Djokovic Cruises In Miami Opener, Del Potro Shocked; Murray, Nadal Begins Saturday

That tennis ball went dangerously close to certain body part, I don’t think Jelena will be trilled with his catching abilities..

March 26th, 2016 at 12:43 am

Move on boring stories like equal pay..Here comes murder involving tennis.

http://nypost.com/2016/03/25/the-shocking-murder-thats-rocked-the-tennis-world/

March 26th, 2016 at 12:54 am

Nadal complaining about tennis equipment
Tall players ruining the game
He loves rallies that’s what tennis fans want to see also
Power will beat skill & tactics Always
But who wants to see ACES GALORE
no one !!!

March 26th, 2016 at 1:32 am

Back home, so I can write a longer post about the “money” controversy.

Of course, as per usual, we, the tennis fans, acted like suckers, which, indeed, we are.

It was, in fact, a concerted effort.

First, out of nowhere, Novak’s statement, after Moore’s misstep. Instead of just stating that Moore said things that were inappropriate, he added: “yes, it’s all nice, but we have to earn more”. It was what he had in mind from the beginning, and it forced him to say that the ugly Moore’s statements were not politically correct. Under the circumstances, he couldn’t say more.

Then, Kermode slammed Moore, but silently approved Novak’s words about earnings.

Let’s just remark that men, outside the 4 GS, earn already more than women, and their TV rights are threefold (ATP vs WTA: 900 vs 300 millions).

Then, since there was a lot of decrying among journalists and fans, Murray stated that he was for equality of pay to calm the storm.

But the polls, and probably other means of testing public opinion, showed that about 60% of fans were for more money for men, so, the third concerted move, by Fed, this time:

“When I was fighting for prize money increases, especially at the slam level,” Federer added. “I was always very aware of the fact that it was always going to impact the women’s game, which I was very happy about. Both at the same time were growing.”

So, men fought for more money, women just got the money. Then, the master move:

“It’s sometimes hard to make equal prize money there. It’s up to the tournament director to decide if he wants it to be that way.”

The ATP move for more money was concerted. It started with Moore, who started the controversy, then Novak, who made the unexpected “hormones” misstep, then Murray and Fed. We will hear more about it, since I believe that the ATP will continue battling for more prize money, if it hasn’t already achieved his goals behind the curtains.

It makes sense: tournaments earn from 60 to 90% of the total income. Just for the semis and the finals, Miami will earn only in tickets more than the whole prize fund. Add to this the tickets for the previous rounds, the TV rights, the sponsors… it makes a lot of money.

That was diplomacy at work.

March 26th, 2016 at 3:10 am

Wog Boy,Don’t try this yourself
You may end up with just one ‘ball’ instead of three..

March 26th, 2016 at 3:52 am

jane gave this link on her twitter page:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11359785/Periods-in-sport-I-worry-about-getting-mine-at-Wimbledon..html

and asked the right question: why such heavy fire on Novak for empathizing with women? For bringing to light a tremendous problems they have, especially since a lot of medicaments, painkillers they could use are banned as PEDs?

March 26th, 2016 at 4:46 am

And this has to be to joke over all jokes:

“Before Djokovic spoke Wednesday, Evert and King addressed the topic, and Evert pointed to Djokovic’s cultural upbringing in Serbia as a possible reason behind some of his views.”

From here:

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/15053732/novak-djokovic-meets-billie-jean-king-chris-evert

Let’s make it quite clear: the East European educational system is slowly being destroyed by the Bologna convention and Western Europe. For decades, education and culture, in the East, was 5 notches over American and West-European.

Then, the equality between men and women was emphasized is socialism. The IWD was first celebrated by socialist, and it spread from Soviet Union when it the Women’s Day became officially a holiday in 1917.

America’s has always been the advocate of human rights of the first degree (the right to vote), while human rights of the second and third degrees were fully ignored (social rights, free healthcare, right to work, etc.).

Poor, Ever… Does she belong to the 40% of Americans that don’t know where the Pacific is?

March 26th, 2016 at 5:42 am

Poor EverT… sorry.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:42 am

Wrote that post those last posts in a hurry… Sorry for the many mistakes.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:44 am

It’s interesting how this has fairly swiftly become an acceptable topic for discussion. Not sure when it was, but it was only a few years ago, the always outspoken Jelena Jankovic gave menstrual problems as a reason for having lost a match. At the time her statement was greeted with shock and distaste. As I say, that wasn’t long ago, yet already Petra Kvitova can mention the problem without a chorus of disgust.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:58 am

Evert shouldn’t be talking about upbringing or moral, she must’ve had good upbringig, to chase house friend’s husband , destroy two marriages just to be dumped later like an old bucket, deservedly so:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-483426/Greg-Normans-ex-wife-lashes-Chris-Evert.html

March 26th, 2016 at 5:59 am

@mat4: Totally agree with your comment about Evert. She was brave to comment on a topic she obviously doesn’t know anything about as she rightly believes that the target audience knows even less. Historically, voting rights of women in the USA were established after that happened in some European countries and USSR. One of the pillars of political system in which Djokovic was born was equality between man and women. However, it should be pointed out that Djokovic did not say anything anti-women at first place and, as many others, Evert responded to comments she twisted. She just responded to something Djokovic didn’t say.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:05 am

I have now read that piece about King, Evert and Djokovic, and I must say Evert has an exaggerated regard for American social progress. This is, of course, because she IS American, and the folk of the good old USA can never admit they are not in the forefront of progress.

Eastern Europe is indeed behind much of the other developed nations when it comes to tolerance; look at the harsh laws about homosexuality under Putin, for example (laws applauded by the nuttier members of the American fundamentalist Right!).

When it comes to equality of the sexes, Chris should have a look at the numerous countries who have elected women leaders: Israel,the UK, Australia, Sri Lanka, even India and Pakistan, where not so very long ago widows were expected to immolate themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. If Hillary Clinton fails to become President, as I suspect she will, it will be because American men are sexist, mostly as a result of religion. Way back when Colin Powell was a possible candidate, before anyone had heard of Obama, I was saying the USA would have a black President before it had a woman. So it has turned out.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:26 am

@Colin: It doesn’t seem to me that you are an expert on the matter either (no offence). Djokovic is not from Eastern Europe (see the map)and, apart from Russia, all Eastern Europe are in the EU, meaning that EU lows are applied there.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:42 am

George,

Ukraine and Belarus are not EU members, so Russia is not the only exception.

March 26th, 2016 at 7:43 am

Its turned into a forum where world politics gets discussed now ….

March 26th, 2016 at 7:47 am

@Van Persie: Mea culpa. I apologise to you and Colin for listing Russia as the only exception. I unconsciously see Ukraine, Belarus and Russia as parts of the same country, but this not reality any more.

March 26th, 2016 at 7:57 am

No problem George, I also forgot about Republic Moldova ;)

March 26th, 2016 at 8:03 am

GL,

If Chris Evert talks about politics, we are also allowed to comment her speeches

March 26th, 2016 at 8:05 am

And you never heard me say you were not VP ….

March 26th, 2016 at 8:20 am

Rather than focus on Evert’s lameness, a nice Twitter exchange happened with Novak and Billie Jean after their meeting March 23

Billie Jean KingVerified account
‏@BillieJeanKing
.@ChrissieEvert & I had a great talk w/ @DjokerNole today at @MiamiOpen. He’s a class act and a true champion.

Novak Djokovic ‏@DjokerNole Mar 23
Novak Djokovic Retweeted Billie Jean King
Always an honour. Love that we share the opinion of using the sport as platform for good

March 26th, 2016 at 8:52 am

@5:58am
I think its a good thing that WTA players can be honest (if they want to) about what might have affected their performance. If people are disgusted by something as completely-natural as menstruation then its clear they’re just immature. Tbh, getting your period every month is bad enough- without having to deal with people judging you over it lol

March 26th, 2016 at 9:13 am

Mat4,
Great explained post @3:10

March 26th, 2016 at 10:06 am

Courbon @3.52am lol, good job Novak plays tennis, just as well it wasnt a cricket ball,as i dont think he would be able to sit down for a week OUCH ….

March 26th, 2016 at 10:35 am

@skeez:

I wasn’t certain until I read Fed’s statement, then it all became clear.

A few years ago, the tournament directors of the ATP didn’t allow Larry Ellison to increase prize money. So, it wasn’t per chance that Novak declared 1. IW deserves to be more than a MS1000, 2. that men deserve more money than women. It was a prepared double attack: OK, you are not ready to rise prize money, so, we will promote the tournaments who are ready to do so.

I didn’t understand the blackmail immediately, but, in retrospect, when I saw Murray advocating same prize money for women at shared events, I understood which tournaments could be promoted to MS1500…

That’s why the second part of the provoc was to mention inequality of prize money for men and women, while underlining top female athletes sacrifices.

Fed, and now BJK, put the candle on the cake.

Let’s now wait and see the results of the negotiations behind the curtains.

March 26th, 2016 at 10:56 am

Djokovic had the balls to say the right thing – then they retreated.

Fed just said bullshit as always.

All the people advocating for equal prize money for women are actually the ones advocating for inequality. Equal pay for equal performance (which here is revenues generated) – that’s what equality if about. Otherwise its discrimination.

NOw of course that is so politically incorrect in the US, which has so much inequality but so much PC bullshit.

Women models earn much more than male models – its obvious since more people want to watch women models, so they generate more money. Should make models make the same amount of money as women now? I don’t see a single woman advocating for that.

Hypocracy. That’s what this is.

March 26th, 2016 at 11:17 am

Here’s Rafa and Marc Lopez on a practice court live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJqtRBoEcWQ

Better hurry though…they could be done soon!

March 26th, 2016 at 11:50 am

Hypocrisy… or hypocracy ?

March 26th, 2016 at 11:51 am

Wish there was audio on that practice court live stream…Would like to listn in on Uncle Toni…

March 26th, 2016 at 11:57 am

Oh yes, joker has the biggest balls out there, that’s for sure. If they grow any bigger he’ll go into orbit.

March 26th, 2016 at 11:59 am

Rafa intent on getting his serve action right… live at this moment ☺ Vamos

March 26th, 2016 at 12:00 pm

PHH calmed down and started playing his tennis 2nd set and is trying to serve for it.

Ahh…snap. PHH DF’s and blows his chance. That’s sad.

March 26th, 2016 at 12:23 pm

Gilles, are you by any chance watching/ following tennis matches right now? Good ones today??

March 26th, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Giles, sorry, not Gilles.

They probably still have you in moderation – now that’s BS, considering.

Stan v Kuznetsov just started. Stan’s section of the draw looks good to the QF’s where he might bump into Rafa.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:09 pm

Jalep. Hahaha. Just joking.
Watching Wawa now and Rafa later.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:17 pm

Cheers. Giles. Like I said before, your posts make me laugh and I’m a Nole fan. He does have monster balls 😎 Can see him going into orbit!

Kuznetsov up a break on Stan, if he(andrey) can hold.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:25 pm

Cheers jalep. You’re one cool lady.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:33 pm

Wawa spraying balls all over the place. Maybe something to do with his fluorescent garb.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:42 pm

Thanks, Giles.

Kuznetsov got the 1st set! The joke (prediction) about Stan, after he’s been caught at a challenger level tournaments (San Antonio last week after losing at IW) watching Donna Vekic, is that he’s going out this round.

We’ll see.

March 26th, 2016 at 1:53 pm

My Gosh, another silent ban. Stako just retired a match. Sock – winner!

March 26th, 2016 at 2:03 pm

@jalep:

And another: Kuznetsov just beat Stan.

March 26th, 2016 at 2:25 pm

Seems Wawa best days are over, although he won Dubai a few weeks ago, but He is getting more inconsistent by the day.
Maybe is just aging.

Let’s see if he’ll be able to peak for the big ones.

March 26th, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Sorri Stan went out…hopefully saving himself for French Open.

Not sure I’ll be able to stay up for Andy’s match…so fingers crossed.

March 26th, 2016 at 3:09 pm

mat4,

If you click on that link to practice court 4 that I posted above right now…

you can watch Ana Ivanovic practicing. Not sure who the hitting partner is. No audio. I’ve watched Rafa, M.Lopez, and Uncle T. The Muguruza; Serena; now Ana.

Rafa is carrying his good practice court form over into this Dzumher match.

March 26th, 2016 at 3:26 pm

WOW Heather Watson, YOU GO GIRL ….

March 26th, 2016 at 3:41 pm

It’s Nole practicing now… woot! Live from Miami practice court 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJqtRBoEcWQ

Wow, Heather did win.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:12 pm

Dzumhur won the 2nd set.

Then, Rafa had a MTO. Shoot. Apparently not feeling well. And doesn’t appear comfortable – dropped a service game. He looked fine practicing. And it was a long practice.

Rafa’s asking again for a trainer.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:30 pm

Blood pressure check and eval. WNL.
Going to try again. Can’t serve. DF. 15-15.Not himself. 15-39. 15-40. Game to Dzumhur.

3-0 Dzumhur in the decider.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:35 pm

Things are not looking good for Rafa. He’s down 0-3 in the 3rd set!

March 26th, 2016 at 4:37 pm

Colin – you’re describing parliamentary systems where the PM is not directly elected by the people. That’s not the system in the United States, so you’re comparing apples and oranges. The closest analogy is Democrats picking Nancy Pelosi as Speaker when they had the majority in the House.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:38 pm

Yep. Rafa retired.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:43 pm

that’s too bad. brutal conditions. get well rafa! i hope kimberly got to see some of the match.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Rafa’s retired from the match. Anyone know why?

March 26th, 2016 at 4:48 pm

@jalep:

I watched Serena for a while on that link. Then I switched to Stan, then to Rafa.

I was very sad for Rafa. I can’t believe what I just wrote, but, unfortunately, it’s the truth.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:54 pm

jane,

Weather doesn’t look so bad according to my app, 28 degrees and 69% humidity, Rafa is more than used on that weather, it must be something else? Have you seen the match?

March 26th, 2016 at 4:55 pm

mat4,

Did Rafa’s level suddenly dropped or Damir played well or what..?

March 26th, 2016 at 4:57 pm

Whitch is out in Miami, Murray better watch out as all seeds on his side of the draw are dropping out.

No Fed, no DelPo, no Nadal, No Wawa.

What happened to Nadal, feeljg sock or some injury? Didn’t saw matches today just checked scores sometimeas. Pretty shocked to see him out after first set was 6-2.

March 26th, 2016 at 4:59 pm

could be a virus i guess.
that’s quite humid too, though.
can sap one’s energy, esp if a little under-the-weather.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:00 pm

Rafa looked fine – wearing a muscle shirt, energetic and went through the drills. He practices with more intensity than those who followed him: Serena, Ana, Nole…

His BP they said was WNL.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:06 pm

BBB, so you are saying all the Western democracies except America have the British system, where the leader is not directly elected by the people?
I can’t claim to be familiar with the setup in the various countries I mentioned which have had female leaders, but the fact is they have had them, and America hasn’t.

And you’re saying the USA is different? But the USA is less democratic, not more. The writers of the US Constitution designed it deliberately to STOP the mass of the people having the final say, as they didn’t consider them capable of good enough judgement. The President isn’t directly elected is he? I’m trying to remember the name of the American politician who said, when the Constitution was being devised, that the people were not to be trusted as they were easily misled by – well, by people like Donald Trump one might say.

To return to tennis, I am very pessimistic about Delpo. Only a few days ago, in Indian Wells, he was saying “I lost, but I’m happy because my wrist was fine”. Now it’s not. The prospects are not good.

C’mon someone, why did Rafa retire?

March 26th, 2016 at 5:18 pm

@WB:

Dzumhur played well in the second set, but Rafa couldn’t find his FH. Then, in the third, an energy drop was obvious. It was painful to watch.

@jalep:

What is WNL?

March 26th, 2016 at 5:22 pm

Bellucci retired too.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:30 pm

Damir spents lot of time in Belgrade practicing, his fitness coach iz Zlatko Novkovic, formerly Ana’s coach, who smartly invested money he made with Ana in top class fittnes center in Belgrade. He travels occasionally with Damir. The boys from Belgrade who had a chance to meet Damir told me that he is extremely pleasant and nice young bloke.

March 26th, 2016 at 5:31 pm

“Bellucci retired too.”

Ohh no, no Monica, I can’t imagine life without her..

March 26th, 2016 at 5:32 pm

Wogboy lol, i repeat what i said yesterday though, why do so many already gorgeous women have botox or plastic surgery ? ….

March 26th, 2016 at 5:35 pm

Anyway i think the most important thing is what you are like inside as a person, too much emphasis these days is about what you look like ….

March 26th, 2016 at 5:37 pm

GL,

I don’t know, but I still love her..botox or no botox..

BTW, I was always wondering what I kind of feeling they have when they are kissing (I mean proper kissing) with that pumped up lips..?

March 26th, 2016 at 5:39 pm

Wogboy yuck, i dread to think, its not a good look IMO ….

March 26th, 2016 at 5:45 pm

Just saw this on the ESPN site – pretty cool trick by Nole! http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15069130&ex_cid=espntw

March 26th, 2016 at 5:51 pm

@GL – Heather is going strong this tournament!

March 26th, 2016 at 5:52 pm

From the man’s (my) point of view, it is as exiting as kissing blackboard..

March 26th, 2016 at 5:52 pm

RZ,

Don’t jinx her, we already had three retirement today and few WOs previous days..

March 26th, 2016 at 5:54 pm

Wogboy true, years ago i always thought Danni Minogue was always the pretty more femine of the two sisters, then she had all that surgery, and she just looks plastic ….

March 26th, 2016 at 6:03 pm

RZ im so chuffed for Heather,its been a long road back, and to have two Brit gals doing well, is well good news for the Brits ….

March 26th, 2016 at 6:05 pm

Nadal was sick his blood pressure was causing his concern no point playing if feeling unwell
Miami isn’t a tournament he has ever won why bother trying now if feeling so sick … Wawrinka out too wow
Federer sick too not good for the tournament but there’s time to rest & get better with clay coming
Wawrinka is defending French open champion

March 26th, 2016 at 6:14 pm

@Green Lady……It was in good faith regarding the moniker I suggested for you. I was thinking podge as a mixture for all of your monikers. I looked it up and sure enough it does mean fat. But I then looked up hodgepodge as one word which means what I first thought …a jumble!! I have no idea whether you’re plump or thin…I am plump and could wear that moniker quite well!! LOL But fudgy pudgy would be a better one for me since I love chocolate! Hodge, if I remember correctly, is your last name so that is what gave me the idea….hodgepodge! Hope I did not offend you.

Our guy is out in round one again. I noticed in the second set he touched his back at one point. I thought then he might have felt something…his serving got way off. It was very humid too, so he could have a bug……but would not be surprised if his back isn’t an issue again. Whatever, he is doing nothing but getting older. He was definitely having some kind of problem. He was not there physically or mentally today…..On to clay….I guess…..

March 26th, 2016 at 6:14 pm

Okie lol no offence taken honestly, i am a little bit plump for a small person, but it does actually ryhme with my surname which is cool,i also used to get called Dodgy Hodgy lol ….

Anyway as i said in an above post, if Rafas suffering with blood pressure, rather than it been to do with just the heat, one minute you can look and feel OK, then the next you feel like crap, and have to just lay down, something wasnt right though thats for sure ….

March 26th, 2016 at 6:22 pm

Colin, I think if you had the American system in other places. you’d see very similar results in terms of a lack of female head of government. All I’m saying is that the comparison is misleading. In the U.S., your ballot specifically included Obama and Romney, and you voted directly for them. In parliamentary systems, you vote for your MP and the party in turn selects the leader. I’m not arguing as to which system is more democratic – just resisting the conclusion that because Pakistan has had a female head of government, that’s somehow a comparative metric w/r/t the United States and the status of women.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:24 pm

Trying to compare the younger Nadal with current ageing Nadal ? No comparison … The younger Nadal had stamina this current Nadal is wilting apparently the heat caused him to retire ? His own words ?
Unbelievable ?

March 26th, 2016 at 6:25 pm

I’ll wait for clay season to make up my mind about Rafa, but one problem is becaming obvious, he cannot maintain consistency anymore for whatever reason and it must be the reason for that, whether physical or mental or both. I thought towards the end of the last year that he is back, but then he started to play hot and cold, one tournament good next one bad, one match good next one bad, one set high quolity next one like the beginner, it just doesn’t look good atm, but let’s wait for FO.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:29 pm

It’s very hot in Paris also in June
How is he gonna handle the heat there ?
Lots of other players can take him out before Djokovic mauls him again 3 sets to 0 ?
Not good for Nadal fans but still hoping of one last superhuman effort on his favourite surface
It will be interesting

March 26th, 2016 at 6:30 pm

Wog boy

Nadal is nearing the end of his wonderful career
Let’s just reflect at how good he once was … 2014 French open was the last great highlight of his career
Anyone hoping for miracle 2016 I know I am
Fingers crossed

March 26th, 2016 at 6:45 pm

Pauly,

I am not ready to write him off, just not yet and I am not his fan, but tennis is much more interesting and better with him, just look at IW, people already forgot final but not SF.

March 26th, 2016 at 6:50 pm

Wog boy

I’m not writing him off until I see how he plays at Monte Carlo
Hopefully well rested by then & feeling hungry for one last crack at glory
Clay is his favourite surface no doubt if he can get some confidence he will play well
He will forget today … He’s like that move on

March 26th, 2016 at 6:54 pm

Wogboy great post ….

March 26th, 2016 at 6:59 pm

Nadal Federer most popular players
Djokovic Murray will never catch them

March 26th, 2016 at 7:10 pm

Bedene retired, fourth one today!

Somebody left behind some really nasty bug..

March 26th, 2016 at 7:19 pm

Copied from Augusta08, Tenngrand.

Miami Herald, March 26, 2016: ¤¤ Rafael Nadal retires from his opening match at the Miami Open.
(Excerpts)
The Spaniard, a four-time finalist here, said he felt dizzy and faint as the match went on. He called for medical help after losing the first two games of the final set, and a doctor took his blood pressure. He returned to the court but lost the next game and called it quits.
Temperatures were in the mid-80s on Saturday, and the humidity made it feel warmer.
“I started feeling sick in the second set, dizzy, weak, some strange sensations,” Nadal said. “I wanted to finish the match, but I couldn’t. I felt I was not safe out there, was worried for my health. Hopefully, it’s nothing, just the extreme conditions and the beginning of a virus.”
…
“Even with very bad conditions, I have finished a lot of matches in my career because I didn’t want to retire,” he said. “I have felt this way in Australia a couple of times, but (Saturday) was worse. I was struggling for my health, so I decided to stop because I was not sure that I could finish the match that way.” ¤¤
Read more here:
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/tennis/article68425522.html#storylink=cpy

mat4.

WNL = within normal limits, which is what I’d overheard said, after his BP was checked and the on-court trainer had evaluated Rafa, the second time.

March 26th, 2016 at 7:22 pm

@jalep: Thanks. I was totally confused by BP (I thought it was “break point”) then WNL…

March 26th, 2016 at 7:50 pm

Sometimes the thing that gives me high blood pressure, are the comments on this forum ….

March 26th, 2016 at 7:59 pm

I was thinking, if the conditions are so bad, how come women are not affected, but only men?
We had four retirements so far today, all four men!
In this case women deserve more money, no?

March 26th, 2016 at 8:02 pm

Well, I have few words for today.

Lets start with that it was HOT. Colin and I arrived at 11 and saw Rafa walking off practice court. He signed another ball and took a picture with colin and we were off. But througuot the day we were unable to watch more than one set really because we would have to take a break in airconditioning.

Lets start with the Kvitova Makarova match. Kvitova made a lot of errors but at least she made an effort, tried to pump herself up but for every great shot two bad ones. Did not feel her power equaled that of serena or Madison keyes live.

Wwawrinka I have no words. He made all of zero effort. His first serve was in the 90s and his second in the 70s. he also pushed serveral shots then seemed to be tanking. We walked out, could tell he was going to lose after the first set and it was BOILING. But wawrinka was a grumpy no show for this match.

THen we went to Nadal and the first set he looked great, really crushing the ball and the Bosnian guy running right to left. Then we took a break from the heat and when we came back he looked really bad. Then it was tough to watch> you could tell he was really exhausted. At the end of the second set we could tell he had to finish in two or he could not finish. And that’s what it was.

Then we went to watch Kyrgios Baghdatis and that was just a total beatdown. And pretty uneventful and Kyrgios hit a billion aces and service winners. Couldn’t even gage him as a player because he really was not tested.

Then saw a little Serena and left.

Overall this tournament has not many stars left so I am rooting for all the seeds now!

March 26th, 2016 at 8:06 pm

Green Lady @ 7.59pm

Good chuckle, wee lass.

March 26th, 2016 at 8:11 pm

Wow,some of you Rafa fans need to admit the run is over. He will not win the French and your only saviour to stop No1e from winning is slowly falling apart himself – Wawa (or Stan as the rest of us call him). But, I guess anyone can be hopeful even though there seems to be hope…

BTW, Serbia is considered in Eastern Europe because of their Slavic ancestry and because of the Cold War days. Obviously some of you didn’t do very well in Geography it seems. SMH….

March 26th, 2016 at 9:07 pm

Tom,

Nole is my favorite player, but I would never write off Murray at the French after watching him take Nole to 5 sets last year. I think the only 3 guys with a chance to beat Nole on clay at the French Open are Nadal, Murray and Wawrinka. The 3 guys he had to play back to back to back last year. I sure hope he doesn’t have a draw like that this year.

March 26th, 2016 at 9:11 pm

Dave, remember, Andy wouldn’t have made it to 5 if the French ever decide to modernize and join the rest of the world in installing lights so things like No1e playing 3 straight days doesn’t happen. Andy otherwise will not be beating him on his worst surface- clay. I think with his hypocritical reversal on equal pay and trying to call No1e out will backfire now because you could tell Djokovic agonized at times he has to keep beating his friend in these finals. Now, is Andy capable? Sure. But he hasn’t been consistent enough for me to take him seriously… unless the lights thing comes into play again…or rain… or who knows with Paris…

March 26th, 2016 at 9:17 pm

Tom,

I agree. It will fire Nole up. I’m just saying that Murray has at least a chance of winning. Other than Nadal, Murray and Stan, everyone else has no chance of winning in 5 sets. Even if it’s 5 or 10 percent, Murray still has a chance, based on his skill set. But you do have very valid points.

March 26th, 2016 at 9:29 pm

andy’s complaining he had to play with women’s balls … oh the irony. ;) ha ha

March 26th, 2016 at 9:36 pm

Agree and thanks Dave. I think what also could happen is finishing 2nd might start to wear on Andy after a while. But you are right- only Andy and Stan have any chance of beating him in Paris. Rafa I think will not get there an Feds, on clay? In a best of 5? No chance…But like I said, Paris is weird like that and it’s an injustice No1e has never won it. Why annoys me is people comparing him to Sampras. Did Pete ever make it to the Final? That’s where the comparison stops.

March 26th, 2016 at 9:37 pm

Jane- LOLOLO!!!!! That cracked me up. I wonder what a real Scotsman like Sean Connery (who exclusively lives in the US I might add to avoid British taxes) would think of Andy? SNL version of James Bond would have a field day with him ;-). He may be echoing a lot of Socialist tendencies that many Scots express these days…

March 26th, 2016 at 9:42 pm

but he was serious… he really did. and he was yelling at the ump: “do you know how different the balls are!??” ;) it was too cute, all things considered.

March 26th, 2016 at 9:53 pm

BBB, sorry to keep banging on about this, but you are wrong about parliamentary systems, at any rate about the British one. Maybe in some countries it is as you say – the public vote for an MP and “the party in turn” chooses the leader. In every election in which I’ve voted,since the 1950s, each of the parties already had a leader, so we all knew in advance who would be Prime Minister if that party won the General Election. The only exception would have been if Labour had won the general election with Gordon Brown as leader. He was Blair’s deputy leader, and automatically took over when Blair unexpectedly stepped down half way through a parliament. But then that is exactly what happens in America. If John McCain had become President (and he wasn’t beaten by a landslide), with his age and health record he might have died shortly afterwards, and you’d have had President Palin – a chilling thought.

I don’t know about Andy, but I’m certainly a socialist, having joined a political party for the first time last year when I joined the Labout Party.

March 26th, 2016 at 10:22 pm

@Jane – Andy has spoken up in the past about one in the same ball across all tournaments. But it is pretty funny

@Tom – can’t remember which tournament but a couple years ago Sean Connery was courtside for Andy’s match and there are pics of them together

March 26th, 2016 at 10:27 pm

rz, indeed, and yeah i am sure i’ve seen sean connery watching andy before too.

March 26th, 2016 at 10:45 pm

@Colin
I’m also a socialist but I’m surprised you joined Labour last year since that’s after Corbyn became the leader. The current Labour party is a joke and until they get rid of Corbyn they’re going to be completely unelectable. Its crazy how the Tories have screwed up on so many fronts yet the Labour opposition is too weak and fragmented to hold them accountable for it. Instead, the Tories always find a way to deflect their problems and ridicule Labour (like with the “loyalty list” last week.)

March 26th, 2016 at 10:56 pm

Just noticed that with the exception of Mattek-Sands/Safarova, all seeded doubles teams in action today lost.

March 26th, 2016 at 11:15 pm

Tom,

That’s why I won’t believe that Nole will win the French Open, until he actually does it. The draw will play a huge part in this whole thing. If Murray ends up the number 2 seed, he won’t be able to meet Nole until the final. It would be nice if Stan or Rafa are on Andy’s side, so Nole doesn’t have the chance of needing to beat all 3 to win the French Open. The only other guy I might give a small percentage points of a chance of winning might be Kyrgios, because of the fire power he possesses. The guy has the game to beat anyone. I just can’t wait to see the draw come out, which will give a better indication how hard it’s going to be for Nole this year.

March 26th, 2016 at 11:28 pm

Dave,

Kyrgios doesn’t have a game for the clay, I wouldn’t like him at Wimledon or USO as Nole’s oponent, but wouldn’t mind him at FO.

March 27th, 2016 at 1:02 am

About Labour party (in Australia), they are lost in the space, they haven’t got a clue how to run the country, they live in prehistory, same as union movement.

March 27th, 2016 at 1:07 am

Who says Nadal can’t win the French open ?
Things might change … Nadal could start playing well again & have one more crack at Roland Garros number 10
Stranger things have happened
But who knows for sure ?
Djokovic deserves at least one French open losing so many times to Nadal then Federer in semi then Wawrinka in final
If this is the only way Djokovic can win French open so be it … He would never beaten Nadal at his best
Nadal has 9 … Djokovic is after his first
However as I said things might change
Nadal might find his passion his forehand & his legendary stamina ?
Don’t count out the King of clay nor Wawrinka

March 27th, 2016 at 1:24 am

Dave

What I miss is the brutal rallies Nadal vs Djokovic
Even if Djokovic wins French this year it’s ok as long as I see great tennis … I’m Nadal fan but tennis matches need two gladiators to make it enjoyable
I love the struggles tense close brutal matches Nadal vs Djokovic
We may never see it again sadly

March 27th, 2016 at 1:28 am

@Tennisfan: I don’t think you get it. I suppose that Colin joined labour party because of Corbyn. If you don’t like Corbyn, you are not a socialist.

March 27th, 2016 at 3:34 am

Sean Connery is a major supporter of Andy Murray.

Jane, I thought how droll is that – Andy and the women’s ball (evidently one has a red mark and the men have a black mark).

@ Green Lady…..not saying you need another moniker but should you suddenly feel like changing you might like to contemplate “Earth Maiden” …after all you are admirably very down to earth in more ways than one???

March 27th, 2016 at 3:35 am

To everybody: Welcome to the first day of Spring in the UK (and “ugh” the arrival of gale-force Katie mostly emptying the worst of her weather on parts of England).

March 27th, 2016 at 3:39 am

J-Kath i do like that yes indeed, or Earth Angel, didnt see all of Andys match as hubby wanted to watch the original version of The Wicker Man film, never seen it before, but its quite good and creepy, but anyway glad Andy made it through in straight sets, hopefully without any drama too ….

March 27th, 2016 at 4:29 am

HAPPY EASTER and the FIRST DAY of SPRING, to all TENNIS-X posters, or if like me your PAGAN then HAPPY OSTARA ;)) ….

March 27th, 2016 at 4:32 am

Same to you guys @J-Kath and @Green Lady

@George
Isn’t that just the ‘no true scotsman’ fallacy? I don’t see why disliking Corbyn means I can’t be a socialist :S. The guy is not cut out to be a leader tbh

March 27th, 2016 at 4:51 am

Yes GL,
Happy Holidays to all who celebrate them today ;).

March 27th, 2016 at 5:11 am

@Tennisfan: Point taken. I should have said “If you don’t like Corbyn’s policies”.

March 27th, 2016 at 5:32 am

Colin, I don’t know that we’re disagreeing that much – I’m originally from Canada so understand your system just fine. I think there is literally a difference, psychologically, between checking a ballot that has a woman’s name on it, and checking a ballot that has a man’s name on it. And that’s the difference between the systems.

March 27th, 2016 at 12:56 pm