US Open Day 7 - I Have The Chardy-nay, So Let's Dance To The Maka-rena And The Fog On The Tyne

http://www.usopen.org/mobile/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html

Damn it JHM! 

It's pistols at dawn.

https://youtu.be/XcWqjzFAkg4

You got in a minute before me - you win!

I think me we need an x-factor style vote

It's a turf war! Cards against humanity to decide the victor!

Death by firing squad for mentioning that steaming pile of horse manure.

Anyone catch Becker talking about Federers new return tactic? Basically said while it's allowed is a touch disrespectful, however he likes it but in his day they wouldn't let him do it. Himself, Lendl or Mac would serve straight at him and hit it to make him stop. So if Fed can do that, players should be allowed to show some force to keep him back

temporary21 wrote:It's a turf war! Cards against humanity to decide the victor!

Or I could just delete this thread and unlock mine

CAS wrote:Anyone catch Becker talking about Federers new return tactic? Basically said while it's allowed is a touch disrespectful, however he likes it but in his day they wouldn't let him do it. Himself, Lendl or Mac would serve straight at him and hit it to make him stop. So if Fed can do that,  players should be allowed to show some force to keep him back

Absolutely. If fact, I'm pretty sure they are allowed to do it. Isner should try it.

I really not sure about trying it against isner

Isner could wipe Roger out, I wonder if anyone has the balls to do it to him though. Straight in the kisser

CAS wrote:Isner could wipe Roger out, I wonder if anyone has the balls to do it to him though. Straight in the kisser

Yesterday, post-match on court interview with Pam Shriver and the third-set of twins were mentioned. Federer may want to consider some Cricket-style guards to protect himself v Isner before SABRE is unsheathed.

Apparently (based on USO interview on ESPN), it was invented as a workaround for being tired in practice v Benoit Paire. It would also explain Paire practicing with Federer seems to have helped Paire as well. Wawrinka may want to talk to his buddy's buddy.

CAS wrote:I wonder if anyone has the balls to do it to him though.

If they think it gives them the best shot at winning the point they should definitely do it.  But will it be that easy?  It is not like Roger just waits there.  He starts out close to the baseline and is moving in as they are tossing the ball.

I suspect they will have better odds just playing a regular serve and being mentally ready to deal with him if he comes in.  I find it hard to believe that Roger will be able to make it into a longer-term percentage play (though I hope I am wrong).

Returning to Federers possible ailment, if it's back he can only hope for a Wimbledon 2012 re-run, where he was in a terrible state against Mallisse but recovered. A bad back can be in & out.

If it does stay with him (like Wimbledon 2010) then he's toast the first good player he meets. Ironically that could be Berdych in the quarter, like Wimbledon 2010.

Federer is injured?

Maybe. He was chucking in 74 mph serves and grunting heavily on them

When Federer grunts, s**t gets serious!

Put your @rse away Serena!

Loaded top half in action - both the defending champion and the world #1 are in this half - yet nobody even set up a day 8 thread,

legendkillarV2 wrote:Put your @rse away Serena!

That's not very easy for her.

In other news, Lopez two sets to the good against the goat

Day 8 is tomorrow in fairness...

Born Slippy wrote:Day 8 is tomorrow in fairness...

LOL, what am I thinking. For some reason I thought I saw day 7 thread yesterday. Our long weekend must have me confused.

Lopez wins. Hopefully he can beat Bautista Agut in the QF.

Attacking players doing far better this year than has lately been the case.

summerblues wrote:Attacking players doing far better this year than has lately been the case.

I would say the last 16 is fractionally less attacking than last year. Certainly no obvious change.

Born Slippy wrote:I would say the last 16 is fractionally less attacking than last year.

Interesting. Which of the players would in your mind be reducing the relative attacking mindset relative to the likes of Robredo, Simon or Monfils?

Even though watching Nole vs Agut certainly gives no indication of attacking mindset on either side.

Both Americans on Ashe tomorrow and Murray relegated to Armstrong.

This Nole vs Agut match is yet another example of what I do not like about current tennis.  By all accounts it is a pretty high quality match.  Agut just broke back for 4:4 and has been in general keeping up with Nole quite well even though Nole himself is not playing poorly.

Yet it is all about endless power hitting from the baseline - guys keep running down and hitting 3-4-5 and more shots trying to force each other out of position.  I do not mind some of that in tennis, but to watch the whole match pretty much just based on that is not my cup of tea.

Oh dear, Agut takes a set.

...and Djokovic gets racquet abuse. Just needs to calm down and keep focus.

BA has kept his focus much more than Djokovic has. Pushed Djokovic to some honest base-line stuff. Very nice.

It is high quality and, since I want Nole to lose, quite entertaining for me in that sense.

But tennis-wise, this is more boring to me than Nole vs Andy - it is like watching two Noles playing each other.

I'm really really confused as to whether I want Djokovic to win this match.

summerblues wrote:But tennis-wise, this is more boring to me than Nole vs Andy - it is like watching two Noles playing each other.

The Darwinian evolution will be complete when the attacking generation retires.

That was an excellent game by BA to get to 2-1.

Very concerned that Murray is on Armstrong. Its usually a scenario for at least a set and a half of Mugray and he can't afford for this match to be another long one. Needs to be fresh for the challenges ahead.

Makarova loses track of the TB score at 5-1. She has already lost this set mentally.

Born Slippy wrote:Very concerned that Murray is on Armstrong. Its usually a scenario for at least a set and a half of Mugray and he can't afford for this match to be another long one. Needs to be fresh for the challenges ahead.

Why do you think Armstrong or Ashe make a difference to Murray? It should be around 3pm tomorrow.

Mladenovic recovers to beat Makarova.

summerblues wrote:This Nole vs Agut match is yet another example of what I do not like about current tennis.  By all accounts it is a pretty high quality match.  Agut just broke back for 4:4 and has been in general keeping up with Nole quite well even though Nole himself is not playing poorly.

Yet it is all about endless power hitting from the baseline - guys keep running down and hitting 3-4-5 and more shots trying to force each other out of position.  I do not mind some of that in tennis, but to watch the whole match pretty much just based on that is not my cup of tea.

summerblues : I did not see this particular match, but I found myself instantly relating to your succinct analysis of today's tennis because in recent years I seem to have watched countless matches which fit the same description. And, unfortunately, many of them - though certainly not all - have involved Djokovic.

I say 'unfortunately' because on the one hand Novak is of course the runaway World Number One, a player who is coming to the end of another extremely successful season, a season in which he has proven too much of a challenge for almost all other contenders, and in which he could more than likely finish up holding three out of four Slam trophies ; and yet on the other , he is a player whose tennis I have invariably found to be far more effective than exciting or enthralling. I remember being in Melbourne, watching Novak warm up for one of his early rounds at this year's AO, with the distinct feeling that I was about to be impressed by his efficiency and consistency, rather than be captivated by his (undoubted) talent.

In years to come, when all the current generation have long since gone from the Tour, people will read summaries of Novak's career and (rightly) be impressed by his tennis bio, his remarkable athleticism, his winner's mentality, and his overall achievements. But equally, I can't help thinking that - amongst those of us who were actually around to see him play - there will be many whose personal recollections will be more about just how often the title wins were based around the sort of endless power hitting you describe in this post, as opposed to a brand of tennis full of flair or invention. And then of course we will also remind ourselves that Novak knew exactly what was necessary to win Slams, perhaps in much the way that Michael Schumacher knew what was necessary to win Formula One championships. Sure, my analogy may not be wholly relevant/accurate on any sort of technical level ; but it sprang to mind because IMHO it's symptomatic of the fact that for the spectator, sport is so often about feeling & emotion and not just score sheets & titles.

It's tough on Djokovic, what he needs is a challenge from a younger guy who can play like Federer, someone who won't be killed by a few tough sets and who would drive him to do something more than the efficient tennis you describe.

I also find it boring but I think he can do more. He has great passing shots and a greater return but we rarely see them needed.

Murray is a not quite as good version of himself who can play well enough to beat him but not by taking the match on as I describe, so that's not the answer. Federer is 34 and has to win in straight sets or its gone, which means Djokovic doesn't need to take the challenge on, he can go long and know the match is his.

There is nobody else unless Wawrinka is red hot, and he needs slow surfaces to set his shots up.

I very much share that sentiment BB. 

I don't blame Djokovic completely. He can only beat what's placed in front of him. Which isn't good at this moment in time.

I personally don't buy this djokovic is a dull played talk. How is it that he is invariably involved in nearly all the best ATP matches of the year??

His epic battles with federer, nadal, wawrinka and co. It takes two players to make a match exciting. Maybe people just get bored because he wins so much against players they like?? If djokovic is boring, I hate to think what people use to describe nadal and murrays defensive games!

I'm going to be a very poor Djokovic fan and agree with the above.

I feel very frustrated by Djokovic's tennis this season. I'd say 80% of the time it so safe that there is no spectacle to his matches whatsoever.

I don't blame him at all. If he's good enough compared to the opposition to play high percentage tennis and still win almost everything, why would he gamble? But it's just so drab.

What's especially frustrating is that on the rare occasions when he does attempt to play aggressive tennis (or is forced to), his level is superb. He is undoubtedly an historically great player but we see his best tennis so infrequently.

I think BB is right. He needs a contrasting rival. Federer does the job but things are desperate if, in looking for a rival to a 28 year old, we have have to go with a 34 year old.

slashermcguirk wrote:I personally don't buy this djokovic is a dull played talk. How is it that he is invariably involved in nearly all the best ATP matches of the year??

His epic battles with federer, nadal, wawrinka and co. It takes two players to make a match exciting. Maybe people just get bored because he wins so much against players they like?? If djokovic is boring, I hate to think what people use to describe nadal and murrays defensive games!

This is part of what is frustrating me.

You're right. I think if we made a list of the best matches of the last 5 years, Djokovic would feature heavily. The quality of his best tennis is not in doubt.

But I sometimes feel like, on a match-by-match basis, Novak works out what level his opponent is at and plays 5% better.

It's ruthlessly efficient but it's not very joyful, especially when it is so frequently punctuated by anger and racket smashing.

I don't want to get too down on the guy because his career has given me so much entertainment, but I think he is capable of better.

I think Djokovic is just not playing very well at the moment. Earlier on this season he certainly wasn't playing 5% above his opponent, he was dishing out 6-0 and 6-1 sets almost every match.

Seems like he's winning his matches a bit by his undoubted ability to raise his game at the right time and a bit with the 'aura' that goes with being a dominant number one. The same 'aura' that Nadal has lost.

I actually think Murray will win this tournament, despite Djokovic having the easy draw. If Fed beats Murray in the semi final then I think Djokovic will grind him down, but if Murray gets through I think he'll beat Djokovic in the final. If Stan makes it through then who knows!

laverfan wrote:

Born Slippy wrote:Very concerned that Murray is on Armstrong. Its usually a scenario for at least a set and a half of Mugray and he can't afford for this match to be another long one. Needs to be fresh for the challenges ahead.

Why do you think Armstrong or Ashe make a difference to Murray? It should be around 3pm tomorrow.

Past experience of him playing very poorly every time he gets put on there. The fact its the middle of the afternoon makes it even more problematic.

HM Murdock wrote:

I don't want to get too down on the guy because his career has given me so much entertainment.

HMM, you like Djoko just cause you don't like Fed/Nadal and want to be a fan of a different guy from the them 2, not that Djoko is anywhere entertaining.

Hi 5 now for deconstructing your love for Djoko

Guest82 wrote:I think Djokovic is just not playing very well at the moment.

He's playing OK but no more than that.

He's not at a level which Wawrinka, Murray or Federer should feel overly concerned about. And I think Cilic and, especially, Tsonga are playing well enough to have a fighting chance too.

He was like this at Wimbledon though. There, six matches of being 'good enough' followed by one match of being very good were enough to win the trophy.

It may be the same here but I don't think his current level is not enough