US Open Draw Previews: Favorites Federer, Serena Williams Easy Starts

Well, where are all those people that said the draw was already fixed and that Murray would land on Djokovic side? To me Federers draw looks quite hard:

Simon (former top 10)
Fish (played great at Cincy)
Berdych (granted, looking at his current form he may not make it to the Q)
and Murray (who’s on an all time high)

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:27 pm

Murray does have a tough draw, but I wouldn’t consider Alex Bogomolov a “landmine.”

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:38 pm

andres :

those kind of idiots exist everywhere. it is mostly illiterate people who have no clue about how things work.

there are some morons who have absolutely zero idea of how draws work. unfortunately, most of the tennis writers are capable of intelligent analysis either.

it is only the losers who have problems with draws.

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:47 pm

Ok, I said it and I was wrong.

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:51 pm

jimmy :

very big of you to admit. but there are some perpetual whiners on this board who always keep whining their fav got the toughest draw. i am quite positive you will see them at their act again, in these next few days.

enjoy the open.

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:58 pm

jeremy,

You thought you could sneak this little easter egg by everybody in your writing? LOL!

“Other tough starts for seeds in the bottom quarter are No. 26 Andreas Seppi vs. Tommy Robredo, and No. 20 Andy Roddick vs. a qualifier.”

Roddick vs Qualifier?

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:03 pm

federer VS murray semifinal will win this USO. djokovic is just not able to turn it on at the right moment. the last he did that was at the AO.

murray and federer are a bad match up for him. they mix it up too much. rafa with his one-dimensional game really makes it easy for djokovic to stay in rythm.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:06 pm

“Novak Djokovic seems to be struggling with his motivation after a long summer, but the well-rested Federer seems primed to remain at the top of the game”

Novak has shown plenty of motivation by not taking a break after the Olympics disappointment. He won Toronto and reached the Cincinnati final. That shows how motivated he is to take his top rank back. Roger has played a lot of tennis over the last one year or so and, at 31, he is far from being well-rested.

“No. 4 Andy Murray is a favorite to meet Federer in the semis if he can get past landmines like Alex Bogomolov Jr. in his opener, and later Feliciano Lopez, Milos Raonic, and maybe Jo-Willy Tsonga in the quarters.”

“Federer’s road at the 2012 US Open is (surprise!) not that difficult, with No. 25 Fernando Verdasco in the 3rd round, No. 16 Gilles Simon or No. 23 Mardy Fish in the 4th round, and likely No. 6 Tomas Berdych or No. 27 Sam Querrey in the quarters.”

Given how loosely you have used “landmines” in your article, Roger’s path is filled with one landmine after another beginning with Verdasco in the third and Fish or Davydenko or Karlovic or Simon in the 4th round. The bigger landmines like Berdych, Querrey or Almagro could meet him in the quarters. The biggest landmines like Andy and Novak await him thereafter.

It is actually Del Potro, with a suspect wrist, who faces a landmine in his first round.

“Other tough starts for seeds in the bottom quarter are No. 26 Andreas Seppi vs. Tommy Robredo, and No. 20 Andy Roddick vs. a qualifier.”

Does anyone care about Seppi vs Robredo? How can a qualifier, whose identity is yet to be known, be a tough start for Roddick? That is an insult to Roddick.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:06 pm

maybe jeremy meant “with roddick’s form even a qualifier will be a tough match!

maybe it is the rosol effect. :)

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm

I forgot to mention landmines like Young and Phau. Sorry for that.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:10 pm

Because of the format with Saturday semi-finals and Sunday final, the semi-final match ups become more important. If Roger plays Berdich in the quarters and Tsonga or Murray in the semis, he would have big problems in the final with Djokovic.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Reuters: “Smiling Djokovic happy to avoid Murray in US Open draw‎. Defending champion Novak Djokovic could barely conceal his delight on Thursday after avoiding the elephant in the room – Olympic champion Andy Murray – in the draw for the U.S. Open.”
http://www.cnbc.com/id/48768536

The vast majority of press headlines noted that Federer and Murray were drawn in the same half, his road to the 2012 US Open is difficult. If Federer-Murray meet in the semifinal, they would be the marque matchup likely scheduled for the second (later) semifinal, which would be an advantage for the other semifinalist possibly Djokovic.

Rational, objective writers note that Federer obviously has a tougher draw than Djokovic: semifinal (Murray, Tsonga, Raonic). Quarterfinals (Berdych, Querrey, Almagro, Mayer, Stepanek). Fourth round (Fish, Davydenko, Karlovic, Simon). Third round (Verdasco). Danger lurks in every round from third round onwards — Roger may not lose early, but he could easily get mired in a tough four or five setter that saps his energy for future matches.

Djokovic has an easy draw into the finals. Novak strolls through the first four rounds (Benneteau, Wawrinka, Dolgopolov). In the quarterfinals, Djokovic will probably meet an exhausted opponent easy fodder for Novak (Delpo, Roddick, Nalbandian, Seppi, Monaco, Harrison, Tomic are likely to end up cancelling each other). Delpo is the only major threat besides Djokovic, but unless Delpo’s opponents crumble he may be too exhausted for Djokovic. Djokovic’s potential semifinal opponents are a joke (Isner, Ferrer, Tipsarevic, Haas, Hewitt, Gasquet, Youzhny, Anderson, Kohlschreiber).

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:22 pm

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

The deadline to enter is 8/27/2012 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

It’s on like Donkey Kong!

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:23 pm

Submit your bracket here:
http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenWTA/tennisxfansforgirltennis/default.aspx.

The deadline to enter is 8/27/2012 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

The WTA bracket, which i am looking forward to even if no one else is. For the bold and brave.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:24 pm

Why are writers at this website saying Nole lacks the “drive to win” or is “struggling with his motivation”? This year so far, he’s won a slam, two masters, and has been in the finals and semis of the other two slams. No other player has done that well at the slams this year. Plus Nole’s losses have come against other excellent players, like Fed, Murray and Delpo for example. I don’t get it; I am sure he’s motivated, and as rogerrafa points out, post-Wimbledon he has done more than any other player winning a masters and reaching the finals of another.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:31 pm

I agree with jane and rogerrafa. We should stop pretending we can see inside their minds to know that they are struggling with motivation.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:38 pm

Tough standard Novak is held up to. He loses to Rafa at the French, Roger at Wimbledon and Murray at the Olympics in his home country, and he gets criticized?

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:46 pm

@dave: I agree that novak has a walk in the park draw to the final- bar delpo, all the rest are easy opponents for him. BUT I’d argue Murray has the tougher draw than fed. He actually has raonic, tsonga, fed and novak to go through for the win. No contest IMO as far as who has the toughest draw.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:46 pm

‘and Novak Djokovic seems to be struggling with his motivation after a long summer,’ morelike struggling against the elite players- as opposed to motivation.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:49 pm

Would love to see Murray win this way- its a hell of a draw for him.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:51 pm

Murray has the toughest draw, but maybe it will end up being an edge, some of the tough opponents will no show for sure, and if he makes it through others he will be more battle tested then the others? There goes the debate, is it better to come through tough matches or fly through?

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:56 pm

INTERESTING ARTICLE: http://m.timesofindia.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Smiling-Djokovic-happy-to-avoid-Murray-in-US-Open-draw/articleshow/15623792.cms especially this part: ” When asked if he was happy to see Murray’s name in the other half of the draw, ensuring the two cannot meet unless both reach the final of the year’s last grand slam, Djokovic just smiled.” so I was RIGHT then- novak would be grinning ear to ear with that draw. Lol. SOME of his fans cry fixes draw at times- would love to hear about ‘the fix’ on this occassion. Lol, nole’s in the final- and he knows it- book it!

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:57 pm

I think its better to fly through personally. Otherwise you make it through one tough match (or even if the match turns out to be easy you are mentally geared up for it), you run the risk of having a letdown the next match. But Murray didn’t at the Olympics. He beat Djoker and Fed back to back.

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:58 pm

I don’t have an answer, and thats not really my point, I was just thinking what a way to win your first slam!
Now that I see draw I am kinda cheering for Murray more than fed cause he is younger and may have more juice for the final. But then again, I think the trouble with rebounding is sometimes less physical than mental…
Who knows.
Will look at that massive draw TOMORROW.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:02 pm

Jane, this article was written by Jeremy Davis. I am waiting for Sean or Staffs real article on the draw.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:02 pm

Djokovic has lost to Federer the last two times they played, lost to Nadal the last three times they played, and has lost the last match he played against Murray. That’s 0-6. He can’t be very confident the next time he faces any of these players. He also lost to Murray in Dubai, and very narrowly beat him at the AO.

Djokovic hasn’t really fared that well against the other three in the top 4 this year.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:10 pm

dari, Murray’s draw at Wimbledon was also very tough and he reached the finals. I know Rafa lost early but he still had to go through a number of tricky matches. So you never know. Plus, as noted on the other thread, Murray beat Nole-Fed back-to-back at the Olympics; he’s proven he can do it.

Murray has the toughest draw here, but I think he can manage it if he just stays focused on one match at a time. Raonic can’t beat him in my opinion, nor can Tsonga – Murray is 6-1 over Jo, and the only time Tsonga beat Murray was in 2008, at the AO, when Jo reached the finals and beat Rafa on the way.

“jimmy Says:
Tough standard Novak is held up to. He loses to Rafa at the French, Roger at Wimbledon and Murray at the Olympics in his home country, and he gets criticized?”

True. When you put it that way, Nole lost to 7 time champions Rafa & Fed at FO and Wimbledon, each of their best slams, and Murray at home at the Olympics. Maybe he should’ve done better in the bronze medal match, but Delpo was just better on the day. C’est la vie.

Nole’s half at the USO has two of the three former USO champs (besides Fed) in Delpo and Roddick, but they would have to play each other before meeting him anyhow. Fed is in the best form of the 3 obviously. Roddick has not been playing that well for some time now. Delpo has been playing well, winning bronze at the Olympics and reaching the semis of Cincy, but he might have a wrist issue which makes him a question mark. I don’t know how serious it is/was. We’ll see soon enough.

This year sped by – can’t believe it’s the USO already.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:12 pm

If Federer reaches the semi, and plays a match less than 3 hours long to win – he will win the USO final. No way is he losing the final, IF he gets there, to ANYBODY, unless he gets unlucky with a long semi.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:13 pm

That’s true trufan – but he lost all those 3 matches to Rafa on clay in finals – so he got there to face Rafa whereas no one else did. He lost to Fed in two tournaments that he has dominated for years – Wimbledon and Cincy. And his matches versus Andy M have always been tight. The wins and the losses. He won in Miami and AO in close ones, and lost at Dubai and Olympics in 2 close ones. So when they face each other I often think 50-50, much like I do when Nole faces Fed or Rafa, there is not much separating them. You’re right it may affect his confidence against them, but it’s hard to say. This year Nole is 2-2 versus Andy / 2-2 versus Fed / and 1-3 versus Rafa, with the win on hard and the losses all on clay. So he’s not doing *that* badly.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:19 pm

^ Referring to your 4:10 post trufan.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:21 pm

I believe that US Open is Fed’s best slam. He plays his best tennis in this slam.
Wimbledon is his most coveted slam, but Us Open I believe he will win atleast 1 more US Open if not 2.

He has not won this slam in the last three times so that is actually his worst showing of all the slams. Remember he had matchpoints in his last two semis against Djoker and he was 2 points away from winning against Delpotro)
I would say he is due a victory at this one. But I cannot be greedy he just collected the 7th Wimbly.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:31 pm

Draw is I feel not so relevant this time around.
Upsets are in the cards. Not from psychic point of view but from human point of view. It already has been a tough year and this slam will be won on deterination and grit.

Iknow where to put my money.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:35 pm

Serena’s got a long way to go before she can be considered any kind of GOAT. Ever heard of Steffi Graf?

PK

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:35 pm

Remcom Says:
Serena’s got a long way to go before she can be considered any kind of GOAT. Ever heard of Steffi Graf?

PK

please stay away from women Goathood.
to complec and steffi is not the one.

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:45 pm

@Trufan:

EXCELLENT POST.

‘That’s 0-6. He can’t be very confident the next time he faces any of these players. He also lost to Murray in Dubai, and very narrowly beat him at the AO.’

SO TRUE!

Let’s take a look:

1- Rafa: 1-3:

He’s lost the last 3 matches in a row- losing 6 out of 7 sets! the one set he won, most watchers of the game felt nadal was more concerned about the weather and court conditions as opposed to novak’s play.

the ONLY WIN he had, AO final (his best slam), he was 2 games away from losing. it was THAT CLOSE. As novak himself said, post match, rafa deserved to win also due to his incredible effort.

HARDLY 0-6 like last year!

2- Muzza- 2-2:

He was outplayed by muzza, the clear better player in these encounters, in both Dubai and olympics- BOTH in straight sets.

He won, BARELY, by 2 games in the 5th in AO. ALOT of commentators (even nadal)said murray played better and should have won, and yet he let the oppurtunity go by.

He beat an undercooked muzza in miami, where andy had 2 walkovers, and even voiced his concern pre-final to his lack preparation for it. Most observers also acknowledged this.

Either way, it’s not like muzza is getting pummeled by novak!

3- Fed- 2-2:

Most observers- fans and writers- did question fed about his awful performance in rome and FO SF. Did he tank the rome match? why was he so listless in FO SF? etc was the talk regarding fed and those matches.

Fair to say fed wasn’t at the party in those matches.

However, in the wimby SF and cincy Final- where both were fit, in form and firing on all cylinders w/o any doubt- fed won comfortably on BOTH OCCASIONS.

BAGELED novak in cincy!

So, again, NO ONE can say novak has it easy in this regard!

In summary, IMHO, i think novak is playing AS WELL AS LAST YEAR. There are no injuries, no surprising losses, no early exits (bar madrid), no personal issue (bar death of GF) etc that has appeared in public view.

CLEARLY he is playing well. It’s just that the others (fed, rafa, muzza) have STEPPED THEIR GAME UP this year and are playing better against him moreso this year than last year!

Pretty evident IMHO!

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:46 pm

woman goathood—has to be either martina or steffi IMO

August 23rd, 2012 at 4:53 pm

Steffi is the best. Women’s tennis died the day that she retired.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:06 pm

What a strange situation for Nole then hey Brando? He’s the easy favourite for the USO due to his “walk in the park” draw, and at the same time, he’s screwed versus the top guys who have stepped up their games, which is clear because he is barely winning the matches when he does (except if they tank, are undercooked, or he scrapes by). And all of this is happening while he’s simultaneously playing as well as last year (when he broke records with his streak, won a record 5 masters, including 2 on clay versus Rafa, as well as three slams). Looks like it’s all down hill for him then, unless he can suddenly play at a higher level than he has in 2011-12, capitalize on his easy draw, or if the top opponents he does face are undercooked or tired, etc. It’s almost one of those damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenarios. Oh well, still hoping for a Nole-Andy final!

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:14 pm

Agree Kimberly – I’d say Steffi, like Polo, but it’s close.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:15 pm

considering the best possible draw one could imagine

( http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-08-21/10529.php#comment-320037 )

and the worst possible draw one could imagine

( http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-08-21/10529.php#comment-320054 )

no wonder djokovic is the one smiling right now…

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:18 pm

Nobody has mentioned another landmine – the weather!
I see thunderstorms are forecast for New York on two days of the first week.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:22 pm

I am most curious as to how Murray will do in the US Open. I hope he wins. But if not him, I would settle for Federer. Or Gasquet? I used to hope for him to win but now, all I ask for is one good match from him for the entire tournament.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Good point Colin – it’s too bad the USO apparently did a bunch of renos/upgrades but no roof! :(

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:30 pm

@xmike: I like your perfect draw. But there is one player in tennis history who almost always gets the perfect draw. Guess who?

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:33 pm

hmmm…very hard to guess, could it be someone that hasn’t been playing for a while ?…

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:36 pm

Djokovic is not playing as well as last year or the AO, I have the finals against Rafa taped (and both semis against RF and AM) and he is not hitting the ball or moving the way he was then.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:46 pm

xmike, actually looking at your links, Nole could have Bennetau 3rd, who you said should be avoided in your worst draw.; 4th round he could have Dolgo, Wawa (who played great in Cincy) or Baggy; QFs Delpo (one of your “anyone but” people for QFs), Roddick, Monaco or Nalby; SFs Ferrer (about whom you said “the problem is, even if ferrer loses, he’ll work you up so much you want be able to recover properly for the final on sunday”), Isner, Gasquet, Tipsy.

So not the worst, no, but not the easiest according to your estimates: for example, no one had a sex change that I am aware of and no Rosol round one. ;)

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:47 pm

@Jane:

‘What a strange situation for Nole then hey Brando?’

LOL- i guess i should ‘demystify’ this strange situation then, shouldn’t i?

First things first, as a fellow commonwealth nation citizen, i rather enjoyed the sarcastic tone of your post- ANY BRIT would appreciate it. Back to the topic on hand now. I stand by my post for the following:

1- ‘He’s the easy favourite for the USO due to his “walk in the park” draw’: IMHO- and it is my opinion only- he is due to the relative ease of his draw in comparison to the other noted fav’s, fed and muzza. You ONLY can win GS in championship matches- no earlier than that. And IMO he shall get to that stage ALOT easier than say fed or muzza (your a fair poster jane, so im sure you’ll acknowledge fed and muzza have the tougher route to the final), hence the easy fav tag from me.

2- ‘ he’s screwed versus the top guys who have stepped up their games, which is clear because he is barely winning the matches when he does ‘: LOL- i never said he is screwed. I just agreed with trufan’s post in which he pointed out he is 0-6 v fed, rafa, muzza in recent matches. Then i expanded on that theme with my post. NOWEHERE DID I SAY HE WAS SCREWED against them. The points that i made, i believe, are not unreasonable either- regarding the matches this year. I’m sure some would disagree (why not?), others may agree and share my take on those matches- EITHER WAY i feel that they are far fetched views on those matches!

3- ‘ And all of this is happening while he’s simultaneously playing as well as last year’ IMHO- HE IS. based on the following reasoning: how many matches has he lost this year to players other than rafa, fed and muzza? JUST 2.

One was due to the surface, tipsy at madrid, where even nadal lost early.

So arguably, just ONE MATCH in 8 months! That too in 2 tiebreakers against a server like JOHN ISNER- could happen to ANY player!

BAR madrid, he has reached AT LEAST SF or finals in ALL tourny’s played this year- just like last year.

So why hasn’t he won as many?

Simple- like i said the others (fed, rafa, muzza) stepped up their performance in the matches v nole moreso than this year.

Did rafa play better on clay this year than last year? Most would say yes.

is he generally a better clay courter than nole? most would say yes.

Did fed play better on grass this year than last- and is he a better player on grass than nole? again most would say yes.

Is muzza capable of beating nole in a best of 3 in a HC and grass match? most would say yes again.

And that’s what happened- clearly fed, rafa and muzza played better in those matches than they did last year!

4- ‘ or if the top opponents he does face are undercooked or tired, etc. ‘ LOL. Come on now jane, your a seasoned poster here on TX- i’m sure you noticed the talk here about fed possibly tanking the rome match, underperforming in the FO SF, muzza being undercooked at miami.

I just referred to those particular reasoning.

I DID NOT SAY HE NOLE WON BECAUSE OF THEM.

However, i do accept that it can look to be in bad taste for the fan of that particular player- in that case, i should not have mentioned it.

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:53 pm

@xmike: My question is more of a riddle.

Clue: a perfect draw is one where you are able to beat everybody lined up against you. Does that make it easier?

August 23rd, 2012 at 6:03 pm

dari,

I asked you on the other thread:

“Don’t tell me you got upset with me?”

If I don’t get answer should I take it as YES.

August 23rd, 2012 at 6:10 pm

Brando, I was the one who said he’s screwed because if his peak level was last year and now that the other guys have stepped up and Nole is losing, then he’s got nowhere to go but down, if this is all the case. But sure, I can see some of the logic of your argument. However, I disagree that Nole is playing as good as he was last year: he would cruise through a lot more matches last year; this year he’s had to work a lot harder for wins. I am pretty certain you have pointed this out yourself this season. Tennis Vagabond recently pointed out that Nole’s return isn’t as effective this year and the stats do show a bit of a dip (though nothing major), but mainly his pb conversion has dropped way down. Last year when he generated a bp he was almost guaranteed to convert. This year not so much. But I do agree with you that Fed and Murray especially have stepped up their games on grass/hard. It’s a matter of “small margins” as the players themselves say: one has a slight dip and the other has a slight raise and that can make the difference in win or lose. Rafa’s season has been a bit up and down, so it’s more difficult to assess given the injury. Do you think he’ll come back this year?

August 23rd, 2012 at 6:12 pm

“However, i do accept that it can look to be in bad taste for the fan of that particular player- in that case, i should not have mentioned it.” Brando

This is a forum, and everyone should be allowed to speak their opinions, not so though. I think the fans of some players should lighten up. If the fans of other players can take digs at Fed, they shouldn’t be upset when their faves are mentioned in an uncomplimentary way.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:07 pm

Polo womans tennis died when monica was stabbed in her back.
Did you forget ?

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:08 pm

Maybe you are to young to remember.
Wikipage fandom is a bore.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:12 pm

@Jane:

I think your right. I do not watch, follow or understand the dynamics of novak’s game anywhere near as much as a seasoned fan of his as yourself does so- so on that i basis i would defer to your viewpoint and accept that he isn’t playing as well as last year.

I also have noticed he has worked ‘harder’ at times to beat some players that you would expect him to cruise against, but at the same time, to me, he seems to be serving better this year. Looks alot more solid on his serve.

Ultimately, i envy nole fans in the sense that their guy has a game with which he effortlessly can hit the ball deep, change directions, go for DTL shots w/o fear, be extremely agile on the punishing hard court surface and do many other things- all with great ease. An ease that my guy, rafa, just cannot do at times. :-(

Re rafa: I think he’ll come back this year. He loves the game with a passion, loves competing (at times it looks like he lives for it) and seems to be very genuine when he said that he is deeply saddened to not be playing at USO.

So i’m sure that as soon as it is possible for him to do so- he shall return. Most probably Japan Open i would imagine.

Personally though, as a fan of his, whilst i would be pleased to see him return, i also think that it would be better for him to have an extended break and return in 2013. It would give his body a much needed rest- one that can oly benefit him in the long run, since a return this year can ONLY lead to short term benefits IMHO.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:21 pm

Brando, I can see your reasons for mixed feelings about him coming back this year or waiting until next Spring. Not to worry; he’ll be back better than ever I’m sure, and his team have learned to deal with injuries and have managed them effectively thus far in his career. Thinking back to 2009, just look at how Rafa followed that up in 2010! As far as Rafa goes, he is the greatest ever on clay and has 11 slams and counting. His forehand and speed must be the envy of pretty much every player on tour. Take heart.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:41 pm

Don’t you worry, Rafa is going to come back better than ever. Mark my words.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:56 pm

cnnsi and tennis.com both have Federer defeating Djokovic in the final.

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:58 pm

Weird twitter conversation from Neil Harman – check it out:

Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes
There is something frankly not right about being handed a full draw sheet as you walk into the room where the draw is about to take place
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite

8h creamola_foam ‏@creamola_foam
@NeilHarmanTimes When you say “full” draw sheet you surely don’t mean “already completed”, do you?
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite

8h Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes
@creamola_foam All except for the seeds (with the exception of No.1 and No.2), the draw is completed before we walk into the room
Hide conversation
Reply Retweet Favorite
9:19 AM – 23 Aug 12 via web · Details

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:11 pm

@Jane and Wog boy:

Thank you both for your kind and generous words- i hope your right.

As for the present though, your fav has an outstanding chance at the USO. I’m certain he shall be there at the business end of things.

Good luck to him. As a brit, i’ll be rooting hard for muzza, BUT should muzza not make the final (hope he does)- then there shall be a few rallying cries of ‘ AJDE NOLE’ from yours truly :-)

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:21 pm

@Jane:

‘8h Neil Harman ‏@NeilHarmanTimes
@creamola_foam All except for the seeds (with the exception of No.1 and No.2), the draw is completed before we walk into the room
Hide conversation
Reply Retweet Favorite
9:19 AM – 23 Aug 12 via web · Details’

OK… now i’m somewhat suspicious or should i say curious as to how this whole draw thing is run.

I have always assumed it takes place in public- is this so?

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:24 pm

Interesting take on the draw:

http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen12/story/_/id/8295301/us-open-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-andy-murray-know-their-fates

Ravi Ubha expects nole to beat fed. Seems reasonable to me.

However, he expects a nole v tipsy SF- that seems a bit of a surprise to me.

Although, tipsy did play QTRS last year- and he wasn’t too shabby against nole either.

Food for thought, for the bracketeers i imagine!

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:33 pm

@polo re 5:06

I am a huge Graf fan, but watched the era with her and a rising Seles. I would only add that IF Seles didn’t get stabbed ( by a German fan no less ) things would have been different? Like Johnny Mac was doing Borgat the end, during that time Seles was taking on Graf and winning. Shame, and more shame :(.

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:36 pm

jane,

Re; harman. Well as far as the draw being filled out except for #1&2 there is no controversy.#1 is always at the top and #2 is ways at the bottom. The rules.

Don’t know about walking into a room and its already filled out. In the past the draw has actually had a TV spot wth plenty of hoopla and players actually helping the draw.

That said, I do not like Brian Early’s management of this event.

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:45 pm

Skeezer,

I am with you on that one, not that I dissagree with you too often:) but by the age of nineteen she had 8 GS titles, I don’t know any male or female player in the history of tennis that did that.
Her late father was everything to her and I read recently when she walked on RG central court at the age of sixteen for the first time, her father was with her and told her “…you see, it is the same court as the court in Novi Sad where we practice, except spectators, just ignore them like they are not there…” and she is youngest winner of FO in history, methinks.

August 23rd, 2012 at 8:51 pm

Brando,

About Rafa, I was his fan too, in 2009 he came back with changed game and was better than ever, he is 26 and I am sure he and uncle Tony (Don Vito) realized he has to change his game again, with such dedication and hard yards that Rafa is ready to put in practice (next to none) he is going to come back with new game (like in 2009) and stronger and better, that is not good for my mana but it is good for tennis and my man has room to raise his game too. Just wait and you will see New Rafa, if I am wrong you will have a bottle of Jameson or what ever you drink from me.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:01 pm

picked my bracket. I went with Nole. With the super saturday back to back i just cant see federer getting it done.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Kimberly,

I hope you are right, pity you don’t drink otherwise I would by you bottle of drink too:)

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:14 pm

Today a fan walk to me. He wanted picture. He say I his favorite players.

There is a first time for every thing!

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:16 pm

Tignor picks Nole/Isner and Muzz/Fed, with Fed winning over Nole. I am surprised he went with Isner, as he’s been suffering from a bad back, and I just don’t know if he can take out Ferrer (he is 1-3 versus Ferrer). Mind you it is his “home slam” and he’s in the QFs (versus Goffin actually) at Winston Salem, so maybe he’s getting back on track at the right time. Certainly his serve should click on hard.

Kimberly, I think I am doing one with Nole and one with Andy winning – but it’s the way through that complicates matters.

skeezer, but Harman seems to be implying that other than 1 & 2 on opposite sides, all of the 96 non-seeded players were already in place before the remaining 30 seeds were picked “live” i.e., in front of the press etc. So when the press walked in, they needed to just “fill in” the 30 seeds. I thought the whole kit and caboodle was supposed to be live? Harman seems perturbed in his tweet so the tone was striking also.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:32 pm

cannot expect easy draws.
berdych and murray and then beating djoker or delpo in the finals would be just an awesome road to win the title. he can do it the hard way. i believe he wants it that way although of course an clear path to the finals is at first look a little more invitating.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:41 pm

Thank Kimberly! i will do my bracket this time. Both men and women, probably during the weekend.

Did ferrer play in Cincy? i swear i didn’t see him play. If he pulled out, he wasn’t as hyped as rafa, no wonder i didn’t know. I didn’t watch toronto so I don’t know if he played there.

It is funny now that federer draw murray, most thinks his draw his harder. if rafa was around, i imagine drawing murray would have been an easier draw.

jane: my company has sent me to Calgary for couple of months. I am here since two weeks now. First time here. Nice city..not as busy as toronto ofcourse. Getting used to the time difference. I will watch the US open two hrs behind this year.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:45 pm

Kimmi, that’s nice for you! I’ve lived in both cities and definitely Toronto is much busier than Calgary, although you have to drive a lot more in Calgary, it seems. Hope you aren’t still there for the minus 30 degree winters, eek. Other than downtown and 17th Avenue, I like the Kensington area for the shops & restaurants. Have fun and see you on the brackets.

August 23rd, 2012 at 9:51 pm

oh, you lived here! you must have lived everywhere in Canada jane:)

I will remember visiting the 17th avenue and kensington area.

Yes, see you on the brackets.

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:00 pm

Calgary was woted one of top 10 most livable cities in the world. There is four Aussies, three Canadian cities in top10.
#1 is Melbourne, you find out the rest :)

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:01 pm

Jane and Brando,

Excekent points on Nole. Agree with both.

Other top 4 raised their level and Nole decrease a bit, maybe confidance. I remember last year he was delivering bagels and breadsfick regularly. Every match he was in killer mode.

But also remember Dave post once saying that Djoko won too many close matches and law of avarages would catch him. I expect something similar would happen this year US Open. Last 2 he was one point away from losing, even him being denied 3 times prior by the same player, Fed, we have to admit that is a litls odd to happen 2 years in a row.

This year just to know that he won’t need to save match points in a semis against Fed made him smile:)

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:07 pm

Wogboy – i saw that too. So Melbourne is no. 1, I wonder? i should visit there sometime.

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:08 pm

jane,
If that is the case then the draw was basicaly done before the press came in. Very weird, but not un-Brian Early like.

Remember, htis is the guy who when it rains should be calling Wimby officials cause he has no idea what to do.

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:13 pm

Kimmi,

Come overhere for AO, I’ll take you around…free of charge.

I lived all my Australian life in Sydney and I love it, Opera house, Harbour Bridge, Sydney harbour (second biggest natural harbour in the world) but I love Melbourne because of spirit and something special that Sydney doesn’t have. They are same size (around 4-4,5 milion people), Sydney is bussines center, 70% of major local and international companies are based in Sydney but Melburnians are far ahead of Sydney when it comes to sport and city center is much more friendly and European than Sydney, with pleanty of great eateries, I go regulary for AO and due to my work, but not as ofen as before and I love it my family love it too, better for shoping….:(

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:28 pm

Upset with you, Wog Boy, Impossible! :)

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:30 pm

dari,

Uhhhhhhhhhhh………I feel better now, you made me wait for the answer toooooooooo long.

August 23rd, 2012 at 10:36 pm

Ouch. Fed’s draw is, tout court, an order of magnitude rougher than Nole’s. Hard to pick him to win with this draw. Even if he gets to and past Murray, anyone think he’ll be up for another tough 5-setter with Djokovic?

The only obstacle in Djokovic’s half is Delpo (if he even gets past Nalbandian). I guess Isner could, in theory, get past Ferrer and give Djokovic a run for his money, but it’s hard to see. Oh well.

August 23rd, 2012 at 11:34 pm

Of course… I have still picked Federer to win in my bracket. :)

August 24th, 2012 at 12:08 am

Fed has a a fair shot, but at 31 the stars have to align. If he gets a tough 5 setter in the semis(provided he makes it) , no way he wins the final. We’ll see how the draw opens up or closes down.

August 24th, 2012 at 12:18 am

I wouldnt be surprised if fed found a way!

August 24th, 2012 at 12:22 am

On a side note;

Lance Armstrong, a travesty. He has been tested 5-600 times, came away clean. Yet the Euros are so jealous that he won the sport “clean”, unlike the typical Europeans, who have a history of there sport who are doping, want to take away the greatest cyclist ever, and a cancer survivor at that.

To the jealous Euro Cycle commitee; Shame on u and Pfffffft!

August 24th, 2012 at 12:31 am

There were many comments from Fed haters that he was manipulating the draw to his advantage by rigging with the organisers. Now what they have got to say ? Murray is in Roger’s end of draw ? Also, the road ahead doesn’t seem pretty easy as put out. Verdasco, Fish or Simon(who has always been a thorn in the flesh for Roger), Berdych or Querrey and then possibly Murray in the semis. Is this an easy draw by any stretch of imagination ? Ofcourse Murray’s has mine fields on the way. But Novak’s section looks relatively easy amongst the top three. Considering the draw, I think Novak starts with a big advantage. It is tough for Roger and damn tough for Murray.

August 24th, 2012 at 12:57 am

Ahh those naughty naughty Europeans, good you told them;(

August 24th, 2012 at 12:59 am

I have a feeling that some Fedfans are not happy with draw, now you know how we felt most of the time, join the club my friends.

August 24th, 2012 at 1:01 am

Sign me up: Wog Boy Club.

Is our first meeting in Melbourne? ;)

August 24th, 2012 at 1:07 am

Yes mate, you are in.
Melbourne is waiting for us, you will not regret, trust me.

August 24th, 2012 at 1:08 am

I would say Novak has a cakewalk draw and basically his stumbling block might be Del Potro, but he is physically handicapped and is suffering with a wrist injury. Novak has a very good chance of defending his title in my opinion.

August 24th, 2012 at 1:27 am

Skeezer, actually it’s the US Anti-Doping Agency which has (apparently) completely violated its own regulations and trampled common sense and due process in pursuit of some kind of ridiculous vendetta against LA – and, amazingly, the UCI which might stand by him. (Who really cares; the USADA can’t pretend it has the power to strip him of his titles on its own anyway. Or it can, but few who didn’t already think Armstrong doped will care.) Sad, sad story all around.

I’ll believe the accusations when someone can explain how he was doping for 15 years without any credible evidence to take him down as his competitors and rivals were actually convicted one by one.

August 24th, 2012 at 1:56 am

And really, just ignore the media spin and swirling vultures. Here’s Armstrong’s lawyer setting out the legal story (too complicated for the columnist class, I guess).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/08-22-12%20bock%20letter-final.pdf

I’m sure we haven’t heard the last word on Armstrong’s cycling career…

August 24th, 2012 at 2:09 am

@ Brando and Jane: Very interesting discussion.

The thing is, when I watch Nole this year it appears to me that he is perhaps a little less intense than he was last year. But Fed and Murray are clearly playing better than they were last year (as Brando points out). Fed’s strategy and game during Wimby SF and F were, in my opinion, even better than it was during 2004 (may be time is just playing tricks with my perception)! And Muzza at Olympics — just spectacular (what more can you say)! Arguably Rafa too was playing at a higher level than he was durng 2011: I felt that he went for more DTL backhands this year against Nole (i have no statistics to back this up though).

In this respect, it is similar situation to Rafa’s in 2011. He was playing great tennis in 2011 too. But was Rafa’s level marginally less last year than it was during his phenomenal 2010 that he reached all the finals and lost to Nole? Or is it just that Nole stepped it up in 2011 (which we know is true)? Agreeing with the former is not denying the latter, or the other way around.

I think these are some of the joys of watching a bunch of great players that we can never be certain with these. Nor perhaps do we have to be, as long as the tennis is beautiful — which, of course, it has been…

August 24th, 2012 at 2:12 am

Can’t say which ESPN channel but they showed a small part of the draw with the top 4 names being pulled, Murray as No.3 and then a No. 96 player. The draw is tough for Ferrer, Fed and Murray, in the early rounds. Djokovic has some names I’ve never heard of, and Ferrer has the toughest first round with Anderson. I read somewhere else a blogger stated that djokovic has a virtual bye to the finals with only DelPotro to trouble him. If they draw was rigged in Fed’s favor, then Murray wouldn’t fall in Fed’s half. Nobody mentions Ferrer, but he gets a lot of tough draws.

August 24th, 2012 at 4:13 am

Hi guys submitted the usopen bracket and hoping for FED win!!!

August 24th, 2012 at 4:29 am

ESPN tennis picks, nobody is going for Murray.

August 24th, 2012 at 7:05 am

Eric,

Thanks for the link

August 24th, 2012 at 10:31 am

Forbes just released Rogers “take” this year, making him the highest paid Tennis athlete in the world. 54mil+. Who’s your Daddy?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/08/24/roger-federer-tops-list-of-the-worlds-highest-paid-tennis-players/

August 24th, 2012 at 11:09 am

According to Forbes, Roger was also the highest paid athlete at the recent Olympics. Yes, higher than Kobe (#3) and Lebron (#2). Even those corporate sponsors know who is the best.

August 24th, 2012 at 11:26 am

@Polo

No rape, dope, dog fight or adultery scandals for Fed, so… he’s a safer bet than a lot of athletes! =) (aside from the fact that he kicks so much ass)

August 24th, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Rosol knocked out in third round of quails! Great player!! Hmmm.

August 24th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Who is Rosol?

August 24th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

^ The hero (?) that knocked out Rafa in Wimbledon.

August 24th, 2012 at 1:16 pm

^Either Nadal’s knees were truly messed up at Wimbledon or his decline off clay is fast and steep.

August 24th, 2012 at 2:20 pm

If any player can play the 2nd semi on super saturday and win, it is mr. federer. he has done it thrice.

If he wins USO, he will become the 1st man to be ranked number 1, 300 weeks.

he has beated djokovic-murray in semis/finals in 2008 uso and 2012 wimbledon. will be really cool if he can do the murray-djokovic double.

Federer is the highest paid tennis athlete? why am i not surprised! he is just a colossus in modern day tennis. only borg was more popular than fed, but then tennis was much more popular in that era too.

So, federer is the Big Daddy after all. He got the most bling! I wish he would throw some money at novak’s stupid mother. she sure needs to go shopping for a brain and some class!

August 24th, 2012 at 2:32 pm

That match had nothing do with rafa’s knees much like another beating that rafa fans try to write off on those knees, the soderling 2009 fo beat-down.

big games give nadal the fits but luckily playing conditions do not encourage consistent big hitting like in the 90s. once in a while, a player will enter that zone and then there’s nothing rafa can do. maybe the itf/atp can have all tournaments on clay. then we can stop hearing these stupid excuses.

let us hope his ugly-game will grind him out of tennis for good! never seen a more disgusting game. maybe bruguera or alberto costa! what is what spain and these ugly tennis games! they produce such wonderful football players! i guess the ugly players choose tennis!

August 24th, 2012 at 2:38 pm

Who cares if a player is injured or not? It does not make his loss more acceptable. Neither does it make the winner any less accomplished. That’s sports. It involves many things: skill, determination, training, injuries, luck (both bad and good). Some people have everything. That’s life.

August 24th, 2012 at 3:12 pm

polo exactly a loss is a loss,im a Rafa fan and ive never used injuries as excuses for his losses,so why do people stereotype all of us for doing that,this thread is supposed to be about the USO draw,Rafas not even playing,yet some people cant resist bringing his name up,trying to turn every topic into a food fight.

August 24th, 2012 at 3:23 pm

alison, that just shows that Rafa is missed by everyone, even the non-Rafa fans. He casts a big shadow indeed.

August 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm

Polo lol yeah the haters hate him,on the other hand they probably miss him more than they like to admit,otherwise why mention him,makes no sense lol.

August 24th, 2012 at 3:38 pm

i can write even more about how much i miss rafa. just let me know. i will oblige! He is definitely the gMFoat!

if you have a brain you will get it :) so rafa fans, dont bother!

August 24th, 2012 at 4:06 pm

I don’t miss Nadal at all, and I know a lot of people who doesn’t miss him either, in fact they prefer not to see him anymore and I agree with them because of the uglyness of his game, excessive celebrations, excessive time he takes before serving, endless excuses when he loses, continuous gripping of his butt, and I can go on here for hours but I’m tired and prefer to give the short explanation of why I don’t miss the guy at all.
Good Day.

August 24th, 2012 at 4:53 pm

Angel fair enough,each to their own,at least your honest.

August 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm

El Mago & Angel – Rafa haters. I really pity both of you. Soooo much hate! Get a life.

August 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

Alok
Did Stosur do the men’s picks?

August 24th, 2012 at 6:57 pm

I am a Federer fan but I am not happy that Nadal is not playing at the US Open. I don’t mind him beating Federer another time because Roger’s legacy in tennis is quite secure. On the otherhand, I relish the delightful possibility of Roger beating him in a US Open final. Every Federer fan harbors that thought. And that is why I miss Nadal. Nothing beats the excitement of a Federer-Nadal match.

August 24th, 2012 at 7:35 pm

@laslo: I only saw a small scene of the draw, and it was only the top seeds. It was done by the Early guy and another guy. All I saw Early did, was put his hand in the container and pulled out Murray’s name and then a No. 96 seed, and that was it. I think it was due to the questions on whose side Murray would fall. Then they cut to the Winston-Salem match.

The point I’m trying to make is that the top seeds were drawn and not placed intentionally as some were trying to indicate, e.g.Harman’s tweets, like there was something fishy with the draw. There’s a few people here who take digs at Fed and like to focus on anything they can find to make things look like he’s being favored. I’m surprised there’s no whining yet about how tough some players’ draws are. Maybe later. How many times has it been mentioned how very easily Murray beat Fed at the Olympics? I bet we’ll hear of it again.

August 24th, 2012 at 7:47 pm

laslo, there’s an interesting article at Tennis.com about how the USO does the draw versus Wimbledon (which still draws every player by hand and live), and it matches with what Harman says in his tweets – only the 30 seeds (not the first 2, of course, because they are always placed on opposite sides) are drawn “live” – the remaining unseeded players (i.e., numbers 33-128) are already inserted on the draw sheet ahead of time.

Here’s an excerpt from the tennis.com article (and the link for the rest) if you’re interested.

—————————————————-

“These ceremonies are becoming increasingly surreal as the USTA keeps trying its darndest to hype them up and turn them into tennis’ equivalent of the draw for the NCAA basketball tournament, or even the NFL draft.

Today, the official “host” was NBC news sports anchor Bruce Beck, who was appropriately enthusiastic, with Dent standing by on a tallboy stool to provide commentary once the draw was made. But part of the problem is that the draw is already made, at least in the eyes of those, like me, who prefer a more traditional draw exercise. Wimbledon, for one, still does it the old-fashioned way.

At the All England Club, the seeds are drawn and placed first, and then the names of all the unseeded players are drawn, by hand, one at a time, for all to see. This adds considerably to the charm and drama of the event. It’s compelling to hear the roll call, fun to hear the periodic, collective gasp of horror that goes up when, say, the name of the man drawn to play seeded John Isner in the first round is announced: “Nicolas Mahut!” (Something that happened last year at Wimbledon.)

Here at the U.S. Open, a computer fills in the names of all but the (as yet undetermined) qualifiers, as well as the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds (No. 1 is always at the top; it’s a ceremonial honor). So we already knew that top-seeded Federer would face Donald Young in his first-round match, while Djokovic got Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi. (On the women’s side, working under the same methodology, top-seeded Victoria Azarenka will face Alexandra Panova and No. 2 Agneiszka Radwanska got Nina Bratchikova.)

One big problem with this approach is that it’s utterly opaque. Who feeds the info into what computer and just how and when and where does the machine spew out the names? Can someone tamper with the system, or are there neutral observers present? If whomever is overseeing the operation doesn’t like the way the names are rolling out, can he or she just hit the re-start button? I’m not accusing anyone of anything, but once upon a time the making of a draw was completely transparent, and at Wimbledon it still is.

——————————————————

http://www.tennis.com/news/2012/08/2012-us-open-draw-recap-bodo/38990/#.UDgUSJjN45Q

August 24th, 2012 at 8:01 pm

I remember Wimbledon two years ago couldn’t decide which side to put the top players. One draw had Djokovic and Murray with Federer and then they were switched around, people were very confused and there was the question of whether Wimbledon was manipulating the top seeds and had two different draws. So much for wimbledon being fair. wimbledon likes to play around with the seeding and a lot of times they’re unfair. Sharapova is their favorite girl.

August 24th, 2012 at 8:09 pm

” I bet we’ll hear of it again”

Of course you are going to hear it again, exactly in two weeks time, if Federer make’s it to SF:-)

August 24th, 2012 at 8:19 pm

Hey, hello bracketeers! I just did a WTA, ATP bracket and of course had to do 2 for each ( a sock puppet)

And Wog boy, I hope you are on…bjorncyborg is doing the bracket again, lol…he wants to know if jane is on …..hehehe

August 24th, 2012 at 10:58 pm

Andy Murray is my winner. Go Muzza

and my sock puppet has Nole.

Federer to the final.

I miss Rafael Nadal, oddly and surprisingly….a lot…

August 24th, 2012 at 11:08 pm

conty,

No I haven’t done it. It is embarrassing but I have to admit, I don’t want to jinx my man. Masters is OK, but GS particulary this one is something else. Say hello to all, I will miss bjorncyborg conversations and the others of course, but I will cheer his bracket if it is what you said:) tell him to stick with our man in good and bad and I shall see him for another masters. Cheers

August 24th, 2012 at 11:29 pm

@Wog Boy, “Of course you are going to hear it again, exactly in two weeks time, if Federer make’s it to SF:-)

August 24th, 2012 at 8:19 pm

Now you’ve gone and jinxed Fed, not nice :). I know you wanna see your guy win, but plz don’t jinx the Fed. He needs everybody sending good vibes. :)

August 24th, 2012 at 11:50 pm

I don’t think anybody can jinx Federer.
I guees “everybody sending good vibes” applies for his fans, I don’t think Andy’s or Nole’s fans are going to send him that kind of vibes, but ones for good health and happy life, yes any time. Winning vibes are reserved for my man, I guess that is how it works all around the world, no ?:)

August 25th, 2012 at 12:17 am

Oh Wogs :( but i understand. but it’s sure fun when you are on.

Bjorncyborg is picking Nole but he will have another bracket under a different alias picking Federer.

Murray has to surprise everyone and actually win…( i keep telling myself) ; )

My gut says it’s going to be Nole. He’s not losing to Federer again.

Of course i could be wrong, but I keep seeing Nole’s face in the Cincy trophy ceremony. He had a certain ‘look’ that said, ” see you at US Open, and i’m going to win.”

August 25th, 2012 at 12:25 am

Hi Conty,

How can Andy Murray be winner when Roger is in finals ?? They have to face each other in the semis.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:32 am

ah, you always catch me in my mistakes, Michael ; )

August 25th, 2012 at 12:46 am

Micharl, it’s true Andy will need to beat Federer in the semis ( at least that is how i picked in my Murray winning his 1st GS bracket.) Then, in my Djokovic bracket, I have him beating Federer.

2 brackets for ATP; 1 for WTA with Serena winning.

I’m a completely satisfied Federer fan at this point; it’s not necessary that he win another GS or anything else.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:52 am

meant “Michael” not “Micharl” oops.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:54 am

bjorncyborg,
You sneaky bugger, in that case I am going to cheer for only one of your brackets, Nole one of course:)

August 25th, 2012 at 1:07 am

JUST submitted my bracket…. the toughest one EVER IMO (at least for me- took an age to complete)…. and i picked, to my surprise, oliver rochus!

Just kidding, fed!

my reasons:

-1: He won the last slam, wimby, beating both nole and muzza- his 2 rivals for the win.

-2: He followed it up by getting RU at olympics. IMHO, he didn’t play great in that tourny- YET significantly he fought hard and showed real grit to reach the finals. For a man who has had more success than anyone else playing (probably EVER)- that showed his hunger.

-3: Took a break after olympics- so he has had some good r and r, and should have plenty in the tank for an assault on the title.

-4: Won cincy- WITHOUT DROPPING SERVE. He played his best tourny of the year, imo, and just oozed complete self confidence in his game and mental state. I think roger is more relaxed than anyone else going into USO- and makes him play in a uninhibited manner, worryingly for others.

-5: NEVER lost to muzza at a slam, and he had MATCH POINTS in both his losses to nole at USO- quite simply it shows it takes ALOT to beat him.

In summary, IMHO fed being world no.1, his last 3 tourny’s reading W W RU, being 3-1 post FO against nole and muzza, playing some AMAZING tennis in his last tourny- to me he seems the OBVIOUS fav!

The ONLY thing that makes me STILL unsure about his chances is the super saturday- finals weekend.

IF he has a real battle v muzza on super saturday, and wins, then he maybe screwed due to the scheduling ( which is beyond ridiculous) for the final!

Ultimately though, it’s so close to call- extremely difficult as there is a strong case for 3 different winners, and with this pick, i have gone with what seems to be the safest choice (at least IMO).

Probably shall submit another bracket……

August 25th, 2012 at 1:11 am

conty,
It looks that your sock puppet is freelancing, are you sure your sock puppet didn’t turn into Chucky Puppet :(

August 25th, 2012 at 1:19 am

Just to clarify, “sneaky bugger” is not bad word in Aussieland, just in case there is different meaning in UK/USA.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:33 am

lol, chucky the sock puppet. my chucky is not going to jinx your boy, i promise, Wog boy. : )

It’s late here and Bjorncy and me have been arguing over the draw picks. He’s not jinxing Nole either; he just thinks “fetts” is going to lose to Nole in the final. He can’t make a case for it, like Brando makes a good case for Feddy. It’s a gut feeling post Cincy. Nole will want to re-establish his #1.

will get up early and tweak the early round bracket picks, now that the qualifiers are on. Glad you are in, Brando! good luck.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:38 am

What are nole fans now whining about? You guys were braying like donkeys that federer will get ferrer and that tennis draws are rigged. now they have drawn ferrer and shown you out to be fools and you are still barking the draws are rigged?

What do you guys want? you want them to hand the trophy to nole? WTF is your whining with the draws now?

August 25th, 2012 at 2:29 am

Novak’s former (?) magic doctor Cetojevic says Djokovic’s game is showing signs of fatigue on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
http://english.blic.rs/Sports//8974/Novak-has-to-have-more-fun

August 25th, 2012 at 2:49 am

Brando: I think it’s debatable whether Murray or Federer has the tougher draw.

– Federer could end up having the tougher opponents: Federer should get through the first three rounds (Verdasco’s form on hardcourts is suspect, but you never know). In the fourth round Fish has good form and will get support from the American crowd. In the quarterfinals both Berdych (especially) and LA champ Querrey are hitting some form at Winston Salem. Berdych has a history of going through inexplicable slumps, suddenly finds form in a tournament and he’s off to the races.

– Murray first three rounds should be relatively safe since Bogomolov, Dodig, Lopez/Bellucci/Haase haven’t shown much form this season particularly on hard courts. In fourth round, Raonic should be Murray’s first test, provided he gets through Giraldo. In quarterfinals, Tsonga hasn’t had much hard court practice and lost in the Winston Salem semifinals to Isner. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nishikori, Chardy or Cilic come out of Tsonga’s section to face Murray (Tsonga has several land mines to deal with).

Put it this way: in my opinion, there’s not much to choose between Fish and Raonic (Fish will get more American crowd support) and between Berdych and Tsonga.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:45 am

Conty,

Who knows ? This might be Murray’s year at the US Open. But he has a tough task ahead as his draw is laden with mine fields and the path is not rosy. Nevertheless, I hope him to confront it with determination and will.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:59 am

Fyi, Nadal’s knees will be playing an exhibition against Delpo at MSG, New York just before 2013 Indian Wells.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120822/APS/1208220808?tc=ar

August 25th, 2012 at 4:36 am

Serena >>>Graf …she beat graf when she was just 17, had they played in the same era, she and Seles would’ve owned half of Graf’s trophy haul! Oh Yeah!

August 25th, 2012 at 7:14 am

My pick to win the USO is Federer.

Nadal is out injured and Djokovic is not 100% the player he was last year due to personal issues for some months now which is what Djokovic would need to be(100%) to beat Federer AT THE USO where when Djokovic was 100% he BARELY beat Federer last year. Murray is unproven as a slam winner. Del Potro has a wrist injury. Federer is playing much better than in 2011 while Djokovic is worse.

This would be Federer’s 5th Wimbledon/USO double.

August 25th, 2012 at 7:40 am

Berdych is dangerous. He always seems to play well against Federer and has beaten him in big tournaments numerous times. Berdych crushed Querrey last night. They will probably meet again in the 3rd round of the USO.

August 25th, 2012 at 8:51 am

@dave, no doubt you will keep us posted on every Rafa move…….being the great Rafa fan that you are.

August 25th, 2012 at 9:51 am

Dont write Haase off against Murray

he was the man who led 2-0 in sets against murray in last years us open.

August 25th, 2012 at 10:11 am

“…she and Seles would’ve owned half of Graf’s trophy haul!”

But they do not, do they? In the end, what you have is what you have. And what you do not have, you can only pretend that you could have had.

August 25th, 2012 at 10:14 am

Nadalista

This site has the very best of Rafa news, and you’re aren’t u? Hehe

August 25th, 2012 at 11:10 am

@skeezer, by the best you mean sly digs at Rafa, no? Why can’t Fedfans just enjoy Fed’s current remarkable run and leave Rafa alone? There is a big tourney starting Monday where your fav is slated to play as the odds on fav no less! And Rafa is not in the draw, methinks!

He really is an enigma to you people, isn’t he?

August 25th, 2012 at 11:45 am

Don’t forget brackets everyone. I picked djokovic and serena. Dave, mat4, Madmax and others? I might have picked fed but the back to back days had convinced me otherwise

August 25th, 2012 at 11:51 am

It is an outrage to be planning these kind of exhos

this gives even more proof that he is totally not injured.
He is just not ready to compete on the fast courts.
When he had played then probably he would have lost in early rounds. Rosol anybody?

This way he saved his face of a humiliating summer.
Keeping the illusion of an all court game alive

August 25th, 2012 at 11:55 am

Seles has not those slams because of 1 idiot a crazy men.
Please do not forget when you make smartass comments about graf Seles.

August 25th, 2012 at 11:59 am

Nadalista i tend to agree with you,there is a lot of sly digs at Rafas expence,even though the guy aint playing,i find it strange that some people cant seem to stop themselves talking about him,why dont they talk about who they do like rather than who they dont,cant see the logic,however i have to say i dont see anything wrong in Daves link as it was merely saying that Rafa will play Delpo before IW next year which is a positive thing,as it proves that the intention is be fit and ready to play by then even if this is the worst case senario.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Kimberly filled out both of my brackets,as soon as both your links came up,went for Murray winning his 1st slam,and like you Serena in the ladies,hope both brackets got through alright,as ive had my problems in the past,please could you confirm for me thanks?

August 25th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

allison, both your brackets are showing entries so you are fine

August 25th, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Phew thanks Kimberly.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Nadalista,

And the other sites U visit don’t take digs at Fed? C’mon….

Btw meant to say “you’re here aren’t you”.

It was news, Rafa is gonna play an exho in March.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Nadalista: “@dave, no doubt you will keep us posted on every Rafa move…”
Well, someone credible has to do this since you’re not doing a very good job of it.

Alison: The Nadal-Delpo exo tickets do go on sale in October if you’re visiting New York next March (just remember to bring a bullet proof vest with you). Meanwhile, you may like this — Boris Becker: “Andy Murray’s chances of finally winning a slam are higher than ever before at US Open”
http://tinyurl.com/9dek3vf

Kimberly: I’ll get to the brackets, Ms Task Master :) The back-to-back days could work for or against Federer, depending on which semifinal schedule he gets, who he plays in the semi and how he had played in the quarterfinals. I suspect a problem for Federer in recent years at US Open has been ATP Player Council politics. Tonight the new ATP Player Council will have its first meeting in New York, where the President and Vice President will be elected (of course some behind the scenes campaigning of council members has probably gone on). As well, the ATP players will be venting on grand slam prize money, possibly boycotting of 2013 Australian Open and possibly holding their own alternative ‘major’ event at Dubai.

August 25th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Mirka’s new baby girl?
http://www.growingyourbaby.com/2012/08/25/mirka-federer-her-girls-step-out-in-nyc/

August 25th, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Thanks Dave but i have to say as much as id love to watch the Rafa/Delpo exho,as the saying goes chance would be a fine thing im afraid lol,careres for the elderly dont earn alot,but ill add it to my bucket list,of seeing Rafa play one day,save some money for the air fare ,and perhaps drag my significant other along with me even though he cant stand tennis lol,Murrays my second favorite player and i would love him to bag a slam,and i do believe that hes getting closer and im sure its just a matter of time,i know it wont be easy at this years USO,having to go through Novak and Roger but as the saying goes nothing worth while ever did come easy,so its a good place to start,thanks for the link BTW.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

The twins look very big – too big for those strollers almost. Cute.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

Dave, apparently Dr. Cetojevic has been working with other athletes, for instance I heard he worked with Bagdhatis and also the Serbian football team (or perhaps some specific players) so no, he’s not working directly with Nole right now – helped him with his diet and his mental confidence etc but he’s helping others presently as far as I know.

conty, I don’t know who Bjorncy is? Anyhow, good luck on your brackets.

“El Flaco Says:
Berdych is dangerous. He always seems to play well against Federer and has beaten him in big tournaments numerous times.”

Their match in Madrid this year was a close one, for sure. At the moment he is beating Isner, but it’s still early in the final. Not sure if you saw it, but MMT had some interesting thoughts on / questions about Berdych recently regarding his poor slam performances, especially at the USO; the post is on this thread:

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-08-21/10529.php#comment-321250

August 25th, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Thats a really cute picture,matching outfits and hair in pigtails,i would recomend crocodile shoes to anybody i wear them all the time they are so comfy,twins run on my husbands side of the family,my father in law is one,and a fortune teller once told me id have twins,sorry a useless bit of imformation there lol.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:22 pm

Yeah it looks lile berdych is warming up yhough from his little rut,.though, just in time to give fed fans the spooks, should they meet. ;)

I hope john can turn this match around, though, of he can just hopd out on this set.

As for the fed fam pics- I hope for Mirka’s sake they are very close to the hotel, she is holding bags, artillery, baby, my goodness

August 25th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

Ummm,.artillery was corrected frok my misspelling of STROLLER

August 25th, 2012 at 1:36 pm

^ LOL dari – I was looking for Mirka’s guns in and amongst all those kids and things. Ha ha – dang spell checker. :)

August 25th, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Jane Berdych did great in 2010,beating both Roger and Novak at wimbledon back to back,before losing to Rafa in the final,as well as Andy at the FO,he never seemed to build on that success, and only appeared to take steps back rather than forward,so talented but never quite lived up to epectations,although i went off him after what happened against Almagro last year,not a player ive ever warmed to,good player though never the less.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:42 pm

Yes, indeed alison – 2010 was probably Berdych’s best year. He was fabulous during the clay/grass season, although even that year he didn’t do well at the USO. Maybe he was worn out? I think he retired at Cincy last year with a shoulder issue. But the numbers MMT gave are interesting. Perhaps one thing going in his favour this year is that he’s been in a slump for some time now, really since Madrid, so maybe he can find some form again for this latter part of the season.

Looks like Isner is going to take this second set, so if either want to win this event they’ll have to do it in three.

August 25th, 2012 at 1:52 pm

but the spell check is spotty on my phone, it didn’t pick up all the other problems!

gonna head over and look at the massive bracket.
i’m picking murray, it’s gotta be his time sometime, RIGHT?!

August 25th, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Jane, bjorncyborg is a friend of mine; someone actually into tennis. he was on the cincy bracket chatting with Wog boy, tooty frooty, calling me “zuchini,” short for Zonc, i guess and he was being Tarzan looking for “jane” aka, you. But you didn’t notice him. you didn’t get a bracket in for cincy so i pulled ahead of you in the overal ;)

hope everyone gets in! stay safe Kimberly; hoping miami doesn’t get a black out from the coming hurricane.

watching Isner and Berdych. i like berdych’s pajama bottoms.

August 25th, 2012 at 2:14 pm

doing multiple brackets – had to. I am committed to picking Murray no matter what in all GS’s except FO. he must get a GS title!

but, my gut says, Nole = 2 bracket USO ATP brackets.

August 25th, 2012 at 2:18 pm

wondering, watching this windy final in Winston-Salem if USO 2nd rounds or 3rd rounds will get outer bands or remnants of hurricane Isaac next week.

August 25th, 2012 at 2:23 pm

Just started following the score on berdych/isner. hmm, this game seem to be very long, lots of dueces. berdych always falters on tight matches, maybe he will get it right this time.

August 25th, 2012 at 2:47 pm

That was a tough game for berd to get through. Hi, conty, yes berd looks cute in those pajama’s, bit what does he not look good in? It’s just the attitude that is questionable
Go john!

August 25th, 2012 at 2:49 pm

Great movement by john to get that ball back and make a paass

August 25th, 2012 at 2:58 pm

match point berdych he hits it on the net.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:01 pm

now match point isner..on serve though

August 25th, 2012 at 3:03 pm

hmm, tough one. berdy with match point now. so tense!

August 25th, 2012 at 3:04 pm

and isner wins. wow! he is good on tie breakers. he was a mini break down but still came back to win it.

congrats to isner.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Strangely i’m cheering for Berdych. i think it’s the light blue and nave checked, shorts and that simple white tee with the detail around the collar and sleeves.

But Isner wins! he did it with a blistering forehand. Berdych pretty mad at himself trashes a racquet.

hi dari and Kimmi. hope you both are in the USO Brackets – just did a WTA on and i really don’t know the early rounds or who to pick other than Serena FTW.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:10 pm

I wanted john to win- CONGRATS! – but i ferl terrible for tomas- that volley! that net cord!

August 25th, 2012 at 3:16 pm

Now kvitova and kirilenko are on, maybe will inspire ke to do some ladies picks!

August 25th, 2012 at 3:17 pm

yeah, having a tough time, dari. I can’t see past serena. what channel, or where are you watching kvitova?

August 25th, 2012 at 3:21 pm

oh, nevermind, i found it on espn2

August 25th, 2012 at 3:22 pm

go petra, podj!!

August 25th, 2012 at 3:25 pm

it’s “pojd”, Kimmi. the only czech word i know : )

pojd, pojd, petra!

and i should listen to it on google translate again, lol.

August 25th, 2012 at 3:53 pm

never realized before how much kirilink sounds like sharapova when serving.

Perta gets the break. Now she has to serve this set out. come on!

August 25th, 2012 at 3:59 pm

the OOP is not so nice without rafa in it! :/

August 25th, 2012 at 4:00 pm

oh no, bp, kirilenko.

August 25th, 2012 at 4:03 pm

tie break. i think these 2 could run into each other in the usopen draw and i picked petra deep….maybe changing my mind now. we’ll see…

August 25th, 2012 at 4:06 pm

Fed is apperently re elected as the player council president. Good for you rogie.

August 25th, 2012 at 4:14 pm

Yeah i know i put kirilenko pretty deep, but dont remember who she ran into. She is showing some great stuff here- and youre right she sounds like Maria S!

August 25th, 2012 at 4:16 pm

what a tie break!! go petra

Its hard to remember where the “d” and “j” go conty.

Pojd!! petra. first set in the bag!

August 25th, 2012 at 4:23 pm

Petra playing terrible last few games

August 25th, 2012 at 4:56 pm

thinking petra is needing a bit more fitness, Kimmi and dari. she really is falling behind 2nd set.

maybe she’ll have something left for the decider. Definitely Kirilinko appears more fit to go the distance. petra looks tired and maria appears ready to go another 3 sets.

August 25th, 2012 at 4:58 pm

hey Kimberly. i have one too many “conty” brackets. was only supposed to have one with murray winning. i think you can delete the one i have with djokovic winning, can’t you?

my sock puppet mystery bracket has djokovic. should have 2 brackets in the atp pool; one of which is conty with murray FTW. should be only one bracket in the WTA for me.

August 25th, 2012 at 5:03 pm

who is that mystery baby in Mirka’s arms? (dave’s link above) that baby does look like she could be related to the twins. i think one twin has more of a roger look than the other one.

August 25th, 2012 at 5:13 pm

wow, petra got her energy back! maybe this will be over in 2. she held serve well. Act on the last game point to go up 6-5. Now kirilenko is serving to stay in the match but 0-40. triple matchpoint pojd pojd, petra!

August 25th, 2012 at 5:20 pm

WOW! how did she win that..she was 2-5 down in the second set.

congrats petra. she needs to play better at the USO.

August 25th, 2012 at 5:20 pm

petra wins in 2!

August 25th, 2012 at 5:21 pm

i don’t like this “kevin skinner” as he calls himself. commentator tennistv wta. he talks WAAAAAY to much. I have to mute him most of the time.

August 25th, 2012 at 5:27 pm

hi conty. i can’t see the brackets until monday only that they exist not what they say. I will do once the bracket opens.

August 25th, 2012 at 5:28 pm

thanks Kimberly. yeah, i have duplicates and excess and didn’t mean to do that. bjorncy might have excess too, since it was me advising him by phone how to get onto tennis-x pool.

August 25th, 2012 at 6:14 pm

alison: It’s probably safer try to see Rafa in an early round at Wimbledon or WTF (i assume Wimby is cheaper if you’re successful with the ticket lottery). Too risky to spend all that money and trip on an exo that Rafa might have to cancel at the last minute.

Murray has no choice: until he’s No. 2 or 1, he’s likely going to have to beat two of the other three to win a slam in the near future (unless two are out with injuries or early losses).

jane: Djokovic should rightly be annoyed with Cetojevic for blabbering to the press, unless Team Djokovic approved the comments. It’s unprofessional of the doctor to make such public coments about his former patient and it reveals inside information on Novak’s mental state (Cetojevic would be a credible source in such matters). I wonder whether Team Djokovic stopped using him because he couldn’t shut up his mouth to promote his business.

Yeah, they’re a bit big for strollers, though probably safer in Manhattan.

conty: yeah, the baby bears a resemblance, perhaps from Mirka’s side of the family. One twin tends to look pouty.

August 25th, 2012 at 6:17 pm

alison: It’s probably safer try to see Rafa in an early round at Wimbledon or WTF (i assume Wimby is cheaper if you’re successful with the ticket lottery). Too risky to spend all that money and trip on an exo that Rafa might have to cancel at the last minute.

Murray has no choice: until he’s No. 2 or 1, he’s likely going to have to beat two of the other three to win a slam in the near future (unless two are out with injuries or early losses).

jane: Djokovic should rightly be annoyed with Cetojevic for blabbering to the press, unless Team Djokovic approved the comments. It’s unprofessional of the doctor to make such public coments about his former patient and it reveals inside information on Novak’s mental state (Cetojevic would be a credible source in such matters). I wonder whether Team Djokovic stopped using him because he couldn’t shut up his mouth to promote his business.

Yeah, they’re a bit big for strollers, though probably safer in Manhattan.

conty: yeah, the baby bears a resemblance, perhaps from Mirka’s side of the family. One twin tends to look pouty.

August 25th, 2012 at 6:17 pm

A lot of times what we think is someone blabbering to the press is a ploy used by their publicist to leak information to the public in an effort to portray that a player is not doing well. We see such statements made after a loss or before a grand slam. Don’t believe all you read peeps, because most of it is just a publicity stunt to lull the opponents into thinking they would face a below par player. Then it turns out that the rumors aren’t true because the player just sparkles and routs the competition.

The top guys employ publicists and other team members for a reason. Don’t believe everything you read.

In Bollywood, that sort of publicist stuff is done on a big scale to draw attention to the star.

August 25th, 2012 at 6:39 pm

Dave, as I say, I know they aren’t presently working together, and Nole went straight from the Olympics to Canada as far as I know, so it sounds like the Doctor is just voicing his opinion – the article starts by noting that he is recalling “fond memories” of the past, and the way he’s talks, he’s simply watched the matches on TV. Could be that the paper seeks him out?

As for the strollers, definitely a good idea or things could get unruly! I was just struck by how big Fed’s girls are getting. I wonder if they’ll have more children.

About Murray having to play two of the other three now, it’s not really contingent on his being ranked number 4 right now; in other words, it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t have to if he’s ranked number 1 or 2 either. After all, when Nole was ranked number 2 and then number 1 last year, in all the slams except Wimbledon, he had to play 2 of the big 4 if he wanted to win title. In the AO, he beat Fed/Murray; at the FO he lost to Fed but would’ve had to beat him and Rafa back to back (by then he was number 2); then at the USO, as number 1, he still had to beat Fed then Nadal for the title.

The same goes for Fed this year at Wimbledon (beat Nole/Murray) and Murray at the Olympics (beat Nole/Fed). Rafa didn’t have to beat 2 of the big 4 for his FO title as Ferrer took out Murray, just like Tsonga took out Fed last year at Wimbledon.

So unless someone does that, whether the player is ranked 1, 2, 3, or 4, he’ll usually have to beat 2 of these guys for a slam.

Of course Wimbledon and the USO were different this year because Rafa lost early in the former and isn’t playing in the latter.

But because of the top 4 players’ consistency that’s just the way it’s been for the past few years.

August 25th, 2012 at 7:06 pm

conty, oh, lol, will have to have a look for Tarzan then if I get around to doing a bracket. These 128 player ones are so daunting, I keep putting it off! Good for you in pulling ahead in the Masters ATP challenges. After I missed Canada and Cincy, not sure if I’ll bother to play the rest, but maybe.

August 25th, 2012 at 7:09 pm

Not rocket science how the draws are set up. The top 4 will meet a player ranked 5-8 in the QFs, then play a top 4 player in the SF who’s on their side of the draw, and then another top 4 player, on the other side of the draw, in the finals. The only times this format does not play out, is when a top 4 player gets taken out early, e.g., Nadal at Wimbledon this year.

August 25th, 2012 at 8:54 pm

BTW, Dave, my comment about Murray & draws was in response to your comment:

“Murray has no choice: until he’s No. 2 or 1, he’s likely going to have to beat two of the other three to win a slam in the near future”.

My point was simply that he will likely have to continue to “beat two of the other there” even IF he’s ranked 1 or 2 (unless, of course, there are upsets/injuries). It really doesn’t get much easier being ranked 1 or 2 – only that 1 and 2 can’t face each other until the finals.

August 25th, 2012 at 9:08 pm

jane: You’re probably rigth that the newspaper sought him out. But given that Djokovic was his former patient and client, Dr. Cetojevic should not have said revealed his professional opinion of Djokovic’s current state that might explain his recent performances (unless it was authorized by Novak). Otherwise it’s information that might be useful to his rivals, e.g., in a tight match it helps Federer, Murray and Delpo to know that Djokovic’s past doctor believes he is fatigued physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Cetojevic should have simply said positive generalizations, such as he’s confident Djokovic will rebound soon, this is a temporary blip, etc.

I think he did say he wanted more kids.

The No. 1 or 2 tend to benefit more from upsets and injuries than No. 3 or 4. If Murray was ranked 1 or 2, he might get what Djokovic got at 2012 USO (No. 3 who misses that slam) or Nadal got at 2012 FO (No. 4 player loses before semifinal). However, the No. 4 or 3 probably still have to beat two of the other 3 Big 4 players to win the slam. As No. 4, Murray will likely meet the remaining 2 of the other Big 4 unless two players skip the major (so he is promoted to No. 2 from 4) or his expected Big 4 semifinal/final opponent loses early (like No.2 Nadal at Wimbledon). As No. 3, Murray will likely meet the remaining 2 of the other Big 4 even if the No. 4 skips the major (unless No. 1 or No. 2 skips so he is promoted to No. 3 and the No. 4 goes to the other section… or his expected Big 4 semifinal/final opponent loses early).

August 26th, 2012 at 3:57 am

Jane, i don’t have time to look up all h2h’s, go over playing activity, win-loss records, ect. took me 5 minutes to fill out the brackets. No time to tweak them either. It does take a lot longer when you cross all the t’s and dot i’s for a bracket. But i simply have not kept up this summer. and i have no idea who is whom in the qualifiers. many names, I dont recognize. hopefully i can watch some… but time is tight right now.

My point is, just ‘wing it’, come on, get in. no way am i going to be on top but it’s just for fun. You are right an ATP 1000 is easier; much of it is the bracket challenges formats. But Kimberly has those crazy rules that boost those taking chances, which makes it fun : )

August 26th, 2012 at 10:54 am

just submitted a WHACKY bracket! no revisions, plenty of upsets!

August 26th, 2012 at 12:10 pm