I think Federer has better chances against Djokovic than against Nadal or even Murray (if he shows up mentally to an important GS match). If he beats Djokovic, I just hope he doesn’t meet Nadal in the finals. But let’s see if he can get past Tsonga in the SF.

I think this one boils down to Djokovic’s confidence and fitness. If it’s still anywhere near what we have seen so far this year, it’s hard to bet against him.

August 25th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

I think nadal, federer, djokovic and Murray have benefitted from the draw in that order. Rafa: excellent round 1 and 2 opponents to sharpen up against, most likely ljubicic in the 3rd, youzhny in the 4th. Youzhny is the only dangerous player put of those 4 yet eafa straight setter him here last year so he should be fine. Ferrer and Murray is also a good draw for him. Federer: another excellent draw. He’s avoided rhe power players that he seem to struggle against recently, he’s got fish in the quarters which is a good draw for fed and if he gets to semis he’ll give nole a tough time. Nole: easily through to quarters, monfils/ berdych could be a test based on recent form, but then either fed/ fish/ tsonga in the semi- could be tricky. Finally, Murray: toughest draw I feel. He’s got to face potentially del potro, soderling, nadal, federer/ djokovic in order to win- looks REALLY TOUGH!!! But we never know what happen, I expect some surprises in this tourny!!

August 25th, 2011 at 3:24 pm

McEnroe has Murray as tournament favourite- interesting!

August 25th, 2011 at 3:28 pm

Andy has a horrible draw. Bummer :(

August 25th, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Aren’t you bored or watching the same match-ups over and over again? I am!
They practically draw the same guys week after week. When was the last time Federer played Murray? or Nadal played Tsonga? (Queens doesn’t count).

August 25th, 2011 at 4:16 pm

http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenWTA/tennisxfansforgirltennis/default.aspx.

wta draw challenge

August 25th, 2011 at 4:17 pm

I am running the kimberli25’s Racquet Bracket :: US Open ATP contest. This is your invitation to join this contest.

Submit your bracket here:
http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenATP/tennisxrocks/default.aspx.

The deadline to enter is 8/29/2011 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

August 25th, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Piece of cake draw for Nadal at least until the semis, and still chances are that he will not even meet Murray considering how unreliable he has become. Federer on the other side will have Tsonga or Fish on quarters so i would not count him as a sure thing for the semis. And come on i don’t believe that Federer landing on Djokovic side of the draw every single time is a mere coincidence.

August 25th, 2011 at 4:32 pm

rep nina,yeah youd think they would shake things up a bit,to keep things interesting,there s a lot of repeat potential clashes,nole and roger,rafa and andy,are all in danger of getting sick of the sight of each other,unfortunatly the murray fed match up senario is unlikely,unless fed regains the no 2 ranking and andy stays at no 4,even then its not a certainty,mind you ive never seen rafa play golubev,delpo is also a potential clash for murray,so that should be interesting.

August 25th, 2011 at 4:41 pm

SF1:
Federer over Djokovic
SF2:
Nadal over Murray

Championship:
Federer over Nadal

August 25th, 2011 at 4:56 pm

Federer won’t get pass Tsonga

August 25th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Wow, Rafa’s draw is a walk! Just like last year.

August 25th, 2011 at 6:11 pm

@TV: I would say rafa atm has the most favourable one- but it is no wlak in the park. Anything could happen at the USO, so I don’t think we can really say who is a favourite and has a good draw until the start of the 2nd week.

August 25th, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Wlak>walk

August 25th, 2011 at 6:28 pm

ok..federer and djokovic,rafa and muzza should get married.

August 25th, 2011 at 7:07 pm

Welcome to RafaLand, a draw fantasy of your every whim.

August 25th, 2011 at 8:00 pm

“obligatory draw complaint post”
:)
just beat em all, fed

August 25th, 2011 at 8:16 pm

Rafa had a rough draw at wimbledon. Murals draw at Rg was super easy Novak too. Fed has had moderately difficult draws each slam

August 25th, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Actially I take it back about djoko he got delpo 3rd at Rg but he had no show fognini as a quarter

August 25th, 2011 at 8:47 pm

This draw things is getting silly now. Each 1 of the top 4 gets lucky every now and then maybe this time it’s rafa. Either way none of them can do anything other than deal with it. I’m sure surprises will happen anyway regardless of the draw. Should be fun.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:04 pm

I don’t think Nadal’s draw is “easy”. Djokovic definitely has the easiest path (clearly ESPN’s discovery didn’t phase the USTA). Murray has a decent path and Federer has maybe the toughest, but that’s just relative. I don’t think anyone has a “tough” draw.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:10 pm

@ Kimberly: I’d say nole’s Wimbledon draw was easier rather Rolland Garros. Chardy, Anderson, baghdatis, llodra, tomic= jackpot draw.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:11 pm

Thank you Tennis God for answering my prayers.

Seeing Tsonga in the same quarter as Fed made my mouth salivate. I wanted to touch the drawsheet immediately but it might be too hot. I didn’t want to burn my fingers before a major (Safety precaution).

I hate the NY press. They keep track of all kinds of weird stats. Like, Federer has not won a grandslam in a while. But they forget abt my non-hardcourt-title-defense streak. Please wake up and give me my due.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

tennisrockstar Says:

SF1:
Federer over Djokovic
SF2:
Nadal over Murray

Championship:
Federer over Nadal
—–
Sorry, I just puked all over my keyboard. This is not 2005.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:15 pm

@DH: tsonga has never been past the 4th round. He’ll most likely face fish- tough match that.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

I’m pretty pissed with the way the draw has played out. Besides the same effing semis again, I really want to see Fish make the semi but not over Federer. I hope Del Potro catches fire and faces Murray, that’s a mouth watering match.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

McEnroe has Murray as tournament favourite- interesting!

Brando, did he say why? I know he picked him for Wimby too.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:33 pm

@sar: he said so because he believes Murray to be the most hungriest for the win.

August 25th, 2011 at 9:46 pm

Mongols v djoko again? Forget that they played in the last two tournaments remember their “match” I’m the quarters last year here where monfils decided to play clown for a day?

August 25th, 2011 at 10:16 pm

I meant monfils

August 25th, 2011 at 10:31 pm

It will be a Nole-Murray final.

August 25th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

lol kimberly, i was wondering who “mongols” is.

August 25th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

2 words: this sucks. how can i enjoy my USO w/ Fed on Djoker’s side?

August 26th, 2011 at 1:34 am

“Each 1 of the top 4 gets lucky every now and then maybe this time it’s rafa.”

Really? And how about last years draw for Rafa? Cough cough…

Seriously, isn’t # 3 seed suppose to be a coin toss every time to see if they land in the upper or lower half?. Since when does the #3 seed always get “placed”?

August 26th, 2011 at 2:18 am

In terms of toughest to easiest – on paper – I think Murray has the toughest draw of the top four, although Fed’s is also quite difficult, then I’d say Nole’s, then Rafa’s.

At ESPN re: Rafa’s section:

“Nadal begins with a player who only recently ended an 18-match losing streak at the top level (the talented but obviously slumping Andrey Golubev), and the first seed he could face is No. 30 Ivan Ljubicic, who’s been troubled by a back injury. His potential seeds in the fourth round either aren’t in form (Mikhail Youzhny) or aren’t in form and coming off an injury (Jurgen Melzer). The lone worry for Nadal fans in the fourth round is Ernests Gulbis, and he has to get there first.

Looking further ahead, if the seedings hold, it’s David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. Ferrer has given Nadal problems at hard-court Slams in the past (think this year’s Australian Open and the 2007 U.S. Open), yet on those occasions, Nadal wasn’t 100 percent. Further, Ferrer skipped Montreal because of a wrist injury and looks to be an upset candidate in the second round if he plays the resurgent James Blake. The J-Block will be out in full force.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Blake and his pal Andy Roddick tangle in the fourth round, with one then pitted against Nadal.”

——–

I guess, judging by how he’s played so far in this week’s event, if Roddick meets Rafa he could maybe be a threat. But I am not sure. I just haven’t seen enough of Andy this year to know. I missed the Cincy match and haven’t seem his matches this week, although the scorelines have been dominant. So, you never know?

———

Also, here’s Tandon’s article (again, from ESPN) “handicapping” the top four seeds:

http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6896880/us-open-how-vulnerable-novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-roger-federer-andy-murray

August 26th, 2011 at 2:27 am

Tx Jane thats the way me see its too….Except i can’t see Roddick being a threat to Rafa, he is just “showing me the money” this year. There is very little competition in his half, and Ferrer? Muahhahahahaha…See you in the final Rafa!

August 26th, 2011 at 2:43 am

^ There is the semifinal, skeezer, and perhaps Murray could win it? He has beaten Rafa at the USO before, in 2008, and that was a very good year for Rafa results-wise. If Murray can navigate through his draw, he may be ready for a win by the semis. In 2008, Murray had some tough matches versus Delpo, Melzer and Llodra before he met Rafa in the semis, and then, he won. It could be, then, that Murray’s tough draw may actually work in his favour, to keep him focused all the way through. But it’s all speculation till they hit the deco turf. :)

August 26th, 2011 at 3:00 am

^ jane..true i forgot to put “semi” in front of “final” ;)

August 26th, 2011 at 3:28 am

Kimberly 8:47 pm:

“Actially I take it back about djoko he got delpo 3rd at Rg but he had no show fognini as a quarter”

The damn Fognini was the most unfortunate thing that happened to Novak at RG! If only he showed up in the quarters… It would not derail Nole’s rhythm and made him wait for 4 or 5 days for his next match in the empty space, it would not increase the pressure in the meanwhile of expecting the number 1 match for the first time in his life, of a streak ending danger etc. Not to mention that he would reach 42-0 from the beginning of the year record inevitably…

Fognini was no mitigating circumstance in any possible way, but pure bad luck for Novak, nothing else.

August 26th, 2011 at 4:29 am

Rafa’s luck continues. Like the last US Open, he faces a relatively easier draw of the four. Federer’s draw from the look of it appears very tough while Murray’s section also does not appear that easy. Djokovic can navigate through any opposition with the kind of form he is in and his road to final must be smooth unless his shoulder problem does not play spoilsport. However, it is very hard to predict the semi-final line up and I am not sure whether the famous Four will reach there. It does appear to be a Djokovic Vs Nadal or Murray final. Ofcourse speculation is distant from reality and may be Federer could surprise me with his magic ??

August 26th, 2011 at 8:40 am

Again, I acknowledge Rafa’s draw is somewhat light, but at RG and Wimbledon he had very tough draws which he came through. He was due a fluffier one!

COme on, Murray played Chela and Troicki in later rounds of RG. and Feliciano Lopez in the quarters of Wimbledon (Lopez is a quality should beat third round opponent, exactly where he is for Murray now) and I didn’t hear anyone complaining.

August 26th, 2011 at 8:44 am

^ True enough Kimberly. Murray had a great draw at the FO this year, and a pretty nice one at Wimbledon, too. But he did have the defending champion in the semis at both RG and Wimby: Rafa. Nole had a pretty nice Wimby draw, with Tomic, who is inexperienced albeit tricky, getting through, and then Tsonga instead of Fed (although Tsonga played excellent tennis in the semi and turned out to be a great tune up for Nole). The thing is, we just never know how a draw will play out, who will get through, etc., hich is why I added “on paper” above.

August 26th, 2011 at 9:58 am

nadal lucky again not facing federer on a fast hardcourt thats my opinion..really annoyed that we have again federer vs djoker in the semis..it s getting boring..
i really think fed has it still in him to beat nadal in NY..nadal has a pretty easy draw but all of the others should come through …but nadal has a big chance making it to the finals i just believe fed would have been much tougher for him than murray…fed is sleeping good after that draw too…he avoids nadal and faces djoker ..he knows he can beat him on any given day

August 26th, 2011 at 10:18 am

@jane: completely agree with your post above. Hence there is no point complaining about the draw since we don’t know how it shall pan out.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:18 am

For those of you who love tennis and Andy Samberg:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/28/magazine/Samberg-Tennis.html

August 26th, 2011 at 11:23 am

van orton, why do you think Fed would be tougher for Nadal than would Murray? A couple of years ago Murray beat Nadal in – let me see, where was it? – the USO semis! Do you seriously think Nadal is in better form than he was then? Murray has been up-and-down this season, but at his best has played as well as most. His early losses have been strange dips in form, but Federer has been losing when he seemed to be progressing well through a tournament. And you seem to think Fed’s victory over Nole in Paris qualified as “any given day”. I think it was more likely a one-off.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:29 am

@Ben

Tx ;) Friggin Hilarious and well done!

August 26th, 2011 at 11:56 am

Wow…Roger and Andy have craaaazy tough draws. Best luck to both of ’em!

August 26th, 2011 at 1:51 pm

Isner beat Roddick. Hasse beat Dolgo.

August 26th, 2011 at 3:09 pm

i dont think any of the top four can take anything for granted,this may turn out to be the most open/open,question marks hang over all of them,is noles shoulder ok,is roger on the wane,is rafa in decline,murrays lack of concistency,is delpo back to his best,blah,blah blah,they all have so much to proove,and everything to gain,who will win,god knows,im just hopeing for a great tournament.

August 26th, 2011 at 3:24 pm

so colin u mean the same off day fed had last year at the open 2010 or australian open 11 ???

August 26th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

Kids Day at Arthur Ashe, which was scheduled for Saturday, is now cancelled due to hurricane Irene forecasts.

August 26th, 2011 at 4:19 pm

haase semi match is not played yet, he will play beneteau at 6:30pm local time. I hope he wins. He is starting to be consistent. Hope he wins the whole thing but beneteau match frist.

Isner is on-fire…straight set to beat roddick, good for him.

August 26th, 2011 at 5:52 pm

oh man, this harricane is messing up the start of the USO…what is going to happen?

August 26th, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Tennis.com editors picks…

Peter Bodo

Champion: Andy Murray: I have a feeling that Novak Djokovic may be losing the plot a little after that spectacular start to 2011, and who knows what kind of shape his shoulder really is in? Given the number of surprises we’ve witnessed this year, I’m adding a final one: Andy Murray, U.S. Open Champ.

Dark horse: Roger Federer: Given that nobody is talking about Federer’s chances at the U.S. Open, I think it’s fair game to pick the greatest player of all time as a “dark horse” to win it all. If he doesn’t, Federer will end the year without a single major for the first time since 2003.

Steve Tignor

Champion: Novak Djokovic: He showed some signs of burnout, both mental and physical, in Cincinnati, but his head should be cleared and focused by the bright lights of New York. It’s still his year.

Dark Horse: Andy Roddick: The former American No. 1 has struggled mightily of late, with his game, his body, and his attitude. But the fans won’t forget him in New York, and he’s out of Djokovic’s and Federer’s way in the draw.

Richard Pagliaro

Champion: Novak Djokovic: If his strained serving shoulder holds up, look for the world No. 1 to continue his historic run. Though five-time champ Roger Federer may be waiting in the semis, denying Djokovic (57-2 overall, including a 33-1 mark on hard courts) his first Open title at this transcendent level of play will be as easy as scaling the Unisphere in a single bound.

Dark Horse: Juan Martin del Potro: He hasn’t won successive matches since Wimbledon, so why tab del Potro as a darkhorse? The 2009 champ is one of the few in the field who can dictate play off both serve and return, is fearless from the baseline and figures to be recharged in his return to New York.

Ed McGrogan

Champion: Novak Djokovic: Who’s hitting the hardest right now? That’s the question that must be asked when considering Flushing Meadows’ fast surface. It has to be Djokovic, who should be at full strength and speed by next week. Motivation shouldn’t be a problem: He’s twice been runner-up in Queens and is coming off a rare loss.

Dark Horse: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Federer’s quarter of the draw is a minefield, with no one more explosive than Tsonga, who just beat the Swiss in Montreal. He also quit there against Djokovic, presumably to save himself for bigger tournaments like this one. He can stink, but also beat anyone: The definition of a dark horse.

August 26th, 2011 at 6:04 pm

I agree with ed McGrogan most.

August 26th, 2011 at 6:04 pm

I would have to govwith Richard pagliaro put of that group. My tournament favourites go: 1- nole ( easy choice) / 2- Murray ( this maybe his slam) / 3- rafa ( could be where he beats nole this year) / 4- federer ( he could deliver another slap on the face of his doubters by winning here) / 5- tsonga ( most likely slam winner out of top 4)

August 26th, 2011 at 6:43 pm

As a Nole fan, I am worried. It seems there’s no hope for him to win the USO any more: Steve Tignor picked him. Steve chose Nole as his pick just one more time this year: at Roland Garros…

Just kidding. But worried nevertheless.

August 26th, 2011 at 8:06 pm

Steve’s bracket just got out, BTW.

August 26th, 2011 at 8:08 pm

Just find this “smart” quote:

Letterman: Without Federer would your tennis be as good?

Nadal: Probably not.

Letterman: So it’s necessary to have that guy?

Nadal: Sometimes it’s better if he’s not there.

August 26th, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Ha ha mat4, I pointed out the same quote on the “Rafa on Letterman” video thread. Very clever response indeed. ;)

August 26th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

@hello, Jane.

I didn’t read that thread, sorry to repeat.

Rafa has an almost “british” sense of humour (at least, that’s how I see british humour – then, is it humour at all?). After the semi, in Rome, asked who he would like to see in the final, Murray or Djokovic:

“Murray. I know you would like me to answer Djokovic, but I’m not stupid.”

BTW, what do you think about the draw?

August 26th, 2011 at 9:23 pm

@mat4

“Classic” find on your 8:27 post. Very cool quote ;)

August 26th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

@Hello, Skeezer, glad you’re “here” too.

Jane quoted this first, but I didn’t notice. But it is classic Rafa, you are right.

August 26th, 2011 at 9:28 pm

mat4, I think Nole’s draw is not bad overall. It could be worse certainly. But it isn’t exactly fluffy either, with Dodig, La Monf, Gasquet, Dolgo, and a semi with any of Fed/Tsonga/Fish.

What do you think?

(post scriptum: didn’t mean to say you were repeating, but more along the lines of “great minds think alike” ;))

Now that you point it out, Rafa’s humour does seem quite dry, or wry?

August 26th, 2011 at 9:57 pm

@ jane: you mentioned the great gatsby the other day on the other thread, and I must ask what do you think of this idea of it being in 3D?

August 26th, 2011 at 10:06 pm

uuughhhh, marlins are blowing a lead and failing to close out a game against the phillies

so whats the story with this hurricane?

August 26th, 2011 at 10:08 pm

@Jane:

About Rafa: I honestly don’t understand the boy. He sometimes looks very mature, sometimes a bit childish. Tignor (the Proust of tennis…) once wrote that defeat was at the core of his vision of life, and in a metaphoric way, I feel he could be quite right.

About the draw: Novak is not playing well, and although he repeats that nothing has changed, he is far from the level he had in Italy. But he has an easy first week, and he could (should) find his range.

AM could be the surprise, if he makes the semi. I worry about his mindset, not his game.

Federer… I watched him against Tsonga and Berdych, and I don’t know what to think. He played some sublime tennis, but lost. He is obviously fighting some inner demons. Then, I feel he could have a hard draw, with Tsonga, Berdych or Djokovic.

Rafa should have an easy path to the semi.

About… Marc Rosset, WB final, last game, 30-30: “I don’t know what Djokovic will do, but I would certainly serve and volley. If I miss, at least, I won’t have to run like an ostrich for five minutes before losing the point.” After the point: “Eh oui… Les grands esprits se rencontrent.”

August 26th, 2011 at 10:33 pm

@Jane:

Then, grammar, or poetry?

August 26th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Brando – 3D!!?? I didn’t know they were planning to make the new production in 3D? I have mixed feelings about 3D. Often I find it is unnecessary in films but other times it is fine, if it suits the subject matter. I just can’t think of a reason why the Gatsby would need to be 3D.

August 26th, 2011 at 10:43 pm

mat4, loved that serve and volley at 30 all. Oui! Great minds do think alike. It was exactly right for the moment.

Agree about Nole’s form. He played some good tennis in Montreal versus Monfils and Tsonga, but I didn’t see the final, though it sounds like he was having a tough time, down to Fish mainly. In Cincy, I think it was clear something was off almost right away, but definitely from the la Monf match onward. I hope he can ease his way in and build better form too.

Finally – always always poetry over grammar. Which is not to say I don’t admire good grammar, but it won’t generally make me swoon the way a good sonnet might. :)

August 26th, 2011 at 10:47 pm

@ jane: it is unfortunately. Much worse, it’s directed by baz luhrmann. Why on earth would you want to direct a period film in 3D? Considering the form of the film and the directors credentials I see this one being nothing other than a complete disaster.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:05 pm

Just to add: like everybody, I noticed a few changes in Murray’s game. He seems more willing to play down the line lately. But his FH is still so abject.

From time to time, one can notice that Djokovic is playing without specific plan. Although Andy’s Fh were landing in the service zone, Nole didn’t try to take advantage of this reticent stroke.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:10 pm

Brando, I like some of Luhrmann’s films, for e.g., “Strictly Ballroom” and even “Moulin Rouge”, but “The Great Gatsby” strikes me as darker & less humourous than his typical work. Even his adaptation of “Romeo &Juliet” puts a flamboyant spin on the tragedy. I didn’t mind it (I liked the L.A. Gangs update), but I am not sure how his aesthetic will translate to Gatsby. I guess we’ll find out.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:16 pm

@ jane: I think he’s the wrong person for this. Personally I do not like his films. Too much style not enough substance for me. I think Scorsese with age of innocence proved he could handle such material, hence I feel he would be the ideal choice. Or maybe even Sam mendes ( American beauty, road to perdition, revolutionary road) would have been a better choice.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:29 pm

Yeah, I could see Sam Mendes, Brando. Have you read the book “Revolutionary Road”? It is worth it, even if you have seen the film already. Baz is definitely a formalist film-maker but maybe he will try something different with this? (crosses fingers). Oh well, we’ll always have the prose.

August 26th, 2011 at 11:47 pm

I think it will be fedal final: Why:

US Open Preview: Time for Federer/Nadal Showdown Or The Name ‘Djokovic’ Will Elude Them Again? http://bit.ly/rf8DlW

August 27th, 2011 at 12:41 am

Lou…nooooo fedal, means jane and I will have to go shopping again….and I hate shopping :(
jane, in Guardian, Johnny Mac backs Nole too. Loved Buz’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Thought it innovative and fun, espec. scene on beach. Don’t like idea of GG being geed up really, it’s all cool understatement.
Irene is all over our news, evacuation of Coney Island etc. Interview with Andy in Guardian, apparently they’ve just had an earthquake too. Gr8 quote about him “downbeat by disposition, suspicious by profession”! Lol. Anyway he’s on 40th floor of some hotel……..ooer
mat4: British humour can be very self deprecating, ironic, dry as a good white wine…why foreign journalists seldom “get” Andy.

August 27th, 2011 at 1:54 am

Jane,

definitely poetry over grammar every time!

And that’s why Federer has the most pleasing game to the eye (for me). He is Poetry!

Well, will the USO be postponed? Has this ever happened in the past? How will that affect the schedule; TV ratings, etc.

The draw I don’t feel is an easy one for Federer, but I am not looking ahead. Always dealing with first rounds and second rounds can cause upsets. I think these opponents see it as their ‘show’ day. Being on court with Federer is such an honour for most players but it is also their turn to shine.

Federer is definitely under the radar again and that’s fine by me.

Murray is playing well, but I don’t think that cincinnati should be any indication of how he is playing, particularly as he didn’t do so well in Montreal. (no disrespect Margot), I think Murray does need to break the duck and then he will be firmly established as one of the big four, because really, technially, he isn’t (only because he hasn’t won a slam), perhaps it should really be delpo in the big four purely because he has won one, but obviously his injury curtailed that.

Andy will though always be in contention and I feel that he does need a coach, his play mate, Damien? is great support but is he that technically minded? Will Cahill be working with Andy during the hard swing?

Margot?

As for Fed, I would not put anything past him but what bothers me is if he doesn’t play aggressively at the start. I feel it’s really imperative that for him to have a chance of winning the tournament, he conserves the energy and tries for straight wins.

Incredible though it is, that he has only ever lost once in a five setter, being ahead, to Tsonga this year after a 10plus tennis career, well..it rivals the 23 consecutive SF wins.

Kimmi, Fed to win, eh? Squeeze out another 2, if not..it’s still a great journey.

August 27th, 2011 at 4:04 am

This is something we know already Federer fans, nevertheless, it’s still good to remind ourselves that anything is possible.

Should Federer win the final Grand Slam event of the year, it’s not as if he’d be setting a major historical precedent. Since the open era began, in 1968, a player in his 30s has won the men’s U.S. Open singles final on five occasions.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/roger-federer-battles-against-father-time/article2144126/
Rod Laver was 31 when he won the tournament in 1969. Ken Rosewall became the oldest male player to win the Slam in 1970, at 35. It took another dozen years for another fogey to come along and hoist the trophy. Jimmy Connors was 30 when he won the tournament in 1982. And perhaps to prove that older players still have plenty of game, he won it again the following year.

Nearly 20 years later, Pete Sampras became the next, and last, player to win the tournament in his 30s when, at 31, he defeated 32-year-old Andre Agassi in 2002.

Still, there’s no doubt players have lost a step or two by the time they hit their fourth decade, especially considering how young most are when they begin playing seriously in a sport that has barely any off-season.

“Over 15 years of competing year round, it really takes it’s toll when you hit the 30-year mark,” Hale says.

But that said, Hale expects to see more pros playing well in to their 30s for two reasons: One, today’s players have seen enough of the older generation retiring only to return a few years later to know they should savour the game while they can, even if they aren’t playing as well as they once did; second, and perhaps more importantly, there are now better treatments for the aches and pains that beset athletes.

“Training and rehabilitation is getting better and better, so they can stay healthy longer,” Hale says.

Federer is healthy as he heads to Flushing Meadows in New York, where he is seeded third behind relative youngsters Novak Djokovic, 24, and long-time nemesis Rafael Nadal, who is 25 – the two most common ages of U.S. Open winners.

While it’s true Federer hasn’t won a Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2010 (and winning his 17th major won’t be easy), now that he’s got to fight harder for it than he ever has, watching him try will surely be mesmerizing.

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August 27th, 2011 at 4:10 am

Good news for Nole fans, shoulder is OK :)

From official website:
http://www.novakdjokovic.rs/news.php?akcija=vise&id=1295&jezik=2

August 27th, 2011 at 5:16 am

Thanks Milos: he says it’s “not bad”, “OK” and that it was hampered by “inflammation.” The good news is that there is no serious injury. But on the other hand, won’t the inflammation just come back and/or get worse the more he plays? This rest est definitely helps, but I think we will know more when he takes the court and serves. The serve is the thing,

margot, I liked the way Baz updated “R&G”; that was great. But just don’t know about him for GG, esp. 3D! Did you see that Bodo picked Muzza, and I thought JMac did also. Would like to see another Muzza v Nole, and then no shopping, ;)

August 27th, 2011 at 5:27 am

Oops, meant “R&J” not “G” – not sure who that’d be…maybe Romeo and Gertrude?

August 27th, 2011 at 5:28 am

jane, wasn’t Gertrude Hamlet’s mum? Crossover Shakey here lol. Yes, did see Bodo, only one I’ve come across though. You would be very foolish to back against Nole, is why I’m a-doing two, at least, challenges!

August 27th, 2011 at 6:38 am

@Margot: I like that kind of english humour. I also like american “political correctness”. I don’t always understand, but some things are the same in all cultures.

It reminded me of John Thaw.

August 27th, 2011 at 6:42 am

i am rooting for a fish vs fed night session quarterfinal…

August 27th, 2011 at 7:51 am

jane, I remember that Novak once said how Masters tournament is more physically demanding than a Grand Slam. So playing two masters finals in a row will certainly get you some inflammations ;) I hope that everything will be fine with more time between matches.

August 27th, 2011 at 8:27 am

dopn’t forget brackets everyone

August 27th, 2011 at 11:16 am

Kimberly, when is the cutoff?

margot, we could make a game: put all Shakey characters in hat, jar or similar. Shake em up. Pull em out and make new plays based around selections. We could call is Shaky Shakey. ;)

Milos, thanks for the reassurance.

August 27th, 2011 at 1:47 pm

Anyone knows which side plays firts? Nadal as defending champion will play on Monday, Irene permiting?

I have tickes for first 2 days, nith and day, but want to buy a courtside to watch The Fed properly, but have to know if he plays on Tuesday.

August 27th, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Jane i think the cut-off is either SUnday Night or Monday morning. Kaiser always waits til the last minute but both my kids and i have chosen

August 27th, 2011 at 2:58 pm

If you haven’t already seen it, here are McEnroe, Borg and Wilander predictions for the upcoming US Open.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=277–BAWcew

August 27th, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Anyone knows what side of the draw (Novak’s or Rafa’s) will play Friday semi and, consequently, have an extra day of rest prior to the final?

August 27th, 2011 at 4:39 pm

Mila, I believe both men’s semi are on Saturday (I think since 1984).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/open/2009-09-11-super-saturday_N.htm

August 27th, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Will be great if Fish makes it to Quarters and beats Fed there and goes to Semi!

August 27th, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Hopefully, we will have Nole – Andy final.
As much as I like Nole, I am picking Andy Murray to win this USO!

August 27th, 2011 at 6:21 pm

rep ike,yeah i think it would be nice for nole or andy to win the us open this year especially andy as hes never won a grand slam,it would be a nice fairy tale for us british fans,i dont think it really would make a great deal of difference to roger or rafa as theyve both already done it anyway,anything they do now is an added bonus,although rafas my favourite,ive decided to be a bit more patriotic and support our andy,so come on andy,times are hard for us brits,give us something to cheer about.

August 27th, 2011 at 6:43 pm

Djokovic-Murray final.

book it.

August 27th, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Mila, thanks for posting that video; it is so odd seeing all these people pick Nole. It is just, simply, unusual. This is the first slam where he is the favorite. He wasn’t at the FO, as most people still thought Rafa would likely win it. And I think only PMac picked him to win the AO. Same with Wimbledon: I think only one writer picked Nole. Maybe all these experts picking him means he won’t win, ironically.

Anyhow, hot air until they play. Any news on Irene; will it delay the start at all? Hope everyone on the easy coast is safe. I know Ben is there. Stay dry!

August 27th, 2011 at 8:10 pm

Oops, meant to write EAST coast. Not easy. Suspect that may be elsewhere…

August 27th, 2011 at 8:10 pm

@Jane:

Hello, hope you’re well and far away from the hurricane. Hope Ben will be fine.

I watch the video too. I had the impression they picked him rather unwillingly (is that the right word?). They couldn’t say anything else – the results so far this year speak against anything else. But… JMac fav is Andy Murray, BB likes Rafa, and Mats, of course, Roger.

And yessss, it was a pleasure to see Mats Wilander say Novak.

August 27th, 2011 at 8:51 pm

Novak because he is been the guy this year..no brainer!

depending on his shoulder, i also pick him to win.

August 27th, 2011 at 9:15 pm

mat4, & I hope you are far away from the east coast, too. I wonder why they’d pick him unwillingly; is Novak no pundit’s or ex-champion’s fave? : ( Where’s Safin? Maybe he would willingly and enjoyably say the favorite is Nole. : D

August 27th, 2011 at 10:00 pm

Nole here also. I think his shoulder should be fine, and if it is, who is going to beat him? Pre semi final- monfils, dodig? NO CHANCE. I think IF he faces roger- who has a tough draw- then that will be his final since roger has won against nole this year when nole was playing well. If he wins against federer, which he should, I cannot see him losing to Murray, Del Potro, soderling etc in a slam final at all. Then that only leaves rafa, and well 5-0 this year….

August 27th, 2011 at 10:04 pm

Well I picked Rafa in my bracket, more out of hope and loyalty than expectation. I too think Novak will likely win this one. Maybe I should be smart and change my pick. hmmmmm.

Btw, I caved and bought the book, “rafa”. It is so boring I made it through five pages and put it down in favor of a book by one of my favorite trainers on fitness and nutrition. I did glance it some of the photos though, and the rafa baby pictures are pretty cute.

And even if it is pre-season and the dolphins are playing like crap, it sure is NICE to watch football again!

August 27th, 2011 at 10:09 pm

@ jane: I think it’s because nadal is wilanders favourite player, whilst borg’s fav I think is federer but he clearly sees alot of himself in rafa ( fellow claycourt genius). McEnroe, I am not too sure, I think he likes nole but he also likes roger and rafa and most likely wants to see a fedal, especially at the USO. I think most former players are into the whole fedal thing and nole has obviously decided to change things up this year.:-)

August 27th, 2011 at 10:09 pm

so federer opens up on monday. petra kvitova too. I hope she plays well..c’mon she needs to find that wimbledon form.

It will good of she plays well,the women tennis will be interesting to watch if that happens.

August 27th, 2011 at 10:17 pm

ha ha, cant even understand what i write.

s/b “it will be good if petra plays well…”

August 27th, 2011 at 10:21 pm

I have to scratch and shake my head coz I don’t understand why so much is being made of the expert picks by the past GS champs. Good grief, from past experience, most fans can attest that these picks are not worth a hill of beans when the tournament is actually played and the final outcome. Considering the majority of the comments are from the Novak fans, I get the feeling that some are offended that more of the experts did not pick him to win. Dunno why this should be a bone of contention coz it’s obvious that Novak is struggling,and maybe the experts are taking that into consideration. I, for one, would like to see a few new faces make some waves at the USO than the same players, albeit, I’m a Fed fan.

August 27th, 2011 at 11:19 pm

jane: re Shakey Shakey that’s a g8 idea! Would make an excellent improvisation show too. Imagine Lear coming out of the hat with Puck! Or Portia with Hamlet, mind you, wouldn’t she knock some sense into him?
Dunno what Johnny Mac’s playing at cos in The Bible, aka The Guardian he basically says you’d be a fool to pick against Nole.
kimberly do two challenges, as per your instructions one of mine is totally whacky!

August 28th, 2011 at 1:38 am

Just read Mac’s interview. In fact he says USOpen is Andy’s best chance of winning a slam. Wow, wow that’s just astonishing…..not.
Andy gives very sensible response btw.

August 28th, 2011 at 5:01 am

@scoreboard66:

Expert picks are not important, of course. Just something to chat about a bit. You got the wrong feeling – nobody is offended.

Quite the other way: seeing a huge Fed fan – Mats Wilander – making Nole is favorite for the USO is always a pleasure.

August 28th, 2011 at 5:06 am

Sorry: … his favorite…

August 28th, 2011 at 5:07 am

Backing Federer all the way again to win a sixth. BE aggressive and focused Rogi and it is all yours.

August 28th, 2011 at 10:42 am

Great video of Nole :)
http://www.whosay.com/novakdjokovic/videos/61172

August 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm

^such a goofy kid!

August 28th, 2011 at 4:35 pm

I read that Lendl and Sampras picked him too. I am worried about the shoulder.

August 28th, 2011 at 6:39 pm

Murray: May not be my best chance to win Slam
Ticker – Saturday, August 27, 2011

Andy Murray does not agree with John McEnroe’s assessment that the U.S. Open is his best chance to win a major. The world No. 4 has reached three Grand Slam finals and was unable to win a set in any of them. Murray just coming off a title run in Cincinnati.

“It’s a silly thing to say, because it’s not one tournament,” Murray told reporters. “It will be Federer is not playing well and Rafa is struggling and Djokovic’s shoulder is sore. But I know come Monday they’ll all be fine. I have a chance of winning for sure. Whether it’s my best chance or not, no one has a clue like that. And someone like John who has played thousands of matches probably knows that one bad day and you can put yourself out of the tournament. And especially towards the latter stages when you’re playing against three of maybe the three greatest players ever. You’re going to have to play an incredible event to win. So I feel like I’m ready to do that. But to say it’s my best chance, no one knows.”

August 28th, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Milos, that is why I love Nole, lol. With the singing fish, ha ha, he is never afraid to be just a goofy 24 year old. Thanks for posting.

Nina, I agree with Muzza; it’s not like this is “do or die” for Muzza. He could win the AO next year just as likely. He has been in two finals there already. Good luck to him, though, for sure!

August 28th, 2011 at 8:44 pm

I hate to say this but this USO seems to me to be Rafa’s tournament! I PICK RAFA.

August 29th, 2011 at 3:21 am