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Post by falafaclese on Nov 5, 2010 15:12:05 GMT
Maybe he's avoiding us? I'm still bummed I didn't get to see him at Legg Mason. It seems like most of those guys who are still trying to qualify for the YECs are having trouble this fall. Berdych has been stinking up the joint everywhere he plays too, and Roddick has either been injured or not playing his best. Meanwhile Gael and Viktor Troicki seem to be doing well, but neither of them is in the running.
The guys seem to be going the way of the women with the injuries. Have they decided for sure that they're shortening the season?
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 6, 2010 3:20:56 GMT
. . . and to add to the list of men with injuries, Rafa has withdrawn from Paris with (suspected) tendinitis in his left shoulder. Oh dear.
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Post by mooncreek on Nov 7, 2010 2:24:54 GMT
Watched some of the Fed Cup final. Even in defeat, I must say that Bethanie still rocks as she came back from 5-1 in the first set. Too bad her body couldn't hold up. Italy is ready to repeat. Part of me thinks that Francie is going to retire after tomorrow's match.
I think I'm interested in both doubles finals tomorrow. The Bryans vs. Nestor/Zimonjic in what is likely their last time facing each other (think about how far ahead these two teams are from everyone else, then realize #2 is splitting up after this year) while the other is Max/Mahesh (now in good shape to clinch a spot in London) vs. the Murrays (little brother figured the best wedding gift is to help get big brother off the challenger circuit).
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Post by breezybee on Nov 7, 2010 4:50:12 GMT
Even though Francie outplayed Bethanie I really enjoyed that match. Both of those ladies really fight on the court. Francie said something in her good-bye video to Dementiava that also made me think she might be retiring. It would be a good time to go after winning the French.
I saw Ferrer/Soderling today. Ferrer is such a scrappy little dude. It's like one of those little dogs that bites your pant leg and no matter how hard you shake your leg he won't let go. I really hope he gets to London.
Saw the Federer/Roddick match too. Roddick was so outplayed. I think he knew it going in too.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 7, 2010 14:47:21 GMT
You mean Flavia. Francie played Coco Vandeweghe. Bethanie/Flavia was definitely an entertaining match. Bethanie's always good in these Fed Cup matches.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 7, 2010 18:47:25 GMT
Fala - Yeah, I meant Flavia in the match but it was Francie I was agreeing about retiring.
Woo hoo little Ferru!
ETA - Quite the win for Oudin today.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 9, 2010 14:29:02 GMT
Fer. Cut. His. Hair.
Sadly, it's the old fauxhawk, massively gelled jobb-ey again. Boy needs a stylist (with taste).
Oh dear, I see Youzhny had to retire again. He keeps trying, and he keeps getting knocked back. I hope he takes a nice, long rest and heals himself.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 10, 2010 1:55:32 GMT
I like the fauxhawk, although I am still puzzled by his ability to play an entire match without mussing his 'do. He and Fed seem to be the only players to manage that trick.
I saw an entertaining match between Monfils and Becker. Monfils played terribly for the first five games, and then came back from a 4-1 deficit to win the first set in a tiebreaker, and take the match in straight sets. Slow start notwithstanding, Monfils impressed me with his poise.
Has anyone seen the particulars regarding Butch Buckholtz's tennis world cup thing that's supposed to compete with the Davis/Fed Cups? It's supposed to be a co-ed tourney with 7-rubber ties (including mixed doubles), and is supposed to take place every other year. Very interesting.
Also, it looks like ESPN2 and ABC have taken over the broadcast rights for Indian Wells/Miami from Fox Sports next year. What I read specifies that this is for the ATP events. I hope it's for the WTA events also. Here's hoping there will be actual live television coverage from those two tournaments next year.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 10, 2010 17:10:45 GMT
If only Max/Mahesh had won in Valencia! Then they would have qualified today. *sigh* the stress continues. . .
Looking at the NYC Marathon times it looks like Amelie finished at just about the same time as a friend of mine. I know nothing about running with hoards of people around me so I have no clue--would I have noticed Momo running next to me? Or would I have been in my own little world? This isn't a tennis friend so I don't think there is any way she would have recognized Amelie anyway.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 10, 2010 20:37:42 GMT
lt - Don't know the answers to your questions but I hoped Amelie waved to Justin Gimeldouche as she passed him.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 11, 2010 14:29:37 GMT
Well, Gael took care of Fer. That ends that. I'm not too heartbroken--Fer really hasn't been playing well this Fall.
. . . and with his loss the 8 singles players are set for London. Only spot left up for grabs is the alternate spot and Melzer would have to win the whole thing to get past Fer there.
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Post by falafaclese on Nov 11, 2010 17:01:54 GMT
On the plus side, what I saw of the match (the 1st two sets) was entertaining. I figured that if Monfils went out there and just pushed, he'd be toast given the fast surface there this year, but he played pretty well, and played enough defense to make some pretty spectacular gets, and to get Fer to go for too much now and then. Of course I like Fer, and I'm disappointed he's not going to the WTFs (especially since now lt's not going to be able to get her hands on him to see him), but he really hasn't been playing well, and I'm glad to see Gael having a string of good play after that wretched performance against Djokovic in NY.
ETA: Whoa, Llodra beat Djoker?? What happened?
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 11, 2010 17:36:33 GMT
Heh. And yes. I don't want any of the 8 to be injured so my hope is that Fer goes (since an alternate has to be there) and is a practice partner. That way I can, hopefully, get to feast my eyes.
I hate rooting against Bopanna and Qureshi but if Knowles and Ram beat them (Knowles/Ram are currently serving for the first) that would qualify Max and Mahesh. I would love the symmetry of Max's 2009 partner getting him to the YEC the following year.
eta: oops, spoke too soon--I didn't realize that Cermak/Mertinak could pass Max/Mahesh if Max/Mahesh lose their next match and Cermak/Mertinak win the entire thing. And does my love for Max mean I'm rooting for the Bryans? Yes, I'm afraid it does because if they take out Moodie/Norman that helps my guys as well. *sigh* Deals with the devil . . .
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Post by acre on Nov 11, 2010 17:46:36 GMT
I'm happy with the top 8, I mean the top 4 were always going to be there, and that really applies to Sod, too. Then the 3 who were at all questionable all work for me. Berdych deserves it (of course they all do, it's not a matter of deserve, they earn it). I definitely think of Roddick as a top 8 player, it would feel odd for him not to be there.
Then the 8th spot is the variable, and very often I'm indifferent about who makes it - as in this case. Ferrer, Verdasco, whichever is fine with me. I like them both reasonably well without actually caring a whole lot, or following them avidly.
I hope there will be good matches, being me of course I hope Roger at least makes it to the final and plays well, and above all I really really want some damn coverage I can watch!!
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Post by mooncreek on Nov 11, 2010 19:50:16 GMT
It's strange to see Roddick making it, given what he's done since around March. Sure, he's basically a permanent fixture but so was Davydenko until this year (speaking of, thank you Berdych for that fadeout so he'd make it to the next round).
I'm still pulling for Melzer to at least win one more match to end the year in the Top 10 but if he could win the title and be the alternate, that'd be even better.
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