The American Hall-of-Famer joined Ubitennis CEO, Ubaldo Scanagatta, to comment on the US Open semifinals and to preview the last showdowns.
It’s the final weekend at the US Open, and the matches are set. In their daily recap, our commentators discuss the semifinal performances of those who are left, focusing on Dominic Thiem’s quest for his maiden Slam title and on what might happen with Osaka and Azarenka on Saturday night. Here’s the chat:
00:00 – This time, the chat starts with a comment on the men’s semis: “Thiem played a great match, especially after winning the first set so easily.” Medvedev did a Connors impression by trespassing into the other half of the court…
01:59 – “Medvedev squandered several opportunities, but Thiem fully deserved the win.” The Austrian had to change his shoes twice despite the mild weather, does it have to do with the new surface, Laykold? His chances going into the final.
04:51 – “Zverev was so bad in the first two sets that I would need to come up with a new word to describe his performance!” Who would have been his preferred opponent for the final?
07:32 – “Thiem is the favourite and deserves to win his first Major.” What can Zverev do to beat him? “Maybe he would need to borrow something from his brother…”
12:00 – The women’s draw: “Azarenka raised her level, but at this point Williams can’t play her best tennis for more than a set…”
14:15 – Serena is still gunning for her 24th Slam, but how long will she keep going? “There are more and more opponents who can give her a run for her money…”
16:25 – Osaka vs Brady: “If Saturday’s final will be half as good, we’ll be in for a treat!”
18:40 – “Osaka has a slight edge; I don’t see her making the same mistakes Serena did.” Which would be the better story – Azarenka’s becoming the fourth mother to win a Major or Osaka getting back to the level of dominance that was expected of her a couple years ago? 21:45 – “If Naomi wins, then I can see her adding many more. Now she’s a lot more at ease outside the court as well, as her dedicating her masks to the victims of police brutality shows.” Should the USTA regret letting her take the Japanese citizenship?
Transcript and translation by Tommaso Villa
