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We don't talk much tennis on here but what an effort from Dan Evans.
Just won the longest match ever un US Open history (5 hrs 35 mins) after being 4 - 0 down in the final set. He came back to win six games in a row to take the fifth set 6 - 4.
I only turned it on when it was 4 - 4 to see him win the final two games.
DAN EVANS WINS THE LONGEST MATCH IN US OPEN HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/n8pS6HjrRN
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
He beat a seed as well, he could now do with his next opponent scratching to give him a bye in the Second round.
So many kids play tennis now here compared to when I did 40 years ago, can only be good for more players coming through.
I see Emma Raducanu got knocked out in the first round again. She definitely got lucky when the big global brands were dishing out the sponsorship cash a few years ago.
I actually think tennis is the greatest individual sport and is still very under appreciated. Players go out on court and there’s no fixed time. They have to be physically and mentally prepared to last hours if necessary. There are no coaches so they have to deal with everything themselves. There are strict rules about being treated for cramp too. Spare a thought for the umpires. They get in that chair and officiate for that duration. Line umpires are rotated every 45 minutes but not the chair.
She was lucky to hit peak money straight out of the gate. Not many people would have predicted the mediocracy that followed, although she did start experiencing some injury problems and she changed coaches like there was no tomorrow. Were her parents too hands on? It will be interesting to see how the future unfolds as she is still only 21, but she looked forlorn last night when she made an immediate exit from the arena.
I agree with a lot of this. She thoroughly deserved that Slam but it was a freak result. She won’t hit those heights now as her mental game is shot. You’ve mentioned some reasons for that with coaches and parents. She’s only just left home. I just can’t see her going on much longer as she’s too injury prone now. It’s a shame. That US Open run was fairytale stuff though and she can dine out on that for the rest of her life. And so she should.
There’s a three part series on BBC iPlayer named something cheesy like Tennis gods but it’s really well presented and looks at the history of key players like King, Borg, Navratilova etc and gives some great insight behind the scenes. There’s a lot of travelling and tournaments all year. Most players can’t deal with that and burn out early. It’s a ver psychological game too. Headspace is everything.
With you all the way. No idea if you’re playing a 90 min straight setter or a 5 hour physical and mental killer. Due to our welsh football history with the Scots I’ve never been a massive fan of anything Scottish - but won’t have a bad word said about Andy Murray. A kid from dunblane becoming the no. 1 men’s tennis player in the world. Wow.
Big upset in Round 2 with third seed Carlos Alcaraz losing in straight sets. Naomi Osaka out early too.
Meanwhile the top seed Sinner pissed hot.
Amazing tennis player . How many tournaments has she won before or after her Grand Slam , I mean any tournament , I cant keep count.
The other day she was playing in round one or two of a tournament and BEAT, yes beat a top ten player for the first time in her career.
She has now repeated that feat twice, yes twice, in her whole career.
She wont win the USA open this year as she has once again been eliminated in round one.
Of course a true Brit , born in Toronto to a Romanian father , Chinese mum.
Its not every day we are lucky enough to have such a talent amongst our ranks.
Novak Djokovic is OUT of the US Open
Alexei Popyrin has defeated the defending champion 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Draper wins the first set .
Is the tournament wide open after the demise of Alcaraz and Djokovic ?
Yes. Both used an enormous amount of mental energy during their Olympics run and both targeted a gold medal. I now think it’s over for Djokovic winning another Slam. Time stops for no man and there are too many younger players who will beat him over 5 sets.
Davies Cup GB tennis looking interesting though which not many people were optimistic about after the decline of Murray.
Jack Draper through comfortably to the last 8 in straight sets. What has surprised me is the lack of appreciation from the fans there. I thought they always said that the New York crowds were very enthusiastic but that isn’t the feeling I’ve got watching a few matches the last week. They’ve been very quiet.
That was very impressive by Jack Draper.