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Episode 273m: 2020 U.S. Open Day 12 - Zverev & Thiem are Last Men Standing Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

We've got another voice from inside the U.S. Open bubble, man-of-the-people Mike Cation, on NCR to discuss the men's semifinals, from which Sascha Zverev and Dominic Thiem advanced to the final.

It wasn't always pretty, especially not for Zverev. What should we think when Zverev, a guy we're convinced can be great wins so unconvincingly? And where does this result leave men's tennis as it seeks new stars?

Also, more on life inside the bubble, calling crowdless matches, and looking back at the men's event from an American perspective and otherwise.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

If you'd like to join fellow listeners in supporting our show as we work to crank out daily shows during the 2020 U.S. Open, we've launched an NCR Patreon where you can do just that! Check out our five tiers and see which might be right for you! And thank you to the many listeners who have already given their support! (And thank you to G.O.A.T. backers J O'D, Mike, and Charles Cyna!)

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273l: U.S. Open Day 11 - Azarenka & Osaka Win Semifinal Showstoppers Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

The women put on an incredible display in their semifinal showcase on Thursday evening at the U.S. Open, with Victoria Azarenka beating Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka besting Jennifer Brady in two spectacular matches.

Nick McCarvel, who was one of the 147 people watching Azarenka-Williams in Ashe (yes, he counted) joins Ben to discuss the experience, the matches, the two finalists set for a Saturday showdown, and what has been a surreal and memorable two weeks in the "ghost town" Grand Slam.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273k: 2020 U.S. Open Day 10 - Mary Carillo and the Final Fours Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Mary Carillo, NCR's favorite, joins Ben and Courtney for a third time as the U.S. Open gets to the business end of the draws, as we are now down to four semifinalists for both the men and women.

What has it been like calling this completely different tournament from on site at the Open? What have been the unexpected revelations of this new landscape and soundscape? Why does the Chinese restaurant want you to order the fries?

We discuss all eight semifinalists in some detail: Jennifer Brady, Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka; Pablo Carreno Busta, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, and Dominic Thiem.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273j: 2020 U.S. Open Day 9 - Pam Shriver's Distance Learning Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

Pam Shriver is used to being on the very front lines of tennis reporting for ESPN, running around the grounds of tournaments, hunting down celebrities, coaches, drunk Scottish people on Henman Hill, or whoever else might have something worthwhile to say.

In this very different 2020, Pam is at home during this U.S. Open, staying connected to the coverage from afar as she tries to balance work and family priorities amid this pandemic.

Pam and Ben discuss the 2020 U.S. Open, how it's coming across on TV, the sudden opportunity in the men's draw, Djokovic's simmer, recent tennis politics flareups, and their shared love of the Baltimore Orioles.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273i: 2020 U.S. Open Day 8 - Quarterfinals! Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

With the U.S. Open reaching the quarterfinal stage, where the draws get considerably more manageable to process on a more granular basis, Courtney and Ben reconvene to reset the table for the feasts of tennis cooking for the men and women.

The men's field is ordering off the kids menu, with the men's game tour finally guaranteed a new Grand Slam champion for the first time in six years. Who is best poised to take advantage of this? How will the new favorites, like Thiem and Zverev, deal with the pressure?

On the women's side we discuss a field that includes the Americans Jennifer Brady and Shelby Rogers, the crafty Yulia Putintseva, the remarkable Tsvetana Pironkova, the regal Serena Williams, and the resurgent Victoria Azarenka.

Also! We are uploading video of the recording of this episode to our Patreon as an experiment, if you want to see what it's like to watch NCR instead of just listening!

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273h: 2020 U.S. Open Day 7 - Djokovic Defaulted; NextGen Get Slam Chance Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

We made a mega mid-Slam episode for today's shocking developments, as No. 1 Novak Djokovic, the prohibitive favorite, was defaulted from the U.S. Open in the first set of his fourth round match after striking a lineswoman in the throat with a ball.

Courtney and Ben are joined by Reem Abulleil to discuss this moment, what it says about Djokovic and the rules of tennis, and where it leaves Djokovic and the tournament going forward.

Then in the second half of the show, Ben is joined by Alex Gruskin of the Cracked Racquets media empire to discuss the fact that we're suddenly guaranteed a new Grand Slam champion in men's tennis, something we haven't had for six years. Which of the young guys seems ready to take this mantle? And how do these unusual circumstances color the moment?
Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273g: 2020 U.S. Open Day 6 - French Fracas (The Paire 11) Sep 05, 2020

Show notes

As the first week of the U.S. Open wraps up, we get into (and hopefully wrap up) the story that dominated the first week: the fallout of Benoit Paire's positive coronavirus test last weekend, and the slow-but-severe effect it had on other players he had contacted before testing positive, ending with Kiki Mladenovic getting defaulted from the women's doubles draw to be quarantined fully in her Nassau County hotel.

Quentin Moynet of L'Equipe joins to discuss this week and other developments in French tennis including what's in Alize Cornet's new book, Corentin Moutet, and the rapidly approaching Roland Garros, which is still planning on having thousands of fans on the grounds each day. Sacre bleu! Also, check out Quentin's book!

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273f: 2020 U.S. Open Day 5 - The Mystery Files and Shelby Rogers Sep 05, 2020

Show notes

On a typically bizarre 2020 day in which New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had to rule on Adrian Mannarino's U.S. Open eligibility, we at NCR are delighted to bring you a cool, calming chat with Shelby Rogers, who solidified her great year by advancing to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday.

Shelby discusses how she used the quarantine time to work on herself physically, mentally, and spiritually, the fun variety of fast courts, and enjoying the solace of tennis in a bubble, even as craziness continues inside and out.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273e: 2020 U.S.Open Day 4 - In Order to Form a More Perfect Union Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

On a day at the U.S. Open on which its co-president Vasek Pospisil upset Milos Raonic, Ben chats about the new Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA, aka pihtihpihAHHH) with Amy Fetherolf, who knows her unions and her tennis.
What to make of this new tennis union? Does it need to have more specific goals outlined as it's getting off the ground? What classic anti-union tactics are visible in the resistance it's received? What if the ideas behind this union, like leaving out the women, are bad? What are the next steps? Amy has answers to these questions and many more.

Also, thunder.

Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 273d: 2020 U.S. Open Day 3 - Wild Women's Wednesday Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Ben and Courtney reconvene on Day 3 of the U.S. Open to recalibrate their forecasts for the top half of the women's draw, which saw top-seeded Karolina Pliskova knocked out, as well as somewhat surprising exits by Alison Riske, Marketa Vondrousova, and Dayana Yastremska.

Who is well-positioned for success going forward? Who looks comfortable in these unusual conditions? Is Naomi Osaka a fair favorite to win it all? And what makes Madison Brengle's approach so delightful?

Also, we discuss some of the early challenges we've encountered trying to cover a Grand Slam from home.

Again, thank you so much for the incredible support for NCR in recent days!

As always, thanks for following us on Twitter and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

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