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Post by mooncreek on Aug 26, 2008 3:30:47 GMT
When I saw who Jelena's opponent was, I did a double take. I remember seeing a feature on her father Kiki in which he was mostly talking about his talented then-14-year-old daughter. I figured it was just hype, given that she wasn't going into the family business (basketball). That she in fact is such a budding talent truly surprises me.
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Post by lizm on Aug 26, 2008 3:47:52 GMT
Yeah, Blake/Young has gotten really dramatic. Young has raised his level of play and might be able to make it to the fifth set. Currently 4-4 in the 4th. Hee. And it's a 5th set! Wow, amazing play by both players - it's really gotten exciting! Sadly, I have to go to bed  Boo. |
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Post by mooncreek on Aug 26, 2008 3:58:54 GMT
I'm not sure whether to be happy that Donald is playing so well or hit Blake upside the head for letting this match get out of hand.
5th set. *hits Blake upside the head* The more therapeutic solution for me.
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Post by amarathe on Aug 26, 2008 4:00:58 GMT
Wow, the fourth set was pretty amazing. I don't have any morning meetings, so I think I'll stay up to watch.
Blake is the fitter player and obviously much higher ranked, so he should be the favorite in the 5th. But then it's Blake.
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Post by boringmember on Aug 26, 2008 4:18:14 GMT
Did anyone watch the gala opening where they brought out former champions? Everyone was all dressed up except for Kuzzy who was wearing her warmup suit and had her hair in a ponytail. Had she just played or something? Even Safin put on a jacket!
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Post by whyistherumgone on Aug 26, 2008 4:41:14 GMT
Damn. I really wanted Donald to pull that one out, but I kinda knew he wouldn't. But he surprised me, in that I kept waiting for his lack of experience to do him in, and to his credit it didn't really rear its ugly head until the very end.
I want that boy to succeed in spite of his parents. He's got so much talent, and if he keeps going in the direction he went tonight - he'll be just fine. I just hope he doesn't start to hate this sport before he finally gets there.
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Post by boringmember on Aug 26, 2008 4:49:30 GMT
I know, I hope that he watches the match and listens to what JMac had to say and really thinks about it. He really could use another coach besides good old mom and dad.
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Post by falafaclese on Aug 26, 2008 4:56:50 GMT
That was a very good match. Young seems to have calmed down a bit, and doesn't look completely panicked out there. I hope this is a sign of his confidence building, because he should be proud of how he played today. I do agree, though, that maybe a little less sheltering would be to his benefit.
James did well to finish it up in the end, but I really hope he's more commanding against Darcis. He didn't play badly, and actually corrected some problems he had in the second set, but as usual, he needs to be more consistent mentally throughout the match.
I had planned on going to bed at a reasonable hour tonight after having trouble sleeping last night, but it didn't happen. At least I don't have anything too demanding tomorrow.
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Post by admin on Aug 26, 2008 9:22:00 GMT
What time did the match finish for you guys? I think it was about 2 or 3 in the morning when i got too tired to carry on watching, and that was only after the first set and a bit!
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Post by thepolice on Aug 26, 2008 11:37:25 GMT
Hi, everybody!
I had to come here to check-out what happened in the Blake/Young match because I couldn't watch the whole thing.
I was actually rooting for Young! LOL How old is Young? Johnny Mac said Young passed up a chance to train with Rafa or something?
Well, the kid gave it his best shot, but I really hope he starts starts climbing up the ladder. I really like his understated style.
Also.. a few questions.. In the Parade of Champions, where were Sampras, Agassi/Graf? I can't believe Sampras and Agassi didn't make an appearance. What is up with those two?
Finally, did anyway watch the Kid's day event? I read at TWoP Roddick acted like a jerk or something? I try to support Roddick and Blake, but I just cannot stand either one of their personalities!
I'm rooting for either Rafa, Roger, for the win. I'd really like to see Rafa take three grand slams in one year. I don't know how much he has left. But I love Roger, too. He is such a sweetie.
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Post by breezybee on Aug 26, 2008 12:50:01 GMT
Thepolice - I read the same thing about Kid's Day but when I watched the clip on YouTube it didn't seem like Roddick was being a jerk. He certainly wasn't as funny as what he thought he was it seemed like he and the Djoker were just having fun.
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Post by thepolice on Aug 26, 2008 12:58:06 GMT
Thepolice - I read the same thing about Kid's Day but when I watched the clip on YouTube it didn't seem like Roddick was being a jerk. He certainly wasn't as funny as what he thought he was it seemed like he and the Djoker were just having fun. Oh, ok! I'll go check it out. Maybe that's the problem with Andy for me? It's like he tries to be funny, but for me it's a miss. Thanks! I think this open is going to be fun! ** Yeah, I checked it out.. It wasn't as bad as all that--as described on TWoP. I just think Andy was trying to be entertaining. There is still something about him a little grating to me, though. Oh, I also saw this video of Rafa Nadal signing autographs! Out of the chaos there was this, "Can I have your shirt?" Rafa answered, "Sorry, I can't," and started laughing. Then somebody else congratulated him on his Olympic win, and he replied, "Thank you." I tell ya what, both Roger and Rafa seem like such nice guys, it's difficult to chose a favorite. I really like them both. |
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Aug 26, 2008 14:03:35 GMT
That was where I started my day and Korolev was playing very nicely. Robin wasn't playing badly at all--Korolev might make it a few rounds (besides, pretty).
I cannot believe Del Potro pulled out that match. I left after Canas won 8 straight games and Del Potro seemed out of it. I would have stayed for the entire match but I was too drained because of Feli. Oh man, that was one hell of a match. Serve and volley, chip and charge, drop shots, overheads, great serving, lousy serving, controversial calls, yelling at the umpire, one point that was the best point in tennis I've ever seen. I'm devastated that Feli lost but the match was bigger than my love for Feli so, even though my draw is now shot to hell, I'll live. What made my little heart sing was Verdasco coming over after his practice to see how Feli was doing. So, so sweet. I don't know how Melzer will do in his 2nd round (his second serve is not good) but we'll see. Oh, and the estrogen level was quite high for the first set or so of the match. All the women (including me, natch) scurried down to the first few rows before the match started to get good close seats. Heh, I should be ashamed, but I'm not.
Simone has one heck of a sweet face. Is one earring coming back amongst the youngsters? I know Wawrinka drew an okay crowd last year for that big Armstrong match but man, this court was PACKED! Huge line to get in and not a seat to be had for the first set. Good for him (Bolelli had some cheering but the crowd was very pro-Stan). Good to see what a gold medal with Roger can do. He was, however, very tired looking. He had to keep moving his legs in between points and looked pretty worn out. The players who went to the Olympics are really going to have a time of it this Open.
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Post by falafaclese on Aug 26, 2008 14:24:20 GMT
What time did the match finish for you guys? I think it was about 2 or 3 in the morning when i got too tired to carry on watching, and that was only after the first set and a bit! I don't remember for sure, but I am pretty sure it was after midnight. The pace was actually pretty fast, and the whole match was under 3 hours long. Blake really blows through his service games, and Young played quite quickly too. |
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Post by admin on Aug 26, 2008 15:28:38 GMT
Yeah, i just saw a bit towards the end of the match now, and it wasn't as late as i thought it might be. Some slower players might have out there until 3 with that kind of scoreline!  I've been no fan of Young, what with the parent hype machine and all but i really enjoyed his play out there, anyone who is volleying is ok with me. I started off the match wanting Blake to win, but by the end of the 4th set Young had won me over. I hope he sidelines the fam a little and carries on growing tenniswise. I'm just getting around to watching the Olympic closing ceremony now and it's making me sad. The tennis just seems so tame after it. I hope i'll feel the vibe more once we get a few rounds in. |
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Boo.
I've been no fan of Young, what with the parent hype machine and all but i really enjoyed his play out there, anyone who is volleying is ok with me. I started off the match wanting Blake to win, but by the end of the 4th set Young had won me over. I hope he sidelines the fam a little and carries on growing tenniswise.