lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jul 3, 2014 16:13:53 GMT
The ESPN anchor desk must be really hot. Stefan was dripping sweat when he was there the other day and Chris McKendry is "glowing" right now.
Heh, francie, shows what I get for reading too quickly. I agree about Patrick as well. And you are so right about ESPN claiming the Canadians--Chris M. just admitted it, saying that until the Americans were there they were calling the Canadians "North Americans."
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Post by lizm on Jul 3, 2014 22:22:53 GMT
Thanks for the report lt and the support francie! Funny thing was: I watched her first set at lunch time, then after an afternoon of not spoiling myself, some idiot on his way out had her interview on his smartphone speaker. I tried not to listen but it sounded like she LOST  So I spent the entire second set waiting for Halep to turn it around like she did in her last match! -when whatsherface from ESPN (can't remember her name, the one who got horribly burned a couple of years ago) told Genie she had loads of companies coming after her for endorsements because she's pretty and talented The other day, the commentators noted that Dimitrov got a crazy lucrative deal when Adidas tried to buy him away from Nike (or was it vice versa?), well beyond what his ranking/winning warranted (at the time... now he's beat Murray and is in a semi-final). I was like "yeah, that's cuz he's the prettiest player on both men's AND women's tennis." The fact that he's completely aware of it only detracts a bit. Welp, now I don't have to stress about Raonic too much, because one Canadian is through and 2 would be greedy. Plus, against Federer? I don't think so. But I really hope that Dimitrov gets through for a Fed/Dimi final! And then Fed should win and retire! (Ok, I know he won't retire, but would be cool.) |
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Post by falafaclese on Jul 4, 2014 4:01:54 GMT
I actually meant Patrick too self serving & loose lipped. But conveniently applies to LZ as well. Old news but that Grigor article he wrote will live forever in infamy! I've found him to be too chatty, and too eager to remind everyone that he's close with SERENA WILLIAMS. His eagerness is off-putting, expecially given the personal relationship they seemed to have at least for a while. I have been catching play in little stolen pieces since work has been so crazy, and I haven't heard any of the Genie interviews or Martina's take on Serena. I will say, though, that I love that it's just not the same old semi-finalists in either draw. It would be cool to at least have a first-time finalist for both the men and the women. |
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jul 4, 2014 12:13:09 GMT
It has taken me until the first point of the Novak/Dimitrov match for me to decide that I'm rooting for Grigor. I must admit, that has something to do with me looking a little ahead--I hope it doesn't kick me in the ass.
Oh, yesterday I went to the gym in the afternoon and Radio at Wimbledon was still on. If anyone gets the chance, listen to that later today--they interviewed one of the court coverers yesterday and it was fascinating! Great interview, really funny and insightful. (I was listening on the Wimbledon app but it's also on Sirius/XM on channel 93.)
Darren and Chris were in the booth before this match and a funny moment happened--they were showing Novak warming up but you could see the commentator booth in the background. As they were talking, two guys came in to the booth to raise the window in front of them (I guess so their talking wouldn't be heard on court/stands). The two tried to talk as these two other guys were in their tight little space but you could hear the hesitation as they were talking and you could see these men reaching over them to get the window up.
Maria and Grigor are still going out? I thought they broke up before the French!
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Post by francienolan on Jul 4, 2014 13:53:43 GMT
Woke up late but just in time to see Grigor come alive. They've both been showing off their fantastic flexibility but the excessive falling scares me.
Yes LT Masha and Grigor still going strong. One of my fave twitter pics from yesterday was Grigor & his parents in Sugarpova photo booth. I turned 40 this year so still transitioning to realization parents of athletes are my age. lol
Just read and haven't seen for myself yet but glad competing families no longer have to share viewing box.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jul 4, 2014 15:49:19 GMT
North America represent! Pospisil (CAN) and Sock (USA) beat Paes/Stepanek to get into the men's doubles final.
francie, I have a few years on you and one of my realization moments is when I go to baseball games and when the player comes up for the first time they put their birth date on the scoreboard where I say to myself "graduated high school," "in college" "GRADUATED COLLEGE." The worst was the player draft where the kids getting drafted were born AFTER I had been in my current job.
Not to be all old guard right now but, c'mon Roger!
eta: I like Raonic as a person but, man, his game does nothing for me. And I like Ivan but I never liked his game either so I wish Milos had someone teaching him defense in his coaching camp.
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Post by francienolan on Jul 4, 2014 17:14:10 GMT
LT Amen corner re: Milos & Ivan.Like them both but am always puzzled when players with same/similar skill set sync up, wondering what it is coach brings to table.
My happiness with Fed's performance dampened by news that Vicky Duval has been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. Hope both she and Alisa Kleybanova (who is back on tour after also being treated for Hodgkins) have long healthy lives filled with great tennis.
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Jul 5, 2014 13:49:53 GMT
I'm really not on the relationship tip this year--I didn't know Maria and Grigor were still together and I was looking for Stepanek in Kvitova's box only to find out they had broken up months ago.
The royal Eugenie is supposed to be there today--I hope they show her cheering on her namesake, although even being a Princess it must be very weird to have someone you've never met name their child after you.
Wow. That was comprehensive. Under an hour too. I was rooting for Kvitova but I did not expect that--she played out of her flipping mind.
I know of miss the climbing but it does make sense to make an easy path to the player's box.
Hmmm, I think it's good that they get to go off the court before the ceremony--I just think about what Andy Murray said about losing the final and not getting to go back to the locker room for a good cry.
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Post by GrandSlamGuru on Jul 5, 2014 14:30:46 GMT
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Post by lizm on Jul 5, 2014 16:08:28 GMT
Heh, the parents are EXPERT spoilers.
Me: If you want to come over, I'll be starting the PVR. If you're already watching, don't tell me anything. (I know how they are)
Dad: Already watched.
Me: <looks at time> Sigh.
Kvitova was great today, Eugenie just isn't up to playing at that level. Hopefully she realizes how the draw opened up for her and is, on some level, just happy to be in the final.
I'm more disappointed in the result of Dimitrov/Nole. (wah!)
Speaking of spoiled in a different way - another Canadian in the men's doubles final! I'm unapologetically rooting for Pospisil/Sock. After all, then BOTH countries can be happy right?
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Post by roseha on Jul 5, 2014 16:56:58 GMT
Very sad, I hope she will be able to recover soon.
So happy for Petra today, that was an amazing performance. She seems so pleasant as well which makes it easy to root for her.
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Post by harry24 on Jul 6, 2014 0:14:05 GMT
First off, I'm so sad to hear Vicky Duval is facing this illness. It's just not fair that she should have to go through yet ANOTHER terrifying life challenge. But she sure has the attitude that can help to beat this. I'll never forget her adorable, squeak-voiced interviews at last year's US Open. I'm also sure she has lots of loving support all around her.
To today's match, I found Petra's play just thrilling, even though a more competitive final would also have been fun. I thought Bouchard really hung in there impressively considering the onslaught facing her. I just love flowing, big clean tennis like Petra's. She reminds me a bit of a more fluid Lindsay Davenport, who was also one of my faves.
Fingers crossed big time for Roger tomorrow. I won't be watching the match in real time. It will be too scary for that.
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Post by roseha on Jul 6, 2014 2:11:27 GMT
I'm hoping for him big time too Harry, though I usually peek in from time to time especially at the end of each set. I even watch the IBM scoreboard online in a big match sometimes because I learned years ago that it's slightly ahead of the TV when it comes to the score updates.
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Post by harry24 on Jul 6, 2014 3:18:36 GMT
Aw, I just watched the Tennis Channel interview with Martina and Bill Macatee (sp?) interviewing Kvitova, and she is one lovely young woman, just charming and warm and real. I really like her.
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Post by falafaclese on Jul 6, 2014 3:44:14 GMT
Petra was on fire today and not to be denied. I'm glad for her. There was a similar sense of inevitability while she was beating Sharapova to win her first Wimbledon. When she's on like that, it's like the person on the other side of the net is just a formality. That's so sad about Vicky. I'm hoping she fights through it like Kleybanova did. |
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