by John Walters

Starting Five

1. Petra-fied!

When I began paying attention, Petra Cetkovska, No. 149 in the world, was leading Caroline Wozniacki, No. 5 in the world, 6-4, 4-1 at the U.S. Open. Wozniacki battled back to win a second set tiebreak, and then led 6-5 and 40-15 in the third set. It looked as if the gold standard would prevail.

But Cetkovska, 30 years old, battled back. She held off four match points to force a tiebreak, which she handily won 7-1. Last September the Czech was having hip surgery and she was bounced from both the French Open and Wimbledon in the opening round. How far she will advance in Flushing, who knows, but she just kicked out the No. 4 seed with the biggest win of her career.

2. Is There a Scrappy Wright?

Last year’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, Scooby Wright, incurred a boo boo on his left knee during Arizona’s opener versus UTSA in Tucson. The Wildcats still won, 42-32, and Wright is scheduled to have an MRI today. As the Mystery Machine rolls on….

3. A Work in Progress

Michigan under Jim Harbaugh is going to be good. Very good. You should already be salivating for their 2017 home game versus Ohio State. It’s just that, well, it’s not going to happen overnight.

And certainly not last night. Wolverine QB Jake Rudock threw three picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown, in a 24-17 loss to a solid Utah squad in Salt Lake City. Tight end Jake Butt (8 catches, 1 TD) has All-American potential as does DB Jabril Peppers, and yes you are welcome to say, “Butt Peppers” as often as you please.

My major complaint with last night’s Michigan team? The uniforms. You have arguably the best uniforms in college football. Don’t mess with it. Bring back the Maize trou.

4. All Is Not Lost

Every crisis is accompanied by tragedy and also tales of salvation. Yesterday, there was the sad photo of the toddler who had drowned and washed up on the beach on the island of Kos. Today, a group of tourists on a boating excursion off Kos discovered this Syrian refugee bobbing in the waves, desperately hanging on to a life jacket. They saved him.

Of course, the CNN hed was “Model Rescues Man Lost at Sea.” For me, modeling should be like pro tennis or golf. If you’re not ranked in the Top 200, I don’t think you get to use that as your title, at least not in major news stories.

5. Oh, Wait. Actually, All IS Lost

Lonnie Robinson, a reporter at the The Daily Reporter (you probably already have it Bookmarked) in Goldwater, Michigan, predicts a September 24 end date for the planet. So I won’t be going to see Notre Dame at Clemson, after all. Bummer.

I’m not sure if that story has any more or less credence than this one from The Onion, which I also enjoyed.

Music 101

Why Should I Cry For You?

Is this the best post-Police song that Gordon Sumner gave the world? I think so. Your dissenting opinion is welcome.

Remote Patrol

Texas at Notre Dame

NBC 7:30 p.m.

No, do NOT shake down the thunder from the skies. T-storms predicted for tomorrow night’s opener between the 2nd- and 3rd-winningest (in terms of total victories) programs in college football lore. The last time Notre Dame had a home opener versus a bovine opponent interrupted by a T-storm, they lost.