The big boys are back, which means I'm happy. Don't get me wrong, I like the smaller tourneys as much as the next guy. But shit gets real when you have the #1-5s playing. Throw in a resurgent Nalby (who destroyed Robredo today to set up a 3rd rounder vs. Sod on Thursday) and we got ourselves a happy C Note.
Rafa sported some craaaaaazy hot pink and was pushed hard by a "why won't you go AWAY" Stanley. The first set took over an hour and half and saw Rafa finally take the breaker 14-12. I didn't see the match but from what I could tell via Twitter, that breaker was insane. Rafa would take the second 6-3 after a total match time of 2 hours and 21 minutes. How's that for a welcome back workout?
As for my headcasey stable, Andy somehow took the first set over X-Man 75. Seriously, I don't know how he did it. I could be wrong but I think X was serving for that first set at one point. Anyway, he got away with it and cruised in the second.
And as for the Tiny Thoraxed One, it seems my predictions via the podcast may come true. The dude was WHEEZING throughout his match, clearly bothered by the heat and humidity. I just feel so sorry for the guy. It's not that he's not fit or isn't working hard. He clearly has a physiological issue that he hasn't found an answer to. He struggled in his win over Benneteau but he was hitting some amazing groundies that gave me hope. Who knows if he'll be able to get through this US hardcourt season though. It'll only get more brutal in Cincy next week.
