Monthly Archives: August 2010

US Open Day 2 Order Of Play

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Tumaini

OOP

Tomorrow promises to be an even better day’s play with a number of interesting matches. The highlights?

Jelena Jankovic(SRB)[4] vs. Simona Halep(ROU)
JJ begins her US Open Campaign against young hope Simona Halep. Though Halep is far more comfortable on the red dirt, Jankovic has had a turbulent couple of months. This could be tight.

Viktor Troicki(SRB) vs. Novak Djokovic(SRB)[3]
A match that Nole should win comfortably, but still a fun one.

Jarmila Groth(AUS) vs. Maria Sharapova(RUS)[14]
Having reached the fourth round of her last two slams, Jarka Groth has already proven that she’s capable of delivering at slams. She has some big weapons and if they are working on tuesday, she could push Sharapova.

Svetlana Kuznetsova(RUS)[11] vs. Kimiko Date Krumm(JPN)
Can she do it again? The Giantkiller Granny defied all odds to take out Dinara Safina in the first round of this year’s French Open, on one leg. The answer is most likely a firm “no”, but it’s definitely a match worth watching.

Fabio Fognini(ITA) vs. Fernando Verdasco(ESP)[8]
Fabio Fognini upset Fernando at Wimbledon this year. Mr Verdasco will be out for revenge.

Anna Chakvetadze(RUS) vs. Urszula Radwanska(POL)
‘Cause I said so.

David Ferrer(ESP)[10] vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov(UKR)
David Ferrer squares off against the promising young Dolgopolov. It won’t be easy.

Jeremy Chardy(FRA) vs. Ernests Gulbis(LAT)[24]
Ernie should win this, but Chardy is always fun to watch.

Alize Cornet(FRA) vs. Kaia Kanepi(EST)[31]
Two former top 20 players. KK is on her way back while Cornet continues to struggle.

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Quotable Quotes

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Tumaini

Q. Do you think people were attracted to you, to your game, because you took such risks, in the final, especially?
FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I think they attract — I attract them because I’m beautiful.

“This year, I’m the one to see at U.S. tournaments because Serena is not playing” - Melanie Oudin

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Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go.

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Tumaini

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Completely random and impromptu post, but we have just under three hours til the US Open kicks off! I’ve never really been too excited by the US Open because I’m usually getting ready for school/college after a long summer break. But I’ll be at Flushing in a handful of days so I can’t help but be excited.

In the Womens draw, I’m really interested to see how Masha and Kim progress through the draw. They’re obviously the clear favourites at this point and so it will be intruiging to see how they cope. As a Venus fan, I’ll also be keeping an eye on her at all times. Not too confident after the Wimbledon disaster and lack of matchplay, but if she can find some form then I think she has a legit shot at contending for the title. She doesn’t have a horror draw like the last few years (09 - Clijsters 4R, 08 - Serena QF, 07 Ivanovic-Jankovic-Henin, 05 - Clijsters QF, 04 Davenport - 4R). Of course she will eventually have to defeat marquee players, but Venus has always been more dangerous once she gets into the semis/finals so I’m quietly hopeful.

My ideal final? Masha vs Venus.

On the mens side, my attention will be firmly on Rafa. Can he complete the career slam? Of course Murray and Federer are also worth watching. I’m also interested to see how Novak fares, he has always done really well here and it would be so huge if he managed to find himself on a hot streak and steal attention away from the other three. Outside of the top 4, I’m really hoping that Gilles makes it to Nadal in the third round. Nadal dislikes Gilles’ flat game and his unpredictability, and after their incredible match at Madrid in 2008, it will definitely be interesting if Gilles can find his ‘A’ game. I’m also hoping for a breakthrough tournament from young qualifiers Benoit Paire, Ricardas Berankis and Ryan Harrison. All are fun to watch and great, versatile players so it would be amazing if they could announce their arrival at the biggest stage in tennis. I would advise anyone going to the US Open this week to check out Benoit especially. There aren’t too many more entertaining players and personalities on the ATP tour than him.

My ideal final for the Mens side would be Rafa vs. Novak.

Anyway, enough rambling for now. If you haven’t caught on by now, I’m pretty pumped for this final slam of the year. I hope you all are too and hopefully it will be a great slam with loads of drama and high-quality tennis. Bring. It. On.

What are your wishes for the 2010 US Open?

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Like Us On Facebook!

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Tumaini

W00t, we’re moving up in the world! We have a new Facebook Page, so if you like us then please ‘like’ us. I’d very much like that.

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Grigor Dimitrov: Comeback Kid

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Tumaini

Grigor Dimitrov today defeated Pablo Andujar of Spain 6-2 4-6 6-4 to clinch his first ever Challenger title in Geneva, Switzerland. The beginning of 2010 was a tough learning curve for Grigor. After winning the Junior Wimbledon and US Open titles in 2008 and then pushing a number of top players, including Nadal and Simon in 09, expectations began to rise as people began to see him as the ‘next big thing’. He was constantly compared to Roger Federer and many assumed he would shoot up the rankings in no time at all. That didn’t happen, and after a suffering a couple of injury setbacks, he began to really struggle. He seemed to collapse under all the pressure and whilst his game and athletic ability was still undeniable, he clearly lacked confidence and self-belief to make the most of it.

During the grasscourt season he decided to part ways with his coach Peter Lundgren (Federer, Safin) and enlisted the services of Peter McNamara. They decided to start from scratch and after falling as low as #365, he dropped back down to Futures tournaments to build up his ranking, and even more importantly, his confidence. It seems to have worked and he has now won four events since July.

This victory will lift Grigor into the top 200 for the first time in his career. It’s so good to see him finally making progress after looking so lost earlier in the year. I reckon the coaching change was the best thing he could have done. Lundgren of course has great credentials and the two had a very good relationship, but Lundgren was only adding more pressure by constantly comparing him to Federer. Now everything is much more calm, there’s no unnecessary pressure or ridiculous expectations, and Bulgaria’s finest can focus on moving up the ranks and nothing else. Haide!

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Quotable Quotes

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Tumaini

Caroline Wozniacki on her number one seeding at the US Open:

“I don’t feel there’s any pressure,”

“Pressure is when you are put on the spot and you don’t feel like you belong there, don’t think you deserve to be there.

“I think I deserve to be where I am, and I think that I’m feeling comfortable there.”

And I fully believe her.

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And The Winners Are…

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Tumaini

Caroline Wozniacki def. Nadia Petrova 6-3 3-6 6-3

There were a number of milestones for Karolina this week after taking home the New Haven title; 10th Career title, 3rd Pilot Penn title in a row and 3rd title in 4 tournaments. Even though she gets a lot of criticism thrown her way, not least from me, she deserves credit for the way she never fails to take her chances. Yes, she only defeated one top ten player en-route to these three titles (and that top tenner was Schiavone), and yes the majority of her career highlights have come about largely because of the top players underperforming and Wozniacki taking advantage, but the fact that she refuses to become one of those underperforming top ten players is, if not admirable, then certainly worth acknowledging.

However, she has played a ridiculous amount of tennis recently. Many believe that it will come back to bite her in the butt next week. I can’t say I agree, though. Wozniacki will continue to do what she does at the US Open. If the top players/Sharapova step up, then Wozniacki has no chance. But if the draw opens up in a unbelievable fashion as it did last year, then Wozniacki will be in with a massive chance of capturing her first Grand Slam.

The first week of the US Open will be extremely telling as the main WTA contenders become far clearer. Expect drama.

Sergiy Stakhovsky def. Denis Istomin 3-6 6-3 6-4

A great win for Sergiy Stakhovsky this week as he defeated Denis Istomin here to win his fourth title and second of the season. He is unbeaten in tour finals. The title was well deserved and it is always great to see a player with variety and his game is extremely enjoyable to watch. HOWEVER, unlike Wozniacki’s win, this win will have no bearing on the US Open next week. It’s all about the big boys.

(Pictures: Zimbio)

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This Shit Just Got Real.

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Tumaini

The full OOP for Day One has finally been released. Enjoy and try not to wet yourselves with excitement.

OOP

I have to say, I sniggered and snorted after seeing that Oudin will be opening the tournament. Don’t embarass yourself, kid.

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Mystery Resolved: Bar Fight and Falling Bottle Caused Serena’s Injury

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Tumaini

Yes, you read the title right. As surreal as it sounds, Mary Carillo claimed live on ESPN that the reason gven for Serena’s foot injury was completely truthful. She said that Serena was at a club in Munich when a fight broke out, A (broken) bottle fell and it ended up cutting Serena’s foot.

This incident takes me back to Serena’s quote after María José Martínez Sánchez infamously handled the ball during their French Open match last year.

“I’m, like, drama. And I don’t want to be drama. I’m like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama, and everyone in the house hates them because no matter what they do, like, drama follows them. I don’t want to be that girl.”

And it’s so true. Some of it is of course caused by her, but most of it really isn’t. Lets hope she sues the asses of all involved and gets back to court as soon as possible. Can you imagine Wozniacki as our #1?

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US Open Qualifying: The Highs and Lows

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Tumaini

Unbeknown to many, the US Open Qualifying Tournament has been taking place this week. With a number of old names from the past and young hopes for the future taking part, it has been an absorbing week with some significant results. Here’s a brief summary:

+ After defeating top seeded Marsel Ilhan, Bernard Tomic fell in the second qualifying round to Noam Okun. Though undeniably talented, last year’s junior champion has already been involved in countless controversies. These include storming off court in the middle of a Futures match in Perth and, turning down a practice offer from Lleyton Hewitt because Lleyton wasn’t “good enough”.
- Nicholas Mahut lost in the Final Round after controversially being denied a main draw wildcard.
+ 2006 and 2007 US Open Junior Champions Dusan Lojda and Ricardas Berankis qualified.
+ 17 year old US hope Ryan Harrison qualified after fighting cramps and a break deficit in the third set of his second round match.
+++++++ Benoit Paire backed up my long and detailed feature on him by qualifying for his first US Open.

- British US Open woes continued as Laura Robson fell at the final hurdle and Heather Watson at the first.
+/- Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Mirjana Lucic stopped thunder, literally, as she defeated the ever-thunderous (and former French Open quarterfinalist) Sesil Karatantcheva in straight sets.
- Jelena Dokic shrugged her way to an easy defeat to Laura Robson in the first round.
+ Tamira Paszek and Sania Mirza turned back the clock to qualify. Top 30 players at their peaks, both have fallen down the rankings thanks to injuries and poor form.

With qualifying completed and the provisional Order Of Play finally out, let the games begin!

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