Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open

theemptyvessel · Club Coach

Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open

indiana · Tennis legend

Just Monfils's second Slam SF after the 2008 French Open SF - lost to Federer in 4 sets. High time for another.

RJA · Hall of fame

Returning to matters closer to home I was just looking at Evo's playing activity since his return from injury 16 months ago.

In that time he has played 38 tournaments and two Davis Cup ties. He has played 117 singles matches and 19 doubles matches. By any standards that is a hell of a lot of matches and when you add in the amount of time that he has clearly spent on the practice court and in the gym I think it is clear that nobody can credibly question the amount of effort and commitment he has shown. He might still have a few flaws, and I will still criticise him on occasions such as the Baker match at Lexington, but if anyone now turns round and says that he further development relies on an increased level of effort and commitment I would humbly suggest that they underestimating just how much he has put in over the last 16 months.

Spectator · All-time great

Thanks for gathering that together, RJA.

Novak Djokovic must be (though I'm no statistician) one of the few people to reach a Slam SF having played a total of 9 full sets of tennis. Comes in with injury doubts, looks in his first round as if a high-level opponent will do him in - and then proceeds to have one walkover and two retirements in his next four matches. And I'd have to say that the fact that one is relying on Monfils - of all people - to stay healthy and give him a match in the SF is more than slightly ironic. The irony there, in case anyone takes umbrage, is the healthy bit, not the 'give him a match' bit: of the latter, a fit and healthy Monfils would be, I would think, more than capable.

Pouille strikes me, CD, as one of your Mr Xes: someone that people thought was quite decent when he was 18 or so, but might not have predicted to be one of the first of his 'year' to make a run at the top 10. What struck me watching his post-Nadal press conference was that he seems very comfortable with himself and what he's currently doing - that could be an anomaly or a complete misapprehension on my part, but if not, it bodes well for him.

Oakland2002 · All-time great

Dan is now where he is, an excellent position when compared to last season but now intensely frustrated by his loss to the world number 3. Is he satisfied, no. Is he now a professional tennis player in more than the sense of playing tennis for money? he's getting there. Spending time with Andy has made it clear how much work has to be done to get right to the top. Can Dan be better? having seen the way he played this week, definitely yes. Is Dans BMI less than 23 maybe just?

Could he by paying attention to what he eats and his refueling out of competition and optimise it to achieve peak athletic performance undoubtedly. The enormous amount of effort he has put in this year has reaped fantastic rewards for him.

His further development irelies on an increased level of effort.

The potential rewards in terms of on court success and fiscal are enormous. Am I excited for him is he fantastic to watch? Yes!!!

I still think he needs to lay off the Banks' s and the scratchins

-- Edited by Oakland2002 on Wednesday 7th of September 2016 05:51:29 AM

TMH · Futures qualifying

Well now, this is bizarre.

Djokovic goes through without 'winning', as it were, for the third time in five matches. He's into the SFs having played all of 10.5 sets. He's incredibly well-rested, but also incredibly untested.

Jan · Hall of fame

Jammy Djodger strikes again!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

theemptyvessel wrote:
If it is Gael and Novak in the semis I do think we may be in for a cracker. Watching him this year it seems clear that finally Monfils has realized he is running out of time to actually deliver on his potential and apart from his injury spell around the French and Wimbledon he has been playing excellent stuff. I watched his final against Ivo in the Citi Open and Karlovic served for the match in the second set. Time was that Gael would have have waved the white flag and hit some silly showboating shots on his way to the runners up prize but this time he dug in and broke back to take the title in 3 sets. I hesitate to say it but I do believe Gael has added a little grit and steel to his game and Novak may be in for a shock if they play.

Yes, I agree.

What wouldn't you give for a ticket for this match?

Gael shook a few French people by saying that he basically plays for money - couldn't really get his head round the Olympics idea of 'tennis for free'.

But he's not wrong. And, yes, I think he's 'grown up' a bit too. Now is his time.

And for someone to be heading for 8th in the ATP (5th in the race) while having not even played Roland Garros and being injured/not ready/bombing at Wimbledon shows how well he's been playing.

I'd love him to win and to have his moment.....

indiana · Tennis legend

A week ago Steve Darcis departed the singles having lost his R2 match to John Isner in 4 sets on the first Wednesday. With his 5 set win in R1 against Jordan Thompson he had played 97 games.

Novak has reached the SF playing 84 games. If he'd treble bagelled 5 matches he would have played 90.

Just looking at his half, others to depart on that first Wednesday after R2 having played more games are Duckworth, Chiundelli and Delbonis.

RJA · Hall of fame

Oakland2002 wrote:
Dan is now where he is, an excellent position when compared to last season but now intensely frustrated by his loss to the world number 3.

It is good that he is intensely frustrated about his loss and I guess it is probably all the greater given that he would have played Marchenko in R4. If there can be one major criticism of him this summer it is that he has lost so many matches that he served for and/or had very advantageous positions in. Cuevas at Nottingham, Baker at Lexington and Nishioka at Atlanta were all matches that he pretty much threw away and you can probably add Matthieu at Queen's to that list. Hopefully his frustration over the Wawrinka loss will lead to him dealing with the problem.

indiana · Tennis legend

Karolina Pliskova has beaten Konjuh 6-2 6-2 so Murray Jnr should shortly be on Ashe.

thejester · Satellite level

First set taken 6-1. After losing the first few points on serve it was extremely one sided. I have to go out now so hopefully somebody can put some match insight up on here.

indiana · Tennis legend

I see that we have a rain delay at 6-1 3-3* 30-40*

Are they shutting the roof ?

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, roof closed, players just come back on court.

indiana · Tennis legend

The answer is yes ( edit : as just said ). Knocking up again.

I would have much preferred it had continued just as was. But at least Andy has played under the roof.

-- Edited by indiana on Wednesday 7th of September 2016 07:20:29 PM