Lets talk US Open Tennis here!

This Blake/Santoro match has been just great. So many unreal points!

Anybody else care?

Lets talk US Open Tennis here!

This Blake/Santoro match has been just great. So many unreal points!

Anybody else care?


ABSOLUTELY !!!
I wish we had more tennis fans in here and as call-ins ...

***

I've said many times that I'd love to see Blake win a major ...

As for tonight's match, Fabrice Santoro is such a tricky opponent ...
Blake should be stoked to have gutted out a fifth against him ...


That said, I like how Blake is hitting to set up his FH and being regularly but thoughtfully aggressive with his topspin BH ...


A few years ago, Blake played Agassi at Legg Mason and I remember him just balancing that type of patience with aggression to dictate, and eventually, to dominate Andre off the ground ...

If he can bring that level of confidence to the table against the top players, I think he could go deep in this year's Open ...

***


Another U.S. player who might also bring his best stuff is Robby Ginepri ...
Despite the lack of recent succes, he has the tools and he also seems to find a way to play well in NYC ...


***


Good stuff on tap for tomorrow ...
... to name a few ...


Tommy Robredo (ESP)[8] v. Mardy Fish (USA)

Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]

Radek Stepanek (CZE) v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3]

Xavier Malisse (BEL) v. David Nalbandian (ARG)[24]


http://i4.tinypic.com/4xy0rx3.jpg

I already know who is going to win.

Lets talk US Open Tennis here!

This Blake/Santoro match has been just great. So many unreal points!

Anybody else care?

I was there tonight...

saw the Blake & Sharipova matches

I'll drop some pics in the thread tomorrow

I already know who is going to win.


... and I can't disagree ...


Once again, FedEx should deliver ...

but ...
He doesn't have as much "summer tennis" in him as he did a year ago ...
AND ...
He showed an occasional lack of interest against Djokovic in Montreal ...

Interestingly, Djokovic has a VERY versatile 2HBH and Federer has more problems against either leftys ...
OR righty's with strong BH's (e.g.. Nalbandian) who can hit on the rise and run ...

Federer attacks with his FH down the line or inside out like no one in tennis history ...
but I think it's increasingly more difficult for him when his attack hits into an opponent's stronger wing ...



I also think that the Wimbledon final represented a combination of a strong Rafa Nadal AND a case where Roger showed lapses in his game, notwithstanding the surface ...


***


All that having been said,
I still wouldn't bet against him ...


;)


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http://www.hfxnews.ca/photos/TheDailyNews/stories/b-tennis1-50p.jpg

Good man King. I love Tennis and the US Open in particular (on our home turf). As long as Federer is in the Game Blake will never win a major. He's always gonna be 'one of those guys' that always is on the bubble. Mr. Nadal will not beat Roger on this surface.....the only case where he could win a set is if Roger is totally lapsing.

Shark, I am envious of you seeing Maria live. My girlfriend always gives me shit when I'm watching her....(good natured). If the grunts get louder soon she'll approach Monica Seles decibels.

Of course, since I talked him up, Djokovic is in a battle with Stepanek ...
I still think he'll get through that match tho' despite being worn out a few weeks ago ...

... and Stepanek is no pushover by any stretch ...


***

Anyone watching Safin play Wawrinka ... (it's on now, 1:3O pm EST)

I'll admit that I don't know much about Wawrinka but I'm pretty impressed with how he's bangin' the ball against Marat ...


http://i12.tinypic.com/4v4tbvk.jpg

What ever became of Safin? He dropped off the face of tennis after having such a great US Open a couple years ago. I think he was playing Hewitt for the finals and all I can remember is the camera's showing the respective g/f's of each. Safin's was a bombshell. That alone is reason enough to watch him again.

What ever became of Safin? He dropped off the face of tennis after having such a great US Open a couple years ago. I think he was playing Hewitt for the finals and all I can remember is the camera's showing the respective g/f's of each. Safin's was a bombshell. That alone is reason enough to watch him again.


In a nutshell:
Lack of commitment !!!


He smokes ...
He drinks ...
He holds practice sessions which are relaxed at best ...
He fires coaches who try and reel him in ...
He has had injuries and knee surgery ...

Despite all that, I hear he's one of the most likeable guys in the locker-room and a true character ...

***

Here's some cuts from a recent article:


Safin and Nalbandian hire coaches

Safin is without a title since the 2005 Australian Open
Marat Safin has hired a new coach and fitness trainer after admitting he needs to get fitter if he is to reclaim his place in the top 10.
The 27-year-old has split with Alexander Volkov and hired Gustavo Kuerten's former coach Hernan Gumy and fitness trainer Miguel Maseo.
"With a new coach I feel I can bring something more to my game," said Safin.
Safin, a former world number one, is without a title since winning the 2005 Australian Open.
He was sidelined for six months with a knee injury but he has struggled to regain top form since returning to action in February 2006.
"I feel this summer is crucial for my career and I am determined to do something," said the Russian, whose first tournament of the US hardcourt season is the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles from 16 July.
"I felt encouraged after my matches in Wimbledon and although I did not beat Roger, I did feel that I started to play better in the third set.
"Although I felt encouraged I also realised I need to do something with my game to make sure I get back where I want to be - in the top 10," he told his official website.
"I look forward to working with Hernan with his experience. I do not have a lot of points to defend this summer so I want to work hard and do well. My ranking is now 22 and my goal is to get higher.
"I know I can improve and I will do my very best to be there again."
Gumy has worked with Argentines Guillermo Canas and Guillermo Coria, as well as Brazilian Kuerten.

Safin's previous coaches include Mats Wilander, Peter Lundgren, Denis Golovanov and Marc Rosset.

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Good article. Thanks 3.

8/31 - SPOILER WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!








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Congrats to Djokovic for a pretty wild win against Stepanek ...
... although he looks to be less than 1OO%, Djoko- sacked up and hit some great balls ...

;)


If anyone's interested, I found these links for online viewing while at work ...

;) ;) ;)

Open Windows Media Player;

Click on File -> Open URL

Enter:

mms://a1729.l2168647534.c21686.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1729/21687/v0001/reflector:57756

OR

Check out: http://www.channelsurfing.net/


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This has the potential to be a great tournament. There are already 2 super matches.
Blake's 1st 5 set win, and Novak's win today was great.
Federer has a tough draw, and that makes it interesting.
The top half of the women's draw is strong, and Sunday will have Venus-Ivanovic.
One of the quarters is Justine-Serena, the 3rd major in a row. Justine won the last 2.

Sweet, we got some tennis talk going.

I did not see the classic 5 setter today but heard it was unreal.

I have tickets for the mens semi's next Saturday afternoon so just hoping that the matches are good. Then I can either go or scalp them for mad money. I know I need like some type of combo of Federer, Roddick, Nadal, Blake, etc.....

Lets keep it going

Here are some shots from the Sharipova/Random Dyke match

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00129Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00128Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00130Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00132Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00133Medium.jpg

from the Blake 5 setter

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00138Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00136Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00135Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00139Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00137Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00140Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00143Medium.jpg

some night shots of the grounds....

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00125Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00124Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00126Medium.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00127Medium.jpg

Sweet, we got some tennis talk going.

I did not see the classic 5 setter today but heard it was unreal.

I have tickets for the mens semi's next Saturday afternoon so just hoping that the matches are good. Then I can either go or scalp them for mad money. I know I need like some type of combo of Federer, Roddick, Nadal, Blake, etc.....

Lets keep it going


Every year, a buddy of mine gets day and night passes for the QF's ...
which, barring rain, is almost always a good bet to see great tennis ...

He saw Kuerten - Pioline from '99 (one of my faves for that forehand that Pioline hit for a clean winner while sliding on the hardcourt ...)

He saw Blake - Agassi in '05 ...

and yes, he saw the Agassi - Sampras tie breaker QF from '01 ...


http://i5.tinypic.com/6fkhu8k.jpg

from the Blake 5 setter

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00138Medium.jpg


Awesome pics Shark ...


I love this angle and it shows how TV undervalues the true "rectangular" nature of a tennis court ...

When you see the distance the ball actually travels by watching a live match as opposed to the TV coverage ...

Well, it's humbling to say the least ...


Great pics ...

YOU DA MAN !!!


http://i6.tinypic.com/4xutppj.jpg

Great pics man, those look great!

Shriek-a-pova is gettin' her butt handed to her by this Radwanska chick ...




Altho' ...
it ain't over til it's over ...


:D


http://www.imgplace.com/directory/dir1182/1188767399.jpg (http://www.imgplace.com/image.php?img=directory/dir1182/1188767399.jpg)

Well ...


Now it's over ...

I love how Yuri (Maria's Dad) leaves the box early in disgust ...

Great support ...


Altho' ...
Maybe he ran out of ideas on how to secretly coach her during the match ...

***

Anyway,
I like the other Maria better ...



;)



http://www.imgplace.com/directory/dir1182/1188668243.jpg (http://www.imgplace.com/image.php?img=directory/dir1182/1188668243.jpg)

This is a great tournament. Sharapova out and she was defending champion points.
Her ranking is going to fall. Jankovic will probably be #2 in 2 weeks.

Awesome pics Shark ...


I love this angle and it shows how TV undervalues the true "rectangular" nature of a tennis court ...

When you see the distance the ball actually travels by watching a live match as opposed to the TV coverage ...

Well, it's humbling to say the least ...




and it plays even deeper than that.

Blake had Santoro playing so far off the baseline for much of the match.

if it weren't for all the unforced errors, Blake woulda blown him out.


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00142Medium.jpg

It looks like we're settling into another barn-burner for James Blake ...

Koubek looks sharp and he's runnin' the soles off his shoes ...


My kinship with lefties notwithstanding,
I'm pulling heavy for James ...


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Someone in the crowd just shouted BABABOOEY during the Blake match.

Someone in the crowd just shouted BABABOOEY during the Blake match.


I was just loggin' in on that ...


HILARIOUS !!!


http://i9.tinypic.com/4qrpz6c.jpg

BABABOOEY during the Blake-Koubek match ...

and it sounds like Ted or Johnny Mac started laughin' ...


:D


http://www.sendspace.com/file/hu8eo0


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A few decent matches in progress ... 1:3O EST ...

http://i12.tinypic.com/4v5dzld.jpg



Meanwhile,

Does anyone know the deal with the Ginepri match?


http://i1.tinypic.com/54dqzgh.jpg

and it plays even deeper than that.

Blake had Santoro playing so far off the baseline for much of the match.

if it weren't for all the unforced errors, Blake woulda blown him out.


http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/mdshul/DSC00142Medium.jpg EXCELLENT PICS SHARK!!! :bigup:

I want to see tomorrow's schedule. There are no big names left in the women's bottom half.
Will USA show Chakvetadze? I got to see the Monday schedule.

Bump for the tennis heads ...


Lookin' forward to Blake - Haas and Peer - Radwanska ...

Also, I'm rootin' for Hyung-Taik Lee ...


Good stuff today ...


http://i13.tinypic.com/680ri9z.jpg

SPOILER \/ \/ \/














I'm bummed for Blake but WHAT A GREAT MATCH !!!


I think both guys doubled winners to errors ...
... unreal ...


http://i8.tinypic.com/67qs2dd.jpg

I am so pissed that Blake lost.

What is everybody predictions for the men's semis?

I am so pissed that Blake lost.

What is everybody predictions for the men's semis?

Agreed ...

I realize that results make for a Hall of Fame career ...

But how much entertainment has James Blake given tennis fans ???

If ever an Honorary induction was due, it should go to James Blake for some amazing matches and storylines:

the Lleyton Hewitt fiasco ...
the '05 Open matches with Rafa and Agassi ...
(I'll always remember his '02 Legg Mason match with Agassi ...
James was on another level that day ...)

Then, the collision with the net post/broken neck ...
The Zosters disease where he lost his sight ...
His Dad's illness and passing ...

and the fact that he shows nothing but courtesy to fans and ball-boys/girls at every opportunity ...


He really is DA MAN !!!


http://i7.tinypic.com/54jf3u9.jpg

3 days you are officially my favorite SFN poster....You really know your shit!

Keep up the good work!

Now who do you like to make it to the semi's from the mens draw?

3 days you are officially my favorite SFN poster....You really know your shit!

Keep up the good work!

Now who do you like to make it to the semi's from the mens draw?


http://youtube.com/watch?v=sNMxqBqj-5k&mode=related&search= :D

3 days you are officially my favorite SFN poster....You really know your shit!

Keep up the good work!

Now who do you like to make it to the semi's from the mens draw?


Thanks brutha ...


Notice how I purposely ducked that issue ...


;) ;) ;)


Alright ...


Here's my take on the Roddick - FedEx match ...

Andy has been pushing for a higher 1st serve percentage ...
With his serve, he can do this against 99.9999% of top pro's and be successful ...
but not against Federer ...

That said, Federer hasn't pushed himself in the summer circuit and, in my humble opinion, is not as grooved as he was in the past 2 Opens ...

With a "faster" hardcourt underlying the match-up, Andy finds his best serving day in history or he loses a fairly close match because Federer is just that good ...

***
Davydenko - Haas ...

Haas should've beaten Davydenko last year ...

Depends which Tommy shows up:
"Aussie semi's v. F. Gonzales, no show" Tommy ...
OR
the "chin up and work your way out of this" Tommy we saw today ...

Prediction: ???

***

I like Moya to get thru to meet Djoko- in the QF's ...

Again, it's a faster hardcourt for Djokovic to go after Moya's BH ...
but Novak is clearly not completely healthy ...

Remember Moya - Chang or Moya - Martin from year's prior???
Carlos definitely does, he's hungry and the clock is ticking !!!

***

Finally, I dont care about Nadal's patellar tendonitis ...
He's only missing a step when it doesn't matter a whole lot ...

***

Federer v. Haas ...

Nadal v. Moya ...


***


but seriously ...

I'm so wrong so often ...
I wouldn't believe anything I say !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D


http://i9.tinypic.com/4zwnbdi.gif

I cant wait for Roddick/Federer, that has potential to be a classic match,

P.S Yesterday was the anniversary of one of the best US Open matches I ever saw, Connors vs Krickstein on Labor Day. Just thought I would throw that in here.

Lovin' the Moya win ...


http://i13.tinypic.com/626vxgl.gif

Wow ...



just, WOW !!!


... and it's 1:2O am EST ...


http://www.imgplace.com/directory/dir1289/1188969520.jpg (http://www.imgplace.com/image.php?img=directory/dir1289/1188969520.jpg)

Its a done deal. Ferrer is up 2-1 and 5-2 in the 4th. Match point.

Over, Ferrer in the upset.

Ferrer played at an amazing level ...

The great shotmaking just never stopped ...

http://i2.tinypic.com/6g2evix.jpg

wow, Nadal is done...

Winner of Roddick/Federer has a great chance to win the whole thing.

I can only watch the night matches, but looking forward to Roddick/Federer match, I think it will be close for the first set, then Federer blows him out


Anyone like Roddick tonight ...?
I mean,
maybe ???
eventually ???
he's due for the win ???


After all ...
There's the great quote:

"Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row."
- Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.


;)


Well ...
I think it's fair to say that Federer is not as untouchable as he was a year ago ...
He took a lighter tourney schedule this summer ...
I also don't think he's quite as fit as he has been in prior Opens ...


Also...
Andy's serve has been dialed in for a higher first serve percentage with less power so far in the tourney ...
Translation: less serves total, less stress on the motion and better rhythm on the stroke ...


The reality tho' ...
Andy's higher 1st serve strategy doesn't seem to work against Roger because he's so good at neutralizing the pace of the serve and the position of the server ...
How many times does Federer chip the return with purpose and placement either to Roddick's backhand OR so that Andy has to "hit up" on his big FH, limiting its attack ???

I guess with the court playing a bit faster, Andy could serve "lights out" with his 1st serves and Federer could potentially struggle ...

Unfortunately for Roddick, and unlike how Sampras was successful against his greatest rivals, Andy never seems to be able to maintain that winning service attack over an entire match with Federer ...

So, yeah,
Long story not so short ^^^ ...
The Federer Express should deliver ...

http://i15.tinypic.com/67ogc9u.gif

That Venus-Jankovic match was great. I expect Federer to roll. But you never know.

Venus makes me sick to my stomach. F'n animal. :vomit:

Roddick is +600 tonight
Federer is -1000

I put $20 on Roddick for shits and giggles..

Plain and simple ...
Federer is unreal ...

The pace of those groundies was straight sick ...

and I think Roddick played pretty well ...

but Federer is just unreal ...

Perfect
Balance ...

http://i10.tinypic.com/5xny4nr.gif

Federer is perhaps the most complete player I've ever seen. he can take a 135 mph serve from Andy and just deaden it and place it perfectly. He was phenominal last night and that was as good a match as I've seen from Andy in a while. I don't think Andy could do much more within himself to win.

Federer really is unreal. I mean Roddick played almost perfect and still could not come close.

Let me say this though, Andrew Agassi is the man! I could not believe how good of a color guy he was. He said in the beginning that if any rally goes more then 6 shots, then Roddick might as well hit the ball into the stands. Well he was dead on all night.

I love McEnroe so I am in no rush to replace him, but Andre was really good....

What did you think of him 3 days?

I hafta admit that I had the TV on mute in favor of Scotty's show last night but I'm watching/listening this morning ...

***

Of all the pro's and former tennis pro's, there might not be a more well-rounded analyst than Andre ... He's also a pretty smooth talker and a great voice for tennis ...


First, Andre came into tennis during a dynamic era ... the McEnroe/"serve & volley" days were giving way to the "all-court" or killer forehand ... also, varying styles emerged where guys like Rafter, Goran and Henman were contrasted with Corretja, Moya and Muster ... so when it comes to an understanding of successful tennis strategies, Agassi developed his baseline game to deal with all kinds ... and that experience is 2nd to none ...

Second, Agassi has an amazing understanding of stroke mechanics ... A few years ago, Johnny Mac was complimenting Henin's backhand as fundamentally perfect and the best in the world. Andre spotted the smallest hitch and proved his point when comparing it to Guga's backhand ...

... and as much as I agree with you about his commentating, I think we'll see Agassi in the coaches box before the pressbox ...

:D

http://i17.tinypic.com/6c5xmd3.jpg

Agassi was a great addition. There's too much of McEnroe. There needs to be another voice.
They are playing the mixed doubles championship match now.
The men are a trillion times better than the women. Shaughnessy won some doubles titles with Nadia Petrova, who is a top doubles player, but prefer singles. Azarenka just made 2 doubles finals with Anna Chakvetadze, another cute Russian who plays tomorrow in the first singles semi-final.

Justine Henin beatdown both Williams sisters back to back. Very impressive tennis from a woman who is 5-5 125.