Weeks 35 & 36: US Open, New York (hard)

JonH · All-time great

RE: Weeks 35 & 36: US Open, New York (hard)

steven · Tennis legend

JonH wrote:
If rafa wins, will he be the first slam winner to not face a top 25 ranked player at some stage in the event? Or are there other examples?

There's quite a good Tennis Abstract article on this - factual and balanced:

http://www.tennisabstract.com/blog/2017/09/08/quantifying-cakewalks-or-the-time-rafa-finally-got-lucky/

Rafa has clearly had a relatively 'easy' route this time (despite Andy's late withdrawal supposed making things harder by forcing him to meet Fed in the semis, which of course he didn't in the end anyway!) but while del Po may be outside the top 20, he was clearly playing like a top 10 player, particularly against Fed.

Also, before the Fed/Rafa (and later the big 4) era started, there were plenty of slam finalists who probably had even kinder draws, even if they had to play more top 10 players.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

indiana wrote:
I think though we have here a mixture of posters just commenting and querying on the facts in an interested non judgemental statto way and a couple of others that appear to have severe issues with it all.
Quite a number of posters have commented much more positively on their interest in this rather different Slam and yes, it's neither Rafa's or Kevin's fault. Well done, them.

I don't really think anyone has severe issues as you put it. Vandy maybe but probably not behind the mask. My issue has been the problem in the men's game just now with fitness with around 8-10 of the top 20 players injured or carrying an injury. And that's not Nadals fault. A fully fit field I doubt we'd have either of these 2 in the final. It would be a good story for Anderson to win it so Id imagine in the absence of Roger he'd get the crowds support.

indiana · Tennis legend

Not been watching the final so far but stats show the make-up of the 3-3 score after 41 minutes quite fun.

Rafa has won his 3 service games with total points 12-3.

Kevin has won his 3 service games with total points 24-18 saving 4 BPS in the course of 8 point, 18 point and 16 point games.

indiana · Tennis legend

Bah, not quite such fun for Kevin now, another 8 point service game and Rafa breaks on his 5th BP of the match.

Nadal *4-3

Vandenburg · Futures level

Anderson is playing WTA standard. 5 points won on the Nadal serve, in set and a half???? Nadal's serve is challenger level? Kevin is having a shocker.

Dissapointing as thought Kandy had a legit chance.

Sheddie · administrator

Yeah Rafa's a challenger level player really. Crazy that he even managed to make it this far

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Congrats to Nadal.

Another Grand Slam win this year. On hard. Amazing endurance and desire, and skill.

And congrats to Spain. Rafa at world number one, (and Garbine too), and Pablo into the top 10. (With B. Agut not far behind at 13).

And to Europe, for another champion.

And to the BestGen - for not succumbing to MidGen/Gen Fail or NextGen.

christ · Futures level

Could someone please remind me: which men aren't Challenger level?

Sim · County player

Congratulations to Rafa.

What odds would you have got at the start of the year on Rafa and Roger to win 2 Grand Slams each or for Rafa and Sloane Stephens to both win the US Open???

Vandenburg · Futures level

Sheddie wrote:
Yeah Rafa's a challenger level player really. Crazy that he even managed to make it this far

Not sure you really understand what i've said, instead you've picked out keywords. Rafa's serve is widely acknowledged as being the weakest part of his game, and is distinctly average. to manage to get only 15 points on it over 3 sets, and only make him face deuce once, is shocking.

every commentator, was bewilded by this, the stats make Nadal to be Sampras serve!

Remember both Taro Daniel and Mayer made serious inroads into Nadal's serve. Anderson's level of play was the worst i've seen in a slam final this century.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

christ wrote:
Could someone please remind me: which men aren't Challenger level?

Certainly I'm here to help.

The widely accepted ranking for a top challenger player is around the 40-50 mark. Ranking can be achieved by winning a few 75 and 100ks mainly at clay court level. Kyle and Aljaz being examples of that standard. It may be possible to go higher see Lorenzi types for example. There are a number of examples players who reach this level and remain there for some time. To go into the top 30 in the rankings you really have to be capable of going deep in Masters and Slams.

This years US Open having so many top players out injured and a good few half fit meant there was a greater chance of lower ranked players coming through, reflected in Nadals opponents through to the final.

Top 30 players ATP 500 and above, 30-50 ATP250 and top challenger. 50-100 top challenger. 100-250 challenger. 250 plus Top futures low end challenger.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Jaggy1876 wrote:
christ wrote:
Could someone please remind me: which men aren't Challenger level?
Certainly I'm here to help.
The widely accepted ranking for a top challenger player is around the 40-50 mark. Ranking can be achieved by winning a few 75 and 100ks mainly at clay court level. Kyle and Aljaz being examples of that standard. It may be possible to go higher see Lorenzi types for example. There are a number of examples players who reach this level and remain there for some time. To go into the top 30 in the rankings you really have to be capable of going deep in Masters and Slams.
This years US Open having so many top players out injured and a good few half fit meant there was a greater chance of lower ranked players coming through, reflected in Nadals opponents through to the final.
Top 30 players ATP 500 and above, 30-50 ATP250 and top challenger. 50-100 top challenger. 100-250 challenger. 250 plus Top futures low end challenger.

I suspect the christ's question was tongue in cheek, a pop at Vandy's continual putting down of players and general attention seeking negativity. Saying that, I've never really put figures on the various levels, so it was good to read your post.

indiana · Tennis legend

"Widely accepted" - really ??!

Edited out my "wildly" - just a typo

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 11th of September 2017 03:25:20 PM

christ · Futures level

Jaggy1876 wrote:
christ wrote:
Could someone please remind me: which men aren't Challenger level?
Certainly I'm here to help.
The widely accepted ranking for a top challenger player is around the 40-50 mark. Ranking can be achieved by winning a few 75 and 100ks mainly at clay court level. Kyle and Aljaz being examples of that standard. It may be possible to go higher see Lorenzi types for example. There are a number of examples players who reach this level and remain there for some time. To go into the top 30 in the rankings you really have to be capable of going deep in Masters and Slams.
This years US Open having so many top players out injured and a good few half fit meant there was a greater chance of lower ranked players coming through, reflected in Nadals opponents through to the final.
Top 30 players ATP 500 and above, 30-50 ATP250 and top challenger. 50-100 top challenger. 100-250 challenger. 250 plus Top futures low end challenger.

Thank-you. I shall frame this as a reference.