US Open Day 9 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 7, 2010 3:53 PM EDT
in Match Threads
3 comments
Hello and welcome to Day 9 action at the 2010 US Open.
With only six singles matches on tap for today, doubles matches have begun to move onto the two big stadiums. All the same, only singles matches will be found after the jump:
US Open Day 8 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 6, 2010 1:00 PM EDT
in Match Threads
11 comments
Happy Labor Day, everybody.
Wozniacki vs. Sharapova is definitely the match to watch today. Winner should stroll into the final.
Singles schedule after the jump:
US Open Day 7 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 5, 2010 10:42 AM EDT
in Match Threads
6 comments
Hello and welcome to Day 7 of the US Open, the first day of second week (fourth round) action for the women and the conclusion of the men's third round.
Should be some great stuff today, for sure. John Isner and Sam Querrey take on higher ranked but beatable seeds, former #1s Ana Ivanovic and Kim Clijsters battle on the women's side, and Rafael Nadal takes on Gilles Simon, an opponent he could easily bench press.
Schedule after the jump, followed by your numerous, insightful comments
US Open Day 6 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 4, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
in Match Threads
1 comment
Happy Saturday to you all.
I will once again be Twittering away (@DailyForehand), so do follow along for all sorts of cleverness and stats about consonants that are far more crucial than you might realize.
Please do chat early and often in the comments below.
Changing it up a bit, the schedule for today is entirely after the jump today.
Five Matches to Watch on Day 6 of the US Open
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 4, 2010 7:41 AM EDT
in Match Threads
0 comments
1. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4] v. Kaia Kanepi (EST)[31] -- The song remains the same for Jankovic. She's been playing terribly all month, so anyone can beat her. Simona Halep and Mirjana Lucic each took a set off the #4 seed, and they're both ranked 60+ below Kanepi. But Kanepi's closing skills are highly suspect. Kanepi blew five match points against Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon this year, the last time she played on a show court at a grand slam. That said, Kanepi's track record at grand slams is extremely impressive for a player as anonymous as she. She's made the quarterfinals of both the French Open (2008) and Wimbledon (2010), so there's no reason to assume she shouldn't be able to make the second week of the US Open, as well.
2. Beatrice Capra (USA) [WC] v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[14] -- There are huge 2009 flashbacks to be had with this match, for certain. At last year's US Open, Maria Sharapova took the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium second on the first Saturday of the tournament, facing a spunky teenager from the east coast of the U.S. In 2009, Sharapova lost that third round match to Melanie Oudin. In 2010, Sharapova faces a similar scenario against Beatrice Capra, an 18-year old from Maryland who was ranked #374 coming into this tournament (Capra has already improved her ranking to ~#208 with her two main draw wins this week). Capra doesn't seem to be anywhere near as dangerous as Oudin was, and her upset of struggling #18 Aravane Rezai in the second round pales in comparison to the upset of in-form #4 Elena Dementieva that Oudin registered in her 2009 second round. But there's a reason they play the matches, I suppose. Sharapova hasn't made it past the third round of the US Open since winning the tournament in 2006, for what that's worth (not a ton).
3. James Blake (USA) [WC] v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] -- This one really, really should be a beatdown. But the crowd should be almost entirely behind Blake, and having the crowd firmly behind his opponent has been known to bother Djokovic more than it does most top players. But, really, this one shouldn't be close. Blake got extremely lucky with his draw to this point, and this match could be a harsh reality check. But for a foregone conclusion, the stakes are pretty high. I'd say the result of this match will predict if Blake plays into 2011 or not. If he wins, he will. If he loses, this could be his last time around the J-Block.
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[11] v.Maria Kirilenko (RUS)[23] -- Filling out my brackets (which I've had trouble scanning still, my apologies for the delay), I had a tough time deciding who to pick in this one. Kuznetsova has the better recent results on American hard courts, but Kirilenko has beaten Kuznetsova twice already this year at large tournaments, in Rome and at the French Open. I expect the crowd to be fairly pro-Kirilenko, and I expect a long, tight match. Should be good stuff. But I am not at all in favor of putting women on after men in night sessions. Just a dumb setup given how unpredictable the length of best-of-five matches is.
5. Gael Monfils (FRA)[17] v. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) -- When Andy Roddick shook hands with Janko Tipsarevic after the bespectacled Serb pulled off the second round upset, Roddick told Tipsarevic not to squander the win by losing his next match or he would "freaking kill [him]." With that threat in mind, Tipsarevic should be all the more motivated out against Gael Monfils, who barely scraped through his first round match against Robert Kendrick before cleaned his act up against Igor Andreev in the second round. If you like big personalities and big shotmaking (and who doesn't?) this is the match for you.
US Open Day 5 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 3, 2010 10:30 AM EDT
in Match Threads
14 comments
Hello and welcome to The Daily Forehand's Open Thread for Day 5 of the 2010 US Open. Time flies, doesn't it?
Day 5 is made up of third round matches from the bottom of the Women's Singles draw, and second round matches from the top of the Men's Singles. Seeds will collide for the first time, in four of the eight women's matches on tap for today.
Here's hoping Earl arrives late or never.
As per usual, I will be tweeting away about the day's doings (@DailyForehand), so follow there if you're in the mood for musings forced into brevity.
Here is the schedule for the show courts, with the remaining singles schedule after the jump.
1. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)[24] v. Elena Dementieva (RUS)[12]
Not Before:1:00 PM
2. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Petra Kvitova (CZE)[27] v. Kim Clijsters (BEL)[2]
3. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Andy Murray (GBR)[4] v. Dustin Brown (JAM)
7:00 PM Start Time
1. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Mandy Minella (LUX) v. Venus Williams (USA)[3]
2. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Rafael Nadal (ESP)[1] v. Denis Istomin (UZB)
Louis Armstrong Stadium 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Samantha Stosur (AUS)[5] v. Sara Errani (ITA)
2. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) v. John Isner (USA)[18]
3. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Virginie Razzano (FRA) v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
4. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Sam Querrey (USA)[20] v. Marcel Granollers (ESP)
Grandstand 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) v. Ryan Harrison (USA)
2. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[6] v. Alona Bondarenko (UKR)[29]
3. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
David Nalbandian (ARG)[31] v. Florent Serra (FRA)
4. Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Shahar Peer (ISR)[16] v. Flavia Pennetta (ITA)[19]
Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi: Partners in Tennis and in Peace
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 3, 2010 2:11 AM EDT
in Interviews
0 comments
"It's amazing, what they're doing off the court. They're promoting world peace, basically. Two warring countries, and they're playing together. We're proud of them, everyone is. And they're doing great things on the court. We think they're a really tough team, we just barely scraped by them last week. Both really good guys, well-liked by all the players and fans." -- Mike Bryan.
The recent troubles between India and Pakistan haven't gotten much play in American media, with more of the overseas conflict coverage focused on countries in which American troops are stationed. Violence has become the norm in Kashmir and other parts of the India-Pakistan border, with civilian casualties high in clashes with police forces.
But none of that that has stopped India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi from coming together, partnering for both tennis and for peace.
Bopanna and Qureshi have been doubles partners for the better part of 2010, becoming incredible role models for peace and understanding in the process.
The two haven't made waves off the court, only. They beat the Bryan Brothers in Washington, and made their first ATP final together in New Haven the week before the US Open.
Bopanna and Qureshi are the #16 seeds in the Men's Doubles at the US Open, and advanced to the second round with a straight sets win on Tuesday over the team of Ryler deHeart and Brian Battistone. They take on Michael Kohlmann and Jarkko Nieminen Friday on what will be the first match on Court 6.
After their first round win in Washington, I sat down with Rohan and Aisam together to talk about the tennis and political aspects of their partnership.
Five Matches to Watch on Day 5 of the US Open
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 3, 2010 1:32 AM EDT
in Analysis
0 comments
1. Andy Murray (GBR)[4] v. Dustin Brown (JAM) -- Though he speaks German and spends much of his time in Germany and the rest of Europe, Dustin Brown has gained a lot of attention for flying the Jamaican flag, putting a country previously only known for sprinters and bobsledders (I can hardly describe how much I love Cool Runnings) on the tennis map. Those who have watched him play (of which I am not one, yet) say that he's an extremely entertaining guy to watch, what with the flashy shotmaking and the dreadlocks. Andy Murray rolled in his first round match against Lukas Lacko, but it would be nice to see him get more of a challenge against someone who should be a fun opponent.
2. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) v. John Isner (USA)[18] -- John Isner's gimpy left ankle held up extremely well against the un-threatening Frederico Gil in the first round, but Marco Chiudinelli is a far more imposing opponent. Chiudinelli made a surprising run to the third round of this tournament last year, and is an aggressive player who will be much tougher for Isner to break than Gil was. Isner does have the added benefit of more time to recover from the ankle injury he suffered in Cincinnati, an injury that should become less and less of an issue as this tournament progresses. But if he's not 100%, he could easily go out today.
3. Virginie Razzano (FRA) v. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) -- Two of the bigger names of the unseeded ranks meet on Louis Armstrong Stadium for a spot in the fourth round against the winner of Petra Kvitova vs. Kim Clijsters. On recent form, Ivanovic should definitely be the favorite in this match, with her dominant win over Zheng Jie on Day 3 and run to the semifinals of Cincinnati. But Razzano is a tricky opponent who puts an incredible amount of spin on her groundstrokes, and could give the flat-hitting, margin-less Ivanovic trouble, especially if the approaching winds of Hurricane Earl play a role.
4. Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[6] v. Alona Bondarenko (UKR)[29] -- After shutting down the Melanie Oudin hype machine, Alona Bondarenko faces another diminutive but emotive player in the third round, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. Schiavone had struggled mightily between her French Open win and Montreal, but she seemed to get back on track at that tournament and has looked sharp early this week. Both of these two can always be counted on for long rallies and multiple emotional outbursts each match, so bring popcorn.
5. Gilles Simon (FRA) v. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)[29] -- This might be the best match-up on Court 13 this entire tournament. Both Simon and Kohlschreiber are slight guys with big games, flashy shotmaking, and impressive speed. There will definitely be some highlight reel stuff coming off this one. I just hope enough people watch to let everyone else know how awesome it was.
US Open Day 4 Schedule & Open Thread
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 2, 2010 10:01 AM EDT
in Match Threads
9 comments
Hello and welcome to the Day 4 Open Thread for this 2010 US Open. Please, chat away beyond your heart's content.
As per usual, yours truly will be tweeting throughout the day (@DailyForehand), so do follow along there if the Twitterverse is where you feel most at home.
Here is the schedule for the show courts, with the remaining singles matches and your comments to be found after the jump.
Grandstand is definitely the place to be Thursday, way ahead of the snoozefest lined up for Ashe.
Arthur Ashe Stadium 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Sabine Lisicki (GER) v. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)[7]
Not Before:1:00 PM
2. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[1] v. Kai-Chen Chang (TPE)
3. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Andreas Beck (GER) v. Roger Federer (SUI)[2]
7:00 PM Start Time
1. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Iveta Benesova (CZE) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[14]
2. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Philipp Petzschner (GER) v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3]
Louis Armstrong Stadium 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Pablo Cuevas (URU) v. Mardy Fish (USA)[19]
2. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)[11] v. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT)
3. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4] v. Mirjana Lucic (CRO)
4. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Peter Polansky (CAN) v. James Blake (USA)
Grandstand 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Aravane Rezai (FRA)[18] v. Beatrice Capra (USA)
2. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)[6] v. Richard Gasquet (FRA)
3. Men's Singles - 2nd Round
Robin Soderling (SWE)[5] v. Taylor Dent (USA)
4. Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v. Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Five Matches to Watch on Day 4 of the US Open
by Ben Rothenberg on Sep 2, 2010 6:26 AM EDT
in Analysis
1 comment
1. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4] v. Mirjana Lucic (CRO) [Q] -- Jelena Jankovic has struggled mightily since injuring her ankle in Slovenia this July, losing consecutive matches to players outside the top 50 (Akgul Amanmuradova and Iveta Benesova) in Cincinnati and Montreal. She stumbled through her first round match as well, barely surviving #96 Simona Halep 7-5 in the third set. It would make for quite the story if Mirjana Lucic could become the one to capitalize on Jankovic's poor form at this US Open. Lucic fell off the map after an out-of-nowhere run eleven years ago to the semifinals of Wimbledon 1999, with abuse from her father cited as the reason for her departure from the sport. But she has been working the comeback trail slowly and steadily, playing the challenger circuit and qualifying for this US Open, at which she has already won one main draw match. If she can beat Jankovic, it will almost undoubtedly be the feel-good story of the first week. Not for Jankovic, though...
2. Aravane Rezai (FRA)[18] v. Beatrice Capra (USA) [WC] -- Melanie Oudin fell in the second round yesterday, making it clear that she won't repeat and be this year's Melanie Oudin. My original pick to be this year's Melanie Oudin was Coco Vandeweghe, but she only managed one game during her first round loss to Sabine Lisicki. Now, the only remaining candidate to fill Oudin's motto-adorned shoes is Beatrice Capra, a Maryland 18 year-old who won the USTA Wild Card Playoff. Rezai is an incredibly flashy, hot-and-cold player who has been decidedly cold since winning the biggest title of her career this May in Madrid. Capra definitely has a chance to make some big noise on the Grandstand, which is decidedly the place to be Thursday.
3. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)[6] v. Richard Gasquet (FRA) -- Two big names with stylish games (but without major results to speak of this year) meet on the Grandstand in what should be an incredibly entertaining contest. Richard Gasquet has always been unpredictable, but he did recently beat Mikhail Youzhny in Cincinnati, so he should be given a fairly solid chance against Davydenko. The two are in a section of the draw that could have met Andy Roddick in the fourth round, so his exit should brighten the spirits of both. Definitely a match to tune in for.
4. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v. Andrea Petkovic (GER) -- Two of the biggest personalities in tennis meet late Thursday on the grandstand to battle for a spot in the third round. Mattek-Sands, who makes her noise with ridiculous fashions, is back to playing the sort of tennis she was before she got married, strong form that was especially evident during a narrow loss to Kim Clijsters two weeks ago in Montreal. Noted tweeter Andrea Petkovic, who despite a career high ranking of #33 has never made it to the third round of a grand slam, upset Nadia Petrova Tuesday in a third set tiebreak win that was celebrated (how else) with dancing.
5. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [Q] v. Marin Cilic (CRO)[11] -- Nishikori and Cilic have both made it to the second week of this tournament already in their young careers, and this battle out on Court 13 will be a fun battle between the flashy shotmaking of Nishikori and the steady power of Cilic. Whoever wins this match is almost guaranteed to beat the winner of Albert Montanes-Carsten Ball in the third round, so the stakes are pretty high today.
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