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Andy Murray Wins US Open

11 Sep

So I missed the match between Andy Murray and reigning champ Novak Djokovic. I really wish I had seen it but I was trapped on a 17-mile kayaking torture trip off the coast of Hawaii. Regardless, I can tell you from the text messages I received from K during the match that it was pretty intense. I found the match online today and watched it.

Murray beat Djokovic 7-6(12-10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. This is Murray’s first Grand Slam. It was the longest match in the US Open lasting four hours and 54 minutes. Djokovic lost the first two sets but then decided to step-up his game forcing a fifth set. Djokovic hit the last ball to long on the final point giving Murray the title. Murray looked shocked. This is the first time in 76 years for a Brit to win a grand slam singles title.

So everyone who won at the Olympics also won the US Open . . . interesting.

-M

 

 

 

Serena Williams Wins US Open

9 Sep

As I predicted earlier today Serena Williams has won the US Open. Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday. But unlike Williams’ other matches this one was actually challenging. Belarus’ Azarenka is number 1 ranked in the world(I’m not sure how they rank) she got bronze in the London Olympics and won the Australian Open this year. Towards the end it really looked like Azarenka was going to win even Williams seemed genuinely surprised that she managed to come back in the third set.

It looked like Azarenka was going to serve out the match in the 10th game in the third set but instead Williams tied the set with two amazing swings. This lead to a run for Williams were she got 10 of 12 points and took the lead at 6-5. Then Williams was just one break away from winning the US Open. Than Williams was handed the winning check for $1.9 million, which explains why Azarenka was crying. It was the first match since 1995 to go for three games. Williams has had a good summer winning Wimbledon, 2 Golds at the Olympics, and now the US Open.

There were some interesting fans in the stand including Redfoo from LMFAO who was there to cheer on Williams Azarenka. Redfoo is an avid tennis fan and was sitting in Azarenka’s box. At least model/TV Host Tyra Banks was there cheering on Williams. Although she was wearing some ridiculous glasses, I mean we now know Banks is smart so she really doesn’t need fake glasses.

-M

 

 

US Open Heading to the Finals

9 Sep

Okay so it’s not the rematch we had all wanted between Andy Murray and Roger Federer(aka. Fed Ex) but it should still be pretty interesting. Despite really bad weather including a tornado warning Murray defeated Tomas Berdych 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (9-7). It was grueling game that lasted almost 4 hours with winds up 20mph blowing against them.

As we all know that Roger Federer was stunningly knocked out of the US Open by Berdych in the quarter finals on Wednesday. At which point Murray had take a giant sigh of relief. Murray will now face Novak Djokovic in the finals. Djokovic beat David Ferrer of Spain 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the finals. The wind was also a problem in that match. Djokovic is the defending champion so it’s definitely going to a challenge for Murray. The finals will take on Monday.

The women’s final is happening Sunday afternoon between Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka. Which I basically say now will be won by Williams.

-M

Andy Murray Still In US Open

5 Sep

Andy Murray has advanced the semifinals of the US Open. Murray beat Marin Cilic, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-0 on Wednesday. Things didn’t look promising, which is perhaps why Pippa Middleton skipped over to Andy Roddick’s match, until Murray broke twice after the second match and made a comeback. Now I’m sure Middleton wishes she had seen that. Now the best part of this story has finally come Murray will either play Roger Federer or Tomas Berdych next. Yes, that means that if when Federer beats Berdvch, we will have the rematch we’ve all been waiting for.

I am super excited.

-M

Serena Sails Through US Open

5 Sep

So I’m just going to go ahead and say what we are all thinking: Serena Williams should start playing the guys. There are obviously no women left that can handle her so let’s just go ahead and let her switch teams. Williams served 12 aces in a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ana Ivanovic to advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Open.

One of her serves during the game was clocked at 119 mph. I would not want to receive that serve, but I guess that’s why she got so many aces. She will play Sara Errani, the French Open runner-up this year, for her next match. But I don’t see Williams losing that match.

-M

 

Roddick Retired Way Too Soon

5 Sep

We had all hoped that Andy Roddick would keep winning and delay his retirement. But today after rain delays yesterday Roddick lost in the 4th round of the US Open to Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4. Roddick is only 30-years old but voluntary decided to retire after the US Open. He was so popular that Pippa Middleton left Andy Murray’s quarterfinal match to see Roddick play.

Now that Roddick is retired he plans to focus on his tennis foundation in Austin,TX. He also plans to work on his golf game. Well I guess when you retire golf becomes appealing. And I guess now that he is retired he can depend on wife actress/model Brooklyn Decker for some extra dough.

-M

Rain Rain Go Away We Need More Tennis

4 Sep

It was a wet day for the US Open with a six hour rain delay. The only person that celebrated the delay was Maria Sharapova who was off to a not so stellar start losing 4-0 to Marion Bartoli. Sharapova will resume her match Bartoli on Wednesday.

The biggest match of the night soon-to-be-retiree, Andy Roddick, was facing off against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina was also delayed. Roddick was leading the brief match 1-0 in the first set tiebreaker. There match is set to resume on Wednesday after Sharapova. Another match that was put on pause was defending champion Novak Djokovic against Staislas Warwrinka. Which if you as me is a match between which name I pronounce more poorly. Djokovic was up 2-0 before the rain delay.

Despite the headliners all having to take a rain check some tennis did actually happen.It might have been the most interesting tennis to happen in the entire open on the women’s side. Not to hate on Serena Williams for creaming people but it’s not exactly engaging tennis.  No. 1 ranked Victoria Azarenka beat defending champion No. 7 ranked Samantha Stosur, 6-1 4-6 7-6 (7-5). Azarenka won despite her game being interrupted by rain for 75-minutes.

On the guys side Spanish No. 4 ranked David Ferrer moved on to the quarter-finals after defeating France’s Richard Gasquet, 7-5 7-6 (7-2) 6-4.

Let’s hope the rain stays away tomorrow so we can get back to the tennis.

-M

 

 

US Open Labor Day: Pretty Uneventful

3 Sep

If you spent your Labor Day watching tennis than you were probably pretty bored. Serena Williams crushed her opponent Andrea Hlavackova, 6-0, 6-0. Poor Hlavackova who is ranked 82nd didn’t stand a chance. Next Williams will face former Ana Ivanovic who she has previously beaten 3 times, so can’t expect an exciting match there. It kind of feels like they should just go ahead and proclaim Williams the winner. On the downside of Serena’s day she lost doubles with her sister Venus. Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova beat the Williams sisters, 6-1, 6-4 in the third round.

Andy Murray is advancing after beating Milos Raonic, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. We are all just hoping that Murray stays in it long enough for a rematch with Roger Federer. Murray is expected to beat his next opponent No. 12 Marin Cilic, whom he has only lost to once but it was at the US Open in 2008.

Then Roger Federer was set to play Mardy Fish but Fish withdrew for health reasons. Fish had been suffering from a heart condition so speculation is that it had something to do with that .

So there you have it not a very exciting day in the world of tennis.

-M

 

 

US Open- Still Happening

2 Sep

It’s been a busy weekend for tennis. The US Open continued this weekend. And the major players are still in the game.

Maria Sharapova- The still not pregnant Sharapova beat Nadia Petrova 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. Sharapova seems to be on streak right now.

Serena Williams- There is no getting rid of Serena. She easily passed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, 6-4, 6-0. Sadly Venus Williams did not make it. Venus lost to Angelique Kerber, 6-2, 5-6, 7-5.

Andy Murray- Murray is trying to get his first Grand Slam. He just barely passed No. 30 Feliciano Lopez, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4). We are hoping he makes it far enough to square off again against Roger Federer.

Roger Federer- Although he is 30 too there is no talk of retirement for Federer. He cruised past No. 25 Fernando Verdasco, 6-3,6-4, 6-4. He is just licking his chops waiting for that Murray rematch.

Andy Roddick- So he is going to have to put off retirement for a little longer. Roddick beat Fabio Fognini of Italy 7-5, 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-4 . Let’s hope he goes out on a high note. If anything he definitely has the most fans in New York.

Novak Djokovi- He cruised easily in the fourth round with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory over Frenchman Julien Benneteau. Djokovic will next face 18th seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.

-M

 

 

Roddick Retiring After US Open

2 Sep

Tennis star Andy Roddick announced Thursday he will be hanging-up his
racquet after the US Open. This surprised me at first, considering
Roddick is only 30 and still a top player, but it makes sense when you
think about it. He used to hold the #1 ranking back in 2003, which is
around the time Roger Federer arrived and began his ascent to the top
of the tennis record books. A few years later, Rafael Nadal with his
sleeveless tee/clam-digger pants combo came along. It has to be
disheartening to lose to these guys year after year. Much like Andy
Murray, Roddick is a great tennis player who probably would have
racked-up multiple Grand Slams if he happened to play in another era
without Fed and Rafa.

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