Volleying U.S. Open (Tennis!) Thread...

My favorite tournament if for no other reason than the story of my girlfriend grabbing Pat Rafter's ass (and possibly vice versa...she'll never tell).

...Today (Monday 8/27) is the start of the U.S. Open and what I feel will be Federer's toughest defense. Lot of good tennis being played on the hardcourts this season and not all of it was played by the reigning champion. As for Nadal, I don't think he's ever gotten past the quarters on a hard court grand slam but obviously his talent can take him a long way.

As for the women, I have no clue but I'm going with one of those Eastern European girls this time. Doesn't matter which one, Ivanovic, Jackovic, Idunnoavic, any of 'em. Are the Williams sisters even playing? Have either of them played since Wimbledon?

Thoughts, opinions, comments, insults?

 

I'm going with Serena. Good seats, too!

 

sharapova blows this one.

 

Hell, the U.S. Open is all about the Williamses this year. Each is going for a second major win on the year. And AP has them tipped for a seventh major final meeting betwixt the two. I think Sharapova has too many distractions.

As for Federer, I don't know if anyone is close to him. You could say he's like Tyson coasting into a Buster Douglas fight, but for me, my money's on R-Fed. Fortunately, I am a journalist and don't have much of that.

 

Going with Venus in women's....need some time to decide men's

 

Venus and Roger.

Oh, and I love my DirecTV with the special Open channels.

 

When I was in high school, I used to get in for free in exchange for acting as a gofer for a family friend. The first few days are the best -- you can watch the action of excellent (if not top 10) players up close. I can't stand the big courts, because I can't see anything from far away.

 

Sharapova's serve has been off all year. I doubt it's gotten better since Wimbledon. I don't see Miss Prissy Pants getting past the quarters.

 

Federer's girlfriend reached the third (or was it second) round of the women's draw in 2001. I had NO idea.

 

For anyone who has been ... is it worth the trip? (I'm guessing the answer is yes.)

I have free time nowadays, and I'm kind of interested in making a day trip to Flushing.

 

I would be jealous if you went, like insanely, irrationally jealous.

 

You're drawing a paycheck. Don't be too jealous.