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Day 13.
Sept 5, 2008 23:13:33 GMT -5
Post by sasha on Sept 5, 2008 23:13:33 GMT -5
Rain.
And if they do play, it will be in a hurricane. FUN~!
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 0:08:56 GMT -5
Post by DBBN on Sept 6, 2008 0:08:56 GMT -5
Maybe Andy Murray will be blown away and killed.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 1:46:49 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 1:46:49 GMT -5
But not even a hurricane can stop Rafa, who will be standing on court cackling as Murray is blown away?
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 6:28:12 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 6:28:12 GMT -5
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 7:29:16 GMT -5
Post by GoDom on Sept 6, 2008 7:29:16 GMT -5
Has been discussed before, but do you agree that the USTA made a big mistake with the Arthur Ashe Stadium?
First of all, no roof. Okay maybe the weather was more steady in the 80's and 90's but considering the past few years, not going for a roof seems silly. And when Wimbledon manages to put one on their Centre Court by next year, you know the USTA messed up.
Then, it's too big. Atmosphere-wise, this court comes off the worst on TV of all the Grand Slam venues, and I have to assume it's the same in real life. Tennis works better with a bit of intimacy. And also, it helps if you can actually see the ball from the far-awayest seats.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 7:44:34 GMT -5
Post by R. Black on Sept 6, 2008 7:44:34 GMT -5
Yes, they should have make it smaller, with a roof.
But they only care about money, and selling as many tickets as possible.
At least they reduced the size of Amstrong. The first year they introduced the new Ashe stadium (98?), Amstrong still had a 20 000 spectators capacity and it was depressingly empty most of the time.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 7:50:18 GMT -5
Post by lexpretend on Sept 6, 2008 7:50:18 GMT -5
Justine's lucky shots No one hits lucky shots any more Then, it's too big. Atmosphere-wise, this court comes off the worst on TV of all the Grand Slam venues, and I have to assume it's the same in real life. Tennis works better with a bit of intimacy. And also, it helps if you can actually see the ball from the far-awayest seats. Apparently you can see the ball fine, even from the highest seats, and last year they gave mini TVs to everyone up there. And the people I know who've sat there found the atmosphere fine too. I think the initial negative reports were more reflective of privileged journalists used to watching from really excellent vantage points. No roof was obviously a mistake. If there had been a roof, Roddick might still be Slamless!
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 8:11:09 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 8:11:09 GMT -5
That backhand
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 8:12:38 GMT -5
Post by janie on Sept 6, 2008 8:12:38 GMT -5
The one and only time the USTA did not follow their craven desire for more big bucks was when they named AA stadium after Ashe instead of going corporate. Shocking, but I am so glad we don't have to watch tennis in Pepsi/Chevrolet Stadium.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 8:16:06 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 8:16:06 GMT -5
Apparently you can see the ball fine, even from the highest seats, and last year they gave mini TVs to everyone up there. And the people I know who've sat there found the atmosphere fine too. I think the initial negative reports were more reflective of privileged journalists used to watching from really excellent vantage points. I watched Agassi play some schmuck from the noosebleeds once. It might have been a young Ginepri, actually. I think that I stuck there for about one set, before my friend and I decided that this was balls and went elsewhere. I couldn't see shit, I watched most of it on the screens. And even with Agassi playing, the atmosphere that high up totally sucked, because it was an early round match and a lot of seats were empty. Of course, a couple of things should be pointed out here: 1) I need glasses. My eyes have deteriorated to the point that I probably shouldn't drive without them. But, this was 5 or 6 years ago. So, I'm not sure if that was a factor or not. 2) I spend most of my time in prime seats on courts out in the middle of butt fuck nowhere. Of course I'm going to think that watching tennis from noosebleed seats is terrible. I mean, we could see the top of the player's heads better than we could see their strokes. Why did you remind me of the horror that was That Slam? Jesus. That's the day the Nalbandian slam died. Oh, who am I kidding. He would have lost the finals to Ferrero, even though he should never lose to Ferrero.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 8:40:14 GMT -5
Post by GoDom on Sept 6, 2008 8:40:14 GMT -5
As horrible as Roddick's win was, in hindsight I can kinda live with it.
The last 5 years have proven that it was due to weak opposition and lucky circumstances, i.e. rain, and therefore shouldn't count. If one of these factors doesn't come into play, he has no chance whatsoever.
Of course Fat Dave shouldn't have lost that, but as we all know by now, he's a loser, so it had to expected that he would mess up.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 9:44:49 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 9:44:49 GMT -5
I'm obviously rooting for Jelena this evening, and this is a great opportunity for her to SAVE TENNIS for me. After coming through out of nowhere, really, she's finally broken that semi-final jinx in style, with fairly straightforward win over the hottest player on tour this summer (who still sucks, but whatever). All the pressure will be on Toddlerena. With Jelena's new, improved on-court attitude, I'm hoping she'll go out very focussed and (more importantly) relaxed. If so, there's a great chance of a maiden Slam title for her. The Toddler is still overweight and nowhere near her best fitness-wise or game-wise. Obviously it's still good enough to be a serious Slam contender (Women's tennis, fired, etc.) but the match is NOT going to be all about her like it would have been in, say, 2002. COME ON JELENA!
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 9:59:55 GMT -5
Post by sasha on Sept 6, 2008 9:59:55 GMT -5
I'm against a roof for slams, even Wimbledon. First off, there's a huge difference playing indoors. These tournaments are made to be played outdoors. In the conditions.
Second, it doesn't do anything when roofs are only put on the show courts. If there's a rain storm for all of week 1, you're not getting caught up anyway. If there's a huge storm during the 2nd week, like the Cheating Roddick slam, they still get all the matches in on time.
If we want indoor tennis, then let's have an indoor slam. IN MOSCOW. To replace The Championships; Bimbledon. Thank you.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 10:51:45 GMT -5
Post by janie on Sept 6, 2008 10:51:45 GMT -5
I agree. I thought I was the only one who's against the roofs. But my reason is different; I just like to see who is best able to handle all the excessive delays, 2 matches in a day, etc. that ensues after tons of rain.
So is/did the crowd boo Nole? I'm dying to know.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 10:54:15 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 10:54:15 GMT -5
They didn't boo him yet today, no. It seems fairly neutral, leaning slightly to Fed. In other words, nothing appears to have changed. But it's still early. Djokovic hasn't done anything even remotely annoying yet. Also, they started early, so there are probably still only 5 people there.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 10:55:22 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 10:55:22 GMT -5
It's not about completing schedules on time; it's about guaranteeing play throughout the fortnight. Plus, the two most important rounds would always be finished in 2/3 days, around their scheduled times. Your point about indoor vs. outdoor conditions is a very good one, as it the argument that (along with hawk eye) the lower-ranked players will be further disadvantaged. For me, the roof is another instance of the advantages slightly outweighing the disadvantages. JesusFed has disappeared after one set! Chris Evert is going downhill now. Fast.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:03:06 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 11:03:06 GMT -5
I Chris Evert is going downhill now. Fast. Well, she held on for more than 5 decades. It was bound to happen eventually. Besides, she's still annoying, and she'll always have that.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:03:57 GMT -5
Post by janie on Sept 6, 2008 11:03:57 GMT -5
They didn't boo him yet today, no. It seems fairly neutral, leaning slightly to Fed. In other words, nothing appears to have changed. But it's still early. Djokovic hasn't done anything even remotely annoying yet. Also, they started early, so there are probably still only 5 people there. Thanks. I was wondering if it was going to be as bad as the media was making out. I didn't think it would be. Remember Mary Carillo going on and on about how the French crowd would viciously boo Justine at RG following her retirement from the AO final? She set up the scene with so much emotion, then here comes Justine out on the court and NADA. So Carillo tries to save face by saying the crowd's applause was "lukewarm". As if they're ever passionate for anyone at that time of day in Paris.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:08:45 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 11:08:45 GMT -5
I Chris Evert is going downhill now. Fast. Well, she held on for more than 5 decades. It was bound to happen eventually. Besides, she's still annoying, and she'll always have that. Chrissie is fabulous! I'll take her over Tracy fucking Austin anyday.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:11:12 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 11:11:12 GMT -5
Murray Nadal moved to Armstrong. Racist!
Most people in this crowd probably have no idea Novak just took out their God, anyway.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:15:56 GMT -5
Post by Iorix on Sept 6, 2008 11:15:56 GMT -5
Fed up a set, which means there's now a real danger of the organizers getting The Rivarly final. Hopefully Nole regroups, since Muzza's chances are about 1 in 21047219463256357325356395732532734563325325345450.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:33:51 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 11:33:51 GMT -5
Djokovic and Fed split the first two sets, so... nobody in Ash cares, because they're too busy running over to Armstrong, where the Nadal-Murray match has been moved. Really. They just showed 2342343 people RUNNING out of one stadium, into the other. It was fantastic.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:34:41 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 11:34:41 GMT -5
How sweet is it be Random Grounds Pass Guy today?
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Viktymize
Full Member
I <3 Nicola.
Posts: 127
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:38:57 GMT -5
Post by Viktymize on Sept 6, 2008 11:38:57 GMT -5
I'm obviously rooting for Jelena this evening, and this is a great opportunity for her to SAVE TENNIS for me. After coming through out of nowhere, really, she's finally broken that semi-final jinx in style, with fairly straightforward win over the hottest player on tour this summer (who still sucks, but whatever). All the pressure will be on Toddlerena. With Jelena's new, improved on-court attitude, I'm hoping she'll go out very focussed and (more importantly) relaxed. If so, there's a great chance of a maiden Slam title for her. The Toddler is still overweight and nowhere near her best fitness-wise or game-wise. Obviously it's still good enough to be a serious Slam contender (Women's tennis, fired, etc.) but the match is NOT going to be all about her like it would have been in, say, 2002. COME ON JELENA! Eww no, I still hate Jankovic's game. But still, anyone but Serena at this point, plus Jankovic is kinda nice, I guess. If only I knew something about/liked the ATP. Go Nole though. Sky Sports insist on showing Murray getting a beatdown.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:39:45 GMT -5
Post by GoDom on Sept 6, 2008 11:39:45 GMT -5
The lower-ranked players are not disadvantaged because of no hawk-eye on outer courts.
I do not insist on roofs, and there are some issues with them. All I'm saying is that the US Open would have one by now if not for the Ashe monstrosity.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:40:44 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 11:40:44 GMT -5
Well, she held on for more than 5 decades. It was bound to happen eventually. Besides, she's still annoying, and she'll always have that. Chrissie is fabulous! I'll take her over Tracy fucking Austin anyday. Tracy is awful. This doesn't make Chris any less annoying ;D
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 11:50:15 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 11:50:15 GMT -5
Djokovic and Fed split the first two sets, so... nobody in Ash cares, because they're too busy running over to Armstrong, where the Nadal-Murray match has been moved. Really. They just showed 2342343 people RUNNING out of one stadium, into the other. It was fantastic. I'm "watching" the match, and missed that. I think Fed's blowing now or whatever. Posted by GoldenNadalSlam on Today at 16:39 The lower-ranked players are not disadvantaged because of no hawk-eye on outer courts. Oh I can't quote on this forum. Anyway, perhaps. But, if we asked Sania Mirza and Cammie Pan about hawk eye on the outside courts, who would be a more likely advocate?
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 12:02:43 GMT -5
Post by The Chloe on Sept 6, 2008 12:02:43 GMT -5
My live feed is pretending that the other match isn't going on, rather than switch between the two as I had hoped. I suppose that this is probably the better of the two matches... so blah. I'll wait till this ends and hope they show Armstrong then.
Murray with an early break.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 12:06:01 GMT -5
Post by Denise49IQ on Sept 6, 2008 12:06:01 GMT -5
Oh I'm torn! After this set (which is going to be another close one!) I'm turning on Murray Nadal.
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Day 13.
Sept 6, 2008 12:06:27 GMT -5
Post by GoDom on Sept 6, 2008 12:06:27 GMT -5
But, if we asked Sania Mirza and Cammie Pan about hawk eye on the outside courts, who would be a more likely advocate? You mean, because Sania hits closer to the lines? It depends. We would need an empirical study to find out whether linesmen are more likely to call out or in on very close balls.
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