US Open 2012 - Roundup

Day 1

The final grand slam of the year has begun today. The cynosure of all eyes would be “The Flushing Meadows” at New York.

In the men’s section, former champion and last year’s runner up – Rafael Nadal has had to unfortunately pull out of this event due to a knee injury. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is one of the firm contenders alongside Olympic medalists Andy Murray & Roger Federer. The Swiss maestro is the current world number one and is in fine form coming into this slam after having beaten rival Djokovic in straight sets at the Cincinnati Masters – a tune up event to the US open. Andy Murray, the gold medal winner at the London games would be looking for that elusive first grand slam of his career. The other dark horses could be Jo Wilfred Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro & John Isner.

In the women’s section, former US Open champion Kim Clijsters would be playing in the last slam of her glittering career and is certain to call it a day thereafter. It would be very tough to predict a winner considering the draw. Any of the top ten players could hold aloft the silverware on Sep 1^st. However, the fan favorites would be Serena Williams, Li Na, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova & Sam Stosur.

As I write, a few first round matches have begun and heavy thunder showers have lashed all the outside courts including the show court – The Arthur Ashe stadium.

Before rains stopped play, Australian Samantha Stosur steam rolled Croatian Petra Martic in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. Chinese Li Na was leading 6-2, 5-2 against Watson. German sensation Sabine Lisicki took the first set but dropped the second against her opponent Cirstea. American veteran James Blake looked solid against Lacko and was in control at 7-5, 6-2.

Federer is scheduled to take on Donald Young. Maria Sharapova plays Melinda Czink.

Day 2

Federer and Murray won their respective matches on day 1. The other top players in action today include Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic, Andy Roddick & Novak Djokovic. The Williams sisters are also scheduled to play their opening rounds.

Former French Open finalist Anna Ivanovic cruised to the second round with a comfortable straight sets victory over Elina Svitolina. The former world no 1 hasn’t been in the best form over the last two to three years and it would be interesting to see how far she progresses.

Wimbledon finalist Agnieska Radwanska of Poland came through 6-1, 6-1 against Bratchikova from the Czech Republic to advance to round 2.

Day 3

The sun shone brightly on Flushing Meadows. Veteran and former world number 1 Leyton Hewitt plays today. He’s been given a wild card. David Ferrer, a consistent performer at the slams, takes on South African Kevin Anderson. In the women’s side, Belarusian and mixed doubles gold medalist in London, Victoria Azarenka took the first set 6-2 against Kirsten Flipkens from Belgium and broke her opponent’s serve twice to close out the match 6-2, 6-2.  The Williams sisters looked very sharp on day 2 winning their respective opening rounds fairly comfortably.

Wild card G. Rufin was leading 6-4, 6-3 against his accomplished opponent from Serbia, J. Tipsarevic. The first major upset looks imminent.

Big serving John Isner is set to take on Belgian Xavier Malisse. The lanky American should go through based on the form book.

Day 4

Murray & Djokovic advanced on day 3. Defending champion Sam Stosur from Australia progressed to round three. Former champion Kim Clijsters was ousted in the second round by young and upcoming Laura Robson from Great Britain. Robson won the mixed doubles silver medal at the London games partnering Andy Murray.

 Federer and Venus Williams are scheduled to play in the night session. The first major casualty came in the form of 5^th seed and one of the firm favorites Jo Wilfred Tsonga, who was knocked out in 4 sets in round two by an unknown and unfamiliar left handed opponent by the name of Martin Klizen. The score line read 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, 6-1. Kilizen served well and stroked the ball extremely well of both flanks. Yelena Jankovic of Serbia made it to the round of 32 and could possibly face a tough opponent in the form of Agnieska Radwanska.

The exit of the talented Frenchman has opened up his half of the draw. American Mardy Fish locked horns with a dogged Russian, Nikolay Davydenko. He took the third set 6-2 after having lost the first two 6-4, 7-6.

Venus Williams was beaten in straight sets by the upcoming German left hander Angelique Kerber. However, the younger of the two siblings, Serena breezed through to the third round.

Day 5

Sam Stosur took on Lepchenko in the third round. 9^th seed Li Na was up against British star Laura Robson. Robson broke Li’s serve in the second game of the opening set and held on till 5-3. The Chinese broke back in the 9^th game but failed to hold her serve in the next. Robson prevailed 6-4 with some consistent serves and ground strokes. Li took the second set on a tie break. However, her younger opponent took control in the deciding set to go up 5-2 and then held her serve comfortably to progress to the round of 16 where she meets potential champion Samantha Stosur. It was a clinical display by the 18 year old Brit who served very well and returned superbly.

Andy Roddick takes on Australian sensation Bernard Tomic in the night session. Roddick has announced that he would retire from professional tennis after this year’s US Open. The 29 year old will be sorely missed, particularly his booming serves. Top seed Victoria Azarenka plays the other top ranked Chinese player remaining in the draw, Zheng Zie.

5^th seed and 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova faced Pauline Parmentier in her third round encounter. The Czech faces Marion Bartoli of France in the fourth round after her 6-4, 6-4 win. Novak Djokovic ousted Brazilian Dutra Silva 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the third round where he could meet Frenchman Julian Benneteau.

Veteran and former world number 1 Lleyton Hewitt faced Gilles Muller in his second round match and the score line read 3-6, 7-6 with the enigmatic Aussie winning the second set tie-break.

Day 6

Second & third round singles action continued. Serena Williams got past Russian Makarova with ease to make it to the round of 16. In other second round matches, big serving John Isner beat Jarko Nieminen of Finland in four sets 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. Andy Roddick thrashed Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0. Philip Kolschreiber of Germany won a thrilling five set encounter against B. Paire of France 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 7-6.

Frenchman Julian Benneteau came through in four sets against American youngster Novikov. Serbian Tipsarevic beat a seemingly tough opponent Brian Becker in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Marin Cilic got past Kei Nishikori of Japan in four sets to progress to the round of 16 and so did Nicolas Almagro over American J. Sock who was also scheduled to play his doubles match in the night session.

The other third round matches being played featured big guns Federer against Fernando Verdasco of Spain and Andy Murray against another Spanish left hander in the form of Feliciano Lopez. The matches to look forward to in the night session include Giles Simon (France) Vs Mardy Fish (USA); Milos Raonic (Canada) Vs James Blake (USA); Tomas Berdych (CZE) Vs Sam Querrey (USA).

Day 7

Andy Murray had a tough match against Lopez and needed to win three tie breakers to prevail 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6. American Mardy Fish came through in four sets against Giles Simon. Canadian Milas Raonic put an end to the challenge from wild card and veteran James Blake. In the last third round men’s singles match on day 6, Tomas Berdych overcame Sam Querrey to advance to the round of 16.

On day 7, Andy Roddick got the better of Fabia Fognini 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 and delayed his retirement by another day. In women’s action Petra Kvitova was shown the exit door in three sets by an adamant Marion Bartoli from France after having won the first set 6-1. Bartoli won 1-6, 6-2, 6-0.

Defending champion Djokovic beat Frenchman Julian Benneteau in straight sets and would face Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the quarter finals. The tireless and consistent David Ferrer from Spain thwarted the challenge of veteran Aussie Lleyton Hewitt 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

In a late night encounter, Philip Kolschreiber of Germany beat local favorite John Isner in a thrilling 5 setter 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.  Victoria Azarenka, Sam Stosur & Maria Sharapova were the top women’s players to make it to the quarter finals.

Day 8

No 6 seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic beat 11^th seed Spain’s Nicolas Almagro in straight sets 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 to progress to the quarter finals. A resurgent Ana Ivanovic of Serbia also advanced to the last eight in the women’s singles with a comfortable victory over Bulgarian Pironkova.

Serena Williams takes on Andrea Hlavackova followed by Croatian Marin Cilic who would lock horns with Slovakian Martin Klizan who ousted Frenchman and one of the title favorites Jo Wilfred Tsonga. In other women’s fourth round matches, German Angelique Kerber takes on Sara Errani from Italy and Agnieska Radwanska faces Roberta Vinci from also from Italy.

The younger Williams blanked her opponent from the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the quarter finals where she takes on Anna Ivanovic of Serbia.

The diminutive Sara Errani shocked her higher ranked opponent Angelique Kerber 7-6, 6-4. The first set was a real slug fest with long rallies like the ones that we are used to watching at Roland Garros. Every point was fought like a battle. However, the Italian managed to hold her nerve and progressed further in the tournament.

Roger Federer made it to the quarter finals without breaking a sweat as his opponent Mardy Fish from the USA had to pull out owing to an unusual heart beat condition – very unfortunate indeed.

In mixed doubles action, the first quarter final featured Sania Mirza & Fleming against Peschke & Matkowski. The match was on serve for the first four games with the score at 2-2. The Indian ace has also reached the third round of the women’s doubles along with partner Bethanie Mattek of the US.

The Williams sisters lost their doubles match. Andy Murray got past big serving Milos Raonic in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and takes on Croat Marin Cilic for a place in the semi-finals. Cilic ousted Marin Klizan 7-5, 6-4, 6-0. Italian Roberta Vinci joined compatriot Sara Errani in the quarter finals after beating Poland’s Agnieska Radwanska comfortably, 6-1, 6-4.

Day 9

Samantha Stosur of Australia took on Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the first of the women’s quarter finals. Azarenka took control immediately by breaking her opponent’s serve twice to clinch the opening set 6-1. The defending champion couldn’t earn even a single break point opportunity. There was brief rain interruption.

The second set began dramatically with both players trading breaks and then holding their serves till 3-3. Sam Stosur broke the Azarenka serve in the seventh game to go up 4-3 at the hour mark. She then held her serve quite comfortably for a 5-3 lead.

In men’s fourth round action, Spain’s David Ferrer was up against a very tough opponent Richard Gasquet from France. The Spaniard led 4-3 at one stage but Gasquet leveled things up at 5-5 only to be broken in the next game.

Day 10

David Ferrer prevailed over Richard Gasquet and will face Janko Tipsarevic from Serbia in the quarter finals. Victoria Azarenka held her nerve in the deciding set to win the tie-breaker 7-5 and the match.

With this win, she retains her number one position in the WTA rankings and could face Maria Sharapova or Marion Bartoli in the semi finals. Serena Williams takes on Sara Errani in the other semi finals.

Day 11

Novak Djokovic beat Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets 6-2, 7-6, 6-4 and looked to be in control throughout the match. He faces Spaniard David Ferrer who ousted Tipsarevic in a thrilling five setter. The men’s semi-final lineup is as follows: Ferrer Vs Djokovic & Murrray Vs Berdych. Tomas Berdych upset the great Roger Federer in four sets 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. A final between Murray & defending champion Novak Djokovic would be a mouth watering prospect.

Day 12

The Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes & Radek Stepanek lost to the illustrious American twin pairing of Bob & Mike Bryan 6-3, 6-4. The Bryan brothers have now won 12 grand slams including 4 US Open titles and the London Olympics gold medal. The great Aussie pair of John Newcombe & Tony Roche has also won 12 doubles titles.

The first of the women’s singles semi-finals got underway at the Arthur Ashe on a bright hot afternoon. No 3 seed and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova took on top seed and current world number 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. Azarenka has a 5-4 head-to-head record and a 3-2 record on hard court finals this year.

The Russian struck early by breaking her opponent’s serve after holding her serve in the opening game and quickly consolidated to go ahead 3-0. It was unusual to see Azarenka look quite unsettled from the baseline. Her opponent wasn’t letting her settle down and find her rhythm. Of the two players, it is the Belarusian that moves better and possesses better ground strokes. However, it was Sharapova who was hitting the lines and controlling the rallies. The fourth game went Azarenka’s way.

Sharapova served confidently and comfortably held for a 4-1 lead. She looked very focused and determined at this stage. Another break of serve ensued with the score line at 5-1. It appeared as though the French Open 2012 champion had a train to catch as she seemed to be in a tearing hurry. There was some respite for Azarenka who managed to get her first break of serve, may be a ray of hope. A little aberration in the opening set that was dominated by Sharapova. The gap had been narrowed to 5-3.

In the 9^th game, the double faults began to creep in and the Russian had served five of them already. And all of a sudden she was down 15-40. She managed to get to deuce and closed out the first set 6-3 on her second set point with a timely ace. The set lasted a shade under 40 minutes. In the entire first set, Azarenka struck just one winner compared to her opponent’s 10.

The Azarenka serve was again under the gun in the opening game of the second set as Sharapova’s onslaught continued relentlessly. However, Victoria repaid the favor in the very next game – score 1-1. For the first time in the match, Azarenka was up 3-1 after securing another break of serve and held quite comfortably for 4-1. It appeared as though she had begun to fine her touch at just about the right time and when it mattered.

The Russian found herself serving 2-5 down with Azarenka winning the second set on her second set point. In just under an hour and a half, the score line read 6-3, 2-6. Both women than took a 10 minute break as per the USTA heat rule.

In the decider, Azarenka needed just one break of serve to win the encounter 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. The Belarusian will play Serena Williams who steam rolled her Italian opponent Sara Errani 6-2, 6-1 in under one hour. The American is looking for her 15^th grand slam title and fourth at the US Open.

Day 13

Rain disrupted play as the men’s singles semi finals got delayed by more than an hour. However, play began 12:26 PM (ET). The first of the semi-finals saw giant killer Tomas Berdych take on Andy Murray. The conditions were very tough with swirling winds blowing around. The Czech leads their head-to-head career meetings 4-2. He also has a huge serve and a very powerful forehand.

Over the last two weeks, players have had to experience heat, humidity, wind, rain & sunshine. Moreover, there are jets flying over constantly and the sound can be very disturbing for the players.

Murray broke Berdych’s serve in the third game to lead 2-1 but was soon broken back. The conditions were getting extremely difficult and the Scot had an argument with Berdych and the chair umpire. However, play continued and the score line read 3-3 after 41 minutes.

Both players held serve till 6-5 in favor of Berdych. Murray faced two break points in the 12^th game serving at 15-40 but could save only the first one with Berdych winning the opening set 7-5 with his trade mark ripping forehand winner.

Murray responded with two breaks of serve to lead 4-1 in the second set. The weather seemed to have improved along with the Scot’s temper. The sun shone brightly and the intensity of the gusty winds had reduced considerably.

However, as the match progressed, the sun played hide and seek with Murray winning the second set 6-2. The third set had a similar plot with three breaks of serve giving the Scot a 6-1 win and a two sets to one lead. The British number one and London Olympics Gold medalist certainly handled the hostile conditions better than his lanky opponent who continued making unforced errors.

In the fourth set, Murray quickly took a 3-0 lead that was nullified soon with the set eventually going to a tie-break. Berdych lead 5-2 and it looked as though a fifth set lurked round the corner. But the yet to be crowned grand slam champion held his nerve to clinch the tie-break 9-7 and with it the match and a place in Monday’s final. Murray would be playing in his second US Open final and fifth grand slam final overall. Can he win his first ever slam this year? We hope he does, finally!

The other semifinal between defending champion from Serbia – Novak Djokovic and Spaniard David Ferrer lasted 30 min with Ferrer leading 5-2. The match was suspended due to inclement weather till Sunday 11 AM (ET).

Day 14

Ferrer held serve comfortably to win the first set 6-2 on a much brighter day with clear weather and friendly winds. The second set went in the Serb’s favor as he quickly took a 5-1 lead with two breaks of serve. He took the set 6-1. The opening game of the third set saw Ferrer’s serve being broken again. Djokovic held for a 2-0 lead but the dogged Spaniard leveled things up at 2-2 and then took a 3-2 lead on his own serve.

However, the lead didn’t last long and the Serb prevailed 6-4 and looked supremely confident and in total control of the match. Two breaks of serve ensued in the fourth set with Djokovic leading 5-2 after a shade under two & a half hours. The Spaniard didn’t possess any special weapon to disturb his opponent’s rhythm.

The inevitable was delayed by a further three minutes with Djoker prevailing 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. He now takes on Andy Murray on Monday. Their career head to head record is in favor of the Serb 8-6. However, Murray got the better of him in the semi finals at the London Olympics winning 7-5, 7-5.

The women’s singles final is scheduled to take place at 4:30 pm (ET). Serena Williams looks to be the firm favorite against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and should win her 15^th grand slam singles title.

As expected, Serena got off to terrific start breaking Azarenka’s serve twice in the opening set to win it 6-2. The American was dominant and served extremely well. Her opponent could manage only two winners in the entire set. However, the second set began with the Belarusian getting the early break of serve which she managed to consolidate and leveled the match at one set a piece. The score read 6-2, 2-6. Unforced errors began to creep in from Serena’s racquet.

The third set was closely fought with Azarenka finding the momentum with a break and served at 5-4 only to be broken back by the great champion who held her nerve and clinched the final set 7-5. It was indeed a fitting finale that capped a wonderful two weeks for the American who won her fourth US open 13 years after her maiden triumph. Slam no 15 and fourth on the all time list behind Steffi Graf (22), Martina Navratilova (18) & Chris Evert (18) – a remarkable achievement indeed!

Day 15

The much awaited men’s final began at 4:00 pm (ET). In his 5^th attempt at winning a grand slam final, Scot Andy Murray recorded a rousing five set victory over arch rival and defending champion Novak Djokovic.

He became the first Brit to win a grand slam since the great Fred Perry won his last US Open 76 years ago in 1936. The legendary tennis player passed away in 1995 at the age of 85. He can now rest happily in his grave. Incidentally, it was on the same day, Sep 10^th 1936; that the great man won the last of his eight grand slams.

The first two sets went Murray’s way 7-6 (12-10), 7-5. However, the Serb responded magnificently to level the match at two sets all by winning the third and the fourth sets fairly comfortably, 6-2, 6-2.

Murray seized the initiative in the final set and finally heaved a sigh of relief after 4 hrs & 54 minutes winning his first grand slam 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2. Djokovic was cramping a little bit towards the closing stages of the match and called for a trainer.

The 1988 men’s singles final between Swede Mats Wilander & Ivan Lendl (now Murray’s coach) lasted 4 hrs & 54 minute as well. However, Lendl ended up on the losing side.

Some interesting statistics:

• Serena Williams in 2012 – London Olympics Gold medalist, Wimbledon Champion, US Open Champion
• Maria Sharapova in 2012 – London Olympics Silver medalist, French Open Champion, US Open semi-finalist
• Victoria Azarenka in 2012 – London Olympics Bronze medalist, Australian Open Champion, US Open runner up
• Victoria Azarenka in 2005 – Junior Australian Open Champion, Junior US Open Champion

 

The above facts clearly indicate the domination of these three top ranked tennis stars this year.