<p>Great match tonight, Federer v. Santoro. Santoro really made him run, and reminded me of one of my favorite players from the old days, with his great, ridiculous trick shots and generally elegant play…Yannick Noah. I’m inspired to play for hours tomorrow.</p>
<p>driver, someday we will play doubles! I love to play tennis!</p>
<p>I was the only Ivan Lendl fan in the world!</p>
<p>I had the opportunity to attend the US OPEN semis and finals one year. A fifth-set tiebreaker final between Matts Willander and Ivan Lendl. The match lasted five hours and, at the end, the winner of the match had won ONE more point than the loser over the course of the five hours.</p>
<p>Just heard an inspirational story on NPR’s “Only a Game” about James Blake who overcame a broken neck, the death of his father to stomach cancer, and shingles (that temporarily paralyzed one side of his face) to return to professional tennis. A New Yorker, he’ll face No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal today.</p>
<p>When my MIL and FIL lived on Long Island, they got to volunteer for the Open that gave them primo seats. They’ll never forget that year.</p>
<p>Blake has been my personal favorite to root for this Open, but Santoro played one of the most beautiful matches I’ve ever seen last night.</p>
<p>I had the opportunity to see James Blake play when he was on the Harvard team. So fun to watch!</p>
<p>That behind the back shot Santoro hit was amazing - even Federer didn’t know what hit him.</p>
<p>If anyone wants to see Blake play in the Open you better watch today because it’s not too likely he’s going to beat Nadal!</p>
<p>I grew up on Long Island and started going to the US Open when it was still Forest Hills. I saw Chrissie Evert play there when she was about 17. Definitely have seen Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander- a couple of great players!</p>
<p>I often still go to the Open, even though I’m up in New England now, but didn’t make it this year. :(</p>
<p>I thought the appreciation shown by the spectators, and by Federer, for Santoro’s magnificent perfomance was one of the best things I’ve seen at the US Open, which has long beeen criticized for unruly fans and unsportsmanlike play. Called to mind the virtues of the game in an earlier period. Unfortunately, I had plans to attend, but had to cancel when I ruptured my Achilles Tendon the evening before, playing tennis.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about that…that’s a terrible injury. Agree about the aura of good feelings the match brought about. It was so obvious that Santoro was really, really having fun and just enjoying the whole experience, which is part of what reminded me of Yannick, along with the behind-the-back shot and the lob return-between the legs [for the point!], while running away from the net. That was classic Noah.</p>
<p>Sounds like I missed a great match. Federer is always a model of good sportsmanship. That’s why all the players like him. </p>
<p>Idler- hope your Achilles Tendon gets better. Ouch. </p>
<p>Fifteen years ago I broke my ankle and got a major sprain when I stepped on a tennis ball. Didn’t play for 8 months after that. I really missed it.</p>
<p>Blake just took the first set after double deuce, using the old, trusty “lob return-between the legs [for the point!], while running away from the net” trick. Too cool!</p>
<p>“using the old, trusty “lob return-between the legs [for the point!], while running away from the net” trick.”</p>
<p>Why do you think Nadal was complaining to the umpire? The play had been ruled dead before the fancy shot. :)</p>
<p>That said, Blake just survived a 0-40 to tie the second set up at 4-4. Great game.</p>
<p>Wow…when I saw the thread I thought it was referring to the USACO US Open…I’m such a dork</p>
<p>Huh. I must have missed that. I was watching from the kitchen while making lunch for a houseful of relatives.</p>
<p>Blake! Blake! Woohooo!</p>
<p>Wow, that was fun to watch! D2 was there and I can’t wait to hear from her. :)</p>
<p>Agassi looking good right now…always encouraging to see an old dog keep up with his tricks.</p>
<p>It’s wonderful to watch a tennis player who got better as he got older, I mean, he’s always been great and fun to watch, but especially in the last few years.</p>
<p>Just got home from the Open and was at the Blake/Nadal match–even from the seats at the very top of Ashe it was a great match, very entertaining, well played, and ultimately quite moving. It’s a pleasure to listen to Blake as well as to watch him play.</p>