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

[stotty]

I was really disappointed (but not surprised) to hear Johnny Mac denigrating Bautista-Agut's strokes tonight. I think the quote was something of the nature of he looked like he taught himself to play against a wall.

Far from it, I think Roberto's strokes are a much better model for most players than most of the players that occupy the top ten spots in the rankings. In fact, his forehand and backhand are pretty classic Brian Gordon strokes, although I'll leave it to Brian to say whether that is true or not. Very clean and simple; perhaps a little flat on the forehand, but a thing of beauty when he releases that forehand.

Also, I was surprised there wasn't more recognition of Fabio's shot making against Nadal. Those last couple of sets were so entertaining to watch. Nadal may not be what he was, but to hit 70 clean winners against him is pretty phenomental. I think he hit four winners in a row to break Rafa to serve for the match. And some of those forehands he picked up and took down the line off the short hop were really beyond belief. I'd like to know what his string set up is. And he did it more than once in the last couple of sets.

don

Yes Batista has excellent strokes. Very efficient with no wastage in there. I cannot think what would have prompted McEnroe to say that.

For anyone who is any doubt about Batista'a strokes I found a nice clip that has some really long, high quality rallies to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvObn-4c7_E

I missed the Fognini game but heard it was sensational...one of the best games at the US Open for years in terms of shot making and winners. I just love to watch Fognini perhaps more than any other player. I like his cavalier attitude and swashbuckling style. If Fognini were an actor, he would be an Errol Flynn...

[tennis_chiro]

Bautista-Agut a great stroke model!

I was really disappointed (but not surprised) to hear Johnny Mac denigrating Bautista-Agut's strokes tonight. I think the quote was something of the nature of he looked like he taught himself to play against a wall.

Far from it, I think Roberto's strokes are a much better model for most players than most of the players that occupy the top ten spots in the rankings. In fact, his forehand and backhand are pretty classic Brian Gordon strokes, although I'll leave it to Brian to say whether that is true or not. Very clean and simple; perhaps a little flat on the forehand, but a thing of beauty when he releases that forehand.

Also, I was surprised there wasn't more recognition of Fabio's shot making against Nadal. Those last couple of sets were so entertaining to watch. Nadal may not be what he was, but to hit 70 clean winners against him is pretty phenomental. I think he hit four winners in a row to break Rafa to serve for the match. And some of those forehands he picked up and took down the line off the short hop were really beyond belief. I'd like to know what his string set up is. And he did it more than once in the last couple of sets.

don

[don_budge]

The Use of Upper Case Letters...

She Is Always Improving! It's Unbelievable! To Be That Dominant For That Long... ! IMO, It Is Her Improvements Off The Courts That Deserve The Most Respect.

Why do you capitalize the first letter of every single word? Just curious…it isn't against the law.

[tennishacker36]

She Is Always Improving! It's Unbelievable! To Be That Dominant For That Long... ! IMO, It Is Her Improvements Off The Courts That Deserve The Most Respect.

[lobndropshot]

Serena is awesome.

[tennishacker36]

Serena Has Been Impressive On And Off The Court. Leave It To Pam Shriver To Be Debbie Downer When Interviewing Serena.

😕

[gzhpcu]

Federer has really been impressive. Tonight, Kohlschreiber. Should be no problem.

[tennishacker36]

Rafael Nadal blows two set lead to Fabio Fognini. When all looked to be in total control, the mercurial Italian stepped it up and won sets 3,4,5 to take the victory. Fognini decided to embrace the net in those winning sets. He won 39 out of 54 points when he got to the net. He also did something no one else could do against a great frontrunner like Nadal. Come back from 2-0 down in sets. Before that match, Nadal was 148-0 in grand slams when he won the first two sets. Now make that 148-1. (Note: Rafa lost an 2-0 set lead in finals of Miami in 2005 to Federer)

Fognini next plays Feliciano Lopez. Lopez a favorite of mine as well as to others on this forum. Lopez took our Raonic in straights. Raonic has not been 100% since Spring since he suffered a foot injury.

Djokovic played an entertaining match vs. an in-form Seppi but the Serb made it through in straights.
Ferrer upset by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
Young Belgian upset by Roberto Bautista Agut after retiring in the 4th set.
The 2nd quarter (top half) of the draw is wide open. Paire, Tsonga, Cilic or Chardy will be in the semis of the US Open. Great opportunity for Cilic to make another run and defend those 2000 points from last year, although I think he will fall just short. No way he can get that magic back that he had last year. Right?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Wow! I Turned The Match Off BecUse I Figured It Was Over. First Set Was Closer Than Everyone Realized. Fognini Is A Psychological Mastermind. Nadal Is Probably The Greatest Player To Ever Play The Game Who Now Does Promos With Models....

Don't See Cilic Repeating; I Wasn't Impressed With His Semi Final Wimbledon Performance Against Novak And Though He Looks Good At The Open, I Think He Will Fall Short. He Does't Have The Same Fire That The Retired Wimbledon Champion Goran Had Either. Everyone Has There Own Style Though.

Picking Federer To win This Year!

[klacr]

Rafael Nadal blows two set lead to Fabio Fognini. When all looked to be in total control, the mercurial Italian stepped it up and won sets 3,4,5 to take the victory. Fognini decided to embrace the net in those winning sets. He won 39 out of 54 points when he got to the net. He also did something no one else could do against a great frontrunner like Nadal. Come back from 2-0 down in sets. Before that match, Nadal was 148-0 in grand slams when he won the first two sets. Now make that 148-1. (Note: Rafa lost an 2-0 set lead in finals of Miami in 2005 to Federer)

Fognini next plays Feliciano Lopez. Lopez a favorite of mine as well as to others on this forum. Lopez took our Raonic in straights. Raonic has not been 100% since Spring since he suffered a foot injury.

Djokovic played an entertaining match vs. an in-form Seppi but the Serb made it through in straights.
Ferrer upset by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
Young Belgian upset by Roberto Bautista Agut after retiring in the 4th set.
The 2nd quarter (top half) of the draw is wide open. Paire, Tsonga, Cilic or Chardy will be in the semis of the US Open. Great opportunity for Cilic to make another run and defend those 2000 points from last year, although I think he will fall just short. No way he can get that magic back that he had last year. Right?

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Federer looked like he was playing in an exhibition last night. Really special stuff. Crowd was stunned at the shotmaking. Roger is Roger. Always great to watch.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

From the ATP website:

I was able to mix it up, was attacking, was also staying back some. I was pretty much all-out attack as much as I could,” Federer said. “Obviously I have to manage that against different players when the scoreline isn't maybe so one-sided.”

Federer finished the match with 11 aces, winning 86 per cent of first-serve points and clocked 46 winners to Darcis’ eight. He won 19 of the 29 points he ventured to net. The mix of serve-volleying and chip-and-charging was a tactic he had brought back to his game.

“It would be nice to see more players doing it ’cause I think the mix of the different players and characters of those kind of players makes it cool and fun to watch,” Federer said. “Not that these unbelievable baseline rallies are not cool, but it is nice to see a guy at net and a guy trying to pass, a good net player. It's always been a fantastic thing, like Sampras and Agassi is one of those classics, or McEnroe and Borg. It was epic to watch those guys play against each other.

[stotty]

I am not watching the US Open (why can't I stream live from the US Open website like you guys can?!) but I can tell a lot by the scorelines. Roger and Novak are cruising....Murray stuttering....Nadal still struggling. That's all I need to know right now.

Roger cruising is a good thing. The less energy he expends at 34 in the early rounds, the better.

[klacr]

Talking points:
Novak and Roger look good.
Donald Young into the 3rd round.
Jack Sock succumbs to heat and cramps vs. Ruben Bemelmans.
Isner wins. Karlovic loses.
Andy Murray getting pushed to 5 by Adrian Mannarino.
Stan Wawrinka beats Korean teenager in 3 tie-break sets.
My #1 wife Ana Ivanovic lost in first round. My #1A wife Maria Sharapova didn't even play.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

Kyle,

Is Berdych trying to win the ugliest men's attire contest. Each is worse that the previous. I hope he plays better than he picks outfits!

Berdych's outfit has been ordered and on its way to Boca!
There is a special corner of my walk-in closet that holds all my Berdych H&M clothing.
It's not about the style, it's about the freedom to express yourself. Seeing the world...in color. Dare to be different. Is the outfit attractive or appealing? Hell no! But you gotta support your players anyway you can.

Berdych saw me at least year's US Open wearing one of his shirts. A quick glance and nod of respect was exchanged.

Remember Berdych's sky blue outfit from this year's Aussie Open? I modeled it it tennisplayer.net in my last article on Great Lessons.
https://www.tennisplayer.net/article...great-lessons/

Tberd has an easy draw. 4th round should be smooth sailing. Quarters vs. Roger the test.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[vrc10s]

???

Kyle,

Is Berdych trying to win the ugliest men's attire contest. Each is worse that the previous. I hope he plays better than he picks outfits!