Sharapova’s new boyfriend?

Maria Sharapova’s new boyfriend?



Sharapova singing with a band



Maria Sharapova looking for her racquet



Sharapova looking cool in black

Marty Fish got married

Gajdosova lost, Zahlavova won, Ancic lost, Chardy lost, Strycova won, Li thrashed Vaidisova, Rus won, Rybarikova won, Lisicki won and Rodionova's out for the rest of the year.

Greg Rusedski wants to play Davis Cup for Great Britain.

Marty Fish got married.

Anna K is playing mixed doubles in Charlotte to help the kids or something.

Ana and Fernando Verdasco?

Kirilenko won, Jankovic won, Tsonga won, Roddick won, Gajdosova won, Zahlavova won, Strycova won, Fedak lost and Robson’s run ends.

Jankovic beat Kuznetsova in a break-fest and Roddick beat Sela without having to destroy a single racquet – maybe he was running out? Stosur ran out of energy against Kirilenko and still doesn’t have a title yet. Kirilenko now has three for the year. Time for Stosur to forget about Doubles and concentrate on tennis if she’s going to fulfil some of that potential. Djokovic got run over by Tsonga in Bangkok. First title for Tsonga. The Kuz is now 0 out of 5 for finals this year and is still the only top ten player without a title this year. Still at least she’s not playing like Ivanovic.

Ana and Fernando Verdasco?

Andy Roddick tosses his racquet into another final

Kirilenko won, Jankovic beat Zvonareva, Tsonga won, Roddick won, Djokovic won, Stosur won, Gajdosova won, the Kuz beat Zheng, Zahlavova won and Karatantcheva crashed out in qualifying again.

Jankovic will close in on Serena if she wins but she has a bad record against Kuznetsova who she lost to last week. Roddick should beat Sela for a belated title. Stosur still doesn’t have one but maybe it’s time against Kirilenko who will probably find a way to lose yet again. Djokovic versus Tsonga in Bangkok for an Aus open rematch. “I hit the ball very well, but didn’t move well today,” Tsonga said. “I just hope to move better tomorrow.” Yep, you need to float like a butterfly…

Marty Fish is getting married tomorrow so maybe he’s fighting last minute cold feet by playing a hit and giggle with the Bryans.

14 year old headline Laura Robson keeps winning.

Maria Kirilenko

Kirilenko won, Jankovic beat Hantuchova, Tsonga won, Roddick won, Voegele lost, Stosur won, Monfils won, Zvonareva won, Safin is still playing doubles despite losing in the first round, Cibulkova lost to the Kuz and Djokovic impersonated Srichaphan in Bangkok.

Zheng had to battle the Hawkeye system too as well as a former number 1 – even if it’s just a pretender with a sore thumb like Ivanovic. Ana believes she can get the top ranking back, who is she kidding? She can’t even beat the Chinese No 3 who now owns a 2-1 record against her!

Andy Roddick broke his racquet against Ferrero in losing the first set: “I had to let it out,” he said. “I thought it was necessary. I was pretty upset, pretty fed up with the way I was playing.”

Davydenko still talking about suing the ATP and wants them to apologise for costing him millions of euros. He also wants to sue Betfair who started it all. I think it’s time to put it all behind you and concentrate on tennis – every time you open your mouth about this the whole story gets dragged out again and it doesn’t make you look good. In fact it makes you look lucky.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga does his best Muhammad Ali impersonation

Kirilenko won, Ferrer lost, Pivovarova lost, Latisha Chan lost, Djokovic won, Roddick won, Querrey lost, Zheng won, Vogele, Cibulkova beat Chakvetadze, Ivanovic defeated Cornet and Safin is about to join the 400 club (wins).

Interview with Cibulkova.

The hype begins as Robson beats an English journeyman in England. Robson also beat Radwanska's little sister too.

Canas robbed.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga does his best Muhammad Ali impersonation as a kick boxer in Thailand.

Zheng Jie restores Chinese pride

Monfils won, Young lost, Radwanska lost, Melzer won, Tsonga won, Santoro lost, Querrey won, Hantuchova won, Lisicki lost and Jankovic is catching up on Serena.

The Djoker got a spot in Bangkok for his younger brother who got duly thrashed by Nieminen, thanks bro.

Zheng flew the flag for China after Li Na and Peng flamed out in Beijing. Even with the flu she was too much for Radwanska who is probably sick herself after that result.

Some Italian called Bolelli got banned from Davis Cup for skipping Davis Cup. Yep, that’s going to work. If he wanted to play he would have. I can only assume this is reverse psychology – let’s ban him from doing what he doesn’t want to do and then maybe he’ll change his mind.

Andy Roddick needs a new agent

Shvedova lost, Safin lost, Benesova lost, Chakvetadze won, Cornet won, Ferrero won, Robredo won, Stosur thrashed Erakovic and the Chinese underwhelmed at home.

Safin got clocked by someone called Petzschner – a name to remember or just that kind of year for Safin?

Will Roger Federer skip the opening D-Cup ritual as usual (and then play later in the year to keep them in the elite group?) to flay the USA in the first round. Together with Stan the man – or even without, Fed could win his three matches – they should account easily for the US. Go on Pat Mac, give Sampras a call, maybe he’s bored.

Andy Roddick wearing Chinese traditional dress and with a "I've got to get a new agent" expression on his face.

How to celebrate a Davis Cup win

Wozniacki lost, Hantuchova won, Shvedova won, Pivovarova won, Rybarikova lost, Lisicki thrashed Dushevina, Cibulkova beat Mauresmo (again) and Benesova lost but survives to play Chaky as a lucky loser.

Juan Martin Del Potro, David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri had fun celebrating their D Cup win over Russia and will play Spain in Argentina. Del Potro was the man taking out Davydenko and Andreev both in straight sets. “Thank you big guy!” said the local Diario Popular newspaper.

Latisha Chan loves fried chicken so much she hits it with her racquet.

Davy to sue?

Moody Maria’s raising money for students affected by Chernobyl.

Vera Zvonareva

Shvedova won, Glatch lost, Pivovarova won, Olaru lost and Australia thinks it has found the new Neale Frasier.

Safina beat the Kuz to win Toyko and Zvonareva beat Peng to win Guangzhou. The all Russian celebrations were spoiled by the men who fell to Argentina in the David Cup fifth match. Exactly why they chose to play Andreev instead of Tursunov is not known but it cost them the tie after Davydenko’s heroic efforts against Nalbandian. Del Potro thrashed Andreev to put them into the final against Spain. Maybe Tarpischev isn’t flawless after all.

Spain ended US hopes (faint as they were) when Nadal took care of Roddick (bagel included) to put his country through to the final. Even with a strained buttock muscle (no pics please) he was too good for Roddick. “I’m not that good of a clay-courter,” said the latter. Indeed.

It’s Tursunov time!

Benesova won, Govortsova won, Pavlyuchenkova won, Olaru and Pivovarova won and the D-Cup semi-finals are still going?

Zvonareva will play Peng in the Guangzhou final. The Kuz will play Safina in Toyko. “Winning the Fed Cup has given me more motivation,” Kuznetsova said. “I’m trying to do new things and it’s exciting to be on the court.” I’d still put your money the new and improved Safina.

Both Russia and the US fought back in doubles in five-setters. Just staving off the inevitable? Or a real chance of a comeback. Who knew Marty Fish could play doubles? Nice for Russia to come back from 3-1 down in the fifth. It’s all Tursunov you see…

Even the Aussies got a point in the doubles while Fed and Stan were in a hurry to finish off Belgium. Not sure if they had to have any line judges replaced today but let’s not knock a winning strategy.

Sam Querrey in the bullring

Karatantcheva lost, Zvonareva won, Rus lost, Zheng won, Jankovic lost, Dementieva lost, Safina won and Russia and the US are already out?

Jelena Jankovic has a new boyfriend.

Ferrer beat Roddick in five to nullify the USA’s best chance of a win and although Querrey took a set off Rafa, the Pirate King was too strong in the bullring. Russia sent in Davydenko and Andreev and got done by Del Potro and a fired up Nalbandian. Whither Tursunov?

Fed helped Switzerland belt Belgium including having a entire team of line judges replaced because of a bad call. Wow, that's taking complaining to a whole new level. I can see ten year old kids wanting to copy that as soon as they can. What an example he is to us all.

The Aussies are headed for a thrashing as expected.

Ana Ivanovic lost again

Ivanovic lost, Jankovic won, Rus won, Pin won, the Kuz won, Zvonareva won, Olaru lost and Dementieva thrashed Cornet to earn a spot in the end of year junket.

Petrova beat Ivanovic in a sloppy match – can the recent No 1’s season get much worse? Ever since winning the French and ascending to the ranking Henin so casually left behind, Ivanovic has been on a mediocrity bender as she plumbs new depths of awkward near misses and first round exits. The more the media encapsulates her beauty and assumed grace, the more painful it is to watch her wilt under fire.

Davydenko has a sense of humour?

Dominika Cibulkova

Safina beat Cibulkova, Wozniacki lost, Govortsova lost, the Kuz won, Zvonareva beat Rodionova, Robson’s injured and Justine Henin is opening a tennis academy – presumably baseline bashers need not apply.

Fed Cup Champion Kuznetsova hung tough to beat Li Na (who beat who in Beijing) but what happened to the Woz who got thrashed by Srebotnik?

Poor Davydenko can’t afford to smash any more racquets. Maybe he’s considering a million dollar lawsuit against the ATP for defaming his once-pristine reputation since it turns out he’s not a betting cheat after all. No doubt the sight of Davy and his rippled physique taking out his determined fury upon his discarded implements will send the partisan Argentine crowd wild. Please do it, please Nikolay, think of the spectacle, think of the children.

Las Ventas

Pivovarova lost, Rus won, Cibulkova beat Mauresmo, Chaky and Dani crashed, Zheng won, Cornet won, Robson won, Kirilenko lost and Philippoussis is making another comeback.

Good(?) win for Cibulkova who saved 4 match points against Mauresmo after being wiped in the first set. Now they will ask Mauresmo about retirement in every interview. Dani is apparently still recovering from injury but I’m not sure what Chakvetadze’s excuse is. Hantuchova has a lot of points to defend between now and the Aus Open and may be worried about her ranking dropping. Unfortunately it will still drop if you play and lose.

$1.3 million for Serena’s book?

The US raised the white flag for the Davis Cup replacing an injured Bryan with Marty Fish. Fair enough to allow Blake to go on break for exhaustion since he can’t play on clay but neither can Fish and the Bryans should have been good enough for a point in doubles. Now they are back to hoping the Spanish have an off day(s) and Roddick – who won’t beat Nadal – can win the reverse singles and they somehow scrape through. If not they can always admire the beautiful Las Ventas bullfighting stadium which the tie will be played in. I’ve been there, it’s cool.

John McEnroe’s father wants to run men’s tennis. Apparently he’s "the single most qualified person alive today for this job". Well, ok then. He probably couldn’t do a worse job then De Villiers. Guess it’s not likely though. I’m sure they'll do a beauty contest of global executives and then pick whoever they first had in mind. Hope Nadal likes him.

Laura Robson is playing her first pro tournament

Serena and Venus pulled from Toyko and Andy Murray’s in trouble for swearing (but at least his brother Jamie is speaking to him again) and Larry Scott explains that the Williams sisters won’t be playing Indian Wells in 2009 even though it’s mandatory.

Short shorts wearer Tatiana Golovin is still injured and won’t be back till next year.

14 yr old Wimbledon darling Laura Robson is playing her first pro tournament – ie. a 10K Satellite in France. Let's hope she qualifies.

Pivovarova and Rus qualified for Guangzhou, where Govortsova and Olaru both won.

Russia!

Schnyder beat Paszek to win Bali, Simon beat Moya to win Bucharest and Russia pummelled Spain to win the Fed Cup yet again.

The Kuz was the key beating CSN (Carla Suarez Navarro) and AMG (Anabel Medina Garrigues) luckily she didn’t have to play another acronym VRP (Virginia Ruano Pascual) who was subbed out of the doubles when it was clear the tie was over. Zvonareva took care of AMG too and Vesnina and Makarova denied the Spanish of even a consolation win in the doubles. Tarpischev - is he the Richard Williams of Fed Cup?

Patty’s back with a title after three years and it couldn’t happen to a nicer head-case. Seventeen year old Paszek will have to wait a little longer (but probably not too long) after being thrashed in the final by Schnyder. Good to see China and Taiwan team up for the doubles trophy in Bali. Is this the WTA Roadmap working already?

Also Pivovarova won, Rus won, Lapentti won, Mahut won, Dellacqua lost and Dushevina won. Next tournaments Guangzhou and Tokyo for the women and D-Cup and a bunch of Challengers for the men.

Fashionistas

Schnyder won, Moya won, Simon won, Dellacqua won, Rybarikova lost, Shvedova lost, Paszek beat Hantuchova, Baghdatis retired hurt and Russia’s mostly won already.

Zvonareva and Kuznetsova had little trouble rolling over AMG and Suarez in the Fed Cup final in Madrid – reverse singles Sunday and they only play the doubles if they need to.

Schnyder vs Paszek in Bali – should be close; Moya vs Simon in Bucharest – should be Simon but Moya seems to have recaptured some old form.

The Williams sisters attended some fashion show in New York to show off some bling.

Davydenko cleared

Russian Nikolay Davydenko was cleared of cheating as authorities found “no evidence of wrongdoing by Davydenko, opponent Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina or anyone else associated with their match in Sopot, Poland, on Aug. 2, 2007.” So even though more than 10 times the usual amount of bets were correctly wagered on the huge upset result, no one did anything wrong (that can be proved).

Davydenko’s wife and brother refused to hand over phone records and when forced to the records were found to be conveniently destroyed by the telephone company.

Davy himself suggested that other people might have overheard him telling his wife in Russian that he might retire in the match and presumedly these other people waltzed off to the betting shops and made a few calls to their friends and maybe the Russian Mafia too resulting in the plunge on the nobody against the world no. 5. Tennis authorities have moved to counter this sort of inside information leaks by banning people from the locker rooms and banning laptops. Also some doubles specialists were banned in a crackdown on players having harmless fun.

When asked if he would put this all behind him, Davydenko smiled:
“You can bet on it!” he said.

Meanwhile other players banned now plan to sue the ATP, not because they didn’t break the rules, but because the ATP violated their privacy in exposing them. Good luck with that guys.

Rybarikova won, Paszek won, Moya won, Simon won, Baghdatis won, Hantuchkova beat Chan, Nadal burst his pants (video please?) and Serena’s writing a book. I’m guessing it will have a lot of pictures.

Is Ana Ivanovic a $100 Million woman? If so she should give some commission to Henin for retiring and gifting her the top spot that she managed to hold for a couple of weeks.

There’s also some Fed Cup final allegedly going on in Madrid – what odds can we get on Russia?

Magdalena Rybarikova

photo credit: Orchidman

Paszek won, Gasquet won, Acasuso won, Chan won, Petrova won and Pennetta complained about Rodionova calling the trainer at 5-2 up in the second set. Um, Flavia, no one calls the trainer just to put their opponent off if they’re winning - I think she might actually have been ill. Especially if you’re putting aces past them with your weak serve. Rodionova didn’t win another game, losing the set 7-5 (and the match).

Rybarikova won again in Athens and now takes on qualifier Vinci for a spot in the Semi-final, she’s having a great year and climbing the rankings - top fifty soon!

Gushing article about Coco Vandeweghe who won the Girls US Open title.

Caroline Wozniacki Videos

Caroline Wozniacki ad for Sony Ericsson phone

Caroline Wozniacki Celebrates Turning 18

Caroline Wozniacki interview - talks about Nadal: "I have to wait a little because he has a girlfriend..."

Caroline Wozniacki Modelling shoot

Caroline Wozniacki Singing

Caroline Wozniacki doing Trickshots

Dani’s back

Schnyder won, Domachowska won, Simon won, Moya won, Malisse lost again, Dani’s back and even a second rate Russian Fed Cup team should still beat Spain.

Russia is missing Moody Maria, Elena the (almost) great, Safina and Chaky, top tenners all. Still they will have Zvonareva and the Kuz for the final in Madrid. Spain will put up AMG and Ruano Pascal who should win the doubles easily. But AMG and the others including Nuria Llagostera and Suarez will be up against it in the singles.

At least they will win one match, unlike the woeful Hewitt-less Aussie team named to lose the Davis Cup tie to Chile. Can it get any worse?

Nadia Petrova sometimes does crazy things.

Anastasia Rodionova

Good article on Gimelstob – assuming anyone’s still interested.

According to Jon Wertheim of SI “during the Nicolas Almagro-Gilles Muller match, Almagro hit a defensive lob a mile into the sky. So high, that - again, mid point! - he ran to the baseline and toweled off, before coming back on court and losing the point.” Nice.

Wertheim also thinks there are only three countries making up the women’s top ten - Russia (5), Serbia (2) and US (2). Poor Polish Radwanska gets forgotten.

Players now being tested for Human Growth Hormone. I wonder who’s using?

Rodionova won, Gasquet won, Latisha Chan won, Almagro won, Pennetta won, Gulbis lost and Blake was replaced by Querrey for the Davis Cup final.

Cibulkova and Monfils have broken up according to a Slovak tabloid who published pics of Monfils with another girl – anyone read Slovak?

Lucky 13 for Federer

US Open

Roger Federer destroyed Andy Murray to win the US Open for the fifth year in a row and his thirteenth overall Major. Can we start talking about the Greatest of all Time again?

Murray (has anyone got a good nickname for the Scot?) showed flashes of brilliance and tenacity but they were only flashes. Most of the time he was simply blown away by the best player in the world (sorry Rafa). I like the way he broke TMF when he served for the match (Championship) but Federer was too strong, controlled and experienced. How would he have gone against Nadal? We’ll never know, but you’d have to think the pirate King wouldn’t have gone tamely in straight sets. But you can only beat the player across the net and Fed did that exquisitely.

Did you see Murray tell the New York crowd (after the semi) that this is his favourite tournament – or does he say that to them all? I’ll bet Tim Henman never insulted the good people of the All-England Club so. Scottish remember. I’d like to see him play at The Championships next year wearing a kilt and Braveheart makeup.

In Bali, Domachowska won, Paszek won, Shvedova lost and anyone vaguely good enough to be a seed had the day off.

Andy Murray? That’s not in the script!

US Open

Men:

Andy Murray is in the final after beating Nadal in four sets and is now the best British player since Rudeski (the overhyped Henman never made a major final).

Murray is the depriver. He deprived Federer of his revenge against Nadal and deprived us of another Fed-Rafa classic final. He better put up a decent fight against TMF in the final to make up for it.

There are signs he might. It’s a sign of his relentless maturity that he was able to sleep on a big lead against the No 1 and still come out the next day and finish him off – although Nadal did claw back one set. Fed’s had an extra day’s rest though. Did he watch the match, go watch a movie, or obsessively stalk the practise court? Yes, we know.

Remember, Murray’s not a real British hero until he wins Wimbledon. (Is there some sort of Scottish Tennis Championships?) Fed in four.

Final: Federer vs Murray

Women:

Serena beat Jankovic in straight sets proving conclusively that a baseline basher beats a pusher. Jankovic served for the second set and didn’t win another game. Serena Williams will now become undisputed No 1 probably for the rest of the year. Jankovic can watch the replays and celebrities as much as she wants.

“They should turn it off, because I keep looking,” the Serb said about the big video screens. “You see your big face up there and you can’t help but look up.” Yes, but you’re a professional tennis player playing the biggest match of your life – concentrate a bit hey?

“I felt I had her. I had her,” said Jankovic. Yes, but then you blew it. Remember that for next time.

Serena Williams was a worthy winner. She was simply the best player in the tournament. Nine majors now and counting.

Federer the Valiant

photo credit: toga

US Open

Men:

Federer beat Djokovic and Murray had Nadal on the ropes but the Pirate King was saved by the weather. Fed now gets a day’s rest and to decide whether to watch the other semi. Can you imagine Fed with his feet up and a bucket of popcorn in some hotel room cheering on Murray? “Later Mirka, Rafa’s getting his bot kicked here.”

“I feel a little bit New Yorker right now,” Federer said. Yep, the fans love you, that’s why thousands of ‘em ran to the other grandstand when Nadal’s match was announced.

Semifinal 1: Nadal vs Murray
Final: Federer vs Nadal or Murray

Women:

The women’s final delayed due to rain. The longer the delay the better for Serena? Cronin says Serena in three – “she’ll drag JJ around by the ponytail until the Serbian finally gives in” - why not?

Two women can still take the top spot by winning the title: Jankovic and Serena Williams. (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round and second-round loser Ivanovic missed out when Jankovic made the semi-final and Dementieva and Safina both lost their semi-finals.) More here.

Final: Jankovic vs Serena Williams

Apparently the boys’ and girls’ semis were played on indoor courts at the Sound Shore Club in Port Chester. CoCo Vandeweghe and Gabriela Paz won in the girls. Vandeweghe lost to Jankovic in the main. “I’m a risk taker not some backboard pusher!” she said yesterday.

Qualifier(!) Devin Britton will play Grigor Dimitrov in the boy’s final.

US Open website keeps saying all matches sold out when you can clearly see on the TV that there are hundreds of empty seats. Time to get a new marketing plan!

The Worst ever qualifying draw is in Bali this week – 8 byes because they couldn’t get enough players!

Elena the (almost) great

US Open

Men:

The men had the day off (unless you care about doubles). Roddick and the Djoker continued their laughable feud about the number of the latter’s illnesses. I seem to remember something about “who laughs last…” Fed to take the 16 injuries man and Rafa the pirate king to grind down Murray’s youthful bones to make salt (or whatever you make out of ground up bones).

Semifinal 1: Nadal vs Murray
Semifinal 2: Djokovic vs Federer

Women:

Elena the (almost) great demonstrated again the viscitudes of elite tennis whereby one can be in domineering form, careering towards titled glory, and still manage to give away breaks in both sets and go home empty-handed. Still she’s young, she’ll learn – oh wait… never mind.

But Safina should be able to take something from her unmitigated disaster of a thrashing at the hands of Serena. If only that you need some sort of a plan to win at tennis and mindless over-hitting and histrionics only work if your surname is Williams and even then not always. Serena played a measured game allowing Safina to self-destruct and will start favourite against Jankovic who is in the uncharted territory of her final Major final. And apparently she’s a pusher.

Two women can still take the top spot by winning the title: Jankovic and Serena Williams. (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round and second-round loser Ivanovic missed out when Jankovic made the semi-final and Dementieva and Safina both lost their semi-finals.) More here.

Final: Jankovic vs Serena Williams

Molik retires

US Open

Men:

Federer disarmed Muller and Djokovic took down Roddick. Did I pick all the quarter winners? Has to be a first (Don’t look at the women though).

Djokovic’s Quarter

Bye bye: Roddick

Fed’s Quarter

Bye bye: Muller

Semifinal 1: Nadal vs Murray
Semifinal 2: Djokovic vs Federer

Women:

The women had the day off. Did you see Katarzyna Piter in the girls? She got a game penalty in the deciding set for unsportsmanlike behaviour – ie over celebrating – but recovered to win. She sounds an admirable headcase. Beaten by Vandeweghe the next day though. More at Zoo Tennis.

Four women can still take the top spot: Jankovic, Dementieva, Serena and Safina. Three of them need to win the title but Jankovic may scrape home with only a final appearance (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round and second-round loser Ivanovic missed out when Jankovic made the semi-final.) More here.

Semifinal 1: Dementieva vs Jankovic
Semifinal 2: Safina vs Serena Williams

Alica Molik retired after another year of failed expectations and injury. Hard to believe she was once top ten but it was basically a strong six months run in a ten year career when all her planets aligned and she’s never looked that good again.

I hope the people will also cheer for me

US Open

Men:

Murray beat Del Potro in four and is now in a Major semi-final. Does he have to keep showing his muscles though?

Muller was a qualifier, now he’s in a Major quarterfinal! He was so strong against Davydenko, putting the Russian off by determinedly serve and volleying even when Davy found a way to belt the ball past him. Did you see that squash shot Davydenko hit during the fourth set tiebreak from an impossible position for a winner? How did Davydenko lose such a match? Of course it was that same tiebreak that Muller (accidently?) hit Davydenko in the back and really annoyed the Russian. Will Muller serve and volley so much against Federer? It’s probably his only chance.

Nadal’s Quarter
Bye bye: Nadal or Fish
Nadal to win quarter?

Ferrer’s Quarter
Bye bye: Del Potro
Murray wins quarter

Djokovic’s Quarter
Quarterfinal: Roddick vs Djokovic

Fed’s Quarter
Quarterfinal: Muller vs Federer

Women:

Safina thrashed Pennetta – was it ever going to be any other way? Safina’s not worried about playing either Williams sister with their crowd support – “After being in China playing two times Chinese? And also being in Israel, playing Israeli, it was even worse. So I think so. I guess. I mean, I hope the people will also cheer for me.” Yep, dream on.

Serena beat Venus in two tight tiebreaks, after Venus got and lost early breaks in both sets, and will play Safina in a semi-final. Safina’s still my pick, but then again I though Venus would beat Serena...

Four women can still take the top spot: Jankovic, Dementieva, Serena and Safina. Three of them need to win the title but Jankovic may scrape home with only a final appearance (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round and second-round loser Ivanovic missed out when Jankovic made the semi-final.) More here.

Ivanovic’s Quarter
Bye bye: Pennetta
Safina wins quarter

Serena Williams’ Quarter
Bye bye: V Williams
Serena Williams wins quarter

Semifinal 1: Dementieva vs Jankovic

Semifinal 2: Safina vs Serena Williams


Great to see Myskina looking happy and talking about her baby and interviewing job. Go to www.sonyericssonwtatour.com and try to find the video link on the right hand side.

Lame duck women’s CEO Larry Scott is going to allow televised coaching next year in an effort to make the tennis more entertaining and not to help the players. The designated coaches will be able to visit their player once per set during the normal changeover time plus when their opponent takes a medical break. This is presumably aimed at players like Jankovic who take medical timeouts every match to break their opponent’s concentration. It’s only at WTA events as Scott has no power over Majors.

Danish cutie warrior Caroline Wozniacki rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq Tuesday. www.carolinewozniacki.dk/blog It will help her profile in the USA she says. Hmm, why can’t she just go on a talk show?

Love it that the awesome serve power of Srebotnik is leading the tournament in Aces. Muller leads the men.

I'm just trying to look serious

US Open

Men:

The Djoker played hurt to beat tough Robredo in five. Well, he’s used to playing hurt, oh wait - normally he retires when the going is tough, maybe he’s finally getting what Grand Slam tennis is about. Club Fed overcame a mighty challenge from Andreev in five and will now face Muller. Wait a sec – Muller? It seems the pride of Luxemburg dusted Davydenko and gets to lose to Fed as a reward.

Meanwhile what can we say about Davydenko? Poor Nikolay, he was in form and looking to defeat all his demons and put alleged betting scandals behind him. Then he goes and loses to Muller. Who would have bet on that?

What’s Federer doing playing five sets against Andreev? Has the Russian improved dramatically or are rumours of Fed’s demise proving hard to dislodge? Stubborn rumours. He is the defending champion remember.

Djokovic’s Quarter

Bye bye: Robredo
Djokovic still on track to win quarter

Fed’s Quarter

Bye bye: Davydenko, Andreev
Federer still on track to win quarter

Nadal’s Quarter

Quarterfinal: Nadal vs Fish

Ferrer’s Quarter

Quarterfinal: Del Potro vs Murray

Women:

Dementieva belted Schnyder - “I think the serve was the key,” she said. What! – and still looks favourite for the title whatever the American press says. Remember guys exactly one of the Williams sisters will be out tomorrow (but the other is still a good chance).

Jankovic destroyed Bammer in a break-fest. What about the usual dramas? (Apart from all the service breaks.) Is she getting mentally tougher and ready to take that final step to the top ranks? Forget the ranking fiasco. We all know that some recent No 1s don’t enjoy the respect normally accorded to the top player in the women’s game. Can Jankovic break through the respect barrier?

Four women can still take the top spot: Jankovic, Dementieva, Serena and Safina. (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round and second-round loser Ivanovic missed out when Jankovic made the semi-final.) More here.

Kuznetsova’s Quarter

Bye bye: Schnyder

Dementieva wins quarter

Jankovic’s Quarter

Bye bye: Bammer

Jankovic wins quarter

Ivanovic’s Quarter

Quarterfinal: Pennetta vs Safina

Serena Williams’ Quarter

Quarterfinal: S Williams vs V Williams

YouTube video of Schnyder scoring a direct hit on Srebotnik – it wasn’t intentional (but you always wonder with Patty).

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I'm just trying to look serious. (laughter) Do I need to get respect? Do I have respect or do I want this respect? I'm just trying, you know, to play some tennis.

I already answered this 100 times

US Open

Men:

Querrey took the fight to Nadal but the Pirate king likes a brawl and won in four. What is Fish doing in a quarterfinal? (Answer: losing to Nadal – where’s the betting shop?) Del Potro ended Japanese hopes, is he the new favourite for the quarter?

Nadal’s Quarter
Bye bye: Querrey, Monfils
Nadal still on track to win quarter

Ferrer’s Quarter
Bye bye: Nishikori
Murray still on track to win quarter

Djokovic’s Quarter
Matches to watch: Roddick vs Gonzalez, Robredo vs Djokovic

Fed’s Quarter
Matches to watch: Davydenko vs Muller, Andreev vs Federer

Women:

Team Williams dominated today blowing away Radwanska and Bremond, now we get what we deserve - a dire quarterfinal. It’s their fault of course, they should both be comfortably in the top 4 and get their own quarters, but they don’t play enough tournaments so their rankings are low enough for an earlier meeting, although seeds 4 and 7 meeting in a quarterfinal is just plain unlucky. Who do you root for?

Safina baulked at the first hurdle refusing to take the court against Groenefeld. She shouldn’t have worried, even at 20% she was still too good for the comeback girl. Will 20% (or less) be enough to take care of Pennetta? (Yes). “What would it mean for you to win this tournament? I already answered this 100 times...”

Five women can still take the top spot: Jankovic, Dementieva, Serena, Safina and second-round loser Ivanovic. (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round.) More here.

Ivanovic’s Quarter
Bye bye: Mauresmo, Groenefeld
Safina still on track to win quarter

Serena Williams’ Quarter
Bye bye: Bremond, Radwanska
Serena Williams now favourite to win quarter

Kuznetsova’s Quarter
Quarterfinal: Dementieva vs Schnyder

Jankovic’s Quarter
Quarterfinal: Bammer vs Jankovic


“It’s nice to know he actually had to go out there and fight for it rather than me kind of handing it to him,” said Querrey.

Love it when the player knows more than the reporter about what’s going on:
Q. Looking ahead you might play Amélie next in the quarterfinals.
DINARA SAFINA: She's a set down.
Q. You played her couple years ago and you lost in that the quarterfinal. Do you feel like you have a little bit of a mental edge this time if she does come through?
DINARA SAFINA: I don't care. I think I don't know. Still I have to see who is the winner, so I don't to think it is going to be Amélie when Pennetta is going to win.

I didn’t even really sweat

US Open

Men:
Apparently Luxemburg is now on the tennis map Muller’s reward: Nikolay Davydenko – where’s the nearest betting shop?

Davydenko won the battle of Russia defeating pseudo-Russian Tursunov, Robredo upstaged Tsonga’s antics, Roddick beat Seppi and Fed rolled over Stepanek.

Djokovic’s Quarter

Bye bye: Tsonga
Djokovic still on track to win quarter

Fed’s Quarter

Bye bye: Tursunov, Stepanek
Federer still on track to win quarter

Nadal’s Quarter

Matches to watch: Nadal vs Querrey, Fish vs Monfils

Ferrer’s Quarter

Matches to watch: Murray vs Wawrinka, Nishikori vs Del Potro

Women:

Jankovic ended Wozniacki’s run, outlasting the youngster in three, Bartoli got Bammered and Schnyder took out Srebotnik – she had an easy run to the quarterfinal, Dementieva will be tougher though. Elena the (almost great) beat Li Na – does greatness await?

Will Williams fans be rooting for either Bremond or Radwanska to win (but only one) to avoid an all Williams quarterfinal that has them unable to barrack properly? Agnieszka Radwanska - “I don’t know how to say her first name too well,” said Venus – to give her a pronunciation lesson and save hordes of Williams’ fans from a dire quarterfinal.

Five women can still take the top spot: Jankovic, Dementieva, Serena, Safina and second-round loser Ivanovic. (It was six but the Kuz missed out when Ivanovic made it to the second round.) More here.

Kuznetsova’s Quarter

Bye bye: Srebotnik, Li

Dementieva still on track to win quarter

Jankovic’s Quarter

Bye bye: Wozniacki, Bartoli

Jankovic now favourite to win quarter

Ivanovic’s Quarter

Matches to watch: Mauresmo vs Pennetta, Groenefeld vs Safina

Serena Williams’ Quarter

Matches to watch: S Williams vs Bremond, Radwanska vs V Williams

“I didn’t even really sweat,” said Bammer. Don’t worry, you will.