Week 35 - US Open (men's main draw - Dan) - hard

freerider · Futures level

RE: Week 35 - US Open (men's main draw ex-AM) - hard

korriban · Challenger level

Evo. I give you my blessing to miss the St Remy Challenger next week. smile

Match against Tomic will be very interesting - hard to know what to expect from the Australian, so probably challenging to prepare for - slices and flat forehands and backhands. He's never looks like he's trying, but he times the ball so well and at 6'4 he has a lot of power available when he unloads. I don't think the long 5 set match will be a factor with at least a full day to rest up beforehand.

I know it's ironic, with Tomic having come from 2 sets to 1 down and a break down to win yesterday, but if Dan can get the upper hand early on, Bernard has been known to give up or at least stop giving it 100% concentration. I'm sure the press will build this up as the "battle of the bad boys" and that could mean a large show court, especially as their playing styles should ensure a very entertaining match for the crowd. I can't see Evo running away with it, as Tomic is probably much better than Nishikori at handling and handing out variety, but I'd like to think that it will be competitive.

One thing is for sure. Evo served splendidly yesterday, with a very solid second serve (looks like a revelation compared to just a few weeks ago, so looks like a lot of work has gone in) - he'll need to do so again.

Can't wait!!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I can argue this either way so I don;t know where it leaves me (and it doesn't really matter) but one thing that was noticeable yesterday is that Nishikori is a very 'respectful' player - no amateur dramatics, no grandstanding, no time-wasting or any other sort of gamesmanship.
I salute him for it but it did mean that Dan played the match very much on his terms. Someone less 'honourable' would maybe have tried to get in Dan's face a bit more, mess up the pace of the game, rattle him etc. etc.

Tomic is a different sort of player (I say no more). However, Dan's not scared of confrontation (!) and I agree with Korriban, Tomic has been known to throw in the towel and act up when things aren't going his way. Can't wait . . .

RJA · Hall of fame

Tomic likes to play quick as well.

indiana · Tennis legend

Re the previous page discussion about Evo not getting a Wimbledon MD WC, wasn't it said by someone here that he was going to get a WC, but didn't due to the emergence of some off court "incident".

Anyway, he's moved on a bit since and my predictions comp end of year ranking for Evo of about WR 350 is looking slightly suspect.

Go, Evo !

Miriambee · Futures level

Jack Buxton wrote:
wow.....so so happy for EVO......sadly had to listen via 5liveextra occassional updates while they persisted with a below average womens match. Seems daft to type this but judging by the commentary i did hear the level of tennis "sounded" great! After Bob's performance in the previous pick em should we doubt his mystic meg abilities this time :)

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Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Neil Harman claiming that Dan has just signed for Lagardere Unlimited

philwrig · Hall of fame

Judy Murray talked about the signing with a new management company on Sky so it makes sense.

RJA · Hall of fame

indiana wrote:
Re the previous page discussion about Evo not getting a Wimbledon MD WC, wasn't it said by someone here that he was going to get a WC, but didn't due to the emergence of some off court "incident".

Anyway, he's moved on a bit since and my predictions comp end of year ranking for Evo of about WR 350 is looking slightly suspect.

Go, Evo !

If I remember right you also promised to eat your hat if Evo made the top 100 any time soon.

Armchair · County player

What kind of hat ?

Ratty · County player

Ooh lovely, SIX courts to choose from on Sky!!!

Er, make that FIVE, Virginia Wade's commentating on the Wozzer match.

korriban · Challenger level

Ratty wrote:
Ooh lovely, SIX courts to choose from on Sky!!!

Er, make that FIVE, Virginia Wade's commentating on the Wozzer match.

Be fair. She's only just slightly more irritating than running your fingernails up and down a blackboard; but certianly less irritating than Castle and Lloyd doing their best Nicey and Smashey impersonations.

steven · Tennis legend

Well, who'd have thought (especially after seeing their R1 draws) that if just one of the Vancouver finalists (i.e. Evo and Pospisil) got through, it would be Dan!

His Aptos conqueror, Klahn, made it through as well.

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Stunning win for Evo. Didn't really see it coming, though I'd hoped... Shame, however, as Laura put it, about the tattoos! At least they're not quite as bad as David Beckham's - but they still make my skin crawl/stomach turn. bleh

Josh · Challenger level

That Medusa head tattoo, or whatever it's meant to be, he got on the outside of his forearm a few months ago is a bit of a shocker.