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

[stroke]

Correct on both counts. Federer in straight sets and Kyrgios dorking around for a set. So who is favoured in the "Kingdom of Bookies"? What does it mean if it is 3-1 Kyrgios to Federer? Do I read that right...is that what the odds are?

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.

[don_budge]

I have a feeling about Wawrinka but we will have to see how he looks as the week goes on.

You've gotta feeling and I have some questions. I wonder about his form really. But now we are going to get a true indication of where exactly he is at. Next up he faces big serving and big man with a two handed backhand playing like a retriever behind the baseline a vast majority of the time. Stan Wawrinka owns a 4-1 head to head against Milos Raonic and if he has reached a level near his past performance it is going to tell here.

[don_budge]

I would be surprised if Paire could win a set. Vanilla Ice, I would be very surprised if he wins in straight sets. Herbert has a very good serve, and ol Ice Baby has no problem giving away a set. I plan to watch some of both matches. Nick actually did not have a good serving day by his standard in the 1st round. Looking to 3rd round, tough draw as we all know for Fed. To me, Nick is one of only about 2, maybe 3 players who can beat Roger if Roger is at all close to his best form.

Correct on both counts. Federer in straight sets and Kyrgios dorking around for a set. So who is favoured in the "Kingdom of Bookies"? What does it mean if it is 3-1 Kyrgios to Federer? Do I read that right...is that what the odds are?

[arturohernandez]

Fed looks fresher to me. I am hoping for the optimistic scenario. Federer is saving himself and will slowly ramp up when necessary.

But there is still a long way to go.

I have a feeling about Wawrinka but we will have to see how he looks as the week goes on.

[stotty]

Roger wins through. He was efficient enough but he isn't quite as good as he could be. Let's hope he fine tunes just in time for the match with the brat.

[stotty]

Kyrgios is through in four, Roger is a set to the good against Benoire Paire. I am becoming optimistic Roger will be facing a game with the devil in round 3. No hiccups Roger...just get to round 3 as efficiently as possible.

Like McEnroe says: winning slams is all about efficiency.

[arturohernandez]

Muchova Agresiva!

I could just not resist using a very mangled Spanish phrase.

A blueprint for what is missing in the women's game.

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/articles/2018-08-29/karolina_muchovas_artful_allcourt_game_stuns_garbie_muguruza.html

[don_budge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Ice breaks back. At five all...tiebreak anyone? Listening to "Ice Ice Baby" while watching Ice. It seems appropriate.

[don_budge]

Vanilla Ice, I would be very surprised if he wins in straight sets.

Ice isn't looking too happy. Down a set and the umpire is in his ear at the changeover. Make that a set and a break.

[stotty]

Herbert wins the first set. Let's hope Kyrgios doesn't roll over as he sometimes does. It will be great for tennis to get a big match early on in the draw.

Come on Roger....come on Kyrgios. Let's hope they both pull through today.

Paire has the worst forehand in the top 100. That alone should make it impossible for him to beat our man Roger.

[stroke]

I would be surprised if Paire could win a set. Vanilla Ice, I would be very surprised if he wins in straight sets. Herbert has a very good serve, and ol Ice Baby has no problem giving away a set. I plan to watch some of both matches. Nick actually did not have a good serving day by his standard in the 1st round. Looking to 3rd round, tough draw as we all know for Fed. To me, Nick is one of only about 2, maybe 3 players who can beat Roger if Roger is at all close to his best form.

[don_budge]

Nick "Ice Baby" Kyrgios and Roger Federer facing off with their second round opponents soon. We will be better able to gage where there game is. What kind of form they have going into an expected third round clash.

[don_budge]

Interesting comparison...

It's an understandable comparison. Both men are so talented.

Both are so talented...and so flawed. These are compelling characters and it draws attention like bees to honey. Ilie Nastase was one of the "sweetest" tennis players to ever exist. Speaking of his talent...his fluidity. Nick, on the other hand, is pretty sweet in his own right and in sort of out of the Nastase book of sweetness. He's a character but on his good days he is a handful for anybody and very entertaining to watch.

When he has played Federer in the past he has been on his best behaviour. It reminds me of John McEnroe changing his spots to face Bjorn Borg.

I think that match is going to happen in round 3, and it could be something. Roger does not often get perturbed out there, but Nick can certainly do it with his "I can decide to try when I want to and still win the match" attitude.

You said it best..."The Kid" is just too cool for school. Ice Ice Baby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE

Vanilla Ice was an imposter as well. He borrowed his lick from Queen's "Under Pressure".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

Nick needs a dose of reality. Time to focus on who he is and not what he fantasizes it to be.

[don_budge]

Good to see Stan the Man winning again. Beautuful backhand.

As I said...nothing would please me more than an all Swiss final. Stan Wawrinka seems to have found something from the past...his form. If he gets by Milos Raonic in the next round he is off to the races. He will really have his teeth into the tournament and hopefully he will play the inspired tennis he is capable of instead of meekly surrendering. He normally shows up for the Slams...not just physically either. It is as if he throws the switch and finds another gear. The kid he was playing had a nice lefty service motion but not enough to back it up against a player of Wawrinka's level. Wawrinka has to keep upping the ante each match and it remains to be seen if he is really ready to do just that. He looked like he might almost be there against Roger Federer in Cincinnati.

[don_budge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMp2H-0Y7XU

Shame the Shapovaloz match ended with Auger-Aliasamme retiring...that was looking interesting.

Nothing to dramatic happening so far. All the usual suspects seems to be pulling though round one.

Yes it was. Too bad it finished in such drama. Felix must have really lost it all momentarily. Too much drama. Too many men crying in public these days over trivial matters such as tennis matches. Felix is going to be a force this is for certain. The athletism is unparalleled at this point from what I see. Denis "The Menace" Shapovalov looks to be maturing a bit. Too early to tell. But that backhand is looking quite menacing when he is set to pound it and be aggressive. He's young and he has time to develop. A few months ago it was all looking a bit disorganised on the court. A little sloppy. Like his appearance. His pre-serve routine.

But as far as drama goes...it would have been better to see Felix finish than to hysterically exiting the court. I don't discount the fact that he had a serious medical problem though.