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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 26, 2004 19:28:29 GMT -5
Due to technical difficulties, I haven't been able to submit some of my daily postings, so I have decided to start a new thread. As I am rushed for time at the moment, I will post day 6 and then the others later.
Day 6 was a fantastic day for me tenniswise. Yes, there were plenty of women to look at and I was recovering from another big night, but that can wait.
Now onto the important matters at hand. The great Gaudio/Karlovic combination were successful yet again against the Israeli combination of Erlich/Ran. The funny thing about this match was that Gaudio didn't lose his serve at all and it was Karlovic that was broken twice, but Gaston played very well and I think they are surprised as any to be in the 3rd round of the doubles. This is for the girls Gaudio does wear a jockstrap, a girl I know was quite happy to tell me about it, in more detail than necessary.
Second great result of the day was the Pav steaming back from 2 sets down to beat Novak. I saw the start where Pavel just raced to a 4-0 lead and wasn't missing anything, then I went to the Gaudio match and when I came back he somehow managed to lose the first set 6-4 and then the second 6-2. I went down and sat near the Pavel camp. Pav was making too many errors as everybody knows how Novak plays and that he isn't going to give a match away, it's up to the player to beat him.
As soon as I said he needs to improve his length and be more patient and he will get his chances to capitalise. Pavel kept hanging in there, Novak was very steady choosing the right moment to come into the net and hit excellent volleys and drop shots. Then at 6-5 in the 3rd Novak served a very poor service game and Pavel took advantage and won the 3rd set. The struggle continued as Pavel was making less errors, and Novak was still very steady and definitely the match was in the balance, Pav had break chances but didn't take them. It went to the tiebreaker and Pavel played an outstanding tiebreaker and that backhand was in fine form.
Up came the 5th set and I thought Pav had a great chance to win, if he could keep his head together as Novak was wilting. He played some great shots and once he got the break in the 5th, he looked very strong and fit whereas Novak wasn't looking as good. Pavel had 40-0 on serving for the match, and the nerves got the better of him and it got to deuce. On the 5th match point he closed out the match and he was elated, as I was myself and the supporters around me. The coach said I definitely need a few beers to settle down after that match and that was understandable.
Whilst this was going on Cañas and Henman were slugging it out on the old court 1. I was at the scoreboard and I saw Henman had won the first 2 sets and they were very close. I tried to get into the match, but it was an effort with all those English backpackers who normally don't give a shit about tennis, just there to cheer on Tiger Tim. One he is not one of my faves and two I have always admired Canas, so it was imperative to get there and give Canas some support. We got there through the third set, and we could only see the scoreboard for about 7 games as people were not moving.
Then Niclas a Swedish friend of mine and I stood one of the garbage bins, and then we could see over the top of people and catch a glimpse of the match. Unfortunately the security guys, didn't appreciate our innovative solutions and told us to get down twice. Then Canas won the 3rd set and we got in the match. Niclas and I were in hostile territory amongst most of the English fans, but to be fair they helped give the match some great atmosphere and most of the non-English were going for Canas, so there was plenty of chanting and noise which made them both perform at excellent levels. Henman kept playing his chip and charge game, and Canas the warrior was just running and running and his lobs were of the highest quality which kept him in the match.
The fourth set was more of the same and Henman had many chances on the Canas serve, but he was either passed, lobbed or just made an unforced error. I said Niclas to if Canas wins this set, there is no way he is losing. He loves the battle and this was made for him, and also Tiger Tim isn't known for his mental fortitude in the tighest situations. Then Canas takes his chance and wins the fourth set 7-5. We are into the 5th and the English fans are a bit nervous, so was I to an extent, even though I had full confidence in Canas being successful in this match. Then the 5th Timmy is playing very good aggressive tennis and he breaks Canas at 3-1 and then holds to take it to a 4-1 lead. Still I just knew Canas had it in him to comeback, he plays a great game and breaks Henman at 4-3 and then holds for 4-4. The crowd were even getting louder for Henman, but there were a few of us Canas fans who made our presence felt.
Neither player was giving anything less than 100% and I felt that Henman's would crack. He lead 7-6 and 0-30 but Canas held and voila t 7-7. His arm had turned to jelly and Canas was circling Henman like a lion does his prey and got the break at 8-7. I had made a choking gesture that some of the fans liked but others didn't appreciate as much.
Now the crowd were trying to will Timmy over, Canas played a very solid game, though there were a few second serves at 130km/h, but he managed to get to 40-15. Henman then saved match points and Canas got to advantage. The match point was an absolute fitting way to win the match after a short rally, Henman approaches the net and the Canas running like his life depending on it and smacks this huge forehand up the line which was a great way to end this very entertaining and gripping match. The crowd gave both of them a standing ovation that seemed to last for ages and it was deserved. Henman hit 100 winners and Canas had made only 30 unforced errors and he played the very important points much better. So all in all a great day Nalle won easily, Pavel and Gaudio won. I am happy that Arazi won and I was disappointed for Costa, but he hates playing night matches and it showed. Come on Arazi take out the Poo and Feds beat Hewitt on Australia Day would be fantastic.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 26, 2004 20:40:08 GMT -5
Day 7
This started out fairly quietly, as I was trying to wake up from last night’s activities. Then I decided to go and watch some doubles matches before I went to see Safin beat up on Blake, which was the last match on the Vodafone arena.
First of all I went to see Sa/Saretta v Novak/Stepanek. As I like all four players and I was hoping that it was a good match, and I wasn’t too disappointed. There were none of the big canon serves in this match, there were a lot of angles, retrieving and even a joke dive from Sa late in the 3rd set. It was good that the Brazilian guys won, especially as Saretta was getting me free drinks the other night and both he and Sa are very friendly guys as well.
I went briefly to the Bhupati/Mirnyi v Arazi/Mahut match and ended up talking with Thierry Champion about Arazi’s chances and how Escude was going. He is a very nice guy and there was a very good reason that Escude lost to Ginepri, he doesn’t have the greatest conditioning at the moment. They went to Doha just to see how the hip would fare, they didn’t expect to win the tournament. Until about two months ago he was only allowed to hit for 20 minutes at a time, after the matches in Doha he ran out fuel. He went to prepare for Davis Cup and then he is going to improve his physical conditioning.
We spoke about what I thought of Robby “ I have muscles, but no game” Ginepri and he pretty much agreed with everything I said about him, and I said hopefully Seb doesn’t lose to this guy. He said as long as he is feeling fairly good he won’t lose to Ginepri. Thankfully he was proven correct.
Arazi has a big chance against the Poo we thought, as long as he returns well. He beat him at the Australian Open once before on the same court in 98, he should be able to do it again and ruin Australia Day. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see that match live, as I will be at another one at the same time.
Went over to the Vodafone area for Safin v Blake. I don’t like the Vodafone area much at all, it’s called a multi-purpose venue but it’s really a velodrome, that they basketball on as well. The match was of a very good standard and Safin had to do well to win it in 4 sets. I mean if I was Roddick I would be worried, hopefully he goes in overconfident and gets creamed.
There were some very well structured points from Safin and Blake, Safin creating plenty of angles and Blake hitting big forehands. The first two sets Safin had in control, though it was close it didn’t look like he would lose. Then in the 3rd Blakie gets a break and serves for the set at 5-4 and immediately gets broken back then went to a tiebreaker, which Blakie just played that bit better. Safin is still composed where it was possible that he could burst over with rage after losing that set.
The fourth set started out with more of the same and Blakie serving at 3-4 had saved 4 breakpoints from either good play, or Safin missed running forehands. Then on the 5th break point there was a spectacular rally, then Safin rips an angle forehand, Blake gets it back and Safin hits a great drop shots and as his forward momentum too the net increases, Safin hits a lob volley winner for the break and Blake claps the point and admires the play. Safin held his serve easily and won the match.
Things to notice Safin was still moving well during the whole match and he kept composed. Safin hit more winners, less unforced errors and made more net approaches than Blake, all in all a good performance look out Rawdick.
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 26, 2004 20:53:36 GMT -5
Thanks George! "Come on Arazi take out the Poo and Feds beat Hewitt on Australia Day would be fantastic." You got your wish! So after seeing Maratski, do you think he can upset Pandy??? That's my wish... but he may still be "coming back"...
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 26, 2004 20:58:52 GMT -5
For the good of tennis Marat needs to take out Roddick. The thing is Marat isn't scared of him and if he returns well enough, that will be to his advantage. By the way my Day 8 report is about be typed up I think you' ll like it.
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Post by Dissident on Jan 26, 2004 21:35:06 GMT -5
How come I didnt find this before? Great stuff! I wont call you George, though, since it seems you dont like the name that much. hehe Ive been seeing many matches, specially Nalby's. He is playing so well, dont you think? Saretta was coming for drinks all the time, then... lol We call him 'Salsicha' here (Scooby Doo's Shaggy portuguese name). Maybe calling him that would get you a couple more free drinks.
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Post by RogiFan on Jan 26, 2004 21:43:07 GMT -5
Saretta is the salchicha?? Yeah, I guess he looks like one!! What about Nalby? Does he have a nick also? Canas is called WILLY in ARG. Hmm... looking forward to Day 8 report!! I agree tennis needs Marat back in full working order... ! <intriguing...
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Post by Dissident on Jan 26, 2004 21:46:23 GMT -5
Saretta is the salchicha?? Yeah, I guess he looks like one!! What about Nalby? Does he have a nick also? Canas is called WILLY in ARG. Hmm... looking forward to Day 8 report!! I agree tennis needs Marat back in full working order... ! <intriguing... I know Coria is El Mago, Canas is Willy, but I cant remember how they call Nalby. I used to call him Bouncy Belly, but it seems he cut a bit on the beer.
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 26, 2004 22:43:37 GMT -5
I cant remember how they call Nalby. I used to call him Bouncy Belly, but it seems he cut a bit on the beer. I prefer Fatty Nalby, myself
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 27, 2004 2:05:51 GMT -5
Day 8 otherwise known as Australia Day. My ideal Australia Day was to see Arazi and Federer win that would be fantastic, but more on these later.
As usual there was the fiasco at ticket collection they always seem to never have my tickets when I get there, and there is this game we are always playing. It usually invloves a few phone calls, but it usually gets sorted out in the end, but never very quickly.
I went to see the great Gaudio/Karlovic combo taking on Nestor/Knowles which I didn’t expect them to win and they didn’t, but it was fun seeing them together I probably should have got a photo it would have been interesting.
One of the Argie friends was going to see the Nalle vs Canas match, I had a feeling that Canas would be a bit flat after his two 5 setters and lack of tennis. He told me Nalle played very well and could win this match whenever he felt like it and it’s a very good sign for the quarter finals. It was a very good comeback tourney for Canas and he has a very good base to get his ranking up there again and give the Argies an extra option in the Davis Cup.
I went over to watch the Pavel v Ferrero match, which was of a very good standard because both players had lower unforced errors than they did winners which is a very good indication of the playing standard. Ferrero claims he has an injury, but I am far from convinced, he was moving very well and didn’t seem too effected by it. Pav started a bit slowly in the 1st set and Ferrero took it 6-4.
Pav then broke Ferrero in the first game and after a very difficult 1st service game for Pav he held on and managed to hold his serve with a great drop volley. They continue on serve while Ferrero was strong from the baseline with his forehand working well and Pavel serving very well in this set and he attacked the net quite a lot as well. He held to 15 to take the 2nd set.
The third set continuing on the same vein whilst there was this cocksmoker who kept heckling Pavel as he was about to serve, he should have been chucked out, but he shut up shortly after, Pav saved 4 break points at 1-2, but Ferrero broke at 4-3 to lead 5-3, when he served for the set he had 40-0, but Pav fought back and took it deuce and he lost the set on a weak error.
Ferrero broke at the beginning of the 4th and was playing solidly, Pavel looked a bit weary as he hasn't had that much match practice and the conditioning was lacking this showed up in his play. He kept fighting but Ferrero was too good. He actually decided to sign some autographs for a change and his English has improved he's not at the level of Corretja or Moya but it's getting better.
Allezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Arazi yes what a fantastic performance but him, yet on Australia Day the Poo had less passion that I would if I was confronted by 90 yr old, 200kg woman in a thong telling me to get it up and perform. He was listless, but Arazi made him look very silly when he hit those great shots and the Poo was being generous in his errors. After his stomach injury last year Thierry must have a found a way to get through to Arazi. Even if he loses to Ferrero, a QF appearance is a very good result for him, hopefully Younes can be back on deck for the Davis Cup vs Argentina. Part 1 of my Australia Day double is complete, now just onto Part 2.
Onto part 2 Federer vs Hewitt one of his bogeymen in front of a very full house. Nearly everyone was there former Aussie players, politicians and other sportspeople trying to cheer on Hewitt, with very few Swiss fans there. The first set well Hewitt came out ready to play and broke Rogi early and held through to the first set, but Rogi seemed very composed even though he wasn't very well in the beginning and this was a great sign against one of his more difficult opponents.
He slowly came into the groove halfway through the 2nd set and some of the variety he was starting to show was very high calibre and duly won the second set. Then the 3rd there was someone at the other end called Hewitt, but I think he was only a passenger in the Roger Federer show, and in the 4th Hewitt just keep hanging in there and he played very well but the masterful Federer was in his own world and playing better than anything Hewitt could come up with and it was a great victory.
Lead by myself the Swiss fans and others led the chant " Na na na na na Hew- itt goodbye", "Lala , lala, Hew-itt goodbye".
So yes it was a very good day for myself.
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Post by Doris on Jan 27, 2004 7:07:20 GMT -5
Thanks for your great reports GHW!! Believe me I enjoyed this Aussi day too
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jan 27, 2004 8:18:04 GMT -5
Na na na na, hey hey hey Witt, Goodbye! ;D
Thanks, George.
Hope you have front seats for Roger & David's match.
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Post by Lee on Jan 27, 2004 10:48:29 GMT -5
Can't wait for the Duck hunting report ;D ;D
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 27, 2004 12:32:21 GMT -5
Fab reports as usual, George I, too, am anxious to hear about your time watching Safin maul Roddick ;D I know you were there, if not front and center.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 27, 2004 18:56:34 GMT -5
I think I should post this on MTF, nah stuff them they don't deserve it.
Yes, Day 9 was only about one thing and one thing only John McEnroe playing doubles and no more.
Ok, seriously I wasn't sure what to think about this match beforehand I knew Safin was a big chance to win as for one he isn't scared of Rawdick's firepower and the pressure wasn't on him at all. Trying to get a ticket to this one wasn't easy, I was talking to the Swedish and Argentinian media guys and even the media section was full, but through resourcefulness I managed to get inside the arena.
Just before I write about the match, there is something that has been made clear to me during my time here. Roddick is not very popular especially with many of the players, when fans asked me who I thought is going to win the tournament. I said I am not too fussed as long as it's not Agassi or Roddick, hardly anyone disagreed with me when it came to Roddick.
Got into my seat and here comes the match report no ESPN propaganda here. The first set was over very quickly Roddick was solid, not doing anything great, but Safin made 16 unforced errors and hardly any winners in that 1st set, he broke Roddick but lost it straight away. I am thinking that were was a guy that looked like Safin, but he should have been charged with impersonating a tennis player.
The second set begins and I am saying he better improve the depth on his shots, or this will be over quickly. Safin breaks for 2-1 and is beginning to make less errors and hitting better depth on his groundstrokes. He had a chance for a double break at 3-1, but Andrew saves. Safin is changing the spins and varying it quite well. 5-3 to Safin and he has 3 set points on the Roddick serve, which he converts and children we have one set all.
Safin starts serving in the 3rd set and he is moving the ball around very well and Roddick is doing a lot of legwork, though he hasn't had a hard match during the tournament, so it shouldn't be effecting him too much. On serve at 3-3, Roddick had 0-30, but Safin hits a huge forehand and wins the next 4 points to hold serve. Then at 6-5 on Roddick's serve Safin has two set points and takes it on the second and wins 7-5. He is playing some quality tennis and Duckboy has been doing his usual and he is starting to get frustrated.
The fourth set has more of the same Safin playing tennis and Roddick relying on that canon serve which has been quite good and he has had 1st serve percentages over 60 for the whole match. 2-1 to Safin and he had a break point hits a Becker like volley but Pandy hits the ball in the open court for a winner. At 3 all 20-0 the linesman misses a bad fault and Pandy cries about it and continues at the change of ends, Gilbo is angry about it as well. Nice to see things even out in the end don't they? They make it to the tiebreaker and Safin plays a very poor breaker and Roddick played it well and wins 7-0.
I know Marat has a very good 5 set record that not many people would associate with him, and I thought he could do it. Though he played a very lazy tiebreaker and seemed not to be moving as well as previously. Roddick starts serving in the 5th which is a huge advantage. Roddick is hloding easily, whilst Safin was taken to deuce in the first service game and saved a break point in the 2nd. Safin gets a bad call, but doesn't do anything about it. 4 all and it's 0-30 on Roddick's seve, he gets to 15-40 on a mishit backhand and he has 2 breakpoints. Roddick error and Safin Breaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaks and is serving for the match.He was down 15-40 and I am thinking don't throw it from here, you can smell the line. Huge ace to get 30-40 and then after that he decides not to lose a point and comes through 6-4.
Huge effort by Safin who had the overwhelming crowd support, and I high fived my friend who got me the ticket, and this Austrian guy I met outside who hates Roddick. I saw Denis afterwards and said thanks man Marat has made my week with that result. I can see why Marat wasn't impressed and he was the better player overall and his court demeanour was excellent and held himself together well.
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Post by Dissident on Jan 27, 2004 21:23:13 GMT -5
Thanks for that. After watching that marvelous match, only reading about it and reliving it after some hours could be even better. Great effort, awesome match, hats off to the man who hunted the duck.
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 27, 2004 22:37:47 GMT -5
Thanks, George. It just gets better and beter the more I hear about it. Safin rawks I hope ESPN showed it all, every single point! :satan:
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Post by Ilhame on Jan 28, 2004 4:14:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the report George I got the impression Marat needed some time to get used to Andy's game and that's what cost him the first set. He managed to do a bit better by the end of the first set, but it was too late by then. What I find remarkable is that Marat said in a pre-match interview that he would need to return well, play on Andy's bh and make him run around a lot and that's exactly what he did and won. I wonder why Brad didn't pic up on that ;D
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Post by Lee on Jan 28, 2004 10:32:18 GMT -5
What I find remarkable is that Marat said in a pre-match interview that he would need to return well, play on Andy's bh and make him run around a lot and that's exactly what he did and won. I wonder why Brad didn't pic up on that ;D There's not much Brad could do even he picked up on that, Andy's bh is and his movement is not that gracious ;D especially when he needs to change direction suddenly. It's really funny.
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 28, 2004 12:21:30 GMT -5
What I find remarkable is that Marat said in a pre-match interview that he would need to return well, play on Andy's bh and make him run around a lot and that's exactly what he did and won. I wonder why Brad didn't pic up on that ;D Because Brad was too busy insulting other players, men and women alike + what Lee said You can't work miracles in a day GeorgeW -- you said that Andy isn't that popular with the players. What about Gilbert? Gilbert wasn't all that popular when he was a player himself, at least that's what I've heard. Any difference in the reaction now, since he's coached not only Roddick but also Agassi (in recent memory)?
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 28, 2004 21:23:47 GMT -5
Gilbert is still a prick, and not much has changed on that front.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 29, 2004 0:25:14 GMT -5
This will be my last report on the Australian Open as I have left Melbourne and will be watching the semis and final from TV set.
Federer and Nalle well they weren't playing at their best, but it was far from peasant tennis. I was sitting there with an Argentine friend of mine who was pro-Nalle of course, but he likes Federer as well. I wasn't sure who to go for, but whoever wins this match I want them to win the title.
Nalle played a poor service game at 5-6 and was duly punished by losing the set. The second set was like a womens match in relation to the amounts of breaks of serve. Nalle had many chances early in the second and then Feds decided to do the Pete Sampras serving 4 aces in a row, and then winning 3 games in a row to take the second set.
I said to Jose that Feds will win in 4, my thoughts before the match were if Federer wins it has to be in 3 or 4 sets. Nalle is determined as always and Federer is being more patient than usual and serving fantastically.
Nalle wins the third, but I somehow I don't feel the outcome is going to be any different and I just see that Feds is going to triumph in 4 sets.
Feds broke in the second game and Nalle couldn't break back losing 6-3. It was a very close match and Nalle had plenty of chances, but Feds was mentally strong and played the key points better and hence that's why he won the match.
Overall the Australian Open wasn't too bad, I have been here previously and there seemed to be something that was missing about the place. Usually it's the friendly Open, whilst it was still friendly enough, it seemed flat, and I am not the only person who thought that.
Once I find out, I will try and give reasons or solutions. I hope some people enjoyed these reports, it was good practice for me. Next time I will take notes on particular matches instead of using the memory.
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Post by Lee on Jan 29, 2004 0:43:49 GMT -5
Thanks for the reports. It's very nice to have tennis fans reporting from a tournament from a fan's point of view. The feelings are totally different than reading reports from Reuters or AP or commentators.
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Post by TennisHack on Jan 29, 2004 0:48:48 GMT -5
I hope some people enjoyed these reports, it was good practice for me. Next time I will take notes on particular matches instead of using the memory. We did, George, believe me Thanks again for taking the time to write them up for us. Too bad you won't be at the semis; both look like pretty good matchups. Anyway, thanks again, very much. As Lee said, it's always great to get an "insider's" perspective at a tournament, especially those of us subjected to ESPN
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 29, 2004 1:19:20 GMT -5
Thanks I am glad that some people enjoyed them, and yes I am fortunate in the fact that I am not subjected to ESPN propaganda.
I am not sure how much of an insider I am, but any time I will go to a tourney I will write some things up for this site. As I said at the start I wouldn't be putting any of this on MTF (though I did put the Safin thing up there).
Now I just hope that Marat tonight can move well and vary the spin on his shots and move Agassi forward and even more importantly get that backhand down the line working very well. Nalle and Coria have shown that it's very effective against Agassi.
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Post by Vera on Jan 29, 2004 3:01:09 GMT -5
Thanks for all the reports.
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Post by Ilhame on Jan 29, 2004 3:27:20 GMT -5
Thanks again George, the reports were really much appreciated. I've never been down under so I don't know what was missing there this year. I didn't watch much of it on tv, but that was for another reason I'm waiting for the first semi as we speak
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Post by Doris on Jan 29, 2004 4:21:02 GMT -5
GWH It was great fun to read your reports - glad you enjoyed the tournament despite it beeing different from previous times.
Looking forward to read other reports from you!!
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Post by Dissident on Jan 29, 2004 10:36:26 GMT -5
That backhand down the line was good enough, huh? Great reports, and thanks. It was a good read.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jan 30, 2004 2:51:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the support and I am glad that these reports entertained you. It's a bit unfortunate that I didn't write them earlier.
Highlights of the Aus Open were as usual meeting cool people from all around the world. Watching Safin beat Duckboy, seeing Henman choke again and having one of my friends see my mug on TV ( plug). The best was watching Andrei Pavel chasing down a ball and jumping into the drinks cooler after he missed the shot.
Lowlights: not enough attractive women, a very flat atmosphere compared to previous years, less fans from other places and the usual CORPORATE WANKERS who get their seats for nothing and don't give a shit about the tennis.
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jan 30, 2004 6:21:43 GMT -5
Pavel inside the big cooler was really funny, except Juanqui didn't think so... Thanks again, Georgie! I'm sure you had a blast Down Under.
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