Juan Carlos Ferrero and Gilles Simon are my two favorite players because they are both even-tempered baseliners, who play people off the court, and possess nice sets of wheels. Ferrero probably is more even-keeled than Simon because the Frenchman has a propensity, at times, to have spirited conversations with himself when things are not going well on the court.
The match looked like it would be a grinder of a match with lots of long rallies. Each player took a set and all was even in the third set until Simon called for the trainer. The Frenchman has suffered from tendinitis since the French Open, so it became a problem during this match. After the injury timeout, Ferrero was able to take the third set. Simon retired after the first game in the fourth set to give the Spaniard the victory 1-6 6-4 7-6(5) 1-0.
Ferrero advances to play the winner of the del Potro-Koellerer match later on today. His fourth-round showing ties his second-best result at the tournament in 2000. His best result was of course his 2003 final with Andy Roddick. Should his opponent be del Potro, Ferrero will have his hands full.
(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)
Tommy Robredo asks server James Blake for a little more time before receiving. Robredo eventually stopped the American’s forward progress in the tournament by beating him 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 in Saturday’s night match.
Robredo will now have the opportunity to meet Roger Federer in the round of 16. Federer leads their matchup 8-0. Good luck to the Spaniard in tomorrow’s match.
In other match news, John Isner and his big serve sent fifth-seed Andy Roddick home last evening in a five-set serving thriller. Isner will face Fernando Verdasco, who had his own five-set thriller. The two players have never played in ATP or grand slam action.
Thanks, Mrs. M & Family!
(Image: Denise/tennnisfiend)
Rafael Nadal and his biceps celebrate during his second-round match with Nicolas Kiefer. The Spaniard eventually triumphed over the German 6-0 3-6 6-3 6-4.
It started out as an easy match for Nadal but then had a bad game in the second set that allowed Kiefer to take the set and get back into the match. After four sets, the Mallorcan prevailed and now continues to round three.
It was good challenge for Nadal, and Kiefer was able to keep him honest for the last three sets of the match. It was also nice to see the usually ailing German playing well and showing the audience that he still matters.
(Image: AP)
Novak Djokovic easily defeated Australian Carsten Ball yesterday 6-3 6-4 6-4 in his second-round match. The Serb is quietly moving through the tournament. It would be nice if he could turn up the heat in the second week and surprise some people. I guess we shall see.
(Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)
Argentines Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco met in another evil matchup on Wednesday. Del Potro is playing great, and the same was true on this day. The world no. 6 made easy work of world no. 41. He defeated his compatriot 6-3 6-3 6-1 after 125 minutes of play. Monaco’s poor play also aided del Potro victory with 46 unforced errors and was not able to put up much of a fight.
Del Potro will now meet Jurgen Melzer, who beat Marat Safin. The Argentine is 4-0 over Melzer. The 20 year old is going to need some easy early-round matches since he is going to have a hard road during the second week of the championship.
(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)
This evil match came and went on Wednesday. Michael Llodra and Nicolas Kiefer faced off in first-round action. I suspected Kiefer might have troubles since he has had nagging injuries this summer and was heavily taped up for the match.
Llodra jumped out with a break and was leading 3-0. Suddenly Kiefer found his game and killed Llodra with forehand winners. After he pretty much dismantling Llodra's game, he ended up beating the Frenchman 6-3 6-4 6-4. The German must have some tennis voodoo over Llodra because he is now 3-0 over the Frenchman.
Kiefer now has the large task of meeting Rafeal Nadal this evening. Nadal leads this matchup 4-0, so there will be little doubt who will come out on top of that matchup.
(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)
Marat Safin was killing Jurgen Melzer when I left the stadium after the first set on Wednesday. Somehow the Russian managed to lose the match 6-1 4-6 3-6 4-6 and exits the US Open for the final time, as he retires this year. In a strange, masochistic way, I am going to miss the big, cranky Russian giving me headaches like these.
(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)
You have to be a sadomasochist to want to play him [Nadal] at any time, but I’m very motivated. Rafa supported me more than anyone in the last few months and if he ever needs me to help him, I will do what I can. I’ll never forget what he’s done for me. Now I just want to get out and play.Richard Gasquet speaks of his gratitude of the Spaniard’s support during his drug ordeal. Nadal is always the gentleman and gave the Frenchman vocal support.
Now in a bit of irony and another evil matchup of the day, Gasquet and Nadal must play each other in first-round action today. Nadal is 6-0 over the Frenchman. Both are a bit rusty, but Gasquet is really rusty. He failed to qualify last week in New Haven. Hopefully, the Frenchman and his backhand can return to form and up his ranking, so he does not have to meet someone like Nadal so early in tournaments.
(Image: lequipe.fr)
28.08.2009: ... What can be learned from a U.S. soldier New York is always an experience. I love this city, the ever-growing and in which there are always exploring new things. I have again moved into a hotel in midtown Manhattan, because I love the action.
Nicolas Kiefer will play Michael Llodra today in an evil first-round matchup. He is currently 2-0 over the Frenchman. They have both battled injuries this year, but I suspect Llodra maybe in better shape this week. It should be a good match today. Too bad it is so early in the tournament.
For a week I have been here. At first I was turned off and I relaxed, went shopping, drinking coffee, exploring the city. Then I am taken off. With changing training partners I have specifically worked on fitness and tennis. Over two days, Marian Cilic was my training partner, who is coached by my former coach Bob Brett. We understand we are still very good, and he could give me many good tips. I then stood with Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, David Ferrer in the square.
Of course it was something special with Roger. We have trained very early in the morning, which is very dear to me anyway, because it is still not as warm and humid. Roger is even awakened early now, as a young family man with his baby. This certainly means a very nice conversion. Nevertheless, he is my favorite tournament.
My first U.S. Open opponent is Michael Llodra. The balance is positive, but that does not interest me. We start at 0-0. Although this is a stupid cliche, it is true. We both stand in the rankings not particularly good.
Ah, yes, even a little anecdote from my flight from Chicago to New York. Because of inclement weather, we were late and were put off repeatedly. Many are excited about it or insane. A soldier sat beside me, who took the 24-month deployment in Afghanistan after his 22-day leave before he returns to the front. He took the delay perfectly calm although it took him urgently to his family. From such people, we should learn.
(Translated by Google from Nicolas Kiefer; image: Denise/tennisfiend)
Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
2 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Ernest Gulbis (LAT) 7-5 6-3 7-5
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 6-3 6-1 6-3
7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Chase Buchanan (USA) 6-0 6-2 6-1
10 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 7-5 6-4 7-5
11 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Nicolas Massu (CHI) 6-3 6-3 6-3
16 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Ryan Sweeting (USA) 7-6(2) 6-4 7-6(4)
17 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Wayne Odesnik (USA) 7-5 6-4 6-4
Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) def. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 4-6 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(3) 6-3
22 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Michael Yani (USA) 6-3 7-5 6-4
Ivan Navarro (ESP) def. 27 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4 7-6(8) 7-6(5)
Jesse Witten (USA) def. 29 Igor Andreev (RUS) 6-4 6-0 6-2
30 Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Peter Luczak (AUS) 6-3 6-3 1-6 2-6 6-1
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-5 7-6(6) 6-4
Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) def. Karol Beck (SVK) 2-6 1-6 6-1 6-4 6-3
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Flavio Cipolla (ITA) 4-6 6-1 6-3 6-3
Q Horacio Zeballos (ARG) def. Michael Berrer (GER) 6-3 7-6(7) 3-6 6-0
Denis Istomin (UZB) def. Brendan Evans (USA) 6-4 6-4 7-6(3)
Josselin Ouanna (FRA) def. Rajeev Ram (USA) 7-6(4) 6-4 3-6 6-3
Jesse Levine (USA) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-5 6-1 6-2
Paul Capdeville (CHI) def. Victor Crivoi (ROU) 6-3 6-0 7-6(2)
Kevin Kim (USA) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-3 0-6 6-2 6-2
Florent Serra (FRA) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 7-6(8) 7-6(5) 7-6(5)
Carsten Ball (AUS) def Juan Pablo Brzezicki (ARG) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-4
Taylor Dent (USA) def. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 4-6 7-6(6) 6-3 7-5
Doubles First Round
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. A. Beck (GER)/ S. Greul (GER) 6-3 7-5
4 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) def. V. Hanescu (ROU)/G. Trifu (ROU) 7-6(11) 7-6(4)
G. Garcia-Lopez (ESP)/O. Rochus (BEL) def. 15 S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 2-6 6-4 6-4
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Petzschner (GER) 7-6(2) 6-3
O. Hernandez (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) def. R. Ginepri (USA)/S. Jenkins (USA) 6-4 1-6 6-1
M. Gicquel (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) def. D. Skoch (CZE)/I. Zelenay (SVK) 6-4 7-5
S. Bolelli (ITA)/A. Seppi (ITA) def. A. Peya (AUT)/S. Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-3 3-6 6-3
J. Chela (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU) def. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/L. Mayer (ARG) 4-6 6-4 6-2
A. Pavel (ROU)/H. Tecau (ROU) def. N. Mahut (FRA)/P. Mathieu (FRA) 6-3 6-4
Wednesday's Order of Play
Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360
After his qualifier brother lost yesterday, world no. 163 Nicolas Lapentti rallied from being two sets down to knock off nineteenth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6 3-6 7-6(8) 7-6(3) 6-3. The victory is the 33 year old’s ninth win of the season and his first second-round appearance in a grand slam this year.
The once world no. 6 will now meet world no.108 Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. The two players have never met, but this is a good opportunity for Lapentti to advance to the third round. His best performance this year was the round of 16 in Monte Carlo.
(Image: AP)
Fourth-seed Novak Djokovic had an easy time over Ivan Ljubicic in his opening US Open match. He was able to beat the Croat 6-3 6-1 6-3 and now advances to play Aussie Carsten Ball in the second round. The Serb should not take Ball for granted, as he has been dangerous of late.
(Image: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Devin Britton (USA) 6-1 6-3 7-5
5 Andy Roddick (USA) vs Bjorn Phau (GER) 6-1 6-4 6-2
8 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Dieter Kindlmann (GER) 6-3 6-4 7-5
12 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-4
14 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Q Donald Young (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-3
15 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-4 6-4 6-4
20 Tommy Haas (GER) def. Q Alejandro Falla (COL) 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) 6-2
21 James Blake (USA) def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) 6-1 6-4 7-5
23 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-0 6-4 6-4
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. 26 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 2-6 7-5 6-0 6-2
John Isner (USA) def. 28 Victor Hanescu (ROU) 6-1 7-6(14) 7-6(5)
31 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Thiago Alves (BRA) 6-0 6-3 6-4
Q Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 7-6(3) 7-6(2) 6-0
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 2-6 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-0
Jan Hernych (CZE) def. Rainer Schuettler(GER) 1-6 7-6(5) 6-4 2-6 6-3
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. Q Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-4 6-4 5-7 3-6 6-1
Q Marsel Ilhan (TUR) d Christophe Rochus (BEL) 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-5
Robert Kendrick (USA) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-2 6-2
Q Somdev Devvarman (IND) def. Frederico Gil (POR) 6-3 6-4 6-3
Olivier Rochus (BEL) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-3 6-0 6-2
Simon Greul (GER) def. Q Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0 7-6(9)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-4 6-4 6-2
Marc Gicquel (FRA) def. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 6-2 5-7 6-3 6-3
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-4 4-6 7-5 6-3
Tuesday’s Order of Play
Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360
All of the usual suspects and the grand majority of seeds advanced during the first day of the play. Twenty-sixth seed Paul-Henri Mathieu was the first-seeded casualty of the US Open. After losing the opening set, Mikhail Youzhny rallied to defeat the Frenchman 2-6 7-5 6-0 6-2. He will now meet qualifier Marco Chiudinelli in the second round. The two players have never met in ATP or grand slam action.
Later on in the afternoon, American John Isner sent home twenty-eighth seed Victor Hanescu. He beat the Romanian 6-1 7-6(14) 7-6(5). Isner and his big serve now advance to play qualifier Marsel Ilhan of Turkey.
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal -- who happens to be a big fan of musicals (who knew) -- poses with the cast of Mamma Mia after attending the performance this past Saturday. He was only able to see the second act after having to go to an ATP Player Council meeting. The Spaniard tries to see a musical every year. Last year, it was Phantom of the Opera.
Which one will it be next year?
(Image: Rafael Nadal)
It was just a pleasure to play. I'm back so that I can forget all the blows I've suffered. It's been a sad time for me – the only sad time in my life. Stopping for those two and a half months was very tough mentally. I ask only one thing: be patient. I need time. Not many people would have recovered after going through what I've experienced.-Richard Gasquet on his pleasure to be back on tour.
(Image: EQ)
It looks like a good cross-section of players qualified yesterday, which is good for the tournament. Giovanni Lapentti now joins his brother, Nicolas Lapentti in the draw. That has not happened for some time.
In the US, television and online coverage is much improved. If you cannot make it to the tournament, you should have no problems watching a lot of tennis this fortnight if you so desire.
US Open Qualifiers
Pictured
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI), Thomaz Bellucci (BRA), Horacio Zeballos (ARG), Peter Polansky (CAN), Alejandro Falla (COL)
Not Pictured
Michael Yani (USA), Marcel Ilhan (TUR), Josselin Ouanna (FRA), Jesse Witten (USA), Dieter Kindlmann (GER), Michael Berrer (GER), Juan Pablo Brzezicki (ARG), Carsten Ball (AUS), Giovanni Lapentti (ECU), Donald Young (USA), Somdev Devvarman (IND)
Saturday’s Qualifying Results
Monday’s Order of Play
Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360
(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)
After rain delayed the singles semifinals yesterday, the tournament pushed the missed action to Saturday morning. By the end of the afternoon, Sam Querrey and Fernando Verdasco were left standing and had the opportunity to face-off this evening for the title.
The two players had never met in an ATP play, but the world no. 10 managed to walk away with his first win over the world no. 23. Verdasco managed to pass the American 6-4 7-6(6) after 95 minutes of play. New Haven is the Spaniard’s first title of the year, first hardcourt title and third career title.
Now, Querrey and Verdasco will head to the US Open. They are both playing well now, so they will definitely be in the mix in next week. Hopefully, the tournament delays do not impact their games.
Championship Saturday
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 6-3 6-4
Singles Final
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 6 Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4 7-6(6)
Doubles Final
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-4 7-6(3)
(Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Friday’s Results
Doubles Semifinals
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. 4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Linstedt (SWE) 6-3 6-4
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. M. Melo (BRA)/A.Sa (BRA) 6-4 7-5
Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Jose Acasuso (ARG)
Singles Final
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) or 7 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. 6 Sam Querrey (USA) or Jose Acasuso (ARG)
Doubles Final
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) vs. J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT)
Saturday's Order of Play
Watch Live
CBS – 1:00 PM – 3:00 pm ET - WTA Final
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET – ATP Final
City: New York, NY USA
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 2000
2008 Singles Champion: Roger Federer
2008 Doubles: Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan
This is the final grand slam of the year, and Roger Federer will go for his sixth-consecutive US Open title. Between Rafael Nadal’s rehabilitation and everyone else just flaking out, this is the first tournament in two years where I am pretty certain Roger Federer will win. Federer is the most consistent player on tour at the moment. He has also won 16 grand slam titles, so he knows he has that advantage over the others in the slams, with the exception of a top-form Nadal.
Once again, Federer has an easy quarter where he could possibly take meet Robin Soderling or Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals. Davydenko had problems this week in New Haven with his wrists, so he should not really be a threat. Soderling is capable of being dangerous, but it looks like he does not know it yet.
Federer’s possible semifinal matchup could be with Novak Djokovic or Andy Roddick. We know Djokovic is still flakey, and Roddick just cannot beat the Swiss champion for a host of reasons. This quarter of the draw is also chalked full of people. Tommy Haas and Fernando Verdasco should be in the mix. Anyone of the fore-mentioned players could end up in the semifinals, so this is the hardest part of the draw.
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray anchor the second half of the draw. Nadal has a good quarter for his predicament since he is still trying to find his original form. His first-round match is with Richard Gasquet, who is probably rustier than Nadal is, so that is a good scenario for him. In the round of 16, the Spaniard could possibly have to contend with Gael Monfils. The Musketeer has been tame this year, but he could start feeling it at any time.
The top half of his quarter is littered with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych and Fernando Gonzalez. These four players are going to have to duke it out for the chance to possibly play Nadal in the quarterfinals. Nadal’s trouble begins here because he has to meet one of them. The old Nadal would have no problem, but the more vulnerable Nadal could have trouble with anyone of these four.
Murray’s quarter is kind of precarious. This first part of it will be very manageable, but his possible quarterfinal meeting with Juan Martin del Potro could be a giant headache for him. Whoever is left standing will have to possibly deal with Nadal -- who could find his form at anytime -- and then head to the final. For this reason, it is probably better for Nadal that he is seated third rather than second.
At the end of the day, the tournament is really Federer’s to lose. Nadal is still nowhere near where he needs to be to be a real threat. The Spaniard probably will not be better until next season to be realistic. When he was playing in Cincinnati, the announcers pointed out that he was still gingerly moving on his forehand side.
As for Murray, he should win this tournament, but he is going to have to stop flaking out in the slams. He wins everything else, so it is time. If we are going to have to be subject to Brad Gilbert, Darren Cahill and Robbie Koening go on-and-on about him, the Scotsman better get it done this year. I still think he should have won Wimbledon this year, but he pulled a flakey-jake routine.
It would be nice if Verdasco found his Australian Open form. It would also be nice to see Andy Roddick solve his Federer riddle. It would be really nice to be pleasantly surprised about Nadal’s form. It would be really, really nice if Juan Martin del Potro took the whole enchilada. I guess a girl can dream. Let’s hope this fortnight is exciting and chalked full of surprises.
Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles
Tournament Evils (formerly Tournament Malfeasance)
3 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)
13 Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
26 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Michael Llodra (FRA) vs. Nicolas Kiefer (GER)
(Image: Rob Loud/usopen.org)
Thursday's Results
Singles Quarterfinals
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. 1 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-3 3-6 6-4
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 11 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-3 6-1
7 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 7-5 6-4
Doubles First Round
P. Hanley (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. WC D. Martin (USA)/R. Ram (USA) 6-2 6-3
Doubles Quarterfinals
M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. 3 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-3 6-4
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. P. Hanley (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) 6-2 3-6 10-6
Friday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Jose Acasuso (ARG)
Doubles Semifinals
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Linstedt (SWE) vs. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) vs. M. Melo (BRA)/A.Sa (BRA)
Friday's Order of Play
Watch
ESPN2 - 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET - Live
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET - Delayed
Nicolas Kiefer assists Mario Pagan this evening at the Taste of Tennis event that raises money for the Food Bank of New York and kicks off the Open.
(Image: Taste of Tennis)
The most anticipated matchup of the qualies this year was today’s matchup of Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov. It was the top-seeded qualifier versus last year’s US Open junior champion.
In the end, Bellucci had a routine win over the Bulgarian up-and-comer 6-4 6-3. Bellucci should have won this match since he is the older and more seasoned player, but Dimitrov is more than capable of staging the upset – just ask Tomas Berdych in Rotterdam.
The Brazilian will play American Scoville Jenkins tomorrow for a spot in the main draw. They have never met in ATP or lower-tiered events.
Thursday’s Results
Friday’s Order of Play
(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)
Sam Querrey is enjoying a good summer and great week. With yesterday’s win, he won the US Open Series and could possibly bank a million bucks. Today, he took out top-seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 3-6 6-4 in New Haven.
His win single-handedly opens the draw for the American. Querrey will awaits to play the winner of the Acasuso-Serra match. Either winner should not give him trouble, but Jose Acasuso is the more dangerous of the two. He now has a good shot at the title, and a great opportunity to make it to the final.
On the other side of the draw, Igor Andreev and Fernando Verdasco both advanced into the semifinals tomorrow. Verdasco leads their head-to-head 3-1 with the Spaniard taking all their clay-court meetings and they split their hard-surface meetings. Andreev though did win their last encounter in the third round of the US Open last year.
(Image: AP)
Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Third Round
1 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. 15 Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 7-5 6-3
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 16 Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-6(3) 6-2
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Bjorn Phau (GER) 7-5 6-3
7 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Q] Frederico Gil (POR) 6-4 6-4
11 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. 8 Victor Hanescu (ROU) 7-6(5) 4-6 6-1
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. 14 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-3
Florent Serra (FRA) def. WC Rajeev Ram (USA) 4-6 7-6(6) 7-5
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-2 6-4
Doubles First Round
3 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. W. Moodie (RSA)/H. Tecau (ROU) 7-6(4) 4-6 10-7
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. WC R. Kendrick (USA)/S. Lipsky (USA) 7-5 6-4
M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 7-5 6-3
Doubles Quarterfinals
2 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) 6-1 7-6(3)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Petzschner (GER) 7-6(2) 4-6 10-8
Wednesday’s Order of Play
Watch Live
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ESPN2 - 7:00 pm–9:00 pm ET
The top three have now revealed their US Open kits over the last two days. Fred Perry has done a good job with Andy Murray over the last year. The Scotsman definitely had the best kit at Wimbledon this year.
Nike always makes good kits for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. There are no real surprises here or faux pas yet. The problem lies somewhere with Federer’s outwear and accessories where they, without fail, are always over the top.
We will not see these accoutrements until his first match. I always forget about this small detail until he walks out in some ridiculous jacket with handbag. Luckily, he has to remove them before playing, or it would be distracting for everybody involved.
It will be a small victory for everyone if he stays away from military-inspired jackets and patent leather bags this coming fortnight, but we shall see next week if he can restrain himself.
(Images: Fred Perry, Nike, Nike)
Leonardo Mayer is having a pretty good run in New Haven. Today the 22-year-old Argentine and world no. 65 beat Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals where he will play seventh-seed Igor Andreev. The two players have never met in ATP competition, so tomorrow's matchup should be a good test for Mayer.
(Image: EFE)
I managed to catch the opening day of the qualifiers at the US Open yesterday. There were actually a number of good matches to see. The two standout matches were the Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov.
Bellucci happens to be the top-seed of the qualifiers. The Brazilian managed to take apart Giancarlo Petrazzuola 6-2 6-0. He played a really solid match and almost made no mistakes. The current world no. 68, who more of a clay-courter, started out the year steadily progressing but then stalled. The 21 year old returned to the challenger circuit this spring, but returned to the majors this summer where he won his first tournament in Gstaad.
The other standout match featured the up-and-coming Dimitrov, who is already being compared to Federer and now has his old coach. The 18 year old beat German Tobias Kamke 6-3 7-5. Kamke was a much better opponent than Petrazzuola and went from being almost blown out to battling back for a competitive match.
In the worst case of tournament evils, Bellucci and Dimitrov now have to play each other in the second round. I do not know why Dimitrov did not receive a wildcard in the first place since he won the US Open juniors title last year. Despite this obvious crime, this should be the match of the week.
Qualifying Draw
Wednesday’s Schedule of Play
(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)
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