Sports: 2005 US Open

[Soulstation1]

i think serena is playing today

[Soulstation1]

yesterday serena lost one of the $40 k earrings i bought her on the court

is 'dre playing tonight?

[Dave James]

I'd rather watch paint dry than men's tennis. Once Agassi hangs it up, this is a sport that's just about had it. Is there anyone out there with even a thimbleful of personality? Jimmy, John, Ilie where are you guys? Those heady days seem like 100 years gone.

Up over and out.

[Claude]

1st round: Gilles Müller (LUX) - Andy Roddick 7:6, 7:6, 7:6

Roddick suffers stunning defeat

Gilles Muller of Luxembourg caused a huge upset by defeating Andy Roddick in the first round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.

Roddick, who won the title in 2003, went into the featured night-session match as an overwhelming favourite.

But former world junior champion Muller had the measure of the American, dominating the big-serving encounter to win 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-1).

Muller will play Robby Ginepri or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez next.

"I don't really remember a loss where I've felt this bad afterwards," said Roddick after his defeat.

"I've never felt better going into a (grand) slam than I did here. This has totally blindsided me. I felt like I was going to have a pretty good run.

"I love playing here. I probably had the best practice week I've ever had."

Muller, who was playing at Flushing Meadows for the first time, believes his relaxed approach to his encounter with Roddick was the key to his win.

"I have no idea (how I did it)," Muller said afterwards of the victory on his U.S. Open debut.

"For me it was just unbelievable to come out here. I told myself to just enjoy it and I did it every minute."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4199560.stm

Edited August 31, 2005 by Claude

[Dan Gould]

I'd rather watch paint dry than men's tennis.  Once Agassi hangs it up, this is a sport that's just about had it.  Is there anyone out there with even a thimbleful of personality?  Jimmy, John, Ilie where are you guys?  Those heady days seem like 100 years gone.

Up over and out.

←

Dave, we've argued the points of "personality" vs shot-making before so I won't go there, but I have to point out that if you are looking for personality, Agassi lost his a while back. Now when was that? Let's see ... oh yes: it was right about the time he became a Grand Slam champion.

[Soulstation1]

agassi is getting ready to play some 6'11 dude

[Soulstation1]

anyone pick up johnny mac's book you can not be serious?

borders has it for $4, picked it up 2 days ago

[Dan Gould]

Well this thread isn't very active, but I would like to point out that the James Blake story is quite the nice one to see*. Today he was down a set, 2-5 and 0-30 on his serve when he finally figured out that he was letting the other guy dictate the points, he wasn't being aggressive enough. Next thing you know, he's won the set 7-5, gets an early break in the third, and closes him out in four sets.

* This guy was an up and coming young American when he stumbled approaching the net, crashed into the net post and fractured his neck. Major doubts about his recovery from that ... and it was a very short time later that his father died of cancer. After that, he developed a case of debilitating shingles which among other things paralyzed half of his face.

Now, after seeing his ranking tumble into the 200s, he won the Pilot Pen heading into the Open, and now he's through to the quarterfinals where he'll meet Agassi. Man, you just know that CBS wishes they could meet in the semis or the finals so they could broadcast but at least this way, one American will make it to the semi-finals at least, and it will either be an inspirational young player, or Agassi trying to put it together one last time.

[chandra]

Well this thread isn't very active, but I would like to point out that the James Blake story is quite the nice one to see*.  Today he was down a set, 2-5 and 0-30 on his serve when he finally figured out that he was letting the other guy dictate the points, he wasn't being aggressive enough.  Next thing you know, he's won the set 7-5, gets an early break in the third, and closes him out in four sets.  

* This guy was an up and coming young American when he stumbled approaching the net, crashed into the net post and fractured his neck.  Major doubts about his recovery from that ... and it was a very short time later that his father died of cancer.  After that, he developed a case of debilitating shingles which among other things paralyzed half of his face.

Now, after seeing his ranking tumble into the 200s, he won the Pilot Pen heading into the Open, and now he's through to the quarterfinals where he'll meet Agassi.  Man, you just know that CBS wishes they could meet in the semis or the finals so they could broadcast but at least this way, one American will make it to the semi-finals at least, and it will either be an inspirational young player, or Agassi trying to put it together one last time.

←

Agreed Dan. I am very much with Blake. I knew about his story and I am so glad he has brought himself to the level of reaching atleast the quarter finals of the U.S. Open. Let us see what he does against Agassi. I am looking forward to that match. I am rooting for Blake.

Edited September 6, 2005 by chandra

[chandra]

I'd rather watch paint dry than men's tennis.  Once Agassi hangs it up, this is a sport that's just about had it.  Is there anyone out there with even a thimbleful of personality?  Jimmy, John, Ilie where are you guys?  Those heady days seem like 100 years gone.

Up over and out.

←

Nostalgia can only take you so far If you want personality, seek out and watch what happened between Coria and Massu today. You may not like what Coria puts out as personality but he sure has personality!!

Then there is this girl Vaidisova who threw some temper tantrums yesterday and everyone is down on her big time. What she did was immature but think about this. When Johnny Mac threw some tantrums, he was glorified for that and he had since cashed in on that. But a girl shows some spunk, however immature, she is a bitch.

[Dan Gould]

Then there is this girl Vaidisova  who threw some temper tantrums yesterday and everyone is down on her big time. What she did was immature but think about this. When Johnny Mac threw some tantrums, he was glorified for that and he had since cashed in on that. But a girl shows some spunk, however immature, she is a bitch.

←

Have to say I disagree with this. Maybe there's a slight double standard at work, but I have never ever seen such an outburst from a female player. Throwing your racquet to your chair from halfway across the court, then slamming your water bottle for good measure? You just never see that from the women. Sure its a cultural thing - overgrown little boys throw tantrums and ladies don't - but I would have no trouble if the girl argued vociferously with the chair umpire over a call, or an over-rule, or whatever. That's showing spunk. Throwing your equipment - that just never happens. I think it was the shock over seeing such an outburst that set tongues wagging.

And as far as McEnroe cashing in, or being glorified for it, you know, not everyone thought the world of McEnroe's antics. Some thought he was a prick and a jackass. He's remembered (rightly) for his championships, not for his boorish behavior.

[Soulstation1]

anyone watch the 'dre / blake match?

holy cows

Edited September 8, 2005 by Soulstation1

[chandra]

Have to say I disagree with this.  Maybe there's a slight double standard at work, but I have never ever seen such an outburst from a female player.  Throwing your racquet to your chair from halfway across the court, then slamming

And as far as McEnroe cashing in, or being glorified for it, you know, not everyone thought the world of McEnroe's antics.  Some thought he was a prick and a jackass.  He's remembered (rightly) for his championships, not for his boorish behavior.

←

Yes, my point was mainly about the major double standard, I don't necessarily want to defend that girl. Illie Nastase used to do that kind of things similar to what this girl did ... Marat Safin just destroys rackets... That is all interpreted as having a personality ( not by everyone as you wrote but in general as the sports media portrays it ). Jim courier even openly advocates players exhibiting rough behavior and he says it is good for the game in terms of popularity. McEnroe, I am sure there are people who disapproved of his outbursts, is known today for his antics in addition to his game ( the title of his book is 'You can't be serious' or something like that ) but I agree if he did not have a great game, he could not have cashed in on his 'personality'. To me the double standard was glaring because the criticism of the girl was unanimous without any accompanying discussion like this one. I was counting on Tracy Austin to make this point but she did not.

[chandra]

anyone watch the 'dre / blake match?

holy cows

←

Absolutely. It was rivetting. One of the best matches I have seen in a while. Usually, when TV hypes a particular matchup, the reality rarely matches it but this match did and some more. I thought Andre would be on a plane to Vegas at 11:30, the way the first two sets went. What a turn around. Too bad one player has to lose. I was rooting for the old man after the first two sets....

[Dan Gould]

And I went to bed after the third set, worried that the old man could pull it out, hoping Blake would finish him. So, you can imagine how disappointed I am after I woke up.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

... Maybe there's a slight double standard at work, but I have never ever seen such an outburst from a female player.  Throwing your racquet to your chair from halfway across the court, then slamming your water bottle for good measure?  You just never see that from the women.  Sure its a cultural thing - overgrown little boys throw tantrums and ladies don't - but I would have no trouble if the girl argued vociferously with the chair umpire over a call, or an over-rule, or whatever.  That's showing spunk.  Throwing your equipment - that just never happens.  I think it was the shock over seeing such an outburst that set tongues wagging.

What Coach Nick Bollettieri said: "Maybe someone needs to pop her in the (butt),"

[Soulstation1]

i think federer should win

but i'm goin' say 'dre in 5 sets

go dre!!!

[casanovas347]

federer won!!!

time to be proud (switzerland rocks!)

...mmh, i was more on the side of Andre Agassi......35yrs old and still a top-player....it was a killer match today

i'm no sports-freak, but i watched some shows and had a great time...... ....and some beers

[Dan Gould]

federer won!!!

time to be proud    (switzerland rocks!)

←

I suspect that when all is said and done, Federer is going to break Sampras' record of 14 Singles Slams. I mean, he's got 6, he's only 24 - its up to him whether he wants to strive for that record. But I do think he's going to be number one all time.

And here's why: the dominance over his contemporaries. Even when Pete was dominant, there were players that had his number, or could, like Becker, Edberg, Agassi. None of those guys dominated the way Federer does (winner of 6 of the last 10 Slams, and never lost a Slam final ).

Unless someone picks it up, or someone new comes along, I think we're looking at continued dominance.

And I have to say, as someone who hates girly-men who hit two handed backhands like they're Chris Evert, I really love watching Federer's backhand. Just a thing of beauty.