2021 U. S. Open Tennis Championships...ATP 2000...New York, New York

[arturohernandez]

It is fascinating as Zverev, who has so much game from the back court and such a massive 1st serve, tries to work through his 2nd serve woes. He has made massive progress to my eye, but we will see.

Progress continues. Still not sure if his displays of anger are good or bad. He seems motivated and is playing better. He made it through tough losses and wins. Zverev vs. Djokovic will be epic. I suspect it will go five sets.

[stroke]

One year ago right about now he was rolling in 64mph serves against a cramping opponent in the final. I could see one double fault at a big moment derailing his confidence. Novak already puts immense second serve pressure on the best servers in the world, so if you have any demons he can force them to come out. Stef felt it in the French Open final as we all witnessed. I am not wanting the demons to come out for Zverev, but in my opinion the second serve still is an area players like Novak and Medvedev will take advantage of in the critical moments.

It is fascinating as Zverev, who has so much game from the back court and such a massive 1st serve, tries to work through his 2nd serve woes. He has made massive progress to my eye, but we will see.

[jthb1021]

I feel that way also. Alex does not have a classic kick 2nd serve, but Novak really does not either to me. Certainly Matteo has it, and Harris. I really like his motion.

One year ago right about now he was rolling in 64mph serves against a cramping opponent in the final. I could see one double fault at a big moment derailing his confidence. Novak already puts immense second serve pressure on the best servers in the world, so if you have any demons he can force them to come out. Stef felt it in the French Open final as we all witnessed. I am not wanting the demons to come out for Zverev, but in my opinion the second serve still is an area players like Novak and Medvedev will take advantage of in the critical moments.

[stroke]

Jimmy Arias is a top tier commentator to me. He really seems to know his stuff and presents his knowledge in a very humble likeable way.

[arturohernandez]

JB wins 1st set 6-1. He made 5 winners and oh yes, 1 unforced error.

And then Novak woke up. He seems to always have these wobbles. They don't last long and he breaks out of them in style.

The pressure must be mounting. It will be something like Budge, Laver and Djokovic. Even if you don't like him, it will be hard to not hold this moment in tennis history forever.

Now the hard part. Getting through all the hungry players that want to take the throne from him.

The more I think about it. The more I am going to chose this year as the year of Zverev.

We had 2009, 2014 and now 2021.

I made a prediction but I would not bet a lot of money on it. This year's US Open is turning out to be unpredictable.

[stroke]

Let’s see now that we’re going into the business end of the tournament! I’m not convinced that second serve is rock solid just yet.

I feel that way also. Alex does not have a classic kick 2nd serve, but Novak really does not either to me. Certainly Matteo has it, and Harris. I really like his motion.

[stroke]

I missed the Brooksby v Novak match...too late to watch over this side of the pond, shame. The first couple of sets seemed to well worth watching from the press reports I have read.

Medvedev has had an easy time of it so far but at least his semi should be a match he has to work for. Medvedev is just so terribly hard to break down on a hard court once he's go the bit between his teeth. It is tough to see him not making the final. Novak on the other hand has a lot to deal with from hereon in. Berritini, though terribly disappointing in the Wimbledon final, is no pushover by any stretch.The next likely opponent would be Zverez, who is the player in the best form right now. If Novak got by those two he would likely have to play Medvedev. So, much to do if he is to make history like no other player before him.

I am kind of hoping Novak will do it. I would love to witness a player in my lifetime achieve a calendar slam

Yes, it is a very tough road for Novak to travel to make history ? 2, as it should be.

[stotty]

I missed the Brooksby v Novak match...too late to watch over this side of the pond, shame. The first couple of sets seemed to well worth watching from the press reports I have read.

Medvedev has had an easy time of it so far but at least his semi should be a match he has to work for. Medvedev is just so terribly hard to break down on a hard court once he's go the bit between his teeth. It is tough to see him not making the final. Novak on the other hand has a lot to deal with from hereon in. Berritini, though terribly disappointing in the Wimbledon final, is no pushover by any stretch.The next likely opponent would be Zverez, who is the player in the best form right now. If Novak got by those two he would likely have to play Medvedev. So, much to do if he is to make history like no other player before him.

I am kind of hoping Novak will do it. I would love to witness a player in my lifetime achieve a calendar slam

[jthb1021]

Alex pretty much routinely wins the 1st set. He is serving so well, right now among the best servers in tennis. Quite the improvement from his old 2nd serve woes days.

Let’s see now that we’re going into the business end of the tournament! I’m not convinced that second serve is rock solid just yet.

[arturohernandez]

Lloyd certainly serves well. It's a lovely motion. I think the contact is just the below the apex although some commentators say he hits the ball on the way up...tough to say without seeing it slowed down. I think he just played the game of his life against Riley. Lloyd seems a good bloke and it would be great to see him do well.

Zverev is definitely the player in the best form and is going to take some beating. I didn't think Sinner would win today but thought he might take a set.

Alcaraz is the player of the tournament so far for me. You get the impression that the guard is close to changing. Novak needs to make his mark right here and right now because some of the younger players are looking like a real threat....at last.

Totally agree! The grains of sand are starting to pile up. It's just a matter of time before the hill tumbles.

[klacr]

What an amazing US Open thus far. Had an amazing time there for a few days with two players. The matches, the story lines. It's the morning after and I think Jenson Brooksby is still running.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA, PTR
Delray Beach
SETS Consulting

http://setsconsult.org

[stroke]

JB wins 1st set 6-1. He made 5 winners and oh yes, 1 unforced error.

[stroke]

Lloyd certainly serves well. It's a lovely motion. I think the contact is just the below the apex although some commentators say he hits the ball on the way up...tough to say without seeing it slowed down. I think he just played the game of his life against Riley. Lloyd seems a good bloke and it would be great to see him do well.

Zverev is definitely the player in the best form and is going to take some beating. I didn't think Sinner would win today but thought he might take a set.

Alcaraz is the player of the tournament so far for me. You get the impression that the guard is close to changing. Novak needs to make his mark right here and right now because some of the younger players are looking like a real threat....at last.

Novak has a year at least to win 1 more I would say. Nadal has the 2022 FO only. Fed has what appears no avenue. But no doubt, the 3 reign of terror is dunzo. Novak has to be the strong favorite to end up with the most Majors. Master's 1000's, which most do not factor in, well Novak and Nadal's accomplishments will stand forever maybe.

As far as the Harris' serve, I too think he hits it just barely below the apex of the toss, very similar to Nick in that regard, though Lloyd to my eye does not have the scary quick motion of Nick.

[stotty]

Lloyd certainly serves well. It's a lovely motion. I think the contact is just the below the apex although some commentators say he hits the ball on the way up...tough to say without seeing it slowed down. I think he just played the game of his life against Riley. Lloyd seems a good bloke and it would be great to see him do well.

Zverev is definitely the player in the best form and is going to take some beating. I didn't think Sinner would win today but thought he might take a set.

Alcaraz is the player of the tournament so far for me. You get the impression that the guard is close to changing. Novak needs to make his mark right here and right now because some of the younger players are looking like a real threat....at last.

[stroke]

Lloyd up 2 sets to 1 with a break in the 4th. He actually has more aces than Riley. Lloyd has one of those quick motion hit the toss at the apex motions, and it is rock solid.