US OPEN THREAD

[Hs0022]

IMO, most players play poorly against Rafa, not just his compatriots. Robredo's win against FED was more about FED making a lot of errors, not able to keep the ball in play, and not being able to break Robredo.

It's not like Dodig, Silva, or Harrison did any better.

Even if you look at some of the past GS finals where Nadal played a lesser opponent, the wins against Berdych, Puerta, Soderling were uncompetitive too. Puerta won a set but the next 2 sets were blowouts.

The Finals against Wawrinka and Raonic earlier this year were uncompetitive. Both Wawrinka matches this year, in Madrid and at the FO, were uncompetitive.

The broadcasters said a few weeks ago that Nadal has a winning record over everyone in the top 30? There's a reason why he has that, it's because he's able to blow a lot of them out. Same with Djokovic and Murray right now, when they're on, they blow a lot of opponents out.

Players get under pressure against Rafa from the get go because he plays a LOW UE style game that has become more and more intimidating with advances in racquet technology. It's hard to rush the net nowadays to end rallies sooner against him if you are an aggressive player. It's tough to deal with his lefty topspin if you are a top right handed pro from the baseline and basically with the way the sport has evolved one is reduced to playing Nadal's style of game where he reins. It's just frustrating and sad to see tennis become limited to a duel of baseline rallies that only measure one's patience and ability to move from side to side in an athletic manner and play in a physical primitive manner.

There does not exist any contrast in styles ala Sampras vs Agassi and what we are witnessing is the homogenization of this sport.

 

[Hs0022]

They took measures to slow down balls and surfaces both of which helped Nadal, but where are the measures to reduce topspin? They should crack down on strings that help generate insane topspin. We want to see variety, we want to see skills, touch and artistry not brute grinding. But the wheel is rolling and the cash registers are ringing regardless so why bother?

 

[Smart]

Set 1 goes to Stan, 6-4. Murray slams his racquet on the last thee points. He's acting bratty like he used to.

 

[Old Lion]

Stan just looks to be so much improved. His form especially on his forehand is quite a bit better. It is no longer a liability for him.

 

[Smart]

Stan finished the beatdown. 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. And it was more lopsided than the score suggests. He never faced a break point the entire match and had moments where he dominated the Murray serve. I don't know what the final winners numbers were but it was about 45 to 15.

Big win for Stan. And after Aussie this year, he has to have some confidence going forward against Nole.

 

[bksballer89]

I would really love to see a Gasquet/Wawrinka finals

 

[Hs0022]

Ain't gonna happen. Odds of two one handed bh players making slam final in this age is astronomically slim.

 

[bksballer89]

well both are 1 win away

 

[cezero]

Good for Wawrinka.

I'm betting that if Nole makes it to the semi and beats Waws, it won't be as tight a match as the Aussie Open 2013 was.

I'd love to see Gasquet beat Rafa, but he'll only be able to handle backhands above his head that Rafa hits to him for so long, I'll bet.

 

[cezero]

As I said, it should really be an easy 3 or 4 set win for Nadal. If he starts off a little slow (which he has done many times), Gasquet could take control of rallies a little easier and sneak a set out. By the end of a 2nd set, though, Rafa's topspin will take its toll.

We see 4 set wins from Rafa all the time where it's a relatively competitive first set, and then ends up 6-0 0r 6-1 in the final set, especially against players with 1-handed backhands.

This is basic stuff for any real tennis fan.

And yes, HS, Spaniards do tend to just fold for Rafa. But he has a winning record over pretty much everybody, so that's not as big a deal as you make it out to be.

 

[bksballer89]

I guess we will see.

 

[bksballer89]

This is what I call an easy 4 set win. Not one competitive set in this match and Djoker was never threatened.

 

[Liberal Icon]

As I said, it should really be an easy 3 or 4 set win for Nadal. If he starts off a little slow (which he has done many times), Gasquet could take control of rallies a little easier and sneak a set out. By the end of a 2nd set, though, Rafa's topspin will take its toll.

We see 4 set wins from Rafa all the time where it's a relatively competitive first set, and then ends up 6-0 0r 6-1 in the final set, especially against players with 1-handed backhands.

This is basic stuff for any real tennis fan.

And yes, HS, Spaniards do tend to just fold for Rafa. But he has a winning record over pretty much everybody, so that's not as big a deal as you make it out to be.

It is not only Spaniards who tend to just to fold for Rafa. From the way Rafa is playing now, just like everybody not named Djokovic is sure to fold up.

 

[nuraman00]

Bryans doubles vs. Paes/Stepanek:

Exciting match. Paes/Stepanek stepped it up in the 3rd, and were getting tough shots back. Bob Bryan also struggled with his serve more.

Stepanek had that one service game early in the 3rd where the Bryan bros. had a lot of break points, but he held on.

Paes/Stepanek went up 2 breaks, but the Bryan bros. got one back. Bryan bros. couldn't get the 2nd one back.

Nice to see Paes mention what a tough road from injury Stepanek has had.

Murray-Wawrinka:

I don't think either player played that well. Murray struggled a to get into Wawrinka's service games, never forcing a break point.

Djokovic-Youzhny:

Youzhny struggled holding early in sets. At least he took a set, but that was because Djokovic had trouble with his 1st serve. Djokovic didn't play that great either though. All of these sets were uncompetitive after an initial game or two.

 

[Hs0022]

Just as in Wimbledon we had four one handed BH and four two handed BH players in the last eight. And even though all one handed bh were eliminated after QF stage at Wimby and one a couple of them sneaked in to the SF here at USO they are not gonna make it to the final.

 

[Liberal Icon]

Wow. Even in doubles, it is painful to see Venus Williams struggle so much. I think it is all but over for her.

 

[nuraman00]

Wawrinka up 2 breaks, 4-1, in the 1st.

 

[bksballer89]

How about Wawrinka? Up a double break in the 1st

 

[Hs0022]

It's Hammer time. Please bring it down on Djoko. I hope Stan can win the whole thing. He needs to beat Nadal in the final which would be mission impossible.

 

[Hs0022]

Nadal is gonna eat Gasquet up because its time for "headcase" to make an appearance.