T1B

Pegula pwned Swiatek.

Now four American semifinalists in combined singles draws, not too shabby.

Sinner did a pretty good number on Medvedev.

Ready for the semifinals.


Sinner (1)
Draper (25)

Fritz (12)
Tiafoe (20)


Sinner: He'll be too steady for Draper.
Fritz: He's beaten Frances the last six times they've played -- all on hard courts.

Softball Bat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 05, 2024 1:45 pm Fritz: He's beaten Frances the last six times they've played -- all on hard courts.

Oooof. That will be tough.

[1] Sinner should roll Union Jack in straights. It’s why ESPN slotted them at 3pm and the Americans in primetime. Stage will be too big for Draper, over in less than two hours.

[12] Fritz is definitely a slight favorite over [20] Tiafoe given the h2h record and the level Fritz has been playing at thus far, and who he has beaten (Berrettini, Ruud and Zverev are high quality wins). On paper, Fritz wins in 3 or 4 sets.

Nonetheless this is a different headset. The stakes are the highest they’ve ever been for Taylor, this is the biggest match of his life. Tiafoe thrives in this environment (Ashe at night) and will be the crowd favorite. And he’s been in a semifinal before and fell short. Fritz has historically choked away big matches like this (see Musetti at Wimbledon) and Frances has historically overachieved in matches like this.

I’ll be pulling for Fritzy on Friday, because I think his game is big enough, as an underdog, to take down the almighty Sinner to give American tennis its first grand slam champion since Roddick in 2003. However, as a favorite, I’m still not sure Fritz has what it takes to finish the job and Frances will be in his element. I’m taking [20] Tiafoe in five emotionally draining sets.

Good analysis!

I can definitely picture the scenario where Tiafoe wins.

Fritz is expected to win, and tightness sets in.
The more flamboyant Tiafoe gets the crowd charged up.
The vibe carries him to victory.

Tiafoe I’m pretty sure has more experience on Ashe. Fritz has played more on Armstrong over the years. Not a huge deal maybe, but all these intangibles play into a high emotion match like this.

If Taylor brings the level he played from his last two matches, he could be tough to beat. I think the pressure and expectation and the glorious opportunity in front of him might be all too much mentally.

Hope I’m wrong because he would be dangerous in the final against Sinner. Whereas I think Sinner handles Frances much easier (see Cincinnati). My $0.02

Man, this crowd is so loud rooting for E. Navarro it's got Poptart's girl A. Sabalenka letting out primal screams after aces.

Sabalenka even threw in a few hi-yahh grunts which is obviously an homage to Russia’s partnership with China and Iran.

Though had she done it against Zheng it would have been a racial slight and probably an automatic disqualification. Typical white privilege attitude of Russians and Russian sympathizers.

SM wrote:Sabalenka

Watchable only with sound muted.

Softball Bat wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:56 am

SM wrote:Sabalenka

Watchable only with sound muted.

I'd much rather listen to my jerk fodder than have to listen to Fowler, Evert and whoever else they have on. Though this Aussie they have on right now has an entertaining accent. "Pegula's forehand is...flattah."

Rennae gives you Stubs apparently. Congrats!

Slam tennis is incredible. Aftermarket tickets for the men's final on Sunday starts at $500. In a 24,000 seat stadium.

https://seatgeek.com/us-open-tennis-tic ... pm/6280482

Softball Bat wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:56 am Watchable only with sound muted.

Tennis is best watched with the sound on! I can watch basically any sport with the sound off but I must have the sound on for tennis. Need to hear the sliding, the ball striking, the grunting, the passion. Don't need to hear Evert and Fowler and the McEnroe brothers. But I want to hear everything else.

As expected, Sinner rolls.
Straight sets.

Ready for the main event!

Softball Bat wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 10:34 pm As expected, Sinner rolls.
Straight sets.

Ready for the main event!

I’ll have pics to share, on my way to Ashe. Stadium might launch into outer space by 8 o’clock.

For the 1st time I watched wheelchair tennis during the Paralympics coverage.

The women's singles gold medal game IIRC. At Roland-Garros! Lots of respect for their tenacity.

That's about all of my tennis knowledge... we now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

StrawMan wrote:The women's singles gold medal game IIRC. At Roland-Garros! Lots of respect for their tenacity.

Ditto.

Wheelchair tennis is pretty cool!

Fritz wore Tiafoe down.

Taylor was stronger and more sturdy.

Good run in this event for Frances, but props to Taylor Fritz for making his first grand slam final.

What exactly happened to Frances? He completely fell apart in the fourth set. Polar opposite of how he started.

Tiafoe: I thought I was the better player tonight for sure.


Hmmmm...



He said he had cramps, fatigue, and his "body shut down" in the 4th set.
Said that nerves may have been a factor.

Sinner (1)
Fritz (12)

Fritz can do some damage with his serve and forehand, so I think he'll push this to 4 sets.
Sinner is a more well-rounded player.

A player's weaknesses have a way of shining through in a major final, and I expect Taylor's shortcomings to on display here.

In 4 sets, Sinner claims his second major of the year.

A. Sabalenka wins the women's final, 7-5, 7-5. She pretty much dominated except for when Pegula won five straight sets in the second set. She absolutely crushes the forehand and paints the lines with it. Serve is pretty good too, to say the least. Props to her.

Softball Bat wrote: ↑Sat Sep 07, 2024 2:30 pm Sinner (1)
Fritz (12)

Fritz can do some damage with his serve and forehand, so I think he'll push this to 4 sets.
Sinner is a more well-rounded player.

A player's weaknesses have a way of shining through in a major final, and I expect Taylor's shortcomings to on display here.

In 4 sets, Sinner claims his second major of the year.

Sounds about right, Bat. Fritz’s gas tank and fitness has been impressive this tournament. Let’s see if the NYC crowd (L45B included) provides Taylor with a little magic to pull off something crazy.

L45B wrote: ↑Sun Sep 08, 2024 1:55 pm Sounds about right, Bat. Fritz’s gas tank and fitness has been impressive this tournament. Let’s see if the NYC crowd (L45B included) provides Taylor with a little magic to pull off something crazy.

Awesome. Enjoy the match. Will be watching at home.

poptart wrote:A player's weaknesses have a way of shining through in a major final, and I expect Taylor's shortcomings to on display here.

This is pretty much what happened.

A couple of nasty bad volley errors from Fritz.
Some bad backhand errors, also.

Sinner was impressive.
Just rock solid.

Props to J. Sinner!

Sinner is incredible. Well at least we don't have to see this freak and her freak show mother in law for another four months. What the fuck is she wearing? What an attention whore, and not in a good way.



My god, what is wrong with this woman? Thankfully my mother has the decency and dignity to age with grace. As opposed to, this.

Screw_Michigan wrote: ↑Sun Sep 08, 2024 10:30 pm

He won the whole tournament & all they gave him was a bunch or glass diques?