The Big Apple is calling - US Open 2006

[Patxy]

HQ



DPPI Presse

[Annie]

Oh more pics??? GEEEEZ... lol ;D ;D ;D Thank you ladies...

I am probably gonna go against everyone here but 1. I am a patriot and 2. I cannot stand Justine and there is no logical explanation why. I mean she plays beautiful tennis but the woman gives me the creeps so..

UDACHI MASHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You managed to beat Momo for the first time, so take a shot with Justine too, you have nothing to lose

And as for my boys, God knows I'll be praying hard tonight and I am hoping for a sensation...well at least one Is that too much to ask for??? ;D ;D ;D ;D

Kolya and Misha...DAVAITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OOP

Noon NYT

Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer

Not before 3 pm NYT

Mikhail Youzhny vs Andy Roddick

7 PM NYT

Justine Henin-Herdenne vs Maria Sharapova ;D

COME ON GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAKE ANNIE PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO ;D

[davis]

Matt Cronin's Picks: Men's Semifinals, Women's Final
by Matt Cronin
Posted Date: Friday, September 8, 2006

Men's Semifinals
Although much of the world outside of Russia would love to see a Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick final, don't count out Nikolay Davydenko or Mikhail Youzhny so quickly. Neither Russian is going to push up the charisma quotient to new heights, but both have been playing standout ball throughout the fortnight, and both bring a lot of options to the table. Of course, Davydenko has never beaten Federer, but few folks have, outside of Rafael Nadal. However, the slim, wispy blonde has shown a lot of heart here, is very steady and can quickly go on offense just as he's lulling you to sleep.

However, Federer showed against James Blake that he loves to play under pressure and has the ability to pull out almost any type of shot when he's seriously being pressed. Davydenko threatened him in Australia, but Federer won't be too troubled by the Russian's serve, and if he can get his first serve amped up once again, the Russian will play with his back against the wall during the whole contest. If Federer doesn't want to be out there for three hours, he's going to have to attack the net more than he did against Blake. He will, and will triumph in a tough four-setter.

Roddick has put together his best streak at the Open since he won the title in 2003 and there's no reason why he shouldn't continue it here. Major props to Youzhny for out-hitting Rafael Nadal, but he's not going to be able to get into as many rallies with Roddick, who is sure to numb him with his serve. The American has never been as confident mixing up his first serves as he is now, and when he's getting back a mid-court return, he's burying them in the corners.

But Youzhny will make this match very close because during his own service games, he should be able to dictate. His one-handed backhand is very effective, his forehand is a sizeable, and he's a good volleyer. For Roddick, the key will be to play points on his terms and to make sure that he gets enough returns deep so he can push the Russian around when he's serving. Don't expect Youzhny to completely collapse under the pressure, but he won't be able to scrape past Roddick and the pro-American crowd and will fall in four.

Women's Final
Right off the bat, I'm going to stick with my pre-tournament pick to win the event, Maria Sharapova. But she's going to have to fight like hell and play as smart and consistently as she did in thumping Amelie Mauresmo in the semis. Sharapova has matured a great deal this summer, and as Mauresmo found out, it's not that easy to get the 19-year-old tripping all over herself in long rallies any more. Sharapova is serving more intelligently, standing her ground in the mid-court area, lacing her groundstrokes on the run and not playing herself out of points early.

But Justine Henin-Hardenne owns a 4-1 edge over her going into this match, including a tremendous three-set win in the Aussie Open semis and a straight-sets win over her in the Dubai final. In some way, she's the player that Sharapova fears the most because she's super quick, hits extremely hard and is one of the most determined fighters the tour has seen this century.

But Henin-Hardenne's back hurts, which means she won't be able to crack her serve and she'll likely lose some pace on her groundstrokes. You have to be able to keep your groundstrokes deep if you are going to push Sharapova around and make her doubt her shots, and Henin-Hardenne didn't show in her three-set win over Jelena Jankovic that she will be able to do that, given her current physical condition. Henin pulled off a miracle in her 2003 title run here, returning to the court less than a day later after an exhausting three-set win over Jennifer Capriati (where she had to take an IV) and then stinging Kim Clijsters for the title, but she's not as physically strong as she was then. Sharapova has kept her nose to the grindstone all year long and is not only feeling pretty but very confident that she's playing well enough to be able to beat anyone for her second Slam title. Sharapova will triumph in a terrific three-setter.

This was the most modest pick of the day. The other "experts" predected straight three-setters for Federer and Roddick. I must admit that I also can't see the two "mighty" ones crumble, but a girl can always hope... ;D As for the ladies: Maria definitely gave the stronger performance yesterday but please, Justine, kick that arrogant brat's ass! I can't stand Sharapova's pouting looks on court, she always appears as if somebody just took away her favorite Barbie doll. Lightening up a little would do wonders!

[marats]

Good luck Nikolay today ................ beat him please .......... i know you can do it !

[love15]

good luck to Maria, i like her ... and to roger!

[cynful21]

*pokes love15*

Heeey. I just looked at your sig. The second and last pics I've never seen before. Marat looks kinda like a hot version of a friend of mine in the second. lol

I hate to be redundant, but again can the originals be posted, like in the off court pics thread or something? *doe eyes* Pweeeeese?

[love15]

hehe no worries cyn!, they will be up in a few mins... the second one is prob my fav pic of marat! say hi to ur frend for me LOL!

[cynful21]

*big happy smile* Thanks so much.

And I'll pass your "hi" along. lol Man that pic really reminds me of him, that look and the facial hair. Freaky!

[safinbgfan]

Good luck to Misha

[davis]

First semi-final: BORING . Roger won fair and square 6-1 7-5 6-4. Kolya never had a chance but he also didn't play his best tennis.

The other semi, though: EXCITING! ;D Youzhny just won the first set in the tie break and he's looking real good against Andy - and also in his new Adidas outfit ! Davai Misha!

[sonya]

OMFG,is roddick pissed off,or the score board is playing up? 5-0 in the second set,roddick on serve!

EDIT: 1 all!roddick won the second set 6-0...

[ginapants]

OMG!!!! WTF is going on!!!!

great...awesome point!!!!!

DAVAI MISHA!!!

[bia2209]

admin said:

Oh more pics??? GEEEEZ... lol ;D ;D ;D Thank you ladies...

I am probably gonna go against everyone here but 1. I am a patriot and 2. I cannot stand Justine and there is no logical explanation why. I mean she plays beautiful tennis but the woman gives me the creeps so..

UDACHI MASHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You managed to beat Momo for the first time, so take a shot with Justine too, you have nothing to lose

You are not alone Annie...

Under normal circumstances i really don't like Sharapova all that much,..but as you says justine is just a bit creepy...

So I want Maria to win...but just this once Masha so don't let it go to your head..hehe

[marats]

I hope that Justine beat miss shouting !!

[tina]

and i hope that she will lose
MARIJA GO!!!!!!