US Open Day 9 Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:45 AM EDT
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While most of America heads back to the office, a lucky twenty players get to spend more time enjoying the sunshine, still in the running for a US Open singles title.
Here is the order of play for singles matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium today:
Day Session: 12:30 PM Start Time
1. Li Na (CHN)[18] v. Kim Clijsters (BEL)
2. Marin Cilic (CRO)[16] v. Andy Murray (GBR)[2]
Night Session: Not Before 7:00 PM Start Time
1. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)[10] v. Serena Williams (USA)[2]
2. Gael Monfils (FRA)[13] v.Rafael Nadal (ESP)[3]
Fans with grounds passes get a pretty good show too, with del Potro-Ferrero and Tsonga-Gonzalez both being played out on Armstrong, as well as a great slate of late round action from all three doubles draws around the grounds.
The full order of play for all courts can be found here, and live running scores can be found here.
It's quality over quantity (theoretically) at this stage of the tournament, so there should be even more greatness to comment about in great quantity all day in the comments thread of this post.
Hope you can counter that post-three-day-weekend Case of the Tuesdays with some world class tennis.
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Murray down a set and a break thats surprising. Ferrero is being beaten by del po’s forehand which is what I expected.
by Gavbo on Sep 8, 2009 3:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Murray is really looking like he could be in trouble here, down two breaks at 3-0 in the second after dropping the third 7-5. He’s having trouble hanging with Cilic’s power in these rallies.
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He can’t be playing his best cause he can beat Cilic and can neutralize his weapons quite easyily. I still think Murray is gonna come through it though what does everyone else think ?
by Gavbo on Sep 8, 2009 3:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
He certainly should beat Cilic, but his being down 4-0 and a set doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence. He’s got to turn things around in a hurry. I still kind of like Murray to win this one in five, but I have no rationale for thinking so.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah I hope ur Monfils correction is right I would absolutley love it if he beat Nadal.
by Gavbo on Sep 8, 2009 3:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Murray’s stopped the bleeding somewhat, but Cilic about to serve for a two set lead at 5-2.
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Huge whiff for Murray there on the return of Cilic’s set point. Down 2-0, is it rational to think he has any chance?
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And now Murray gets and consolidates a break early in the third for 2-0. Plaid curtains being drawn here?
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And Cilic breaks again for a two break lead at 5-2. NEVER saw this coming.
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And down goes Murray 7-5, 6-2, 6-2
Biggest win of Cilic’s career, for sure
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I wasn’t able to watch, how did Murray look? Was too passive or just off? Hope he’s happy, he messed up my predictions. :P The strange part is I picked Cilic to beat Murray at the French. I thought DelPo could beat him, but not Cilic.
The other side is wow- double break twice! I’ve been waiting for Cilic to break through for a while, but this shocks me.
And I take it DelPo beat Ferrero pretty routinely?
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Definitely routine for del Potro. He never took his foot off the gas.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He was pretty passive, as well as off. He only hit something like 13 winners, and I believe 0 of them were from his forehand. Really a lackluster effort.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s a bad combo. Murray- I believe- when he’s in trouble gets way to passive. And if he’s not at 100%… well that happens.
And if I’m not mistaken does that mean Nadal regains #2 with a win over Monfils?
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
He never looked comfortable all tournament. A shame… the US Open is made for him.
There’s a commenter on Craig Hickman’s blog who continaully calls Andy Murray the best three set tennis player in the world. It’s amazing that he wins all the Master series events and then has only been to one major final so far.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
Correction: All hardcourt masters series. But the knock on young Federer was he couldn’t win a five-setter. And Agassai and Lendl couldn’t “win the big ones” early on.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting thought. Murray has had some success in best of fives, like vs. Nadal in New York last year. He also stunk up the joint vs. Federer in Cincinnati in what turned out to be two very quick sets.
He’s not a grinder or fighter so the long battles certainly don’t favor him, but I think he’s capable of getting swept off the court in best of three as well.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year in NY he was also dismantled in the final against Fed. And he lost in Australia in five, leading 2-1. And in RG in 4, including a bagel. You get what I’m sayin.’
And obviously he doesn’t every single hardcourt tourny. Even Fed couldn’t do that.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I hear ya.
Believe me, I’m no Murray fan (huge understatement), but this loss to Cilic is so bizarre it’s hard for me to process a reason or lesson from it yet.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
The reason was he won less sets then Cilic, three less in fact. :P It’s hard to say. I mean Cilic is #16 in the World, which is pretty darned good. I dunno. Just not sharp I guess.
BTW I really HATE these intros/ voice-over thingys on Espn that frickin’ Kim Cattrall narrates. I mean really, Kim Cattral ?! Its one of the biggest sports events in the world. WTF does she have to with it, besides a fictional relationship to New York?! I mean seriously.. (This genuinely angers me)
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I have absolutely no idea what they were thinking either.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
although they’re unintentionally hilarious when she’s describing all the men as like ’ the mysterious one , boy next door, legendary one,’ etc. But when they show Gilles Simon she just say “French.” Really, that’s the best you can do?
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it’s better than saying like “rail-thin counter-puncher,” right?
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I gotta say in this context that sounds like innuendo.
How about that “French guy who beat Roger twice” ?
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Or “in his last grand slam as a top ten seed, catch him while you can!”
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, doesn’t he have finalist points from a master series that doesn’t exist anymore?
And BR did you do one of these?
http://challenge.atpworldtour.com/
I’m actually 7th overall in the circuit- seriously.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, impressive. That was the one contest I skipped this go round, but it’s one of the toughest ones, so job well done.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think his finalist points get transferred to being defended at the new Shanghai Masters, which I don’t think anyone expects him to make any noise at.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Sometimes I don’t like it when guys like Gonzo win and get to a point like this because they’ll come up short the next round.
If Gonzo gets Monfils, though, that could be a real good one.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
This Monfils-Nadal is incredible early, living up to my expectations already.
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I hate it when your right :P But its only 4 games into match. The final might be 6-1, 6-0, 6-0.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
If Monfils could’ve held Rafa to 1 game, it would have indeed been pretty amazing.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
And learn to love it when I’m right—it happens so often that you’ll be much better off just accepting it ;)
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes those predictions of Murray in 3 and Tsnoga in 5 were spot-on. ;)
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew Murray would finish in straight sets, I can’t be bothered with details…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Hello
Hey, I thought I’d join and talk the match a bit. I don’t watch as much tennis as I probably should for as much as I do enjoy the sport, but this Monfils/Nadal match has been really good to this point.
Welcome!
Glad to have you here for what is shaping up to be a pretty awesome match, hope you stick around!
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Monfils lives and dies on his self belief, and it looks like it’s waning right now.
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Monfils has got to keep stepping into the court, he has the weapons to dictate on his serve.
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I was just thinking that as Nadal hit a second serve at Monfil’s FH that he didn’t even move for and he just pushed it in. Take a rip as Cahill would say.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Monfils takes set after two wild Nadal forehand UFE’s.
by Jsz on Sep 8, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Monfils 7-6
He stayed aggressive enough and won the tiebreak 7-3. Losing that set would have done a number on his confidence, he pretty much needed it to have a shot in this one.
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Me> Patrick McEnroe. ;)
As if that was ever questionable.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
At times, for sure, but I doubt I could ever get away with the things she does in the booth. There’s something to be said for staying that crazy and yet staying employed for so long.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions
And they showed
He was 10-14 when he loses? Not going to lie, that is definitely lower than I would’ve thought…
Well he has to begin his losses somehow ;)
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Does it appear
That Monfils’s chances at winning at at all realistic? I’d assume they’re still very low going up against Nadal, but I’m afraid I’ve never seen Monfils play before.
Possibly
He’s someone who feeds off energy of the crowd and his own play a lot, so if he can keep his momentum up he could very well win, but if he hits a bump it could be pretty much over fairly quickly.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed, will be interesting to see if he can keep that momentum going
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow, could Michael Phelps look any stupider than he does with that moustache?
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Monfils again staying way outside the court for no reason, he needs to keep stepping in.
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What do people think—this set going to make it to a tiebreak as well?
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Quite the pre-fist pump stutter step from Nadal there after that break.
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Wow, Monfils didn’t do enough with that put away at ALL. Very lucky Nadal missed.
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Monfils really looking exhausted now, broken right back for 3-5. If Monfils can’t get it together Nadal could roll through the rest of this match.
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Nah don’t think so, just winded.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Having to try to end points faster due to fatigue is working out beautifully for Monfils thus far.
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No idea why they’re playing the Macarena…
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Must win (obviously) for Monfils
He’s got his range on his groundstrokes, but he needs shorter rallies and he must keep his composure
Ok, apparently he is still planning on sailing his forehand...
I’m going to start watching the match that you guys are watching now.
He’s going for broke, at least, not making careless errors.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, I don’t think Monfils will be able to recover mentally or physically.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn't appear Monfils
Has enough left to make this a real game again. Four sets seems to be about right.
That was a great point made about the lack of free points for Monfils compared to Nadal in this match so far
Definitely, Nadal is better in that category than anybody else.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Well guys, it's been a lot of fun
I’ll certainly try and stop back out as the Open continues. I appreciate all of your hospitality in letting a novice like me enjoy the game with you all.
Thanks for being here, hope to see you again!
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Nadal breaks for 3-1
Should pretty much secure his spot in the quarterfinal…
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15-40 on Nadal’s serve for Monfils to get back on serve here in the fourth…
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And Monfils breaks back. A second wind?
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
And he’s getting them in this game, quick hold for 3-3
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say the -22 differential with 55 unforced errors tells at least half the story of this match for Gael…the other half would be the fallacy of running a marathon with Rafael Nadal
Yeah, that’s not a smart plan of action to be sure. The errors are excusable, it comes with the territory when trying to be aggressive vs. Nadal.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
He was too agressive from the baseline when his forehand was failing him. I think a better plan would have been to come to net more often on the occasions he had Nadal stretched out. He demonstrated during this match that he has the hands to play up there.
True, but I don’t know that he has a good enough approach shot in his arsenal. His game is based so far behind the baseline that I can’t think he feels too comfortable coming to net.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Real sloppy now from Monfils at 3-4, giving this one away.
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And two DFs to break himself. Game over.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 8, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Nadal takes it 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3. Great win for him.
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Thanks for being here everybody, see you again for tomorrow’s day of matches.
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