US Open Thoughts

OK, so I managed to put the Indian sign on Rafa Nadal, who was swept away by Del Potro in Sunday’s semi. I take some comfort from Del Potro’s subsequent title-winning performance against Federer tonight, which brought to a halt a 40-game winning run for Roger at the US Open. My only bet was a pre-match back of Federer, greened up at the end of the first set. I did consider a back of the favourite at 1.13 when he took the third set, but was scared off by the odds and the late hour - I’m only writing this post now having woken up from falling asleep and missing the ending! So I can’t comment on the actual performances in the match, and will simply note that anyone who beats both Federer and Nadal in a tournament deserves the winner’s cheque.

Plaudits to the Argentinian, who will take most of the headlines, but my star of the tournament has been Kim Clijsters. Her title win is a terrific achievement, but surely an embarrassment to a batch of players who’ve been floating around the top 10 for a number of years without ever totally convincing ( Safina, Kuznetsova, Dementieva, Jankovic etc ) and then watch Clijsters walk away with a grand slam only weeks after returning from a two year break. Ultimately, Clijsters is a winner, and there aren’t too many of those in the women’s game.

A bizarre ending to the women’s final. No, it wasn’t a foot fault. And no, that doesn’t excuse Serena’s behaviour, which was sadly in character for the younger Miss Williams, who tends to sometimes give the impression that she is bigger than the game. The long delay in the appearance of any apology does her image no favours. I checked out the American tennis blogs, which are usually so vociferous in their support of the Williams sisters. All quiet…….

Congratulations to the Brit who won at Flushing Meadow. Not Murray, nor Robson, but Heather Watson, winner of the junior girls title. It’s amazing that we have two female juniors right at the top of the game, with no British role models to follow in recent memory. Hopefully, both Robson and Watson will make a successful leap into the senior game.

My P&L for the US Open ended at +£180. Satisfactory, particularly as I’ve placed considerably less trades than in recent grand slams, due to a combination of tiredness and a little lack of confidence with tennis betting. Unfortunately, this is the only bright point of my month so far. I’m still scratching around and my recent record of alternating decent / dismal months looks set to continue!

Finally, plenty has already been written on the Adebayor incidents at the weekend. My only addition to the debate is to wonder why the bananas throw on to the pitch happened to be in the hands of Arsenal fans at the particular moment that Adebayor celebrated in front of them. Brought along as a nourishing mid-game snack? Unlikely. The term ‘football supporter’ has sadly become an insult in recent times. This incident did nothing to improve that reputation.