Day 10 of the U.S. Open

Wednesday, a pretty shitty day for me, turned into a pretty shitty one for "Cinderella" Melanie Oudin. Oudin was beatin in sound fashion by Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. Oudin was both overcome by the moment of playing under the lights and pressure that has been put on her by American tennis fans. Not to mention that Wozniacki is a pretty good player, and is much more experienced and talented than the young American. Oudin can walk away with new knowledge, experience, and great memories. Wozniacki moves on to the semifinals and will face Belgian unknown Yanina Wickmayer, who beat "Flying" Bondarenko sister Kateryna. Wickmayer from what I hear has a pretty intense "scream-grunt". I'll have to check that out.

On the men's side of things Novak Djokovic struggled early with Fernando Verdasco, but eventually wore down the Spaniard to win in 4 sets. Verdasco was hampered with a stomach muscle strain (too many thrusts on the Wozniacki will do that to you.) and it showed in many of his strokes. He lost speed on his serves, and his forehand. To go with the stomach strain, Verdasco also had troubles with one of his calfs. So by the 3rd and 4th sets the "Djoker" was playing and teeing off on a gimp. Djokovic moves on to the Semi's.

Djokovic will face Roger Federer in Saturday's semifinal after he dispatched the "antisocial" Swede Robin Soderling. Federer came out blazing and won the first set 6-0, and it looked like it was going to be a short night for Soderling. Soderling in the 2nd set started to become more comfortable and play better, but a break of serve led to him losing the second set 6-3. Down 2 sets to love it looked bleak. To my surprise Soderling started to play better after smashing the piss out of his racket, because it made a double fault. Damn racket. The new racket although seemed to work. He ended up winning the 3rd set 7-6 in a tiebreaker where he fell behind and came back to take from Federer. The 4th set was close and nobody lost serve. Soderling had a set point in the tiebreaker, but hit a forehand into the net. Federer took advantage and eventually pulled out the tough 4th set and match. What looked like a stomping turned into a pretty entertaining match.

Hopefully Thursday will be another great day of tennis and a better day for myself as well.

Picks for Friday:

Juan Martin Del Potro plays Marin Cilic. I'm sure Del Po is glad to know hes facing Cilic rather than his nemesis Andy Murray. Del Po's only weakness is his fitness, which has gotten better, but still isn't "elite". I don't think this will be a factory. Del Po has been playing short matches and eliminating whoever is in front of him in short time. I don't think Cilic will be any different. Cilic's win over Murray in my mind was a fluke. Cilic hasn't been playing that well, and I don't think his luck will continue. Look for Del Po to win in 4.

Fernando Gonzalez and Rafa Nadal will play in the night match. This is a rematch from last year's olympic games final in Beijing. In that match Rafa pretty much dominated, and I don't really see how things will be any different. Nadal seems to be playing better, and his stomach injury seems to not be much of a problem. (no Wozniacki thrusts for him) Rafa will run the "cheating Chilean" all over the court and wear him down like he did Gael "monchichi" Monfils. Looks like it will be a short easy night for Rafa.