Nadal furious at being sent on court in rain

Live Tennis Staff - 8 Sep 2011
Rafael Nadal was livid with the tournament referee at being sent on for his US Open fourth round match against Gilles Muller while it was still raining.

There was still light drizzle in the air as Nadal and Muller were sent on to start their last sixteen clash before heavier rain forced them off after barely 20 minutes of action. Nadal blatantly did not want to be out there in the slippy conditions and some sharp form early on from Muller did not help his mood as the Luxembourg player shot off to a 3-0 lead.

"Grand Slams is about a lot of money. We're part of the show. They're just working for that, not for us. They know it's still raining and call us onto the court. That's not possible," Nadal ranted.

"I understand the fans want to see tennis but the health of the players is the most important and we do not feel protected. We want to feel good when we are playing a tournament and we cannot accept these things. We have to fight to change things, to have enough power that we don't have to go on court when it's raining. If I have to go on court, I'll go on court, but I don't think it's fair."

Nadal, Andy Murray and Andy Roddick immediately headed to the tournament office once play was suspended to voice their concerns.

The poor weather and generally bizarre scheduling in New York has led to a huge backlog of matches with play set to continue into next week.

Do not count on this being the last drama concerning the tournament's decisions before the 2011 US Open ends.

Novak Djokovic urges US Open to build show-court roofs

Live Tennis Staff - 8 Sep 2011
Novak Djokovic is hoping the US Open will finally see sense and construct roofs over the show courts after rain disrupted the schedules for the third year in succession.

The tournament has been postponed until a third Monday for the past two years and that seems almost a certainty this year thanks to the heavy showers which have wiped out play over the past couple of days.

Despite it's status as one of the top four events in tennis, the US Open's provisions for dealing with rain are archaic for the 21st century with no covers and officials having to wipe the cement surface dry with hand towels.

Djokovic has been left waiting until Thursday to play his quarter-final match with Janko Tipsarevic and the world number one is desperately hoping the tournament will follow suit with the rest of the majors in constructing a roof.

"It's been like this in New York for the last couple of years. It's been happening more often than we expect it to so maybe this tournament should consider a roof in the future,'' he told ESPN.

The two-time finalist will be pleased to hear that plans are currently being made to remodel both Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadium with retractable roofs. Arthur Ashe will be made much smaller to accommodate this as putting a roof on the current towering stadium presents an engineering and financial nightmare.

Murray admits he may face impossible US Open task

Live Tennis Staff - 8 Sep 2011
Andy Murray admitted he has been left with an uphill battle as rain continues to play havoc with the schedule on day ten of the US Open.

Murray is still waiting to complete his fourth round match against Donald Young and faces a possible four best of five sets matches in four days although the men's final will almost certainly get moved to a third Monday.

"It's incredibly difficult anyway with the guys who are at the top of the game but there's not a whole lot we can do," Murray said.

"The days are quite draining. Today, for example, we were told 4.30pm [to play] so we were warming for 4.30pm, then it was 4.45pm, and it's every 15 minutes until 5.30pm. So we're warming up, warming up and they're putting it back, putting it back, and then we get cancelled at 5.45pm. So that whole hour - getting in the right frame of mind, warming up, adrenaline going - it's tough."

Murray managed to play just three games against Young before rain hit Flushing Meadows again with the American leading 2-1 on serve. However the fourth seed was furious that they had even been asked to take to the courts with parts of the surface still very damp.

"It was still raining when we went out and you can't play on a hard court when it's raining because the lines are so slippy," he said. "They had towels along the back of the court, it was still soaking wet and the balls were going into puddles. The referee said it wasn't in play but if you chase down a lob or you're pushed back, it is in play. They [referees] stand on the court and say it looks alright, but if you try moving at the speed we're moving at and changing direction, it's completely different. It just didn't make sense."

Serena Williams v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova U.S Open

Live Tennis Staff - 6 Sep 2011
Serena Williams will continue her U.S Open title charge on Wednesday with a quarter-final showdown against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Serena Williams still hasn’t lost a set in this year’s U.S Open, raising questions about the decision to make her the 28th seed in the draw at Flushing Meadows. The former world No. 1 entered this competition in terrific form, showing plenty of slam-winning form, and winning two WTA titles in recent weeks.

She booked her place in the last eight by defeating another former rankings topper, Ana Ivanovic. Ivanovic wasn’t completely outclassed by Williams in the fourth round, but she wasn’t able to do much to prevent her straight sets loss (6-3, 6-4). Eight double faults held the Serb back, and the fact that she hit more winners than Williams wasn’t enough to enable her to upset the odds.

Williams will now take on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Wednesday in the quarter-finals. Pavlyuchenkova should be in good spirits after recording a superb 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 success against Francesca Schiavone in round four, but she’ll need to maintain this level of play to test Williams, who is arguably the tournament favourite. It will be fascinating to see how this contest pans out.

Novak Djokovic v Janko Tipsarevic - US Open 2011 live

Live Tennis Staff - 6 Sep 2011
There's a guaranteed Serbian semi-finalist at the US Open as Novak Djokovic takes on Janko Tipsarevic.

Djokovic missed six set points but he eventually got past Alexandr Dolgopolov 7-6, 6-4, 6-2 after a marathon opening set which went all the way to 16-14. It's the closest Djokovic has come to dropping a set at this tournament and now he has the admittedly strange experience of taking on close friend and Davis Cup team-mate Tipsarevic.

"We are professionals," Djokovic told the media. "Certainly we both want to win the match when we play against each other.  So you kind of forget about friendship.  You put that aside.  You know, we never played Grand Slam, though.  We never played best of five against each other, so it's going to be a first time experience for both of us.  I think it's his first quarter-finals ever in Grand Slam.  He's playing the best tennis of his life.  He's very confident.  But there is certainly this mentally strange feeling when you're playing somebody that is one of your best friends in the private life, as well.  So you got to handle that, as well."

Djokovic has won both their past matches but Tipsarevic has given him his fair share of problems, pushing him to three sets on the grass of Queens in 2008 and in Belgrade a year later. However that was two years ago and Djokovic is a vastly improved player now compared to then. He's had few problems when playing Viktor Troicki this year, handing out several one-sided beatings.

"We were supposed to play semis in Belgrade, but because of injury I didn't go on court," Tipsarevic said. "I remember that the longer the match was progressing that he was playing much better.  I'm not saying I'm gonna try and keep it short because it's obviously impossible, but, you know, I remember in both matches that I started really well and then I kind of backed  --  went back like for a few meters, and then it's just not the way.  You really need to go for your shots and use the opportunities that you have if you want to have a chance against this guy."

It's been one of the best tournaments of Tipsarevic's career. He's taken out Tomas Berdych and Juan Carlos Ferrero but even his most fanatical fans will have to admit he has fairly little chance in this one given how the top seed is playing.

Ana Ivanovic v Sloane Stephens U.S Open match

Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011
Ana Ivanovic will face the challenge of Sloane Stephens tonight in the third round of the U.S Open


Ana Ivanovic had been scheduled for a tough second round clash against Petra Cetkovska in the second round of this year’s U.S Open, but was handed a walkover victory before play could begin. The former world No. 1 will now continue her campaign in New York with a third round contest against young American Sloane Stephens.

As the sixteenth seed, Ivanovic has a good opportunity to work her way into the second week of this competition, and she may well be on course for her third career fourth round appearance here. She’s never gotten beyond round four though, despite having the ability to be a serious challenger in hard court slams.

Ivanovic can expect Stephens to give it her all tonight, and it doesn’t look like the Serb will necessarily enjoy an easy match against the world No. 106. Stephens has relished playing in front of a home crowd here, and she should be in an optimistic mood following her 6-1, 7-6(4) win against No. 23 seed Shahar Peer. If the American is at her best, this could be a fascinating clash.

Vera Zvonareva v Sabine Lisicki U.S Open match preview

Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011
Vera Zvonareva and Sabine Lisicki will meet on Sunday for a n eagerly awaited fourth round showdown at the U.S Open

Zvonareva has a 3-0 head to head record against Lisicki.(credit: Wikimedia)

Vera Zvonareva was involved in a third round dogfight in New York this week against Anabel Medina Garrigues, but pulled through in straight sets (6-4, 7-5) after two gruelling hours. Zvonareva made more unforced errors than the Spaniard, though her more aggressive approach ultimately paid off in the end.

The second seed will now take on Sabine Lisicki of Germany for a place in the quarter-finals. Lisicki is looking like a serious threat at the moment, and she only needed 52 minutes to complete her 6-0, 6-1 dismissal of Irina Falconi in round three. The German took all six of her opportunities to break Falconi’s serve, and she doesn’t seem to be fazed by the prestige of this tournament.

Zvonareva won all three of her previous meetings against Lisicki, though she’s had to work hard for every win. She’s edged past Lisicki twice this year in straight sets, and this doesn’t make her a clear favourite by any means. Lisicki should be very competitive on Sunday, and the world No. 2 is going to need to be in top form.

Monica Niculescu v Angelique Kerber U.S Open match preview

Niculescu has a 1-0 match record against Kerber.(credit: Wikimedia)
Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011

Monica Niculescu and Angelique Kerber are both unseeded in this year’s U.S Open, and neither of them were expected to remain in the draw for week two. That said, both players have excelled in the opening three rounds, and one of them will be taking part in the quarter-finals here in Flushing Meadows.

Monica Niculesca and Angelique Kerber are scheduled to meet on Sunday for an unexpected fourth round clash at the U.S Open

Results have unfolded favourably for Niculescu and Kerber, though Kerber was forced into producing one of the upsets of the tournament to dismiss Agnieszka Radwanska in round two (6-3, 4-6, 6-3). Niculescu and Kerber both booked their place in round four with comfortable straight set victories, and form doesn’t seem to be an issue for either of them.

Following a sole success in 2008, Niculescu has a 1-0 head to head record against Kerber. Even so, this 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 result could easily have gone in Kerber’s favour, and the Romanian won’t be expecting an easy matchup here. These two underdogs will be eager to rise to the occasion, and the fans in New York should be in for a treat on Sunday.

Andy Murray v Feliciano Lopez - US Open 2011 live

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Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011

Murray knows he's extremely lucky to still be in the competition after finding himself two sets down on Friday against an inspired Robin Haase. Murray looked listless and he appeared lost for answers to Haase's hitting but the Dutchman's fitness failed him and the fourth seed was able to pull through 6-2, 6-0, 6-4.

Andy Murray has a tough task against Feliciano Lopez on day seven of the 2011 US Open.

He will need to raise his game to stay in the competition against the experienced Lopez who has been enjoying a superb season, reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals and inspiring Spain to a thrilling Davis Cup win over the United States.

"I'm going to need to play better on Sunday or I'll be going home," Murray said. "You know, you can't come through four or five matches like that.  You know, I'm going to need to play better, for sure.  Physically I'm good.  I feel fine.  No pain or aches or anything.  So that's a huge positive."

The good news for Murray is that he loves playing left-handers largely because their favourite lines of attack lead right into his strength - the double-handed backhand. He has a great record against Lopez, winning all five of their career matches and 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at Wimbledon earlier this year.    

"Well, I think I have to play aggressive, no?  If you want to beat one of these players on the top four, you have to be aggressive and you have to really go for it," Lopez said. "I mean, I'm not going to beat Andy playing from the baseline and waiting for him to miss.  I have to be really aggressive, to play my game, and to believe.  This is what I have to do, I think."

Shuai Peng v Flavia Pennetta U.S Open match preview

Pennetta has a 4-0 match record against Peng.(credit: Wikimedia)
Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011

Shuai Peng isn’t amongst the immediate title contenders in this year’s U.S Open, but she might have an outside chance of clinching the title given the way that the tournament has unfolded so far. The thirteenth seed doesn’t have any easy matches ahead of her, but following the early exit of Maria Sharapova she stands out as one of the most capable players in

Shuai Peng faces a tough fourth round contest at the U.S Open on Sunday against Flavia Pennetta

her section of the draw.

Peng’s fourth round opponent will be No. 26 seed Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta was involved in a tense three-setter against Maria Sharapova in round three, and eventually caused a major upset by ousting the former world No. 1, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Pennetta will surely be fatigued after this lengthy contest, but she should be feeling very confident about her ability to extend her stay here.

Pennetta has been engaged in some close fought battles against Peng in the past, but she currently holds a 4-0 head to head record against her. The last meeting between the pairing took place in 2008, and the last three of their matches went into three sets. We could be in for another thriller here in New York, and the margin of victory might be very small.

John Isner v Alex Bogomolov - US Open 2011 live

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Live Tennis Staff - 3 Sep 2011

Isner is in the form of his life after a superb summer season and he's dealt well with a couple of dangerous opponents so far. He had a real tough first round against Marcos Baghdatis, battling through in four before seeing off former semi-finalist Robby Ginepri 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday night.

John Isner is in third round action at the 2011 US Open against Alex Bogomolov Jnr

Bogomolov Junior was once rated as the next big thing for American tennis a decade ago but instead he's spent most of his career as a journeyman on the challenger circuit. Isner admitted in his press conference that it's so tough to break out from that level.  

"Fortunately for me I was able to when I first started my ranking shot up really high because of the D.C. tournament," he said. "You know, after six months of play, I was top 100 in the world. But, you know, at the beginning of 2008 I sort of regressed a little and I had to go back down to the challengers, because I ended 2008 ranked 140 something, thereabouts.  I knew I had to kinda go back to the drawing board, and I did.  I took my lumps in 2008 and I played some challengers, end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 and started winning a lot of matches."

"It's a very, very tough level to get out of.  You see guys all the time just essentially stuck there, and that's where they are, ranked 180 to 280 in the world or something.  It's not glamorous.  Fortunately for me, I'm glad I'm out of that stage.  I hope to never, you know, get back down there."

Bogomolov is enjoying an exceptional season by his standards but Isner has won all three of their past matches, beating him in straight sets in Miami and Newport this year.

Novak Djokovic looks formidable in US Open second round win

Live Tennis Staff - 2 Sep 2011
Novak Djokovic demolished Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq for the loss of just two games in a devastating performance at the US Open last night.

Berlocq was never expected to test the top seed but few predicted it to be that one-sided as Djokovic routed the Argentine 6-0, 6-0, 6-2.

It was all Berlocq could do to avoid becoming the first man in 24 years to be triple bagelled.

“We are professionals on the court," Djokovic said. "We need to do our job, obviously to win, regardless of who is across the net. I know Carlos off the court. He is a nice guy. Today on the court I had an answer for every shot. I played great.

"I felt a little bit for him in a certain stage of the match in the third set where he was trying really hard to get back into the match. I have to give him credit for fighting."

Djokovic’s opening two performances have put to bed any suggestions that his shoulder may still be causing him problems. He’s dropped a grand total of just three games so far and looks every inch a champion in-waiting.

"The first two sets were ideal," he said. "I could not play better. I was getting a lot of balls back, I was ending the points when I needed to. I was making a lot of winners. My serve was okay, and my return was great.”

David Ferrer v James Blake – US Open 2011 live

Live Tennis Staff - 2 Sep 2011
James Blake looks to roll back the years when he plays David Ferrer at the US Open tonight. 

Blake would love nothing more than one final run at the US Open in front of his many adoring fans as his career winds towards its close. This fortnight is one of the main reasons why he’s still playing and was prepared to drop down to the challengers to find form and confidence.

He was tested against big serving qualifier Jesse Huta-Galung in the opening round but came through in four and now he needs to find something special against the fifth seed.

Ferrer recovered from a dodgy first set to beat Igor Andreev 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 and it must mean he’s feeling healthy again which isn’t good news for American fans. Ferrer is also in the same section as Andy Roddick.

Blake‘s only chance today is to come in firing off all cylinders and try to catch Ferrer off balance in the opening two sets. He’s done it before, winning both their previous matches, the last one coming in Indian Wells last year which will give him belief.

The crowd may also play a big role in this one, it’s last match on Grandstand which means the arena should be packed to the rafters. However Ferrer has plenty of experience of dealing with that, he spearheaded Spain to a Davis Cup win on American soil in July and he’ll probably prove just a bit too solid today.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Sergei Bubka – US Open 2011 live

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Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Crowd pleaser Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looks to continue his comfortable US Open progress against qualifier Sergei Bubka.

Tsonga looks likely to set up a third round clash with Fernando Verdasco barring any major surprises today.

For long-time sport lovers, the name of Sergei Bubka conjures up memories of Olympic pole vault competitions from the ‘80s but unfortunately for his son, he is unlikely to ever escape from the shadow of his famous father.

Bubka junior has spent years trying to carve out a respectable tennis career for himself but he’s never been able to get beyond a career high of 176. However he’s having a promising summer, reaching a challenger final in Kazakhstan and qualifying for the year’s final major. He took full advantage of a decent first round draw, beating Austrian journeyman Andreas Haider-Maurer 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

However he won’t stand a chance against Tsonga, the world number 11, who’s determined to get past the fourth round for the first time in New York. The Frenchman started strongly, beating Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and a good run over the next fortnight could see him back in the top ten.

Mardy Fish v Malek Jaziri – US Open 2011 live

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Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Home favourite Mardy Fish is on Louis Armstrong Court again against qualifier Malek Jaziri.

Fish is about as confident as he’s ever been going into the US Open and he crushed Germany’s Tobias Kamke 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 on Monday. The American is at the peak of his powers and knows he has one of the best all-round games in men’s tennis.

All eyes are on him as the top ranked American yet Fish is going into the unknown as he’s never really been seen as a serious contender before.

“Certainly different pressure than I’ve ever felt. But it’s a great feeling,” he told the media. “It’s hard to say I expect to see myself in the second Saturday of the US Open because I’ve never done that before,” he said. “I’ve been close once, but I’d like to get there now. I really feel like I belong there. I can get there. If I were to pick a tournament, a Grand Slam that I could [win], it would be this one.”

Fish’s first big test may come against the powerful South African Kevin Anderson in round three but Jaziri should not test him today.

The Tunisian qualifier is enjoying his own Indian summer, hitting a career best ranking of 181 and reaching the main draw of a slam for the first time. He knocked out an out of sorts Thiemo De Bakker earlier in the week and will be loving his shot at the big time on a stadium court. Can he get a set ?  Probably not.

Novak Djokovic v Carlos Berlocq – US Open 2011 live

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Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Novak Djokovic is unlikely to have too many problems tonight against Carlos Berlocq at the US Open.

Such is the form that Djokovic is in, most of his concerns so far at the US Open have come off-court. In between training sessions, he’s been shooting modeling campaigns for watchmaker Audemars Piquet and his beloved poodle Pierre has managed to make it through customs to join him at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic was crushed when UK officials refused to allow his dog to join him during Wimbledon.

Apart from that, Djokovic has been getting a little irritable about all the questions he’s copping over his reported use of the space-age style hyperbaric recovery chamber. Dubbed tennis’ version of the Orgasmatron, it has helped Djokovic keep in peak condition this season but he’s become strangely cagey on the subject and snapped that he ‘didn’t want any more questions about it’ after his first round win.    

He should face few problems on court tonight against Argentine Berlocq who has a poor 8-15 win-loss record in 2011. He’s never been past the second round in New York and it’ll be one of the biggest shocks in history if he makes it through tonight.

Djokovic will already have half an eye on a potential third round meeting with Nikolay Davydenko which will cause him much more concern.

Maria Sharapova v Flavia Pennetta U.S Open match preview

Sharapova defeated Anastasia Yakimova in round two.(credit: Wikimedia)
Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Maria Sharapova will bid to continue her U.S Open run on Friday when she meets Flavia Pennetta in round three

Despite having struggled in her tournament opener against Heather Watson, Maria Sharapova was in blistering form on Wednesday against Anastasia Yakimova of Belarus. The former world No. 1 needed just an hour and ten minutes to earn her berth in round three, and the rest of the field here will be well aware that she’s in contention to win the title.

Sharapova’s attacking game was incisive enough to cut through a Yakimova defence that was more stubborn than the scoreline would suggest. The underdog hit just six unforced errors, and Sharapova could have ended up in trouble had she not managed to take her chances.

Next up for the Russian will be Flavia Pennetta. Pennetta stormed through to the third round with a 6-0, 6-3 thrashing of Romina Oprandi, and she’ll be aiming to continue playing with confidence. Whilst she won her last match against Sharapova (Los Angeles, 2009), it’s unlikely that Pennetta will be allowed to control the pace of this upcoming contest.

Sharapova will be the favourite here, and on current form she should have the edge on Friday. Pennetta is good enough to make this a very tough clash though, and it will be interesting to see who ends up earning a place in the fourth round.

Sabine Lisicki v Irina Falconi U.S Open match preview

Lisicki has handed a walkover in round two.(credit: Wikimedia)
Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Sabine Lisicki will continue in New York with a third round clash against Irina Falconi

Sabine Lisicki had been scheduled to meet Venus Williams this week in the second round of the U.S Open, but she escaped the threat of the former world No. 1 as Venus was sadly forced to withdraw due to illness. The German will now be aiming to make the most of her opportunity to succeed here in Flushing Meadows, and there’s a good chance that she’ll feature in
week two.

Lisicki won the WTA Dallas title last week, and her displays throughout the season have been worthy of praise. She’s climbed the WTA rankings with little trouble, and demonstrated plenty of nerve in major competitions. The world No. 18 began here with an assured 6-3, 6-3 dismissal of Alona Bondarenko, and it will be fascinating to see just how far she can go.

The next matchup for Lisicki will be a third round showdown against Irina Falconi of America. Falconi is ranked just inside the top eighty, but might not be such an outsider with the backing of the home crowd on Friday. Even so, she’s got a mountain to climb here, and Lisicki should have enough firepower to leave the court as the victor.

Vera Zvonareva v Anabel Medina Garrigues U.S Open match preview

Zvonareva will be aiming for a more comfortable victory on Friday.(credit: Wikimedia)
Live Tennis Staff - 1 Sep 2011
Vera Zvonareva faces a tricky third round clash at the U.S Open on Friday against Anabel Medina Garrigues

Vera Zvonareva didn’t have everything her own way on Wednesday against Kateryna Bondarenko, but managed to eventually prevail with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 victory. The second seed will be aiming to step up her game in a big way after this close contest, as she could do without another matchup that lasts for more than two hours.

The Russian should still be considered as a title contender though, and we may see much more of what she’s capable of in round three, where she’ll take on Anabel Medina Garrigues. Medina Garrigues was involved in a lengthy three-setter in round one, but she was on song in round two against Laura Robson. The Spaniard defeated Robson comfortably in straight sets (6-2, 6-3).

Zvonareva currently holds a 3-1 head to head record against Medina Garrigues, and all three of her wins were easily wrapped up in two sets. She had to retire in her most recent contest against Medina Garrigues, and was trailing 6-3, 3-0 when she left the court.

The pairing haven’t met competitively since 2008 though, so it’s not easy to assess how Friday’s matchup will pan out. Zvonareva is considered the favourite, but she may have to dig deep to achieve another win against the world No. 33 here in New York.