Who is ready for the US Open this year?

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Based on performances in Cincinnati last week ending yesterday, it seems that Roger Federer is readier than ever, the Williams duo ain’t nor is Dinara Safina, or Maria, the screamer. Certainly there is reason to doubt that Rafy Nadal will do much better than the quarters again.

For me there are three weeks of engrossing pro tennis action, the Australian in Jan, Wimbledon in late July and the US Open in last Aug and early Sep. So I look forward to next Monday for the start of tennis action in NYC.

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Nadal, Djokovic and Federer are back and in Montreal for the Rogers Cup

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It does seem peculiar that they should all choose this tournament to make their return to pro tennis. On the evidence of their two first games I would say that Roger Federer is ready to play but Nadal looks shaky. Rafy is the defending champion.

My own impression is that he will not repeat and his chances for the US Open don’t impress me!

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Roger Federer loses again to Andy Murray in the Qatar Open

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Read ‘em and weep, Roger’s fandom!

Andy Murray is currently ranked fourth in the world
In-form Andy Murray has played down his tag as one of the favourites for the forthcoming Australian Open.
The 21-year-old has had a superb start to the year, defending his Qatar Open crown a week after beating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi.

Go get ‘em Andy!

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Federer falls to Andy Murray’s tennis onslaught

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From BBC News text report of the 2008 Masters Cup match:

THIRD SET:

Murray 4-6 7-6 7-5 Federer
A double fault and a mis-hit brings up an eighth match point for Murray at 15-40. The Swiss world number two doesn’t look up for the fight this time – and he goes long. Murray wins the match and Federer is out of the Master Cup.

That’s it for Roger’s efforts in 2008. This time it seems that injury was a major contributor to his loss to Murray.

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Raf Nadal is not in Shanghai for the year end Masters Cup and now this

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He will not play for Spain in the Davis Cup!

Raf’s style of play is catching up with him and this is not a good sign for Men’s ATP Tour. But Andy Murray, Djokovic and del Potro will make hay while Nadal and Federer and Nadal seem to be unable to dominate in the way that Federer has over the past 5 some years.

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Federer’s so-so year in 2008

It’s not just Nadal who can beat Roger F. Federer’s dominance of men’s tennis is definitely over.

Here’s the latest (Oct 18, 2008):

Murray gains revenge over Federer

Andy Murray avenged his US Open final loss to former world number one Roger Federer by beating him 3-6 6-3 7-5 to reach the final of the Madrid Masters.

Not a crushing loss for Roger, but a loss.

For Andy Murray he followed that up with a win in the finals today.

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Roger Federer won the US Open, but is he back to winning form?

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I watched most of the quarters, semis and all the final today. Roger’s play was impressive and most important he won handily in 3 straight sets. But I believe that Andy Murray had is best Open tennis behind him today, especially when he beat Rafa Nadal.

The game is much more competitive today than it was even a year ago. Raf Nadal can win most of the time. Djokovic, Del Proto, Muller and most of all Andy Murray can beat Federer or Nadal some of the time.

So it will be interesting to see how Roger works his way through to win his 14th+ Grand Slam title. Lots of good tennis ahead!

In case you are interested Roger is still #2 in ATP ratings and Andy Murray is #4, while Rafa Nadal is still #1.

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