Tennis thread: to Winston Salem - and beyond! All your build-up to the US Open here...

[PrivateIsles]

Cincinnati finals tomorrow... Meanwhile Andy Murray travels to Winston Salem (by car ) today...

Welcome one and all

Age! Not wage!!

I give up

Ooh Adelie Andy Murray is playing at the Rafa challenger! That would be great if you get to see him.

Hope you have a great holiday!

So the US Open draw is out. Rafa plays Milkman in the first round - guess it's unlikely Milkman will pull off the upset this year then?

Roger has a good draw - qualifier first. Kyrgios and Tsitsipas could play each other in R3.

Djok probably has the toughest draw of the top 3.

Also Stan and Grigor are not playing each other in R1!! They're in the same half but sort of at opposite ends.

Serena and Sharapova play each other in R1, and everyone on twitter is calling it a "popcorn" match... but Serena is surely going to win that easily?

Ah, thanks for the heads up private I was just going to ask if anyone knew when the draw was taking place!

Had an email from the LTA earlier this week about watching the US Open on Amazon Prime Video for a free 30 day trial period.

Might get DS to investigate because clearly I'm hopeless at that sort of thing!

Is that what some of you have to watch the tennis?

Thank goodness Stan and Grigor have avoided each other in the first round

Now off to find the full draw.

I've just been looking at the draw, I agree that they are desperate to fan the flames of a long dead feud with Serena and Marina. I don't think Marina has much of a chance.

The draws are interesting. I have only seen Rafa's and Djok's properly. But at least it will be a Fed/Djok semi, this time, if it gets that far.

I see Tsistipas plays Rublev in the first round. I can see him being beaten unfortunately, as Rublev is doing well at the moment. Fingers crossed he's worn himself out after his recent exertions....

Yes I agree kazza, he is playing well and I'm sure he'd be desperate to capitalise on that. I definitely think Tsitsipas is at risk there.

Also FAA plays Shaggy in the first round - haven't they just played each other recently? They're the new Dimitrov v Wawrinka

Gasquet v Berrettini could be a good match as well.

Raahh the serena - Sharapova rivalry really is long dead isn't it? It was always so one sided anyway, Serena has had much better "rivals"/match ups over her career.

I've just noticed i called Maria, Marina.

I agree that Stefanos could be vulnerable. He has gone off the boil a bit lately.

Part of me thinks it's Djok's to win again. But you never know.

I dunno Raahh. I did think that before Cincinnati but now I don't know. I've got a feeling for a certain Spanish player who I won't jinx by naming him (because that's how it works, right?!).

He's had the best lead up of the "big 3" (ie he actually won a title) - his knees are probably the only thing that could really stop him.

Fed has got really lucky with his draw IMO. Qualifier, then probably Dzumhur (I know I haven't spelt that right). He's going to play himself in.

Djok should be fine until the quarters but he could play Medvedev then I think - but I can't see Medvedev producing those massive serves and winners against Djok for best of 5. If the courts are slow again this year it's going to be hard to get anything past him... But I have faith in Rafa!!

I miss Delpo though.

I am always very wary of thinking that things are looking good for a certain Spanish player I won't name.

I'd love it if He did win.

Fed has got very lucky. Again. Why has he not drawn someone like Kyrgios? He also thinks the courts are faster this year. Not sure how he knows, or of this is just mind games.

I'm looking forward to It, although the crowds annoy me. Always far too noisy.

Talking of Dick, there was a piece in the DM this morning by their chief sports writer trashing Dick. He called him "the world's most tiresome sportsman" and said that he "is indulged by the myth he is box office".
I've tried to attach a photo of the article but it probably won't work

All I can say is it's refreshing to see someone in the media agreeing with us. Martin Samuel can be an honary mumsneter on the back of his article

Yes, kazza - welcome to MN, Martin!

Itain stark contrast to what I read from Petchey, who claimed Dick was punished too harshly last week. He should just be allowed to be himself, apparently, he's great for the sport

He also said Serena was just as bad at the US open last year. and had her fine reduced. Well, she was dreadful. But she didnt spit- and this is the umpteenth tournament in a row where Dick has done something.

So, yes, that's great Perch. How about, you get out from the safety of the commentary box, and umpire one of his matches. Your view might change.

I completely agree with that article. It is boring. And annoying.

Raahh I would love to see Petch umpire one of his matches!

I love that article. Spot on!

I've seen Tsonga's new hairdo. Oh dear

Jane the hair is not good is it. What was he thinking?!

He must be taking inspiration from Benoit.

Oh my giddy aunt!
Is he doing it for a bet or charity, perhaps?
Cannot think of any good reason for doing it otherwise

For all you Goran fans (and who isn't one?!).....there is a video on Cock's IG of Novak beating Goran at pool. Unfortunately, I don't speak Serbo-Croat

Something for the weekend.

I can't see that kazza but I saw his #nolefam post

It's the 4th post from the top of his photos Jane The photo is of Djok in a black t shirt.

Ah thanks Jane and kazza for both of those they've definitely brightened up the day!

That video is funny. Djok and Goran seem to get on well (even though I couldn't understand what they were actually saying either ) but they seemed to be having a good laugh together.

I love Insta (even though I don't seem to be able to navigate it properly ) just loads of gorgeous photos and no politics (unlike Twitter).

Aah thanks kazza. Goran doesn't look too happy to have been beaten. Autocorrect changed Goran to a succession of various Irish surnames so it's taken me a few minutes to post this!

US Open have posted a Lego tennis match on insta. It's so cute