Tennis: US Open Quarter Final Update

Federer bt Muller

7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (5)

and…

Djokovic bt Roddick 

6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)

The unusually emotional Roger Federer beat Giles Muller in a straight sets victory in US Open yesterday, he looked very fluid but very forceful at the same time, playing shots that weren’t there.

Muller tried his best with his big serves and powerful ground strokes, definitely a wild card and the underdog in this game, but he played well and gave a good performance, by far it wasn’t a straight forward victory as he held is serve in the first two sets forcing Federer to play a tie break.

Federer now will go onto face Novak Djokovic in the semi finals, this will be fierce contest as both players have history, Federer beat him in the final of last years US Open final, Djokovic beat him in this years Aussie Open final, and Federer, during this years Roland Garros, politely told Djokovic’s parents to “be quiet” which didn’t go so well with Djokovic. So it will be a great match up.

Djokovic was quite convincing in his victory against 8 seed Roddick, he beat him in 4 sets and managed to break the fastest server in the world twice. Djokovic is looking in fine form so it will be a very good game.

Murray vs Nadal – preview

In the other semi-final – Murray will face the world number 1 Rafael Nadal, both players look in fine form so it will be an interesting match up, but Nadal did recently thrash Murray at Wimbledon, so Murray will be fired up, but does he have the strength to overcome Nadal?

Nadal’s road to the final has not been so convincing, but this is the furthest he has been on a hard court major so it will be interesting to see if he can go the distance. This is the ideal final four, and the best 4 in the world, Murray isn’t ranked there yet but arguably should be.

Tennis: US Open Round 1 – Day 3 Update

Djokovic bt Clement

6-3, 6-3, 6-4

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic started in slightly rusty form to beat Arnaud Clement to win his opening match in straight sets. His first set was off with a few too many unforced errors, but this has become quite normal for Djokovic, never do we see a smooth win for him against an unseeded, as he always finds a way to make the game look difficult. However the rest of the game he just started playing strokes for fun and not leaving any chance for Clement.

Djokovic, who has been seeded 3 for a while now, will feel he can do it this year, he lost last year’s final to Federer but he managed to beat him in the Aussie Open so there will be a lot of passion burning inside of him to take this down. He could be set for a semi-final against Federer and then potentially a final against Nadal, which will be amazing to watch! I have no guess on how that would turn out.

Roddick Bt Santoro

6-2, 6-2, 6-2,

Big server Andy Roddick looked in fine form against Santoro, starting very strong each set breaking on the first game, after each break there was no chance for Santoro who looked a light weight compared to Roddick’s powerful serves and strokes.

8 seed Roddick, is probably getting fed up being left behind the likes of Djokovic and Murray, probably feeling he can compete and get his place back near the top, remember he pushed Federer not so many years ago and he already is a slam winner here at Flushing Meadows. Even though he is one of the most determined player out there, I just don’t think his game can match up to the best anymore, I predict a quarter final finish for him at best, but hope he proves me wrong.  

Those are the games I watched in day 3, look out for more detailed reviews as we get deeper into the tournament.