US Open 2015: A New Beginning

The projects for the USTA Billie Jean King complex are just about to be (nearly I think) completed, with Ashe getting a roof, while Armstrong separated like conjoined twins from Ashe and is also getting a roof. Also Super Saturday is back.

Defending men's singles champion Marin Cilic gets the number nine seed, while Novak Djokovic gets the top seed. Defending women's singles champion Serena Williams gets top seed.

Here are some of the singles matches to watch in the first round:

MEN
Singles
First round matches of interest
(1) Novak Djokovic v Joao Sousa (BRA)
(2) Roger Federer v Leonardo Mayer
(3) Andy Murray v Nick Kyrgios
(4) Kei Nishikori v Benoit Paire
(5) Stan Wawrinka v Albert Ramos Vinolas
(6) Tomas Berdych v Bjorn Fratangelo
(7) David Ferrer v Radu Albot
(8) Rafa Nadal v Borna Coric
(9) Marin Cilic v Guido Pella
(10) Milos Raonic v Tim Smyczek
(11) Gilles Simon v Donald Young
(12) Richard Gasquet v Thanasi Kokkinakis
(13) John Isner v Malek Jaziri
(14) David Goffin v Simone Bolelli
(15) Kevin Anderson v Andrey Rublev
(16) Gael Monfils v Illya Marchenko
(17) Grigor Dimitrov v Matthew Ebden
(18) Feliciano Lopez v Nikoloz Basilashvili
(19) Jo Wilfried Tsonga v Jarkko Nieminen
(20) Dominic Thiem v Daniel Gimeno Traver
(21) Ivo Karlovic v Federico Delbonis
(22) Viktor Troicki v Frances Tiafoe  
(23) Roberto Bautista Agut v Pierre Hugues Herbert
(24) Bernard Tomic v Damir Dzumhur
(25) Andreas Seppi v Tommy Paul
(26) Tommy Robredo v Michael Berrer
(27) Jeremy Chardy v Ryan Shane
(28) Jack Sock v Victor Estrella Burgos
(29) Philipp Kohlschriber v Alex Zverev
(30) Thomaz Belucci v James Ward
(31) Guillermo Garcia Lopez v Janko Tipsarevic
(32) Fabio Fognini v Steve Johnson
Lleyton Hewitt v Aleksandr Nedovyesov
Fernando Verdasco v Tommy Haas
Mardy Fish v Marco Cecchinato
Sam Querrey v Nicolas Mahut
Marcos Baghdatis v Steve Darcis
Ryan Harrison v Rajeev Ram
Jerzy Janowicz v Pablo Carrena Busta
Radek Stepanek v Marsel Ilhan
Alex Dolgopolov v Sam Groth
Jurgen Melzer v Denis Kudla
Mikhail Youzhny v John Patrick Smith
Gilles Muller v Ruben Bemelmans
Paul Henri Mathiew v Yoshihito Nishioka
Lukas Rosol v Jared Donaldson
Vasek Pospisil v Andreas Haider Maurer
Lukas Lacko v Marcel Granollers
Sergey Stakhovsky v John Millman
Dustin Brown v Robin Haase
Adrian Mannarino v Konstantin Kravchuk
Ernests Gulbis v Aljaz Bedene
Martin Klizan v Florian Mayer
Austin Krajicek v Santiago Giraldo
Teymuraz Gabashvili v Pablo Andujar
Joao Sousa (POR) v Ricardas Berankis
Dudi Sela v Pablo Cuevas
Jiri Vesely v Paolo Lorenzi
Ben Becker v Denis Istomin
Diego Schwartzman v Elias Ymer
Mikhail Kukushkin v Yen Hsun Lu
James Duckworth v Hyeon Chung

WOMEN
Singles
First round matches of interest
(1) Serena Williams v Vitalia Diatchenko
(2) Simona Halep v Marina Erakovic
(3) Maria Sharapova: withdrew
(4) Caroline Wozniacki v Jamie Loeb
(5) Petra Kvitova v Laura Siegemund
(6) Lucie Safarova v Lesia Tsurenko
(7) Ana Ivanovic v Dominika Cibulkova
(8) Karolina Pliskova v Anna Tatishvili
(9) Garbine Muguruza v Carina Witthoeft
(10) Carla Suarez Navarro v Denisa Allertova
(11) Angelique Kerber v Alex Dulgheru
(12) Belinda Bencic v Sesil Karatantcheva
(13) Ekaterina Makarova v Teliana Pereira
(14) Timea Bacsinsky v Barbora Z. Strycova
(15) Aga Radwanska v Katerina Siniakova
(16) Sara Errani v Mayo Hibi
(17) Elina Svitolina v Elizaveta Kulichkova
(18) Andrea Petkovic v Caroline Garcia
(19) Madison Keys v Klara Koukalova
(20) Victoria Azarenka v Lucie Hradecka
(21) Jelena Jankovic v Oceane Dodin
(22) Sam Stosur v Timea Babos  
(23) Venus Williams v Monica Puig
(24) Sabine Lisicki v Aliaksandra Sasnovich
(25) Genie Bouchard v Alison Riske
(26) Flavia Pennetta v Jarmila Gajdosova
(27) Alize Cornet v Kurumi Nara
(28) Irina Camelia Begu v Olga Govortsova  
(29) Sloane Stephens v Coco Vandeweghe
(30) Svetlana Kuznetsova v Kristina Mladenovic
(31) Anastasiya Pavlyuchenkova v Magda Rybarikova
(32) Ana Schmiedlova v Julia Georges
Francesca Schiavone v Yanina Wickmayer
Daniela Hantuchova v Misaki Doi
Bethanie Mattek Sands v Kateryna Kozlova
Ula Radwanska v Magda Linette
Casey Dellacqua v Anett Kontaveit
Roberta Vinci v Vania King
Tsvetana Pironkova v Mona Barthel
Bojana Jovanovski v Lara Arruabarrena  
Heather Watson v Lauren Davis
Kirsten Flipkens v Varvara Lepchenko
Laura Robson v Elena Vesnina
Camila Giorgi v Johanna Larsson
Irina Falconi v Sam Crawford
Kiki Bertens v Mirjana Lucic Baroni
Kaia Kanepi v Anna Lena Friedsam
Christina McHale v Petra Cetkovska
Madison Brengle v Zheng Saisai
Daria Gavrilova v Daria Kasatina
Polona Hercog v Zarina Diyas
Alison van Uytvanck v Jessica Pegula
Karin Knapp v Ajla Tomljanovic
Nicole Gibbs v Lourdes Dominguez Lino
Aleksandra Krunic v Danka Kovinic
Annika Beck v Jelena Ostapenko
Monica Niculescu v Alexandra Panova
Shelby Rogers v Sachia Vickery

Starting this year, as the host broadcaster, the Open start and end on the ESPN family, which doesn't mean you can get live streaming and radio at USOpen.org. USOpen.org, because USOpen.com is golf!

Friday Jukebox 8.28.15

With a recent example of live fatal events such as the Moneta shootings on Wednesday, let us not forget the Budd Dwyer suicide in January 1987, too graphic that YouTube placed a viewer discretion advisory before watching it! The Dwyer suicide inspired Filter's hit single "Hey Man Nice Shot," from 1997's Short Bus. 

Moneta Shootings Part 3: The Reel that Changed Vester Flanagan/Bryce Williams

There is more to this than meets the eye of Vester 'Bryce Williams' Flanagan. His residence is full of personal artifacts coupled with cat feces (according to what I've read). In addition, does this personal reel of reports of what he has done give you a clue of his plans?

It seemed he had a lot of issues within his reporting and off camera, so it's probably not surprising to see this at all. Now only if his brain was donated for CTE research, then we'll find out more.

The Sunset Shootings and Is 2015 the Most Deadliest Summer Ever?

With the shootings of law enforcement officers in Shreveport, near Lake Charles and in Sunset yesterday, it makes it three law enforcement officers in the state of Louisiana who have been taken within a month.

These three shootings, along with such shootings at the Grand in Lafayette, a church in Charleston, South Carolina and recently, the Moneta, Virginia shootings Wednesday morning, are among a slew of violent shootings in the summer of 2015.

Now what have caused these shootings? To me it could have been anything. Those with mental illnesses are the most common description of a suspect. A lot of these suspects are/were former convicted criminals, whose charges range from drugs to assault to maybe even pedophilia. As a man for the Second Amendment (2Aer), I always want everyone who is a law abiding citizen, who have never been arrested in their lives, to get a gun to protect themselves. I am a law abiding citizen, but doesn't have a gun, and I feel sometimes terrified at society and their paranoia. Criminals, not the mentally ill, are the problem when it comes to gun control. If we deny guns from the mentally unstable, we must take guns away from convicted criminals, especially child molesters. It doesn't matter about the race of the gun, stupidity breeds stupidity. Gun control is communistic and doesn't deserve to be for all citizens, unless it is to be applied to convicted criminals first. Us law abiding citizens deserve all right to protect ourselves. End of story.

It takes away those who are breathing air positively, but at the end, it results in the shooter going to hell. Simple as that.

The Moneta Shootings, Part 2: What Did We Learned From This?

Less than twenty four hours ago, the newsroom at WDBJ TV (as well as the newsrooms at the other stations in Roanoke-Lynchburg market), were rocked at a live shooting of a news crew (and the local C&VB head who was shot and still in the hospital) by a former colleague of theirs. It seemed from several sources, he had poor performance and tempers, which I believe and therefore, #IStandwithWDBJ. Thanks to their GM for pointing this out. YouTube just pulled Bryce Williams-Flanagan's POV video he uploaded to twitter due to their 'shocking and disgusting content' policy. Also, check out these tweets:

Twitter suspended his account, moments after his apparent suicide after a chase which ended along I-66. I also read he had counseling during employment, but I'm certain that PED's, crack or meth might have ruined his career. If drugs ruined his career, he would've been suspended by all of his employers he have worked with in his career. He should've gone to jail after the temper tantrum he had in the newsroom, for disturbing the peace. Would've solved everything. Local enforcement fail. The bottom line was, he was a bully and abusive toward others. If you stood by Bryce here, you are a fucking moron. If Parker was a racist, how did she pose with and was friends with some in the African American community? Parker was also an intern to Deon Guillory while working at WHSV in Harrisburg, Virginia, and Deon said on his station's noon newscast yesterday good things about her in her time there. Not racist at all. Based on the resume he posted before the ambush, he seemed to have a good pedigree on camera, but in the newsroom and outside the campuses of the stations, seemed to be an asshole based upon what I have seen and heard.

In the end, the Moneta shooting took two young lives. A cameraman who was about to tie the knot in the coming months as his producer fiancee was to relocate to Charlotte, and a young reporter with local ties (she was from nearby Martinsville, where that bullring racetrack is located), who is trying to build up for the big markets. Both gone due to this vile piece of shit monster who worked with theset two, who chose to be an attention whore and just do this. It paid off for him very well, and he's going to hell. Still more to come.

BELLATOR MMA 141: Awad v. Patricky Freire, Plus Guillard and Coenen in Action

BELLATOR MMA returns Friday with some of your favorite MMA fighters!

On the main card, Melvin Guillard will headline the fight, while Saad Awad will take on Patricky Freire. Plus Marloes Coenen in preliminary action.

LIVE on SPIKE Friday night!

Cameraman, Reporter, Interviewed Shot by Former Anchor/Reporter; Camerman and Reporter Died (Part 1)

A 'Go-Pro' camera of a 'disgruntled' anchor/reporter who turned on two of the former colleagues as a reporter and cameraman filmed a live interview for a morning program. WARNING: Disturbing.

Two young lives wasted. The interviewed in hospital, cameraman and reporter died at the scene. Shooter committed suicide. Shades of Patrick Crawford in the KCEN parking lot a couple months ago, except Crawford is still alive after being shot. If I'm the ND and GM, out of respect is to not have newscasts tomorrow. More soon.

Justin Wilson Injured in Freak Accident During Race UPDATE: Now Fatal; Justin Wilson Passes Away

On Monday, former Champ Car driver Justin Wilson died in a race on Sunday at Pocono. Watch as the nose cone from another car knocks Wilson out.

Wilson leaves behind a wife and two children. It's been a sad couple of years in motorsport. A month ago we lost Jules Bianchi, months after a terrifying wreck in the Japanese Grand Prix months ago. As for 'IndyCar', since the split, has seen this series have more injuries and fatalities than CART/Champ Car. Sure motorsport is dangerous, but at the end we see lives lost.

Friday Jukebox 8.21.15

As if the recent success of the N.W.A. biopic isn't enough, there was another parody besides N.W.H.! There was also the fictional group CB4, whose movie CB4 (directed by Tamra Davis)--and just like Fear of a Black Hat--was also released in 1993. Here we have their best known song from the movie, "Straight Outta Locash."  

IAAF World Championships 2015 Starts Saturday!

Everyone will know the 'Bird's Nest' by now. For Beijing 2008, it was the opening and closing ceremony venue, as well as the athletics venue.

Once again, the giant toilet bowl will revive for the 2015 edition of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. For the next ten days will see various athletics events decided with the possibility of world and championship records. Starting Saturday through Sunday the 30th, possible Olympic tickets might be punched in as well. First the IAAF's requirements must be met in order for Rio 2016 dreams to happen.

In the US, Universal Sports will have live coverage of the day session all ten days, with evening coverage on the Saturdays and Sundays of the worlds will be taped for airing in the afternoon on NBC. Also the IAAF app is very helpful.

Friday Jukebox 8.14.15

With the N.W.A. movie out now, why not look back at the movie about N.W.H.? That's right, N.W.H.! A lot of parodies of NWA and other artists in Rusty Cundieff's Fear of a Black Hat, great movie, from 1993, including this parody of N.W.A.'s "Fuck the Police!" 

PGA Championship 2015: Whistling Straits Calling!

This is major.

Of course Rory will be there at Whistling Straits for the year's final golf major. Whistling Straits is a beautiful course in Kohler, Wisconsin and should be host for yet another PGA Championship.

Notable tee times of interest
(Thursday/Friday, times local to course)
Rory Sabbatini 6:45am/noon
Hideki Matsuyama 6:55pm/12:10pm
Boo Weekley 6:55am/12:10pm
John Daly 7:05am/12:20pm
Colin Montgomerie 7:05am/12:20pm
Thomas Bjorn 7:05am/12:20pm
Charles Howell III 7:05am/12:20pm
Victor Dubuisson 7:15am/12:30pm
Matt Kuchar 7:15am/12:30pm
Charl Schwartzel 7:15am/12:30pm
Ryan Palmer 7:25am/12:40pm
Bill Haas 7:25am/12:40pm
Sergio Garcia 7:25am/12:40pm
Louis Oosthuizen 7:25am/12:40pm
Justin Rose 7:35am/12:50pm
Brandt Snedeker 7:35am/12:50pm
Ryan Moore 7:35am/12:50pm
Geoff Ogilvy 7:35am/12:50pm
Thongchai Jaidee 7:35am/12:50pm
David Toms 7:45am/1pm
Bubba Watson 7:45am/1pm
Vijay Singh 7:45am1pm
Jim Furyk 7:45am/1pm
Paul Casey 7:45am/1pm
Ernie Els 7:55am/1:10pm
Lee Westwood 7:55am/1pm
Hunter Mahan 7:55am/1:10pm
Jamie Donaldson 7:55am/1:10pm
Rickie Fowler 8:05am/1:20pm
Jason Day 8:05am/1:20pm
Dustin Johnson 8:05am/1:20pm
J.B. Holmes 8:05am/1:20pm
Mikko Ilonen 8:05am/1:20pm
Martin Kaymer 8:15am/1:30pm
Keegan Bradley 8:15am/1:30pm
Tiger Woods 8:15am/1:30pm
Branden Grace 8:15am/1:30pm
Francesco Molinari 8:25am/1:40pm
Gary Woodland 8:25am/1:40pm
Alex Cejka Noon/6:45am
Sean O'Hair 12:10pm/6:55am
Brendon de Jonge 12:10pm/6:55am
Darren Clarke 12:20pm/7:05am
Steve Stricker 12:20pm/7:05am
Davis Love III 12:20pm/7:05am
George Coetzee 12:20pm/7:05am
Jimmy Walker 12:30pm/7:15am
Shaun Micheel 12:30pm/7:15am
Yang YE 12:30pm/7:15am
Bernd Wiesberger 12:40pm/7:25am
Shane Lowry 12:40pm/7:25am
Webb Simpson 12:40pm/7:25am
Rafael Cabrera Bello 12:40pm/7:25am
Steven Bowditch 12:40pm/7:25am
Ian Poulter 12:50pm/7:35am
Pablo Larrazabal 12:50pm/7:35am
Nick Watney 12:50pm/7:35am
Joost Luiten 12:50pm/7:35am
Camilo Villegas 12:50pm/7:35am
Graeme McDowell 1pm/7:45am
Shawn Stefani 1pm/7:45am
Luke Donald 1pm/7:45am
Brooks Koepka 1:10pm/7:55am
Adam Scott 1:10pm/7:55am
Henrik Stenson 1:10pm/7:55am
Kevin Streelman 1:10pm/7:55am
Jordan Spieth 1:20pm/8:05am
Rory McIlroy 1:20pm/8:05am
Zach Johnson 1:20pm/8:05am
Alexander Levy 1:20pm/8:05am
Jason Dufner 1:30pm/8:15am
Phil Mickelson 1:30pm/8:15am
Padraig Harrington 1:30pm/8:15am
Billy Horschel 1:30pm/8:15am
Miguel Angel Jimenez 1:30pm/8:15am
John Senden 1:40pm/8:25am
Kevin Na 1:40pm/8:25am
Marc Leishman 1:50pm/8:35am
Omar Uresti 1:50pm/8:35am

Here in the states, TNT gets first two rounds, then the early third and final rounds (I think). CBS will have the afternoon coverage on Saturday and Sunday, plus on late night. It will be the 25th consecutive year CBS and Turner have partnered to become the host broadcaster of this final major every year. Live leaderboard at PGA.com, with video. DIRECTV mix channel for those who have DIRECTV, starting at 701.

Frank Gifford, 84

Link.

After NFL career, turned to broadcasting with CBS Sports, then from 1970 until 1996 playoffs was with ABC Sports, a span which included Super Bowls XIX, XXII, XXV and XXIX.

Buddy Baker, 74, Former Daytona 500 Champ

Link.

1980 Daytona 500 champion, also won his final race at Daytona in the Firecracker 400 on July 4, 1983.

But remember him for what he also did best: color commentator. Enjoyed his work on race weekends in the '90s-2000 for TNN Sports. Great commentator.

"I Am Here to Chew Bubble Gum and Kick Ass! And I'm All Out of Bubble Gum!" Roddy Piper, 61

Link.

Remember, They Live was a documentary!

Friday Jukebox 8.8.15

Earlier this week, we lost a great country music talent in Lynn Anderson. Best known for the 1970 hit "Rose Garden," she passed away at the age of 67, after cardiac arrest stemming from an illness contracted during a trip to Italy recently.

GLORY 23 Las Vegas: Welterweight Title Fight and Middleweight Tournament Semifinals!

GLORY is back this Friday night!

Viva Las Vegas! The vacant welterweight title is on the line as the exciting Nieky Holzken takes on Raymond Daniels.

Plus the middleweight semifinals, for #1 contendership, featuring Dustin Jacoby! Also Anderson 'Braddock' Silva is back as he's in prelims.

LIVE on Spike (in the states) if you want some stand up fights!