The US Open - 2019

The last GS of the season opens in New York tomorrow. Without checking what was written at the start of the other three slams this year, I bet I'm probably repeating myself by saying it's going to be hard to look beyond anyone other than the Big Three to be in contention for the men's title.

Where could a challenge come from? The form man at the moment is Medvedev, but what shape is he going to be in after reaching three successive finals? Guys who've done well at the USO in the past include Cilic and Nishi. Nishi might do well, but Marin's had a poor season.

You wait, in vain it seems, for Zverev to show up at a Slam. Thiem is always tough to beat, but one feels clay is his best surface.

As for the women, may as well stick a pin in to discover the winner. Serena seems to do OK these days until having horror shows in finals. Halep is always worth putting money on. But it's very difficult to pick out a firm favourite. Virtually any of the top 20 could win it.

Mens Draw:
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_Singles

Womens Draw:
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/draws/index.html?event=WS&promo=subnav

I haven't analysed the men's draw but I see nothing really stopping the big three from getting to the semi-finals.  If they are not feeling well, develop an injury, and hit an in form younger player - then maybe they could get into trouble.  I am not convinced Medvedev is ready to mount a significant challenge in this slam.

Apart from Roland Garros, Dominic Thiem's second favorite slam tournament results wise is the US Open:
THIEM US OPEN 2014(4R) 2015(3R)  2016(4R) 2017(4R) 2018(QF)

In 2018 Thiem was knocked out in the QF in a five set gruelling match which he lost in a final set tie-breaker 5-7 against Rafael Nadal.  In winning that QF Rafael Nadal sustained an injury which was exacerbated in the SF - where he had to pull out after two sets (against Del Potro - and Del Potro is off injured this year)

In 2017 Thiem was knocked out in the fourth round in a five set gruelling match with Del Potro.  Del Potro went on to beat Roger Federer in the QF in four sets and then was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the SF in four sets, and Rafael Nadal went on to win the US Open in the final (against Anderson).

In 2016 Thiem pulled out injured after a set and a half against Del Potro in the fourth round.  Del Potro was beaten in the QF against Stan Wawrinka, and Stan Wawrinka went on to win the US Open that year.

All in all I think there is a very good likelihood of a:
Federer vs Djokovic semi-final and a Thiem vs Nadal semi-final.  I think Nadal is in great form and physical shape coming into this tournament but Thiem seems to perform exceptional well in this tournament too.  Surely Thiem will be a French Open winner and a US Open winner when he decides to hang up his racket - he turns 26 during the US Open 2019.

It wouldn't surprise me if either Djokovic or Federer slip up before reaching the semi-final except I can't really identify any dangerous player likely to beat them (I don't rate Medvedev yet for the slams).

I should mention results wise the US Open is Marin Cilic's and Kei Nishikori's best slam tournament. Nishikori is drawn to meet Federer in the quarter final, while Marin Cilic is drawn to meet with Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.

I should add Djokovic is drawn to meet with Stan Wawrinka in the fourth round - but Wawrinka is a shadow of the player he once was.

While we follow the USO, we should keep an eye on Andy Murray who has entered a Majorca challenger and who tonight plays a guy I've never heard off who doesn't have a ranking.

Hopefully when we come to discuss the AO next January Andy will be there playing at Melbourne.

As for New York, twill be interesting to see how Coco Gauff does after her Wimbledon heroics.

Good start for Jo Konta who takes the first set 6-1 against Kasatkina.

Harriet Dart, though, is a set down in her first match.

Konta thru in three but Dart out. Barty lost first set 6-1 but came thru in three.

Meanwhile, in Majorca, Andy M allowed his very inexperienced 17-yr-old opponent just the one game. Sterner challenges await, no doubt.

Berdych losing in four sets to Brooksby (18 year old and ranked at #394) is hardly worth mentioning given how far Berdych has fallen in recent years (33 years old and ranked at #98).

Tallest man in tennis Opelka (21 year old, ranked #42) is currently two sets to love up against Fognini.

Mannarino has just won the third set so Evans still has work to do - currently Evans is leading 2 sets to one.

Medvedev had no trouble getting past Gunneswaran in straight sets.

Djokovic has just won the first set against Carballes Baena  6-4.

Anyone see any of the Konta match? Apparently, she was on the wrong end of some constant overruling by the umpire.

Why do some umpires want to be the centre of attention? They should only be overruling on clear mistakes and not undermining the line judges.

As soon as I saw Evans was two sets to love up I thought, somewhat ungenerously, that he would lose in five. Hope I'm wrong.

Kerber, who's rather slipped down the rankings, is already out.

Yes, Kerber going out probably biggest shock of the tournament so far. Fognini lost to Opelka - a minor upset - Opelka has a monster serve and could do some damage this tournament. Good win for Evans in 4 sets over Mannarino who can be a tricky player. Norrie in action against Barrere - tight match in 1st so far.

Routine wins for Djokovic and Medvedev.

A routine win for Serena Williams against Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-1.

I don't see why this was seen as some sort of "glamour" match up. What is that now, 19 wins in a row for Serena over Sharapova?

Roger Federer also through in 4 sets.

Some truly horrendous stats from Federer in his R1 match against a young Indian quali ...... whose name was perhaps confused with Rafa’s in a bizarre first set which the rookie won to deserved acclaim !

- 57 U/E’s
- 7 double faults (routinely goes entire matches with 0)
- made just 48% of first serves in set one (and averaged only 60% across all four sets played)

Whether this was some total aberration of a performance (I didn’t actually get to see it) ..... a minor blip which will ultimately mean nothing ; OR a genuine sign that his game is just not sharp enough to make it to the business end here ...... I guess we will learn more in his next round.

Only the second time since 03 that Fed has lost a set in his opening match at the USO.

Remember he lost his opening set at Wimbledon this year but still got as far as holding Championship points. As the player himself has said, it's sometimes a good thing to have an early struggle to get yourself battle-hardened.

Norrie came from two sets down only to lose in a final-set tiebreak. Evans, thankfully, managed to dodge my dire and over-pessimistic prediction that he would lose in five and instead won in four.

Rafa, Thiem and Tsitsipas all in action today. Coco Gauff takes on another teenager - Potapova. Battle of the Canadians features Felix A-A v Shapovalov.

Such a shame for Norrie. I get the sense that he’s due for a bit of luck .... but then they do say you make your own luck in the world of sport ........

Good to see Evans and Konta progress.

sirfredperry wrote:Only the second time since 03 that Fed has lost a set in his opening match at the USO.

Remember he lost his opening set at Wimbledon this year but still got as far as holding Championship points. As the player himself has said, it's sometimes a good thing to have an early struggle to get yourself battle-hardened.

........

The internet was going crazy (shock horror and such comments !) overnight about him dropping the first set in R1. Rarity value, as you highlight.

I do sometimes wonder how much longer it will be considered a major upset for a low-ranked young newbie to take a lead versus a 38 year old tennis OAP.  So what about at 40 ... ?? ..... 41 ? .....42 ... ?

Once Federer got warmed up, got his body working, got his "eye" in, got moving, got his brain engaged, began getting comfortable with the pace of the court and the conditions ... then he took control.  

Djokovic was held to 5-4 without a break in serve in the first set by Carballes Baena - and then broke when Baena was serving to stay in the first set.

These elderly and more fragile players are probably more vulnerable in the tournament early on before hitting their tournament stride.  Djokovic tends to have a certain elasticity towards the latter end of the tournament - although nowadays it wouldn't surprised me if it snapped.

Furthermore it is a long season - and they have difficulty getting to a peak condition in the latter part of the season.   When was the last time Roger Federer won the end of season ATP Tour Final?  2011. When was the last time he got to the final and finished runner-up? 2015. Who won it in 2017 and 2018? Dimitrov and Zverev respectively.

Tsitsipas has lost the first set to Rublev. Surely he's not going to go out in the first round two slams running?

Tsitsipas levels at one set all. Two GS champions are thru - Ostapenko and Kvitova. Another slam champion, Muguruza, has been taken to a third set by Alison Riske.

Defending champion Osaka made a slow start but has now got the first set back on serve.

Rublev beat Federer in Cincinnati.  When I saw he was drawn against Tsitsipas in the first round I thought to myself it wouldn't be surprising to see Rublev beat Tsitsipas.

Currently Rublev - Tsitsipas: 6-4 6-7 4-3 on serve in the fourth
Andrey Rublev aged 21 ranked 43
Stefanos Tsitsipas aged 21 ranked 8.  Rublev is about 10 months older than Tsitsipas.

This match has already gone nearly 2 hour and 30 minutes.  So it might be a question of who has the greatest stamina.

Rublev had his chances to win the third set but ultimately "choked" and then Tsitisipas "choked" and Rublev takes the third set 9-7 in the tie-breaker.

Rublev - Tsitsipas: 6-4 6-7 7-6
2 hours 55 minutes.

Gruelling fourth set. Rublev serving for the match 6-4 6-7 7-6 5-4
3 hours 47
0 15
0 30
0 40
Rublev broken to love

Rublev - Tsitsipas: 6-4 6-7 7-6 5-5 back on serve fourth set.

Rublev breaks back to 30 so has another chance to serve for the match.
15-0
30-0
30-15
40-15
Game set match Rublev: 6-4 6-7 7-6 7-5 in a match lasting 3 hours and 54 minutes.

Edmund's played just over two sets and looks dead on his feet and appears to have hardly any stamina left

2 sets to 1 down. Just doesn't look remotely fit enough to compete over 5 sets

Another disappointing slam for Tsitsipas although it was tough getting Rublev in the first round.

Thiem has lost the first set but at least another young hopeful, Zverev, is two sets up. RBA knocked out but Cilic showing signs of life with a straight-sets win.

Osaka had a real struggle before winning in three.

Dragged himself back in to the game very impressively. Final set!

No name Bertie wrote:...
Apart from Roland Garros, Dominic Thiem's second favorite slam tournament results wise is the US Open:
THIEM US OPEN 2014(4R) 2015(3R)  2016(4R) 2017(4R) 2018(QF)

In 2018 Thiem was knocked out in the QF in a five set gruelling match which he lost in a final set tie-breaker 5-7 against Rafael Nadal ...

In 2017 Thiem was knocked out in the fourth round in a five set gruelling match with Del Potro ...

In 2016 Thiem pulled out injured after a set and a half against Del Potro in the fourth round ...

All in all I think there is a very good likelihood of a:
... and a Thiem vs Nadal semi-final.  ... Surely Thiem will be a ...  US Open winner when he decides to hang up his racket ...

In 2019 Thiem was knocked out in the first round in four sets to 30 year old Thomas Fabbiano ranked 87 in the world: 4-6 6-3 3-6 2-6 in 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Kyle Edmund loses the fifth set 2-6 and the match which lasted 4hours and 21 minutes.
Zverev wins in five sets in a match lasting 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Seeds have tumbled in Rafa's half of the draw. Incredible that Thiem has exited in the first round at two successive slams. Former US champion Sloane Stephens is out.

Coco Gauff won the battle of the teenagers against Potopova.

After Thiems first round loss at Wimbledon (he also had a first round loss at Wimbledon in 2018) he returned playing clay court tennis - losing to Andrey Rublev in the QF of the Hamburg European Open (ATP 500: July 22 - 28), then winning an ATP 250 tournament held in Austria (July 29 - Aug 03).  Then he switched to hard court (Montreal Masters (Aug 5 - 11)) winning two rounds and then losing to Daniil Medvedev in the QF (3 -6 1-6).  And that was his preparation.  I assumed given his previous success at the US Open he knew what he was doing - but maybe not.

Ps I don't have activity information for Thiem in years before 2019, but in 2019 his main focus has been clay court tennis.  So the tournament he played straight after the Australian Open was clay, then another clay court tournament - then two Hard court masters tournaments (he won the first then was knocked out in the first round played in the other) - then all clay tournaments.  Wimbledon was the only grass court competition he entered (lost in first round) - then returned to clay court tournaments - then one Masters hard court tournament (won two rounds only) before the US Open (lost in first round).

So it seems to me all his focus now is in improving his clay court experience.  Not sure if this has been the case for years before 2019.  He could do a lot better on hard courts if he was only committed to them and prepared for them.

This year alone he has won $4.3 million in prize money - so maybe he is happy now focusing on clay court tournaments.

Next generation star Tsitsipas says he feels like he can't be bothered anymore - it seems like too much hard work and too boring - his head is full of instructions from his current and past coaches - of repeat movements he has to perform - over and over.  When it worked it was great but it has become boring and he is now losing to people he knows he shouldn't be losing to, but he feels he can't be bothered, also the umpires are against him, they're all weirdos and life isn't fair ...

Anyway that is the impression the BBC journalists give as they report on it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/49490761

I listened to the 5 live commentary of Edmund's loss against Andujar and he really squandered some good opportunities in 5th set - had 3 break-points and couldn't convert either.  From that point on I'm not sure if he actually won a game or not.  Not sure what the issue is with him at moment - is it physical conditioning, is it confidence?

I wouldn't over-analyse the comments made by Tsitsipas in the wake of his loss, nor write him off just yet - he's having a tough time after the big breakthrough and a few players have figured him out.  As long as he keeps winning titles on different surfaces as he's been doing so far and puts in a decent showing in the masters events left this year he can keep his ranking at respectable level.  Not sure what his coaching set-up is - Magnus Norman 'super-coach' would be a great coach to have if he was ever available.

One of the most surprising results was Shapovalov comprehensively beating countryman Felix Auger Aliassime - didn't see that coming.  Is Denis finally going to hit form at the right time in a slam?

Zverev had his usual over-long 5 set 1st round match - I think he'll survive a bit more but don't see him getting past 4th round/quarters.

We have had some surprise finalists at US Open of late - e.g. Anderson and to lesser extent Del Potro last year - and I get the feeling we might get one this year - need to check the draw.

The fine imposed on Nick Kyrgios at Cincinnati clearly did nothing to curb his attitude and language, and at some point (not sure exactly when .... ?) after his R1 USO win he apparently labelled the ATP as “pretty corrupt”. He went on to say that he doesn’t care if he receives a ban.

There was a prompt reaction by the ATP :

“The comments made by Kyrgios after his 1st rd match in New York will be assessed under Player Major Offense provision under ATP Rules. A determination will be made by Gayle David Bradshaw, Exec. VP, Rules & Competition, following an investigation as required by ATP rules"

In a carbon copy of his first match, Federer today sloppily dropped the first set before winning the next three.

He's been one of the lucky ones today - playing under a roof with most stuck in the locker room as the rain comes down.

Others fortunate include Nishi who won in four and Svitolina who bt Venus.

Many issues affect the next generation - one is the persistent occurrence of new or recurring minor injuries - something the big four were always able to overcome.  So today we have the withdrawal of Borna Coric which gives Dimitrov a walkover win into the third round.

Coric, who lost to JM del Potro in the fourth round of the US Open last year, has been forced to pull out due to a lower back strain.  It is the second grand slam in a row where he has been forced to withdraw due to injury.  He skipped the Wimbledon Championships due to an abdominal problem.

Coric posted the following on his twitter account: “I am really sad because I had to withdraw from the tournament. The last couple of months were really tough because of the injury I had.  For an athlete, the worst thing that can happen is an injury in the middle of the competition. It is never easy to withdraw but at this moment, my body is telling me to stop and assess the situation. So as hard as this decision is, I think it is smart in the long term. I am looking forward to playing the US Open next year.”

Andy Murray News:
2nd Round Rafa Nadal Open in Mallorca (Challenger):
Murray beats Norbert Gombos (#115 & third seed) 6-3 6-4.  Match began shortly after 10 pm local time. Murray lost his serve once in each set.  He won in one hour 43 minutes. Reports suggest he was moving around the court "freely". So far so good.

In the first round Murray beat Imran Sibille (#2094) 6-0 6-1.   This may have been Sibille's first professional tournament - his career earnings is listed as $150.  (one hundred and fifty dollars).

Murray today plays Italian ranked 200-something Viola. He's fifth, and last, on, having had to wait thru four successive two-hours-and-more matches on Tuesday.

This is, on paper, is a much easier match than against Gombos who has been as high as 80 in the rankings.

Back to the USO. Djoko came from two breaks down to take the second set on his way to a straight-sets win against Londero, who has been enjoying a breakthrough season aged 26.

Serena lost the first set 7-5 to 17-yr-old Catherine McNally, who with Gauff won a doubles tournament recently. Barty recovered a break in her second set to win in straight sets against Lauren Davis.

I see Kyrgios has tried to distance himself from his remarks about the ATP being "corrupt". Whether this will be enough to prevent him being further penalised remains to be seen.

Just been watching Djoko's media conference after his second-round win. He was talking about his shoulder injury which he said has been bothering him for a couple of weeks.

He said that at one stage of the first set he was unsure if he could get thru the match but was able to take advantage of the MTOs and some changeover treatment to win.

There must be some doubt about his going deep into the tournament now. He said he would be getting the best medical advice over the next 48 hours to see how he is.

So many early - and notable - casualties in Rafa’s half of the draw .....

- Thiem
- Tsitsipas
- Khachanov
- Bautista-Agut

Re Djokovic - given how well he actually managed to finish his match, I’m inclined to think he will be ok for the remainder of the event. Time will tell of course -  but it’s rare that he doesn’t have some physical issue of one sort or another ; and rarer still that it becomes a major problem.

Lags: Well, Djoko fans will hope it's nothing serious. He did well to keep the match relatively short which was some achievement considering he was a double break down in the second set.

Fed was asked about prize money. He said he thought the winners were getting enough but that the player council might well want to look at the issue of pay for the lesser lights.

Is there any chance that the presence of Rafa and Rog on the player's council could mean a reprieve for (ousted?) ATP boss Chris Kermode? Or is that irreversible?

Tough match for Evans today up against Pouille - currently 4-4 in 1st set with both players trading breaks.  Pouille has the firepower to hurt Evans although he can get tight on big points so there is a chance.  If he can get through that match Evans' reward is another slam encounter with Federer, which I'm sure he'd relish, though would realistically be end of the road for him in this tournament. ** Edit ** Evans up 6-4 and 3-1 and playing v well according to the text commentary. Arguably the best British player on tour this year.

Just been finally looking at the draw - Djokovic should be fine in 3rd round but potentially has Wawrinka in 4th round and Medvedev in the quarters.  Assuming he gets past Evans/Pouille, Federer could face Goffin in 4th round.  Next quarter down looks to be between Nishikori or De Minaur unless Dimitrov somehow comes back to life (he had big slice of luck in benefiting from Coric's withdrawal).

Moving into the lower half I sense an opportunity for Kyrgios or Shapolavov who could potentially meet in the quarters.  Agree that Nadal's section of draw has opened up and the most realistic obstacles to him getting through the draw (other than the above 2 who I'm not convinced would beat him) look to be Zverev or Cilic.  Zverev though has a tricky match against Tiafoe and the German does have a habit of coming unstuck against other young up and coming players.

Evans looking good and close to a two sets lead .... but some way still to go. All sorts of things happen in Bo5 !

Yes, he would love to meet Federer - and maybe could even exploit his apparent wobbly form. The two guys who have so far taken the opening set from Fed have been unable to build on their good work. But if Federer continues these poor starts, it might not always be so straightforward for him to turn things around as convincingly as he did so in R1 and R2.

Was impressed by his concern (already mentioned above by sfp) re the earnings of low-ranked players on the Challengers / Futures tours, and his intention to push it up the agenda via the Players Council

Evans now two sets to love up. This is where it tends to get tricky for Dan. He lost in five at Wimbledon after being 2-0 up and he faltered for a time in the first round here before winning in four.

No doubt Fed will be hoping it's a long five-setter today as he plays the winner.

As I write Kvitova is out, beaten in straight sets by Petkovic. Zverev has taken first set against Tiafoe.

Evans was 4-1 up in the third set and seemingly heading for victory. But he then lost four games in a row.

He saved at least one set point when Pouille served for it at 5-4 only to lose the ensuing tiebreak.

Evans is now 2-0 in the fourth. But if I recall correctly he was a set up in each of the five sets in his defeat at Wimbledon. This one could run and run.

Konta has an early break in her match. Zverev is one set all but a break up in the third. Osaka is a set up but trailing in set two.

Great result for Evans, who takes the match 6-4 in the fourth. Up next for him is new best mate, Fed.

Konta wins for the loss of just a solitary game.

Murray a set up out in Mallorca ...... where Rafa has offered him (by text message) the use of his boat, should he feel like a day on the water.

lags72 wrote:... Murray a set up out in Mallorca ...... where Rafa has offered him (by text message) the use of his boat, should he feel like a day on the water.

Murray is providing great awareness and public and media interest for Rafa's own Challenger Tournament at his academy.  I wonder if and when it will be upgraded to an ATP250 tournament - probably after Rafa retires.

Federer is showing some frailty in the early stages of the tournament while Djokovic is reporting on something that I have suspected - that he is having difficulty avoiding various small injuries - and not in top physical condition.

The Zverev vs Tiafoe match has gone to a 5th set: 6-3 3-6 6-2 2-6

Medvedev I think was a break down in the second set but has turned it around and now leads Dellian (who?) two sets to love.

Wawrinka leads Chardy two sets to love.

Must say I feared for Evans when he lost that third set. Excellent win by him and now a match against Rog.

Zverev doesn't half make it hard for himself at slams. When he does win it seems like he has to really battle. And then he loses. He had an early five-setter in the AO this year and two more at the French.

Did Konta play great or was her opponent awful?

Haven’t managed to see anything live so can’t help there sfp !

Murray lost in a final set tiebreak in his match versus Viola of Italy in Majorca. Two hours 43 minutes. Important thing is that it's to be hoped he feels OK.

Just a little surprised that Murray didn’t close it out.

But perhaps a reminder of just how much depth there is in the men’s game. By all accounts, the Challenger circuit is hugely competitive with players scrapping like mad every week to earn a living, and of course also to get the vital points needed to edge their way up to the main Tour.

Does he still have any sort of protected ranking ? Or would he need to rely on wildcards for Slam entries ?