m happy to note that 15 year-old Brit prospect Laura Robson got through the first two rounds of qualifying. In the first match she beat someone ranked over three hundred places above her.

August 27th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Colin: so how much further does Laura Robson have to go to get a spot in the main draw? Do you know?

August 27th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

ok, just to throw the following into the mix: Anyone note that the draw is quite similar to last year?(QF A-Rod-Novak, winner faces Fed) and SF Murray-Nadal :)

August 27th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

andrea Says:
“otherwise, your point is correct. andy’s GS record as of late (save for wimbeldon 09) has been erratic.”

Andrea, did you even watch the slams this year?
He lost in the semi’s In the Ozzie Open to fed, he got to the 4th rnd in the French(his best result ever so far) and reached the Wimbledon Final? Really, I’m astouned you can make such a statement

August 27th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Fumus–
“Nadal is the wild car but he just has not played good tennis this summer and has not come in with good form. But who cares because if he can tighten the screws down on his game he’ll beat everyone.”

.. Do people actually believe this? I don’t know if you guys actually watched any of Nadal’s matches these past couple weeks, but I don’t think he has a chance in hell against any of the top 6 guys. “Tighten the screws down”? You guys really think he has better than a puncher’s chance at winning this?

Roddick’s been a perpetual loser in slams in recent years, yes. Particularly, he did choke away the USO QF last year with those 2 consecutive double faults. But you put him in Murray’s draw and I could see him in the final, he’s improved that much.

Murray’s a natural pick, so good luck with that. But the idea that Nadal can play himself into form in the next week is insane.

August 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Great photos
http://greattennisphotos.blogspot.com/2008/08/novak-djokovic-rang-nasdaq-opening-bell.html

August 27th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Hey Jane,

Laura Robson has to win 1 more Qualifying round against Tsech Eva Hrdinova to reach the main draw

August 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Yeah Veno I’m not really sure what Andrea is talking about. Roddick’s had consistently good results in the past set of grand slams, probably the best of his career (save the year he won the USO). Maybe she’s hung up on last year’s QF loss to Novak (which still hangs in my mind as a terrible choke job), but he’s won the past 3 times against him, including a convincing win at the AO this year.

And I do hope Nadal plays better, but coming off his injury this isn’t the place to have high expectations for him. So don’t think I’m a Nadal hater, I just don’t expect him to beat any of the top guys who he inevitably will have to face. Heck, would anyone really be floored if Gasquet gives him a seriously good match in the first round?

August 27th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

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August 27th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Hey Shaky, I also approach Rafa’s progress through the rounds conservatively(as a first) but I would also never ever doubt he could do it and even win the tournament. Nadal is a strange animal. But of course, chances are also formidable that he won’t go deep. We’ll see how he progresses. I doubt Gasquet will cause him too much problems because of his own perdicament of late.
When Andy “choked” in last year’s QF to Novak he was in a real bad place mentally. Doubting himself and his determination to keep playing tennis and boy oh boy, am I glad he decided to throw down the gauntlet and see what happened, he’s feeling better again, has had good results, plays a lot better tennis and gets(let’s wait and see if it will be fleeting like he expects) so much praise and won over so many fans worldwide during that Wimby final.
I think the reception he will get from the New Yorkers is going to be awesome for him and I am one who thinks he could ride that support well and get really deep this USO. Good times ahead from come Monday!

August 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

I just want a draw where the quarters would play out as 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5

The #4 seed should have to face the highest ranked non-top 4 seed or else there is nothing other than prestige associated with rankings. Now someone might throw out surfaces etc. – do surface rankings then – I don’t really care so long as being ranked higher means an easier draw than a lower ranked player receives.

August 27th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

nice draw. Jane, looks like the dangerous floater article you posted came true, lol. At least Gasquet will get to play and lose to a huge name. Murray and Gulbis has the potential to be a good match too. I will check out the draw in more detail later. don’t have much time right now.

August 27th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

So if you just swapped Del Potro and Tsonga you’d be happy? Because that’s the only outlier from your “ideal” draw.

But imo the problem isn’t delpotro in Murray’s draw — imo Murray’s got the advantage over him, and it’s not appreciably worse than vs. tsonga. The problem is Davydenko being so perpetually disappointing that whoever gets him in their quarter gets by far the weakest link of the bunch.

Just my opinion. But I can’t remember the last time Davydenko exceeded expectations at a GS.

August 27th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

jimbojones, this seems like it would be the easiest quarter for numbers 1 and 2 and most difficult for 3 and 4 (not to mention 5, 6, 7, & 8!!). How about a draw where the quarters would play out like this instead?

1 vs. 5
2 vs. 6
3 vs. 7
4 vs. 8

This way, at least you’d have more parity (ostensibly, although match ups, surfaces and all sundry things would come into play). All of the matches would feature and 4 spot ranking spread. To me, this would likely make for more exciting quarter finals than the way in which you projected it. But of course, it’s all a crap shoot to a degree.

——————————————–
Veno, thanks for your reply on Laura.

August 27th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

We’re talking quarters and further here…so the top 8 to make this round already have bagged 4 wins. At this stage, the difference between the players is so small plus they are all match-tough at this point that I don’t think it matters whether you draw it like they do now, use jimbojones’ suggestion or Jane’s suggestion.
Just win 7 matches, the last man standing is the deserved champ. No sense in saying what if, shoulda coulda etc.
Look at the history of the Open, not easy to win here and never a surprise winner(until now)

August 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

I think they should seed the entire draw to where #1 plays the 128th ranked player in the draw in the first round and #64 plays #65 in the first round. The two winners play in the second round … I don’t think it impacts the outcome too much, but if we can put a man on the moon we can make a mathematically logical draw.

August 27th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

What’s the sense in doing that jimbojones? It’s not a math contest lol, it’s a sporting event.
I really don’t see the problem with the format as is used now. When looking at data and deriving information about it we tend to look at inferences that affirm our pre-set and determined-in-advance hypotheses.
If you like reading about this phenomenon, buy Freakonomics by Abner and Levitt :)

August 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

I tend to agree with Veno. But if we were to make a mathematically logical draw, how is #1 playing #128 logical? To me, you’re simply giving #1 the easiest path through, which doesn’t seem logical or, truth be told, that fair.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:02 pm

#1 could draw #33 in the first round according to the current format that is a lot different than playing #128. Rankings should mean something. Being ranked in the top 10 should mean easier matches than being ranked 25th, any of the top 32 could play #33 in the first round. Chess, The NBA, NCAA basketball … use draws seed the whole draw. The LA Lakers played the 8th best team in the west in the first round not the 5th. They got this treatment because they won a lot of games and earned an easier opening series than the team who finished 4th.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

NBA 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5
NCAA Basketball 1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, ….

If you want New Haven, Los Angeles or even Montreal to mean more to the players assure them that rankings will lead to easier matches at the slams. Otherwise guys are killing themselves week in and week out to face a potentially tougher draw than if they let their ranking slip.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

sar, those are great pictures, but you’re aware they’re from last year, right? : )

August 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

I see your point jimbojones, but on the other hand, if you’re number 1 you’re the best right? So what’s the need for the easiest draw? Number 1 is guaranteed not to face any of the top 32 seeds a.s.a.p. — to me that’s enough.

Basketball is different than tennis as the draws aren’t as deep and of course one is a team sport and one individual.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

Sweet of you to tend to agree with me Jane :)

And jimbojones, you’re comparing tennis matches(1-7) to NBA and NCAA B-ball play off comp. Different ball game my friend.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:17 pm

Team vs. Individual sport is true, I just like the idea of rewarding 52 weeks of good play at the 4 biggest events. It would make the other events more meaningful too. Sam Querrey 1 title, 2 finals and now a semi at New Haven, if this were a more tennis interested country Querrey’s Summer would be big news.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

And it’s not so different than you are suggesting jimbojones:

But 1 plays 128-33 in the first 2 rounds(and let’s face it the difference between those 96 players are not that great) and in round 3 number 1 plays 17-32nd seed, in round 4 number 1 plays 9-16th seed. QF number 1 plays 5-8th seed. SF number 1 plays 2-4th seed and in the F the number 1 plays the number 2. All the above of course if the higher seeds win their matches :)

August 27th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

BTW, good win over Davy from Sam Q. in New Haven.
Hope he isn’t spent when the Open starts. He has been playing a lot of tennis….

August 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Oh wow, Andrea, you’ve done it again! You never cease to amaze me with your Roddick put downs. Tell me, Andrea, are you suffering from the pangs of unrequited love with respect to Roddick? Did he jilt you hence the reason for so much bitterness and angst? sheesh, Please rise up from the mire. You know what, I believe you’re one of those people who just blog on this threads to impress others and delude yourself into thinking that you have some tennis knowledge. I say this because I’ve yet to see a post from you on any tennis discussion except to put down other players save your fave, and you can do that on any blog, it doesn’t have to be on a tennis blog. I think the designation of ‘tennis fan’ is a gross misnomer for you and others who are like you. OY VEY. and sheesh.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Veno & jimbojones – ditto on thoughts re: Querrey’s summer, results and Open prospects.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

jane; Djoko’s draw is a very user friendly. The only guys who ‘could’ trouble him are Kohls and Andreev, but since the FO, Kohls has dropped off somewhat and Andreev is not that formidable of an opponent as he was at the ’08 USO. Step is a mere shadow of his ’07 self. Therefore, all things considered, Djoko has quite a very sweet draw similar to those of his last three (3) tourneys — somebody is smiling down on him.
____________________
Shaky: I meant ‘half; thanks for the correction. I agree with you I’d have liked to see Roddick in Murray’s half of the draw. And, I also agree that it will be tough for Nadal to beat the top guys considering he has that stomach tear coupled with being rusty. He was hurting big-time when he played vs. Djokovic last week.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

jimbojones: “Sam Querrey 1 title, 2 finals and now a semi at New Haven, if this were a more tennis interested country Querrey’s Summer would be big news.”

Absolutely, but as is evident on these threads, some tennis fans seem to think of the NA USO series as insignificant and made reference to New Haven as an exhibiton and a yawner of a tournament. Some mentioned during Legg Mason when the Montreal draw came out: ‘great, now we’ll see some ‘real tennis’. OUCh, what a put down for the NA HC 250 and 500 tourneys.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Hey Von, I also hope Rafa won’t be hampered by the stomach problem. However if he was in so much pain vs Novak, he shouldn’t have played the match imo :)

August 27th, 2009 at 6:52 pm

Retarded and boring without draw.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

Hasn’t Fabrice Santoro retired… like 3 times already?

August 27th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

I don’t agree with the easy draw thing, they look easy on paper but its all different when they play. Fed draw was considered easy when he play Tipsy in AO 08, Berdych in AO 09, andreev in USO 08 and we all know what happened. Another good example is Nadal and Soldering this year FO ??

Who thought Kolhs would beat Djoko in 08 FO, not me !! Kohl did not come to AO with good record pre FO either but it happened.

I think we should wait and see how every match will pan out..I am hoping for great tennis come monday.

August 27th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

I second your remark about the weak draw Kimmi.
So easy to draw premature conclusions from names on a piece of paper. I think we’re in for some splendissimo quality of play starting come Monday!
Wish my boss had granted me the second weak off, but alas….

August 27th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Colin,

You just try to tell off a New York crowd! I live in L.A., but was born in New York. Djoko did a dumb thing taking them on. He had just beaten their hometown favorite, but for some idiotic reason he had to rub it in their face. Talk about being a sore winner! I saw the whole thing and that time Djoko’s big mouth got him in a whole heap of trouble.

Since then Djoko seems to have learned to keep his mouth shut and just play tennis. He tends to be emotional and sometimes seems to give up on a match, especially in extremely hot conditions. At least now I don’t have to listen to him bragging about how he is going to take over Rafa or win Wimbledon. Murray managed to do it while Rafa was hurt. It seems as though Murray is trying to replace Djoko as the latest big mouth egotist who talks too much. I believe that you do your talking on the court, the way Rafa does.

I am hoping that Rafa will be able to do a LOT of talking in this year’s Open. I know he’s not at his best right now, but I am confident that his knees are in good shape now. You never know what can happen in a grand slam. Rafa’s draw doesn’t have a lot of surprises. I say that if he gets through the first week, he could be dangerous here.

August 27th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Veno:

“Hey Von, I also hope Rafa won’t be hampered by the stomach problem. However if he was in so much pain vs Novak, he shouldn’t have played the match imo :)”

I agree that Nadal shouldn’t have played while he was hurt, but you’ve got to applaud him for not wanting to disappoint the crowd, especially a SF match and on a Saturday night to boot.

On the draw appearing easy on paper discussion, well that topic has been hashed and rehashed from here to ying yang on these threads, so it’s nothing new, but you’ve got to admit that going by some players’ form, it’s logical to conclude whose draw looks easy/soft and whose doesn’t. I guess that’s why he have logical reasoning isn’t it?

August 27th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Mindy says “It seems as though Murray is trying to replace Djoko as the latest big mouth egotist who talks too much.”

Ouch! ;)

Indeed, Djoko stepped in it big time at NYC last year, but he does seem to have learned from it, thankfully. I don’t see why you say that about Murray – did he say something offensive?

August 27th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

Agree with Von about this: “you’ve got to admit that going by some players’ form, it’s logical to conclude whose draw looks easy/soft and whose doesn’t.”

August 27th, 2009 at 7:21 pm

Veno: “When Andy “choked” in last year’s QF to Novak he was in a real bad place mentally.”

He was dealing with some physical injuries also. Hhe stated during Wimby that he was struggling with injuries during the second half of ’08.

August 27th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Mindy:

“He had just beaten their hometown favorite, but for some idiotic reason he had to rub it in their face. Talk about being a sore winner! I saw the whole thing and that time Djoko’s big mouth got him in a whole heap of trouble.”

I got cursed out by a Djoko fan big-time over that NYC scenario. The Djoko fan said Roddick had the ‘big mouth’ and instigated the whole situation, and when I disagreed I got the cursing out of my life for days. OY, OY.

August 27th, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Sport’s Illustrated, Jon Wertheim’s top five seed reports (women’s and men’s):

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/tennis/08/27/u.s.open/

August 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

Draw Analysis @ tennistalk:

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Ricky_Dimon/20090828/U.S._Open_preview_part_2:_Draw_analysis

August 27th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

It seems as though Murray is trying to replace Djoko as the latest big mouth egotist who talks too much.
——————————————-
Mindy, did you see the cold fish handshake Fed gave Murray at Cincinnati? Then, he shook the umpire’s hand before Murray. I had to laugh.

August 27th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

Jane, yes I saw it was from last year. Darn.
That Ricky Dimon article was good. He was staying at our hotel in Cincy. Quiet, but friendly guy.

August 27th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4424268

August 27th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

According to the reader comments at the site below here is what transpired between them and I think there have been some other comments made by Murray.

Murray was not in a good mood most of the time (of course he rarely is on the court). Offered multiple expletives to his coach at various times and also berated himself for not moving well (often hit his legs with either his hands or his racket). One annoyed exchange between the two players took place late in the second set when Federer told Murray to wait for a second before serving, then Murray (annoyed) asked what the deal was, then Federer (even more annoyed) explained that a ball-boy was still in the process of retrieving a ball.
http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Ricky_Dimon/20090822/Semifinal_Saturday_in_Cincinnati:_Federer,_Murray,_Nadal,_and_Djokovic

August 27th, 2009 at 11:38 pm

Dimonator – beat you to it; already linked your analysis on this thread. : ) But you’re welcome.

sar – I like Ricky’s articles/analyses. I often read them. Are you going to the USO too?

August 28th, 2009 at 12:04 am

Update on Laura Robson – she has to win one more qualifying match to get in the main draw. In her last match, she won a tight first set, then came back from 0-4 down to win the second set 7-5.
Next up is Eva Hrdinova, ranked 203.
Murray’s expletives on court are usually aimed at himself, and he doesn’t, like some, take out his frustrations on the linespeople or ballkids.
How things change! When McEnroe was in his prime, his tantrums must have unsettled his opponents, yet the fans loved him. I didn’t, and he almost put me off watching. Murray is accused of looking grumpy, but McEnroe never appeared to be enjoying himself on court.
As for the impossibility of taking on the New York crowd, what are they going to do – invade the court and kill you? They’re going to shout, and a strong official should be able to shut them up, if necessary suspending the match. Tennis, like any sport, should be played by the players, not the crowd. The present-day desire of spectators to be part of the action, has gone much too far.

August 28th, 2009 at 12:05 am

Roddick on Letterman!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_ehm5Eog0

August 28th, 2009 at 1:53 am

Jane,

Sorry to be that hard on Murray, but I am just not a fan of too much talk. Murray is a little full of himself these days, but I realize that he is hungry for a grand slam win. I really don’t need to hear that he wants to be #1. I think Fed got more than a little annoyed with all the talk about Murray having the edge over him. He sent Murray a message big time in that semifinal at Cincy – he said – NOT YET, KID! That’s why I think it’s better to just keep your mouth shut and do it on the court.

Murray always acts like he has gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. He seems cranky, in a bad mood, irritable. His personality grates on me. But there is no question about his talent.

Jane, anyway, I don’t Murray is anywhere near as bad as Djoko was in the past. I just think his arrogance is showing a bit too much. You don’t want to get Federer all riled up. Just go out and beat him. That will be enough.

August 28th, 2009 at 4:13 am

I Love Fed,

You won’t like me much once you realize that I am a huge Rafa fan. I don’t like Roger much, but I totally got what happened after his match with Murray. There is no love lost with those two.

Even though I am not a Federer fan, I can understand where he was coming from in that match. He was fed up with Murray saying that he wants to be #1 and everyone talking up the edge Murray has against him. So he came out and said it all with his racket. Number one players don’t like to feel ignored, trashed, dissed or generally slighted.

Fed just let Murray know that he is not ready just yet to let go of #1. The body language at that match said it all.

August 28th, 2009 at 4:18 am

Colin,

I can agree with you about McEnroe. I absolutely cringed every time he threw one of those disgusting tantrums. Even though he was a genius with his tennis, I was so put off by his behavior that I could never be a real fan of his at all.

No one could possibly come close to his kind of boorish, petty behavior. Murray is nowhere near as bad as that. I just think he has the personality of a rock. He is incredibly talented, that’s for sure. But I have seen a lot of these guys come and go. Murray has shown that he is serious about his commitment to the sport by training really hard on clay earlier this year and then training in Miami with that heat and humidity to get in condition for the Open. He had definitely put forth the effort required to be in the tennis elite.

Now all he has to do is win a grand slam. I think one reason he seems so annoyed these days is because he hasn’t managed to win one yet. But Federer seems to be very fond of winning US Opens. I don’t think he wants to stop right about now.

We will see.

August 28th, 2009 at 4:23 am

Are we there yet?

Let’s get this US Open started!

Anyone else excited? Altogether now, “please oh please let there be a Fedal Final!”

August 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am

I love fed: is saying “ouch,” whining? Really?
Mindy: don’t agree with you about Andy M. I like his personality. What you see is what you get. Andy is a taciturn Scot who, I guess, finds the spotlight difficult to cope with. Also von has made the point that English, or should I say Scottish, players are understood by all and sundry, whereas non-English speaking players get away with murder in what they say on court. Regarding Fed; well he’s been quite negative about Andy on more than one occasion and Andy is on record as saying Rafa is the player he most admires, so there’s history here.
However, I accept our difference of opinion and appreciate your comments about Andy’s talent.
Incidentally, I too admire Rafa tremendously.

August 28th, 2009 at 5:19 am

Murray did apparently get the toughest draw-but-hopefully there will be surprises to spice up the action!

Praying for a FEDAL Final!

cheers

August 28th, 2009 at 5:45 am

Federer has got a virtual bye into the SF,(nothing new there then), so he’ll not be match ready to meet his opponent in the SF; but Rafa will have worked his match play in before he gets to that point. I honestly do not believe that Gasquet is any kind of threat to Rafa, he’s never beaten Rafa in six attempts even when he hadn’t had time out, so why should he do it now.
The other guys in Rafa’s qtr all have a losing record against him; Almagro is no threat, OK, Tsonga beat once at the AO, but Rafa has beaten him at all their meetings since.

Murray I think will have to earn his crust. He has been lucky in his draws lately, but Gulbis tends to make the 2nd round in most tournaments, so not a good omen for Murray. Simon, Karlovic, and a fit Delpo are a handful.

Then there is Verdasco and Andreev and Kholsch depending on their form on the day. Djokovic will also have his hands full in the first round with Lubicic.

August 28th, 2009 at 6:45 am

ummm, i am a huge federer fan and tho some of you are discussing his ‘soft draw’ – i am not a fan of ‘soft’ draws – fed needs ‘to be tested’ – and i wish whoever says that these tournys are rigged would change the record. Fed has his own ‘tough draw’ at wimby and Murray’s was the cupcake draw -so it is all swings and roundabouts.

and i dont like bad behaviour on court. Andy murray needs to learn some manners on court -for all his talent with a tennis racquet, he in no way matches the manners and etiquette of other tennis players – he swears far too much, commentators having to apologise to viewers all the time – i’m fed up with them making excuses for him. He needs to go on an anger management course and do something about it – i dont want to hear expletives when i am watching a game. Do you ever hear rafa swear when he has lost a point? or roger swear? all you hear from Andy is Foooccccuuussss! Conccennntrattteee! F**k! when he loses a point and he celebrates his opponents losses – THAT is just NOT cool. so by all means celebrate the skill, but it is all part and parcel of the player – still much to learn for murray. 3 years younger and playing like a pro, is delpo. 20 years old and his manners are impeccable –

For every comment that you say federer has said about murray, it has been matched by murray – go check out the website.

August 28th, 2009 at 7:33 am

Shaky: „But the idea that Nadal can play himself into form in the next week is insane.“

Why do you think so? Let’s be honest, of all the players on the tour, who can do it if not Nadal? Everyone knows that it’s exactly THESE situations, when no one expects him to shine, where he’s usually the most dangerous. Remember the AO 2009? When he beat Verdasco in the semis, nobody expected him to surive another 5 set thriller in the final – yet he did, and won it. 3-4 years ago, if someone had told us he’ll win Wimbledon, we would be laughing – yet in 2008, he proved us all wrong…

It’s true he may not have the best possible preparation behind him, lacking some vital training hours here and there, but as far as the match practice goes, he’s not that far away from the other top dogs. In fact, he’s actually played only 1 match less than what Federer played before the USO (I mean on the NA hardcourts, of course). Now add to that the fact that the USO is the only GS which is missing in his trophy collection, and you have a determined and focused Nadal, quite possibly like never before. Of course, I may be totally wrong on this one, but if I had to bet on someone other than Fed, it would be this guy.

August 28th, 2009 at 7:52 am

Well, Murray may not be too choosy when it comes to showing his emotions on the court, but you can’t deny the kid knows a thing or two about how to handle that small fuzzy thing called tennis ball!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebDht_OtnEw

August 28th, 2009 at 8:07 am

Federer has the easiest draw of any #1 seed in the history of the U.S Open. Can’t believe his good luck or is it?

No Nadal, Murray or Del Potro on his side. Only Roddick who he owns. Djokovic who he dismantled in Cincy. And maybe Daveydenko, who is on the downside of his career and is afraid of Federer.

They could have at least made it a little less obvious. Geez!!

Let’s make sure golden boy gets through to the final to allow CBS to recoup some money for airing all those hours of low rated tennis leading up to the final.

You see, Serena, Venus, and Roddick don’t bring in enough cash. Fed and his commercials do.

August 28th, 2009 at 9:22 am

Why was the draw done on Wednesday and published on Thursday? I wait to see the order of play, obviously, Federer will have the schedule of his choice, and everyone else will have to fall into place, as usual. Is it any wonder that Federer has made 22 SFs in a row?

Rafa’s draw is not bad at all though not as cushy, so someone somewhere wants a Federer/ Nadal final. I hope that comes to pass.

August 28th, 2009 at 10:46 am

Skorocel Says:

“It’s true he may not have the best possible preparation behind him, lacking some vital training hours here and there, but as far as the match practice goes, he’s not that far away from the other top dogs. In fact, he’s actually played only 1 match less than what Federer played before the USO (I mean on the NA hardcourts, of course). Now add to that the fact that the USO is the only GS which is missing in his trophy collection, and you have a determined and focused Nadal, quite possibly like never before. Of course, I may be totally wrong on this one, but if I had to bet on someone other than Fed, it would be this guy.”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This is an excellent point, and it’s an element of what Federer said in Australia this year. Federer openly doubted Murray to win Australia because he knows that Majors with 7 Best f Five matches is a whole different animal than 5 Best of Three matches at Masters Series events. Federer had said before that other than himself he’d always consider Nadal the other favorite because they’ve been there at the Majors time and again.

Nadal is at his most dangerous when nobody expects him to win. When Sampras was at his ebb after Wimbledon in 2002, Anaacone came back to remind him who he was. Sampras played mediocre in the hard court run up to that year’s Open, after which Annacone confided to some that he felt Sampras was able to get it done. They were openly laughed at. That is, until Sampras held up the trophy. Sampras knew what it took to get through a Major. Nadal knows it too. If he gains some confidence getting through the first week, it’d be wise to consider him a live contender at the business end of the tournament. This tournament is really Federer’s to lose. But it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he has to go through Nadal to do it.

August 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am

sadly, the way he’s playing, it’s doubtful ernest will even manage the most meager challenge to the Scot.

Now Nadal, on the other hand, may not have been at his best in Cincy but he has to be super motivated thanks to the prospects of a US Open win! Vamos Rafa

But Roddick is going to be on fire and HUNGRY, gunning for avenging his Wimbles loss! What a potential semi-final between Roddick and Nole!

Of course chloe. Many reasons to be hoping, divining, praying for the FEDAL final.

August 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am

Murray is often accused of celebrating others’ mistakes. When a rally ends in someone’s mistake, is it not likely to be because that mistake has been forced? I don’t claim to be an expert on the game, but when I hear ex-players who know their stuff, praising Murray’s constant variation of pace and angle, I’m prepared to believe them. He celebrates when the other guy makes an error because, most of the time, he made him do it.
Skorocel, perhaps Nadal can play himself into form, but it’s quite reasonable to suggest the odds are against him. He has these bad knees, remember?
Chloe, is Fed getting “the schedule of his choice” or is the schedule being adjusted to give television the biggest stars at peak viewing time?

August 28th, 2009 at 11:58 am

Oh and Madmax, I agree about ‘soft draws’ being myth.

Cupcake or easy draws can arguably work against a player. Hard draws are great tune-ups for the likes of the top 4.

In the end, the best , fittest , finest man on the day wins anyway.

Much as I also love JMDP, his fitness is still questionable by the second week it seems in his GS performances but likely he’ll make for some exciting matches.

can’t wait for the games to start!

August 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

On Murray celebrating mistakes,

That can only take a player so far. True champions go out and win it with good shots. They are brave and most focused at critical times. I think this is why Federer is critical of Murray’s game. He plays too defensive at times in a match when offense is the better option. Hopes and prays the other player misses. May work against weaker minded opponents, but against the mentally strongest, Nadal and Federer – will come up short every time in a best of 5 set grand slam champion match.

Murray needs to take it up a notch further and add big “O” to his already beautiful defensive baseline game alla what Nadal did to win a grand slam and not just be a runner up.

August 28th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Mr Murray needs to grow up a little more with regard to his on court attitude and behavior imo.

The close-ups of those bloody knuckles during the match against Fed made me cringe. Self-harm ….argh

and, he needs a much better 2nd serve

August 28th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Let’s face it, When it’s all said and done the semis will look like this.

Federer Vs Djokovic/Roddick

AND

Nadal Vs Murray

Don’t think anyone knows or cares about Del Potro in the states. Just another goofy big South American “Addams Family Lurch” looking kind of guy. He won’t last 5 sets against either Murray or Nadal. The average American tennis fan will not route for him. He will go no farther than the QFs.

The

August 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Uh, Cindy – did you watch the draw? How was it fixed? And just who do you think would give Federer a tough time the way he is currently playing and knowing how he has played in NY?

A mental exercise and a question for you and for anyone else who thinks the draws unduly favour Federer – if you could switch the top four seeds around and replace them in any of the spots they now occupy, which setting would have you NOT saying “Gee – Federer sure gor an easy draw again – the fix is on?” Just curious.

======

And I am seeing a new term in here, with people hoping for a FEDAL final. How about we hope the hairiest guy from each side makes it to the last match – that would give us a FERAL final. :)

======

And to echo an earlier comment from Von – I don’t get the negative rants being dumped on Roddick. The man is a past winner here at the US Open and has truly had a bad run of injuries. At Wimbledon we all saw how close he came to defeating Fed, and that was with Federer playing sublimely, unlike how the Swiss played the previous year against Nadal, when his serve deserted him. If Fed had been serving this year the way he served at Wimby in ’08 Roddick would have taken him.

Now we don’t really know if A-Rod has recovered 100% from his hip flexor, and his results over the past 5 weeks makes me think that perhaps he hasn’t, but if he has, watch out for him to make a solid run.

And actually I think Djokovic will not be booed too harshly by the US crowd if he handles himself well. Grudges against players get shelved when the player stops displaying negative behaviour, and that was a bit of an one-time thing with the Djoker, who has behaved very well this year on court and has been a true gentleman, even in defeat.

Now, it’s how Nadal and especially his uncle get treated at Roland Garros next year that I am looking at!!!

Two more days and finally it starts. Can’t wait for some really good tennis.

August 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

madmax: JMDP teaching Andy manners! man you gotta be kidding.
cindy-brady: agree with your comments as I am sure most Murray fans would.
contador: self harm? perhaps if you’d been in that primary school, you would too.

August 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Oh, and Cindy – just curious – prior to this year, who had “the easiest draw of any #1 seed in the history of the US Open”? And what year was that?

August 28th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Djok from top half and JMDP from the bottom half: both stay cozy under radar, both have little pressure/attitude, and both have a good game.

One of them will pop into final and win.

Fed fan I am and will be. But we had Djok the young gun taking AO in 2008. This last big prize of 2009 has to go to someone not named Fed or Nad…

August 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Oh please Gordo,

These days, Federer’s chief rivals are Nadal and Murray. Both suspiciously on the opposite side of the draw. Seeing how Murray is ranked #2, that can’t be helped but Nadal also? The powers at be want a Nadal- Murray / Federer final, where Federer has the easy road and his rivals have to beat the Hell out of each other with harder draws. By the time they reach the final they will be exhausted. Federer raises his 6th trophy in a row and CBS exes are happy with the ratings and money they make.

Just look at the facts – Federer gets the NCAA champion in the first round who has no pro experience. I’m sure Federer’s cringing at that prospect. While, Djokovic gets Ljubicic. Still a capable and dangerous player. Nadal gets the ever dangerous Richard Gasquet. And Murray Gets Gulbis. An under achieving young talented power player that many predicted great things for. This just may be his time.

Who in your opinion – has it the easiest? Hmmm?

So many naive people in this blog, including you Gordy!!

August 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

The draw wasn’t live so watching or not wouldn’t make a difference:

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/the-espn-ization-of-the-united-states-open-begins/

August 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Very funny, wits on this forum- *giggles*

thanks for that
@Margot
poor Murray thrashed in primary school, eh?
and does the same go for Mr Haas? did you see the bludgeoning he gave his thigh in a Wimby match- think it was vs Cilic?

and @Gordo
sorry, the ‘fedal’ term has been around for years but I like your new spin. May the most FERAL, beast, hairy or otherwise win.

@ Cindy_Brady
long live your “Addams Family Lurch” ! I have to think Samurai Sam Querry is part of that family.

Smarter than they appear or just plain goofy ? ah, be nice

August 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Skoro–

“Why do you think so? Let’s be honest, of all the players on the tour, who can do it if not Nadal?”

That’s my point: I don’t think anyone can do it, and based on what I saw the past two tournaments from Nadal, I’m even more sure that he’s not going into this with high expectations for himself.

“Everyone knows that it’s exactly THESE situations, when no one expects him to shine, where he’s usually the most dangerous. Remember the AO 2009? When he beat Verdasco in the semis, nobody expected him to surive another 5 set thriller in the final – yet he did, and won it.”

I don’t think doubting whether he’d have the fitness to go another 5 sets against federer is on par with doubting whether he can win possibly 7 such matches (at one of the toughest tourneys on the tour) coming off a major injury-imposed layoff. Not based on what we saw in Cinci.

His match to match recovery has always been top notch (all the more reason why people discounting his loss to Federer at Madrid are out of their minds — seriously, he played like a 3 hour match the day before, that’s not going to leave him exhausted the next day). We’ve never seen him after a long injury layoff, and 2 extra weeks of no practice (when he missed wimbledon) is substantial.

“3-4 years ago, if someone had told us he’ll win Wimbledon, we would be laughing – yet in 2008, he proved us all wrong…”

Again I’m not saying he can’t do it. I’m saying EXPECTING success right now is ludicrous. There’s no way HE’S expecting that kind of success, I’ll tell you that.

“Now add to that the fact that the USO is the only GS which is missing in his trophy collection, and you have a determined and focused Nadal, quite possibly like never before.”

I don’t think focus has ever been a problem for him — I’m pretty sure we’ve seen him focused all the time at majors. I don’t think he needs that extra motivation, if anything I think that would just add pressure if he focused on the idea of completing his career slam.

I’ll be delighted if he gets to a semi against Murray or Del Potro, and it’d be an awesome story to follow. But I’m not being a nadal hater or doubting him by saying I don’t expect him to make it there.

“Of course, I may be totally wrong on this one, but if I had to bet on someone other than Fed, it would be this guy.”

I’d put him ahead of Del Potro (fitness) and possibly tied with Roddick (federer semi problem). But I’d give Fed, Murray, and Djokovic much better odds than Rafa.

Hey, if he can make it to the semis, I’m going to be rooting for him over anyone in Murray’s quarter. It won’t prove me wrong if he does though: I just would never expect that kind of performance.

August 28th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Cindy: “The powers at be want a Nadal- Murray / Federer final, where Federer has the easy road and his rivals have to beat the Hell out of each other with harder draws. By the time they reach the final they will be exhausted. Federer raises his 6th trophy in a row and CBS exes are happy with the ratings and money they make.”

Do you seriously think the desired champion here is Federer and not Roddick? You should tune in to ESPN radio or WFAN or something some time.

A Federer-Nadal semi would get fantastic ratings. More importantly, a Federer-Roddick final would get comparable if not higher ratings than either a Federer-Nadal or Federer-Murray final. No tennis player has gotten more air time on the talking head circuit than Roddick post-wimbledon.

By that I mean he’s gotten greater than 0 mentions in the weeks preceding NFL football. We’re 2 weeks from titans at steelers, and in the past few days they’ve actually talked about Roddick on most major radio shows for more than 15 seconds. This is the first time I’ve ever heard more than a breath about tennis in the weeks leading up to ANY major on mainstream sports radio (as opposed to some tennis-centric podcast).

He’s a sympathetic character now, he’s rebuilt himself physically, and btw he’s got a popular supermodel wife. He’s always been the crowd favorite in New York, if he gets deep this year he’s also going to draw in casual/non-tennis fans. THAT’s who the american television market wants to see in a final.

BTW I love the recurring “exhaustion” claim. I know they play the finals the day after the semis here, but isn’t there a 40+ hour layoff between every round before that? The only guy I’ve seen look tired from round to round at ANY major in memory is Djokovic, and then only a couple times. I don’t remember guys like Agassi, Chang, or Edberg (!) ever looking worn out from playing a couple 5 setters on more than a day’s rest.

The only greater exhaustion that might take place would be because Nadal vs. Murray would feature two counterpunchers who you can imagine might play a very tight and historically slow match. So if they both make the semis, there’s your argument I guess.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

I love these conspiracy theories about fixing the draws in favour of a certain player! I just love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s so much fun to read what self-proclaimed experts write as wisdom as if they feel they have the responsibility to educate the more ignorant and dumber animals of the herd.

In their defence they would probably claim that they have clarity of mind and won’t be influenced by any body of power because those entities aren’t able to exploit their naïveté because they they have no such feature in their amazingly rational life! I love it!!!!!! Please keep going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You probably also believe HAARP is real and constitutes yet another way how the powers of be manipulate the common Joe!!!!!!!!

August 28th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

But Cindy – you still haven’t said what the previous easiest draw for a number 1 seed is. Is it perhaps because you don’t have a clue and you just love to spout off with hyperbole with ridiculous claims like Nadal being on drugs and the draws being “fixed”?

This goes hand in hand with your constant predictions which, even when they are wrong you spout off with how right you always are, knowing that no one can really be bothered to check on what you originally predicted.

And when all else fails you are reduced to saying how naive everyone who does not agree with you are.

Between all this and your insulting one – sided assaults on Von, who is one of the most intelligent bloggers in here I wonder if you have an understanding of the sport at all – Cinny.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Veno – funny stuff!

August 28th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Well said Gordo and I agree, Von is one of the most intelligent bloggers here(and understandably also one of the most stubborn) and overall I am very happy there is a lot of great quality in the tennis posts from a myriad of interesting bloggers here.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Whoa – Friday evening play held up by rain! Let’s have no more jokes about English weather. Climate change strikes again.
Regarding Nadal’s undeniable mental strength – there are limits. Remember that set he lost 6-0 to Murray, because he could hardly walk?
Oh, and Cindy – Murray will come up short against Nadal or Fed over 5 sets in a slam? Who beat Nadal in the last USO semi? Seems we naive folk have better memories than you.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Jane:
I won’t be going to the USO. We can’t afford NYC for two weeks. I hope to go to Indian Wells someday though. We love the area. We will be going back to Cincy since we had a great time and it’s not expensive.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

“3 years younger and playing like a pro, is delpo. 20 years old and his manners are impeccable -”

They are? I doubt Norm Chryst would agree with you though, after that slew of expletives DelPotro uttered during the Legg Mason final, and the other umpire at the Montreal SF. Also, how about the ‘gentle’ giant, yelling at Judy Murray to ‘be quiet’ or ‘shut up’ (can’t remember verbatim which one) when she was cheering for her son after he won a point vs. the perceived well-mannered and polite ‘gentle giant’, and the heightened passionate exchange that ensued after that outburst from the ‘polite’ one? In essence, DelPotro has freely indulged in his share of unsavoury outbursts, cursing and not so nice behaviour similar to that of the other English speaking players that are profusely criticized, but it is overlooked, because some interpret his words as utterances of peace, blessings, and sweet nothings, due to that being done in Spanish. I suppose by now it’s obvious that non-English speakers/players have the upper hand on the court, whereby they can swear/curse, et al., at the umpire, themselves and their opponents ad infinitum, and the umpire is none the wiser as to what’s being said, they are not warned and are given a free pass. From the look on the umpires’ faces at times, you’d think the player is saying to them ‘I love you man, you’re da bomb’. LOL. Many of us have selective seeing, hearing and thinking, where we see and/or hear what suits our mental image of our faves, and selectively discard/process out what we don’t like and/or does not fit the profile of them that we’ve conjured up in our minds. It’s sad really, because some players are given an easy pass and some are lambasted to no end, but I suppose it’s what makes life simultaneously interesting and frustrating.

“Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” ….. Aldous Huxley

And, per Patrick Moynihan: “We are each entitled to our own opinion, but no one is entitled to his own facts.”

The bottom-line, the tennis players are sports figures and are ONLY and primarily of interest to us based on how well they expertly and ingeniously execute their game. I’ve yet to talk to and/or find a sports fan/enthusiast who’d devote hours of his/her precious time to watch any sports figure because of that player’s impeccable manners, smile and gentleness on the arena. For those who want that kind of on-court persona more than the sport itself, I’d suggest purchasing a copy of Amy Vanderbilt’s book on Etiquette, and then utilize your precious time and money on pleasurable pursuits, such as a vacation.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Colin,

Chloe, is Fed getting “the schedule of his choice” or is the schedule being adjusted to give television the biggest stars at peak viewing time?

It doesn’t matter whether Federer is in the top or bottom draw, his draw always plays a day earlier than the other draw, and his day matches are always the first on court. Think of the AO when he had 3 days rest between the SF and final.

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that Fed is favoured for some reason, but I hope the others do their best to overcome his preferential treatment.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Murray’s ex coach speaks

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8225073.stm

August 28th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

contador: go look up “Dunblane massacre” Andy was there.

August 28th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Bodo’s take on Why Federer won’t win the USO:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4429431&name=bodo_peter

Bonnie Ford’s breakdown of the Federer/Nadal rivalry:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4428395

August 28th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Collin, you can’t be this stupid. Of course, you and Von are running neck and neck in the “I don’t know shit about tennis” derby.

Of course Murray beat Nadal in last years semis. Only after Nadal won everything else and was gasping from exhaustion. Where the Hell was Murray all year? Oh yes, Resting up and recovering from injury. This year, things are reversed and the “energy tank levels” are even. We will see who has the legs at the finishing line. Nadal is the mentally stronger of the two. Murray is far more likely to crack when the going gets tough.

You and Von leave out many important variables in your simplistic child like analysis. But I do find some of it “precious”.

I love being the professor , teaching all my blog children how the world of tennis works.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

von: re your last post @ 2’48, hey girl well said! Could not answer properly myself as still hysterical at thought of JMDP teaching Andy manners. Love quote about facts too.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Greg Garber’s USO draw analysis:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=4426179

Bonnie ford: Retirement isn’t the end ….. (they’ll be back) LOL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4419423

August 28th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

For Veno, mon ami — Patrick Mcenroe’s video on your fave. Enjoy!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/columns/story?columnist=ford_bonnie_d&id=4419423

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4419182&name=bodo_peter

Now read and digest, read and digest, but ajita is not allowed. LOL.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

@ Margot
apologies. thought you were kidding

Thanks for enlightening me.

Watching Davy v Querry rerun match on ESPN2

Is it Monday yet?

August 28th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

quote: “jane Says:

Roddick on Letterman!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_ehm5Eog0”

thank you jane! I missed seeing this.

sigh why does Federer always have to be gifted such easy draws? I agree with what others have said, his luck has been much too convenient, almost like it was planned or setup.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

contator: accepted. Indeedy roll on Monday, but alas time difference not kind to us Brits.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Dear Lord thank you for your many blessings, one of which is this lovely woman Cindy Brady, but I’d like to know @ 3:07 pm, what did I do and/or say to receive such honorable mention?

August 28th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

Does anyone know what half of the draw plays on the opening day – Monday 8/31? I have a ticket for that day but want to see the matches on the bottom half of the draw instead, and I’m assuming that will be on Tuesday. Anyone? Thanks!!!

August 28th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

Yeah Margot and if you want him to talk about Dunblane you have to give him big $$$
” Andy Murray is to open his heart for the first time on the Dunblane massacre.
He is expected to tell of his experience after landing a £1million book deal.”

What a greedy boy.He is rude and obnoxious on court,really just an infant spewing expletives. If he doesn’t take the HC USO or AO this time he won’t have much credibility, will he? He brags about the edge he has on Fed, well we’ll see about that won’t we? Fed and Del Potro hate the guy. No one can warm up to him.

and yes Margot, many people here are belly-aching about his rough draw. Too bad, if he wants the trophy he has to beat them all.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Von great and hilarious post @ 2:48 pm. LOL. Also thanks for linking up Ford’s articles for us. I haven’t read her stuff for a while, but she’s usually an interesting one.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

Wow – such harsh words for Murray; frankly, I don’t get it. But I think what Von said about selective seeing/hearing has something to do with it. ALL of the players have flaws, and thank god for that. How BORING if they were all well behaved and perfectly, politically correct and uniform. Tennis hasn’t been a “gentleman’s sport” since the Open Era; we should accept the variety is personalities and temperaments.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:52 pm

You’re welcome TD (Tam); it was mentioned on the ATP site but I don’t know if everyone gets there so I thought I’d link it here. Andy is hilarious in his deadpan comment to Letterman: “Oh ya, I am in Federer’s head alright!” LOL.

August 28th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

Thanks for the links Von, however, the one where Pat Mac share his view on my fave isn’t there :)
Could you re-post it? Thanks!!!

August 28th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

i am fed: truly, loathing is in the eye of the beholder……….

August 28th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

“Yelling at Judy Murray to “shut up” or “be quiet” When? Where? We want facts.

August 28th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

The ESPN article by Bonnie Ford has couple of mistakes.

1) “ended a two-year drought of hard-court Masters titles last week in Cincinnati”

No. Federer ended Masters drought at Madrid in May

2) “Federer looked simultaneously sharp and relaxed in his march to the Cincinnati championship — his first tournament since coming back from paternity leave”

No. Federer played Montreal after Wimbledon.

August 28th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

SRM

1. the operative word is “hard-court” – Bonnie was right.
2. You’re right on that one – Bonnie was wrong. Fed played Montreal.

August 28th, 2009 at 5:19 pm

SRM: Madrid this year was played on Clay, so Bonnie was correct there :)

Oh sorry Jane, you beat me to the punch there

August 28th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

I think I’ve been a little hard on Murray, particularly when I said in some other thread that it would be a sad day for tennis if he ever becomes number 1. A tad unfair on my part, so apologies to Murray fans. I still don’t enjoy watching him play, though and I do think he suffers from a terrible lack of charisma (which I guess isn’t really his fault).

I don’t mind the cursing so much. I’m French so I can confirm what Von says: the other players do it too, it’s just less noticeable to english speaking fans. There’s just something cocky and altogether too serious about Murray’s attitude that bothers me, though. Never gives much credit to his opponent after losing either.

But anyway, putting all these little details aside, the guy’s shown that he’s a consistent player with the proper skills to win a slam. This US Open should be very interesting. Wouldn’t mind if Novak could bring home a 2nd grand slam title (he’s my favorite of the ‘new generation’) though it seems unlikely!

August 28th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

Wow. Mistake on Mistake !!. Thanks Jane and Veno. At least I am right on one. :-)

August 28th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

Veno: Sorry, I didn’t post it — it’s a video — bad girl. here it is:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4428328&categoryid=2491545

And, just because I messed up, here’s another video by both Mc brothers on their USo preview. Enjoy mon ami!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4429564&categoryid=2491545

August 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

For anyone interested, here’s Mary Jo Fernandez’ USO WTA preview:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4428335&categoryid=2491545

Williams sisters dance:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4427552&categoryid=2491545

August 28th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

Tx Von, you’re a doll!
P-Mac again making an error at the end…Nadal could take back number 1 if he wins his first title here at the US Open……Lol….Not!!! Would take a lot more for him than to only win the Open…

August 28th, 2009 at 8:11 pm

Veno,

If Federer were to lose in the 1st round and Nadal win the the U.S. Open then Nadal would regain #1. Federer is defending 2000 pts while Nadal is defending 900.

It’s mathematically possible but very VERY unlikely Federer will lose early and Nadal win the whole thing.

So P-Mac isn’t completely wrong in stating that. However, he is going out on a limb.

Both you and Von need a strong refresher in basic math.

August 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Well Roger’s got 12,040 points and Rafa’s at 9,025. Take away their U.S. Open points and you get 10,040 for Roger (12,040 – 2,000) and 8,125 for Rafa (9,025 – 900). If Roger loses in the 1st round, no points, he stays at 12,040. If Rafa wins the USO, he gets 2,000 points, bringing him up to 10,125 and getting him back the #1 spot by 85 points! Highly unlikely scenario, though plausible.

August 28th, 2009 at 9:34 pm

Wouldn’t mind if Novak could bring home a 2nd grand slam title (he’s my favorite of the ‘new generation’) though it seems unlikely!

Maso
I agree, but there is still time for that….like when Fed retires. I think he will make a push in 2010 although it would be nice now. I’m grateful for the one he’s got.
Seriously, it took Kuz 5 years to get her second, Pete almost 3 years to get his second, and we are still waiting for Roddick to get another.

August 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

sar, well said. I think people are WAY too quick to call a player a “one slam wonder” and besides which, one slam is a lot better than what many players finish their pro-tennis careers with, so why go there? Many memorable players finish their careers without a slam but they have still provided us many hours of tennis enjoyment. For example, if Berdych or Gasquet retire without ever having won a major, I will still be happy I had the pleasure of watching them play.

August 28th, 2009 at 10:52 pm

Reclaiming No1 spot not main aim, says Nadal:

http://sport.scotsman.com/tennis/Reclaiming-No1-spot-not-main.5600246.jp

August 28th, 2009 at 11:34 pm

Ezorra Says:
“Reclaiming No1 spot not main aim, says Nadal”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

It’d be almost impossible. He’d have to win this and then do well in at least one of two remaining Masters Series and do very well at the YEC in London.

He’s got a much better chance next year to get back to it. He’s got virtually all upside in terms of gaining points at both The French Open and Wimbledon, both of which he’s won. And Federer will have a lot to defend in Australia, Paris and Wimbledon next year.

August 29th, 2009 at 12:01 am

Isn’t this the most fascinatingly funny blog site? Somebody calls another one of the most intelligent bloggers and what happens? She immediately sends in quotations from famous people. I knew that would happen. Intelligent, maybe but somewhat predictable, pedantic and gullible.

August 29th, 2009 at 12:10 am

Not that Polo’s comment @ 12:10 am on 8/29, should be dignified with an answer (which is not uncharacteristic of him and runs true to form), but my comment @ 2:48 pm on 8/28/09, was made in response to that @ 7:33 am on 8/28/09, and that’s as far as I got to read before replying. Whatever comments were posted in between those times, I didn’t see/read, and I only saw them after I posted @ 2:48 pm. I’m sure many can identify with this type of scenario transpiring if they’ve not posted for several hours, which makes Polo’s comment @ 12:10 am on 8/29 simultaneously moot and ludicrous, but point well taken and is understandable nonetheless, since Murray was the topic of my post, and DelPotro’s one of Polo’s newly acquired favorites. BTW, Polo’s not ONE of, but THE most intelligent poster on this site, so let’s give him a big round of applause. Gosh, it’s wonderful to be so loved by so many!

August 29th, 2009 at 1:39 am

Shaky Says: Fumus– “Nadal is the wild car but he just has not played good tennis this summer and has not come in with good form. But who cares because if he can tighten the screws down on his game he’ll beat everyone.”.. Do people actually believe this? I don’t know if you guys actually watched any of Nadal’s matches these past couple weeks, but I don’t think he has a chance in hell against any of the top 6 guys. “Tighten the screws down”? You guys really think he has better than a puncher’s chance at winning this?”

Sadly no, that was painfully obvious at Cincy. People were saying “He looks good, he’s moving well.” Huh? I thought, not to me – about 70% himself. The court was fast and the USO will be less so but no where near as slow as OZ. As fantastic a competitor as we know he is, it’s too much to ask. A puncher’s chance, but not much else.
————————————-
JW says “As for Roger’s draw….they may as well have sent Roger Federer a box of Manhattan’s famous Magnolia cupcakes.” Haha – well said Jon! A cupcake draw as we all know, even if some cannot admit it.
——————————————
Jock Says: “Yelling at Judy Murray to “shut up” or “be quiet” When? Where? We want facts.”
I don’t remember this incident but another in Spring 2008 vs Murray, JMDP made a comment about Judy & Murray & he got into it. Was it Hamburg? Can’t remember exactly which tourney but they are NOT on friendly terms despite what they mouth to the press.
———————————————–
Cindy_Brady Says: “It’s mathematically possible but very VERY unlikely Federer will lose early and Nadal win the whole thing.”
I’d say the odds are so overwhelmingly against the #1 player losing first round to #1326 it’s not even worth wasting ones time pondering the possibility.
————————————
The pundits on JW’s article have picked as a dark horse: Delpo (4) – ??? He’s not that much of a long shot. I’d give him a good shot. Querrey (1) – I don’t see this happening. Simon (1) – YES!! Would love it.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:56 am

Maso:

“I don’t mind the cursing so much. I’m French so I can confirm what Von says: the other players do it too, it’s just less noticeable to english speaking fans.”

The cursing doesn’t bother me, because as I’ve previously stated in the past, I’ve heard a lot travelling on the NYC subway system. My French is not great, but I’ve been able to translate quite a few expletives used by some of the French players, and the words are easily discernible when I see the players forming/mouthing them even though they aren’t audible at times.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:59 am

Tenisbebe:

“The court was fast and the USO will be less so but no where near as slow as OZ ..”

If I’m not mistaken the USO has the fastest surface of all the other hardcourts.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:04 am

Von, how be you? – I believe that the courts at Cincy are faster that those at Flushing. But now I will have to go check….

August 29th, 2009 at 2:26 am

tenisbebe: don’t think JMDP is a dark horse at all. Only question is about his fitness.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:42 am

Hiya Margot – yes, alot of chat about his lack of fitness & I agree somewhat however he looked fine at the French playing best of 5’s on CLAY – much longer and more grueling points. I believe he plays possum sometimes with the fatigue act & then comes back strong to win – improved mental toughness? Perhaps. In any case, the guy is definitely a contender in my book.

August 29th, 2009 at 3:15 am

tenisbebe: hi 2 u 2! Interesting point about JMDP, so he lulls his opponents into a false sense of security and then pounces, does he? That’s certainly an effective tactic in warfare,perhaps he goes in for battle re-enactments in his spare time………….

August 29th, 2009 at 5:47 am

Polo Says:

Isn’t this the most fascinatingly funny blog site? Somebody calls another one of the most intelligent bloggers and what happens? She immediately sends in quotations from famous people. I knew that would happen. Intelligent, maybe but somewhat predictable, pedantic and gullible.

Those who use BIG words or quote famous people in order to win e-arguments are the least intelligent posters. Less is often more.

August 29th, 2009 at 6:42 am

Tx Cindy and Maso, mathematically you’re both correct of course looking at the points.
I will pass on any refreshment course in mathematics though Cindy; I can count to 10 which is sufficient for a dumb dingle like me.

However I meant it in the context(oh yes, let’s look at the bigger picture) that P-Mac’s remark wasn’t made under his own assumption that Fed would lose in the first round to an 18 year old American Wildcard(lucky and unlucky young man at the same time)or lose in the second round which would leave him behind Rafa if Rafa were to win the Open.

He actually said it would be a stroll for Fed to reach the semis.
I was under my own assumption that especially you Cindy, would get that, being such a pinnacle of intelligence in comparison to mediocre ol’ me :)

August 29th, 2009 at 8:05 am

I think the fastest HC is Cincy, but Flushing isn’t far behind.

The U.S. Open is played on an acrylic hard court, while the Australian Open is played on a synthetic hardcourt.
The main difference between a synthetic hardcourt and a true hardcourt surface(acrylic) is the level of hardness. When the ball bounces on this surface it is faster than all other surfaces if there is not much sand in the top paint.
The amount of sand used in the top paint and the size of the sand also determines the speed(more sand means less speed and larger sand particles will slow the speed of play).
The amount of friction can also be altered and more friction will produce a clay court effect, where topspin is magnified. The extra grip and friction will resist the sliding effect of the ball and the resistance will force the ball to change its rotation.
The extra grip provided by the surface can resist the movement of the player and can cause injury.

August 29th, 2009 at 8:15 am

The Rocket!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE-Tennis/DEUCE-US-Open-2009/Rod-Laver.aspx

August 29th, 2009 at 8:32 am

Von, for you:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE-Tennis/DEUCE-US-Open-2009/Andy-Roddick.aspx

August 29th, 2009 at 8:43 am

Veno,

You make a good point about the differences in hard courts and how the ball bites into the surface.

The Australian clearly favors a more defensive style (heavy spin) type of game. Nadal liked it. The U.S Open is fast and the angles the balls hit are far more acute. Pace, depth of shot, and big serving are all rewarded. Those who can take the ball early and can use pace of shot also have an advantage alla Murray.

Only on the back hand side does Nadal use the U.S Open court speed to his advantage. His famous forehand is far less effective there. One reason, I don’t see him ever winning this event unless many things fall into place for him, like upsets or future court surface changes.

People will argue and say that Nadal overcame grass and won Wimbledon. A fantastic accomplishment for any style of player. But let’s face it, the grass at Wimbledon has been slowed down and actually favors his style of play.

Of all the grand slam surfaces….The U.S Open’s is the only one that does not favor Nadal’s style at this moment.

I would say Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Roddick, and even Del Potro (who hits flat) should be realistically favored over Nadal during this event. Court speed and condition favor them. Not Nadal – in my brilliant opinion.

August 29th, 2009 at 9:29 am

Cindy,
I agree on your assessment about Nadal and the US Open. Nadal could win the Open one day, but everything will have to go his way and the stars would have to be aligned in his favour.
His skills, style and unrivaled mentality alone won’t get him the trophy imo. I also don’t get the always up-played chances of Rafa winning at Flushing.
After the Ozzie Open, which Plexicushion court much more suits his play as well as his movement, all the pundits were talking about him winning the Calendar Slam. They already gifted him the French and regarding Wimbledon, hey, he would be favourite to win there too. So all he had to do really was win at the Open and well, now he’s won the Ozzie Open that won’t be too much of a leap to get it done in New York!
Made me laugh when I read those journalist’s conviction it would happen this year. I guess they haven’t learned from history that past results are by no means guarantees for the future.
I’m not saying Nadal could never win a career Grand Slam(people were also convinced Roger wouldn’t make it because Nadal would win 9 consecutive Coupes des Mousquetaires!) but I agree that players like Roddick, Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Delpotro have a better chance at winning in the Big Apple!

August 29th, 2009 at 10:07 am

Based on her last post, I just realized that I share an opinion with Cindy Brady.

I’m going to go light myself on fire folks.

August 29th, 2009 at 10:15 am

For you Fed is GOAT:
I know you like the numbers :)

Splitting Fed’s first winless 16 slams and his last 25 slams makes for a total of 41 slams played:

First 16 slams(’99 FO-’03 FO):

He reached 0 Fs, 0 SFs and 2 QFs
His win-loss record in 3 sets is 18-10
His win-loss record in 4 sets is 6-3
His win-loss record in 5 sets is 5-3(2x 0-2 down)
For a total w-l record of 29-16(64.44 win perc.)

Last 25 slams(’03 Wimby-’09 Wimby):

He won 15 slams, 5 times a finalist, 3 times a semi-finalist, a 4th round and a 3rd round result.
His win-loss record in 3 sets is 113-3(wow!)
His win-loss record in 4 sets is 28-4
His win-loss record in 5 sets is 9-3(2x 0-2 down)

He’s had 3 opponents retiring(all trailed Fed)

He’s had 2 walkovers

For a total w-l record of 153-10(93.87 win perc.)

His total win-loss record is 182-26(87.50 win perc.)

*Fed has never retired during a Slam match(or any match!) and never had to grant an opponent a walkover(only once in any tournament…Paris MS ’08 QF to James Blake because of a back injury)

*He will be playing his 40th straight Slam at Flushing which is second to Fabrice Santoro who will be playing his 45th straight and 69th in total at Flushing.

August 29th, 2009 at 10:33 am

*Tips hat to Fabrice Santoro*…*WOOT*

A little man with an elegant game. Maybe not the best singles player, but still very entertaining to watch. Plays with brilliant French flair that looks magical sometimes. I marvel at the way he takes speed off the ball and can change direction so easily. Still moves exceptionally well for a man well passed his prime and uses two hands on both sides. A very unique game we will never see again. I love to watch him play against the big guns in big events.

He is all class. Bravo Santoro!

August 29th, 2009 at 10:52 am

Yes he is: the epitomy of the anti-hero and a master at it!
Respect for the man! He’s lost more slam matches than he’s won, but just ask Marat Safin how he likes playing Fabrice!
We’ll never see someone like Fabrice again, he has been a favourite of mine to watch for well over a decade now!
He also has the best tennis nickname…”the magician”

August 29th, 2009 at 11:02 am

He also played in the longest slam match ever at just over 6 and a half hours when he won in the first round of Roland Garros against countryman Arnaud Clément in ’04……and what was the result in the deciding set? 16-14!!!

August 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am

Hmmm,

Wonder if Querry made a mistake playing in New Haven…

Playing his best hard court tennis in the warm up events. Has to potentially play two matches today. Hope he has enough gas left to put in a great effort at the Open. He is in Federer’s quarter. By the time they POTENTIALLY meet(Big question mark there) – Sam may be fried.

I would hate to see him lose 1st or 2nd round at the Open due to fatigue. Just wondering if he’s played too much this summer. Was winning the U.S. Open series worth risking an early exit at the U.S Open?

August 29th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Veno: “His skills, style and unrivaled mentality alone won’t get him the trophy imo. I also don’t get the always up-played chances of Rafa winning at Flushing.
After the Ozzie Open, which Plexicushion court much more suits his play as well as his movement, all the pundits were talking about him winning the Calendar Slam. They already gifted him the French and regarding Wimbledon, hey, he would be favourite to win there too. So all he had to do really was win at the Open and well, now he’s won the Ozzie Open that won’t be too much of a leap to get it done in New York!”

If you remember, Nadal, in the first 5 months of the season, won almost everything. If we look at it chronologically, he won the AO, IW, then reached a quarterfinal in Miami (where he lead 3-0 in the deciding set, and where JMDP needed all he got and then some to beat him), semi in Rotterdam (where he injured himself), won MC, Barcelona, Rome, and reached the final in Madrid (where he lost to Fed after playing a 4 hour semifinal). In other words, he was CLEARLY the best player in the world, and it only took a super-determined Soderling and some serious tendonitis problem in his knees to finally defeat him at RG (which then later made him to skip the Wimby, thus allowing Fed to overtake him at the No. 1 spot). Of course, only Nadal himself knows how badly that tendonitis bothered him in that match against Soderling, but other than that, all what I’ve written here are FACTS.

Another FACTS are: he won the AO once, IW twice, got to the Miami final twice (where in 2005, had there been a HE at disposal, he would be most probably the winner), won both Montreal & Toronto once, got to a semi in Cincy twice, got to a semi at USO once, won Madrid once, and got to a semi at YEC twice. In other words, he’s BOUND to be considered among the favorites at the USO.

I mean, when will all the Nadal doubters finally acknowledge him as a serious contender on ANY surface?! I’m a Fed fan, but I’m not blind to see the guy is good. So good that whenever these two meet, he’ll always be a tough challenge for Roger and for EVERYONE else – be it clay, snow, forest, hard, grass, sand, or sea. I mean, what’s the deal with IW being one nanosecond slower than Cincy or USO? He won it, period! That’s all what matters. And he’s won Toronto, Montreal and others. Even in Dubai 2006 he beat a supposed “peak” Federer, so what’s the problem? If he could reach one semi here already, giving Murray a tough fight, then why can’t he win the whole thing?

August 29th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

Skorocel,

Nadal won’t win because I said so.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

“Those who use BIG words or quote famous people in order to win e-arguments are the least intelligent posters. Less is often more.”

One has first got to know these ‘big words and quotations’ to be able to use them, (quoting famous people shows respect for their intellect) and that comes from knowledge and intelligence. If one does not know these ‘big words and quotations’, then sure, LESS (not using them) is better, because how and why would one be able to use something if one does not know of its existence? capiche and LOL.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

“If he could reach one semi here already, giving Murray a tough fight, then why can’t he win the whole thing?” Skorocel:

Hey, mon ami, the prophet has spoken. LOL.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

Skorocel,

I appreciate the strong case you make there, however, you didn’t get my point at all, so I blame myself for not putting it in my writing more clearly.
I’m a Federer fan, but foremost a tennis fan! I hugely respect Rafa and love seeing him play. He’s a great champion, as a tennis player, and in his humble presence off the court and he has the best competitive mentality I have ever seen in a player(only Jimbo C comes close in my memory)
He has owned Fed and has done tremendously in winning Wimby last year and the Ozzie Open this year. Credit where credit is due!!!
As long as he is 100% fit he will always have a chance to win at Flushing and you can always consider him a favourite but never the top favourite imo.
There’s a reason Rafa has never gotten to the Cincy or USO final before. One of them being the kind of hardcourt, which was 1 of my points in the previous posts. And until he does reach the final he won’t ever be the biggest fave to win the title.
Yes, he has won an awful lot(btw he reached the final of Rotterdam, but lost to Murray because he was playing on 1 leg) and also has had some great wins on HC’s. But Miami and IW are a whole different ball game, not in the least because of the place on the yearly schedule.
My alternating point of view was that after he won the Ozzie Open this year and won IW the media pundits were almost giving him the Calendar Slam this year. Even more so when he was again so dominant on the European Clay. Not taking anything away from Rafa, but it just made me laugh to even contemplate the Calendar Slam before even the second Slam had been played.
Yes, he was the favourite to win Roland Garros, but in all honesty, I didn’t think it would be a walk in the parc either way(any idea how hard it is to win 5 straight French Opens?)
And regardless if he had won RG a 5th time, he still wouldn’t be the top favourite at Wimbledon. Why would he be? Because he has won 1? Does his ’08 win mean he would win every year consequently? The pundits made it sound that way…And then Robin Soderling happened in Paris….I don’t care if he was tired, if his tendonitis made him unable to play near his best etc etc. He got hammered by Robin and that’s all that matters. Again, whatever the reason, it underlined once more how careful you have to be in predicting the future based on the past and the present and that’s my point.
It has nothing to do with Rafa or that I’m not paying him his due, because I am and I always have. He has caused me a lot of anguish considering the damage he has inflicted on my fave, but I have always admired, respected and loved Rafa as a tennis player. Despite all the heartache Rafa was and is a blessing for Fed and tennis as has been and is Fed to Rafa and tennis and I have expressed this numerous times on these threads.
I’m sorry for my unclarity in description, Skorocel, English is not my first language, and by no means was it my objective to diminish any of Rafa’s accomplishments and his stature as a tennis player.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

Von Says:

“Those who use BIG words or quote famous people in order to win e-arguments are the least intelligent posters. Less is often more.”

One has first got to know these ‘big words and quotations’ to be able to use them, (quoting famous people shows respect for their intellect) and that comes from knowledge and intelligence. If one does not know these ‘big words and quotations’, then sure, LESS (not using them) is better, because how and why would one be able to use something if one does not know of its existence? capiche and LOL.

________________________________________________________

Big difference, you don’t quote famous people to respect their intellect, you use them more to plastically establish yours.

Those who are truly capable of intellectual debate can create rather than parrot information.

You my dear, are flapping, chirping, and cackling bird like being who is a WANT TO BE but CAN’T BE.

That is all.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Cindy_Brady says “The Australian clearly favors a more defensive style (heavy spin) type of game.”

Maybe. But in 2008, Djokovic and Tsonga were in the final and neither or them would be thought of as “defensive”. Verdasco wasn’t exactly playing defensively when he took out Murray to get to the semis this year, nor was Roddick, and he also got to the semis. Plus, I don’t think any of these guys use “heavy spin” – so I am not sure if the point holds. Could be that there’s an element of truth to it, what with the sandier surface and it being a slower hard court and all – but it’s still a hard court. Thus, attackers do well. Nadal was hitting the ball flatter at the AO this year.

————————————————-

Skorocel says, re: Nadal “In other words, he’s BOUND to be considered among the favorites at the USO.

I mean, when will all the Nadal doubters finally acknowledge him as a serious contender on ANY surface?”

Plus he’s won Dubai and Olympic gold on hard courts. I am with you Skorocel; I think people who count Nadal out are doing so too quickly. He may not be fresh enough this year (i.e., have shaken off the rust yet), but if he tweaks the schedule next year, who knows?

Many consider Murray a top contender here – and Nadal wasn’t blown off the court by him at the USO last year, so that means they can go toe-to-toe.

I wouldn’t rule him out from ever winning it, anyhow.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

Hey Cindy, argument wise you make a very good riposte in countering Von’s argument alas, as so many, you don’t know when to quit….
You totally undo the effect of your retort when you didn’t push the “submit” button after “Those who are truly capable of intellectual debate can create rather than parrot information.”

What a pity you had to shoot off your mouth rambling “You my dear, are flapping, chirping, and cackling bird like being who is a WANT TO BE but CAN’T BE.

That is all.”

August 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

Nadal won’t win because the prophet says so @ 1:13 pm.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

Veno: Paragraphs please hon, you’re killing my eyes. Hit the enter key twice after the last entence you type and you’ll be able to begin a new paragraph.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

Jane,

I was speaking more about the change they made this year to the Ozzy surface. Seems to favor people like Verdasco and Nadal. The flatter hitters would be forced to hit one or two more balls per rally and that makes a huge difference in the win to error ratio in favor of the defensive players.

Veno,

You take the good with the bad with me. LuLz!

Von wants to announce to the forum how rich and intelligent she is – well people who do this usually are just the opposite. Anyways I will be at the U.S Open final two weeks from tomm. hope some of you see me on TV. I’ll wave to Von and blow kisses.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

Cindy, if I recall correctly, the AO surface change happened pre-2008 tournament as I’m pretty sure Djoko was the first to win on the new surface.

August 29th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Cindy Brady:

It’s obvious my intelligence and everything about me is stuck deep down in your craw, and it’s why you have to parrot all day, including my name in your posts as some sort of subconscious competition with my intellect, while making a spectacle of yourself as an empty vessel. You and the others who attack me, e.g., the pedantic one, make me look SUPER, TERRIFIC, GOOD. capiche? Don’t stop, because you know what they say about empty vessels, don’t you? If you don’t, let me educate you, ‘they make the most sound’. So talk/chirp/parrot/cackle away empty vessel, I’m enjoying the laughs.

FYI, the information you parrot and traffic here in an effort to impress some on your ‘alleged’ tennis knowledge, can be googled on the web and from reading the tennis writers’ articles, e.g., the predictions and draw analysis. I read this stuff every day in my email box. Therefore, all you are doing is copying and pasting someone else’s knowledge in an effort to impress the bloggers here. And, when you hit a spot where you can’t or don’t have the knowledge to argue a point you resort to stuff like ‘because I said so’ and verbally abusing the poster who has cornered you. Anyway, carry on smart-lessly as you always do.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Veno:

Thanks for posting that article on Roddick. I receive the ATP World Insider also, and I read the article but decided against posting it for obvious reasons.

The following is so true, as he’s been called a lot more on this site by a certain few, e.g., ‘pansy’, ‘dumb’ ‘playing stupid’, Federer’s bitch and whipping boy’, et al.

“Says Roddick, “I’ve been portrayed as every kind of character. When I was young, I was the future great American, the polite kid from Nebraska. Then the crossover guy who was on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Then you’re a punk, then you’re a has-been, then the comeback, then irrelevant, then Joe Everyday.””

August 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Lucky Sam Queery..got his match finished early this morning. He can now sit back, relax and watch Verdasco/Andreev going at it, the longer the better for Queery..the winner to play Queery at 7pm.

What a tournament it been, it will be interesting to see how the finalist here will do at the Open.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Jane,

You’re right, the change was made in 2008. The surface looked different this year. I’m wondering if they tweaked that surface at all. I’ll have to research it. Maybe it was my imagination.

Oh and Von…

*Waves and kisses*

August 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

jane, skorocel: of course Rafa could win the USOpen, if he wants to badly enough. Surely he is one of the greatest competitors of all time? He is only 23 after all. I personally don’t think it’ll be this year, too much injury time off, but I’d never count him out either.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Veno: “The main difference between a synthetic hardcourt and a true hardcourt surface(acrylic) is the level of hardness. When the ball bounces on this surface it is faster than all other surfaces if there is not much sand in the top paint.”

On HC the topping used is ‘Laykold’ and it can be mixed with sand and other additives to slow down and/or speed up the court.

August 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

“You’re right, the change was made in 2008. The surface looked different this year. I’m wondering if they tweaked that surface at all. I’ll have to research it.”

Proves my point, you’re parroting and trafficking information as the gospel truth when you don’t have first-hand knowledge of what you’re talking about, but hey this is the internet yes? Sure google it, like you do most of the stuff you parrot here to portray yourself as the wise one full of intellect and knowledge. OUCH, how utterly humiliating!

August 29th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Von the dum de dum,

Went by what EYE EYED…..Observed. Only checked after jane pointed out the year. They may have introduced the new surface in 2008 but could very well have made modification for 2009. I don’t know this for sure but I bet they did something.

BTW….Don’t take up chess, you would stink at it.

Oh and Thanx for using my word parrot. Only a mimicking true parrot would be uncreative enough not to think up a new original term.

I rest my case.

August 29th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

Cindy Brady:

When you write as ‘fact’ you need to have the concise and precise information, not eye-balling it and stating it as fact. In a court of law you’d be tried for perjury — so be careful. You are unique though, as you seem to find a plaster for every bad boo-boo you have to cover up and it makes me laugh at your stupidity each time you have to admit that you imagined the stuff as you had to do @2:38 pm. OY

FYI, I used your ‘parrot’ word back at you because it would be all you’d understand due to your limited thought processes and vocabulary. Would you have preferred me to use: a babbling brook or a clanging cymbal coupled with tympany, fanfare and tintinnabulation? If I did that, then you’d say I’m trying to impress you with my intellect, but with you there’s no middle ground is there?

However, you’ve reaffirmed what I said earlier this week that the only information that some write is that copied from the tennis writers’ articles and transplanted here on these threads, and nothing’s new, but hashed and rehashed ad infinitum. anyway, carry on smart-lessly as you always do, and remember not to perjure yourself.

August 29th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

“When you write as fact you need to have the concise and precise information” So when DID Del Potro tell Judy Murray to “shut up”?

August 29th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Oh Silly Von,

I didn’t know this was a court of law. I thought it was an informal discussion about “all things tennis”.

You really do need to loosen up a bit and have some fun. Your butt is so tight a tractor couldn’t pull a needle out of it.

Do try and relax, dear.

Much too serious!

August 29th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Jock: I believe tenisbebe made reference to that incident last night — it was in 2008, and you could easily have googled it to get the answer. When I write anything as ‘fact’ it actually happens/happened and it’s not from hear-say or ‘eyeballing’, which means that the DelPotro/Murray incident is public tennis knowledge, and is available. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with how to access YouTube, or I’d be able to submit the clip for your perusal.

August 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

For Andy Roddick fans — he’s not interested in attention:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/sports/tennis/30roddick.html?ref=tennis
_______________
For Voicemale1 and Nadal fans: aa video depicting momemnts of nadal’s young career. Enjoy!!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/06/21/magazine/20090621-nadal-slideshow_index.html?ref=tennis

August 29th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

Von: If you,re talking about the well known incident in Rome 2008,well okay but Del potro didn’t tell Judy Murray to shut up. Murray was complaining because he thought Del Potro hit a ball straight at him,which is perfectly legal by the way,and Del Potro replied “You and your mother always the same”. Anyway never mind its not worth arguing about they seem friendly enough now.

August 29th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

Jock: Unless there is another time when Murray and Del potro got into it, I saw a clip where Murray/Del potro exchange words during 2nd set in Rome 2008. And from what I can hear (not very clear from Del potro)

Del potro: You are always the same, you never change

And Del potro : Like your Mother, the same always.. (this is where I am not sure if he said this..)

Did not hear/see anywhere were DelPotro told Murray Mother to “shut up”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muM-UQc_Tnk

August 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Jock, I posted before reading your comment….sorry, repeat of what you just said.

August 29th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Jock:

I did SEE that match, and I also read it after the match in more detail where DelPotro told Judy Murray to ‘shut up’ or ‘be quiet’, and it’s why the whole incident began. Murray defended his mother against DelPotro’s verbal ‘shut up’ remark and then they got into the exchange of ‘You and your mother always the same’ etc. How else do you think the incident began? It wasn’t like Murray just began picking on DelPotro out of the clear blue sky itching to start an argument. Anyway, you have a choice, can either believe me or disbelieve me.
_________________
@4:53 pm, Did you actually see the whole match? Or are you just going by the piece of clip you see on YouTube? if you didn’t see the whole match I’d suggest you do. YouTube does not give the entire contents of an episode but just a few seconds worth.

August 29th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

@5.05, he probably said it, but never heard it. I was going with the clip. So if you have the link, please do so..it will be helpful.

August 29th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Jock:

“Anyway never mind its not worth arguing about they seem friendly enough now ..”

Agree.

August 29th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

@ 5:08 pm: This discussion is between Jock and myself, and it’s now ended. You can search/google for links and whatever additional evidence you need to satisfy your curiosity.

August 29th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

Von, I aswered you only because you added me on your post above. But no worries, looks like my curiousity will never be answered.

Moving on to USO 09.

August 29th, 2009 at 5:31 pm

„Could be that there’s an element of truth to it, what with the sandier surface and it being a slower hard court and all – but it’s still a hard court. Thus, attackers do well.“

Amen to that, jane!

August 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

I wouldn’t blame Del Potro if he did. These annoying mothers Djokovic’s and now Murray’s need to step back and shut the Hell up. You can see they are trifling with their son’s opponents. Trying to give them an edge. They only end up looking foolish and embarrassing their son’s.

I hate other woman who don’t know when to shut the Hell up. Show some class please – mothers.

August 29th, 2009 at 6:32 pm

For those interested in the New Haven final please note: the match is being shown on ESPN Classic instead of ESPN2 here in the US. Enjoy!!

August 29th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

Is there a live streaming for this match ? thanks

August 29th, 2009 at 7:12 pm

OH, I found it in http://www.atdhe.net/

August 29th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Veno: Are you watching?

August 29th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

Von Says:

“Veno: Paragraphs please hon, you’re killing my eyes. Hit the enter key twice after the last entence you type and you’ll be able to begin a new paragraph.”

Oh Von, will do!!! And I’m sorry I didn’t pre-requisite this obviously instantasiously predictable foresight for average-endowed people of intelligence!

I just got back from a 30th birthday party of a colleague and I am somewhat intoxicated, so no, I’m not watching yet….

Von, I love ya and your intellect, your links and your criticisms on “mucho mio” opinions! You are my fave on this blog by far!!!

Jane, you deserve “kudos muchos” in Veno’s book because of the way you never overplay your hand in describing your fave and your dissertations(I know, a pretty strong description) about tennis topics.

Margot, although we have very different faves, I truly enjoy your presence at this blog and you ooze wisdom without extending personal preference into overstretched argumentations!

Cindy, although you have the tendency to off-set every plausible explanation or statement you write concerning tennis, drawing from a clearly vast knowledge of the subject, with an emotionally tanglement on personal issues interfering with your rationality I enjoy your input as well!

Veno and women, what compatibility!

August 29th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

*instantaniously

August 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

„But Miami and IW are a whole different ball game, not in the least because of the place on the yearly schedule.“

I don’t think the tiredness should be THAT big of a deal in 2009, since Nadal, as you may know, has had some 10 weeks of rest between RG and Montreal. In other words, he should be quite fresh, which is one more reason for me to take him seriously.

„He got hammered by Robin and that’s all that matters.“

Hammered? It was a very close match, but then again, that’s irrelevant at this point. What’s relevant is that it wasn’t only this defeat to Soderling which caused him to fall from No. 1 to No. 3., but also his ongoing knee problems. Again, I don’t want to say THAT was the reason for his loss to the Swede. Only Nadal knows the truth, but contrary to what some people may think, one thing is for sure: those knee problems were pretty SERIOUS. If they weren’t, he certainly wouldn’t have skipped the entire grass season (where he was defedning the two biggest titles the surface can offer, btw)…

I agree that those „calendar slam“ kind of predictions after his triumph at AO were a bit premature, to say the least. That’s true. But then again, why he shouldn’t be the No. 1 favourite (or at least a „co-favourite“ with Roger) for the Wimby? LOL! The guy got to 3 FINALS IN A ROW here, and in EACH of those finals he was pretty close to winning. So close, that in 2008, he actually got the win. And, in all these 3 finals, his opponent was no one but the mighty Roger (who, already before their 1st meeting here, was considered as one of the best grass court players the game has ever seen, to say the very least). I mean, WHICH player apart from Fed can brag with such a resume at Wimby? Apart from Roddick, you won’t find any. Not even Djokovic, Murray, JMDP, or Gasquet. 2-3 years ago, I myself was still doubting his capabilities on grass, but 2 finals and one win can no longer be a fluke. And hell it wasn’t! He beat some of his biggest nemesises here – Youzhny, Berdych, Soderling… Heck, even Murray he thrashed in 3 straight sets! If you can’t see this Veno, then I don’t know what sport you’re watching?! I’m a big Fed fan just as you are, but I’m not blind to see the most obvious, the facts, the truth. The guy has a positive H2H with pretty much every single player in the Top 10 (including Fed, Murray, Djoker, Roddick, and JMDP) and overall with almost everyone on the Tour save guys like Nalby or our Dominik Hrbaty (LOL!).

„There’s a reason Rafa has never gotten to the Cincy or USO final before. One of them being the kind of hardcourt, which was 1 of my points in the previous posts.“

Yes, but there’s also a reason why he got to the semis last year and gave Murray such a hell of a fight. The same Murray who, to this day, hasn’t managed to win even one single slam, btw. Nadal already has 6, out of which one took place on grass and one on hard. The fact is, he was close, pretty damn close in that semi last year, so there’s hardly any reason why I shouldn’t take him seriously now (or in other words, rate him that far below the Fed, Djoker & Murray trio). A guy like JMDP, whom many consider a bigger favourite for the USO title than Nadal, last but not least because according to them, the surface here is a „quicker“ type of hardcourt, hasn’t even managed to advance to the semis in NY yet. Actually, he hasn’t gotten to such a stage in ANY of the 4 grandslams…

You know Veno, I’m just pissed off with all these comparisons, complaints, sidenotes, and all this stuff. I mean, whenever Nadal wins a title outside of clay (or reaches a final), everyone’s saying all these things like „this tourney was played on a slower type of hardcourt“, or „the grass isn’t any longer that quick as it once was“ (yet in 2005 and the years before it was allegedly quick, so quick that Fed was winning on it, LOL!), that there are other tourneys like USO or Cincy which Rafa won’t win, and so on. As long as Fed was winning, nobody was saying these things, but as soon as Nadal got a win here and there, it’s suddenly a whole different surface. I mean, what the hell? I DON’T CARE A BIT if it’s a slow clay, superquick clay, middlequick clay, faster hardcourt, or semiquick hardcourt – a win is a win! Hardcourts would logically favor the Federers, Djokovics, or Murrays, whereas clay would favour Nadal (regardless if you’re playing in Hamburg, Madrid, or Rome), and that’s where it should stay at. And it doesn’t mean a bit HOW he managed to win those titles – be it an offensive or defensive style of play. He won them, period!

I mean, shall I (from now on) consider Montreal, Toronto or IW as a „slower-type-of-hardcourt“ tourneys just because Nadal’s won there? Huh, I can’t even imagine what would they say if Nadal wins the USO… Every surface is the same? LOL! I’m afraid they’re slowly but surely running out of excuses… Or why do you think Fed cried after that AO 2009 final loss? It wasn’t just because he lost a grandslam final, or that he failed to tie that Sampras’s number of 14. The main reason was simple: he could no longer find any excuse, any place to hide. He could no longer say: „Well, he was lucky to get me in Wimby, but he surely wouldn’t be that lucky at AO or USO. He’s not even that great to get to the finals there, because the courts here are quicker.“ But Nadal got there, beat him, and thus became a player capable of winning slams on EVERY surface, which you can’t exactly say about Djoker, not to even mention Murray. It’s true that, on paper, the courts in NY should favor them more (after all, it’s a hardcourt, and, as I’ve already said, a hardcourt would always, if even slightly, favor them over Nadal), but I don’t think he’s THAT behind. Say what you want, he’s mentally stronger than these two, and, contrary to Murray, knows what it’s like to win a slam on hard (or any surface, for that matter). I would actually put him in 2nd place among the favourites for the title, and I’m more than sure that, should he advance to the final and plays Fed, he will win as the Swiss will once again crack (even though I would be 1000 times happy if he wouldn’t).

August 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Hey All, Just noting Veno’s post 8:22pm about his faves on this blog. I have definitely enjoyed the “family” that exists here and there are some very tennis smart people here. The discussions, sometimes arguments are always intersting.

I’m just curious if we can take a poll on how much time everyone spends on average reading, watching and blogging tennis in a week.

August 29th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

OMG, can you believe it, Verdasco wins his 1st title of the year. Its strange to know that he never win anything this year, he has been playing very well…congratulation to him.

Queery has squandred 5 set points, must hurt but that is tennis for you. Both players had good week here, wishing them all the best in the Open.

August 29th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Actually, considering Nadal’s success on hard (and his H2H with the aforementioned players on this surface, which, when summed up, is pretty damn close), I shouldn’t have even said “the hardcourts favor Fed, Djoker, or Murray over Nadal” in the first place. “Present a better chance of winning” would be more appropriate I guess…

August 29th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

Darn Skorocel, had almost finished a brilliant response, but my comp. booted me and am too drunk to start over…I’ll just hand the argument to you this time, cause you seem to make a compelling point!

Still, until Rafa reaches a final at Flushing or wins one(trust me, I have been evenly critical of Fed prior to winning a French Open) he’ll never be the top favourite at winning the Open, just because I can’t see it happen.

If he does, good for Rafa and I surely would grant him the accomplishment!!!
Remember, Fed reached 3 finals of the French before he won 1, He won 3 out of 4 AO Finals reached, won 6 out of 7 Finals at Wimby reached and won 5 straight finals in New York.

Let Rafa get the chance to win his career slam first before we start jubilating him as a top favourite for the USO title!

Imho there is no way he’ll win a USO title before Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic wins one!

August 29th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

Skorocel Says:August 29th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

“A guy like JMDP, whom many consider a bigger favourite for the USO title than Nadal, last but not least because according to them, the surface here is a „quicker“ type of hardcourt, hasn’t even managed to advance to the semis in NY yet. Actually, he hasn’t gotten to such a stage in ANY of the 4 grandslams…”

—————————————————-
I’m sure Del Potro was at the French Open semi (one of the 4 grandslams)……played against the mighty Federer…..took him to 5 sets, and I believe he let himself down with his fitness.

To add to that, JMDP has beaten Nadal in their last few meetings, beaten Roddick & played close matches with Murray.

August 29th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Congrats to Verdasco. Maybe he will make some noise at the open. Also, may lesson some of the pain of losing that close match to Nadal at the Australian.

August 29th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

I really don’t see how there is a clear favourite this year. There’s any number of guys who can win this. Fed for sure has a great chance but at some point he’s going to get beat before a slam final and this could be it. Murray is definitely playing well enough to win. Nadal I don’t think has as much a chance but hey he’s Nadal so who knows. Djoko has been improving over the summer and I have seen some maturity there as well. Roddick is easily a favourite and has a great shot. JMDP if he is healthy is only going to get better in these slams. Then there’s a whole list of players who have been showing signs of breaking through.

August 29th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

JMDP even beat Murray as recently as May. Sure it was on clay, but it’s not like it’s preferred surface or anything.

August 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm

I think Del Potro will be under the Radar at the Open. With Federer, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, and Roddick stealing all the head lines – Del Potro can move through the draw without much fan fair. I think this will help him. If he’s fit, watch out top guys. He’s got the serve and groundies to do major damage. Maybe even sneak up and win the whole thing.

I’m liking his chances very much now.

August 29th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

For Federer fans, there’s a full article on him and his recent success in September’s VOGUE (the women’s edition), with some really nice photos as well. So go buy a copy, or snatch your girlfriend’s or doctor’s office copy.

Veno, thanks for the props. You’re sweet, and underneath that jovial demeanor, I spy a highly logical and mathematically inclined fella. Drink lots of water tonight, b.t.w.; it helps with the hangover. :)

August 29th, 2009 at 10:59 pm

JMDP is a threat but he has a tough section/quarter. I wouldn’t be shocked if he upsets Murray, and in any case, if that quarter final comes to pass, it’ll be almost at hyped as if the Djoko/Roddick quarter happens. JMDP won’t be able to fly under the radar if he gets that deep.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

Skorcel says:”…I mean, shall I (from now on) consider Montreal, Toronto or IW as a „slower-type-of-hardcourt“ tourneys just because Nadal’s won there? Huh, I can’t even imagine what would they say if Nadal wins the USO.”

Exactly! And let’s not forget to put Miami on that list where Rafa has always been a contender (finals in 05 & 08) – must be another one of those “slow” hardcourts. And the grass is now slower at Wimby (after Rafa got to the final in ’06 of course). IT’S STILL GRASS PEOPLE – and still he won it. Same with Oz, whether it’s reconstituted tires as a surface or whatever, won that, done that.

The problem in years past with him winning the USO has been the timing of it in the calendar – he’s pooped COMBINED with it being his most challenging surface, not to mention the general chaos of the city & atmosphere. But at Oz this year he said here on out, winning the USO is a top priority – so look out – he will schedule himself more wisely in the future & I think he will win it during his career.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

Margot & I chatted about Delpo last night & we both agree the guy is definitely a contender for the title. And this nonsense about him “flying under the radar”, only if you haven’t been paying attention the past 18 months! Fed even mention his name specifically as a real threat in his interviews with CNN and CNBC earlier this week.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

I would love for Rafa to win it this year Tenisbebe so he could get his golden slam.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

Sar – How are ya? Yes, me too. Wouldn’t that be sweet!

So I see from one of your posts that you want to go to IW some day? I told you it is my fave of the 4 I have been to but then again I love California. Sigh…

Come early next year, you might try calling Midtown Tennis Club in the city as they sponsor a trip to the Miami tourney for 3 or 4 days that is very reasonably priced imo.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:44 pm

I’d be super happy for Rafa if he won as well. He’s such a competitor and brings mega excitement to the court.

Yeah, I’d agree with those who see JMDP as a real contender. He’s got a potentially tough opener vs. Juan Monaco, though he’s not done much this year except on clay, so JMDP should be fine.

August 29th, 2009 at 11:47 pm

Jane – Monaco got to the finals in one of the SA tourneys this winter? BA I think it was, and then flamed out early in his next tourney. SO long ago…

August 30th, 2009 at 12:27 am

veno: you paid me a compliment AND made me laugh, that’s style man!
tenisbebe: re JMDP exactly. How can you be “under the radar” if you are top 10 player? Wawrinka, well now you’re talking.

August 30th, 2009 at 3:08 am

I don’t think JMDP is quite there yet. It’s true that he has been playing great tennis, but it takes more than that to win a grand slam. His fitness is my chief concern at this point in time. He ran out of gas against Murray in the Montreal final and that was a best two out of three match. What is he going to do in the heat and humidity of New York in a best three out of five match?

JMDP is young and getting better, but I just don’t think he’s capable of winning just yet. If he proves me wrong, good for him.

August 30th, 2009 at 3:38 am

Thanks guys, for the entertaining thread. A lot of good issues have been discussed and a lot of players have passed review, not just Fed and Rafa…
Tomorrow it’s game on! I’m not going out on a limb in saying that we all can’t wait.

Thanks Jane, the water you had me drink last night has decreased the effects of my hang over significantly :) (I didn’t drink that much at the party last night, only a couple of beers)

Congrats to Verdasco for his maiden ’09 title. Hope Sam and Fernando are fully fit for their first round(Tuesday/Wednesday?)

August 30th, 2009 at 6:53 am

Von, for you:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/sports/tennis/30roddick.html?_r=1

August 30th, 2009 at 7:32 am

Kids day at the U.S. Open.

Who is competing in the skillz competition for charity?

August 30th, 2009 at 8:15 am

tenisbebe: Yes, I should’ve mentioned that Miami tourney as well. Twice a finalist – pretty good for someone who can only play on “slower” hardcourts :-), don’t you think? LOL!

August 30th, 2009 at 8:22 am

been there, done that: Yep, that match between JMDP and Fed at RG was a semi. My apologies!

August 30th, 2009 at 8:22 am

Skorocel,

No one said Nadal couldn’t play on hard courts. He obviously can. He has won on them. People are just questioning whether his knees will hold up given his physical “run down everything” style of play. Hard courts are the hardest on any tennis players body (no pun intended).

He also comes into the Open, rusty and without much success in the two warm up master series events.

Nadal may very well disprove all the doubters in two weeks. Time will tell. Everyone on this blog is well aware of how fierce a competitor Nadal is and dangerous.

Those questions about his aching knees and jinx at the U.S Open will keep cropping up until he breaks through and at least reaches a final there.

BTW…Bjorn Borg never won the U.S Open (4 time runner up). Some say his style didn’t translate well to hard courts but like Nadal, won other big hard court events. Could there be a parallel?

Many people don’t know this. In 1978 – The first year at Flushing Meadows. Borg and Connors were in the final. Borg was clearly the #1 player that year having won both the French and Wimbledon. In fact, Borg crushed Connors in straight sets at Wimbledon similar to the beating Connors took from McEnroe in 1984.

Borg was favored but almost withdrew the day of the final because of huge blisters on his right hand. During the match Borg dropped his racket repeatedly. Looked incredibly frustrated. I felt bad for him. He had to feel cursed. Connors took full advantage. Everyone could see Borg was not himself. That look in Borg’s eyes were very similar to what Nadal looked like against Soderling.

He knew he should win but his body and circumstances would not let him. And in the end, Borg never did win the Open. Two more defeats from McEnroe sent Borg packing from tennis at 26 with 11 slams.

Hope this doesn’t happen to Nadal

August 30th, 2009 at 9:06 am

Veno: „Let Rafa get the chance to win his career slam first before we start jubilating him as a top favourite for the USO title!“

I didn’t want to say he’s the „top favourite“. That’s obviously Fed, even though should these two meet in the final, I wouldn’t be that sure anymore ;-) It just amazes me how quickly some people are writing him off…

„Imho there is no way he’ll win a USO title before Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic wins one!“

I don’t think there’s THAT big of a difference between Nadal and these two as far as their chances for winning the USO go. Sure, their game suits the hardcourts better than that of Nadal – there’s no doubt about that. But as I’ve already said, Nadal’s mentally stronger (in fact, he’s even stronger than Fed!) and, contrary to Murray, knows what it is to win a slam on hard (or any surface). Remember, they all were saying that there was a bigger possibility for Fed to win at RG than for Nadal to win Wimby – yet the Spaniard beat him to the punch… I mean, if he can win at SW19, why he shouldn’t be able to do that at USO? It seems to me as if you’re just trying to look for a „safe place“, a place which Nadal can’t reach, so to speak… But with Nadal’s determination (which largely contributed to that win at Wimby), there’s hardly anything which would be out of reach.

P.S. Try to cut down on your driking escapades a bit :-) I would be glad to see that original reply of yours ;-)

August 30th, 2009 at 9:09 am

Now that Sam Querry & Verdasco have shown us that they are capable of playing two competitive matches ON THE SAME DAY, I hope all the whining & whinging of “x,y,z only had blabla hours to rest, so he was tired….that’s the reason he lost”

Verdasco had FOUR HOURS to recover from his semi-final before coming to beat Querry. They are professional athletes who train hard & are earn hundreds of thousands of dollars to specifically deal with such situations (physio, massages e.t.c)

Nadal beat Federer in the AO open after a tough 5 set semi; Federer won the FO despite going through two 4sets and two 5sets. It’s the nature of the game that at one point or the other, a player will get something favourable against his opponent.

Another thing that bothers me is this issue of being 100% fit. Lol. Players are rarely 100% fit…always carrying an injury or bad flu or whatever it is. As much I like Nadal, am tired of hearing the phrases… ‘a fully fit Nadal…’, ‘he doesn’t have enough match practise…’ ‘I’m going to put in 200% to be 100% so as to play at 90%/ depends if am 50%, 60%, 70%….’ Enough of this already….once a player walks on court, he declares him/herself match fit.

Other players (Monfils, Ferrer, Simon, Soderling, etc) have also come from layoffs due to injury, & also lack match play. JMDP skipped Cincy due to injury and/or fatigue. Don’t matter if Fed had mono & back issues, nor if Roddick was sickish last week. Sure, maybe as Fed said, despite continually losing to top seeds, he continued playing when he had his issues to assess how much work he needed to put off-court to catch up. Perhaps it is what Nadal is also doing. I am 100% sure that once he’s on court he’ll give 100% as he always does, whatever the percentage of his fitness. If he’s really badly off, like other players, he will withdraw.

So this 100%fit business is now rather stale because very few players are ever that fit. And even if they are, who knows, the serve might just desert them (ask Murray!) & may still play as badly as a 70% fit player.

August 30th, 2009 at 9:18 am

Cindy_Brady:

Agree about the Borg comparison to Nadal. Both of them did a lot of work in the spring/early summer so that by the time the US Open rolled around they were spent mentally. Borg owns more French Opens than Nadal, but Nadal’s dominance at all the other clay court events overshadows Borg by some way. Clay Court Tennis is a much more demanding exercise mentally because of all the grinding and long, long rallies. More than physically, I think Nadal has just been mentally spent by the time he gets to the US Open. Same with Borg – he outlasted a lot of rivals at the US Open because he was fitter than almost all of them, but the mental edge you need to win it could have been dulled by his long seasons going in, and the mental effort it takes to pull off the French-Wimbledon double for three straight years.

Nadal’s preparation in the two Masters Events this year is, surprisingly, more accomplished than Federer’s results in the same two tournaments last year. Federer lost his very first match to Simon in Toronto and then lost in the Cincinnati QF to Karlovic. To make it worse, Federer then lost early to Blake in Singles in Beijing. So Nadal this year off an injury has already done better in the two Masters than a physically healthy Federer did last year. Guys like Federer & Nadal know all to well how to come to a Major in the right way – they know how and when to turn it up. That’s why they’ve won so many between them. In a way they’re both like Venus & Serena in that they’re at their most dangerous when the stakes are the highest.

August 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am

Nice post Voicemale1,

Completely agree.

If all things go the way they should:

Federer will have to take out Djokovic or Roddick in the semis and follow that up by beating Murray/Nadal or Del Potro in the finals. This will be his road to win his 6th.

Nadal will have to take out Murray or Del Potro in the semis and follow that up by beating Federer in the final to win his 1st. That’s his road.

Murray will have to take out Del Potro/Nadal in the semis and then follow that up by beating Federer in the finals to win his 1st. His road.

Djokovic will have to beat Federer in the semis and follow that trick by beating Del Potro, Nadal, Or Murray in the finals. A tall order.

Del Potro will have to beat Murray in the Qs, then beat Nadal in the Semis and then Federer in the final. The tallest order of all.

These are the most likely scenarios given seedings and form (past results). But we all know, crazy thing happen. The top seeds all have to get to the Qs, Semis, and finals first.

However, it is fun to speculate.

August 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

Cindy you’ve taken the road(s) most traveled. LOL. I hope there are a least one or two of the beaten path in the Open.

Voicemale1, good point about Nadal’s prep for the USO/showings at the two MS events, vs Fed’s last year. Like Nadal said in his interview, he thinks he “got enough matches.” He’ll be ready.

August 30th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

I think Kids Day already happened? Will Ferrell was there, and Roddick, Sharapova, Blake, Fed, Serena, not sure if anyone else. The ATP site has photos. You have to see the one where Ferrell “imitates” Blake by wearing a sweat band on his “bald” head. LOL.

August 30th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Will Ferrell and Blake:

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/photos/2009-08-29/200908291251576669231.html?glryid=2009-08-29%2F200908291251585647890#photo_start

@1:10 should say “off the beaten path” not “of” it.

August 30th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Veno: Thanks for the link on Roddick; I posted one similar to that yesterday.

It seems as though you were riding high last night on cloud nine, mon ami! Did you do a lot of shakearoney at the party?. How’s your head today, any weird noises still playing in there? LOL. Hey, mon ami, thanks for those nice words you wrote with respect to the ladies, moi included. I’ll tell you one thing, you’ll never starve for a meal with these ladies around if you’re ever needful of one, especially after that dedication. Also, thanks for the luv, here’s some love right back at ya, “je t’aime bien”.

Here’s what I think of you Veno, and I mean this in all sincerity: you have made blogging on this site a lot more fun for all of us. I love your humour, high energy and fairness you bring to our tennis discussions, and your panache and joie de vivre are unequalled.

August 30th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Andy M there too, partnered Ferrell against Andy R and Will Arnett. Nice pics on Andy’s site of James Blake with a big smile also, he and Andy M were practising together.

August 30th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

I don’t know how many of you watched the Sampras/Corretja 1996 QF match at the USO last evening on the Tennis Channel. I was there at that match and sitting so very close to the players to be able to see every step both players took.

For those who’ve never seen that match, I’d suggest you get hold of a taped version. You’ll see what it means for a champion to play with only heart when he’s hurting and puking all over the place, and his major weapon, his serve, wasn’t fully firing. I felt badly for Corretja who had Sampras on the ropes and lost the match by a double-fault in the end. In some respects that point reminded me of Roddick’s last game at this year’s Wimby final.

So, for those who like to knock Sampras, all I have to say, you need to know more details of his life/health, and how much he struggled with Thalassemia and other health issues but didn’t and/or never used it as an excuse. And, despite those problems he went out there and gave it his all showing the ‘heart’ of a champion. I think most players would have retired in that match, but Pete just hung in there and won, and then went on to win the title. The true heart of a champion …..

August 30th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

Hey Von, thanks for your very kind words! I appreciate it.

I love this blog because there are so many different tennis afficionados sharing their views and there are so many interesting issues and topics discussed from so many different points of view, I feel like a kid in a candystore!

I, like all of you, love tennis and felt I wanted to give my faves a shout-out(interestingly all women….have to ponder on that a little) for reciprocating the love for tennis!

I had a lot of fun at the party yesterday, didn’t drink too much :) and thanks to Jane, had no hang-over when I got up this morning because before I rolled into bed I took her advice and decided H2O was my new best friend.

Voicemale1 and Cindy, nice pieces on Rafa-Borg similarities, enjoyed that.(Voicemale1, Fed lost to Dr.Windmill in the R16 of Cincy last year)

Cindy, your description of the fave’s respective “roads” to the title is interesting to see, however I think Novak has the hardest road to travel, were all the high seeds advance according to their seeding :)

He starts with Ljubicic and before he gets Fed in the Semis, he’ll have A-Rod in the Quarters…Ouch!
I agree that DelPo has a similarly tough road to the title….

August 30th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Von says: “I think most players would have retired in that match, but Pete just hung in there and won, and then went on to win the title. The true heart of a champion …..”

How cool you were there! I saw the match live on tv late in the evening(I think it was night when it finished) and seen it many times since. Pete was a great champion with a huge heart who didn’t nearly get enough well deserved praise during his career!

Remember also the Ozzie Open ’95 Von? After he had lost his dear friend and coach? True character he had. Sometimes we forget the great champs are as human as we are(not going into the Fed crying at the Ozzie Open this year again…)

I also implore everyone who bashes Pete to watch that QF in ’06 to get an idea of the competitor Pete really was. I didn’t feel sorry for Corretja though. They’re pros and he should have put Pete away.

August 30th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

*’06 is ’96 of course

August 30th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

been there, done that:

I agree with a lot of what you say, especially “They are professional athletes who train hard & are earn hundreds of thousands of dollars to specifically deal with such situations (physio, massages e.t.c)”. I have used that same argument a few times here myself. Also, if I might add, playing tennis is their only job, as compared to many of us who have to put in 10 or more hours per day at mentally challenging jobs, which IMO, is a lot more strenuous on the mind and body than the physicality of playing and/or practising tennis for 5 hours per day, but that’s debatable. I think the present day tennis players have a lot of down time, are handsomely remunerated, and are coddled to much, as compared to the players of past eras.

Anyway, I do believe there are circumstances where the athletes could be cut some slack by the viewers and commentators if they are playing sick e.g., a stomach issue, and are only at 50 per cent of their usual healthy self on that given day, which is a one-off thing. I think in those circumstances they should be applauded for taking the court while sick and not cancelling the match, because the fans would be hugely disappointed if that were to happen.

On the other hand, I feel if an athlete has an on-going problem with health issues, then they should take the necessary time off to resolve those issues and regain their strength before returning to the court. However, if they choose not to do so, then when they incur losses, they should refrain from pulling out the injury excuse card and take their losses on the chin.

“JMDP skipped Cincy due to injury and/or fatigue.”

What injury is JMDP suffering? I thought his issue was fatigue.

August 30th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Veno: “How cool you were there! I saw the match live on tv late in the evening(I think it was night when it finished) and seen it many times since. Pete was a great champion with a huge heart who didn’t nearly get enough well deserved praise during his career!”

Yes, the match began in the afternoon, and then ran into the evening. I must admit I got a bit tired sitting for so long, and got queasy myself when Pete began puking. Pete looked awful, but it was a suspenseful and enjoyable nonetheless. When I lived in NYC I was a very frequent visitor (even though I dislike crowds) to the USO and didn’t have to pay a dime for tickets due to corporate seating; thank God for great business connections. LOL.

“..however I think Novak has the hardest road to travel, were all the high seeds advance according to their seeding :)”

“He starts with Ljubicic and before he gets Fed in the Semis, he’ll have A-Rod in the Quarters…Ouch!”

I’m sorry I disagree that Djokovic’s draw is difficult. Except for Ljubicic, who’s not been able to make any noise in the tournaments he’s played over the past 6 months, I don’t see any other challenges to Djoko until the fourth round, with aa possible Kohls clash, but Kohls is not playing as well as he did at the FO. I think Djoko will get to the QFs easily. Djoko’s draws of late have been very kind.

As for meeting Roddick in the QFs. Well let’s turn this around, Roddick has to face Djokovic in the QFs so that’s tough also, but before that he’s got Isner, Haas and a hot Verdasco. Isner is not ranked high but he’s a big server and can beat a lot of guys when he’s having a good day, and could beat Djoko. I doubt Djoko would want to face him or Haas, en route to the QFs, so let’s add an OUCH here for Roddick.

DelPotro’s draw is pretty kind also until the fourth round where he could meet Ferrero or Simon, both of whom he should beat easily, as Simon is afflicted with knee tendinitis, (look at his Cincy match Simon could hardly move v. Djokovic) and JCF is no match for DelPotro. So apart from those guys, I don’t see any other problem for DelPotro, and he also should make it to the QFs.

August 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

I agree Von,

however, I was replying to Cindy Brady’s post @12.28 pm :) and the “roads”(see my clever use of the hyphens in my reply-post) she discussed in said posts.

But I do agree Roddick has a harder time than Novak up to the QFs :)

You just love picking a literate fight with me Oh Vey! Just messing with you :)

August 30th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

Veno: “Remember also the Ozzie Open ‘95 Von? After he had lost his dear friend and coach? True character he had. Sometimes we forget the great champs are as human as we are(not going into the Fed crying at the Ozzie Open this year again…)”

Yes, I was crying for Pete and felt badly for courier too because he and Pete were good friends and courier seemed lost and helpless. it’s difficult playing against a sick friend.

I think one of the best testaments to Pete’s heart was his DC tie wins, where he had to almost single-handedly beat the other team to win all three matches, with the help of his doubles partner in the doubles match. He collapsed after the last match and Gulikson and the trainer had to drag Pete off the court because he couldn’t walk.

I think a lot of criticism of Pete comes from the younger and present day generation of tennis fans who’ve never seen the guy play tennis and are unaware as to what a true champion he was when he played. I watched tennis off and on until 1990 when I became completely hooked on the sport, and it’s the reason why I wouldn’t venture to comment on the past players because I’ve not seen them play enough and feel uncomfortable as to voice an opinion. Also, how many present day fans actually saw those guys play considering how little tennis was broadcasted on TV during those eras.

August 30th, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Cindy Brady says: “He (nadal) also comes into the Open, rusty and without much success in the two warm up master series events.”

He got to the quarters in Montreal (same as Fed & Djokovic) and to the Semis in Cincinnati, along with the rest of the top 4. I don’t see how that can be construed as “without much success” after a nagging injury & a 10 week layoff.

August 30th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

I hear ya Von. It’s kinda strange, that a decade ago here in the Netherlands we had a lot more broadcasts of tennis matches then we have now!
BTW, in a month the relegation match between The Netherlands and France for a spot in the World Group is in…. Maastricht! I totally forgot to tell you!!!

I can walk to the stadium from my house !!!!!!!!!!!

And….I have tickets!!!!!!!!!

August 30th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Veno:

“You just love picking a literate fight with me Oh Vey! Just messing with you :)”

Well, look upon it as a compliment to your very amiable and respectful personality, besides “je t’aime bien”. LOL. They’re not many here that I’d venture and/or feel comfortable with to discuss anything, and I’m sure you’re very observant.

August 30th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

tenisbebe:

“He got to the quarters in Montreal (same as Fed & Djokovic) and to the Semis in Cincinnati, along with the rest of the top 4. I don’t see how that can be construed as “without much success” after a nagging injury & a 10 week layoff.”

And, if I might add (not to take away anything from Djokovic’s form) Nadal could have beaten Djokovic if he wasn’t suffering with that stomach tear. Yes, Djokovic came out firing, but who wouldn’t if they had first-hand knowledge that the guy on the other side of the net was suffering and playing injured?

August 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm

I do Von, no worries :) So excited that when I get back from work tomorrow the US Open will have started!!!!!!

Did you see the order of play on Ashe tomorrow?

Sequentially it’s Clijsters, Federer, Serena, Venus and A-Rod!!!

August 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm

Veno: BTW, in a month the relegation match between The Netherlands and France for a spot in the World Group is in…. Maastricht! I totally forgot to tell you!!!

I can walk to the stadium from my house !!!!!!!!!!!

And….I have tickets!!!!!!!!!
***********

Wonderful!! I expect you to regale me with all the details of who played and who did what and to whom. BTW, whatever happened to Robin Haase? I liked what I saw of him when he played and have seen quite a few of his matches.

August 30th, 2009 at 5:58 pm

Veno:

“Did you see the order of play on Ashe tomorrow?

Sequentially it’s Clijsters, Federer, Serena, Venus and A-Rod!!!”

But of course, my boy is the marquee match. You know if it weren’t for the little fear of flying problem that I have, which is more or less like a phobia, I would take off from work every year for two weeks to fly to NYC and see the USO matches OY VEY.

August 30th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

Von – you bring up an excellent point about what other player & most importantly your opponent are aware of regarding your physical status prior to a match. Most fans don’t realize this because they are not privy to the locker room workings but I can tell you that the trainers rooms (where Rafa most likely had his ads taped up) is right off the washroom area which opens up to the locker area and one can see right into them. In addition, the players are constantly walking in and out of the trainers rooms, asking questions, getting supplies, so Djoko had to know about Rafa’s stomach muscle issues before they walked on court.

btw, do you have any links or info updating the status of Rafa’s stomach tear? Thanks.

August 30th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

Staff – please remove one of the above posts. Thanks.

August 30th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Hey bebe, Rafa talked to NBC and told them he’s 100% fit and has resumed his normal training routine from before his injury:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32619271/ns/sports-tennis/

August 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Ok, g’nite all.

Von, once again thanks for the kind words. About Haase, he was a decent up and comer but some injuries threw him back and he’s having a hard time getting back to his previous level. He’s a talented young player, a little like Krajicek was albeit he doesn’t have such a great serve, but he moves better.

I will keep you and the rest informed daily when the tie is played next month(18-20 September in the MECC)

Talk to you all tomorrow when action has started!!!

August 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

tenisbebe:

“..you bring up an excellent point about what other player & most importantly your opponent are aware of regarding your physical status prior to a match …”

I believe Sam knew about Roddick’s stomach problem also, and he took full advantage of the situation.

Well, Djoko and Nadal have the same manager, and they were scheduled to play doubles but Nadal cancelled due to not feeling up to par. So yes, Djoko had info right from the horse’s mouth and other sources, and we can’t blame him for capitalizing on the situation, which is akin to a ‘carpe diem’ mentality isn’t it? However, I don’t think Djoko should feel too secure in the knowledge that he can beat Nadal all of the time based on that win, because look what happenend to him after beating Federer the last two times they met. These wins and losses have got to be put in their true perspective at times, and it’s why H2Hs are not as consequential as we seem to think.

“btw, do you have any links or info updating the status of Rafa’s stomach tear? Thanks.”

No, I’m sorry I don’t, but I’ll check and see if there’s anything new in my mailbox today.

August 30th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

oh, and Jane and Margot…also thanks for your kind words and likewise on discussing all things tennis related. You girls are all aces in my book and good luck to all your faves the coming fortnight!!!

August 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Veno:

Goodnight, and you’re welcome re the nice words, which you totally deserve, IMO. I’m happy to see you’re behaving responsibly by going to sleep at a decent hour — could have been a couple of hours earlier, but then I’d have missed the pleasure of your company today. Sweet dreams, mon ami, and guess what in approx. 18 hours we’ll be watching the USO matches together.

Is your TV company showing the brodcasts, if not, there’s always ATDHE and other streams. Good night again, and sleep well. …. USO …. dreaming …… Veno.

August 30th, 2009 at 6:35 pm

Von says : “What injury is JMDP suffering? I thought his issue was fatigue.”

There are other articles….here’s one:

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/story/1188187.html

If you watched live, something happened to his shoulder towards the end of the second set at Montreal against Murray. After that tie-break, he could barely put in a serve and shanked almost everything. Also someone wrote on this website that at the handshake, he told Mandy that he was injured but wasn’t going to retire against him. (too long ago to bother finding which thread).

I don’t know how serious it is, but better to withdraw from Cincy than aggravate it, however small, & risk a slam.

His fatigue issues are well documented on blogs. I say blogs because am yet to hear of a commentator overstate it as much as it is done in various blogs. In AO he played a 4setter, followed by a 5setter, before running into Fed. He beat a ‘peak’ Nadal way back in April over 3 sets, which a tough ask for someone with major fatigue issues. Also at FO, he won a 4setter and put a competitive 5sets against Fed. (via wikipedia.)

Basically, I think the fitness issues have been overstated in blogs. Perhaps it was a very big deal in Montreal final seeing that he had reached Legg Mason final the previous week. However, in NY, it shouldn’t be a very big deal ‘coz they’ve got a day’s rest in between….unless his fatigue is more a heat & humidity issue (like Djokovic) as opposed to being unable to sustain a 3set best of 5 battles. The way it’s discussed in blogs, you’d think the guy can’t play more than two sets.

All in all, I agree his fitness can improve. Hopefully he’s good to go for NY. If fatigue’s not an issue, Nadal & Mandy better watch out.

I love the upcoming open, all top six guys watching their backs. I wonder between Fed & Randy whose more ‘scared'(i hate using that word) to meet the other. Anyway, for me, I want unscripted excitement, so I there are others out of the top 6 making qtrs.

Women, I hope Venus takes the whole thing.

August 30th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

“All in all, I agree his fitness can improve. Hopefully he’s good to go for NY. If fatigue’s not an issue, Nadal & Mandy better watch out.”

Agree. Del Potro has improved immensely. We have seen that especially since Miami this year where he started to go toe to toe with top players…he is going to be very dangerous in anybody’s draw. The manner he won 1st and 3rd set against Federer in FO 09 (6-3, 6-2…he had double breaks in both sets) shows how dangerous he is.

I think Nadal will be another one of top guys who will have all sorts of problems playing Del potro on HC. With Del potro height, Rafa top spin forehand will go right on Delpotro hitting zone and that big FH and BH which he can hit flat…better watch out.

August 30th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

Veno – thanks for the Rafa link. Sorry for the delay but my internet is on the fluke & the guys are coming tomorrow morning to change my service & also I’m getting The Tennis Channel!! Can’t wait. Alright all, I’m early to bed tonight. ZZZZZ

Been here, done that – re: JMDP, agreed!!! (see my posts at 1:56am & 3:15am). Lot’s of chat but I’m not buying it :-)

August 30th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Del Potro has a bunch of talent – there’s little dispute to that. His lone issue will be one of injuries, as it is for all guys who are as tall as he is. In all my years of watching tennis I can’t ever remember a guy that’s 6’6″ ever be dominant. They have too far to bend down for low shots, and have further to get back up into an ideal hitting position. Their high Center of Gravity eventually compromises their movement, which in turn stresses their joints more so than others with a lower center of gravity who can more easily bend low and also change direction.

August 30th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

Nadal could have beaten Djokovic if he wasn’t suffering with that stomach tear.
Von:
And you know this, how? Are you a fortune teller? Nadal is not king on hardcourts. I realize you dislike Djokevic, but please. You say “suffering with THAT stomach tear”
Where is your proof of that stomach tear? Don’t have any?

August 30th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

tenisbebe @3:15am Re:JMDP….”I believe he plays possum sometimes with the fatigue act & then comes back strong to win – improved mental toughness? Perhaps.”
———————————————-

If fatigue is a big deal, then this is a most interesting take….if this is true, then a 5 set format may suit him even better & make him more dangerous than a 3set one. Why? ‘coz he can fire in two sets, ‘throw’ away one set as he recovers, then fire again in the next sets. Now am gonna have to watch his matches as an armchair critic. lol

——————————————————————————————————–

Voicemale1@8:46am…..”In all my years of watching tennis I can’t ever remember a guy that’s 6′6″ ever be dominant.”

———————————————-
As a TV eye witness, I’m too young to know anything before 2003, but from what I’ve been reading, tennis seems to have moved on to giants with each subsequent generation. Roddick (6ft 2”) recently said that when he came on tour, he was one of the taller guys, but now he feels very average. Nadal & Fed both stand at 6ft 1” are only considered normal. Murray at 6ft 3”, Soderling & Monfils, (both 6ft 4”) move perfectly on all surfaces. I’ve just checked & seen that only five of the current top20 male players are below 6ft, & even they e.g (4 of them, e.g. Gonzalez stand at around 5ft 11”, while Ferrer is the shortest at 5ft 9”) are fairly tall.

In addition, the new kids are giants. Look at how well Querry (6ft 6”=JMDP=Cilic; Berdych=6ft 5”) is doing. John Isner (6ft 9”!!). The juniors, both boys & girls are only getting taller & taller. I think that once these tall giants saw Karlovic do well for himself despite a serve only game, it gave them hope that they too could play. So with serve, movement, volleys, groundstrokes, their height can only be more +ve than –ve.

Much has been written about centre of gravity etc. affecting these giants….perhaps only on grass… on clay & hardcourts, the ball is bouncing higher so no need to bend as much as on grass.

Rod Laver also commented on this at wimbledon….gone are the days when someone like him, at 5ft 8” can easily dominate the game. I especially notice this in the women’s game where shorter players such as Zheng Jie & Carla Suárez Navarro (both 5ft 4”…fairly normal height in females) have excellent shots & super-agility. However they have problems either sustaining their levels or breaking to the very top in a game dominated by female giants (Sharapova, Venus & Safina at over 6ft are female giants while Serena & Dementieva at 5ft 11” are very tall females…..just to clarify my point, female high fashion models, who are considered tall in normal world, have a general cut off height of around 5ft 7”).

With extra height, someone like JMDP takes two steps to from baseline to net, as opposed to four, and can easily deal with the Roddick serve due to good reach…just stretch an arm & what should have been an ace/un-retunable is back in play. So I suppose with the bad comes the good & makes it possible for a giant to do well, if not dominate.

Who knows, maybe in Rod Laver’s era, they said similar things concerning players over 6ft tall only for the beckers, sampras & a good majority of current players to emerge. I’ll reference 100m athletics sprint where it was said that such tall figures only had hope in long distance (for the same reason you give for tennis players, i.e centre of gravity affecting balance & movement which is key in 100m sprint; even more so, imo, than in tennis)….they said it was impossible because they had never seen it. In comes Bolt standing alone at 6ft 5” at ’08 olympics with record breaking results. They said it’s an olympic fluke & he can’t sustain, let alone repeat it. Come Berlin Aug ’09, the sports world is stunned into silence….subsequently, the no. of tall& short teenagers currently trying out for all sorts of athletics at local clubs has never been greater.

In other words, we are now in an era of giant tennis players where a 6ft man is considered normal. So despite this centre of gravity issue, with good training & conditioning (which improves with improving technology each year, food diets, more knowledge on what exercises to focus on, etc) these tall giants have began making impacts previously thought impossible on the game. Sure, they’ll carry injuries, but so do their shorter counterparts……a few more years & we’ll know for sure, but currently, the tide, imo, is in their favour.

August 30th, 2009 at 11:51 pm

been there:

Thanks for the link.

“If you watched live, something happened to his shoulder towards the end of the second set at Montreal against Murray.”

I watched the match live, but he had a similar problem vs. Hanescu and then pulled out the win after the trainer call, so it’s kinda difficult for me to feel he was totally injured and couldn’t do anything. However, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he was injured and it’s the reason he lost to Murray. DelPotro has that certain body language that can fool his opponent into thinking he’s very injured or down and then he pounces and wins when they least expect him to do so.

“I don’t know how serious it is, but better to withdraw from Cincy than aggravate it, however small, & risk a slam.”

Yes, I agree, it’s better to pull out of an MS when a GS is so close at hand.

“Basically, I think the fitness issues have been overstated in blogs. Perhaps it was a very big deal in Montreal final seeing that he had reached Legg Mason final the previous week.”

I think the fitness issue thing is blown out of proportion and only seems to be of huge importance to those who are fans of certain players on the blogs.

“However, in NY, it shouldn’t be a very big deal ‘coz they’ve got a day’s rest in between….unless his fatigue is more a heat & humidity issue (like Djokovic) as opposed to being unable to sustain a 3set best of 5 battles.”

I honestly don’t see how heat is such a problem for him considering he’s from South America and the heat there is intense, even more than in New York. I also don’t understand why we see so much concern for Djokovic with respect to the heat either, since he lives in Monaco and it gets hot there. On the blogs these guys are treated as though they are so delicate and can’t lift a finger to help themselves. The concern for fitness and heat has risen to epidemic proportions and seems to be infectious among their fans.

“I love the upcoming open, all top six guys watching their backs.”

Yes, quite a few will be lookikng over their shoulders. Looking at the draw, there are some pitfalls some of the top 6 players can run into before the quarters and we could see some early upsets, but overall I think the top four will make it to the QFs..

“I wonder between Fed & Randy whose more ’scared’(i hate using that word) to meet the other.”

Only time will tell if they do meet.

“Anyway, for me, I want unscripted excitement, so I there are others out of the top 6 making qtrs.”

I like unpredictability as it makes everything more exciting and am hoping that the QF, SF and final matches will all be competitive and not blow out matches, as we have seen in some finals in the past.

“Women, I hope Venus takes the whole thing”

Considering her recent form, I don’t see this happening where Venus will win, maybe Serena, but that’s a question mark also. However, the Williams sisters usually up their form in a GS, which means that either Venus or Serena could win. One thing is assured though, we won’t see a Williams sisters final.

been there, nice chatting with you, and here’s hoping for an enjoyable USO with only 11 more hours to go ……

August 31st, 2009 at 12:05 am

Been There, Done That:

Understand – I didn’t say guys 6’6″ couldn’t play. I said they could never be “dominant” – like Federer, or Sampras, or Lendl. Their bodies would give out long before they could ever reach a plateau like that. Karlovic is still around at age 29. But he’s never been to the QF of a Major in his career. Federer, Nadal, Sampras..all of them are 6’1″, which seems to be the ideal. Becker was 6’4″, but his Serve Volley Game kept him from playing those long grinding points more often than not. But I still say it’ll be many a moon before you ever see a giant become “dominant”.

August 31st, 2009 at 12:18 am

Toodle Pip:

“And you know this, how? Are you a fortune teller? Nadal is not king on hardcourts. I realize you dislike Djokivic, but please. You say “suffering with THAT stomach tear”
Where is your proof of that stomach tear? Don’t have any? ”

No, I don’t have any proof, only what the commentators and the news stated that nadal suffered a stomach tear prior to his match v. Djokovic. If you looked at the match it was obvious to anyone that Nadal was in a lot of pain, and going by both Djoko’s and Nadal’s form during Cincy, is the reason why I think Nadal would have beaten Djokovic.

I don’t know where you got the idea that I dislike Djokovic, because I don’t. For your information, I’m not a fan of either Djoko and Nadal, and am just stating my opinion on what I saw in their match.

August 31st, 2009 at 12:25 am

Voicemale1@ 12:18 am: “Understand – I didn’t say guys 6′6″ couldn’t play. I said they could never be “dominant” ”
——————————

And am saying nobody knows because it’s something new. (see my comparison with Usain Bolt.) All the new kids I’ve mentioned are below 22, with JMDP being just 20. Besides, he’s already dominant as a top 10 player.

I don’t know what you mean by ‘dominant’….it’s quite a relative term. If by dominant you mean, as you mention, Federer, Nadal, Sampras & Becker, i.e. with multiple slams, then 99% of tennis players might as well throw away their racquets & take up a day job ‘coz they’re never going to be ‘dominant’. For me, I consider someone like Roddick, despite having ‘just’ one slam, is a very dominant top10 player. Also, despite having not won a slam, I consider Nalbandian a dominant player. After-all, not everyone can be a Federer or Nadal….these are more than dominant…they are simply special, genius and a league above the rest.

You can google Rod Laver’s interviews from Wimby ’09(even McEnroe, Becker, Pat Cash,Tim Henman among other commentators from past eras, i.e. those who’ve actually played the game at such competitive levels as opposed to us-the armchair pundits/spectators). They had long discussions about height & basically said the trend is that they’ll only get taller & taller with good results.

“Federer, Nadal, Sampras..all of them are 6′1″, which seems to be the ideal.”

Only in the current era….in Laver’s era, these were giants (see Laver’s & Roddick’s statements)…so maybe in another 10,20yrs,these will be short, just like Laver at 5ft 8″ would be too short in today’s game, but ideal in his era.

“Karlovic is still around at age 29. But he’s never been to the QF of a Major in his career.”

I never said he had done so. In fact, if you read my post clearly, I said that his game is serve only. Please re-read my post. I quote a section: ‘……once these tall giants saw Karlovic do well for himself despite a serve only game, it gave them hope that they too could play. So with serve, movement, volleys, groundstrokes, their height can only be more +ve than –ve’…..’

Maybe I didn’t explain myself well…..I simply mean that UNLIKE Karlovic, the new breed of tall players can do everything else, i.e they are head, shoulders & everythig else ABOVE Karlovic, not equal or below… Even John Isner at 6ft 9″ is light yrs a better player than Karlovic who is 6ft 10″. Yet despite his serve only game, Karlovic is a perennial top30 player who can blow out super-talented players (see Tsonga & Verdasco at Wimby, Fed a few times at master series)…, hence the tag ‘the most feared player on tour’. So in this sense, despite his serve only game,imo, he has done very well for himself, & will continue cashing in till he gets bored of tennis. I hope this is clear enough.

And on the same note, despite his height, JMDP has already reached a grand slam semi, reached finals of a master series, & at 20yrs already has 6 titles, including a 500series. Karlovic at 30yrs has only a total of 4 titles, while Querry at 21 already has 2 while reaching a good number of 250 & 500 series finals. So with the exception of height & serve, Karlovic is not comparable to the current breed of giants. Also,Karlovic was a one-off when he emerged, but currently, giants are common place in tennis, i.e where tennis is headed.

In 2009, height is not as big an issue as it was even just 10 yrs ago….hence the relative success of these young tall players, i.e the under22 giants. With emerging technologies & deeper knowledge, anything & everything is possible.

August 31st, 2009 at 1:49 am

Voicemale1@ 12:18 am: “Karlovic is still around at age 29. But he’s never been to the QF of a Major in his career.”
——————————

Yes he has. Defeated Tsonga in rnd3, Verdasco in rnd4 before being unlucky to run into the mighty Federer in the quarter final.

August 31st, 2009 at 2:01 am

been there, done that Says:

Voicemale1@ 12:18am Re:Karlovic……forgot to say it was at Wimbledon 2009….Fed vs Karlovic at QF

August 31st, 2009 at 2:04 am

von: read your account of watching Sampras match and found myself laughing, know how you feel when you said you got queasy too, but had mental vision of you and Pete running to the loos at the same time One way to get close to the stars I suppose……
voicemale1: have long thought same about v. tall players, must be maximum height for tennis players. Was Sampras about 6’4″? Think that must be it.

August 31st, 2009 at 2:38 am

Von 12:05: Re:Djokovic “….I also don’t understand why we see so much concern for Djokovic with respect to the heat either…..”

I’ve read in the past that he’s got either asthma or chronic bronchitis. If this is so, then heat by itself is not the issue….it is the combination of heat+humidity which makes it difficult to breathe,especially while involved in such a physical activity…..so while he may play comfortably in the Dubai heat, NY & Australia present the humidity challenge. It all depends on humidity levels which vary from day to day. Hence, e.g in Australia, maybe today it’s just hot, so he plays well; two days later, it’s still hot but also overly humid, so he tries to play but ‘coz his breathing is now affected, fatigue sets in, so he opts to retire. Asthmatics react to different things….some can’t stand humidity, others pollen or dust while others can’t even exercise….all varys from person to person.

My answer is just general for asthmatics/bronchtis. Maybe someone with more knowledge about Djokovic’s specific issues will enligten us.

August 31st, 2009 at 2:59 am

I don’t have any proof, only what the commentators and the news stated that nadal suffered a stomach tear

Von: Show me in print where you read that he had a definitive, diagnosed stomach tear.

August 31st, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Von 12:05: Re:Djokovic “….I also don’t understand why we see so much concern for Djokovic with respect to the heat either

it is the combination of heat+humidity which makes it difficult to breathe

Been there, done that: Don’t worry about Dr.Von, she is a Djoko hater and don’t let her say otherwise. I am still waiting for the printed report that Dr. Von saw about Nadal’s stomach tear which enabled her to give that diagnosis.
“and the news stated that nadal suffered a stomach tear”

August 31st, 2009 at 6:36 pm