Sunday Open Thread: ATP Montreal & WTA Cincinnati Finals
by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 8:33 AM EDT
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PrintTwo matches that could both be pretty good (or that could both be blowouts), on the card for Sunday.
(Click "Continue reading" below the poll to see the rest of this post, and join in the comments on the open thread)
The men are up first in Montreal at 1:30 EST, with #3 Andy Murray taking on #6 Juan Martin del Potro in a battle of young "next big things." del Potro has never made a Masters/1000 event final before, while this would be Murray's fourth Masters/1000 title in the last twelve months.
Will more "yo mama" jokes ensue? Let's hope so.
The women are second on in Cincinnati at 4:00 EST, with #1 Dinara Safina facing #5 Jelena Jankovic in a battle between slamless #1's of past and present. Safina should win fairly easily, but it could turn into a competitive puncher vs. counter-puncher match if Jankovic can keep the ball in the court with any consistency.
Both matches are live on ESPN2 in the States.
Who ya got?
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Real clean start to this match
Lot of very even baselining.
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At 2-2 in the tiebreak, Murray said “come on” for that ace pretty much as soon as it bounced.
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Here comes the whiny, cranky Murray we know and love.
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Traded breaks to open the second
after no breaks in the first, and only one break point, even.
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This is just a great match so far… Del Po has really responded with an amazing net game, and getting huge points in important situations where he’s just killing the ball to the corners of the court.
Murray is playing too straight, but it’s not like he’s way behind Del Po. Love it when Murray curses at no one in particular in frustration. I don’t know if it helps him, but I don’t think it hurts, so it must do something good considering how he’s now #2 in the world.
It’s matches like this that are huge tests for Murray in his quest to become a champion. Del Po is so loose because he feels Murray is expected to win. Murray needs to win a Masters series final to get confidence for a major.
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That should read wins “another” Masters series final. I really think the more of these he accumulates, in different situations (be it as the favourite or as the underdog) will give him what he needs to be a champ. Besides, it’s different than just having a good record against Nole.
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I agree about the expectations. This has to be Murray’s first big final as a heavy favorite, and it’s interesting to see how he’s handling it.
Not especially well so far, in my mind.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
The Canadian commentators are really hyping these two as the future #1-#2 players in the world. In my mind, if Del Po wins this, it really will change things for both players. Del Po will have more expectations and won’t be viewed as an underdog even against the top players anymore. How will he handle playing a lower seed in a semi or final? And if Murray can’t win, that throws a lot of questions about how he can handle being a top player… much like Novak since the Aussie win.
They’re holding serves now after those interesting first 3 games.
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Del Po doubles to bring the game to deuce… but gets a huge net point to get to game point again.
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Some more missed opportunities
More and more frustration from Murray.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
And del Potro holds
I’ve really been impressed with his feel this week.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Murray had him moving there, but Del Po got it back and that forehand is so huge right now.
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2 hours long… you get the sense that the longer this goes, the better for Murray. Del Po I think needs to win in straights.
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Agreed.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Though I do think del Potro is never as tired as he appears.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
No reason to think he won’t.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Medical timeout for JMDO… CBC breaks for Bolt winning the 100m World Championships. 9.58!!!!!
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Wow
World record, right?
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Del Potro Calls the Trainer
Strange timing
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Second Set Tiebreak time...
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I like the way del Potro plays but...
I wonder how many big matches he can win when he tires so fast.
Bathroom break, then injury stall...
del Potro looks dead in the water.
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Guesses as to whether or not del Potro will finish the set?
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Del Potro wins two points in the first four games…
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And out of nowhere
del Potro breaks to 15, 1-4.
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Match Point
And Murray takes it, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1. He’s now won every outdoor hard court Masters title.
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Very impressive. Didn’t even consider that. Now he needs to win one of those 5 set ones!
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Scratch that
No Indian Wells, he lost in the final there, I misremembered…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Aug 16, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Really crappy start from Safina.
Jankovic takes the first 6-4.
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Safina could hardly be leaning on her coach more. It’s really pathetic.
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Big hold for Safina for 2-3
Overcame four double faults.
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Jankovic calls the trainer.
Shocker.
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Safina broken again
Jankovic to serve for the match at 5-2 in the second
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And Jankovic wins 6-4, 6-2
Safina’s final woes continue
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