US Open day 1

I figured we could do with a place to discuss the first day's action at the last grand slam of the year. Andy Murray is the first of the main contenders to get under way, he plays Bogomolov second on Arthur Ashe, expected to start around 6PM British time. Roger Federer has the second night session match against Donald Young. Brit watch sees two of the three British women in action, with Heather Watson kicking things off on Court 17 against Li Na (starts about 4PM) and Laura Robson third up on Court 4 against American teenager Samantha Crawford.

Can't see either Murray or Federer struggling today, three comfortable sets for Murray and an absolute thrashing for Federer are my predictions.

It should be comfortable wins for Murray and Federer today.

And Stosur. Come on Stosur!!

Really interested to see what Heather Watson can do. Laura Robson has looked quite comfortable against top top players, and it'll be interesting to see if Heather has moved forward since her run at Wimbledon.

I expect a straight sets defeat, but I'd love to see her give Li Na some trouble.

Heather a break down. Shame as she started well and could have broken herself 5 mins ago.

I'm left with the same impression of Heather as I've had for a while: she's tactically astute, moves well and defends well, but just doesn't have the power to trouble the big players. She's in danger of being completely overpowered at the moment.

MFC - yeah she's being overpowered. Not helping herself though by standing so deep. You could argue that Li Na is pushing her back there, but she's never going to win from that position.

Get up the court girl!!

she doesn't have the power to move up the court though, she really needs to develop a big weapon, both her shots are solid, but how many points is she actually winning (as opposed to Li Na losing)? Also needs to target the Li Na FH a bit more...

Well here we go kids can't wait for the last slam of the season.

hello, all of a sudden Li Na misses a couple of shots, then Heather pummels a great return right onto the baseline and it's three break points! Li Na saves the first with a superb drive volley, the second with an ace, but nets on the third and Watson leads 3-1

Reckon Federer will put on a show tonight to show he means business.

There is as much chance of Donald Young winning this evening as there is Stephen seagal settling an argument over a handshake !

I think Laura's ranking has been kept down slightly by tough draws, especially in slams this year with 3 R1 defeats. I have never heard of her opponent and Wikipedia gives a ranking of 384, so must be a home player gift wildcard, so this has to be really an opportunity for Laura.

Jankovic (13 seed, AO)
Medina Garrigeus (29 seed, Spaniard on clay)
Wimbledon (24 seed and slam champion Schiavone, won a set)

Medina Garrigues also beat Laura at the US Open last year.

So finally an opportunity against a player outside the top 30. This is a should win match if not a must win. Looks like Clijsters in R2 though.

We always get Laura and Heather live in matches against top 10 players which feature inevaitable plucky defeats. I'd like to see them play against players with similar rankings more often.

Heather doing some serious moonballling there. By comparison Rafa tends to skim the tape every time.

Can anyone remember if you get more than 1 channel on Sky Go later in the tournament?

RAIN DELAY AT 17.30 UK TIME

Rain delay, kidding me !!

Thought wimbledon was over

Do the Americans not believe in court coverage?

Juan, the problem with a roof at the US Open is that the Americans spent a fortune on building the new Arthur Ashe stadium and it's probably too big. Hence a roof would cost an even larger fortune. It's been talked about for many years but nothing seems to get done.

I know why they can't place a roof over the court, I was meaning some sort of cover to drag over the court to keep the rain off. Sorry, that wasn't clear.

What are the prospects of more play ?

It's only 1:45 there, still loads of hours to go. The rain looks slightly lighter though. Thank goodness Murray is playing first for a change. Hopefully he gets his match today, as does Dodig, and Federer doesn't get on until some time on Wednesday

Seriously, the rain is a real sickener. Still, it's unavoidable and I hear the forecast is qute good.

Ok, the sun is out!!

My fiancé likes her tennis, but draws the line at watching reruns of old matches. Therefore I'm now watching A Place In The Sun.

I'm relying on you good people letting me know as soon as he steps on court.

Squeegees have almost done their stuff. A bit more drying, and Murray should be on in 10-15 minutes.

Hopefully, Blake can continue where he left off, and wrap this in straight sets against Lacko, so I can watch Murray.

Get ready Danny, it's not that much longer to go.

I read somewhere that Blake might be looking at getting into the 2nd week for a final swansong. I can't see it myself, although Raonic is the highest seed in his part of the draw.

Bogomolov on court.

Murray in his chair.

Murray ready to serve. Wide.

Danny... do you want some commentary?

Murray

LF you have a PM from me.

No thanks laver, I'm watching it now.

Poor start by Andy. And wow how slow is the court playing?

2 break back points for Murray

Bogomolov.

laverfan wrote:Bogomolov.

lol

5 unforced errors from Murray... And we're in game 3.

He usually goes sets without that many!

Come on Andy, pick it up. Don't want to get into a drama in round 1.

Flip me, Murray's playing Poopie.

Danny_1982 wrote:5 unforced errors from Murray... And we're in game 3.

He usually goes sets without that many!

Come on Andy, pick it up. Don't want to get into a drama in round 1.

Don't worry- when Murray gets into gear he'll cruise.

I think he may be a bit rusty imo.

We've seen Djokovic's Sharapova impression http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/22082011/58/djokovic-sharapova-impression.html
Now Murray and Bogomolov are doing their general WTA impression out on court
Murray break back point.

Murray wakes up. Some great play in that game.

Needs to find the serve though... Goodness me.

Moonballing by Murray followed up by a terrible backhand miss

BP Bogomolov for 5 breaks in a row.

Ha, loved the hands out 'try and put him off' at the net there from Bogo.

Technically not allowed, but fun to watch.

Murray needs a service hold and then I think he'll settle down.

Murray holds, under 30% 1st serves so far.

This, however, is a crucial hold.

Murray not really focussed at the mo, this is the problem when he plays a guy who doesn't have much of a serve to speak of, and why he's good at playing big servers. Anyway he holds for 3-2.

4-2 Murray. He's gonna cruise now, NID.

carrieg4 wrote:

Murray looking absolutely sublime receiving, and really poor on his own serve.

Bizarre match.