Federer, Djokovic Reach US Open Third Round, Kyrgios Controversy; Nadal, Delpo Back

by Staff | August 31st, 2018, 12:38 am
  • 122 Comments

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic inched closer to a hotly-anticipated Wednesday quarterfinal at the US Open. Today, it was Federer playing during the day and Djokovic at night. With temperatures still hovering in the 90s, Federer had no problem knocking out the zany Benoit Paire in straight sets 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

“I think it was a bit sort of up and down,” said Federer. “I think it’s always tricky against Benoit, because there’s a lot of tactics going on. Never quite the same point. Sometimes he plays very deep in the court, then he plays up in the court. That’s maybe why you draw errors out of each other rather than winners at the end. The match maybe doesn’t look at good. Plus he covers the court very well. Sometimes you have a tendency to overplay, as well. But overall I’m happy. I think it was not a bad performance by any means by me. I can be pleased, so it’s all good.”

In the evening, Djokovic was in total control of Tennys Sandgren up a match point in the third, but let it slip and with it the set, but regain the lead in the fourth to win 6-1, 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2.


“It’s a work in progress still. We are working daily on trying to perfect the game and put it together. Obviously last couple months have been really, really good in terms of results,” Djokovic said. “That’s what’s exciting about this sport and about my game in general, is that I still feel there are certain elements in my game that need some betterment. That’s why you hit the practice courts daily and try to perfect the game.”

Two more former champions also got through. Juan Martin del Potro continues to look ominous cruising past Denis Kudla 6-3, 6-1, 7-6(4).

And Marin Cilic dropped just two games in a 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 blowout over Hurbert Hurkacz.

Alexander Zverev how no problems facing a second lucky loser in a comfortable win over Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

“This was always the Grand Slam that I didn’t play my best ever. Not even that I lost, but just game-wise. Game-wise, I never felt comfortable here. Finally I do,” said Zverev. “I feel like I’m playing well. I feel like today, was a tough opponent. He had a few matches here already.”

Controversy continues to follow Nick Kyrgios. The Australian won going away against Pierre Hugues-Herbert 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, 6-0. Down a set and 3-0, umpire Mohammed Lahyani came down from the chair to encourage Kyrgios who looked disinterested. And it worked. Kyrgios found a spark, played better while his French foe felt the nerves and folded.

“I’m not sure it was encouragement,” Kyrgios commented. “He said he liked me. I’m not sure if that was encouragement. He just said that it’s not a good look. I wasn’t feeling good. I know what I was doing out there wasn’t good. I wasn’t really listening to him, but I knew it wasn’t a good look. It didn’t help me at all.”

The USTA sided with the umpire saying he did nothing wrong, but in their statement they didn’t reference Lahyani coaching-up Kyrgios.

Said Hugues-Herbert once he watched the tape, “I’m even more upset against the statement of the USTA that is clearly taking us for fools.”

Kyrgios will now face Federer on Saturday.

Two other Australians also won. Alex De Minaur ousted American Frances Tiafoe in four sets and John Millman reached his second straight third round at the US Open beating Fabio Fognini also in four sets.

“I’ve known Frances for a very long time,” De Minaur said. “Coming up in the juniors, all that. Obviously I’m a year younger than him. When I was playing the juniors, he was pretty much already playing seniors. But we’ve always been close. He’s one of the nicest guys out there. Nothing but respect for him.”

David Goffin, Lucas Pouille and Kei Nishikori also won. Nishikori advanced when Gael Monfils injured his right wrist trying to a hit a volley back in the second set.

“I thought I started really well, played very aggressive,” said Nishikori. “I thought I was dominating from the baseline. Everything worked well. In the second, he started pretty good. Unfortunately it finished for him. We always battle, play great matches all the time. It’s always fun to play against him. It’s sad to finish like that. But so happy to go through.”

And Jan Lennard Struff put an end to Julien Benneteau’s Grand Slam career.

“I don’t really realize it,” said Benneteau. “Some guys told me in the locker room, ‘Now you know that you’re not going to play ever, it must be a really strange feeling’. But I have to say that for the moment I don’t feel this way. Maybe it’s a little bit too early. Maybe it will take some time to absorb it and to have more emotions, some more feelings.

On Friday, Rafael Nadal is back putting his 9-match US Open win streak on the line against big Russian Karen Khachanov. Juan Martin del Potro get the evening ticket against Nadal’s countryman Fernando Verdasco.

2017 finalist Kevin Anderson meets Denis Shapovalov and Stan Wawrinka battles Milos Raonic.


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122 Comments for Federer, Djokovic Reach US Open Third Round, Kyrgios Controversy; Nadal, Delpo Back

Wog Boy Says:

It looks like Mo Lahyani is socializing too much with Rafa, he pulled the wedgie out of his ass while pampering spoiled (and now rich) brat Nick.


Van Persie Says:

Do not know the rules exactly, but PHH would have had the right to call for the supervisor in order to ask for another chair umpire. When the chair umpire is socializing with a player on court, as Mo did, one could assume , he is biased. MO acted like a fan, not like an umpire.

What was Mo thinking???…to risk his career for Nick.


Wog Boy Says:

How anybody on earth can have any sympathy for Nick The Prick, I live here, I don’t know one single person (people I socialize with) that have one nice word to say about him, even Aussies with Greek background can’t stand him.
Who does he think he is and what has he achieved in tennis…aparat of making millions of dollars and publicly jerking with a bottle of water, while the kids were watching TV, absolute disgrace.


Mayorghouliani Says:

Coddling Nick is hilarious and pathetic. For such a so called talented player he is the worst sportsman and watching Cahill and others make excuses for his awful unprofessional antics is equally pathetic. If Nicky wants to tank, let him, make room for those who respect the sport and want to be there. the chair umpire isn’t there for therapy


Humble Rafa Says:

It looks like Mo Lahyani is socializing too much with Rafa, he pulled the wedgie out of his ass while pampering spoiled (and now rich) brat Nick.

Wog Girl,

No need to bring me and my rear end into an ugly conversation. Only small girls do that.


Everybody Says:

HR, being called a girl is not an insult, there’s nothing wrong or inferior about being a girl. So maybe you shouldn’t use it as an insult.


BBB Says:

This is why he’s the person on tour I’d most be interested in having dinner with, even at a vegan restaurant:

“The other me,” Djokovic said with a smile, “that my first me doesn’t like.”

“You just have to accept it sometimes,” Djokovic said. “But that’s being a human being, I guess. Not human doing.”

What a great line. So much respect for someone who can be that articulate in a foreign language.


Colin Says:

It’s being said that Mo’s action was ill-advised because it amounted to coaching. I’d go further, and say it was a medical time-out, with an umpire acting as psychiatrist.

I agree with Van Persie. Nick isn’t worth it.


j-kath Says:

Wog Boy: I’m somewhat against the flow. I don’t have sympathy for Nick – but I don’t dislike him, although expect a faux pas almost daily.

He must have a short memory span – perhaps he can’t help himself: lacks concentration; can’t retain the determination to self-improve – and I truly wonder if he’s maybe got early dementia or one of its equally deadly related conditions.


Daniel Says:

I just hope Federer beats him in humiliating fashion. He can lose R4 to Kuku or Millman, but not to Kyrgios now.


Van Persie Says:

Lol Daniel, What if he will honor Mo’s sacrifice and he will beat them all at this tournament?
How will the tennis world react, if Nick wins UO 2018?.. Mo might get a new job then :D


Truth Says:

The commentators were patting Federer on the back since 2002 during practice.
Pat McEnroe, John McEnroe, Carillo, Brad Gilbert, and Cliff Drysdale clapped and screamed wildly.
Federer heard them all the time.
Roddick whimpered and cried in front of Fedeter to prove he was the “ultimate loser”.
Stop acting like the umpire was Kyrgios’ guru or coach.
He gave him an ultimatum. Play or no play.


Daniel Says:

VP,

I was thinking exaclty this, imagine if he went on to whin the whole thing now.

Kyrgios said in his interview that he heard the audience booing, put his hands on his ears and loved it.

He is a pricky, and a self aware one.


Van Persie Says:

Daniel,

No worries, will not happen, as I agree with what JK :

“He must have a short memory span – perhaps he can’t help himself: lacks concentration; can’t retain the determination to self-improve –”

Hard to win a GS when you are like this.


Daniel Says:

Agree,

But now that Federer was vocal and said: “everybody know it won’t happen again”, meaning: I am Roger Federer and no way I will let the chair umpire get down and have a peptalk with him on Ashe saturday night! (he can be called arrogant for that one, rightly so), things became somewhat personnel now. I am bet Fed is eagr to dispatch him. So a loss will hurt real bad.


Van Persie Says:

I did not erad yet, what Fed had to say about that, but this match will be spicy for sure. Looking forward to it.:D
Also do not think Nick will be shy on court.
“There will be blood” ;)


Van Persie Says:

I did not read yet, correction


RZ Says:

Andy Murray’s humor about the Kyrgios-Lahyani situation is appreciated by Dominic Thiem.
https://twitter.com/mak_astr/status/1035348251434786816


Margot Says:

RZ: It’s a very useful suggestion, after all Naughty Nick needs a coach ;)


Giles Says:

Sorry double post


j-kath Says:

Yes, RZ – read the exchange between Andy and Kyrgios — it speaks to Lahyani’s (odd) conduct to which Kyrgios reacted positively – however, K’s attention span will sometime soon be the problem again.


FedExpress Says:

Go home Kachanov

mindless ballbashing


FedExpress Says:

Rafa complaining about the balls.

Break Kachanov


FedExpress Says:

the question is how long can Karan keep this up?

Leo Mayer and Lajovic were the same last year.


FedExpress Says:

Rafs vamosing and fist-knee pumping 4 straight points like there is no tomorrow


FedExpress Says:

Rafa returning from Mallorca


FedExpress Says:

Kachanovs level decreasing


FedExpress Says:

Thiem speciality

Lose winable matches.

Do it again and again.


FedExpress Says:

Karan, was good to see you.


FedExpress Says:

Karen you choker

30-0 up and now facing BP


FedExpress Says:

Clutch and unclutch

Kachanov


FedExpress Says:

wtf is happening


FedExpress Says:

Wow

kachanov wins the 1st set. but boy had he work for it.

Rafa taking MTo or what?


FedExpress Says:

Kachanoc exhausted. Making UEs


FedExpress Says:

break kachanov


Daniel Says:

Checking scores adn even though Kachanov is leading almost all his service games he has to save BP or deuce. He had game point this game to consolidate the break and now facing BP again. How long will he sustain this mental effort?


Daniel Says:

Shapo wins 1st set versus Anderson and Thiem came down in third set and won tiebreak, 2-1 lead


RZ Says:

Some of you make it sound like upsetting Rafa is an easy task.


Daniel Says:

It isn’t RZ.

If we look at Nadal’s last 5 losses in Slams they all came in 5 sets:

– Pouille USO 2016
– Federer AO 2017
– Muller Wimbledon 2017
– Cilic AO 2018
– Djokovic Wimbledon 2018


Daniel Says:

I’ll only start believing Kachanov can do it if he takes this second set, 2 more holds or naother break.
And he will have to do it in 3 or 4. If it goes five he won’t last and Nadal will drag him.


Giles Says:

Sounds like Rafa’s knee is injured.


RZ Says:

Exactly Daniel. But some comments make it sound like it should and could be happening regularly.


FedExpress Says:

And he crumbled


FedExpress Says:

choke


kjb Says:

Its over. Nice try Karen.


FedExpress Says:

2 BPs left

big moment


FedExpress Says:

Kachanov breaks and will serve for the 2nd set

big big big moment


Daniel Says:

They exchange breaks and Kachanov will serve for second set and 2-0 lead. He has to win this set. If he gest broken now and Nadal somehow wins the set, it will be trashing next 2 sets.

He has to keep the pressure in. Very tense game for him next.


FedExpress Says:

BP Nadal


Daniel Says:

30-15 to 30-40.


Daniel Says:

Basilashivili first in R16.

Thiem 1 game away.


FedExpress Says:

choked again


Daniel Says:

And Nadal breaks. Kachanov has to at least hold and force a breaker.

Maybe he can still save the set in tiebreak and would serve first third set.

He can not lose thsi set otherwise match over, he will have a mental picture going on and thinking he was 2 points away from a 2-0 lead.


FedExpress Says:

And now rain.

Who does it favour?


Daniel Says:

What is happening, rain or MTO, scores freeze?


FedExpress Says:

Nadal will win this now.


Daniel Says:

Kachanov still have a shot but he has to hold and play the breaker.


kjb Says:

If Karen wins the second set, I give him a 10% chance of winning. If he loses, 0%.


Daniel Says:

40-15 to deuce.


Daniel Says:

Unbelievable!! When I saw 40-15 and thought they would go to a tiebreak bit even so he wasn’t able to force.
Match over.
To bad, Tiebreak would have been tense.


FedExpress Says:

Choke choke choke

Nadal will win this tournament. No dount about that one now.


Daniel Says:

And the worst os that he lost serve 3 straight times. He was leading 4-3, got brokem, broke back, got broken, Nadal hold and he was broken again.

Momentun all with Nadal.

Not so sure FedEx, somehow I feel the winner will come frok bottom half: Fed, djoko, Cilic or Zverev


Daniel Says:

Thiem also couldn’t close the set and match. Serves 5-3 and now 5-4


Van orten Says:

The court is slow . Kachanov cannot hit enough winners. Nadal very tough to beat on that court if you refuse to go for broke! You have to do it otherwise no chance .


FedExpress Says:

Kachanov had his chances and bottled it.

Will get a beatdown in the next two sets. should be happy if he wins at least 3 games in each set


Daniel Says:

First 2 sets everytime Kachanov was 0-40 in Nadal’s game he broke. Now Nadal saved the game winning 5 straight points. Difference confidence makes.


Van orten Says:

It’s all about mentality! Why choking instead of going for it . Fed changed that v nadal and he earned 5 victories in a row by doing that . Nadal going for broke and playing even more aggressive when facing break points . It’s incredible .


FedExpress Says:

Kyrgios and Federer is a day match tomorrow


FedExpress Says:

Yeah and cause of that gained confidence Rafa will the USO.


Van orten Says:

Oh it’s djoker v Richie in the night session zzzzzzzzzz


Daniel Says:

All 3 sets going 5-5. Hope we got a tiebreak this set instead of another 7-5 set.


Daniel Says:

3 first serves and he made none in tiebreak, 2 DFs. Hard to win this way even getting the mini break back with an awesome BH


Daniel Says:

Wow what a BH DTL by Nadal after a huge heavy FH from Kacha.


Daniel Says:

3 DFs in a tiebreak and even so he was competitive. Nadal was tense, made several UE in tiebreak but Kachanov crumble yet again iwht the DFs.


kjb Says:

Man, these courts are slow.


Daniel Says:

Uber slow kjb, looks like Miami!


Van orten Says:

Three doublefaults in the breaker .. oh man .. very good match but Kachanov will have a very bad sleep .. had it in him tonight to finish Rafa in 3 sets .. but the choking is biggest in the tightest moment


RZ Says:

Thiem through. Yay! I thought he was going to crash and burn this tournament. 3rd round at the USO is his best result since the FO


skeezer Says:

“Sounds like Rafa’s knee is injured.”
ROFL.


skeezer Says:

Karen’s serve let him down,. That really is the story of this match. Otherwise he would have beaten Rafa today. But credit to rafa, you want to beat em, ya gotta have everything working.


AndyMira Says:

Rafa do have a sore knee today Skeeze!…I saw the clip of him testing his right knee in a waiting room with whole team in there….


Van orten Says:

Exactly ^skeezer


Anto Says:

Nadal these days playing very badly during cirtical points. Gifts the break back when serving for the match.


Daniel Says:

Wow, came to the gym thinking it was over nad Kacha break to level another set at 5-5.
Nadal under pressure now to force tiebreak


Daniel Says:

Kachanov again 2 points away from a seocnd set. just like 2 before.


Anto Says:

Nadal upped his intensity after facing the set point.


Daniel Says:

The guy has a 18-13 record in tiebreak in 2018 and today couldn’t win 1. Guess the other aide of net counts😜


chris ford1 Says:

And Karen does great to level at 5-5 then promptly chokes away the match in the tiebreak. Better luck in the futuure Kach, but you DO have a chocking problem.


Daniel Says:

If Nadal’s knee are bad as some are saying he won’t win it. He has an easy round next but anderson x thiem in QF could be a long match if they are to play. Than DelPo or Wawa semis. And final Djoko or Fed Cilic. Last 3 rounds could ve very tough if he has some lingering and adter this 4:30 hours


Anto Says:

Any idea who his next opponent is?


Truth Says:

Karen is no star. Sluggish. Some added power kept him in top 100.
Nadal’s so lucky. Karen CHOKED twice in the 2nd set, only had one good return game and totally collapsed thereafter.

Novak didn’t return too early after all. Nadal is not badly injured. He just needed help to win with this easy draw.


AndyMira Says:

It’s Nikoloz Basilashvili Anto!…Then possibly a rematch with Anderson..And DelPo in semis…And very possibly with Nole in final…So,with his sore knee & 4 1/2 hrs in 3rd rd today,we can kiss the Trophy a goodbye for this year Rafans!


Solomon Ekegbu Says:

Nadal really plays his worst when serving for the match. I can’t understand what’s wrong with him. Did the same against Tsitsipas in Toronto. He won’t keep escaping this all the time.


Daniel Says:

Just realize that this year could happen a very unique fact that I think hasn’t ever happen in mens tennis before. First 3 Slams we had 6 different players reaching finals:

– Fed def Cilic in AO
– Nadal def Thiem in RG
– Djoko def Anderson in Wimby;
– USO ????

This could happen again in USO if for example Zverev reach finals against DelPo or Wawa in top half.

The only other year that was close to this was 2003 when 7 different players reached Grand Slams finals, with only Ferrero reaching 2: RG and USO (Agassi, Schutler, Ferrero, Verkerk, Federer, Philpousis, and Roddick reach finals).


Daniel Says:

Wawa wasting a sitter FH on set point, instead of going for open court he went inside out and missed. Now lost tiebreak. Match could be long.

Isner 2-1 and Coric on his way to a 2-0 lead.


Humble Rafa Says:

Tough match but credit to Jennifer. She played very well and has a good future. But for Humble Highness, move on to the next round.


Daniel Says:

Wow, did not expect Raonic to beat Wawa in 3 sets.

Looks like a big serves will be there for Nadal in semis: DelPo, Isner or Raonic. Coric may have something to say also.


Humble Rafa Says:

Dear Daniel,

Konnichiwa. Big serves disappear before Humble Highness.


skeezer Says:

You really think Rafa’s knee is a problem after out running Karen around the court? ROFL.


Margot Says:

skeeze: As a “neutral” here, I’m not so sure. We all know that adrenaline is a terrific pain inhibitor and keeps athletes going long after they should probably stop. How Rafa’s knees feel today, is more of an indication of how problematic the injury is.
Also, I saw quite a bit of the match and I thought his serve was poor. Goodness knows how many times he got broken, this could be an indication of him not using his knees to push up on the serve.


Amit Says:

Why do people sound like its always the chokers losing to Nadal??!! Just C’mon I mean!!! He is Rafael Nadal!!! He rules over Roger Federer even, then what are these khanchovs?? LOL 😜😜😜


Amit Says:

Rafael Nadal is the only reason Karen lost, not some choke or something, lmao!!! 😂😂😂


Colin Says:

Hey, stop calling the guy Karen. That’s a female name. He’s called Karan,


Margot Says:

Colin: Um no. I’ve already had to haul HR up over this. Were you not paying attention? Tsk! Tsk! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_(name)


Colin Says:

I just checked one of those useful websites that give recorded demonstrations of various languages. Karen (it’s Armenian) is pronounced kuh-run, so it’s a bit ambiguous to an English speaker. Most people, even those not keen on classical music, know “Sabre Dance”, which comes from a ballet score by Karen’s father Aram, so it’s all his fault. If you think about it, there are a number of unisex names. John Wayne’s real name was Marion Morrison, and he wasn’t particularly feminine! Evelyn is a man’s name. and the middle name of Dr John Thorndyke, the first truly scientific detective in fiction. No. that wasn’t Holmes. Although Conan Doyle was a doctor, he makes lots of scientific errors. He was unrepentant, as he didn’t care much about the stories, which he churned out for the money.


j-kath Says:

And “Edie” is the name given to Andy Murray’s second daughter.
Maybe they gave her it after she socked him on the face and bled his nose!


Margot Says:

Colin, you were wrong! No use trying to blind us with science.
Kath: Is it a not a derivative of Edith? I love it actually, so sweetly old fashioned. A friend of mine’s niece is Eden! Now I don’t like that one for a girl. Apologies to any female Edens on here, in advance.


FedExpress Says:

This Delpo isnt going to beat Rafa

And Rafafans, dont worry. Your guy will be fine.

Kachanov gave choking a new meaning.

And Rafa got the lifeline which he needed. Unstoppable now.


j-kath Says:

Margot: I’ve seen “Edie” spelt elsewhere as “Edia” – so could well be – it’s taken approx. a year for us to get this far – maybe another year will reveal all!!!!! Certainly “Edith” goes back a couple of generations as does “Hilda” and “Alice” – well, as they say our world is round (what goes round….etc. etc.).


Amit Says:

People should stop preaching others when they themselves dont know how they came across the name karen! Internet and newspaper!!


Amit Says:

I mean how others came across the name karen!!


Madmax Says:

Come on Fed! Let’s go forward and move like we mean it!


Margot Says:

If Naughty Nick wins Lahyani will have to leave the country…in disguise ;)
Don’t think Fed will let him, however.


Vats Says:

What a trade mark return!!!
Stan has been victim of such returns many times..
Don’t understand why they come in on break points..


FedExpress Says:

get in fed

you beauty


Vats Says:

Fed getting into rhythm.. Wonderful returns of serve…


Madmax Says:

and it’s over in a flash!

Way to go Fed!


RZ Says:

Colin, it has somehow escaped me that Karen K is Armenian. (I happen to be of Armenian descent). However he is not Aram Khachaturian’s son. Aram Khachaturian died in 1978.

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