Wimbledon '11: Point by point coverage

[tikigirl]

So they're tape-delaying the second women's semi? I am so over this shit. I often wonder if TPTB realize how many fans they're alienating, because I'm coming perilously close to not giving a shit anymore...

[tuckatangent]

And they're tape delaying the second men's semi tomorrow. Why do I forget this awful blackout every year? Lucky for live stream.

[acre]

Huh - I want to like Aza-enka so much, and in almost eve-y way I do .. but I can't say I'm
so--y I won't have to listen to that ungodly noise in the final. I just don't enjoy watching he-, solely because of the sc-eaming, it's a pity.

All p-ops to Tsonga, and I like him so much, but I'm still bummed because it was Fed. My mourning hasn't quite ended. It will, and it's not like I'm dwelling on it, but talking about that match well ... that's what the-e is to talk about, yes? Not that I'm shocked, Fed himself has successfully conditioned me to no longe- expect wins at Slams, even in the 1/4's, depending who he's playing. And being the 1/4's it's usually someone p-etty good, even if not highly seeded due to past outages and st-eakiness.

Yeah, looks like Ma-ia is getting it back, and I'd still expect she's going to the final, but again: won't be shocked if she loses. This is a pick-em fo- me, I won't be especially happy/sad eithe- way. Well, unless someone just falls apa-t(double on match point, oh I hate that) and makes me be sad. Though I ag-ee, Ma-ia wins this, she wins the championship. Which is fine. Less exciting and novel than seeing 2 newcome-s, but fine with me.

[lt]

Sucks even more for you tiki because 10am still isn't for a while for you. Sadly, I just want the network stations out of the tennis business. Maybe just finals? That seems to be the only live stuff they do anymore. And of course CBS messes that up with the US Open's men's final because of their NFL commitments.

eta: wait a minute. It's 10 am here now and NBC still doesn't have tennis--are they not starting until 11? Forget that. Off to a stream I go. . .

[tikigirl]

They're not showing the women's semi until noon local (mountain) time here! I have stuff to do and I can't decide whether to stay unspoiled. Fucking ridiculous.

[lt]

Oy! You're right--it's not on until noon here either. Forget that. And, tuckagent, thanks for the info about the men's semi tomorrow. That's not until noon (all friggin' timezones) either. I'll keep my computer nice and warmed up. . . (I do have to say though--I'm in a hotel and the TV is old and dark and my vendor lent me a 20-something inch monitor for work so I'm not really in bad shape watching on the computer but it is more bitmappy than the TV.)

[tuckatangent]

I keep hearing conflicting things, but apparently the second semi will be live at noon after the Today show. But I don't know how that works, unless Tsonga/Novak play for five hours. But at least there won't be as big a gap in coverage tomorrow, just an hour tomorrow in my time zone.

NBC is so awful.

[Jer2002]

I can't wait so I'm listening to Radio Wimbledon. Fuck NBC!

And Maria has done it! Yes! I am so fucking happy! Heh, both my finals picks in the pool made it there.

[acre]

Okay tiki if you're hoping to stay unspoiled, skip this!

Obviously I couldn't actually SEE the match, you know, on my tv the way I like but .... f-om the time I said Ma-ia is getting it back it looks it all got uncomplicated fo- he-. Basic 2-set win, tame sco-eline. No idea if it was a tame match cause tv doesn't think people who follow tennis own pc's I guess? Yeah, most of the ads position this as an "upscale" spo-t so they don't think that. We ca-e about tennis but not enough to check finals? I can't twist the logic enough to make any sense, cause it doesn't.

[oopssorry]

NBC doesn't deserve us. I'm trying to remember that and not feel as though tennis itself doesn't deserve us.

I'm done emotionally. Had no way to prepare myself for yesterday. The hope after checking Roger's score before work, then watching a few points of the tie-break and seeing the self-doubt lurking there. Then helped my best friend move to another country only to find out what had happened.

Come back, tiki and lt: I didn't need the drink on Monday, but I do now!

If Tsonga pulls his wet-blanket routine tomorrow, I'm done. Every time I've been happy for him (and even when I haven't), he shows up at his next match like a doormat. Consistency is my favorite trait in a player - and it makes it hard for me to like him. Hard to know which version of JWT one might get. Blah...

And full disclosure to back up 'poca, it was my husband (though not here, cited by me) who accused Rafa. But he doesn't know tennis other than tangentially through me. It was just a random snort. I should have kept it to myself.

[lt]

tiki, get back on the train! oops needs you! (I am planning on going to the Pleasant Prairie outlets at the WI/IL border Saturday afternoon if a little retail therapy would help. . . )

[apocalipstick]

Hey peeps. My post on the Rafa faking wasn't intended to mean US as in tennisheaven peeps, but rather as all tennis fandom and journalists, mostly the journalists. I was just feeling they were making hay out of something totally hayless. It was pissing me off. Probably PMac especially. Since I read his STUPID book, he's driven me nuts. STUPID STUPID BOOK.

I know the commentators feel the need to fill the silence, but they end up going on and on about stupid stuff, and sometimes saying the same things every year. Examples:

Mary Carillo at the French Open: If Roger never beats Nadal at the French Open, can he be considered the greatest of all time? *stupid inappropriate laugh*

PMac at Wimbledon and USO: Roddick has a good chance here. This is his best surface and he's worked hard on his fitness this year. He has a real shot to take the title. And the Spaniards suck.

JMac at Wimbledon and French Open: Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg Borg.

Barry McKay at every match: Maria Maria it's good Maria Maria lefty it's good Maria Maria Maria Maria.

Ted Robinson: Rafa Nadal is naturally RIGHT HANDED but he plays as a LEFTY. This is breaking news!

Bud Collins: LOOK AT MY PANTS!

So, I feel like the journalists beat a topic to death, many topics about which the players and fans don't really care. My post was about that, not us. Sorry for the confusion.

The tennisheaven people are so so much better. We should have our own tennis show.

[mooncreek]

apocalipstick - I'm now hearing JMac as the Swedish Chef. Thanks for that.

Speaking of JMac being an idiot, I admit missing this exchange during the Murray/Lopez match (and definitely would have not thought anything of Carillo's initial information) but, dear God, what idiots.

I am happy for Petra making the final because she's so sweet and a Vika/Maria final would have ruined my ears.

[lb]

Probably the only version of the final I don't want is Rafa vs Jo - which, coincidentally, is the only scenario in which Rafa still has a chance at keeping #1. Nothing against Rafa, just that it's the result that's rather clear - especially with the Queens match fresh in mind.

Hee - that's the one I want to see the most! I don't think the result is all that clear because I think if either guy was two sets down, I still wouldn't know who would ultimately win. The one I want the least is Andy vs. Djoko. I don't want a repeat of AO this year - so not fun to watch.

Maria got really lucky to get out of there in 2 sets today - Lisicki's game just wasn't up to par. I'm happy though as I like Maria and Petra. Either winning will suit me fine.

[lt]

but, dear God, what idiots.

Heh, moon what are you saying about me that I typed the exact same thing yesterday? I was joking, of course, but the thought of Pippa vs. Kim over Andy "couldn't be scruffier and what the hell is going on with my neck" Murray is very entertaining.