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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:22:48 GMT -5
As Gonzo and Rainer were warming up, there was a hilarious exchange between *the* flag guy and the Chile fans. The Chile fans were doing their chant thing, and were quite loud. The Flag guy was trying to make himself heard over them and would be like "what? you don't like the german? Germany!" and wave his flag. Then the Chile guys would boo him, in a good natured way. Then the Flag guy would be like "security! help! these guys are drowning me out!" It was very funny. Even Rainer looked up with a smirk on his face. Anyways, after the first set of that match, I went to see who was practicing, and checked in on Novak-Bjorkman. I watched that match from 4-3 in the first until the end of the first set. It wasn't bad, but I'm restless, and wasn't rooting for either player, so I left. Good timing too.... I wandered over to a side court and found Roger practicing, with Mirka standing behind, occasionally chasing balls. I took many pictures of both. At some point I also saw Kratochvil again, Hackie. I took more pictures and one of the guy he was hitting with So, he was still around yesterday. I saw Coria again... but really, he seemed to be practicing everytime I was wandering, so I wasn't all that pumped about it, and carried on. I went back to watch the end of Rainer-Gonzo, from 3-0 in the third. It wasn't great. I guess that the middle set was quite good, but I missed that one entirely. I felt bad for Rainer, who I was rooting for I like Gonzo, though, so I wasn't too broken up about it. *more to come*
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 13:30:13 GMT -5
As Gonzo and Rainer were warming up, there was a hilarious exchange between *the* flag guy and the Chile fans. The Chile fans were doing their chant thing, and were quite loud. The Flag guy was trying to make himself heard over them and would be like "what? you don't like the german? Germany!" and wave his flag. Then the Chile guys would boo him, in a good natured way. Then the Flag guy would be like "security! help! these guys are drowning me out!" It was very funny. Even Rainer looked up with a smirk on his face. LOL! Rainer gives Flag Man passes. Flaggy wasn't very vocal during any of the matches I saw, including one of Rainer's. Hmm... Hmm, interesting. I suspect (and hope) he'll be leaving today or tomorrow for quallies in Cincy. I wonder if he's getting any time in with Fed. Oh really? Even though he retired from his match with a shoulder injury? Interesting...
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:36:57 GMT -5
I checked on the end of Beck-Ljubicic. I was there jsut in time to see Beck demolish his racquet when he got broken in the third set. I was rather impressed. What was left of it was a mushed ball of strings and frame. I think that I like Beck. He's pissy! So, naturally, he lost. I saw Andre practice at some point. It was impossible to get in and get a good spot to see, though, so I stuck around long enough to get on my toes over some people and take a picture. Meh. I'm not a big Andre fan, but I figure we won't see him here again. I went to see most of Moya-Verdasco. It was pretty good. I am fond of Verdasco. His forehand is great, of course, but he also moves really well and isn't too bad at the net. His shot selection is a little suspect, but it's okay, he's 12. I was rooting for him, so naturally, he lost. I left duringthe second set to go to the bathroom and maybe watch the start of Gaudio-Reid? I'm confused as to when i did what. I was feeling quite sick. I think that I lost Rogifan at this point too, and I didn't see her again. Hope you had a good rest of the day, RF! I actually think this happened before that match - I was looking at the practice courts and saw Coria again, one court over. I was tired, so I decided to take a seat and look over at him practice for a bit. So, I sit, and I look to see who is on the court right in front of me, and ta da! There is David. Yay! I watched him for about ten minutes until he came off. I got some pictures when he was signing for the kiddies, hopefully they turn out. Zab and Youzhny came on as he was getting off, and I would have had a great shot with all three of them in it, if only some bloody guy wasn't standing right in front of them I also saw Andreev practicing. When he came off there were about ten people waiting for him, so he took a minute or two to take pictures and sign for all of them. A nice gesture, but it's easier to do that when only a few people bug you, as opposed to hundreds He yells at himself and scowls while practicing too. I like it! Nick Bolletieri was on stage giving some motivation talk, and telling random stories about people he had coached. I stopped and listened for a while. He's actually quite an interesting man, even if you don't like what he has to say or who he has produced. He had some good points too, and talked about some program designed to get schools to start tennis programs and encourage physical activity. He also said that he was against somebody with young kids putting them in just one sport. That young kids should be exposed to all sports and then let them pick and choose for themselves. He's 73?! Who knew. I watched some of Gaudio and Reid. Gaudio wasn't too pleased with himself, and I guess he eventually lost. Too bad, but not entirely unexpected. I had to decide between Nadal-hewitt and Mikhail-David. Nadal-Hewitt won out. Not a great match at all. Hewitt stunk in set one, and the score reflects that. In sets two and three he looked good, but Nadal is just not 100%, and Hewitt was able to expose his poor movement. I mean, he's movign okay, but Nadal can move quicker than that, I've seen him do it. So I guess he's still not going all out on that foot. I'm glad that he's not. So, even though it was dissapointing, I watched it all. After that I ran off in a hurry to find David up 4-1 according ot the scoreboard. So I RAN over to his match, only to find out that it was full and they weren't letting people on. Boo. I could see from where I was standing, though. Yes, I watched him make error after error after error and lose 5 games in a row People who want to know why the grandstand was so empty... this match is your answer. The stands were totally full and there was a hoard of people peaking in around them. When that finished I waitched for Coria to come on. And, well, you all know how that ended. Horna was great, though, really great. If Coria was healthy he might have been down a break at least. I was impressed with Horna. That's about it.
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:38:32 GMT -5
Oh really? Even though he retired from his match with a shoulder injury? Interesting... That was before his match. I saw him practicing a lot. Rogfan said earlier that she had seen him rubbing the area during practice and suspected he would retire. Good call
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:42:31 GMT -5
I've been watching the coverage on and off. Moya-Verdasco looks pretty good, I'd probably be there. I like that sort of bleacher open seating. The bleacher seating is good because it's easy to move around, but bad because it's hard on the back sitting in those for hours. As I said before, that match was definately good, and I was certainly there Moya had several set points in the first that he didn't convert. It's called the nestor court, yes. Apparently they are going ot rename it every year in honour of some canadian player. They are going to run out soon I saw Kiefer-Safin, the last couple games and tb on the scoreboard. Too bad Safin stunk it up at the end, but I kind of wanted Kiefer to win. I have no idea why. Frank lost tamely to Spadea, but he was in a car crash two days ago coming back from california trying to get to the airport. He had whiplash apparently. Not saying that is why Spadea kicked his butt, but it's worth noting.
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:43:52 GMT -5
Yes, Hackie it's called the Danny Nestor court. I am looking forward to the reports and I can't say that I am surprised that Gaudio lost, and all these people that expect him to be winning all the time, don't have much of a clue. The Gonzo match was enjoyable, but I noticed a very cold handshake between the two. I did too, but I don't think it was personal. I think that Rainer was just extremely dissapointed.
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 13:46:30 GMT -5
Imagine my complete SHOCK when they showed a bit of the Potato-Nadal match after the Duck's win tonight (talk about disappointing, Benneteau needs to keep himself worked up for the duration of more than 3/4 set). Nadal is certainly fearless, but he need not run around his backhand so much. Unfortunately, Nadal was just not 100%. You'll be more impressed when you see him at his best, I swear ;D As for running around his backhand... eh, consider his mentor error. error. splat. I guess he heard me coming.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 13:53:34 GMT -5
The bleacher seating is good because it's easy to move around, but bad because it's hard on the back sitting in those for hours. As I said before, that match was definately good, and I was certainly there Moya had several set points in the first that he didn't convert. Mmm, it translated well on TV. I was impressed with Verdasco, though I think he's the one I thought shouldn't run around his bhd so much because it was a good shot. I can't remember, though, since I saw many "new" players over the past few days. LMAO!! I'm sorry, that's just hilarious. They are going to have to dig deep in history to keep renaming it. Yeah, that was mentioned in the article I read about his loss. Wow, that takes balls to come back and play a match after being injured in a crash. He said it was too big a chance to turn up. He's going to lose mucho points, though, since he won a challenger this time last year.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 13:57:19 GMT -5
Unfortunately, Nadal was just not 100%. You'll be more impressed when you see him at his best, I swear ;D LOL, when will I get to see him again? In the quarters of the USO? I'm already hoping to see Soderling during that coverage, I'm not sure how much I should push my luck. Pfft
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 14:08:49 GMT -5
LOL, when will I get to see him again? In the quarters of the USO? I'm already hoping to see Soderling during that coverage, I'm not sure how much I should push my luck. I'm sure that Soderling isn't so bad. It's just that Enqivist-Soderling is a hideously boring matchup that should never, ever happen again. I'm sure you'll see him one of these days. Nadal, I don't know. When he was practicing with Moya, people kept coming up and wondering aloud who the guy with Moya was. Pratice partner? Player? Boy-toy? Okay, maybe nobody actually said that last one. You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. EVERYBODy I rooted for lost! Perhaps I should leave the USO alone
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 14:15:25 GMT -5
I'm sure that Soderling isn't so bad. It's just that Enqivist-Soderling is a hideously boring matchup that should never, ever happen again. I'm sure you'll see him one of these days. No, I say that because they showed his match vs Federer this morning but I didn't know and thus only got to see the last game of the match, where he played pitifully. They showed a bit of his match vs Younes last year, but I don't know if it was because of Nadal or Younes...I noticed that Nadal has lost some of the baby fat in his face, though. It will be interesting to watch him grow up, I think. I don't think Daveeeed lost just because you showed up (though I know that feeling; I still blame myself partly for Nieminen's loss to Schuettler last year). It sucks that everybody lost, but that means you won't miss much since you can't go back this week.
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Post by Tennislurker on Jul 29, 2004 14:50:54 GMT -5
IMO, the new swedes, robin and pim pim, are both boring soporific players.
heal norman!, vinciguerra, I forgive you!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 29, 2004 17:00:31 GMT -5
IMO, the new swedes, robin and pim pim, are both boring soporific players. heal norman!, vinciguerra, I forgive you! Yes, these Swedes are a disgrace, nothing like the golden days of tennis, when they made 7 Davis Cup finals in a row. That what was when I decided to actually start playing tennis, aphex and myself remember the glory days.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 29, 2004 17:03:46 GMT -5
The flagman is otherwise known as aka idiot Lou Noritz, the Sky commentators put crap on him, and I can only handle him in very small does.
I wonder why it takes so long for some people to get it, now people are liking Horna? It should be automatic after what he said to Coria in Hamburg.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 17:46:00 GMT -5
What did he say to Coria in Hamburg?
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 29, 2004 17:55:52 GMT -5
What did he say to Coria in Hamburg? Coria was up to his usual antics, just because he was sporting enough to give Horna points that were on the line and in, he expected Horna to return the favour on a double fault that was metres long, and then whined about it and Horna said shut up I am not Gaudio, I will hit you. Lurker can confirm the comment.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 17:58:02 GMT -5
Horna said shut up I am not Gaudio, I will hit you. Ouch! Double diss. Is RF still in Toronto?
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 29, 2004 18:02:09 GMT -5
Ouch! Double diss. Is RF still in Toronto? Our RF or Federer? Well I think it was Diego Gaudio that bopped Coria, and Horna would do it. I never told you that time, someone gave Rosset crap, and he thumped them. Come on Chela take out Roddick. That dickhead Melzer beat Gonzo, I wonder how many errors Gonzo had? I mean Melzer is going to do nothing and he can't get past the QFs.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 29, 2004 18:19:00 GMT -5
Our RF, of course I know Fed is still around. LOL @ your stunning praise for Melzer. He beat Agassi and probably rode that win into the QFs, I certainly wouldn't doubt it. Gonzo is so hit-or-miss that Melzer had a chance going into it, beating the A or not
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 29, 2004 18:23:20 GMT -5
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 29, 2004 19:36:48 GMT -5
Coria was up to his usual antics, just because he was sporting enough to give Horna points that were on the line and in, he expected Horna to return the favour on a double fault that was metres long, and then whined about it and Horna said shut up I am not Gaudio, I will hit you. Lurker can confirm the comment. I had forgotten all about that, until Coria took his injury timeout. Then, after watching Horna pace angrily for a momemt, i remembered. And laughed ;D
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jul 30, 2004 2:36:11 GMT -5
great reports, Chloe. looking forward to seeing your pics of the Fed and Mirka. So she's part time ballgirl for him too? Is she still sporting the blonde look or has she gone back to her natural brunette? Did you see a Henman-looking guy in his entourage? where are Rogifan's reports? so he got the red envelope? you're always keeping us in suspense. details, pls! at Melzer. and go Chela!!!
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Post by Layla on Jul 30, 2004 5:20:37 GMT -5
Coria was up to his usual antics, just because he was sporting enough to give Horna points that were on the line and in, he expected Horna to return the favour on a double fault that was metres long, and then whined about it and Horna said shut up I am not Gaudio, I will hit you. Lurker can confirm the comment. I haven't laughed so hard in days! I like Horna because he played in Ljubljana, although I didn't like him when he almost beat DiP in the semis. Thank heavens for rain.
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Post by RogiFan on Jul 30, 2004 6:57:28 GMT -5
great reports, Chloe. looking forward to seeing your pics of the Fed and Mirka. So she's part time ballgirl for him too? Is she still sporting the blonde look or has she gone back to her natural brunette? Did you see a Henman-looking guy in his entourage? where are Rogifan's reports? so he got the red envelope? you're always keeping us in suspense. details, pls! at Melzer. and go Chela!!! Where's a sick smilie? I haven't posted cos I've been sick since late SUN... and I have laryngitis... just great... ask Chloe!! So I could not ask players for photos, etc. I'm so mad cos I could have talked to Gaston en espanol on Wed. When I'm feeling up to it, I shall start posting here. So... GO, ROGI!! Rogi has to win today in straights before it gets too hot and humid and perhaps rainy. Defend your pts, Rogi!!!! Such an easy draw for Pandy but there are some unlikely guys still around... Melzer sure looked good v. AA... and Soderling was playing not badly at all v. Rogi -- he DID break him. Santoro? Yuk...
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 30, 2004 12:26:07 GMT -5
When I'm feeling up to it, I shall start posting here. Just don't forget any of the good stuff!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jul 31, 2004 0:55:20 GMT -5
Yes, I am waiting for more reports.
No problem Layla for making you laugh. I am so bored, even more so than usual with MTF, plus I have had things to do.
It seems like 4 or 5 people I know had the chance and didn't talk to Gaston, well that happens, as I said I am going to have to lift my game, when it comes to writing these reports.
I actually got introduced to Horna when he was a junior.
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Post by bagel on Jul 31, 2004 9:47:54 GMT -5
Hi... Chloe I didn't go Thursday. I was just too tired and felt dirty, I would have had to go downtown in the morning, wash some clothes, come back at York. Blah. I'm sure it would have been a great day of tennis, but I felt like going home. I guess overall it was ok. I saw a couple of decent match... I just hope they're going to improve things in general in the upcoming years.
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Post by The Chloe on Jul 31, 2004 10:19:39 GMT -5
Hi... Chloe I didn't go Thursday. I was just too tired and felt dirty, I would have had to go downtown in the morning, wash some clothes, come back at York. Blah. I'm sure it would have been a great day of tennis, but I felt like going home. I guess overall it was ok. I saw a couple of decent match... I just hope they're going to improve things in general in the upcoming years. Hi.... ATAT ;D Sorry to hear about Thursday. At least you had a room and didn't have to sleep in a bush. It's a good thing that I didn't stay. I was SO sick Thursday. Actually, it started Wednesday night. I was sore, nauseas, fatigued, and had a horrible headache. I thought that I had drank enough water, but apparently I was wrong. The venue improved as the week went on. Next year maybe they can replace the woodchips with grass and put stands on other outer courts.
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Post by bagel on Jul 31, 2004 10:44:44 GMT -5
Yeah thanks for the room. I hope you feel ok now. Sorry I just had to use that smiley. Go Andy for the week-end.
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Post by TennisHack on Jul 31, 2004 16:30:58 GMT -5
So both of our roving reporters got sick? RF, the Micha fans (club) are waiting patiently to hear what you two chatted about during his practice. I'd have loved to have been to his match today. Damn! Now I know what missing going to a tournament feels like
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