US OPEN THREAD

[Smart]

He accomplished a QF once in his career. He made the 2nd week of a major 3 times in his career.

I'm downplaying nothing, just stating facts.

And I said nothing about Isner underachieving, so don't tell lies. If anything, he's overachieved.

My point is that you shouldn't need to add that qualifier. He is by far the single biggest overachiever on tour today. He may actually be the biggest overachiever in tennis history, at least if you compare their top rank to where they were at 16/17 years old.

 

[nuraman00]

Blake had no micourt/transition or net game, and when he tried to work on those (plan b, as you say) and develop them to extend rallies, he ended up losing much worse and more often. He had speed and a forehand, and it was his best destiny to try to blast winners with the forehand. With that mindset, he accomplished more than anybody would have thought possible. Good for him.

Isner can "compete" well all he wants. He's a good guy and has worked hard lately, but he's never been a thread to make week 2 of majors consistently, and he never will be. He's made it past the 4th round of a major once in his life. Not sure how anybody is ever surprised when he loses early.

If Isner can find a way to win more return games, he can make it to a few 4th rounds and QF. If it's possible for him to still improve those areas, at this point.

I'm not surprised at some of his losses, because I know that his low break % hurts him and gives the opponent a chance to win the set.

Blake wasn't consistent at making the 2nd week either though. 3 QFs, 5 4th rounds. Only was good at hard courts, although he had 2 good runs at Queen's Club (grass). I would have liked to have seen slightly better runs during a few of the majors.

At one point, I felt Ginepri was more consistent, having made the 4th round at all majors, but then he fell off the map after the 2005 USO, other than being in a commercial with Agassi.

 

[cezero]

Yeah, even Robredo is able to attack Roger's backhand. Fed's already running around it trying to hit off forehands instead, and leaving a ton of open court.

Roger down a break already.

It will be unfathomable to me if Fed struggles against Robredo right now.

 

[nuraman00]

Tipsarevic just broke Ferrer. He's serving for the set. I don't care who wins that match at all since they're basically the same player. Whoever gets through will be a non-factor in the tournament, I think.

Yeah neither are a threat to win the tourney, I just like watching two good players.

 

[nuraman00]

I have cable, so watching Federer-Robredo on CBS.

 

[cezero]

If Isner can find a way to win more return games, he can make it to a few 4th rounds and QF. If it's possible for him to still improve those areas, at this point.

He already has, IMO. Up until his match against Kohl, for the whole summer he was more aggressive off the return than I've ever seen, and his movement was much better than I've ever seen.

His match against Monfils seemed to have drained him, though. It's just the nature of things for big guys like Isner. He's put in the work off of court, but playing a grinding style will take its toll on his body much more quickly than other players.

 

[CaptO]

I have cable, so watching Federer-Robredo on CBS.

Same here. Hoping Robredo can pull off the W

 

[cezero]

Fed haters are so fucking stupid. lol.

 

[cezero]

I'm watching the Tips/Ferrer match now, too. Will it go 4 or 5 is my question.

 

[nuraman00]

Ok, I'm also recording CBS Sports Network coverage. I hadn't done that yet so far, only done ESPN 2, CBS, and Tennis Channel.

 

[bksballer89]

Ferrer is so useless. Top 3/4 ranked and never can compete for a title. What Rafa did to him at RG was a disgrace

 

[bksballer89]

So they had a rain delay and they're really still ending the coverage at 6.

This is why ESPN/Tennis Channel should be the only one covering tennis. You think ESPN would ever do this?

 

[nuraman00]

LOL they're switching everything to ESPN 2, and ending both CBS and CBS Sports Network. So watching there now.

 

[CaptO]

Fed haters are so fucking stupid. lol.

Dont hate him. Hes had a good run. Time for new blood

 

[bksballer89]

At least ESPN coverage starts an hour earlier

 

[nuraman00]

Ferrer is so useless. Top 3/4 ranked and never can compete for a title. What Rafa did to him at RG was a disgrace

Ferrer is unlikely to beat Rafa at RG, but could do it on hard courts, as he did it at the 2007 USO and 2011 AO.

Djokovic or Murray are the ones that have a better chance to beat Nadal at RG. Maybe Tsonga has a chance if he's on fire.

Ferrer has a really good forehand, and has admirable runs at Wimbledon too.

 

[bksballer89]

That line to get into Armstrong is ridiculous lol....Just go to Grandstand and see Ferrer

 

[nuraman00]

Thankfully ESPN is taking over the tennis GS world as they have the best coverage IMO. In 2015 they will have full coverage of the US Open which means they will have complete rights to 3 of the 4 GS.

Are they ever going to get full coverage of the FO? I hate NBC's coverage of it during each of the tourney's weekends, and I don't like their tape delayed, condensed coverage. I usually now wait until the Tennis Channel coverage starts, for the SF, so I can record a 7-8 hour block of the full SFs.

I've liked ESPN's coverage of Wimbledon the past two years. I especially like how they have the trophy ceremony with no commercial breaks, just 20 minutes of straight celebration coverage.

NBC, meanwhile, has a commercial break every 2 mins during the FO ceremony.

 

[nuraman00]

Robredo up a break 5-4.

 

[nuraman00]

Federer makes two unforced errors in the game, but still gets the break back.