2012 U. S. Open Championships...New York, New York

[don_budge]

What should have been...

I was really looking forward to a Murray/Federer semi final showdown, though, which I now won't get.

I was hoping for a Federer vs. Murray final before that messed up draw. This is what the quarters would of looked like in a perfect world...that is, when good old don_budge is hallucinating and is the benevolent dictator.

Top half:
Federer (1) vs. Tipsarevic (8)
Ferrer (4) vs. Tsonga (5)

Bottom half:
Murray (3) vs. Berdych (6)
Djokovic (2) vs. Del Potro (7)

Enough said...goodbye my friends!

[stotty]

Yes, it's always a bummer when Federer goes out...ruins the bloody tournament for me. I feel the same when Nadal goes out or doesn't play too.

Murray did show good tactics and resolve against Cilic. He has a native instinct for what to do at times. I was really looking forward to a Murray/Federer semi final showdown, though, which I now won't get.

At least I have Murray to cheer for.

My wife hates Murray...says he's an ugly sod with funny legs. She has no reason to cheer him on...she's Italian

[don_budge]

Goodnight She Said...Sleep Well

For me it is tempting to say goodnight. Roger Federer is no longer in the tournament and there isn't a single player left in the draw that gives me the inclination to root for them. Goodnight Dear...it was nice while it lasted.

Berdych vs. Murray
Djokovic vs. Tipsarevic

Nothing more to say. Over and out.

[don_budge]

Svetoslava Simeonova...I am sorry Dear but you are just not my type.

Well upon closer inspection (ahem)...thanks to stevenmila, I have come to the conclusion that Ms. Svetoslava Simeonova is not my type. How do I know this? It's just a hunch you see...but I don't think she would cut it in the cleaning and cooking end of things. It's just a hunch. I would be willing to give it a try...on a trial basis. Dreaming's for free...as I always say. From Blondie...Eat to the Beat.

But back to the action at hand...leaving Fabio to deal with the lovely's domestic shortcomings. In the top half of the draw we have had some interesting developments and most interesting of all is the disappearance of Mardy Fish. Sorry to hear it whatever it was. Federer cruises into the quarterfinals without having to lift a finger. This won't effect our champion knight one little iota...and if anything he will know how to capitalize on this unexpected development. At his age he will know best how to pace his body and prepare himself for a clash with the most formidable Tomas Berdych. Berdych dispatched Almagro in a series of descending numbers 7-6, 6-4, 6-1...he got better as the match progressed.

Andy Murray is no flash in the pan that is for sure too. He dispatched the big serving Milos Raonic in straight sets as he did James Blake. He is fit for the upcoming fight and taking on all comers. Marion Cilic waits in the wings and he too looks ready as Cillic sent the unknown Martin Klizan...back into the unknown. Marion looks prepared to put it all on the line but who can doubt Murray at this point. It's too early to doubt him even a little...we must wait for Rodger to cross his path before we can watch him doubt himself. Or maybe not?

Now you are able to see what my issues are with the draw. The tournament has evolved far enough to see that the matchups are less than they would have been if I were making the draw. They are less than optimal. But let's wait for the bottom half to play itself out before making a final judgement.

John Isner is off into the night...dispatched by Phillip Kohlschreiber. Did anyone see the interview with Justin "I am just trying to get my face right" Gimelstab? He always looks like he just inhaled a couple of huge lines and is trying to get his face to behave for the camera. Just kidding. He's a nice guy and knew just what to say to what was remaining of the New York Throng in the wee hours of the morning. Impressive.

Juan Martin Del Potro has accepted the last invitation to Andy Roddick's retirement party and he hopes to send him off with the warmest of regards. The other Swiss guy awaits his pounding from the merciless Djokovic. Novak has been flawless so far. Ferrer and Gasquet? Not a factor in this tournament beyond this round...but who can write anyone off entirely at this level of the game. I can...if he isn't a member of The Big Four...which is now The Big Three without Rafael Nadal.

Svetoslava Simeonova. I love your name and the way that it rolls off of my tongue. Forget that Fabio guy, he's no good for you, Italian men are so fickle...I could whisper my own poetry to you that would make your ears tickle and make your teeth itch...it would make your socks roll up and down while turning your legs into spaghetti. If only you would give me a chance. Sigh. Oh well...always was and always will be. A fool for love.

[stevenmila]

Fabios ball girl - Svetoslava Simeonova

i think you are referring to Svetoslava Simeonova
- Don - you can google image her yourself

[don_budge]

The Third Round...the boys have all been sent packing.

All of the boys have been sent packing and one more round will eliminate anything that doesn't resemble a real thoroughbred. All signs of weakness are glaring invitations to be exploited by the remaining players. No quarter given...none taken. It becomes a primal dogfight at a certain point.

Those discrepancies in the draw become less visible to the untrained eye at this point. Everyone looks formidable and equally menacing. Tough, tough and tougher. What can you say about the remaining sixteen?

Yesterday they played out the bottom half of the draw and no surprise that Novak Djokovic looks as awesome as he did during his nearly unblemished season last year. He isn't just winning, he is pounding his opponents into submission. The Swiss are marching I wrote earlier...Wawrinka gave some credence to that statement. He stood up like a man yesterday to put down the dogged Dogopolov. Sorry Lleyton...true grit was not enough in the end. You ran out of petrol against David Ferrer who is another of those buff Spaniards. Del Potro downed his fellow Argentine which brings us to Andy Roddick.

He is retiring and naturally the inclination on the New York stage in Flushing is to milk it for all it is worth. Last night's match was a perfect scene for his little retirement show and party. It was the tempest Italian with all of that eye candy in his corner. Did anybody see her? I think I am in love again. She made Andy's squeeze look sort of homely. No easy feat. I am having a really difficult time concentrating still...by the way, who won the match?

Janko Tipsarevic is another of the more buff tennis players that have evolved into this era of android physiques. Unbelievable...literally. He waits on the winner of Isner and Cabbage Patch who are in the fifth set as I type this on my Apple keyboard.

There is lots of action left in this baby. The speed and strength left in the draw spells a lot of horsepower. We have "The Andy Roddick Show" which is good for exactly one more match. But of everything that transpired yesterday...the thing that leaves the biggest impression on my is Fognini's departure. I am going to miss her. Fabio is no good for you. He is too handsome and he has too much money. If you read this...Miss Fognini Eye Candy you can reach me at tennisplayer.net. I'll bet you can cook some mean Italian food. I will teach you a backhand that will be the toast of the Big Apple! I promise.

[stotty]

I watched the first two set of Blake/Raonic yesterday. Raonic was hitting poor old Blake all over the place. Blake found himself defending virtually all the time.

Raonic is not an easy opponent for Murray. They now face each other in round three for only the second time in their career. Raonic won their previous encounter, on clay. If Raonic serves well, he is a threat to anyone.

Yes, the draw is looking more interesting. Shame Rafa is not in the tournament to spice things up. I miss the guy.

[don_budge]

What have you done for me lately?

Laura played well...deserved it....no one can quite believe it this side of the pond. The good thing is it gives hope, hope to a set of girls over here that sometimes beat Laura...makes them believe they might be able to achieve significant wins too.

Life...like competitive tennis tournaments much of the time boils down to "what have you done for me lately". Laura Robson is soon to find this out. She has had a glorious couple of days and surely she deserves to bask in it a bit. But guess what...it isn't like that realistically speaking. The funny part about the whole thing is that her two wins over top ranked players means absolute zero right now as she prepares to square off against Sammy Stosur. Is it my imagination but are the women starting to look more like men? Except for the haircuts some of them look like they need a panty check...or at least some testing for testosterone levels.

Actually this sort of conundrum about "what have you done for me lately" is about as close as these professional babies will ever get to reality. Just think... being paid a king's ransom to play tennis. It's Biblical. They will never know what it means to have a real job. Go to work everyday at Ford Motor Company and have some knucklehead for a boss that is so far up you back side...screaming at you..."what have you done for me lately? Have you saved our blessed company from the abyss today? No...well get busy! Harder...faster! Move you idiot!!! The Chinese want to work ten days a week with a fraction of the pay you get! Get the lead out you sand bagger!!!"

Celine was right about that too...in his "Journey to the End of the Night". He worked the line in Dearborn, much as Johnny Cash walked the line of love. The job. Can you say...I love my job. The beauty of it is this is only the tip of the iceberg...wait until you see what they have in store for your children twenty years from now. The Matrix. Andy Roddick is retiring? Give me a break. Good bye. But not yet...not quite yet, Andy. You have some unfinished business. His name is Fabio. The sulky, handsome Italian. If only he could serve and volley like Panatta. And then...Juan Martin Del Potro? The looming and stealthy Argentinean.

Speaking of which...Roger went to work on Fernando Verdasco yesterday and didn't let up until the job was done. Match point...signed, sealed and delivered. One break in each set was what he needed from avoiding the tediousness of a tie-breaker. That was a good yardstick from which to measure by...Roger. You didn't wasted an ounce of unnecessary energy. You are in form and fit as a fiddle. All those Spaniards look so buff could Yannick Noah have the inside dope? Mardy Fish is next and this is a perfect opponent for Federer as he is jockeying for position and measuring his gait...setting the stage. Drama...New York City style. Ba da bing! Ba da bang! Ba da bye! It's theater but there is no script...it's an impromptu. Just like the "To Catch a Rising Star".

I woke up this morning in the beautiful, peaceful Swedish countryside and looked out from my bedroom window at the fields of gold and the forest that is slowly showing signs of an encroaching autumn. I stumbled over to my computer and lo and behold Mardy Fish was still playing the Frenchman Gilles Simon at 6:30 AM here...they were in the third set. I went back to bed and curled up with my chocolate lab Frankie, man's best friend, for another forty five minutes then went downstairs started the morning coffee and then switched on the television to see Mardy apply the coup de gras match point to Simon under the stadium lights in NYC. Good night Mardy...sleep well she said. Even though she didn't really care. Justin Gimelstad all puffed up in his suit and tie trying to get his face to behave right for the television camera...what a weird scene inside the gold mine.

Andy Murray sort of stumbled his way through the afternoon but the difference between his performance and Federer's is clear. His heart was clearly fluttering. Call the doctor, I think he's going to blast...Ivan. Murray is not quite as comfortable and this will not bode well if both are to meet in the semifinals. Roger could of been wearing a top hat and a tux as he tap danced never missing a beat all over Verdasco but Andy never got comfortable...the lefty kept him off balance for the duration of the match. Andy looked like he had two left feet but be found a way to win...and that is what is separating him from much of the herd. The art of winning.

But he is going to face the alpha male sooner or later and that one can smell the fear and weakness...stalking his prey and then he strikes. With lethal force and cunning. The wolf. Going for the kill. As the full moon wanes. Remember Gonzales? The model and living proof. Gonzalez and Federer. Hand in hand through eternity. The annals of history...tennis history. Tilden is the book and Hopman is the coach...tired of hearing this? I'm sorry...it's true. In my world...the world of don_budge. Federer knows he is only as good as his last miracle. No matter what. No matter how many Grand Slam titles he has in the bag. It is no different for him. Even the alpha male plays by the same rules. He knows it better than all...in the end.

I hate to keep repeating myself...but it looks to me that all three of the other players in the current foursome that make up Federer's group look to all be stronger players than the player's in Murray's group. It "almost" looks like a stacked draw. Of course that is impossible isn't it? But there was some talk if I remember correctly about the lack of fairness in some U. S. Open draw. Anyways...moving on. In fact...all of the groups appear to be weaker than Federer's. Particularly that of the fourth seeds...and even the second seeds.

Sometimes I wonder if anyone else out there sees the same things that I do but then as soon as I ask myself that question I realize that the answer is...no, probably not. Maybe one...but then again, she's gone too. Journey to the End of the Night...my Dear. Nishikori never got squarely into the match against Cilic...but that is to Cilic's credit as he looked razor sharp...overwhelming his Japanese nemesis. Martin "Who am I" Klizan over another Frenchman Musketeer...Jeremy Chardy in straight sets...now to face Cilic. An existential moment in the unknown's career. Who am I? Murray against Raonic...any questions?

It's anything but boring now. Particularly if you are a Roger Federer fan or admirer. I am an admirer and not a fan of anyone anymore. I lost that ability with my innocence. There is a difference but I am not certain that it can be put into words. Fans are slightly more gullible I suppose...fans are also more rabid. Admirer's take it for what it is. And in that vein Roger is a lot and he is going to have to show it now. Roger cannot escape that existential question either despite all of his success...what have you done for me lately? For him to win this tournament it is going to be...Fish, Almagro or Berdych, Murray then his arch enemy Djokovic. Djokovic...who slew him before the New York thong on a cool September night...last year.

Roger went away and licked his wounds like the wily old wolf that he is and came back to play another day. Not only that but he is the leader of the pack. That is why he has earned the title of "The Once and Future King". Just like Arthur. If he manages this equation...my goodness! I will admire him even more.

[stotty]

Laura Robson beats Li Na. Was in Canada and didn't see it (although they do have TV's up there), but Kim played well. So I would have to say that these two results came from Laura rather than from her opponents.

Laura played well...deserved it....no one can quite believe it this side of the pond. The good thing is it gives hope, hope to a set of girls over here that sometimes beat Laura...makes them believe they might be able to achieve significant wins too.

[bottle]

Laura Robson beats Li Na. Was in Canada and didn't see it (although they do have TV's up there), but Kim played well. So I would have to say that these two results came from Laura rather than from her opponents.

[don_budge]

The Round of 32...a wake up call!

[1] R Federer (SUI) vs [25] F Verdasco (ESP)
[3] A Murray (GBR) vs [30] F Lopez (ESP)
[6] T Berdych (CZE) vs [27] S Querrey (USA)
[11] N Almagro (ESP) vs J Sock (USA)
[12] M Cilic (CRO) vs [17] K Nishikori (JPN)
[15] M Raonic (CAN) vs J Blake (USA)
[16] G Simon (FRA) vs [23] M Fish (USA)
[32] J Chardy (FRA) vs M Klizan (SVK)

Well here is the lineup for today. Every single match is capable of some entertainment value in one way or another. Even Federer has a real live opponent on his hands. Murray too. Each faces tough left handed Spaniards...fortunately for the #1 and #3 seeds neither of their opponents is named Rafael Nadal. Where is Rafa by the way? Nursing injured knees is the word.

But going down the list there is always some room for doubt. Take Tomas Berdych and Sam Querry. Why would you rule out Sudden Sam before the contest begins? He has earned his spot and a chance to rise to the occasion. Almagro and Sock may be a different story...Niclas looks lean and mean and I don't even know who Sock is. So we can say with little uncertainty the Americans in this case will probably go to the backdraw at this point...but don't count anyone out yet.

But looking further I think we have four rather compelling matches and it is about that time. The jockeys have their steeds in position and with one more match they will have cemented their position for the stretch run for the trophy. Marion Cilic and Kia Nishikori? I really like this match and hope that I get the chance to watch it. One has to wonder if Cilic has spent too much fuel for this match with the Samurai Kid. Milos Raonic vs. James Blake? Here is one American who believes that he can get it done and I want to believe in him too. This guy is a real fighter when he is right and he looks to be sharp and ready for the long tall Canadian. Simon and Fish. Wow...here is a wild call. Does Fish have enough match play under his belt or is the Frenchman too fit and wily to serve as bait for Fish? This last match between Chardy and Klizan should be a real zinger. Chardy took out a less than motivated Murray not so long ago and Klizan is coming off a big upset win of the #5 seed. Both steeds are feeling their oats...so to speak.

Lots of emotion involved throughout the day. Lots of energy to be expended chasing the little yellow mouse around the court. What a great day to be at the Open and the only reason for being in the Big Apple as far as I am concerned. Time to get a good look at the front runners...Federer and Murray. Time to evaluate their form as they draw nearer to one big titanic clash. Curious that they have similar challenges on their plate which give a perfect chance to get a finger on their respective pulses. I suspect that Federer's heart is in perfect synch while Murray's may just be beginning to flutter just a bit. Fortunately he has that Dour Czech in his corner...Count Ivan the Terrible. You know Lendl used to have the moniker of a choker but he dispelled that myth with a vengeance. Murray hopes to have a similar legacy before he is through. Developing a dominate service game will help immensely in that regard.

They both have some serious obstacles in their paths...particularly Federer who somehow seems to earned himself the toughest section of the draw. Of course that is debatable but that is how it appears to me. Ironically it looks as if the #3 and #4 seeds have the weakest sections. At any rate the action is slowly beginning to heat up. Seven Americans still in the race with a number of them having real possibilities of advancing.

I wonder if Fab Fognini has the game to challenge Andy Roddick and hasten his retirement plans. That could be interesting but it will be tough for Fognini to beat Roddick in front of a partisan crowd. I don't think he has that kind of grit but at this point in the tournament funny things can happen.:

Speaking of women...how about that Laura Robson? Sam Stosur next. Two American gals remaining and if they each win their next match they face each other. How can Serena possibly be the #4 seed? I guess it really doesn't matter in the end. Who is going to beat her?

[don_budge]

Jockeying for position...

Boring tournament so far...can't wait for the latter stages.

That is the way it usually is in Grand Slam events. It just takes a few days for the action to heat up...for the crescendo. The climactic scenes. Although the draw may partially be rigged against us. Plenty of potential drama left in this baby...we are barely simmering at this point. The players are merely jockeying for position at this point. For the home stretch from the quarter finals to the end. Top seeds Roger Federer and Andy Murray have similar challenges in their respective third rounds...seeded left handed Spaniards. Let's see how they handle their opponents and compare their form as they jockey for position in the stretch run. Olympic Gold vs. Grand Slam prestige. Sham vs. the Real Thing. I smell some genuine drama in the offing.

Here's one for you...licensedcoach. Speaking of Americans emerging as one settles into the horizon...Bryan Baker vs. Jarko Tipsarevic. A victory here puts our "Comeback Kid" into position to become the "New Kid in Town" (The Eagles). How I would love to see him play the "Cabbage Patch Kid" should that match come to fruition. Baker vs. Kohlschreiber would be everything you could hope for in the early rounds to overcome the tedious monotony that gives one the inclination to yawn and nap a bit. Revenge for that full moon loss at Wimbledon. Kohlscheiber has to get through John Isner though which will be a "tall" order.

Say goodbye to the "Baby Bull" from France. He went down to someone that I had never heard of before with barely a whimper. Martin Klizan from Slovakia. Who? Where? It's a shame but that is life in the big city. New York...just like I pictured it. Skyscrapers and everything. More and more we have grown accustomed to seeing this giant hunk of a player in the later stages of tournaments but he has shown us his human side once again. He doesn't cut it in the end. I still say that the Dolgopolov (spelled it right the first time this time) vs. Baghdatis match has some potential drama if it can live up to my billing.

Then there is the "Sunset Kid" Andy Roddick who has announced his retirement to settle down with his lovely squeeze...who can blame him. He has his hands full in more ways than one then...with the up and coming Tomic though. That would be great for a last hurrah Roddick style. The announcement was a great way to get the New York rabid thong (oops I meant throng) behind him. Great strategy and tactics Andy! He has a boatload in the bank probably. Oh...the life of a superstar. Why get married though?

You know what else I like here in the early stages. Kia Nishikori. His match up with Marion Cilic spells trouble for the Croatian. Two five setters under the belt of Cilic is about all this guy will be able to stomach once he encounters the Japanese wunderkind samurai with the fresh legs and two straight set victories. I just noticed that Lleyton Hewitt is still in the draw...showing some grit in his old age. In his case too it becomes a question of legs. Grit can only take you so far these days in the modern game of tennis. As Tilden once said..."Youth to the Fore".

The Djokovic half of the draw looks to be markedly weaker than the Federer half. The seeding system has deprived this tournament what it deserves to have...the best possible match ups in the later stages of the tournament. As the tournament progresses we will see how once again...things can get mucked up. SNAFU...Situation Normal All Fucked Up.

No small wonder McEnroe was always going off on the tennis establishment. Going ballistic on the incompetent fools. He sort of partially made a career of that didn't he? As for the Americans...they will be disappearing in droves in the next couple of rounds as the stronger players begin to prevail. It would be nice to see one or two in the quarters...perhaps we could interpret that as a sign of progress. I like James Blake and always have. I would love to see him take down Milos Raonic and advance to a match with Andy Murray. I think he has a chance. Then if he could take out the Olympic Gold Medalist we would really have licensedcoach boiling in his own tea. Another Tea Party?

[stotty]

Plenty of Americans seem to be progressing through the draw. Robson beats Clijsters...where did that result come from!? Murray's looking tasty...Djokovic looks even better. Djokovic needs to win this tournament to reassert that he is the best...Murray needs to win because the Olympics isn't a grand slam, or anything like it...still needs to prove himself for us Brits....Federer, well, he doesn't need to do or prove anything anymore.

Boring tournament so far...can't wait for the latter stages.

[don_budge]

The 1984 U. S. Open...my all-time favorite sporting event!

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/history/years.html?promo=subnav#1981

The U. S. Open has always been my favorite sporting event of all time. Although I could be biased (could?) ever since that day some 28 years ago in the Orwellian year of 1984. The greatest day of tennis ever. The GDOTE. According to Bud Collins no less. I was on the scene. Memories...of the way we were. I remember not going to the finals even though I had a pass. Nothing could top the day before...once again I was right. Instead...I looked up my girlfriend from the Don Budge Tennis Camp from 1973 and met her in Central Park just to hold her beautiful hand one more time. Karen...she was engaged to be married. One more criss cross across my poor old heart...a victim of Cupid's arrow once again. Railroad tracks across my soul.

Times have changed since then of course. Looking at the video that my sister, Linda, managed to tape for me on the old VCR format the commercials from 1984 are pretty amusing..if not Orwellian as well. There was Arthur Ashe representing Head Tennis Racquets. There was some big galute touting the new Magnesium Prince...Eric something or other. Anyone remember his name? Huge serve with little to back it up save for his association with the bane of classic tennis...Prince racquets. Apple computers were going viral...you modern day geeks would have a good laugh looking at those "new" models at the time. So big and clumsy. So slow. Just think at what you can do with your phone nowadays compared to what the technology had to offer back then. And you want me to believe that we actually went to the moon? The real Don Budge sitting in champions row. don_budge sitting somewhere...among the lost souls.

But the tennis today is spectacular in its speed and power...no doubt about it. Just looking up and down the draw sheets there are no touch and tactical players around...except possibly one. You know who. The Man. Federer. But the first round matches tend to be rather yawners, but it is funny to see how quickly things can heat up in the Big Apple at the Open. That is what makes it so spectacular. It's an exhausting two weeks...for the players, the fans and the writers, I suppose.

Some of the matches that I find interesting and compelling so far happen to be in the bottom half of the draw that is not yet completed:

Andy Roddick vs. Berhard Tomic
Fabio Fognini vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez
Alexandr Dolgopolov vs. Marcos Baghdatis

Just three rather incidental rounds that will probably be of no consequence once we get to the heart of the matter. But interesting nonetheless. Roddick's star has slowly been descending into obscurity as he gradually disappears as the best that America has to offer up in terms of professional tennis. He is not so interesting in himself but his matchup with Tomic adds some contrast in that Tomic has been pegged as an up and comer but so far has failed to deliver. When will he? Ever? Such is the fate of tennis players making their quest and the climb up the ladder. It is a precarious and mighty difficult climb. Not for the feint of heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTIxobZMzBg

Look at how beautifully Panatta closes on the net to hit the forehand angle volley...but Connors runs it down and shovels it down the line one handed for a clean winner. i remember watching Panatta practicing on a back court the day before. He was so beautiful to watch...I remember that. I remember saying to my buddy...this guy has a chance against Connors, he's awesome. Right again...he had a chance but Connors yanked it out of his grasp by the grit of his teeth.

Fabio Fognini is a handsome Italian player that is fun to watch. Speaking of which...anyone remember Adriano Panatta? I was there when Jimmy Connors hit this shot on match point against him in 1978...or something like that. I was sitting up in the very top row...wasted in the spectacle of the Open. Fabulous Fabio carries a permanent petulant look on his dark and bearded continence as he skulks around the court between points. He has a bit of spunk in him but it remains to be seen if it is mostly good looks and image. Can he crack into the upper echelons with looks alone? I doubt it. The ladies like to watch him...and of course we like to watch them.

Alexandr Dolgopolov has been brought to our attention here on tennisplayer.net from the throng of professionals that grace the tour. We had a photo portrait and we had a good look at his service motion as well. Someone even posted an article about his unique circumstances...it may of been me. He is a go for broke type of player and it will be interesting to see how he and the wily veteran Cyprian fare. It could be quite a battle...of little consequence in the end.

One third round match that I am dying to see if it should materialize...Brian Baker vs. The Cabbage Patch Kid (Philipp Kohlschreiber). Should Baker get so far as to be involved in an experience and rematch like this it might be a turning point in his exciting comeback...from all kinds of obstacles. You have to love him!

Just walking around the grounds at Flushing Meadows is quite an experience. You never know who you might run into. If you ever get the chance to go backstage...do it. You won't be disappointed to find out what is going on behind the scenes in the preparation of the players...to feel the energy and the build up of anticipation. Reminds me of the old gladiator days when I was a small boy. I never thought I would live to see a million!

[don_budge]

I Wish, I Wish. Wishlist...Pearl Jam. The projected quarterfinals.

"I wish I was the verb to trust...and never let you down." Eddie Vedder.

I wish that I was in New York City...covering the U. S. Open for tennisplayer.net or somebody. Anybody. I have decided that would be my dream job...to be a tennis journalist. I am just dreaming out here in the wilderness of Sweden. Just wanted to share that thought. The silence here is deafening sometimes...I can even hear myself think. The first rounds are a bit ho hum even in the Slam Events...someone needs to concoct some good stories. I am available for the French Open next spring and I plan on being in Paris. I am going to Paris in December for a horse show to case the joint.

But nevertheless...to start a discussion about women or cars or horses or dogs would probably be thought of as inappropriate here, off thread at least and not to mention too personal as the only real true writer on this forum might suggest. So let's take a look at how the draw at the 2012 U. S. Open Championships would look if I was making it vs. what it looks like with the rules that our very own tennis_chiro has cited.

The "real" draw...the projected quarterfinals.

Federer (1) vs. Berdych (6)
Murray (3) vs. Tsonga (5)
Tipsarevic (8) vs. Ferrer (4)
Del Potro (7) vs. Djokovic (2)

Which logically projects to...

Federer vs. Murray
Djokovic vs. Ferrer

The way "I" see it...the projected quarterfinals the way they "should" be.

Federer (1) vs. Tipsarevic (8)
Ferrer (4) vs. Tsonga (5)
Murray (3) vs. Berdych (6)
Djokovic (2) vs. Del Potro (7)

Which would logically project to...

Federer vs. Ferrer
Djokovic vs. Murray

I like the projected matches with the "controlled" placement of the seeds compared to the "random" selections that are being used. You can see that the #1 seed gets the benefit of the draw that he has earned...in keeping with the ancient traditions of tennis. Wimbledon used to give the defending champion a free pass all the way to the finals.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/david+bowie/suffragette+city_20036917.html

Federer slips past Donald Young in a straight set "wham bam thank you maam", Suffragette City...David Bowie style sort of match. "What I Like About You" by the Romantics, another Detroit rock band, blaring in the background as Federer leisurely crosses his legs during the changeover before he resumes pummeling the "Young American" or "The Diamond Dog" into next week...take your pick. The tennis was early round Federesque...he toyed with Young and made him look like an old man. Federer's pace was way too quick for the younger opponent. He looks to be in superb form. Bottom line...Federer was in position ninety percent of the time, Young was in position ten percent of the time. Roger was all over him like a cheap suit.

The art of winning? Federer gets it. Young does not. Young had zero options other than to play the one game he knows how to play. When he got into the midcourt he was like a fish out of water. Even a surprise play of serve and volley behind his decent lefty serve was an absent option. We don't know about his net game...we never saw it. Well I guess that says it all, it doesn't exist.

There was very little to say about the actual tennis so just a couple of words about the respective fashion statements of the two players. Roger...if you are going to wear all dark blue right on down to your shoes...why would you wear white socks? Come on, Fed...you cannot be serious (in a McEnroe voice reverberating the entire stadium). Those white socks were glaring in the New York nighttime under the TV lights. A trifle gauche. Young won the most accessories category of the match, 6-0. Donald...two big diamond studs for earrings, a watch and two other wrist accessories, plus the necklace. Federer...zero accessories. Good for you, Roger. Nothing more to say. Wait...just one more thing for Donald Young. I suggest that you lose the Nike cap and start to wear the headband...it will accessorize better with the earrings.

The Swiss are marching. He has a date in the semi's he doesn't want to be late for or miss. Speaking of which...his projected date, Andy Murray, served at 28 percent first serve percentage in his first set of his first round match. He won the set 6-2 anyways. But is this further indication that there may be some kind of rhythmic issue in the Murray service motion? Does it have anything to do with how the heart flutters when the pressure is on? On the other hand...Murray color coordinated better than Federer last night. Stay tuned.