Day 2 - US Open 31-08-10

Short report for now as i am shortly off to bed so i can get up to watch Rafa at Midnight.

A few matches are in progress at the moment:

Baggy is currently 2 sets to 1 down against Clement with Arnaud 3-0 with a single break, fight Baggy!!!

Jarkko Nieminen is 2 sets and 4-1 down in his match so he needs to start playing soon otherwise it is goodbye.

Lopez is not being troubled out on Court 7.  Up 2 sets and a break in the 3rd.

The main story is on Court 13 where Ernests Gulbis is getting his ass kicked (Playboy Ernie has obviously travelled to NYC)  Down 2 sets to Jeremy Chardy with it 3-3 in the 3rd.

Overnight results from US Open

WOW, Hewitt lost in 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1 My God how did PHM keep his head together for that long?

Of course i have not seen any of the match so i am unsure if fitnes/injury placed any part in that final set as a 6-1 scoreline is unusual.  But hey, well done Paul-Henri.

No other surprises overnight so we move on to Day 2.

My friend who is over there had tickets for Wednesday day session on Ashe.  I sent him a text to say that Rafa was on the Night session for today and he has managed to secure 2 tickets :) Great stuff Joe!!!  Go give Rafa a massive cheer from us all.

Final update from Day 1 @ The US Open 2010

Alas Dmitry couldn't pull off the win and Melzer took the match 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2

Shock result on Court 17 as Guillaume Rufin has put out Leo Mayer 2-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1.  This is the young French players 1st visit to the US Open so well done on beating your much higher ranked opponent.

On that note i am off to bed now.  I fully expect to wake up tomorrow and see an easy victory for Roger.

Update

Phewwwww, Gael has made it though.  3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4

Robin is serving for his match @ 5-4 in the 5th, come on!!!

EDIT: He is through 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 5-7, 6-4

OOP is out for tomorrow

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule8.html

Rafa is the 1st match of the night session so i shall be going to bed straight after work so i can watch it.

Roddick is through 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

I mentioned the Melzer - Tursunov match this morning as a possible upset - it has just gone into a 4th set.  Melzer was 2 sets up but has just lost the 3rd - current score is 6-4, 6-2, 3-6

EDIT - Tursunov is up a break in the 4th - 3-2 and serving.  Holds out to take it 6-4.  Into a 5th we go.  Go Dmitry!!

Taylor Dent has just taken the 1st set in his match 6-4 v Falla.  Quite a few breaks of serve but Taylor takes.

Day 1 - US Open 30-08-10

Just got home from a day with my Mother, tis her Birthday, Happy Birthday Mummy!!!

And WTF is Gael doing :(  2 sets all, down a break and losing his head!  Come on Gael, do this!!

In other matches Robin is going through a similar situation.  He has just lost the 4th to go 2 sets all after being 2 up and cruising. 

Results so far today:

Davydenko through 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
Ferrero through 6-1, 6-3, 6-0
Cilic through 7-5, 6-3, 6-1
Gasquet through 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
de Bakker through 6-4, 7-5, 6-2
Dodig though 6-7, 6-1 1-0 ret (F Gonlazez)
Nishikori through 7-6, 5-2 ret (E Korolev)
Mello through 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6

US Open - Day 1

Here we go with the final Major of 2010, the US Open.

Order of Play: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html?promo=subnav

A few matches where maybe the seeded player could be in trouble:

Lleyton Hewitt(AUS)[32] vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu(FRA)

Jurgen Melzer(AUT)[13] vs. Dmitry Tursunov(RUS)

I can't see any other seeded player have trouble today.

US Open 2010 - New Articles

Here are a few news articles from around the web regarding the upcoming US Open

http://www.supersport.com/tennis/us-open/news/100828/The_US_Open_is_not_an_obsession_Nadal

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/rogerfederer/7970439/US-Open-2010-Roger-Federer-eyes-sixth-title-at-Flushing-Meadows.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/8942778.stm

Players Council

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/Other/Federer-Reelected-Player-Council-President.aspx

Here is the new elected council for the players.  Rafra continues as Vice President.

New Haven - Final report

Here is the ATP report on the final.  Sergiy won it in 3 to maintain his 100% winning record in finals

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/34/New-Haven-Saturday-Stakhovsky-Takes-Title.aspx

US Open Day 1 OOP

Here is the OOP for Monday 30 August

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/p_schedule7.pdf

Bottom half kicks off the proceedings.

Are we all ready for this? Let's hope it's a good one.

New Haven Final

I ain't going to make the final, too late in the evening/morning.

Here is a preview

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2010/08/34/New-Haven-Saturday-Preview.aspx

Good luck to both players.  Denis is going for his 1st ATP tour title and Sergiy his 2nd.  I hope it is a good match and i look forward to reading the match report in the morning.

Goodnight all.

Prediction game

http://usopenmbracket.fanball.com/


Try your hand at this prediction game for the US Open :)

Rafa & Roger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAz8GQpuxOA&feature=player_embedded#!

BRILLIANT

New Haven 28-08-10

First off a big Happy Birthday to my Auntie Debbie!!!

Onto the tennis.  Alas Victor didn't make it :( but well done to Denis.  So the final is:

Sergiy Stakhovsky v Denis Istomin

Here is the OOP for New Haven today

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3348/op.pdf

As you can see we have the Ladies up first followed by the Men's Doubles and then the Men's Singles (not before 7pm, 12am UK)  Mmmmmm, gonna be tough to stay awake for that one but i will do my best :)

2nd Semi Final New Haven 27-08-10 - no pics

I can't find any live pics so i am following on the live scoreboard at http://www.protennislive.com/frameset.asp?year=2010&wkno=34&lang=en&tabno=1&eventid=M012&ref=www.atpworldtour.com

We are into a 1st set TB with Istomin up a mini break.

Back on serve at 6-6

FIGHT VICTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shit :-( Denis got the 1st set on the TB @ 12-10

Still no live feed so i am going to leave it here.

The 2nd set has gone to Victor, 6-3 so all to fight for in the decider.

I shall be back tomorrow for the final!

Night all!

2nd Semi Final New Haven 27-08-10

My live feeed has died :-(

I am having to follow the live scoreboard at the moment but i am trying to find a live link to match, hang on!!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I can't find any working links to the match :(

1st semi final @ New Haven 27-08-10

Off we go with the first semi final.

Stakhovsky serving first and holds.

Everything going to serve at the mo, no BP's for either player.

Stakhovsky gets the first BP of the match and he takes it to lead 5-3 and is now serving for the 1st set. Which he serves out to 15. 1st set 6-3 to Stakhovsky.

2nd set

Chances for Stakhovsky to break in the 5th game but it is a hold from de Bakker. Score currently 3-2

Another break from Stakhovsky and de Bakker is serving to stay in the match.

A hold of serve gives the match to Stakhovsky, woohoo. Well done. Hard luck to de Bakker.

2nd semi final coming up at 16.30 (21.30 UK)

New Haven 27-08-10

Baggy is no more :-(

The semi final lineup is:

Stakhovsky v de Bakker
Troicki v Istomin

Matches start "not before" 2pm local (7pm UK)

Players just walking onto court now. Not much of a crowd :-( Let's hope for a good match.

YouTube Channel

A few new videos added to my Channel. Photos collections of Andy Murray & Novak Djokovic.

Live US Open Draw

http://www.atdhe.net/20955/watch-2010-us-open-draw

Watch the draw live & FREE here

Rafa has potential matches against Lubby in Rd4, Verdasco/Ferrer in QF & Murray/Berdych in the semi final.

MEN'S DRAW IN FULL

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/draws/ms/index.html?promo=topnav

New Haven 26-08-10 & The US Open Draw

BAGGY WON LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Marcos, 1-6 6-3 6-2 - you bloody diamond!

Busy day in the world of tennis today.

Lots of matches in New Haven to get through - http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3348/op.pdf

Hopefully the weather will behave today and the program gets completed.

At 5pm (12ET) the draw will take place for the US Open. Live updates are available at http://twitter.com/usopen The draw is also live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

New Haven 25-08-10

Another rain affected day. Baggy v Chela is finally on court and it was not a great start for Marcos. He went down a break for 0-2 but has got it back.

Noooooo, just as I type Chela gets another BP and takes it :(. He now leads 3-1. The other match currently on court is Sexy Step v Hanescu and that is into a 1st set TB.

Oh Baggy :( Not his day at all. Now down 5-1

Sexy Step got the 1st in his match, 7-4 in the TB.

I am off to bed now. The scores are currently 4-1 to Baggy in the 2nd set, Go Marcos!!!!!! & 3-3 in the 2nd set between Sexy Step & Hanescu.

For all the Roger fans that visit take a look at my YouTube channel as i have updated it with 4 videos of Roger photos i took at the Toronto Masters a few weeks ago. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/user/clmbsb

Goodnight everyone :)

New Haven Update - 25-08-10

It looks like the rain has stayed away and we are getting the matches played.

Korolev won in straights, 7-6(5) 6-4 & Troicki beat Nieminen 7-5 6-3. 2 other matches are in play, Gabashvili has just taken the 1st set v Golubev and Istomin 5-2 up on Lacko in the 1st set.

New Haven 25-08-10

WOOHOO, Baggy won!!!!!

Going to be a busy day as the rain caused havoc with the schedule yesterday. A few matches need to be finished off and the winners play again later today. Here is the OOP for today

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3348/op.pdf

Quick update from New Haven.

It has been raining again. Play is underway. Only Men's match at the moment is Marchenko v Korolev with the first set into a TB.

Hopefully play will continue uninterrupted for the rest of the day.

Baggy v Andreev

Well the idea was to get an early night but i am still awake. Let's watch some more tennis, let's watch some more of Baggy.

Oh that was crap, rain delay. I think i might not make this match :( My need for sleep is too strong.

If i don't make it back, good luck Baggy :)

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

New Haven 24-08-10 - Gonzo v Sexy Step

Just joined this match at 5-2 to Step :-( I was so looking forward to watching Gonzo in Toronto. I managed to watch him practice for 30 minutes and was expecting him to play next day. It was only when i got back to my room and checked the OOP that i saw his name was missing. Hopefully he can stay fit and try and get a few wins under his belt.

Oh crap, he has just lost the first set 6-2, not looking too good. Come on Gonzo!!!

Swap of breaks so far in the 2nd set, hopefully Gonzo can take advantage of serving first. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh awful shot from Gonzo and Step has broken for 5-4 and will serve for the match :( And he serves it out for 6-2, 6-4.

Wasn't expecting much from Gonzo as he has been in & out for most of the year but then so has Step. Hopefully Gonzo can have a decent run at the US Open and match his QF spot but that will take a huge improvement in play from him. There are a lot of dangerous players floating in the men'd draw.

Next up will be Baggy v Andreev but not before 16.30 (US) 21.30 (UK) time.

New Haven 24-08-2010

Ok who have we got today.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2010/3348/op.pdf

I am hoping to watch Marcos tonight (UK based) but I am still suffering with jetlag. I will give it a good go as I was very impressed with him last week.

Rafa news

Here are a few articles I have found on my daily trawl of the Internet.

http://www.live-tennis.com/category/Tennis-News/Rafael-Nadal-Uncle-Tonis-absence-has-not-affected-my-game-201008240001/

http://blog.oregonlive.com/tennis/2010/08/us_open_mens_preview_roger_federer_rafael_nadal_and_a_scotsman_to_be_named_later.html

James Blake v Pere Riba @ New Haven

Good luck James, come on!!!

I lost my link on BET356.com so i missed the first break to James :-( Keep going!!!

BAGEL!!!!!!!! GO JAMES!

Argh, the feed is rubbish. It keeps losing picture and i cannot stand the voice of the lady they have doing the commentary. I think James has this one in the bag so i am going to leave it there and say goodnight.

Bye!!

New Haven & football

Hi all again.

I should explain that i am a season ticket holder for Liverpool FC so i watch all their matches. We have just kicked off against Manchester City so i am currently watching that. I do have the live scores to New Haven open so i can keep an eye on what is happening. I see that Fish has pulled out, which is understandable. After the last week he deserves a rest. Playing in New Haven is Baggy, good luck Marcos.

Crap, Gareth Barry has scored for City :-(

Hungry Horace has just started in NH, good luck.

Oh poo, Horace is down a break & serving to stay in the 1st set. Come on Horacio!!

1-0 to City @ Half time :-(

Oh crap, 2-0 City and Horace is going to get beat.

Shit, 3-0. Hate football already and we are 2 games into the season!

Cincinnati Masters 22/08/2010

The Final - Roger Federer v Mardy Fish

I forgot the start time, doh doh doh!!!! Started to watch @ 5-5 with Mardy having to save 4 BP's. No breaks of serve sent the 1st set into the TB. Fish got the 1st mini-break to lead 4-3 but Roger got it straight back. It was then Roger's turn to get a mini break with a beauty of a FH but back came Fish with a lob, 5-5. Poor shot into the net gave Mardy his 1st set point @ 6-5 which it took. 1st set Mardy 7-6.

Again the match went with serve until 6-6 so it was another TB with Roger serving first. And it was he who got the first mini-break for 3-1. An unlucky shot from Mardy gave Roger another break and he served it out (7-1) to take the match into the decider.

Mmmmmm the standard dropped in the 3rd set & to be honest i got slightly bored. No player was able to take advantage of the others bad play. Until the 9th game when a shot into the net gave Roger a break, 5-4 and the chance to serve for the championship. 2 Championship points but the 1st went into the net, the 2nd hit long by Mardy and Roger is once again the Champion in Cincinnati.

Not a great match from Roger's point of view. If he was on full form he would of won easy but that has been Roger of late. Going walkies during matches, not taking advantage of opponents poor play. Will be interesting how he does in New York. No firm favorite for me there.

Cincinnati Masters 21/08/2010

Awoke to see that Rafa lost in 3 last night to Baggy :-( If i am being honest it is not really a surprise. He may be #1 in the world but Rafa does struggle on fast HC. He now has time to get a bit of rest and join up with Toni and work out what to do in New York.

Credit to Baggy on his win. So good to see him back playing some great tennis after the injury.

I shall be back later for the semi finals.

Nice rain delay @ 5-4 in the 1st set to start off the semi final. Easy end to the 1st set for Andy as Mardy forgot to bring his brain back onto court. A early break in the 2nd for Andy and it was looking good for Roddick. Another rain delay at 5-2 but this time Mardy came out and held his serve and then amazingly he broke back! The set stayed on serve and to the TB we went. And Mardy won it!! Andy's turn to go walkies as some hilarious attempted volleys gave the momentum to Mardy. Into a 3rd set we went.

Ooooo interesting start as both players had BP's to get into a lead but only Mardy took his to go 2-0, would not of thought that after the 1st set. Code violation for Roddick didn't help him either and Mardy held his next serve for 3-0. Another bad service game from Andy and it was 4-0 with Roddick looking spent. No more breaks of serve gave Mardy a surprise result, 6-1 in the 3rd.

But was it really a surprise given the health issues of late from Roddick? Tricky situation when a player has been ill/injured. I always believe that if you step on court you are fit to play a match. You cannot rely on the injury card (unless picked up during the match) Anyway congrats to Mardy, 3rd Masters final.

On to the 2nd semi final, Roger v Marcos.

Missed the start of the match as i was busy adding the links to my YouTube account, the thread i run on the BBC 606 and another tennis website i use. I do believe the first set went with serve until right at the end when Roger gets a BP/SP and takes it, though he almost stumbled before making the winner!

The fight seemed to go out of Baggy in the 2nd set and the errors crept into his game. Roger took full advantage and got a break for 5-3 and served out to 15 for a 6-4 6-3 win.

Federer v Fish final tomorrow.

Cincinnati Masters 20/08/2010

Back home from Toronto and after a little afternoon snooze i started to watch the day session from Cincy.

First up Andy Murray v Mardy Fish. To be honest i was still half asleep at this point and catching up with people online so whilst i had the match on my Sky player i wasn't really paying attention to the actual play just listening to the commentary. Murray seemed to have a slight problem with a dizzy spell during the match and also recieved treatment on his knee. Match went the distance and whilst Murray had his chances Mardy took his and the match.

I am sure Andy will be slightly disappointed but there are bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks.

Playing Mardy in the semi final is fellow American Andy Roddick. Novak was all over the place today, some very poor service games and though suffering from Mono Roddick won is straights.

Mmmmmmm Mono. I thought if you caught that you were unable to get out of bed nevermind play a professional tennis match in the hot American sunshine. Not saying Roddick is lying but i am sure it is a very mild case and not as drastic as some would have you believe.

On court now is Roger & Nikolay. Following that is Rafa v Baggy. I will report on those matches later.

Roger v Nikolay - Chances for Davy in the first set but just couldn't take them. Roger took his, got the break and took the 1st set 6-4. Roger was steamrolling in the 2nd set to go 3-0 up. But some nice play (as throughout the match already) Davy got it back & held his own to get the score to 3-3 but Roger turned it back up again to and got 2 MP but a forehand winner and a sublime backhand from Davy got him out of trouble and he held his serve for 5-5. Another break for Roger and he took the match 7-5 in the 2nd. Roger is looking good!

Rafa time - Not sure how much longer i will stay awake but i will do my best for you Rafa!

Ok Rafa i haven't stayed away for you to cock this up. Great play from Baggy but wayward backhands and still slightly shaky serving has not helped. Onto the 2ns set we go, vamos Rafa!!!

Better from Rafa but still not great. I love you Rafa but i need my bed now. Leaving the match at 4-4 with Rafa to serve, Vamos!!!