My main man and Detroit native, Michael Russell, lost in the first round of the US Open this afternoon to the number 8 seed Richard Gasquet in straight sets. That was a disappointment because it means an end to his summer hard court season with not much to show for it. A very unproductive summer saw Michael go 1-2 in main draw matches and 2-2 in qualifying matches. This was after reaching his second career semifinal in Newport on grass in July.
However, it wasn't really that big a surprise as Michael has had pretty bad luck over the years at the US Open. Counting the 2013 event, Michael is 0-9 in US open appearances. 0-9, the big bagel. He has had to play a seeded player seven of the nine years that he has played. He is 6-27 in sets played. Only once has he taken the match to five sets, But he never reached a match point. I would not feel to bad though, as he has taken home about $160k for his efforts.
Overall Michael's Grand Slam record is 7-30. With career Grand Slam earnings of about $625,000. That is roughly earning of $89,285 per win. Three of his seven wins came at the 2001 French Open. Michael's last first round win at a Grand Slam came at Wimbledon in 2012.
I am hoping that isn't Muscles last US Open, but he has a lot of points to defend this fall and at 35 he is not getting any younger. This may be the last we see of Mr. Russell in the Top 100.
So, how about some predictions. Men-Nadal, Women-Serena. Not very fancy, but this has not been a very upset ridden summer. I would need Del Portro to win to make my beginning of the year prediction of the year come true that he would win his second slam. But, I will take the #1 seed, Djokovic, as my men's dark horse. For the ladies, the dark horse would be Azarenka.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
Summer Bummer
I am getting bummed out this summer. Last week Nadal played Djokovic in an incredible semifinal in Montreal and then the final between Nadal and Raonic was a total snoozer.
This week Federer and Nadal are playing in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. With Djokovic and Murray already out, this should be the final. I am hoping that Roger pulls it out, because the path to the final should be clear if he can get by a very in-form Nadal.
I got a chance to attend the Cincinnati event this past weekend to watch the qualies. It is only four hours from Detroit. If you have never attended this event I recommend going. It is very fan friendly. The outside courts offer very good seating and the main stadium is also a great place to watch a match. The practice courts are close to the player's lounge. I enjoy watching the players practice more than watching the actual matches. They are loose and you really get see their work ethic. I watched Venus, Ferrer, Cornet, Haas, Monaco, Robredo, and Bartolli (before she retired) I also got to see my main man Michael Russell play in-person for the first time. That was a thrill. My family had met him earlier in the day and got his autograph on the big tennis ball. Michael won his first round match when Dodig retired in the second set. He lost his second round qualifying match in a tight 3 setter against Becker. It was great to see him play. He is not an over powering kind of player, but he set up the points nicely and pulled the trigger when he had to. He had a healthy number of supporters in both matches At 35 years old he is hanging in there and working at his craft. You have to respect that.
This week Federer and Nadal are playing in the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. With Djokovic and Murray already out, this should be the final. I am hoping that Roger pulls it out, because the path to the final should be clear if he can get by a very in-form Nadal.
I got a chance to attend the Cincinnati event this past weekend to watch the qualies. It is only four hours from Detroit. If you have never attended this event I recommend going. It is very fan friendly. The outside courts offer very good seating and the main stadium is also a great place to watch a match. The practice courts are close to the player's lounge. I enjoy watching the players practice more than watching the actual matches. They are loose and you really get see their work ethic. I watched Venus, Ferrer, Cornet, Haas, Monaco, Robredo, and Bartolli (before she retired) I also got to see my main man Michael Russell play in-person for the first time. That was a thrill. My family had met him earlier in the day and got his autograph on the big tennis ball. Michael won his first round match when Dodig retired in the second set. He lost his second round qualifying match in a tight 3 setter against Becker. It was great to see him play. He is not an over powering kind of player, but he set up the points nicely and pulled the trigger when he had to. He had a healthy number of supporters in both matches At 35 years old he is hanging in there and working at his craft. You have to respect that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)