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Post by Brinyi on Jul 4, 2007 13:35:34 GMT -5
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Post by Brinyi on Jul 6, 2007 9:13:20 GMT -5
Gnomonjic def. Leandamm in 4. ;D
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Post by janie on Jul 8, 2007 7:38:22 GMT -5
Mixed Doubles - Semis Jonas Bjorkman (SWE)[5]/ Alicia Molik (AUS)[5] v. Fabrice Santoro (FRA)/ Severine Bremond (FRA)NOW HOW DOES ONE CHOOSE WHO TO ROOT FOR HERE?? Anyway, they've split sets ...
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Post by janie on Jul 8, 2007 8:01:34 GMT -5
Oh, well. I eventually realized that I was rooting hard for Gnomemond, but they lost. Well, good luck in the final to the other , then!
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Post by janie on Jul 10, 2007 10:07:21 GMT -5
Not Gnome, but close enough -- okay, maybe not, but where COULD I put it? -- too beautiful to miss --
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Post by Brinyi on Jul 16, 2007 9:46:58 GMT -5
Bud and Fab, an unbeatable combination!
Santoro is a Gaul of fame Up to old tricks, he grabs crown with both hands By Bud Collins, Globe Correspondent | July 16, 2007
NEWPORT, R.I. -- Rochambeau was here. And so were Santoro and Mahut, good Frenchmen all.
On the local waterfront you will see a statue of General Jean Baptiste Rochambeau, who landed at Newport in 1780, commanding a French armed force that helped George Washington beat the Brits in the Revolutionary War.
Armed with tennis rackets, Fabrice Santoro and Nicolas Mahut landed at the Newport Casino a few days ago to help out the locals by selling out the final of the Jimmy Van Alen Cup, showing off their versions of Gaul Ball. No Frenchman had appeared before in a Casino final.
But here was 34-year-old Monsieur Magique -- that's the marvelous prestidigitator, Santoro -- as the oldest of Newport victors, lighting up his 19th professional campaign. His 6-4, 6-4 triumph in 78 minutes meant a fifth singles title in his pocket. Doubly pleasing for the devilish double-hander was the fact that five years had passed since the last one. Ranked No. 68 (to Mahut's No. 83), Santoro sees no end to his rare kind of fun, using every shot in the book, and some spins and angles only in his book.
You might call him the poor man's Monica Seles, she probably the greatest of the double-barreled stylists. Pete Sampras called Santoro "a magician" a few years ago for the way he pokes the ball to the openings with his gut-strung wand.
"I know I am like no other player," says the 5-foot-9-inch, 170-pound Santoro, who delighted the audience of 3,693. "I don't have much strength. You see everybody hitting big forehands and backhands. There is nothing 'big' in my game, except maybe my legs. I can run down balls."
He also has the magic formula -- "I put the ball where the opponent is not." Simple and obvious, yet who can do it so consistently and efficiently?
Says Mahut, "Fabrice always seemed to know where I would be."
Though sunny, it was a better day for yachting than serving. "The wind made it tough on the toss," says Santoro, whose cause was boosted by Mahut's 10 double faults. Three of them gave Santoro a break and a 2-1 lead in the second set.
Not only was he losing points but Mahut wasn't winning them with aces. He had only two, reaching the final with 38. While Santoro lost serve for the only time to 3-3 in the second, then fell behind 3-4, break point, he climbed out of that hole, closing the game to 4-4 with an ace. Quickly he won the last two games, losing just three points. Mahut's last two double faults cost him the ninth game, and he was a goner.
Born in Tahiti, Santoro seems to do well beside the sea. Lyon was his lone inland title. "I will be back here. I love the atmosphere, playing on grass, the museum of the Hall of Fame. I always wanted to see it," he says. "It's been a busy time. Last Sunday I was playing Wimbledon, semis of the mixed. By Tuesday I was here, not thinking I could win the title.
"Then there was seeing Pete, which was great. It was a great compliment when he called me a magician."
Sampras, the newly initiated Hall of Famer, played a morning exhibition against Todd Martin that drew another sellout, making this a record day for the world's oldest tennis patch: 7,386 customers.
Also relishing the atmosphere is the US-Australian coalition of Jim Thomas and Jordan Kerr, winners of the doubles championship for a third successive year. They beat the Aussie-Russian combo of Nathan Healey and Igor Kunitsyn, 6-3, 7-5.
Santoro says, "I started to play this strange way when I was 6. I can't hit anything but the serve with one hand. It works for me, but no coach could teach it. Or want to." © Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company
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Post by janie on Jul 16, 2007 13:09:44 GMT -5
Oh, that is fantastic. The Gnome was so happy to see Pete!!
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Post by Brinyi on Jul 19, 2007 11:43:16 GMT -5
Revenons sur la carrière du «Magicien» tel que le surnommait Sampras à l’époque... On ne soulignera sans doute jamais assez la transformation radicale que Fabrice Santoro a fait subir à son jeu au cours de sa carrière. Petit prodige lors de ses années juniors, à peine moins côté que Gasquet au même âge, son jeu a longtemps consisté à remettre le plus de balles possibles dans le cours en s’appuyant sur un jeu de jambes parfait. C’est en 91, à 18 ans que le torero Santoro se fait véritablement connaître sur le grand circuit en atteignant notamment les 1/8 de finales à Roland Garros et surtout en remportant le 5ème match décisif en ½ finales de la Coupe Davis face à l’Australien Wally Masur dans les arènes de Nîmes. Porté en triomphe par Cap’tain Noah et tous ses coéquipiers, la Coupe Davis le révèle mais 6 plus tard, elle lui fera beaucoup de mal. Santoro est classé numéro 2 Français à l’ATP au moment de l’annonce de la sélection, mais Leconte, classé au-delà de la 150ème place mondial et donné perdu pour le tennis, lui est préféré par Noah. Le capitaine, sur le déclin mais toujours en activité, avait auparavant battu Santoro au 1er tour de Bercy en jouant de toute son influence...une défaite puis une non-sélection très traumatisante pour le jeune Français... Il effectue ensuite des saisons 92, 93, 94 relativement correctes, sans véritable coup d’éclat mais il apparaît très régulièrement dans les 50 meilleurs joueurs du monde et termine d’ailleurs ces 3 saisons dans le Top 60 (43ème en 92, 55ème en 93, 46ème en 94 / meilleur classement sur cette période: 24ème en mars 93). Petit à petit, son style de jeu stéréotypé lui pèse. Il ne prend plus de plaisir et sombre lors des saisons 95 et 96. 118ème fin 96, il n’est alors pas très loin d’abandonner ses raquettes... Alors à l’intersaison 96-97, il décide de révolutionner son style de jeu avec l’aide de son père et entraîneur, Marcel, qui lui rappelle que tout petit, il s’amusait grâce à des coups très variés et prenait plaisir à user de sa grande malice. A 25 ans, c’est le retour aux premières amours pour Santoro qui décide de partir à l’abordage du filet et d’user et d’abuser de ses coups chopés pour rendre fou les gros bras du circuit. Son style absolument unique lui vaut d’être surnommé «Le Magicien» par Pete Sampras lui-même! C’est à Monte-Carlo que ce changement de cap commence à porter ses fruits. Santoro atteint les ½ finales après avoir sorti notamment Muster, alors numéro 2 mondial et Bruguera, qui atteindra pour la 3ème fois la finale de Roland-Garros quelques semaines plus tard. Par la suite, il remportera notamment le tournoi de Lyon, le 1er de sa carrière et terminera la saison 97 à la 29ème place mondiale. Sa carrière est relancée et il va acquérir auprès du public et de ses compères, la réputation méritée d’être un joueur atypique et l’un des plus spectaculaires sur le circuit. C’est au cours de cette «2ème» carrière qu’il rencontre le plus de succès. Il devient la bête noire de Safin et le pilier du double de Coupe Davis français (avec comme point culminant une victoire en finale face aux Australiens Rafter et Hewitt associé à Pioline en 2001). 2001 restera sans doute sa meilleure saison. Il termine 22ème après avoir atteint la 17ème place en aout. Il atteindra entre autre cette année-là, la finale de Halle et les ½ finales du Masters Series de Montréal. Il battra aussi Safin à Roland Garros en 5 sets sur le Central après avoir sciemment laissé filer la 4ème manche... Un match d’anthologie, symbole de sa formidable capacité à rendre impuissant les meilleurs joueurs du monde et symbole de toute son intelligence de jeu. Santoro vient de prouver qu’à 35 ans, son jeu pouvait encore causer de beaux dégâts dans les cerveaux adverses. Poursuivra t-il sa carrière en 2008? Tous les fans de tennis l’espèrent. Autrefois très banal, ce joueur est devenu unique. C’est le prototype même du joueur qui malgré son manque de puissance, parvient à rivaliser face aux tout meilleurs grâce à sa science du jeu (il compile informatiquement des données sur ses adversaires!). Vivement qu’un nouveau joueur comme lui apparaisse sur le circuit. Mais peut-être restera-t-il comme le dernier à pratiquer ce genre de jeu lorsque l’on constate que, dans les écoles de tennis et même à la Direction Technique Nationale, on prône la pratique d’un jeu ultra-puissant en allant jusqu’à écarter les joueurs plus frêles physiquement quitte à passer à côté d’un manipulateur de balles extraordinaire... www.sportvox.fr/article.php3?id_article=15265
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Post by janie on Aug 29, 2007 9:57:15 GMT -5
Wow, Gnome is playing Mixed with Meilen Tu.
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Post by Brinyi on Oct 31, 2007 9:35:33 GMT -5
Fabrice Santoro lors de sa victoire surprise face à Novak Djokovic, le 31 octobre 2007. - mercredi 31 octobre, 15h06 Fabrice Santoro s'est qualifié pour le 3e tour du tournoi de Paris-Bercy en battant le Serbe Novak Djokovic, N.3 mondial, en deux sets 6-3, 6-2, mercredi.
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Post by Brinyi on Oct 31, 2007 14:12:21 GMT -5
Q. Thursday you play Andy Murray. He has said you are his favourite player to watch...
F.Santoro: Really? I hope he watches me, then!
...
Q.: How if your left thigh injury?
F.Santoro: There's no change. There's still a 1 centimetre tear. It's bringing me luck. Maybe I'll keep it forever!
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Post by sasha on Oct 31, 2007 18:36:03 GMT -5
The same shirt 2 days in a row.
Koubek must relinquish his role as Ugly Shirt.
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Post by Brinyi on Jan 1, 2008 11:06:32 GMT -5
French tennis veteran Santoro wins in Qatar 20 hours ago DOHA (AFP) — Fabrice Santoro, the oldest singles player playing regularly on the ATP Tour, began what may be the last season of his career with a good win and thoughts about an imminent record. The 35-year-old Frenchman overcame Andreas Seppi, the top 50 Italian, by 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 -- a hopeful omen for what should be a memorable piece of record-breaking at the Australian Open the week after next. Assuming that Santoro suffers no injury before Melbourne, he will break Andre Agassi's all-time record of playing in 61 Grand Slam events, a phenomenal achievement on a tour which gets tougher and more physically demanding by the year. "I never thought abut this in the past," said Santoro. "But people are now starting to talk to me about it, so I feel like it's almost there. "It's a great record to beat because it's Andre Agassi, who is one of the best tennis players ever. I have a huge respect for him and this is the only record I'll ever take from him. "It means I have been consistent at a high level for almost 20 years." Santoro was more canny than consistent against Seppi, a 12-years younger opponent who hit a hot spell in the second set, causing Santoro to make the calculated risk of letting the set go. "I took a rest and thought about a third set," he admitted. Asked if this was not risky, he replied with a smile: "Whenever you win you have to take a risk." He may find it even harder now though, for his next opponent, in the second round of the Qatar Open, is probably the top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, who starts Tuesday against Benedikt Dorsch, the German qualifier. This means that Santoro, a titleholder here eight years ago, may be Australia-bound sooner rather than later, though he should return to the Middle East before retiring at the Beijing Olympics in August. He expects to compete again at the Dubai Open next month, where he has also been a titleholder.
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Post by janie on Jan 4, 2008 19:53:15 GMT -5
Gnome's retiring at the Olympics?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNN! Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.
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Post by sasha on Jan 4, 2008 20:47:55 GMT -5
Boo, why retire now.
He could still own at doubles for a while. And he probably won't get hurt there as much.
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Post by Brinyi on Jan 10, 2008 12:58:19 GMT -5
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Post by Brinyi on Mar 4, 2008 15:16:12 GMT -5
Best entertainer in the business By Moni Mathews 4 March 2008 DUBAI — The French veteran does not play a conventional forehand. Instead, he carries out a double handed forehand like one does for a backhand. And, at the very last moment, he takes his right hand away from the bottom of the handle and goes through making a slick left handed chip. Practically everything about his game is fantastic. The chip, the slice and the stylish serve and volley style - they come in one package. There is no rush or fuss about Fabrice Santoro’s game and he makes everything look so slick and smooth. Santoro has a handy first serve that ranges between 190-195kph and a spin charged second that can turn quite a bit like a Shane Warne flipper or to put it better, a Muttiah Muralitharan standard delivery. Every stroke that Santoro, who has been in Dubai right from the first tournament in 1993, played yesterday, had a delicate touch to it and one of the best, in fact the best, was when he swung his racquet around his back for a reverse backhand in the first set. Top badminton players do this more regularly in doubles, as theirs is a faster game requiring quicker reflexes. To do this in tennis and that too to win a point off it, is amazing. “I try some odd shots and in tight situations one must give it the best try. It was just reflex action, nothing else and I do not know whether I will be able to do again for some time. “I keep trying this shot. It all depends on the moment and on instinct at a particular time,” said Santoro. The slices, in fact 90 per cent of his shots are based on this style and there is hardly a flat or a whipping forehand or backhand. Santoro was simply superb and it would be worth coming to the Dubai Tennis Stadium just to know what we are talking about. Win or lose, Santoro the Magician will entertain. “To beat Mihkail is a difficult job. I have never missed the event here. Round two against Djokovic - if he gets through round one, well I will have to run and play a lot harder than I did against Youzhny if I am to stand a chance,” he said. “He is the most improved top 10 player and Djo is not afraid to play anyone on any day. His confidence is fantastic.” Talking about his peculiar forehand which is a backhand at the end of the stroke, he said, “It was the best piece of advice I ever got. Initially I played a more conservative type of game in my career and my father told me to try out a new kind of approach on both hands way back in 1996. I have more time for the slice I depend on from both sides.” Pete Sampras called him the Magician after a memorable third round encounter at Indian Wells in 2002 and for no small reason. His repertoire of strokes and innovation for every single moment of his matches for the past 19 years since he turned pro in 1989 has gone into making the 5ft 10in handsome gentleman of the court, a legend in his own right. When it comes to entertainment without any fuss like some sportspersons do on court these days, Santoro is no doubt a legend for the number years he has lasted on the Tour where everyone finds him the most dangerous floater. Born in an exotic and peaceful place like Tahiti, he is bound to have an ‘exotic, magical touch’ to everything he touches or does. Today, the French star is a Geneva resident. What does he look forward to as the ‘end’ might be very close regarding his career. “Nothing much, no definite plans but I do want to play on centre court at Wimbledon. In my two decades of top flight tennis, this is the only place where I have not made a centre court appearance,” he said with a smile.
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Post by Brinyi on Mar 5, 2008 15:56:08 GMT -5
"It was an honour to have played against such a very special player."
-- N.Djokovic
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Post by janie on Mar 26, 2008 18:41:49 GMT -5
It's not every day the Gnome's fans get to hear of a 61 60 victory in 48 minutes! Too bad it was over his fellow Bjorkman -- it'd be a lot more fun if he'd do this to Chip, or to Roddick. Have we lost our geezer smiley?
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Post by Brinyi on Apr 3, 2008 12:37:59 GMT -5
I'm pleased to report that the Gnome has been selected to carry the Olympic flame when it passes through Paris. M.Pierce will also participate.
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Post by janie on Jul 13, 2008 20:10:41 GMT -5
I lost the dancing man URL! So the happy ghost will have to do, to celebrate the Gnome's big win.
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Post by Brinyi on Jul 16, 2008 15:02:30 GMT -5
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Post by janie on Jul 16, 2008 20:23:06 GMT -5
Yes! Thanks a million.
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Post by Brinyi on Dec 15, 2008 10:18:23 GMT -5
"There's no doubt about it, I've made my decision. 2009 will be my final season. Without wanting to be pretentious, I think I could still play for two or three years since I have no injuries. But I've thought long and hard and feel the need to move on to other things. Starting in 2010 I'll be living a more ordinary life, spending more time with my daughter, my family and friends.
"The idea is not to make a farewell tour, but to have fun at the tournaments I love, while remaining competitive. I won't be there just to take a beating every Monday. The plan is to play my final tournament at Bercy."
-- The Gnome
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Post by freudo on Dec 15, 2008 11:52:29 GMT -5
I'm glad he'll pay a few in 2009!
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Post by janie on Dec 15, 2008 20:08:38 GMT -5
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Post by janie on Jan 21, 2009 9:53:21 GMT -5
Fabrice Santoro 21-01-09 Q. How badly were you hurting at the end? You looked as though you were happy that the match finished. FABRICE SANTORO: Yeah, the last point I was happy. Just before the point I remember I feel very bad pain on my left leg. It started cramping badly. I was very worry about playing the last point. Just happy to finish this match. Q. What was the factor, I mean, why did you win? Describe how you won. FABRICE SANTORO: I won because I didn't want to lose, is the main point. When I start the match, I was feeling pretty well. I recover from two days ago against Juan Carlos. It was pretty warm out there. But then the sun came down and I was feeling better on the court. I just want to leave the tournament 100%, leaving the best I can. I think I played one of my best Grand Slam match.Q. Do you have in your mind the memories from three years ago when you just had your first quarterfinal in the singles? FABRICE SANTORO: Yes, Melbourne means a lot for me. Melbourne Park has a lot of memories. I love the city and I love the tournament. Melbourne Park is something very special for me. Every time I come here I play good tennis. I have the power to push my body to give the best I can. Once again, this tournament, even if it's not over, this tournament is a great moment for me to remember. Q. What were your impressions of your opponent? FABRICE SANTORO: I knew before the match it was going to be very difficult. I knew him for a couple years. He's the kind of player I like to watch on TV or when I can. Because he can do everything on the court. He moves well and serves well. Unbelievable backhand and the forehand is pretty good, too. He has every opening in his racquet. So I was worried before the match. I thought it's going to be very difficult to beat him. He pushed me to play my best, and I did it. Q. He said you have no chance in the next round. He would have easily won if you had played best‑of‑three sets. What are your comments? FABRICE SANTORO: I can't say I have no chance at all for the next round. It's going to be tough for sure. I will see Friday morning when I wake up how good is my body, how bad is my body. Then we'll see. But once again, even if I'm tired Friday, even if I can't play my best tennis, I will give everything on the court.
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Post by janie on Jan 21, 2009 9:54:57 GMT -5
Gnome is not playing Mixed this year. Dubs with the musically named Yves Allegro.
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Post by Brinyi on Jan 21, 2009 13:05:19 GMT -5
Thanks Janie. I'm not surprised to see Gnomie say good things about Chatschreiber, who plays with smarts and variety. "C’était un match avec énormément d’intensité. Un match plein avec de nombreux rebondissements. De bout en bout, la qualité de jeu a été extraordinaire. Il a vraiment fallu que je joue à mon meilleur niveau pour passer cet obstacle. Je suis vraiment ravi d’y être parvenu. C’était extrêmement dur sur le plan physique. Il a fait très chaud en début de match, j’étais très fatigué après 2h de rencontre. Je commençais à avoir des douleurs un peu partout. La douleur, ce n’est pas une blessure. Il faut savoir la gérer, même si c’est désagréable. "Je ressens beaucoup de bonheur et de fierté. Je n’avais pas envie de céder, je voulais lui montrer que je pouvais moi aussi tenir malgré mes 36 ans et notre différence d’âge."
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Post by janie on Jan 22, 2009 8:06:38 GMT -5
Fell hard in dubs at the first hurdle, to 46 16 26 to Paes and whoever.
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