Did ESPN do anything wrong in cutting away from the U.S. Open trophy ceremony? [video]
The person who posted this video on YouTube calls ESPN’s actions ‘disgraceful.’
What do you think?
|
Did ESPN do anything wrong in cutting away from the U.S. Open trophy ceremony? [video] The person who posted this video on YouTube calls ESPN’s actions ‘disgraceful.’ What do you think? Grandpa jumps a loudmouth at the U.S. Open [video] Watch the whole video…I don’t know what started the argument, but the kid wouldn’t stop talking sh*t and grandpa went over to set him straight. What is this world coming to? This isn’t a Raider game, this is the U.S. Freaking Open. Tennis! The world of tennis is in disarray This last U.S. Open was both entertaining and dramatic. Kim Clijsters and Juan Martin del Potro, both underdogs, captured the Grand Slam championship in their respective competitions. Getting the most press, however, was Serena Williams’ tirade against a lineswoman. (Serena was later fined $10,000.) Tennis had been fairly stable the past few years in terms of competition, top players, and sportsmanship. As of the U.S. Open, however, that sentiment is changing: - Roger Federer, of all people, was docked $1,500 for using profanity while arguing with the chair umpire open during the men’s final. Was the expletive in Swiss-German? - Led by Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych, the Czech Republic have reached their first Davis Cup final in 29 years after beating Marin Cilic and Lovro Zovko of Croatia in doubles. - Spain also advanced into the Davis Cup finals, only without the services of Rafael Nadal. Spain owes a big thank you to Feliciano Lopez and Tommy Robredo. To his credit, Nadal is still suffering from abdominal pain. - Can you believe Juan Martin del Potro is only the seventh male not named Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to win a Grand Slam in the last seven years? Crazy. The others were Andre Agassi, Gaston Gaudio, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick, and Novak Djokovic. In breaking it down that means, between those 28 Grand Slams, only nine champions have been crowned. Posted in: Tennis Tags: 2009 U.S. Open, Czech Republic Davis Cup, Federer fined, Federer profanity, Grand Slam champions, Grand Slams past winners, Juan Martin del Potro, Juan Martin del Potro U.S. Open, Rafael Nadal injuries, Roger Federer 2009 U.S. Open, Roger Federer Grand Slams, Serena Williams 2009 U.S. Open, Serena Williams curses, Serena Williams fined, Serena Williams lineswoman, Serena Williams umpires, Serena Williams verbal assault, Spain Davis Cup, tennis Grand Slams, U.S. Open
Del Potro defeats Federer in U.S. Open final
Federer defeats Djokovic, will face Del Potro in finals First and foremost, I want to commend Novak Djokovic for giving it his all. He played an incredible match, neck and neck with Federer in every set. However, while Djokovic was in top form, he’s no Roger Federer. Neither made many mistakes, earning points with well-placed shots after volleys rather than relying on aces. After defeating Djokovic 7-6 7-5 7-5, Federer is now one match away from capturing his sixth consecutive U.S. Open Championship and sixteenth overall Grand Slam. He will face Juan Martin del Potro, the 20 year-old Argentine who defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets earlier today. Del Potro has never made it to a Grand Slam final; Federer has been in 17 of the last 18. Who do you think is the favorite? Djokovic and Federer provided several entertaining and clever drop shots, lobs, and lengthy volleys. Fed’s final winner in the twelfth game of the third set was just an extension of his dominance at this Grand Slam. But it was during the second to last point, seen in the video below, that caused Arthur Ashe Stadium to gasp in amazement. It’s the shot Federer is calling the greatest of his career. Melanie Oudin’s success amidst her parents’ divorce By now, most sports fans know about Melanie Oudin’s remarkable run at the U.S. Open. At just 17 years of age, the no. 70-ranked American defeated both Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva. Though she lost in the quarterfinals to Caroline Wozniacki, she’s been the most captivating athlete at the U.S. Open. Unfortunately, her success has been tainted by her parents’ pending divorce, driven by the mother’s affair with Oudin’s coach. Yikes.
To be honest, I don’t think either Oudin story has legs. The U.S. Open is the last Grand Slam on the tennis calendar. Obviously, Grand Slams receive the most coverage, so Oudin won’t garner our interest until the Australian Open in January. Every tennis fan loves a newfound success story, but Oudin will have to perform well in consecutive Grand Slams to really make her mark. With the tennis year coming to a close and Oudin keeping a low profile, this tripe about her parents’ divorce will naturally go away. Oudin’s story was great while it lasted — I just wished it was an unfamiliar American male showing up the big names instead. We already have the Williams sisters. U.S. Open Update: Roddick, Sharapova, and Safina eliminated Competition just got interesting at the U.S. Open as Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Dinara Safina have all been eliminated.
On the plus side, at least Roddick was ousted by a fellow American. While I wanted to see Roddick take on Nadal in the final, I’m now completely rooting for this Isner character. The Georgia Bulldogs alum has yet to make his mark during his time on the ATP Tour. This looks like his chance. Oudin’s story is even more exciting. Not only did she eliminate Maria Sharapova, but she upset Elena Dementieva, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and the Beijing Olympics gold medalist, in the second round. For the sake of diversity, I hope she makes it to the finals. Posted in: Tennis Tags: 2009 Andy Roddick, 2009 Dinara Safina, 2009 Maria Sharapova, 2009 U.S. Open, 2009 U.S. Open upsets, Andy Roddick U.S. Open, Dinara Safina U.S. Open, John Isner, John Isner U.S. Open, Maria Sharapova, Maria Sharapova U.S. Open, Melanie Oudin, Melanie Oudin U.S. Open, U.S. Open, U.S. Open upsets, US Open
U.S. Open Update: Everything taking its course The third round of the 2009 U.S. Open has nearly finished amidst the surprisingly welcoming weather at New York’s National Tennis Center. So far, there haven’t been many surprises. The top 16-ranked men all advanced rather seamlessly. Serena and Venus have had an easy time as well. Unfortunately, they are in the same draw and will likely meet in the semis. The other top female players are, as always, playing below their rank, as upsets and narrow victories are happening left and right.
Once again, the lovely Ana Ivanovic failed to perform well in a Grand Slam, losing to Kateryna Bondarenko in the first round. Maria Sharapova, however, has advanced to third round and is currently in the third set against American Melanie Oudin. It would be great to see the former No. 1-ranked star face Serena or Venus in the finals. Posted in: Tennis Tags: 2009 Andy Murray, 2009 Andy Roddick, 2009 Rafael Nadal, 2009 Roger Federer, 2009 U.S. Open, Andy Murray U.S. Open, Andy Roddick U.S. Open, Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer, Grand Slams, Rafael Nadal U.S. Open, Roger Federer U.S. Open, Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Serena Williams U.S. Open, Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams, tennis Grand Slam, U.S. Open, U.S. Open tennis, US Open, Venus vs. Serena, Venus Williams, Venus Williams U.S. Open
|