Murray lost the first two sets against Robin Haase, but he’s up an early break in the fourth. We know he’s not afraid of a long match these days, so maybe he’ll pull through. And with that I’m off to the night session. It’s Kirilenko vs. McHale, then Sock vs. Roddick. I’d like to have a chance to see some other guys if Nadal’s match goes long.
Don’t know if I am sad that eye candy is out of the USOpen or glad that my ears won’t have to hear Shara-shreiker anymore.
One thing about Sharapova’s skrieks that make them marginally more tolerable than that of her other screaming peers ( though ultimately they’re all still annoying ), is that gamesmanship or not, they sort of seem to fit with the way she plays. One advantage is they don’t have any of the distractingly weird trailing hooting noises or high-pitched squeels like some of the other shriekers - they’re just LOUD. But more to the point Sharapova always seems to play mean, steely-eyed and grim-faced. And when she is having trouble at some critical point in the match and starts sweating, scowling and cranking up the volume, you can almost imagine her screaming “DIIIEEEE!!! DIIIEEEE!!!” with every shriek :p. I find it oddly entertaining at those moments.
Which lasts for about three minutes. Then it just goes back to being tedious and annoying again ;).
I couldn’t help noticing that Kirilenko and McHale were nearly silent during their match. McHale seemed a little nervous and Kirilenko was just too consistent for her. But a third round appearance is still promising and I think she’ll do better. Sock, on the other hand, really rose to the occasion. He served very well, his forehand was really good, and he came to net fairly often and hit nice volleys when he came in. If he’d won a few more big points he could have given Roddick a real scare. He had break points in the first two sets, and when he didn’t convert on them, he wound up losing serve in the next game. He did play aggressively, but maybe he could improve his consistency a bit. Roddick was steady enough to win even though he was playing far behind the baseline and Sock was up at the baseline most of the match. To Roddick’s credit, he did hit some excellent surprise winners. He looked like he was trying to make a statement in the first game of the match and he seemed to try to serve extra hard. He hit one that went 140 mph and it just sounded different. I wasn’t looking at the court when he hit it, but it practically whistled through the air as it went.
Bummer about McHale, but I think she’ll only get better. Kirilenko played really well. It was really good to see her move forward so often and take balls out of the air. I love to see it.
I think that if Nadal would learn to do that, he’d improve his game. He really needs to quit being so defensive and move in. Djokovic is naturally aggressive and has upped is consistency, which is why he’s able to beat him. Murray was MIA for the first 2 sets of his match, but I see from the scores that he came back. Shwew! I’m really rooting for him to win his first Grand Slam.
Frigging walking wounded at the Open. Bedyich out, Mahaut withdrew yesterday.
Cilic will give Fed a good match.
Ivo Karlovic is credited with a 156 mph serve in a Davis Cup match. I thought I heard (or read) a blurb about a Russian hitting 155 mph at the US open. I think it was out and it could be in a qualifier. But dang, it is a big incremental difference between 140 and 155 mph.
Fed through in 4, Fish up one set to Anderson.
Azarenka v. Serena. Put your earplugs in.
Shortening points would probably extend his career. He does play more offense on grass and hard court, but he could probably take it further.
The US Open site says the fastest serves of this tournament were hit by Isner and Bubka, who both hit 141 mph. I am pretty sure that doesn’t include the qualifying matches and it only courts serves that were in.
Cilic gave Federer a test - he’s so powerful off the ground - but he didn’t serve well. Federer toughed it out and he’ll get Monaco or Haas next. Schiavone gutted her way through another three-set match today. Scheepers had a lead late in the second set and had a match point, but she hung on. Pavlyuchenkova - came we just call her Scrabble Vomit or something? - is into the fourth round and will play Schiavone. Petkovic is also into the fourth round. And while you hate to see retirements, I was glad to see Tipsarevic advance.
Marley, I think what I heard was the serve was 155 mph in a qualifer, but it was out. so it would be unofficial. But I guess it was recorded with modern equipment (and I guess calibrated).
Too bad Azarenka didn’t get to play Sharapova. Would have sounded like opera!
Davydenko Might give Nole a run for it.
Maybe it is just focus and concentration but the players appear to so rude to the ballboys and ballgirls at each changeover. the kids run to get their sweaty towel and then run to catch to the players and they never seem to acknowledge their effort.
I try to watch the kids and they very seldom mess up, or fumble the tennis balls.
Andre Agassi always thanked the ballkids.
I’m not a tennis person, but the match was on in the crew room tonight, and I just came in here to say that Victoria Azarenka should be banned from tennis until she learns to STFU. I wasn’t sure if that sound was coming from the TV, or if a cat was stuck in one of the chairs, until I realized I heard it every time she hit the ball.
Nole on a role:D
All eyes in Australia are on Sam Stosur. (I’m surprised they aren’t broadcasting how much and what she ate for dinner)
What “poor choices” off the court has Donald Young made? Jim Courier, whose commentary kind of bugs me(for many years, too), keeps saying that Donald Young makes poor off the court choices.
Does he just mean poor training regimens? It kind of sounds like it, but he’s being really vague.
I have to admit, I have been disappointed with Young’s career up to this point. I was hoping for him to be as good as Roddick.
The USTA didn’t arrange a wild card for Young to get him into the French Open and he complained (on Twitter) that it was really unfair and the USTA hadn’t supported him, blah blah blah. He looked like a real jerk because the USTA has definitely done a lot to support him. Courier may also be referring to the fact that Young is still coached by his parents. A lot of people think that one you’re at that level - and particularly given the fact that he may not be living up to his potential - he should be getting coaching from a professional.
Are his parents well known tennis coaches? That is weird at this point in his career. He needs to hire someone ASAP.