tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post4595414572653476841..comments2024-03-26T09:23:26.937-04:00Comments on ZooTennis: Wild Cards Ahn, Muhammad, Robson, Venus and Smyczek Advance to Second Round in US Open Qualifying; ESPNews Airs Draw at Noon ThursdayColette Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14905215531491180014noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-73161180114899033702009-08-29T07:55:13.431-04:002009-08-29T07:55:13.431-04:00@Time Will Tell--
I don't have any comments fr...@Time Will Tell--<br />I don't have any comments from you that went unposted. Did you mistakenly send it anonymously?Colette Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14905215531491180014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-74907599081995136592009-08-28T22:57:44.374-04:002009-08-28T22:57:44.374-04:00Tennis, Thank you. I posted a similar response to ...Tennis, Thank you. I posted a similar response to Gregs sarcastic uninformed post which Colette chose to not post.Time Will Tellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-30823464091638428512009-08-28T20:42:09.870-04:002009-08-28T20:42:09.870-04:00speed is necessary?? tell that to sharapova, kleyb...speed is necessary?? tell that to sharapova, kleybanova, safina, ivanovic, bartoli, petrova, pavlyuchenkova, azarenka, etc. Apparently they didnt listen. Give me a break. <br /><br />Speed is NOT necessary in the girls game, OBVIOUSLY. Here is the VALID argumenttennisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-756642116306438952009-08-28T19:13:32.541-04:002009-08-28T19:13:32.541-04:00To Time will Tell:
Chris Evert (learn how to spell...To Time will Tell:<br />Chris Evert (learn how to spell names) played in a different era, with today's technology and power speed is necessary. Davenport - she is 6'2" or so: how many players are like her where the span makes up for lack of speed?<br />'You like most people?' - do not generalize, if you have a valid argument - state it.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-16131238369678593462009-08-28T18:39:23.178-04:002009-08-28T18:39:23.178-04:00J, If you pick football players and not tennis pla...J, If you pick football players and not tennis players then there should be nothing wrong with Sloan Stephens selection..Her dad was an All Pro running back in the N.F.L. Tennis players need explosive 1st steps, speed, agility, hand eye coordination and an even temperment in the Mens game. On the womens side speed as always is an asset but not necessary. Look at Lindsay Davenport and Chris Everett. I don't believe anyone in their right mind would call them great athletes but they were great tennis players. I suspect there may be a couple of girls that fall into this category that you like most people don't see.Time will Tellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-7759484388226733402009-08-28T16:56:10.402-04:002009-08-28T16:56:10.402-04:00I pick football players not tennis players and wha...I pick football players not tennis players and what I look for is strength, power, speed and the Heart of a Champion. I did not see this in these wild cards. Did anyone? Did the USTA? Are you guys aware of the physical level of these athletes today? Before the USTA hand out their wild cards, they should ask themselves, Is she strong enough? Is she fast enough? Is she hungry enough? before these girls are granted wild cards. So, the USTA should start training the right athletes and it should not be about tennis connection. These girls did not deserve wild cards, because if they are the best in our country, Lord Help Us!! Where is Richard Williams when we need him?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519884351982435999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-41262966928105849592009-08-28T12:13:28.036-04:002009-08-28T12:13:28.036-04:00Well someone who is given a wildcard into the qual...Well someone who is given a wildcard into the qualifying tournament means they werent ranked high enough to make it in on their own, so who expected them to win matches anyway? Especially three in a row.Austinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-90642848002225504372009-08-28T10:02:21.948-04:002009-08-28T10:02:21.948-04:00And to J, Christina McHale looks like she can be p...And to J, Christina McHale looks like she can be pro material. She moves well, strike the ball clean and has a lot of heart. She only needs to improve her forehand, her 2nd serve, and attack more when she has her opponent off court.The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-19010781283932599822009-08-28T09:58:30.668-04:002009-08-28T09:58:30.668-04:00I wonder, is it harder to train a big hitter to ma...I wonder, is it harder to train a big hitter to mature and keep the ball in or train defensive grinders to become more offensive to develop pro material? The USTA employs the 2nd approach as they cull from the 12s and 14s Supernational winners and national ranking list as the basis for their High Performance junior selection. In baseball, scouts are looking for power pitchers who can throw a big fastball or hitters who have a big bat and can hit the long ball. In tennis you wonder who are making these selections? Yes, Gibbs has done very well in juniors but as a tennis observer for the last 30 years, I would never pick her game as one that I would think could ever have success at the pro level (no offense intended). She reminds me of the curious case of Mary Gambale who won the Littl Mo's 10s, was a highly ranked junior who defeated Alexa Glatch for the 2005 Hardcourt 18s. I saw her at the US open wildcarded when she skipped college to turn pro and I was flabergasted. Here was this retriever standing 10 to 15 feet behind the baseline throwing up moonballs all match long. She had a lot of heart but no game for todays tennis but she was a USTA high performance. So I ask again, who are making these decisions?The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-47962109032033241422009-08-28T09:15:21.645-04:002009-08-28T09:15:21.645-04:00Sam E. and J.
Just curious, so who would you have...Sam E. and J.<br /><br />Just curious, so who would you have given the wildcards to?just curiousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-53739234840332227842009-08-28T00:11:51.582-04:002009-08-28T00:11:51.582-04:00Well, Sam E, I have to agree with you. The girls j...Well, Sam E, I have to agree with you. The girls just did not look like pro material.They were beaten hands down. I agree with the Dude, Gibbs definitely does not have weapons, Ahn is a good baseliner but needs to get in shape, Stevens, Muhammad and Vandeweghe have good potential but lacks the right training to be on the pro tour, they have a lackadasical attitude,they are not fighters. Hope the USTA get it right the next time. We need to train Champions!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519884351982435999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-86510896606272660262009-08-27T21:33:59.968-04:002009-08-27T21:33:59.968-04:00@Sam E:
Kristie Ahn was a qualifying wild card las...@Sam E:<br />Kristie Ahn was a qualifying wild card last year and reached the main draw.Colette Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14905215531491180014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-59112964807004416702009-08-27T21:22:51.066-04:002009-08-27T21:22:51.066-04:00Well the USTA sure know how to pick losers! This i...Well the USTA sure know how to pick losers! This is the second year straight that none of their US wild cards made it to main draw. You would think after last year you would think this time they will get it right. Whose doing the choosing these girls? Come on guys we are not looking for the next best friends we are looking for the next US Open Winner. I recommend instead of choosing by favoritism, as it looks now, why not have a playoff for the best 32 and let them earn their wild cards. We can no longer afford to keep these losers around.Our country can do better!Sam E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17319855995860463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-47077305526614229922009-08-27T15:18:35.565-04:002009-08-27T15:18:35.565-04:00Goodluck Devin ! Nightime show , at Ash . Keep us ...Goodluck Devin ! Nightime show , at Ash . Keep us proud !!!!!Ole Missnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-71633567126482603392009-08-27T12:50:58.668-04:002009-08-27T12:50:58.668-04:00Welcome to the Big Show Devin! S&V to Fed'...Welcome to the Big Show Devin! S&V to Fed's backhand on nightime TV, booyeah!McLovinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-82177961094421930562009-08-27T12:45:43.461-04:002009-08-27T12:45:43.461-04:00Haha, Britton gets to play Federer first round whi...Haha, Britton gets to play Federer first round while Buchanan draws Tsonga.Big Daddy Goobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00217411137327418697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-4171983302546743842009-08-27T11:48:57.199-04:002009-08-27T11:48:57.199-04:00To Strategy, I didn't see "heavy" on...To Strategy, I didn't see "heavy" on Harrison's forehand. He hits it deep but he doesn't rack it like his opponent does. For what I can see, that is the only area in his ground game he needs to improve. I mean, it's not bad but it's not a weapon. I don't see Ryan cleaning forehand winners. His opponent had a forehand weapon which Ryan allowed him to hit too often from the middle hash mark. Ryan used his slice well to his opponents backhand to change things up but couldn't exploit his weaker side. Also, Ryan needs to pressure 2nd serve returns better. His opponent fists the handle when serving and had a weak 2nd serve but Ryan received 2nd serves too deep and didn't pressure the return. All n' all, IMO he has the most potential of the U.S. juniors (including Donald Young).The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-50687953548478701712009-08-27T10:17:41.725-04:002009-08-27T10:17:41.725-04:00to the dude
Was there poarft of the day and agree...to the dude<br /><br />Was there poarft of the day and agree with your observations. Harrison continues to show he can compete solidly at the next level. Cox clearly out if his depth but never understood why he got the WC anyway. Anyone see Sangrens match?getrealhttp://yahoo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-81710219142128023522009-08-27T09:22:15.031-04:002009-08-27T09:22:15.031-04:00To the Dude,
Harrison's opponet was a guy who...To the Dude,<br /><br />Harrison's opponet was a guy who played up on top of the baseline and loved the ball hit hard at his waist. Did you consider that maybe Harrison played the forehand heavy on purpose as a strategy?Strategynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-37137754562110829382009-08-27T09:10:10.314-04:002009-08-27T09:10:10.314-04:00@The Dude;
Thanks for the terrific report from US...@The Dude;<br /> Thanks for the terrific report from USO qualifying. Really appreciate your insights!Colette Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14905215531491180014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10016685.post-50587964555081791152009-08-26T22:34:49.144-04:002009-08-26T22:34:49.144-04:00Observations from the courts on Day2:
Smyczek, ni...Observations from the courts on Day2:<br /><br />Smyczek, nice win today. Strong ground game, moves well. Got visibly nervous when he serve for the first set and the match when he was up a break in both sets. He would have errant tosses, double faults or stray hits. Good to see him pull through.<br /><br />Domijan- strong ground game, needs to work on his 2nd serve which is short and weak. When you are that big and have developed your game as a baseliner, it will be hard to compete at the pro level against all those jack rabbits. He should have been developed as an attacker a la Max Mirnyi. <br /><br />I watched Jordan Cox go down 1-4 before I left, all court game but his opponent ran him side to side quite handily.<br /><br />Kristie Ahn, strong mentally, very strong forehand, goes for her shots, aggressive baseliner, different from most U.S. junior girls.<br /><br />Nicole Gibbs, a lot a heart and wants to win, but IMO, short on talent. When the ball comes at her too hard or she doesn't know what to do, she defaults to the moonball as her response. <br /><br />Ryan Harrison, all court player started out tight and nervous, shanking balls, low service toss and dropped the 1st set 4-6. Relaxed a bit and hit out in the 2nd to take the set 6-0. In the 3rd set Ryan was down 2-5 when his opponent call the trainer to massage his lower back. Ryan fought off 4 match points against serve and converted his 4th break point. Coming back to 5-5, 40-15 serving, Ryan played some loose points and was broken and lost 5-7. IMO, he has to develop a stronger forehand. He hits it deep with an upright open stance but he needs more force on it. His 2nd serve is excellent, consistently deep with action. His service motion has great rhythym and technique. Harrison has a lot of potential and is developing nicely. I think he should have played the Zoo for the main draw wildcard.<br /><br />Donald Young, this is probably the 5th or 6th time I've seen him play in the past 4 years. He still chokes up on his racquet. He still has a low service toss. I don't really see any development in the last 4 years. He has the same game, moves well with good hands but has no power behind his shots. <br /><br />This is my 28th year at the US Open and just my observations.The Dudenoreply@blogger.com