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Post by RogiFan on Aug 20, 2003 7:13:42 GMT -5
LIkely because he looks like them ... That figures... Coria looks about 13 if that!! I think a lot of women liked the look of Tommy Hackie, can't keep up w your reports! And we still have power!! Hackie can't wait to see your pix of Alex! Sounds like a great dbles match that you caught... w good players too!
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Post by The Chloe on Aug 20, 2003 9:57:59 GMT -5
That figures... Coria looks about 13 if that!! I was thinking more like 15, but 13 would work too He really needs to lose the backwards cap, which makes him lose a couple years Of course they did
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Post by Ilhame on Aug 20, 2003 10:49:12 GMT -5
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Post by Lee on Aug 20, 2003 11:03:35 GMT -5
Can't see them, Ilhame!
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Post by Ilhame on Aug 20, 2003 11:47:28 GMT -5
Strange I got them from this yahoo group called tenniswives and girlfriends. Most pics are from this Daniella and I think there was one pic of another girl.
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Post by Lee on Aug 20, 2003 12:19:56 GMT -5
You had to log on to the site to see the pic. Usually, people can't see the pic through link. You can probably see the pix here because you already have the pix loaded in your temporary files in your computer.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 12:49:19 GMT -5
Wow... that's so dorky! Mardy has gone up a notch if he actually did that LOL, why is everyone questioning whether or not it happened? I have a picture of it, too, will that convince you? BTW, I have some of the pics cropped and almost ready to be put up, so hopefully it will be finished by the end of the week
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 20, 2003 13:02:16 GMT -5
LOL, why is everyone questioning whether or not it happened? I have a picture of it, too, will that convince you? BTW, I have some of the pics cropped and almost ready to be put up, so hopefully it will be finished by the end of the week Hackie, are you putting up your piccies on a photo site??
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 14:11:49 GMT -5
I'm going to put my photos on my website. I'm quite pleased with how they came out. You can't tell how well the zoom works until you try to crop down the pictures
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 14:29:02 GMT -5
PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS--Tuesday, 8/129 am Center: Federer/Hueberger Grandstand: Koubek/Vicente Court 4: Zib/Vanek Court 5: Popp/Hanescu Court 6: Ram/Sanchez Court 8: Sanguinetti/Kunitsyn Court 9: Ancic/Luczak Court 10: Kiefer/Amritraj 10 am Center: Draper Court 4: Vacek Court 5: Llodra/Santoro Court 6: Woodbridge/Bjorkman Court 7: El Aynaoui/Arazi Court 8: Verkerk/Schalken Court 9: Levy/Okun Court 10: Lee 10:30 am Center: Fish/Fruettaro Grandstand: Srichaphan/Clement 11 am Court 5: Robredo/Mantilla Court 6: Bhupathi/Mirnyi/Etlis/Rodriguez Court 7: Arthurs/Philippoussis Court 8: Davydenko/Kafelnikov Court 9: Rusedski/Ferrero Court 10: Damm/Suk/Paes/Rikl 12 noon Court 5: Knowles/Nestor/Corretja/Saretta Court 6: Zabaleta/Blake/Martin Court 7: Enqvist/Mathieu/Moodie Court 8: Hewitt/Gaudio Court 9: Gambill/Grosjean & 2 others Court 10: Ljubicic/Ancic 1 pm Court 5: Youzhny/Coria Court 6: Gaudio Court 7: Eagle/Palmer/Paes/Rikl Court 9: Kunitsyn/Mirnyi Court 10: Kuerten/Levy 2 pm Court 5: Black/Ullyett Court 6: Bryan/Bryan Court 7: Gonzalez Court 8: Johnson/Haggard Court 9: Kendrick/Vahaly Court 10: Ginepri Today is ladies' and high school day, so there's no doubt now that Federer and Roddick's matches will be crowded up with drooling fans. (We heard the ladies walking around talking about how cute Roddick is ) Our first stop is Court 5 to watch Santoro & Llodra practice, to make up for not seeing Moya/Santoro. I'm surprised Jarkko didn't practice this morning, but I guess he'll hit a bit before the match somewhere or something. His match is on Court 4 right behind us. Then we're headed to the Grandstand for the rest of the say. We'll see how our plans go today. We move over to Court 4 ten minutes before play to see Lopez & Costa practicing, a bit of a surprise. I'm sitting right up close again, and hopefully Jarkko vs Vicente will be a good match. Lopez could be a model, no joke! He is totally gorgeous They had the newest boy toy from 'Sex and the City' on Today this morning and Lopez could beat him into the ground, easily. con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 14:50:20 GMT -5
(1R) Nieminen vs VicenteNieminen arrives right on time, Vicente a few minutes late. Jarkko wins the toss and elects to receive first. It's very hot out here because there are no clouds, unlike yesterday. A scratchy start to the match. Jarkko had a total of 5 break points in the first game on Vicente's serve but fails to convert. He loses his own serve easily before breaking back to get back on serve. Jarkko holds at love to even things at 2-all. Vicente only appears to have a slice backhand, and he runs around it all the time, very annoying. Both hold, thought Jarkko points to a mark on the service line, saying Vicente's last serve was out. But, we're still on serve. He appears to have changed tactics a bit to deal with Vicente's power forehand and the fact that he runs around it all the damn time Jarkko is broken again at love. He's hitting too hard, swinging too fast. He came in at 0-30 and took a huge cut at the ball, forcing it long. But, he's been broken from the same side of the court, where the sun is. He's hurrying way too much. 5-2 Vicente. Jarkko holds with an ace, his first first serve in eight tries. But, he's not really running for the balls Jarkko breaks for 4-5 with some aggressive play. He hits a backhand pass down the line for 0-30 that even Vicente had to clap for! He forced Vicente to volley for the break, and got it. Now he's to serve from the bad side of the court . . . He holds! Finally, his first serve has returned. He mixed it up well, too, luring Vicente into net to pass; and his groundies have always found their way. He broke Vicente again and seems to finally have a hold on this thing. He got himself pumped as well after that last game Jarkko's first serve deserts him again , but he manages to get himself 3 break points, taking the second one. Maybe the sun is bothering him? It's almost directly overhead now. Also, it's apparent why Vicente only uses a slice backhand -- he can't control it otherwise. --------------------------------- Jarkko breaks in the opening game, then holds serve to take a 2-0 lead. A shirt change after the first three games of the second is a welcome site! Jarkko continues to pick on Vicente's backhand, but pays for it dearly, as he double faults twice to give away the game. Even in the set, and that's better than being down a break . . . First serve deserts him again on the bad side and he is broken at 15. WAKEY WAKEY OVER THERE! Now he's down 5-2. Why does he do this?! He's been coming in and out of good stretches of play. Court 3 (El Aynaoui vs Spadea) is getting pretty rowdy, and Jarkko's mind has been wandering. Jarkko got himself some break points on Vicente's serve but after missing both and smashing his racquet, he have up on the set completely. 7-5, 3-6 now. ---------------------------- Vicente appears to be complaing about the noise from Court 3. Younes just won, it should be quieter now. Vicente is downright pissy now. Let's see how this works out . . . Well, Vicente served 2 aces as Jarkko appeared to take another mental outing. But, everyone holds for 2-1 Jarkko. If he can get that first serve cooking, he's very dangerous. 3-2 Jarkko. Still playing too passively in Vicente's games, but I think he's going to try to make his move soon. He has to if he wants to win this match. No break, but he also saves himself from being broken. He's so lackadasial out there, compared to Vicente who is still fiesty. 4-3 Jarkko. More passive play on Vicente's serve, who holds at love. But, Jarkko holds for 5-4. Please, don't make it so hard on himself!! And he breaks for the match! The intensity is finally there. He got 2 match points and on both, he made a scarily intense face to Vicente to let him know he was there and paying attention. He took the second -- fittingly, with a volley (as his net game had troubled him the whole match) and won. A very hard fought victory. But, if he plays like that vs Schuettler he'll be dead meat. I still feel like sobbing, though, a delayed reaction, I guess. (1R) Nieminen d. Vicente 7-5, 3-6, 6-4con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 14:58:18 GMT -5
(1R) Srichaphan vs LopezAfter lunch we run over to Grandstand at 7-6, 3-2 Srichaphan, vs Lopez (hunky hunky Lopez again!). I wonder if Lopez has been mistaken for Federer at all; they are dressed almost exactly alike -- Lopez even has his hair back in a Federer-style ponytail. Lopez gota break of serve early in the set and keeps up his big serving to hold onto it. There are two groups of obnoxious fans at this match, one from Sricha and one for Lopez. The Lopez fans are all skinny blonde girls who like him because he's cute. They insist on battling across the stadium with the Sricha fans in loud, obnoxious cheers. They also cheer after every point he serves. They chat the rest of the time --------------------------- Third set tiebreak. Sricha set the tone with an amazing pass down the line. He hit the shot when Lopez forced him to come up with something great, then went up 4-1. But Lopez hung in there and Sricha fumbled at the finish line. He had 5-4 and 2 serves on his racquet. He double faulted on the second to give Feli a match point, which he took with style, an ace And Ferrero/Davydenko are already here! (1R) Lopez d. Srichaphan 6-7(1), 6-4, 7-6(5)con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 15:05:52 GMT -5
(1R) Ferrero vs DavydenkoAnd it's an error fest from Cincinnati debutante Davydenko. He goes down 0-40 in both opening serve games, and finds himself down 0-3 in the first 5 minutes of play. Thus far, hardly a test for Juan Carlos, who has come out firing on all cylinders. Two games later, Davy is still struggling to win points on his serve. 1 game from being bagelled, he looks as out of his league as the score suggests. Ferrero is on fire, though, and breathtaking to watch in full flight 6-0 Ferrero first set. Davy started to calm down, don't think he'll be a double bagel boy today. His serve and forehand aregood, but his backhand has absolutely nothing behind it. Very much a safe, clay shot. Juan Carlos is completely cruising. Davy fights hard and wins his first game of the match, the opening serve game. Ferrero held, then broke. Davy is frustrated, but fighting. Looks like a 6-2 set. (Yes, I did actually write that in my notes at the beginning of the second set.) Well, Davy went on a hot streak, getting a break point on Ferrero's serve and holding for his second game, but after failing to convert on his chance, is broken himself at love. Ferrero had a bit of a letdown on serve but was never really in danger. He hasn't been in danger all match. Davydenko made him serve for the match, even getting a second break point on a bluff move into net by Ferrero, but Juanqui wins the game with a backhand down the line -- and just as I predicted, 6-2. Gaudio will be more of a test, but poor Kolya He was totally outclassed. (1R) Ferrero d. Davydenko 6-0, 6-2con'd
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Post by Ilhame on Aug 20, 2003 15:10:40 GMT -5
You type fast ;D I'm really enjoying this!
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 15:29:36 GMT -5
(1R) Grosjean vs MoodieI've heard good things about Wesley Moodie and now I'm finally going to see him. He's qualified, but I was too busy watching Jarkko and Juanqui to make one of his matches Moodie is my pick to be the next big thing, so I hope he impesses me. The crowd, already thin for Ferrero vs Davydenko, is practically nonexistent now. This place will be fll for Guga, though! Moodie is tall (6'4" or so is my guess), with a one-handed backhand. Thus far in the warmup he looks pretty good, pretty effortless. Good serve motion, nice pace, can hit it big. Lost in 4 to Grosjean at Wimbledon, so this could be a tight match. Thus far, it appears Moodie is a serve-volleyer. He comes in every possible chance he can. It's too bad I have to see him vs Grosjean, who is an excellent returner. Moodie warms into the match nicely; he has a solid ground game and usually plays that on the return. He's not afraid to go into net, though, and that spells good things. A start contrast from Davy before this. Plus, he has that big serve, which will help him enormously. If it can propel osmeone as brainless as Roddick to the top . . . Damn! You know you're good when you can ace Grosjean 3 times in a row, followed by a service winner He is definitely fearless. Moodie drew first blood when Grosjean double faulted twice in a row. 5-3 now. Moodie was pumped at winning that service break, and he made a few earger errors but held his nerve and won the set behind that one break. Thus far, I am suitably impressed! ------------------------------- Second set, no breaks of serve. Grosjean is really protecting his serve now, and Moodie is improving at net. He could use some work on his return (though he has just let some rip) and his movement, but he's an excellent prospect. The stands are filling in as Potato is shocked by Malisse in the first round. Grosjean is now serve-volleying. Good on him for mixing it up some, but a bit surprising that he changed tactics so swiftly. Still hasn't gotten a sniff on Moodie's serve, though. Grosjean is exclusively serve-volleying now, but it's working. 5-4, still on serve. Interesting to see if Moodie handles this moment as well as he did the other, in the first set. Perfect! Deuce game, but great composure against the crowd. Grosjean has had to resort to drop volleys to stop this guy, who has some mighty nice passes! Moodie holds to love to get to a second set tiebreak. 5-4 Moodie. It's on his racquet . . . 5-5 double fault; 5-6 error at the net. The nerves finally got to him. Double fault Grosjean -- 5-all Ace Grosjean -- 7-6 set point service winner Moodie -- 7-all service winner Moodie -- 8-7 match point volley winner Grosjean on a second serve, very risky! -- 8-8 unforced error Moodie -- 9-8 Grosjean, set point ace Moodie -- 9-9 Very exciting tiebreak! Moodie is holding his own pass from Grosjean, 10-9 set point #3 unforced error gives Grosjean the second set, 11-9 in the tiebreak stats after the second set (flashed on the scoreboard) for Moodie: 14/2 aces/double faults; 35/6 winners/unforced errors ; first serve % went from 87% in the first set to 75% in the second ------------------------------- Moodie recovers nicely (bathroom break between second and third sets probably helped ) and breaks Grosjean with another pass, this time a backhand down the line. He grabs the 3-0 lead in the third set. Needless to say, I am definitely impressed! The drop volleys are not working now for Grosjean. He is still serving and volleying every point on his serve. Moodie struggles for the first time to get to 5-2. He doesn't face a beak point but has 3 deuces before closing it out. He still calls his own lines, which is kinda cute (I noticed a lot of players do this, I guess a holdover from practice matches). 1 game away now. I have a feeling he'll have to serve for it. You can practically feel his nerves now. Moodie sends another backhand down the line to earn a match point but misses the backhand crosscourt. Ad-Grosjean: the ball bounces and Moodie hits it back over around Grosjean volley error gives Moodie another match point volley winner behind Moodie saves it forehand finally catches down the line -- match point backhand error -- deuce #3 backhand volley still working for Grosjean -- ad Grosjean but one misses -- deuce #4 forehand error -- ad Grosjean backhand volley error again -- deuce #5 forehand volley off good return -- ad Grosjean another beautiful backhand down the line -- deuce #6 forehand error -- ad Grosjean backhand crosscourt -- deuce #7 forehand volley error -- match point Moodie forehand error -- deuce #8 -- VERY gusty serving from Grosjean forehand volley winner -- ad Grosjean . . . and Grosjean finally holds! VERY gusty play. The crowd is firmly on Grosjean's side after that. But, 3 service winners = 3 match points for Moodie, and all he needs is one. 48/11 winners/unforced errors at the end of the match for Moodie. All in all, a very impressive performance. If he's not the next coming of tennis, he's certainly the next coming of Wayne Ferreira ;D What was most impressive to me was the fact that he had Grosjean serve-volleying for the last two sets of the match. Serve-volley is clearly not Grosjean's #1 game plan. Next up: Guga vs Zabaleta (1R) Moodie d. Grosjean 6-3, 6-7, 6-3[/color] con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 15:37:27 GMT -5
Hehe, thanks Ilhame! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far I'm almost finished with Tuesday (1R) Kuerten vs ZabaletaI'm in a Guga corner, but the stadium isn't exactly packed. I've got primo seats, though, and hte sun is going down. Everyone I've wanted to see win today have won, so hopefully the streak will continue! There are 2 other Brazilian corners besides ours, and most of the crowd is on Guga's side. But, he hasn't started well, no first serves in and 2 break points immediately. Guga is broken immediately . . . but he also breaks back immediately and his first serve returns to give him the 2-1 lead. Both hold at love again and it's an even match 3-2 Kuerten saves 2 break points to take a 4-3 lead. Zab is already talking to himself, but has come out of the gates quickly. 2 double fautls give Zabaleta first blood to get the 5-4 lead. Guga is just a little bit off, most of his shots are going long. Zab holds at love for the first set. Guga is playing passively, and he's also pushing his shots long or wide. His timing, his rhythm is completely off. Guga is broken in his first two serve games in the second. He isn't moving for the ball laterally and is playing WAY too passively. Zabaleta is firmly in the drivers' seat here. The crowd, we are trying our best to motivate Guga but he seems content letting the balls fly by Guga. Bagelled. The two words just don't belong in that order in a sentence, but is about to happen. We're (the crowd) stunned. You Guga fans would probably cry if you know how bad he was playing. (1R) Zabaleta d. Kuerten 6-4, 6-0[/color] con'd
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 20, 2003 15:42:52 GMT -5
I'm going to put my photos on my website. I'm quite pleased with how they came out. You can't tell how well the zoom works until you try to crop down the pictures Hackie, what was your zoom range? Just curious for future ref... I think I need a bigger zoom on my SLR... More stuff to read!! Wow!
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 15:45:58 GMT -5
Well, just a few notes I didn't have time to jot down when they happened: Court 5: Watched Llodra/Santoro practice. Right before we moved over to Court 4 for Jarkko's match, Llodra and Santoro's coach teamed to play against Santoro, and Santoro won both of the points we watched. Those 3 were having tons of fun, lots of jokes and smiles all around. They spoke French, of course, so I didn't understand what they were talking about. Santoro had big globs of sunblock on his face; guess he just put on a lot and waited for it to melt away. Llodra practiced shirtless, Santoro was in a t-shirt, and the coach was in a polo shirt, so that was quite a combination I had an emotional letdown after Jarkko's match; it was strange. Unfortunately, we were caught up in the crowd coming from Center court for lunch, so we sat under the beer awning and ate overpriced, underimpressive Chinese food. There were obnoxious fans everywhere, it's the most annoying thing. At least the commentators know what they are talking about (well, some of the time). There were people at the Nieminen/Vicente match who didn't know who either player was. Two guys sat near me, slathered on SPF 8 sunblock (a complete joke in that cloudless sky) and cheered very loudly for Vicente. They left after the first set and came back for the third. One of them called Jarkko 'Jar'-ko, "like jar" During the Lopez/Srichaphan match, there were the dueling cheers. I went to the bathroom during one part of the third set and apparently the girls were yapping about how they were going to have their picture taken with Lopez. Dumb, since the players' entrance was diametrically opposite from our seats and they didn't leave until the very end During the Grosjean-Moodie match, there were some very rude and obnoxious fans who cheered (very loudly) for Moodie's double faults and who would wait until Moodie was on their side of the court to cheer for Grosjean. And Americans complain about French crowds? What a joke! The Guga match was more subdued. Zab had some supporters but most of us were subdued and stunned with Guga's horribly passive play. He could have made the shot if he bothered to stick his racquet out! And he seemed perfectly content to just be passed, to let Zab fire winners left and right. It was quite saddening Just read about Kimmy's ascent to the top! Good for her! Tomorrow's tenative schedule: 1. Ferrero vs Gaudio 2. Blake vs Schalken 3. Nieminen vs Schuettler 4. maybe Santoro/Llodra doubles? I really want to see Santoro play and I'll miss his singles match. 5. Clement vs Rusedski if we want to stay for a night match. It was so crowded today we might skip, but I do want to take photos and match reports for you guys. End of Day 4.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 15:49:46 GMT -5
Hackie, what was your zoom range? Just curious for future ref... I think I need a bigger zoom on my SLR... More stuff to read!! Wow! I don't know but I didn't expect the pictures I took from far away to come out as well as they did. The pics that I took closer are huge and harder to crop down. I have several of Juan Carlos and Jarkko signing autographs that are just huge because I got the pic I wanted and don't want to crop it down.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 17:27:50 GMT -5
PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS -- Wednesday, 8/13
9 am Center: Chang Court 7: Hueberger/Popp Court 8: Verkerk/Ancic Court 9: doubles Court 10: Bjorkman/Woodbridge
9:30 am Granstand: Coria/Okun Court 3: Ginepri/Kendrick Court 4: Mathieu/Ferrero
10 am Center: Gaudio/Lopez Grandstand: Martin/Draper/Rusedski Court 3: Kendrick/Enqvist/Nieminen Court 4: Santoro/Kafelnikov Court 7: Saretta/Corretja & two others Court 8: Arazi/Younes Court 9: Mirnyi
11 am Court 7: Blake/Ram Court 8: Massu/Verdasco Court 9: Ancic/Lee/Nalbandan Court 10: Bhupathi/Johnson/Haggard
11:30 am Court 5: Zabaleta Court 6: Schalken/Ljubicic Court 8: Roddick
12 noon Court 5: Gonzalez/Etlis/Rodriguez Court 6: Black/Ullyett/Moodie Court 7: Chela/Clement/Youzhny/Schuettler Court 8: Federer/Ram Court 9: Arthurs/Hanley Court 10: Mantilla/Calleri/Nalbandian
I should note that I woke up on Wednesday with a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. Mostly I was afraid that Jarkko would lose and I didn't want to face that yet, but I was quite upset and apparently it was visible . . . how unfortunate that it would prove more than just a worry over Jarkko's match.
con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 17:35:32 GMT -5
Ah, finally, a nice quiet day again! It's like the weekend again. Went to check the big board and could actually see the players entering for the first time since qualifying! Saw Jarkko come in at about 9:30, then Younes and Arazi (Younes stopped for a picture, very good natured). Santoro and Llodra came in as well. Santoro runs to the autograph hounds with a big smile on his face and signs for them (there were only 2 of them today) Tha Face just walked by from practice, checking his phone messages. Costa comes in as well, apparently happy and signs for the girls. First stop: Court 3 for Jarkko's morning drill with Enqvist. He's shirtless again, so I guess he just didn't want to be seen naked in front of the kiddies Too bad the schedule is such that I won't get to see Enqvist. I also hear I won't see Federer. Dude's been here 3 days, hardly long enough to be seen. His practices are always during match times, too. It will be quite a feat to miss him, but then, it's easy to ignore players if you don't want to see them. I haven't seen Roddick, either, nor Fatty Nalby (his middle name is Pablo -- do I smell a new nickname? ;D) I'm a bit concerned about Jarkko's match today, more concerned that Ferrero vs Gaudio. Basically, I'm willing to sacrifice seeing Blake vs Schalken so I make it to Jarkko's match. I also hope it stays on Court 3. We'll see how bad the pictures turn out from Center. Thus far, looks like a good practice today. Jarkko's backhand is catching the net a bit still (it did yesterday as well) but he's hitting cleanly. Volleys look okay, but the backhand approach may be troublesome. Still waiting to see some serves, but this practice, coupled with seeing his head-to-head vs Schuettler, has calmed my nerves a bit. It appears Jarkko's serve toss on the first serve is too low, he missed a bunch now that they're playing points. Now he's making a concerted effort to make sure the toss is high enough that he doesn't drop his head. Already I'm seeing better things than his first match so hopefully he'll give Rainer a run for his money! con'd
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Post by Jasper on Aug 20, 2003 18:31:40 GMT -5
Keep going, Hackie! I'm really enjoying these match reports. And can't wait to see the pictures later. Oh, and Flag Guy is an NJ Devils fan?! I already like him. ;D
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 18:51:34 GMT -5
(2R) Ferrero vs GaudioWe get to Center Court about 5 minutes before play begins. We're right by the entrance, too, and getting to Court 3 should be pretty easy. This was the first time we went to Center Court all week. Our seats were approximately by the net, so we had an equal viewing of both sides of the court. We were in the highest tier behind the players' chairs. It's a good view but probably not picture worthy. After being so close to the players on the other courts, it's quite a difference from this high up. We were SO spoiled on the other courts, but more than I realized. A good start for Ferrero. He won his opening serve game only getting in 2 first serves (one of them an ace) then breaks Gaudio on his first chance. He leads 2-1 now -- he broke with a beautiful forehand pass Ferrero double faults to give the break right back. He's having a bit of trouble with that first serve. Ferrero holds for 3-all with 2 118 mph serves. But, Gaudio also held, still on serve 4-3. Ferrero getting his serve cranking now, hitting 120 and 122 mph aces in his last game, but he's struggling a big on return It's been an error fest thus far, though he has hit some beautiful shots as well. Ferrero hit 3 aces in his next game, speeds varying from 97 to 115. He became frustrated, however, when he couldn't break Gaudio in the next game -- and Gaudio didn't hit a first serve in the entire game Time to regroup and get to the tiebreak! And tiebreak it is! Better late than never for one of Gaudio's mental vacations. Juanqui got 6-1 in the tiebreak and finally took it at 6-3. Poor Zhenya got bagelled, though. Nieminen/Scheuttler might get moved . . . -------------------------------- 3 double faults in the first game and it appears Ferrero has joined Gaudio on his vacation He gets two double faults in return but misses the shot for a break point and throws his racquet. The butt cap falls off and he has to reapply it now between shots. He's very frustrated now but doing the right thing, trying to calm himself down. The crowd is trying to get behind Ferrero. He manages to hold with 2 100 mph serves, but is still down a break Still struggling, but manges to hold. Frustration gone from him (at least, visibly) but his first serve is still letting him down, as is his forehand. He's only ventured into net once and missed the volley wide. Ferrero ventured in again and made it! Holds but is still down 4-3. He has tried to change his tactic on his return, with mixed success. Ferrero holds (bravely) to make Gaudio serve for the second set. Just as I suspected, Gaudio cracks serving for the set. Ferrero hits 2 amazing returns to break He goes down 2 break points in his own game (double fault from the wind) but manages to hold. Ferrero grabs the lead, 6-5. Gaudio holds to love to send it to a second set tiebeak. 1-1 Ferrero, amazing return! 3-2 Ferrero, Gaudio gets a verbal abuse warning, but comes back with a service winner. 5-4 Ferrero, Gaudio smashes his racquet 6-5 Gaudio, set point . . . Gaudio wins the second set on an unforced error from Ferrero. DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!!!!!!!!! -------------------------------- Third set on serve, 2-1. Ferrero held to love, however, but he's hanging his head in Gaudio's games. Still on serve, 3-2. Both struggled to hold their serves, both faced a break point but saved it. Long points, long games. Will probably miss Blake/Schalken today. 4-3, still on serve. Ferrero struggles to hold but Gaudio holds at love. 5-4 Gaudio, still on serve. Ferrero held at love in his last game . . . And Gaudio breaks for the match It was even more disappointing to see it in person. Ferrero went down 0-40 in his game and you could tell he had just given up. Ferrero hurried off the court, of course. This was the first match that I cried over. It wasn't Ferrero's day at all, and I was so pissed off that Gaudio kept his mental faculties about him (2R) Gaudio d. Ferrero 6-7, 7-6, 6-4con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 18:53:01 GMT -5
Keep going, Hackie! I'm really enjoying these match reports. And can't wait to see the pictures later. Oh, and Flag Guy is an NJ Devils fan?! I already like him. ;D You will be especially pleased after Wednesday because I saw A LOT of Max Mirnyi at this tournament Yeah, he had an old Devils banner, from when they won in 94-95. He had scribbled 2000 around the years, too, but he needed to get a new one
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 18:58:22 GMT -5
(2R) Mirnyi vs EnqvistRun over to Court 3 for the end of Enqvist/Mirnyi. Join it at 7-6, 3-2 Mirnyi. Max breaks, and then breaks again for 5-2. He never sees a match point on his serve, though, as Enqvist hits big returns to break. Enqvist makes a mini comeback to get back to 5-4. Mirnyi has another chane to serve for it, though. And he does Enqvist doesn't go down without a fight, though. A commendable effort for someone who's been having such a bad year. (2R) Mirnyi d. Enqvist 7-6, 6-4
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 19:16:03 GMT -5
(2R) Nieminen vs SchuettlerYes, I did cry when Juan Carlos lost. Hopefully if Jarkko loses I won't completely crumble. I don't know if I can take another fave, especially one I've come to love so much this week, losing. Although he does still have doubles tomorrow with Sricha. But, here's hoping I won't be too disappointed . . . Schuettler wins the toss and elected to receive. 2-1 Jarkko, on serve. His first serve is smoking today, so it should be a good match 3-2 Jarkko now, still on serve. He has come out firing on all cylinders today and so far, SChuettler doesn't have an answer for Jarkko's power. Jarkko breaks for 4-2 on a double fault from Schuettler. Rainer is already a best testy, understandable since his serve is complete crap today. Jarkko saves a break point and holds for 5-2. INCREDIBLY impressive stuff from Jarkko right now. 6-3 Jarkko, first set I see the camera for German TV, so you might see me. I sat right on the baseline in the far court from the camera --------------------------------- Schuettler hit a fault serve from Jarkko, and the ball flew out and hit the lineswoman at the baseline. Schuettler apologized 4 times and asked if she was okay. Always a doll, I suppose Both guys go for a shirt change between sets 2-1 Schuettler on serve in the second set. Jarkko has been nailing his backhand down the line. Schuettler has been talking a mile a minute to himself in German. He had the trainer out on the last changeover. I think he's sunsick? The trainer said that he couldn't give him anything other than whatever he had taken before the match, and Rainer said a massage wouldn't help. --->I LATER FOUND OUT that Schuettler almost pulled out of this match with his back problem. Apparently it was giving him fits and he called the trainer out to see if he could take more painkillers. You have no idea how pissed off this made me when I found out <--- 3-2 Schuettler, still on serve. Jarkko appears to have gotten a little bit unnerved by the trainers' appearance and has started missing a bit more. He has also attracted a pair of obnoxious female fans, who camped out right next to me. Schuettler breaks for 4-2 on a controversial line call. The ball was in, but called out and game Schuettler. Now he leads 5-2. I said something about Jarkko's forehand not missing when he was on this side, and I think he heard me because he has started missing all the time now It is entirely possible he heard me because I was sitting so close on the court. 6-3, 3-6 now. Schuettler starting to play better . . . so much for sunsickness/cramps --------------------------------- Another shirt change between sets. Flag Man is back as well. Very close third set. Jarkko started cursing himself a bit as well, but saved two break points to go up 2-1 in the third. Schuettler finally playing like he can. I don't want to lose another fave . . . . 2-3 Jarkko, still on serve. He has appeared to recover from the second set loss. Flag Man only has a German flag (makes sense if he was a guest of Schuettler). 4-3 Jarkko still on serve. He had 40-0 but could only take the last game point to hold. The intensity is back, with a big shout of happiness after hitting all forehands to win that point, and that game 5-4 Jarkko. He held at love and tried his best to break Schuettler in the last game. This thing is his if he can stay calm. 6-5 Jarkko. Lots of heart to not let missing a match point get him down. Pressure right back on Schuettler's shoulders. Crowd is pouring in after Roddick's win. The tiebreak goes Schuettler's way , 7-4. Jarkko felt he got some bad calls and was very upset when the match ended. I was too, of course. Jarkko thought Schuettler's last two serves were both out, and when the match ended, Jarkko screamed in frustration and anger. I burst into tears. Jarkko left quickly, of course. Schuettler stopped to sign autographs and signed for the girl sittng right next to me. He probably saw me crying (in fact, when I looked up as he was walking out, he looked right at me as he gave the girl back the ball he was signing). Jarkko didn't look at me or anyone else, he just headed out as quickly as possible. He was very, very upset even though after he screamed he was visibly calm. I made a bit more of a show on Court 3 -- at least, more people could see me as I burst into tears. It's all part of being a fan, I suppose, even though I was the only one crying It took me a long time to calm down enough to write about this. I didn't cry for very long, but watching Juan Carlos, then Jarkko lose was too much for me to take back to back. (2R) Schuettler d. Nieminen 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4)con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 19:28:03 GMT -5
Then I went to the big board and saw the score of upsets that had occurred while I was locked in the battle on Court 3. So I guess it's been a shitty day all around. I've noticed that the players who have lost are still around and practicing, so I wonder if Ferrero will stick around. Jarkko still has doubles, and Blake is still in both. Maybe Federer will stick around, too. I haven't seen so much as a hair of him, and of course now he's out. Fatty Nalby just walked by. He can no longer be called "Fatty Nalby" because he is not fat anymore. I almost didn't recognize him but his facial features are so distinct. His hair is rather long, it's an okay look for him. He's as skinny as his fellow Argentines now, though. Davydenko is working himself hard. He was coming in from practice about an hour ago and now he's headed out with the Raccoon again. I heard Zhenya hurt his foot in his match today. Apparently he slipped while going laterally and hurt it. I saw Jarkko taking his match clothes out and checking his messages. The autograph line didn't bother him (or Jiri Novak, who left), though they did gather around Todd Martin. They cleared out quickly, though; no idea where they all went. But, Jarkko appears to be okay, if a little sunburned. Haha, therein lies the difference between players and fans. (2R) El Aynaoui vs ZabaletaMoved over to the Grandstand to catch Clement vs Rusedski, but Vowel Man & Zab were still playing. Not a particular fan of either, I don't care much but wanted to get a decent seat for the next match. I just have this horrible feeling that this is TMS Hamburg all over again and I won't care less about who's in the quarters onward. There are still a few players I like left (Schuettler, Youzhny, Mirnyi) but they all have tough matches ahead and there are more players left I don't care for than not. Guess we'll be watching a lot of doubles matches . . . Younes is a big crowd favorite here, not all that surprising. Younes has already broken a racquet over his knee once . . . it appears the guy down the row from me is a planted cheerleader. Hehe, Jarkko should hire me for the same job ;D Speaking of, he had a ton of crowd support vs Schuettler. Zabaleta just broke because Younes received a point penalty for racquet abuse. Apparently Younes went to hit the ball andhis racquet broke, but the chair called abuse and, since Younes already broke one racquet cleanly over his knee, he got a point penalty on the break point chance. That's CRUEL! Younes argued with the chair (I wanna say it was Lars Graff in the chair, but I didn't write it down so I'm not sure). Younes did NOT mean to break his racquet, though. It scraped the court and broke as he was hitting a ball. It was clearly not his fault. con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 19:41:57 GMT -5
(2R) Clement vs RusedskiAnd the crafty French guile leads to a break in the first game! I never get to see Clement play, but I like what I'm seeing so far! Then he serves. He's got nothing on that serve at all, it's like he's hitting creampuffs out there. But, Rusedski has no volleys to speak of right now, so he's winning from the ground (sad). Have the short Frenchies had lessons with Santoro or what?! They all have the similar, strange grips. Also,how amusing that there are 2 vocal Greg fans sitting in front of me, one of whom has a hat that says, "Men of Integrity" Hm, I'm definitely liking this French magic. Clement breaks for 4-2 by getting to a drop shot and lobbing it It was a magnificent point! Clement saves 3 break points but loses his break anyway. I suppose with French wiliness comes inconsistency It appears Rusedski has recently highlighted the top of his head. It's an interesting look for him. I guess hes trying to be hip, but slicing backhands the whole match is hardly "hip". Rusedski makes his faces before hitting the ball (you can actually see it if you're sitting close enough). The ugliest has to be the one that accompanies his slice backhands. I don't think he's hit a regular backhand all match. The volleys have returned, but Rusedski only heads 6-5 on serve. Here's hoping Clement doesn't fade away here or in the second. Clement refocuses to force the tiebreak, then takes it 6-2. Rusedski bitches about the net when his serve at 6-1 is called a let, and the net is measured between sets ----------------------------- First game second set. Clement down 15-40. Rusedski bitches about the let serve, then takes a towel break (the 658th of the match, approximately). Clement has words with the chair umpire about the gamesmanship (between serves Rusedski does this!), then goes to serve a second serve, but towels off excessively, drawing laughter from the crowd Rusedski loses his break point chances and sat down at the change of ends (this is after the first game, now). He starts really giving lip to the chair umpire and refused to get up. **I have a note here to ask Sjengster, what was Rusedski whining about? I was on the other side of the court** Someone in the crowd yelled, "Isn't he Canadian anyway?" and when he finally got up, someone behind me said, "Go back to the Ukraine!" But, Rusedski still has plenty of fans, mostly right next to me and on the baseline These are the people who always whistled at the calls Greg questioned when they couldn't see the ball because it was on the other side of the court. Second set has been on serve til 5-4. I hope Clement breaks or something because I'm tired and burned and ready to leave. We left at 7-6, 5-7 Clement. Very tired and my lips are sunburned beyond belief. Potato pulled out of doubles with a hamstring injury. Word on the street is that he & Scud pulled out so they could get to New York and start practicing for the Open, since they both lost in the first round in singles. The woman at the info desk also said that Santoro pulled out of doubles, but I saw him and Llodra head for the court for their match, and then come back. Both appeared to be fine. I never saw their opponents. I'm pissed that Jarkko's doubles are on Center, but will try to sneak down for them. End of Day 5.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 21:37:44 GMT -5
PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS -- Thursday, 8/148 am Court 4: Verkerk 9 am Center: Coria Grandstand: Bjorkman/Woodbridge Court 4: Verkerk Court 5: Zib/Vanek Court 6: Chang Court 7: Friedl/Cermak Court 8: Sanguinetti 10 am Center: Youzhny/Schuettler Grandstand: Mirnyi/Saretta Court 5: Lee/Davydenko Court 9: Kunitsyn Court 10: Vicente 11 am Court 3: Haggard/Johnson Court 4: Gaudio Court 5: Damm/Suk Court 6: Martin/Fish Court 7: Llodra/Santoro Court 8: Rusedski Court 9: Knowles/Nestor Court 10: Robredo 12 noon Court 3: Nieminen/Scrichaphan Court 4: Enqvist/Mathieu Court 5: Chela/Massu Court 6: Hueberger/Federer Court 7: Bhupathi Court 8: Nalbandian Court 9: Corretja/Calleri Court 10: Chang/Levy We decide some shade would be nice, and since there are no particularly interesting practices for awhile, we decide to stargaze a bit. Since Roddick's match is on tonight we think it won't be too crowded during the day. Already I've seen Arthurs headed to practice, as well as Henman. Spot on idea to hang around for practice. Federer is, but of course he's on at the same time as Jarkko & Sricha today. Hopefully he'll have a later practice, or one tomorrow. Also happy to see it wasn't Santoro and Llodra who pulled out of their doubles match yesterday. I still will have a chance to watch them play, yay for that! Davydenko just walked to practice. It will be interesting to see if Schalken sticks around, since he practiced so much over the weekend. I can tell I'm burned, sitting here in the shade at 10 am and I'm frying or at least I feel like it It'll just be easier to make a list, so here we go: Entering: Todd Martin, Doug Spreen (a trainer), Tha Face (returning from practice), Calleri, Clement, Mirnyi Off to practice: Acasuso, Clement I saw in the paper today that there are 5 Americans and 5 Argentines left in the singles draw. Talk about my own personal hell -- this is a close approximation of it. Never thought I'd run out of favorites before the third round, but his tourney is turning wacky fast, like Hamburg. con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 20, 2003 21:41:22 GMT -5
(2R) Bjorkman/Woodbridge vs Cermak/Friedl Run over to see a bit of Jonas and Todd in doubs. Just wanted to see themin person before running off to see Federer and Jarkko's practices.
3-0 Woodie/Swede. Two long games on Cermak's and Woodbridge's serves. Jonas is the strongest player out there thus far, I'm sort of surprised. I guess strong singles play helps, especially when serving. Cermak has had more success in singles on his team, but its Friedl who's having the better serve day. The Czech pair also have the nontraditional stance, very interesting!
Left match after Woodie/Swede won the first set 6-1. Much closer than the scoreline would indicate, but Cermak lost serve twice. He definitely has a game built more for clay, while Friedl has the stronger serve (though he can't volley worth a damn).
con'd
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