2009 US Open

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Final Slam of the year underway.

Anyone following the tournament?

Going to get started with tonight's feature match:

Murray -8.5 vs Gulbis @ 2.03 1.5u

Murray of course is one of the favourites for the title, has had an outstanding lead-up and is an expert at dismantling his opponents' games. Gulbis is a big talent, but has had a poor year after somewhat of a breakthrough campaign in '08 and I think Murray will break him down over the course of a best of 5, with one blowout set tossed in there.

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 0-1, -1.5u

Bad start there, Murray never really able to break away.

Monfils -4 vs Chardy @ 2.17 1.5u

I'd not a fan of Monfils, but I have to admit he's certainly improved his consistency over the past couple of years. Chardy has shown glimpses but has never really reached Monfils' heights and is also coming off a poor loss in New Haven.

Safin +3 vs Melzer @ 1.87 1.5u

Safin has been pretty poor all season but should give a special effort for his final Grand Slam, and one of his favourite tournaments to boot. Melzer is somewhat of a mental midget himself so should present Marat with enough chances.

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 2-1, +1.56u

Hot start by Safin there saved my bacon.

Robredo -4.5 vs Garcia-Lopez @ 2.01 1.5u

Robredo should just be too consistent for mine. Hasn't been too bad the past couple of matches, whilst Garcia-Lopez's form is pretty poor.

Hernych +8.5 vs Davydenko @ 1.70 1.5u

Davydenko is still one of the better players going around but hasn't really clicked yet this hardcourt campaign. Hernych is a journeyman, but knows how to battle as evident in his first round 5 set win over grinder Schuettler.

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 3-2, +1.58u

Federer -7.5 vs Hewitt @ 1.99 1.5u

Fed owns this matchup and enters with confidence from the past few months. There's nothing to make me think that this result will be too different from the norm.

Kohlschreiber +2.5 vs Stepanek @ 1.89 1.5u

Kohlschreiber for mine has been the better player recently, though has struggled to convert form into the major events. The same could be said about Stepanek, who should give Kohli enough chances here to go close.

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Blake -3.5 vs Robredo @ 1.94 1.5u

Blake is the definition of a confidence player and from all reports, his confidence is on the rise after escaping a tight match with Rochus. That could be a turning point match for him after what's been a poor few months. Robredo is as solid as they come but if Blake is on he has the superior hard court game for mine.

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 3-5, -2.93u

Ugly, ugly, ugly yesterday.

Almagro +8 vs Nadal @ 2.13 1.5u

Almagro actually can handle himself well on hard courts and his big serve should help him win his fair share of games on these fast courts. Nadal is working his way back into form but if his last match is any indication, he's not quite there yet.

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 4-5, -1.23u

Almagro did the job yesterday. Unfortunately it seems Nadal has picked up another injury, which is a shame. Will be telling to see how it affects him next up against Monfils.

Federer -8 vs Robredo @ 2.02 1.5u

Federer has "struggled" through the first 3 rounds and traditionally it's only a matter of time until he works out the kinks in his game and hits the comfort zone. Robredo seems the perfect opposition for this to occur against against, given his "basic" game.

Isner +3.5 vs Verdasco @ 1.86 1.5u

Isner caused a sensation by ousting US #1 Roddick last up and I'm getting the sense this guy is no one hit wonder. His confidence is sky high at the moment and he seems quite switched on from his comments in the media. The crowd will be full of support and Verdasco has had his troubles with these types before (see Karlovic). Verdasco was also hardly convincing in scraping over Haas, although his ability to fight through is noted given this is an old weakness of his.

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Djokovic -5.5 vs Stepanek @ 2.02 1.5u

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 6-6, +0.33u

Cilic +7.5 vs Murray @ 1.76 2u

Murray was in imperious form in dismantling Dent, but in reality that match up was perfect for him. Cilic offers a tougher proposition, being a far more solid player who appeared to play himself into form with his easy win last round. He's got the capacity to stop this from being a blowout and could even sneak a set.

Gonzalez +2 vs Tsonga @ 1.98 2u

Needless to say, there'll be plenty of big hitting between these two. Tsonga as we know he is a heck of a player when he gets on a roll, but has lacked consistency throughout the 2nd half of the year. Gonzalez has the edge in experience and Grand Slam results and has played himself into some good form here.

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 8-6, +3.82u

Gonzalez +5 vs Nadal @ 1.91 2u

Nadal took care of the clownish Monfils quite easily, although it does seem like his serving pace is still down a little due to the abdominal injury. Even so, he's a tough beast to handle, but I think Gonzo can give him a good fight here. Gonzalez was in terrific form in ousting Tsonga and has given Rafa troubles in the past. He should be able to keep his head in the match longer than Monfils and really test Rafa out if he indeed is hurting.

GL

onionsoup_ · Hall Of Fame Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 1086

Posted 8-7, +1.82u

Federer -5 vs del Potro @ 2.01 1.5u

del Potro was stunning against Nadal, but this matchup doesn't suit him as well with Roger able to vary his game up a bit more. Fed also seems to have his "mojo" back with this winning run and should be able to capitalise on any first Grand Slam Final nerves for the Argentine.

GL