Tennis-X Weekend Wrap: Ljubi’s Back, Look Who’s Back…

By the way, did safn win moscow ?

November 2nd, 2009 at 5:30 pm

No Stahkovsky did.

November 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Does anyone have a link to schedule of play for Basel?

November 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Haas is out of Basel due to swine flu.

November 2nd, 2009 at 6:25 pm

http://www.davidoffswissindoors.ch/Daily-program-03-11-2009.563+M52087573ab0.0.html

Sar, here it is. In Novak we trust! Aleeez allez allez alleeez, No-leeee, No-leeee…

November 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 pm

Welcome back federer. A good win today.

November 2nd, 2009 at 6:49 pm

“The wrist is fine,” the Scot said. “I’m still icing it and exercising it but it’s tough to do too much about it specifically.

“I’ve played two matches in nine weeks, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I play poorly at first, but I will try my best.”
__________________________________________________

Is he icing his wrist just for precaution? I hope so. One match at a time and should be back to his top form again. Go Murray.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02112009/58/murray-ready-return-valencia.html

November 2nd, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Kimmi, yes, an impressive win but fed was clumsy on occasions (some 7 wild air balls, 5 of those from forehand side) made quite a few errors, and missed the 2nd match point, an easy one at the net. not as impressive as the score board shows. his movement was good, combined with flashes of legendary brilliance.
i think in Basel, he always feels differently in front of home crowd. More than winning, he wants to produce some crowd pleasing, wow shots, which may be the cause of those errors. considering how long he had not played, he did pretty good, and with a couple of more matches, he will get fine-tuned on time.
the inaugural was grand, with opera music and lights under the roof. fed in maroon polo and white shorts. while waiting in the tunnel, he had a brief chat with Olivier in French, the Mr. Miniature of the ATP, who is an old-time friend with fed. Except occasional killer smiles, your man was overcautiously gentlemanly, as he is usually in Basel. Mirka, dad, mom were in the crowd, many of them in suits and tie.
finally, we are conversing about tennis.

November 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 pm

Yeah, i am it. Thanks. I did not see the match just followed the live score which was freezing sometimes, (aaarg!) so it’s great to read this from you. I guess we expected him to be a little rusty after 6 weeks of no tennis. And Rochus is a good opponent to start with, not much to worry as the guy has never beaten him. I saw the last game on youtube and saw the “clumsiness” you are talking about on those match points. I am happy he is back. Next he plays Seppi, who always gives Fed a close match..should be a good one too. Go Federer.

“fed in maroon polo and white shorts”. I like this outfit too, I think it looks great on him.

November 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm

ahem? maroon? well, okay, thought polo was brown. he looked amazing fit. sleek. but yeah a little rusty at times, mishit a few; tho the serve in the 2nd set looked great. better than at davis cup.

kimmi, are you in the us? i watched the match livestream and a replay on espn360. i imagine they’ll offer nole’s match tomorrow.

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm

“tho the serve in the 2nd set looked great.”

Stats shows he did 78% first serve in the second set. That is great serving.

I am in Canada..no espn360 I am afraid. I am hoping Tennistv to have replays when they start showing from thursday.

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm

I will weigh in – this time, I liked Fed’s outfit (the top part, more than the white shorts); the maroon-brown color suits him.

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm

oh, sorry. i am watching it again as i type. just like ‘i am it’ describes, opening ceremony was great and federer joking with ollie in the hall before match. very nice. i guess they are friend from way back, says the announcers. anyway, i don’t have the tennis channel and rarely does my trusted basic cable show tennis this time of year!

at least there’s youtube. redish-brown looks great on him! papa federer : )

can’t wait to see how nole is playing tomorrow, Jane.

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Me neither contador; from my perspective, hopefully well. :)

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 pm

i really like novak djokovic, jane, he kinda had a bad start to 2009 but i enjoy his tennis and his personality. could get exciting, this! cilic has been growing on me since his match w/ haas at wimbledon.

my fave of the giant class–cilic.

November 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm

Federer To Compete At 2010 Estoril Open

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2009/11/Estoril-Federer-To-Compete.aspx

why ? I thought he is playing less ….LOL

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm

can’t imagine the shorts any other color than the white. not the checks, please. rafa can pull it off but on fed? would be strange, lol..

who is nole playing tomorrow? anyone know off the top?

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm

Tomorrow
Murray’s match is at around 1:00 PM (ET).
Djokovic at 2:00 PM (ET).

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 pm

I feel the same contador – that Cilic vs. Haas match had me so intrigued with Cilic, how calm he was and playing so well too. Lucky for Haas the match was delayed to the next day as I think it could’ve easily gone the other way.

True, but don’t you think match maroon shorts would look nice? THat’s what I was thinking.

I don’t know who Nole’s playing; I haven’t looked at the draw or schedule. Have just been too busy lately. Sigh.

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 pm

*matching shorts, I meant.

Thanks for the times i am it! I hope I’ll be able to catch some of Novak’s match; unfortunately it’s during my office hours so hopefully no students show up. :)

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm

I might catch a little of Murray’s match too if I can manage it; it will be fun to see him play again, hopefully without too many wrist woes.

November 2nd, 2009 at 10:46 pm

well, knowing nike, i wouldn’t be surprised it the brown kit came with the brown shorts too. hopefully some white detail on them, otherwise, he could deliver for UPS! lol..

noleee sweetie is playing andreas beck. should be a good warm-up match. beck is tall, if i recall. not giant but …over 6′

exactly right, jane. i think cilic woulda won had they not postponed the match. he’s poised on a big stage and impressive. i like how he moves and both serves and returns well; not as consistent yet, as del Po has been. both are fun to watch for different reasons.

kimmi: ty for the link. nice pic of RF! loved it. on RF.com is where i was looking at his 2010 schedule, i think….yeah too much, imo, just before ao is what i was thinking. but, he outta know!

very happy about the tennis this week. cheers!

November 2nd, 2009 at 11:09 pm

cantador, where is the link ?

I did some scouting on Murray and Novak opponents:

Murray vs GIMENO-TRAVER, Daniel H2H 0-0
Novak vs BECK, Andreas H2H 0-0

Novak opponent: Beck is currently ranked 33, this is his best year since he turned pro 03. No titles yet..Hightlight 09: Reach final of Gstaad, lost to Belluci. Reach Qtr of monte carlo.. lost to Wawrinka. (Beat Kiefer, Simon and monaco on the way to qtrs) also reach Qtr final of metz and bangkok.

Murray opponet, never heard of GIMENO-TRAVER before..he is currently ranked 77, got a WC in valencia. He has 9-19 record this year..ouch !. He has some good wins in rome (andrea Beck) and wimbledon (Tylor dent) but he has mostly been playing challengers. Looks like is a good match to start with for Murray.

November 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm

“it will be fun to see him (Murray) play again, hopefully without too many wrist woes.”

Fingers crossed jane.

November 2nd, 2009 at 11:27 pm

cantador I just saw the full schedule in rf.com too. Look to be the same as this year. Before AO I think is OK; abu dhabi is an exo, if draw like this year..he gets 3 matches max. he needs at least one tournament, which is Doha. Then on clay he decided to swap MC with Estoril…he did not have MC on his schedule this year either, he got the last minute WC instead. Also he does not play a 500 in asia, he only plays Shanghai. Thought it was mandatory to play one 500 in asia..don’t know.
But all in all is not bad.

November 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm

For those who are interested in the Basel and/or Valencia tournaments, here are Dimon’s draw analyses for both events:

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Ricky_Dimon/20091101/Approach_Shots:_Federer,_Djokovic,_Murray_return_to_action

November 3rd, 2009 at 12:51 am

For those interested.

Federer, has appointed Stéphane Vivier, one of seven ATP physiotherapists, to travel with him full time to make sure that he is in the finest physical shape every time he plays.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6898452.ece

November 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 am

Hey folks, take a look at the Valencia Stadium, it’s a-m-azing! Looks like an Opera House. Wish I was there, sunny, warm, beautiful city etc.
kimmi: am worried about “icing” news, seems if he’s doing that, all is not entirely well.

November 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 am

I am happy to see Murray and Djoko get through at their respective events. Murray much more easily than Djoko, mind you, but given the rankings of their opponents that’s what I sort of expected. I do think, however, that Djoko’s serve continues to be a little too inconsistent. Sigh. It will be tougher for him if he gets to the quarters and runs into Ljub or even tougher if it’s Cilic in the semis. But either way he’s picking up some points and practice before Paris and YEC. Same with Andy – whose wrist seems fine; he seemed to get stronger as the match progressed. Good for him.

November 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm

“contador Says: can’t imagine the shorts any other color than the white. not the checks, please. rafa can pull it off but on fed?”

Rafa looked pretty ridiculous in those shorts – much prefer the solid patterns on both of them.

November 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

Rafa’s shorts were absolutely incredible. Didn’t get a good look at Fed’s though.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Good win from Murray..Yay !! Good to see him back on tennis court again.

Margot: The icing thing kind of makes you wonder but I hope is only precaution. Well, he survived his 1st match. He should slowly start to get a good feeling on the court. Stats shows he served poorly in the 1st set but pick it up excellent in the second. .. One match at a time..go Murray.

Also good win for Novak (congrats Novak fans), Simon, Monfils and Ferrer. Monfils and Simon still have a chance to qualify for YEC but it looks like a very tall order, they need some kind of miracle methinks.

What is up with Ferrero ? From early spring to US Open he has been posing excellent results (QF Wimbledon, R16 Us Open etc), which saw his ranking improve big time. But after US Open he is struggling to win a single match. In the last 4 tourneys he entered he only won one match… in shanghai, what is up?

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm

yes, me too, MMT. voting for solids. although it should not matter, right? as long as one is comfortable and not worrying about a hairpiece falling off should they need to leap for the ball! poor andre.

jane: i have the replay of nolee and baby face beck on. this is the first chance i have had to watch andreas beck and i cannot believe he is 23! he really looks…um..going by his face only, no older than a ballboy. has to be taller than the stated 6’3″, sizing him up when standing across the net from nole, the biggest contrast i see immediately is how much faster nole covers the court. appears the german could improve on speed and agility, he’s being outclassed by world #3

nole got so far ahead that it appeared he was practicing his net play! then beck caught up, sort of. beck has a huge bludgeon of a flat first serve, not tremendously reliable though. he can hit some hard, flat forehand winners, too. and when i was just thinking the guy reminds me of soderling, the announcer, nic lester, says the same.

no problem for nole. djoko looks super fit, smiling, enjoying himself indoors on a fairly fast hard court. they’re saying the balls are flying a little faster in basel-

i say, if djoko was not such a brilliant returner of serve, a lot more of beck’s serves would have been winners. i see why beck has moved up the ranks. like to see him have a shoot-out with troicki!

marian vjada happy. girfriend/fiance? having a good time. nice.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 pm

I watched the Chiudenelli/Fed doubles match.
They did not have any chemistry for sure.

Novak looked good I thought. I’ve seen this Andreas Beck before and I like him. He is in the young giants group but needs better movement. They said he is working on it.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:20 pm

Contador,
Beck, Troicki and Delpo are my fav giants. Cilic too. Looks like Todd Martin is helping so far with his backhand slice and volley. Nice. You’re right, looks like Novak was practicing a bit and Beck started to catch up.
Yes, Jelena Ristic was in his box and she looked cute and happy.
Didn’t see the Murray match as it was on at the same time.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Sar, so no chemistry on the swiss team…well, they try. Should now both concentrate on singles.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm

yeah, getting caught up on what espn360 has to offer from davidoff.

sar-did you see federer take a shot? as in hit by the ball? looked like it hurt… : 0

what is he doing, putting himself out there as a target??!! aye, yi, yi…

at least he could have wawa out there with him. (shaking my head)

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm

oh man, kimmi. i can’t watch the federer playing doubles. yikes!

how tall do you think beck is sar? as tall as berdych? looked like 3 inches taller than nole, i thought.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm

Contador, I am Jealous. You have to pick and choose which replay to watch and I have NONE….

The fed has played some good doubles before but this one just did not work, give him a break (: Tommorrow seppi…Go go go.

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm

LOL…had to turn off the swiss doubles trouble.

sar: definitely thought nole has improved his net play, very nice to see. he’s a natural talent. must be fun for martin!

yes his team was having fun.

cilic is my favorite giant but i wonder about consistency. sometimes he’s convincing but when he played del Po? did you watch the us open match between them?

November 3rd, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Kimmi, I know – us Canucks get the short end of the stick tennis-wise. :( We gotta pay or no play. lol. Or find streaming, which I manage to do most of the time, so it’s not so bad. But replays?! That’d be awesome. Since we don’t get it on TV, I can’t even record it. Sigh.

That’s why I appreciate summaries provided by contador and i am it, etc. It really helps.

Doesn’t sound like Fed & Chuid could do to well in doubles; maybe he and Stan should’ve teamed up – they are, after all, a gold medal team.

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm

oh, i’m sorry kimmi. i only recently got my home laptop working well enough to have live streaming. still, it’s not always possible, i’m finding. last week no tennis, this week i’m in.

wish he wouldn’t do too much. time to conserve. really did not like seeing him get hit like that!

kimmi: i have to work but if possible, will watch federer v seppi. they know each other well, but i don’t think it’s friendly like with olivier rochus.

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:03 pm

If you watch Contador give us a summary tomorrow. can’t watch during the week only weekends and Fed better be there. Looking forward to this match, Seppi has caused trouble before but never realy delivers in the end….hope Fed continue his streak against him.

Jane, I hear you. TennisTV has replays for Shanghai, till today I can watch about 5 matches if I want..but I have rewatch and rewatch (djoko/davy and davy/nadal) i can now tell each point without looking..LOL so hopefully they will have some for Basel and valencia.

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm

believe me, kimmi:

you did not miss anything. it was… awkward. their opponents play together all the time, i guess. fed/ chiudi were out-played. : (

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 pm

i’ve been reading tennis-x for months but not posting. i too have appreciated ‘i am it’ giving details and information about matches.

i’ll try to post during the match. but can’t promise, depends on if the federer plays during my lunch or what. i didn’t get to watch any matches live today. but i have replays of troiki and djoko match. both of them looked in good form, especially nole. i thought he seemed to be not playing at his highest level but doing what he needed to do, getting ahead, trying some new shots, falling back, then stepping on the gas as necessary. very confident.

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm

Probably that “getting ahead, trying some new shots, falling back…” was what was worrying jane. I read her her post above re. Novak match and she sound not very happy. We tend to criticise our fave more than it’s necessary sometimes. I am right jane ?

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:41 pm

Oh sure, we criticize our faves more. Mainly I think Djoko seemed to play well today – especially the first set. But there were times in the second set that his level seemed to drop, and he faced some 15-40 situations. I’d just like to see him serve consistently in the 70% first serves in and/or beef up his second serve. But it’s fantastic that he’s experimenting, coming into net, and that his groundstrokes are strong. He can play so razor sharp from the baseline sometimes – love it! Also I like when he’s smiling, having fun, confident. I thought Beck might be a little tougher of an opener as Beck is now a top 40 player. But that;s a good way to begin in some ways. Overall I am a happy fan at the moment. To me, since Miami Djok has done the right things to improve even though at the European slams he didn’t do as well as he is capable of doing. But he hired the fitness coach, he hired Martin, he’s focused and positive and healthy. No major complaints here! :)

November 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm

70% first serve will be very good. Nadal does that all the time but he does not go for lines. Djoko goes for lines more so its hard to maintain 70% all the time. As you said, he served well in the 1st set then he fell down a little but overall not too bad.

November 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Contador, it looks like Beck is 6’4 + to me.

November 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Kimmi – yes, overall, not to bad. I agree. Maybe the answer, as Fed seems to have shown, and Pete before Fed, is to have a very strong second serve. Roddick also is like that. Djoko has a great return, so if he could secure his own service games, he’d be off to the races, so to speak. : )

November 4th, 2009 at 12:40 am

catching a little of the blake v chardy match live.

talk about a great second serve- chardy has it!!

this is a tight match. blake is hanging tough but i give chardy the edge physically. huge fearless forehand from jeremy! neither player wastes any time between points. chardy took the first set in a tie break but blake isn’t giving in…yet.

great tennis! blake has not come close to breaking chardy service game but chardy is pressing blake; a lesser resolve would have given in. chardy served his 17th ace = game 6, second set. 6-6, going to another tie break.

November 4th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

what a tie break! chardy looked to win the match at 4-1 and 5-2 but an error from chardy and a call going blakes way and blake got back in!

going to a deciding set! the crowd loves it.

and i don’t like to miss this but…back to work.

wow. i am a new chardy fan. blake got that set on mental toughness.

what i can’t believe is how gulbis beat chardy last week in st. petersburg. but, i didn’t have match coverage.

November 4th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

though Blake may lose (it is set all, and is broken in the opening of the 3rd set), i’ve been enjoying a fine battle of POWER forehands between Blake and Chardy this morning, two of the finest in the tour. can you imagine Chardy overwhelming Blake in the battle of forehands, considering Blake possesses one of the best, and even Fed acknowledges Blake’s among the top 3 of the decade?
on occasions, i enjoy Chardy’s forehand more than Cilic’s, on a personal basis.

Tsonga retired after getting bageled in the 2nd set and broken twice in the 3rd (0-3).

yesterday:
i did not get to watch Murray yesterday, but from the scoreline, he appears to have played a great tennis and is back.

i watched Dj-Beck match. like j. and others assessed, Dj played a great 1st set, except faltered when serving out the set at 5-1. i would not blame him for the tighter 2nd set except the serve, as Beck upped his level.
after watching 1st round matches, Dj is back in the mix along with Cilic, who showed this morning he is in great form, though he served poorly.

Fed-Chiudinelli doubles was a mismatch plus earlier on the day C-Nelly had just won a great singles in grueling 3-setter against Kohls. i think Fed was merely doing favor, long due, to his childhood friend, maybe helping C-Nelli get some endorsement. as for playing doubles, contrary to popular belief, my personal experience tells me that it does not help your singles tennis much except for impromptu net response. the reasons being in doubles: you have a wider court; you customarily return to the middle court, the space in-between your opponents, as opposed to the sides and closer to the net; you mostly stand firmly at the net, instead of having to coming to the net, which requires volleying on the move, etc.

November 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

heartbreaker of tie break for chardy. chardy looked to have it at 5-2 but a chardy error and a good call challenge call by blake and blake caught up and took the second set.

chardy shook off the loss and broke blakes serve first blake, able to hold his serve easily. 2-0 chardy in the 3r

can’t believe gulbis beat chardy last week in st. petersburg. wish i could have watched that match!

November 4th, 2009 at 1:04 pm

strange. sorry about my redundant posts but last i looked only one went through. now i see both. that’s weird.

i am it : i can’t tear myself away…..not sure who i am cheering for here, either….lol

November 4th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

feel sad that Tsonga’s chances to making to London has greatly diminished with today’s loss. i don’t think he can.

Contador, me too. i like blake, but Chardy has been spectacular to watch, both his defense and offense. Chardy’s serve is impaling Blake, so he’s likely to win. if he can play consistently like he’s today, plus with backhand improvement, he can reach inside the top 10. actually he is already a top 10 stuff, quality wise.

November 4th, 2009 at 1:20 pm

i am it: do you know what happened to tsonga? score says he retired.

and yeah. i think i like chardy’s forehand as much as anyone’s ( excelt federer’s ) and chardy’s serves…

as federer says: “you’re only as good as your second serve”

chardy is another one who looks to be taller than what’s on his profile. hits those serves like he’s 6’4″

November 4th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

like cilic, chardy is a class act! best match i have seen in a long time!

sorry for blake, though.

November 4th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

contador, as i was not watching that match, i’ve no clue why tsonga retired.
as for Chardy, he sure can serve. 24 aces, 3 in the last game alone. Blake could not get a single one across the net in the last game. i agree Chardy’s fearless second serve is commendable. he deserved to win, and he did.

November 4th, 2009 at 1:31 pm

from the battle of POWERFUL forehands in Chardy-Blake to the battle of some of the finest one-handed backhands of the tour, in Ljub-Wawa: Ljub’s is more powerful, but Wawa’s more consistent. each has beauty of its own kind.

November 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

Very sad for Haas, hoping for his speedy recovery.

November 4th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Jan Hernych is 1-2 against Novak. Novak beat him twice this year. Jane, what do you think? Nervous?
If he can get past this guy he’s got Wawa or Ljubi.

November 4th, 2009 at 3:34 pm

i am it: have not been watching much of the present match.

what i have seen – yeah big difference from blake v chardy. it’s slower, more breaks of serve. wondering what that MTO was about?

love the one handed backhands. ljubicic’s cross-court IS a powerful shot! but the swiss has rallied with the crowd support.

stan the man

sar: you asked jane but in my opinion: nole would need to have a bad day at the office to lose to stan, even in basel. i mean anything is possible but..i pick nole…in straights from what i saw last night of nole and today of wawa. chardy v nole would be interesting

November 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

WOW ! Quick work from The Federer. I though I might catch the 2nd set but not to be.

Monfils not a chance to go to London now, too bad. Great matches today…Simon/berdych went the distance, simon still slim chance to qualify. And congrats to Cilic.

November 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

From ATP site:

“Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, this week’s third seed in Valencia, is in a race to be fit for next week’s BNP Paribas Masters after the Frenchman retired with a left wrist injury in the third set of his first-round clash against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.”

Oh No ! not another wrist injury, they are too many already.

November 4th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

Hi guys – have been swamped with work so haven’t been following to closely.

sar – I hope Djoko can get by Hernych; is that today? I just opened up the live scoreboard and for some reason it shows yesterday’s scores. So I will have to check when I get home.

i am it – I think Djoko and Chardy played at the AO this year, and then again in Cincy and both times Djoko won, but they weren’t walks in the park. At the AO the first set was neck-and-neck if I recall correctly, and in Cincy I think it was tight too. Sounds like I missed an exciting match between Chardy and Blake. Too bad. Sigh.

So sad to hear about Tsonga; he was doing so well on the Asian swing and he has a Paris championship to defend. I wonder if he’ll be back in time? As we know, wrist injuries are finicky things.

I’ve often wondered if there is something with Tsonga’s game technically, in his swing or motion, that causes him to be so vulnerable to injury.

November 4th, 2009 at 6:33 pm

Jane it’s tomorrow a.m. with Hernych. Wawa might be trickier contador, I don’t know. He’s the hometown boy.

November 4th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Isner just beat Gonzalez. Another YEC contender bites the dust. Good win for Isner, he has been struggling since his run at the US Open but then the draws are never easy.

Are these guys going to make it easy for Verdasco, he is looking very good to qualify right at this moment. Today he gets a retirement, gaining 45 points..Yay !

November 4th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

well kimmi. sorry i did not get to watch fed play seppi. but as soon as i eat something, will watch the replay.

i can’t believe gonzo went out to isner. wish i could have seen that match! isner on a roll? oh no.

sar: wawa pulled through the match with the crowd support today but he had an MTO and it was less than impressive. seemed to me like ljub should have won. djoko would have pummeled wawa.

i’ll watch some tennis uninterrupted and see how federer played.

November 4th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

Contador, watch it and tell me how he did. The starts are very good. Looks like a great serving day too.

November 4th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

*Stats

November 4th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

so far so good. but i am just now finally watching! seppi and rog warming up. seppi is super thin and tall! rog wearing the same outfit. hoping he comes out with a variation.

can say one thing already: entire federer family has enviable heads of hair. wonder how fed will look all white like his dad. : ) his sister looking especially well coiffed and…very blond.

seppi in a klutzy moment. dropped his racquet and somehow stepped on it whilst picking it up, hurting his fingers. he’s ok.

hm, kimmi. federer hitting a little sloppy. appears maybe too casual…but his opponent is also mis-hitting just enough more than fed to give fed the break. the fed first serve, looking good, gives him the hold. 5-2 first set. and all is well.
first set to fed. they briefly had the stats up to see but i already forgot. i think fed had something like 7 unforced errors and seppi had 6. but you know how bad it is watching fed make some sloppy errors, 7 can seem like 17! 69% serving

seppi serving 2nd set and there is a rally, where the italian seems in control, he comes to net, hits a great cross-court volley- but, it’s the first real federer moment of the match. fed hit one of his running forehands that basically no one else can make….wow. great to see federer moving so well and have that kind of speed when needed.

lol..at nic lester remarking that seppi is like, “a duck on ice” at the net….but federer still really hitting more un-federer shots into net and missing the mark for my spoiled taste. it’s a bit of a mixed bag, kimmi. fed coming through with some great serving, some strange misses at net and missing an easy shot here or there. not the best performance. but seppi has no second serve, so fed is able to get ahead a break like in set one.

can’t help thinking while watching that i am happy federer is not playing chardy at the moment. and i hope fed is able to raise his level next match.

and just like that it is over with fed breaking seppi serve again. 6-3, 6-3. must say seppi contributed to fed’s win, however.

November 4th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

hmmm, I read some articles about the match and they all tell..Fed was magic. I hear you though, looks like Seppi did not have the belief. Apparently he saved 2 BP…he commented that he played well and felt this match was tougher. Most of the time he only need to play well enough to win, depending on his opponent he can raise his game to a higher gear.

“can’t help thinking while watching that i am happy federer is not playing chardy at the moment”

Chardy is looming in the next round, he could be his next opponent. And guess what..just checking their H2H and they NEVER play….

Thanks for this contador, lets hope he will be sharper in his next match.

November 4th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

**rog wearing the same outfit. hoping he comes out with a variation.***

lol..i think he changes his outfit only in GS..day and night session. This one will probably continue till end of the year. I love it though.

November 4th, 2009 at 11:52 pm

i know, kimmi. most of the match reports i glanced at before watching the match…i expected a differernt performance than i saw.

i guess it could be considered “magic” compared to how seppi played. but if chardy or nole were on the other side of the net…??

i like to think he’ll shift into a smoother gear.

can’t help imaging brown pants with the same detail that’s on the warm-up jacket, with a combination of the same colors on a different polo. my federer doll…..lol…..mix and match

November 5th, 2009 at 12:30 am

**my federer doll…..lol…..mix and match**

he he he !

November 5th, 2009 at 12:56 am

j. maybe it’s just my hope or hunch but i do see players other than rafa and fed winning 2 slams next year. i cannot predict who the winners will be, though i don’t see anyone outside top 10 winning any. definitely, dj, murray, and delPo will be in the forefront among the top contenders.

November 5th, 2009 at 2:11 am

i am it – I hope you’re right. Rafa and Fed matches have always provided plenty of excitement, but I’d like to see different faces holding trophies on the final Sunday more often.

November 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am