Category Archives: 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Luck of the Draw: US Open 2012

It is amidst considerable fanfare and with a sense of ungovernable arousal that I announce the release of the newly updated and proudly unabridged second edition of Bracketology, the Reading of Draws , and Why Men Have to Sleep Around. … Continue reading

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Squandered Potential, Plays Well

A gauzy lassitude blankets men’s tennis this week, which also happens to be Roger Federer’s 286th week as the world’s top player. Admittedly the degree to which one finds it smothering will depend on your preferences regarding the top players, and towards … Continue reading

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