Well, it's been a super-soaked U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, NY again. For the third straight year, the Men's Final had to be moved to Monday. Fans want a roof, players want rest, and Serena Williams doesn't want you to look at her (tirade at official). Oh Boy. With all this now in the past, it's time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly.
THE GOOD
Novak Djokovic continued his great 2011 season, beating Federer and Nadal along the way. Federer held two match points for the second straight year, not to mention a 2-sets to love advantage (183-1 before U.S. Open when winning first 2 sets). Rafael Nadal continued his struggles against the Djoker this year, losing in four relatively easy sets. Federer: 1-4 versus Djokovic this year, was serving the match out when Djokovic hit a slap-shot one in a million chance forehand return on the baseline corner. Federer was deflated, Djokovic came back from 3-5 to win the set and match 7-5. It it weren't for Federer at Roland Garros this year, (Beat Djokovic in the semis, snapping winning streak) Djokovic might well have been the first man since Rod Laver in 1967 to get the Professional Grand Slam (Win all four majors in one year). Nadal is 0-6 this year vs. Djokovic, all in finals. Talk about Mental Block.
Sam Stosur lost in the first round at Wimbledon, but came back to reach only her second Slam Final, beating Serena Williams in straight sets to rule the fortnight in NYC. She played solid, out-dueling Williams in every aspect. Nice job from the Aussie!
[caption id="attachment_76" align="alignleft" width="273" caption="Andy Roddick and David Ferrer complain to Head Ref Brian Earley about court conditions"]
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Referees had a tough time last week. Rain forced play to be haulted for two days, but not before they sent out the players on the courts while it was still raining "misting". Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal were the victims that day, and went in to the main referee Brian Earley's office to complain. Then, the next day, Luis Armstrong Stadium (second largest) had a big crack in it that kept leaking water on the court. Brian Earley again sent David Ferrer and Andy Roddick back on court, with the crack still there. Roddick and Ferrer demanded play be stopped. It was, and Roddick went on to beat Ferrer.
Theres no doubt you heard about it, seen the footage yourself and felt disgusted, once again. Serena Williams again had an on-court altercation with an umpire. This time the victim was chair umpire Eva Asderaski. I wont go into details, but Serena was wrong, and classless. here's the video:
What are you thoughts on the altercation? Was it justified?
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