Here are the seeds:

1. Roger Federer, Switzerland
2. Rafael Nadal, Spain
3. Ivan Ljubicic, Croatia
4. David Nalbandian, Argentina
5. James Blake, United States
6. Tommy Robredo, Spain
7. Nikolay Davydenko, Russia
8. Marcos Baghdatis, Cyprus
9. Andy Roddick, United States
10. Fernando Gonzalez, Chile
11. David Ferrer, Spain
12. Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic
13. Jarkko Nieminen, Finland
14. Tommy Haas, Germany
15. Lleyton Hewitt, Australia
16. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain
17. Andy Murray, Great Britain
18. Robby Ginepri, United States
19. Dominik Hrbaty, Slovak Republic
20. Novak Djokovic, Serbia and Montenegro
21. Gaston Gaudio, Argentina
22. Fernando Verdasco, Spain
23. Dmitry Tursunov, Russia
24. Jose Acasuso, Argentina
25. Richard Gasquet, France
26. Olivier Rochus, Belgium
27. Gael Monfils, France
28. Agustin Calleri, Argentina
29. Jonas Bjorkman, Sweden
30. Sebastien Grosjean, France
31. Juan Ignacio Chela, Argentina
32. Kristof Vliegen, Belgium

And here is the draw:

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/draws/index.html

okay, how many times has Henman played Rusedski in a first round at a Major? Seems like everytime.

With Blake seeming fragile and Roger seeming unsure, we probably can expect them to meet in the quarters anyway. Moya may upset the fragile Blake but I see no other problems for him. And Ferrero after the debacle against Roddick should pose little problem for Roger.

Nalbandian could be suprised by a brillian Safin, but unlikely. And what about Coria--anything left in that tank? Haas will be a good round of sixteen for the Argentine if he gets past Kuznetsov (who is he? Svetlana's brother??). And I expect an upset around the Davydenko section.

Will Baghdatis be the one to send Agassi packing? Likely. Or would it be horrible fater that it would be Andy? And then to have to face Hewitt whom I think will be on fire this tournament.

The final quarter is by far the easiest but I'm still hoping for an early upset for Nadal--maybe Monfils?? Acasuso would be even better that way we could see his final torso again. Or would the Flipper be able to do it? Wouldn't that be a shocker?


So glad to be back on the board, to be home in Maryland, to be with my sweetie. And to have the next several months to watch tennis, get fat, and get a tan.

[ August 23, 2006, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: shore ]

Are the draws usually out this early? Seems like they usually wait until two or three days before the Open.

Anyway, in Roger's quarter:
Henman-Rusedski first round could be a fun match to watch. And that Qualifier vs. Qualifier should be a doozy!

In Nalbandian's quarter:
A Battle of the Olivier's (Rochus vs. Patience)! Ginepri's got a nice draw to the 4th round.

In Ljubicic's quarter:
A possible Agassi-Baghdatis second round will undoubtedly be a night match.

In Nadal's quarter:
At quick glance looks to be the easiest of the quarters. Don't see any of the other 31 who can trouble Nadal though Philipousis in the first could be fun to watch.

[ August 23, 2006, 12:34 PM: Message edited by: George Twins fan ]

I think the draws are great, men and women. There are so many great potential match-ups. I feel like big names are really spread out and there are eye catching possibilities from the get go.

Poor James Blake has a brutal road ... Mathieu, Tursanov, and Berdych are all in his section and he could play two of those guys (Berdych/Tursanov is a potenial 3rd rounder) just for the honor of a Federer quarterfinal.

Safin could play Nalbandian early, but then might run up against pint-sized nemesis Olivier Rochus if he won. I like Rochus's chances of getting through that quarter.

Fernado Gonzalez and Andy Murray could meet in the 3rd round.

Agassi plays the dangerous Andrei Pavel and then probably Marcos Baghdatis in round two. Andy Roddick is also in their section.

Nadal has Philippoussis in the first round and Monfils as his projected 4th round. Not a terrible draw for Rafa.

The top quarters in each half seem packed with tough players and the bottom quarters of each half seem weak. Even if Nadal runs far some folks might be talking about a cakewalk. Meanwhile Roger's quarter -- yeesh. On first glance Nalbandian's quarter seems weak because he's only the top player amongst many struggling and seemingly out-of-form there.

Of course, draws rarely pan out like they look. Fed's Wimbledon draw looked Herculean, but some of the supposed early-round challengers lay down like lambs practically before play started. Seems a little less likely in wild NY than polite Wimbledon, though.

The symbolism of a potential Agassi vs. Baghdatis second rounder is the kind of thing that makes you wonder about rigging. Not that I'm complaining.

[ August 23, 2006, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Two-hander ]

Nalbandian's quarter has Murray/Gonzo...two of the hottest hardcourters this year. I expect one of them to make the semis. If Murray stays fit,
he should be the favorite.

Ljubicic's quarter is the most competitive but if Roddick plays the way he played at Cincy, I tip him to make a run to the finals *at least*. of course, he has Gasquet, Djokovic, Baggy, Agassi (I can never rule him out at the USO) and Lube to contend with. Hewitt usually does well in New York irrespective of his previous form too!

The main thorn in Fed's path should be JCF (4th round, I believe) who is riding on some confidence and who usually plays Rog pretty tough. A red-hot Berdych can dismantle anyone but I do not see Blake troubling Fed. It's funny that almost all the "Nadal-killers" of this year are in Fed's quarter.

Nadal has the easiest quarter of the four. A Phillipoussis in 1999 form (probability 0.01) can beat Nadal but otherwise I expect Nadal to have his first big test in the semis barring Monfils if he decides to adopt a more offensive style of play.

[ August 23, 2006, 01:43 PM: Message edited by: fearsomeforehand ]

My thoughts on the draw:

Federer has a rather easy draw this time around, and looks unlikely to be tested early. Ferrero likely will make the 4th round (his draw is cake), but unless Fed is way off, I can't see him challenging him. Blake is way off form, but the first couple of rounds look easy. Mathieu or Moya could pose a threat in rd. 3. Berdych is erratic--he could go to the quarters, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Tursunov make it to the quarters either. Fed won't lose to either (or Blake, for that matter).

Nalbandian doesn't look to have much right now (though you never know with him), making this a favorable draw for Marat Safin to work his way into. Olivier Rochus, a potential 3rd round opponent, has been a troublesome opponent for him, however. I tend to agree with twohander that the 3rd round match between Gonzalez and Murray will decide the semifinalist. I'm pulling big time for Fernando. Davydenko is suddenly looking alive again, though.

The third quarter is another interesting one. I can't totally rule out Agassi making a run, though he could easily lose to Baghdatis in Rd. 2. I like Roddick's chances to make the semis, with Ljubicic unimpressive lately. Watch out for Gasquet and Djokovic here, too.

There's no obvious danger to Nadal in his quarter, which may allow him to play his way into form. Philipoussis could test him in round one, but might roll over very easily. Malisse/Nieminen is a tasty opening round match here and the winner might trouble Nadal. It's hard to say who his quarter final opponent will be. Robredo's the top seed here, but he isn't at his best on fast surfaces and has a history of flaking in slams. Other possibilities are David Ferrer, Dominik Hrbaty, maybe even Stanislav Wawrinka.

I think the Nadal v Flipper first round is fascinating.Flip has been playing well recently, he feeds off power and that big foehand can break down Nadals backhand, so he can get into the net.

Nadal has seemingly been a little irritated this summer so I am going out on a limb and predicting an upset.

xanthos, I too would love an upset in that first round match. can't wait to see. need to check the listings to see who's playing when.

and I think Pavel could upset Andre tomorrow night.

[ August 27, 2006, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: shore ]

I don't know about that. Philipoussis hasn't won a match on hard courts at the ATP level since March and withdrew from his semifinal match of a challenger in Binghamton a couple weeks ago. A 3rd round match against Mirnyi or Monfils looks more dangerous to me.

So as I understand it, Agassi takes to the court tonight. I am pumped for him, and want him to do well.....lets go Andre. Give it your very best shot bud. I know you will.

Jimbo Connors is helping Andy warm up, and the rain looks like it has stopped. It may be time for tennis!!!!!!

Roddick is rolling in the first set, up on Serra 5-2. Connors watching in the seats.

I must say...after watching that first round match I think that Jimmy Connors has done wonders for Andy's game in the short time they've been together. Andy's groundstrokes are much better and he's constructing points better. Do I think Andy will win the title? No. But I expect him to be deep in the second week.

If he continues playing the way he has been playing, I expect him to at least make the final. I think he can beat Nadal on a hard court. If he can win it all depends of course on Federer's form.

Federer v. Nadal??? No, the big story is wink Ekaterina Bychkova (RUS)
vs. Lioudmila Skavronskaia (RUS)

Roddick looked great. Connors has him playing with, and using his emotion.....I expect him to go aways into the tournament. The deeper the better as far as I am concerned.

Oh happy day, Lopez is walloping Ljubicic -- getting revenge for their Wimbledon marathon and Ljubicic's sniping. I thought this was going to happen, but not so resoundingly. It ain't over yet, though.

[ August 28, 2006, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Two-hander ]

GO ANDRE!!!!!!!!!

Pavel takes the first set, Agassi making buckets of mistakes in the tiebreak--I think the moment is creeping into his psyche. Can Pavel keep it up and send Agassi home? Possible.

Pavel is no joke. I knew there was a serious possibility Agassi could be going home tonight. Its not looking good. It was KEY for Agassi to win that first set. The second set is a must win for Agassi cuz if he goes down 2 sets its a WRAP!!! I said to my boyfriend after the ceremony that it would suck if Andre lost after all that pomp and circumstance of the BJK ceremony and BJK shouting out to Andre's last run at the Open. My boyfriend said I jinxed Andre. man I hope not. frown

Why is Federer waiting til Wednesday to play his first round match? And so glad I'll be able to see the Flipper vs. Nadal match tomorrow morning.

5-5

2nd set

not looking too good for andre.

This is a must win 2nd set tiebreaker for Agassi. He loses this and its a WRAP!!

andre has to win this match.

i don't wanna shed tears tonight.

what was pavel thinking letting that ball drop in at 8all in the tiebreak? it cost him the set for sure.

1 set apiece.

andre wins stomach turning second set TB.

GO ANDRE!@!!

WOW....one mistake totally blew that for Pavel. 1 set a piece now and lets see if Pavel will continue his play or if Andre can grind him down and hopefully win it in 4. Hopefully the next 2 sets will be easy for Andre.

2 minutes later....Agassi opens the first game of the second set and gets broken. The commentators said it...a true buzz kill!!!

[ August 28, 2006, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: mdterp01 ]

What a match this is!! I am totally rooting for Andre..but that Pavel backhand has been the shot of the match so far. Very, very underrated shot.

andre down 0-3 in the third set.

Isn't Pavel the one who took down Roddick from two sets down in California during Davis Cup this year?

He's not going to go down easy. In fact, the score is looking bad for Andre.

Jimmy Connors has done way more for Roddick than the many skeptics anticipated. I'm not much of an Andy fan, in fact really dislike and am bored by big servers -- -- but if he brings the type of play he brought to Cincy to a final here, watch out.

Fearsome, you're right about the Nalbandian quarter containing some hot streaks. I missed them, though I think Murray is going to be challenged big time by Kendrick. But I wanna argue with your idea that Federer will decide the outcome at whim if he faces the current Roddick. He's owned Andy. But Connors' brain is just the weapon that Roddick's blustery aggression needs. Suddenly his serve is much harder to predict, for example.

A potential Baghdatis vs. Roddick 4th round rematch of their Australian match, and Baghdatis's coronation, would be something. I'd be rooting for Marcos but my money wouldn't be on him. But I'm getting ahead of myself, and of course Roddick could even crash and burn way early.

Wow...didn't see that coming. Andre was on the ropes...all the sudden he reels off 5 straight games and is up 5-4 in the third!! This is a great match to kickoff the night session of the US Open. Talk about drama fo yo mama!!

As an aside...I love the Polo Ralph Lauren wear for the linespersons but ugh...I hate seeing Ralph Lauren on someone who wears it bad. That lineswoman who fell looked a hot mess in RL (bitchy gay I know but oh well)

[ August 28, 2006, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: mdterp01 ]

ANOTHER gut turning tb.

amazing comeback by the old man in the third set.

GO ANDRE!

WOW....Agassi comes back from 0-4, two breaks down and wins the 3rd set breaker!!! Talk about electricifying drama!! The match should be his now. I could see him running away with the third set. Pavel doesn't have the sting he had on his shots and blowing that 3rd set lead may be a bit much for him. Pavel is now really playing Agassi and the NY crowd. Go Andre!!! My boyfriend wants Agassi to lose because he's sick of the ad nauseum of the whole Agassi's farewell tour. He wants it to be over. Whatever...it can't end for Andre tonight!!!!!!!!!

boooo to your boyfriend md!



GO ANDREEEEEEEEEE!

yes, GO ANDRE! Great stuff!

but i have to admit, PAVEL IS HOT.!

LOVE THOSE THIGHS!

Well as predicted...Agassi running away with the 4th set. I'm just glad he didn't lose tonight. Will he beat Marcos? I don't know but I'm glad to see its not the end of the line tonight.

CRAP!

well, the AGONIZING goodbye lingers on...and we're assured of at least one more match featuring obnoxious "agassi camp" reaction shots.

ugh.

GO ANDRE!!!!!!!!!

PHEW!!!! That was too close. Agassi ended that match just as CBS' late night coverage is beginning!!! Great comeback for Andre because I thought he was done in that third set. That was just amazing. Down 0-4, two breaks, and Pavel was in full control. Talk about fighting with heart. Andre truly earned that win cuz it wasn't easy. Pavel made that boy play!!!

WHAT a sad and pitiful comment.

I am not complaining...as long as they continue to show Steffi wink BTW, Jaz Agassi is sooo cute. I wonder which one of their children, if at all, will carry the Steffi-Andre legacy forward.

sorry i don't bow down (or bend over) to SAINT ANDRE.

at least it will soon be over...and we can get back to...TENNIS...instead of maudlin and endless farewells.

I was thinking the same thing last night. Can you imagine if one of them inherited the best parts of both Andre's and Steffi's games?

I gave up watching the match a little after midnight, just after Agassi took the third set. Pavel had his chances, esp to take the second set and to really command the third. Agassi put up such fight to comeback but I don't think he'll have anything left for his second round.

Andre! Andre! Andre. Damn, what a match. Not only was my stomach in knots, I got so many additional gray hairs! wink What a battle. Something about the spectacle that is the US Open that brings out the best in players. Pavel played so well, and was so strong. But Andre just never gave up..period. Those occasional shots of Steffi, she looked like she was in agony. She was not alone....I so hope there is something left in the tank for Andre....Keep it up Agassi!!!! I didn't witness the whole match. What time on the east coast was it over???

[ August 29, 2006, 05:16 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]

We are in another rain delay. I just popped in on weather.com for the NYC forecast, and its not that great. 100% chance of rain today, with periods of rain. My fingers and toes are crossed that we shall get some tennis in today. wink

andre's match ended at 12:30 a.m. eastern time.

andre has three days to recover from last night's match. he should be fresh for bagdhatis.

oh yeah, forecast not looking good. it's raining right now.

Well they are warming up for what its worth at this moment. C'mon sun!!!!!