US Open - Matches

First topic message reminder :

Have changed the topic so that this thread can run through the tournament. Hope that's OK

Roger Federer round 4!

Take a bow Dan. I do believe that win means he will move up to around 140 in the rankings (his highest ever ranking).

Just wow, I'm kinda stunned! The talent of this guy is unbelievable, what the hell has he been doing languishing around #300 ranking...

Robredo is a wily old character...he won't be easy at all.
But the prospect of a Federer 4th round....yes, come on!

That's a big wooo and an even bigger hoooo
WooooHooooooooo!

Maybe I'm wandering too much into hyperbole, but if he could keep focussed for an entire year, I think there's a chance could be back at the US Open next year as a seed

That's a superb, superb win for Evo and congratulations to him

However, Tomic totally tanked at the end there which was very disappointing. Maybe he had ran out of ideas or was just fed up but it's disappointing to see him not giving it 100%.

From what they're saying about him, seems like talent isn't the problem. Which is always something that can be fixed by a run like this

The Special Juan wrote:That's a superb, superb win for Evo and congratulations to him

However, Tomic totally tanked at the end there which was very disappointing.  Maybe he had ran out of ideas or was just fed up but it's disappointing to see him not giving it 100%.

I'd agree fully there. Tomic really showing questionable lack of fight but take nothing away from Evans. Still like I said the real big test will be for him to keep this momentum going in the bread and butter of the challenger events - that is a necessity if he intends on breaking into the top 100.

Tomic tanked a bit but then Evans took the match away from him.
He has so much variety and skill, not many more skilled across the whole court on tour really...top50 is easily possible for Evans if he can keep it up. After all he's just beat two guys who are effectively top20...Tomic is really. He belongs up in the elite.

This will be as worrying for Tomic as it is exciting for Evans.

Ok, Tomic is still only 20 with time on his side. But a W/L ratio of 21/16 for the season to date is less than impressive, and he is struggling to make real progress.

I suppose, as Dan is proving, if Tomic really wants to make it there's still plenty of time. I really hope Bernie fulfils his potential because he's so good to watch in full flow.

Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

Tomic continues to be a a major disappointment. I mean he just looked not interested

Add the other 'young superstars' and I now agree that there is a major problem brewing in terms of quality in five years

Ridiculous as it sounds, you could see Evans having a career as good as Henman's, given the paucity of quality winners around his age

The likes of Cilic and of course Del Potro must be liking their lips in anticipation of a few easy slams, late in their career

Tomic just seems to be lazy, I like how he plays but he doesn't seem to have the best workrate.

The Special Juan wrote:Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

He has improved that shot a lot, it used to be very weak.

It is possible Tomic is disenchanted with tennis because of his dad being banned from tennis tournaments. It perhaps leaves him empty like today when in tight matches when he should be full of fight like Evans. It just seemed like Dan wanted it more.

The Special Juan wrote:Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

I was just about to post something sarcastic about this, but thought it a bit cruel given the great improvement. Then again Evans has more pop!!

Greg likes it though, so that's OK with me

Look I'd love Tomic to be the successor to the Top 3. I like his type of game. But I don't think it will ever happen, because basically he doesn't have the mental strength to do what's needed - i.e. his attitude is wrong and that will always affect his results

Some have talent and due to attitude underachieve. Sadly I think Tomic is one of these

Tomic IS disappointing, but like TSJ I keep hoping that he can push on.

Ever since he first 'announced himself' with that QF run at Wimbledon I was convinced he was the real deal, but there's just no consistency or sense of focus from him. God knows how much we need some of the younger players to start challenging the established big boys.

Forgot to say, that Roger is looking good.

Don't rule out a repeat of this years second best (after Nole / DP at Wimby) Slam match for me, the Aus Open SF  

I wonder when the last time two British men got to the Third Round (presuming Andy gets there) of a slam. Surely, it has to be about 2006 or 2007 when Henman was still playing and Murray began to breakthrough.

EDIT Just checked it was US Open 2002 when Henman and Rusedski reached the Third Round.

The Special Juan wrote:Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

Fascinating insight from Judy Murray about the forehand, how Lendl couldn't believe how hard he could hit it in practice but was reluctant to replicate it in matches... And convinced him to stop the loopy forehands on the back foot and to lean into the forehand then too.

Obviously we all suspected it was Lendl, but to hear his Mom tell the world was interesting. Also to say that the criticism for his reluctance to hit it before last year was justified..

TopoftheChops wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

He has improved that shot a lot, it used to be very weak.

I know, I jest Still, if I was looking for someone to mould my forehand on....

CaledonianCraig wrote:I wonder when the last time two British men got to the Third Round (presuming Andy gets there) of a slam. Surely, it has to be about 2006 or 2007 when Henman was still playing and Murray began to breakthrough.

Good question. But didn't Tim have a spate of early round losses in his latter days?

Unless I'm missing a run by Arvind Parmar or someone, US Open 2002.

The Special Juan wrote:

TopoftheChops wrote:

The Special Juan wrote:Hang on, Murray's doing a "Masterclass" on the forehand?

He has improved that shot a lot, it used to be very weak.

I know, I jest  Still, if I was looking for someone to mould my forehand on....

........................It would be Murray!! Sorry, but I have to show loyalty  

In all seriousness, it is now sound enough not to be a weakness. Fascianted what Rafa would make of this (which contradicts my earlier Roger in the final wish) particularly as Andy really surprised him with his forehand, before Lendl was around in their last meeting.

banbrotam wrote:Tomic continues to be a a major disappointment. I mean he just looked not interested

Add the other 'young superstars' and I now agree that there is a major problem brewing in terms of quality in five years

Ridiculous as it sounds, you could see Evans having a career as good as Henman's, given the paucity of quality winners around his age

The likes of Cilic and of course Del Potro must be liking their lips in anticipation of a few easy slams, late in their career

Isn't Cilic under a doping cloud right now?

ryan86 wrote:Unless I'm missing a run by Arvind Parmar or someone, US Open 2002.

The best shout yet. After Andy arrived, Tim never got beyond the 2nd round of a Slam

lydian wrote:

banbrotam wrote:Tomic continues to be a a major disappointment. I mean he just looked not interested

Add the other 'young superstars' and I now agree that there is a major problem brewing in terms of quality in five years

Ridiculous as it sounds, you could see Evans having a career as good as Henman's, given the paucity of quality winners around his age

The likes of Cilic and of course Del Potro must be liking their lips in anticipation of a few easy slams, late in their career

Isn't Cilic under a doping cloud right now?

Not in 5 years!!

Yes edited the earlier post a little while ago - the US Open 2002 with Rusedski and Henman reaching the Third Round.

Here's a quote from Gulbis' press conference the other day after he lost to Andreas Haider-Maurer:

"Q. Who do you think is going to win the tournament?
ERNESTS GULBIS: Haider-Maurer."

Tim was never the same player after 2004...

CaledonianCraig wrote:Yes edited the earlier post a little while ago - the US Open 2002 with Rusedski and Henman reaching the Third Round.

Let's hope Andy, doesn't let the side down!!

Wonder when there was last three Brits in the 3rd round

Ben Rothenberg:
"Irony: Dan Evans said that he tried to practice with Tomic in Miami but Bernard's dad rejected him because he "wasn't good enough.""

Bernard Tomic's dad sounds like a right tool!

He IS a right tool.

The Special Juan wrote:Ben Rothenberg:
"Irony: Dan Evans said that he tried to practice with Tomic in Miami but Bernard's dad rejected him because he "wasn't good enough.""

So then .... Not good enough to practise with son Bernie - says Bernie's Dad.

But Evans IS apparently good enough to practise with a certain R.Federer :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/10272498/US-Open-2013-Roger-Federer-courts-Dan-Evans-as-Briton-profits-from-success.html

6-2 6-1 *4-0 so far and yet I actually think Dutra Silva has played really well! Unbelievable

Jack Sock round 3, roll on the dice. 

lags72 wrote:So then .... Not good enough to practise with son Bernie - says Bernie's Dad.

But Evans IS apparently good enough to practise with a certain R.Federer :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/10272498/US-Open-2013-Roger-Federer-courts-Dan-Evans-as-Briton-profits-from-success.html

That is quite possible.  Bernie is planning to become the best tennis player of all time (he said so), so it is quite conceivable that someone good enough to practice with Roger is not quite good enough to practice with him.

TopoftheChops wrote:Roger Federer round 4!

...and Rafa in QF.

summerblues wrote:

TopoftheChops wrote:Roger Federer round 4!

...and Rafa in QF.

Very easy draw . After them isn't it just Djokovic and Murray?

Spot on dummy half !

I won't quite put my neck on the block and say that Dan will actually win the title itself.

But making the Final should now be a breeze .......

Rafa looking in good form.
Evans-Nadal QF!

lags72 wrote:Spot on dummy half !

I won't quite put my neck on the block and say that Dan will actually win the title itself.

But making the Final should now be a breeze .......

On recent form, he'll even hold match points and contrive to lose

Well Dan's getting the best of help. Practising with Roger and being given tactical advice and support from Andy. Hopefully, this taste of the big time will serve to inspire him to keep working hard and be in slams of right and not having to go through the turmoils of qualifying.

Today has some really good matches in prospect:

Laura v Li Na is up first on Ashe with Djokovic up after. However, the evening on Ashe looks quite good as we have DelPo v Hewitt followed by Serena v Shvedova. I think the Kazakh can give Serena a lot of problems if she plays well. Of course, Sir Andrew Murray is also playing. He's up 3rd on Armstrong.

Nadal was looking imperious last night, full of confidence and strutting the base line like he did at RG pre 2009. His body language said "this court is mine" and it would be difficult to argue with him. Maybe we are looking at the new king of hardcourts...  

I think I read somewhere that Nadal has never lost to a Brazilian on the ATP tour. I can't decide if that's impressive or not seeing as there hasn't been a decent Brazilian player in a decade.