2015 U. S. Open…ATP 2000…Flushing Meadows, New York

[klacr]

Djokovic is #1 in the world for a reason.

Sunday night he systematically broke down Federer. Djokovic is great at getting players to play well below their levels. He made Fed play his B level game. Djokovic's defense and neutralizing capabilities garnered so much respect from Federer that the swiss maestro was pressing and missing routine balls in order to make them perfect. Fed's legs became a bit heavy, technique on the backhand began to get a bit sloppy. Even when it seemed Fed had an advantage in a point, he never truly did as Djokovic would bring it back to even.

Early in the match, Djokovic gained control and never gave that up.

Match stats were interesting though
Total Points: Djokovic 147
Federer 145
But won vast majority of critical points

Of the 23 break point opportunities Federer had. 11 of those came on 2nd serves. Ouch.

Federer's forehand winners 18 Errors: 56
Djokovic forehand winners 15 Errors: 37

And as for this half-volley off return of serve stuff (SABR) - Djokovic hit two pristine lobs right over top to humble Fed and make him second guess this tactic.

Love him or hate him, you can't deny that Djokovic is the #1 player in the world. Scary to think that he is playing, by my estimations, 85% of his true capacity. Just imagine if he actually learned to play the net?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

All-court Classic Game versus Backcourt Modern Game

Djokovic is awfully good. His defence, movement and ability to get in position are simply amazing. I know some find him robotic but nonetheless I really love to watch him play. You just have to enjoy watching someone that good.

Dramatically speaking it is a great match-up. Backcourt modern game versus the all-court classic game. The two best at their respective styles. Shades of Borg and McEnroe.

It's not that Djokovic is robotic…obviously he does tons of improvisational play, particularly against Federer. But he has some rather glaring deficiencies in his overall game. He looks almost amateurish at times when he is at the net.

The game has been over engineered as the artificial condition factors play too heavily in the way that the game is being played. Rest assured…you will not be hearing this kind of talk for long. Memories only go back so far.

[don_budge]

Slow conditions…advantage Novak Djokovic

Federer was 4-23 in break point conversions.

Djokovic was unrelenting in his defense. Keeping points physical, not quick like Federer wanted.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

All indications that the conditions were on the slow side. The rain undoubtably left the air a bit heavier and the balls were picking up moisture. It's all in the game and you didn't hear Federer complaining about anything. The 4 out of 23 is almost inexplainable…it's an indication maybe that Federer was not "on" his game. It is always a combination of conditions and the opponent…not to be confused with excuses.

Novak is the best in the world three out of five day in and day out on any given day. His defence is immaculate but it is interesting how mediocre his game is in the forecourt and at the net.

In the days when the racquets were first enlarged the advantage went to the server and the net player…it simply speeded up the game. But with the advent of the strings the advantage has swung back to the baseline.

But in the end it might just be a factor of youth and age. The legs of Djokovic have fewer miles and more spring in them. Federer for his part is technically past his prime although he did buy a couple of years in the game by switching to a bigger racquet just as the walls were caving in.

It's a great story. The classic game is about to disappear. Tennis metaphoring life…always. It seems that life as we knew it traditionally speaking is disappearing also. This story doesn't have such a happy ending.

[klacr]

Dokovic vs. Federer

Federer was 4-23 in break point conversions.

Djokovic was unrelenting in his defense. Keeping points physical, not quick like Federer wanted.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

I watched some of the highlights this morning. Both players are simply out of this world, aren't they?

When you watch a game like that where the players are so good and the standard so high, you come to the conclusion that it's all about coping with momentum shifts and playing the bigs points. Djokovic seems to edge the big points against Federer. He can be 15-40 on serve yet have no problem pulling the score back.

Djokovic is awfully good. His defence, movement and ability to get in position are simply amazing. I know some find him robotic but nonetheless I really love to watch him play. You just have to enjoy watching someone that good.

I love the Federer/Djokovic match-up. I find that it makes an attractive game to watch. Federer is tantalisingly close to winning at times. Maybe next time.

[don_budge]

The Loser…Roger Federer

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/...-loss-reaction

Roger's thought about coming out on the short end of the stick…again. Perhaps his level of play is out of our reach but we can still aspire to have the kind of class that he exhibits. It's only a game…albeit a lot of fun when you win. When you lose…well it's a different story. His attitude is the right one. He speaks about learning of one's self. This is what it is all about in the end. Then we die.

It's fairly easy to look good when everything is going our way and quite a different matter when we come out on the short end. Show a little courage…what the hell…show a lot. Everyone makes that choice…that decision. It is afterall…a human right. How about a "human responsibility"? If there exists such a thing.

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

-Rudyard Kipling from "If"

[hockeyscout]

True. Her lack of graciousness is all too well documented. More surprising, was her inability to handle the situation on the court. She wins that match 9 out of 10 times against her. She was so uptight, nervous, and her lethargic footwork was incredible. Couldn't handle the stage..

EVERYONE needs a dose of humility once in a while, and she received it in spades. Lets see how this plays out. Early indications are, she is, and will always be, the same old Serena.

Serena is playing injured.

[don_budge]

The Highlights…

It came and it went. I never stirred…sound asleep. It was a great tournament. It's nearly over now.

Here are the highlights. Federer did not look particularly sharp in the first set and he needed to be. He needed to get on top to stay on top. It was an uphill battle after that and if there is one player who is tough to play uphill against…it's Novak Djokovic.

[don_budge]

Zzzzzz….

I spent a tenner today for a SKY day pass to watch the men's final...but it won't stop raining. Nearly bedtime here over the pond. At this rate I will have to wait until I wake up to know the result.

I wonder if playing later will slow the conditions up?

Feeling a bit miffed. Roll on that roof for next year...

It came and it went. I never stirred…sound asleep. It was a great tournament. It's nearly over now.

[stotty]

I spent a tenner today for a SKY day pass to watch the men's final...but it won't stop raining. Nearly bedtime here over the pond. At this rate I will have to wait until I wake up to know the result.

I wonder if playing later will slow the conditions up?

Feeling a bit miffed. Roll on that roof for next year...

[stroke]

True. Her lack of graciousness is all too well documented. More surprising, was her inability to handle the situation on the court. She wins that match 9 out of 10 times against her. She was so uptight, nervous, and her lethargic footwork was incredible. Couldn't handle the stage..

EVERYONE needs a dose of humility once in a while, and she received it in spades. Lets see how this plays out. Early indications are, she is, and will always be, the same old Serena.

as usual, spot on

[stroke]

To me it is pretty simple. Players like Vinci and Flavia are just nice, genuine people. A lot of folks just see it and get it.

[don_budge]

On to the men...

You're right: On to the men.

I'm always right.

[bottle]

You're right: On to the men. But as to the other stuff, I have to say: What is it with people who overly admire Donald Trump and object to "political correctness" and yet are oblivious when Donald Trump starts talking about other people's manners? Who the hell does he think he is? A fairy impersonating Miss Manners or Emily Post? Give me an honest gay person any day who doesn't pretend to be something he or she isn't. An insistence on an athlete's perfect behavior at all times reveals a wish to be politically correct and the delusion that one is Emily Post.

How can I trust somebody who thinks it touching when two white Italian women embrace but goes right by two black women doing the same thing-- and it WAS touching, especially Serena's face, which was that of a little girl who loves her big sister.

People here criticize Serena Williams' behavior after she missed a calendar slam by a whisker? If I were an athletic director and you were a tennis coach in my program and you criticized one of our college players who showed frustration after just missing the NCAA singles championship you're gone, you're fired, sorry, no back pay either.

[don_budge]

2015 U. S. Open Men's Singles Final…Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic

As for the U. S. Open. We shall see what we shall see. Three our of five is a different story. If Federer can keep finishing the "foreplay" in record speed he might have a chance to be around at the end…to get to the finals. But this is the challenge…as he said in his post match interview. He has to get to the finals to have a shot at the title. That's from the horse's mouth…and what a stud that horse is.

I wrote this after the Roger Federer win in Cincinnati. I have written many things over the past four years...and it is drawing to a close. The end of the line. Roger Federer is in decline. Roger said in his post match interview after beating Novak Djokovic a couple of weeks ago that his goal was to get to the finals of the U. S. Open. Not to win it...but to get to the finals.

As everything that this tennis player does on the tennis court and in preparation to go onto the tennis court...it was sheer brilliance. I wonder if he knew how brilliant it was at the time. I wonder if he remembers now that he has achieved his goal. By making the finals he has made good on his goal and everything on top of this is gravy. He can go for broke and let it all hang out. One could say that he has nothing to lose at this point in the tournament.

He has sped through the draw in perhaps unprecedented speed and now it is time. Foreplay aside...this is the real thing. The final act. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic.

Maintaining pressure on your opponent. Perfect service motions enabling the player to dominate his serve and giving him the opportunity to put pressure on his opponents. Roger went to work immediately…putting enormous pressure on the Djokovic serve while holding his own like greased lightning. Novak's service games were taking an average of over four minutes and Roger was completing his in under two. There's the game…maintaining pressure on your opponent. Keep the pressure up and the opponent is going to have to crack and crack he did…in the tie-break.

Amazing that the whole tennis planet starts to salivate because of some rather standard net play and net approaches. The serving was the key…it was the gold standard once again. Federer used to be a serve and volleyer…he hasn't discovered anything. He may have found something that had been lost. The same might be said for his slice backhand…that was also instrumental in his victory yesterday, if not as obvious. It was the closest thing we are going to see to Classic Tennis…the same could be said of his match with Andy Murray.

Yep...I wrote this too. Here’s the thing. Pressure? It’s been all one-sided. It’s been all Roger Federer every step of the way. He never missed a beat since that final two weeks ago. He did everything he could to give himself a shot at this match tonight. Each match at the U. S. Open Roger took it up a notch and played well enough to pass through the tournament without the loss of a set. Remarkable stuff...if you ask me.

The pressure that he has put on his opponents has been relentless. His new trademark tactic of taking the second serve on the second bounce has gotten into their heads and only serves to disorient them another degree...he’s using everything he can get his hands on these days. His serving? It’s been immaculate...has he lost it once? It’s still the gold standard.

The match with Stan Wawrinka defied the imagination. Stan himself could only acknowledge just how well Roger Federer is currently playing. He only took his hat off and had nothing but high praise. Deservedly so...he just ambushed Wawrinka. Wawrinka was in excellent form too...he had demolished a red hot Kevin Anderson in the quarterfinals himself. In short...coupled with Federer so impressively dominating his side of the draw and his run at the Western & Southern a couple of weeks ago...I better be careful here...he is the favorite tonight.

The stadium is playing fast according to Wawrinka. According to everyone. Federer’s attack has been relentless. Roger has reached his goal at the Open and now he can just go out and play the best tennis that he knows how to. Novak Djokovic for his part has played apparently flawlessly as well. He announced after his first match he was sending a message to the locker room with his “great play”. Roger did no such thing.

Novak appeared to play great against Marin Cilic but I saw Marin turn that ankle against Tsonga the round before and I am certain that he was at least a half a step slow against Novak. This doesn’t take anything away from Djokovic but it does have one subtle effect. Novak is left wondering just where he is at in terms of his level. The slightest bit of doubt. If the conditions are right today in New York...we will see the “Once and Future King” once more with a new and improved “Excalibur”.

Roger Federer is the “Living Proof” in my coaching paradigm. Tonight he is poised and ready. Everything will have to stack up perfectly for him. He gives away at least six years and so many trips around the planet. He's giving away a lot of miles every time he steps on the court with Djokovic. But his preparation has been immaculate for the last couple of years. This is the moment it was all pointing towards. We shall see what we shall see. It’s what we have all been waiting for.