Tennis anyone?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hoping for Shapovalov to keep it going. He's the last remaining Canadian in the singles. Enjoyed watching Serena as well. The epitome of never giving an inch and never giving up.

Great intense matches so far!

Yes, it was good that she went out playing so well and fighting so hard.  Best that I had seen her play in some time; to be fair, she only played something like 4-5 matches total over the past year, so hard to get back into form (including confidence-wise).  Good job by Rennae S. in terms of helping her lately too.    And Ajla T. fought a high-quality match (hadn't played her before either) and was very gracious in terms of her comments.

Have only caught a few glimpses of Shapo's matches at this slam.  I think that Leyla F. might still be alive in the doubles??  Not certain though.  Was Bianca A. playing any doubles?

And what is Milos R. up to these days?  Last I recall, he was dealing with an injury?  Haven't seen him play any tennis in what feels like age.  *Frances T. might be the last American man standing in the singles?  No, I see that Brandon Nakashima hasn't played his third round match yet.  Jenson Brooksby just lost to the very talented and young Carlos A (who I really like and admire; has a load of tennis sense and also seems like he's a very nice young man.  All of 19 now I think and already is winning 1000 events.

*He just took the first set against Diego S. in the tiebreak.

Looks like 5 American women still alive in the singles.

Happy watching! 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

....and p.s....Shapo is still alive; now 5-all in the fifth set. 

PD

[Irons]

Pardon, and I'm trying my best to be kind, but did either of you read the articles that I had linked to...particularly (from what I remember) the first?  I do realize that I'm probably one of the few tennis enthusiasts  here and, yes, I don't know everything.  One of the things though that I read early on was that Raducanu had only hired him for a certain amount of time (through the US Open), which is different from him being her full-time employee/coach.  I don't know exactly what it is like to be a professional tennis player/life on tour/life for the coaches, etc., though I do read a number of articles/listen to stories, etc.  And, yes, at first, when I heard that about her coach, I was surprised, but also looked into it further.  From the bit more that I can find, it sounds like she was thinking smartly and realizing that he had limited experience in certain areas (like as far as him having been on the WTA Tour and from what she said "no") and that she would need more experienced help at her new level.  Please be so kind as to (if you haven't already) read those articles.    And she also (according to an article) said that (along these lines) that it would be o.k. with her if she needed to go back to having basically no points and having to deal with Challenger matches, etc., and working her way back up and that she had [probably] missed certain lessons/experiences/knowledge, etc. that she needed to learn.  And that she was o.k. with that.  And, a reminder, she also had a dose of Covid and injuries to boot.  Food for thought gents. 

PD

I do not see the commitment or drive, PD. I am going to antagonise you even further by saying winning the US Open was a fluke which can occur in sport. I will eat my words if she wins another major tournament. Embarrassing and worrying how many companies queued up with open cheque books after her win. Emma is not the first young person to be given too much too soon and the sporting will to succeed sucked out of them. Happens on a regular basis in the world of football. Hope I'm wrong.       

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hoping for Shapovalov to keep it going. He's the last remaining Canadian in the singles. Enjoyed watching Serena as well. The epitome of never giving an inch and never giving up.

Great intense matches so far!

Looked a bit into the doubles and mixed doubles and found an interesting one about how and when doubles partners can sometimes end up getting picked (and needn't do it until after the main draw at least in this case).  Nice to see who all Leyla Fernandez announced/asked about who she would like to play with in terms of mixed....Jack Sock being the first one mentioned.    Look at the "opposites attract" article.

I do not see the commitment or drive, PD. I am going to antagonise you even further by saying winning the US Open was a fluke which can occur in sport. I will eat my words if she wins another major tournament. Embarrassing and worrying how many companies queued up with open cheque books after her win. Emma is not the first young person to be given too much too soon and the sporting will to succeed sucked out of them. Happens on a regular basis in the world of football. Hope I'm wrong.       

It's o.k. to disagree and I do appreciate you being honest and sharing your points of view.  Have you read any (reputable) articles in which she's said something that made you think that she was blaming her coaches?  Again, from what I've read on this side of the pond, is that she was in her words (approximately) being unconventional and trying out various coaches in trial periods.  Mixed thoughts on that one for a several reasons which I don't want to get into now.  Last I heard, she was trying out Tursunov (a Russian coach who might have issues getting working visas [according to a past report reportedly from an Estonian female player who he was working with].  She likes the fact that he's direct with her and doesn't mince words and says what he thinks; I suspect that there are some coaches who have a harder time for whatever reason doing that.

In any event, I hope that she stays healthy and is able to figure things out. 

Your Cam Norrie is still in there and waiting to play his fourth round.

PD

[Irons]

Looked a bit into the doubles and mixed doubles and found an interesting one about how and when doubles partners can sometimes end up getting picked (and needn't do it until after the main draw at least in this case).  Nice to see who all Leyla Fernandez announced/asked about who she would like to play with in terms of mixed....Jack Sock being the first one mentioned.    Look at the "opposites attract" article.
It's o.k. to disagree and I do appreciate you being honest and sharing your points of view.  Have you read any (reputable) articles in which she's said something that made you think that she was blaming her coaches?  Again, from what I've read on this side of the pond, is that she was in her words (approximately) being unconventional and trying out various coaches in trial periods.  Mixed thoughts on that one for a several reasons which I don't want to get into now.  Last I heard, she was trying out Tursunov (a Russian coach who might have issues getting working visas [according to a past report reportedly from an Estonian female player who he was working with].  She likes the fact that he's direct with her and doesn't mince words and says what he thinks; I suspect that there are some coaches who have a harder time for whatever reason doing that.

In any event, I hope that she stays healthy and is able to figure things out. 

Your Cam Norrie is still in there and waiting to play his fourth round.

PD

Pleased I have not upset you in any way, PD. My thinking is in more general terms and not Raducanu in particular. The most important attribute for an elite sports person is not physical but in the mind. I admire Andy Murray far more now then I have in the past. The physical disadvantages he has now to endure would cause 99% of players to retire. His tournament winning days are over but that is not of the greatest importance for him. He thrives on the adrenaline of competition on court, it's his fix. I may be mistaken, but I don't get the impression Raducanu is cut from the same cloth.   

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Pleased I have not upset you in any way, PD. My thinking is in more general terms and not Raducanu in particular. The most important attribute for an elite sports person is not physical but in the mind. I admire Andy Murray far more now then I have in the past. The physical disadvantages he has now to endure would cause 99% of players to retire. His tournament winning days are over but that is not of the greatest importance for him. He thrives on the adrenaline of competition on court, it's his fix. I may be mistaken, but I don't get the impression Raducanu is cut from the same cloth.

Well, time will tell.

Yes, hard to imagine that he is playing with a metal hip.  Bob Bryan (of the famous doubles team known as the Bryan Brothers) is the only (at least top) tennis player that I can think of who played towards the end of their career with a metal hip.  Andy had a decent run at the US Open and as we all know, it takes not just time nor practice but actual matches to get back in form and establish a winning streak.  How much longer he decides to play for, only he knows (and maybe not yet).

Today, the east coast is or will be getting some needed rain; however, this could also muck up the schedule of play at the US Open.  The two biggest courts (= Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong) have retractable roofs but the other gazillion courts do not.  Play doesn't start until 11 a.m. at the earliest on any of the courts.  So, we'll see how it goes!  I know, rain is needed there.  Tomorrow's forecast for Flushing Meadows is currently showing rain = 100%.  At worst, the men's and women's singles events will go on fine; however, all of the doubles, mixed-doubles and juniors' matches could get delayed/rescheduled.

By the way, your Cam Norrie is scheduled to play the young *ball-smashing Russian Rublev starting in about a half an hour (at 11 a.m.).
*not in a bad way (as in hitting the ball into the stands in frustration), but just really strong striking of the ball.

As an aside, there will be a new No. 1 in men's tennis by the end of this slam as Danil Medvedev lost last night.  Depending upon how the rest of the tournament goes, Rafa Nadal could actually be back at the top!  If not, it looks like it would be either the Norwegian Casper Ruud or the quite young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz who would take the elite and highly coveted ranking. 

PD

[LKB]

I'm with Rafa. He's this generation's version of my all-time favorite, Jimmy Connors. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm with Rafa. He's this generation's version of my all-time favorite, Jimmy Connors. 

Alas, as far as I can tell, the race for number one is now between Ruud (which would be a first for Norway) and Alcaraz as Rafa is now out.  It's a bit confusing, but fun to check out the "live rankings" [which is new to men's tennis].  There's the official ATP rankings list which is updated every Monday morning except re slams since those last for two weeks AND there's now the *"Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings" which adjusts things match by match.  You can view that here:  https://www.atptour.com/en/rankings/singles/live

*One of the cool things about the live rankings is that they show you what the maximum number of points a tennis player could earn during that tournament, e.g., if they won the thing.  They also show what would be the next amount of points that they would earn (if they won their next match there) and also how the official number of points that they currently have.

They don't have the same live rankings for women's alas, so you would have to calculate that out for yourself (or follow tennis commentating closely...and let them do the work for you.    ).

PD

[Papy Oli]

Go Caroline Garcia !!

(I don't really follow tennis...but...you know...  )

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Go Caroline Garcia !!

(I don't really follow tennis...but...you know...  )

lol    Yes, she's been having a great run at the slam.  Sorry, however, to see that Coco G. got knocked out. 

Some, hopefully, great matches coming up:  Iga Swiatek vs. Jessica Pegula and Garcia vs. Ons Jabur--for me anyway. 

Ruud and Alcaraz are probably my two favorites left on the men's side though I wouldn't be too upset if Frances T. ended up winning the slam.    I was really pulling for one last slam win for Rafa, but so it goes. 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A bit of trivia news from the commentators:  Currently Ruud and Alcarez could be ranked No. 1; however, if neither make it to the final (semis currently going on over the course of today and tonight), then Rafa retakes the No. 1 ranking.

Ruud of Norway is currently playing Khachanov of Russia:  Ruud one the first two sets and Khachanov is ahead 6-5 in the third.  Fingers crossed for Ruud!  And it's the best 3 sets out of 5 for the men (2 out of 3 for the women).

And it will be an Iga vs. Ons women's final.  I'm really looking forward to that one!

PD

[LKB]

Roger Federer has announced his pending retirement:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876

I salute the GOAT. Nadal is my current favorite and l acknowledge Djokovic, but peak Federer was beyond any player in history, imho.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Roger Federer has announced his pending retirement:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/62911876

I salute the GOAT. Nadal is my current favorite and l acknowledge Djokovic, but peak Federer was beyond any player in history, imho.

Not surprised to hear it; that said, it's still sad news.    Glad that he'll still be playing the Laver Cup.  I'm sure that he'll be missed in Basel though next year.

Have you caught any of the Davis Cup?  I watched a bit of it yesterday.  Good on Murray for playing again this year.  I suspect, though, that his end is in sight too.  It must be really hard to play with a metal hip!

Have you been playing at all lately LKB?

PD

[LKB]

Not surprised to hear it; that said, it's still sad news.    Glad that he'll still be playing the Laver Cup.  I'm sure that he'll be missed in Basel though next year.

Have you caught any of the Davis Cup?  I watched a bit of it yesterday.  Good on Murray for playing again this year.  I suspect, though, that his end is in sight too.  It must be really hard to play with a metal hip!

Have you been playing at all lately LKB?

PD

The last live tennis l watched was Rafa at Wimbledon. ( l don't have cable or satellite service at home, so l only get to see sports if l am visiting someone or at a sports bar etc. )

I haven't been able to play in 25 years or so, about the same time l had to give up the oboe.  Between age and some organ damage I have very poor physical stamina. But l still am keen on the game, and seeing Rafa in action is good enough. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The last live tennis l watched was Rafa at Wimbledon. ( l don't have cable or satellite service at home, so l only get to see sports if l am visiting someone or at a sports bar etc. )

I haven't been able to play in 25 years or so, about the same time l had to give up the oboe.  Between age and some organ damage I have very poor physical stamina. But l still am keen on the game, and seeing Rafa in action is good enough. 

Sorry to hear that about your health.

Good to hear that you still enjoy watching tennis despite everything.

Sometime you'll have to tell me who your favorite oboists and recordings are! 

PD

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Federer is my favorite player! He was a best player in technical terms.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Federer is my favorite player! He was a best player in technical terms.

Yeah, he's (was?  ) my favorite too!

Looking forward to watching the Laver Cup.  Team Europe will be even mightier this year:  Roger, Rafa, Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Ruud and Murray.  God help Team World!    Though looking at how some of the younger players have been playing lately, I'm giving them a chance (and some prayers  ).  And don't ever count out Diego.    https://lavercup.com/team-world

PD

[LKB]

Sorry to hear that about your health.

Good to hear that you still enjoy watching tennis despite everything.

Sometime you'll have to tell me who your favorite oboists and recordings are! 

PD

Thanks for the good wishes!

My favorite active oboist is Jonathan Kelly, one of the solo oboists of the Berlin Philharmonic. Like me, he was inspired to take up the instrument when he heard the playing of Lothar Koch, who was von Karajan's primary soloist. ( Karl Steins, Koch's orchestral partner, also was influential within the German school of the oboe during those years. But it is Koch who is more remembered now. )

I also have huge respect for Heinz Holliger. I audited a master class he gave at Stanford University back around 1980, and his evident commitment to artistic integrity was extraordinary, and very much on display when he worked with the participating oboists.

Years later l attended a concert when he performed with the San Francisco Symphony. He performed the E Flat Major concerto by C.P.E. Bach, which was unsurprisingly perfect. Then, he played an encore written specifically for him by, if memory serves, Luciano Berio.

I was floored.

Holliger's performance was very nearly unbelievable to me, a technical feat worthy of Heifetz or Kreisler. At one point he alternated between the lowest and highest notes of the instrument at split-second intervals, with flawless articulation and intonation. It would have been an impressive feat for any professional oboist in the audience. For me it was an astonishment.

My favorite Holliger recording is his Schumann collaboration with Alfred Brendel on Philips:

https://www.amazon.com/Works-Oboe-Piano-Schumann/dp/B000026E9Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1BRYVDFSZOZQK&keywords=holliger+brendel+cd&qid=1663297381&sprefix=holliger+brendel+cd%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-7

My favorite recording of Lothar Koch as a soloist is:

https://www.amazon.com/STRAUSS-OBOE-CONCERTOS-KARAJAN-HAUPTMANN/dp/B004SB4UM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=BATPB5OZW88Z&keywords=koch+strauss&qid=1663297486&sprefix=koch+strauss%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-2

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thanks for the good wishes!

My favorite active oboist is Jonathan Kelly, one of the solo oboists of the Berlin Philharmonic. Like me, he was inspired to take up the instrument when he heard the playing of Lothar Koch, who was von Karajan's primary soloist. ( Karl Steins, Koch's orchestral partner, also was influential within the German school of the oboe during those years. But it is Koch who is more remembered now. )

I also have huge respect for Heinz Holliger. I audited a master class he gave at Stanford University back around 1980, and his evident commitment to artistic integrity was extraordinary, and very much on display when he worked with the participating oboists.

Years later l attended a concert when he performed with the San Francisco Symphony. He performed the E Flat Major concerto by C.P.E. Bach, which was unsurprisingly perfect. Then, he played an encore written specifically for him by, if memory serves, Luciano Berio.

I was floored.

Holliger's performance was very nearly unbelievable to me, a technical feat worthy of Heifetz or Kreisler. At one point he alternated between the lowest and highest notes of the instrument at split-second intervals, with flawless articulation and intonation. It would have been an impressive feat for any professional oboist in the audience. For me it was an astonishment.

My favorite Holliger recording is his Schumann collaboration with Alfred Brendel on Philips:

https://www.amazon.com/Works-Oboe-Piano-Schumann/dp/B000026E9Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?crid=1BRYVDFSZOZQK&keywords=holliger+brendel+cd&qid=1663297381&sprefix=holliger+brendel+cd%2Caps%2C273&sr=8-7

My favorite recording of Lothar Koch as a soloist is:

https://www.amazon.com/STRAUSS-OBOE-CONCERTOS-KARAJAN-HAUPTMANN/dp/B004SB4UM6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=BATPB5OZW88Z&keywords=koch+strauss&qid=1663297486&sprefix=koch+strauss%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-2

Thank you for your thoughts; I'll check out the recordings.  You should start an oboe thread--if there isn't one there already and copy this over there (or ask a mod to move it for you) as I'm sure that others would enjoy reading this post--and contributing to it too! 

PD

p.s.  I'm a big Holliger fan too.  I don't know of Lothar Koch though.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Looks like Roger will only be playing one match at Laver Cup:  a doubles one Friday night.  Hope that it is with Rafa.  It would be fun to see them play doubles together again.   

Laver Cup starts this Friday at 1300 in the UK; 8 a.m. EST.

PD