Late post today; so let’s get started:
Day 6 Recap:
Complete massacre of the seeded players in the 1st quarter of the women’s draw:
Hats off to all the unseeded ladies still standing in the 1st quarter. Safina, the only remaining seed left in that section, finally succumbed to Kvitova in a tense 3rd set breaker. Kvitova stared down 2 match points serving at 5-6 to force the breaker to complete the coup. Well Done!
Headache-inducing match of the day: Oudin vs. Sharapova
Surprisingly, headache wasn’t from the screams Sharapova but from the 21 (21!) doubles coming off of her racket all match long. FYI: 21 doubles = is almost a set she generously donated to her very game opponent. Serve-itis has gotten inside Sharapova’s head and it’s affected the core of her game. When her serve deserted her, she wasn’t hitting her groundstrokes with authority. The screeches were also less intense. Oudin held up her end of the bargain. She played a smart match and out played Sharapova off the ground.
Match of day: 2 picks today
Isner vs. Roddick
Breaks were at a premium during this match and both guys brought the heat on serve right from ball one. Simply put, Roddick just didn’t return well enough. He had looks at a few very make able passes during the 5th set that could have turned the match around in his favor. In the end, it came down to one crucial mini-break in the tie break with Roddick scrambling up at net giving Isner a look at the pass. Isner made it and never looked back.
Verdasco vs. Haas
With everyone still reeling from the results of the Sharapova Oudin match, a very entertaining 5 set encounter was going on between two good looking guys on Armstrong. Both guys played aggressively with some nifty net play by Haas and great passes by Verdasco. Verdasco snuck out the win and will take on Isner in round 4.
Day 7 brings some very intriguing matches on both sides.
Clijsters vs. Venus
Most people have jumped on the Clijsters bandwagon and penciled her into the semis. She’s played great since un-retiring and has cruised in the last few rounds. In contrast, Venus has hobbled her way into this match on a suspect knee. It should be close with Clijsters taking the 1st then maybe going on a walkabout in the 2nd. Clijsters for the 3 set win. (I guess, I’m on the wagon too)
Our “take cover” match of the day: Berdych vs. Gonzalez
Watch this match if you want to see a big hitting, “go-for- broke” encounter between two permanent residents of Head-case-ville. Says here, Gonzo zones for a few sets to take the win.
Serve and volley! Dent vs. Murray
We hope Dent has enough gas in the tank to put on a good show tonight against Murray on Ashe. Murray should take the win but we love to see Dent play.