Delpo Faces Novak After Nadal Bows Out
US Open
September 8, 2018
It isn’t the final we were expecting. But Novak Djokovic believes it will be ‘thrilling’ nonetheless. And if Juan Martin del Potro can use brain as effectively as brawn, we will have a very special US Open final. Rafael Nadal was supposed to be Novak’s opponent, of course. Fight A repeat of their glorious Wimbledon semi-final, regarded […]
It is Serena v Osaka In US Open Final
US Open
September 7, 2018
Can we mention the number 24 to Serena Williams? Will she like it? Don’t talk about 24 in relation to Gramd Slam titles. That’s the number Margaret Court won. The most any woman has ever won. Equal That’s the number Serena was trying to equal when she tightened so badly and lost the Wimbledon 2018 […]
Japan Enjoys History With Nishikori and Osaka
US Open
September 6, 2018
Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka created history for their country on a remarkable day at Flushing Meadows. For the very first time, Japan has two semi-finalists at a Grand Slam event. Nishikori defeated Marin Cilic in five sets and faces Novak Djokovic for a place in the showpiece. Beamed Osaka had it easier against the […]
Nadal Wins Cruel Epic, Serena Triumphs
US Open
September 5, 2018
There was no need to apologise. Not after four hours and 49 minutes of piercing arrows and pure theatre. But Rafael Nadal did so anyway. He jumped over the net to console his heartbroken friend, Dominic Thiem and told him: ‘I’m very, very sorry. Keep going.’ That’s exactly what Thiem had done after his own […]
Federer and Sharapova Crash Out of US Open
US Open
September 4, 2018
Roger Federer served like a novice and looked hopelessly jaded as he succumbed to the magnificent John Millman. Of course, it helps if you can breathe in fresh air and stay cool. The normally super-cool Federer found he couldn’t do either when it mattered. Sweating The favourite couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t stop sweating and he […]
Federer’s Miraculous Shot Says Everything
US Open
September 2, 2018
Let’s only talk about one shot. Just this once. Let’s not talk about the impressive progression of Novak Djokovic towards his seemingly-inevitable quarter-final clash with Roger Federer. Let’s forget Sascha Zverev and his typically-early Grand Slam exit. (Boy does he have to start stepping up at the really big events). Irrepressible We don’t even need […]
Nadal Wins Thriller, Serena Beats Venus
Locker Room
September 1, 2018
Rafael Nadal took four hours and 23 minutes to beat the talented young Russian, Karen Khachanov. But he might not have won at all. The underdog led 7-5, 5-4 and 30-0 on his serve as Nadal flirted with US Open oblivion. But somehow the pugnacious Spaniard turned and tide and took the biggest points in […]
Umpire Helps Kyrgios Set Up Federer Showdown
US Open
August 31, 2018
It could only happen to Nick Kyrgios. But this time not even Roger Federer is very happy about the way events unfolded. So what did Kyrgios do this time? Well this time it wasn’t so much what Krygios did – we have seen it so many times before. It was the chain reaction Kyrgios caused. […]
Murray Is Out, Serena Plays Venus At US Open
Locker Room
August 30, 2018
Andy Murray fell in four sets to Fernando Verdasco; after more recriminations about the way players use the ten-minute break they are given to help cope with the extreme New York heat and humidity. In truth the outspoken Brit, a former US Open winner, spent too much time on and off court complaining that Verdasco […]
Federer and Djokovic Discover Perils of Humour
Locker Room
August 29, 2018
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are through to the second round of the US Open – though not without incident. For Federer the task on court was more straightforward than for Novak, who dropped a set and had to see the tournament cardiologist in oppressive heat and humidity. Although Roger was broken as he tried […]