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Post by Denise49IQ on Jan 24, 2008 13:08:02 GMT -5
Can't see Maria losing this one. She's just been too good. Ana's draw has been a joke, and she's been very patchy, so I'm sensing another Slam final blowout here.
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Post by Calico on Jan 24, 2008 13:10:04 GMT -5
I'm still in shock that Ana the most beautiful person in tennis acted as ruthlessly as she did in her match against Hantuchova one of her best friends in der velt (the world) and the WTA Tour. Ana squeaked her sneakers, pumped her left fist, gave the chair umpire a hard time and yelled to herself constantly. It was very Sharapova - like and I'm not used to it from Ana. But acting tough and playing tough worked for Ana against the meek Hantuchova. If Ana behaves like that in the final against the uber tough Sharapova it will be nasty and edgy match with glares, stares, fist pumps and yells galore. Not very lady like but it will be interesting to see how things play out in the final between the glamorous one (Sharapova) and the beautiful one (Ivanovic). I give Ana the edge at this point becaue she has a little more power than Maria and Masha can wilt facing big babe power as we've seen.
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Post by :rolleyes: on Jan 24, 2008 14:04:09 GMT -5
Ivanovic is just average-looking. They showed interviews of her on ESPN and you can get a good closeup look at her plain face.
Doesn't matter how much she wins, she'll never get the sex appeal attention that Maria gets.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 24, 2008 15:14:12 GMT -5
Ana squeaked her sneakers, pumped her left fist, gave the chair umpire a hard time and yelled to herself constantly. It was very Sharapova - like and I'm not used to it from Ana. Because...you've never watched an Ivanovic match in your life? That's the only logical explanation.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 24, 2008 15:14:30 GMT -5
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Post by Self-Love, Baby! on Jan 24, 2008 16:09:32 GMT -5
Yes, I saw a Tsonga win like this coming and had the nerve to call it. Is there anything more sweet than seeing a confident top player against Nadal? It's reminiscent of old Lindsay/Amelie matches. Amelie: "Haha! I will confound you with many top spin shots!" Lindsay: "Oh. *Steps up, BAM WINNER every point*" Amelie, in Nadal speak: "Sheet. This berry berry much bad. I not know what else to do! Well, I will keep hitting to your backhand. It not strong enough!" Lindsay: "Oh. BAM WINNERS 6-2 6-2 K. Bye." Lol, those matches are some of my fondest tennis memories. Wow, Tsonga! I was expecting a 4 or 5-setter, but nothing this dominant. I feel less bad about the Misha loss because he is absolutely earning this run. His speed and footwork is so improved from last year, so he can play both offense and defense incredible well. He made Nadal look like a Top 80 claycourter - seeeeeeeee ya, wouldn't want to be ya. I also believe Novak will have a good shot at Federer tonight. I wonder how the Tsonga upset will play on their minds. Perhaps it won't, because both Fed and Nole know how good their next opponent is and will be focusing on that match 100%.
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Post by Self-Love, Baby! on Jan 24, 2008 16:16:32 GMT -5
I'm still in shock that Ana the most beautiful person in tennis acted as ruthlessly as she did in her match against Hantuchova one of her best friends in der velt (the world) and the WTA Tour. Ana squeaked her sneakers, pumped her left fist, gave the chair umpire a hard time and yelled to herself constantly. It was very Sharapova - like and I'm not used to it from Ana. But acting tough and playing tough worked for Ana against the meek Hantuchova. If Ana behaves like that in the final against the uber tough Sharapova it will be nasty and edgy match with glares, stares, fist pumps and yells galore. Not very lady like but it will be interesting to see how things play out in the final between the glamorous one (Sharapova) and the beautiful one (Ivanovic). I give Ana the edge at this point becaue she has a little more power than Maria and Masha can wilt facing big babe power as we've seen. I don't agree with people saying this stuff, that she's changed and is turning into Sharapova. She's always been intense on the court and I've matches for a couple of years full of AJDEs and fist pumps, even against her "friends" on the tour. I also don't think she was that hard on the umpire. Nothing she said was truly bitchy or disrespectful. When she argues with an umpire,l she doesn't go on and on for hours but states her case firmly and walks away. She's no Roddick. But I agree that her intensity won her the match. I mean, after 6-0, 2-0, Daniela's face because so visibly full of nervous tension. You didn't need to watch the points to see that she tightened up, you could tell from her face alone. But Ana's face doesn't reveal much, and she always maintains her belief in the self. MJF said it the best: Dani left her winning game plan whereas Ana always stuck to her guns. I like that about her, it screams champion. Even with the flaws in her game, she's building so well for a 20 year old. Not everyone is Maria Sharapova at the age of 17, and that's okay. Those players (Austin, Hingis, Seles) burn out or get attacked for being too good. I do like Dani, though, and feel bad for the way that she lost. It's really got to be heartbreaking to get so close but not close it out. Especially because she was unlucky having to replay the 30-40 break point at 4-4, and Ana just barely got to that ball (although I think Hantuchova knew very well that she did, she was just hoping and praying). Last note: Ana is so much better at putting away short balls and swinging volleys than Jelena. My god.
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Post by Self-Love, Baby! on Jan 24, 2008 16:19:55 GMT -5
Ana squeaked her sneakers, pumped her left fist, gave the chair umpire a hard time and yelled to herself constantly. It was very Sharapova - like and I'm not used to it from Ana. Because...you've never watched an Ivanovic match in your life? That's the only logical explanation. And acquiring haters is always a good thing - it means your career is on the way up and you are beating elite players. I'll never forget Williams and other fans completely turning on Davenport in the summer of 2004. ;D They went from thinking, "Awww how nice the vet is still playing, what a champion she was, she will be missed when she retires soon" to "Fuck that bitch, who does she think she is?, she's just getting lucky." I loved it all. Now people on the world are similarly turning on Ana. ;D
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Post by Self-Love, Baby! on Jan 24, 2008 16:32:46 GMT -5
Great thread: www.menstennisforums.com/showthread.php?t=116410Especially considering that someone posted a thread asking if Tsonga will be #1 after the USO. Ummm, kay. Do we know who started the "Never in doubt" and "This _______ is good" fads on MTF??
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Post by Self-Love, Baby! on Jan 24, 2008 16:33:31 GMT -5
"Tsonga sleeps with a night light. Not because Tsonga is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of Tsonga." lolz
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Post by Edna Krabappel on Jan 24, 2008 16:43:46 GMT -5
Ana is visibly more pumped up on court now than she was, say, a year ago. I think it's likely she took a crash course in sports psychology, something like "How to develop a winning mentality in 10 easy lessons". Pump your fist 50 times per set and the results will come. But there's no doubt that intensity has helped her come through some extremely tough matches, like Vaidisova at Wimbledon, Jankovic in LA or Hantuchova now. Yeah, you could argue that those are all 2nd tier players, but a year ago she was getting demolished by Zvonareva, bagelled by Bammer and losing to Shvedova. It is a progress for her, we're yet to see if she going to take it to the next level and starts challenging the likes of Justine and Sharapova.
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Post by sasha on Jan 24, 2008 17:41:25 GMT -5
Hehe...
While I like Jo-Willy, you can't put too much into this match. Nadal gives you the opportunity to look like an unbeatable force. And he was very fortunate to finish off Murray when he did... that's a match he loses most of the time.
Tsonga has weaknesses. While he's fast, he's not quick. Which comes from being the naturally big guy he is. Fitness will likely always be an issue, since he's ripped now and was fading in that Murray match.
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Post by Calico on Jan 24, 2008 20:30:52 GMT -5
Ana is visibly more pumped up on court now than she was, say, a year ago. I think it's likely she took a crash course in sports psychology, something like "How to develop a winning mentality in 10 easy lessons". Pump your fist 50 times per set and the results will come. But there's no doubt that intensity has helped her come through some extremely tough matches, like Vaidisova at Wimbledon, Jankovic in LA or Hantuchova now. Yeah, you could argue that those are all 2nd tier players, but a year ago she was getting demolished by Zvonareva, bagelled by Bammer and losing to Shvedova. It is a progress for her, we're yet to see if she going to take it to the next level and starts challenging the likes of Justine and Sharapova. Well said about Ana's relatively new on court aggression. I concur. And Ana now win's some big matches such as against Hantuchova in the Australian Open semifinals because of her toughness and guts which compliment her potent game very well.
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Post by Calico on Jan 24, 2008 20:34:01 GMT -5
Because...you've never watched an Ivanovic match in your life? That's the only logical explanation. And acquiring haters is always a good thing - it means your career is on the way up and you are beating elite players. I'll never forget Williams and other fans completely turning on Davenport in the summer of 2004. ;D They went from thinking, "Awww how nice the vet is still playing, what a champion she was, she will be missed when she retires soon" to "Fuck that bitch, who does she think she is?, she's just getting lucky." I loved it all. Now people on the world are similarly turning on Ana. ;D Good point. Ana Ivanovic is getting roasted by some at WTA World because of how she behaved in her match against Hantuchova. But part of the heat Ana is currently getting could be because people now see her as being a real threat to the top players in the coming years.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 24, 2008 21:13:08 GMT -5
It's funny how certain people all over the tennis message board universe didn't care when she ACTED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY against Venus Williams.
I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt by assuming you've never watched Ivanovic play before, the cat.
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Post by :rolleyes: on Jan 24, 2008 22:00:50 GMT -5
Look what tennis has become. now it's acceptable to lose a match to a player who clearly played by the rules and beat you.
all thanx to pam shriver and serena
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Post by Calico on Jan 24, 2008 22:06:47 GMT -5
It's funny how certain people all over the tennis message board universe didn't care when she ACTED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY against Venus Williams. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt by assuming you've never watched Ivanovic play before, the cat. You made the wrong assumption.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 24, 2008 22:12:21 GMT -5
Then why no indignation after she acted EXACTLY THE SAME WAY against Venus, let alone against every other player ever? That's Ana. Deal with it.
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Post by The Chloe on Jan 24, 2008 22:27:47 GMT -5
At least Nadal later owned up to getting totally thumped and not having any answers.
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Post by sasha on Jan 24, 2008 22:57:38 GMT -5
I'll also credit Nadal for living up to the best fighter stuff he gets. He kept trying in this one with his 1-trick game. His tanking and attitude against Fat Dave in Paris was awful.
Why are you people talking about this Ana stuff? OMG she pumps her fist! So fucking what. If you're a top player and you're not trying to intimidate the Primadonna Wimps in the WTA, you're giving up an advantage.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 24, 2008 22:59:00 GMT -5
BUT SHE'S SO PRETTY! COW HOOD SHE?!?!?
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Post by sasha on Jan 24, 2008 23:03:54 GMT -5
I wonder if the cat knows that St. Kim of Niceness also pumped her fist and intimidated her opponents lots. And she'd get annoying with it, too.
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Post by Calico on Jan 24, 2008 23:29:18 GMT -5
Then why no indignation after she acted EXACTLY THE SAME WAY against Venus, let alone against every other player ever? That's Ana. Deal with it. I didn't think Ana acted exactly the same way against Venus than she did Dani. I think she acted worse in her match with Daniela.
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Post by DBBN on Jan 25, 2008 9:49:50 GMT -5
Well...whatever, the point is she pumps her fist like every second. I'm surprised that you were so surprised.
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Post by corswandt on Jan 25, 2008 17:32:23 GMT -5
I'm confused by the Ana positivity here. She did not play well. She did not play well vs. Venus. Her two slam finals are bullshit. Having more fight and belief than Daniela Hantuchova is the equivalent of being able to tie your shoes. The ranking means nothing. It's only a symbol of avoiding injury, consistently beating lower ranked players (which nowadays means bashing the ball and intimidating your mentally weak opponents) and getting fortunate draws at Grand Slams. I've been hating on Ivanovic for quite some time for these very same reasons. But that some people in here have come to agree with me will be of no comfort tomorrow when she blasts Maria off the court.
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Post by corswandt on Jan 25, 2008 17:37:29 GMT -5
Why are you people talking about this Ana stuff? OMG she pumps her fist! So fucking what. It's because Ivanovic is being marketed as someone who is everything that cheating bitch Shriekapova isn't.
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Post by corswandt on Jan 25, 2008 17:40:44 GMT -5
Yes, I saw a Tsonga win like this coming and had the nerve to call it. Is there anything more sweet than seeing a confident top player against Nadal? It's reminiscent of old Lindsay/Amelie matches. Amelie: "Haha! I will confound you with many top spin shots!" Lindsay: "Oh. *Steps up, BAM WINNER every point*" Amelie, in Nadal speak: "Sheet. This berry berry much bad. I not know what else to do! Well, I will keep hitting to your backhand. It not strong enough!" Lindsay: "Oh. BAM WINNERS 6-2 6-2 K. Bye." I missed it, sadly. Never expected it to go this way. Refusing to watch Nadal matches deprives me of these small pleasures from time to time. But I did go out of my way to watch both of his losses to Fat Dave.
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Post by The Chloe on Jan 26, 2008 2:39:30 GMT -5
Why are you people talking about this Ana stuff? OMG she pumps her fist! So fucking what. It's because Ivanovic is being marketed as someone who is everything that cheating bitch Shriekapova isn't. Sharapova was marketed pretty favourably as well. Somehow, I don't think marketing was ever the issue there. It might just be that she's actually reaallllly annoying. Even more annoying than Ana. Possibly only because Ana has only been shoved down our throats for a short period of time. Hit me back on this in two years.
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Post by sasha on Jan 26, 2008 3:03:50 GMT -5
Sharapova is marketed as a gorgeous, yet athletic Princess. Where's the difference.
It's not that I even find Maria annoying. That's not even Maria we see out there. She's a Corporate Robot. If you ever get the rare chance to see her when she's not forced to be her character, you can obviously tell.
And like I've said a million times, I can't wait until she steps up and tells Daddy to fuck off. I'd adore her.
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Post by The Chloe on Jan 26, 2008 3:08:15 GMT -5
It would be fantastic if she could shout at him during a match to just fucking leave. She'd hold a special place in my heart, too, if she did that. But it will never happen.
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