Flushing Meadows - US Open 08

[Natasha]

ok so i have no idea how to post pics, so click on this
www.flickr.com/photos/charliecowins/2794250606/ just gorgeous

[jenhatter06]

Andy d Gonzo 62 64 61 -- pretty handily ;D

... will make him that much fresher to take care of Novak

[justsafin]

www.tennis-x.com/story/2008-09-02/h.php
Venus, Serena Collide Wednesday in US Open Quarterfinals

Posted on September 2, 2008

Serena Williams and Venus Williams have advanced to their 24th and 29th Grand Slam singles quarterfinals at the US Open, respectively; it is the 17th time both sisters have appeared in the quarterfinals of the same Grand Slam event.



In a repeat of this year's Wimbledon final, Serena Williams and Venus Williams will take to the court against each other for the 17th time in their careers Wednesday night at the US Open, with the lifetime head-to-head currently standing at eight wins apiece (5-5 in Grand Slams and 2-1 to Venus at the US Open); it is their 11th meeting in a Grand Slam event and their third clash in 2008 (currently 1-1), the most number of times the sisters have played each other in a season since
2002, when Serena went 4-0;

Also meeting for the 17th time are Elena Dementieva and Patty Schnyder, with Dementieva leading 9-7;

While no woman has reached the quarterfinals or better at all four Grand Slam events in 2008, four of them have managed to do so at three – Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva and Venus Williams;

If Elena Dementieva – who has won 10 straight matches and 15 of her last 17 – wins the singles title she would become the 19th woman – and second Russian – to hold the world No.1 singles ranking; Dementieva is also trying to become the third player to win a gold medal and the US Open in the same year since tennis was reinstated as a full medal sport in Seoul in 1988 (Venus Williams – 2000 Sydney; Steffi Graf – 1988 Seoul);

Jelena Jankovic recently became the second Serbian woman to reach No.1 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Singles Rankings; only two other countries have produced multiple top-ranked women's singles players – United States (8) and Belgium (2);

For the fifth year in a row at least two Russian women have reached the US Open quarterfinals; the best such streak of all the majors is at Roland Garros, where at least two Russians have made the last eight there for six straight years, between 2003 and 2008;

Flavia Pennetta and Sybille Bammer are making their career Grand Slam debuts at the 2008 US Open;

Sybille Bammer becomes the first mother since Peruvian Laura Arraya Gildemeister at 1991 Wimbledon to reach a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal;

Flavia Pennetta becomes the second Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the US Open quarterfinals after her friend Francesca Schiavone reached the last eight in 2003; Pennetta is aiming to be the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal, having had six women before her fall in major quarterfinals – Sandra Cecchini (1985 Roland Garros), Raffaella Reggi (1987 Roland Garros), Laura Golarsa (1989 Wimbledon), Francesca Schiavone (2001 Roland Garros, 2003 US Open), Adriana Serra Zanetti (2002 Australian Open) and Silvia Farina Elia (2003 Wimbledon);

Patty Schnyder has equaled her best result at the US Open, 10 years after beating former world No.1 Steffi Graf en route to the last eight in 1998;

Sybille Bammer is the third Austrian woman in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open, alongside Judith Wiesner in 1996 and Barbara Schett in 1999; no Austrian woman has reached the semifinals here;

World No.2 Jelena Jankovic is appearing in her third successive US Open quarterfinal, something she has yet to achieve at any of the other Grand Slam events;

Youngest player remaining: Dinara Safina (22 years, 4 months)

Oldest player remaining: Patty Schnyder (29 years, 8 months)

Most time spent on-court thus far: Jelena Jankovic (7 hours, 39 minutes)

Least time spent on-court thus far: Serena Williams (4 hours, 0 minutes)
(WTA TOUR)

[Anne]

Good luck Dinara ;D

[sabz]

Sept 3, 2008 9:32:44 GMT 3 davis said:

LMAO!!!!!!!! ;D ;D Gilles Muller beat Kolya, I can't believe it! ;D Actually, he played really well. I watched till the middle of set 3 and then I got too tired to stay up. I kinda expected to see that Davydenko turned the thing around but was pleasantly surprised. Now let's see what the Luxemburgian (?) can do against Roger!
sabz, so were so right!!

;Di was sooo happy when i heard he won! and in 4 sets - quite something!! even though i would like his run to continue, i like fed more, so he better win, especially after getting through that 5 setter against Igor (WOW!!! )

Read somethinf funny, tommy has been saying that nole has been playing up his injuries and calling way too many medical time out. when journalists asked A-Rod what he thought he said: ""A back and a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu, anthrax, SARS, common cough and cold," LMAO I hope andy beats nole, he is the fresher of the two, but still an underdog

as for the grudge match - COME ON ANDY!! (Murray that is!) and wow for world no.4 - he has equaled Henman's highest ranking if i am correct?

Dina is already 3-0 up! ;D

[sabz]

Sept 3, 2008 21:29:04 GMT 3 sabz said:

Sept 3, 2008 9:32:44 GMT 3 davis said:

LMAO!!!!!!!! ;D ;D Gilles Muller beat Kolya, I can't believe it! ;D Actually, he played really well. I watched till the middle of set 3 and then I got too tired to stay up. I kinda expected to see that Davydenko turned the thing around but was pleasantly surprised. Now let's see what the Luxemburgian (?) can do against Roger!
sabz, so were so right!!

;Di was sooo happy when i heard he won! and in 4 sets - quite something!! even though i would like his run to continue, i like fed more, so he better win, especially after getting through that 5 setter against Igor (WOW!!! )

Read somethinf funny, tommy has been saying that nole has been playing up his injuries and calling way too many medical time out. when journalists asked A-Rod what he thought he said: ""A back and a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu, anthrax, SARS, common cough and cold," LMAO I hope andy beats nole, he is the fresher of the two, but still an underdog

as for the grudge match - COME ON ANDY!! (Murray that is!) and wow for world no.4 - he has equaled Henman's highest ranking if i am correct?

Dina is already 3-0 up! ;D

stupid british eurosport arnt broadcasting USO anymore stupid!!

on better new, Dina is now 6-2 5-2 - semis, here we come!! ;D

[maratsmaiden]

congrats to DINA!!!! Let's hope she takes that momentum & takes either Venus or Serena in 2 sets to the championship!!!

[Natasha]

Really want Dina to win the Open and hopefully marat comes to see it

[maratsmaiden]

Sept 3, 2008 22:35:04 GMT 3 Natasha said:

Really want Dina to win the Open and hopefully marat comes to see it

I (unfortunately) doubt he would fly back to NY, where he last said "No I'm going home. I've had enough already, I've been here for too long. I need to go home."

As nice as it would be for him to show up, it seems like they don't expect that from one another... I hope she wins too - the girl deserves it for all of the work and effort she has put in this year

[Barbarella]

I'm really rooting for her too. She so deserves it.

It's nice that they can be independent of each other and seem not to have those expectations of each other. It's so clear that despite them not attending each other's critical matches, they have a deep and supportive sibling relationship. aaahhh!

[maryb]

Sept 3, 2008 21:29:04 GMT 3 sabz said:

Read somethinf funny, tommy has been saying that nole has been playing up his injuries and calling way too many medical time out. when journalists asked A-Rod what he thought he said: ""A back and a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu, anthrax, SARS, common cough and cold," LMAO I hope andy beats nole, he is the fresher of the two, but still an underdog

... and don't forget measles, mumps, cholera, whooping cough ... and he'll soldier on. LMAO. He's a drama queen. The guys should just ignore it. I'm sure he was suffering out there - but the mind can take over as well and accentuate it.

Well done wee sis. ;D Hope she gets the title - and Big Bruv should go, even if he's already back in Moscow. This would be her first or he may never see her win a Slam again. Wear a false moustache and dark glasses Big Yin. If it was me, I'd want you to be there (even if I didn't say it to you) as it would mean so much. She looks up to you, you're obviously her hero. Yes, the press might sniff around and find out you were there, but why not try to get in anyway? Somebody could get you a sneaky ticket. Make her day complete Big Yin. Get your arse back to NY. Do this and I will send you loads of flies via my own fairy godmother!

[Natasha]

Sept 3, 2008 23:04:22 GMT 3 Barbarella said:

I'm really rooting for her too. She so deserves it.

It's nice that they can be independent of each other and seem not to have those expectations of each other. It's so clear that despite them not attending each other's critical matches, they have a deep and supportive sibling relationship. aaahhh!

perhaps...but regarding the french final, he did want to go but didnt get a plane for something.

but im sure if she really wanted it he would turn up.

[TennisMaiden]

I'm still going through my photos, but I couldn't resist getting these three up now....







Does anyone see a family resemblence or is just all that pink!

[justsafin]

Sept 4, 2008 0:31:33 GMT 3 maryb said:

Sept 3, 2008 21:29:04 GMT 3 sabz said:

Read somethinf funny, tommy has been saying that nole has been playing up his injuries and calling way too many medical time out. when journalists asked A-Rod what he thought he said: ""A back and a hip? And a cramp? Bird flu, anthrax, SARS, common cough and cold," LMAO I hope andy beats nole, he is the fresher of the two, but still an underdog

... and don't forget measles, mumps, cholera, whooping cough ... and he'll soldier on. LMAO. He's a drama queen. The guys should just ignore it. I'm sure he was suffering out there - but the mind can take over as well and accentuate it.

Tommy Robredo Interview - US Open, Sept 2
Posted on September 2, 2008

Tommy Robredo
US Open
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Q. Obviously not the result that you would wanted to, but can you look at this tournament ‑‑ I mean, you came in, you were struggling and played very well and dispatched some very great opponents and played one today, you know, very tough match. I mean, can you feel pretty good about the tournament for you this past week?

TOMMY ROBREDO: Yeah, it was great tournament, and I'm happy about the way I lost. I think that when you get into the court, you know you can win or lose, but at least I gave everything that I could inside the court, so I'm happy about that. I'm not happy about the loss, but, anyway, that's the sport, how it is.

So one day you can win, one day you can lose. But I think I did a great job.

Q. How difficult an opponent did you find Novak in terms of his shot making and so forth? Describe how the match went between the two of you.

TOMMY ROBREDO: Well, I think he's a great player, so he's a great showman. He has a little bit of everything.

Anyway, I think that's why he's the third player in the world, no? Because to beat him, you have to play great all the time, and I did it nearly all the time, so I was nearly so close to beat him, no?

But anyway, obviously he's a great player.

Q. What did you find about your game? Did you find something when you got here that maybe made a big difference compared to how you were playing in the tournaments leading up to the US Open?

TOMMY ROBREDO: Well, I think lately I have been playing very good, but the results were not there, no? So I just keep working and keep trying to find the victories in the match, no?

I think here I did three great matches, and unlucky today I couldn't go through. Anyway, I think I did a great match, so it's a loss, but it's a loss with glory, you know? Playing my game. So it's a loss that it can happen.

Q. You were so upset with the linesman. Why?

TOMMY ROBREDO: Why? Because if we break one racquet, we have to pay $5,000 or whatever thing like this, and when the linesman make a mistake like the one he did, then he can change the match, then it's nothing, no?

It was I think 2‑All, serving ‑‑ I was serving against the wind, and winning that point was 30‑15 for me. So the game, it was pretty close for my side. Also Novak was doing the show, that he was ‑‑ that he couldn't run. So in that moment, I think that point was so important, and the ball was clearly inside the line.

So that's why I was so pissed, no? Because a ball like that can change a match, and I think it did it.

Q. You sound like you don't believe Djokovic's ailments . Is that true?

TOMMY ROBREDO: That's not that I don't believe. I have pain, as well. I was running like hell and my feet were burning but I say nothing, no? I think that if you're not fit enough, then don't play.

But after every time he was asking for a trainer, he was running like hell and he was making the shot, but he does what he does a lot of times.

So I think we should take care a lot more of these things, because one thing is that if you fell down like I did, I can have blood and it's normal that trainer gets in because there's blood or whatever. But for having pain, I had pain, as well, all over my body because I think I run a lot more than him, and I said nothing, no?

So did I trust him? No. No. I think he took his time because he did it because he was a little bit more tired and that's a part of the game. It help him a lot.
================================
Andy Roddick Interview - US Open, Sept 2

Posted on September 2, 2008
Q. When asked about his injuries today, mentioning the right ankle as opposed to the left ankle, the other day ‑‑

ANDY RODDICK: Isn't it both of them? And a back and a hip?

Q. And when he said there are too many to count.

ANDY RODDICK: And a cramp.

Q. Do you get the sense right now that he is...

ANDY RODDICK: Bird flu.

Q. Lot of things. Beijing hangover.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah.

Q. He's got pretty long list of illness.

ANDY RODDICK: Anthrax. SARS. Common cough and cold.

Q. Got a lot of things going on with him.

ANDY RODDICK: Sure.

Q. Do you think he's bluffing?

ANDY RODDICK: No, I mean, I'm sure ‑‑

Q. The way you're saying it, almost means you feel like...

ANDY RODDICK: No, if it's there, it's there. There's just a lot. You know, he's either quick to call a trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time. I think it's up for you guys to decide.
============================
US Open quotes of the day
"If we start talking about the things that are bothering me now, we will talk until tomorrow."
Novak Djokovic is not feeling terribly positive despite his five-set win over Tommy Robredo.

"Whoever it is, they will be physically fitter than me, that's for sure."
Djokovic has some good news for Andy Roddick or Fernando Gonzalez ahead of the quarter-finals.

"It's not that I don't believe. I have pain as well. I was running like hell and my feet were burning but I say nothing, no? I think that if you're not fit enough, then don't play."
Robredo does not sound convinced about Djokovic's ailments.

"I got to feel good because he (Djokovic) has got about 16 injuries right ?
While Andy Roddick does not sound too sympathetic.
========================

CONGRATS TO DINARA (d Flavia), MURRAY (d JMDP), well done!!!!!

COME ON, DINARA!

I like both Elena and Jelena, so good luck to both!!!!!

[jenhatter06]

oh ... it's going to go on til very very late ...

another day session bleeding into night leads to another "Aussie Open situation" ... of course tonight they wouldn't move matches like last night, we'll probably get close to the latest start ever (definitely the latest at the USO I believe commentators said) ... I love the night match atmosphere, but the late hours piling up are starting to hurt

Woots to Andy & Dinara today! ;D


EDIT: 11:04 pm - Serena wins in two tight TB sets -- that took 2 and a half hours (don't really care for Serena, but glad it didn't go a whole 'nother set)