Serena Smacks Woz Around, Faces Stosur in US Open Final

I watched this match. No surprise in the result. But what was surprising was how well they both played — Woz was unusually, for her, aggressive without losing consistency and she actually put some pressure on Serena here and there. But Serena was out of this world. Her net approaches were unbelievable, her strokes powerful and accurate, and above all her serve earned her what seemed like 1-2 free points per game… it was a landslide victory, but Woz can actually be pretty proud that she got in two breaks and a few holds with her crappy-ass serve.

September 11th, 2011 at 1:10 am

Eric, I felt Serena still jad anotherngearnshe could go to if need be. I rag on Caroline butbshe is a very good player and still very young. She should work on her serve and tactics in the off season maybe she can make a change. But I’m not sure she can. Very difficult for someone with such a strong cow terpunchi g instinct to become the aggressor and in tense situations they always recede to old tactics. She’s not one of my favs but she certainly has a lot going for her.

September 11th, 2011 at 1:17 am

Wozniacki’s serve sucks. She might stay no. 1 for the next two years, but she’s not going to win a slam if she can’t stop dropping serve 20%+ of the time when playing any good. It’s just how it is.

Her match against Serena was actually almost exactly the same as Ivanovic’s, except Serena was definitely better against Caroline, she improved over the week. By this I mean that in both matches, the loser wasn’t being totally blown away – there were a lot of deuces, fairly close games, etc – and they both pushed back and got breaks back, but couldn’t keep the focus. But they just played mediocre service games once or twice per set, and obviously Wozniacki never holds serve SUPER well. She usually gets taken to 30, hardly any holds to love (when she is playing top 30-ish girls).

But you’re right — she’s also very young still. She could easily change her style, not completely, but enough to become a more complete player. And, god, she needs her serve to become more of a weapon. If Agassi and Rafa could do it, so can she.

September 11th, 2011 at 1:33 am

I meant ‘when playing anyONE good’… Heh.

September 11th, 2011 at 1:34 am

Arghhh, really too bad that Caro didn’t win that game at 5-4. The momentum was shifting. That would have lead to a very interesting / totally different story.

September 11th, 2011 at 3:33 am

Even if she had won that game she had no chance. Unles Sernena plays badly, there is just no way Caroline can beat her. Serena is just much better.

The problem with Caroline is this. You will win a lot of tournaments being fit, consistent, with a hard deep ball. The thing with a slam, is people want it so much the odds are extremely high that you are going to run into a hot player that is going to play to win, instead of playing not to lose. It was almost Kuznetsova, it was Li Na in Australia, it Zvonereva last year. When you play not to lose, the match is essentially on your oppoents racket.

September 11th, 2011 at 8:50 am

SHe should hit the gym and do some stregnth training. SHe is extremely fit and still big enough to produce much more power than she currently is.

September 11th, 2011 at 8:51 am

although serenas the favourite i hope sam can manage to stay toe to toe with her,just like she did at last years french open,i think it would be great to see sam win a major,and to do it by beating serena,i think she deserves it as shes a fantastic player.

September 11th, 2011 at 9:08 am

kimberly – it is not just hitting the gym but yeah that is important too..her technic on the FH does not allow her to smack that ball hard…

i hear she has a new coach? Well, that is what he needs to do…teach her to accelerate on that FH, flat it out..BH is good and steady enough.

The serve needs better technic too, she is a tall girl, same height as serena 5′ 10″. Actually a little taller than serena as serena is listed at 5′ 9″…so there. she is only 21, plenty of time to learn, no?

September 11th, 2011 at 9:09 am

I must have watched a different match. In the one I saw, Serena lost serve because of going for too much and double faulting or trying to go for the deep court or side lines with her groundies. Wozniacki did not break by winning those points.

Wozniacki had a grand total of 5 winners out of a total of 110 points. And she is the Number 1 player. I’m sure she sent in her entry form to another 50 tournaments over the next year including tier 2 and tier 3 events. Got to keep winning those ranking points you see. I mean that is all she CAN do.

September 11th, 2011 at 10:10 am

kimmi, yes her serve, agree with Eric’s comments above about her serve! She drops serve too often when playing well.

September 11th, 2011 at 10:12 am

that was a scary match from serena. her comeback has been remarkable. nothing new to say here about caroline that others before haven’t….without at least one power serve in her arsenal it will make it tough for her to play it out at the business end of tournaments. in the first set she was retrieving quite well, but once serena got in her groove she was pulling her around like a yo-yo back there. and wasn’t it 2/3 into the match and the winner count between them was 32/0? ouch.

stosur definitely has more firepower – some meaty serves and more options around the court with shots. if serena keeps serving like she is now, there won’t be a ton of opportunity on her serves, but should be a more competitive match. be nice to have stosur be the champ, but serena seems to be a woman possessed.

September 11th, 2011 at 10:24 am

the crazy thing is i think serena has some other gears that she hasn’t even hit yet this tournament. I keep thinking back to the third set of the Azarenka match in Australia 2010 which was as intimidating of a performance as I have ever seen.

September 11th, 2011 at 10:26 am

I think Serena takes it pretty easily, but if Sam is loose like Schiavone was against her, she might have a chance.

September 11th, 2011 at 11:06 am

I have a poll and breakdown of the match at my blog (click my name to find them)

September 11th, 2011 at 11:31 am

Eric Says:

“Wozniacki’s serve sucks. She might stay no. 1 for the next two years, but she’s not going to win a slam if she can’t stop dropping serve 20%+ of the time when playing any good. It’s just how it is.”

Woz is not deserving of #1 or winning any slams, but Serena is at an advanced age now, and she can only continue to stop Woz for so long. As for dropping serve regularly… welcome to the WTA tour. That’s normal.

Interesting fact: Sam Stosur only has 2 career titles to her name, none are Tier I. They are a Tier III and a IV. Pretty poor. During the entire year that she was #5 in the world (her highest ranking), she won no titles during that period.

That says something about both Sam (not capable of winning when it counts), and the WTA (weak if you can be a top 5 player with no titles).

This final is likely to end in straight sets. Sam did well just to get to the final.

September 11th, 2011 at 12:32 pm

Serena’s playing well, but there are still a couple of things she needs to watch out for against Stosur today. My preview of today’s women’s final: http://bit.ly/qzH9Av

September 11th, 2011 at 12:38 pm

Serena in steaight sets- easy! Wozniacki will win a slam but it won’t be due to her game but dropping level of competition. She isn’t even on the elena dementieva level and she’s no1.

September 11th, 2011 at 1:49 pm

Serena is not playing her best yet– just well enough to win. You can tell by the fact that she is not all fired up on the court with shrieks and fist pumps and jumping up and down after good points. But she hasn’t yet been pushed to that point. I, for one, would like to see her win. The best player should always win. And she is the best.

September 11th, 2011 at 2:18 pm

Serena will almost certainly win, probably in 3 but maybe in 2 if Stosur is overawed by the occasion or for whatever reason neglects to bring her “A game” (okay, with her it’s more like an A- game).

WTF, Woz probably won’t win a slam without improving her serve. But I’m not sure she doesn’t “deserve” to be no. 1. The rankings reflect performance over the preceding year. There are still 3 or 4 tournaments left, and Woz has again won six titles (five at them at the Premiere level). Kvitova and Roberta Vinci are the only others who have won more than _2_ titles this year, with 4 and 3 respectively (and 4 of the 7 were at the ‘international’ level. (Okay, and probably Serena will get a 3rd title in a couple hours.)

Victor, most of Wozniacki’s titles are from Premier level events – 5 of her 6 this year to date. And tennis is about a lot more than hitting winners, although it’s cute that you don’t get that. Woz just isn’t a shotmaker. Serena had to ‘go for too much’ because Caroline’s solid defense and consistency keeps her in points and gives her the edge the longer a rally goes.

(And by the way, a third of Serena’s winners were from aces – we’ve already said Woz needs to improve her serve. Once you take those out, Serena has 4.5x Wozniacki’s winners, and 3x her unforced errors; that’s not a ratio to be hugely embarrassed of.)

The better player – by far – won, but it wasn’t that much of a mismatch, either.

September 11th, 2011 at 2:21 pm

ithink serenas a terrific player,but i think the womans game is seriously lacking any depth,with cljsters injured,venus sick,sharapova and azarenka inconsistent,kvitova suffering from a hangover after wimbledon,the womans game is lacking anyone who could seriously challenge serena,its like brando said whats the best form of competion,no competition,shame justine henin retired again.

September 11th, 2011 at 4:30 pm

i suggest they make the uso winner from men’s side play a match with serena just to make sure she is capable of losing.

what a player. her serving is out of the WTA universe. she needs real competition like clijsters (injured) or henin(retired) or sharapova (very bad form)

i would really like it if sam can win atleast 1 set. it would make wta salvage atleast some pride

September 11th, 2011 at 4:34 pm

I think Stosur has to play loose and stress free to have a chance to win. She could still lose if she plays loose, but if she plays as tight as she did in Paris last year Serena walks to the title.

September 11th, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Women’s tennis really seems redundant at the moment. Serena is an absolute legend and a champion but you cannot have someone swanning in whenever they feel and almost immediately winning the tourny if their choice. It compliments their talent and skill but it says more about the competition.

September 11th, 2011 at 4:41 pm

hope for great match, it will be nice if sam win her first slam but……

September 11th, 2011 at 4:41 pm

If> of

September 11th, 2011 at 4:42 pm

On a totally unrelated note, I think this match has the hottest (only hot?) chair umpire I’ve ever seen. Okay, back to the tennis…

September 11th, 2011 at 4:49 pm

Wishing for a high quality, three set final!
That ump’s name is Eva asderaki, gold status female umpire at a very young age, how did she do that?! She is very pretty.
Hope Sam keeps nerves and attitude in control and doesn’t let serena just run away.

September 11th, 2011 at 4:54 pm

Sam FH is a big weapon.

September 11th, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Asderaki? Interesting, I didn’t know tennis was even a little bit big in Greece. I think there’s only one Greek tennis player I’ve ever seen in a draw, not counting the Athens Open, although I can’t remember her name.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:01 pm

wow,, stosur playing well

September 11th, 2011 at 5:02 pm

Eric, my mom, who knows nothing about tennis watched the match last night and was like, how is that girl number one when the other girl is obviously so much better than her.

Similar to someone I know who was at Wimbeldon 2009 when Venus was beating Dinara Safina so bad that if you blinked you would miss 2 games, they could not wrap their finger around the concept that the one getting the beating was the number 1 player.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:05 pm

sam calm and collected..she wants this. Go sam.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:06 pm

god serena scares me when she shouts like that.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

Kimberly, obviously Serena is a lot better than Woz. But it’s also absolutely true that Wozniacki’s way of playing tennis (she is boring, a counterpuncher, few winners, not even particularly powerful shots) is not visually impressive. Even people who presumably watch a lot of tennis, like Victor here, don’t get that you can be good at tennis without being even a little bit of a shotmaker. Woz gets consistently underrated because she’s boring, and that’s just a fact. But boring isn’t the same thing as bad, and she broke Serena, what was it, 2 or even 3 times in nine service games? If she could actually develop a decent serve she would really be a force to be reckoned with.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

sam bh slice is good too

September 11th, 2011 at 5:11 pm

(In other words, Woz’s spot at no. 1 on the rankings is like the turtle beating the hare. Doing pretty well at almost every single tournament, and very well at some, gets you further than being really amazing off and on. Even if it’s not exciting. But she needs to work on lots of stuff if she wants to be able to dictate on her own terms when she wins that first slam.)

September 11th, 2011 at 5:20 pm

Ok, I’ve had enough of Sam keeping her head and hitting well, ready for serena to win now. Hope serena is not hurt.
as far as woz, when she plays against an aggressive player her defense can be quite a show. I saw live against kuznetsova and was very impressed with her ability to get it back and deep. In the third set she stepped up at the net, too. I really want her and Andy to get a slam, so I say I am a fan of them both.
Umm, has serena played a big hitter this tournament, yet? She is not handling Sam well. Can’t quite count Ana I.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:23 pm

wow sams playing really well,great 1st set,hope she can keep it up,just got a feeling serena will up her level though now,come on sam.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:24 pm

This is quite a show. Stosur is totally dominating Serena here — not what any of us expected. Where is this fabled extra gear?

September 11th, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Woo hoo!! C’mon Sam! So much more composed than she was at the French when she was the favorite. Maybe we’ll finally get to see more than a one-sided womens final if Serena wakes up.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:27 pm

Williams just looks so confused that someone is actually playing well against her, lol. We’ll see if she can “step it up.”

September 11th, 2011 at 5:27 pm

serena serving like 30% first serves…

DRAMARAMA

September 11th, 2011 at 5:27 pm

What are they discussing?

September 11th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

should it be a Let or should serena lose a point?

September 11th, 2011 at 5:29 pm

What did she do? Shout during the point…?

September 11th, 2011 at 5:30 pm

Let, not POINT.
Poor move, pretty Eva!
Hope serena turns it around
Great point!

September 11th, 2011 at 5:32 pm

how come stuff always goes wrong when serena is playing?

September 11th, 2011 at 5:33 pm

what happened, i walked out of the room and cant figure out what they are talking about

September 11th, 2011 at 5:35 pm

Always fricking drama when she plays…never about the match but outside crap. Hopefully Sam can keep her composure and not let the asshole NY crowd get to her. God sometimes I HATE the way people behave in this city.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:36 pm

eric – serena hit a FH down the line that looks like almost a winner but sam was able to reach the ball (she couldnt have done much with it though..the shot was too good). before sam touch the ball serena shouted C’MON!

the ump gave a point to sam..which serena did not like.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:36 pm

So I watched the replay. Serena, at 30-40, screamed “come on” about half a second before Sam mishit her shot. The umpire awarded the point to Stosur, which seems to me like the wrong decision unless Serena had already been warned for unsportsmanlike behavior, but I’m not an expert on the specific rules at play…

September 11th, 2011 at 5:37 pm

They’re saying there was the same ruling in a bartoli match this week.
Geeze USO is such a drama queen, tennis- and other-wise.
Sweep that aside

September 11th, 2011 at 5:40 pm

still waiting/exepcting serena to find that gear

September 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm

serena is not playing with calm

September 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm

yes!!! Sam held he composure and won that game. Can the NY crowd ever just let them play and not get involved? Particularly when they are uninformed…jez.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:44 pm

Serena showing her true colors again during the final. What an obnoxious, self glorified and petulant competitor she is. Used to be a fan but she makes it easier to dislike her with every day like today. What a shame.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:46 pm

Serena’s first serve percentage was much better that game, for sure. Maybe we’ll have a match after all.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:46 pm

The drop shot and then the passer to hold serve.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

sam on fire…she is taking to serena

September 11th, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Thank you Mary Carillo! Give it to MacEnroe, another obnoxious, self glorified and petulant competitor…

September 11th, 2011 at 5:54 pm

wow! can stosur win this…

she is mixing the ball well, trouble serena

September 11th, 2011 at 5:54 pm

wow sam breaks go sam.

September 11th, 2011 at 5:55 pm

that slice is just good…

September 11th, 2011 at 5:57 pm

very impressed with stosur

September 11th, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Apparently, this is a snippet of Serena’s convo with the umpire:

“you’re a hater. and you’re unattractive. on the inside. (can you get me some water?) or will I get a violation for that? Last time I looked we were in america, lady.”

wow…

September 11th, 2011 at 6:00 pm

double championship point, wow

September 11th, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Or so my friend tells me. This was during the set changeover.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:01 pm

come on sam dont choke,c.ship match point.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:02 pm

Sam, Wow!!!!! What a surprise. Congratulations on her first slam!! How wonderful for her, after coming close in the past.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:04 pm

wow..clinical a performance from sam..

Congrats to sam.. GS title.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:05 pm

That was really a pretty flawless display of tennis from Stosur — I never really liked her much, but that was gutsy and inspiring. Serena never looked nearly as good as she did against Caroline, but was that because Sam was so powerful and aggressive? I think so… what an unexpected and great match!

September 11th, 2011 at 6:06 pm

BT – congrats to Aussie family :)

September 11th, 2011 at 6:07 pm

wow congratulations to sam well deserved,all credit to serana for giving sam a nice hug.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:07 pm

So proud of Sam!! She set a goal 4 years ago when she was sick with Lime Disease for over a year and mad it happen. Congrats to anyone who makes there dreams come true!!

September 11th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Congrats to Sam! Well deserved win from a classy person and a great player. Here’s to some more Slams!!!

September 11th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Why did Serena not shake the umpire’s hand. Have had the match on, but haven’t been watching all of it, what happened?

September 11th, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Thanks Kimmi. Got up early to watch this. My heart is pumping a million miles an hour.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:09 pm

how many first time slam winner in WTA this year..

Li Na
Petra kvitova
Sam Stosur

What a year..

September 11th, 2011 at 6:10 pm

wow is all i can say

September 11th, 2011 at 6:11 pm

jane, Serena was mad because the umpire awarded Stosur a point penalty for a code violation when Serena was serving at 30-40 at the beginning of the second set. (Serena had shouted out right before Sam swung at the ball.)

Kimmi, yeah… the year of the one-slam wonder: Nole discarded that label permanently (to no one’s surprise), the women’s side saw three of them…

September 11th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Used to be a Serena fan. Lost some respect two years ago, and now whatever respect remained is gone.

Can someone name another sport in which a player can go off on an umpire/official like Serena did without penalty?

Earlier in the tournament Mary Carillo mentioned that Serena had “no remorse whatsoever” for her actions two years ago as she returned to the Open. You’d think a little time to think it over she could’ve seen threatening to shove a racket down the throat of a line judge the size of her thumb was not good form.

Cheers, Sam, on a great match. Well deserved.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Congratulations to SAM!
she played great, hope the drama does not over shadow that.
Ugh, the greatest active slam champs serena and roger breaking my tennis heart!
Hope Sam plays like that consistently now that she has gotten the first one! Happy for her

September 11th, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Jane – at the beginning of the 2nd set at 40-30, Sam’s serve, Serena clocked a FH and yelled “C’mon” 1 second before the ball hit and before Sam mis hit the ball. Therefore, the umpire awarded the point to Stosur due to a “hinderance” – Serena and the crowd didn’t agree with the call. Earley was contacted for his ruling (off court) and agreed with the umpire (same as was at the imfamous Clister’s match). You ca see above an excerpt of the changeover conversation.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:16 pm

Serena shoulda talked less and said something about the anniversary today

September 11th, 2011 at 6:17 pm

tenisbebe, that’s totally wrong. It was Serena’s serve at 30-40; it gave Sam a break, that’s why it was so important. But then Serena broke right back since Sam was a bit distracted for some reason. So it turned out to be pretty immaterial anyway.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Thanks for filling me in Eric. After Stosur won the first set, I kind of went about other things, i assumed Serena would come back and it would be three sets. Then Stosur brokke for 4-3 and, well, she held on to win.

Not sure I agree that Kvitova or Stosur will be “one slam wonders”. Na Li also has chances to get another, although with her, she is getting up there age-wise so it might be more difficult. Anyhow, regardless, one slam is better than none.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

Oops sorry it was Serena’s service game Jane. 30-40

September 11th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

nice to see serena and sam chatting away to each other,and to see serena giving sam the credit she deserves.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

tenisbebe – it was breakpoint on Serena’s serve, not Sam’s.

Also, the CBS crew stated that it was a different umpire than two year’s ago, and even if it wasn’t, the umpire didn’t make the default decision, the tournament referee did,

September 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Hi tenisbebe! Thanks for your view too. Gotta run. What a surprise though!

September 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

the umpire was the same one that was at the capriati match where serena was jobbed out of three points.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Thanks Eric – realized that after I read my post.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:21 pm

I agree, nice to see the players showing genuine respect with each other. Obviously they know each other well.

Tenisbebe – I posted that before I saw your correction, sorry.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:22 pm

Yeah, Kvitova could always win another; she’s young… Li Na, I am 100% sure won’t win another. She had her bizarre window of great results for a few months, but since the FO she’s 6-5 in matches… Stosur definitely a possibility too. I was being kind of facetious…

September 11th, 2011 at 6:22 pm

Glad Serena actually verbalized that the point didn’t matter…this is such an inspired performance from Sam. To put all of that drama behind her and get back on track and then close the victory like she did was amazing. As McEnroe said “the better player won today, period”.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:25 pm

ha ha great picture of sam with the trophy. She looks so happy.

To beat serena in a slam final is not easy too. big win for her.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:25 pm

puckbandit Says: Yes I corrected myself on the score. They (CBS crew) said it was the same umpire as vs Clisters…..may have changed their minds later but initially said it was the same one.

I am aware that Earley called for the default 2 yrs ago, I was merely making a point that Jane would get: if it was the same one, the NYC crowd would be livid, but they were anyway….
Thanks

September 11th, 2011 at 6:27 pm

Shame on CBS for making more of this than needs be made.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:28 pm

this umpire should never have been allowed to do another serena match after that atrocious capriati match.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Not the same umpire…

September 11th, 2011 at 6:32 pm

it is the umpire from the jennifer capriati match.look it up on youtube.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:34 pm

it is probably the year of underdog winning. that might favor rafa tomorrow.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:35 pm

It’s not. That was Mariana Alves: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5933547/

September 11th, 2011 at 6:36 pm

opps i was wrong.
sorry.
hope tommorrow’s match is better than this one.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Wow.. Serena is a really arrogant player.. I am kind of shocked at her behaviour …twice it has happened. She is a 13 time grand slam champion and look how rude she was with the chair empire saying some personal things about her…They should take some strict action against her..

September 11th, 2011 at 6:54 pm

it’s unbelievable how people twist things to suit things in their head. thanks eric! shows what these people really have inside their head!

congrats to sam! loved the way she played. great year for the WTA. great comeback by serena, the game will benefit if some of the wta players can deliver on the big stage and not fold up.

September 11th, 2011 at 6:59 pm

Eva Asderaki is the BEST woman umpire, and BTW she is the cutest of all. She did what she had to do, and she did it very well.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:09 pm

allright so Jamie’s psychic was already defective on one of the finalists. Maybe she will be wrong on the winner too!?1? Cross fingers and toes. Very excited that Rafa has created the opportunity to play for another hardcourt slam title!

Sorry for Serena, but she will be back. The hype on Stosur at AO12 is going to be HUGE! Almost feel sorry for her in advance.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:12 pm

@kimberly yeah 3 finals on hard courts,1 at the ao,2 at the us open,5 on grass at wimby,6 on clay,proof that rafa is an all court player,and not just a clay court specialist,should put that theory to bed once and for all.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:19 pm

If I had $50 at stake I would say rafa wins tomorrow. 6 times in a row is too much to get over on the bull.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:19 pm

Serena said she was not familiar with the specifics of the rule.

“I guess I need to read the rulebooks,” she said.

lol…

September 11th, 2011 at 7:20 pm

a. Hodge- that theory is still alive?!

September 11th, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Sixteen years on tour and she hasn’t heard of “hindrance” before? Oh Serena.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:20 pm

Yeah, I don’t think anyone could seriously have called Rafa a clay court specialist since 2008 Wimbledon at the least. He is much less dominant off clay, but that’s not the same thing…

September 11th, 2011 at 7:25 pm

dari and eric dont understand what your saying is he or is he not an all court player,in your oppinions.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

Sure he is, but he three times as many titles on clay as on hardcourt even though there are twice as many HC tournaments each year. And his record in finals on hardcourts is “only” 11-11. Obviously the man is one of the top 5 or 10 all time greats, at a minimum, but he is hands-down the best clay courter ever. Ergo – not a clay court specialist, which implies he is only mediocre off clay, but obviously far more outstanding on than off the dirt.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:42 pm

Just saw replay of some of the points, and stosur was on fire with the fh and capitalized off the return straight away when serena didn’t make a big serve. And am glad serena just stuck to “wouldn’t have made a difference”
Congrats to sam, note to other ladies, hit the gym if you wanna beat serena.
Darren cahill tweeted a link to hindrance with same ump and serena, but a let was called, so maybe that is what serena meant by didn’t know the rules. Also I think she is just confusing all light brown haired umps when she said “you’re the same one”
RT @darren_cahill Serena link to invoking the hinderance rule two years ago.. same umpire, but the point was replayed. http://t.co/9Xq5ix4

September 11th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

how many times has federer lost to nadal consecutive before winning their match..many! nevr really counted but i know fed nowadays loses before he gets there..

the more you lose, the harder it becomes. djokovic got more confident when playing rafa..if you look at all their 5 meetings this year..they got worse for rafa as he keeps losing.

IW and miami was the hardest for nole to win, once he got the monkey off his back he got more relaxed and played better and better.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:48 pm

interesting dari, so it happened before for serena but that time the point was replayed..mmmh!

September 11th, 2011 at 7:52 pm

I dunno… my gut says Rafa is going to win tomorrow. Djokovic should have lost to Roger and he could have been in very deep trouble against Tipsa if Janko hadn’t gotten injured/whatever. Whereas Rafa totally dismantled Andy M.

On the other hand, Nole has beaten Rafa in five straight finals and you are quite right, Kimmi, that he’s been doing it more and more dominantly. So my _head_ gives him a bit of an edge.

If I were a betting man, though, I’d go with my gut…

September 11th, 2011 at 7:53 pm

yeah got it thanks eric.

September 11th, 2011 at 7:53 pm

A . Hodge, its foolish to call rafa only a clay courter, i was wondering why you even said that, I didn’t think there was provocation. I’m sure he doesn’t think he is a clay courter only, either, but i bet he would be thrilled to defend a non-clay title, especially a slam!

September 11th, 2011 at 7:57 pm

But if you think about it, not even the most clay-specialized have fully remained that way, they’ve either been forced to adapt as you have to with all arounders like the top 4 or have so more easily because of the adjustment of surfaces

September 11th, 2011 at 8:03 pm

Actually I’m the one who brought it up saying I was thrilled that rafa has made is third hard court final.

I hope he gets the title. I can’t see him letting novak beat him six times in a row, but I also can’t seem to imagine to djoko to let USO final number three go begging. I don’t have a lot of expectation but tons of hope!

September 11th, 2011 at 8:11 pm

I agree with what Eric said above though, that while he is prob top five to ten all around he is top one or two on clay in thebhistory books

September 11th, 2011 at 8:13 pm

Amazing that The US Open couldn’t find space to air on TV the semi final of Stosar…especially now that she has the title….egg on their faces

September 12th, 2011 at 1:14 am

Rafa will win today….he is mentally back where he was and ready for the kill….Djokovic unfortunately is rather pleased with himself and that usually defeats most players….the unbeatable approach

September 12th, 2011 at 1:18 am

dari rep sept 11th 8.03pm,yeah sorry no provocation was taken actually,i do take everybodys comments on board,sometimes i have a hard time expressing my self,the way i wish,thats my trouble,and everything comes out wrong,anyway i agree it would be great to see rafa defend a non clay title,but like kimberly says not a lot of expectations,but tons of hope.anyway nice talking to you.

September 12th, 2011 at 7:00 am