Nadal Wins, Federer Escapes Tiafoe Test Tuesday at US Open; Cilic, Delpo Wed.

by Staff | August 30th, 2017, 1:00 am
  • 72 Comments

Only two men’s matches were completed amidst the rains on Tuesday at the US Open — perhaps the two most important where fans are concerned, as No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal and No. 3 Roger Federer moved into the second round.

Nadal was a straight-set winner over Serb Dusan Lajovic 7-6(6), 6-2, 6-2.

“At the beginning of the match, he played well. I didn’t,” said Nadal, who saw Lajovic serve for the first set at 5-4. “That’s part of the nerves a little bit, and you need to win matches, no?”


Nadal had more unforced errors to winners during the match.

“I have been playing well during the whole season, and I really had a very positive week of practice here,” said Nadal. “So I am confident I am ready to play much better than what I did today, and I believe that I gonna do it.”

While Nadal struggled initially, Federer had his hands full for five sets in the final night match, eventually overcoming American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.

Federer led with a break in the fifth, but failed to serve it out at 5-3. But the Swiss broke immediately after to take the match.

“I think in many ways people were hoping for a good battle between the #NextGen and somebody established like myself,” said Federer who is 16-0 in US Open first round matches. “In many ways also it felt like people were happy to see me again after missing last year. I felt like the energy was in the building.

“They were very excited about seeing me back on the court, especially after the year that I’ve had. They seemed like really a good crowd, crowd support for both players.”

Federer improved to 35-1 career against Americans after fending off the 19 year old, and appeared to put behind him the back issues that hobbled him in the Canadian Open final and forced him to pull out of Cincinnati.

“It was more than a test,” Federer said afterwards. “It was a good one.”

Federer improves to 4-0 in first set matches in 2017 and 15-0 in Majors.

Tiafoe suffered his second straight 5-set first round loss at the US Open after falling to John Isner last year.

“I felt like when I was playing well, I was controlling most of the rallies,” Tiafoe said. “When I was hitting the ball big, he wasn’t really doing much except staying steady with me. If I stepped back a little bit, he took that and ran with it. That’s what he did. He won by the skin of his teeth.”

At the net, Federer offered some encouraging words to the teen.

“‘Great year so far’,” Tiafoe said of his conversation at the net. “‘You’re only getting better and better. Keep going, you’re going to have one hell of a future.'”

Matches to look for on the rain-backed-up Wednesday at Flushing Meadows include (8) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. (Q) Denis Shapovalov, (14) Nick Kyrgios vs. John Millman in an all-Aussie, (14) Alexander Zverev vs. Borna Coric, (16) Lucas Pouille vs. Jared Donaldson, (23) Mischa Zverev vs. Benoit Paire, (20) Al Ramos-Vinolas vs. (Q) Nicolas Mahut, and (28) Kevin Anderson vs. Ernests Gulbis.

Former champions Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro are also in action.

WEDNESDAY US OPEN SCHEDULE
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM 11:00 AM
Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) vs. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN)
Not Before: 1:00 PM
Henri Laaksonen (SUI) vs. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) [24]
Timea Babos (HUN) vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
7:00 PM
Oceane Dodin (FRA) vs. Venus Williams (USA) [9]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [8] vs. Denis Shapovalov (CAN)

LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM 11:00 AM
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [4] vs. Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-0 6-6(2-1)
John Millman (AUS) vs. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) [14]
Alison Riske (USA) vs. CoCo Vandeweghe (USA) [20]
Hyeon Chung (KOR) vs. John Isner (USA) [10]
Not Before: 4:00 PM
Steve Johnson (USA) vs. Kyle Edmund (GBR)


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72 Comments for Nadal Wins, Federer Escapes Tiafoe Test Tuesday at US Open; Cilic, Delpo Wed.

Wog Boy Says:

36 year old almost ruined USO.


Van Persie Says:

Lol WB


gonzalowski Says:

Nice photo, Nadal and Xisca. Nowadays she takes care of the area of ​​social integration of the foundation Rafa Nadal. Before this she worked a season in London for one of the biggest sports marketing companies in the world


Wog Boy Says:

VP,
;)


skeezer Says:

“36 year old almost ruined USO.”
The Scot already did that.


Margot Says:

^ Hyperbole alert.


El_Flaco Says:

Federer played 5 sets and was only on the court 21 minutes longer than Nadal who played 3.


Tony N Says:

Wog Boy: “36 year old almost ruined USO.”
Utter nonsense. The Federer-Tiafoe drama boosted the USO. The USO benefited from the priceless publicity created by the Federer-Tiafoe match, elevating public interest in this tennis event during a period inundated with news about the hurricane tragedy. The Federer-Tiafoe drama was on the front/home page of CNN, New York Times and the other big U.S. news media last night. It ignited Twitter and other social media. This probably had the biggest TV viewership of the USO so far.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/29/tennis/us-open-first-round-federer-tiafoe/index.html

Unfortunately, Federer knows that he benefits from the huge publicity from close matches like this or even losses.


Van Persie Says:

“The Scot ruined it already”

Andy should take it as a compliment. Without him UO it’s BS


Pamela Says:

Wog Boy, as I am fairly new to this and don’t know your comments well enough to understand… what exactly do you mean by “36 year old almost ruined USO.” It would have been a bummer if Roger had lost, but he didn’t and it was a good indication that he can go the 5 sets with no problem. I had my doubts about him coming back and winning, but I, for one, am thrilled that he did. And Roger is right. Tiafoe is going to be a top player. he’s already a force to reckon with. Does anyone know who roger plays tomorrow?


Tony N Says:

4:39 am Wog Boy: “36 years old almost ruined USO.”
7:55 am Margot: “Lol Wog Boy!”

9:02 am skeezer: “(Wog Boy: 36 year old almost ruined USO) The Scot already did that.”
10:38 am Margot: “^ Hyperbole alert”

Beep… beep… hypocritical double standard alert… beep… beep… :)
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2017-08-27/26819.php#comment-729414


Van Persie Says:

Watching now Trailer Towsend against Ana Bogdan


skeezer Says:

@Pamela
Winner of the Youzhny/Kavcic match(being played today).

Nadal gets to play the winner of a WC ( again? Will wonders ever cease )/Taro match.


J-Kath Says:

VP: Andy ruined it deliberately so that Federer could benefit from the huge publicity in a close match or even have a loss.


skeezer Says:

VP,
Watching the USO? Thought you wouldn’t waste your time with your “Without him UO it’s BS” quote.
;)


Van Persie Says:

Skeezer, well, the stakes are too big :)


Margot Says:

Tony N: Beep! Beep! Sense of humour bypass alert.


Van Persie Says:

Towsend had 5-0 in the second, now 5-4. When you lose a bagel, you lose hunger of achievement.


Van Persie Says:

Well done, girls. That was an epic.

As Steve Jobs once said: “Stay hungry, stay foolish”!


Daniel Says:

Kyrgios down 2 sets to 1. Humm, if he loses here suddenly the possible treat for Fed in R16 is gone. Only Thiem / DelPo in QF before Nadal semis, and that if one of them is there to play Fed.

Can not see Fed losing to Youzhny, Lopez/Verdasco or Kohls before QF. Unless his back stiffs again.


J-Kath Says:

Kyrios….????


Daniel Says:

Maybe he is in one of those days he doesn’t like tennis that much. Down 1-4 fours set. Looks like he is going down.


Daniel Says:

Fognini also losing in 4, down 0-5 fourth set, 1 game away from going out. Only Berdych and Dimi left in Nadal’s path to semis.


Daniel Says:

Wow, now that I realize Gasquet also all.

USO is already lacking some big names and the ones with some pedigree remaining are losing. Sock, Ferrer, Fognini and Gasquet all crashing first round, did not see those coming


Daniel Says:

Kyrgios out!


gonzalowski Says:

Kirgios left with one crushed racket; the two australians were cordial on the net.

I have just watched the Laaksonen – Delpo tiebreak, never saw two apparently calmer players on a tiebreak. Delpo won 2nd set


lylenubbins Says:

Ugh . . . NK and Fabio.


the_mind_reels Says:

Brackets are getting busted left and right!


Margot Says:

Damn Nick, my bracket is ruined! Shoulder is still an issue apparently.
Dolgopolov through to the next round, good.


madmax Says:

El_Flaco Says:
Federer played 5 sets and was only on the court 21 minutes longer than Nadal who played 3.

August 30th, 2017 at 10:42 am

Exactly El Flaco.

Exactly.


Willow Says:

Lovely picture of Xisca and Rafa, lovely looking couple ….


J-Kath Says:

Willow: Are they still romantically involved – thought they’d “down-graded” to friends. Anyways – have a great time on your escape to nature tomorrow.


Willow Says:

J-Kath as far as i know, although some people here are more privy to the info on players private lives mentioning no names lol ….

Aumutmn equinox Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and i cant wait, tavel through tomorrow yippee ….


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Wow, Kyrgios out?? Is he the new Gulbis or what?

Del Potro won, but only 4 BH winners to 7 UE. Not a good sign.


Giles Says:

Soooo, fed running around like a rabbit. Back ok? Lol


Giles Says:

J-K. Have you heard otherwise? Yr post 3.54 pm


Okiegal.... Says:

@Wog Boy 4:40………..I really did laugh out loud when I read that comment…..good one! It’s the first post…..scrolled down immediately to comment. Now I will scroll back up and see if anyone else thought it was funny!!


Okiegal.... Says:

@Wog…..some thought funny ……some not! Always some who can’t see humor at all………then there were some who didn’t get it??? LOL 😂😂😂


Okiegal.... Says:

Babos drew first blood in Maria today. On her win the other night…she looked good……is she trying to prove a point….”I can play tennis better w/o PEDs”????? 💪💪💪


Willow Says:

Okie Sharapova hasnt changed, still as slow as molases between points ….


Willow Says:

And Delpo ….


Willow Says:

Babos shouldve had that point the ball was on the ground ….


Okiegal.... Says:

@Willow…..you are right about slow…..if Novak was playing…..he would be slow too….


J-Kath Says:

Giles: Yes, but it was some time ago 2-3 months approx. when the article stated close friends as always but no intention of the relationship developing beyond that. Sorri – thought everyone would have seen it. Absolutely did read a couple saying similar.


J-Kath Says:

PS: Thought – at the time – that’s a pity….as it followed a wee holiday with both them being “sexy” on a yacht.


Okiegal.... Says:

Maria is getting major praises from every corner of the spectrum…….her PED use hasn’t hurt her reputation at all….The tennis VIPs are so glad she is back and playing marvelously!


BBB Says:

Okie, I think it has hurt her reputation. But with Serena out, and Azarenka out, and Muguruza the only one who seems to be able to take advantage, people like Chris Evert are desperate for someone to jazz up the women’s side of the draw…..


Daniel Says:

Zverev about to go down 2 sets to 1. Coric with 5 set points. Comic defense is great and he is shifting pace. Zverev playing the same shots all over and unable to close the points.

If he goes down one of Cilic, Tsonga, Querrey or Isner will be favorites for finals. Could be an america back in a GS final again?

Or an young one, Shapovalov, Coric, Poullie…

Really open side.


Markus Says:

Zverev saved his worst games for the US Open. First round looked like this, too.


Daniel Says:

Great match, both young a lot of long rallies.


Markus Says:

Coric is a very good player. He is very steady but somewhat lacking in big weapons. Zverev is all power. When that goes awry, he becomes vulnerable, like now. He looks like he will lose but even at 4 seed, nobody really expects him to win.


Daniel Says:

Comic saving three set points from 0-40 to force the breaker. Seems is his day today.


Daniel Says:

Huge upset, Zverev out, bracket ruined, got him in finals. Wow!

Zverev indeed has a long way to go, can’t deliver in Slams. Thiem at least made 2 semis.


skeezer Says:

Anyone pick Querry to get through his half?


skeezer Says:

Big congrats to Coric.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Spectacular match between Coric and Zverev – and now Shapovalov taking it to Tsonga.

Didn’t I just say (yesterday?) that Zverev and Thiem better make their mark before Coric, Shapovalov and Tiafoe make their move? Yes. Yes I did.

Maybe the Zverev/Thiem era is over before it begins. Anyway, the future looks very good, and its here. These kids are amazing, and they look a lot more complete than the Milos/Dmitrov/Nishikori cohort.

Come on Dennis! If he takes Tsonga out, this side is just wide open- who knows how far he or Coric can go?


Daniel Says:

TV, I got Shapovalov into QF.

The top half seems certain QF: Nadal x Dimi and Fed x Thiem. Nadal and Fed are virtually there (unless Berdych upset Nadal). Dimi may has Monfils to deal and Thiem with DelPo.
Bottom side is wide Open. On paper is Cilic, but anything can happen.


Daniel Says:

Skeeze, I have Querrey in QF


Markus Says:

TV, Zverev is younger than Coric and belongs to that Coric, Shapovalov and Tiafoe era you mentioned. He just happened to zoom quite fast to pass everybody in this class. Thiem is by himself and is the one looking to join the lost generation.


Daniel Says:

Shapovalov 2 sets up, looks like my hunch was on. Off to bed now, hope he wins.


skeezer Says:

Shap destined to meet up with Cilic now…can we say this kid is the real deal now?


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Markus, I stand corrected – however, its only Tiafoe and Shapovalov who are still teenagers.

He is amazing. He is an absolute star coming. And he gets his Davis Cup nemesis Kyle Edmund. The other young players we mentioned will be stars. This one will be a superstar.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

No weaknesses. So much variety off both sides, incredible defense, elite level serve AND return, and mentally, seems extremely strong.


t4t Says:

Fed fans not stridently declaring Fed the winner. Wonder why.


t4t Says:

If Fed or Nadal win this slam, we have to conclude the generation of Coric, Zverev, Kyrgios is no better than the lost generation. In fact worse. The lost generation had to contend with the big 4 in their prime. The latest gen is facing just two of the big 4, one of whom is 36 years old and the other is a shadow of his former self.


Okiegal.... Says:

@BBB……..you are probably right……I


Giles Says:

t4t. Quite simple really, they ( fedfans) don’t want to jinx him!


J-Kath Says:

Coric and Z-v – age-wise – 6 months difference.


BBB Says:

Okie – I almost wish Evert would shut up about it. She makes it sound like Sharapova’s transgressions don’t matter because she has star power, which is horrible message to send about doping violations! Especially when we know that Agassi’s drug use was covered up. Just say she’s paid the penalty, time to move on, and leave it at that.

Coric is almost the spitting image of my ex-husband and his brother. It’s unnerving.


t4t Says:

Why is Maria singled out for hurling epithets like cheater?
No one gives interviews saying Cilic, Troicki or Strykova are cheaters.


BBB Says:

I think there are two issues with Sharapova. People say she cheats with her screaming.

I see fewer people calling her a cheater for the PED. But what distinguishes her from Troicki and Cilic is that she intentionally took a substance that was banned (though she did not know it was banned). She admitted as much. That’s not the same with Cilic and Troicki. I’ll have to look into Strycova.


Daniel Says:

Dolgo 2 sets to 1 on Berdych, seems another one will crack.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam