2014 US Open

[javero]

Starts in a week.

Nadal's out due to a wrist injury.

Both Federer and Serena won key tuneups and will be going for their 18th grand slam singles title, respectively.

Perhaps, Djokovic and Sharapova will have something to say about all this on court.

[~~tiny3~~]

thank g-d I don't have to watch rafa pick at himself...

[AEA AGMA SM]

Much as I loved my apartment in Woodside (moved out in May), I'm happy to not have to deal with the hordes of yuppies who would otherwise never be caught dead in Queens clogging up the 7 train for these upcoming two weeks this year.

[~~tiny3~~]

I'm goin for the underdogs once again
halep vs. Bouchard
djokovic vs. wawrinka

You, Javero??

[javero]

Serena def Halep in 3 highly-competitive sets
Stan Wawrinka def Federer in 4 sets

NOTE: I'm going to make a bold prediction. If Serena does not win the US Open this year, she will never win another major. Time is not on her side and her home-wrecking ways are taking a toll on her emotionally. I write this as a huge fan.

[~~tiny3~~]

I think Stan just injured his weenie...

[Jay Lerner-Z]

her home-wrecking ways are taking a toll on her

Why so judgemental and misogynistic?

[~~tiny3~~]

Wow! Krunic (who?!) va. Azarenka...great match ao far, considering the disparity in their rankings. Of course, I'm always for the underdog!

[javero]

"I think Stan just injured his weenie..."

tiny, I missed that match. What happened exactly? I really like Stan's all-court game.

I don't think that Azarenka's fitness level is where it was last year. She was caught flat footed out there several times and I suspect that the weight gain was a contributing factor. Last year this time, Azarenka was one of the most mobile ladies on tour. At times in the match with Krunic she looked somewhat sluggish with footwork that resembled Serena's on a bad day. When they first joined the tour, both Vika and Serena were miles ahead of the other players in terms of court coverage and the ability to go from defense to offense, right up there with Justine Henin.

[~~tiny3~~]

@javero: at one point Stan went ruuuunnnnning to return a volley and ran straight into the opposition's peoples' box seats at ground level head first. (They hoisted him out). Looked painful, but he was alright.

Krunic really made the game exciting...was all over the place. coulda, woulda, shoulda (imho)

Not a Serena fan, so I'm hoping she's out soon....

[javero]

@JayLerner-Z I'm a huge Serena fan but one of her flaws in addition to the occasion lapse in sportwomanship is that she's quick to judge the dating practices of her peers, especially those of Maria Sharapova. There was a highly publicized feud between the two in social media last year after Serena made some really snide remarks about Maria supposedly picking up where Serena left off with a certain male pro. Sharapova fired back with what everyone on tour had been whispering about Serena and all hell broke loose.

Serena had claimed in interview after interview that her coach/paramour Patrick and she would settle in his native France, her adopted country. That was before the American & British press got wind of the fact that Patrick was still quite married with kids and that their relationship was heavily scorned by French media.

Prior to that Serena had to issue an apology in both print and social media after she made an insensitive remark about a teen-aged rape victim, as well as snap judgment about the girls' parents.

Before the post, I asked myself what would Joan Rivers do and from there it all started to crystallize.
http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2014/01/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-both-childish-in-off-court-feud/

[NYadgal]

I was crushed to see Sharapova lose her match. It's too bad the rain delay didn't arrive early enough to give her the chance to stop and re-focus.

[NYadgal]

And I am all about a Federer win. All about it.

[~~tiny3~~]

yeah , Roger's very, very cute!!
Did you guys watch the cyclic match? Amazing. 5 sets.

[javero]

Nope...missed the Ciric match. These days I tend to not watch any of the men's matches that I suspect will go 5 sets, unless it's at the semifinal or championship round.

Onto the distaff side...

Caro is back!!!

I didn't watch the match but the scoreline and stats tell the story. Wozniacki destroyed Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 to get back to the semifinals of a major for first time since 2010. Hopefully her progress at this tourney will help her realize that she did it on her own out there and that she doesn't need daddy dearest at her side on court. I agree with Mary Carillo that on-court coaching at lesser events on the women's tour is the biggest embarrassment to the sport of tennis.

Caro has her detractors of course who labeled her PUSHniacki years ago. She seems to be finally willing to make the necessary adjustments to her game to take it to the next level. She would be a very dangerous opponent for Serena were both to make to the finals.

Despite winning the past two championships, Serena was tight and nervous in both. Caro's newfound confidence and her usual steadiness would present Serena with some serious trouble if Serena makes it to the championship round and doesn't serve Caro completely out of the stadium.

Gotta adjust my picks after several upsets on the women's side. Djokovic def Berdych in 4 sets in the men's final. Djokovic is yet to lose a single set in the tourney. Berdych will play the match of his life and take out Federer in the process in their semi. Serena def Wozniacki 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 to three-peat and to tie Navratilova & Evert in the Club of 18. I haven't checked out the doubles or mixed action this year.

[~~tiny3~~]

uh oh...looks like doomsday for Roger. That neon green must be really hard on the eyes!!

[javero]

Tiny,

For 2 sets, Monfils completely outclassed Fed out there. I'm too tired to watch it till the end though. Hopefully Fed can turn it around. I want another Djokovic-Federer final at a major this year.

[~~tiny3~~]

you're NOT watching the end?? oMFG!! Monfils just won the set with 2 ACES in a row!! I love, love, love watching that neon green guy.4 (monfils)-3 fourth set. If Roger pulls this off, it'll be a miracle.

[NYadgal]

It's talent. And training. And heart. And that special something that Champions have.

Once again, I am all about a Federer win. All about it!

[~~tiny3~~]

OMG I WAS SO WRONG!
@JAVERO - YOU must WATCH A RE RUN OF THE ENTIRE LAST 3 SETS. iT WAS FREAKING AMAZING! From match point in the 3rd set to an utter demise. But, what a player, that Monfils. Super entertaining to watch.