Even Novak Djokovic had to laugh at his own brilliance
Thursday in New York
Terrifying form
When a tennis player is in one of those ‘I can do no wrong moods’, it’s hard to see how they can lose a point, let alone a game or a match. Which is the situation that Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic find themselves in at the moment. Both S and Nole have been all too happy to visit the Flushing Meadows bagel shop, dropping just three games on their way to the third round – Serena two in her opener, one in her second, Novak one in his opener (admittedly helped along by Conor Niland’s stomach troubles), and two in his second.
Djokovic’s dominance over Carlos Berlocq was so ridonkadonk that he hit a hotdog to set up match point. This does not happen in the real world.
It can’t last of course. Or can it? Either way, woe betide those poor souls who come next.
Passing through
Also cruising along were Roger Federer in 77 minutes, Caroline Wozniacki in 63 minutes (Arantxa Rus, you let me down), and Francesca Schiavone in 53 minutes. Restoring order with every game or set that they don’t drop. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Marin Cilic, Jelena Jankovic and Tomas Berdych also advanced.
Stars and stripes
Yesterday marked the passage of five American women through to the third round at Flushing Meadows, the most since 2004 (when eight made it through). And, much more tellingly, three of the five are below the age of 21. Introducing Serena’s successors…Christina McHale, Irina Falconi, and now, 18 year-old Sloane Stephens. The punchy teenager didn’t even stop to muse on the fact that Shahar Peer might be too much for her, and will instead meet Ana Ivanovic in the third round.
The ones that don’t make sense
Gael Monfils lost to juan Carlos Ferrero in five very strange sets.
La Monf is a particularly curious case. Yes, JC Ferrero (not related to the chocolates, as someone did in fact ask), can defy his age to produce some vintage mosquito play, but still. These are matches that Monfils, who has talent screaming from his afro, should be winning. Except he doesn’t. Head-banger.
Richard Gasquet also went out to Ivo Karlovic in four.
And then there was one
Five players in the first round was pretty great, considering that it’s not Wimbledon. Three in the second round was greater. But now, as per usual, there’s just one. Not for want of trying on the part of Elena Baltacha, I’ll quickly add. She lead Svetlana Kuznetsova by a break at the start of their second-rounder, before the mercurial Russian got it together, and was ultimately that bit more consistent.Food for thought for Bally, who has had her best year in the Slams, all second rounds, at the grand old age of 28.
“Matches against world-class players like her teach you a lot about your game and where you need to improve,” Baltacha wrote in her BBC column. “My US Open might be over but I’m determined to finish the year strongly to give myself the right platform for 2012.”
But it does mean that Andy Murray is Britain’s last remaining player in the singles competition. Praise Peter for the doubles… Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, and Jonny Marray and Jamie Delgado are all in second round action today.
More on Venus
Venus Williams has been talking a bit more about being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome.
“I’ve been told it’s going to take three to six months for all the medication to sink in,” Williams told the New York Times, adding that she received a diagnosis last month. “Looking back, it’s affected my career in a huge way… A lot of times I’ve had to pretend I felt good when I felt terrible.”
The tennis world is behind her.
Have a read of some more thoughts on the US Open sick bay syndrome.
Soundbite
“Not much trouble on serve/baseline when it’s like that obviously tough 4 opponent. I just think I was superior today”
Vintage Roger Federer
What’s coming up this evening
Andy Murray v Robin Haase (approx 8.45pm UK time)
Robin Haase is a very sweet-natured Dutchman with a lovely smile. But let that not delude you that he can be swimming shark, his huge serve and groundstrokes meaning that Murray can’t afford to stand at the back of the court and swat.Will be a good test of where Murray’s return game is at.
Maria Sharapova v Flavia Pennetta
Inconsistent in her first round, dominant in her second – what will the third round bring from MaSha? Pennetta is one of the most naturally-gifted athletes on the WTA, so it won’t be easy. But when Maria gets the banshee wail going…
Rafael Nadal v Nicolas Mahut
Can the marathon man do anything to upset Rafa? Or will this be a chance for the defending champ to ease his way back into form.
Irina Falconi v Sabine Lisicki
Why? Because Falconi has a great name and Lisicki is one of the hardest hitters out there. Should be interesting.
Andy Roddick v Jack Sock
Old takes on new in this all-American duel. Roddick needs to stamp on Sock from the beginning. But can he?
Also in action
Juan Martin Del Potro (v Diego Junqueira), David Ferrer v James Blake, David Nalbandian v Ivan Ljubicic, John Isner (v Robby Ginepri), Sam Stosur v Nadia Petrova, Vera Zvonareva (v Annabel Medina Garrigues), Julia Goerges v Peng Shuai.
The daily click
Djokovic on song. In case you missed it.
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