US Open – Day 4 (2R)

An epic battle at Louis Armstrong Stadium was made by 31-year-old Juan Carlos Ferrero [105] and six years younger “birthday boy” Gael Monfils [7]; there were five grueling sets, and the entire match lasted 4 hours 48 minutes, which is the longest match of the season and the longest one in career for both players. Monfils saved mini-set points in both winning sets, and the usually calm Ferrero broke his racquet, upset after an awful forehand dropshot on set point down in the second tie-break. He got hold himself in the 4th set, fought off a break point at 1:2 and the things turned around in his favor. Monfils was too defensive again, it’s a tactical mistake especially against an opponent like Ferrero who knows how to create punishing angles from both sides. The Frenchman was running from side to side (the most interesting example of it occurred at the end of the 1st set as he almost won a point diving on the baseline!) and it took its toll in the 5th set – his legs didn’t work normally, and only with risky 2nd serves he owed hanging in the match since *0:2 (15-40). Ferrero had his physical problems as well, needed a treatment three times (both feet and middle finger in the left hand).
It was a good day for veterans in general, to the third round advanced also Ivo Karlovic [94] and Tommy Haas [475]. Dr. Ivo had boosted his confidence on Wendesday in doubles eliminating the Bryans, and stunned Monfils’ fellow countryman – Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6. The Croatian giant came back from a 2:4* (30-40) deficit in the 4th set to get the two vital points in the tie-break thanks to short backhand slices! He now faces Alexander Dolgopolov, who made the biggest comeback so far, recovering from a *1:4 (deuce) in the final set against Flavio Cipolla. ‘Dog’ won five straight games in the end. Haas won two matches in a row for the first time since Australian Open 2010 (he played 11 tournaments in the meantime) as he outplayed in three sets Alejandro Falla.
“The first two sets were ideal. I could not play better. I was getting a lot of balls back, I was ending the points when I needed to, I was making a lot of winners. I felt fantastic on the court. Everything seems fun and enjoyable when you are playing such good tennis“. said Novak Djokovic after a demolition of Carlos Berlocq in 90 minutes. ‘Nole’ won the first 14 games of the match, but was broken twice in the 3rd set (twice to ’30’). It is the most lopsided “the best of five” match in Djokovic’s career (he beat Nicolas Massu in Melbourne 6-1, 6-1, 6-o four years ago) and the fourth match in the history of US Open with such a scoreline #. There was one “triple bagel” in New York, 24 years ago made by Ivan Lendl. Other strongest guys in the top half of the draw, Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Mardy Fish, also won their matches without any troubles, respectively in 103, 77, 105 & 113 minutes. The latter outplayed in night session at Louis Armstrong Malek Jaziri – the first man in history in the Grand Slam event from Tunisia.

Longest match:
4 hours, 48 minutes: Juan Carlos Ferrero d. Gael Monfils 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4

Most aces:
29 – Ivo Karlovic, defeated Richard Gasquet in four sets

5-set barometer:
23-17 Juan Carlos Ferrero
9-3 Gael Monfils
4-1 Alexandr Dolgopolov
1-2 Flavio Cipolla

# Four US Open matches with ‘6-0, 6-0, 6-2’ scoreline:

1981, 1R: Bruce Manson d. Danny Saltz 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
1981, 1R: Jimmy Connors d. John Lloyd 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
1988, 1R: Darren Cahill d. Lawson Duncan 6-0, 6-0, 6-2
2011, 2R: Novak Djokovic d. Carlos Berlocq 6-0, 6-0, 6-2