The Tennis Thread
 

In an effort to measure the interest of one of my favorite sports to both play and view professionally, I've established this open discussion thread.

You are free to discuss recent news, topics about the relevant professional and/or ranked players today, the Grand Slam tournaments, the lesser ATP/WTA/Charity tourneys, and how you practice the sport in your free time. I emplore those who have a passion for tennis to share their take and to converse among others on whatever topical headlines, rumors, and ongoing stories arise throughout the calendar year.




To start off, I came across this article today about the next tournament to be held, The French Open at Roland Garros, which debuts today, and what scenarios could resolve during matchplay.

French Open '09: Nadal Drives for Five, Others Look to Survive | Bleacher Report

Excerpt:

Well, Rafa is gonna be big favourite, and Roger (even on clay) is a serious threat... but I just wonder if this might be Andrew Murray's fortnight.

He hasnt been at his best at Paris, but clay was his favourite surface growing up as a player, and as he is getting fitter and stronger and getting over the stamina problems he had a couple of years ago - he's someone that you have to take seriously.
.
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but then again, isnt it the case that Rafa has never lost a game as a senior in the French?

Serena's opening-round performance signals uphill battle ahead - Tennis Experts Blog

So much, so far, this opening round has been pretty textbook in advancements, with Serena's struggling and James Blake's early ousting the only true discrepancies.

For those who don't receive the premium tennis channel, or are unfamiliar with the French Open schedule of matches, I refer you to the online resource of the Tennis Channel, which allows you to check full day's scoreboard, watch highlights, receive exclusive commentary, and archives nearly all played matches during the two weeks of French Open play to watch whenever. I think it even shows live matches for those with a high-speed connection. It's a definite improvement over what I witnessed of the website two years ago.

-- Tennis Channel TV: Home of the Slams

This past day of tennis was remarkable.

I awoke yesterday to tune into the Federer/Acasuso Rd. 2 clash, and besides watching Roger commit as many unforced errors in one match I once recalled he only made throughout an entire Slam tourney, I also witnessed the greatness that which is a Champion's Rally from the brink. The rally in the third set, when Federer was down 4 sets to love, and surged back up to push the set to a tie-breaker is unequivocally the best spectacle I've seen from the former No. 1 this year.

It actually harkened back to the matchup of Nadal/Federer, at the Nasdaq 100 I believe, a few year back where Nadal had almost won in straight sets at the end of the 3rd set, he had two match points, but Federer pushed back at the most pivotal point in that game to forward the set to a Tiebreaker. Roger proceeded to win that set, and the ensuing two remaining to eventually win the championship. It was spectacular. And was perhaps one of the longest matches I've ever seen televised. What happened yesterday didn't quite rival that feat, but it brought back good memories of what type of player Federer is: a winner no matter the situation.

I also am rooting for Tsonga in his draw. Such an incredible dynamic and play from the Frenchman. I've been a fan of his since before was the sleeper star in the 2008 Aussie Open. If you have the time online to watch his match yesterday against Juan Monaco, I recommend for anyone to familarize yourself with his incredible play. I'm a fan.

Federer is the greatest player to have ever played the game. Even Rafa says that (a man who might have an argument to take that title from Roger before he has finished)

Adieu, Venus!

So Rafa is human after all.

This really opens things up - saw Andy's game today and he looked comfortable and in control (against a top 20 player)... this is a chance

It's a shame it wasn't broadcast live stateside on the network NBC.

I was sad to see Nadal out so early. I believe it was his pink outfit that caused it.
I would like to see Sorana Cirstea and Gael Monfils win the French.



http://www.brobible.com/upload/92b51...189cc0b93.jpeg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...own/juggss.gif

This lovely young lady is Simona Halep of Romania - Junior French Open Champion. I would love to be her personal trainer/massuese. :crazy:

I'm rooting for Federer.

yeah shes got great tits and all...but give me Steffi calves any day of the week and i'd cream myself in a split second

im a sucker for skinny chicks with great calves

Funny you should say that...I saw Graf play in southern florida in the early 90s...magnificent pair of stems indeed. Jana Novotna too...she lived down there, used to jog by my work often (i worked outside)...droool.

Gabriella Sabatini was my favourite as a teenager for obviousl reasons..

Novotna i never really liked as a player. too much of a whiner.

Federer wants this a lot. The greatest player in the history of the game cannot have one of the crowns of tennis never in his possession...

"junior" winner!?!?!

Anyway, I hope Federer can pull this off. If he can't win it this year with Rafa out and guys like Del Potro and Murray still not at their peaks, I doubt he ever will. He's going to have to impose his game on Soderling - I watched the Swede come back against Gonzalez today. As soon as you let that guy play, he can really hurt an opponent. Down 1-4 in the final set and he comes back to win 5 in a row and get to the final!

If Federer is in the mood, it doesnt really matter if he is facing a double's pair the other side of the net.

If he isnt quite there (and imo he hasnt been quite there since he had glandular fever) its game on. Federer in 5th gear is one of the best players in the world, but if he hits sixth he is unplayable.

Nadal has got very close to the level of genius Federer has in the last two years, and its interesting whether Federer can find that extra gear again.... or whether the second half of his career will be defined as a top 4 player with a bit more class than anyone else and a bit more fragility.

---------- Post added at 10:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------

As much as I think Andrew Murray WILL be a grandslam winner, right now Federer and Nadal are a different class to the top 20 (and I would class Murray as the leading player of the next tier)

[QUOTE=Strange Famous;2646520

As much as I think Andrew Murray WILL be a grandslam winner, right now Federer and Nadal are a different class to the top 20 (and I would class Murray as the leading player of the next tier)[/QUOTE]

That's the point really - Federer is what, 27 or 28? For a tennis player, he's likely on the downhill slope. Someone like Del Potro - who he just managed to beat today - is only going to get better. Murray should improve too, though like most British players, I wonder if he will really keep it together enough to reach the next level (i.e., win a couple of big tournaments).

Murray has one big matches already... but its the grandslams that really count.

Women's final was pretty boring...

the UK have really not had anyone since rusedski who had the potential to win a grand slam.. im not sure about murray can win many/any grand slams with some fresh talent coming through.

we need to also remember that rafa is still what..23??

Therefore he hasn't won any "big matches". The slams are the only ones anyone remembers, he could win stuff like the Madrid Masters until the cows came home, no one would ever remember.

Win a slam and you've arrived, even if you never win another thing.

i think people remember you if you make the finals of a grand slam too. thats a feat in itself, and a hefty pay packet too!

who remembers the malivai washington vs richard krajicek wimbeldon finals?

Really hoping Roger can win it today. He's 27 now and this will probably be his best chance to win the French. In any other era (ie an era when Rafa Nadal was not about) he would already have it 2 or 3 times (didnt Thomas Muster win it once???)

Come on Roger!

Watching it now....Up 2 sets, 3 games to 1 in the 3rd. Come on Roger!!

The greatest of all time.

Way to go Roger! Great performance - yeah, he probably is now officially the greatest of all time. He's won all the big titles now and has more of them than anyone else save Sampras (who never even got to a French final, IIRC, let alone win it).

He's so happy. Too happy even. Did anyone see the way he was all over that trophy? I mean, get a room you two.

The second set tie break summed up the man. So many times in his career he's been able to do that... just find another gear and pull something so special out of the bag when he really needs it.

Hope the moron who ran on the court gets to spend the night in a holding cell for his trouble.

The word "great" is overused in life and sport, but it truly applies to Federer in ever regard. A very classy individual, and a beautiful player. He is better than anyone in the history of the game. The really exciting thing in tennis today is the fact that Rafa potentially can become just as great.

anyone chance that he'll go one better and win another grand slam?

everyone seems to be content that he's won 14.

Would you bet against him this Wimbledon?

He's 27 now, he should be near the peak of his powers for the next two seasons at least barring serious injury - 9 potential slams... I think its likely he wins at least 1 of them.

That's true. I was surprised when I saw his statistics at the French Open throughout his career; I initially thought Sampras never entered the tournament at Roland Garros, perhaps because it is less than a month removed from Wimbledon, and it is taxing beyond belief playing on clay, but as I researched and recalled it more, I now know if Sampras ever had a weak point, it was red ground.

Sampras is very close to the top of the second tier of greats (ie - everyone who isnt Roger Federer)

One of the best compliments Ive ever heard was Rod Laver stating that he considered it an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as Federer.

A great compliment from one of the best and classiest of players. and a true one.

HRH Price Andrew of Murrayfield has put a marker down.

First British player in 70-odd years to win Queens. Now its time to win the big one.

if i was going to put my money on anyone it would be nadal to win wimbeldon.

as much as id like to see federer win, i dont see him overpowering nadal. nadal would be fresh from the ealy exit in the french, while federer had to fight tooth and nail in some of those matches.

i also dont see nadal being bundled out of 2 slams in a row either. i also dont see federer beating him two matches in a row, since roger won the last one.

nadal purely on probability

Depends how sore his knee is. At the end of the day Federer can beat anyone on his day, and so can Nadal. If they both hit the top of their form at the same time you'll have another classic. And if either of them drop even a 1% in their level, Andy or one of the other in the next back can claim one of their scalps.

Every Wimbledon all this excitement builds up - Andy isnt favourite, but I would make him 3rd or 4th favourite, and he does have a real chance.

Hard to get excited about the womens game at the moment... a real lack of talent - but these things go in cycles.

Really? Roddick? I've seen him as second banana in tennis for the past five years, and although he's rounded his game well over that span of time, he still looks somewhat awkward when he must hustle around the court and/or come close to the net. I've felt a bit of vicarious shame and sadness as each subsequent year, he could never get one past Roger at Wimbledon or at the U.S.; but now, in saying that his tennis career has perhaps past the halfway mark, a new younger field has rushed to the fore and are really pushing Roddick's game to the brink. Hell, even Federer has trouble against some of the newer key skill players like Djokovic.

i thought SF was talking about andy murray

in any case..neither have a hope in hell of coming within a mile of hearing the words "championship point" except from the grandstand

Yes, I was (talking about Andy Murray having a good shot at the biggest prize)... although I know he prefers Andrew.

Andy Roddick is one of those guys who has a punchers chance I guess... but I dont think he has the guile to really take on the top 4.

Ah, my mistake. I also refer to and recognize Murray as "Andrew" where applicable.



In upcoming Wimbledon-related news, a story about Sampras' struggle and prestige at the grass courts where most who knew him thought he belonged.

Pete Sampras and the Irony Called Wimbledon | Bleacher Report
by Rajat Jain

He's Scottish, not British!

:lol:

The way Federer won in Paris, utterly in command in the final - he might just have one more Wimbledon in him!

LONDON (AP)—Rafael Nadal looked hampered by his injured knees during a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition Thursday. He will decide Friday if he can defend his Wimbledon title.

Nadal played without tape on his knees but frequently appeared a step slow on the grass court at Hurlingham Club. This was Nadal’s first match since his loss to Robin Soderling in the fourth round of the French Open. He pulled out of last week’s grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club to rest his knees.

Nadal looked increasingly frustrated against the hard-serving Hewitt, repeatedly failing to get to balls he normally reaches and struggling with unforced backhand errors. He frequently muttered to himself in Spanish after missed shots and often had to rely on his top-spin forehand to escape trouble.

He did not speak to reporters, but uncle and coach Toni Nadal said it was still uncertain whether he can play at Wimbledon, which starts Monday.

... (rest of article irrelevant, specifics on losing matchplay)

I hope it's not one of those injuries that causes a permanent drop in form - a lot of people have commented that the way he pushes himself and his body he was always going to have a shortened career.

with nadal out, that leaves the door wide open on that side of the draw...

on paper it looks like a federer vs murray final

From now until the end of Wimbledon Murray should be known exclusively as "Prince Andrew of Murrayfield"!! :p

You can only see it as bad news that a great champion isnt going to be there to defend his title... but from a partial point of view, of course this increases Murray's chances. But there is still a certain Mr Federer in the equation.

Well, Wimbledon has been under way for the better part of this week, and it's going as routine as one could expect.

Today's earlier matches were great to watch live, especially Cilic v. Haas (which is to be resumed later, I guess, since the day's over), and Vardasco v. Montanes.

I'm saddened to see Tsonga leave early this year, but he was so evenly-matched with his opponent today that neither set played had any less than 12 games throughout. Great third round matchplay.

Ar you serious?

Seeing a 6 10 carthorse hammer down 50 odd aces, seeing 38 second games an games won with straight service winners... thats hardly my idea of a great match.

Tsonga himself said afterwards he didnt play badly or well, he simply didnt play.

You cant knock Karlovic, he does what he does and its up to the opponent to ocnter, but its bloody boring to watch

I was being half-sarcastic. I'm not very good at it in real-life, either, so, that's my fault.

I thought it was unbelievable at how some players let vicotry slip from their hands, just two points shy of winning the match, and they go and blow it.

I haven't been thoroughly surprised thus far into the tourney; it's going "routinely", you know? The good advance, the inexperienced lose, and the shaky ones, they struggle along the way. Perhaps I should stop expecting better things from Tsonga until further notice.

Karlovic is a beast and no one wants him. I guarantee that all the top players are begging someone else to knock this guy out... he cant return and cant really play, but he is almost unbreakable on grass.... becauce at least 1/2 serves is unreturnabl and he is also a great volleyer.

I think Tsonga didnt let himself down, but against Karlovc at the end of he day its the best of 5 tie breakers....and thats always a lottery.... I made a mistake and he "only"hit 46 aces btw...

I bet Federer is desperate for someone else to knock him out. Although the great one should have too much, I dont think there is anyone he wants to meet less in the Quarters.

magnificent win for Andy Murray!

But you have to worry how much a war like that will take out of him for the next round.

He looked totally shattered afterwards. :paranoid:

i totally agree. theres some big names in the quarters, so any mammoth games with show up a round or two later. and against quality players, it'll show.

in saying that hewitt pulled a 5 setter yesterday too coming form 2-0 down.

interesting to see that it was the first time in its history that a full match has been played under the roof and after 9:30pm

I usually glaze over women's matches: maybe I'll be writing a bit in another room, and I turn the volume up, allowing me to listen to the commentary broadcasted; or I settle down with some podcasts, turn on the closed-captioning, work on the computer, and occasionally look up if there's a nice rally going.

But at this point, I am beyond glad right now that ESPN is re-broadcasting the semifinal match of S. Williams v. Dementieva. Not only are they top-5 players and at least display nice female forms/faces, but the match was great. As competitive as you'd want in men's match, but actually played by women. Wow. Just wow.

ive always been fond of the female form. \

...especially the tennis one.

i as good as they are, is no one sick of seeing the williams sisters in the wimbeldon finals?

does this show the lack of depth in womens tennis?

Tough game... Roddick deserved the win I think he played a bit better. Very sporting crowd applauding Roddick at the end. Murray just sat back a bit too much I think and let Roddick take the iniative on some key points.

Now its just a case - can Roddick get any closer to Federer than he did in their previous finals... to be honest its hard to see.

I agree with you, on both points.

I guess we are just left to wait two more days to see what the eventual outcome will be, but if anything, it will be a true test for both players to break history and do what was previously thought to be impossible. [whether that means shattering Sampras' open era record of 14 slams (Federer), or actually pushing through his old rival to obtain his first grand slam title since 2003(Roddick).]

Glad to see Murray out. Can't stand him, just a punk.

Roddick is playing really well, this won't be a coronation for Federer, I expect a tough final.

as much as i wanted my prediction of a murray/federer final to be true, deep down i was hoping for a roddick win. purely because murray is more of a threat to federer than roddick ever will be.

i cant wait to hopefully see history. i do hope pete sampras makes his way to wimbeldon for the finals

Women's final on in the background, couldnt care less who wins, I expect the two finalists have already agreed between themselves who it is, so cant see any point in watching.

I'm amazed at how well Roddick is playing. I've never seen him play like this before. I'm rooting for Roddick this time. Go Roddick!!

Federer FTW. What a ridiculous match.

Roddick threw everything he had at Federer and still not enough...That guy's a beast.

amazing match..

I thought Roddick was going to pull it out.. disappointed he didn't.

It was certainly an exciting game, but I dont think the standard was that great. Certainly great serving from both men, esp Roddick.

But at the end of the day Roddick played one of the games of his life, and Federer never quite got into top gear, and it wasnt quite enough. Thats the reason Federer is the best ever. You have to feel for Roddick - if he had taken the second set there might well have been no way back for Roger.

But thats the mark of the greatest champions in any sport, finding a way to win when you arent quite at your best.

are you saying the match was rigged?

if so, the onus is on you to prove it. it'd be the same for say....me accusing usain bolt of taking steroids wouldnt it?

QFT... As much as a fan I am of Federer for the better part of this past decade, it does seem heartbreaking to see Roddick get to so few finals and subsequently fall short in all of them to the greatest player in the game.

If you don't feel for Roddick, you're stone cold. I felt McEnroe's interview with Federer after the match hit the topic quite poignantly and candidly, asking if Federer would "give the guy (Roddick) a bone in another Final later, seeing as you have already have all the records, championships". (/end bad paraphrasing)

---------- Post added at 04:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 PM ----------

I think it was as exciting as last year's Wimbledon championship finale, but for different aspects of the matchplay, and wholly-more encompassing repercussions. Federer was going for history in front of all the world and nearly all of the greatest players of the eras before his, and Roddick was there to prove that he elevated his game enough over the past 3-4 years that he deserved to be in the finals.

I agree with the serving points, but in the final set, it seemed that Federer was holding his serve with far greater ease than Roddick was able to do. It was routinely Roger holding his service game at love, or Andy just getting one point off; conversely, Roddick's serve was more open to be exploited and broken, due to the fact that if Roger could return it and rally the point a bit, he could force Roddick to misfire and/or come to the net, only to error. Roddick's serve is a massive cannon, but somehow Federer can stand up to it. On the other hand, Federer has a much more dynamic serve that whizzes nimbly past you, and you're just left in awe of what you had just missed.

The standard was very good - both just have such overpowering serves that there were a lot of short points, but not because of a lot of unforced errors. Neither one is a scrambler like Nadal so you may see fewer spectacular recovery shots but other than that, both were in excellent form.

As for Roddick - 3 finals, 3 times against Federer, 3 losses. He probably feels the Federer did against Nadal at the French the past few years. If it was anyone other than Federer in the final, he might have 3 titles by now.

US Open next. Much as I hate to admit it, it's that fool Murray's best chance to win a major.

In fact, of the five times Roddick has reached a grand slam final, he has only won one of them. In the other four, (three of which were at Wimbledon) he faced Roger Federer.

The other loss for Roddick against Federer was at the 2006 US Open. That's why I always regarded Roddick's greatest rival/obstacle as Federer, since before he won his 2003 US Open title (the one he was lucky to obtain because Fed was knocked out early), he never got another taste of a championship without having Roger waiting for him, just to ultimately smack his delicious winning ice-cream cone down.

We're starting to see a new Roddick though. For years, he was all serve or setup forehand guy.. now we're starting to see him pick angles and lines with his backhand.

While Federer had a massive lead in aces today, I felt Roddick was the better server, especially considering he broke Roger twice. I thought for sure he was going to break him in the 5th, but once again, Fed came through with phenomenal shots.

If A-rod can finally put together a solid all around game around his serve, he will be on top again.

Granted the level of play was high in the mens final but it gets boring when neither player shows any emotion for 4+ straight hours. I prefer a 2 setter with Nadal over this type of match. Best part was the coverage of Federer, Sampras, Borg, Laver and McEnroe chatting inside the clubhouse afterwards. On the other hand Serena Williams' semifinal was one of the best womens matches ive seen in a long time, just a superb, passionate, entertaining tennis match. I do think something was 'arranged' between the sisters in the women's final (and not just this one between them), their matches together seldom live up to the hype.

The thing about Federer isnt just the sheer class when he is in his pomp, its how tough he is to beat, and how deep he will dig in, and how hard he will fight, when he isnt at his best. Thats why he's won more grandslams than anyone in history. Roddick was in the ascendancy for parts of that game, and in the last you thought - he hasnt been broken yet and Federer's bee broken twice - but Federer just kept coming and coming and in the end Roddick couldnt hold him off any longer.

It was exciting stuff but I would still say it wasnt a great game - a lot of great serving rather than many great rallies - but every now and again even now Federer pulls out one of those shots that you just cant understand how the laws of physics allow.

Roddick's been in 5 Grand Slam finals. 4 of them against the greatest player in history. I like the guy personally. He can be a bit abrashive but he wears his heart on his sleeve and seems like a decent guy outside of the heat of battle (same as Nadal)

Well, I totally slept on the Legg Mason Tennis Classic this year. I'm so embarrassed. This used to be one of my favorite mid-tier events in the ATP tour, and I didn't watch a single minute of it. The only news that I had heard about it is that it was recently bumped up a notch in the lower-tourney hierarchy from a 250 to the 500-pointer series. Also, via wiki, the winner of the tournament was Juan Martín del Potro, in a tie breaker third set match against Roddick.

This is a good segue because I caught a glimpse of the rounds now in Montreal last night, and it was once again Del Potro against Roddick, with Del Potro advancing this time as well. He had also defeated Rafael Nadal in the round prior to this match.


Final tennis talking point for today (via SI.com): "The Great Eight"

Thanks in part to the comebacks of Roger Federer (from paternity leave) and Rafael Nadal (knee tendinitis), history was made at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. The eight top-ranked players -- Federer, Nadal (pictured), Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Juan Martin del Porto, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Nikolay Davydenko -- reached the quarterfinals of a tournament for the first time since rankings started in 1973.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...fael-nadal.jpg

Another Tennis Talking point (or three): please discuss any or all of these lob-ball dicussion points in our journey to the final Grnad Slam of this year, The US Open.

Kim Clijsters

It's like she never went away in the first place. The 26-year-old former No. 1 looked so good in her first tournament in more than two years that some observers are predicting that she could contend for the U.S. Open title next month. Clijsters defeated top-20 players Marion Bartoli, Patty Schnyder and French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in Cincinnati before losing to Dinara Safina in the quarterfinals.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...-clijsters.jpg


Venus and Serena Williams

The error-prone sisters crashed out of the third round of the Cincinnati Open in sloppy fashion. Venus (38 unforced errors) lost in straight sets to Flavia Pennetta, while Serena (44) later fell in two sets to Sybille Bammer.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...s-williams.jpg


Monica Seles

The nine-time Grand Slam winner is playing an exhibition doubles match Monday at the women's Rogers Cup event in Toronto, where she's being inducted into the tournament's hall of fame. Seles won a record four consecutive Canadian titles, including in 1995 in her first tournament back from the stabbing incident.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...nica-seles.jpg


Juan Carlos Ferrero

The former No. 1 has turned back the clock in his 11th season, winning a title in Casablanca, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the finals of the Croatia Open. This week, the 29-year-old Spaniard defeated No. 40 Lleyton Hewitt and No. 13 Gael Monfils in straight sets at the Rogers Cup before falling to No. 3 Andy Murray.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...os-Ferrero.jpg


Billie Jean King

King's resume includes 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 in doubles and 11 more in mixed doubles. But the longtime champion of gender equity issues added yet another honor to that list Wednesday, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the country's highest honor for a civilian -- from President Barack Obama.

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...-jean-king.jpg


all via SI.com -- ( http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...content.1.html )

Murray defeats Del Potro in the Rogers Cup final
 

MONTREAL (AFP) – Andy Murray has seized the momentum a fortnight before the US Open, the Scot exploding into form with his fifth title of the season Sunday at the Montreal Masters.

Murray Masters Montreal, US Open momentum builds - Yahoo! News

A somewhat interesting development on the women's side in the US Open--a bunch of top seeded players are getting knocked out. I was disappointed that Jankovic couldn't win the match after all those chances. And Ivanovic is such eye candy, I'd love to see more of her. Kim Clijsters is making a good come back run so I'm rooting for her, as well as Sharapova.

the way im seeing it, there's only 1 real number 1 player in the world this year and its venus. safina has struggled in the first 2 rounds, and i doubt will make it past the quarters the way she's been playing.

her form coupled with the fact that she's yet to win a grand slam, means she's far from being the #1. the points system needs and overhaul

Yet another interesting round on the women's side. Oudin upset Sharapova. #1 Safina lost to #72 Kvitova. Venus just got eliminated by Clijsters. For some one who's been away for two years, she's doing remarkably well. I thought it was odd that they bageled each other though. Anyway, I'm excited to see who the winner of the tournament will be.

And Roddick lost...damn...:(

Oudin upset someone before Sharapova, perhaps even ahead of Sharapova in terms of skill, though I can't remember the name right now.

Her rise in this tourney is starting to resemble what Sharapova achieved at Wimbledon a few years back to win her first major at only 17-18. (I think Oudin is only 17 at this point). Let's see how far she goes. :surprised:

Wow, she's done it again. I'm starting to like her.

Murray was a complete let down! Was hoping for a good run and possible final appearance from him this year.

---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 PM ----------

Who's this young American lassie that's taking the tournament by storm - where's she from and what's her story?

Any thoughts on Serena's outburst? I hope that she realizes and admits that she totally lost her cool and should not have.

Clijsters wins the Womens US Open!

i never really did think much of Clijsters before she retired. i saw her play at the australian open almost 3 years ago before she went into retirement, and i wasnt really impressed.

after winning her 2nd US Open crown today, my RESPECT level just went up a few notch.

this would do the world of good for womens tennis. in a time where serena has brought the game into disrepute, this is something that shouldnt be forgotten.

the first Woman since Yvonne Goolagong Cawley to win a grand slam after having a baby. Kim, i salute you!

---------- Post added at 11:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 PM ----------

nadal humbled by del potro... match fitness?

go Kimmie!

How long since an unranked player won a slam??

Its nice seeing the Williams sisters dont have things their own way now Kimmie is back. As for Serena losing her temper... well it isnt a great advert, but lets not go over the top... compared to some of the things I've seen from the likes of Marat Safin this was pretty tame.

Tennis and temper tantrums go hand in hand; without them, it wouldn't be nearly as compelling.

Federer lost it abit in his final as well, but he had a right. No grown man should be told to be quiet (unless highly-inebriated). He also had a legimate claim, but it was quite surprising to hear the obscenities fly from "The Man".

To respond to Clijisters' win; it really is quite a scene that SportsIllustrated called it right even before the tournament even started. [Post #71]

It's a bit late to talk about the (first) Wozniacki story, since it occurred (with much controversy thereafter) today, last week. (it involved language barriers, crying, and bitter sports books)

Though, if interest renews, especially after her incredible victory recently in Doha, despite what looked to be a debilitating and agonizing injury (leg cramps) that she suffered in-match. I wish I could have seen it live, instead of having to surmise what occurred by reading the box score and scanning through pictures.


But that's not the story now; this is:



Tennis legend Andre Agassi reveals in his forthcoming autobiography "Open" that he used crystal meth during his playing career, Paul Bogaards, a spokesman for the book's publisher, confirmed to the New York Daily News on Tuesday.

According to the Daily News, the eight-time Grand Slam champion admits using the illicit drug in 1997, the year he married Brooke Shields and went into a career slump that didn't end until 1999.

After pulling out of that slump, Agassi went on to win five Grand Slams and became only the fifth player to complete the career Slam. He has been heavily involved in charity work since retirement, opening his own charter school and championing educational reform throughout the country.

The information was first released this morning on the Twitter account of SI.com media analyst Richard Deitsch, but was subsequently removed:

"FYI: There's an off-the-charts book excerpt from Andre Agassi in the forthcoming SI: He admits to taking crystal meth during his career."

Both Sports Illustrated and People will run excerpts from the book, which will be released on Nov. 9.

Releasing this admission a week ahead of the book's release is an obvious ploy to generate interest and sell copies, and it's working. Almost all autobiographies are self-serving odes to one's own pursuit of greatness. They're rarely interesting. Agassi's could be different.

He's always been forthcoming with the press about his issues, whether it be his overbearing father, the therapy he underwent while his career was in shambles (the first time) or the true reason he cut his hair. The vulnerable, intense picture on the cover suggests more of the same is inside.


UPDATE:
The first excerpts have been released and, wow, are they explosive. Not only does Agassi admit to using crystal meth, but he describes how he evaded drug testers by lying about his useage.

In the first excerpt Agassi writes about taking the drug at home with an assistant known only as Slim:

"Slim is stressed too ... He says, You want to get high with me? On what? Gack. What the hell's gack? Crystal meth. Why do they call it gack? Because that's the sound you make when you're high ... Make you feel like Superman, dude.

"As if they're coming out of someone else's mouth, I hear these words: You know what? F*** it. Yeah. Let's get high.

"Slim dumps a small pile of powder on the coffee table. He cuts it, snorts it. He cuts it again. I snort some. I ease back on the couch and consider the Rubicon I've just crossed.

"There is a moment of regret, followed by vast sadness. Then comes a tidal wave of euphoria that sweeps away every negative thought in my head. I've never felt so alive, so hopeful - and I've never felt such energy.

"I'm seized by a desperate desire to clean. I go tearing around my house, cleaning it from top to bottom. I dust the furniture. I scour the tub. I make the beds."

Later on, Agassi writes, he received a call from ATP doctors telling him he'd tested positive for meth.

"My name, my career, everything is now on the line. Whatever I've achieved, whatever I've worked for, might soon mean nothing. Days later I sit in a hard-backed chair, a legal pad in my lap, and write a letter to the ATP. It's filled with lies interwoven with bits of truth.

"I say Slim, whom I've since fired, is a known drug user, and that he often spikes his sodas with meth - which is true. Then I come to the central lie of the letter. I say that recently I drank accidentally from one of Slim's spiked sodas, unwittingly ingesting his drugs. I ask for understanding and leniency and hastily sign it: sincerely.

"I feel ashamed, of course. I promise myself that this lie is the end of it."

-- big thanks to Chris Chase, and Busted Racquet for the continued story and intrigue.

The Australian Open starts this Sunday, so while the smaller satellite tounaments of the new year are coming to close, everything is gearing up for the first Grand Slam Tourney of 2010.

Thoughts, predictions, anticipation?

Tennis Players to Watch in 2010
 

'10 Players, 10 Questions'

--gallery provided by SI.com

for the first time in a long while, the tournament seems it's opened up to many different players than just Raffa and Federer.

I'm going to go away from the two favourites and say that Djokovic who's been playing well lately.

It could be any one of Davidenko, Murray, Djokovic, Sorderling though. the No.1 & 2 are no longer bulletproof

For those that know me well enough, you may or may not know that I do not like to rehash ideas that are more eloquently stated (and more readily available) than my own usually, overlooked words are able to accomplish towards a grand audience.


So, for those in need of a pick-me-up to the already underway Aussie Open, I'll be providing a cliff-notes compendium of each day's action so far into the tourney (courtesy of my go-to Tennis blog, Busted Racquet):

Pre-Game: The top five storylines for the 2010 Australian Open - Busted Racquet - Tennis Blog - Yahoo! Sports


Day 1: Down Under Daily: Sharapova upset, big-hitting Karlovic advances - Busted Racquet - Tennis Blog - Yahoo! Sports


Day 2: Aussie Open Day 2: Top seeds advance, no Oudin magic this time - Busted Racquet - Tennis Blog - Yahoo! Sports


Day 3: Aussie Open Day 3: Henin, Del Potro win second round classics - Busted Racquet - Tennis Blog - Yahoo! Sports


Day 4: Aussie Open Day 4: Baghdatis storms back from two sets down - Busted Racquet - Tennis Blog - Yahoo! Sports

Still: meant to post this last week, and then again this weekend, but I've been quite a bit occupied (as well as forgetful, indeed).

In case you missed the notice: The French Open is now currently underway.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1...xperts3590.jpg
above: Roger Federer, pumping "victory fists", during his first round match, against Peter Luczak. -- (Photo: Getty Images)



-- article above courtesy of Y! Sports columnist, Chris Chase, of the Busted Racquet Blog.

Francesca Schiavone, the first Italian woman in the Open Era to claim a slam title, wins the French Open.

excerpt:
But the real story of the match was how Schiavone embraced the biggest moment of her career (one that is over a decade in the making) with a passionate, gutsy performance that moved many in the crowd — especially her Italian supporters — to tears of joy. It was a bravura performance by Schiavone, 29, who played the match of her life when it counted most.

And to think they thought the reign of Rafa Nadal might be over...

1 defeat in 6 years of playing Roland Garros.

This year on clay. 4 titles, no defeats, 2 dropped sets.

With no disrespect, at no point in the match did Soderling look like he could beat Nadal. He just gets back shots that no one else can... you have to take risks against him that just dont stack up.

In any other era, Nadal would be peerless. I guess it his misfortune and the games fortune, that his career coincides with the greatest player ever. But he has to be the undisputed king of clay.

Then again, in any other era Federer would have won 4 or 5 French Opens and be considered one of the greatest clay court players of all time as well as the greatest all round player.

History was being made here whoever won. You've gotta feel sorry for the Aussie (Stosur), who knocked out Henin, Serena and Jankavic, only to lose the final. She would've been the first Aussie woman to win a grand slam since Evonne Cawley(Goolagong) won Wimbledon in the 80's.

Thanks for the history lessong SF and spindles (genuinely; and unlike most here, I don't utilize sarcasm).

I watched a majority of both the mens' and womens' finals over the weekend, and while the womens' match was more closely-contested affair, and I actually felt it should have gone to a third and deciding set, the better of the two won that day.

In watching the men's finals however, there was a point in which I thought Soderling could have gained an advantage over Nadal, and that was if he capitialized on his first break chance early in the first set, and gone up two games to love over Nadal. But after that, I'll agree: Nadal is just a maestro on clay. I don't know how I almost forgot how unbelievably punishing he can look against anyone on the red surface, it is unreal. And while only suffering one defeat on clay in the past half-decade seems impressive, the one thing that kept it interesting was that one defeat came at the hands and play of the very same Robin Soderling just a year ago (yeah, I know, Nadal was hobbled and subsequently had surgery after that loss, but a win's a win, and a loss is a loss).

Onto Wimbledon countdown now, I suppose.

Just a reminder: I'm quite sure I was keen enough to glance a peek of the advertisements already being placed, so come this Monday at 11:00 AM, (London-Local) the tourney at Wimbledon officially begins.

Note:
For the Atlantic coast, though, I believe the televised portions of Wimbledon will begin promptly at 6:30 AM, on ESPN2 (and ESPN360.com).


Post-EDIT:
Ah. I've come to scrounge up this handy television schedule for the tournament, as it applies to audiences with ESPN as their sports provider.

Wimbledon TV Schedule -- Tennis FanHouse

I thought I was entirely late to this discussion, but it turns out it never even happened to begin. How sad.

http://i46.tinypic.com/15oavd0.jpg

A wild first day at Wimbledon was also the longest day in the History of the tournament

...both for spectators, and the athletes alike... it was baited breath all the way through.


Day 2 results coming up in a little bit.

wow..stosur and schiavone both out on day one of wimbledon

if its stays like this its become another malavai washington vs richard krajicek wimbledon final for both sexes

Not exactly... Krajicek (I am trusting you on the spelling) was always the kind of big serving machine that always had a chance at Wimbledon (same as Ivanisevic (sic?) who was a bigger character but also a v limited player). Washington was just a top 20 player who got to a final, he was never going to win one.

I think no one (including Schiavone) ever expected her to win or get close to another grand slam. Through a combination of luck, verve, willpower she achieved something that many players with a lot more god given talent never will. Fair play to her to her, and she deserves her title, but its no suprise she has nothing left at the next slam

_

Federer is looking vulnerable to me. Peerless when he is in the groove still, but too often out of it.

I saw the Nadal game when he came back from 2-1... he looks very good. The other guy threw everything at him, probably played the game of his life so far... and he gets to 2-1 and suddenly Nadal comes out with such ferocity in the 4th, completely demolishes him, and never takes his boot of his neck again... thats the difference between the world class players and the real greats. The likes of Andrew Murray can wobble under pressure. The likes of Federer and Nadal have that knack of finding another gear, and 98/100 times their opponent is helpless.

Sometimes playing Nadal really does look like someone playing a brick wall.

I really don't know what to say about this, but just learning (and remembering now) that both Soderling and Murray are the only two men in the draw still thus far who have dropped only two sets or less in the entire tournament, do you think either of these men has a higher than -realistically-likely shot to claim Wimbledon's title this year? Stemming from yesterday, Murray has won in straight sets against all his competitors thus far, and only until yesterday, (when he and Ferrer took it to five sets) I believe Soderling had done the same, in cruising towards a win against all his comers.

On the opposite side of the scale, it has seemed as though both Federer and Nadal, between them, have had four particularly scary matches in which they faced and were teetering on the brink of elimination. Yet they are both still through to the quarters.

I'll get to more musings later, if others would like to indulge me.

It has been a long run for Federer, but it seems that long journey is winding down; for the first time since 2002, Federer will not be playing in the Wimbledon Finals.

And then were four... (plus four more: )

Tomas Berdych advances, and will face off against (3) Novak Djokovic in the semis.
Andy Murray advances, and will face off against (2) Rafael Nadal in the semis.

- - -

Petra Kvitova advances, and will compete against (1) Serena Williams in the semis.
Tsvetana Pironkova advances, and will compete against (21) Vera Zvonareva in the semis.


personal commentary: who do you have, and who do you hope advances?
Who's playing the best at ths point in the tournament and would be remiss to not fight in the finals,
and who do you think unbelievable that they made it thus far, and could/should have gone a round earlier?
The galleries are a go, and I would like to hear from you.
My own take: I think Pironkova is really hot. Not really topical, I know, but I'd like to have that out there.

a nadal djokovic final would be ideal. anything else wouldnt have the same pull or interest to it.

would have loved to see a nadal-federer 2008 re-match.


any news on capriati after the headlines a few days ago? sounds tabloid-ish to me