After 2 days of stop and start action who came out on top?
The match started on Wednesday lunchtime with both men holding serve till Young was leading 2-1 but then the rain fell and the match was going to be carried out at the same time on Thursday. When play resumed Murray started to play good tennis and didn't allow the American wildcard a game until the end of the set. First set 6-2.
In the second set it was more of the same from Murray as he was certainly looking the stronger man as Young's game was faltering. Throughout the whole match Murray was the better man as he looked the capitalise on Young's quite poor performance. Second set Murray 6-3.
In the third Young went for his shots a bit more but to no prevail as Murray continued to play the tennis he needed to break down the young American. Murray was better in all departments and with the third set ending 6-3 Murray charges into the quarter finals against another American John Isner who came through in 4 sets against Frenchman Gilles Simon.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Bernard Tomic
A quick look at the 18 year old Wimbledon quarter-finalist
The Australians have something to cheer about on the tennis front for the first time in a while as Bernard Tomic made his way into the top 100 after a brilliant set of displays from the Aussie this year. He has been a household name for Australian tennis fans for a few years now as the man that will put Australian tennis back on the top stage.
In the Australian Open 2008 he became the youngest boy ever to win the boys singles title at age 15. He then went on to win the US Open junior titles in 2009. He had an illustrious career as a junior as he also won the prestigious orange bowl tournament three times!
He is having his breakthrough year right now with a win to loss ratio of 9-9 which is amazing for an 18 year old he also managed to make it through to the round of 32 in the Australian Open where he lost to the former world No1 Rafael Nadal.
He then played the best tournament he has played yet at Wimbledon where he managed to make it through qualifying which was quite impressive in the first place. He then took out the 27th seed Nikolay Davydenko, the 79th seed Igor Andreev, 5th seed Robin Soderling and 42nd seed Xavier Malisse in a row! Before reaching the in form Serbian Novak Djokovic who he still managed to get a set off in the quarter finals. He came into the competition ranked 158th and left the competition ranked 71st!
He has played alot of good tennis until now but has come up against strong players but the most impressive thing about him is that mentally he is always strong. Like a true champion.
One thing is for sure. Expect to see Bernard Tomic and the top of the men's game in the next few years!
The Australians have something to cheer about on the tennis front for the first time in a while as Bernard Tomic made his way into the top 100 after a brilliant set of displays from the Aussie this year. He has been a household name for Australian tennis fans for a few years now as the man that will put Australian tennis back on the top stage.
In the Australian Open 2008 he became the youngest boy ever to win the boys singles title at age 15. He then went on to win the US Open junior titles in 2009. He had an illustrious career as a junior as he also won the prestigious orange bowl tournament three times!
He is having his breakthrough year right now with a win to loss ratio of 9-9 which is amazing for an 18 year old he also managed to make it through to the round of 32 in the Australian Open where he lost to the former world No1 Rafael Nadal.
He then played the best tournament he has played yet at Wimbledon where he managed to make it through qualifying which was quite impressive in the first place. He then took out the 27th seed Nikolay Davydenko, the 79th seed Igor Andreev, 5th seed Robin Soderling and 42nd seed Xavier Malisse in a row! Before reaching the in form Serbian Novak Djokovic who he still managed to get a set off in the quarter finals. He came into the competition ranked 158th and left the competition ranked 71st!
He has played alot of good tennis until now but has come up against strong players but the most impressive thing about him is that mentally he is always strong. Like a true champion.
One thing is for sure. Expect to see Bernard Tomic and the top of the men's game in the next few years!
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
US Open Diary Day 8
Another day came and went at the US Open. What were the main talking points in the men's game?
One of the first matches of the day was the match between Djokovic and Dolgopolov. Djokovic was obviously the overwhelming favourite but with Dolgopolov's arkward game and the wind blowing maybe there was a slight chance of an upset.
The match started suprisingly with Djokovic and Dolgopolov all square sending the first set to a tie-break. An eppic tie-break saw Djokovic manage to close it out 16-14! From then on Djokovic found his task easier and won the next two sets 6-4 and 6-2.
Another match that was highly anticipated was a contest between Janko Tipsarevic and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Both men were in good form coming into the match and even though there is an 85 rankings position gap it was difficult to pick a favourite.
in the first set there was good play from both men but Tipsarevic looked slightly in control and won it 7-5. The second set was even more competetive and after a long set it would go to a tie-break. The former world number 1 Ferrero found a way to win it 7-3.
The third set was very close as well but again Tipsarevic edged it 7-5. In the fourth set Tipsarevic managed to distance himself from Ferrero and won it comfortably 6-2. The next match was a much anticipated duel between Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Mardy Fish.
Many believed this was the match to watch for the day. The players are close in rankings and both have played great tennis throughout the summer. The first set started with both men playing well but Tsonga broke Fish and won it 6-4. The second was extremely competitive and Fish somehow won it on the tie-break 7-5.
After this set Fish had the momentum and won the third 6-3. The fourth saw Tsonga find his feet and his best tennis as he won it 6-4. In the fifth Tsonga had the momentum and Fish was tiring. Tsonga took the set confidently 6-2. He reached the quarter finals in flushing meadows for the first time.
The final match of the day between the No3 seed Roger Federer and Argentine Juan Monaco. Because of the five set epic between Mardy Fish and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga the match started at midnight! That didn't stop Federer though as he dismissed Monaco in an hour and twenty minutes with a score of 6-1 6-2 6-0.
One of the first matches of the day was the match between Djokovic and Dolgopolov. Djokovic was obviously the overwhelming favourite but with Dolgopolov's arkward game and the wind blowing maybe there was a slight chance of an upset.
The match started suprisingly with Djokovic and Dolgopolov all square sending the first set to a tie-break. An eppic tie-break saw Djokovic manage to close it out 16-14! From then on Djokovic found his task easier and won the next two sets 6-4 and 6-2.
Another match that was highly anticipated was a contest between Janko Tipsarevic and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Both men were in good form coming into the match and even though there is an 85 rankings position gap it was difficult to pick a favourite.
in the first set there was good play from both men but Tipsarevic looked slightly in control and won it 7-5. The second set was even more competetive and after a long set it would go to a tie-break. The former world number 1 Ferrero found a way to win it 7-3.
The third set was very close as well but again Tipsarevic edged it 7-5. In the fourth set Tipsarevic managed to distance himself from Ferrero and won it comfortably 6-2. The next match was a much anticipated duel between Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Mardy Fish.
Many believed this was the match to watch for the day. The players are close in rankings and both have played great tennis throughout the summer. The first set started with both men playing well but Tsonga broke Fish and won it 6-4. The second was extremely competitive and Fish somehow won it on the tie-break 7-5.
After this set Fish had the momentum and won the third 6-3. The fourth saw Tsonga find his feet and his best tennis as he won it 6-4. In the fifth Tsonga had the momentum and Fish was tiring. Tsonga took the set confidently 6-2. He reached the quarter finals in flushing meadows for the first time.
The final match of the day between the No3 seed Roger Federer and Argentine Juan Monaco. Because of the five set epic between Mardy Fish and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga the match started at midnight! That didn't stop Federer though as he dismissed Monaco in an hour and twenty minutes with a score of 6-1 6-2 6-0.
Monday, 5 September 2011
US Open Diary Day 7
As another day at the big apple ends what thrills and spills happened?
One of the first matches of the day was a largely anticipated match between the former world number 1; Rafael Nadal and former number three David Nalbandian. Although Rafa was the favourite we had seen in the past that Nalbandian’s game could definitely trouble the Spaniard.
The match started off with Nalbandian playing world class tennis. He had obviously come out to try and blast Nadal of the court. Nalbandian had his chances in the first set but Nadal managed to claw his way back playing top tennis and won the set on the tie-break. He carried on playing top tennis throughout the match and won the match 7-6 6-1 7-5.
Young American hopeful Donald Young had the tough task of backing up his terrific victory against Stanislas Wawrinka against the 24th seed Juan Ignacio Chela.
Donald Young dismissed all critics by destroying the 24th seed in straight sets. Donald Young’s next opponent will be the British No1 Andy Murray. Speaking of the 4th seed Murray had the potential problem of the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez who famously was tweeted by Murray’s mother, Judy, “Deliciano”.
Murray started strongly with 14 straight points. It was a fine performance by the Brit and in less than two hours Murray beat Lopez 6-1 6-4 6-2. A very welcome win for nervous fans. Another piece of good news for Murray is that Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 champion, was defeated by the Frenchman Gilles Simon.
The first set was reasonably close but the Argentine managed to grind it out 6-4. But Gilles Simon is the 8th best player at coming back to win from a set down and he won the second and third 7-6 and 6-2. With Simon being one of the fittest men on tour and Del Potro still not quite at his best Simon won the final set 7-6 to reach the fourth round for the first time.
The last interesting fact from me, it is the first time since 2003 that 4 Americans have reached the fourth round of the US Open.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Has Federer lost his touch?
As Federer reaches the milestone age of 30 is his career coming to an end?
Federer turned 30 on the 8th of August this year and instead of saying that he is nearing the end of his career he believes he has a few years left in him and that he isn’t finished yet. 30 years is the age known today as the age players start to go down in the rankings.
Federer hasn’t won a grand slam since last year’s Australian Open the longest wait for a grand slam since he won his first back in 2003. He still has belief in himself that he can win another but with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray on the prowl it is becoming increasingly harder to do so.
Federer still believes that he is playing world class tennis. Federer also says that “his love for tennis has not dimmed”. Federer has only won one title this year which is the lowest total for him since 2001.
For the past year it has been evident that Federer has become transfixed on hitting winners. Some believe that this is because he feels the longer the point goes on the less chance he has to win against Nadal or Djokovic because they are younger, fitter and are more consistent.
Federer has been very understanding and has always been the first to praise whoever is playing well, if it’s Djokovic, Nadal or Murray. He has always been gracious in victory and defeat and he is “a great figure for the game” and is a great idol for young tennis fans and players.
Today, even though he has lost his reputation as the world’s best he is still a living legend of the game and is still the 3rd best player in the world! Whatever anybody says they truly want to see him back on top of the game and with Federer doing well at the US Open that could be sooner rather than later. Also Pete Sampras having one more week at the top maybe that’s the motivation to push himself to his limit for that one week.
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