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Post by DBBN on Jun 19, 2009 9:14:21 GMT -5
Dinara Safina RUS (1) v Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP Nicole Vaidisova CZE v Rossana De Los Rios PAR Elena Baltacha GBR (WC) v Alona Bondarenko UKR Kirsten Flipkens BEL v Agnes Szavay HUN (30)
Amelie Mauresmo FRA (17) v Melinda Czink HUN Katarina Srebotnik SLO v Aiko Nakamura JPN (Q) Vania King USA v Mariya Koryttseva UKR Nuria Llagostera Vives ESP v Flavia Pennetta ITA (15) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Caroline Wozniacki DEN (9) v Kimiko Date Krumm JPN (WC) Petra Kvitova CZE v Maria Kirilenko RUS Alberta Brianti ITA (Q) v Tathiana Garbin ITA Marta Domachowska POL v Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP (20)
Anna Chakvetadze RUS (32) v Sabine Lisicki GER Patricia Mayr AUT v Anne Keothavong GBR Pauline Parmentier FRA v Akgul Amanmuradova UZB Akiko Morigami JPN v Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS (5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Venus Williams USA (3) v Stefanie Voegele SUI Anastasija Sevastova LAT (Q) v Kateryna Bondarenko UKR Ekaterina Makarova RUS v Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE Carla Suarez Navarro ESP v Kaia Kanepi EST (25)
Samantha Stosur AUS (18) v Bethanie Mattek-Sands USA Jelena Dokic AUS v Tatjana Malek GER (Q) Sara Errani ITA v Stephanie Dubois CAN Lucie Hradecka CZE v Ana Ivanovic SRB (13) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Agnieszka Radwanska POL (11) v Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez ESP Alexa Glatch USA (WC) v Shuai Peng CHN Olga Govortsova BLR v Tatiana Perebiynis UKR Galina Voskoboeva KAZ v Na Li CHN (19)
Sybille Bammer AUT (29) v Melanie Oudin USA (Q) Monica Niculescu ROU v Yaroslava Shvedova KAZ Katie O'Brien GBR (WC) v Iveta Benesova CZE Julia Goerges GER v Jelena Jankovic SRB (6) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vera Zvonareva RUS (7) v Georgie Stoop GBR (WC) Melanie South GBR (WC) v Mathilde Johansson FRA Jill Craybas USA v Tsvetana Pironkova BUL Tamira Paszek AUT v Virginie Razzano FRA (26)
Aleksandra Wozniak CAN (23) v Francesca Schiavone ITA Michelle Larcher De Brito POR (WC) v Klara Zakopalova CZE (Q) Timea Bacsinszky SUI v Vesna Manasieva RUS (Q) Yung-Jan Chan TPE v Marion Bartoli FRA (12) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dominika Cibulkova SVK (14) v Julie Coin FRA Masa Zec Peskiric SLO v Urszula Radwanska POL Yanina Wickmayer BEL v Elena Vesnina RUS Vera Dushevina RUS v Alize Cornet FRA (22)
Alisa Kleybanova RUS (27) v Sesil Karatantcheva KAZ (Q) Karolina Sprem CRO v Regina Kulikova RUS (Q) Aravane Rezai FRA v Ayumi Morita JPN Alla Kudryavtseva RUS v Elena Dementieva RUS (4) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Victoria Azarenka BLR (8) v Severine Bremond Beltrame FRA Nathalie Dechy FRA v Ioana Raluca Olaru ROU Anna-Lena Groenefeld GER v Sania Mirza IND Edina Gallovits ROU v Sorana Cirstea ROU (28)
Maria Sharapova RUS (24) v Viktoriya Kutuzova UKR (Q) Gisela Dulko ARG v Stephanie Foretz FRA Maria Elena Camerin ITA v Shahar Peer ISR Anastasiya Yakimova BLR v Nadia Petrova RUS (10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jie Zheng CHN (16) v Kristina Barrois GER Daniela Hantuchova SVK v Laura Robson GBR (WC) Tamarine Tanasugarn THA v Arantxa Parra Santonja ESP (Q) Ai Sugiyama JPN v Patty Schnyder SUI (21)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova RUS (31) v Petra Cetkovska CZE Roberta Vinci ITA v Magdalena Rybarikova SVK Lucie Safarova CZE v Jarmila Groth AUS Neuza Silva POR (Q) v Serena Williams USA (2)
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Post by DBBN on Jun 19, 2009 9:15:17 GMT -5
Masha draws Nadejda. Well, that's just great.
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Post by Traveling Man on Jun 19, 2009 10:30:43 GMT -5
Mauresmo could create trouble for Safina and we don't know how she'll react to losing the RG final. Sveta has a relatively easy path to the quarters - Wozniacki...don't feel comfortable putting her in a Wimbledon QF just yet. Poor Kimiko - wish she'd gotten a better draw.
Ivanovic got shafted - Stosur or Dokic should stop her. Should be an interesting 4th round match with Venus. And then a possible QF with Jankovic, the last woman to stop Venus at Wimbledon - except JJ is playing like shit and could lose first round.
Will Bartoli or Wozniak stop Vera? Possibly. Interesting little section Dementieva has - Rezai, Sprem, Sesil. I'm rooting for all of them, so eh.
Masha-Vika should be interesting for the volume. Heh. And then there's the QF with Serena. Will Rybarikova test babygurl?
Oh who am I kidding? This has all-Williams final written all over it.
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Post by Traveling Man on Jun 19, 2009 12:47:59 GMT -5
Jon Wertheim's Predictions
Top 16 seeds
1. Dinara Safina: A top seed who has never been beyond the third round at the All England Club, has no affection for grass and is coming off a major Grand Slam disappointment? Doesn't bode well for an extended stay in the draw.
2. Serena Williams: There will be no "Serena Slam" in 2009. But if she serves better than she did on clay and can overcome her sister, she's a strong candidate to win. We've all been burned too many times to suggest otherwise.
3. Venus Williams: Comes in with little momentum. But since when does that matter? Venus has won Wimbledon five times this decade and is simply a different player on grass.
4. Elena Dementieva: Sadly, it appears as though her days of challenging for Slams are gone. Simply lacks the self-belief, especially on grass.
5. Svetlana Kuznetsova: French Open champion has proved to herself that she can still win big prizes. But her grass-phobia still rages. A shame, since her serve and athleticism should make her a contender.
6. Jelena Jankovic: Like so many others, J.J. is looking to extricate herself from the doldrums. Like so many others, grass is not her surface of choice.
7. Vera Zvonareva: Steadily putting together a fine career. Solid game and a mind that might enable her to ease into things.
8. Victoria Azarenka: Unclear how well she plays on grass, but with her power and depth, we can expect big things. A shame for her that she's in the Serena/Maria Sharapova quadrant.
9. Caroline Wozniacki: Not much of a track record at Wimbledon. But, again, that characterizes so many. She should win a few rounds on power alone. She's a deceptively strong fighter.
10. Nadia Petrova: An admitted head case -- it's the first step to recovery! --who seldom puts it all together. Plus, she comes in with a back injury. Still, she's fine athlete who can move, serve and play the net. Could face Sharapova in the third round.
11. Agnieszka Radwanska: The rare WTA player who thrives not with relentless power but with relentless accuracy. Should win a few rounds but one worries about her -- on a grass court -- facing a big hitter.
12. Marion Bartoli: Former finalist has a fun, quirky game that mirrors her personality. Not a real threat to win, but the quarterfinals are certainly a realistic destination.
13. Ana Ivanovic: Been a rough year for former No. 1 and her play in tune-ups -- and abrupt coaching change -- suggests the tough times aren't over. Maybe she'll win a few rounds, but then Venus awaits.
14. Dominika Cibulkova: Coming off a fine French Open. On the face of things, there's little reason she can't do well on grass. But she hasn't won so much as a match at Wimbledon.
15. Flavia Pennetta: Lost three of her last four matches at Wimbledon. On the plus side, there's this.
16. Zheng Jie: A semifinalist last year, her compact and accurate strokes -- love that backhand -- are a good fit on grass. Seeds 17-32
17. Amelie Mauresmo: Former champion should be OK for a few rounds. Unless they import French fans.
18. Samantha Stosur: If Stosur, an attacking player with superb serve-and-volley technique, can reach the semis of the French Open, who knows what awaits on grass? The abrupt coaching change is cause for concern, but star this pony in your racing form.
19. Li Na: An up-and-down player, but she beat Sharapova in a tune-up and tends to play better in bigger events.
23. Aleksandra Wozniak: To the delight of Tom Tebbutt, top Canadian continues her ascent.
24. Maria Sharapova: Still coated in the tennis equivalent of ring rust. And there is scarcely a worse tennis injury than a bum serving shoulder. Still, she's a former Wimbledon champ and the regal disposition still imposes some.
26. Virginie Razzano: Frenchwoman performed well at Roland Garros and kept it going on grass tune-ups.
30. Agnes Szavay: Finally breaking out of a slump and her domination of Venus in Paris must surely imbue her with some confidence. Big chance to take down the top seed in third round.
31. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova: The big breakthrough seems to be less a question of "if" than of "when."
32. Anna Chakvetadze: Like Szavay, she's showing signs of life after a dismal slump. Dark-horse nation
Alexa Glatch: Tough first-rounder against Peng Shuai (and Radwanska if she survives that) but a player to watch.
Sabine Lisicki: Hard-serving German has a big game.
Katarina Srebotnik: Still among the better volleyers in the women's game.
Anna-Lena Groenefeld: Wish she moved better. But that serve is a cannon.
Lucie Safarova: Tends to bring her best tennis to the biggest events. Plus, she can break 120 mph on the serve gun. Likely faces Serena in second round.
Jelena Dokic: Likely second-rounder against Stosur intrigues.
Olga Govortsova: One of the better players you may never have heard of. First-round matches to watch
Caroline Wozniacki vs. Kimiko Date Krumm: The 38-year-old Krumm was playing when Wozniacki was born.
Daniela Hantuchova vs. Laura Robson: Ladies and gentlemen, rev up that hype machine.
Sabine Lisicki vs. Anna Chakvetadze: Interesting clash of styles.
Samantha Stosur vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands: Bum draw for highest-ranked American not named Williams.
Michelle Larcher de Brito vs. Klara Zakopalova: An audio daily double.
Blue-plate upset special (for second round): Iveta Benesova over Jelena Jankovic. Doubles winners
Cara Black and Liezel Huber: Back in winner's circle after disappointment in Paris. Semifinals
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Venus Williams
Surprise winner (Dominika Cibulkova?) vs. Serena Williams Final
Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams Winner
Venus Williams
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 19, 2009 13:00:02 GMT -5
Wertheim predicted CIBULKOVA for the SF?!?!?! SHE HAS NEVER WON A MATCH ON GRASS!!!!!!! She lost to semi-retired Dechy this week! And Brenda fucking Schultz fucking McCarthy last year! dflhjkdkjdjkbdss;sfggggg OK. Beer. Fine. Shriek drawing Petrova Bad draw for Kimiko Like Mauresmo won't lose to Czink, from a set and 5-3 up. That's a perfect draw for Deadisova to resurrect herself if she gets it together even slightly...which she won't. Szavay for the QF, or another bullshit run from Dinara. I can see A-Rad losing to MJMS in round 1. The top 10 recedes further away from her. Cake can seriously make a SF run. That quarter is so weak...Bepa, only just back from a lay-off. Slumping Demented. SexyDomi and Ice Cream. Oh ugh, De Screamo lurks there. At least if she plays Cake, Cake will potentially be even more bitchy than Caravane. A big wild card is how Azarenka will do...she could take Serena out in the QF, but is she ready? (No.) A 94842923th fourth round showing for Tammy coming up! Hey, she beat the second seed here last year. Repeat! (All-Williams final obvzzzzz.)
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Post by leelee on Jun 19, 2009 13:24:14 GMT -5
I'm dreading a De Screamo SF run with multiple "fighting" wins... that quarter is so bad.
At least Maria got a fairly difficult draw, except for Nadejda. I could see Vika or Gisela knocking her off. Actually, I'd rather her be where she is instead of where A-Bond is. A 3rd round match with Dinara on grass would have likely followed the Women's Tennis formula.
I hope this is the slam where Azza steps up. She's going to win some eventually.
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 19, 2009 15:28:10 GMT -5
Oh I didn't notice this one before. Who else is looking forward to the pathetic Hanturexia collapse against Robson?
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Post by DBBN on Jun 19, 2009 15:29:54 GMT -5
Me me me!! God, I didn't think I'd ever be rooting for Robson to win her 1R at Wimbledon. Who knew!
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Post by janie on Jun 19, 2009 15:34:40 GMT -5
Poor Neuza! She had to work for her MD spot, unlike her compatriot, and her reward is to face Serena.
Oh, well, maybe she'll win. That would be good. That would get her some POR attention for once!
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Post by Grarliner on Jun 19, 2009 17:27:08 GMT -5
Okay .... 1st Quarter!
Safina is vulnerable, we all know that. She still couldn't beat Tammy on grass, so ... yes, it seems grim for her title prospects.
That said, Kuznetsova did not look like she's ready to win here either. The Eastbourne loss was atrocious, and she said she isn't ready to play on grass yet. I think she's upset meat for MPaperfolding. Or anybody else in there. I think she's still satisfied with the French.
This is actually a very good section for a resurrection. Mauresmo, Chakvetadze and Vaidisova all have chances to do some damage, but can they?
Sleeper pick to make a run here? Vania King, maybe. Maaaaybe. Flipkens with a ghost of a chance to bounce Szavay.
2nd Quarter!
Venus seems to only play tennis at Wimbledon anymore, and it's hard to bet against the 5-time champion and 7-time finalist. But that was then, this is now. Voegele is a talent, but probably not ready for the upset. K-Bond? Probably not. Kanepi is the seed, and her shot looks unlikely. Ivanovic has some serious work to do to make the fourth round, and I'd love to see Stosur beat her.
I think Venus gets through the quarters for sure. Who will she meet there? I'm hoping it'll be Na Li. Na would actually have a shot if they played.
Jankovic is having a bad year, I'd rather she get eliminated early. If need be, by Na in round four.
3rd Quarter!
Vera is probably vulnerable coming off her injury layoff. Still, it's hard to contemplate a loss to Georgie Stoop. Razzano might beat her if she stays hot. Then again, she might lose first round to Paszek.
Should I hope for Wozniak to get through there? No, she's too inconsistent to do it, right?
This quarter is tailor-made for another Dementieva semifinal. She got a very fortunate draw. But hopefully something else happens, like Alla or Rezai beating her. Kleybanova, perhaps.
Vesnina-Wickmayer is an interesting first round contest. Either of them should defeat Cornet, assuming the Douche can't.
4th Quarter!
Maria ... God only knows. Poor Petrova, though!
Tammy does have a shot at the fourth round, but she's got fellow Asians Sugiyama and Zheng to deal with. It's not for sure.
I'd love to see Safarova beat Serena, but it's not too likely. Maybe, though.
Titlist?
I wouldn't mind #6 for Venus. She and Serena are the class of the field. Can it be someone else? Small shot. I hope Na Li plays out of her mind for seven matches and titles.
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Post by DBBN on Jun 19, 2009 17:50:37 GMT -5
I guess I'll do predix, but meh, who knows. Well...I mean, we all know the final. But before that! With the other Top 7 seeds basically useless at the moment? FUN!
Quarter 1: Safina will make the fourth round with that crop, and beats Pennetta there. Mauresmo wallops Czink, giving everyone hope, then loses in the second round to probably Nakamura. Wozniacki crushes Date and eases past still injured Kvitova, while Lisicki gets by the Chak, GBR, and the Kuz, somehow, only to lose to WozDen. WozDen then slices Safina out. SFist #1: Wozniacki (9).
Quarter #2: No problems for Venus. Malek will kill Dokic and I think she keeps on going to the fourth round, where she blasts some aces at Venus, but it won't be enough. Meanwhile, A-Rad will beat Li 7-5 0-6 6-1 and will tackle Jankovic; the Pole scrapes through. A-Rad has enough to defend her QF but Venus will be way too much. SFist #2: V. Williams (3).
Quarter #3: Bepa struggles against two Brits, but finds herself in the third round, where La Razz's good form somehow continues and the Frenchwoman makes her second consecutive Slam 4R. She falls to Wozniak, who accounts for injured CAKE in the third round and blasts past Razzano to make her first Slam QF! Meanwhile, the bottom falls out of the bottom section, as anyone but Cornet makes the 3R in her area -- let's say an in-form and rested Dushevina, who then ousts U-Rad. La Douche has a chance against Dementieva, who escaped Rezai in the 2R, but ED is clutch in the big moments, as she will be against WozCan. SFist #3: Dementieva (4), winning every match in 3 sets.
Quarter #4: Azarenka won't have any trouble, even with solid grass-courters Bremond and Dechy in her path. She will face Sharapova in an ear-splitting encounter, after Sharapova comes back against Petrova in the 3R AGAIN. Azarenka will be too good for the rusty banshee and makes another Slam QF. Robson will beat Hantuchova and Zheng, making everyone go crazy, but Tanasugarn loves the Big W, and, after beating Sugiyama, will make the 4R again! But Serena kills and eats her, and then survives the Azza. SFist #4: S. Williams (2).
The blondes go down easily to the sisters, and Venus prevails once again!
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Post by Traveling Man on Jun 19, 2009 20:15:16 GMT -5
I don't think Venus will win this year. There's just too much hype and expectation around her.
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Post by leelee on Jun 19, 2009 21:50:34 GMT -5
It's the same hype as the last few years. Vee has sucked for a while, and we expect she'll instantly play better by the 1st weekend. K-Bond could be a dangerous opponent on grass if Vee is still in praying mantis error mode in the 2nd round, though.
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Post by DBBN on Jun 19, 2009 23:23:04 GMT -5
Noooooo, no, no. K-Bond will be her easiest match. Talk about headcases.
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Post by Grarliner on Jun 20, 2009 1:11:51 GMT -5
It's the same hype as the last few years. Vee has sucked for a while, and we expect she'll instantly play better by the 1st weekend. K-Bond could be a dangerous opponent on grass if Vee is still in praying mantis error mode in the 2nd round, though. "Praying" mantis? I like what Ali has to say and I did consider it, however, he didn't posit an alternate candidate! I'm going for Na Li all the way babee!
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Post by Brinyi on Jun 20, 2009 9:17:38 GMT -5
I think Hurley is pretty much spot on except for picking ED to go too far. I see a surprise in that quarter and it might be.... Georgie Stoop! Nah... Thunder?
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Post by leelee on Jun 20, 2009 11:48:57 GMT -5
Noooooo, no, no. K-Bond will be her easiest match. Talk about headcases. True. But, K-Bond has impressed me with her fairly bug serve and big game a few times before. She should have the game to compete on grass, but should means nothing in women's tennis.
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Post by DBBN on Jun 20, 2009 20:49:13 GMT -5
She has a perfect game for grass (junior Wimbledon winner, Birmingham winner) but she is insane.
I will admit that she has done really well in Slams this year, but I don't think she will react well to facing a Williams.
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Post by DBBN on Jun 20, 2009 20:50:33 GMT -5
I think Hurley is pretty much spot on except for picking ED to go too far. I see a surprise in that quarter and it might be.... Georgie Stoop! Nah... Thunder? I think La Razz or WozCan could very well maintain their runs and make the SF. But I think that ED will actually keep her cool in the later rounds! Recall last year...she could have easily folded against Petrova after losing that second set, but she is STEELY VETERAN now.
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 21, 2009 20:11:22 GMT -5
4R: Safina, Pennetta, Wozniacki, Kuznetsova, FVW, BAG, Li, Jankovic, LA RAZZ VS CAKE GRUDGE MATCH, U-Rad, Caravane, Azarenka, Sharapova, Tanasugarn, Silliams QF: Safina, Kuznetsova, FVW, Li, La Razz, U-Rad, Azarenka, Silliams SF: Kuznetsova, FVW, La Razz, Silliams F: SISTAH SLAM W: FVW
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Post by DBBN on Jun 22, 2009 13:56:16 GMT -5
Srebotnik w/d, replaced by former USO junior champ Kristina Kucova.
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 22, 2009 15:01:47 GMT -5
Expecting Kvitova to w/d too.
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Post by DBBN on Jun 22, 2009 15:05:06 GMT -5
The rumor is that Schruff is the next one in...after that either Perry or Kustova, and then the other of those two. Then Jugic-Salkic, Brengle, Rogowska.
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 22, 2009 18:22:38 GMT -5
Hey! So, let's talk about Rules at the workplace, Rules that do NOT make sense! about 3 hours ago from web
There is a NEW rule at the tournament that I disagree with so I want to hold an open conversation about "Rules that do NOT make sense." about 3 hours ago from web
So, I am not pleased with this NO EATING in the Locker Room Rule. I was informed before my match that I can NOT eat in the locker room, now! about 3 hours ago from web
What doesn't make sense is that there was a lady placing bananas & health bars out for myself & the other players. How much sense does make? about 3 hours ago from web
Do you guys think I'm wrong for being upset with this new rule? about 3 hours ago from web
I will be posting a new blog on my website shortly for more details on the "No Eating in the Locker Room Rule." about 3 hours ago from web
GUESS WHO
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Post by DBBN on Jun 22, 2009 18:34:05 GMT -5
I would have guessed CAKE if I didn't know who it actually is.
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Post by leelee on Jun 22, 2009 18:59:37 GMT -5
lex, how many players have you added on twitter?
I should get into this.
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Post by leelee on Jun 22, 2009 19:06:16 GMT -5
And I should guess... bitching about something like a spoiled diva, and posts on her own site... must be Serena.
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Post by lexpretend on Jun 22, 2009 20:36:32 GMT -5
I've added...hmm. Lisicki, Keothavong, Gallovits, Murray, Federer, Dimitrov. None of them are particularly regular updaters, or that interesting. The tennis media and commentary fraternity - Courier, Wertheim, Bodo - update all the time. Sometimes I send terse factual corrections back. I should probably add Roddick and Silliams, but I don't like the idea of feeding their egos by increasing their tally of followers.
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Post by leelee on Jun 22, 2009 22:22:30 GMT -5
I should add the media folks. I'd always find something to bitch about, and come across as a smug know-it-all. And I'm sure this board is growing tired of it.
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Post by Traveling Man on Jun 23, 2009 1:29:42 GMT -5
I will start using Twitter once I get my new blackberry.
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