TENNIS THREAD- and it's the US OPEN already! where is 2017 going??

[Raahh]

New thread ,as we are very close to the end of the other.

I'm in denial that it is nearly September.

I am looking forward to Flushing Meadows. I feels like ages ages since I was able to 'watch' any tennis.

Yay tennis! I have been lost in A level hell, but need some tennis to concentrate on -except it's on at night! I take it's too late for us to run a campaign to change it?

hugo probably.

All is quiet on the Murray front I see,

Signing in

Well, Murray definitely has the easier draw, of the top 3. But it all depends on whether he is actually fit.

I wouldn't bet against Federer, although his back is an issue at the moment. This has been a bit of a miracle year for the 2017 Roger reboot.

I'm hoping Rafa can go a few rounds, but I'm not sure, he has some tricky opponents after the first round. But I can hope.

It's been a funny old year- I wish I'd put a bet on Federer and Rafa this time last year. I wonder what odds I'd have got, when Roger was off for six months , and Rafa with an iffy wrist that eventually put him out for the 2016 season- that they would split most of the 2017 tournaments
between them? I'm sure it would be enough to buy me a pint. .

And Murray's withdrawn. Not surprising...

Ooh, update Murray has with drawn from the US Open.

I'm pissed off, really, as I'm sure his fitness was known before the draw was made. There should be penalties for pulling out now. And now he has withdrawn, leaving his place (presumably) to be filled by a qualifier or lucky loser. Really, Rafa and Roger should always have been seeded 1 and 2.

It leaves one half of the draw very open.

x-post

And I've just been reading that Dogs defeat in the first round at Winston-Salem is being investigated, due to possible match fixing. Seems there was irregular betting in favour of his opponent.

I'd be surprised if someone so high profile was involved in match fixing, but you never know, where money is involved, I suppose.

Looks like Cilic will take over Murray's spot. I'm still annoyed he pulled out after the draw.

And Shania Twain is performing at the opening ceremony thingy. . It's not like the brass band thing at Wimbledon, is it?

It's my least favourite tournament, the US open. It always feels a bit odd. I think it's because it is so obviously geared for the tv viewers and audiences, and doesn't seem to be for the benefit of the players. It has an odd atmosphere. Unless you like the glitzy stuff.

And the fact they don't seem to mind the crowds wandering around between points- which I noticed a lot last year.

Oh no, Shitaia Twain? Will skip that bit.

Yep. NO murray.

I lie the US open cos its the final one of the year, but dont like it cos its too showbiz and loud, more like a Las Vegas boxing match, like theres been over the weekend, all the hype and glitz.

I think skipping Shania is wise, Qui.

I know Davis Cup is a bit louder and more crowd 'friendly' (and I'm not that keen on that , really, I like my tennis without audience participation)- but the US open takes is to another level. yes, like the boxing (which thanks to very rowdy neighbours, I was kept awake by).

It's nor quite Superbowl levels of special guest, though is it? Shania? Shows the 'importance' of tennis in the US hierarchy of sport I suppose.
Things were probably different when they had more players who were winning things, I guess. They are pretty much reliant on Serena at the moment, and their blokes just seem to make up the numbers.

Just signing in. Been busy, but heard Murray had pulled out on the news, and realised its nearly here
Never really watched the US open, but may try this year
I quite like a bit of Shania - It dont impress me much , but maybe not mixed with tennis

just seen that Kyle Edmund is through, but Heather Watson isn't ...

Well, Marin has taken the first set of his match.

Whilst it is nice to have 'live' tennis to watch- it takes a while to get used to the blue courts And the empty stands...

And he is playing an American called Tennys. From Tennessee. Though he's named after a grandparent apparently, who was neither a tennis player, nor from Tennessee .

Evening book .

Shame about Heather.

where are you watching it Raahh ? I am looking at live text on BBC website , and I think its going to be on radio too shortly

It's on Eurosport,. I have Virgin, so it's on 523/24 I think.

I used to forget to check- I used to miss the first week of the Aussie open.

Sadly, the dc have taken over the tv, and we will be catching up with Game of Thrones later... but not sleeping has it's benefits, and I can watch some more later.

Konta is on - just broken so 2 games to 1 - just getting DH to see if we can find it somewhere - we don't have virgin, or sky

tbh, we have the most basic Virgin package, and I'm sure I read last year that the US open wouldn't be on Eurosport/something to do with Sky this year . But l'm glad it is.

I don't know whether I've missed the Shania extravaganza though

shame - you could have sung along!
I see Marin is two sets up

He is, but struggling in the 3rd (now I have briefly got the remote back).

Not keen on the shirt Tennys is wearing- it is red with yellow splatters on it, looks like a volcano eruption.

Konta 5-4 up
I am an old fuddy duddy - the coloured weird shirts are just erm interesting

oh, just won first set 6-4