TennisToday

Rain Forces Men's US Open Final to Monday

This Monday Men's Final thing is becoming a bit of a habit.

(I've always felt that the Men's Final should be played Labor Day Monday.)

With the extra day Novak will be better rested it'll be a fairer fight.

I wrote about their H2H the other day.

Again, it's Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic - H2H: 14-7 for Rafa.

Let me add this: yesterday it was a battle of the #1 & #3 ranked players.

With Novak's win over Roger in the Sf's it's now a battle of #1 & #2.

The ATP rankings have been released & Roger has slipped to #3 again.

CBS is airing the match live at 4pm eastern/1pm pacific.

Oh, and a big personal thanks to Mother Nature (for a change).

Usually I hate rain delays but without her I would have missed this yesterday.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic to Play for US Open Title

US Open - Men's Final Preview

1 Rafael Nadal vs 3 Novak Djokovic - H2H: 14-7

Novak upset the dream final - can he stop the career Slam too?

The tournament scheduling may have a say in that outcome...

This silly thing called Super Saturday doesn't allow for much recovery time.

Having said that, Novak did win their last 3 matches...

Bad news: Those 3 matches were after Rafa came back from injury last year.

It's a much different Rafa tomorrow - he's only dropped serve twice.

Rafa is eyeing his 9th Slam title and 1st at the US Open.

A win tomorrow & Rafa will become the 7th man to complete a career Slam.

Novak is trying to win his long-time in coming 2nd Slam.

I have personal affairs to attend to tomorrow & won't be able to watch live.

It'll be the 1st Open final I've missed live since Sampras beat Chang in '96.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters Wins 3rd US Open Title

US Open - Women's Final

2 Kim Clijsters d 7 Vera Zvonareva - 62 61

ONE HOUR.

I'm not sure who likes the US Open more, Kim or Jada.

Kim wins her 3rd US Open & Slam title - to go with Open titles in '05 & '09.

There is not much to say about this match.

Kim was too good and Vera just didn't show up. End of story.

This is Kim's 4th title of '10 following Brisbane, Miami & Cincinnati.

Vera will leave New York with a career high ranking of #4.

And something tells me Kim is heading into a long break.

Post match Mary Carillo made sure we knew Kim had earned 2.2 million.

This was clearly embarasing to Kim.

Note to Mary: That money thing you did was kinda gross.

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Upsets Dream Final at US Open

US Open - Men's Semifinal

3 Novak Djokovic d 2 Roger Federer - 57 61 57 61 75

This was what we call an instant classic.

Not many matches get me pacing my living room at the tail end.

This did - for the first time since Roger beat Andy in the '09 W final.

This was heart-pounding stuff folks as Novak saved 2 match points.

Novak moves into his 2nd US Open final - he has a loss to Federer in '07.

This also becomes his 3rd Slam final - he won in Australia in '08.

Pity the US Open employs such an ass-crap schedule tho...

Novak is expected to play Rafael Nadal in less than a 24 hour turn-around.

Novak denied 5 time champ Federer a 7th straight US Open final.

And he denied the world an historic Rafa/Roger final.

BTW, this is the 3rd match this year Roger has lost after having match points.

He blew MP's to Lubicic in Indian Wells & to Berdych in Miami.

One last thing about the mighty Roger Federer...

This guy is NOT over. He will be a major factor for years to come.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters & Vera Zvonareva Play for US Open Title

US Open - Women's Final Preview

2 Kim Clijsters vs 7 Vera Zvonareva - H2H: 5-2

Since Kim's return Vera has won the 2 matches they've played.

Both were 3-setters - at Wimbledon & Montreal. Both were 6-2 in the 3rd.

Still, Kim is the defender and the heavy favorite to win Open title #3.

This is Kim's 4th straight final at the Open ('03, '05, '09): 2-1.

This is Vera's 2nd straight Slam final. She lost to Serena at Wimbledon.

Vera is looking for her 11th career title & second of 2010.

Kim will be playing for title #39 and 4th (& lead tying) on the year.

I'm looking forward to an entertaining match. Another 3-setter please ladies!

Photos: Getty Image

Rafael Nadal Gains His 1st US Open Final

US Open - Men' Semifinal

1 Rafael Nadal d 12 Mikhail Youzhny - 62 63 64

Dispite the loss of serve once - that was a busted-up beat-down folks.

In 8 trips to NYC Rafa finally storms into his 1st US Open final.

Sure he's been to the Sf's the last 2 years, the Open's been his one failing.

He is seeking a career Slam to go with his 8 other Slam titles:

Australian in '09, French in '05-'08 & '10, Wimbledon in '08 & '10.

He will play the winner of Federer/Djokovic. He leads both H2H: 14-7.

Post match: Rafa paid a lovely tribute to the families of the victims of 9/11.

Photo: Reuters

Monica Seles on the US Open Semi's and Final

Monica was my favorite. Ever. Nobody will ever replace her.

Men's Semifinals All Set to GO at US Open

3 years now 3 of the 4 are the same - this time Youzhny is the odd man in.

US Open - Men's Semifinals

1 Rafael Nadal vs 12 Mikhail Youzhny - H2H: 7-4

This is Rafa's 3rd appearance in the Open Sf's: 0-2.

In all Slams though it's a very different story in Sf's: 10-3.

This is Mikhail's 2nd following his loss in the '06 Open Sf's.

Good news for Mikhail: Not a lot of active players even have 4 wins on Rafa.

And one of those wins just happens to be right here at the Open, in '06.

Bad news for Mikhail: This is not at all the same Rafa.

***

2 Roger Federer vs 3 Novak Djokovic (above) - H2H: 10-5

This is the 4th year in-a-row the 2 will meet at the Open.

They played the final in '07 and the Sf's the last 2 years.

Roger won all 3 of those matches only dropping a single set.

Coming into this match Roger hasn't lost a set & has played only 1 tie-break.

Novak has dropped 2 sets - both in the 1st round where he nearly exited.

Wake-up call: Since then Novak has played flawless tennis.

This one will come down to hunger.

***

Tennis fans have long awaited a dream Rafa/Roger US Open final.

Can either Mikhail and/or Novak play villain and spoil the party?

Hope not - we need this one for the record books.

Photo: Reuters

Kim Clijsters Reaches 4th US Open Final

US Open - Women's Semifinal

2 Kim Clijsters d 3 Venus Williams - 46 76(2) 64

How many times did each try to hand the match to the other?

I mean, you gotta close a match out ladies.

Venus will be kicking herself that she's not in this final tomorrow.

And Kim needs to thank her lucky stars that she is...

This is Kim's 4 consecutive US Open final, following '03, '05 & '09.

She is 2-1 in Open finals - losing in '03 to nemesis Justine Henin.

She is 2-4 in Slam finals. (Damn that Justine.)

Do it for Jada - she loves seeing mom in prime time.

Photo: Reuters

Vera Zvonareva Moves into Final at US Open

US Open - Women's Semifinal

7 Vera Zvonareva d 1 Caroline Wozniacki - 64 63

Talk about having a great summer.

Following Wimbledon Vera is through to her 2nd straight Grand Slam final.

She failed to capture a Slam in her first attempt - will tomorrow be kinder?

Vera took advantage of an off-form #1 seed as she struggled in the wind.

Different: Nice to see Vera smiling on court - we're so used to seeing her cry.

Her results this summer will keep her the top ranked Russian for some time.

Win or lose tomorrow - you've become a force to be reckoned with...

Photo: Reuters

Women's Semifinals All Set to GO at the US Open

US Open - Women's Semifinal Preview

1 Caroline Wozniacki vs 7 Vera Zvonareva - H2H: 2-2

They have met twice this year and split matches.

Both women are Slam finalists: Caro here in '09, Vera at Wimby this year.

Both are looking for their 2nd final and maiden Slam title.

Caro has won her last 2 tournaments and is riding a 14 match win streak.

A betting man would pick Caroline to make her 2nd US Open final.

***

2 Kim Clijsters (above) vs 3 Venus Williams - H2H: 6-6

This is a battle of two 2-time Open champs: Venus '00-'01; Kim '05 & '09.

They played a weird one in the 4th round last year, Kim winning 60 06 64.

They played once this year - in Miami and Kim smoked her 2 & 1.

This is Kim's 14th Slam Sf: 6-7. And this is Vee's 19th: 14-4.

I'd say this is too close to call but if I had to I'd bet on Kim.

Photo: Reuters

Mikhail Youzhny Scrapes into Semifinal at US Open

US Open - Men's Quarterfinal

12 Mikhail Youzhny d Stanislas Wawrinka - 36 67(7) 36 63 63

Wow, I can't believe I forgot to add this yesterday. My bad.

And I watched the entire match too - from start to salute.

Mikhail's been to 4 Slam Qf's - he's now won two of them. Both at the Open.

He made the Sf's in '06 beating Rafael Nadal along the way.

Guess who he's playing in tomorrow's Sf? Yep, that would be Rafa.

Their head-to-head is closer than you might think: 7-4 to Rafa.

Can Mikhail be the 3rd man in-a-row to upset Rafa in the Open Sf's?

I'm betting nyet.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Sailes into Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Rafael Nadal d 8 Fernando Verdasco - 75 63 64

Rafa finally lost his serve - in his very first service game of the match.

That never happened again.

Once he got that break back it was smooth sailing.

And like Roger did to Robin last night - Rafa too made Fern look 2nd tier.

In fact, thru his first 5 matches Rafa's never looked this good at the Open.

Every year we hear about him not ever playing well in New York.

Um, he's into the Sf's here for the 3rd straight year. How is that not well?

Sure Murray & Del Potro have kicked his famous butt the last two years...

I would not bet on that happening again this go-around.

It's too soon to be certain of a Rafa/Roger final but it's tantalizingly close.

Tant til izing ly.

Photo: Reuters

Huber & Bryan Win Mixed Doubles Title at US Open

US Open - Mixed Doubles Final

1 Liezel Huber & Bob Bryan

d Kveta Peschke & Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi - 64 64

First off, let's here it for the 1st Pakistani in a Slam final - ever.

Well, done Aisam. He'll also play the men's doubles final tomorrow too.

This is the 2nd time Huber & Bryan have won a Slam: US Open '03.

This is Huber's 2nd Mixed Doubles Slam and Bob's 7th & 4th at the Open.

Bob will play for a 9th Men's Doubles title with his twin Mike tomorrow.

The Bryan Brother's Foundation is making a donation to Pakistani relief.

Lovely that tennis is building bridges.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer Sails into 7th Semifinal at US Open

US Open - Men's Quarterfinal

2 Roger Federer d 5 Robin Soderling - 64 64 75

Best match Roger has played since the Australian Open final in January.

That scoreline may look close but it wasn't. At all.

Roger made Robin look much less than the #5 player in the rankings.

Roger was flicking winners from everywhere on the court.

Real beauties - like he'd turn back the calendar to 2005-07 again.

It was lovely to see old school Roger again. Can he keep that up?

Roger moves into his 7th straight Sf - a round in which he's never lost.

He'll play #3 Novak Djokovic for a 4th consecutive year on Friday.

If he brings what he brought tonight - he's looking at yet another final.

Photo: Getty Images

Caroline Wozniacki Blows into Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Dominika Cibulkova - 62 75

Talk about playing a match in a hurricane. That wind - yikes.

Seems as tho Caro likes these North American hard courts.

Caro is now on a 13 match win streak after winning Montreal & New Haven.

Last year's finalist is through to only her 2nd Slam Sf: 1-0.

No pressure: A title on Saturday brings with it a reward of the #1 ranking.

I'm glad she has to win it to get it. And she just may.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Cruises in Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Novak Djokovic d 17 Gael Monfils - 76(2) 61 62

Well, nice to see someone showed up for one set at least.

Novak moves into his 4th straight Sf here at the Open: 1-2.

Only one other active player can make that claim - Mr. Roger Federer (duh).

And Federer is the player that has beaten Novak the last 3 years.

Federer plays Soderling later tonight for the right to play Novak on Saturday.

You gotta think Novak must be pulling for Soderling.

Novak escaped the 1st round in 5 sets & has since cruised in straight sets.

Is this his time to add a 2nd major?

Photo: Reuters

Vera Zvonareva 1st Woman into Semifinals of US Open

US Open - Women's Quarterfinal

7 Vera Zvonareva d 31 Kaia Kanepi - 63 75

Vera has now been to the Sf's in 3 of the last 7 Slams she's played: 1-1.

This is includes a run to the Wimbledon final in July.

As a result he is the lone Russian in the top 10 - imagine that.

She is a wacky player and completely fun to watch.

Vera lost her doubles match so she'll be good and focused for Friday's Sf.

Photo: Getty Images

Carl Lewis & Grace Jones Attend the US Open

There have been a ton of celebs attending the matches again this year.

But these two intrigue me the most.

Carl Lewis is a track & field legend and winner of 9 Olympic gold medals...

Who never got his due owing to rumors of his homosexuality.

Shame on Coke and Nike for their cowardice and prejudice.

He should have been propped up as a hero & role model for generations.

Grace Jones is a nightclub legend. And a fashion goddess.

I saw her last year at the Hollywood Bowl & at 62 she is better than ever.

I counted at least 10 costume changes. All were outrageous and awesome.

The funny thing about this pairing last night...

He adopted her 70's flat-top hair style for the 1984 Summer Games.

Both legends and icons in my eyes.

Photo: Getty Images

The Famous Ball Boy of the US Open

Wow, did this kid ever hook himself up with a dream job...

I think this guy is working every match on Arthur Ashe.

Cuz I sure am seeing him a lot. And by a lot I mean, A LOT A LOT.

So-much-so that I'm thinking about calling Child Labor Services.

Photo: Getty Images