A two-team panel makes its picks for four men’s singles matches on the fourth day of action at the U.S. Open.(13) John Isner vs. Gael Monfils
Steen Kirby (Tennis East Coast) – This is a highly-anticipated match between players who were able to sleepwalk during their opening matches against very weak competition. With a tied head-to-head series (3-3) and five of their six showdowns going to the maximum number of sets (the other went four), one would expect this to be another long one. However, Monfils’ health is still very much in question and–despite the blowout–he said afterward that he had considerable pain. Isner not having such issues and being in good form may make this one sort of straightforward as long as his serve remains solid as a rock and he can move Monfils around the court. Isner 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Ricky Dimon – Isner is on fire on the American hard courts. In news that may or may not be related, sky is blue. Isner is 15-2 in the USA dating back to the Atlanta second round. Monfils is coming off a Winston-Salem final, but he retired in that match with an abdominal strain and it does not look particularly good even after a straight-set massacre of Adrian Ungur. To beat Isner right now, you have to be in absolute peak form…just ask Rafael Nadal. This will be entertaining, but it won’t live up to the hype. Isner 7-5, 7-6, 6-2.
Steen – The heralded but underachieving Aussie vs. the Brit who is just now playing up to his potential…. Evans was formerly known for Davis Cup heroics and not much else. Tomic has been dreadful this year after leaving his home nation, with personal issues lingering in the background. He played an up-and-down match against Albert Ramos, eventually prevailing over the cramping Spaniard in five sets, though his form at times was terrible and other times great. Evans, meanwhile, has torn up the Challenger circuit this summer and easily took care of a listless Kei Nishikori. There is no reason to pick against the qualifier now. Evans 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Murray could face Berdy in the quarterfinals. He hasn’t been an easy opponent for Murray. So the one with the easiest path now is Djoker among the top guys. Ferrer also has a very easy draw but it remains to be seen if he can capitalize on it and Jerzy and Gulbis flaming out early.
It was pretty obvious that Delpo was favoring that left wrist in the match with Hewitt. He really didn’t have his backhand working well at all. But I do remember Delpo having the same problem back in March at I/W. In the final with Rafa he was not able to hit his backhand shot as effectively as he normally would. But I don’t recall him looking as bad as he did in this match. It seems to have gotten worse. That’s not good news for him. His playing style may cost him dearly with injuries.
I wonder who the new dark horse will be now.
I wouldn’t put any money on Berdy! He had a nightmare day at the office against Kudla.
crap.. now look at djoker’s draw, absurd! As i said before USO, delpo is being an idiot, simple.. he can now go home and enjoy his washington trophy and the the pain he has brought about as a result of playing 3 weeks on the trot before USO… Don’t know when is he going to learn… really like him as a player in many ways but this is plain stupid
Anyway, waiting for rafa’s match..I am confident in my man ! vamos
I am in 2 minds about a possible Djoker meeting with Rafa. On one hand, I want Rafa to play Djoker in the final, beat him so that Djoker has seeds of doubt about the Australian Open. On the other hand, Djoker’s draw is now truly pathetic he will reach the final without breaking a sweat. Not terribly impressed with Muzza’s play so far. Have a feeling he may even fall to Berdy.
I hope Rafa plays within himself today and does not expend too much energy, he will need it later.
Did you see the Berdy match? Maybe he arrived with a false sense of security to face Kulda but he was given a hard time in the first two sets. His serve went missing for large parts of the match and he was leaking unforced errors all over the place.
Fortunately for him Kulda ran out of steam and hoisted the white flag!
I am very close to dumping Berdy in my head case column. He may trouble Muzza, he may fold like a cheap tent, who knows which Berdy will turn up? I just want Muzza to turn on the after burners now, give me some comfort that, should he make the appointed meeting with Djoker, he will give him a hard time, even win. Now that Delpo has been exposed as a 1 Slam wonder and not likely to “take Slams from Rafa”, rabid Fedfans have only Nole left as their hope, somI want that hope extinguished. Fedfans have never cared for Muzza, for them any Muzza win counts as a Rafa win, so be it………..let’s go Muzza.
I don’t think we should read too much into early round matches. It’s not unusual for a top ten player to have some trouble with these lower ranked players. I am not surprised that Berdy would have a difficult time with someone like Kudla. These lower ranked players can come out without pressure and sometimes play way above their ranking.
The issue with Berdy is his lack of mental strength and consistency. You never know which Berdy will show up. So I am not saying that he will beat Murray this time if they meet in the quarterfinals. But he would be a quality opponent. Delpo was supposed to be the same kind of quality opponent for Djoker in the quarterfinals.
I do agree that Delpo made the mistake of overplaying leading up to the USO. If this wrist has been an ongoing problem, then it would have been wiser to play fewer tournaments. I guess he will be a one slam wonder because this is a guy who gives new meaning to the words – injury prone! His hard hitting style obviously exacts a price.
Maybe someone will surprise us and give Djoker a real match before the semis. But at this point I don’t see it.
I think they’ve only played twice in five-setters: one (RG) to Berdy and one at Wimbledon (?). I reckon on hard courts, Andy will deal with Berdy in 4 – possibly 5 but only if Berdy’s serve is on and Andy does one of his walkabouts for a set or two.
Andy has played rather tentatively but by his own admission he was feeling nervous in the early rounds. Banking on him regrouping and upping his level.
Nole too has not been impressive so far. Hard to read whether he is just conserving energy or still having problems finding his form.
I’m looking forward to young Evans meeting with Robredo. Imagine if (big IF) he were to get past Robredo he could face Federer next?
Nadal vs. Dodig – https://tenngrand.com/2013/08/31/u-s-open-r3-preview-and-pick-nadal-vs-dodig/
Weather forecast not good. More thunderstorms in the offing.