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Saturday pix at the 2022 US Open

September 3, 2022 by Matthew Cronin

Garbiñe Muguruza vs Petra Kvitova
This should be a classic match given that both of them have won two Grand Slams – Muguruza at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and Kvitova at Wimbledon. They can be brilliant, or they can be irritated on court. However, when they play each other, and they are into it, then they can break down break down each other’s forehands and backhands. Yes, the Spaniard can be bloody, but they have played each other six times before, and the Czech has won five times. Apparently, Kvitova knows how to defeat Muguruza and she will win it in two wild sets.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Jenson Brooksby
The Spaniard thinks that if he can be more consistent, and also listen to what he should be doing, then he can beat anyone. The young man has beaten so many very good players, while still having some ups and downs. He really likes to bang it around, and slam it, but so does Brooksby, who had a fine match two days ago. The American really is in a position to control rallies, and within a second, then he will put it away. Alacraz can run into the net and be an effective volleyer. Alcaraz is still deciding what he can do, before he starts in the match, and then on court. In this match he will dance around the American, and he win in four savage sets.

Andrey Rublev vs Denis Shapovalov
The Russian has been close to be into the top 4, and maybe he can win a Grand Slam, for the first time. He is super consistent, and he is also more determined as he hits harder and harder at the lines. There are times, week after week, when he gets a little pissed off, and then he can lose. Yet Rublev has learned that he needs to be calm. The Canadian plays all the time, and her travels everywhere. Shapovalov has a lot of moxie and with some cool variety. He has won some jolting sets, but he has also had some mediocre days. Rublev will fight in this Grand Slams and has been a little bit more honest with himself, at least this week. He will win it in five crunchy sets.

Danielle Collins vs Alize Cornet
The entire world on Friday wanted to see Serena Williams. But in the third set, she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic . So that it is, and she has retired. Obviously, she is one of the great players ever. So now, the fans will be focusing on other good players like Collins. At this year’s Australian Open, and she reached the final, upsetting the now No. 1 Iga Swiatek. In the final, she was pretty close, but the current No.1, Ash Barty slightly hit her. Then, Barty retired, which was a shocker. The American had a terrific tournament here and hopes to take out Cornet, as she did in the Australian Open quarters. On Saturday, they will play each other again, toe to toe. The Frenchwoman has been playing very well over the last months, and she can really bring it, using her serves and mix it up everywhere. But, if she does not, then Collins will blitz her. Yes, Cornet is very confident, but Collins wants to play much better than she did over the past five months, when she was sloppy. This time, Collins will win with some hard volleys in three sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alize Cornet, Andrey Rublev, Carlos Alcaraz, danielle Collins, denis Shapovalov, Garbiñe Muguruza, Petra Kvitova, us open

Friday predictions at US Open

September 2, 2022 by Matthew Cronin

Matteo Berrettini vs Andy Murray
Just before he got hurt, the Italian was feeling good, not only being very consistent snd controlled. He has yet to win a Slam, but he has gone deep, especially at the 2021 Wimbledon, when he reached the final, and he lost to No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four sets. But he kept going, jumping in and throwing it hard. This year, he reached the semis at the Australian Open, and he won Queen’s. But guess what? In Stuttgart, Berrettini played against the three-time champion, Murray, and he beat him in three difficult sets. This time, at the U.S. Open, things can change. The Scotl looked very good in the first two matches, as he hit some wonderful strokes, especially with his first serve and his wide-eyed return. If it goes into the fifth set, then Berrettini will tire him, but it doesn’t, then Murray can decide how to fool him. That is a toss-up, but in the end, Murray will win.

Nick Kyrgios vs J.J. Wolf
The so-called ‘new’ American, Wolf, is already smiling on the courts, sprinting and bashing his forehand. This year, he played a number of challengers, and he won a lot, but the 23-year-old knew that he needed to add to his shots. At least this week, he threw in some wonderful strokes. However, Kyrgios is playing so well, almost every match, with his mind-blowing serves, his muscular forehand, and also, his with his fine net play. Of course he can yell all day, but other than that, on court, he finally learned to be more efficient. There will be some crazy rallies, but Kyrgios will win in three sets.

Jessica Pegula vs Yue Yuan
We talked it before, but if Pegula can reach the second week, then she will finally have a terrific change to win the US Open. For so many years, she was pretty consistent, but she rarely tried to go for it, deep and close to the corners. She finally decided that if she can get into the top 20, then the world would know who she is. But even further, Pegula is ranked No. 7, which is keen. However, she has yet to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, so this time, she has to knock it up.
Yuan has come out of nowhere in singles and currently she is ranked No. 142. Maybe she started to work hard with a couple of coaches, so she is now more mature. Regardless, Pegula will be patient, and when she has a chance, she can crack her shots. She will win in two sets.

Vika Azarenka vs Petra Martin
The Belarussian has won two Grand Slams. Years ago, she was one of the most aggressive strokers with her forehand and her backhand. However, her serve has been OK, but not great, and at the net, she stumbles. But the outgoing Azarenka can really return, in the lines. She would scream ‘C’MON.’ Very loud She has a child, and she has said that she is totally happy. We are sure that she is, but on court early in her matches, she can look terrific, but then, not so much. If she can manage to win fast, then she will continue to battle. However, Croatian Martin has been around for a long time. Years ago, she hit the top 15, and at the US Open, she reached the fourth round a few times. Yet she never was able to go super far. She upset Paula Badosa this week, so the 31-years-old must have been solid. Can she poke around against Azarenka? Maybe, for an hour or so, early, but Azarenka will be intense and she will win it in two sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Andy Murray, J.J. Wolf, Jessica Pegula, Matteo Berrettini, Nick Kyrgios, us open, vika azarenka, Yue Yuan

Four picks on Thursday at the US Open

September 1, 2022 by Matthew Cronin

Grigor Dimitrov vs Brandon Nakashima
Is it possible that the Bulgarian can reach the semis at a Grand Slam once again? The cool backhander did go deep at Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the US Open. In 2017, he was ranked No. 3, winning the ATP Finals. It was clear that each year, with his terrific strokes, he did say that yes, I certainly will win a Grand Slam. Unfortunately, he hasn’t yet, and he is starting to slow down. However, can still rock the boat. Yet American Nakashima is trying to gain speed but his shots were not deep enough. He has had some good wins, but the 21-year-old is ranked No. 69, so he has continue finding new gears. It is so hard to tell how Dimitrov will play, but in this match, he will sweep the American and win it in three sets.

Iga Świątek vs Sloane Stephens
When No. 1 Świątek starts in a point she can hit it so hard, with her forehand and backhand. She will go for it almost immediately. Yes, Ash Barty retired after she won at the Australian Open, leaving the top ranking open. Then Świątek won match after match. However, when she easily won at Roland Garros (she just lost one set) but then she began to slump a little bit, losing three tournaments a row. Look, you cannot win all the time, it is impossible, even with great players such as Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Swiatek has won two Grand Slams at RG. So, this year, she has won six titles — excellent titles — but she is not in their class yet. Stephens won the USO, but she pulled back after that. Still, she is not in the top 32. Of course, she can be super consistent, still, but she hasn’t improved enough. When she is happy, on court, then she thinks about what to do, she can snap back into form. Once again, there will be some bewitching points, but Świątek will storm early and win it in three sets.

Borna Coric vs Jenson Brooksby
The Serbian just won Winston-Salem. He said he wasn’t sure that when he came back after his surgery, he will not win a lot all the time. But slowly, he started to be consistent and really go for it. So, in the past 10 days, he was much more dependable. The 21-year-old American Brooksby has put together a number of very good wins. However, in three months, he was very solid, but after Miami, he began to slump. Yes, here and there, he can be very good, but in the last three tournaments, he was confused, and he lost quickly. Of course, he can rip it with his forehand and backhand, but he can also miss a lot. Coric won a long five-setter in the first round and will have to find ways to break down Brooksby. Coric will win in four difficult sets.

Belinda Bencic vs Sorana Cirstea
The Swiss can look amazing, running around and mixing it up, but then she would lose control. She can be thrilling, and then she can also look lazy. She has always been a fascinating person, but Bencic still doesn’t understand who she is. The veteran Cirstea is also trying to reach into the top 20 before she retires. Ten years ago, she did reach to the No. 21, and then she fell back. Currently now, the Romanian has had some OK wins, but not a lot in 2022. Maybe she can change it up and try to something new. Perhaps she will, but Bencic will out hit her with some incredible shots to win in straight sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Belinda Bencic, Brandon Nakashima, Grigor Dimitrov, Iga Świątek, Jenson Brooksby, sloane stephens, us open

Day 2, 2022 US Open, the picks

August 30, 2022 by Matthew Cronin

Emma Raducanu vs Alize Cornet
Raducanu, ranked No. 11, won the 2021 US Open last year. Oh, really? Who knew that before Flushing Meadows that this teenager would play her so steady forehand and backhand, set after set after set. But, she did and then everyone knew that she can be terrific. But in the last 12 months, she has been up and down. The pressure is totally on. The Frenchwoman knows that, and also, she has been pretty good even last week in Cleveland when she reached the semis. She has played so many matches, and sometimes she is so consistent and other times, she is flat. There will be some fascinating points, with some wild backhands. Cornet really wants to reach the second week at the US Open, but Raducanu wants to rise, again. She will win in three sets.

Danielle Collins vs. Naomi Osaka
Talk about a pick-em. Yes, Osaka has won it twice, and when she did it, she was so strong and so focused. But, in the past year and a half, due to the vicious COVID-19, she was hit with depression. After that, she didn’t want to play in the matches. So far, since she made it into the final at Miami, she has won one match, and four lost. Osaka is now ranked No. 44, and given that she won the US Open in the 2018 and 2020, she can be mentally off. Maybe she can be motivated against Collins. However, the No. 19 Collins is very forceful, and she also goes for it immediately. It should be a bangup match, and Osaka will finally be happy and win it in three dramatic sets.

Diego Schwartzman vs. Jack Sock
The Argentine has been for years, and he always get into the rally, and grind it. Plus, when he has a chance, Schwartzman can swing away, and when he does, he can pocket a lot of winners. Years ago, the American actually got into the top 10, winning Paris. After that, his body got hurt and he wasn’t trying hard enough in the singles. In the doubles, yes, he is very good. In singles he has improved slightly, but he is ranked No. 107. Not good enough. He did say that he is trying again, and he thinks that if he is 100 percent, he will win many more matches. But not against the No. 16 Schwartzman, who knows that he wants to push him side to side, and tire him out. He will, and he will win in four sets.

Frances Tiafoe vs. Marcos Giron
Talk about a matchup, as both of them have practiced a lot, so they know each other well. Tiafoe is in the top 26, and Giron is in the top 56, too, meaning that at the US Open, they really want to reach the second week. But only one can win it, and when they are playing, they certainly be very creative and attack when it is right. They have to hit a lot of first serves — not second serves — smack their forehands, and bend down low at the net. It doesn’t look like that they will be nervous, so the most important is to be very focused. Tiafoe will edge him in five sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alize Cornet, danielle Collins, Diego Schwartzman, Emma Raducanu, Frances Tiafoe, Jack Sock, naomi osaka, us open

McEnroe and Evert mull Medvedev and Osaka at US Open

August 27, 2022 by Matthew Cronin

Both with John McEnroe and Chrissy Evert have won at Flushing Meadows. They were the best players back then, but now they have retired. However, they are on ESPN. While they talked about with Serena and Venus Williams earlier this week for a long time, still, they had a lot of comments. Some very good ones, and some real questions.

Outside of the famous Williamses, there are other players who could go very deep — or even to win — the US Open.

The No. 1 Daniil Medvedev won it last year, but since then, he has looked pretty good, but not spectacular. The former No. 1, Naomi Osaka, who won it twice at the USO, she has been struggling a lot.

According with McEnroe, Medvedev has not improved enough.

“He looks more or less the same. You wonder what’s going on in his head, obviously, with what’s going on with that war,” McEnroe said. “So, I can’t imagine it’s not playing a part in all these Russian players [who couldn’t play at Wimbledon] and what’s going on in that part of the world. Having said that, I still think he’s one of the favorites, one of the top two couple guys, no question about it. So that’s obviously an interesting storyline to follow. And tactically there’s a whole other thing. Obviously he plays so far back. It seems like that will catch up to him … players should figure out a way to deal with that and he’s got to adjust.”

Osaka has been phenomenal when she is so focused, with her huge first serve, and her hard hitting with her forehand and backhand. In her first Grand Slam final in 2018, the fans were almost stunned when she exploded out of nowhere and she upset Serena. But eventually, after Osaka won the 2021 Australian Open, she became depressed. Mentally, the Japanese player had to stop, a lot. She wouldn’t play that much, and here and there, she could walk on the court and be pleased, but in the matches, maybe she didn’t want to be there.

Evert said, “You don’t know how she’s made us very aware that mental health is very important in her tennis. And I think she’s hitting the ball fine. I’ve watched her the last couple of weeks. She’s hitting the ball fine. She’s made some coaching changes [she does not have a real coach, currently] by which I think was probably because of the time — I don’t know why. But anyway, she’s made some changes. And I think she just isn’t match-tough. I think that’s the one thing that’s hurting her. She just hasn’t played enough matches where she feels her instincts are back and she feels confident going for the shots, going for shots on big points like when she was playing her best tennis. If she gets to the second week, I think she’s going to be dangerous. She loves the hard courts and I think she’s going to feel good playing at the US Open.”

McEnroe thinks that Osaka can be thrilled, on and off the court, or she can be very gloomy. When she is smashing her forehand and backhand, then she can put together a ton of winners. But she is now ranked No. 44. He thinks the 24-year-old needs to step it up.

“Did she look happy? Does she look sad?,” McEnroe said. “Does she look this way or that? So, in a way it made it more difficult for her. So that part I think she didn’t take that. It seems like that part may not have been taken into account enough. And so that’s made it trickier. I don’t know where her head’s at. Obviously, she’s incredible on hard courts. And I’m sure if her head is into it the way it can be, she’s obviously one of the favorites, in my book. But at the moment it doesn’t seem like she’s all there. But she’s won it twice [at the US Open] and she’s won four majors [also twice at the Aussie Open] on hard courts. To think she wouldn’t be capable of doing it would be crazy.”

NOTES
Here is my story about Alize Cornet on Tennis.com.

Cornet, 32, is set to break the consecutive Slam appearance record, with her 63^rd straight major at the US Open. She could retire next year, but right now she is playing very good, so maybe she can continue for a couple years. She will probably make decision in 2023.

Here is my Tennis.com story on Maxime Cressy. The French-American, said, “I do big things when I’m really focused.” He will have to. The best think is that he is seeded for the first time at a major at No. 30. In the third round, if he gets there, he might face Stefanos Tsitsipas. That would be a huge battle.

19-year-old Ben Shelton is in the draw based on winning the NCAA singles this year. If he makes it to the third round he might have to face against the No. 1, Daniil Medvedev, who won it last year. That is almost impossible, but you never know. … Jessica Pegula has yet to reach into the quarters at the USO, but she is ranked No. 7. So this time, she has to be so real and be much more fierce. Just do it.

TennisReporters.net plans on commenting on the US Open draws on Saturday and Sunday.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alize Cornet, Ben Shelton, Chris Evert, daniil medvedev, flushing meadows, Jessica Pegula, john mcenroe, Maxime Cressy, naomi osaka, us open

Finding the fault lines: Djokovic wears down his opponents

September 8, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

At what point can you take down Novak Djokovic in a 3 out of 5 setters? At the four Grand Slams in 2021, he has won 25 matches, so if you want to find a way to out-hit the Serbian, you would have to play almost perfectly.

On Monday, Djokovic beat Jenson Brooksby 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-2. In the first set, the American played as well as he could, and he hit the corners. With his forehand and backhand, he was striking the ball and sprinting around the court. But, in the second set, it began to change. Djokovic knew that it he could continue with some long rallies, then he thought that Brooksby would eventually tire, even if just a bit. Djokovic believes that each hour, many of the players can mentally sink. Their legs begin to wobble. So, running back and forth, Brooksby is not fast anymore.

Eventually, Djokovic won it, and he was pleased. The 20-year-old Brooksby has had some terrific wins over the past two-and-a half months. During the fall, he will gain ground and continue to move up the rankings.

That was quite a long, long match when Maria Sakkari edged Bianca Andreescu 6-7(2) 7-6(6) 6-3 in three-and-a-half hours. Sakkari rarely gets tired — at all — but in the third set, Andreescu began to cramp. She kept trying, but the Greek was cheering, running, bending down and smashing the ball. Last year, she began to change, not about her speed, but what she had to do something different. Years ago, she could not break into the top 20, because she would get frustrated and she would back up. In time, though, she began to move forward and hit it harder

On Wednesday, she will likely to do it again, but can she pull it off one more time? She will know, one way or another.

NOTES

Carlos Alcaraz looked worn out in his quarterfinal match versus Felix Auger-Aliassime. But, not worn out to approach the net to retire at 63 31 (ret). The 18-year-old Spaniard had both legs wrapped during the match and cited a leg injury for retiring. Auger-Aliassime becomes the first Canadian man to reach a US Open semi.

In another teenage coming-of-age stage, Leylah Fernandez prevailed over Elina Svitolina 6-3 3-6 7-6(5). The Canadian, who turned 19 just yesterday, cracked numerous down-the-line forehands for winners. She got a break on the penultimate

point, as her pass bumped off the net cord. Svitolina, who continues to find obstacles in her pursuit of her first Grand Slam final, can only wonder why she can’t find clear sailing in a draw opened up by numerous upsets. …

Alexander Zverev is so consistent, each time now, and this year, his return is now deeper and he can mix it up. He took down Jannik Sinner 6-4 6-4 7-6(7), which was a tough match, but he focused, which is why he won. …

The U.S. men and women are gone now, including Reilly Opelka, who lost to Lloyd Harris. Opelka has had a fine year, but he needs to return substantially better. If he wants to reach in the ttop 10, he has to improve day after day. The reason why
Matteo Berrettini had moved up, into the top 10, because the Italian knew he had to be more aggressive with his return. …

It was very impressive that Belinda Bencic was thoughtful and powerful, when she beat Iga Swiatek. You would think that if she sticks with a plan, then maybe she can go much further, maybe in the final? …

Another teenage shocker is Emma Raducanu, who came out blasting, and crushed American Shelby Rogers, who was erratic and also exhausted. However, Brit Raducanu is young and she is very patient. Plus, she can find the lines. She will be around for a long time. …

Karolina Pliskova likes the hardc ourts, and she beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Still the question persists if the former No. 1 can take home a major. Later in the second week, she has to step it up, and be more steady. Once, she reached the US Open and this year’s Wimbledon finals, and she was close, but in the third set, she was so-so. If you get there again, grab it.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Belinda Bencic, Elina Svitolina, Jenson Brooksby, Leylah Fernandez, Maria Sakkari, Novak Djokovic, Reilly Opelka, us open

Time to pivot: Frances Tiafoe & Leylah Fernandez are upset winners

September 4, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

There are times when Frances Tiafoe was erratic. He would be frustrated and knock the balls way out. But, on Friday right, at the US Open, he was spectacular when he really needed to be.

It was a marathon at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, and very late at night, he pulled it off, upsetting Andrey Rublev 4-6 6-3 7-6(6) 4-6 6-1.

“I love these matches. This is why you work,” Tiafoe said. “This is why you put the time in, to play the best guys in the world. These are the matches I get up for. I want these guys. I want to put it on my resumé. I came out today and I was like, ‘I’m going to beat him.’ I grew up with this guy, I don’t fear any of these guys. Let’s keep going.”

Yes, the American Tiafoe has lost a lot of five setters. But, as the years go by, a player learns and can becom smarter. Tiafoe has a massive first serve, and a gigantic forehand. His backhand is pretty good, too. However, he is ranked outside of the top 50, so he has a tremendous work to do. Including advancing at this year’s US Open.

“I’ve lost a lot of five-setters. My five-set record isn’t great,” he said. “[But] I can’t not bring it. I’ve lost a lot of tough matches on this court. … I wasn’t going to leave this court without a win tonight.”

TOP WOMEN FALL
Naomi Osaka has won four Grand Slams, but this year, she seems perpetually downcast. She lost against the very good young player, Leylah Fernandez, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4. The Japanese is a huge hitter. The reason why she was No. 1 was because she was so focused. Not anymore, as in the match. She missed some easy swings. She was foiled and she actually smashed her racket to the ground.

The 18-year-old Fernandez is coming up strong, with some impressive forehands and backhands.

Yet on Friday, Osaka was depressed again. She does not know when she will return this year.

“I feel like for me, recently, when I win, I don’t feel happy, I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad,” Osaka said. “I don’t think that’s normal. This is very hard to articulate. Basically, I feel like I’m kind of at this point where I’m trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don’t know when I’m going to play my next tennis match. I think I’m going to take a break from playing for a while.”

But how about Fernandez, who on court, she is already clever. “Finally, I found a pattern to her serve,” Fernandez said. “I just trusted my gut and hit the ball.”

Ash Barty took a big fall in the third set. Up two breaks to Shelby Rogers, the top seed lost 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(5). Statistically, the Australian had a slight lead in winners/unforced errors, aces and just about every category. But, she made too many mistakes in a final-set tiebreak while the American crowd propelled South Carolina’s Rogers to victory.

How about Garbine Muguruza is getting substantially better, beating Victoria Azarenka in three sets. Muguruza likes to ram it, side to side, and she can be excited and totally into it. But Azarenka let herself be dominated. While she did win two Slams, her second serve can be almost awful. When she lost match point, she double faulted. Ugh.

How about the 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who stunned No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 4-6 7-6(2) 0-6 7-6(5)? Alcaraz could be one of the best players for the next 15 years. The Spain is athletic, he changes the shots, he can shatter it. Alcaraz can hit it softly, well-placed drop shots right over the net. He is coming hard.

NOTES
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime was pumped up in the fifth set and then he can inhale, then run, very hard. At the end, he knocked off Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3. Another one, who is gaining ground. … Former No. 1 Simona Halep came up big, and maybe she won’t go far in the second week, but she is so steady. She beat Elena Rybakina 7-6(11) 4-6 6-3.

Jack Sock’s marvelous forehand was zipping past Alexander Zverev in the first set. But, he had a medical timeout on his right leg after the first game in the second set. The injury stalled Sock’s revival and he resigned in the fourth set.

In one of the best matches of the year, Angelique Kerber beat Sloane Stephens 5-7 6-2 6-3. The German was spot on and super steady. Stephens looked good, over the first two sets But, in the third set, she became nervous and lost her control. Maybe Kerber will continue to be so smooth. Then she will have a real shot to win her fourth Grand Slam. But she has to continue to pivot.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: angelique kerber, Carlos Alcaraz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Frances Tiafoe, gabrine muguruza, Leylah Fernandez, naomi osaka, new york, us open

At the US Open: Legends of the Fall

September 2, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

A couple days ago, Stefanos Tsitsipas knocked out Andy Murray in five incredible sets. Murray was not happy, and he said late. He talked about Tsitsipas who, after the fourth set, went into the bathroom and he did not come back for eight minutes. Murray was ticked off, and said he should have come back earlier. But, Tsitsipas needed to take a few more minutes to re-tool, and he did. In the fifth set he was far and more consistent. So, he won it and he moved on.
Murray had not played for four more than hours in many years. He had three surgeries, but it looked like the Brit played so much better at the 2021 US Open than he had since the surgeries. Maybe he isn’t so fast now, but his strokes are massive. At least he did that in the US Open first round. But in upcoming monthsl, will the three-time Grand Slam champion keep up this level? We will find out in the so-called the “Legends of the Fall.”

On Wednesday, Tsitsipas won again, when he knocked down Adrian Mannarino in four sets. Once he is on court, the Greek is strong and secure.

The young American Coco Gauff can be spectacular, but also, she can make some silly shots. She lost in straight sets against the former US Open champ Sloane Stephens. Gauff is very fast and she can rift the ball, but her serve and her return need more work. I would think that each month, she will get better.

On the other hand, Stephens appears to be waking up. She has not played enough over the past three years, but now she is more focused and aggressive. So, she won two matches against two very good players in Madison Keys and Gauff. On court, she looks totally grounded. Now, we will see if she can reach the second week. After that, then Stephens could determine her own fate.

NOTES
At night, Diego Schwartzman took beat Kevin Anderson 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-4. He can be so strong.

American Frances Tiafoe is into the third round and he looked much better this week then he did over the past couple months. Now he will have to play even better.

Here is a big one on Friday when Aryna Sabalenka will face American Danielle Collins. The American has to play 100 percent to upset Sabalenka.

Ons Jabeur is playing colossal this season and she has a chance to reach the second week. She will go for it because it really matters.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Andy Murray, coco gauff, Legends of the Fall, Stefanos Tsitsipas, us open

Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘The very next step would be the No. 1 spot’

August 25, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

The No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas has come closer and closer to winning a Grand Slam, or even eventually become No. 1. Or maybe not.

He lost in the semis at Cincinnati, against Alexander Zverev, 7-6 [4] in the third set. Tsitsipas was frustrated, but one way or another, it was time to move on.

However, at Roland Garros, the Greek looked spectacular. He reached the final, and he had to play against the No. 1 Novak Djokovic. It was super dense, but he lost, 6-4 in the fifth set. He was disappointed, but he did think that the next time, he will pick it up and throttle them.

Four years ago, the Greek had yet to crack into the top 32 and wasn’t seeded at a Grand Slam. However, he continued to push himself, and has been improving, little by little. Here and there.

But, in the last two months, the No. 3 Tsitsipas had not won a title. Maybe he is still thinking about why he lost on the clay at Roland Garros, or perhaps he is a little bit troubled.

Clearly, Tsitsipas is very good, when he is steady and he can bang it, left and right, and he can mix it up. Tsitsipas is pleased that he finally made it into the top three at the start in August, but he wants even more, which is his main goal.

“You don’t get many exciting moments like this in your career. The very first moment that I got to be part of this and feel that thrill and that energy and that adrenaline out of competition was when the top 10 for the first time after reaching the finals of Dubai [in 2019],” Tsitsipas said. “I saw it on Monday come out, and I felt overwhelmed by it. It was a great feeling. It was the same year that I got into the top five, which was an even better feeling, and the top three is the best of them all. I woke up on Monday a few weeks ago, and someone told me, I got to No. 3. I had no idea what Rafael Nadal [who will not play at the US Open due to his injury] had to do in order for me to get there, because I was completely out of any kind of information or wasn’t following any tennis. But the rankings are there for a reason. They signify something important. The next step the very next step would be the No. 1 spot, which I hope I can get to one day.”

The consistent and aggressive Tsitsipas does think that as long as he commits, he will eventually lift with the big trophies. However, it is likely that Djokovic will go very deep at the US Open, considering that the Serbian has won three Grand Slams this year. Yet Tsitsipas really wants to get on the court against the best player. That is what really matters.

“I see it as a challenge, as a challenging thing to do, and it’s me against my strengths so much. It’s me showing what I’m capable of,” he said. “If I keep it strategic and tactical, these things can come. It’s not about going out there and winning every single tournament week in, week out. You are not a robot. You can pull it off, but this is not the main focus right now. These milestones are very unique. The ones that every player should be aiming for is top 10, top 5, top 3, and then top 1. It will be a big clash between a few of my rivals, because they want the same exact thing as me. More precise work to be done, and I think lots of patience on court and off court.”

He needs that type of dedication now to get his first Grand Slam.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Stefanos Tsitsipas, us open

TR rewind from 2018: the cool Naomi Osaka beats Serena

February 17, 2021 by Matthew Cronin Leave a Comment

Naomi Osaka, the Japanese who lives in Florida, won the US Open, and arrived as one of the best players this year. Yes, the 20-year-old wasn’t perfect, but slowly, she got better and better though the fortnight. At the US Open, she fought. Her big serve was unbelievably good, her forehand was powerful, and her backhand was vicious. She returned pretty well, too, and she hustled.

Even in the last game, when it was 5-4, and Osaka had to serve it out, she wasn’t very nervous and took her time. She won match point with a hard serve into the corner. Yes, she cried, because there were a lot of people who were booing, but at the end, she smiled, a few times. The now No. 7 could win a number of majors over the next 15 years. Osaka is that good.

The Others

Serena Williams
At the US Open, Serena played six matches, and she looked darn good, knocking off a bunch of strong players. But in the final, against Osaka, she was mediocre, half and half. She served OK, but it’s not like she needed to bring in her massive first serves, and her second serve was up and down. She rarely came into the net, which she should have. When she belted her backhand and forehand, they would fly out, and there were a number of errors.

Obviously, Serena was very angry during the match. She was very, very ticked off. She yelled, she screamed, she busted her racket, she was very frustrated. She argued with the chair umpire, asking for an apology, time and time again. The fans were surprised by the code violation. They didn’t really know why. But many people love her, so they booed with the the umpire.

Serena lost it, on court and off court, she argued some, and she defended herself. OK, yes, it’s all about tennis, and she really wanted to win. But, if she stopped yelling, after a few minutes, and played, it could have had a different outcome. She had to be super calm, but she couldn’t, and perhaps she would have overcome Osaka.

As Serena said, Osaka played great and she deserved it. Good for Serena for saying that. But she has to be honest, and should have said, “Sorry, I messed it up, apologies.” She hasn’t done that yet. We will see whether she dowa it during the fall— if she is going to play for the rest of the year. Everything is questionable now. Ugh.

Anastasija Sevastova
The 29-year-old Sevastova showed off her incredible variety, upending Elena Svitolina and Sloane Stephens before going down versus Serena pretty quickly. But, her amazing drop shots, her very quick feet and variety were in full display. Yes, she needs to improve her serves, and her returns, but she will remain dangerous.

Madison Keys
For the most part, Keys played well, even better, because from January through most of August, she was so-so. But at the USO, she was aggressive, more accurate and she focused, a lot. However, Osaka served huge, and Keys couldn’t break her. She has to find some consistency. Hopefully, during the fall, she will be healthy and move up the ladder.

Carla Suárez Navarro
The veteran Spaniard beat Caroline Garcia 5-7 6-4 7-6(4), then she beat Maria Sharapova in straight sets. She did lose against Keys in the quarters, but still, the-30 year-old decided to hit her shots hard and deep, spin it, slice it, and smack the ball when she had an opportunity. She has been around for a long time, and she has yet to win a major, and maybe she won’t. But, given that she has been better this year, the No. 22 has a long shot at a Slam.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: anastasija sevastova, Carla Suarez Navarro, madison keys, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, naomi osaka, Serena williams, us open