US Open 2018: Time finally called for two past-gen greats on Day 8

Although both their respective records and the manner of their exits last night differ greatly, we see some parallels with Roger and Maria last night: the final signal of the beginning of the end. The Swiss is no longer cheating the ravages of time and in a year that resembles 2013 in many ways despite […]

US Open 2018: Day 7 sees champs survive again, plus look ahead to Day 8

There was some beautiful symmetry in Day 7’s results yesterday. On the Ashe day session we had both Rafa and Serena show just how easily they can deal with a sudden challenge and go up a gear or two when needed. Then come the evening we had another two former champions DelPo and Sloane Stephens […]

US Open 2018: Day 6 shocks as Day 7 promises more awe

The much hyped Federer-Kyrgios clash proved to be but a side note yesterday as some big names came a tumbling. Roger’s win showing that for all of his bravado, Kyrgios is still lacking on the big stages. Instead we lost Zverev (Kohlschreiber), Bertens (Vondrousova), Kerber (Cibulkova), Garcia (Suarez-Navarro), Kvitová (Sabalenka) and Pouille (Sousa). I haven’t […]

US Open 2018: Day 5 sees Rafa tested, Wawrinka bested and Serena left rested

That title sounded better in my head sorry. So before we look at what treats lie in store on Day 6, let’s digest yesterday’s goings on. Rafa truly tested by Next Big Thing Kachanov In a pulsating encounter, Rafa Nadal wrestled momentum and eventually the match from his young Russian opponent who has gotten everyone […]

US Open 2018: Making sense of Day 4 and my pick of Day 5 matches

Lahyani oversteps the mark Okay, let’s try and pick apart what happened in that Kyrgios vs Herbert match. Mohamed Lahyani was until this week rightly heralded as one of the most respected figures on the tour, but this reputation is in danger of evaporating in just a few days. Put simply, regardless of whether Lahyani’s seeming […]

US Open 2018: Day 3 reflections and day 4 picks

Day three at Flushing Meadows was largely free of shock results, but delivered some quality contests throughout – really the only thing it confirmed once more is that I should give up trying to predict tennis outcomes (far more profitable recently with soccer, but that’s another story). Yes, Murray, Muguruza and Sock lost yesterday, but […]

US Open 2018: Day 3 picks and more praise for star pundit

First, I join BBC’s David Law and other experts and tweeters in praising Daniela Hantuchova’s honest and humble analysis. The former no.5 and two-time quarter finalist here is quickly establishing herself as an essential pundit combining her regular duties on Amazon Prime with her own daily series on the Tennis Channel and now appearing on […]

US Open 2018: Day 2 Picks

After brave Ferrer’s final major swansong Vs Nadal and Simona’s loss at the hands of Kanepi I was eventually justified with my pick of Dimitri Vs Wawrinka as the match up of the day. Drama ensued elsewhere yes, but for quality you cannot argue against such backhand mastery. Today it is largely the women producing […]

US Open 2018: Tournament predictions and Day 1 picks

Ah New York, such good memories of mine and Sophie’s honeymoon last year kick-started by ticking off our attendance of three of the four majors. What a tournament this is, big stadia, easy access and knowledgeable and enthusiastic attendees. Must return one day. The 2018 tournament – with that commemorative logo – begins with a […]

OPINION: New US Open logo is a dud.

Sorry USTA, but your 50 year anniversary celebrations are likely to be ever so slightly tarnished by the frankly lame new tournament logo unveiled this week. Clearly the brief was to adopt a more modern l, minimal look and certainly one could argue that the old design was a little dated for reason I can’t […]