Hmm, Djokovic if it comes to it could have been avoided with one more win in these two recent masters weeks. Also if he had retained no 2 position would have had a 50/50 chance of meeting the winner from the Ferrer quarter.

I have kind of been happy with Anfy's Slam concentration, but particularly leaving himself rusty for Canada has left him more open to dropping to no 3 and a tougher draw. To be fair though, it still only happened due to Nadal's rather unexpected exploits.

And surprises may be ahead...

The US Open! Meh, been there done that

Don't think it's been posted (apologies if so) but, in the US Open National Playoffs Mixed Doubles Championship:

First round:

Matt Brooklyn (GBR) / Stephanie Wetmore (CAN) d. Victoria Lozano (MEX) / Patrick Smith (NZL), 6-4, 6-4

Karlovic has just won so James will be up shortly.

Using more courts to catch up, so chance Dan and Sam could move courts.

All calm - 2-2 in the first set, no break points . . .

That's not good, already down a set, come on Jamesey!

@BenRothenberg "Dan Evans playing a night match on a show court at a Slam and not a single British reporter in sight mob.li/_wDe7C "

and later ... "With a shout of "Allez, Evo, Allez!" that echoed through Grandstand, Dan Evans is through to the final round of qualifying. #usopen"

QR2: James Ward WR 175 beat (q27) Matthias Bachinger (GER) WR 143 (CH 85 in 2011) by 2-6 6-4 6-4
QR2: Dan Evans WR 179 beat Flavio Cipolla (ITA) WR 159 (CH 70 in 2012) by 7-5 1-6 6-3  (at 00.53 NY time)

FQR: James Ward WR 175 v (q6) Somdev Devvarman (IND) WR 113 (CH 62 in 2011) - 2nd on Court 7 after 16.00 BST
FQR: Dan Evans WR 179 v Adrián Menéndez-Maceiras ESP WR 184 (CH 169 in 2012) - 4th on Court 8 n/b 22.00 BST

Devvarman won the Lexington Challenger 5 years before James did, i.e. in 2008. The Indian also qualified and reached the QFs at Washington ATP this month, upsetting Dolgopolov on the way.

AMM upset Kavcic (Kavcic: "I do not know what to say... I gave my best. I won the match but I am out of the tournament... This is sick..." - no idea what he's on about but clearly some controversy ...) and reached the semis of three hard court Challengers last month, so he won't be easy to beat, but as slam final qualifying round opponents go, Dan couldn't really have asked for more. (doesn't mean he'll win, but still)

This is the first time we have had a man in the US Open final qualifying round since Jamie Baker in 2007 and the first time we have had more than one for 13 years - in 2000, Barry Cowan beat Martin Lee in one FQR match and Jamie Delgado qualified too.

-- Edited by steven on Friday 23rd of August 2013 06:12:51 AM