Djokovic vs. Nadal Takes Center Stage Tonight

Serbian Novak Djokovic had quite the battle on Saturday afternoon, as Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka took the world number 1 to 5 sets. Both players battled their butts off, displaying to all of the "haters" of the game of tennis that tennis players are some of the most athletic people. Both players totaled over 3 miles of sprints through their over 4 hour long match. Wawrinka had an impressive run the get to the semifinal, knocking off Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray. He could not do the same to Djokovic, as the Serbian showed why he is ranked number 1 and fought until the end. Djokovic won 2-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and will now have a date with Rafael Nadal in the finals tonight.

Nadal (Spain) won his semifinal match 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 against childhood rival Richard Gasquet from France in less dramatic fashion. He is showing very good leading into tonight's final.

This will be the 37th time Djokovic and Nadal will be meeting. Nadal holds a 21-15 record on Djokovic, including winning the past 2 times. This meeting has some big implications that go along with it. The winner will have won 2 out of the 4 grand slams this year. For Nadal, this feat would edge him that much closer to passing Djokovic in the ATP Rankings. Nadal most likely will at some point in time in the next couple of months anyways, so it is just a matter of time.

This is bound to be a great match up and I'm looking forward to watching it.

I am 87-38 overall through the Main Draw Men's Singles at the US Open. Here is my final selection for the US Open:
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic

The match starts at 5pm EST and will be aired online at usopen.org or on CBS.

Fry That Chicken

Midnight Madness-Django Unchained KKK

Here is a warning of explicit language from Quentin Tarintino's Django Unchained. This was some comic relief from the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7XpvbzYqbI

Coric takes home the US Open Crown; US Open Junior Recap

As an understatement, Croatian Borna Coric came ready to play at this years US Open. Coming into the open, Coric had already had been to 2 grand slam semifinals this year but had yet to finish off the job. Unfortunately at the start of this years US Open, Coric went out in the first round of the doubles with partner Stefan Kozlov (losing to the eventual champions). Depsite this setback, Coric regained his focus and shifted it all towards the singles. Coric stormed into the semifinals without dropping a set and for the most part being uncontested. He then ran into the top seed from Germany Alexander Zverev. Coric went on to win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Next up was Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who I mistakenly thought was on a wildcard at this tournament. I did not see him in the original acceptance list and assumed he was taking a wildcard after taking on in Australia and Wimbledon. I didn't realize he racked up enough points to get a direct entrance in, so my apologies. Anyways, this title match between Kokkinakis and Coric guaranteed a player would win their first junior grand slam singles title. Today proved to be Coric's day, as he took the title by winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. The last two matches Kokkinakis got down a set and came back to win. The tides turned though as he won the first set, in the end backfiring.

Both players played a phenomenal tournament. Unfortunately this marks the end for Borna Coric's junior career, despite him being only 16 and having another year of eligibility left in the juniors. He will now focus on his professional career. It is uncertain what Thanasi Kokkinakis' plans our in terms of the juniors. He has one year of eligibility left being 17. It's almost positive he won't be a regular on the junior tour, but I would expect him to at the very least play the Australian Open in January. At the most, I'd expect to see him playing the grand slams until he eventually won one because he certainly has the game to do so. He has proven that by reaching 2 grand slam finals this year, in 3 appearances.

Personally if I were at there level, why not play the grand slams? It gets you into a unique grand slam setting and a chance to win a grand slam title. Why not do that versus play a local Futures tournament? As much as money matters, I would definitely rather play on the grounds of Wimbledon or Flushing Meadows versus at an ITF Futures event in the middle of nowhere.

That's just me though. I ended up being 47-16 with my picks through this junior tournament and had a very fun time with it. Thanks for being supportive of my blog and Fry That Chicken.

First 2 poll results

Favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movie? Results: Django Unchained 45% The Great Gatsby 27% Titanic 18% Other 9%


Which fast food place should be put in Perry? McDonald's (0%) Taco Bell (23%) Chipotle (71%) Other (4%)

Midnight Madness-Will Smith

Hey guys, I'm finally 18! Crazy.....well wish me a happy birthday if you'd like!

Here's a birthday edition of Midnight Madness featuring Will Smith in his keys to life: Running and Reading. Check it out.

Also, vote for your favorite Leonardo DiCaprio movie by 7am.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08M7JpLpl4

FRY THAT CHICKEN

American Martin Redlicki Wins Doubles Title; US Open Junior Recap

Mostly in tennis tournaments when you see that you play the number 1 seed in the first round, you kind of figure that you're already done and the tournament hasn't even started. Unless you are Martin Redlicki and Kamil Majchrzak. The American-Polish team paired up for the first time at the US Open after meeting at a tournament in Milan. In the first round, they took out top seeds Stefan Kozlov and Borna Coric in a third set tiebreaker. They then kept rolling, not dropping another set the rest of the tournament as they beat Quentin Halys (France) and Frederico Silva (Portugal) in the final 6-3, 6-4. This is the first grand slam title for either player and it is nice to see an American lift a trophy at the US Open.

The US Open website incorrectly stated that Redlicki was a sophomore at Duke. That happens to be his brother Michael Redlicki who won the Kalmazoo doubles title last summer.

In the singles, Thanasi Kokkinakis defeated Chilean Christian Garin in 3 sets. This is the 2nd match in a row the Aussie wildcard came back from a set down. He will play 4th seed Borna Coric in the final on Sunday. Both players will be playing for their first Grand Slam singles title, as Kokkinakis already has a Grand Slam doubles title to his name.

I am 47-15, and with my last pick for the juniors tournament:
Kokkinakis vs. Coric

US Open Semifinal Picks

Sorry I didn't post this earlier. My picks are Nadal and Djokavic winning in the semifinals today.