2009 US Open

One of the strangest grand slams I have ever witnessed....upset after upset after upset.
Well, first and foremost, the Roddick upset was the biggest shocker. After coming off one of the best performances of his life at the Wimbledon, Andy fell to unseeded (55th) ranked 6' 9'' American behemoth, John Isner. Looks like in the battle for muscle - Isner prevailed. I suspect Roddick became a little overconfident, and even though he had more winners and fewer unforced errors than Isner, Roddick chocked during the tiebreakers. Moral of the story: Don't got the mental game, you are a lost cause. This can also apply to Dinara Safina who has the same problem as her brother.

Another notable upset was the Clijsters over V. Williams. Clijsters has been off the tour for a couple years raising a family, and she is already back in tip top shape pretty much demolishing Venus Williams (save the second set, lulz). Both women are known for their strength but Clijsters seemed to have the upper hand throughout the match.

Oudin is looking strong but currently losing against Nadia Petrova. I'm hoping Verdasco can knock out Isner just because I expected Roddick to go far in the Open this year, sigh. Plus, Verdasco's fohawk is the most amazing thing ever. And of course, Nadal is playing steadily and looks to be back on track. However, Federer or Murray are still going to be my top two picks to win this year's US Open.

US Open Women's Final

(4) Serena Williams def. (2) Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5

Definitely the match of the tournament on the women’s side for me even considering the Serena/Venus quarter. They had some INCREDIBLE points and games where there were at least 4 deuces and lots of momentum swings. Their contrasting styles really made it a fantastic match with Jankovic a counterpuncher who runs everything down and Williams a power player with an extremely aggressive game.

Jelena never fails in the drama department when she plays and today’s match was no exception where she fought frequently from 0-40 or 40-0 down to push games to multiple deuces. She also showed her diva side by putting sparkles in her hair and wearing makeup onto court. Serena also had her share of accessories as she marched on in her self designed Nike outfit and her classic earrings. Not long after the match started, Serena already knocked one of her earrings off after hitting a backhand winner. This didn’t seem to hinder her performance as she managed to strike 44 winners in total past Jankovic today.

About the match, I first thought that Jankovic would be majorly overwhelmed by Serena today as it was her first grand slam final and she would be nervous. Instead, she gave Williams a big run for her money in the first set when she broke Williams at love and led 40-0 on her serve before Serena came roaring back with 4 games in a row. Jankovic wasn’t finished yet as she broke back to 4-5 before finally surrendering her serve one last time for Serena to take the first set. Serena picked up her game and was getting leads in pretty much all the games in the 2^nd set but Jankovic kept running down shots and forcing errors which visibly frustrated Williams. Serena surprisingly surrendered her serve at 3-all and it seemed poised for the final to go into a 3^rd set when Williams was down 0-40 on her serve at 3-5. From there, Serena took control and rolled off 4 straight games while saving another set point along the way to win the set and the championship as well as claim the #1 ranking.

I think Jankovic has a lot to be proud of this tournament as she finally broke the grand slam semifinal duck and made her first final and played in my opinion one of the best matches of her life in the final. Jankovic has been knocked by many for not doing enough with the ball and just waiting for opponent’s errors, but in the final, she went after her forehand (normally a weakness) and took her chances and went for more shots than she normally would be comfortable with. If she keeps up this play, she could definitely make another slam final and possibly win one in the near future. And as for Serena, it’s great to see that all her hard work finally paid off in a slam win. Unlike previous years, Williams has played for much of this year and has not had to take a long break off due to injuries. She has stayed fit (something she had trouble with in previous years) and has greatly improved her footwork and consistency. So all in all, both have great memories from this tournament to take back home with them as they prepare for the upcoming indoor season and we can look forward to them playing well in the European stretch and the YEC in November.

- Written by Vivian H. (Our first guest writer!)

US Open Final Weekend

Well...what a US Open! Truthfully, this has been a exciting tournament teeming with upsets/surprises. Most of the players I predicted to stay in did, and right now we're headed for a serious upset. The match will continue tomorrow, but Andy Murray is up 2 sets against World Number 1 Rafa Nadal. Oh yeah..I've been meaning to comment about the Nadal Wedgie ordeal. Watching Rafa play in so many tournaments, I've wondered why he has this problem. I've searched videos on youtube, and only in one he addresses it.



Back to US Open. Nadal started off weak, but found his rhythm. However, Murray was a step ahead playing a solid, steady mix of offense and defense keeping Nadal on his feet. Andy Murray was looking really strong, and hopefully he'll keep up his game tomorrow.

The Djokovic/Federer match was interesting, but nothing too surprising. For some reason, I've noticed, Djokovic is intimidated by Federer in the beginning of most of their matches.Once again he started off ice cold, but was able to find his groove. Federer had some amazing shots. He was playing like he did in the beginning of the tournament. Djokovic played some fantastic tennis towards the end, but was not able to keep up with Roger Federer's brilliant tactics and overall sound play.

Prediction for the finals: Murray vs. Federer
Winner: Federer - For the first time this year, Federer will not have to face Nadal in the finals for a major tournament. Based on this fact, Roger will capitalize, and I predict a 3 or 4 set victory. Murray is relatively new to playing on such a tremendous scale, but I'm sure he'll be back in the coming tournaments.

US Open Update

Here are some thoughts on key players in the tournament.

Roger Federer - Well, I'm watching the match vs. Andreev right now. Fortunately, he pulled of a win (solid 6-3 in final set). Federer has been on one smooth ride until today. He was playing like he did a couple years back when nobody could slow him down. He hadn't dropped a set, had some great winners, and he played like he wanted to win it all. Today in his match against 23rd seeded Andreev, he has struggled since the start. The first two sets went to a tiebreaker, and he lost one and won the other. Then they split sets, and now here we are in the magnificent 5th set. I'm noticing that Roger is showing a great deal of emotion, something very uncharacteristic of him. Normally, Federer is able to withold that anger/frustration during a match, but today he screamed at himself after a couple points. I'm not sure if this is from the mono he suffered from earlier this year, but something has gotten in his head (and it all came out today). He's up 4-1 in the set, and the only thing that can stop him is some sort of mental lapse(which I doubt will happen). Regardless of the match today, I'm going to Federer wins the US Open.

Rafa Nadal - There's something strange about Nadal. Every shot he takes has tremendous top spin that overwhelms most players. I think the tremendous spin he is able to put on the ball gives him an edge over shorter opponents. He cruised through all his matches, but (just like Federer) had trouble with the red hot 20-year old American, Sam Querrey. Boy, when I saw Sam pick up a set against Nadal, I was ecstatic. I thought he would pull of a tremendous upset, but then I remembered - he has only played one 5 set match. And (as I have said several times before). Anyways the match turned out to be 4 sets, but the American has a lot of potential. Standing at 6' 7'' he proves to be a threat on the tour in the coming years. As the commentators were saying, Nadal lost his "kick" or in my opinion his "spin advantage" during the match. Another potential reason for his depressing shotmaking was because of the Olympics. Querrey's height enabled him to return most of Nadal's powerful spin shots which gave the Spaniard a tough time in the beginning. Eventually, fatigue and relentless smashing overcame Querrey as Nadal pulled through. Once again, Rafa will make it to the finals as he is truly at the top of his game.

Novak Djokovic - I have not watched a Djokovic play during the US Open. Statisically, he has struggled with Cilic(4 sets) and Robredo(5 sets). Personally, I can't say much, but I hope he can get his act together and pull off a miracle because he's going to have to face Roger(or someone red hot) to get to the finals. I favor the Serb, but I'm not sure if he's going to win.

Andy Roddick - Andy. Currently America's (second) best player. James Blake is the best American (obviously). If you have checked out the courts, everyone is saying that the hardcourt is playing extremely fast. This has proved to be a great advantage for most of the hard-hitting Americans, especially Roddick. He has not struggled much throughout the Open (he skipped the Olympics to train). His strokes are actually really clean and crisp. His aggressive game has pulled off some easy victories, but his next round match vs. Gonzales will be tough. He'll have to count on his serve and some powerful backhand shots to win. Eventually, he should learn to develop a strong net game(something he definitely lacks). Roddick has been one of the big surprises this year.

Mardy Fish - Another surprising American, Fish, has played some phenomenal tennis during the US Open. All of his important/difficult matches have been 3 sets. He struggled a little bit in the beginning of the tournament, but a W against James Blake(in 3 sets) gave him the necessary confidence boost he needed. I saw some really nice net play with Fish and some solid baseline strokes. Combined with the power and accuracy he is hitting with, he poses to be a formidable threat against Rafa Nadal. Probably my favorite Cinderella story of this year's tournament, I am hoping for an upset to avenge fellow American Querrey's crushing loss.

Surprises in this year's open:

1. Mardy Fish - Just out of the top 50 (rankings), Fish has proved to be a shining light for the American tennis players.
   
2. Gilles Muller - pulled off upset against number 5 seed Davydenko - some spectacular tennis (from the clips).
   
3. Sam Querrey- hasn't played very much on the ATP tour and to make it this far is quite an accomplishment.
   
4. Kei Nishikori - Brilliant upset against David Ferrer in an epic 5 set match. However, he fell to JM Del Potro.
   
5. Del Potro - Argentina has continued to provide some great tennis players, and Del Potro adds to the list. Going strong in this years open and playing some of the best tennis of his life, I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset against Murray.

Disappointments

1. James Blake - I don't know if it was the Olympics or something else. Blake was playing some mediocre tennis resulting in a mediocre performance.
   
2. JC Ferrer - He gave the crowd a brilliant fight against Nishikori, the surprise Japanese star. I think he was a tad bit unlucky this tournament since the Japanese brought his A-game.
   
3. N. Davydenko - Can't say much as I didn't watch him or Muller.
   
4. S. Wawrinka - Federer's Swiss teammate has been playing the tennis of his life. I wouldn't call him a big disappointment, but I thought he would be able to upset Murray.

Potential Winners

1. Rafa Nadal
   
2. Roger Federer
   
3. Andy Murray
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Andy Roddick
6. Mardy Fish
   

US Open

After Nadal came home with the Olympic Gold, he was on his way to Flushing, NY for the US Open - another major tennis tourney. Going into it, Nadal hopes to defeat arch nemesis Roger Federer (still within reach of Number 1) one more time on a large scale. So here are some predictions about current the Men's singles draws:

First Draw - Nadal's competition does not look too stiff. The toughest competition would have to be Blake or Nalbandian. There are quite a few other solid players in the draw including Monfils, Karlovic, and Berdych. Even the junior American champion Donald Young - a bright light for American tennis. Unfortunately, he faces Blake in the first round. Nadal is on a hot streak - his movement on the court is impeccable, his strokes have a ridiculous amount of top-spin for most other players to handle, and a strong mental game. In this draw - Nadal (probably over Blake, I don't believe there will be any major upsets in this bracket)

Second Draw - Key players - David Ferrer, JM del Potro, Wawrinka, F. Lopez, and Murray. This bracket is more likely for a major upset because the players are equally matched. Already there has been one upset - 29th seed Juan Monaco falls to Japan's Kei Nishikori. I am looking forward to see Ferrer and Murray battle it out. Murray's style is rather intriguing as he has a great baseline game versus Ferrer. If there is any sort of upset it will be Feliciano Lopez massacring the draw and crushing Murray or Ferrer. Here is last year's Lopez vs. Federer (of course Roger has some amazing shots, but there is a lot of potential for Lopez): In this draw - F. Lopez or Murray



Third Draw: Djokovic, Roddick, Kiefer, Tsonga...Djokovic will cruise by this bracket hands down. Roddick only has a strong serve compared to Djokovic's all around game (including strong net play). There really is not much to say about this draw...Novak FTW - Here are some clips from the Dubai tournament last year: Djokovic vs. Roddick (even though Djokovic lost, I doubt he will during the US Open)



Fourth and Final: Federer vs. Davydenko or Gasquet. You see, I don't really believe in upsets too much unless its college basketball where the teams play erratically. Nothing funky is going down in this draw, and my thoughts are Federer winning this bracket easy peezy.


I will try to give some more info later... so here is a list of potential winners:
Nadal, Federer, Murray, F. Lopez, Blake, and of course Djokovic.

My bets are on Federer.

Countrywide Classic and PGA Championship

Olympics have really overshadowed several other sporting events including the Countrywide Classic and the PGA Championship. Andy Roddick cruised by the second round defeating Dusan Vermic 6-2, 6-2. However, several major upsets occurred including - Amer Delic (NCAA champion) defeating Carlos Moya in 3 sets. Also, 19 year old American Donald Young was destroyed by Frenchman March Gicquel 6-3, 6-3.

Roddick claims that his opponent played "a little wild with drops and slices" but it is difficult for any player to win like that. Andy is probably the strongest player in the field right now. And I would like to congratulate Donald Young for his largest ATP victory - defeating Tommy Haas (#8 seed) ..However, he has trouble winning matches back to back in the pros. I hope he improves because he has great potential - reminds me of Gael Monfils, the French youngster.

Now, the next event that hasn't been discussed is the PGA Championship. In the second day, JB Holmes - the long hitter - has taken the lead by one stroke. However, Sergio has surged and is now in contention for the win. Ben Curtis, 2003 British Open Winner, posted a 67 and is one stroke behind Holmes. I would like to note how strange it is to have Tiger missing from such a major golfing event; it just doesn't feel right. Like many others, I anticipate his return (which will be a while) and hope he will keep his game up. Most players are in accord that today (Friday) the course played much harder...resulting in Jeev Milka Singh and Karlsson (co-leaders on Thursday) playing poorly on the Front 9. Anyways stay tuned for updates on tennis and golf.

Murray pulls major upset, knocks off Djokovic!

Wow, I thought Djokovic would beat Nadal, but it was stunning that he fell to Murray in straight sets! 7-6. 7-6. Whenever you see a score like that, it came down to mental game. The two players were playing at the same physical level, but Murray surpassed Djokovic in the head. In the past Murray has struggled, but it seems as if the sweltering temperature helped him seize his sixth career victory (and possibly the largest). Djokovic fought off 4 match points, but eventually gave in on the fifth. Murray played relatively sloppily as did Djokovic. Murray - 16 winners 43 unforced errors. Djokovic - 6 double faults (in the course of two sets).

“Well done to Andy. It is his first Masters Series but I am sure there are going to be a lot more.”
- Novak Djokovic

Nadal falls to Djokovic

Well, just as I predicted Nadal had tough opponents left - and in my earlier post, I called Djokovic beating Nadal as Djokovic has a much better hardcourt record than Nadal. 6-1. 7-5. Now, if you ask me Nadal didn't play with the intensity of the match he played during the Wimbledon. However, now (based on fact) Nadal will inevitably move up to the number 1 spot that Federer has held for 235 consecutive weeks. I doubt Nadal can keep a streak of 235 consecutive weeks as Number 1 during his reign as the best tennis player in the world. Anyways, I anticipate Federer's return to the Number 1 spot.

Federer Lost! Number 1 in Sight for Rafa

Oh my, as I posted below - the threat of losing number 1 in now imminent for Roger Federer. After several years of retaining the prestigious ranking his loss at this Cincinnati tournament puts him at risk to falling to number 2. Federer will be ousted IF Nadal is able to win the tournament outright. However, this will not be an easy feat for Nadal because if he keeps trudging on he will encounter - Djokovic and Murray. If it were a Nadal vs. Djokovic, I would favor Djokovic for his impressive performance on hard court. Anyways, I'm pretty depressed about Federer's performance this year..

Image credit goes here: http://blog.killervirgo.com/archive/2007_08_01_archive.html

Race for Number 1 in Men's Singles

Has the day finally come where Federer loses his Number 1 ranking... Well right now Nadal can make a run in the Cincinnati tournament Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and become number 1. Unfortunately, unlike the rest of my friends who are supporting Nadal, I am for Federer. Even though we have seen his game diminish in the last to Majors (French and Wimbledon), I believe with enough practice and a steady coach ... he should be able to hold his number 1 position for a couple more years.