Fed gonna win Monfils just choked the match away he had so many chances to put Fed away great comeback by Fed too, but a good player puts him away
Spot on. Was about Monfils turning into a folding chair when it came down to it…..he's got a bit of the old Gasquet in him.
Thing is, at this point Monfils probably has more physical skills than Federer, but he's mentally weak. Always has been, which is how an athlete of his caliber has never made a majors final (best is a semis, and he only did that once, in 2008). He's now 2-8 against Federer, 2-9 against Nadal, and 0-10 vs. Djokovic (many of those matches coming before Djokovic was elite).
Kei Nishikori with the upset over an uncharacteristically inconsistent Novak Djokovic. Between the draw and night time (cooler) scheduling, Fed couldn't have asked for anything more in his favor. I'm thinking Cilic will get the iron elbow vs. Federer. On the women's side, while Caroline Wozniacki's had a nice run this summer, I'd like to see Serena notch her 18th Grand Slam singles title.
Federer and Serena are both going for #18. This is GREAT for Federer, but he's not Federer anymore, he can lose to worse players. Nothing guaranteed. I'm rooting for him, but wouldn't be upset if any one the remaining 3 won. I think I'm pulling for Caroline Wozniacki, but I think Serena will win easily.
Hi JS. Fed who had dropped to around #6-7 ranked not too long ago was seeded #2 in this year's US Open indicating that the ATP Top 10 is kinda in a state of flux currently. Marin Cilic (Croatia) the #14 seed who he's to face in the semis (current rain delay out in Queens) is known for getting "the iron elbow" which is a tennis slang term for getting 'tight' (choking) when things get tight. Kai Nishikori (Japan) who's in the finals by virtue of upsetting Novak Djokovic (Serbia) is still only the #10 seed. Federer's side of the draw which was weak to begin with opened up with upsets and most of all by Rafael Nadal's withdrawal due to a wrist injury. If Nishikori plays at the level he played at today he certainly stands a chance. But something tells me that a 1st-timer in a Grand Slam final allows "the occassion" to prove a little too overwhelming, that is, in terms of been there/done that, advantage Federer. If nothing else, Nishikori became the first Japanese man to reach the United State Open semi-finals since 1918….only 6 years after the Titanic and prior to the Black Sox…and TGG's Champ! ; )
Cilic just dominating Federer right now. Fed can't get things going when Cilic serves and Cilic returns are deep in the middle of the court which is forcing Fed to play a soft second shot.
Cilic wins the 2nd set, up two sets to love, 6-3; 6-4 …….hmmm…. Still, I wanna see if he can keep his nerves under control. Thus far, gotta admit the man's proved me wrong ths far. He's been impressive.
lol this is one year where the Open's going to regret having the Final on Monday. OTOH at least the more marquee matchup gets the Sunday post-football slot (Serena-Wozniacki)
had you said before the tournament that Djokovic wouldn't reach the final (he was favored to get to the final, about +140 to win), almost everyone would've said it's because Murray knocked him out. Crazy.
Cilic served it out in style….ace, ace, ace,….backhand winner. Very impressive. And to think that fellow Croatian and former pro (and 2001 Wimbledon champion) Goran Ivanisevic is now coaching him. Goran, a big, very talented lefty in his own right was also a "free spirit" (to put it politely) who once had to default in a match because he had smashed all of his racquets: The loon has a little Dennis Rodman in him as well. After winning Wimbledon, he was welcomed back in Split, Croatia with a celebration that drew over 100,000 people whereupop he promptly dropped trow and stripped down to his underwear.
first grand slam final since 2005 that didn't have Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer in it (2005 Australian Open, Safin over Hewitt) two lowest seeds to make the USO final since Sampras in 2002
Final is soon I think the ratings will not be good. A)Monday afternoon not a great time (although this is the 7th straight year it's happened, only twice intentionally). B)The big guns draw the viewers. Most people have probably never even heard of these two. Next year, the men's final is scheduled for Sunday like it always was save for 2013 and 2014.
other notes: Nishikori the first Asian (Chang was American) male to reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament, while Cilic is the first Croatian male in the final since Ivanisevic.
