No doubt about it that time. Serena serves out the match 6-1 and she was PSYCHED. As clutch as Azarenka is, I was surprised to see her struggle to finish the match like that- but I’m also impressed that she gathered herself and didn’t fade. She now has 17 major titles and will go into next year with a chance to tie or pass Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
I’m no fan of Serena’s, but I’m very proud of her for keeping her composure during those foot fault calls. I hope that they were blatant on replay, otherwise, I’d think that the officials were trying to retaliate against Serena and that would be very bad form, indeed.
Azarenka played well, but she couldn’t keep up the consistency in the 3rd set.
Great finale. Well played.
Oh, and Nike should be fined for those awful outfits.
Final chance to call it.
I’l go:
Nadal in 4 sets.
Nadal in 4 too:)
I can not wait. This is a great match up. I could flip a coin on this one.
Djoko has calm down a bit. 6/2
A 54 shot rally! Wow!
This is nerve wracking !
Both guys showed up to play today. This has been a classic.
Some great resiliency by Nadal here. Djokovic had some huge opportunities to win that third set and he couldn’t do it. Now Nadal is up a break to start the fourth.
Nadal wins an epic match. Good for him and good for both of them.
Congratulations, Rafa – likely not your best match of undefeated HC season, but certainly the one where you showed why you are one of the best of all time. You simply refuse to lose. And should your body hold for three to four years, Fed’s record 17 is sure to go down. Well done to Nole for giving his absolute all for two insane sets – not much more he could do. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of him as well.
All in all a superb Final – obviously even more so if you are a fan of Rafa “Legend” Nadal.
Great final. Djokovic, when he’s zoned in, is unbeatable. He can defend like no one’s business and then create winners from the center baseline. And don’t think about giving him an angle cause he can either send it back cross court or down the line. And it’s your guess whether it’ll be a flat ball or a slice. If he’s pulled in, even a FOOT into the court, he can cram in down your throat, or, just for fun, drop shot you. I love watching him when he’s on his game.
I also love his sense of humor, like when Mary Carillo asked him how he felt having to face the Spaniard again. “I appreciate you bringing that up right now.” Nadal, while seemingly earnest and polite, just doesn’t have that sense of humor, that glint in his eye that I so enjoy in Djokey.
Nadal… is a beast. He can track down balls that no one else could. His consistency, against really powerful ball strikers, is amazing. Good for him on a great win, and a great season. I hope his body holds out because, aside from all those really annoying tics, he is a joy to watch. You can tell that McEnroe thinks that he’s just the bees knees. And, of course, Fed’s man-crush on Nadal is hysterical.
I’d have loved to see it go 5 sets, but having two really fine finals was a rare treat.
I’m glad this was mentioned elsewhere because it always bothers me. Steve Tignor gave the ceremony for the women and men’s championship an “F”.
One reason. Why do they have to mention the money amount that they win, and then mention the bonus cash for the US Open series? It’s annoying and no other major does it.
Exactly right: it’s stupid, tacky, and cheapens the moment. I suppose this is the kind of thing you get when some of the biggest events are sponsored by banks and insurance companies. And since the top players make way more money from appearance fees and endorsements than they do from prize money, they probably don’t give a shit either.
I agree about the prize money. It’s not necessary.
Interesting article about Federer and AGE at ESPN.
He played in his record tying 56th consecutive grand slam event and has played about 25% more matches than anyone else who played the US Open.
Canada is playing right now to beat Serbia in the Davis cup tie.
It will be quite the upset, I think, if Canada pulls this out.
I have to say, it turned out that Nadal made his comeback quicker than expected. It seems like a fading memory that he was out in the beginning of the year.
Serbia wins and goes to the final. Close match, though.