US OPEN, Flushing Meadows, NY, USA, GRAND SLAM (Men)

[Tennis Fan]

Ha Mastoor is a party pooper.

I was just joking, although we do call our uncles' and aunts' kids brothers and sisters, their kids nieces and nephews. I still can't figure out the names of the relations in English, 1st, 2nd cousin, etc. We have different names for each member of a family, including in-laws.

I thought you were serious. I was laughing so hard. I said, now that's true love!

What language do you speak? I think it makes more sense to have different names because that first, second and third cousin stuff is too difficult even for me. So many people have tried to explain it to me, but all I can figure out is the first cousin; after that it's not worth the effort.

 

[Billie]

I thought you were serious. I was laughing so hard. I said, now that's true love!

What language do you speak? I think it makes more sense to have different names because that first, second and third cousin stuff is too difficult even for me. So many people have tried to explain it to me, but all I can figure out is the first cousin; after that it's not worth the effort.

I speak Serbian. I think out of everything in English, trying to figure out family relations is the hardest thing for me.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Time for some heavy cheering, Todore!!!! Rafa really looks in trouble.

I remember Pouille from Wimbledon. The commentators here reminded me that he was a lucky loser in Rome and because Tsonga withdrew, Pouille made it to the draw and went all the way to the semi final before losing to Andy. Then he made another breakthrough at Wimbledon getting to the quarters there. And he is seeded here. It's been quite a rise for him in the last several months.

Yep. I've seen Pouille a couple of times this year and was thoroughly impressed. He not only seems to have the talent, but the belief as well. Not to mention that he's very easy on the eyes. I love his game and knew this would be a tough match. After all, who had Nadal played? Istomin, Seppi, and I don't even remember the third guy. Pouille was always going to be several levels above his previous opponents.

This tournament is getting more tricky. Nadal and Nole are undercooked, Andy is overcooked and there's some very good players left in the tournament. It's getting very complicated.

 

[brokenshoelace]

One of the signs of Nadal getting nervous is a heavy handed drop shot instead of ripping a forehand...

 

[brokenshoelace]

...and now he rips a forehand followed by a phenomenal volley to save break point.

 

[Billie]

Yep, strange tournament, with really no heavy favorites. May be another 2014 and a new winner, who knows.

Rafa saves a break point. Gee still drama left.

 

[brokenshoelace]

...and Nadal gets broken back. Ugh.

 

[Tennis Fan]

I speak Serbian. I think out of everything in English, trying to figure out family relations is the hardest thing for me.

How nice. I love all of the different languages although I'm too lazy to learn any of them. But here's the best I can do.

A husband and wife has a child and their siblings also has a child.

Because the children that have come from two siblings. Their children are cousins.

When their children (the cousins have children), they become second cousins and it goes on and on.

Still confusing? I know.

 

[Billie]

OMG! Back on serve. Pouille just won't go away.

 

[Tennis Fan]

the french always come up with the most surprising players!

Yes, they do.

 

[Billie]

The kid has guts. What a great fight from both guys.

 

[Tennis Fan]

By the way, this match is a good example of why I think Rafa's volleying, while definitely improved from his 2006 days, gets overrated (remember McEnroe laughably claiming Nadal volleys better than Federer?). He's hit some fantastic volleys, but missed some really easy ones, and actually made a mess of so many make-able ones.

I think I've finally caught on to which volleys he struggles with and which ones he hits well, and it's really specific to where he is on the court and the height of the ball.

His main problem obviously is that he can't punch volley to save his life, and relies almost exclusively on drop volleys, meaning that if his touch isn't perfect, he can give his opponent some super easy passes. His drop volleys are occasionally heavy-handed on medium-to-high balls, but are feather light when he has to get low (which is odd considering the latter is theoretically more difficult).

His backhand volleys are really good when he's stretched out wide and has to create a short angle, but they're so-so when he's in the middle with the ball coming more or less directly at him.

However, his overhand and backhand overhead are absolutely phenomenal. Easily among the best on tour. In fact, throughout history, his backhand overhead is second to only Federer IMO.

McEnroe over exaggerates everything and all of the other commentators follow his lead.

I'm not sure about the backhand overhead as I don't recall Federer doing it that much.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Yep, strange tournament, with really no heavy favorites. May be another 2014 and a new winner, who knows.

Rafa saves a break point. Gee still drama left.

I know. There no gimmes or sure things. I don't know what's going to happen. But congratulations to whoever wins it, they will have earned it.

 

[Tennis Fan]

OMG! Back on serve. Pouille just won't go away.

Yeah, but you got to love him. It gives you someone else to look forward to watching. I'm a fan.

 

[Billie]

A couple of pretty easy misses from Rafa, his shots landing in the net. It's dangerous to give your opponent points like that. Rafa to serve to stay in the match.

Night session will be really late.

 

[brokenshoelace]

McEnroe over exaggerates everything and all of the other commentators follow his lead.

I'm not sure about the backhand overhead as I don't recall Federer doing it that much.

Federer pretty much made that shot famous.

 

[britbox]

Finally... chance to sit down and watch some tennis without interruption. Nice feeling! 5-5 in the fifth... Tension

 

[Billie]

Well you came to watch at the right time.

What nerve to hold his serve. I think it would be only fair to decide this in a tiebreaker.

 

[Moxie]

Oh, my nerves.

 

[Tennis Fan]

A couple of pretty easy misses from Rafa, his shots landing in the net. It's dangerous to give your opponent points like that. Rafa to serve to stay in the match.

Night session will be really late.

Rafa definitely put himself into this position. He had his chances, so I can't be mad no matter what outcome. It's very dangerous, but it's been a well fought match, so congrats to the winner. They will have earned it.