[Please forgive the acronym feast in the headline, folks, but as you can probably work out, this is your Monday Net Post and daily Crisis Center post rolled into one. Way to step up, Ed McG. He has become the Man Who Never Sleeps. He told me yesterday he's been averaging about five hours a night! - Pete]
Last Week's & This Week's Tournament
U.S. Open (ATP & WTA - Hard - New York, United States)
Brackets:
TV Schedule (Eastern):
CBS Monday, September 3 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 4th Round
USA Monday, September 3 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 4th Round
CNBC Monday, September 3 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. 4th Round
USA Tuesday, September 4 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. Match of the day (taped)
USA Tuesday, September 4 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Men's 4th / Women's QF
USA Tuesday, September 4 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Men's 4th / Women's QF
USA Wednesday, September 5 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. Match of the day (taped)
USA Wednesday, September 5 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Quarterfinals
USA Wednesday, September 5 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Quarterfinals
USA Thursday, September 6 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. Match of the day (taped)
USA Thursday, September 6 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Men's QF / Mixed Doubles Final
USA Thursday, September 6 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Men's QF / Women's Doubles SF
CBS Friday, September 7 12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Men's Doubles Final / Women's SF
CBS Saturday, September 8 12:00 noon - 6:00 p.m. Men's SF
CBS Saturday, September 8 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Women's Final
USA Sunday, September 9 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Women's Doubles Final
CBS Sunday, September 9 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Men's Final
By the Letter
Some of you have been commenting that you want to know what I've been doing at the U.S. Open. This week's "By the Letter" is a collection of thoughts from a week in Flushing Meadows:
T…oughest seat: A media seat at Arthur Ashe stadium. Take it from me, a tennis writer turned seat marshal, whose mission each night is to deny access to the courtside viewing area unless you own a prized media credential.
E…astern European of the week: It's actually not Novak Djokovic, or any Serbian for that matter. Latvian Ernests Gulbis absolutely pummelled eighth-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 on the Grandstand court late Sunday night. The baby-faced 19-year old has just one ATP Tour win this year (against Tim Henman at Roland Garros), but he's already quadrupled that total this week by defeating Potito Starace, Michael Berrer, and Robredo. I really hope to catch his fourth round contest with Carlos Moya.
N…ike’s missed opportunity: Hordes of fans at the Open have been wearing these madras-inspired shorts, which feature a Statue of Liberty-inspired crest on one side. Regardless of what side of the reversable shorts you choose to display, how come there are no players wearing these – especially some of Nike’s young Americans (Levine, Isner, Young, etc.)?
N…icest backhand: One of the matches I was assigned to cover was the Nicolas Almagro/Nikolay Davydenko third-rounder. Almagro got whipped pretty good in this match, but before succumbing to injury, he showed off a lethal backhand that flew on the hard courts at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Almagro is best known for his results on clay; if he could be more consistent, he could emerge as an all-court threat.
I…ndefensible decision: Richard Gasquet’s withdrawal from the US Open was a huge disappointment for me, especially because I run a website that bears his name (by the way, check out my nightly US Open diary). But even I, one of Richard’s biggest fans, can’t defend his decision.It seems that if you can hit balls in practice and gave a few press conferences, you're well enough to give your second round match against Donald Young a go. After Gasquet’s tremendous run at Wimbledon, his summer has been nothing short of a disaster.
S…ight to behold: There were a number of players that I was interesting in seeing play live, but none more than Fabrice Santoro. Thankfully, both the magician and James Blake won their first round matches, setting up an evening clash on Ashe that was a feast for the eyes of tennis lovers. Santoro won’t be around much longer, and I urge you to catch one of his last remaining shows.
W…eather report: There hasn’t been even a hint of poor weather in Flushing for the first week of the tournament, which is great news for everyone with an interest in the U.S. Open. With ideal conditions, fans have come out in droves, and every morning when I walk across the boardwalk to enter the tennis center, I hear the soothing sounds of Leif Shiras reminding patrons that “there are no tickets available.” Coming off of recent weather-plagued Grand Slams, the entire tennis world needed this ray of sunshine.
O…ft forgotten: The “young guns” of men’s tennis is a list that includes Monfils, Murray, Gasquet, Djokovic, Berdych, and others. After the American invasion of the first week of the Open, Isner and Young will be mentioned as well. But one name who shouldn’t be left out is Juan Martin del Potro. I caught his match against Jurgen Melzer, and saw the great potential that many speak of. Remember, the young Argentine is only 18, so in spite of getting beaten soundly by Djokovic, chalk this up as a successful Slam for JMDP.
R…oger sighting: I finally got to see the tennis god himself play in his second round match against Paul Capdeville. After the match, I went to his sparsely-attended press conference, and was ready with my question that I had planned for weeks leading up to the Open. After a brief exchange, Roger and I are now great pals. Just kidding – but he conducts himself as elegantly after the match as he does during it.
L…oudest fans: The J-Block makes a living of making their presence known at Blake’s matches. You might think they are cute on TV, but seeing them in person reveals more. Coming from someone who prefers a civil environment – even in sport – Steve Tignor’s earlier observations of “The Block” made me chuckle.
D…elicious snack: After seven days of complimentary food, I’ve gotten an idea of what the hits and misses are here. For lunch, I would suggest the chicken Caesar wrap, which is tasty and filling. As a plus, it’s available both at the food court as well as the stadium food shops. The high-priced pasta dishes (around $8-$10 a bowl) are also worth the cost, at least when you compare them to the other dinner options on site. If you can afford desert, invest in a strawberry and Nutella filled crepe, which is the best choice from the crepe stand.
*
McGrogan's Heroes*
Will return next week.
Beyond the Bracket
The Grand Slams have always been my favorite tennis tournaments to watch each year. This isn't just because of the dramatic tennis I often witness, but also because of the consistency of the tournaments. Among other things, there are never changes in the name of the events, they have a colorful history that is retold each year, and the best players in tennis are always there, playing like it's their last match.
But the fact is that the majors have changed over the years. And I don't mean simple tinkering with how each tournament has been run - I'm talking about sweeping changes that some Slams have implemented.
In a sport where the playing surface plays such an important role, I found it very surprising when I first discovered that some of the Grand Slams - the foundations of tennis - used to be played on different surfaces than they are today. Maybe it's because I have much more to learn in tennis history, or maybe it's because I think the current "different surface for different Slam" is the perfect setup, but I can't imagine the tennis calendar otherwise.
Diehard tennis fans know that the Australian Open was originally played on grass, but switched to Rebound Ace when it moved from Kooyong to Melbourne (and the surface is being altered again this year). But only the serious historians know that all four Slams were once grass-court events. Yes - even Roland Garros, although the change from grass to clay occured long, long before the Open era began. But no tournament has done more of a surface dance than the U.S. Open, which has been played on grass (from 1881-1974), clay (from 1975-1977), and hard courts (from 1978-today).
I was even more shocked to learn that had someone won the Open on all three of these surfaces. That was none other than Jimmy Connors, who won on grass in 1974, clay in 1976, and on hard courts in 1978 (and again in 1982 and 1983). Tennis coaches aren't often mentioned here at the MNP unless they are taking new jobs or getting fired from one - but today is one of those rare exceptions.
Connors' ability to revel in the New York spotlight is one of the most memorable pieces of U.S. Open lore. His victories in 1982 and 1983 were both over Ivan Lendl, who went on to become one of the greatest players in U.S. Open history, reaching eight consecutive finals. Connors was also the runner-up in 1975 and 1977, and was a semifinalist seven other years. Add it all up and you have twelve straight years of semfinals or better (from 1974-1985), plus appearances in the final four during the end of his career in 1987 and 1991.
As good as Roger Federer is, I can't even fathom him equalling this streak at the U.S. Open - or even at Wimbledon.
Wondering about what happened in 1991, when Connors was 39 years old and on the brink of retirement? Just wait for a rain delay during this year's Open, and I will personally guarantee that you'll see his match with Aaron Krickstein playing on television, or at the jumbotron at the USTABJKNTC.
- Ed McGrogan