2009 US Open Tennis

RicoSuave · 08-30-09, 10:38 PM

Anyone else psyched about the 2009 edition? I haven't been this excited about the open in years. The top 6 men in the ATP rankings all have a legitimate shot at the title with Fed holding a slight edge due to his recent performance. The women's side on the other hand is not quite as open wide with Serena being the heavy favorite.

My predictions:

Men's Championship

vs.

Fed secures his 6th US Open in a row and third slam of the year.

Women's Championship

vs.

Dementieva finally gets her first slam in a shocker of epic proportions.

eXcentris · 08-31-09, 01:29 AM

Fed's confidence is extremely high at this time. After winning 2 slams, he just beat both Murray and Djoker in straight sets in Cinci, 2 players he's had problems with in the past. He's already hard to beat in slams and he has a very favorable draw (Del Po, Murray, Rafa, Tsonga are all on the other side) and without the pressure of beating Pete's record, he has to be the clear favorite.

Murray should be the second favorite, but right off the bat, he gets a tough opponent in Gulbis. And on a faster surface (faster than Montreal or Cinci), he's vulnerable when facing heavy hitters who can attack. He will have to be less passive/defensive in order to have a chance at winning this. And he won't have an easy road doing it.

Considering his current form and the faster surface, I doubt that Rafa will make it past the quarters. And he also could be tested right off the bat since he gets Gasquet (returning from suspension) in the first round. Although this will be Gasquet's first competitive match for months.

Djoker has ups and downs and his confidence isn't very high at this time. I believe that Roddick will beat him in the quarters. Del Po is playing great but I'm not convinced that physically, he can withstand too many long matches. He was gasping for air in a 3-setter in Cinci. Regardless, here are the probable semis:

Fed vs Roddick
Murray vs Del Po

On the women's side, who knows. But the Williams sisters always show up in slams so pick one.

Luds · 08-31-09, 08:04 AM

Federer making it to a Grand Slam final is about as safe a bet as one can make.

Thrush · 08-31-09, 09:01 AM

I'll take Serena on Hard Court which is her best surface. On the mens side, I'm picking Roddick I guess. Am I the only one who finds men's tennis boring?

The Bus · 08-31-09, 02:44 PM

I'm going to the Open on Friday. I'm not a huge fan of tennis and have never seen it live. Anything I should read/watch/hear so that I can be more interested/entertained?

El Scorcho · 08-31-09, 03:03 PM

I have Jankovic's forehead to win with 5-1 odds

PhantomStranger · 08-31-09, 07:45 PM

If someone somehow picked Federer off, I think Roddick would be a heavy favorite. Nadal is no threat to win this tournament and Murray just does not have the weapons that are needed in the later stages of a hardcourt tournament to win it all if everyone is healthy.

jfoobar · 08-31-09, 10:58 PM

Venus had a little bit of a scare already against a fairly unknown.

Nice to see Kim Clijsters back and playing (and winning).

I liked Samantha Stosur to make a nice dent here as she has played well in the tournaments leading up to Flushing. Alas, she has already needed a 3rd set to get out of the first round.

For the first time in a few years, I actually have to give Roddick a pretty good shot, even if Fed doesn't get knocked out elsewhere.

noonan4224 · 09-01-09, 12:09 PM

Roddick looked strong last night (or should I say early this morning...). I'm interested to see Murray's match today. This is shaping up to be a good tournament for both the men and women.

ctyankee · 09-01-09, 01:33 PM

Just turned the tennis on (ESPN2) to see Safina the number one woman's seed playing.

Safina has a noticeable gut like she has been training on beer and bratwurst. Is it any wonder that the stands are less than half-filled on a gorgeous day to watch tennis?

RoyalTea · 09-01-09, 02:50 PM

Safina's on the ropes right now.

Quake1028 · 09-02-09, 09:48 AM

Ivanovic

.

ctyankee · 09-02-09, 03:32 PM

Bartoli playing Clusters right now. Bartoli appears to have done her training by way of a soft couch and some potato chips. She also bounces the tennis ball before a serve like a three-year-old serving for the first time. I kid you not.

Clusters is just a big goon that looks like she's carrying the freshman 15. Big serve and volley gal with a strong but erratic forehand simply because she can't move her body into proper position to hit it well. She couldn't run an 8 minute mile if she were chasing an ice cream truck but she's a least more fit than Bartoli.

Quake1028 · 09-02-09, 03:48 PM

Do you mean Kim Clijsters, who is a mom and just recently returned to the tour after years away?

ctyankee · 09-02-09, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake1028

Do you mean Kim Clijsters, who is a mom and just recently returned to the tour after years away?

Yes. If local women I see in road races can drop the weight post pregnancy, why can't a supposed world class tennis player? McEnroe says she had a baby 18 months ago.

eXcentris · 09-02-09, 06:16 PM

Bartoli has always played at that weight. She trains just as hard if not harder than any other players because her father is nuts. She was written of by the French tennis federation years ago because they argued she neither had the physique nor the skills. And yet, she's ranked 14th in the world.

Clijsters has been off the tour for two years and has only recently come back, beating a number of top 20 players in the process. Give her a break.

If you want to see hot skinny chicks, watch the Fashion channel or something.

RicoSuave · 09-02-09, 10:21 PM

Rafa looked great today against Ricrack Gasquet, no signs of rust or bad knees. If they can both make it to the semis the Nadal/Murray match is going to be a thriller. Federed got a bit of an unexpected test from 65th ranked Greul who played the match of his life and still lost in straights. Greul was simply punishing the ball going for broke every single shot, and surprisingly making most of them. Its been a great open so far.

ctyankee · 09-02-09, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXcentris

Bartoli has always played at that weight. She trains just as hard if not harder than any other players because her father is nuts. She was written of by the French tennis federation years ago because they argued she neither had the physique nor the skills. And yet, she's ranked 14th in the world.

That's why women's tennis is a joke. That someone this unfit is ranked 14th in the world.

eXcentris · 09-03-09, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctyankee

That's why women's tennis is a joke.

Then I suggest you stop watching it.

Luds · 09-03-09, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quake1028

Ivanovic

.

Indeed. Poor girl has issues.

I'm hoping Dementieva gets a Grand Slam, US Open would do nicely.

Wozniak too has a gut, and still manged to clean house with the fading Mauresmo. She might be a threat to make it into the top 10.

ctyankee · 09-03-09, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eXcentris

Then I suggest you stop watching it.

Oops, looks like I touched a nerve of our friend from Montreal. Thanks for 'weighing in' with that suggestion. Montréal ... c'est magnifique! Brings back memories of all the fit hotties walking along Avenue Saint-Laurent with their husbands who looked like their diet consists of too much poutine and lunches at Tim Hortons. Then they would come down to Old Orchard Beach, Maine (the unofficial summer capital of Quebec) and wear their de rigeur Speedos. Ah, the horror, the horror.

Back on topic.

Quote:

Wozniak too has a gut, and still manged to clean house with the fading Mauresmo. She might be a threat to make it into the top 10.

Meanwhile, with a nod to the Québécois, here is Quebec native Marie-Eve Pelletier who had a nice doubles win yesterday.

Lunatikk · 09-03-09, 09:45 AM

She has a gut too.

ctyankee · 09-03-09, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunatikk

She has a gut too.

Really? A Gut?

eXcentris · 09-03-09, 02:30 PM

An American discussing how fat people are is rather ironic.

Now seriously, do you have anything else to contribute to this thread aside from how "fat" some players are?

RicoSuave · 09-03-09, 03:30 PM

Dear Melanie,

Thanks for making me look like an absolute fool for picking Dementieva to make the finals. Oh well I'm glad to see that your quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon was not a fluke. Now don't get any ideas about beating my girl Maria, that would just be mean.

At least she ain't bad to look at.

08-30-09, 10:38 PM	#1
RicoSuave Suave Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 517	2009 US Open Tennis Anyone else psyched about the 2009 edition? I haven't been this excited about the open in years. The top 6 men in the ATP rankings all have a legitimate shot at the title with Fed holding a slight edge due to his recent performance. The women's side on the other hand is not quite as open wide with Serena being the heavy favorite. My predictions: Men's Championship vs. Fed secures his 6th US Open in a row and third slam of the year. Women's Championship vs. Dementieva finally gets her first slam in a shocker of epic proportions.

08-31-09, 01:29 AM	#2
eXcentris DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 18,839	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Fed's confidence is extremely high at this time. After winning 2 slams, he just beat both Murray and Djoker in straight sets in Cinci, 2 players he's had problems with in the past. He's already hard to beat in slams and he has a very favorable draw (Del Po, Murray, Rafa, Tsonga are all on the other side) and without the pressure of beating Pete's record, he has to be the clear favorite. Murray should be the second favorite, but right off the bat, he gets a tough opponent in Gulbis. And on a faster surface (faster than Montreal or Cinci), he's vulnerable when facing heavy hitters who can attack. He will have to be less passive/defensive in order to have a chance at winning this. And he won't have an easy road doing it. Considering his current form and the faster surface, I doubt that Rafa will make it past the quarters. And he also could be tested right off the bat since he gets Gasquet (returning from suspension) in the first round. Although this will be Gasquet's first competitive match for months. Djoker has ups and downs and his confidence isn't very high at this time. I believe that Roddick will beat him in the quarters. Del Po is playing great but I'm not convinced that physically, he can withstand too many long matches. He was gasping for air in a 3-setter in Cinci. Regardless, here are the probable semis: Fed vs Roddick Murray vs Del Po On the women's side, who knows. But the Williams sisters always show up in slams so pick one.

08-31-09, 08:04 AM	#3
Luds Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 347	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Federer making it to a Grand Slam final is about as safe a bet as one can make.

08-31-09, 09:01 AM	#4
Thrush DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Under a dead Ohio sky Posts: 2,332	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis I'll take Serena on Hard Court which is her best surface. On the mens side, I'm picking Roddick I guess. Am I the only one who finds men's tennis boring?

08-31-09, 02:44 PM	#5
The Bus DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Delaware Posts: 44,250	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis I'm going to the Open on Friday. I'm not a huge fan of tennis and have never seen it live. Anything I should read/watch/hear so that I can be more interested/entertained? __________________ XBL/PSN/Steam: Chiwotweiler \| hd dvdaf \| last.fm \| Movies: 2002 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 "It's no coincidence that the forum where people are saying 'I wouldn't see [New Moon] in a MILLION YEARS' is the same place where we have thread after thread of clueless dudes seeking 'dating advice.'" - Groucho

08-31-09, 03:03 PM	#6
El Scorcho DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 39,256	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis I have Jankovic's forehead to win with 5-1 odds

08-31-09, 07:45 PM	#7
PhantomStranger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 437	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis If someone somehow picked Federer off, I think Roddick would be a heavy favorite. Nadal is no threat to win this tournament and Murray just does not have the weapons that are needed in the later stages of a hardcourt tournament to win it all if everyone is healthy.

08-31-09, 10:58 PM	#8
jfoobar DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 24,626	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Venus had a little bit of a scare already against a fairly unknown. Nice to see Kim Clijsters back and playing (and winning). I liked Samantha Stosur to make a nice dent here as she has played well in the tournaments leading up to Flushing. Alas, she has already needed a 3rd set to get out of the first round. For the first time in a few years, I actually have to give Roddick a pretty good shot, even if Fed doesn't get knocked out elsewhere. __________________ "There's one thing that can be said for true losers. They're consistent to a degree that would suggest luck has little to do with it." -- Unknown

09-01-09, 12:09 PM	#9
noonan4224 DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: MA Posts: 3,048	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Roddick looked strong last night (or should I say early this morning...). I'm interested to see Murray's match today. This is shaping up to be a good tournament for both the men and women.

09-01-09, 01:33 PM	#10
ctyankee DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,079	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Just turned the tennis on (ESPN2) to see Safina the number one woman's seed playing. Safina has a noticeable gut like she has been training on beer and bratwurst. Is it any wonder that the stands are less than half-filled on a gorgeous day to watch tennis? __________________ DVDProfiler

09-01-09, 02:50 PM	#11
RoyalTea DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: frass canyon Posts: 7,676	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Safina's on the ropes right now.

09-02-09, 09:48 AM	#12
Quake1028 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hurricane Nation Posts: 22,299	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Ivanovic . __________________ RIP M.L.B. 1968-2005 Books Read in 2010: Part 1 \| Last.FM

09-02-09, 03:32 PM	#13
ctyankee DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,079	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Bartoli playing Clusters right now. Bartoli appears to have done her training by way of a soft couch and some potato chips. She also bounces the tennis ball before a serve like a three-year-old serving for the first time. I kid you not. Clusters is just a big goon that looks like she's carrying the freshman 15. Big serve and volley gal with a strong but erratic forehand simply because she can't move her body into proper position to hit it well. She couldn't run an 8 minute mile if she were chasing an ice cream truck but she's a least more fit than Bartoli. __________________ DVDProfiler Last edited by ctyankee; 09-02-09 at 03:40 PM.

09-02-09, 03:48 PM	#14
Quake1028 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Hurricane Nation Posts: 22,299	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Do you mean Kim Clijsters, who is a mom and just recently returned to the tour after years away? __________________ RIP M.L.B. 1968-2005 Books Read in 2010: Part 1 \| Last.FM

09-02-09, 06:16 PM	#16
eXcentris DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 18,839	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Bartoli has always played at that weight. She trains just as hard if not harder than any other players because her father is nuts. She was written of by the French tennis federation years ago because they argued she neither had the physique nor the skills. And yet, she's ranked 14th in the world. Clijsters has been off the tour for two years and has only recently come back, beating a number of top 20 players in the process. Give her a break. If you want to see hot skinny chicks, watch the Fashion channel or something.

09-02-09, 10:21 PM	#17
RicoSuave Suave Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 517	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Rafa looked great today against Ricrack Gasquet, no signs of rust or bad knees. If they can both make it to the semis the Nadal/Murray match is going to be a thriller. Federed got a bit of an unexpected test from 65th ranked Greul who played the match of his life and still lost in straights. Greul was simply punishing the ball going for broke every single shot, and surprisingly making most of them. Its been a great open so far. __________________ The Meaning of Life!

09-03-09, 09:45 AM	#22
Lunatikk DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: My Car Posts: 6,280	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis She has a gut too.

09-03-09, 02:30 PM	#24
eXcentris DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 18,839	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis An American discussing how fat people are is rather ironic. Now seriously, do you have anything else to contribute to this thread aside from how "fat" some players are?

09-03-09, 03:30 PM	#25
RicoSuave Suave Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 517	Re: 2009 US Open Tennis Dear Melanie, Thanks for making me look like an absolute fool for picking Dementieva to make the finals. Oh well I'm glad to see that your quarterfinal showing at Wimbledon was not a fluke. Now don't get any ideas about beating my girl Maria, that would just be mean. At least she ain't bad to look at.