Early US-Open Ruminations

[Carol]

Hey, at least Roger made the final in Montreal with barely any practice after a 10 day layoff. Nadal practiced for weeks and still lost early in Montreal and Cincy and has always been vulnerable on hard courts. He's only #1 because Roger gave him a mulligan and pulled out of Cincy.

Also, you can't count on Kyrgios to play well unless he's playing Roger or Nadal. Otherwise he may decided he's disinterested and "tank" again. Zverev you can count on for at least the quarters. Can't speculate about the semis final yet. Depends his draw.

Kyrgios doesn't decide anything, it depends how his opponent plays too. If he would have in his hands the decisions he would have won some tournaments playing with the best ones or not so good ones, how many tournaments he has won? cero patatero
And it is not Rafa's fault that Roger decided not play on clay to be better prepared for grass and neither about his back discomfort.

 

[Carol]

Yes, when he only wants to reach the final he really does not need to practice. The relation practice/results now is roughly like that:

a) Injured, no practice: reach the semis
b) No practice: runner up
c) Light one day practice before the tournament: most likely wins the tournament
d) Serious practice one day before the tournament: surely wins the tournament
e) Serious practice three days before the tournament: wins without dropping a set
f) One week of full practice -- physical, basic shot drills and tactical planning: wins without dropping a game
g) Two weeks of practice: same as above and walks on water after trophy ceremony.

None of those, he won't win

 

[Carol]

Sure...if only they'd put a 12" layer of red dirt on top of the hard courts...

Uff, you seem to be very burnet out

 

[Moxie]

Yes, when he only wants to reach the final he really does not need to practice. The relation practice/results now is roughly like that:

a) Injured, no practice: reach the semis
b) No practice: runner up
c) Light one day practice before the tournament: most likely wins the tournament
d) Serious practice one day before the tournament: surely wins the tournament
e) Serious practice three days before the tournament: wins without dropping a set
f) One week of full practice -- physical, basic shot drills and tactical planning: wins without dropping a game
g) Two weeks of practice: same as above and walks on water after trophy ceremony.

I'm sure it would amuse even Roger to read that. If only it were that easy....

 

[Moxie]

According to Roger's agent Tony Godsick (what a ugly last name) Roger is fully recovered of his back discomfort and he is ready to play in the USO

Everything I've found this is all that Tony Godsick said:
“He’s had this before,’’ his agent, Tony Godsick, said. “Hopefully his back will respond and if everybody’s healthy, he has as good a chance as anyone else. He’s never played under the new roof and he’s the best indoor player in the world if that happens.’’

Federer for his part says it's feeling "much, much better."

 

[Carol]

Everything I've found this is all that Tony Godsick said:
“He’s had this before,’’ his agent, Tony Godsick, said. “Hopefully his back will respond and if everybody’s healthy, he has as good a chance as anyone else. He’s never played under the new roof and he’s the best indoor player in the world if that happens.’’

Federer for his part says it's feeling "much, much better."

Well, I hope it's not going to rain. Anyway I remember last year how much noise was around with the new roof, it seemed more like a soccer or Basketball games than a tennis matches :hoops:

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Milos had a procedure done on the wrist today and pulled out of the Open.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

He's not winning the USO? This is more hopeful than based on reasonable theory. The only players who have won this tournament who are playing are Roger and Rafa. Oh, wait...Cilic still in and Delpo? Whatever. There is opportunity for more than a few players, but none so much as Fedal. It seems dismissive and prejudiced to say, out of hand, that Nadal isn't winning this one. You like to game what you wish, we all do.

Recent form trumps the old history of having won it before.

 

[Carol]

Milos had a procedure done on the wrist today and pulled out of the Open.

Another one.....he goes injury to injury

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Wow, the injury stuff is amazing. I think in couple more years, they may have to close down the circuit itself at this rate.

 

[Moxie]

Recent form trumps the old history of having won it before.

That's pure speculation, and not actually based on the year. The two best players of this season are Roger and Rafa.

 

[Moxie]

Another one.....he goes injury to injury

Shame for him. He was unlikely to do more than spoil someone's day, but he is top 10-11.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

We now have Novak, Stan, Kei and Milos out of USO. There is also some doubt about Andy and Cilic. This may be some sort of record for a GS.

 

[Moxie]

Of the top 13+:

1. Nadal
2. Murray: questionable (hip,) and hasn't played since Wimbledon.
3. Federer: (back?)
4. Wawrinka: OUT
5. Djokovic: OUT
6. A. Zverev
7. Cilic: questionable (aductor, hip)
8. Thiem
9. Dimitrov
10. Nishikori: OUT
11. Raonic: OUT
12. Tsonga
13. Goffin: (has he really been himself since the ankle injury at RG?)

 

[Front242]

And Zverev and the famous Kyrgios and who knows who else will play the best, I doubt Roger could win after his back discomfort, would he had enough time to practice? oh, I forgot he doesn't need it

You said previously if a player is out less than 1 month it's not an injury and is only discomfort of the ego. Going by that medical wisdom, he should be fine.

 

[Front242]

None of those, he won't win

And Nadal will I guess. Your post above sounds like something a 10 year old would write.

 

[britbox]

Looking at that list, I can't look beyond Roger, Rafa, Zverev and Cilic.

 

[isabelle]

We now have Novak, Stan, Kei and Milos out of USO. There is also some doubt about Andy and Cilic. This may be some sort of record for a GS.

it looks like 2005 Masters...

 

[britbox]

it looks like 2005 Masters...

Why, is Nalbandian hoping for a wild card?

 

[El Dude]

I think Grigor has to be taken somewhat seriously. Winning a Masters can only improve his confidence and determination. I might even rank him ahead of Zverev because I think he's better in five-setters.

If Roger is healthy, he's the favorite. Nadal is up there, but his recent performances leave a question mark - he hasn't done anything since clay season, not even really gone deep. Andy and Marin depend on health. Then I'd go with Zverev and Dimitrov right there as the dark horses, and Thiem, Kyrgios, and Tsonga a step behind.