Saturday’s Best Quote
Gael Monfils, when asked whether the late match finish might be a detriment to his chances in Sunday’s Final: “I am a machine.”
Saturday’s Fatigued
After advancing to the Final, Radek Stepanek told PTN that he’s ready for his Semifinal doubles match, scheduled last on Stadium Court following the encounter between Isner and Monfils. He wants to win as many matches as possible, the Czech said, and is excited for the doubles. However, as soon as rain began to pour down in Washington, Stepanek and partner Tommy Haas withdrew from the tournament, allowing their opponents Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau to advance to the Final against Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic. “Fatigue” was given as Stepanek’s official reason for withdrawal and that’s the reason that flashed on the jumbo screens on Stadium Court during Isner vs. Monfils, as the players were competing in a physical and tiring fight, while Stepanek was relaxing and preparing for the Final.
Saturday’s Dud
In the first match of the day, third-seeded Llodra and Zimonjic took on Brazil’s Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares, who had defeated the Bryan brothers earlier in the week, for a spot in the Doubles Final. Despite having been closely competed, with a 67(6), 76(7), 10-8 scoreline, the Semifinal showcased perhaps the worst level of play possible from two top doubles teams. Thanks primarily to Zimonjic’s overheads and his and Llodra’s erratic but powerful serving, the French-Serbian pairing was able to edge out the Brazilians in the end.
Saturday’s Out-of-Body Experience
“He took me out of my game, he didn’t let me attack,” reflected Donald Young on his loss to Radek Stepanek, echoing the numerous players Stepanek had defeated before with his wily play. “I was off,” continued Young, but noting that it was partially due to his opponent.
Knowing Stepanek’s strategy is to take pace away from his opponents, one wonders what players can do to prevent him from being successful in this largely psychological tactic. Asked about adjustments that Young tried to make mid-match and which of them worked, the American dead-panned, ‘All of them didn’t work…obviously.”
Saturday’s Back to Normal
Young, often discussed as an underachiever after being hyped as the “next American hope” as a teenager, became even more controversial earlier this year after he posted (and promptly removed) an expletive-filled message on Twitter about the USTA following his loss at the French Open Wildcard Playoff.
“I know there’s a lot of mixed feelings about me out there,” said Young, but noted that he has stopped following coverage of himself in the media, although his father still does. “You can’t please everybody,” he added.
Young also remarked that he had rebuilt his relationship with the USTA. “Yeah, it’s back to normal. We’re cool, we are talking,” he said.
Still, having missed the cut-off for main draw entry into the US Open, Young plans to play the Qualifying draw rather than participate in the Wildcard Playoff. “Didn’t go that well last time, I’m trying to stay away.”
Saturday’s Blow
Radek Stepanek may have been a victim of “fatigue,” but a real injury occurred later in the day when a John Isner serve bounced and hit a front row spectator in the eye. Isner winced, then looked mortified and worried as the spectator was taken out of the stadium. Isner, who also remembered one of his serves striking someone in the audience on the shoulder earlier in the week, told us after the match that the woman is said to be “ok, doing fine.” He felt awful about hitting her he said, but, “if you’re going to sit in that seat, you have to pay attention.”
Saturday’s Teethy Relaxation Method
What happens when rain delays interfere with matches, as happened with Saturday’s Semifinal? There are two difficulties, Isner said. The first is not knowing when to go on, and the second is not knowing what to eat. But the gastronomical limbo did not affect the match itself, the American said.
His victorious opponent seemed even less bothered by the interruptions. After having debriefs with his coach at each delay, Monfils would “chill out,” and watch shark week coverage on TV.
Saturday's Spellbound
As the downpour flourished on the grounds, the media center geared up for a tournament of its own - the First Annual Rain Delay Tennis Spelling Bee. PTN is proud to announce that in a grueling competition that consisted of spelling out names of ATP Players from lands far and wide, our own editor came out as the winner, beating out members of both international and internet media.
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