US Open 2008

[Inatimate1]

3 weeks ago on a thread for the Countrywide Classic in LA, I stated that I thought Del Potro looked a good bet for the US Open, now that he is well under the odds of 420 back then and available at 48 to Lay, I think that punters have definately over-reacted to his recent wins, and he is far too short being, in the main, an unproven player at the Slam events, with little experience of grueling 5 set matches, now it is very hard to tell where to go in terms of the value. Karlovic isn't going to win this tournament, in fact, given his recent record I would be shocked if he made it past the first round of the event. Murray has a shout, Federer will probably be best avoided given recent form, and Djokovic despite his ability on the surface will have to somehow find a way to overcome the unstoppable Nadal if he is to try and win this event, which all makes it the more difficult to find a winner, and the only player who could probably be taken with any type of value in mind is Andy Murray.
Yes, I know, it's all a bit patriotic, but Murray has had the better of Federer in their last 2 hard court encounters, he also beat Djokovic last time out, and given his early exit (surprisingly enough only 2 or 3 days after his mother was complaining that people who progressed had less time to prepare for the US Open), I think that he has a great chance of winning this event here, providing he avoids Nadal in his side of the draw.
Everytime he seems to play, I think that Murray improves his game, it sometimes takes a while for him to work out his opponent (such was the case when trailing a set and a break to Moya in the Quarter Finals of the Cincinatti Masters, and not forgetting Gasquet at Wimbledon), but when it comes to Hard Courts, let's be honest, he is one of the top 3 players on current form. He will no doubt have spent the past week in America training up for this event, getting used to the environment and adjusting his bodyclock to suit the conditions, and with this in mind, I think he could go a long way, and we could have our first British player to make the final of a Grand Slam since Pat Rafter won the event in 1936 (because all British people know that Rusedski is Canadian )

Murray to win the US Open @ 16.5


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Now with that bit out of the way it is time to go on "BRIT WATCH!"

In the mens qualifying, Joshua Goodall managed to get past Spanish opposition in the first round 6-3 6-3 to book a second qualifying round tie with Argie Diego Hartfield.
Sadly the same cannot be said about Bogdanovic and Alexander Slabinsky as both were beaten in the first round in straight sets. Whilst Richard Bloomfield won a first set tie-break against Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay, but lost the next two sets 3-6, 4-6 to end his path to Flushing Meadows.

In the womens qualifying draw, Naomi Cavaday lost in three sets, however, the three other British players, Melanie South, Elena Baltacha, and Katie O'Brien all made the second round of qualifying by winning in three sets, in an attempt to join Anna Keothavong in the main womens draw

More British updates tomorrow, but in todays action, Elena Baltacha is fourth up on court 8, against homegrown Carly Gullickson, Katie O'Brien also faces American opposition in the third match on Court 11, against Alexa Glatch, and Josh Goodall faces Hartfield 2nd on court 16, with Mel South 4th on 16, against Youlia Fedossova from France
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[Gazza]

I think Murray has a chance, but I'll reserve judgement until the draw has been released (later today I believe?).
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[rjholland]

Good point about the draw, but my money's on Nadal whomever he gets. Murray has improved, far more so than I thought he would this year but he still hasn't got the measure of Nadal. Nadal's only recent loss was to Djokovic when he wasn't 100% and Djokovic just hit every single line in the first set, blasting him away. In a slam it will be different I feel, playing three perfect sets against Nadal is surely nigh on impossible. Admittedly the price is short but as long as the inevitable strains of the way Nadal plays haven't taken their toll, he really should wrap up his third straight slam.

[thetitan]

nadal probably the value i reckon, although i still think he's immensely vulnerable on hard courts. although he's improved a lot this year, anybody who plays like Tsonga did in australia will have a chance. You really do need to be 'in the zone' though and hit every single line, and be ridiculously in-form to beat him.

I still feel that nadal is the 'lesser of all evils' option. If nobody else is in amazing form, he will take it by default.

I think Murray should go far, anything less than the QF's would be a huge disappointment for me. Murray doesnt have the game to beat Nadal in 5 sets IMO, he gets too defensive and tries to beat Nadal at his own game.

Del Potro has a chance of progressing to the QF's depending on his draw, but it's quite rare that these hyped-up, in-form players go onto win grand slams.

Gasquet has the game to challenge Nadal but i think that he's a bit too weak mentally. He does have the ability to string together an awesome set or two, I doubt he can get three off Nadal though.

Tsonga is returning from injury so although I'd love to see him go far, wouldnt be surprised to see him retire if he falls behind in a match.

Federer has been simply awful IMO and should be longer odds than Murray to win.

Will be tracking the progress of Kei Nishikori, who has the potential to be top 20 next year.

[veggie]

Having just looked at the Women's draw for the U.S Open, I offer my opinion of the top players chances

1.Ana Ivanovic. Tough quarter, without the distractions of her recent thumb injury and various modelling shoots. Even Vera Dushevina in round one could cause problems, then a rejuvenated Amelie Mauresmo in round 3 and Nadia Petrova in round 4. Awaiting in the quarter final is Dinara Safin, and a Williams sister in the semi's. One to definitely avoid lumping money on.

2. Dinara Safina. A few weeks ago, I had an Each Way bet on Safina for the U.S Open. At the time I got odds of 12/1, the price is currently closer to half that. Despite losing to Elena Dementieva in the Olympics Final, she is still the form player, and has a fairly easy ride to the quarter final. Will she meet Ana Ivanovic there?, my money is on her playing Nadia Petrova. Then it's a Williams sister in the semis!!

3. Serena Williams. Fairly easy draw until she potentially plays big sis in the quarter final. Serena V Safina in the semi's would be a great match.
For once the Williams sisters are coming into a grand slam having played a few matches in the weeks leading up to it. Both sisters will be smarting from their olympics singles losses. Suggest anyone watching their matches takes earplugs!

4. Venus Williams. Possible tricky tie against Samanthat Stosur in round one. Agnieszska Radwanska or Dominika Cibulkova in round 4 could be a very interesting match-up. Cibulkova is on form at the moment and could be a dark horse for the semis.

5. Elena Dementieva. Fresh from her Olympic victory, could play Britains Anne Keothavong in the 3rd round if Keothavong manages to get past Francesca Schiavone in the 2nd round. Will then have to play Anna Chakvetadze or Na Li in the 4th round (I cannot predict a winner from their 3rd round encounter).

6. Svetlana Kuznetsova. easy ride until she plays Dementieva in the quarters, both players can blow hot and cold, I tip Dementieva to progress to the semis bouyed by her Olympic win.

7. Jelena Jankovic. Is ther anybody out there willing to offer odds on which player calls the trainer out on court most times?.Caroline Wozniacki in the 4th round will offer a stiff test, as will Vera Zvonerava in the quarter final. I think she will be wearing more bandages than The Mummy if she make it this far!!

To conclude - I tip Elena Dementieva E.W @10/1 for the final, along with Serena Williams Win @7/2 or Dinara Safina Win @6/1.

This is my first ever post, will I end up with egg all over my face?[/b]

Result Serena Williams won

[migpan]

At the moment Nadal is almost unbeatable. But that is almost! Its a tricky one and I wouldn't really want to bet against him but he has played a lot of tennis this season and has struggled here in the past. I think Nadal is good value as a Lay bet.

I agree too that Del Potro is overbacked but still to high for a Lay, I will be interested to see how he performs though and would like to see him do well.

As outsiders I think Roddick or Blake are potential champions but will probably bet on David Ferrer who has a good record on the hard courts and is good value.

With regards to the womens which I dont overly follow I have been impressed with Safina in general but thought she looked really unfit at the olympics so she may struggle here. So I will go for Wozniaki (apologies for spelling!) as she looks unbeatable on her day.

Good luck all.

[migpan]

Oh and it was Fred Perry the last british person to win the US Open. Pat Rafter was an Australian with a beard! (and he won it 97,98)

[Inatimate1]

apologies, just realised my mistake , I had Greg against Rafter on my mind at the time, you are indeed correct however, it was Fred Perry

"BRIT WATCH"
Joshua Goodall fell at the second qualifying hurdle in straight sets 4-6 2-6 against Argentine Diego Hartfield meaning that only Andy Murray will be representing Great Britain at this years US Open from the Mens side of the draw...

In the womens qualifying there was more bad news as American Alexa Glatch knocked Katie O'Brien out of the competition... however, Mel South and Elena Baltacha both progressed to the third and final round qualifying with victories over 3 sets, and South sneaking through 8-6 in a 3rd set tie-break, she will now face Shuai Zhang of China in the last round of qualifying, whilst Baltacha will need to overcome Julie Coin of France to join Keothavong in the main draw....

The main draws were also made yesterday with Keothavong could potentially face either South or Baltacha should they progress as she has been given a qualifier in round 1.
Murray will face Roitman in his opener, and will also potentially face Wawrinka and the currently impressive Del Potro if he wants to set up a semi-final tie with Rafa Nadal...
The now second seeded Federer gets an easy(ish) opener as the second seed will face Maxi Gonzalez followed by the winner of a match involving two qualifiers, whilst there will probably be a lot of value to be made on backing against Ivo Karlovic as he has also been draw against a qualifier in his opening match-up. Nadal is also draw up against a qualifier in his opening match.
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[Inatimate1]

I agree with Wozniacki, she has already become my favourite player on the WTA Tour, fantastic young talent, getting better with each game she plays, and very pleasing to look at. It surprised me that Betfair hadn't added her to their list of Winners for the US Open until a couple of days ago, and in my opinion, she has got a very favorable draw here, I know it's still early days, but this girl definately has the potential to become the number one within the next couple of years, she seems to give it 100%, can play very well especially on her return game, and with a bit of service practice, she could become pretty much an unstoppable force in the world of Women's Tennis.
Jankovic will no doubt be riddled with injury at some stage of the tournament, Ivanovic is suffering from vertigo at the moment, and most of the other players have struggled to find consistency over recent weeks. Safina, in all honesty, is another player who could really trouble to field here, some decent performances in recent weeks, and definately don't be surprised if she sneaks into the latter stages here
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[Gazza]

Think I'll wait for the Qualifiers to be completed first before I give my final verdict - there's some decent players in there such as Robert Kendrick, Jan Hernych and Gilles Muller.

Of course we're always looking for that dark-horse who surprises everyone and goes right the way through the draw. I know they're a cut above the rest but for me, it gets a bit tedious when continually backing Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. I'll be looking to find a dark-horse much like Tsonga at the Aussie Open, Monfils at Roland Garros and Schuettler at Wimbledon...
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[Inatimate1]

Well, the qualifiers are now over, and I'm saddened to say that none of the British hopefuls made it through.
Mel South was outplayed by Shaui Zhang in straight sets and will not be in the main draw, and in the most disappointing of manners, Elena Baltacha threw away a double break *4-1 lead in the third set against Coin to lose 7-4 in a tie-break to miss out on her place in the draw.

And Jan Minar should be the qualifier who beats Karlovic in the first round of the mens draw
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[Kamizu]

(25/08 10:00) Daniela Hantuchova vs Anna Lena Groenefeld : Daniela Hantuchova Win @ 1.50
Must be easy match for sexy Daniela. She little by little return to her previus nice form. Her feet not make many problems as before. Beat tough opponent for her - Sugiyama Ai on Olimpics. make revenge to Govortsova Olga and almost beat Cornet Alize in New Heaven.

Groenefeld Anna-Lena even not top100 player and she not young talant or something like this. She play little tournaments and was just lucky to get on this GSlam from qual. Can make some fight in match, but must lose.

(25/08 10:00) Michael Berrer vs Jose Acasuso : Jose Acasuso Win @ 1.53
Berrer leads H2H 1-0. on indoors court at Moscow in last year in 3sets. Surface was very slow. Acasuso play better on more faster surfaces.

In this season Acasuso make good progress in his tennis. Play good on hard, beat Gulbis, Sela, Hewitt and lose to really tough guys.

Berrer on this hard season beat only young unexpirienced guys as Donald and Haase. Other players he beat was not top100 ranked. And he also lose to weaker players.

Jose Acasuso must beat Michael Berrer on hard. Big chances, nice value.