2016 U. S. Open Championships...ATP 2000...New York, New York, USA

[don_budge]

They Don't Call Him Joker...for nothing

Hard to understand, isn't it? Why would Novak risk what he has?

Stotty

But no rush to judgement on Novak Djokovic. After all...all is fair in love and war.

2016 U. S. Open...The Bottom Half of the Draw

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/score...open/560/draws

In keeping with the hypothesis that there are so many viable picks for quarterfinal berths in the draw we turn now to the bottom half of the draw.

Right at the top of the bottom we have one of the darlings of the forum. There has been a lot of speculation regards young Dominic Thiem...including yours truly who brought this young slugger to the forum's attention. From February of 2014.

Rotterdam...The Netherlands 2014 (See a man about a dog)

Yes...it is a great thread. It is what you would call a developing story in the news grid. The item of the day just so happened to be an up and coming Austrian with a laser like one hand backhand.

I haven't read the news in the "interesting links" thread but I intend to. Right after I write this post. It seems there is another "New Kid on the Block" and his name is Dominic Thiem. He lost to Andy Murray last night 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. It was a decent match but the only thing really lacking was a dogfight for the third set. I would have liked to have seen a bit more fight...something on the side of primal. But that's ok. It is modern tennis and it went according to script...just like Big Time Wrestling. Andy brushed him aside to advance against Marion Cilic...back on the tour after a much needed rest. Or was it a suspension.

I have to go and see a man about a dog.

Funny...I can't remember which man it was or which dog. Oh well...Dominic Thiem is the #8 seed at the U. S. Open this year and this is pretty high atmosphere for Mr. Thiem and the air is pretty thin up there. It makes it hard to breathe...particularly when the expectations are mounting. Since cracking the elite top ten in the world (currently ranked at #10) Thiem has found the footing a little less secure than when he was the up and comer...when he was the underdog. Now everyone is shooting at him. It's amazing how different the perspective is and this change of perspective can do a number of things to a player and how they react to it forms the basis for the rest of their career. Sometimes it can stall things a bit as it seems to have stalled young Thiem. Thiem's ascension to these upper layers of the ozone were sort of handed to him in an ironic way. His big wins and tournament victories were less than impressive given the circumstances. He was very fortunate with some of his draws and even the lack of draws. He won a couple of lesser events and piled up some points. Now he is faced with the reality of the dog fight and the existential question becomes...does he have the stomach for it? We shall see. He struggled to get through in five sets in his first round against the #66 player in the world...John Millman.

Other possibilities in this dogfight for a quarterfinal berth are the new American #1 player Steve Johnson who also struggled to overcome a lesser know opponent. HIs opponent was none other than Evgeny Donskoy who is ranked around about #78 in the world. Not an impressive initial first test and it didn't help him to conserve energy for later round...dog fights. Next up for the Yank is none other than the newly resurgent "Jolly Green Argentine" Juan Martin Del Potro. Look out! This could be a real Donnybrook! Also in this section of the draw in the match below are David Ferrer and Fabio Fognini. Ferrer has been in some kind of virtual freefall as of late and Fabio is not fabulous enough when it comes to consistent performance to book himself in the quarters. But anything is possible...or will it be Thiem and Del Potro?

The second quarterfinal berth in the bottom half hopefully comes down to Nick "The Jerk" Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka. The history of bad blood between these two has been well documented and both players are really questionable competitors. Who is going to show up? Kyrgios comes right out and tells everyone that he doesn't give a shit and Stan just acts like he couldn't care less sometimes. Even when his girlfriends honor is at stake. Whatever happened to chivalry? To heros? I think that last time the two were set to tangle after Kyrgios' infamous comments Wawrinka defaulted. He doesn't have the heart to tangle with Kyrgios?

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/playe...gios/W367/KE17

Upon looking at their head to head it appears that each took to the toilet one time each after their initial head butting and "The Jerk" took the rubber match in successive tie-breaks. They were both told before the match that they both had to finish upon penalty of being labeled girly men. They both gutted it out although Stan was looking at the exit even before the match was over. That being said...the only other name that I see in this quarterfinal section is Alexander Zverev. Another "Next Generation" phenom. Phenom? I wonder. Sure...big forehand and big backhand. Big serve. Does he have the head for the dog fight when things get a bit dicey? What about successive five setters? There are still a couple of questions out there. Don't be to quick to grant a free pass.

In the thirdl quarterfinal section there is Kei Nishikori and David Goffin has left the stadium. Besides Goffin there were challenger and pretender for this slot galore. But look who might just be looming large none other than Ivo Karlovic. Ivo plays "The Donald" Young in the next round. In their last encounter Donald was seen scratching his head after being soundly beaten in the finals of the Delray Beach tournament 6-3, 6-3. It didn't appear that young Donald had an answer for the Karlovic serve. He was heard to be repeating to himself in the corridor leaving the match..."did you see that serve? Did you see that serve? I didn't see that serve."

In the very last quarter final berth there is one name...Andy Murray. Any questions?

[don_budge]

Milos Raonic...history in the 2016 U. S. Open

2016 U. S. Open...after the first round. The Top Half of the Draw.

Raonic on the other hand has split ways with another original "tennis enigma"...the great John McEnroe. That fit never caught my fancy...McEnroe is much too interesting for the nonplussed Raonic. He never appears to get overly excited but he has a nose for some of these big trophies now. He relies too heavily on the serve though...that makes him just a tad hard to buy into.

The break up sounded a bit suspicious. But...as I said, "he relies too heavily on his serve". This could open the door big time for "The Amazing Mr. Monfils". Come on...Gael! You gotta get serious now.

[stroke]

I think I like Sock to come out of that interesting quarter with him, Cilic, Tsonga, and Andersen. That forehand of his will be the biggest weapon of the court.

[stotty]

In the thirdl quarterfinal section there is Kei Nishikori and David Goffin has left the stadium. Besides Goffin there were challenger and pretender for this slot galore.

In the very last quarter final berth there is one name...Andy Murray. Any questions?

Shame Goffin left the stadium. I watched him at Wimbledon and found him decent to watch. He is a wafe of a man but compensates with the sweetest timing and, by today's standards, a decent repertoire.

I think this could be Sock's chance to shine. He has the home crowd and sound hard court game.

We have five Brits through to the 3rd round....a record pretty much.

Nadal is slipping through easier than I would have thought. He could be quietly finding some form again. At least it will make things a little more interesting if this proves to be the case.

Murray would seem to be the man of the moment. It could be his turn to pile up some slams. His real nemesis is out of the picture and getting older. Let's see....

Stotty

[klacr]

Good win for Harrison over Raonic. It's personal between these two. At least it was...

About a girl.

In their younger and more vulnerable years...

Harrison took a keen liking to a girl. Figuring he had a sure thing he was confident in his closing abilities, but unbeknownst to him, Raonic swooped in and took this girl for himself.
It didn't sit well with Harrison, and they have been enemies since.

The end.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stroke]

Good win for Harrison over Raonic. It's personal between these two. At least it was...

About a girl.

In their younger and more vulnerable years...

Harrison took a keen liking to a girl. Figuring he had a sure thing he was confident in his closing abilities, but unbeknownst to him, Raonic swooped in and took this girl for himself.
It didn't sit well with Harrison, and they have been enemies since.

The end.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

I watched the match. Great match and win for Ryan. I never would have thought he could have returned like that and stayed so focused it and mentally strong as he did it that match. Very impressive match by him.

[don_budge]

The Visceral Nature of the Game...The Beast

Good win for Harrison over Raonic. It's personal between these two. At least it was...

About a girl.

In their younger and more vulnerable years...

Harrison took a keen liking to a girl. Figuring he had a sure thing he was confident in his closing abilities, but unbeknownst to him, Raonic swooped in and took this girl for himself.
It didn't sit well with Harrison, and they have been enemies since.

The end.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

What a great story klacr! Psychology Today forty years ago wrote the the psychology of match play between to competitors was so visceral...the racquet represent swords, the balls the testicles and the players are trying to castrate each other. Throw a member of the opposite sex into the stew and what have you got? Big win for Harrison...in more ways than one.

[bottle]

But didn't Raonic get the girl? I'm not surprised.

[stroke]

The Visceral Nature of the Game...The Beast



What a great story klacr! Psychology Today forty years ago wrote the the psychology of match play between to competitors was so visceral...the racquet represent swords, the balls the testicles and the players are trying to castrate each other. Throw a member of the opposite sex into the stew and what have you got? Big win for Harrison...in more ways than one.

No doubt about that, more ways than one. Big picture though, Ryan needs to think about maybe what he can do to bring that kind of effort and focus more regularly.

[don_budge]

"Make him wish his mommy never had him..."

No doubt about that, more ways than one. Big picture though, Ryan needs to think about maybe what he can do to bring that kind of effort and focus more regularly.

Big picture indeed! Ryan needs to look at every single opponent as some guy who stole his girlfriend...or perhaps wants to steal his girlfriend. You have to play like a hero. That little business that Psychology Today wrote about some 45 years ago or so still stands today.

I try to talk to my guys about "being a hero" and "being a man" about things when they get to that age when they are no longer boys. I have used the expression that they should want "to make their opponent wish his mommy never had him". But it is like talking to the wall...these kids are really dumbed down. It's a wonder that they make it back and forth in their days...in their routines. I'm really appalled in what I see in the youth of the day. Brain-washed and brain dead. Come to think of it...it isn't just the kids.

Ryan Harrison is an example of that. He's a professional tennis player but he has a lot of difficulty finding that extra gear himself. That should be second nature by now.

[klacr]

Great win for Del Potro last night. Took out Steve Johnson in straight sets. Del Potro picking up steam.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stroke]

Sock is looking like a contender for this thing. That forehand is really dominating rallies. It reminds me of an in form Nadal, not technique wise, but how once he get his feet set on one, he is really having his way most of the time

[don_budge]

Sock is looking like a contender for this thing. That forehand is really dominating rallies. It reminds me of an in form Nadal, not technique wise, but how once he get his feet set on one, he is really having his way most of the time

I didn't see his match with Cilic...but rather impressive results. But wait here are the highlights...check them out. Hmmm...Cilic doesn't appear to be so sharp and he does a bit of a cave in. The jury is still out somewhat on Jack Sock. He can change that in a hurry though...in a span of two weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEdaJy4rMy8

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga up next...for Jack Sock.

[stroke]

I didn't see his match with Cilic...but rather impressive results. But wait here are the highlights...check them out. Hmmm...Cilic doesn't appear to be so sharp and he does a bit of a cave in. The jury is still out somewhat on Jack Sock. He can change that in a hurry though...in a span of two weeks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEdaJy4rMy8

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga up next...for Jack Sock.

So true, he can change that in a hurry.

[don_budge]

Say Adios...David Ferrer

Great win for Del Potro last night. Took out Steve Johnson in straight sets. Del Potro picking up steam.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Speaking of big forehands...the "EveryReady Energizer Bunny" David Ferrer up next for Juan Martin Del Potro. Ferrer on a distinctly different path from the "Jolly Green Argentine".