US Open Update:

• Alexander The Great Tennis Player lived up to his lofty billing with a gutsy 5-set win over the steady, but ultimately benign, Correno Busta. Much congratulations are in order for the young German, but he can’t afford another sluggish start in the final, when he faces baseline slugger Thiem. This will be Thiem’s fourth Major final, and he doesn’t in any way want to join the 0-4 ranks of the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings.
• Don’t look for that to happen in Sunday’s showdown. The Austrian has paid his dues, and is due. Dominic in 5.

• ChabDog is an official card-carrying member of the Domi dream team, hoping and praying Thiem can continue his recent run of success over no-nonsense Novak. Thiem has won the last two meetings, though he trails the World No. 2 6-4 in the overall tally.
• How and why can Dominic do it?  He just got through the gauntlet of nasty Nadal, and has certainly shown he has the firepower off the ground to cause Djoker some heartburn. He has the best single shot off the ground … an atomic, one-handed backhand, along with a forehand that is less reliable, but also quite potent.  As for the serve, that’s improved, and he’s in tip top physical shape.
• The biggest question is whether he can hold up mentally over the course of what will likely be a 4 or 5 set fight to the death against his more experienced opponent.  Novak won’t beat himself, and won’t likely break down due to injury or fatigue, so the Austrian will have to pressure him, move him around the court and generally harass him into error and leaving openings for winners.  That will most certainly be a mental marathon, and few players are up for that challenge.
• This is Thiem’s 3 grand slam final, and perhaps his time has finally come.  Novak’s strategy, as always, will be one of cruel attrition; for Dom it’s a cinch… just keep moving, keep going for your shot and keep avoiding the clinch…
• Thiem in 5….

ChabDog’s Aussie Open Conversation Openers (Day 9):

• In the end, only Nadal was looking pretty in pink; Kyrgios gave us flashes of brilliance, but he showed weakness when it mattered most, and against Rafa providing any opening is normally lethal.
• Zverev pounds out a convincing victory against Rublev, and readies for a tougher test in the next round.
• Fed survives an Antietam type, blood and guts skirmish with Tennys, who brought a gimpy Roger to the brink of elimination; but 7 match points later, it’s the favorite who remains standing … and waiting for the winner of Djoker-Raonic.  Give the No. 3 tons of credit for hanging in against almost insurmountable odds.  For Sandgren, there may well be sleepless nights thinking about all those lost opportunities.
• Steady Kerber just didn’t have the weapons in her tool kit to avoid getting run over in the third by Pavlyuchenkova.
• Barty’s versatility gives less flexible Kvitova nothing but fits.
• Sofia knocks out Jabeur.

ChabDog’s Aussie Open Conversation Openers (Men’s Singles, Day 7):

• Wolfman Khach was quite an animal, coming back from 2 sets down to force a final set breaker, but in the end it was happy hunting for killer Kyrgios.
• Isner just couldn’t stand rallying with Stan.
• Too tall an order for Verdasco to hang with lanky Zverev.
• Raonic playing with a real itch to win his first major.
• Too much of a reach to think short Schwartzman could hang with No. 2 Novak.

ChabDog’s Aussie Open Conversation Openers (Women’s Singles, Day 6):

• Cori’s story continues to build, as the 15 year old phenom surgically removes an ordinary Osaka from the tournament.
• Sofia certainly wasn’t loafing as she sends Shuai away packing.
• Swiatek navigates around the Vekic wreckage
• Kontaveit takes flight and soars over Bencic.
• Mertens returns from an incredibly productive bathroom break to break Bellis over and over and over again.
• Halep didn’t feel like saving a place for Putintseva in the next round.
• Pavly’s slight edge over Plisk involved more than just a few last name letters.
• The trains are running on time in German, and Kerber’s reorg plan is definitely on schedule.

ChabDog’s Aussie Open Conversation Openers (Women’s Singles, Day 5):

• Brute force notwithstanding, Serena’s lost a few steps, and her groundies are no longer wired tight. EVERYBODY WANG QIANG TONIGHT! EVERYBODY WANG QIANG TONIGHT!
• Dart misses her targets and gets stopped by Simona.
• Pavly packed too much punch for Taylor T.
• Kontaveit had it just ight against Tormo.
• Ash Friday goes very well for Barty.
• Yulia puts away Dan-yell.
• Carla submits to the Iga sanction.
• Riske-reward definitely favors Alison.
• Encounter with Sakkari is no pleasure cruise for Keys.
• Woe is Wozniacki as she’s floored by Jabeur’s jabs.
• Lauren Davis eliminated by Elina.