(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Sam Querrey: While this may be a lopsided matchup on paper, you never really know for sure. Querrey has defeated Djokovic before, albeit once in eight career tries (2012 Paris Masters). The American also took a set off the current world No. 1 last year in Davis Cup in a match during which Djokovic sustained a sprained ankle. Based on how this event has progressed so far, Americans need a whole lot of luck–and won’t get it. Djokovic in 3.
(9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Pablo Carreno Busta: If you’re a fan of the Grandstand, you have to be loving week one of the U.S. Open. Tsonga and Gael Monfils, two of the undisputed most exciting players in the sport, will have played a combined all five of their matches on the Grandstand when this one ends on Saturday. So far, neither Frenchman has disappointed. Tsonga in 3.
Andrey Kuznetsov vs. (8) Andy Murray: Murray vs. Fernando Verdasco would have been more prestigious, perhaps even snagging the night spot in Ashe. Still, don’t discount Kuznetsov. The guy beat David Ferrer at Wimbledon and his win over Verdasco on Thursday was also impressive. Murray, though, was a completely different player on Thursday than he was during a debacle of a first round. Murray in 3.
Nick Kyrgios vs. (16) Tommy Robredo: I know Kyrgios beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon and all, but night session on Ashe on Labor Day weekend? Seriously? Seriously? Alas, Kyrgios won’t complain. And neither will fans when they see what this kid brings to the table. This may be be a redux of Robredo vs. Ernests Gulbis at the 2007 Open. Or maybe not. Kyrgios in 4.
(10) Kei Nishikori vs. Leonardo Mayer: There’s not much to say about this one, except that Nishikori should win comfortably–IF he’s healthy. And that’s always a big IF. Nishikori in 3.
Victor Estrella Burgos vs. (5) Milos Raonic: The Dominican Republic fans have been awesome for Estrella Burgos this week. They will have to be even more awesome for this one because in terms of talent, even Estrella Burgos would admit he is out of his league against Raonic. No offense to the underdog, but Raonic vs. Borna Coric would have been better. Raonic in 3.
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I’m going for a couple of bold picks. Mayer to beat Nishikori and Querrey to take a set off Novak. You heard it here first (please forget where you heard it if Kei and Novak stroll home in straights)
WTF??
Querry IS American, right? Djokovic IS the #1 player in the world, right? Yet they are thrown in to roast in the midday sun while THAT earring-wearing, tattooed, obnoxious, Australian young Johnny-come-lately (can’t even bear to mention him by name….) and T-Rob get the night shade???
^^should be Querrey, not Querry.
rafaisthebest (at 10:59 am),
Tommy Robredo, who trashed Fed at the 2013 US Open, will play in the the night session at Arthur Ashe stadium tonight!
Yes so exciting because he plays Nick Kyrgios, who thrashed Rafa at 2014 Wimbledon. Two Fedal conquerors. Too bad they are not in Fed’s section.
They want to ensure Nole is fried in the final against The Chosen One.
Kohlschrieber for the win over Isntner.
#djokernole
“Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.”
(Michael Corleone)
If they are going to be this obvious with their Fed favouritism, I will find myself backing the Djoker to win this thing whether I like it or not. I hate blatant injustice.
I root for Grigor Dimitrov.
None of the scheduling has anything to do with favoritism, who beat whom, or anything else. It has to do with TV rights. This is the US Open, and CBS, the major network, has the broadcast rights for the day session. (For those outside of the US, CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox, are the 4 biggest networks. ESPN, while huge, is a cable network. College football starts today and all of the ESPN networks will be broadcasting football. The Tennis Channel, which is a niche cable network with a small audience is carrying the night matches. So, bottom line is TV ratings. The top rated players such as Serena and Novak, will be on during the day because that’s what CBS wants and has the rights to, and the lower ranked players will be on at night on the Tennis Channel. Isner and Querry will both be playing day matches so that CBS can show them. Serena and Novak are ranked #1, so CBS will want them too. Bouchard, while a relatively big draw, is not an American, so is playing a night match.
thanks for explaining JP…good post
@jpacnw. Only Wimbledon are in a situation to call the tune for scheduling (for the time being at least) otherwise the tournament directors are at the mercy of the TV channels who are competing for advertising revenue: it is they who wag the tail of the dog.
The BBC contract expires in 2017 and then it could go to the highest bidder.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2357566/BBC-lose-Wimbledon-TV-rights.html
@jpacnw,
Thanks so much for providing the reason for the scheduling. I think people outside the states forget that the network has exclusive rights to weekend coverage of the USO. Not everything is a conspiracy or favoritism.
It’s all about revenue!
Thanks for a great post!
Tiggy’s pickin’……………Kuznetsov?? to beat Muzza………
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/08/first-ball-829-friday-frenzy/52596/#.VAHvDk3lrIU
Please tennis Gods……………..I beg….
Women’s seeds falling like ninepins………
Kvitova out.
Go Muzza…..
Milos Raonic is determined to play a 3-TB match……..
Because………..
RT @TennisReporters: “Assume Raonic to win 76 76 76 but he has 2 learn to get returns. Maybe can win maybe without returns, but vs Big guys he’ll lose. Like v Fed”
Raonic wins in 3 tiebreak sets. Ick.
I find it truly amazing that Querrey seems completely incapable of playing either forehand or backhands on the run. So SO many errors when made to run even a yard or two either side of the centre point on the baseline.
Stats for Isner from his match with Kohls.
https://twitter.com/SteveTignor/status/505864507994828800
I have to say that Kohls played some outstanding tennis to one more time beat Isner. He’s a giant killer! With the crowd against him, he kept his cool and let Isner blast his 42 aces and still lose!
Well done!
he was unbelievable
Kohls wins three tiebreaks to take down Isntner!!!
3rd year in a row! Live by the sword…
Congratulations to Meeee!!!!
(commies to Ricky)
#YoullLearn
#GodsCountry
#djokerNole
Jpacnw is of course correct. Fed draws the biggest ratings which is why he usually plays prime time.
Still DjokerNole and Murray get to bake in the sum vs guys you’ve actually heard of and can play good tennis.
#NE1ButTMF
#NoleFam
As a rule, hawkeye63 must promote Fed.
As a rule, augusta08 must spread indefensible untruths.
#BotheredbyEmptySeats
#DjokerNole
RT @runofplay “Fascinating to watch Robredo here. Using all his old-man savvy to bottle Kyrgios up. It’s like watching an accountant shut down a circus.”
Careful, that’s @hawkeye’s “real deal” you’re calling a circus……
RT @juanjosetennis : “Old man Disco Tommy, hatin’ on youngins.”
Rock on Tommy! Send the Harlem Globe-Trotter back to wearing sequins and swinging from ropes…………..
Fantastic write-up by Howard Bryant:
http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen14/story/_/id/11431647/us-open-first-week-reinforces-questions-american-tennis
Money quote:
“In her past 27 tournaments dating back to Washington 2013, she has been eliminated in the first or second round in half of them. She has never reached a final at any tour-level event. Or perhaps she has reached her own hell moment, knowing her current skill set is good enough to have a great life and sell boatloads of Under Armour gear but not nearly good enough to be a top-five or top-10 player.
Of course, she merely represents the coin of the realm of American sports in 2014, that winning is not particularly important when a player like Stephens is marketed, treated and compensated like a legend without actually being one.”
The above quote is about much more than Sloane Stephens, I reckon……………
#AmericanTennis
@hawkeye’s real deal is cramping, and it’s only the 4th set………..
This is what Juan Jose’s evaluation of Kyrgios last year:
http://www.changeovertennis.com/prospect-evaluation-nick-kyrgios-at-the-2013-us-open/
RT @juanjosetennis: “hard. Harder. HARDEST!!! “OUT!” Nick Kyrgios’ tribute to James Blake continues on Ashe.”
RT @nadalnews: @juanjosetennis ha! Totally the Blake school of hit hard think later…maybe”