Favorites: Djokovic, Federer, Murray on the men's side (Nadal withdrew) Serena, Halep, Sharapova on the women's side I like Djokovic and Halep
oh sure, I was just listing betting favorites According to odds, Ivanovic would reach the quarters and lose to Serena. Let's see if they both make it. I'm only 2.8 miles from the tennis center. One year I should go watch qualifying. I think it's free.
Get a grounds pass for one of the first few days of the tournament. Lots of good players and matches outside and no need to venture to Arthur Ashe and sit way up high to catch a match. That's my recommendation on when to go, unless of course you have good Arthur Ashe tickets, then go whenever and as much as possible.
FYI: If anyone's watching tonight, Maria Shreikapova brings her screeching onto the court tonight against Maria Kirilenko who is a yummy little package and who was featured in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Youhnzy was upset today by Nick Kyrgios. We have some Aussie fans on here, hope they liked watching that one!
Not a fan of Shreikapova's gawky overall carriage, but from the waist down she does bring a pair of long pins and yes, "baby's got some back." EDIT: PETROZZA, I TRUST THESE 'GIRLIE' PIX AREN'T EXCESSIVELY PUSHING THE BOARD POLICY ENVELOPE? IF SO, SORRY AND PLS. ADVISE ME TO COOL IT. THX.
I think Kirilenko is much more attractive than Sharapova. Still I had to shut it off, I cannot stand the grunting unless I'm looking at the back of her head. _
Americans: Isner (will never win a major, but he could make some QFs) is the only seeded American. Amazing because there are 32 seeds in a major. Querrey hasn't been seeded in a while and Fish might be retired, I dunno. Serena, Venus, Stephens, Keys (I don't think an American will win, although Serena and Venus are top favorites) Melanie Oudin disappeared after making a splash a few years ago. Hasn't been heard from since (in terms of playing well in majors). She didn't even qualify for this one. edit: Mardy Fish is not officially retired, but he may as well be. He quit playing tennis last year. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2014/08/18/mardy-fish-anxiety-disorder-us-open/14253851/ Also, Roddick wanted to come back and play doubles with Fish, but couldn't due to the drug testing policy (you need to be tested for months in advance). http://www.stevegtennis.com/2014/08...-play-doubles-with-mardy-fish-at-the-us-open/
Isner, big serve, movement a weakness along with his return of serve. Think about it: when you're "6 feet 12" with a huge serve playing on grass and you can't even break serve until it's 70-69 in games (vs. Mahut at Wimbledon), your return of serve bites. : ) I agree with your take on the women Yisman: something about Serena in Grand Slams this year, although the courts (according to Darren Cahill) are supposedly a little faster this year which would help Serena's already big serve. Melanie Oudin: undersized and never one with any real weapons other than grit, she ended up over-training last year to the point of rupturing her muscles. Is on a restricted rehab regiment and whose future is still in question. As for Mardy Fish, he's pretty much retired (from singles play) after his 'irregular heartbeat' issues. Would've been fun to have seen him hook up with Roddick in the doubles. Gasquet (what a backhand!) looks to be wobbling a little bit but is up a set and a break...
We've already seen it with Dr. Ivo. Guys who are too tall are not going to be able to be quick enough or agile enough to be good enough on the return game to beat top players. Karlovic and Isner have dominating serves (aided by their height), but a great serve with a subpar return game will not beat the elite (although it's good enough to beat most of the players on the tour, which is why Karlovic and Isner are fixtures in the top 30). So the only way Isner could win a major would be if either all the elite players got injured or if they somehow all got upset in the same tournament. He's not beating Djokovic, Federer (at least until Federer drops from the elite level), Murray, or a healthy Nadal in a major. Plus, he's already 29 thanks to his college career. He's never even made a semifinals despite being ranked top 25 for years. One quarters (in 25 majors).
Credit to twitter user @cjzero for the picture. Michael Jordan was watching Federer probably because of the new shoe they have
two big upsets this morning on the women's side Radwanska (-640) lost to Peng in straights Stephens (-634) lost to Larsson in 3 sets http://streak.espn.go.com/en/conversation?matchupId=34571 ESPN got them Also, CiCi Bellis, a 15 year old American, beat 12th seeded Cibulkova (about -1400) yesterday. First WTA match for Bellis, who qualified by winning the girl's national title. Youngest player to win a US Open match since Kournikova in 1996.
