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Post by The Chloe on Jul 25, 2004 16:27:08 GMT -5
I didn't realize it when I left home, but I have internet access from here! I don't think I'll be on much, as the hours at the library conflict with my schedule... but I'm here for the time being. I got dropped off at the univeresity, where I"m staying, at 2pm. I left home on Friday to go to a wedding, so I haven't been home in afew days and am a bit tired from the wedding and blah. I checked into my room then got the heck out of there since it was despressing. I decided that I would go to the Rexall Center and get to know my way around the park, since entry was free today. I ended up taking half an hour at the gates to buy tickets for Tuesday, but it's worth it if it means that I dont have to do it tomorrow So I walked in hoping to catch somebody anybody practicing, and who do I stumble across? Coria and Guga! Their significant others were sitting in chairs across from where people stand, chatting and trying to amuse themselves. I was sort of amused that they went out there like that, but mayve they like to watch Coria is looking really, really good. Unfortunately, it was quite crowded and I actually couldn't get a good look at Guga. I have pictures of both, though, somehow. After that I walked over to another court and stumbled across Hrbaty and Henman. I didnt' stay for long, just long neough to take pictures. Then I wandered some more and watched some qualifiers who.... nobody knew their names, and I have no idea who they were. The one guy said that they were swiss, but I... don't think they were. Don't worry Hackie, it wasn't Michel, I'd recognize him From afar I thought that it was Robredo, but was mistaken. The other guy was REALLY tall and slender and red headed. Somebody else said they were Italan *more to come*
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 25, 2004 16:28:53 GMT -5
So I left there to wander around a bit more and ran into a friend of mine. We went onto center and watched the last set and a half of TJ and Hernych. I wasn't close enough to bother taking any pictures, but since it was free today, we had nice seats. It wasn't a bad match. TJ just didn't play a very good third set tb, unfortunately. After that we took a hike... and here I am *more to follow*
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 25, 2004 16:31:16 GMT -5
A couple complaints about the site - it BLOWS. The new stadium is nice, the grandstand is swell, but really, that is about it. The outer courts have one row of chairs for seating. No bleachers whatsoever. I mean... wtf? Furthermore, they have everything fenced off, so you have to weave through rows of fencing that are 5 feet wide to navigate between matches on outercourts. RIDICULOUS. I could hardly move today. I DREAD what it's going ot be like tomorrow. Thankfully, most of the people I want ot see will be on the grandstand or center, so i won't have to go very far. Hackie - Kratochvil? I'm SO there. I'll have my camera ready
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 25, 2004 16:33:07 GMT -5
Safin-Nalbandian in doubles? Again, I am SO there. Tuesday looks like its going to be a much better day, but tomorrow will be good. I'll get to see Kratochvil, and Andreev, and some others. Kratochvil was a nice surprise. When I saw that he played Indy I thought there was a chance he'd try to qualify here, but I ahdn't seen the draw before I left home. Unfortunately I missed his match today That's about it for now. I'll try and post during the tournament, but you might have ot wait until Wednesday night for the rest
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 25, 2004 20:36:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the start, Becca! Sounds promising even though the grounds *aren't* user-friendly. That sucks bigtime. LOL, between you and RF I'm expecting some interesting stories and/or pictures of Micha. I was pleasantly surprised with his qualy wins and relieved he got one of the better spots in the draw. I'm sure you're crying over Fish's withdrawal. I know I am.
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 26, 2004 6:27:28 GMT -5
No time to post, guys -- almost off to see R1 -- rain this pm, evening, overnight, all day tomorrow --- SUCKS!! Anyway, Chloe, hope to see you today -- I s be at Juanqui's match and Nalby/Marat doubles, then poss Max/Micha -- saw Micha several times yesterday by chance in the cart... he's everywhere! Will post later... I might go on Wed. also esp if Tue is rained out... So, Chloe, keep in contact if you are thinking of Wed also... Anyone here, pls contact Chloe if I can't get to her cos I don't have any internet/em all day/eve today and tomorrow. Thanks, FINALLY saw Rogi yesterday practising w Marco Chiudinelli. VAMOS, JUANQUI!! [do I have a little tale of my own about Juanqui et co. ]
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 26, 2004 6:37:42 GMT -5
Hi again... CHloe, pls take some pix of Rogi at ceremony cos my seats are crap...
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 19:31:51 GMT -5
RF and I bumped into each other, so no worries about getting a hold of me.
Stories to come ;D
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 19:45:24 GMT -5
Today I got up bright and early so that I could get to the centre as soon as possible... then I went back to bed for an hour I still got there before the gate opened, so it was allll good. The schedule of play today was a little dissapointing. No Nadal. No Nalbandian. No Coria. Ferrero on center. Sigh. Boo. I decided that I would deal with this as best I can, and take in Malisse-Chela for a little bit at 11. To kill time beforehand I wandered about to see who was practicing. Not much going on, and I had somebody to meet at 10:30, so I just went to the grandstand until the match started- the person I was meeting - and had a ticket for - had not showed up. I was... annoyed. More on that later. I sat near the top, where you can overlook court two. As I was watching the start of the match I see somebody that I think is Kratochvil right below me. So, naturally, I immediately leave the area - well, immediately during the next change over, that is - and go over there to watch Kratochvil. I think he was working with his coach, but I'm not entirely sure. It was a young guy, so perhaps it was just a hitting partner? Me and the 4 other people watching had a swell time. I took 4 pictures for you, Hackie. For me too Kratochvil has nice legs and a good butt, for those of you who hadn't noticed. He looks good, Hackie. Solid. Healthy. Good! I really have no idea what I did after that. In some order, I went around the practice courts and watched more Malisse and Chela. I actually really like Chela. I didn't catch the end of that match, but I'm glad he won. Lurker, I've been converted! Aren't you pleased ? Chela was on the stage a while after his match signing for people. I don't collect autographs myself, but I do collect pictures of anybody anywhere, so it was nice to get a good shot of him signing for some kiddies. On the practice courts I saw Coria and Youzhny, which was great. I've seen Coria two days in a row now, so it figures that he would get on the grandstand, as opposed to my two other favourites who I haven't seen at all. It seems that everybody in the world except me saw Nadal and Nalbandian practice today. Looks like I'll have to wait for the USO for them *more to come*
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 19:54:08 GMT -5
I watched a good chunk of Kratochvil and Mirnyi. Michel was up 5-2 in the first, but then dropped his break as soon as possible I missed the tie break, and came back around 5all in the second set. He may have lost, but it was close, and he really hung in there till the bitter end and made Max win it. I like Max, so I was pleased either way. This is the first time that I saw Michel play. I quite liked him. He has some nice shots. I didn't see too many doubles from him today, Hackie. I also took in some of Andreev-Sargisian. Overall I saw a set, but it was stretched out and in bits and pieces. Too much was going on, and I was looking for somebody, or I would have watched the hwole thing. I LOVE Andreev. He's great to watch! Man, that forehand is wicked. I like it better than Gonzo's. It isn't quite as insane as Gonzo's, but I find it more impressive, because the guy that is behind that weapon is quite slight - unlike Gonzo, who is huge I really look forward to seeing more of this guy. He actually reminds me of Ferrero, although obviously the backhands differ. He just sits there and pounds the Hell out of his forehand every chance he gets... he had quite afew people ooh-ing and aah-ing over that thing I saw Hewitt practicing at some point. He's little I only stayed long enough to take a picture, so I'm not sure how he's doing. I saw Agassi on the practice court too.... man, the parade of security men jogging around Agassi's travel was highly comical. I wish I had taken a picture of them all. Hmmm... Gonzo was also practicing. Some guy had to ask me who he was On that note.. Oh, Hackie... your head would ahve expoded at the Kratochvil match today. When I was at his practice some guy came up and started asking me about him (who is that, why are you interested in him, etc), since I was taking pictures I explained that I followed him back when his ranking was higher which is.... not entirely true, but better than saying either "he's hot" or "my friend likes him and wants pictures". All match people were butchering his name - worse than me! - and wonder who he was, why hadn't max won yet, blah blah blah. *more to come*
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 19:59:24 GMT -5
I saw 3 games of Solderlig-Enqvist. It was painfully boring, so I left. It was a hard-flat-hitting baseline slugfest. I couldn't deal. I was ready to start taking bets on how many times they would come to net that set - once or twice? I here that Soderling won. Good for him. I watched Bogomolov-Karolovic from 4-5 in the second set. I decided to root for Bogo. A friend and I had been wondering who the Hell this tatooed blonde guy that had been walking around the day before was, and it turns out it was Bogo... so I rooted for him as the "tatooed blonde random dude". At one point in the tiebreak he got super pissed off and smacked a ball out of the court.... right into some spectator's forehead ;D The guy was okay, and wasn't too upset about it. Bogo got a code violation warning thing anyways, and I was highly amused at it all They moved Safin-Nalbandian in doubles to center court, much to my chagrin. They are conspiring against my desire to see Nalbandian. I just know it! Bastards. Uh, they were selling "I love Roddick T-shirts" apparently. No, I'm being serious. A girl walked by me in one and i tried super hard not to laugh until she had finished walking by me (after restraining myself from staring, slack jawed). Worse, I thought she had made it herself. Later, a friend told me that they were selling them. Which is even worse than her having made it..... ugh. Tennis Canada, oh, sad. *more to come*
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 20:02:38 GMT -5
I'm going ot have to leave, as this closes in ten minutes. I'm going ot miss some details I'll get to the opening ceremonies and add the rest tomorrow. The opening ceremonies... I had great seats! It was nice. Man, what a cheese fest. Did anybody see it on TV? It was a bloody riot. They marched the mounties out, followed by little kids with flags of all the different countries represented. Then they players came out all in a line, with Maple Leaf's Jersey's on. ALl while some announcer talked about us all being a part of history, and blah blah, isn't it great, blah blah, what a way to represent Toronto! Then they showed us a video: The Making of the Rexall Center. Then they had the Canadian Idol finalists sing Oh Canada, while the mounties unrolled a Canadian flag that was so big it took up half the court. Then BIRDS were released to fly out of the stadium in formation. Me and the guy I was sitting with could not contain our laughter. I am so, so glad I paid to see that. You have no idea.
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 26, 2004 20:05:35 GMT -5
I watched Agassi-Haas until 3-4 in the second. I thought that Haas was in control and that Agassi was flat There were really loud Agassi fans - the net heads? Hilarious. I left to go look at Robredo's ...erm, tennis. His... erm, tennis, was of the highest quality. My goodness do I enjoy Robredo's... tennis. At some point during the day, Dent was walking the grounds freely, and getting swarmed by kiddies. He stopped and signed, and took pictures with them. It was nice. I like Dent head! Shhh! Don't tell anybody! That's about it. I will add details in tomorroq or when i get home Wednesday. Byeeee
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 26, 2004 21:20:09 GMT -5
As I was watching the start of the match I see somebody that I think is Kratochvil right below me. So, naturally, I immediately leave the area - well, immediately during the next change over, that is - and go over there to watch Kratochvil. I think he was working with his coach, but I'm not entirely sure. It was a young guy, so perhaps it was just a hitting partner? Me and the 4 other people watching had a swell time. I took 4 pictures for you, Hackie. For me too Kratochvil has nice legs and a good butt, for those of you who hadn't noticed. He looks good, Hackie. Solid. Healthy. Good! Well, I think his coach is rather young and in good shape. GWH called him one of the most beautiful ex-players at the Aussie, so draw your own conclusions Anyway, I'm glad he's finally looking healthy. He's starting to win strings of matches at a time. Now if only he could do it in main draws Thanks for the pictures, too! I like Max too, it's one of those tough matches where the loser is going to be someone quite likable who deserves some decent results. Yes, it was close, 5 points in the end gave Max the win (he won 11-9 in the second set TB). 4 doubles isn't bad and the stats say he served pretty well. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the result. Also, I am soooo jealous you got to see him before me. Damn this Olympic year! LOL @ your description of Soderling-Enqvist. Soderling did win in the end but I could understand why it wouldn't be something to keep your attention on the first day. Even I probably wouldn't have lasted there and I like both of them Andreev sounds really promising, I must say. I'll have to put him on my list of players to try to see. Hopefully he'll have a good draw at the USO and the USA Network will show a bit of him. Speaking of Ferrero, I guess you didn't see his non-match? God this year just blows for him
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 26, 2004 21:25:50 GMT -5
Oh, Hackie... your head would ahve expoded at the Kratochvil match today. When I was at his practice some guy came up and started asking me about him (who is that, why are you interested in him, etc), since I was taking pictures I explained that I followed him back when his ranking was higher which is.... not entirely true, but better than saying either "he's hot" or "my friend likes him and wants pictures". All match people were butchering his name - worse than me! - and wonder who he was, why hadn't max won yet, blah blah blah. Not an uncommon occurence with my favorites. If I could take people mispronouncing Jarkko's first name (which takes a special skill, mispronouncing "Jarkko" but not "Nieminen" ) I could take it with Michel. Though his surname is more prone to obnoxious mistakes Personally, I'm surprised those people knew who Max was. Wow. I think this is worse than the description of the opening ceremony (which I did miss unfortunately, it sounds like a moment of COMEDY. GOLD!). There was a girl last year who was covered in homemade Roddick gear, but she had enough taste to watch Guga and other matches that I also watched Sounds like a fantastic opening day!! Hopefully Potato-Nadal won't disappoint tomorrow.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 26, 2004 21:48:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the reports Chloe.
Hackie, I am not sure if Bernd Karbacher is still coaching him, but he is not that old and hopefully Michel can build on this for the rest of the year.
Andreev well I have been lucky to have known about him previously, but it's good that he is getting some attention at least.
Nothing wrong with Chela, and well done Chloe for coming around.
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Post by Jasper on Jul 26, 2004 22:06:01 GMT -5
Oh man, that opening ceremony sounds too corny and hilarious to be true! You had me falling out of the chair with that passage. You'll get to see David tomorrow, right? I would kill to see that Nalbandian-Youzhny match. I just hope David goes easy on him and it can be a close match.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 26, 2004 22:26:26 GMT -5
Hackie, I am not sure if Bernd Karbacher is still coaching him, but he is not that old and hopefully Michel can build on this for the rest of the year. Last I heard they were still together. The good thing is Michel doesn't have anything to defend til the Istanbul challenger the second week of the USO, so he has some time to build on his ranking before he has to defend some major points. I remember him from his run indoors a few years ago but he's really making his mark now and it's nice to see another young one coming up
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AVO
New Member
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Post by AVO on Jul 27, 2004 6:21:28 GMT -5
hey chloe-thanks for the Toronto posts. your secret about Dent is good with me I'm a-liking him, too. LOL the way you start each day with a disclaimer, so thers won't be totally envious, well it doesn't work Have a great day!!!
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 27, 2004 8:30:37 GMT -5
Well, I think his coach is rather young and in good shape. GWH called him one of the most beautiful ex-players at the Aussie, so draw your own conclusions Anyway, I'm glad he's finally looking healthy. He's starting to win strings of matches at a time. Now if only he could do it in main draws
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 27, 2004 8:34:08 GMT -5
Wow. I think this is worse than the description of the opening ceremony (which I did miss unfortunately, it sounds like a moment of COMEDY. GOLD!). There was a girl last year who was covered in homemade Roddick gear, but she had enough taste to watch Guga and other matches that I also watched Sigh. I need to get my some homemade Jim Courier gear. Then wear it to Mardy Fish matches. The opening ceremonies were hilarious, and so worth the price of cover. I was embarassed during oh canada because I could not stop laughing. Somebody from the UK complained to me recently that people at Wimbledon almost always cheer for the English speaker over the Spanish, French, Dutch, whatever else speaker. Well, you know, I think that people here do that too At the opening ceremony, Henman got applause like he was a Canadian It should have started now, but it's drizzling. I'm 5 minutes from the site, so I'll run back in time. I'm going to sit in my nosebleeds and watch
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 27, 2004 8:35:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the reports Chloe. Hackie, I am not sure if Bernd Karbacher is still coaching him, but he is not that old and hopefully Michel can build on this for the rest of the year. Andreev well I have been lucky to have known about him previously, but it's good that he is getting some attention at least. I only heard about him last year when he posted some good wins indoors. Then, obviously, he's been making a name for himself this year, so I've got to hear about him. I hadn't seen him play until now, though. He's great! I'm a fan
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 27, 2004 8:35:56 GMT -5
hey chloe-thanks for the Toronto posts. your secret about Dent is good with me I'm a-liking him, too. LOL the way you start each day with a disclaimer, so thers won't be totally envious, well it doesn't work Have a great day!!! Hey Avo! You can over to read my reports! Yay! I'm glad that you enjoyed them, but sorry you picked up on the Dent comment... I was hoping nobody would notice ;D
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 27, 2004 10:38:46 GMT -5
They wanted to be just like the USO so they even got their weather! Sucks big time!! It's 1:20pm and just having lunch at the main food tent. Good news, they just set up Internet access in this tent!! HOORAY! Chloe if you're not here yet, you just missed an autograph session w CYRIL SAULNIER!!!! ***CHLOE*** I have your Wed day session ticket! Hope we can meet up today so I can give it to you. Who knows if that's possible. I'll pm you. Anyway, hope to at least see the NADAL-hewitt match. Also maybe Gonzo, definitely GAUDIO, Marat, maybe Moya. Of course ROGI at 7:30 (too bad Guille)! Won't stick around for Nalby--too late. That's if there are any matches happening today. Don't even know where the players are today--obviously not too many around based on the autograph subject. There are no indoor courts to practise on either--just like the USO. Oh court 1 now has bleacher seating. Probably won't check this board again today until after evening session (unless there's a big fat rain delay this aft and I can get near this computer once everyone realizes it's here). What will they show after the repeat :ass: -Haas match? Laters!
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 27, 2004 11:16:09 GMT -5
I'll look for you in the tent!
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 27, 2004 11:16:14 GMT -5
Yeah, Max is very likable. At least it wasn't Roddick again Although I was pleased to see Kratochvil push Roddick so hard last week! Some people get all the breaks. Why couldn't the Duck have had the horrible followup season instead of Ferrero? Is there no justice in this world? Seeing him in person is better The only good thing about TV is the taping of it. Oh you know my mouth is watering over that prospect! Unfortunately, it's been raining. I was looking forward to seeing Benneteau today but instead ESPN is showing the A-hole
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 27, 2004 11:17:45 GMT -5
Somebody from the UK complained to me recently that people at Wimbledon almost always cheer for the English speaker over the Spanish, French, Dutch, whatever else speaker. Well, you know, I think that people here do that too It's even worse here, I think. I take it that person has never been to the USO?
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 27, 2004 11:20:22 GMT -5
What will they show after the repeat -Haas match? Egads, you guys have ESPN feed, too? I'm sorry. That was definitely the worst thing about the rain delays in Cincy. I know I silently cheered when they put CNN on instead during one of them
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 27, 2004 11:38:37 GMT -5
Well, he's done the first step, which is getting through qualies and stringing some matches together. Now he just needs to produce some results in the main draw - a weak draw would help him make that step. Max wasn't a horrible draw, but not the best either. Oops, didn't see this before Yeah, it's a nice step up from wanting him just to WIN to wanting him to win main draw matches. Admittedly, it's a nice problem to have. I'm just glad he didn't draw Roddick again. He's had that kind of sore luck. Of all the qualifying spots, the one he got and another one were the best. At least he tried, can't ask for more than that.
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Post by Courtesan on Jul 27, 2004 11:43:24 GMT -5
Chloe, Guga AND Coria? Please tell me you took photos. Did they touch or laugh together? Guga's girlfriend is so hot too. Her and Carla together, I am sure there was just a white light aura surrounding them, huh, j/k. Are you going for everyday Rebecca?
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