US Open 2018

PlaneSpeeking · 05-09-2018 1:47pm

Niles Crane wrote: »

If Serena Williams wins the womens I don't think I'll ever go to the ESPN website again.

I really hope she doesn't.

If I have to hear about her and her f***ing kid once more - you would think she is the only sports person ever to have kids.

eric hoone · 05-09-2018 2:42pm

Niles Crane wrote: »

If Serena Williams wins the womens I don't think I'll ever go to the ESPN website again.

Ah come on the Williams' story is genuine box office material? Going back years more so. I agree the obsession with Serenas motherhood is celebrity culture gone mad

dominatinMC · 05-09-2018 2:47pm

yosser hughes wrote: »

Nadal wins in another epic apparently. Finished at around 2 am NYC time.

Extraordinary player, you get value for money watching him anyway.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/45415386

Another classic involving Nadal. Felt really sorry for Thiem though, he gave it everything and looked devastated at the end. Really hopes he wins a FO or two in the next few years.
This match played into Del Potro's hands really, he is going to be facing a tired Nadal on Friday. I backed him at the start to win it, and it's looking good. I can't see anyone on the other side of the draw beating him. A lot of people are hyping up Djokovic, but he's beat no-one yet, whilst loosing sets to Fucsovics and Sandgren. The humid conditions also seem to be affecting him. There would be no more deserving winner than DelPo if he goes on to do so!

Niles Crane · 05-09-2018 9:59pm

eric hoone wrote: »

Ah come on the Williams' story is genuine box office material? Going back years more so. I agree the obsession with Serenas motherhood is celebrity culture gone mad

My big issue is that they won't shut up about her having the baby added to her being a really unlikable person in general (in my opinion).

She's not the only woman to ever have a baby and she's not the only female sportsperson to have a baby and come back and be successful afterwards.

Sonia O'Sullivan won an Olympic Silver medal around a year after giving birth (really a gold when it looks like Czabo was probably cheating) and neither her nor the media went on about it like she was some superwoman.

Serena Williams is an incredible sportsperson and I know there were some difficulties with her pregnancy and I'm sure having a baby is not the easiest thing in the world but the way the media and herself have been going on about her pregnancy and her "incredible" comeback from it is just so off putting .You'd think she was the only woman in the world who'd come back from a pregnancy and was successful after it women in much more difficult circumstances than her come back from having children and are successful after giving birth like they were before, the narrative being created by ESPN in particular that she is some sort of superhero and role model for women everywhere is nauseating.

NoviGlitzko · 05-09-2018 11:03pm

What a match! I love the two of them. Was a bit heartbroken for Cilic there.

lostcat · 05-09-2018 11:24pm

Absolutely no sympathy for Thiem, he had the match won twice but couldn't close it out. These young fellas need a kick in the behind rather than 'jasus, that Nadal is hard to beat, don't worry about it the big three will retire sometime'

Very disapointed that none of the Young guns stepped up yet again, maybe Lendl will boot-camp a bit of steel into zerev..

Of those remaining, hqrd to bet against Djokovic if the heat doesn't get him, he's the best player left and he needs this one to keep the momentum going.

Gwynplaine · 06-09-2018 8:35am

It doesnt happen very often, but Nadal lost more games than Thiem. 26-28.

jr86 · 06-09-2018 9:02am

dominatinMC wrote: »

Another classic involving Nadal. Felt really sorry for Thiem though, he gave it everything and looked devastated at the end. Really hopes he wins a FO or two in the next few years.
This match played into Del Potro's hands really, he is going to be facing a tired Nadal on Friday. I backed him at the start to win it, and it's looking good. I can't see anyone on the other side of the draw beating him. A lot of people are hyping up Djokovic, but he's beat no-one yet, whilst loosing sets to Fucsovics and Sandgren. The humid conditions also seem to be affecting him. There would be no more deserving winner than DelPo if he goes on to do so!

When all is said and done I'd still nearly always fancy the big guns against Del Potro

Nishikori has some record in 5 setters. I think he's now 3-0 in US Open quarter finals which is another amazing stat

Rjd2 · 07-09-2018 1:31am

Serena is a legend, but the fact she has cruised to a final at 37 doesn't reflect well on the other girls tbh twice in a row lets not forget!

However she can only beat what's in front of her and if the other girls constantly implode it is what it is.

yerwanthere123 · 07-09-2018 1:38am

Well she's hardly your average 37 year old player now is she. And it is best of 3. Imagine how many slams Federer would've won if the men played best of 3 and he had no consistent rivals.

yerwanthere123 · 07-09-2018 1:42am

Anyway, saw that blowout coming a mile off. Hope the next match is competitive, but it'll probably be a mess. Also hoping for an Osaka win, would trust her a lot more to give Serena a match on Saturday night. Plus she's actually beaten Serena before, even if she was nowhere near fit at the time.

Rjd2 · 07-09-2018 2:01am

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Well she's hardly your average 37 year old player now is she. And it is best of 3. Imagine how many slams Federer would've won if the men played best of 3 and he had no consistent rivals.

I did say she was a legend tbf.

I can admire her longevity but also yearn for the other girls to step up and challenge her. This week's tennis from the ladies has been pretty dull, hoping this semi will be an improvement.

Rjd2 · 07-09-2018 3:25am

Messy performance that from Maddy sadly, however Osaka was absolute clutch in the big points, the ability to get a big serve in when Keys was lurking was remarkable.

What a talent!

yerwanthere123 · 07-09-2018 3:40am

Terrible first set, but quality picked up a bit in the second. Really excited for the final on Saturday. Serena will obviously be the heavy favourite, but I think she may have to wait a little longer for #24. I think Naomi'll get the job done.

Rjd2 · 07-09-2018 3:53am

Osaka will be my tip also,so impressed with her last 2 weeks, fought hard to beat the really dangerous Sabalenka and handled everyone else with ease.

I appreciate Keys is not exactly Rafa when it comes to returning, but saving 13 break points in your first ever grand slam semi against a home town favourite is seriously impressive.

Serena probably wins 6-1 6-0 now.:o

Joe_ Public · 07-09-2018 7:17am

Could be a decent final, great to see a few young female players emerging who look like they may be the real deal and not flatter to deceive like a couple you could mention in recent years.

I guess the worry for Osaka is that Serena makes mincemeat of her second serve, she certainly won’t get away with coughing up 13 break points against even an 80% Serena. Really like her attitude though and she has that win in Indian Wells to bolster her. I’m confident she won’t be blown away whatever happens.

walshb · 07-09-2018 8:50am

What channel can I watch the tennis on? Can't find it on Sky or Eurosport.

jr86 · 07-09-2018 8:53am

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Well she's hardly your average 37 year old player now is she. And it is best of 3. Imagine how many slams Federer would've won if the men played best of 3 and he had no consistent rivals.

100% - it's hardly as if its some no-hoper, she's only one of the greatest female sportspeople of all time, she'll obviously be a complete exception

Joe_ Public · 07-09-2018 9:17am

walshb wrote: »

What channel can I watch the tennis on? Can't find it on Sky or Eurosport.

It’s only online, sky lost the rights and Eurosport don’t have it here or in UK. Watch it mostly on various betting sites myself, not perfect but better than nothing.

Floppybits · 07-09-2018 3:46pm

Looking forward to tonights semi final between Nadal and Del Potro. Be interesting to see how both players will approach this, will Nadal want to avoid another long match and will Del Potro look to stretch it out? I would love to see Del Potro win this. Surely the last few matches have had an impact on Nadal but many have said that before and he has proved them wrong.

The other semi should be straight forward enough for Djokovic over Nishikori.

NoviGlitzko · 07-09-2018 3:53pm

Both Delpo and Nishikori have huge opportunities to win their matches and them in the final is the dream. Delpo obviously more-so with a shot with Djokovic having that air of unbeatability about him again. I fancy Delpo to take the match even with the bad match-up Nadal brings with Juan's BH as a flaw. Kei is absolute dynamite off the baseline and takes the ball a lot earlier than Djokovic but it's just whether his serve can hold up for most of the match.

Expecting a lot of long but entertaining rallies in both matches. Really looking forward to both.

ballyargus · 07-09-2018 9:16pm

Signed up for the Prime Video seven day trial. Worth doing for anyone who hasn't availed yet

Niles Crane · 07-09-2018 9:29pm

ballyargus wrote: »

Signed up for the Prime Video seven day trial. Worth doing for anyone who hasn't availed yet

I have prime video and now it tells me I can't watch the US open in my location despite me watching some of it last w eek from the exact same computer.

74% of people who've watched the US open through Amazon prime have given it a rating of 1 star out of 5 (zero stars isn't an option).

It's a complete joke of a way to treat such a major sporting event.

Johnmb · 07-09-2018 9:51pm

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Both Delpo and Nishikori have huge opportunities to win their matches and them in the final is the dream. Delpo obviously more-so with a shot with Djokovic having that air of unbeatability about him again. I fancy Delpo to take the match even with the bad match-up Nadal brings with Juan's BH as a flaw. Kei is absolute dynamite off the baseline and takes the ball a lot earlier than Djokovic but it's just whether his serve can hold up for most of the match.

Expecting a lot of long but entertaining rallies in both matches. Really looking forward to both.

I reckon if Nadal wins this tournament, he'll go on to overtake Federer in Slam titles. If he doesn't, he'll draw level. If Djokovic wins it, I think all three will end on the same number. I'm hoping Del Potro wins!

Joe_ Public · 07-09-2018 10:13pm

Poor fro DP. Gave that service game up far too easily.

Chivito550 · 07-09-2018 10:13pm

Bit of a bottle job there by Delpo serving for the set.

ballyargus · 07-09-2018 10:29pm

Niles Crane wrote: »

I have prime video and now it tells me I can't watch the US open in my location despite me watching some of it last w eek from the exact same computer.

74% of people who've watched the US open through Amazon prime have given it a rating of 1 star out of 5 (zero stars isn't an option).

It's a complete joke of a way to treat such a major sporting event.

I completely agree. I saw the reviews before taking the trial. It was the only way to get a feed - it's working well for now and that will do. It's a terrible way to broadcast and awful as streaming services go.

Floppybits · 07-09-2018 10:40pm

ballyargus wrote: »

I completely agree. I saw the reviews before taking the trial. It was the only way to get a feed - it's working well for now and that will do. It's a terrible way to broadcast and awful as streaming services go.

Thankfully haven't had any problems with it. Still not the way to watch an event like this. Hopefully it doesn't catch on.

ballyargus · 07-09-2018 10:58pm

Floppybits wrote: »

Thankfully haven't had any problems with it. Still not the way to watch an event like this. Hopefully it doesn't catch on.

I don't mind streaming services for sport. The new 11sports service was very good for the PGA. Appropriate pricing is key. Sky can't validate their costs now with what they have on offer. It's crazy to think you need multiple services at that price point plus ad hoc streaming costs such as prime or 11sports to see what you want to see. Appropriate costing per event through streaming is the way but nobody has implemented it yet.

Niles Crane · 07-09-2018 11:11pm

ballyargus wrote: »

I don't mind streaming services for sport. The new 11sports service was very good for the PGA. Appropriate pricing is key. Sky can't validate their costs now with what they have on offer. It's crazy to think you need multiple services at that price point plus ad hoc streaming costs such as prime or 11sports to see what you want to see. Appropriate costing per event through streaming is the way but nobody has implemented it yet.

It's a massive step back from having them on proper TV, they should be in addition to being on TV not the sole provider.With streaming you have no option to record match overnight which is essential for something like the us open.

The PGA on Eleven was only barely tolerable because it was a major there is no way in hell I'd have watched a non major on it and hopefully it will be back on proper tv next year as the experience of watching golf on a computer is miles off watching on a 45 inch tv.

At least with 11 sports you get to see what you pay for I have amazon prime and can't watch as apparently I am in the wrong location despite it being ok to watch last week so clearly there has been a technical issue.

Viewing figures for the us open this year are going to be shocking I's say at least a 90% drop from the viewership on eurosport last year.

Sports coverage is getting way too spread across platforms now, 10 years ago sky basically had a monopoly and you could watch virtually every sport on sky and if it wasn't on sky it was on free to air tv , the opening up of sports coverage to more competition has been a bad move for consumers.

ballyargus · 07-09-2018 11:14pm

Niles Crane wrote: »

It's a massive step back from having them on proper TV, they should be in addition to being on TV not the sole provider.With streaming you have no option to record match overnight which is essential for something like the us open.

The PGA on Eleven was only barely tolerable because it was a major there is no way in hell I'd have watched a non major on it and hopefully it will be back on proper tv next year as the experience of watching golf on a computer is miles off watching on a 45 inch tv.

At least with 11 sports you get to see what you pay for I have amazon prime and can't watch as apparently I am in the wrong location despite it being ok to watch last week so clearly there has been a technical issue.

Viewing figures for the us open this year are going to be shocking I's say at least a 90% drop from the viewership on eurosport last year.

Sports coverage is getting way too spread across platforms now, 10 years ago sky basically had a monopoly and you could watch virtually every sport on sky and if it wasn't on sky it was on free to air tv , the opening up of sports coverage to more competition has been a bad move for consumers.

Really good points. One of the telling things is that the Champions League want a return to terrestial for improved ad revenue. The shift to BT hasn't been the best one in their view. And that's a few steps back from the current shift to streaming services!

ballyargus · 07-09-2018 11:15pm

Also. 11 sports did run (on demand) replays of all shown events so there was no need to record.

jr86 · 07-09-2018 11:27pm

A shame but that retirement had been coming all match

2 slams Nadal has had to retire from this year. Age definitely catching up in ways, sadly for him he never looked truly fit this event.

Was hoping for a rematch v Djokovic in the final, Nole the hot favourite to win it out now

yosser hughes · 07-09-2018 11:39pm

It's a real shame to see a player have to retire. He'll be absolutely gutted. I hope DelPotro goes on to win but Djockovic is firm favourite now.

ballyargus · 08-09-2018 2:35am

Amazon prime. No game reflection or analysid - this is not the way to go.

C__MC · 08-09-2018 9:38am

Slowly but surely federer and nadal are seeing age catch up with them.

Djockovic will have a few more slams in his sights

NoviGlitzko · 08-09-2018 10:57am

Both Nadal and Fed are fine in years.

Nadal was beaten by the better man simple as that. It's annoys the hell outta me that Nadal withdrew last night. I can guarantee if the breaker went his way he'd fight until the heat got the better of him or he had some other excuse. He's anything but a 'fighter' that people make him out to be. His grinding brand of tennis suggests to the casual viewer that he's a fighter because he gets to nearly every ball but the lad is just playing his game. In terms of clutch on big points the likes of Djokovic and Wawrinka for example are so much better IMO because they at least have the balls to go for the line consistently on big points. So annoyed with his withdrawal there. Federer simply wouldn't have done that.

The Golden Miller · 08-09-2018 12:17pm

NoviGlitzko wrote: »

Both Nadal and Fed are fine in years.

Nadal was beaten by the better man simple as that. It's annoys the hell outta me that Nadal withdrew last night. I can guarantee if the breaker went his way he'd fight until the heat got the better of him or he had some other excuse. He's anything but a 'fighter' that people make him out to be. His grinding brand of tennis suggests to the casual viewer that he's a fighter because he gets to nearly every ball but the lad is just playing his game. In terms of clutch on big points the likes of Djokovic and Wawrinka for example are so much better IMO because they at least have the balls to go for the line consistently on big points. So annoyed with his withdrawal there. Federer simply wouldn't have done that.

I've seen him retire while ahead.

Chivito550 · 08-09-2018 1:35pm

Nadal saying to the umpire “I’m going to retire anyway but you aren’t right on that one” was in very poor taste.

mickmackey1 · 08-09-2018 1:48pm

Then in the press conference he says its unfair that he's had more injuries than Djokovic or Federer, seemingly in denial that his gruelling style is the biggest reason for those injuries. Amazing to think he's no closer to Fed's slam total than he was in 2014.

Niles Crane · 08-09-2018 3:03pm

mickmackey1 wrote: »

Then in the press conference he says its unfair that he's had more injuries than Djokovic or Federer, seemingly in denial that his gruelling style is the biggest reason for those injuries. Amazing to think he's no closer to Fed's slam total than he was in 2014.

You live by the sword you die by the sword.

dominatinMC · 08-09-2018 4:37pm

Shame to see Nadal go out like that, he's provided all the entertainment at this years USO (on the mens side at least, apart from Cilic-De Minaur, I suppose). I think Del Potro would have beaten him regardless of the knee, for me he's had the most consistent tournament thus far and it would be fitting for him to win tomorrow. After all his injuries, thoughts of retirement, etc, I don't think anyone (bar Djokovic!) would begrudge him the victory.

jamescd · 08-09-2018 4:51pm

I'm trying to watch the semifinal replays on Amazon and its still saying not available. If it was on TV I'd have just recorded it and would already be watching it right now. Absolutely ridiculous.

yerwanthere123 · 08-09-2018 5:03pm

Really excited for the final later, still think Naomi will cause the upset. Would be so weird, in a good way, if she does win. I'd always thought she'd be one of those big talents who'd win a few big titles here and there, but would never be quite good enough to get it together for the slams. A lot about tonight's match depends on how Naomi handles the occasion and how Serena's nerves are.

walshb · 08-09-2018 6:34pm

yerwanthere123 wrote: »

Really excited for the final later, still think Naomi will cause the upset. Would be so weird, in a good way, if she does win. I'd always thought she'd be one of those big talents who'd win a few big titles here and there, but would never be quite good enough to get it together for the slams. A lot about tonight's match depends on how Naomi handles the occasion and how Serena's nerves are.

Well, seeing as Serena blamed breastfeeding in her loss to Naomi in Miami, I wonder what baby excuse she’ll use if she is denied a record equaling 24th slam?

yerwanthere123 · 08-09-2018 6:44pm

walshb wrote: »

Well, seeing as Serena blamed breastfeeding in her loss to Naomi in Miami, I wonder what baby excuse she’ll use if she is denied a record equaling 24th slam?

She did? Regardless of what she or anyone else stated, it's patently obvious that she was nowhere near fit in Miami. Obviously not suggesting that the result is invalid or anything, but she's in much better shape now. But then again, so is Naomi.

Regardless of result I just hope it's a great match.

Joe_ Public · 08-09-2018 7:19pm

Watched some highlights of the Miami match this morning, Serena probably around 50% fit at best, Osaka just blasted the ball down the lines on both sides with Serena basically rooted to the middle. Different story tonight obviously, but if people are saying the win in Miami was purely down to fitness, that could be powerful motivation for Naomi to prove it wrong. She does look like a real cool customer, for all this is new territory for her. Fascinating match up really, not sure i could call it.

Chivito550 · 08-09-2018 7:44pm

Love the way people are building this up. It will inevitably be another 6-2 6-3 type scoreline, done and dusted in 80 minutes.

yerwanthere123 · 08-09-2018 8:00pm

Chivito550 wrote: »

Love the way people are building this up. It will inevitably be another 6-2 6-3 type scoreline, done and dusted in 80 minutes.

Perhaps, but hopefully not. It's an up-and-comer against a veteran, and Osaka leads the h2h 1-0, so naturally a lot are intrigued. Serena has also lost three of her last five slam finals, so there's hope for a good match.

Joe_ Public · 08-09-2018 8:04pm

I certainly wouldnt envisage a 6-2, 6-3 pasting, I think Serena will be a lot more competitive than that tbh

US Open 2018

Comments