Top Spin Blog » U.S. Open

“How I Met Your Mother” The Cause of a Rushed Ceremony

Joe Samuel Starnes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:42:55 +0000

Dick Enberg tried to cut off Juan Martin Del Potro from speaking in Spanish so America could rush to watch one of two episodes of “How I Met Your Mother.” Way to go, CBS!

What’s More Important to CBS: The U.S. Open or “How I Met Your Mother”? It’s two episodes of “How I Met Your Mother,” of...
If you don’t have Direct TV, Tennis on TV is miserable I’m watching Karlovic – Stepanek, which is a rematch of...
Roddick Falls Just Short in Rogers Cup Andy Roddick lost to Juan Martin Del Potro for the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

“Vamos, Del Po!”

Joe Samuel Starnes — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:25:23 +0000

“Vamos, Del Po!” says Bill Tilden’s ghost. “My record of six in a row will live for 100 years and more.”

Bill Tilden’s Record of Six Wins on the Shoulder of a Tall Argentine Roger Federer broke Pete Sampras’ record of 14 grand slams...
Bill Tilden: “Elements of True Greek Tragedy” Few things I have written have evoked as many responses...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Bill Tilden’s Record of Six Wins on the Shoulder of a Tall Argentine

Joe Samuel Starnes — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:51:05 +0000

Roger Federer broke Pete Sampras’ record of 14 grand slams this summer, but today has the chance to tie a major American tennis landmark if he wins his sixth straight U.S. Open. William T. “Big Bill” Tilden II won the U.S. Championships six straight years, three times at Forest Hills in 1920, ‘24 and ‘25, and three times at the Germantown Cricket Club, a block from his home in Philadelphia, in 1921-23. Federer looks poised to win his sixth, but Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina stands in his way this afternoon.

In Tilden’s 1920 win in New York, a small plane crashed next to the court during the fifth set, killing two, but after a break they played on. The Sept. 7, 1920, headline in The New York Times read: 10,000 SEE PLANE KILL TWO IN CRASH AT TENNIS TOURNEY.

It is a shame that this story and others about Tilden are rarely talked about. The McEnroes, Mary Carillo and others act almost like Tilden never existed, instead fawning like mindless children excited about the celebrities in the crowd. Tilden’s tennis victories are on par with what Babe Ruth did in baseball and Bobby Jones in golf. His tennis accomplishments deserve more discussion as his record teeters on the verge of being tied.

Bill Tilden: “Elements of True Greek Tragedy” Few things I have written have evoked as many responses...
The McEnroes Bare Their Ignorance of Tennis History In golf announcers usually know and have respect for the...
John Isner Stands Tall in Wimbledon’s Longest Match 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. Epic. Unbelievable. Amazing. Classy. Gracious. Aces 112...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Britton Falls to Federer In Three in U.S. Open First Round

Joe Samuel Starnes — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:38:49 +0000

Devin Britton had a few chances, but couldn’t capitalize. If he watches the replay, will hear John McEnroe bemoaning his failure to attack the net on every point. Here is a link to a good story about the match by Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press, but if you want some really entertaining reading, check out Britton’s blog from this year’s Wimbledon where he finished in the semifinal in the juniors.

U.S. Open Schedule Posted, Federer-Britton Not Prime-Time Launching a campaign for your sixth straight U.S. Open to tie...
The U.S. Open Draw is Up, and Devin Britton Plays a Dude Named Federer If you need any proof that the USTA doesn’t fix the...
Isner, Roddick into the Third Round; Odesnik Falls Two more of the Americans fell Wednesday in Australia —...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Former College Standouts Isner and Devvarman Shine on Monday

Joe Samuel Starnes — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:27:12 +0000

Reigning NCAA champion from Ole Miss Devin Britton played the big match in the spotlight on Monday, losing in three to Roger Federer on the Ashe Court, but it was former two-time champ Somdev Devvarman and one-time runner up John Isner who came through with the big wins.

Isner, a former University of Georgia star ranked 55 in the world and rising, held off an amazing 10 set points in his three-set win over the 28 seed, Victor Hanescu of Romania. Isner next plays a Turkish qualifier, Marsel Ilhan, ranked 231 in the world.

Devvarman is a native of India who despite winning the NCCA men’s singles in 2007 (beating Isner in the final) and again in 2008 was snubbed by the USTA and did not get a wild card bid to the U.S. Open in either year as Britton did this year. Devvarman came into the tournament this year ranked 162 and had to win three matches in the qualies last week to make the main draw. On Monday he won handily, besting 106-ranked Fredirico Gil of Portugal in straight sets. Devvarman’s next match is against No. 23 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. I’m pulling for him to go a few more rounds, maybe even farther, and show the NCAA that he deserved wild card bids the past two years, the omission of which was an insult to college tennis.

Americans in Australia: Isner seeded; Donald Young Qualifies, Joins 11 in Main Draw Donald Young is the only American man to win his...
Young Americans A Long, Long Way from Wimbledon Last year, two American juniors bound for the pro circuit...
Wild Cards and Qualifyings: Filling Out the U.S. Open Men’s Draw If you are one of the rare men’s tennis fans who...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Jordan Cox Drilled in U.S. Open Qualies

Joe Samuel Starnes — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:55:17 +0000

Riding a last-minute bid into New York, 17-year-old Jordan Cox lost 1 and 2 to Sebastien De Chaunac of France, a man almost twice his age. De Chaunac, 32, is in his 13th year on tour, and at 149 in the world, has achieved his highest rank ever. Cox, a Wimbledon juniors finalist, is 1134.

Jordan Cox Gets Late Entry in U.S. Open Qualifying Bid Last night I was wondering on the blog why Jordan...
Young Americans A Long, Long Way from Wimbledon Last year, two American juniors bound for the pro circuit...
Wild Cards and Qualifyings: Filling Out the U.S. Open Men’s Draw If you are one of the rare men’s tennis fans who...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

What’s Left of U.S. Open Tickets On Sale Saturday

Joe Samuel Starnes — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:35:32 +0000

It’s that time of year again where the USTA puts up for sale to members the seats that haven’t been hogged by corporate sponsors (most of the best Ashe sports will be filled with New Yorkers out to be seen who don’t give a hoot about tennis, or sometimes left empty while higher decks are full). Your best bet is to buy grounds passes early in the tournament and skip the marquee matches in Ashe. If you buy Ashe seats in the upper level, bring your high-powered binoculars because the view can be the equivalent of watching from an airplane bound for LaGuardia. The best deal is the week before the tournament starts — for free you can go to the qualifying tournament that precedes the Open, scheduled this year for Aug. 24-28. The main draw runs from Aug. 31-Sept. 13.

Here’s a quote I found about the worst venue in sports, and I can confirm its veracity.

Arthur Ashe Stadium , home to the U.S. Open , has upper tier seats that are 120 feet off the ground, higher than the nose bleed seats at most baseball stadiums. Add to this the fact 13,000 fans have to shoehorn into the decks above the luxury boxes, far enough away from the action to make one envious of the blimp pilot high above this wretched venue.

Three and Out for GVTC Members on Saturday As a Joe Ely song I heard recenlty says, you’ve got...
Next U.S. Davis Cup Match in America — Why Not Flushing Meadows, or the Dallas Cowboys Stadium? I have been longing for the USTA to do something...
U.S. Open Schedule Posted, Federer-Britton Not Prime-Time Launching a campaign for your sixth straight U.S. Open to tie...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Roddick and Blake Hoping to Renew U.S. Open Glory

Joe Samuel Starnes — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:23:34 +0000

It has been five years since Andy Roddick cradled the U.S. Open cup during that short window between Sampras’ retirement and Federer’s rise. In fact, it has been five long years since any American man has won any Grand Slam.

It seems like long odds that Roddick or James Blake or any of the other 17 American men in the tournament will break that streak this year, but I think Blake has the best chance based on the draw.

Roddick, seeded eighth, has a tough draw with the Magician, Fabrice Santoro, in the first round. This will be a big night match and could spell trouble for Roddick. He has a 2-1 record against Santoro, but the last time they played—a match in Paris on indoor carpet last fall—Santoro won in three sets.

If Roddick wins his first round, he could play the dangerous Latvian Ernests Gulbis, a French Open quarterfinalist earlier this year, looming in the second round. Gulbis is ranked 40^th, but has a big game and potential to win. Roddick has lost to lesser players than Gulbis this summer.

Blake, seeded ninth, faces fellow American Donald Young in the first round, certain to be another night match in the Ashe Stadium. Blake has a much better draw than Roddick. If successful in early rounds, Blake is on a track to meet the new world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the quarters.

Don’t count Blake out. He recently beat Federer in the Olympics, and he beat Nadal in 2005 when they last met in Flushing Meadows. (He has lost to Nadal in three sets twice this year, but has a 3-2 career record against him.) If any American is going to make a run deep to Super Saturday or beyond, my money is on Blake.

Roddick, Blake and Querrey U.S. Open Draws Lead to Djokovic, Federer The draws of Andy Roddick, James Blake and Sam Querrey —...
James! — Blake Falls in Yet Another Heartbreaker I feel like I’ve been watching James Blake lose tough...
Americans Batting .500 in Australia — Querrey Out, Isner Hangs In, Blake and Young Win Of the eight Americans in action Tuesday in Australia, the...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Nineteen American Men To Take the Singles Court in U.S. Open

Joe Samuel Starnes — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:00:24 +0000

Three American men qualified for the U.S. Open this week, putting a total of 19 U.S. players into the men’s singles draw.

Qualifiers were Ryler De Heart, who won his final round in the qualies in a third-set tiebreaker, Ryan Sweeting and Robert Kendrick. They join six American wildcards Brendan Evans, Scoville Jenkins, Amer Delic, Jesse Levine, Sam Warburg and Austin Krajicek, and ten American men who were granted direct entry into the tournament based on their rankings.

Krajicek earned his bid by winning the 18-and-under national championship in Kalamazoo, Mich., earlier. The teenager from Brandon, Fla., will play for Texas A&M where he will be a freshman this fall.

The highest ranked American not to make the tournament is 30-year-old Kevin Kim, ranked 142 in the world. He lost in three sets in final round of the qualies to Sweeting. Alex Kuznetsov also lost in the final round of qualies, going down 6-4 in the third and final set.

Only seven of the American men in the Open are ranked in the top 100. The ATP World rankings of the U.S. players competing at Flushing Meadows as of Aug. 18 is as follows:

8. Andy Roddick

9. James Blake

35. Mardy Fish

53. Sam Querrey

62. Robby Ginepri

89. Bobby Reynolds

99. Donald Young

103. Vince Spadea

106. Jesse Levine (W)

113. Robert Kendrick (Q)

118. Wayne Odesnik

124. John Isner

133. Amer Delic (W)

168. Sam Warburg (W)

190. Brendan Evans (W)

196. Scoville Jenkins (W)

259. Ryler De Heart (Q)

276. Ryan Sweeting (Q)

892. Austin Krajicek (W)

The U.S. Open Draw is Up, and Devin Britton Plays a Dude Named Federer If you need any proof that the USTA doesn’t fix the...
Americans in Australia: Isner seeded; Donald Young Qualifies, Joins 11 in Main Draw Donald Young is the only American man to win his...
Wild Cards and Qualifyings: Filling Out the U.S. Open Men’s Draw If you are one of the rare men’s tennis fans who...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

U.S. Open Kicks Off With Qualies

Joe Samuel Starnes — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:02:19 +0000

Most tennis fans consider the U.S. Open a two-week event, but in reality, there are three weeks of play starting Tuesday, Aug. 19, with the qualifying draws — what insiders refer to simply as the “qualies.”

The qualies are a battle of 128 players hoping to win three matches to earn one of 16 open spots at the Open table. For those who have cracked the top 100 before, the qualifying tournament is a dreaded sign that their game has fallen and may never get back up. Last year’s Open qualifying draw included longtime pro Andrei Pavel who is 0-5 this year and ranking has plummeted to 237. Other players, however, like Rainer Schuettler, who also played last year’s Open qualies, have proved you can play the qualies and still turn their careers around; Schuettler reached the Wimbledon semis this summer and is now ranked in the top 40.

But for less-accomplished players — youngsters on the way up and journeyman pros who’ve never cracked the top 100 — it is a chance to reach the main draw of the U.S. Open, perhaps the greatest feat of their tennis careers. Reaching the main draw also means a substantial payday for low-earning players: first round losers in the main draw earn $16,500, and a win or two can mean much more.

This tier of players is not appreciated by most tennis fans. Professional tennis at the minor-league level is a very tough row to hoe. While everyone obsesses over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, there are legions of very talented players battling it out for peanuts and coveted-ranking points on the Challenger and Futures tours. Consider that the 147th best baseball player in the world earns a few million each year in a guaranteed contract that will be paid even if he injures himself in April and misses the season. In tennis, Sam Warburg, the American ranked 147th in the world as of Aug. 10, this year has earned only $68,201 and has career earnings of a mere $231,207. That’s a pittance when you consider the expenses of travel and training professional tennis demands. (Warburg was fortunate to be one of eight men granted a wild card into the main draw and will not play in this year’s qualies.)

For fans, the Open qualies are an excellent alternative for those who find attending the main draw of the tournament too crowded and too expensive. Attendance at the qualifying tournament is free, and there are always multiple matches taking place on the outer courts from which to choose. There are no binoculars required to see the matches, as is the case if you have upper level seats in the Arthur Ashe Stadium during the premiere matches. From the top sections of Ashe, the view of the court is about the same as a window seat from the airplanes taking off and landing at nearby La Guardia. At the qualies, you can sit in the front row for free and see some spectacular tennis at drop-shot range.

Wild Cards and Qualifyings: Filling Out the U.S. Open Men’s Draw If you are one of the rare men’s tennis fans who...
The U.S. Open Draw is Up, and Devin Britton Plays a Dude Named Federer If you need any proof that the USTA doesn’t fix the...
Former College Standouts Isner and Devvarman Shine on Monday Reigning NCAA champion from Ole Miss Devin Britton played the big...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.