Nole Still Undefeated

May 9, 2011 By 4 Comments

I had absolutely prepared myself for Djokovic to lose to Nadal yesterday in Madrid. Not that I wanted him to lose, but beating Rafa in Spain on his best surface seemed to tall of a task. Plus, 31 wins in a row had to have taken a toll on him physically and mentally. Maybe Nole would take a set, but his win streak would have to come to an end.

Plus, as I have noted before, all this winning of his is starting to freak me out. Djokovic has given his fans great highs (2009 AO) followed by even greater lows (I don’t even want to talk about his clay season last year). I live in fear that the higher he rises, the harder he will fall. Like Icarus, he will get to close to the sun only to crash and burn spectacularly. I know I should just enjoy the ride, I am a neurotic former Classicist, so grandiose visions of doom are part of my nature. What can you do…

So I was shocked, a little scared, but mostly emphatically happy when I watched the match. Novak played so incredibly well. His backhand down the line is the most amazing shot in the game at the moment. A thing of beauty, grace, and lethal power. Rafa kept trying to break down Nole’s backhand with his forehand, especially in the first set, but to no avail. His best shot could not overcome Novak’s.

So Nadal’s 37 win-streak on clay has come to an end, while Novak’s run for the year extends to 32-0. He only trails McEnroe in the number of consecutive wins (he was 42-0 in 1984). Will Djokovic break that record next? Will he win Roland Garros? Will he overtake Rafa as the number 1 player in the world? A strong possiblity. In the meantime, I will try to enjoy Novak’s rise to the top and lay-off the doomsday scenarios. Emphasis on “try.”

(Pics via Getty Images)

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So Close, Felite

May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Today Feliciano Lopez played not only one of the best matches of his season, but one of the best matches of his career. He made me remember why once upon a time, I was a fan of his. I remember a few years ago watching him in Wimbledon, and getting really excited about his game and the kind of player he could be. He has been a solid player, but has not exactly lived up to what I thought he could be. I have paid less attention to Feli of late. Too much focus on his appearance, his hair, his clothes, his emo attitude. An interesting side show, sure, but not someone whose tennis I could seriously follow.

But today there was a glimpse of the player Lopez could be. He stayed with Federer for the whole match both physically, banging down massive serves and slicing backhands, and, more importantly, mentally. In the 3rd set, when Feli got down 0-40 on his serve, I thought, well this is it. He played well, but he’ll get broken here and the match will be over. But no, he came back and held. He continuted to fight and got to the 3rd set tiebreak. He was not going to go down easily as we all expected. He was here to play.

The crowd started chanting, “Feli Feli Feli.” I got goosebumps, and I began to believe that he was really going to win. It’s exactly those kind of moments that always get you as a fan. When you really believe that a player will realize their potential and win the match no one thought they could. And though Feli did not defeat Federer today, he did prove that he could. That he is more than a pretty face with emo attitude. That when his game is on, he has the potential to beat anyone, on any surface. Even clay. So although he did not win the match, he did win back a wayward fan. Thanks, Felite, for reminding me just how good you can be.

(Pic via Getty Images)

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Thursday OOP: Madrid

May 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

ORDER OF PLAY – THURSDAY, 5 MAY, 2011

Notable matches in bold

MANOLO SANTANA start 11:45 am
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs J Goerges (GER) – WTA
[4] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [WC] A Parra Santonja (ESP) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) or F Lopez (ESP) vs X Malisse (BEL) – ATP – Possible court change

Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs J Del Potro (ARG) – ATP
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs S Stakhovsky (UKR) – ATP

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 1:30 pm
[6] N Li (CHN) vs R Vinci (ITA) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB) – ATP – Possible court change
T Bellucci (BRA) vs [4] A Murray (GBR) – ATP

J Tsonga (FRA) vs [5] R Soderling (SWE) – ATP
R Gasquet (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) – ATP – After suitable rest

STADIUM 3 start 2:00 pm
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [5] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
B Mattek-Sands (USA) vs [3] F Schiavone (ITA) – WTA
J Gajdosova (AUS) vs L Safarova (CZE) or [7] J Jankovic (SRB) – WTA
M Llodra (FRA) vs [Q] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) or [8] J Melzer (AUT) – ATP

COURT 4 start 1:00 pm
S Hsieh (TPE) / Z Yan (CHN) vs C Dellacqua (AUS) / R Stubbs (AUS) – WTA
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) vs [5] L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) – ATP
S Mirza (IND) / E Vesnina (RUS) or N Petrova (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) vs [2] K Peschke (CZE) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA
[3] V King (USA) / Y Shvedova (KAZ) vs [6] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / M Shaughnessy (USA) – WTA – After suitable rest

COURT 5 start 1:00 pm
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs M Cilic (CRO) / I Ljubicic (CRO) – ATP
[8] W Moodie (RSA) / D Norman (BEL) vs J Marti (ESP) / D Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) – ATP
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs J Monaco (ARG) – ATP

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Roddick’s Racquet Smash in Madrid (video)

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Love how Jason compares the initial racquet smash with Gonzo. I miss a good Gonzo racquet smash. But Roddick asking Mo if he has gotten a warning and then continuing to smash it when learning he hasn’t yet? CLASSIC

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Wednesday OOP: Madrid

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ORDER OF PLAY – WEDNESDAY, 4 MAY, 2011

Notable matches in bold

MANOLO SANTANA start 11:00 am
[16] P Kvitova (CZE) vs [2] V Zvonareva (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
K Anderson (RSA) vs [2] N Djokovic (SRB) – ATP

Not Before 4:00 PM
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs F Lopez (ESP) – ATP
[8] M Sharapova (RUS) vs D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 2:00 pm
[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs [WC] M Granollers (ESP) – ATP
M Cilic (CRO) vs J Del Potro (ARG) – ATP
G Simon (FRA) vs [4] A Murray (GBR) – ATP
[Q] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) vs [8] J Melzer (AUT) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 2:00 pm
[6] N Li (CHN) vs I Benesova (CZE) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[WC] D Safina (RUS) vs J Goerges (GER) – WTA
L Safarova (CZE) vs [7] J Jankovic (SRB) – WTA
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs M Mertinak (SVK) / V Troicki (SRB) – ATP

COURT 4 start 12:00 noon
R Vinci (ITA) vs A Kleybanova (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
S Giraldo (COL) vs [5] R Soderling (SWE) – ATP
[1] G Dulko (ARG) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs [5] V Azarenka (BLR) / M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
[WC] F Schiavone (ITA) / S Stosur (AUS) vs [6] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / M Shaughnessy (USA) – WTA
S Mirza (IND) / E Vesnina (RUS) vs N Petrova (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA

COURT 5 start 1:00 pm
F Mayer (GER) vs T Bellucci (BRA) – ATP
X Malisse (BEL) vs Y Lu (TPE) – ATP
R Gasquet (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) vs J Chela (ARG) / J Monaco (ARG) – ATP
T Bellucci (BRA) / A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – ATP

COURT 6 start 1:00 pm
[Q] F Cipolla (ITA) vs M Llodra (FRA) – ATP
[7] M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / Z Yan (CHN) – WTA
[6] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs M Melo (BRA) / B Soares (BRA) – ATP
[4] R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) vs [WC] R Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) / S Ventura (ESP) – ATP

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Juan Carlos & Ferru take the Subway (Video)

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

They both look like perfection. Especially Ferru, from the hair to the clothes to the smile. Did I mention the hair?

The only thing that could have made this appearance better was if they broke into song. Like this.

Subway! Err, I mean,

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Isner Madrid Interview (Video)

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

His only goal is to string together a couple wins. Poor boy :( #smallvictories

(Video via ATP World Tour)

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Tuesday OOP: Madrid

May 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ORDER OF PLAY – TUESDAY, 3 MAY, 2011

Notable matches in bold

MANOLO SANTANA start 12:00 noon
D Hantuchova (SVK) vs [5] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs B Jovanovski (SRB) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
Y Lu (TPE) vs [15] F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[6] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [Q] A Mannarino (FRA) – ATP
S Errani (ITA) vs [3] F Schiavone (ITA) – WTA

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 2:00 pm
J Del Potro (ARG) vs [13] M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
M Raonic (CAN) vs F Lopez (ESP) – ATP
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs [Q] T de Bakker (NED) – ATP
J Monaco (ARG) vs [9] G Monfils (FRA) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 2:00 pm
J Tsonga (FRA) vs [Q] P Riba (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 3:30 PM
[10] A Radwanska (POL) vs J Gajdosova (AUS) – WTA

Not Before 5:00 PM
[11] M Bartoli (FRA) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) – WTA
N Almagro (ESP) / M Raonic (CAN) vs F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
B Mattek-Sands (USA) vs [Q] V King (USA) – WTA
[16] P Kvitova (CZE) vs [Q] C Scheepers (RSA) – WTA
[WC] M Granollers (ESP) vs N Davydenko (RUS) – ATP
[1] G Dulko (ARG) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs N Llagostera Vives (ESP) / A Parra Santonja (ESP) – WTA
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs A Murray (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) – ATP

COURT 5 start 11:00 am
[16] V Troicki (SRB) vs F Mayer (GER) – ATP
I Ljubicic (CRO) vs G Simon (FRA) – ATP

Not Before 2:00 PM
S Stakhovsky (UKR) vs J Isner (USA) – ATP
M Mertinak (SVK) / V Troicki (SRB) vs L Dlouhy (CZE) / A Ram (ISR) – ATP
R Gasquet (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) vs J Del Potro (ARG) / M Fish (USA) – ATP

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
K Anderson (RSA) vs [LL] O Rochus (BEL) – ATP
C Dellacqua (AUS) / R Stubbs (AUS) vs [4] L Huber (USA) / L Raymond (USA) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
T Bellucci (BRA) vs [WC] P Andujar (ESP) – ATP
[8] I Benesova (CZE) / B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs S Mirza (IND) / E Vesnina (RUS) – WTA
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) vs [WC] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) / I Navarro (ESP) – ATP

COURT 7 start 1:30 pm
[7] M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs M Kondratieva (RUS) / V Uhlirova (CZE) – WTA

Not Before 2:30 PM
[3] V King (USA) / Y Shvedova (KAZ) vs [WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / V Zvonareva (RUS) – WTA
S Peng (CHN) / J Zheng (CHN) vs [5] V Azarenka (BLR) / M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
K Jans (POL) / A Rosolska (POL) vs [2] K Peschke (CZE) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA

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Look Who Won a Match

May 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Isner defeated Fish 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(3) in just under 3 hours today at the Mutua Madrid Open. Although John could not convert the 6 (!) break point chances he had, he overall played really well. For him. On clay. Kidding aside, he fought well, he put bad points behind him, and played a solid match. Plenty of positives.

It also marks the first time that Isner has beaten Fish (was previously 0-2) and is the highest ranked player he has beaten all year. He has beaten anyone in the top 20 since Davydenko last year in Beijing. Needless to say, he needed the win. Isner has lost a lot of tight matches in the last set this year. Let’s hope this win gives him the confidence he needs to make a run. Any sort of run. Even if that run does not come till grass.

He faces Stakhovsky next, who won in a tight 3 setter of his own over Montanes, 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(5). I would tentatively favor John in that match. But it’s clay, so I would not call him a favorite in any match. After that it would be Ferrer, and then Djokovic. So yeah…let’s just be happy Isner won today….#smallvictories

(Pic via Getty Images)

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Monday OOP: Madrid

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2011

Notable matches in bold

MANOLO SANTANA start 12:00 noon
[6] N Li (CHN) vs M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) – WTA
[8] M Sharapova (RUS) vs E Makarova (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[Q] T de Bakker (NED) vs [WC] J Ferrero (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[12] A Roddick (USA) vs [Q] F Cipolla (ITA) – ATP
[Q] N Llagostera Vives (ESP) vs [WC] D Safina (RUS) – WTA

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
A Kleybanova (RUS) vs [9] S Peer (ISR) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
I Karlovic (CRO) vs [9] G Monfils (FRA) – ATP
J Isner (USA) vs [11] M Fish (USA) – ATP
[Q] A Falla (COL) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) – ATP
R Gasquet (FRA) vs [Q] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
[Q] O Govortsova (BLR) vs R Vinci (ITA) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
S Stakhovsky (UKR) vs A Montanes (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 4:00 PM
[WC] A Parra Santonja (ESP) vs [13] A Petkovic (GER) – WTA
[4] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [Q] S Arvidsson (SWE) – WTA
E Vesnina (RUS) vs [2] V Zvonareva (RUS) – WTA

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
Not Before 12:30 PM
S Peng (CHN) / J Zheng (CHN) vs A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / J Woehr (GER) – WTA
[WC] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs L Safarova (CZE) – WTA
[WC] F Schiavone (ITA) / S Stosur (AUS) vs S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) – WTA

COURT 5 start 11:00 am
[WC] S Halep (ROU) / P Hercog (SLO) vs C Dellacqua (AUS) / R Stubbs (AUS) – WTA
S Querrey (USA) vs M Llodra (FRA) – ATP
[WC] K Nishikori (JPN) vs [Q] P Riba (ESP) – ATP
M Cilic (CRO) vs P Starace (ITA) – ATP

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs I Benesova (CZE) – WTA
J Chela (ARG) vs [Q] A Mannarino (FRA) – ATP
[Q] V Hanescu (ROU) vs X Malisse (BEL) – ATP
R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs [WC] R Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) / S Ventura (ESP) – ATP
T Bellucci (BRA) / A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs S Stakhovsky (UKR) / M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP

COURT 7 start 2:00 pm
V Dushevina (RUS) / T Poutchek (BLR) vs N Petrova (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA
M Niculescu (ROU) / S Peer (ISR) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / Z Yan (CHN) – WTA
[WC] L Dominguez Lino (ESP) / L Pous-Tio (ESP) vs K Jans (POL) / A Rosolska (POL) – WTA

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