lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jan 30, 2011 16:35:21 GMT
I think because Li Na likes to pull some legs about her name--she told the press "even my mother calls me Li Na" so I think the commentators are working from that.
That match was heartrending. Not because Djokovic won--his last two matches have shown just how good of a player he is--but because Andy cannot figure out how to come through the dark side when things go wrong. He let one loose game in the first set ruin the rest of the match. I agree with PMac and Darren--this is why you need an honest-to-goodness coach. Someone who knows just what to do/say in the box that pulls you together. Andy likes having a bunch of buddies (and his mum) but he needs more.
Compare that to Kim, she went through a bad patch, stuck it out, changed her game plan and won. Andy does not have the wherewithal to do the same. I still like the guy, but this match does make it harder.
Interesting that both Roger and Andy got angry at Djokovic's box. What are his people doing up there?
Good thing about the match? When it was over I could roll over and get a solid three more hours of sleep. I needed that. Bad thing? There will be much wailing and rending of garments over the way Andy lost. He needs to stay in Miami and avoid the UK for the foreseeable future.
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Post by chestylarue on Jan 30, 2011 16:38:32 GMT
I was really rooting for Andy. I have grown kinda fond of him. When the announcers after the match wee talking about players who took several finals to get a title I was surprised that they did not mention Kim. If I recall correctly she won her first USO in her 4th final.
Well done to Nole- he was strong all tournament.
Some of my favorite stories of this years open include Li Na, Dolgopolov havhaving a mini breakthrough, Simon looking good again, and Schiavone.
Oh- and Ferrer,s strong run.
It was fun chatting with you guys during the tournament
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Post by oopssorry on Jan 30, 2011 17:48:55 GMT
She's a hoot. But it does throw me that they do it. Except that of course they're all as smitten as we are.... It was refreshing to hear Allison Lang using just the one name, though. Also, ESPN puts both names on the scoreboard, too. I'm imagining she'll be a factor for a while, so it'll be interesting to see if they change that.
Should consult my language buddy...
Can barely watch the match right now - turned it one while making the kids a snack and my 5 year old uttered: "Ugh. He's not just losing, he looks very sad."
There you go!
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Post by apocalipstick on Jan 30, 2011 18:01:59 GMT
So glad I didn't bother to get up and watch this final. I rolled over at about 8am and checked the score on my phone. Not only was it a final between two players who annoy me, by all accounts it was a crappy final.
Fine for Djokovic. Goody for him. I'm wondering if we will get a "The King is Dead, Long Live the King" out of Momkovic. I'm pretty sure MamaParera (Nadal) could beat the living crap out of her. I've seen her arms. She's cut. Though I really think the whole Nadal clan would probably just give the DjokoRents the Mr. Spock Eyebrow that Rafa does.
Anyway, I'm not sobbing that Novak won. But really, isn't it about freaking time he did? He's been all potential for years now.
Murray. Ugh. What can you say about him? He mopes; he pouts; he plays videogames. He's that friend that invites you over for a party, but spends the entire time upstairs in his room because he's tired. Just loathsome. At least Novak would make you laugh, even though you're laughing AT him rather than with him.
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Post by harry24 on Jan 30, 2011 18:23:59 GMT
It's funny, but Murray's negativity prompted me to think about stereotypes about national temperaments. I've often suspected that the Russian players are often head cases because there is something culturally gloomy in the Slavic temperament, which I wouldn't be surprised is passed on from coach/parent to child/student, as we know was the case with Mama Safina and her two talented kids.
The stereotypical Scottish temperament is dour, which is often the perfect description of Mr. Murray.
I also can't but feel that the trauma he went through as a child at that horrific school massacre must surely contribute to his (relative) inability to be positive in tough moments.
Just some psychobabble speculation and generalization prompted by that blah final.
Man, have we been lucky with Rafa and Roger, huh? Two attractive, charming, principled guys with inherently exciting games and strong fighting spirits, exceptionally so in Rafa's case.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jan 30, 2011 18:36:53 GMT
My cousin and I were talking about this during the final. Her husband was wondering if the Arizona shootings were tough for him. I think, and I've never met the man so obviously I have no clue, that Murray has dealt with what he's gone through and has separated his own life from events like that. When he first came on the tour, he couldn't get away from the press talking about what had happened to him. He hated it and slowly all the reporters stopped bringing it up every time. But what he thinks in his own head about it, I have no clue. I just get the impression he's come through the other side.
I'm Russian, but it was my grandparents who came over as children so I don't count in the national temperament. But one of my best friends had her parents come over as adults. They are the happiest couple and their three kids are all super-fun. Does that come from not living there? I have no idea, although one of the kids spends a lot of time in Moscow for business.
Chesty, I didn't see the trophy ceremony this morning so I'm watching it now on the ESPN re-broadcast and Fowler just mentioned Kim in terms of taking a while to win your first major. I find it very amusing that Djokovic made sure to take his orthotics out of his shoes before he threw the shoes into the crowd. Sneakers are free, but orthotics are damn expensive. Smart.
Something I noticed while watching the final--the ball seemed so heavy coming off of Murray's racquet and seemed so light off of Djokovic's. It was weird to watch. Oh yeah, and what was going on with Murray's eyes? When the commentators were talking about "rubbing his eyes" I assumed it was Djokovic's contacts again but it was Andy.
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Post by falafaclese on Jan 30, 2011 19:35:03 GMT
Djokovic looked very strong out there, and gave a good winner's speech. That was a well-deserved win. It will be interesting to see how his year shapes up.
Murray played that entire match like someone had hit him over the head with something right before he went out there. He never locked in mentally to what was going on out there, and he seemed like he didn't have a game plan. At first it seemed like he was trying to lengthen the points and wear Djokovic down, but in spite of the fact that that is a strategy that takes time, as soon as Dkokovic broke for the first time, it was like Murray's only shred of conviction disintegrated. His game was all fits and starts after that. It was pretty disheartening.
Oh well, at least the women had a good final.
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Post by Jer2002 on Jan 30, 2011 23:31:28 GMT
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'm proably the only one around here happy with the result.
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Post by breezybee on Jan 30, 2011 23:51:29 GMT
No, I'm happy because I didn't see Novak's parents so I didn't have to watch Mr. Djoker Sr. and his Roman thumbs down routine. Weren't they there? I only saw his uncle.
I don't actually mind that Djoker won. What I'm particularly unhappy with is the quality of that men's final. After the first set it just wasn't very exciting. The women's was much better.
On the bright side Daniel Nestor won the mixed doubles so...go Canada.
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Post by tikigirl on Jan 30, 2011 23:54:11 GMT
Djokovic earned that title. Murray, on the other hand, continues his suckitude in GS finals.
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Post by Jer2002 on Jan 30, 2011 23:55:37 GMT
Nope the fam wasn't there. I thought his uncle was his dad till I got a better look. Speaking of player boxes, why was Andy all, "SHUT UP!" at his own box?
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Post by breezybee on Jan 31, 2011 0:44:50 GMT
I thought Andy was yelling at Novak's box. Not sure though.
Wonder why Djoker's parents weren't there? Did he ban them like Hewitt? I wouldn't think so but they are at everything.
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Post by falafaclese on Jan 31, 2011 1:21:22 GMT
No, he was yelling at his own box at the beginning. I think it was all part of his meltdown. He at first told them to relax, and then as things got worse, so did his communication with them. He seemed to be overwhelmed by the pressure, and the cheering/cajoling of his box was making him worse. He was mentally unprepared foe that match on every level.
BTW, I'm fine with Djokovic winning. It's not like he didn't deserve it, or did anything other than play well to get it, I'm just disappointed by the lack of quality.
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Post by breezybee on Jan 31, 2011 3:51:35 GMT
I just got an email from On The Baseline web site telling me I've won a prize in the bracket contest. First prize was two tickets to a slam but I didn't come in first. I think I might have won our WTA bracket here too. Overall I think the Ozzy Open had some great tennis. The only result I really don't like is the men's doubles because I can't stand the Bryan Bros. I'm thrilled with Flavia and Gisela winning the ladie's doubles. Even though I'm not fond of Djoker, just looking at his tennis, the best man won. He played brilliantly throughout the tournament. I hope he doesn't do it again but it was a slam well earned. It sure seemed that way didn't it. I have to wonder if he's ever going to be prepared to win a slam. I really hope so but I wonder. ETA - The link to the On The Baseline website contest. According to the website I won a picture of Boris Becker worth $200. I'm breezybee on all of my tennis sites. www.onthebaseline.com/2011/01/31/final-results-of-the-2011-australian-open-bracket-challenge/ |
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