Author Archives: Jesse Pentecost
Time to Sink In
The final Major tournament of the 2012 season finished several days ago. It was held in New York, and concluded on a Monday, as is customary. Andy Murray won it. This news somehow feels more surprising now than it did … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The Big Four
US Open, Final (3) Murray d. (2) Djokovic, 7/6 7/5 2/6 3/6 6/2 In the end, and to my unalloyed surprise, the 2012 US Open did not break the record for the most recoveries from a two set deficit in … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
An Impossible Day
US Open, Semifinal One (3) Murray d. (6) Berdych, 5/7 6/2 6/1 7/6 It was 3/0 in the fourth set when the moment arrived, the moment that has come to feel integral to all Andy Murray victories. It is the … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Extraordinary Rendition
US Open, Quarterfinals I have a colleague at my workplace – that place I periodically adjourn to in order to recover from the rigours of unremunerated tennis blather – who to my knowledge cannot enjoy a meal without first drenching … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The Momentum That Matters Most
US Open, Day Nine (4) Ferrer d. (13) Gasquet, 7/5 7/6 6/4 Following a long day spent watching almost no tennis, thanks to the onslaught of Hurricane Isaac’s weakened vanguard, determined viewers of the US Open were this evening obliged … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The Second Week
US Open, Day Seven It has occurred to me, belatedly, that my proposal to have the opening round of the US Open extended to five days carries with it a number of previously unexplored (yet important) advantages, and that highlighting … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Meltingly Warm and Liquid Quick
US Open, Days Five and Six (3) Murray d. (30) Lopez 7/6 7/6 4/6 7/6 We’re now almost three rounds deep in the 2012 US Open, and one of the top three seeds has actually dropped a set. It was … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Then Magic Happens
US Open, Days Three and Four The 2012 US Open is barely four days old, but it has already equalled the record for the most victories achieved from two sets to love down. This record number, set back in 1989, … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
For the Non-Believers
US Open, Days One and Two My proposal to have the first round of the US Open main draw spread over five days has, it seems, fallen on unreceptive ears. I believe this to be a shame, since it fulfilled … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The Far Side Of The World
Winston-Salem, Final (3) Isner d. (2) Berdych, 3/6 6/4 7/6 John Isner yesterday spent almost two and a half hours defeating Tomas Berdych in the final at Winston-Salem, eventually saving three match points in the third set tiebreaker. The American … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour, Grand Slams