Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open

Spectator · All-time great

Weeks 35 & 36 - US Open

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Monfils gets one back: 3-6 2-6 6-3.

the addict · Tennis legend

Looks like someone finally flipped the switch, we may have a match at last. Some great points in there.

Spectator · All-time great

Well it's still bizarre, but at least it's a match. Allez! Adje!

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Didn't see a ball of that match. But it seems like it wasn't really worth seeing a ball of...

Without any info, steven's tweet sounds very apt, in a sad way:

Steven @GBtennis 1h1 hour ago

"What's the secret to playing so sensibly this USO, Gaël?" "The secret? Simple! I've saved up a tournament's worth of madness for the semis"

the addict · Tennis legend

Yes, it was very apt - all sorts of madness up to that point. But there were some amazing rallies, and if Gael could have played at that level all the time we would have had a great match

Spectator · All-time great

Worth reading Monfils' press conference: www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2016-09-09/gael_monfils_interview_semifinals.html

Actually, now that the video is up, really worth watching and reading. The essence of it is his saying that playing 'well' wasn't working so he played in a different way to put Djokovic off his game and give himself time to regroup. But it's more complex, very well put and very interesting.

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 10th of September 2016 08:45:40 PM

Spectator · All-time great

It hadn't occurred to me earlier, but if you look at the draw, barring Nadal, all of the players who have defeated Djokovic in major matches (Slams/Olympics) since 2010 were on the other side of the draw: Wawrinka, del Potro, Nishikori, Murray (Querrey, too, but I don't think that's quite the same thing) Much was made of his having Raonic and Cilic in his half, but regardless of how well they've played this year, their combined record against him is 0-21. The only player other than Nadal on his side of the draw who had any record against him was Tsonga.

If Djokovic is truly recovered, I can't see someone who has spent more than double the time on court that he has defeating him. If Djokovic isn't fully recovered, who knows?

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 10th of September 2016 06:10:30 AM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Spectator wrote:
I wouldn't suggest malfeasance (either in re self or others) - I think it's just one of those things. But it's the most bizarre run to the finals of a tournament that I have ever, ever seen. And at this point, I am very glad that AM is safely off somewhere else resting before focusing on the Davis Cup. It can't do good things to the late-round players' mentality to see such a sequence of disasters for the previous players.

I did wonder whether Novak's good fortune contributed to Andy's demise. It can't be easy seeing your arch nemisis have so much luck. Also with the knowledge that if you do get tot the final, that he will be fresh as a daisy.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well done, Stan, on making the US Open final.

Makes Dan Evans' match point against him rather bitter sweet........

(And we now have a Novak-Stan final where I can't find it in me to care either way)

Spectator · All-time great

Certainly should encourage Dan Evans, who did better against Wawrinka than either del Potro or Nishikori. That's not bad company to be keeping.
Alas, like you, CD, I can't find myself enthused by either finalist.

-- Edited by Spectator on Saturday 10th of September 2016 11:09:51 AM

RJA · Hall of fame

Spectator wrote:
Certainly should encourage Dan Evans, who did better against Wawrinka than either del Potro or Nishikori. That's not bad company to be keeping.
Alas, like you, CD, I can't find myself enthused by either finalist.

If anything I think I will simply add to his annoyance with himself over not seeing out the match. In his press conference after the match he was asked if he took any comfort from playing so well against the world No3 and he gave a pretty emphatic no. I don't think that he believes in "encouraging defeats".

RJA · Hall of fame

As for Stan, you have to give him credit for his coolness under pressure last night. Nishikori was playing magnificent and was utterly dominant in the first set and for most of the second set but Stan weathered the storm and somehow won the second set even though he was badly out played in it.

Spectator · All-time great

At one level, I'd agree, RJA, and, as per my comments on his press conference, I found his response encouraging. But at the same time, I think that realising that he ran the finalist closer than either of his two subsequent opponents, both of whom are (present or former) top 10 players, may well help to build up a sense that he has the capacity to play at the top of the game.

TMH · Futures qualifying

I really can't stand Wawrinka. Hope Djokovic stuffs him on Sunday.