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Paes and Stepanek are upstaging Rafa and The Bryans
11 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Paes and Stepanek are putting on a masterclass today here vs. the Bryans in the doubles semifinal on Ashe. They have taken over the court with spectacular shotmaking, it’s like they can’t miss. Magical shots all over the place.
They are the only team that can upstage the Bryans and reduce them to looking like sparring partners.
Not only are they outplaying the Bs, they are out-showboating them too, with their face to face dances and other antics.
They are winning most of the netwars with the Bs also.
What a match. What a performance here by Step and Paes. They are up 4-l in the third, a double break.
Whoa and Step just held from 0-40 down to go up 5-l.
Bryans look shellshocked here as they desperately try to fight back and stay in contention for their grand slam (they won all three other majors this year).
Last night may have been a stinker on Ashe but today’s doubles performance is one of the best you’ll ever see.
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Scoop Malinowski · September 5, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Paes and Step are my favorite doubles team of all time. At their best they can crush the Bs and they have done it numerous times. I have never seen a more entertaining doubles team than Paes and Stepanek.
Mitch · September 5, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Great comeback for them after the Bryans rolled through the first set.
DanM · September 5, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Didn’t see the match, Scoop. How did Paes and Radek pull it off? The Bryans’ have been rolling of late. Great to have a second compelling team in men’s doubles.
Scoop Malinowski · September 5, 2013 at 9:29 pm
They just started playing ridiculous tennis Dan. Paes made some stunning slice chip returns early in the second set, from the duece court he made one right down the line. They both just didn’t miss, also making crazy volleys, Paes with a full stretch overhead winner. I mean, they both got in the zone, it was incredible to see. They were doing their parallel dance face to face, after one big point winner as they walked back to the service line Paes like hugged Step’s head with his arm. They seemed closer than the brothers, more emotional jubilation too. Maybe the best doubles performance of the century, not to go overboard or anything ) But the Bs have been on a tear this year, just three sets from a grand slam and Paes and Step got in the zone. THey are the best electrifying doubles team I have ever seen.
Dan Markowitz · September 6, 2013 at 3:22 am
And to think, Paes turned 40 this year. What about Wawrinka? I had said after he beat Ferrer in Portugal and wrote a piece about who would be the next non-slam winner to win a slam, that Stan was looking like a different player. But now to have knocked off Berdych and Murray in successive matches is pretty impressive.
How do you like his chances to continue to mow down Djoko and Rafa? Magnus Normann would take on deity ranking in coaches if Stan could pull that off.
Scoop Malinowski · September 6, 2013 at 9:17 am
You can’t discount Wowrinka’s chances to beat Djokovic and Nadal, this guy is shocking the world this week, he may not be done. Wasn’t Magnus Norman the coach of Soderling when he cruched Rafa at the FO?
Dan Markowitz · September 6, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Think Magnus was. I saw him at the Open early last week. That guy must be some coach because Stan Wawrinka was going nowhere fast until he hired Magnus.
What do you mean Nadal might not be done. Here’s the real work now, not that I think Gasquet will give him any run. Up until now, he’s coasted, no one except Kohlscreiber has remotely tested him. Now we’ll see if his last two opponents can win more than a set.
Thomas Tung · September 6, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Would LOVE to see Wawrinka win the Open; however two very determined, stubborn people are in his path … (I’m thinking Djokovic and Nadal). My pick is Nadal for the Open.
Dan Markowitz · September 6, 2013 at 5:53 pm
I think at this stage Nadal is the overwhelming favorite. There’s no reason to believe Gasquet can beat Nadal, but I’d give Wawrinka a 40 per cent chance that Wawrinka can beat Djokovic. I haven’t seen the relentless Djokovic that can beat Nadal.
Just curious, how many of you are in favor of the Monday finals?
Sarah · September 7, 2013 at 5:31 am
I can’t believe Paes is 40 years old. He looks so fit and agile on the court.
Scoop Malinowski · September 7, 2013 at 9:42 am
Sarah; Paes looks the same as he always had for the last decade, so quick, spirited, fit, agile, so young at heart. He’s a marvel of the sport.