US Open 2011 Review - Novak continues his formidable run

THERE was a time last year when I questioned seriously the potential of Novak Djokovic.  The Serbian always looked unconvincing, and was simply no match for the runaway heavyweights in the men’s tennis game; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.  However, he hasn’t just equalled them; he’s surpassed them with a year in tennis that is unlikely to ever be repeated again.

SUPREME: Nadal has had to play no.2 to Djokovic this year

     Djokovic beat Nadal in Monday’s US Open final at Flushing Meadows in New York.  The final grand slam of the year was won in a marathon contest by the Serb, who is now surely targeting a Grand Slam clean-sweep.  This year, he has won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, alongside seven major titles on the ATP circuit.  Incredibly, he has only lost two out of 64 matches he has played in this year, and one of them was an injury pull-out against Andy Murray last month.  He has hit a purple patch which I don’t think anyone expected him to pull out.  Djokovic won the match against Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in a match which was incredible from the very first point.  Lasting four hours long, both gave it absolutely everything.  However, like at SW19 in the summer, it was Djokovic who won the key points when it was required.  His year has been phenomenal and if he doesn’t walk away with the big sporting awards at the Laureus awards, alongside Overseas Personality of the Year at the BBC ceremony before Christmas, it will be an injustice.  His resolve in coming back from two sets down to overcome Federer in the semi-finals left the Swiss ace shell-shocked.  Djokovic just has a game at the moment which can’t be matched and Nadal can vouch for that; having lost in five finals this year to his rival.  We might just be witnessing the latest domination for men’s tennis.

     As for Andy Murray, it was another case of so near, yet so far.  Affected by significant weather delays in the second week, he looked tired and weak throughout against Nadal and lost in the semi-finals to the Spaniard for the third successive Grand Slam.  Although his form on the ATP tour has been a bit patchier than in recent seasons, the Scot has had an excellent Grand Slam year and should be rightfully proud of his achievements.  One final (in Australia) and three semi-final appearances is his best yet and he is getting closer.  A bit more luck, consistency in the big points in these tight matches and the ability to keep his game together if something goes wrong is what Murray needs.  He is edging ever closer to Federer now and although I still believe the dream of winning Wimbledon will only ever be a dream, I believe he has the ability to raise his game up a notch to match the talent and supreme abilities of Nadal and Djokovic.

SHOCK: Sam Stosur joined the list of maiden Grand Slam winners

     In the women’s game, there were more upsets than you would receive on a typical FA Cup third round weekend.  Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, Venus Williams (through injury) and Maria Sharapova all departed before the end of the first week, whilst defending champion, Kim Clistjers had to pull out through injury.  In the final, it was the ninth seed Sam Stosur who overcame Serena Williams in straight sets.  The Australian, who seems to save her best form for the French Open earlier in the year, produced a stunning performance to blow Serena away.  It is her maiden Grand Slam triumph, adding to Kvitova success at Wimbledon and Li Na at Roland Garros as first-time winners.  With seven different ladies finalists, no-one seems to want a dominating presence like Djokovic.  Sadly, Stosur’s performance was overshadowed by a verbal abuse in the final from the temperamental Serena.  Facing break point in the second set, Stosur won the crucial point after Serena had shouted ‘Come on!’ before the point was over.  It was judged to be an illegal distraction and a furious confrontation began between Williams and chair umpire, Eva Asderaki.  Some of the taunts included;

”You’re a hater.”     

“You’re out of control.”

“You’re unattractive inside.”

     Her behaviour was disgraceful; there is no excuse for it – simple as that.

     There are still the major WTA and ATP tour finals to come in November, but another tennis Grand Slam year is over and this year simply belongs to one person; Novak Djokovic.  

US Open Review - Rafa Reigns Supreme In New York

There can be no doubt that 2010 in the world of tennis belongs to Rafael Nadal.  The stunning Spaniard may have had to wait twenty-four hours to claim the 9^th Grand Slam success of his career, but his epic four-set triumph over Novak Djokovic in Monday’s men’s singles final was a special moment for Nadal.  It was his third Grand Slam in a row, and he becomes only the seventh player in the history of the game to have won all four grand slams (Australia, France, Wimbledon and the US Open).  He equals a feat set by Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Rod Laver, but has bettered the likes of Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. 

Coming to Flushing Meadows, Nadal was playing down his chances, as this was his weakest surface on the tour.  Prior to this year, he had never made the final at the US Open, but he was in unstoppable form in the previous fortnight, as shown by his ability to overcome a sticky patch in the final.  Djokovic won the second set, then went stride for stride in the third set, before a crucial break on the Serb’s serve was the turning point,  The 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 scoreline was a fair reflection on what was the best final of the entire tennis year.

After years of constant frustration, Djokovic showed he does have some extra mettle in his game, that had been previously missing.  His semi-final win over the former king of the game, Roger Federer was of immense quality, and showed that when he is on form, he should be feared.  Sadly, he doesn’t produce it on enough occasions.  His defeat in the final will be hard to take, but he wasn’t disgraced and come Melbourne next January, we will see if this run to the final in New York can take his game up a level.  Federer’s semi-final loss completes a dismal year by the high standards of the Swiss legend.  Since his Australian Open win in February, Federer suffered two shock quarter-final eliminations in the summer Grand Slams, was beaten by Lleyton Hewitt in the final in Halle and has also struggled to make an impression on the ATP circuit, with just one victory in Cinnancti.  Never write off Federer, because he has bounced back before, but it is a worring slump of form and he will hope for better in 2011.  So too will Andy Murray after quite frankly, the worst year of his professional career.  Since reaching the final in Australia, Murray’s form has been very patchy, even on the hard-court surface, which is his strongest by some distance.  Granted, he did well to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals, but Andy has lacked consistent performances this season and needs to bring in a new coach quickly.  His third round exit in Flushing Meadows to the Pole, Stanislas Wawrinka was a shocking near-collapse of a player’s game.  He must do better if he is to remain in the elite next year.

With no Serena Williams, due to a broken foot, the women’s game was wide open again, and it resulted in a second successive US Open triumph for Kim Clistjers.  The Belgian ripped the Russian Vera Zvonareva to pieces in Saturday’s final, romping home 6-2, 6-0 in just under an hour.  Zvonareva’s floods of tears at the end of the contest suggested that she knew she had disappointed, especially after her impressive win over the No.1 seed Caroline Wozinacki in the semi-finals.  With Maria Sharapova returning to her best form, before being dumped out by Wozinacki, and the likes of Francesca Schiavone and Sam Stosur breaking through this year, the Williams sisters may not have it all their own way next season.