The Tennis Thread

[Not Plain Jane]

Woeful match for Kvitova; Petkovic throttled her.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Fed is out too, and Sharapova. Very strange. Usually top dogs win at Roger's Cup.

I wonder if this is when Tsonga begins to realize his full potential?

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Nole and Serena seem so dominant right now. Both Fish and Stosur have outside chances at the upsets. But the favourites are both playing very well!

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

Tis that time of year again! Who are your picks?
I'm the first to say I dislike Murray but do you think he has a chance?

 

[MyNameIs]

^I hope not. But who knows. Nadal seemed shaky last night. Djokovic retired last time he played Murray. And I feel like Fed's time has passed. But I hope if it's not one of those top three, then it's someone else that has a breakthrough win. I'd like to see Mardy Fish take it. Dolgopolov, is my fave obviously, but he needs WAY more consistency before we can consider him.

Shame about Venus.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Amazing how many upsets there has been in the women's draw - already!

If it isn't Murray or Nole to win the USO, I hope it is Delpo, Fish, or Tsonga. Even la Monf would be a blast to see win. Some surprise.

 

[DanceFashionista]

I'd love to see Tsonga take US OPEN. I am going to US Open tomorrow! I can't wait!

 

[Not Plain Jane]

^ Lucky you!! Please report back to us: let us know whom you watched and how their form was, and anything else exciting!

 

[Chaky]

I'm amazed at how many retirements/withdrawals there have been at this year's Open. Is it a sign of a long season taking its toll?

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

^Yeah, and it must have felt like adding salt to injury for people like Monfils to lose out like that after 5 grueling hours

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Monfils versus Ferrero was a fantastic match: hate to see anyone lose in those long close ones, indeed.

Lots of dominant performances today: Wozniaki, Serena, Berdych, Cilic, Anderson, Djokovic all lost very few games! i think five or less in all of those matches!

 

[NakedIfIWantTo]

Donald Young did a 'dirt off my shoulder' after winning lol.

 

[MyNameIs]

Maria, Maria, Maria. That was a pitiful performance and a sad way to go. Though I'm almost glad she got eliminated. She needs to reevaluate her game because what she's doing now just aint working. She wins by sheer resilience and force alone. But her game is whack. I can't imagine how great she could be (again) if she was able to adjust her game.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Maria needs (1) a more reliable serve!!! 2 double faults bascially *gave* Pennetta the break for the match, and she needs (2) better movement. Her groundstrokes and swinging volleys are still first class, but if she could get to more balls (i.e., defend a little better) and hold her serve, she'd be formidable again. Sad she lost - maybe a new coach? Does she still have Yuri, i.e., dad coaching?

Murray was on the brink today; glad he came through. Hope to see Delpo and Murray play. Also, looking forward to Rafa versus Nalbandian, though I think Nalbandian will lose. Rafa looked better today.

 

[MyNameIs]

No, Maria has someone else coaching her since beginning of this year. Her service game is just tragic. I can somewhat understand her strategy with the first serve, but I don't know why she won't at least try to change her approach with the second serve. Her double-faults and unforced errors are painful to watch.

 

[Not Plain Jane]

Yeah, the commentators were saying that it's silly of her not to pull back on the second serves, but instead she goes for all-or-nothing on her service games. Too bad. You'd think a coach would help her with these weak areas. Here's hoping!

 

[MyNameIs]

My boy Dolgopolov is into Top 16. He's probably going against Novak next so it'll be tough for him, but just making it this far is great. It's only his second year and he's made quite a stride to the top.

 

[Chaky]

Shame Vika vs Serena was a third round. I'm sure many people share my opinion this was a de facto final. I was impressed with how Azarenka fought in the second set when it could have been a total washout. She saved all those match points and got it to the tiebreak. I'm not sure any of the other women left in the draw can mount that sort of challenge to Serena.

Also glad Fed got through a potentially very tricky encounter with Cilic. Marin is I think just on the edge of being able to take Federer down, he's got all the shots. But possibly just not there mentally. Anyone see Roger hit the tweener shot after he'd won the point; it's mind games! The match quickly went away from Cilic after that.

 

[purplethistle]

My boy Dolgopolov is into Top 16. He's probably going against Novak next so it'll be tough for him, but just making it this far is great. It's only his second year and he's made quite a stride to the top.

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

 

[Not Plain Jane]

MyNameIs - really like Dolgo and happy he got this far. Hope he doesn't beat Novak though.

Chaky - Cilic's problems at this point are twofold: 1) his serve, it needs to be faster and he needs to get in at least 60% first serves, today he was around 50% for the match, and 2) errors, he needs to know when to pull back a bit and not make so many. But basically I agree with you. He is only 22 so if he can deal with these issues, he should get back into the top ten.

110% agree with you regarding Azarenka and Serena's match: too bad Aza took time to play like that, had she challenged sooner, she may've forced a third set. She was really really getting her groove on in that second set and it was exciting to see Serena challenged and to see both women playing compelling tennis. Sadly, it was only a set, and only third round.