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U.S. Open Scoops Thursday (with Updates)
6 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Maybe Fish and Monfils didn’t just have bad days in their losing matches at the U.S. Open. Maybe Novak Djokovic is performing the best tennis he’s played in three years. Because Mats Wilander has gone on the record saying Novak Djokovic can win the U.S. Open the way he is playing right now, Mats says he really likes the way the former finalist is looking on the court and rates him a chance to defeat Federer and Nadal. A Serbian reporter confided me this information which he obtained directly from the former world #1 and current Eurosport commentator.
Former pop star, singer and actress Grace Jones, still dazzling looking, made a brief appearance in the player lounge before the Wozniacki-Cibulkova match but suddenly disappeared before I could discuss tennis with her.
Michael Chang is here with his pregnant wife Amber. Michael says he expects to be a father “soon.” Be sure to look for the Michael Chang Biofile at this site in the coming weeks.
Ken Rosewall was spotted walking the grounds near the fountain and Mel Purcell was on hand enjoying Federer vs. Soderling last night.
Fernando Verdasco and his team arrived to hit on the practice courts yesterday during Nadal’s session and gestured polite hellos and waves to his quarterfinal opponent tonight, but no further pleasantries were exchanged. Verdasco, attired in white shorts and orange shirt, opted to hit on court P3, which was one court away from Nadal who was on P1 with #1 junior Juan Sebastien Gomez. Verdasco has never beaten his friend Nadal and will hope to change that pattern in tonight’s main event on Ashe Stadium.
Greg Rusedski is covering the tournament for Sky Sports.
Unheralded American Robin Anderson is ahead 6-3 on Laura Robson on Court 13 as I write this…be sure to read the EXCLSUIVE Robin Anderson Biofile if you haven’t already…one USTA coach told me she is a good player but she doesn’t really have any big weapons. Oh really???
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Updates:
Anderson KO’s Robson out of the tournament 63 62 in a major upset. Anderson, a Jersey girl with Jamaican roots, has now eliminated two seeds.
Kournikova and Hingis on P1 right now (1:42 pm) Big crowds watching, Hingis in an all-black cat suit. The dynamic duo will play Cash/Wilander in an exhibition tonight.
Dennis Kudla just defeated Evan King on Armstrong 6-4 in the third. Kudla, the #10 seed has ATP points, King will attend the University of Michigan.
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Robin Anderson hit at 9:15-10 with her doubles partner Turowicz, who is a lefty like Laura Robson. I spoke with Robin’s father and coach Denom who said her backhand and serve were very strong today. Robson began playing better in in set two but Robin attacked her forehand with her backhand effectively. Next up for Anderson will be the #1 seed Daria Gavrilova. Some notes about Anderson – Denom says her best attributes are her quickness and defensive abilities and she can hit the unexpected heavy shot when she needs to. She is basically a public parks player, as described by her father/coach. She hasn’t received USTA support yet despite having defeated several highly touted American juniors this year, including the much-hyped Nicole Gibbs. When told that a USTA coach commented that Anderson’s a good player but lacks any big weapons, her father smiled. Robin is a former soccer player. She and partner Turowicz made the QF but lost today to Tiang/Tian 61 26 (11-9). It was a surprise to see this score as I left at 2-2 in the second – Anderson/Turowicz did not win another game after I departed to find Rich Kaufman for an interview for my Marcelo Rios book.
Andre Collarini was defeated in two sets by Filip Horanksy of Slovakia 63 64. Tough loss for Collarini who battled back from 2-5 down to 4-5 but a mishandling of a Horansky drop shot at 30-all (netted forehand) resulted in a match point which Horansky converted with a solid approach and perfect forehand volley. Horansky fell to his knees as if he won the tournament, he was overjoyed. Collarini sulked in his chair for about five minutes before departing the court. Tough loss for the American/Argentine.
Jack Sock dismantled the #5 seed Damir Dhumzur on Armstrong 76 63 and looked very impressive. Sock is a big guy, moves pretty well, fights like Hewitt, cap on backwards, solid all court player but has a good composure and competitive instincts which stand out the most to my eyes. He’s a real fighter who uses Hewitt-like Come awns and vents when ever he loses a point. One time he hit a net cord on a slice approach and though he won the point because his opponent’s pass was just long, Sock chided himself apparently because his execution on a winning point was not to his high standards. I like Sock’s mental toughness and positive nature on the court. He expects and wants to win every single point. He’s very mature with a captivating court presence. I like what I saw from Jack Sock in the 20 minutes I watched and believe he will succeed as an ATP player.
Qureshi and Peschke lost the mixed doubles final 64 64 to Bryan and Huber, the #1 seeds who both appeared to be in vintage, top form. They are a very formidable mixed doubles team and maybe one of the great teams of the modern era. Qureshi seemed happy despite the loss making a very impressive on court interview with Mary Joe Fernandez about how much this tournament has meant to him. I am now a big Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi fan for the way he played on court and the class he showed on and off the court for the entire tournament…
Who is that rocker-looking dude in the Wawrinka box doing all the fist pumps? The Swiss media told me it’s a good friend of Stan’s new coach Peter Lundgren. Stan sure is responding to the super positivity and is one set away from a SF date with the Nadal-Verdasco winner. Youzhny and Wawrinka have split their four previous meetings but the Russian has won both on hard court, Stan won both on clay…
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NAME · September 10, 2010 at 3:35 am
Thanks for the report. I didn’t get out there until around 6pm and only caught the last 2 sets or so of Youzhny. I wanted to see a bit of Anderson-Robson. What’s with Robson. I figured she would roll through the juniors.
Djokovic is consistently underrated at least in terms of the USO potential. However, there can’t be too many former pros with less insight in tennis than Wilander. I give zero weight to who he thinks can win.
Scoop Malinowski · September 10, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Mr Anderson told me Robson just thought she would be able to right the ship and take over the match, that Anderson would begin to falter, but it just never happened, Anderson is a quality player who can play well and win big matches. Robson was very very surprised. Of her many attributes, Anderson especially has phenomenal foot speed and defensive abilities and this was the big problem for the slower footed Robson. I think it’s safe to say Anderson is the real deal.
NAME · September 11, 2010 at 3:35 am
I went to check her out today. She lost to Gavrilova. I was talking to the Dad of one of the other Junior girls that was watching and apparently the girls find Gavrilova very tricky with a wide variety of shots. I don’t see it. But I’m not playing. As for Anderson, for me it’s too early to see who will make it as a pro. Physically none of them seem close to it.
NAME · September 12, 2010 at 1:57 am
“Djokovic is consistently underrated at least in terms of the USO potential. However, there can’t be too many former pros with less insight in tennis than Wilander. I give zero weight to who he thinks can win.”
I’m one match from eating crow.
Scoop Malinowski · September 12, 2010 at 2:22 am
Name, you are eating crow either way. You said Nadal isn’t going to win, “not happening” I believe was the exact quote. As well as the knock on Wilander’s Djokovic prediction. Wilander is looking like a major sage at this moment, as a matter of fact he is at this moment commentating in the EUROSPORT Box with Barbara Schett. Just walked by there two minutes ago.
NAME · September 12, 2010 at 4:29 am
I guess I am.
I thought Murray would win anyway. I always pick Murray — he always disappoints. Then I thought Fed would win over Rafa. So I’m 0-2. Djokovic kills the dream match.