2014 US Open

[gzhpcu]

Journalists are writing that this US Open is Roger's for the taking. I hope this does not jinx him..

(The same journalists who wrote him off last year, telling him to retire... )

[stotty]

Another thing: Becker, a serve and volley player, has not influenced Djokovic to go to the net more often as Edberg has done evidently with Federer. Wonder if that is because Djokovic feels so dominate he feels he doesn't have to, and Federer knows he needs to shorten grueling rallies at this point of his career?

I see no significant change or add-ons to Djokovic's game style that wasn't there before. He has been following his own dropshots to the net, which is old school advice and something he didn't do before. Other than that I can see no influence from Becker. Has anyone else noticed changes we haven't?

[gzhpcu]

I wonder with how much confidence Djokovic is really coming into the US Open with.

Another thing: Becker, a serve and volley player, has not influenced Djokovic to go to the net more often as Edberg has done evidently with Federer. Wonder if that is because Djokovic feels so dominate he feels he doesn't have to, and Federer knows he needs to shorten grueling rallies at this point of his career?

[klacr]

Typing this from New York. Honks from the taxis, the drilling from the construction crews, the hustle and bustle. Grand Central Terminal and its market with $119.00/lb Iberico bellota Ham from free range black hoofed pigs from Southern Spain that eat a steady diet of acorns and are left fat and happy.

But I digress...

Most wide open quarter is Berdych's. He has potential to make it through but has a tough match-up against Lleyton Hewitt first round. If he can manage to play up to half his potential, I see him playing Federer in semis. Berdych has beaten Ferrer at Aussie Open earlier this year and he has revenge on his mind from a flash in the pan Gulbis who beat him at Roland Garros and Cilic who won a controversial "night match" at Wimbledon. This is Berdych's quarter for the taking.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[tennis_chiro]

My Series on the Big Four and the Summer Hardcourts

some of you may enjoy my series on the US Summer Hardcourt Series and the Big Four.

http://www.10sballs.com/2014/08/21/the-big-four-part-4-a-look-the-atp-mens-tennis-top-players-as-they-go-into-the-2014-us-open/

don

PS Fed has to win to get past Nadal to #2 and he can get close, but cannot overtake Djokovic, even if Nole loses in the first round and Fed wins #18.

[stotty]

He has a dream draw. No one to trouble him that I can see. It's doable.

[gzhpcu]

Looks like Federer has the luck of the draw...

[lobndropshot]

1st quarter-

Djokovic
Isner
Tsonga
Murray

2nd quarter-

Wawrinka
Robredo
Nishikori
Roanic

3rd quarter-

Berdych
Gulbis
Cilic
David Ferrer

4th quarter

Dimitrov
Gasquet
Fognini
Federer

The top quarter is the one to watch

[gzhpcu]

In any case, looks like the number 2 ranking is in the bag...

[stroke]

Seems like Federer could even regain the Nr. 1 ranking should he win the US Open and Djokovic not make it past the semifinals... Who would have thought he would ever even have the chance again?

me

[gzhpcu]

Seems like Federer could even regain the Nr. 1 ranking should he win the US Open and Djokovic not make it past the semifinals... Who would have thought he would ever even have the chance again?

[stotty]

I personally do not see 7 matches being an issue for Fed. I've never even seen him even look winded out there, much less tired. I would be very interested in his resting heartbeat. Of course, part of his endurance surely is the utter soundness, seemingly inimitable biomechanical efficientcy of his game. He played 5 matches in a row at the highest level of tournament competition in both Toronto and Cincy looking as fresh as he always has.

You could well be right. And he is certainly the most efficient player I can think of, ever. But he is 33, and a couple of five setters could fully test his fitness levels and that legendary efficiency.

I am not writing him off but, at 33, a good draw helps.

[stroke]

I personally do not see 7 matches being an issue for Fed. I've never even seen him even look winded out there, much less tired. I would be very interested in his resting heartbeat. Of course, part of his endurance surely is the utter soundness, seemingly inimitable biomechanical efficientcy of his game. He played 5 matches in a row at the highest level of tournament competition in both Toronto and Cincy looking as fresh as he always has.

[stotty]

When is the draw? Tomorrow? I still think it will be tough for Federer to get through seven rounds if he has a sticky draw.

[klacr]

Increasing the amounts of serve and volley in Federer's game has helped him immensely. It keeps things simple for him in his mind. The longer rallies go from the baseline the more I see the computations happening in Federer's head of what shot he believes he can pull off because of his talent. Only to shank it or miss it by two feet due to his inner stubborn belief that court geometry and laws of physics don't apply to him. Sometimes being too talented can be a curse. Too many options.

I am rooting for Federer a tad bit more than Berdych. Federer deserves this. He's had a great summer and back to the Federer of old. Berdych went out early in Washington, Toronto and Cincinnati. Berdych is still in my good graces, but I gotta see Federer win #18, silence the critics....again, and ultimately showcase why he is as great as he is. And I'll be happy for Edberg as well.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton