US Open, Flushing Meadows, NY USA - Grand Slam (Men)

[Front242]

If Nick can get past his selectile disfunction and meet Roger, that would be the match of that round, assuming Roger has a decent back and can make it there himself.

I saw what you did there He has a hard on for beating Fed and Nadal.

 

[El Dude]

Is the implication that Nick needs viagra?

 

[Front242]

Tignor just predicted the final as Murray versus Kyrgios with Murray winning

 

[Moxie]

Tiafoe is a dangerous first round opponent, and Roger has to be ready, otherwise he will be out. He looked bad in Montreal.

And Lajovic will not be easy for Nadal either. Lajovic is a good server, but I don't know how good he is on hard courts.

While I'm rather thrilled that you and others are worried about one of my favorite young guns, Tiafoe, I think that threat is overstated. He's powerful, though, and has a good serve, such that if Roger isn't 100%, it's not a match that's going to ease him into the tournament. And maybe Frances could rough him up a bit early doors. By the same token, and at the risk of jinxing Nadal, I'm also a bit surprised that folks are looking at Lajovic as a tough 1st round for Rafa. He's a pure journeyman, he's Nadal's (and Roger's) size, and he's a righty with a 1HBH.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Is the implication that Nick needs viagra?

Only for the lower ranked players...He is just fine for the top dogs.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Hey, you're talking about Querrey, the guy who beat Djokovic at Wimbledon. Be a little kinder.

You are missing the pt. Uncle Sam may be worthy for you and me, but is he worthy enough that Nick is motivated to defeat him? That is the question here.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Tiafoe needs one big, high profile win to breakthrough to another level, and this could be it - if Roger isn't healthy.

Roger's draw is hard, but if his back flares up again then it won't matter - he'll lose to someone. If not, if he's healthy, then he'll do just fine.

Tiafoe only chance is if Roger isn't serving well..Frances is too erratic otherwise to trouble Roger and should thank him for the unpaid tennis lesson he will receive..unlike Rafa, Roger rarely plays down to his lesser opponents early in a grand slam..thats why he is the GOAT

 

[kskate2]

You are missing the pt. Uncle Sam may be worthy for you and me, but is he worthy enough that Nick is motivated to defeat him? That is the question here.

They played in Aca earlier this year and Uncle Sam sent Nicky packing in a thrilling 3-setter.

 

[Moxie]

You are missing the pt. Uncle Sam may be worthy for you and me, but is he worthy enough that Nick is motivated to defeat him? That is the question here.

No, I do get the point. Though I'm a bit flummoxed about the "happy pills" and Viagra part. Nick seems motivated on the big stage. I would say he's also shown some signs that he can appreciate that getting to the big stage requires putting in the work, like in a previous round, say, against Querrey. I also think that, as he gets farther, like the final of a MS1000, pride is starting to work on him to do better. This is my impression, but, if he has to work hard to get to Fed, and he's fit, I think he will. And to my point that you responded to, if Big Sam is having a strong day, he may push Nick hard. Then it's a question of if he's healthy, and how much he wants it. Both things are a question.

 

[Carol]

No offense, Carol, but you say some version of this in almost every new tournament thread. Everyone gets this. But part of the fun of a message board is speculating about the draw and match-ups. I'm not sure why you feel like that's such a problem. Yes, stuff happens - life (and tennis) is complex. But that doesn't mean we cannot happily speculate. It's all just harmless fun.

Wait, have I said something wrong, something that we have not seen before? remember the USO 2016 what happened? and Montreal and Cincy how much the draw changed? of course I've never said that you can't to speculate and also to wish that this player takes out the other which I see that every time right after the draw goes out but later many things change and that's why I like to go day by day and looking how everyone is playing but that's my idea, you can do whatever is more fun to you :mail:

 

[Moxie]

I think Rafa should be happy with his draw. I've already made my case against Lajovic. Sugita is having a great summer, but I don't think he can take the pounding, and I'm not convinced that Fabio is up for the challenge when Rafa is in good form. Gasquet is not a problem, nor is Berdych. That pretty much gets him to the SFs and Roger or Kyrgios, or a player to be named later.

 

[mrzz]

Honestly, Kyrgios sold this notion that he only gets motivated against the big guys and suddenly it became set in stone. I don't buy this just one bit. He is a big server, and that's exactly what happens with big servers: one day they lose in the first or the second round, the other they take out or at least scare a big name. Kyrgios is bit more than just a big server, as his movement is better, but say whatever you wanna say, his stats are basically the stats of... a big server. He does not break serve significantly more than an Isner or an Anderson (in fact, probably less). If he gets beaten by Querrey or some other guy it is just because the other guy played better.

Nothing against Kyrgios -- in fact I am starting to really like the guy -- but I can't help but feel that people see whatever they wanna see in the guy.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Remember guys, the draw is only a paper.

No, especially not the draw in the first round. That is real. Rafa definitely has somewhat of a problem against Lajovic as Lajovic is a big server.
Lajovic is a journeyman as some have said. But, that does not matter. Rafa is susceptible to big serving journeymen too.

 

[Moxie]

Honestly, Kyrgios sold this notion that he only gets motivated against the big guys and suddenly it became set in stone. I don't buy this just one bit. He is a big server, and that's exactly what happens with big servers: one day they lose in the first or the second round, the other they take out or at least scare a big name. Kyrgios is bit more than just a big server, as his movement is better, but say whatever you wanna say, his stats are basically the stats of... a big server. He does not break serve significantly more than an Isner or an Anderson (in fact, probably less). If he gets beaten by Querrey or some other guy it is just because the other guy played better.

Nothing against Kyrgios -- in fact I am starting to really like the guy -- but I can't help but feel that people see whatever they wanna see in the guy.

Nice if you're starting to like the guy, @mrzz, but you still have your prejudices. It's not without merit the notion that he's a big match player, and I won't condescend to you by repeating his record. To call him a "big server," as if to put him in the category of Raonic, Isner, Querrey is to discount his live arm, his athleticism, and his otherwise shot skills. I know this is where you are slow to come to the Nick train. Sure, if he gets beaten earlier, it will likely because someone else played better...isn't that mostly the reason? I do think he needs to make a show of this USO that, at the very least, he's willing to give it his best.

 

[Moxie]

No, especially not the draw in the first round. That is real. Rafa definitely has somewhat of a problem against Lajovic as Lajovic is a big server.
Lajovic is a journeyman as some have said. But, that does not matter. Rafa is susceptible to big serving journeymen too.

I'd love you to inform me, as Lajovic is not someone one watches a lot. Is he really such a big server as to be a threat to Nadal? As I said above, he's also right in Rafa's wheelhouse for picking on that one-handed bh. (6' tall, 170lbs.) Is he a big enough server to get him away from rallies over 5 sets? Or is this just wishful thinking? They've only met once, on clay - granted - but Rafa beat him 1-2-1.

 

[Carol]

No, especially not the draw in the first round. That is real. Rafa definitely has somewhat of a problem against Lajovic as Lajovic is a big server.
Lajovic is a journeyman as some have said. But, that does not matter. Rafa is susceptible to big serving journeymen too.

I know you wishes but be careful just in case they will go against you

 

[DarthFed]

I think Rafa should be happy with his draw. I've already made my case against Lajovic. Sugita is having a great summer, but I don't think he can take the pounding, and I'm not convinced that Fabio is up for the challenge when Rafa is in good form. Gasquet is not a problem, nor is Berdych. That pretty much gets him to the SFs and Roger or Kyrgios, or a player to be named later.

I agree Rafa's draw isn't bad though I wouldn't totally brush off Berdych. And you seem to forget Dimitrov. For as bad as Roger's draw looks he does have the easiest QF on paper, the problem is getting there especially if his back is a problem.

 

[Carol]

I'm sure that Rafa and Dimitrov match would be very interesting and more because they were practicing together in Mallorca and also in NY

 

[Moxie]

I agree Rafa's draw isn't bad though I wouldn't totally brush off Berdych. And you seem to forget Dimitrov. For as bad as Roger's draw looks he does have the easiest QF on paper, the problem is getting there especially if his back is a problem.

I'm not forgetting Dimitrov. You seem to have missed that I wrote him off long ago. He has one win in 9 tries v. Rafa, and that on indoor HC, best of 3, 2016, just before Rafa shut down the year. And I am brushing off Berdych. I've been telling you since the AO that he's on the down slide.

 

[DarthFed]

He just made the Wimbledon semi and gave Federer by far his toughest match.

As for Dimitrov did you miss the 5 setter in AO on a slower HC when Nadal was playing better. Or did you miss the part where he destroyed everyone in Cincy last week. Well anyways I hope your boy is as arrogant as you're coming off.