I must say I didn't see much of the tennis over the weekend. But the results have certainly ensured that this year's U.S. Open will be one of the ages. Novak Djokovic, who still maintains a HUGE lead in the rankings, lost yet another heartbreaker to a surprisingly resurgent Rafael Nadal. Andy Murray, who as reigning U.S. Open and Wimbledon champ would be considered number one in most eras, lost easily in his second match back to the unheralded Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
As a result, Flushing Meadows could leave a profound mark on the state of the game. Djokovic could truly reassert his No. 1 ranking by ending the year with two Slams, and strong semifinal and runner-up finishes in the other two. Murray, again, could be the psychological No. 1 by winning the two biggest tournaments in the game back-to-back. Nadal could show that he really is a contender again -- a big "if" given those knees and his track record on hardcourts. And Roger Federer, who just turned 32, could re-emerge from his slump to show that he still can't be counted out. Throw in an increasingly dangerous (and former champ) Juan Martin del Potro into the mix and you've got yourself a tournament. Tell me who you think will win below!
2 comments:
I'll give you the point regarding knee concerns, but track record in hard courts for Rafa? Last four US Opens played...SF, SF, W, F. Olympic gold on hard. Three titles each at Indian Wells and Toronto/Montreal. Wins at Melbourne, Shanghai, Madrid (when it was on hard court). Not to mention three Miami finals, another Aussie final...So called hard court players don't compare as favorably at big hard court events when he's healthy as common wisdom suggests. Most hard courters would kill for those results.
Nadal is 10-0 on hardcourts this year. He has won both tournaments he has played thus far - Indian Wells and Montreal, both Masters 1000 events.
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