US Open Thread

[Lazarus]

That was a great game.
Zvonareva had that game in the bag though late in the second set with 6 match point opportunities. But you've got to give credit to Pennetta, who fought hard all the way to save the game, then to take out the second set with 4 consecutive points in the tiebreak (when Vera was leading 6-4).
Vera pretty much lost it after that and the 3rd set and the match was always going to belong to Pennetta.
Good for Clijsters to come out and win too and beat Venus.

As it happens, I had to leave after the second set (was watching it over the net) but Vera was looking very tired, and Pennetta very strong.
But some of those rallies near the end of the second set were fantastic.

 

[watermelonslice]

At the Aus Open, you are allowed to keep the ball if it is hit at the end of the match. If you get a ball that has been hit into the crowd during the match, then you have to return it. I think what Ashley12 is saying is that at the US open you can keep the ball if it has been hit to you during the match, which is stupid. As 6 new balls are used after every 9 games, if three of those balls go into the crowd, you will only have 3 balls to use until the next change is due.

Yea. Sorry I assumed she meant during the course of play? Also I thought they just got out a new ball if one goes into the crowd during play?

 

[matt_897]

Dent lost to Murray quite easily like expected. And Zvonareva dropped off during the 3rd set too, always amusing to see how she cracks it. Also, how about Kollerer? What a crazy man, love to see character like that, crowd loved it. Although, it seems like he's a complete tool, this one shows it, quite funny

[YOUTUBE]Vfqp8QEsrds[/YOUTUBE]


Hoping Stepanek/Djokovic can live up to the match they had last year at New York. Didn't get to see that one.

 

[CHBench]

At the Aus Open, you are allowed to keep the ball if it is hit at the end of the match. If you get a ball that has been hit into the crowd during the match, then you have to return it. I think what Ashley12 is saying is that at the US open you can keep the ball if it has been hit to you during the match, which is stupid. As 6 new balls are used after every 9 games, if three of those balls go into the crowd, you will only have 3 balls to use until the next change is due.

Ahh now im on the same page.

Refreshing to see Zvonareva back to her crazy self. Not sure what was more awkward for the crowd; when she was down on her arse slapping her knees, ripping the tape off her knees between games, or smashing her racket into the net post at teh changeover.
And to top it off nicely:-

“I didn’t lose my temper,” she said.

I'm a fan.

 

[pepsi]

That 2nd set between Zvonereva and Pennetta was excellent tennis. I know that Women's tennis gets criticised quite a lot, but when you watch tennis of that quality that was displayed between those two girls, hopefully more people realise that Women's tennis can produce at times.

Fed will make the semis with ease. If Djoko can manage to hit some form, he might push Fed, but I doubt it. Still think it will be a repeat of last year's final between Roger and Murray, with Del Potro a strong chance to make the final. If it is a Del Potro-Fed final, I wont bother watching, cos Fed seems to destroy Del Potro in Grand Slams.

 

[matt_897]

Problem is match of Zvonareva/Pennetta quality have been very rare lately. Women's tournament has been nice this tournament, has had great tense matches and a lot of stories with still a lot to go.

Interesting I heard that Del Potro said he doesn't think he will win the US Open this year, lacking fitness, surprisingly honest but i agree, espically when he faces Murray

 

[watermelonslice]

Anyone else having flashbacks of last year's US Open? From memory Murray and Del Potro faced off in a five setter in the 4th round and Murray came out on top. Del Potro was quite distraught at the presscon afterwards. Hopefully the boy has learnt his lesson and avenges his loss. (Although I have to admit neither play a particularly attractive brand of tennis - both are too defensive IMO.)

 

[gaelictiogar]

That 2nd set between Zvonereva and Pennetta was excellent tennis. I know that Women's tennis gets criticised quite a lot, but when you watch tennis of that quality that was displayed between those two girls, hopefully more people realise that Women's tennis can produce at times.

Fed will make the semis with ease. If Djoko can manage to hit some form, he might push Fed, but I doubt it. Still think it will be a repeat of last year's final between Roger and Murray, with Del Potro a strong chance to make the final. If it is a Del Potro-Fed final, I wont bother watching, cos Fed seems to destroy Del Potro in Grand Slams.

I think you are right. Federer V Muray is the clear choice and would make a good final. Anything can happen of course and one never knows but its the obvious call.

 

[CanonNo1]

Womens Tennis... possibly the only sport where someone can take 2/3 years off, comeback and suddenly beat top 10 players like they were never away.

In recent time - Davenport, Hingis and Clijsters have returned to have some level of success (finals etc). Even Navratilova cameback to Wimbledon a few years ago and won a first round match, she was 50!

Its just a joke. Everyone goes on about how great it is that these players comeback and are successful, but seriously ... what is that saying about the quality of the players on tour who have been playing and practicing during time.

 

[MaccaKnowsBest]

Pretty good game going on here between Kuznetsova and Wozniacki, with Wozniacki just taking out the second set tie-break after Kuznetsova winning the first.

 

[andrepetz]

Looking at the OOP for tomorrow, it's interesting to see Ball/Guccione have thier doubles QF up on Arthur Ashe first up. Not bad for a team that only got in as an alternate. Maybe the Gooch should focus more on doubles.

 

[watermelonslice]

Cilic v Murray and Monfils v Nadal look to be interesting matches on the mens side.

 

[Cruiser23]

Come on Caroline...

 

[pepsi]

Womens Tennis... possibly the only sport where someone can take 2/3 years off, comeback and suddenly beat top 10 players like they were never away.

In recent time - Davenport, Hingis and Clijsters have returned to have some level of success (finals etc). Even Navratilova cameback to Wimbledon a few years ago and won a first round match, she was 50!

Its just a joke. Everyone goes on about how great it is that these players comeback and are successful, but seriously ... what is that saying about the quality of the players on tour who have been playing and practicing during time.

Michael Jordan says hello

 

[Cruiser23]

Caroline is through to the Quarters.

 

[MaccaKnowsBest]

I'm not really one to watch womens' tennis but that was a brilliant game. Well down Caroline

She plays Melanie Oudin next roundhttp://www.usopen.org/en_US/players/overview/wta313963.html

 

[thegreenmachine]

Cilic v Murray and Monfils v Nadal look to be interesting matches on the mens side.

Monfils vs. Nadal has the potential to be one of the matches of the tournament.
And even if it's not a game to remember on the scorecard (by that you wouldn't think Nadal would be thrashed), there will be plenty of thrills provided by Monfils and, should it live up to its maximum potential, plenty of memorable rallies and winners.
Oudin is another one on the women's side who is going along so much better than expected.

 

[matt_897]

Kuznetsova really should of beat Caroline, she was pounding her in the first set but fell away as the macth wore on. credit to Caroline, she kept it tight in the 2nd set. But the stats show the story of what happened, a ridclous comparision of winners and ue's between the two. Nice drama to the end, Kuzzy saved he rbest for the match points down it seems.

Djokovic smashed Stepanek who was disappointingly hopeless. Novak should be thanking Darren Cahill for that on-court interview afterwards, trying to win the New York crowd back.

Yep, Monfils/Nadal and Tsonga/Gonzalez should be good matches. I'm really hoping Oudin can upset Wozinacki, Bondarenko/Wickmayer in the other quarter, how about Bondarenko getting into her first Slam QF with a double bagel win

 

[CanonNo1]

Michael Jordan says hello

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest sportsmen ever, is hardly a like for like comparison ... a nonsense comparison in reality.

Name a male tennis players that has retired and comeback 2 years later with any success?

I'm not trying to 'bag' womens tennis but it just seems a farcical situation that the game doesn't evolve so signficantly that a palyer can retire for 2 years and still comeback so successfully.

 

[likka]

I'm not trying to 'bag' womens tennis but it just seems a farcical situation that the game doesn't evolve so signficantly that a palyer can retire for 2 years and still comeback so successfully.

Rubbish.

Main difference was Kim stopped playing very young, so it is easier to make a comeback. Many women take a sporting break to have kids and comeback as good or better.

Two years sabbatical in your mid twenties could arguably improve your game if previously you were constantly injured as Kim was. She looks fit, strong, mentally fresh and free of injury.

 

[tarky]

get on penetta for the tournament before she beats serena tonight. Still value at 17-1

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Michael Jordan says hello

Lance Armstrong says hi too

 

[Ricketts]

Armstrong?
More of a team sport the way he made his come back this year too.

 

[Drummond]

Stupid Wozniacki. What a terribly boring player she is. 16 winners over 3 sets, great entertaining tennis Caro... What a pathetic pusher she is, c'mon Oudin!

Cilic v Murray and Monfils v Nadal look to be interesting matches on the mens side.

Serious? Will be an awful match as Cilic is Mr. Mediocre. Murray in 3 without raising a sweat.

get on penetta for the tournament before she beats serena tonight. Still value at 17-1

Serena will smash her.

 

[matt_897]

Kim said she's been training for months too, as someone else said, after the break she's now fit and fresh. Her QF is on at 2.30am, would of liked to seen that, she should win that but Li will do alright, two tight sets i think. Love to see a Williams/Clijsters semi, Pennetta is in good form but now way she's getting past serena, serena will win comfortably.

And Arthur Ashe Stadium gets a great honour tonight.... Chris Guccione will be playing even if it's only doubles with Carsten Ball, hope they could somehow upset the Bryan but i doubt it, they had to save mp against a wc pair a couple of rounds ago. Expect the crowd to be full all eager to witness the Gooch in action.