Tennis anyone?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The remainder of the U.S. Open will be more interesting than expected, both Alcaraz and Djokovic are already out...

https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/crkm8gr3ey7o

I know!  *Novak ran out of gas--which upon reflection, wasn't really all that surprising to see (after winning the gold medal at the Olympics and no longer being a "spring chicken"--as far as singles tennis goes anyway).  Carlos I was more surprised about.

*Still, hard to watch all of those double faults and unforced errors.

In any event, kudos to their opponents.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@LKB Have you been able to watch any of the US Open?

Last I heard, the oddsmakers are favoring Sinner to win the men's singles.  Haven't heard who is the favorite on the women's side.

Great to see Caroline Wozniacki playing again (and playing well).  She decided to come out of retirement after three years, getting married, and having two kids.

PD

[LKB]

@LKB Have you been able to watch any of the US Open?

Last I heard, the oddsmakers are favoring Sinner to win the men's singles.  Haven't heard who is the favorite on the women's side.

Great to see Caroline Wozniacki playing again (and playing well).  She decided to come out of retirement after three years, getting married, and having two kids.

PD

Without Alcaraz (or Rafa or, yes, Roger ), my interest has mostly evaporated. I may watch highlights but as far as sitting down to watch any matches in real time, that won't happen.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Without Alcaraz (or Rafa or, yes, Roger ), my interest has mostly evaporated. I may watch highlights but as far as sitting down to watch any matches in real time, that won't happen.

I miss Rafa and Roger; that said, there are some very talented younger players...women's side, hey what about Iga S.?  Jessie Pugula and others?

I believe that there are sometimes "Bad days at the office".  Perhaps Alcarez was also tired by the time the US Open began (he did receive the silver medal)? 

Edit:  Whoops!  Something happened/went wrong/I messed up--whatever--with the rest of my posting....anyway! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Looking forward to watching Taylor Fritz vs. Casper Ruud a bit later today...also Coco Gauff vs. fellow American Emma Navarro.

Nice to see Serena at the Open yesterday.   

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Congrats to the British posters here:  you have a man in the men's singles semi-finals!  It's Jack Draper.    He'll be playing the currently No. 1 ATP ranked Jannick Sinner (from Italy).  Apparently, they are good friends, so this will be a bit rough.

Two American males will be facing off in the other semi:  something that hasn't happened in ages.  Taylor Fritz vs. Frances Tiafoe.

And an American woman will be playing in the women's singles final:  Jessica Pegula vs. the Belarusian and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

Exciting matches ahead! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

If you're interested (and can watch it), Draper will be playing Sinner [men's semi-final] starting in about one hour....so, heads up!  3 p.m. EDT.

PD

[LKB]

Now that the Slams have run their course for this year, I thought a bit of Bahrami might go down well.

[Kalevala]

Now that the Slams have run their course for this year, I thought a bit of Bahrami might go down well.

He's always fun to watch.  Thanks for that. 

Wondering here what people think about Wimbledon expanding (to build new courts)?  Particularly @Mandryka as you live in the area.

K

[Iota]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/ce3zg3y23v7o

'Line judges are to disappear from Wimbledon after 147 years as the All England Club will adopt electronic line calling from 2025.

The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots 'out' and 'fault' on a serve.'

Seems right and proper, but I can't deny there's a certain pang of sadness attached to the announcement for me. Wimbledon's always been such a visual feast as well as a tennis one, and the line judges were part of that. But things must move on etc. Interesting how Umpires emerge from a kind of feeder system from the line judge hierarchy.

[Kalevala]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/ce3zg3y23v7o

'Line judges are to disappear from Wimbledon after 147 years as the All England Club will adopt electronic line calling from 2025.

The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots 'out' and 'fault' on a serve.'

Seems right and proper, but I can't deny there's a certain pang of sadness attached to the announcement for me. Wimbledon's always been such a visual feast as well as a tennis one, and the line judges were part of that. But things must move on etc. Interesting how Umpires emerge from a kind of feeder system from the line judge hierarchy.

Yes, it's hard to see people losing their jobs to technology--and the technology isn't always perfect (like false "lets" during service?).  Didn't know that about chair umpires, but they have to emerge/learn/get experience from somewhere.

What do you think about the expansion plans at Wimbledon?

Speaking of chair umpires, did you know that this is Carlos Bernardes' last year?

Trying to watch a bit of tennis from Shanghai, but the time difference is pretty brutal.  Have you been watching any of it?

K