US Open [Men] 2026 - Grand Slam

[the AntiPusher]

Rise of the Sissypuss!

Seriously, though, do y'all remember what a beautiful player he looked to be, back in 2019-22ish? So much promise. It really feels like that second Slam final loss to Novak at the 2023 AO nailed the coffin on him becoming a top tier player. In a way, he's sort of in the Nalbandian category...I don't think his peak level was ever as good as we saw from Nalbandian at his very best, but definitely in the "should have been much better" group.

Anyhow, it is hard not imagining this as any more than a glitch in the Matrix, and/or Fils coming down off his Cincy high. But you never know...

I was tryin to see this coming with Tis but not against Arthur Fils.. Did you @El Dude see the match? What happened to Arthur's game today?

 

[El Dude]

I was tryin to see this coming with Tis but not against Arthur Fils.. Did you @El Dude see the match? What happened to Arthur's game today?

I did not. I'd be interesting in hearing anyone's impression.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Biggest win for Tits in a long while. Fils must be upset after his Masters win.

 

[kskate2]

Seems I remember someone on this board saying Djoke could go out despite his draw.

 

[the AntiPusher]

@El Dude @kskate2 Is this the tournament of the Lost Gen.. or will it be someone from the Americas--North, Central or South dammit .. Someone from over here needs to win this thing and end the drought

 

[the AntiPusher]

Stan wasnt ready to play in the open. my concern was that he went home and broke his training regimen for a few days.. Too bad it had to end this way

 

[kskate2]

Stan wasnt ready to play in the open. my concern was that he went home and broke his training regimen for a few days.. Too bad it had to end this way

Even w/ a proper training regimen, I wouldn't have taken him over Babycakes.

 

[kskate2]

@El Dude @kskate2 Is this the tournament of the Lost Gen.. or will it be someone from the Americas--North, Central or South dammit .. Someone from over here needs to win this thing and end the drought

No. It will not. I already told you who's winning. The only person that knows how to win slams. We already had a surprise winner this year at RG, I don't see that happening here.

 

[the AntiPusher]

No. It will not. I already told you who's winning. The only person that knows how to win slams. We already had a surprise winner this year at RG, I don't see that happening here.

What about @MargaretMcAleer and your bald headed step child Zed.. he knows how to win a title with an asterisk ..jajaja

 

[Jelenafan]

I was tryin to see this coming with Tis but not against Arthur Fils.. Did you @El Dude see the match? What happened to Arthur's game today?

What is shocking to me is that it was to Tsitsipas, who has an abysmal USO match history, Sissy has never gotten past the 3rd round in his whole career.

 

[kskate2]

What is shocking to me is that it was to Tsitsipas, who has an abysmal USO match history, Sissy has never gotten past the 3rd round in his whole career.

And probably won't do it this year either. Next match against Lloyd Harris and if he makes it past that, then likely Lehecka.

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for U.S. Open, Day 3 Round 1, Tuesday, September 1, 2026:

https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule10.html

 

[Federberg]

Even a washed 38-year-old Rafa in July 2024 dug down and beat Navone. This match proves that Novak isn't the GOAT.

Roger is the GOAT because his floor is so high, and you can rely on him not to lose to this type of opponent. I could never see Roger, even on his worst day, being in any position where is he close to losing to a player like Navone. (Worst version of Roger was the one that lost 6-0 to Hurkacz, but he was still a very good player, and that Roger still made it to a quarterfinal at Wimbledon.)

a bit harsh in my opinion. I honestly think all 3 of them are co-GOATs. I think Novak has stuck around a little too long. Obviously I'm not particularly a fan of him, and I'll never get over the fact he's hanging around like a bad smell when his daddy was ranting that Roger should just retire when he was about 35 years old! Still waiting for that nasty twat to make a public statement about his son needing to pack his racquets up!

But in all seriousness, the 3 equally deserve it. Rafa for his absolute dominance on clay. Novak for his all round excellence. Roger for his unparalleled talent and the fact that they had to slow those courts down to give everyone else a chance. I'll die on the hill that if the courts (and balls) had maintained their speed he might have won 10 US Opens and 10+ Wimbledons. Yes I said it!

 

[El Dude]

@El Dude @kskate2 Is this the tournament of the Lost Gen.. or will it be someone from the Americas--North, Central or South dammit .. Someone from over here needs to win this thing and end the drought

I'm still going with Alcaraz. That said, Sascha has beaten him before - he's not as shit-in-pants as he is with Sinner.

Gill Gross pick Rafael Jodar. That seems premature to me, but I wouldn't be totally surprised - especially given his amazing rise this year. Meaning, if someone is going to win a Slam in their first full season, why not Jodar?

 

[Federberg]

I think Alcaraz too. Not surprised Jodar is getting some attention, but is no one thinking of Fonseca at all anymore?

 

[El Dude]

I think Alcaraz too. Not surprised Jodar is getting some attention, but is no one thinking of Fonseca at all anymore?

I think he's in a bit of a post-hype lull which, combined with Jodar's rise, has made him lose a bit of luster, in terms of public discourse. The simple fact is that Jodar skyrocketed past him, while Fonseca hasn't really improved from last year.

I'm hoping Fonzie comes back strong post-USO, but I think his lack of clear improvement this year is a bit concerning. He did show a higher octave at Roland Garros, though, so we can return to that for solace and a reminder of his potential. It is still there, it is mostly that Jodar has eclipsed him - in terms of the developmental curve.

 

[El Dude]

I would also add that Jodar's rise this year is historic. Consider that he only played Challengers last year (and then the Next Gen finals), before playing his first true ATP level match in January of this year. Now he's ranked #12, and #9 in the race rankings. Even Borg, Wilander and Nadal took a bit of match experience to rise anywhere close to the top 20, let alone top 10. They were all younger, but still. it is a rather impressive debut on the tour.

 

[Federberg]

I would also add that Jodar's rise this year is historic. Consider that he only played Challengers last year (and then the Next Gen finals), before playing his first true ATP level match in January of this year. Now he's ranked #12, and #9 in the race rankings. Even Borg, Wilander and Nadal took a bit of match experience to rise anywhere close to the top 20, let alone top 10. They were all younger, but still. it is a rather impressive debut on the tour.

yes agreed it's been incredible. I was sort of a fan, but some of his antics are starting to rub me the wrong way

 

[mrzz]

USOpen final will be between Alcaraz and the surprise winner. Match will be one set all, locked in a battle in the third when Alcaraz feels something and the match derails from there.

 

[El Dude]

yes agreed it's been incredible. I was sort of a fan, but some of his antics are starting to rub me the wrong way

He doesn't have the lovable quality of Fonseca. I haven't quite gotten a sense of whether his "antics" are misunderstandings (e.g. the non-bump of the ball girl) or he's a bit of a douche. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, for now.