Good week / bad week: US Open week two

Traditionally, we have always broken Good Week / Bad Week up into two sections. But on tennismash we occasionally like throw in a curveball, and so for one week only have added two new sections. Welcome to Bloody Brilliant Week / Good Week / Bit of a So-So Week / Bad Week (which doesn’t really cut it as a snappy title).

Bloody brilliant week

Angelique Kerber: There are barely enough superlatives in the English language to explain how good last week was for Angie. This was a once-in-a-lifetime week. Not only did she become the new world No.1, but she came through some stern tests to scoop her maiden US Open title in the process. If only she had bought a lottery ticket…

Good week

Stan Wawrinka: Talk about peaking for the big show. If Stan Wawrinka looked a bit shanky in Week One of the US Open, in Week Two he was brilliant. After negotiating a tricky path to the final, the Swiss star dealt with adversity, pressure, and a bit of wonky gamesmanship to claim a third Grand Slam title.

Karolina Pliskova: Perhaps the US Open didn’t end in the manner in which she had hoped, but Karolina Pliskova had a breakthrough week at Flushing Meadows. Not only did she progress beyond the third round of a Slam for the first time, she beat Venus and Serena in the process, and in her run to the final she showed the world what a talent she is. Let’s hope this is a springboard for even bigger and better things.

Mate Pavic & Laura Siegemund: Who?! We hear you cry. The first time Mate Pavic and Laura Siegemund spoke to each other was at the sign up desk for the US Open mixed doubles (they happened to be there at the same time). A week later, they were the champions. If that doesn’t equate to a good week, then what does?

Bit of a so-so week

Gael Monfils: In reaching the semifinals Gael Monfils had a really good week. But the semifinal… what was that?! Those who witnessed it still carry haunted looks having been privy to one of the strangest tennis matches ever played. Unfortunately, for Monfils, not only did he lose, but it’s the thing that he will be remembered for at the US Open in 2016.

Bad week

Serena Williams: Ouch! Losing in the semifinals of the US Open must have been a tough pill to swallow for the six-time champ. Losing her world No.1 status (on a double fault, no less) when she was one week away from taking the record for the most number of consecutive weeks at the top of the game… that must hurt like hell.

Andy Murray: What happened, Muzza?! Leading Nishikori two sets to one and with a break point, things looked peachy for Andy Murray. Then… Gong! There was an errant noise, a replayed point, and the sky fell in (not literally). Murray lost his cool, and his bid for a second US Open title ended with the sound of a racquet going crunch.

Ana Ivanovic: It wouldn’t be a bad week piece without a dollop of Ana. But for once she hasn’t made these pages because of what she’s done on a tennis court. Rather, it’s because she can’t get on to a court. Ana is out, you see. For the rest of the season.