Well, that was really amazing… particularly the women’s quarterfinals… so much good tennis and some bad, because we all have bad moments… yes, even you Rob… actually, especially you… All four matches went three sets and all over 2 hours and a bit… Sabalenka takes out #6 Noskova of Czechia in a battle 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7)… well played by both players and really came down to points won on the second serve… Sabalenka had 61% on the second and Noskova was at 43%… Pegula ousts fellow American billionaire #26 Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-3… Now, here is the beef… yep, get ready… Why does Navarro need more money? She had at least one sponsor sewn on her kit… come on, give that to a charity or let another player get that advertising… I will not purchase or even think about purchasing a product who is using either one of them in a commercial… so, just no… ok, end rant… for now… Gauff takes down #5 Andreeva, again… Coco didn’t come out looking like she had ever held a racquet before… surprising… the score line was 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2… now while that seem appropriate, wait for it… Andreeva melted down again… Her coach really needs to get into her mind a bit and dig around… We all know we win some, lose some… but every point is a detriment for this young one… I hope she gets better and not losing it when she’s losing it… Coco had 12 double faults and still pulled through… the last match-up was Rybankina who took out the qualifier Zheng of China 3-6, 6-1, 6-4… great showing for Zheng especially after an injury… Rybakina also takes over the #1 player knocking out Sabalenka starting next week…

The boys are still knocking around and two with five setters, one with three and the last with 2.5… Zverev takes down van de Zandschulp of the Nederlands, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1… chances were taken back in the second set… but not enough left in the tank… Khachanov over an ailing #28 Blockx of Belgium… not much to say here… felt like Blockx just went for every shot as hard as possible… most landing out… 6-2, 7=5, 3-2 (ret.)… Tiafoe needed five and down two sets to love to beat Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6)… what a match… wow… and so much heart played out by both players… Michelsen collapsed into Tiafoe’s arms at the net and sobbed… really amazing to see how much he wanted it… or the love of another man… HEY, it happens… Shelton does the impossible for all of you aside Kresimir… #2 Alcaraz of Spain was knocked out 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(7)… what an incredible match… both players again giving it all… so impressive and ended at 3:33 after four hours and twenty-eight minutes… now on record as the latest match ever played at the US Open… Yes, I see your tears and raise you nothing… absolutely nothing…

Now back to you… As promised, Denise is now in first in the Men’s draw… I see her now grabbing for that bottle and taking a swig… Tim you are in second, for now… (Is NJ going to take the Men’s Draw?) Most all of you have points left with Zverev… Kresimir still has points with Shelton… The question is, who is it going to be? I will say that I had something wrong in most of your draws… most of you had Alcaraz to win… if you see something wrong in what you chose, please let me know… I had three of you listed as having Zverev to win the tournament, and you had Alcaraz (just one Zverev lover in the group – I see you James)… I am working on a new version of the draw for Australia… no rest for the wicked… The women’s draw is still being led by Eric, just back we have Rob… note, that Eric AND Rob have Sabalenka to win… Sabalenka is 0-2 against Gauff in major finals… and she is 1-1 vs Rybakina… so, who knows… I do want to say that all of you with 1, 2, 3, 4 to the final, we are SOOOOO proud of you for taking huge risks… very proud…

Men’s Draw

Name	Points	Champion	Runner-up
Denise	144	Alcaraz	Zverev
Tim	137	Alcaraz	Zverev
Eric	130	Alcaraz	Zverev
James P	129	Zverev	Alcaraz
Kelly	128	Alcaraz	Zverev
Rob	125	Alcaraz	Zverev
Kresimir	121	Shelton	Mensik
Dan	108	Auger-Aliassime	Fils

Women’s Draw

Name	Points	Champion	Runner-up
Eric	205	Sabalenka	Gauff
Rob	199	Sabalenka	Gauff
Denise	183	Gauff	Pegula
Tim	177	Pegula	Rybakina
Dan	172	Gauff	Pegula
Kelly	170	Sabalenka	Rybakina
Kresimir	157	Gauff	Kostyuk
James P	150	Sabalenka	Anisimova

And that is how it all falls down at this point of the tournament… Games begin in about an hour… are you ready? We will have the finalists in the Women’s draw and the Men happen tomorrow… Can you believe it… wow… I think this one happened a bit faster than normal… but, Old age is no place for sissies… (points if you know THAT reference)… Good luck…

The Commish!