The U.S. Open - Pete's PreCap

Is this the U.S. hOpen for the American Men?

Just a few weeks ago, for the first time since around the time Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs, no U.S. Mens Singles player was ranked in the ATP Top 20. John Isner, who had fallen out of the Tumultuous Twenty recently, knocked a hole in the ceiling and burst through the floor by defeating Roger Federer in the quarters in Cincinnati at the Western and Southern Open and then taking down Juan Martin del Potro in the semis and is joined as a U.S. Open seed by Sam Querrey.

He lost to Nadal in the finals in two tie-break sets, but I'll watch a few of these matches any time before having to endure the Battle of the Sexes match again.

U.S. Ladies Fair Better at U.S. Open and Overall

Serena holds both the World #1 Ranking and is seeded the same for the U.S. Open, followed by Sloane Stephens and Jamie Hampton at 16th and 24th, while their WTA rankings nearly parallel their tournament seeds. 

Unlike the men though, you don't have to reach down so far and for so long in the ball hopper before you start finding U.S. women in the Top 100.

Opening Day U.S. Television Coverage

Venus will be playing at 1p and Serena at 7p - coverage by ESPN2.

Federer and Nadal will be playing their matches in Arthur Ashe, but we were unable to find any confirmed TV coverage times.


No More Sick Days

Although the U.S. Open has had to hold the Mens Final on Monday more times in the last several years than it has not, you will no longer (fingers crossed) have to call in sick to work because it is now planned for Monday at 5p. After top players shouted about the Saturday-Sunday marathon for the semi-finals and final run, the adjustment was made.

Hopefully this Monday won't become Tuesday because of the weather and you will not find yourself making excuses to take the day off from work on short notice. This should be even less of a possibility after the two retractable roofs are operational (expected) in 2016.

          

Pete's Poaches

Several days ago Marion Bartoli (World #7) announced she is leaving the pro tour, effective immediately. I guess seven is her lucky number, she reached it and that's all she needed.

If for some reason, the U.S. Open experiences a severe lull, perhaps a few days of simply lackluster match play, the tournament officials could let Bernard Tomic's father/coach in for a few hours just to spice things up a bit. Please don't let the aforementioned happen.

Maria "Marketina Machinivic" Sharapova recently launched a fashion accessory line to complement her Sugarpova line of candy. Don't dare let your daughter be caught chewing on Tennis Gumballs while not wearing the appropriate accessories. Although she withdrew from the Open due to physical problems, it still tastes like a sweet ending (or beginning). I hope she sent Connors some freebies.

The trial date has been set for Capriati's stalking and battery case. Thank goodness she doesn't wield a racket any more - gotta keep it at the misdemeanor level.


Play the Game!