The U.S. Open cannot be won or lost at the draw ceremony, but Andy Murray had to be considered an early winner at Friday’s proceedings in New York. Consider the other top title contenders: Novak Djokovic has Marin Cilic and John Isner in his section, Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic could meet as early as the quarterfinals, and Stan Wawrinka’s nightmarish road through Flushing Meadows starts with Fernando Verdasco and will only get more dangerous thereafter. Murray, meanwhile, finds himself in arguably the softest part of the bracket.
Djokovic’s quarter
Barring a serious problem with Djokovic’s wrist that hampers him in the early rounds of the U.S. Open, this section does not have much to offer until the second week. But that is when things could get very interesting. Isner is a potential fourth-round opponent for the world No. 1, while Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are also on a collision course of the last 16. Cilic and Tsonga faced each other in a contentious five-setter during quarterfinal action last summer, with the 2014 champion emerging victorious.
As for the opening week, there are two all-American affairs of note in the first round. Isner is kicking off his campaign against wild card Frances Tiafoe, while Jack Sock is facing Taylor Fritz. Tiafoe and Fritz are two of the host nation’s brightest rising stars, but is the future now? In the case of these two matchups, maybe not. As for Djokovic, he will begin his fortnight against disappearing act Jerzy Janowicz.
Best first-round matchup – (26) Jack Sock vs. Taylor Fritz
These two Americans will face each other in the first round of bookend Grand Slams in 2016. Their only previous encounter came at the same stage of the Australian Open, with Sock surviving 6-4, 3-6, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4. It was a grueling battle in which the veteran—relatively speaking—looked under the weather but managed to scrape past a younger opponent who was not yet ready to play a five-setter. In this one, the 54th-ranked Fritz will be hoping to prove that the future is now, whereas Sock wants to keep himself in the discussion with Isner and Steve Johnson as the United States’ best player.
[polldaddy poll=9507029]
Best potential second-round matchup – Guido Pella vs. Mikhail Youzhny
Best potential third-round matchup – (13) Richard Gasquet vs. (20) John Isner
Possible surprises – Unless either Djokovic or Tsonga is struggling physically, there does not appear to be any real room for surprises in this section. The fourth round will almost certainly pit Djokovic against Isner and Cilic against Tsonga. Round three, however, could feature a number of unseeded floaters. Among those with decent chances of advancing to the last 32 are Bjorn Fratangelo, Yoshihito Nishioka, and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Nadal’s quarter
Nadal should not have much trouble until the quarterfinals. The fourth-seeded Spaniard will open with Denis Istomin before possibly facing Andreas Seppi and then either countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas or recent Olympic opponent Thomaz Bellucci. The Brazilian treated the home crowd to some early success against Nadal in Rio, but he ended up going down in three sets. In this Spain-heavy section, Roberto Bautista Agut is a likely fourth-round adversary for Nadal if he survives his first-rounder against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
Raonic is the 5-8 seed whom no one wants to see on the other side of the net. The big-serving Canadian finished runner-up to Murray at Wimbledon and is coming off a semifinal performance in Cincinnati (also lost to Murray). Raonic is in an eighth of the draw that is loaded with flair (Dustin Brown in the first round, either Benoit Paire or Marcos Baghdatis in the third round), but only Gael Monfils—if healthy—would pose a real threat.
Best first-round matchup — (10) Gael Monfils vs. Gilles Muller
On paper, Monfils should probably win this without too much trouble. The Frenchman is contending for a spot in the World Tour Finals and he has already gotten the best of two big servers this summer—Ivo Karlovic in Washington, D.C. and Raonic in Toronto. He also took care of Muller 7-5, 6-0 a few months ago on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo. All of that being said, Muller is no stranger to U.S. Open success. The Luxembourgian stunned Andy Roddick in the first round 11 years ago, made a quarterfinal run in 2008, and reached the last 16 in 2011. He is 27-18 this season and just barely missed out on a seed as the No. 37 player in the world.
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Best potential second-round matchup – (32) Benoit Paire vs. Marcos Baghdatis
Best potential third-round matchup – (5) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. (24) Lucas Pouille
Possible surprises — Look for the Monfils-Muller winner to do some damage. If it’s Monfils, and he emerges from that showdown unscathed in the physical department, there is no telling how far the No. 10 seed could go. Even the title is not an entirely unrealistic expectation held by anyone drinking the Monfils Kool-Aid. If it’s Muller, the Luxembourgian flag-bearer should reach the fourth round before likely running into too much resistance against Raonic.
Wawrinka’s quarter
Drawing Juan Martin Del Potro in the opening round was every seed’s worst nightmare. Wawrinka, who lost to Del Potro in the Wimbledon second round, at least managed to avoid that fate. But to say the Swiss still has a bad draw would be a considerable understatement. He has to play Verdasco in round one before potential battles with Alexander Zverev (third round) and familiar foe Nick Kyrgios (fourth round).
Del Potro, on the other hand, finds himself on the opposite side of this quarter and he could not have asked for a better spot in the bracket. The Argentine will start against compatriot Diego Schwartzman in advance of what would be a mouth-watering contest with Steve Johnson. Early last week, Johnson suggested that the USTA should give its wild cards to as many young Americans as possible and deny Del Potro a spot at risk of seeing an American having to face the 2009 U.S. Open champion in the early rounds. Well, it looks like Del Potro vs. an American—Johnson, himself, as it turns out—is exactly what will happen. A fatigued Dominic Thiem and a slumping David Ferrer are the top two seeds in this eighth of the bracket, so the Johnson-Del Potro winner would have a good shot at reaching the quarters.
Best first-round matchup — (3) Stan Wawrinka vs. Fernando Verdasco
Verdasco has fallen to 47th in the rankings as he toils through the presumably latter stages of his career, but the Spaniard remains one of the most dangerous unseeded floaters in the draw. He is a decent 27-19 for the season and his post-Wimbledon summer includes a runner-up showing in Bastad and quarterfinal performances in Atlanta and Winston-Salem. Verdasco also leads the head-to-head series with Wawrinka 3-2, having defeated the Swiss 6-2, 7-6(3) two months ago on the lawn of Queen’s Club. Wawrinka is a mere 5-5 in his last 10 matches, so he is definitely on upset alert right away in New York.
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Best potential second-round matchup – (19) Steve Johnson vs. (WC) Juan Martin Del Potro
Best potential third-round matchup – (14) Nick Kyrgios vs. (17) Bernard Tomic
Possible surprises — Where to begin? Thiem overloaded his schedule throughout the first half of the season so he will be vulnerable in NYC, just as he was at Wimbledon. Potential third-round opponent Sam Querrey stunned Djokovic at that stage at the All-England Club on his way to the quarterfinals,so the American will not shy away from the big stage. The Ferrer-Johnson section may end up producing a third-round meeting between Del Potro and Fabio Fognini. Verdasco would have a decent chance to make a run to the quarters if he pulls off a first-round upset of Wawrinka.
[polldaddy poll=9507027]
Murray’s quarter
Murray famously told Lukas Rosol, “nobody likes you. Everyone hates you.” Well, Rosol won’t like the guys at IBM for spitting him into a first-round match with the world No. 2 when the draw ceremony took place on Friday. It should not be a tough day at the office for Murray with Rosol on the other side of the net and the 2012 champion may not even break a real sweat until the last 16 (likely vs. Feliciano Lopez or Grigor Dimitrov).
The story will be a similar one for Kei Nishikori through the first three rounds. The world No. 7 opens with Benjamin Becker, has a qualifier in round two, and his nearest seed is a struggling Philipp Kohlschreiber. But Nishikori will likely be faced with a tougher fourth-round test than, for example, Murray. A red-hot Ivo Karlovic and World Tour Finals contender David Goffin will likely duke it out in the last 32 for the right to meet Nishikori.
Best first-round matchup — (16) Feliciano Lopez vs. Borna Coric
While they are separated by 15 years in the age department (Lopez is 34; Coric is 19), there will likely be very little between the two when they square off for the first time in their careers at the U.S. Open. Coric’s hard-court summer features a decisive fifth-rubber Davis Cup victory over Sock, which put Croatia in the semifinals, and a recent quarterfinal run in Cincinnati. Lopez won the Gstaad title last month, finished runner-up to Karlovic in his next tournament, and advanced one round in Cincinnati before succumbing to Dimitrov in a third-set tiebreaker. This showdown should be high on both quality and entertainment.
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Best potential second-round matchup – (22) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Jeremy Chardy
Best potential third-round matchup – (12) David Goffin vs. (21) Ivo Karlovic
Possible surprises — Not too much unlike Thiem, Goffin has cooled off just a little bit since a blistering first half of the year. Winston-Salem semifinalist Viktor Troicki could take advantage in the second round, in which case a second-week appearance would become likely for the Serb. But Coric may have an even better chance than Troicki of becoming a week-two participant. In addition to his relatively surprising Davis Cup win over Sock on American soil, the teenager upset Kyrgios in Cincinnati. If Coric can take out Lopez right away, the door will open—and it will open wide.
[polldaddy poll=9506440]
who ya got?
DEL PO
big question is nole. how fit and emotionally settled is he really? we saw him getting treatment on the wrist in training. how is it going to hold up over long matches? don’t see how it is possible to make a pick until we get to see him play. if he is back to normal with only slight problems then he is the favourite. if not, then all bets are off…
Djokovic has been handed a difficult draw as he poses the biggest threat to reach 17.
I do think that we will have to see Novak in his first few matches to get a sense of where he is at now. That should give some idea as to whether or not he can win the USO. The wrist, rumors of personal problems swirling around, can only be answered seeing Novak in actual match play. Novak should not have any problems in the early rounds if he’s okay, but things will get tougher in the second week.
Murray really did get an ideal draw. I expect him to be fresh and ready to take advantage of it.
There are some great match ups awaiting us even in the early rounds. Even though Delpo got a decent draw, I am still not convinced that he has a real shot to win this. But it will be great to see him playing well again and also to see how far he can go.
Rafa has avoid draw in the early rounds. If his wrist is okay and he is physically feeling stronger, then I think he should get to the quarterfinals where he could face his biggest test against Raonic. But I always say that they both have to get there.
Another question will be if a dark horse can emerge. Stan has a really tough draw and hasn’t been playing that well. He could go out early.
I am looking forward to some great matches and quality tennis!
i also think that stan could go out early. he seems to have regressed this year to pre-magnus norman stan who is prone to strange passages of play due to a sudden loss in confidence and self-doubt. remember at wimby where he played well against delpo in the first set then missed an easy shot early in the second and seemed to just lose it mentally. delpo played well but stan just disappeared.
I agree about Stan regressing to pre-Magnus Norman days. He seems to have lost the confidence that enabled him to beat Novak at RG last year. He credited his coach for giving him the belief that he could beat the top players. But he seems to have lost that belief. This year has been disappointing because he has not been able to sustain the momentum from last year.
Thanks for the informative and helpful write-up, Ricky 🙂 nicely done.
If anyone is interested, as usual, I’ve got a WTA bracket game for you. This is a ‘crapshoot’ and a sense of humor helps. Everyone Welcome: ?
http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenWTA/jalep2/default.aspx
Also filled out the first draft of an ATP bracket. Andy Murray = winner. But I’m not done with it — having all kinds of doubts. Have to go ponder.
1st round votes:
On the Fritz in 5. Youngster will be more prepared this time. fingers crossed.
Monfils in 4. Muller will give him some trouble but the new LaMonf will prevail.
Stan could be going down to Verdasco. Stan’s mind is not where it was. Verdasco in 5.
The Delpo bandwagon is tempting. Voted him to quarterfinal. Picked him to semifinal, which might change. Good chance I’ll go overly optimistic for him 🙂
Borna in 5. No doubt about it! Born a-gain.
i’m aboard the delpo train rc – am hoping for a wild ride.
just said the same as you above about stan having lost it mentally this year…
So amy, 🙂 a question: how do you feel about Donna Vekic losing in the final qualifying round, will help or hurt Stan?
gosh rc hard question!! could go either way no…?
stan’s real problems are in his own head…
very disappointed with how he has regressed
Yeah I don’t think it matters, sadly. Either way he’s not likely to give us a Stanimal performance.
Still say CryBaby Family Abandoner will get past the Mental Toothpick.
You haven’t seen Stan at Donna’s matches? He’s obsessed I say. Probably obsessed whether she’s in the tournament or not. Wayward Stan is not Stanimal. Advantage Mental Toothpick 😀 in 5. This is an opportunity for Fernando, man….
in what way does he show this obsession rc? poor stan – didn’t know it was that bad. maybe that’s part of his poor play this year.
mental toothpick?! haha hawks..
actually i agree with you that stan will still get past mental toothpick…
It’s only observation/speculation – seeing him court-side watching her matches. I wonder if he’s the kind of person that can shut off
his emotions and impulses. I wonder if he’s a bit of a stalker and jealous, ect… That’s would be bad for his tennis, is what I’m guessing. I have no proof. of course. I wonder if we ever see the full-on Stanimal again.
well being obsessive over someone is very destabilising. ie you are wildly up one moment then wildly down the next.
tends to erode you from inside….
i hope stanimal does come back because we need competition at the top..and he played magnificent tennis at rg last year..
Yes, exactly, it’s not the stabilizing kind of relationship — it takes too much energy to be that. Probably not good for her either. lol, listen to me, right? Projecting, maybe.
Look how long it has taken Dimitrov to come back from being lost. Also I think tennis player’s dating tennis player’s doesn’t work all that often. Mirka had to quit due to injury and she put all her energy into Fed. That seems to work. Donna might have other ideas and Stan has no clue what is good for himself = lost.
apologies for my grammar! oh, for an edit option.
maybe we are both projecting rc?!! i have a remarkable talent for passionate but destructive relationships!
don’t worry about the grammar i make howlers constantly partly because like you i suspect i type very quickly and sometimes while doing other things as well.
shall we ask ricky for an edit thingummyjig?
also your point about tennis players dating tennis players is a good one. lots of complicated power dynamics involved.
ratcliff (AT 7:38 PM) says: “Mirka had to quit due to injury and she put all her energy into Fed.”
===
.
Including calling Waw ‘CryBaby’.
Mrs. Mirka couldn’t keep her mouth shut during the match between Fed and Waw at the 2014 WTF and called Waw ‘CryBaby’ after he complained about that. Mrs. Mirka’s husband should have been fined for her action, according to the ATP Rulebook, pages 177 & 178.
http://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/November-2014/Video-Mirka-Calls-Wawrinka-a-Cry-Baby.aspx
Eye to eye:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2vuIJpCEAAUUgG.jpg
Yes, I remember. That wasn’t a good chapter in the Wawrinka/Federer story, augusta. But the only reason I brought up Mirka was that her relationship with her husband seems to work — two tennis players hooking up. In the context of talking about what’s wrong with Stan and the possibility that Vekic could be more a distraction than stabilizing for his tennis. Let’s hope I’m wrong and Stanimal makes a strong run this time.
I’m not sure about your point of introducing that drama in this context. No relationship is perfect or free of some embarrassing moments/mistakes … is that what you mean?
ratcliff (AT 3:42 PM) says:
“I’m not sure about your point of introducing that drama in this context.”
===
.
You can see the context in the parent comment
posted on AUGUST 27, 2016 AT 4:56 PM. 🙂
Watching RBA v PCB match, eating, talking on the phone and typing, amy.
Off topic but I hope RBA wins this tie break and the match so I can watch Radwanska/Svitolina! Have to go out shortly.
Amy and Nny, I’m going to be doing the WTA bracket pool all by myself. You would be such good company… 😉 pick anybody.
Okay PCB won the tie break…so what will ESPN2 do? Elina and Aga are starting…
how do i do the pool rc? i will try and fill it in tomorrow if you tell me what to do…
Yay! Of course. I’ll help you on the WTA page tomorrow — I left a link to the bracket there today. It’s easy.
racket bracket?
ok gr8 – promise i will do it tomorrow but i may have to do it awful fast!!!
nny, please join in as well ok?!!
Happiness! PCB has his first title. Now go Aga!
Ricky yes, racket bracket Tennis Channel/tourneytopia:
http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenWTA/jalep2/default.aspx
Join Jalep Ratcliff — all by myself isn’t as fun!
i’m entered!
Great – Now to get Nny and amy in.
And anyone else – the more, the better…
It’s not ATP – It’s completely stress-free 😀
Mmental toothpick? That’s one I haven’t heard before!
Too funny! ?
Oops! I didn’t see Amy’s post before I wrote my connect about the mental toothpick!
It hit us both the same way! Good one!
connect instead of comment nny!! autocorrect is having a field day with your posts today..
pasta was gr8 though!
Amy,
Yes I am really having quite the day with autocorrect! I got tired of fixing all the mistakes! But I should try to proofread before I post it!
I am willing to join the WTA bracket challenge. I don’t want to do the men because then it takes away from my enjoyment of the matches because I want my picks to win.
Also, I just can’t be objective with Rafa. I picked him to get to the final in the bracket challenge for the AO earlier this year. That was heart over head. It really messed up my bracket picks.
ok good nny. that’s 3 of us. i see that i have until monday which makes it easier as i may be very busy tomorrow.
all the pressure is on ratcliff as she is the WTA expert!! haha
i expect i will get zero points but no matter..
Stan in four but could go longer or in favor of Verdasco. Hope Stanimal wins though. I have Lopez taking down coric in four but that also has potential to go other way and could be some epic five setter. Really all these could which makes sense cuz you picked them as the best first round match lol. I have Monfils over muller in four in a pretty interesting matchup there. And I have sock in five but Fritz has a good opportunity there as sock isn’t playing that great. Unfortunately for Fritz he’s not playing that well lately either.
I like Monfils over muller in 4 sets. Lopez and Coric could go either way. I am picking Lopez to win in 4 or 5 sets.
Stan and Nando could go eitger way. I have to believe that Stan will not want to get knocked out early the way he did in Wimbledon. That one could go 4 or 5 sets. I am leaning to Stan right now.
I think that I voted for sock in 5 sets in the poll, but this is another pick ’em. I wouldn’t mind seeing Fritz get the win.
My best matchups:
Djokovic’s quarter-
1st round: Sock vs Fritz
2nd round: Djokovic vs Vesely
3rd round: Isner vs Gasquet
Nadal’s quarter-
1st round: Monfils vs Muller (Brown vs Raonic close 2nd)
2nd round: Raonic vs Harrison
3rd round: Nadal vs Bellucci
Wawrinka’s quarter-
1st round: Wawrinka vs Verdasco
2nd round: Johnson vs Del Potro
3rd round: Kyrgios vs Tomic (Rampras vs Stanimal or Zverev vs Stanimal would be good too)
^^the same basically
Murray’s quarter:
1st round: Lopez vs Coric
2nd round: C. Harrison vs Kohlschreiber/Mahut (Goffin/Troicki and Nishikori/Khachanov pretty good ones as well)
3rd round: Lopez vs Dimitrov
I’m also on the Delpo train, and I can’t wait for that 2nd round Delpo-Johnson match up. I’ll take Joker to win it all, with Cilic and Murray right behind.
Delpo should beat Johnson, in good form that he is, only has a slice backhand.
Ill join the DP train also . Ive got Murray winning the whole thing but cant decide on the other finalist.
Big Al, are you the distinguished bracketeer ‘Big Al’ whom I noticed joined our WTA bracket pool? 🙂
The one and only! I also do Tennis Draw Challenge in mootennis group and the Andy Murray fan forum one.
I went for Kerber beating Halep in the final
BOLD. Looks a bit like what I had before chickening out!
But I had Halep over Kerber.
An honor to have in the Bracket Pool! Oh my, I must go have a look at your picks 😀
Am I famous?
Well, to me, I’ll admit. Because I’m a crazy who checks the leader board ?
How far do either of you have Vinci going and who’s going to take her out?
actually we can look at each other’s picks now can’t we?? i forget who i had taking vinci out but i had her losing early on…
I had Vinci losing to Cibulkova in round 4 but she mightn’t get that far if she’s injured
I think that I had Vinci losing to Cibulkova, too.
My first WTA point comes from the Istanbul Cup champion!
Buyukukcay 😀
Yes…I love seeing the picks 🙂
The first week of a GS is my favorite. I’ll calm down in a couple days.
i think i had the same as big al over vinci – in fact i’m sure i did. i made some big calls and got rid of mugu early and also petra. both of those could backfire. i have konta going a long way and losing to kerber. konta could go out early.
Oh horrors. I did it again. Took Gasquet too deep and he’s on his way out to Kyle Edmund. It’s not been a season for Richard.
Vinci made it!
I had Gasket winning two rounds and going out to The Pox on Tennis.
lol, I had Richard saving us. But it was not to be.
Well congrats on making the fourth round Isner!
OMG. what a jinx. Isner down two sets to love. What a way to blow an amazing draw. At this point I don’t really know if I want john to come back cuz I like tiafoe too and it would be an awesome win for him.
Escobedo made it! Lacko retired.
The best potential 2nd round match in the bottom section is Troicki vs. Goffin.
agree. will be a good one.
ATP racket bracket http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketUsOpenATP/TheGrandstandIsBack/Pre-Register.aspx
I’ve joined and entered my picks (I think).
How do I see the standings and who is entered?
I’m in.
Write a hello message to me in the space at the bottom of your bracket 😀
posted 🙂
I made very quick picks.
My strategy is to not second guess myself.
(And to make a lot of changes tomorrow)
Ooops. Looks like my picks were added twice.
QFs:
Cilic d Djoko (5 sets)
Rafa d Raonic
Murray d Kei
Delpo d Stan
SFs:
Rafa d Cilic
Delpo d Murray
F:
Rafa d Delpo (let the 2 broken wrist guys duel it out but I think Rafa in a slam final would will himself to the title).
Oh lucky I love your picks!
Sorry but I doubt if Cilic played 2014 U.S. Open tennis here and beat Novak in the QF that he would lose to Nadal in the SF. I’d say if Cilic takes down Djoker and catches fire, he could probably take the title. Almost picked him to beat Djoker and take the title but I had Djokovic winning in 5 just because last year’s match and the H2H. I really want Cilic to win though. The semis I would love to see would be Cilic beats Monfils and Stan beats Nishikori (or really Mahut but I’m trying to be somewhat realistic here) but I have none of those guys in the final four though all four are capable of getting that far
Or replace Wawrinka with Del Po. Or maybe Kyrgios. Basically I want one of those three to make it to the SF out of that section.
Cilic vs Djoko in five sets will zap his energy. Playing five sets vs Djoko is no joke; Kei had the experience at USO2014 and that’s why I specify a five setter.
Rafa when he plays well can deal with Raonic; and I think he will have enough energy left to deal with Cilic. Delpo vs Murray may be a reality unless Stan decides to play well. Delpo and Murray may go the distance ie 5 sets and anything could happen.
Good point. I was thinking u had it like Ricky where Cilic wins in four. Didn’t realize u wrote five sets. That’s pretty true. Rafa would have a much better shot if Cilic had to play an epic five setter with Novak before playing such a grinder like Nadal. I meant that if Cilic got on a roll like by beating Novak pretty easily and had lots of energy for the semis but if he won in a five setter like u said the Rafa pick makes sense. Not that picking Rafa wouldn’t make sense at all and he would definitely lose or something if Cilic were to beat Djokovic in a shorter match but if that was the case I’d probably give Cilic the edge.
Why would you give Cilic the edge?
Cilic Is The Best!!!
Because if Cilic steamrolled past Novak and played Rafa he would be able to hit him off the court like he can anyone. Cilic doesn’t take down big players then have letdowns right after. He can have bad performances early and lose or at least find ways to win then lose to the big guns. Or he gets on a roll by beating a big player then keeps it up and doesn’t stop being in the zone. (Aka U.S. open 2014)
Monday tenngrand picks (my picks in brackets)
Djokovic over Janowicz in 3 (correct or 4),
Myneni over Vesely in 4 (Vesely in 3 with one tiebreak or 4)
Pella over Fratangelo in 5, (Pella in 3 or 4)
Youzhny over Klizan in 4 (Klizan in 3 or 4)
Isner over Tiafoe in 3,(Isner in 4 or 3 with one tiebreak)
Darcis over Thompson in 4 (Darcis in 3 or 4)
Lacko over Escobedo in 4, (Lacko in 3)
Gasquet over Edmund in 3 (Gasquet in 3; one tiebreak)
Tsonga over Andreozzi in 3, (Tsonga in 3 or 4)
Haase over Duckworth in 5 (Duckworth in 4)
Kovalik over Pospisil in 5, (Pospisil in 4 or 5)
Anderson over Nishioka in 5 (Anderson in 3 or 4)
Sock over Fritz in 4, (Sock in 3 with tierbeak or 4)
Herbert over Zverev in 5 (Zverev in 5)
Stakhovsky over Elias in 4, (Stakhovsky in 4 or 3)
Cilic over Dutra Silva in 3 (Cilic in 3 or 4)
Nadal over Istomin in 3, (Nadal in 3 or 4)
Seppi over Robert in 5 (Seppi in 4 or 5)
Bellucci over Kuznetsov in 3, (Kuznetson in 4 or 3)
Ramos-Vinolas over Benneteau in 4 (Benneteau in 4 or 5)
Pouille over Kukushkin in 3, (Kukushkin in 4 or 5)
Clezar over Chiudinelli in 4 (Chiudinelli in 4 or 5)
Baker over Delbonis in 4, (Baker in 4 or 3)
Bautista Agut over Garcia-Lopez in 4 (Bautista in 4 or 5)
Monfils over Muller in 4, (Monfils in 5 or 4)
Satral over McDonald in 4 (McDonald in 4)
Almagro over Fucsovics in 5, (Almagro in 4 or 5)
Cuevas over Sela in 3 (Sela in 3 or 4)
Paire over Lajovic in 4, (Paire in 3 or 4)
Baghdatis vs. Bagnis in 3 (Baghdatis in 3 or 4)
R. Harrison over Mannarino in 3, (Harrison in 4 or could go to 5 as well)
Raonic over Brown in 3 (Raonic in 3 or 4)
Other than 2014 US Open, when has Cilic followed up a big win without a letdown in his next match?
Hawkeye,
Good point! I don’t get why people are on the Cilic bandwagon all of a sudden. It’s true that he can be dangerous when he’s on his game, but he’s done nothing since his win at the 2014 USO to back it up. Can lightning strike twice? We will have to wait and see.
I think if Cilic has a very tough match against Novak, there is no question that it could take it out of him. But I think we are getting way ahead of ourselves here. They both have to get there first. They have to get througb the early rounds.
Rafa has to get there, too. But we do know how tough it is to take out the top players. No one should think it will be a cakewalk for Cilic to get through Novak and then Rafa.
He somewhat did at the 2010 Aussie open when he beat the 4 seed del Po in fourth round then beat roddick the seven seed in QF and lost in four to Murray. But what I’m really saying is that Cilic hasn’t lost at business ends of tournies when he catches fire to get there. But I’m not saying if he beats Djokovic in the QF he’s definitely gonna beat Rafa or something. Besides I hate to say it but Rafa could definitely lose to Raonic or Monfils in the QF so we are probably looking too far ahead here. Also Cilic has only really done what I said at U.S. open 2014 and cincy 2016 but they’re the only big finals I’ve seen him play and he won both in straights so that’s why I was saying that.
Ok, let us see what happens. I think if Rafa makes it to the semis and his wrist holds up, then he is unstoppable.
The unknown factor here is Djok’s wrist. Is he faking or is he really injured? He has such a perfect body that even when he has a minor injury he sheds tears and makes a big drama!
Just like Rafa at the Australian Open I guess is what you are saying ritb.
I don’t think that’s quite fair to the players.
#Deucey’sGoldenBoy
If course it’s not fair, but that is precisely the point. I am more concerned with Rafa’s wrist than novak’s. For myself, I have always given the top players the benefit of the doubt when it comes to injuries. There is no advantage to pretending to have an injury. Players usually do not want to give anything away to their opponents as to any potential weakness.
Djok did not say he had an injury BEFORE he lost. He gave it as an excuse AFTER he lost. Now of course people are speculating about the injury.
If Djok loses at USO, maybe he was injured, maybe not. Players can lose even when not injured.
But if he wins, then he was definitely faking.
#NativeMissesThePoint
#Echo
Is this supposed to be an example of your supposed logic? Novak withdrew from Cincy with a wrist injury! Why do that if there was no injury? It’s the same illogical conspiracy theories that got thrown at Rafa when he pulled pur of Wimbledon in 2009 because of knee tendinitis!
There is no advantage to announce an injury publicly and pulling out of a masters tournament.
You just choose not to get my logic and reasoning, but that hardly means an absence of logic on my part.
#NativeLogic
#NotLogic
#Hilarious
MaryIsTheBest at strawman logic.
NNY AT 3:42 PM,
Djoko in New York: “It [wrist injury] happened in Rio, just a few days BEFORE the start of the tournament.”
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/26/andy-murray-lukas-rosol-first-round-us-open
Just like Rafa didnt announce” his injury “BEFORE” the AO Final.
Mary Is The Best at being unfair to the top players’ injury claims but even better at being inconsistent.
She definitely isn’t holdserve.
Mary is inconsistent
Mary is best at strawman logic
Conclusion: Mary is hawkeye!!!
Bingo!!!
Hawkeye,
I have to admit that you do have a point! Double standards are everywhere!
The truth is that players carry injuries that they do not publicize or announce. we know now that Rafa was playing with a wrist injury for a while before he finally had to withdraw from RG. All we knew was that he was wearing tape on his wrist. He continued to play until it got so bad that he had no choice but to withdraw.
We don’t know all of the specifics with Novak’s wrist injury. Players don’t have to disclose everything when it comes to their health. Murray was playing with back pain for a while. No one knew the extent of the problem, but he did have to pull out of RG a few years ago. Ultimately, the decision was made to deal with it surgically.
The issue with Mary is that she tries way too hard to prove that she is in some way smarter or superior to everyone else here. She can only feel good if she is putting others down. But if you know it are smart and have confidence, then you don’t have to resort to these kinds of tactics.
She doesn’t approach a discussion or disagreement with honesty. It’s just another attempt to insult and put down someone. Kind of sad, really.
NNY AT 7:08 PM,
You and hawk were wrong! See my post AT 6:51 PM.
Oh dear native thanks!
I suppose the above is troll humor though you forgot to put #tickle
So here is my response
#hilarious
#I_Learn_Fast
Augusta AT 7:11 PM.
Just another post about posters with your total count of your own opinions on tennis at zero since you joined.
Augusta AT 7:11 PM.
Just like after he lost to Stan, Rafa said he felt his back in practise BEFORE the AO Final.
You are being so unfair to Rafa.
Benny (Rafa’s PR Manager) will not be happy.
Mary,
The poster AT 7:27 PM is factually incorrect.
Mary,
The poser At 7:43 PM Is making up made up stories again. I’m curious and wondering why she makes up stories about other posters yet has never expressed one original thought on tennis. She should be more fair to Rafa and Novak.
Questions, please.Q. Obviously a very difficult occasion for you emotionally. Did your back go when you played that forehand in the first game of the second set when you doubled over?
RAFAEL NADAL: No. The back, since the beginning I felt a little bit, from the warmup.
Mary,
hawks posts are intended to entertain NNY! LOL
Mary,
The poser AT 7:11, 7:43 and 8:12 PM is factually incorrect.
Every single one of her posts are intended to entertain herself. LOL
#US Open or A Tale of three wristies!
Mary,
I prefer to let others judge for themselves. You have bee trolling in this site for weeks, posting vindictive personal attacks for all to see.
Trying to project yourself into me won’t work when there is a treasure trove of vulgar comments directed at myself, Amy, Hawkeye and vr.
I am not the one who spends my time making up internecine conspiracy theories about posters here posing as a Rafa fans, while secretly being fans of Murray, Novak or Fed. Those accusations make no sense and are devoid of logic and common sense. There is no ready why anyone would want to put up an elaborate pretense if being a fan of Rafa, while secretly being a fan of someone else. You also are not a mindreader, therefore you cannot know what is in someone’s mind.
NNY AT 7:24 PM says:”comments directed at…Amy, Hawkeye and vr.”
===
.
I don’t remember you have asked these posters not to troll.
I am wondering why YOU continue to troll nny yet you have never had a single opinion expressed on tennis here.
Augusta,
You seem to have a blind spot when it comes to anyone but yourself and your allies. Who starts the trouble here?
Amy wasn’t even posting on this site, yet we have had to read any number of absurd accusations that she is really deucey, a Murray fan who is masquerading as a Rafa fan! Say what? Amy never accused Mary of being RITB, so where is the justification for this kind of attack? Hawkeye said Mary was RITB, so her issue should be with him. How does Amy even get into the conversation?
These are made up, imaginary conspiracy theories to the effect that some posters are engaged in a sinister plot to pose as fans of Rafa, while supposedly being fans of other players! Yet you seem to have no problem with Amy being attacked for no reason.
You only see what you want to see. Every day there have been vicious personal attacks on myself, Hawkeye, Amy and vr. But those are okay with you. The person who initiated these attacks is the same one every time.
It’s unfortunate that you seem to have zero compassion for those who have been attacked for no reason, even when they were not posting here.
NNY AT 8:18 PM says:
1) “Amy never accused Mary of being RITB…How does Amy even get into the conversation?”
2) “Every day there have been vicious personal attacks on…Hawkeye”.
===
.
1) I don’t know whether she has accused RITB writing under another username or not. She has encouraged hawk to troll on Rafa’s page – posting pictures of hawk’s & her beloved players on Rafa’s page.
2) Speaking of hawk, attacking is his daily job on this site. I have noticed some of Mary’s reactions to it.
Let’s play a game (again).
Lets watch and observe who has snide opinions on other posters/players (bot no opinions on tennis).
Good luck and may the best fan win! 🙂
#HowManyTimes???
#hawkeyeOwnsPatentOnBot
#hawkeyeKingOfSnideOpnionsOnOtherPosters/Rafa
#TrollGame
#hawkeyeHasUnfairAdvantage
#hawkeyeWinsGame
#hawkeyeAwardedOrderOfTheTinhat
#HawkeyerAwardedOrderOf TheTinhat
Mary W (AT 1:13 PM),
You crack me up! 😀
And for that matter, I won’t even count their opinions against me.
Just other posters and tennis players.
🙂
#hawkeyeMakingAllTheRules
#hawkeyePlayerJudgeJury
#TrollGameTrollRules
#RiggedGame
#hawkeyeWelcomeToHisTinhat
Mary W (AT 2:02 PM),
Hahahahahaaaa!
Augusta,
Sorry but that is a very weak reply which does not address the issues I brought up. Amy has not accused Mary if being RITB under the only name which she has used in this forum.
Mary’s unfounded and groundless conspiracy theory about any being deucey still doesn’t work because deucey is not posting here anymore.
The truth is that you can’t defend what Mary is going because there is no justification for it other than to gratuitously instigate and harass.
Amy encouraging someone to post pictures of other players on Rafa’s fan forum does not mean she is a Murray fan pretending to be a Rafa fan.
These accusations are absurd. They have no basis in fact or logic and are indefensible.
#nativeTrolling
#trollLogic
#NoLogicNoSense
NNY AT 3:12 PM,
I’m sorry, I didn’t find facts in the imaginary story you constructed about me.
Hey Ricky I’m in but accidentally entered the same bracket twice.
Same here Benny. Two times for me.
And I actually got my bracket under my real name because I thought it’s just for nothing and the bracket would be under my login.
Don’t know if I can change that somehow?
You can change it in your account. Just take out your real first and last name a put what ever you want in 😀 Polska Rules
Thx, I didn’t find it when I was looking for this yesterday, but now I got it.
#hawkeyeSeesEverythingTwice
Mary,
That’s the best you can do after a point-by-point rebuttal? Where is your logic? Oh sorry, there is none because your accusations and conspiracy theories make no sense, are groundless and baseless and just a product of your overactive imagination!
#someoneislipping
Augusta,
That’s your standard non-response! You don’t find facts because you deliberately choose to ignore them! Amy has not made accusations that Mary is RITB! Fact! Therefore, there is no reason for Mary to make up a conspiracy theory that Amy is really deucey. Your rationale is that in some way she is getting back for being called RITB. But Amy has not said that! Fact! So why is Mary accusing Amy of being someone else? Where does she get that information? Oh right! In her fertile mind!
Mary’s issue should be with Hawkeye, yet she has chosen to go after Amy. Fact!
Your refusal to acknowledge said facts does not make them any less true!
NNY AT 4:18 PM,
I’m sorry, all this (you wrote AT 4:18 PM) has nothing to do with me!
Fed gets it:
“Novak is the favorite,” said Federer. “He did win in Toronto. He has a great record against Andy and is a very good hard-court player. You see that in conditions like here and the Australian Open.”
hawkeye insinuates Djok’s injury fake, implies Fed doesn’t buy the injury tale either
#why holier- than -thou native no take him to task?
#double standards
#hypocrisy is their middle name ( extract from the song of the trolls)
Actually Hawkeye said no such thing. There goes the incorrect assumption and straw man argument! He merely quoted Fed in novak’s chances! Simple really! Amazing how the conspirator-in-chief can once again twist and distort a comment to mean something that it does not. Novak having a wrist injury would not preclude him from doing well here! It’s why he pulled out of Cincy!
Someone is trying way too hard to instigate again! Nothing new there!
Now if Hawkeye came out and said that Novak was faking, the way the instigator does, then I would say something! But since he did not say that, then I do not feel the need to call him out on what he never said!
#logic
#simple
Troll Instigator Contest:
Mary: 2
Mary W AUGUST 29, 2016 AT 2:25 PM
#why holier- than -thou native no take him to task?
#hypocrisy is their middle name ( extract from the song of the trolls)
Mary W AUGUST 29, 2016 AT 3:41 PM
Wow!! deuce still asking her “innocent” questions!!!