Entertaining ‘masala’ and big Tennis
View(s):The ‘masala’ of new faces, promising performances, seeds taking the toll and the cabaret between games and at the end of the matches, VIP faces on the large screen made New York’s US-Open in Flushing, alive and a TV’s prime time product. In this new wave, one could even have ones opinion expressed or interacted from anywhere on to the television! If all these and the ‘US-Open series’ idea were intended to revive North America’s Tennis, I would say, it must be working. In USA events are graded by the television rating.
After 80 years Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese since 1933 to reach the semi-finals of men’s singles, in women’s Shuai Peng reaching the semi-finals convincingly signaled the Chinese train has arrived and “made in China” is very good now. India’s Sania Mirza has reached the semi-finals in Mixed doubles. There were more Asians than American’s in the quarters of all events. Anderson of Africa gained recognition and Nick Kyrgios impressed as Australian. All the continents had some high stakes in US-Open. Europe had the strongest representations of all in the events up to the quarters.
Class of Caroline Wozniacki
In the quarter-finals of women’s against Italian Sara Errani, Denmark’s Wozniacki showed how easy it is to play Tennis. All it takes is to be smart. She showed class of Justine Henin and Steffi Graf. I noticed she had the position to cover court before the ball reached the opponent’s racquet. Her own shots, not even the winners, were very fast. This means opponents have to generate power and keep the accuracy to be effective. Catching the opponent on the wrong foot seems to be her specialty. What more, she is comfortable at net too and never hesitates to reach it. Diva Maria Sharapova playing her best, took the second set, against Wozniacki, that was a creditable, but could not sustain it to take the third. Now, I find it easy to see why Wozniacki was number one a few years back. In all probability she will take the slot again.
Shuai Peng of China
When it comes to Chinese Tennis players, Li Na is the name that comes to our mind. Peng has been a second fiddle to Li Na in singles but has
Caroline Wozniacki
been in the top five of doubles for a noticeable period. There is ‘nothing fancy’ but ‘effective’ is a good way of describing Peng’s Tennis. Being an ‘all court’ player is a necessity when one plays on the hard courts and Peng has this ability by playing world class doubles. This ability is what made her reach the semi-finals in singles. Time and again she was at the net in critical situations which baffled many opponents of hers. Young amazing Swiss talent, the 17 year old Belinda Bencic who had shown ‘meteoric’ Tennis results this year had no answer to Peng’s net game. Peng is only 27 and in many ways I feel she would equal Li Na’s record.
Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova
From Russia with love! This game of Tennis begins with love-all but never played that way. The train from Russia has been running well for a long time now. So many excellent players have graced the Tennis scene and if I may add also forcefully. Makarova is another and shows all the signs that she is here to stay. Currently ranked 18, she has been a very regular achiever of 3rd quarter and now she has a berth in the US-Open semi-finals. The Russian brand of Tennis she plays can be seen as the reason for her winning and her game has better court coverage speed and sharp eyes to read the ball early.
Serena Williams of USA
No one plays like her and when she is in full steam, no one stops her either. For Serena Williams US-Open is her home ground finding full steam there, which she has done that many times before, will be easy. Seeded number one in the tournament, USA expects everything from her this week. What more, the semi-finals this time it is going to be America verses Russia. [This is not the only match between these two countries these days. I say no more!]
Japan’s Nishikori
Nishikori’s outlasting ability is his winning card but unfortunately also the reasons for his injuries this year. Against Swiss Wawrinka he was at the brink of defeat in the third set. In true Samurai fashion Nishikori turned the match to his favour with his mental strength to reach the semi finals of US-Open. Last time this happened was during Nishikori’s great grandfather’s time. Japan had to wait 80 years to have a player in the US-Open again.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is world’s number one. He has the ability to impose his game on anyone. I do not remember him playing a game which looks like an answer to his opponent’s game. Like Federer, they have game plan number-one and they make it work. We have watched him so many times and take his winning for granted. This year it has not been so. He had a roller coaster ride. His favourite surface is hard. It will be tough to beat Djokovic but ‘who-knows’, is a good way to rap-up his story on the Thursday of the second week. His next opponent is the Japanese Samurai – Kei Nishikori.
Doubles and Mixed doubles
The nine and a half hour time difference makes US-Open TV inconvenient for us in Asia. The doubles are played as the last matches so they can be seen as early morning matches by us. Doubles is no more dull events like in the past. They are good and many singles players of the past are in action, including Martina Hingis of Switzerland.
Heat, Night and entertainment
Tennis was not the only thing at the US-Open. It has started new trend of night matches. Kei Nishikori finished his match beating Wawrinka at 2.30 am at night, Nick Kyrgios started the match at 11pm. Strangely enough Roger Federer confessed that he prefers night matches as the heat during the day has been unbearable. David Ferrer, a tough competitor was checking his heart beat and body temperature and eventually gave up on the match. Eugenie Bouchard had blood pressure equipment strapped around her arm while her body being massaged and cooled-down with ice. If one noticed, this year’s ball boys were ball-men as the boys had problems taking the heat.
There was music at change over, large screens showed the audience, Hollywood stars, sports stars, including Michael Jordon who came to see Federer wearing his branded shoes. It was ‘Big Tennis and Entertainment’ made in USA.
-George Paldano, former international player; Accredited Coach of Germany, ITF and USPTR; National, Davis Cup and Federation Cup Coach–gptennis.ceylon@gmail.com-