The Tennis Thread

[MyNameIs]

That's really impressive. Personally never heard of the guy until the Aus open and I knew that he would be one to watch.

And what's even more impressive is that he's been doing all this while battling his Gilbert's syndrome.

As for Serena/Vika, I REALLY wanted to see a third set, if for no other reason than to see Azarenka play. She really picked up her game in the second set, she was fighting and she made Serena work. It was a shame for her to lose on such a weak error. I think had it gone to three sets, Azarenka could've actually pulled out a victory. As it stands, I'm having a hard time imagining anyone being able to beat Serena. I don't think Wozniaki has a prayer. Most certainly not Serena's next opponent, Ivanovic. Perhaps one of the Russians - Kuznetsova or Zvonareva, but they both have such mental issues. I'm rooting for either Wozniaki or most definitly Zvonareva to take it. Both ladies been playing high level tennis with no grand slams to their names.

 

[Leeroi]

It was somewhat inevitable that Serena won. Serena is in fantastic form and when Serena is 100% she's practically unbeatable. Her service games have been fantastic and extremely consistent so far, but during the 2nd set you saw somewhat of a glimpse of Serena's game falling, but unfortunately Azarenka didn't take advantage of that. But even when Serena is not playing her best tennis, she's still just as good or even better than most of the women on tour.

I am a big believer that Serena usually loses not because the opponent is a better player, but because Serena didn't perform as well as she could have.... if that makes any sense. And her performance usually depends on her mentality during the match, and you saw how aggravated she was during the 2nd set that she was unable to close it sooner.

As for the next round, I think Serena will definitely continue her winning streak if she continues to play as well as she has.

 

[Chaky]

At 1:00, the crowd's reaction.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

There are weaknesses in Serena's game; no player is unbeatable. It is just that so many women players right now have weak serves and/or they don't play tactically smart tennis. They just bash the ball without constructing points. Serena's movement can still be exploited, as we saw when Vika made her slip. Also, when Vika was hitting her groundstrokes hard but shorter, say, mid court, Serena wss forced to move forward, and she made a lot of errors, by hitting the ball long. Too many players hit back to Serena with pace, which is *exactly* what she likes. They need to mix up the paces and use angles more, run Serena around. She isn't the best mover, especially front to back court. She is beatable. But the WTA coaches are horrid. Too many dads coaching if you ask me. The players need to step up, play smart and believe. If Kim or Henin were here, Serena would not be the outright favorite she is a.t.m.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Ana's lost weight.

MyNameIs, I knew Dolgo was playing with an illness, but this is the first time I have heard it named. What is Gilbert's syndrome? Have never heard of it. Will have to google it. He is definitely idiosyncratic, which is great! Fun player to watch.

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

Omg what happened to Rafa? He literally slumped to the floor!

 

[amore per moda]

^ He got cramp in his leg, so laid on the floor to try and ease the pain. He was fine shortly after.

Rafa looked totally embarrassed when being interviewed about it. Bless him, lol.

 

[Chaky]

Decided not to watch Murray and was glad I saw the second set of Kirilenko vs Stosur. Epic tiebreak which went the way of Maria 17-15, the longest ever for a women's match at a slam. It wasn't that both players were playing the most amazing tennis, it was the drama of it swinging both ways with set points and match points going by the wayside. Kirilenko had two balls called out on match points against her that she had overturned with Hawkeye. Unfortunately she couldn't keep her level up in the third. And I've not seen her play in a while but I don't remember her coming to the net before quite as much as she did here.

 

[MyNameIs]

What a heartbreaking end to the first set for Dolgopolov. He played amazingly well, but wasn't able to capitalize on the chances he had.

 

[gomtik]

^ I totally agree. My heart broke for him!!!

 

[MyNameIs]

I know, and you could tell that he couldn't put it aside in this two following sets. Oh well... He's had a decent run at the US Open and he's back in the Top 20. I think he has a great career in front of him.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Dolgo was swinging so freely throughout the first set, confounding Nole with his pace mixing and wild shots (moonballs, slices, droppers, drives, all of it!); he is very fast too. As a result Nole was playing tentatively, even tightly. However, in the tiebreak Dolgo tightened up too. And Nole was more consistent. Dolgo has to be stronger mentally and more consistent. Also, he needs to try to get more first serves in. Any good returner will pulverize that second serve, and that is exactly what Nole did as the match went on.

What a fun player to watch Alex Dolgo is! I wish him the best. i am sure his coach knows where he needs to improve. And once he does he should push through into the top ten!

b.t.w., it is worth saying that Ivanovic put up a surprisingly good effort versus Serena. If Ivanvic could sort out her serve toss, with her big, accurate groundstrokes and good movement, she could be right back in the top ten as a potential contender. Sweet girl. Wish her the best too.

 

[MyNameIs]

^I agree about Ivanovic. Before they started playing I thought she'd be lucky to win one game in each set, but she actually did quite respectfully.

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

Rafa looked totally embarrassed when being interviewed about it. Bless him, lol.

He was so cute. He stood up for the rest of the interview

Another near epic tiebreaker with Nole and Dolgopolov! Can't get enough of those lately.

 

[Chaky]

What a fun player to watch Alex Dolgo is! I wish him the best. i am sure his coach knows where he needs to improve. And once he does he should push through into the top ten!

Yes definitely. And another memorable tiebreaker thanks to him.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

What a comeback by Wozniacki tonight. Down a set and 1-4, she comes back and wins the match. She is frustrating in that she is hesitant to finish a point with a winner. But by the third set she was hitting her stride, with boatloads of energy to spare, whereas Kuz was utterly spent. Although she fought in the last couple of games.

 

[MyNameIs]

Kuz's game in the last set was just pitiful. I can't believe she let 1 set, 4-1 lead get away. Have to give it up to Woz for being mentally tough and hanging in there long enough to make Kuz crumble. And crumble she did. The last set she couldn't find the court at all. It seemed like 90% of her shots ended in the net.

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

What is that Woz made of? She never breaks a sweat

Today has been cancelled

 

[Chaky]

Weather forecast is really bad for the rest of the week. Tomorrow is a packed schedule but question is, how much of it will they actually get done?

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Exactly. Why don't they have at least one court with a roof! Every year at the USO it seems to rain at least once.