John Isner over Rik De Voest 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
Isner's serve was way too much for the German, so the Isner Legend (as the USOpen.org calls it) continues. The 6-9 American wild card actually lost serve today, but it was at 5-1 in the second set so he just must have lost focus. Isner had chances to break in the second set, but clearly he couldn't stand the thought of playing a tennis match that didn't involve a tiebreaker. The first five points of the 'breaker were RIDICULOUS - in term's of both Isner's play and one point of net-cord luck. He got up 5-0, lost the next four, then served two bombs to take it 7-4. Next up is a third-round showdown with Roger Federer. I will be at the match! I'm hoping for Saturday night on Arthur Ashe....
Roger Federer over Paul Capedeville 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Even Federer said he played well, and when that happens, you know he must have been on fire. He was. 45 winners and 11 unforced errors!?!? Wow. Capedeville even played well in the third set and never had a remote chance. And I think I'll mention it again: Federer-Isner on Saturday and I'll be in attendance.
Robby Ginepri over Oliver Rochus 6-0, 6-3, 6-1
OK I thought Ginepri had a good chance it this one, but this scoreline is just ridiculous. I mean Ginepri has barely won matches this year, much less ones this lopsided. Granted Rochus has been close to terrible over the past four months, but still he is still a formidable opponent. Rochus also has enjoyed some really good Opens in the past as well. Not this time; Ginepri had way too much game for him on this day. Big Shot Bob always seems to find his game this time of year. Could he be finding it again?
Marat Safin over Frank Dancevic 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7)
I had Dancevic in this one that was more of a don't-wanna-get-my-hopes-up-about-Safin pick. I did think Dancevic had a real good chance though; he's had a great summer and Safin has been anything but the Safin of old throughout this year. By all indications, however, Safin played great tennis today and more importantly, sported a strong mental game. Pulling out three close sets certainly would suggest that. Safin has Wawrinka next and he'll have to play just like he did today to pull that one out. I'm hoping for a Safin-Ginepri third round clash, and hoping they'll throw it on Armstrong as opposed to Ashe.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Day 2 U.S. Open Matches
Xavier Malisse over Kristian Pless 6-4, 6-7 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5
I didn't even think Malisse was in the draw this year. Where has he been? Well, it's not like beating Pless 7-5 in the fourth is some kind of extraordinary accomplishment, but it's certainly a good sign for Malisse. Malisse always - and I mean always - seems to be around over Labor Day weekend at the Open, and he actually has a decent chance to be there again. He has David Nalbandian next, and Nalbandian has not exactly been lighting up the tennis courts in 2007.
Stefan Koubek over Sam Querrey 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 6-1
What a stunning disappointment for Querrey. I mean this is really bad. The loss itself is bad, but the way it happened is even worse. Querrey squandered six match points in the first set before losing in a tiebreaker, and then he just completely went away. He was done after the first set and just went through the motions in the second and third. How else can you explain someone with that serve winning two games in two sets!? And Querrey had been playing well prior to this one....
Wayne Odesnik over Danai Udomchoke 6-7 (7-2), 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2)
This is the third win in two days for American wild cards (Odesnik joined Isner and Donald Young in the second round) and surely Odesnik's biggest win of his career. He has been playing the best tennis of his career on the U.S. hard courts this summer (lost to Isner in the 3rd round of D.C. and then beat Ljubicic in Montreal) but this win was the biggest yet. Odesnik actually has a good chance to go one more round, as he gets Juan Ignacio Chela in the second round and Chela has been anything but stellar recently.
I didn't even think Malisse was in the draw this year. Where has he been? Well, it's not like beating Pless 7-5 in the fourth is some kind of extraordinary accomplishment, but it's certainly a good sign for Malisse. Malisse always - and I mean always - seems to be around over Labor Day weekend at the Open, and he actually has a decent chance to be there again. He has David Nalbandian next, and Nalbandian has not exactly been lighting up the tennis courts in 2007.
Stefan Koubek over Sam Querrey 7-6 (7-1), 6-1, 6-1
What a stunning disappointment for Querrey. I mean this is really bad. The loss itself is bad, but the way it happened is even worse. Querrey squandered six match points in the first set before losing in a tiebreaker, and then he just completely went away. He was done after the first set and just went through the motions in the second and third. How else can you explain someone with that serve winning two games in two sets!? And Querrey had been playing well prior to this one....
Wayne Odesnik over Danai Udomchoke 6-7 (7-2), 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2)
This is the third win in two days for American wild cards (Odesnik joined Isner and Donald Young in the second round) and surely Odesnik's biggest win of his career. He has been playing the best tennis of his career on the U.S. hard courts this summer (lost to Isner in the 3rd round of D.C. and then beat Ljubicic in Montreal) but this win was the biggest yet. Odesnik actually has a good chance to go one more round, as he gets Juan Ignacio Chela in the second round and Chela has been anything but stellar recently.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Day 1 U.S. Open Matches
Max Mirnyi over Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6)
Baghdatis just hasn't had as good of a year in 2007 as he did in 2006, although he started playing better during the U.S. Open Series. Mirnyi hasn't had great singles results in quite some time, though, so Bagman was the favorite in this one. But when Mirnyi comes to the net so often (I think he approached 140 times this match) against who player whose confidence isn't completely stable,the it can put overwhelming pressure on the opponent. Even though Max has long been more of a doubles star, he always seems to still be around in singles when I'm at the Open over Labor Day weekend. Hopefully he'll be able to beat Grosjean in round two and make yet another 3rd round appearance in singles.
Andy Murray over Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 6-3, 6-0
I always thought Murray's first-round match at the Open would tell us everything about his prospects in this tournament, and if that's the case, that's a glorious thing for Murray. I have no idea who Cuevas is, but if you win a match 2, 3, and 0 in the main draw of the Open, you have to be playing some decent tennis regardless of the opponent. Plus Cuevas came through qualifying so he must have been playing decent tennis. I don't think anyone's ready to proclaim Murray completely healthy, but obviously his wrist injury was getting better. Initially I thought Murray would have no chance against Bjorkman in the 2nd round (I was thinking ahead because I assumed he'd at least be able to beat Cuevas), but now I think he has a solid chance in that one and once he gets another match and more confidence under his belt, who knows what could happen if he prevails over Bjorkman.
Feliciano Lopez over Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
This isn't too much of a shock but the apparent ease with which Lopez did it certainly is. Ferrero had that one run to the U.S. Open final in 2003, but other than that he hasn't been too stellar on hard courts. Lopez, meanwhile, has the huge serve and power baseline game to thrive on the faster surfaces. So I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. After all, he also destroyed Ivan Ljubicic in the first round of last year's U.S. Open.
Baghdatis just hasn't had as good of a year in 2007 as he did in 2006, although he started playing better during the U.S. Open Series. Mirnyi hasn't had great singles results in quite some time, though, so Bagman was the favorite in this one. But when Mirnyi comes to the net so often (I think he approached 140 times this match) against who player whose confidence isn't completely stable,the it can put overwhelming pressure on the opponent. Even though Max has long been more of a doubles star, he always seems to still be around in singles when I'm at the Open over Labor Day weekend. Hopefully he'll be able to beat Grosjean in round two and make yet another 3rd round appearance in singles.
Andy Murray over Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 6-3, 6-0
I always thought Murray's first-round match at the Open would tell us everything about his prospects in this tournament, and if that's the case, that's a glorious thing for Murray. I have no idea who Cuevas is, but if you win a match 2, 3, and 0 in the main draw of the Open, you have to be playing some decent tennis regardless of the opponent. Plus Cuevas came through qualifying so he must have been playing decent tennis. I don't think anyone's ready to proclaim Murray completely healthy, but obviously his wrist injury was getting better. Initially I thought Murray would have no chance against Bjorkman in the 2nd round (I was thinking ahead because I assumed he'd at least be able to beat Cuevas), but now I think he has a solid chance in that one and once he gets another match and more confidence under his belt, who knows what could happen if he prevails over Bjorkman.
Feliciano Lopez over Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
This isn't too much of a shock but the apparent ease with which Lopez did it certainly is. Ferrero had that one run to the U.S. Open final in 2003, but other than that he hasn't been too stellar on hard courts. Lopez, meanwhile, has the huge serve and power baseline game to thrive on the faster surfaces. So I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. After all, he also destroyed Ivan Ljubicic in the first round of last year's U.S. Open.
U.S. Open: Here We Go
Well the U.S. Open is finally upon us.
25 days ago I started my Top 25 contender list, and due to the passing of time and the release of the draw, here's how I'd change it to make a final Top 25.
Federer and Djokovic obviously stay at 1 and 2, as I did those both after the draw came out and I think Djokovic can get through it to the final despite how difficult it is.
I'd move Blake up to #3; he is in a soft quarter and has to be considered the favorite to come out of there and make the semis.
Nadal would move up to #4. He's probably in the most TALENTED quarter, but nobody in there is playing good tennis right now so Nadal should be able to take advantage.
Hewitt needs to be bumped down since he'd play Djokovic in the 4th round, but maybe not any below #5. Most likely he'll either win three matches, or he'll win 5 or 6. If he gets past Djokovic, he has a great chance of making the final. But that's a tall order to get past the Djoker.
Davydenko probably #6. He's in Blake's quarter and has a decent chance to make the semis.
Roddick has to plummet down to #7. Simply because he would have Federer in the quarters; that's just rough. Of course if he pulls off the shocker, he could be considered the favorite to win it all depending on how Djoker is looking on the other half of the draw.
more to come...
25 days ago I started my Top 25 contender list, and due to the passing of time and the release of the draw, here's how I'd change it to make a final Top 25.
Federer and Djokovic obviously stay at 1 and 2, as I did those both after the draw came out and I think Djokovic can get through it to the final despite how difficult it is.
I'd move Blake up to #3; he is in a soft quarter and has to be considered the favorite to come out of there and make the semis.
Nadal would move up to #4. He's probably in the most TALENTED quarter, but nobody in there is playing good tennis right now so Nadal should be able to take advantage.
Hewitt needs to be bumped down since he'd play Djokovic in the 4th round, but maybe not any below #5. Most likely he'll either win three matches, or he'll win 5 or 6. If he gets past Djokovic, he has a great chance of making the final. But that's a tall order to get past the Djoker.
Davydenko probably #6. He's in Blake's quarter and has a decent chance to make the semis.
Roddick has to plummet down to #7. Simply because he would have Federer in the quarters; that's just rough. Of course if he pulls off the shocker, he could be considered the favorite to win it all depending on how Djoker is looking on the other half of the draw.
more to come...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sunday 'Nati Analysis
Roger Federer d. James Blake 6-1, 6-4
I foolish thought Blake had a chance in this one (at least to make it close, it wasn't like I was picking him to win the match), but that was clearly not the case. Federer's game picked up considerably from where it had been throughout the tournament and Blake's fell off a long way from where it was against Ferrero and Davydenko (and the last two sets against Querrey); of course Federer had a little bit to do with that. In any case, it was a terrible match and there's really nothing else to say about it. Federer is just a lot better than Blake. Period.
As for what this means about each player's prospects at the U.S. Open: well Federer always has been the favorite, and now his critics who think Djokovic has the edge at the Open should probably rethink themselves. I'm not guaranteeing a Federer victory like we all did in the past, but as long as he plays close to his best he will beat Djokovic or anyone else.
Blake has never made it past the quarterfinals of a major. As long as his forehand is on fire like it was against Davydenko, he should make it back to that stage, but no further.
I foolish thought Blake had a chance in this one (at least to make it close, it wasn't like I was picking him to win the match), but that was clearly not the case. Federer's game picked up considerably from where it had been throughout the tournament and Blake's fell off a long way from where it was against Ferrero and Davydenko (and the last two sets against Querrey); of course Federer had a little bit to do with that. In any case, it was a terrible match and there's really nothing else to say about it. Federer is just a lot better than Blake. Period.
As for what this means about each player's prospects at the U.S. Open: well Federer always has been the favorite, and now his critics who think Djokovic has the edge at the Open should probably rethink themselves. I'm not guaranteeing a Federer victory like we all did in the past, but as long as he plays close to his best he will beat Djokovic or anyone else.
Blake has never made it past the quarterfinals of a major. As long as his forehand is on fire like it was against Davydenko, he should make it back to that stage, but no further.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Saturday 'Nati Analysis
James Blake over Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 6-2
Davydenko came out hot, picking up right where he left off with his destruction of David Ferrer in the quarters. After his early 2-0 lead, however, it was all Blake all the time. I'm not sure what the deal was with Davydenko, but his game fell off a ton the rest of the match. Obviously there's not a lot most guys can do when Blake is on - and Blake was definitely on tonight - but Davydenko still could have at least made it a match. In any case, a combination of Blake's overwhelming power from the baseline and Davydenko's surprising frustration level (he rarely shows emotion) brought the Russian down. There were several great baseline slugfests during the match, but Blake's monster forehand pretty much controlled play throughout the night. If anyone saw the match, you know that was one of the most ridiculous match-clinching shots in history. If you didn't I suggest watching SportsCenter because it's hard to describe in words; but Blake hit an on-the-full-run stretch forehand slap cross-court that blew past an outstretched Davydenko, who had just hit a nasty approach shot. It was an appropriate way to end the day for Blake.
Roger Federer over Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-7 (9-7), 7-6 (7-1)
While this wasn't quite as amazing as the score would indicate, it was still a very good match. Both players stunk it up in the first set, but both the second and third sets were high quality, for the most part. Hewitt was more consistent and I thought he deserved to win the match, but you know how Federer turns things up at the right times. Hewitt, though, also played some incredibly clutch tennis. Among other huge shots, he saved a match point in the second-set tiebreaker with an incredible drop-volley. Hewitt got up a break early in the third to take a 3-2 lead, but Federer - as he always does - got it right back with some stellar, aggressive play. Really the only to periods of the match where Federer really played great were that game in which he broke back and the third-set tiebreaker (Hewitt also folded in the 'breaker). Other than that, Federer was only decent at best. At most tournaments, Federer traditionally wins ugly in his first few matches and then really heats up, but that hasn't happened yet and I don't see it happening. If Blake can get past Davydenko tonight, I think he has a real chance to beat Federer, or at least make it closer than he usually does. As for Davydenko, he would also have a chance, but I just don't think he has the belief necessary to beat Federer (or any of the other top three players), whereas Blake does.
Davydenko came out hot, picking up right where he left off with his destruction of David Ferrer in the quarters. After his early 2-0 lead, however, it was all Blake all the time. I'm not sure what the deal was with Davydenko, but his game fell off a ton the rest of the match. Obviously there's not a lot most guys can do when Blake is on - and Blake was definitely on tonight - but Davydenko still could have at least made it a match. In any case, a combination of Blake's overwhelming power from the baseline and Davydenko's surprising frustration level (he rarely shows emotion) brought the Russian down. There were several great baseline slugfests during the match, but Blake's monster forehand pretty much controlled play throughout the night. If anyone saw the match, you know that was one of the most ridiculous match-clinching shots in history. If you didn't I suggest watching SportsCenter because it's hard to describe in words; but Blake hit an on-the-full-run stretch forehand slap cross-court that blew past an outstretched Davydenko, who had just hit a nasty approach shot. It was an appropriate way to end the day for Blake.
Roger Federer over Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-7 (9-7), 7-6 (7-1)
While this wasn't quite as amazing as the score would indicate, it was still a very good match. Both players stunk it up in the first set, but both the second and third sets were high quality, for the most part. Hewitt was more consistent and I thought he deserved to win the match, but you know how Federer turns things up at the right times. Hewitt, though, also played some incredibly clutch tennis. Among other huge shots, he saved a match point in the second-set tiebreaker with an incredible drop-volley. Hewitt got up a break early in the third to take a 3-2 lead, but Federer - as he always does - got it right back with some stellar, aggressive play. Really the only to periods of the match where Federer really played great were that game in which he broke back and the third-set tiebreaker (Hewitt also folded in the 'breaker). Other than that, Federer was only decent at best. At most tournaments, Federer traditionally wins ugly in his first few matches and then really heats up, but that hasn't happened yet and I don't see it happening. If Blake can get past Davydenko tonight, I think he has a real chance to beat Federer, or at least make it closer than he usually does. As for Davydenko, he would also have a chance, but I just don't think he has the belief necessary to beat Federer (or any of the other top three players), whereas Blake does.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Friday 'Nati Analysis
James Blake over Sam Querrey 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
Querrey won the first set 7-5 but it felt more like 6-2. He was serving well, hitting a heavy forehand, and basically just played really smart. Blake was having an awful time with his forehand and Querrey kept the ball in play and let Blake miss, while going for his big shots at the right times. In the second and third Blake basically just completely turned things around. He made 24 errors in the first set and just four in the second. Querrey played one loose service game in each of the last two sets and that was the main difference. He didn't play much worse than he did in the first two sets, Blake just turned up his game a level - or five. You probably know that when Blake's forehand gets on fire, it really gets on fire.
Nikolay Davydenko over David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4
Well Ferrer finally came back to earth today. I almost picked him in this one due to his run in Cincinnati (highlighted by the win over Roddick) and Davydenko's relatively poor play of late, but fortunately I thought better of it and sided with the better hard-court player. Basically these two have similar games, and on slick hard courts, Davydenko can do everything Ferrer can do and do it better. Ferrer just never sank his teeth into this match, and his mental game quickly followed the downward spiral started by his physical game. It's nice to see Davydenko playing well again (and being able to put the gambling issue behind him - what happened to that story being news, anyway?) and perhaps giving us another real contender to make a deep run at the Open.
Lleyton Hewitt over Carlos Moya 6-2, 6-4
I had Hewitt with a decent amount of confidence in this one, but I thought it would be a little bit closer. The Aussie had a few things going in his favour even before this one. First, while Moya is fine with this kind of fast hard court, Hewitt absolutely loves it. Furthermore, Moya had to go through Nalbandian, Djokovic, and a 7-5 in the third win over Del Potro prior to this match, while Hewitt - after a thriller in round one against Wawrinka - played an injured Gasquet and then rolled over Melzer. Hewitt's playing well right now, but I don't see him beating Federer tomorrow, even though Fed is by no means playing great.
Roger Federer over Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
Almagro came into this match playing great tennis (three straight-set wins over Mayer, Ljubicic, and Nieminen) and Federer has been playing uninspiring tennis in Cincinnati, but I still didn't give the Spaniard much of a chance in this one. Of couse, I didn't expect Federer to continue to play this bad, but I guess he did. He should not lose a 6-3 set to Almagro on hard courts; I don't care if Almagro is at the top of his game or not. Nonetheless, Federer has always owned Hewitt and I expect it to be no different tomorrow. As for Almagro, I have higher hopes for him at the Open than I did heading in to Cincinnati.
Querrey won the first set 7-5 but it felt more like 6-2. He was serving well, hitting a heavy forehand, and basically just played really smart. Blake was having an awful time with his forehand and Querrey kept the ball in play and let Blake miss, while going for his big shots at the right times. In the second and third Blake basically just completely turned things around. He made 24 errors in the first set and just four in the second. Querrey played one loose service game in each of the last two sets and that was the main difference. He didn't play much worse than he did in the first two sets, Blake just turned up his game a level - or five. You probably know that when Blake's forehand gets on fire, it really gets on fire.
Nikolay Davydenko over David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4
Well Ferrer finally came back to earth today. I almost picked him in this one due to his run in Cincinnati (highlighted by the win over Roddick) and Davydenko's relatively poor play of late, but fortunately I thought better of it and sided with the better hard-court player. Basically these two have similar games, and on slick hard courts, Davydenko can do everything Ferrer can do and do it better. Ferrer just never sank his teeth into this match, and his mental game quickly followed the downward spiral started by his physical game. It's nice to see Davydenko playing well again (and being able to put the gambling issue behind him - what happened to that story being news, anyway?) and perhaps giving us another real contender to make a deep run at the Open.
Lleyton Hewitt over Carlos Moya 6-2, 6-4
I had Hewitt with a decent amount of confidence in this one, but I thought it would be a little bit closer. The Aussie had a few things going in his favour even before this one. First, while Moya is fine with this kind of fast hard court, Hewitt absolutely loves it. Furthermore, Moya had to go through Nalbandian, Djokovic, and a 7-5 in the third win over Del Potro prior to this match, while Hewitt - after a thriller in round one against Wawrinka - played an injured Gasquet and then rolled over Melzer. Hewitt's playing well right now, but I don't see him beating Federer tomorrow, even though Fed is by no means playing great.
Roger Federer over Nicolas Almagro 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
Almagro came into this match playing great tennis (three straight-set wins over Mayer, Ljubicic, and Nieminen) and Federer has been playing uninspiring tennis in Cincinnati, but I still didn't give the Spaniard much of a chance in this one. Of couse, I didn't expect Federer to continue to play this bad, but I guess he did. He should not lose a 6-3 set to Almagro on hard courts; I don't care if Almagro is at the top of his game or not. Nonetheless, Federer has always owned Hewitt and I expect it to be no different tomorrow. As for Almagro, I have higher hopes for him at the Open than I did heading in to Cincinnati.
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