are you on facebook Mr X? i have them there, i'll add you if you are so you can see them.

Nice preview, Bobby. Was surprised to see that Kim was listed as the fave by some oddsmakers. Probably a reflection of betting trends more than anything.

mina, nice report...hehe. So, was Flavia still wearing the purple and white thingie? I don't understand how she could've looked less than impressive, regardless of what happened on the court.

"May I add The Hot Woz isnt Hot no more"
True, she isnt hott now. She's hotter:)

Oh, and count me in with those who dont really mind the shrieking all that much. However, i've never heard it live, so i guess that could change my opinion.

Mr X Apparently you are in the midst of a Brain lapse

His name is Tommy Robredo who may I add won single handed the Hopman Cup for Spain

mina- "cos its ridonk"

you are just so cool mina

Mina, I'm not bitter. How can I be, Juju made it to the final and Caro will be back to winning ways.

Greenie- I asked Mina if she thought it was weird that Fran and Flavs weren't playing together. And I thought there was a lot of satisfaction when taking the other out. Did I mention Franny screams like she's giving birth to demon children? But it was probably just their competitive juices going.

Mr X Well if you think a Frilly Lamp Shade Dress circa 1930's is Hot

So be it.Yikes!

Ahhh, unfortunately, i'm not, mina. Only in the Spanish equivalent:(
Well, that photo of the players party will do, for the moment. Thanks, anyway:)

AM, you just said that Woz isnt hott any more and I am the one who is in a brain lapse? As for your beloved Tommy, as i said, call me when he delivers in some real tournament. Then, i'll give him full credit, without any problem.

"That is your opinion Grant."

Sigh. Samantha, you seem to have missed the fact the 'hot mess' is seven letters long and three of them are 'hot'.

Right Mr.X and don't all guys like the shrieking.

The Stella look just does not work.I am afraid.

Caro could probably pull off a potato sack. Whaddaya say AM, care for some competition? ;-)

Hope Stella does a little better than USO for her.

Ohnoes, Nic. This is getting serious now. Odd considering they played together in Auckland. Are these two still bffs?

Pspace, let me just clarify. it was Flavia's tennis that wasn't impressive. lady herself is pretty much as hot as you expect her to be. :D i know cos she walked right in front of me after that doubles loss. the kind of in front where you can see if she had her eyebrows tweezed. so i totally get you fanboys. hehe

Mr X Hopman Cup as I said before was set up to honour Harry Hopman who was one of the Greatest coaches of all time

Apparently to you this means nothing.

Sorry Grant, sometime I do miss English words. Nice of you to say about Caro when so many put her down and compare her to the like of JJ when she has more to her game.

Pspace Compeition?

Chanel woman are in a zone all of themselves

Watch out for my photo on Wednesday,when I am in my normal attire ok

Be prepared to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

mina, hehe, I see. Ok, I'll try to find you on FB...I assume you're on the TW group.

Btw, is the dress of Caro's that everyone is complaining about:

http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef012876c1b0f5970c-pi

Not too bad...imo....depending on the situation. In any case, she's the better dressed person in the pic.

Oh and mina...I assume they're tweezed?

"Hope Stella does a little better than USO for her."

Or maybe wearing a terrible outfit will become her good luck charm.

Nic, did you notice Fran was still so pumped after the match that she was vigorously discussing the last point with kleybs and coaches? something tells me stuff went down in Auckland. ha. like i said, i'd want her on my corner LOL

elise, thanks but not really. i'm such a dork you have no clue. LOL

Honouring a legendary coach is a nice gesture, AM, no doubt about it. a very good one, even. But i'm talking about the tennis competition, not the event itself, and as it's related to the official tennis tournaments. In that sense, no, Hopman Cup doesnt mean all that much to me. Neither did the Abu Dhabi exho, to make myself clear. I just enjoyed that for mere personal reasons:)

Oh, and one more thing: dresses arent hot. Who's inside is what matters to me.

Dunno, Flavs wasn't very happy after the loss. It was a tight match. And then she tried to escape out the back only to find, there was no back exit and had to try and squeeze past me and Mina. She was wearing this grey thing, which was fine and hot simply because she is but it was was no match for Nad's fluro tangerine ensemble, which was soo bright that I spotted her eating lunch in the players area, and could easily keep up with her while she was playing Kimiko of the teeny tiny c'mons from a court away.

Tangent here: (And yays I'm taller than Flavs by at least a serious inch and at this point I want to mention that Caro is taller than I expected)

Pspace, yes. and quite nicely i might add. i'll try and load the Flavs pics now.. all the Dina ones are taking so much of my time!

Samantha, for the record i'm not trying to pick on Woz just to be mean. she has done no wrong to me. sometimes, i even read her tweets! i just kinda appreciate not having her shoved down my throat. kthxbye.

Nic you're a good 2 inches taller than Flavs.

Mr X can you go blue so i can email you a link to view my album even if you're not on FB? but if you can't, it's okay :)

Still don't understand the Flavia fanboyism... is she hilarious? Yes. Does she seem like a great person? Sure. Body? Rockin'. But she's no Woz, and she definitely ain't no Maria. I don't even think she's as pretty as Henin, which I realize is a very unpopular opinion.

Am i blue?

Mr X Be prepared for me

Cause at age 26

My body is still holding up sublime

I forget to mention Modesty is my middle name

Anway wait for my photo in my Medibank report

I always get that taken first

Seeing it is the most important,also I might let you see my hubby Peter though Sigh! he will be my baggage for the day.

No, i wasnt. I thought all you had to do was add your e-mail address, but apparently that's not the case.

observer,
In this matter, it's all in the eyes of the watcher, IMO. As well as i dont share your view on Henin, i can perfectly understand that you dant see it on Flavia. No big deal.
However, for me, she's awesome AND hott:)
I agree with the "she's no Woz" part, though.

Holy cow. Guess this would be a good time to mention that I thought the handshake after their Auckland match was cold. Can't wait for Fed cup now.

Mr. X, "new" Typepad doesn't display email ids yet. you'll have to post it in comments.

mina, I sent you a DM through twitter.

observer, if i were male, i'm def on the Masha bandwagon as far as fanboyism is concerned. that Justine comment completely took me by surprise. Justine fanboys FTW. no, seriously. i thought you guys were like unicorns or something.

Ok observer, Here is an explanation for the fanboyism:

http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef0120a592d43f970b-pi

http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef0120a5e95fd7970c-pi

http://cowbell.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83423e30253ef0120a5e95f05970c-pi

Aye or Nay?

Here are my five top picks for the AO, Serena, Juju, Sharapova, Caro and Kim. For the guys, I think Roger, Rafa, Murray, Sod. I'm not really sold on Del Petro. I HATE the cold so I would love to be in Aussie right. I'm tired of the snow too.

Here are my five top picks for the AO, Serena, Juju, Sharapova, Caro and Kim. For the guys, I think Roger, Rafa, Murray, Sod. I'm not really sold on Del Petro. I HATE the cold so I would love to be in Aussie right. I'm tired of the snow too.

Samantha you should come over to Oz. i don't bite LOL no seriously, if you guys ever come over to Sydney give us a holler.

MA, and other Aussies that are around, what time is it in the US when it is 11:00 a.m. Australia time? Thanks

This is a reminder that Talk About Tennis is having its traditional suicide pool for the Australian Open. First pick to be made once the OOP is available.

TAT link to suicide pool

http://www.talkabouttennis.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=172

If you want to play and not have registered with TAT, don't worry registeration is not difficult.

Very Important:
Once registered on TAT to play the suicide pool, PLEASE follow the instructions given by TAT Suicide Pool Staff as it is very useful. Ptenisnet or a member of TAT will probably come by later this week explaining the rules.

Mina I do bite

Speak for yourself no?

Jamaica Karen,
7 PM USA EST is 11 AM EST. You reminded me that I need to post the schedule here also.

Pspace, i'm a girl, but those pics of flavs are way hott. those were the "what was carlos
thinking?" pics.

That's as good an explanation as any, Pspace:)

So, are we insinuating that there could be bad blood between the 2 Italians? Now, i dont know who would win a fight between those 2. They both seem pretty badass:)

By the way, and i think this is the best pic from today's tournaments, apparently the "Children of the damned" came out to play in Sidney:
http://estaticos04.marca.com/albumes/2010/01/11/fotos_dia/1263206224_extras_albumes_0.jpg
I have to say it, even if only Jackie will get it:
REST...IN....PEACE:)

Pspace--my, she does clean up well off-court, doesn't she? But for whatever reason the chemicals in my brain aren't firing beyond "very attractive person" to "I'm attracted to this person." Obviously everyone's different, so when I say "I don't understand..." the Flavs thing I'm really just saying I feel differently. Stupid way to word an obvious concept, my bad.

Mina-- Hah, yes, I do get odd looks when I tell people that after Maria my fanboyism (as well as my normal fandom) turns to Justine as #2.

Tuesday Order of Play:

ATP: Auckland at 5 PM - Isner, Monaco and Grosjean scheduled
ATP: Sydney at 7 PM - Sela, Querrey and Ball/Fish scheduled
WTA: Sydney at 7 PM - S Williams, Safina, Kuznetsova, Dementieva and Azarenka scheduled
WTA: Hobart at 7 PM - Paszek/Dulko, A Bondarenko/Cornet and Peng/Zheng scheduled
ATP: Auckland at 1:30 AM - Chardy vs Clement
WTA: Hobart at 3 AM - Medina Garrigues vs Kudryavtseva

Sorry guys, just found a world clock that I could read - realise it is 2 hours until match time. Going to rest my feet until it is time to listen in or scoreboard watch

MA, saw your post after I had posted, so thanks very much for that

Mina, I don't like the fact that you have to wear alot of clothes so I'm sure I would love it there with all the beaches and stuff and I LOVE the sun.

Samantha: I hate the cold too. it was 10F here today. I didn't leave the house. But now I have to go out and am dreading it. I want to be in florida.

Goodness me thats a match I wont be watching at Medibank today

The Fish in action

That picture of Sabine is verrückt.

Ahhhh why am I posting here when I have so much to do for law school homework and summer job apps (if any of you happen to be desperately in need of a 1L from a top 30 American law school who loves tennis to work for you this summer by all means let me know so I can spend more time following tennis this term).

Samantha and Annie

I can assure you when out temps gets into the high 40's deg f mark you would not like it that much

In Sydney apart from being Hot its the high humidity thats the killer

Like at the moment it is 24 def f. Humidity is like 85%

We are heading for 40 deg f here today

Melbourne had 45 deg f yesterday

Oh, the cold, and what could be said about that "lovely" snow? (I hope that sarcasm comes across well)
After taking out the snow to be able to walk out of the hous on Saturday, thus being unable to watch the battle of the Belgians, it was almost better having to clean the ice from the road today at 8:30 to go to work. So enjoyable, i'm telling ya. Ice is harder to take out, by the way.

Mr X LOL at the Undertaker thing. that was what you meant, no? if not, wrestling knowledge fail.

Cool reportage, Mina.
Keep 'em coming.

Hehe, Mr. X, that is one seriously scary pic. I guess white-eye is worse than red-eye.

Well done, mina. I actually wasnt expecting anyone but Jackie (maybe Arun, and even Grant) to get it. I just had to type that, though:)

Mina: Thanks for another great report!

Master Ace Still no news regarding the last spot at Kooyong? well my guess is Andy Murray might take the final spot seeing Andy Roddick declined.

Also starting in Adelaide is the Group World Challenge

I cant wait to see John McEnroe playing again

Fox sports pay tv are covering this event live from Adelaide at the Memorial Courts

Gee I am not very Aussie am I

The Brat aka Tomic is playing at the event along with Pat Cash.Yikes.

Just went back to the Kooyong site.Colin Stubbs says he has 48 hours to pick a player for this star studded event.

Gee Colin knowing you in the past,Dont think too hard.

Wow, Kimiko Date beat Petrova yesterday... what she is doing is simply amazing. Today v. Azarenka... might be too much to ask of Date, but boy is there potential for a meltdown on Vika's end if she starts losing to a 39 year old.

observer,
I would say that there's always the potential of a total meltdown by Vika, but certainly if she starts thinking "How am i losing to someone who could be my mom?", the nastiness could go over the top.

Anyway, these Australian times are not good for me to watch much of it, since i'm gonn aget some sleep now.
See you tomorrow, everyone.

Great post. Henin is back, i hope she'll play final against Serena!

Arun if you are still around you will like this lol!

Article from The Sydney Morning Herald Januray 12th,2010.

Give ma a Kiss

Richard Gasquet recceived the odoitic request while warming down after a 6-1,6-4 win over Lopez that was so sharp it should have been performed with a 17th century rappier.

"You know I dont want to be in this story" he said."It was really tiring eight months ago with it in the head.It was horrible,but I'm happynow.I just want to enjoy everything because I had a big story.It's just most important for me now to enjoy the match.

Charles writes:

"Youngsters Michelle Larcher de Brito (16) and Christina McHale (17) look to have the talent to move up. They may make some noise in 2010 but they’re probably too young to approach the top 20 till 2011."
________________________________

Don't know anything about McHale, but probably a safe bet that de Brito "makes some noise" in 2010 and any year that she has a tennis racket in her hands.

I've read about a lot of things here today that were news to me, but there's only one thing that I find hard to believe -- that Wozniacki is still wearing that ugly Stella McCartney dress from last year!!!

I thought that, once Caro had completed a season with what was essentially MariKiri's dress (not that it looked good on her), the powers that be at adidas (?) would have insisted on having Stella create a new design that flattered their new representative.

Ruth All I can say after seeing the Hot Woz "frilly lamp shade dress" in pale grey of all colours against her skin colouring is

Stella dosent work for The Hot Woz

anyone has a link to Dina's match?

sokol, try one of these
http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=61425&part=sports

Also, SUPER STOKED that doubles would be streamed this week.
Check here for links -
http://www.livescorehunter.com/Livescores/Livescore-Tennis.html

Well I am off to work at Medibank in the stinking heat.Thank goodness for Floppy Hats

I will give me report on todays hapennings as much as I can see I am working

Though I will keep my eyes and ears open are usual

Bye for Now

GH,
That link doesn't work for me.
I'm finding Auckland links all over the place but nothing for Sydney :(

Oh yes one final word for my Safina

Please girl this is 2010 a new season

Keep you head on

Later

"I'm finding Auckland links all over the place but nothing for Sydney :("

me too :-((

well, SBing is my only option, I guess

Davai, Dina!

Tfactor, I think Tennistv has blocked all the Sydney links.
I have it, but can't watch at work. :(

Agi breaks to open the match, thanks to 2 double faults from Dinara.

you mean tennistv, as in the veetle link you provided the other day?

veetle link was for tennis channel, but try your luck.

GH
Tennistv doesn't work here unfortunately. Thanks anyway.

Oh well SB'ng it is while watching some of the Auckland action.

Good grief Safina just watching the 1st couples of games before I left

already down in your service game

Think please

I have to work at Medibank today

Eurosport 2 is showing Radwanska - Safina live.

Safina keeps serving into the bottom of the net. Ugly. Ball toss dire.

Fourth double fault. 0-3.

*faint* love 40 Safina

I need drugs beofre I go to work

2 service games, 4 double faults.
Agi's up 3-0 and is serving now.

Aren't you glad you're not watching this?

Same old Safina

Dina with 4 DFs already...
:-(((

Okay, here's one
http://www.fromsport.com/video-150404.html

Livestream for Safina/Radwanska
http://www.fromsport.com/video-150404.html
ARad with the double break. Safina's serve is AWOL. ARad seems to be frustrating with Safina right now with spins and stuff, but I think Safina is also frustrating herself with her inability to even get to ad. Zee on court with Dinara. I guess 2009 is still continuing with those 2

"Aren't you glad you're not watching this?'

kinda

That bloody ball toss is working in over drive today

Lord give me strength girl

Thank you!!

Dinara vs Agnieszka:

http://www.fromsport.com/video-150404.html

Zeljko Krajan sitting on the bench alongside Safina during changeover. Berating her.

As if that can help.

Radwanska playing solid. Putting balls into open court.

thank you, Jamaica Karen

I am already done and this is just the 1st few games of 2010

I wonder where I can order a straight jacket from ASAP

Thanks so much GH :)
I had checked fromsport but didn't see any link for Sydney

Oh but Safina is already 2 breaks down?? ouch :(

I give her what for

Well ok I dont wont a Russian Revolution on my hands

Well to me the most pleasing aspect of this game is Barry White the umpire

Aussiemarg: Please, try to have some words with Dinara today. And tell her coach to just shut up!

The poor players. It looks hot out there.

Listening to commentary, Sam Smith says Dinara is needlessly trying to paint the lines and failing. 14 unforced errors in just 5 games. Agi will try to serve a bagel.