Kuznetsova Squeaks; Nadal v Dent, Henin v Dementieva Friday in Miami

Come on Nole!

March 26th, 2010 at 12:22 pm

wow the matches are not on tv at all today, anywhere!

that sure helps my new resolution…

March 26th, 2010 at 12:38 pm

Rain suspension right now.

March 26th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

has anyone got a link to any of the matches for IW? Stu, have checked too on Eurosports and SKY and there’s nothing! I don’t get it!

Sar, can you give an update please? Thanks.

March 26th, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Nadal is playing doubles with a different partner who is also from Majorca. They play the Brian brothers in the 1st round so it should be a good match.

March 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm

madmax, it says on the website that television broadcasting starts tomorrow, even IN Miami! but roger plays tomorrow, so you get to catch that one at least :)

March 26th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

TV coverage begins tomorrow…so, live scores are all we got. ;) Ajde, Nole, make it quick! :)

March 26th, 2010 at 1:27 pm

sar, sorry, you’ve already explained about broadcasting.. I just saw your post! :)

March 26th, 2010 at 1:28 pm

*not sar – STU…Oh, I’m already nervous. :D

March 26th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

h i guess no live stream for today matches..too bad i wanted to see novak and nadal play :(

March 26th, 2010 at 2:17 pm

I just started following the live score link and Djokovic is down 2-5.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Just made the mistake of checking the scores in Novak’s match; he is getting walloped by O. Rochus. Not even Djok’s return game seems to be working. : (

Things are not good for Nole these days – or us, his fans. Too bad.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

OMG what’s the matter with him?

March 26th, 2010 at 3:42 pm

You can’t go into every tournament saying “I don’t expect to win, I’m playing poorly, I’m tired, my dog is sick, sciatica, etc.”

Hope he enjoys the #2 while he’s got it, I imagine that when we exit clay it will be gone.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:50 pm

TV,obviously you are not a fan of Novak.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

Djokovic saves 2 break points in first game of second set, I hope that will boost his confidence and he will get a hold of the match now.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Woz getting whipped.
Rochus h2h 2-1 against Nole.

March 26th, 2010 at 3:59 pm

sar – I’d say it’s the same thing that’s been “the matter” for a while – a mucked up serve. He can barely stay above 50% first serves in a match these days. Right now he’s raised it up to a decent 62%, but it goes up and down and he often ends in the 50s. It may be that the stress of his service games affects his confidence overall. I find it odd that he is unable to do more with Rochus’ second serves, for example. His returning is usually dependable. Oh, I don’t know. But I wish him the best obviously. Hope he comes around. I don’t care about his ranking right now; if he slides that’s fine. I just wanna see him play well again.

March 26th, 2010 at 4:01 pm

He knows it’s his serve and he’s with Todd, not Vajda. He has not won with Todd.

March 26th, 2010 at 4:04 pm

Thank God! JJ on the other hand, lookin good feeling fine…

March 26th, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Again… crap. I am going to the gym.

March 26th, 2010 at 4:18 pm

sar, sigh, rather unbearable to watch these scores so I am turning it off too. Well, kudos to Rochus: he’s taken out Gasquet, and now he’ll probably eliminate Novak in straight sets, and then what? He couldn’t pull a Lube, I don’t think, could he?

March 26th, 2010 at 4:25 pm

Sar- I actually like Nole a lot. I would be quite happy if he were to seriously challenge the Fed-Nadal hegemony. I think that when he’s on he has a very exciting game, and his personality is pretty funny. But I’m sick of the constant whinging and excuse making, and Ive noticed that lately he has taken to making excuses BEFORE tournaments even begin– seen these horrible quotes from him that just make my head shake. It is not the frame of mind of a champion.

March 26th, 2010 at 4:46 pm

Hi Jane and Co,

if any federer fans around, here’s a link with some “mini rogers” too!

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/26/photo-roger-federer-with-his-mini-mes/

all the best

March 26th, 2010 at 5:24 pm

TV, did Novak say something before Miami? Just wondering as I haven’t read anything about him lately. I find him generally honest anyhow; if a player knows his game/form is sucking, he might say it. Some don’t. Some do. Before Dubai, Murray said that he hadn’t practiced in a while and didn’t expect to win. I don’t think he was making excuses, just being honest about where he thought his form was at. Maybe this is a bad idea, I don’t know.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:25 pm

TV, he needs to get back full time with Vajda. No tweaking of serves anymore with Todd! His serve his crap and so goes the rest of his game.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

madmax, hi – I can’t get that photo to open; my computer keeps acting weird. Nice that you got the star treatment in Germany : ) and yes one can spell focussing with one or two s’s; usually I use one.

sar – JJ served a bagel in the second set; she really does seem to have found her form hey? As for Novak, well, all I can report is that he’s 2 games from elimination.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

There back on the court after another rain delay. Nole just had a set point, but couldn’t convert. 5-5 in the 2nd set

March 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Hello people, I see rain suspend play again..what a day! Not a good rhythm for players. Not a great start for Novak either..he is 5-4 ahead at the moment, I think he will fight his way thru in this kind of match..the rain break does not help though!

March 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Hey guys! I’ve been out of town for a few days but I’m back now. Just in time to…scoreboard watch tennis until tomorrow – which is truly ashamed!!! What’s the use of having a “Tennis Channel” and they don’t pick up the entire tournament???? Instead, we have to watch reruns of Davis Cup matches; of the IW final; and other past matches? Thank goodness that Roger plays tomorrow so hopefully I’ll be able to SEE his match.

What’s up with Novak? I got on the scoreboard to see he lost the first set and they are on serve in the 2nd in a rain delay???? I know they say it takes time for someone ‘new’ to come and make a difference, but I’m with you guys – I don’t see what the heck Martin has ‘improved’ with Djokovic’s game since he’s been there.

Anyone know what the weather is going to be in Miami? Is it still raining? Is rain in the forecast for tomorrow?

March 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

Fot, a quick glance at the forecast looks like rain today, cloudy Sat & Sun, and rain again Monday.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:40 pm

NELTA, just saw they started again…Rochus serving to set the tie break.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Thanks Jane. Doesn’t look too good for tennis throughout then. You better hope your Novak get on the ball. He’s losing right now. Looks like they are going to a tiebreak.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:41 pm

this is very important tie break for both players

March 26th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

Rochus has won 6 more points in this set than novak.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:43 pm

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/26/photo-roger-federer-with-his-mini-mes/

try again Jane!

March 26th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

JANE,

just tried it myself and it should be fine. good luck my friend. (I am glad you said you could use one ‘s’, I was having a “discussion” with a friend from work, who swore blind that it was a double s! I knew I was right! hahaha! thanks for vote of confidence.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Can we watch on-line match? Is there a video stream?

March 26th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Novak with a mini break in this tie break

March 26th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

3 set points, thats why he is world number two..he will scrape thru this set

March 26th, 2010 at 5:50 pm

Not so fast Kimmi. Rocus is putting up a fight (seems like, since I can’t watch it)

March 26th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

Fot: hmmmm, what to do? Even if he scrapes through this match, it doesn’t buoy my spirits that much. Maybe sar is correct and he needs to get back with Vajda full time. In the late Fall last year, when Vajda was traveling with him – Bejing (won), Shanghai (semis), Basel (won) and Paris (won) – he was serving somewhat better. And then when Todd was with him at USO, WTF, AO, IW and now here, he didn’t do as well imo. It does seem to be a pattern. Oh well, let’s see what evolves. Oy – he just double faulted on set point. GOOD GOD! Desperately trying to hope for the best – come on Nole!!! Get it together.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

oh..no DF on match point on his serve.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

another set point for nole

March 26th, 2010 at 5:53 pm

WOW! sooo close..

March 26th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

Hi Jane,

It was 5-4 Nole in the 2nd when they came back from the rain delay. He had 1 set point in that game, but couldn’t convert. Now in a tiebreak. He was up 6-3 in the breaker. Now it is 6 all. That’s 4 set points and no conversion. Rochus is 2 points from the match. Another set point lost by Nole at 7-6. 8-7 Nole in breaker. Can he get the set? YESSSS!!! Going to a 3rd set

March 26th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Well Novak lives to see the 3rd set. Now he really should put this match away.

March 26th, 2010 at 5:55 pm

Yeah..he got the set..what nail biting tie break! we have third set..I don’t know if Rochus can keep it up, he might get too dissapointed, let hope he can :)

March 26th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

hello people!

just home from outta town business.

hey, what is the matter, why is nole having difficulty w/ olivier?

does anyone here happen to be lucky or unlucky enough to be watching more than livescrore?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:00 pm

Jane how are you watching?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:01 pm

madmax! GTT link…adorable.

steve-

youtube w/ davy v rafa in dohahahahaaa….so funny! thanks

March 26th, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Novak had 0-40 on this first game of third set..rochus took it back to duece and adv Rochus and game Rochus. opportunity went begging for Novak there..he could have had an early lead..anyways, the third set is still young!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Not on TV for me, only the scoreboard

March 26th, 2010 at 6:03 pm

me too score board only..hello conty! nail biting match (tiebreaker) for Rochus v Nole but nole fights to see third set!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:04 pm

Kimmi-

how are you watching?..adhte, channelsurfing, tennistv.com…none are offering a stream. best i can do is wait till tomorrow.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:05 pm

Todd has Novak practicing serving from a kneeling position. What BS. HOPEFULLY I will be proved wrong.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm

0-40 for Rochus now..can nole scrape out of it too..no he doesn’t, he hands the break to Rochus with a DF..oh dear!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm

jane/maxi:

You guys are confusing me with your spelling!

Re: Focussing or focussed, isn’t it the British way (at least I remember that from my Brit school days) for those and similar words, who double the consonant? The Americans use one ‘S’ (no wonder I love the Americans, they make things simpler, no fuss, no muss, LOL) but the British always use two *S’*. I’m surprised that you being Canadian, and they follow the British System of Education, A levels et al, use only one ‘S’. That said, Maxi, I think your friend is RIGHT, because you’d certainly receive a spelling demerit for an English school paper.

Perhaps the pedantic Colin, (I love and admire his attention to detail) could shed more light on this. But, to reiterate, from my British schooling the *S* is always doubled.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:06 pm

ah…so. you too Kimmi. your play by play was so detailed i thought you had a stream!

wow….staring at livescore now. willing on djoko. AJDE!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Ooops… Novak just got broken.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

No livestreaming anyplace.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Hi gordon, long time no see. I am not watching. I don’t think there is any streaming as I checked around, so am just following scores and stats. Nole off to an awful start to the third set after squeaking through the tiebreak. Ugh-ly.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

wtf? rochus alredy up a set in the decider?

deja -cliche-vu

March 26th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Typical of Nole’s recent matches. They’re all emotional roller coasters.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

conty..haha “my play by play was detailed” hahah again..I can see the DF on the score board you know!!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Novak breaks back..

March 26th, 2010 at 6:12 pm

“That said, Maxi, I think your friend is RIGHT, because you’d certainly receive a spelling demerit for an English school paper”.

Hi Von,

Just thought I’d let you know, I am an English Teacher. So I think that I should know – I faltered a bit, when my HOD said he had always spelt it with a double “S”. I know also that Jane is an English Teacher (more experienced than me, hence my question to her). I had always spelt focused/focus with ONE ‘s’, and always look up to Jane, so thought if anyone should know it would be her.

Seriously though, thanks for the input – I like to get things right. So looked it up, and Jane is correct (so knock on effect is, I am too!), that you can spell it either way.

(Sorry everyone, a quick chat on the semantics of the beautiful English Language!).

Back to tennis.

No. Cannot get a livestream anywhere! Ugh!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

LOL Kimmi, you’re good.

Ljub said in his presser at IW that if he didn’t take out Novak, the next guy would. Looks like it today too.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

meanwhile sam querrey up a set against Chardy and Blake finds it much easier today :)

March 26th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

As Kimmi said Nole had 0-40 in 1st game of 3rd set and couldn’t break. Then he lost his next service game. Now he just broke back after a multiple deuce game.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:13 pm

djoko will NOT lose to olivier.

yes, i know he has been called the diminutive version, tennis-style, mini-me of federer

use your height advantage and every other advantage, novak!

whew! broke back…ajde! HOLD now.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:14 pm

I am amazed at the Woz/Pironkova match going on. JJ flew through and Jie Zheng out.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:15 pm

it was relatively detailed…comparatively, okay.

blind play by play is tricky…Kimmi

March 26th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

My OED doesn’t list “focussing” as Brit (and Canadian) as it does for spellings like “favour” or “neighbour”. It could be though that it was Brit and now the spelling of it is phasing to 1 “s” as the more common spelling? Not sure.

———————————————–

Novak just hit double fault #8; two break points for Rochus to get his lead back. Ugly and uglier. Sigh.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

oh NO! 2 break points for ollie

March 26th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

next break point !?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

i break point saved *sigh*

March 26th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

what is wrong with Novak?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:19 pm

another DF novak to start this 4th game, then 15-40..two break points for Rochus..Novak serves one, second serve on another.. he is broken again..oh no, not looking good for Novak!

Can Rochus capitalize on this second break?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:20 pm

hahahaaaa

sheeesh…make that break point NOT saved by nole.

I was watching the querry match…looking at their stats.

bad, very bad, nole

March 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm

hey madmax – What level do you teach?

contador – you should know by now not to bet on Novak!! He will not win today. I can’t see it. But if he does, I could see him losing in a rout next round. Oh lord he’s making it SO tough to watch -even the scores- lately.

When is Murray playing!? Or Rafa? Doesn’t he play today?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:21 pm

this can be a chance to break back

March 26th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Jane,

trust me on this one. You can spell it with one s or two. It’s a style thing. I have always spelt it with one s, my boss, with 2 ‘s’s. Have checked my “major” notes – it’s either way. no worries.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Nole’s serve is breaking down. 20% 1st serves in 3rd set and 3 double faults already.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:22 pm

Jane,

I teach up to A level.

So in UK, teach from year 7 through to year 13 (aged 9 years old to 18 plus.
Have you read the Book Thief from Marcus Zusack? If you havent, you MUST. let me know.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:24 pm

Rochus can’t close the game, first game point went begging! hahah Adv Novak, Duece, this time another game point Rochus, and he capitalize!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:24 pm

it’s over. On to clay.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:25 pm

NELTA: “Nole’s serve is breaking down” – lol – Nole’s serve has been broken for a while! Needs help, doctor, mechanic, anything!

I trust you madmax. And as I say, usually the OED specifies “Brit” behind an alternate spelling.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:26 pm

If this Pironkova can hold her nerve she might get a huge scalp.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:27 pm

Oh madmax, does that mean you have to deal with students’ parents, you poor thing? That’s one of the reasons I chose college! I haven’t read “The Book Thief” no, but I have read lots about it. Maybe I’ll read it over summer break.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:29 pm

madmax,
you not speaking to me? i had to go to the state capitol-Boise..lol..there and back in an overnight frenzy. forgive me, my friend. have to get caught up, okay.

nole…Jane

appears he has dug himself a hole. un-freaking-believably disappointing : (

livescore hardly gives the whole story. the miami website is awful. not “as it happens” no radio offered. they need to take muti-media lessons from how the French, Russians….European atp coverage is done, even of a 250 series tourny. such a lack!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:30 pm

This match is not over UNTIL “the fat lady sings”..is that how they say it..Novak needs to hold here he will give himself a chance..there is always time for Rochus to choke!

Novak looking good in this game 40-15, ooops 40-30, oh no DUECE, come one Novak hold!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:30 pm

This Errani gave JJ such fits last week is doing well against Kleybs.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:30 pm

plural of focus = foci! (love the power of THE WORD!).

Alternative spellings

focused or focussed
[edit] Adjective

focussed (comparative more focussed, superlative most focussed)

(British) Alternative spelling of focused.

(British) Simple past tense and past participle of focus.

Usage notes

The spelling ‘focused’ is much more common generally; however, the spelling ‘focussed’ is sometimes used in the UK and Canada, and is especially common in Australia.

Yes Jane, Parents and Parents evenings. Ugh.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:35 pm

adv Novak..he can hold now! back to DUECE again, Adv Novak again, long game this one..could turn out to be very important..DUECE again. C’mon Novak! Adv Rochus..oh No.. duece again..important game this is..Adv Novak..and he hold.

That game could change this match..we will see!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:36 pm

uh boy.

now trying not to watch nole’s demise

meanwhile- chardy with a slim chance to take the match to a decider with sam and no doubt his legions of samurai sam’s there cheering him on.

focus , jeremy.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:37 pm

contador, am sending you a lot of love through the airwaves here, sorry, only just seen your post. Sometimes I post and then I dont see the post before. I hope you are well and doing okay – I have missed tennis.x very much, even being in Germany for a couple of days. It’s a part of my life now!

Jane, The Book Thief is a MUST – you wont regret it!

And this one as well:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon (Winner of the Whitbread book of the year) (5 years ago now), but it’s outstanding! He was longlisted for the Man booker prize. It is an absolute MUST.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:39 pm

easy game for Rochus, looks like he was not shaken bu that looong game! he hold to love 5-2

March 26th, 2010 at 6:39 pm

What’s with Blake now?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:40 pm

Double fault #10 for Novak. Sheesh.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:42 pm

chardy with a chance to serve for the 2nd set.

bellucci up a brake on blake. technically in the ranks, the handsome bellucci is higher ranked than blake , isn’t he? bellucci a known clay-courter? i don’t know. i hope blake can win this.

chardy made it! taking sam to a 3rd.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Novak serving to stay in this match, he starts well but DF to make 15 all, 30-15, doing well 40-15 and Holds easily to make Rochus serve for it.

Choke time now!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:43 pm

I know this is completely random, but I have just seen my FIRST ostrich egg! It’s huge! and takes 1 and a half hours to boil! Can you believe that?

(Sorry, I just cannot get livescores/streams – so jonathan ross on TV in UK, and the ostrich egg is huge!

can anyone give me an update on Novak please?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:44 pm

kimmi, what’s happening?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:45 pm

contador, “un-freaking-believably disappointing” – indeed. It’s over for Djoko in Miami; on to clay, as sar said above. But: do more of these difficult matches await there? 10 doubles today! Egads, can hardly stand the thought.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:45 pm

Look out for Polona Hercog to make a big move up the rankings this year. Great serve, great forhand and she can even score at the net. She is a player with great potential and she is cool enough to make some big upsets in big tournaments.
She is a potential top 10 player and I think she will be there within the next 2 years.
Maby she can make a big splash at the Miami open already.

Hartmut Hesse
Professional Tennis Training and Coaching

March 26th, 2010 at 6:45 pm

ajde!
sorry ollie-please- i’s choking time for you.

2 break points novak.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:46 pm

Choke time I say

0-15 oh no, first point is always important
15-15 Not bad he gets one
15-30 danger
15-40 this is real danger now

There Nole breaks, we are back on serve

March 26th, 2010 at 6:46 pm

hahaha-

nole is going to win this-Kimmi.

fat lady has her lips sealed, tongue-tied, cat got her tongue. AJDE!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:48 pm

Kimmi, lol. I already gave up on him. Maybe Phoenix will rise.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:48 pm

contador, i hope u r right

March 26th, 2010 at 6:50 pm

Nole on cruise control in this game
15-0
maybe not
15-15
Doing OK
30-15
Oh no DF # 11
30-30
danger time now (the score is frozen or what to long a point)

March 26th, 2010 at 6:52 pm

11 doubles – he is NOT going to win it. I cannot see it. Second serve 30 all – here comes match point for Rochus.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:52 pm

who is gagging now.

DF for nole. he coulda shoulda had that hold before he gifted ollie to 30-30

March 26th, 2010 at 6:52 pm

match point ollie

March 26th, 2010 at 6:52 pm

OK..match point Rochus Oh noo score board frozen again?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:53 pm

Nole out :(

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

go home nole

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

Novak did not deserve to win that match. The better player won and Novak needs to do some serious thinking.

Meanwhile, what happened to Blake in the second set? Anyone know? And Sam in his? I guess both Chardy and Bellucci can be tough. I hope Blake for sure comes through.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

6 double faults for Nole in the final set, 11 for the match. Ouch!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

One week now to get used to clay and get rid of Todd.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

and the fat lady is singing. winner: rochus

how sick is that?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:54 pm

Rochus WON….

Sorry Novak fans..congrats Rochus what a roller coaster of a match!

Novak back on the drawing board I guess..that serve is costing him big time now. he was the finalist here, so he lost a lot of points!

Good luck on the clay season!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:56 pm

*sigh* nole. what is wrong. no focus? not serious enough? what.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:56 pm

I hope he takes this week, goes home to MC and practices serves with Vajda.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Todd should be fired

March 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Well Rochus deserved his win. Djoko can’t expect to grind out the wins with a crap serve. Really, it’s surprising the match lasted as long as it did.

March 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Are the matches being video streamed anywhere?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Belluccciiiiii!..I love belluci.sorry blake. I am happy he is trying to turn this around. Do ot kid!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:58 pm

Voicemale..No streaming, everybody here is on the score board

March 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Wow, Novak lost. I hope these “upsets” are not ‘catching’!

March 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

that has got to be THE most bizarre livescore for nole EVER. I tell you what he needs, DURO needs to come back – then everything will be fine with novak again!

Novak fans, WHY did he employ Todd Martin and WHY isnt his coach back home with him, to cheer him on, moral support, all of that? I know players have different coaches for different seasons. hard/clay/grass etc, but obviously something isnt working right.

does anyone think he is thinking of his ranking too much now on court?

March 26th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Chardy is beating Querrey..Querrey got him last week in IW..i guess Chardy has revenge on mind!

March 26th, 2010 at 7:00 pm

OK thanks Kimmi

March 26th, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Not being funny or anything, but do you think Novak is more ‘comfortable’ being #3 rather than #2? Every since he got the #2 ranking, he really hasn’t played well at all.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

okay. on to clay season. turn the page; march over. olivier? what can i say but congratulations. he beat world #2.

chardy is easy on the eyes, when i have a stream.

he held the break on sam and now has 3 break points. he made it.

5-2 chardy, 3rd set. sam must be sluggish?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:03 pm

Djoko can’t expect to grind out the wins with a *crap* serve.

Jane, you sound like me now.ROFLMAO

March 26th, 2010 at 7:03 pm

Sad for Nole : /

Yes, it looks like Sam is going out too, to Chardy.

Kimmi, do you know when Murray plays or Rafa?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

nole doesn’t want to disappoint fed. fed will save his lead to break sampras’ record. yep. oh ya.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

HA! chardy wins.

*grins*

March 26th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

jane. Murray plays tomorrow I hope (bottom half today, top half tomorrow – now with rain delay i don’t know) Rafa plays on this court today after Clisters match which is next.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:08 pm

unbelievable 2nd round of tennis! Still March madness. What is going on?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:08 pm

Where is Novak’s serve from 2007? Every tie-break was his! Today he can’t win break point, can’t serve… What is wrong with him?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:08 pm

No Fot – nothing to do with that. More to do with Martin, I suspect. I mentioned the pattern in my post to you at 5:52.

sar – Martin has Nole practicing his serve on his knees? OMG? Sounds strange. He’s been brought to his knees because of his serve. Egads again.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:08 pm

rafa is up next vs dent…..LOL

what a crime, not having a stream on these matches. for shame!

March 26th, 2010 at 7:09 pm

Thanks Kimmi, for the update on the matches/times.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:10 pm

If Nole doesn’t fire Todd Martin, then he is brain dead.

Too bad, even if Nadal wins, Djoko will still be No.2. He needs to be kicked out of there…that may spur him on a bit.

What a waste of talent…

March 26th, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Jane-

is there a “youtube” showing that method? the kneeling one?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:11 pm

If Nole doesn’t fire Todd Martin, then he is brain dead.

Too bad, even if Nadal wins, Djoko will still be No.2. He needs to be kicked out of there…that may spur him on a bit.

What a waste of talent..

March 26th, 2010 at 7:11 pm

Jane..Its Rafa next, so clijsters match must have been moved…the schedule disarray

March 26th, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Well, look at the bright side…Nole will have more time to practice on the clay so he’ll be ready for the clay season before everyone else.

Congrats to Rochus! Nole better work on that serve, but I don’t know what serving from your knees does for it? Strange things coming out of the Novak camp.

Blake, as usual, is giving me a headache! Winning the first set easily….losing the 2nd set easily…in a tight 3rd set.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:13 pm

Do we know why Vajda is not traveling with him any more?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:14 pm

fot, re; blake, he is got a tough opponent, belluci can be pretty good.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

matches junkies are missing today; not to mention all the ones already missed:

nadal
nalbandian
isner
tsonga
ljubie
henin v dementieva

ilya marchenko v robredo (the young russian is one to watch)

.. and the kicker

roddick v andreev

March 26th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

good night everyone. see you tomorrow.

ollyK, i know you are sad right now, but things happen for a reason. Not Nole’s day, so dont dwell on it for too long. He was doing an exhibition match with Ann Ivano…and Mel C and Jean Paul yesterday? WTF? – He needs to focus right now. His head isnt in the right place.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Kimmie, I know…but I want Blake to come through in that one but he’s having a hard time in the 3rd. It just seems so weird that none of us can actually WATCH any of these matches. I mean, if the tournament started on a Wednesday, then we should have had access to television coverage on a Wednesday – NOT starting on a Saturday!!!!! What bright executive made this rule?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Kimmi-

livescore says-

nadal v dent is underway, as is cljisters match

March 26th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Er, contador, I don’t know much about the “kneeling” method; sar mentioned it in a post above. But I too would like to see this with my own eyes – yikes!!

Kimmi – okay, will have to follow Rafa then.

Fot – he still needs a serve. I think he needs to re-think this Martin relationship; it ain’t working. No one else in Novak’s camp ever had him practicing serves on his knees, to my knowledge anyhow. Now this knee thing – we still need to see some shots of it!

So I found this – maybe this is what sar meant:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=318902

March 26th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/23/video-ana-ivanovic-and-novak-djokovic-in-glam-set-match/

March 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Fot-

it’s really stupid; the coverage, that is.

later madmax *cyber-hugs*

March 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

contador, they move my Clijsters :( She is cruising anyways..so no drama there!

Nadal v Dent…

March 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

I don’t think Novak’s problem with the serve is in his legs. I think it’s in his ARMS!?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

gordon, I think when he initially talked with Martin, the idea was that Martin would be around for North American events, and maybe slams (?), and Vajda would be at the Eurpoean tournies.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:22 pm

fot, I just like Bellucci more thats all…but you are right blake should concentrate.

Go bellucci!

March 26th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=318902

This is the problem!! ~ >: O

March 26th, 2010 at 7:24 pm

Bellucci is one game away Kimmi..looks like he’ll more on through. (unfortunately for my Blake)…but my MAIN man will be playing tomorrow.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

Looks like Blake is not going to pull though. Bummer. But Rafa is already up a break.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:31 pm

match point bellucci yeah baby!

March 26th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

Jane, I don’t think Rafa will have too much trouble with Dent.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:33 pm

He wins..Congrats bellicci, big win for him..hope this is the start of more good things!

Nadal break..and dent has a break back point

March 26th, 2010 at 7:35 pm

rafa will absolutely TROUNCE dent,

what? i simply went for something to eat and blake lost.

congrats to bellucci, though

rafa is my overall pick; not with my heart but with my objective thinking cap, so to speak. okay.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:40 pm

when novak was playing well a couple of years ago, his attitude was so off putting. now that he’s not nearly as ingratiating, his playing stinks. maybe he’s got to go back to the chip on the shoulder attitude? somethings got to give…losing to rochus?

March 26th, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Jane,

Sorry about Nole. Thanks for the link. I cannot believe what I saw, getting Nole on his knees serving, for what purpose? Oh man that was sick…..last time I saw that was an instructor trying to teach “wrist snap” to a 3.0 player. Sorry Todd, just keepin it real.

Nole pleeeeeaseee give Sampras a call!

Do Not answer the phone from TM!

March 26th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

Skeeze – thanks for the commiserations guy. : / I hope Nole finds someone to help him who doesn’t make him get on his knees to serve. Sigh.

March 26th, 2010 at 7:50 pm

Nalbandian on the court with troicky! now this is a match to get me excited..C’mooon nalby

March 26th, 2010 at 7:50 pm

i watched the “head” adds. nole is so entertaining, smart, charming, gracious on court.

andrea- you have a point, possibly. the grouchy, aloof djoko , could be more focused.

or, it’s the girlfriend? quite a nice distraction. is tennis less important at the moment?

the “kneeling method” of practicing serves? can someone shed some light on the truth of it and why? strange, almost..sadistic or at least …confusing.

set point rafa-1st set

nalby and troiki starting

missing some great tennis

March 26th, 2010 at 7:51 pm

oh okay. Jane- on one knee serve practice. m-kay. i read some of the comments. i dunno.

Kimmi-

yeah, nalby/troiki

after that one-GGL v tsonga

March 26th, 2010 at 7:56 pm

Dent is serving at 39%. He couldn’t even beat anyone with those numbers, much less Rafa! lol! Yes, I expect 2 quick, easy sets for Rafa in this one.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:01 pm

Nalbandian c’mooooon pleasssse!

Clijsters no sweat 6-1 6-1…but the he strggles with top plays..Kim get your USO09 confidence OK?

March 26th, 2010 at 8:04 pm

fot, I agree. You need a serve to beat Rafa..see ljubicic

March 26th, 2010 at 8:05 pm

I see Dent breaks back in this set..maybe he will start to serve better~

March 26th, 2010 at 8:09 pm

dent broke. back on serve but for how long?

dying to know what rafa is wearing. maybe a jumpsuit next? lycra?

March 26th, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Rafa breaks straight back! vamos!
meanwhile Nalby on serve with Troicky..make something happen Nalby

March 26th, 2010 at 8:13 pm

me too, me too conty. WHAT IS RAFA WEARING?

March 26th, 2010 at 8:14 pm

Someone from another forum said Rafa had on yellow and the ‘dreaded’ pants have been ‘retired’.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:15 pm

C’mon Nalby 3 break points went begging already..duece again aaaarg!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

Fot, “yellow” hmmm! very bright but should suit rafa! i hope….Nike are experimenting with Rafa a lot.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:26 pm

YES, nalby breaks..way to go. Now hold!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:27 pm

Easy peasey for Rafa! Good for him. Now I see Nalby is up a break so we may get to see a Nalby Rafa match; that’d be cool.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:27 pm

vamos Rafa 6-4 6-3..not spending too much energy, way to go!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:28 pm

fashion forward lycra shortie-one piece, like some track stars wear.

easy 2 sets for rafa.

sadly, Kimmi- : (

i watched several youtube videos; interviews with Ernests Gulbis. *shaking head* uh, boy. i best break-up with EG for good and move on.

saw “shutter island.” read someone here on tx, i think margot, saying how well-scripted it is. true, and love leo di caprio. but my friend and i left needing a drink…it’s a sad, dark story, though well-done.

to get happy now, think i’ll throw in vicki-christina-barcelona. love, love that javier bardem and penelope cruz. woody allen written and directed. cutesy and light.

YAY! nalby broke…let’s go! ( sorry troiki fans )

March 26th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

contador, careful re: the Rafa jumpsuit jokes, we have yet to see Fed’s Wimbledon outfit this year. LOL. Just kiddin. But that “suit” and bag last year were too much. And they are both Nike boys too.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

conty – Love Vicki-Christina-Barcelona; the music, the clothes and the acting – it’s all good. One must have red wine with it, no?

March 26th, 2010 at 8:33 pm

really, i am getting excited, is nalby playing very well or is troicky bad..ok kimmi calm down..not too fast, nalby can’t be back to his best YET…here is hoping ! :)

Conty..maybe I will look for that movie too..now you got me thinking!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:36 pm

I have always known that TM was a miserable choice. When he hired him, Nole was ranked 3 in the world, which is higher than TM’s best ever rank! And what part of his game was he ever known for, really?

I’m sticking with my Muzza-employed double agent theory.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:36 pm

jane lol @8:31pm..

March 26th, 2010 at 8:37 pm

“I’m sticking with my Muzza-employed double agent theory”

Stu, I missed the “theory”, care to share?

March 26th, 2010 at 8:38 pm

“Contador,
saw “shutter island.” read someone here on tx, i think margot, saying how well-scripted it is. true, and love leo di caprio. but my friend and i left needing a drink…it’s a sad, dark story, though well-done”

Agreed..Freaky…but I really have liked Leanardo’s acting the last few years…intense!

Jane,

Another good movie, I for sure wanted to be the guy in that one, lol….ok..ok I’m a guy :). My name is…Juan Antonio

March 26th, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Ljubo is on court, playing his first match since that big win. he is riding high on confidence at the mo. Lets see how he fares up here!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:41 pm

Kimmi – I am curious to see how Ljub makes out here; I wonder if he can carry the momentum. And yeah, nice to “see” Nalby doing well, but it’s so hard to know with no streaming.

Skeeze – ” I for sure wanted to be the guy in that one, lol….ok..ok I’m a guy” – No doubt! I can understand. A lot of lovely ladies. That and Javier isn’t too shabby for us ladies. ; ) Lots of eye candy in that movie.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:45 pm

Contador, I remember you mentioned marchenko guy..that he is good! he is a break up against robredo in the third set…Don’t know the guy. Will have to check him out!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

Hey Kimmi..just kidding about the Muzz having hired TM to mess with Nole’s game. Nole could just have been flattered to get the attention of an American. I can’t think of any other reason he would hire TM.

Contador – ever since your Chardy comments, I’ve decided that we have the same taste in men. You’d better stay away from my city lady!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

:( nalbandian back to reality. he had like 10 break chances only converted ONE..now he is broken Sheesh, wake up nalby!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

rafa can wear anything. doesn’t matter.

fed will forever get crap for whatever he wears at wimbles. i like the 2003-2004 ponytail federer best.

and yes, a glass or two of..well, an italian red, or whatever i have but already made the spicy arrabiata sauce for the penne. i love the soundtrack too, the spanish guitar throughout the the entire movie…mmm

what in the world is madmax talking about? osterich eggs! she been watching “top chef?”

livescore looks like 3 sets for nalby and troiki. i heard nalby was packing some poundage. maybe needs more time to get in shape.

big holes in the draw without JMDP and davy.

March 26th, 2010 at 8:51 pm

stu, aha! I get it. No worries mate! thinking about it.. Muzza could do just that..they are rivarls you see..he needs to do well here to get closer to Novak, he is been slacking up a lot recently!

March 26th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Demantieva V Henin just started. wish I could see this match :(

Love both players but would like to see Henin advance..c’moon henin

March 26th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

no, no stu. i think we’d have fun, no?

and yes we have the same taste, it seems.

but i am all done with EG, though i love the accent, smile, curly hair, and….sometimes his tennis. but the new youtube interview vids…his tennis philosophy is pretty pathetic and what a waste of talent. confirmed though: Erno is practicing w/gumy in argentina, preparing for monte-carlo, i imagine.

livescore appears nalby is napping-2nd set- Kimmi…or pacing himself? he’ll rest up for the third? who knows.

i like troiki too. it’s a habit, cheering for nalbandian

March 26th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

oh yeah, Kimmi-

ilya marchenko- have to look him up again. last fall he still had no picture on atp site but he did fairly well in st. petersburg and/or moscow. starhovsky was impressive too at the time.

but marchenko is young, kinda goofy looking tennis style but that may be changing.

yes , i thought ilya might have a shot against a tired robredo.

go ilya!

z-ball is still in the draw , i think….looking that one up.

March 26th, 2010 at 9:06 pm

The Ljuber’s back on court. I bet he’ll lose R1 after all the excitement last week. Of course I hope not…

I got all my picks wrong today…except Jeremy Chardy :D

Now watching the EG videos that Contador mentioned..

March 26th, 2010 at 9:08 pm

Contador,

“and yes, a glass or two of..well, an italian red, or whatever i have but already made the spicy arrabiata sauce for the penne. i love the soundtrack too, the spanish guitar throughout the the entire movie…mmm”

Wow, Romance up here and Tennis. My two Favs…the best! I’m all in……..:)

March 26th, 2010 at 9:09 pm

conty! marchenko seem young indeed, he was ahead TWICE in this third set and blew it!

nalby back on serve in this second set..c’moon nalby no sleeping OK?

meanwhile, henin/ demantieva still on serve..c’mon Henin..tough draw this is!

March 26th, 2010 at 9:11 pm

“what in the world is madmax talking about? osterich eggs! she been watching “top chef?””

Contador – really laughed out loud at this one – ha ha ha!

Also, totally again on the 2003-4 long hair and beads Fed. More just laid back, like he seems to be generally.

March 26th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

aaargh contador remember federer killer beneteau.. just lost to Stakhovsky! mmmh!

March 26th, 2010 at 9:21 pm

Justine breaks..yeah baby..now hold!

March 26th, 2010 at 9:24 pm

yes…loving that stakhovsy. Kimmi. anyone who beats the evil benny. : )

Jane/ skeezerweezer, lolzzz! remember the shallow charles guy “christina” is set-up w/ on the sailboat? just my type: life ambition is to snorkel the rest of his life..hahahaa

they are flying off to the “charming little spanish town.” oh soo romantic….who could refuse? so which female character do you relate to most, Jane? joking….no answers desired, but it makes one wonder…suppose the worst fate would be the penelope haracter. Juan Antonio= skeezerweezer? or Doug? don’t answer. better off being the “doug” type-likely.

Nalby has come to life, i see, maybe? yeah the young russian at least got a set.

drama on livescore. watching the eggs boil.

March 26th, 2010 at 9:51 pm

Kimmi,

Glad to see your cheering on Justine along with some other posters. Great player, and like Fed said how many one handed BH players are there?. And she swings at it sweet. She is good for the game, and brings some competition into the Williams world, and for the women’s game all around, a big plus. Glad to see her tiny butt kickin tennis game back! Hope she get’s to top form soon!

March 26th, 2010 at 9:56 pm

drama indeed conty. Russell is giving Isner a match..a lot of diece game on isner serve..what is happening to Isner serve! suprise!

Meanwhile, nalby please hold and take the match please. this third set still too close for my liking!

henin no match for demantieva..again..anyways early days yet!

March 26th, 2010 at 9:58 pm

skeezer, exactly! i am very happy Clijsters and henin came back. Especially henin, so much talent and at least somebody with variety. Great to watch when she is on..I too hope she gets back to the top quicky..and win wimbledon..yes you can henin.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:01 pm

Whoa, the Ljubster retired – I mean from the match. LOL. He must’ve partied too hard.

contador – Oh bits of me can relate to all the female characters: the murderess-type, the just-go-for-it type, and the play-it-safe type. All the girls have their strong points. But I am a brunette through and through – might play with red or black but no blonde locks for me. : )

Hold on Nalby.

Interesting to see how well Russell did against Big John in the second set…

March 26th, 2010 at 10:02 pm

If nalbandian is broken here…c’moon. Hoooold!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:02 pm

oh no. ljubie retired. another casualty. added to nole

c’mon nalby! hang in, man.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:03 pm

woooooo jane, Ljubo retired..he was leading a set and a game on second set…wow! now it shows how tough for these players to bring on touramnet after tourny…he had a great run nonetheless..needs some R$R

March 26th, 2010 at 10:07 pm

Contador,

No, no no. I have to be “Juan Antonio”! Why? The name! My name is……Juan Antonio!! The name alone melts you, no?

But if I said my name is Doug, or Ralph ( Disclaimer: no offence to those names! )

Well?

My name is…….Juaan Annntonioo…..lol! :)

How about this? Juan Antonio here, rrreporting for WTF! Network….nah nevermind…I am getting out of line…time for another glass of that Italian wine……Shaaamoooon!

Sorry for the “Lame” post….we’re talking tennis right? Sorry I got carried away…..

In real news:

Nalby up a break in the third
Isner being pushed to a third in the early rounds…mini upset?
Ivan up a set on the BB man

And Rafa wins with a new set of clothes

March 26th, 2010 at 10:07 pm

“henin no match for demantieva..again..anyways early days yet!”

this should be the other way round!

henin..please..respect! no begal to demantieva, she is a sweet girl!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:11 pm

Anyone knows what was wrong with Ljubicic? I had a feeling he wasn’t going to do well here, but I certainly didn’t think about a ‘retirement’ or injury or something.

And yes, Jane…I can’t wait to see what Roger has on at Wimbledon! lol! I bet it will be something really ‘plain’ this year after all the hype he got last year (which, by the way – I’m one of the few who like it)! lol!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:13 pm

i definitely the conservative regarding romance…but i admire those like…oh, maybe stu and “christina”

hi stu. : )

how are you liking those Erno vids..not exactly on fire about tennis. right. think how different cilic, the same age is about tennis or JMDP. Erno is coming into his physical prime but..the words he uses, the slack attitude. amazing he is even at world #45.

maybe i am misunderstanding him. other huge natural talentsr have made top ten and major wins with slack attitudes, and a contempt for work and practice . i admit, i got bored and couldn’t get through all 5 interviews. i might have missed something important?

March 26th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Kimmi – I don’t think Ljub was leading was he? I am going to double check. Also, I noticed Dement had double faults galore; I thought she had improved on that problems. Oh well, good for Justine.

Woot Nalby! I don’t like his chances versus Rafa though if he is serving like that.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Nalby, yeah baby!

Even if you lose to Nadal..lose with some dignity!

Skeezer aka Juan antonio..Ivan has just retired!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

According to Live Score, Ivan won the first set 6-4 and was leading 1-0 in the 2nd, so you KNOW something must have been wrong with him to retire with him leading the match!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:17 pm

jane, i could have been seeing things..I swear I saw Ljubo leading..maybe not..and I am sober by the way! hahah

March 26th, 2010 at 10:17 pm

You’re right Kimmi – Ljub was winning; I had thought he was losing a set and down a game. I wonder why he retired? Hmmm…

March 26th, 2010 at 10:18 pm

thanks Fot..Phew!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:18 pm

p.s. I am sober too – a.t.m.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:18 pm

Justine got broken serving for the match…no no! Justine always problems serving out matches..i have seen it, over and over and it is happening again sheesh!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:20 pm

LOL jane! no worries mate

March 26th, 2010 at 10:21 pm

Wow, Lube retired? Geez, I hope he is ok. My hero since IW, lol!
He still should be really happy( if his injury is not serious ). 31 and a title win of what the players call “the 5th gs”. Pop a cold one Lube, watch the rest of the tourney and enjoy your IW win. Great run :)

March 26th, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Ok…ok…who is NOT sober?

March 26th, 2010 at 10:23 pm

hahahahaaaaa=

at your entire post!! 3/26 10:07 pm

thanks for that. LOL…

March 26th, 2010 at 10:24 pm

OK..henin winning the other way, breaking demantieva. Seriously though, she cannot serve for the match peacefully..always drama..too much drama! Fix that!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:28 pm

Kimmi

never underestimate guillermo garcia-lopez guillermo garcia…GGL

game on w/ jo-willi

GGL to win. in a spanish mood. (nothing wrong with tsonga!)

still waiting for the headliner-roddick v andreev

thanks to livescore.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:30 pm

livescore drama-

will michael russell choke? or will he be a giant killer?

March 26th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

aha G-Lopez took out Cilic in IW..I knew I would remember this name.

No way..No way he can cause 2 big upsets..Gooo Jo willi!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:35 pm

sober? sure, absolutely.

conty will not disappoint my fellow tennis junkies or embarrass self- talking in 3rd person, however…..lol…

isner and russel headed for tie-break, predicts cont. shhh

March 26th, 2010 at 10:37 pm

Tie break..I predict another giant killer to be born!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:42 pm

For you Rafa fans, here is his latest ‘outfit’

http://img231.imageshack.us/i/66853894.jpg/

March 26th, 2010 at 10:44 pm

aaaaah Fot,..plain please! what happen to just plain colours..Ok..not too bad, but I will make my judgement when I watch him play!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:48 pm

I’m not a fan of the checked pants, but it IS an improvement from last week (of course, anything would have been an improvement from last week) lol!

I see Russell is giving Isner a good match!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:50 pm

For Isner! cheers!

March 26th, 2010 at 10:51 pm

russell gave big john a good fight, apparently.: )

must click on link to see pants

March 26th, 2010 at 10:52 pm

Some people who attended the match said Novak got booed after he left the court when he lost. I think we’re going to have an interesting press conference coming up….

March 26th, 2010 at 10:53 pm

Novak really fought hard if not quite like a falcon and almost scraped it through but he was unlucky today. As they say he is still young barely 23. He will eventually fix his serve unlike other top players who usually cannot. For most players, serve is not something that you can fix in your mid career, but Novak is probably exceptional in that department to defy the conventional wisdom. Oh well, there is always something positive to take from a loss. It will give him more time to prep for clay season and hopefully he will rip most out of it when Vajda resumes his coaching in Europe.
Some young guns prevailed over the favorites today. Chardy, Stakhovsky, and Bellucci deserve credit. A couple of oldies like Robredo, Almagro and Nalbandian were able to deflect threats.
Rafa appears to be unstoppable and is on a mission to compensate his IW loss barring unforeseen physical ailment. By the FO he is likely to regain his No. 2.
Tennis has not looked this unpredictable for a long while and may continue this way all the way through Wimbledon. Hopefully this is happening for good. It may feel like the transitional period of 2000-2003, Roger is firmly holding the reign and there seems to be certain order when it comes to Slam.

March 26th, 2010 at 10:55 pm

booed. yeah, what’s up with that?

hey Fot-

i think it’s a good look on rafa. i like the yellow T, instead of a polo on rafa. the yellow print shorts are great- realy great compared to the grunge pants, so…vamos!

he’ll win miami. unless…

March 26th, 2010 at 10:59 pm

jane and Maxi, re focused/focussed. As far as I know, the preferred spelling in America is *focused* while *focussed* is the most commonly used in the UK. It becomes more technical with past participle, etc.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:04 pm

Skeezer: When you snooze, you lose. You disappeared yesterday, hence I made a date with blank. That’s the way the cookie crumbles, my friend. LOL

You enquired as to whether I’ve seen Roddick play. Yes, in 2003 when he won the US Open and a few other times at Flushing Meadows and Miami.
_________________
Olly: Thanks for the update on Djoko’s younger siblings. maybe marko is suffering from middle child syndrome, hence the jealousy.
_________________
Sar: Thanks for the update on Tursunov.

Sorry all Djoko fans, that was a tough loss, but these things happen.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:09 pm

You guys need to give Rafa a break on his outfit. I think he looks cute regardless of what he wears. The hot colours this year for women’s clothes is chocolate brown and pink, so at least Rafa’s not wearing those colours.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:11 pm

Todd and Novak. Novak better beg Vajda.

Look at this thread, post number 15.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=317103

March 26th, 2010 at 11:12 pm

sar, this is depressing. did you watch the video? he is making Novak question everything – his toss, his wrist movement, his follow thru…

anyway..the question is – do you think he will recover from the damage that these ill-advised (racquet, TM, schedule, ..) decisions have caused?

March 26th, 2010 at 11:18 pm

Sar: Isn’t Vajda still around in Djoko’s camp?

March 26th, 2010 at 11:18 pm

Yes but only in Europe and Asia. Todd in US and Canada.
Yikes, Vajda help!

March 26th, 2010 at 11:24 pm

I think he can recover if he lets Todd go and gets a good service coach. He got enough volley, drop shot advice from him and doesn’t need his serving advice. He needs to be like Roger…improve on strong points. He HAD a good enough serve but to completely try to change it is crazy.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:28 pm

Novak interview:
http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/News/Tennis/2010/Interview-Transcripts/Interview-Transcripts/Extra-Column/Novak-Djokovic-Second-Round.aspx

March 26th, 2010 at 11:33 pm

Roddick and Tsonga doing just what the dr ordered a.t.m.

BTW..now Ljubo and Djoko are out, the draw has opened up for Roddick…to the semi. Last week federer was out early, now Novak out early..all the way Roddick!

March 26th, 2010 at 11:38 pm

Oliver remarks:

Q. Did you notice anything different from Novak? His serve didn’t seem as penetrating. He’s pushing his backhand. Did you notice anything, like a shake of confidence in him at all?
OLIVIER ROCHUS: It’s tough to say. The thing of course that I saw, it was more his serve, that he was not serving as good as he normally does. Maybe not as powerful and not too many first serves as he can do.
Normally he’s doing a lot of aces when I play him, also, a lot of aces. Here less, so I think it was nice for me that he was not serving well today.
Because when he’s putting a lot of first serves, it’s even tougher. So I think it was more of this. I saw today his serve was not as good as normal

March 26th, 2010 at 11:38 pm

aww poor Nole. suddenly my anger melted away into empathy.

but “no comment” when asked about the jeers?

March 26th, 2010 at 11:42 pm

Kimmi: How’s/what’s Roddick doing? i’m scared to even look at the live scores. LOL.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:49 pm

I see Querrey getting to the QFs, unless Chardy or Blake/bellucci stops him. i doubt they’ll be able to do that though.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:53 pm

Sorry Von, but Querrey and Blake both lost already..

March 26th, 2010 at 11:56 pm

sar, stu, sad, I know what you mean. He sounds so ‘defeated’ not just by the match/loss but by everything, his struggles, probably the jeers etc. But he also sounds realistic, i.e., “it happens”, “he played better”, “I still had chances” and that he now has “more time to prepare for clay.” But still. : (

Von Querrey’s out; Chardy won. Roddick and Tsonga are keeping “order” on the court tonight!!

March 26th, 2010 at 11:57 pm

Roddick is serving for the match and has 2 match points.

And he wins 6-4 6-4

March 26th, 2010 at 11:58 pm

um, Von,

do you mean this tournament?

chardy just defeated querrey.

the good news is roddick is serving for match as is tsonga.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:58 pm

Tsonga..yeah baby. Contador, I am afraid no GGL

March 27th, 2010 at 12:01 am

Thanks stu and Jane for the updates.

OUCH for the Americans. So many of them lost today.

Then, it would be Chardy going through to the QFs beause I don’t think rochus or Gicquel cn stop him.

This tourney is taking some drastic turns along the winding road to the trophy.

March 27th, 2010 at 12:02 am

Lets hope not too many suprised tomorrow! federer, Murray, Cilil, soda pop, verdasco c’moon!

March 27th, 2010 at 12:05 am

i like olivier rochus and would trust what he is saying about nole’s serve, unfortunately.

no obstacles on roddick’s way to the quarters (barring the dark horse )

nadal v tsonga. tsonga’s chances against an in-form rafa? been done before but i doubt it this time.

roddick v rafa semi looking quite likely.

g’nite people.

at least there is more than livescore to watch tomorrow, yay.

March 27th, 2010 at 12:06 am

Goodnite conty and everybody else here. i agree, tomorrow watching tennis yay!

March 27th, 2010 at 12:09 am

Clean, easy wins for roddick, tsonga, rafa. Normal day at work for most of the tennis world..

jane, i don’t have much hope for the clay season either. Mainly because Nole, for all his talent, is not one to recover quickly from issues that get to his head. And this is clearly one of them. It will take a while, and when you bounce back Nole, for goodness sake try not to change a major component of your game….

March 27th, 2010 at 12:10 am

Wow, didn’t realize most of you were in the US! Good night, all.

March 27th, 2010 at 12:11 am

had to look over the order of play for tomorrow.

it’s a great day for tennis, Kimmi!

your guy hot sauce is on starting at 11 am
my soda pop after that….the federer killer, baghdatis plays @ the same time mr. dimples plays….better have 2 computers going!

muzza v fish
cilic v someone i must look up
horacio and gilles
birdie and de bakker (it matters) bird could get through to play RF, if RF makes it past Lapenti : )
anything can happen.

and of course next to last match is Federer’s and by that time will be out but…

see everybody in the morning! or evening, madmax.

March 27th, 2010 at 12:27 am

LOL Sam Querrey Twitter:

@samquerrey. florida sucks, i dont like it here

March 27th, 2010 at 12:37 am

Conty: I didn’t know Querrey had lost. Talk about living in the future1 I must be thinking about next year’s miami tourney.
_______________________
Sar:

Querrey sounds angry at Florida, and he didn’t even get munched on by one of the crocodiles. I wonder what he would think if that were to happen. Poor Sam.

March 27th, 2010 at 12:53 am

Good night everyone! Live tennis on television tomorrow! Yea!!!!

March 27th, 2010 at 1:25 am

Has any part of Djokovic’s game improved since hiring todd martin? He needs to find a new coach if things dont work out soon. And from the interview- the courts are even slower than indian wells… is there any fast court anymore?

von- sorry that roddick lost the iw final. i think/hope he’ll do well here though. he’s had good results in miami in recent years right?

March 27th, 2010 at 1:27 am

Nadal vs Nalby in the 3rd round? Should be a cracker!

March 27th, 2010 at 3:08 am

I went to sleep last night as I couldn’t stare at live scores thinking that it is going to be one more 3rd setter with Nole as a winner at the end, of course. He proved me wrong, obviously! So, it can be worse than it was during last few months..Thank you, Nole, for pointing that out. I’m pissed and would “kill” him right now. Agree ith Jane, I don’t care if he loses no2 spot, I just want to see him play like “falcon” not like “phoenix in an attempt”, . This is becoming unbearable…

Madmax, thanks. I know, but this time it’ll take me more time to get over…Loss in match against Ljubo was expected in some way, but this…I couldn’t even dream about it in my worst nighmare! Well, I think it is the hardest thing to be Novaks fan these days…

blah – NO! That’s the point! It gets even worse! I want Todd Martin out of his professional life for good. And that practicing on knees..jeeeez…I don’t know anything about coaching tennis, but was that neccesary?! FINALLY he is off to Europe and back to work with Vajda on his old service on HIS FEET I hope, and baseline game..

March 27th, 2010 at 3:20 am

Von Says:
jane and Maxi, re focused/focussed. As far as I know, the preferred spelling in America is *focused* while *focussed* is the most commonly used in the UK. It becomes more technical with past participle, etc.

March 26th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Von,

Like I said. (and I dont mean to be rude to you). I am an English Teacher, I majored in English, and whilst I appreciate your input here, I know that I am correct. I posted a full post way back here, on the history of the word and like you to accept it, if you dont mind? To summarise. It’s fine both ways. End of.

March 27th, 2010 at 4:00 am

Blah: Thanks for the commiserations on Roddick’s loss — it’s appreciated.

I’m sorry about Richard also, and I posted a comment to to you to that effect. However, I can’t remember on which thread. I would have loved to see Rich play again. For a while, he seemed as though he was back, but now it appears that he’s only winning sporadically. Don’t worry, he’ll get there eventually.

_________________
margot: My apologies. I made a boo-boo. You enquired as to whether I’ve ever seen Andy R. play, and I addressed my answer to Skeezer instead. The answer: Yes, several times. I was there at the USO in 2003 to watch him lift the trophy, and have watched him play there several times, as I lived a few miles from Flushing Meadows. I’ve also seen him play in Miami. I was planning to be at the Miami tourney next week, but I got my dates messed up, and will be there the week after.
__________________
Maxi: my apologies for poking my nose where it doesn’t belong. However, I still hold true to what I stated earlier — we’re talking usage in two countries. FYI, just because someone is an English teacher does not make them the absolute authority on the English language. I’ve encountered some English majors who could benefit from some revised courses. End of.

March 27th, 2010 at 5:03 am

yeah well you know what Von, the fact that you want to degrade what I am and how long I studied says it all about you. I really couldnt give a toffee about what you think of me – i know that already. and yes. you are right. you did poke your nose in because of course, you are the authority on everything.

By the way von, not wishing to sound arrogant or anything, but you will be aware (am sure), that canada is a commonwealth country, queen head of state, etc. and so our UK law is also applicable in Canada? How do I know this? well, i have a double first in Law too. just sayin’

March 27th, 2010 at 6:54 am

oh, these posts splitting when i was typing away.

Von, you might want to have a word with the English Universities over here, you might of course be able to teach them a thing or two about semantics of the English Language. You seem such an expert to me.

I find you incredibly dismissive Von. When people study hard to major in subjects of interest, you shouldnt really try to do ’em down, know what I’m saying?

I may be misjudging you but you just dont like to be wrong do you? Ah well. you cant teach an old dog new tricks I suppose.

March 27th, 2010 at 6:58 am

Maxi: I said end of, and that’s how it will be. Mea culpa for geting into something that I shouldn’t have. You seem to think that you know me more than I know myself, how very complacent. Anyway, case closed…….

March 27th, 2010 at 7:57 am

you are full of psycho babble claptrap von, case closed because you say so? yeah. okay von. anything you say.

March 27th, 2010 at 8:37 am

“birdie and de bakker (it matters) bird could get through to play RF, if RF makes it past Lapenti : )
anything can happen.

contador, i know what you mean, berdy brings his best FH when playing fed, and this is best of three not best of five

..but there is montanes/serra first before berdych you know…

ahh he needs a good run here, lets hope he does that

March 27th, 2010 at 9:25 am

I liked Djokovic when he was just starting. I thought he was very good and he was so much fun to watch. He looked like he was enjoying playing tennis. He has changed a lot since then. He looked so stressed when he plays now. There is no more fun in his game. He gets annoyed by the crowd and responds to them in an annoying manner, as if even taunting them. In his loss yesterday, a news report said he was booed off the court and he responded to them by giving them a thumbs up sign. I am sure that would do nothing but annoy the crowd even more. Novak’s attitude has deteriorated and his game is going down with it. He is attacking his goal to be number one in a wrong way. I doubt if he has the mentality to be number one.

March 27th, 2010 at 10:23 am

Polo,

Interesting insight. I think the opposite though IMO, but agree with you on some points. Game has been going south, and naturally he doesn’t like it. Who would? He knows he is better and he is probably p$ssed at the world. Hope he finds his game soon, and I bet ya his personality will come around.:)

March 27th, 2010 at 11:09 am

Maxi:

As per usual, I didn’t get down to your level of name calling, and your rudeness, which is what you preach ad nauseam and infinitum, here and every other site to others even though you are the one who freely indulges. I merely stated my points and I closed the conversation in a civil and polite way. However, that’s not to your liking is it, as it did not afford you the opportunity to get into some nasty sewer mouth digs as you are so oft prone to do. You just had to have a go at me with the *clap trap* remark.

Tell me Maxi, do you always have to get down into the sewer? How about if you try staying above, uhh just maybe a few inches, and you’ll find the air is a lot fresher than that which you are accustomed to all of the time. I wouldn’t call you any names, because there are too many to describe you, so all I’d like to do with you, oh professed English major, is defenestrate you.

March 29th, 2010 at 2:45 am

BTW, Maxi, you @ 8:37 am, sounds like a two-year old who’s gotten herself into a tantrum, kicking, screaming and hurling insults, because she can’t have her way = name calling. tut, tut, infra dignitatem.

March 29th, 2010 at 2:57 am

blah: I just saw your post on Roddick’s loss. Thanks for your kind remarks/condolences, it’s appreciated. I’ve seen a trend with Andy ever since he lost that Wimby final. He can’t seem to win the final of anything, with the exception of Brisbane, and even then he had problems closing out the match. He appears to be suffering from a visitation of that awful day.

I think the Miami court is better suited to the slower servers as it’s coated with several layers of the gritty stuff that slows the ball moving through the court. Anyway, only time will tell.

March 29th, 2010 at 3:04 am