2018 U. S. Open Championships...ATP 2000...New York, New York U. S. A.

[bottle]

Don't mess with the cabbage patch kid. He has big eyes and a name that means cabbage clerk.

[stotty]

Not much else to say about the mens draw. Roger, Nadal, and Novak just keep on showing us that they are the 3 greatest of all time, even though no further convincing is needed. Roger has really what appears to be for him almost a practive match vs MIllman, in route to Novak match. In fact, the oddsmakers have him at about a 96% chance of winning the match. Nadal, what a tough win 3rd round. Zverev, I would say this is his most disappointing exit from a Grand Slam.

Both Kyrgios and Zverev were disappointing. Kyrgios rolled over like a wet lettuce after the first set and Zverev just wants it so badly he gets over anxious. He gets particularly anxious on his forehand, which is a major problem. His forehand isn't as secure as it needs to be.

That said, Zverev's backhand just gets better every time I see it. He is the most natural two-handed player you could ever wish to see and has the freest and loosest backhand on tour. It's a positively gorgeous shot. I think it's the most beautiful backhand out there and I'm including all the one-handers in that.

I am really enjoying Jim Courier's commentary on Amazon Prime. I like the inside seat knowledge he passes on to the public.

[stroke]

Not much else to say about the mens draw. Roger, Nadal, and Novak just keep on showing us that they are the 3 greatest of all time, even though no further convincing is needed. Roger has really what appears to be for him almost a practive match vs MIllman, in route to Novak match. In fact, the oddsmakers have him at about a 96% chance of winning the match. Nadal, what a tough win 3rd round. Zverev, I would say this is his most disappointing exit from a Grand Slam.

[stroke]

Stroke - looked at Khachanov's FH in slow motion, looks like he does raise his elbow in the backswing and drops the shoulder to some degree but not nearly as much as Kyrgios or Sock. He definitely has the pre-acceleration into the flip that Brian Gordon talks about. What I find interesting, is how earlier in the backswing he lets go with his left hand and separates his arms. Not nearly as much as Gulbis but does to some extend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8cAUVGkU3I

He does have some shoulder drop. No doubt he has a very violent flip. And he waits about as long as he can to do it kind of like Sock. I guess he is the new modern ATP type 3 Brian talks about.

[seano]

Stroke - looked at Khachanov's FH in slow motion, looks like he does raise his elbow in the backswing and drops the shoulder to some degree but not nearly as much as Kyrgios or Sock. He definitely has the pre-acceleration into the flip that Brian Gordon talks about. What I find interesting, is how earlier in the backswing he lets go with his left hand and separates his arms. Not nearly as much as Gulbis but does to some extend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8cAUVGkU3I

[stotty]

Easy win for Roger. Such a shame Kyrgios is so thick. I mean really dense.

Roger read the Kyrgios serve better than he has ever done before. He just popped the ball back into play and let Kyrgios do the rest for him. Nothing special from Roger, just percentage tennis.

What I like about Roger, super talented though he is, he is prepared to suffer and grovel if needs be. We can't say the same for super dense Kyrgios...too arrogant for that.

The next round looks like a doddle for Roger.

[stroke]

Khachanov was really killing the ball off the forehand, which to me is an interesting technique. He seems to set the racquet to the outside(definately type 3) with no shoulder drop(pretty much straight back technique) and just wait there to throw the racquet head into the ball. He also to me does not have the racquet head above the hand(as Brian Gordon/Macci teach). It looks to be on the same level as the hand are maybe even below. And it looks to be a Jack Sock type western forehand grip.

[stotty]

Heck of a match . Khachanov pushed Nadal to his limits. Liked Kachanov’s attitude. Never gave up. Came very close to beating him. Great mover, very hard flat shots off both wings.

It was....a heck of a match. Nadal hacked, battered, defended, and fought like stink. It's such hard work. You how much longer can keep it up at that level.

You're right, Khachanov moves so well for a big man. He's extremely quick going forward which is actually a little unusual in today's tennis. His temperament was great and he certainly doesn't go away. As with all these types of players, it would be great to see more subtlety here and there.

[gzhpcu]

Heck of a match . Khachanov pushed Nadal to his limits. Liked Kachanov’s attitude. Never gave up. Came very close to beating him. Great mover, very hard flat shots off both wings.

[stroke]

Nadal needed all of those fh's. Khachanov really was outhitting Nadal for the first set and 1/2, his fh really hurting Nadal. Nadal just did what he does like no other, just kept fighting for every point. No pep talk needed.

[stotty]

One set all with Nadal and Khachanov. It's a great game. Nadal's forehand has been something else at key moments. Some the ones he pulled off down the line have been sensational.

[stotty]

Nadal is a set down and 5-5. They are taking a roof break which should help Nadal, but he is by no means in control of the match so far. I would like to see him go two sets down then fight back. Nadal, like Borg, coming from two sets down is always a sight worth seeing.

Khachanov has played his socks off so far. I wonder if he can keep it up.

[stotty]

That means one would have to bet $3 to win $1 if one were betting on Fed, the strong favorite. Or by percentage, the oddmakers have Fed at about a 75% chance of winning the match.

The odds are about right. The 25% is spot on if the right Kyrgios turns up. I have a feeling he'll turn up.

[arturohernandez]

Funny you mentioned this. I was logging in to watch a men's match and this match wasn't over. The first point that I saw Muchova followed her serve to the net and played a serious scrambling wide to the forehand half volley off the return short to Muguruza. Muguruza moved in and tried to go back at the Muchova backhand side of the court but Muchova recovered and anticipated in time to knife a backhand volley behind Muguruza.

A very clever and instinctive play. I was impressed enough to watch a couple of more points and as you say...Muchova was playing a different game than the modern women...or the modern men for that matter. It's a game of geometry and the power of the player is in their control...the ability to dictate speed, spin and control. She defeated Muguruza in that very manner. She didn't just blow her off of the court...she manoeuvred her. Outmanoeuvred her for that matter.

Muguruza is very uncomfortable in the mid and forecourt. It is in the forehand grip...the men also have a difficult time making routine plays in the forecourt when the ball is below the net because they cannot adjust to the grip.

It was a thing of beauty!

Why more men and women don't try this is beyond me.

So many times I see players doomed playing the style that their opponent prefers rather than trying to do something else.

Sandgren ran out of steam but that is what he was doing to Djokovic and it got him a set.

Now imagine someone who had that ready built into their game and kept picking at a player.

In the women's game, I think an all court player would have even more success.

Here is hoping.

[don_budge]

Muchova Agresiva!

She may never be highly ranked but I finally saw a woman who tries to do different things.

Volleys, slices playing inside the court.

Muguruza was lost and looked awkward at best from inside the court.

Muchova looked great when attacking.

One final point, there is no doubt that more of the top women should play doubles.

Muchova was very good at finding angles or spots on the court where Muguruza could do nothing but watch the ball.

It was like seeing a glimpse of what a true all court female player would do today.

Watch the replay or the highlights if you get a chance.

https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/ar..._muguruza.html

Funny you mentioned this. I was logging in to watch a men's match and this match wasn't over. The first point that I saw Muchova followed her serve to the net and played a serious scrambling wide to the forehand half volley off the return short to Muguruza. Muguruza moved in and tried to go back at the Muchova backhand side of the court but Muchova recovered and anticipated in time to knife a backhand volley behind Muguruza.

A very clever and instinctive play. I was impressed enough to watch a couple of more points and as you say...Muchova was playing a different game than the modern women...or the modern men for that matter. It's a game of geometry and the power of the player is in their control...the ability to dictate speed, spin and control. She defeated Muguruza in that very manner. She didn't just blow her off of the court...she manoeuvred her. Outmanoeuvred her for that matter.

Muguruza is very uncomfortable in the mid and forecourt. It is in the forehand grip...the men also have a difficult time making routine plays in the forecourt when the ball is below the net because they cannot adjust to the grip.