I agree that it would be nice to see Armageddon postponed!!! Why?

he William sisters have given our sport a huge gift-----they put a crack in the lily white sport that developed champions from private lessons and private clubs. They changed the visual picture the world has had of American tennis at high levels.

Beyond the "political" significance of their reign, they have given us excitement, fierce competition, and fire power!!
Thank you, Venus and Serena

I assume our tv listings here are wrong (should be Rubbers 3 & 4):

Sunday, February 5

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Fed Cup (United States vs. Belarus): Rubbers 1 & 2 (Tennis Channel, Live)
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Fed Cup (United States vs. Belarus): Rubber 5 (Tennis Channel, Repeat)

Of course, since it's 90 minutes from me, I could (?) and should go.

Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Russia??? Or do they border Ukraine? It's definitely Russia, Lithuania and Latvia. And then either one of Estonia or Ukraine...

Hey Sloveni...

I love the Vica's answer. Everybody is motivated against USA :)
I remember our DC in 2010, I was there and it was so intense. We wanted the win so bad.
BUT IT will be a close one. Yakimova and Govortsova will have to help Victoria

some good stuff in the Berdych Mahut match. Mahut saved the first BP with a lovely 2nd serve, but can't save the 2nd. Berdych breaks for 4-2.

There are FIVE nations that border Belarus: Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia

Hey Slavs (Hey Sloveni) is the russian article on success of Novak and Azarenka, Sharapova, Pluschenko, and some other teams (Serbian handball silver medal at Euro, waterpolo gold) and they say it's nice to see all the Slavic country do do so well in sports (in tennis Czech are always amazing, even now Kvitova and Berdych)

Tapirschev said that Novak must get a monument in his honor for what he did in semis and finals back to back :)

Fed Cup (Saturday - Sunday USA EST)

World Group

Russia vs Spain(6 AM - 5 AM)
Maria Sharapova vs Silvia Soler-Espinosa
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Maria Sharapova vs Carla Suarez Navarro
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Silvia Soler-Espinosa
Makarova/Petrova vs Llagostera Vives/Parra-Santonja

Belgium vs Serbia(8 AM - 7:30 AM)
Kirsten Flipkens vs Jelena Jankovic
Yanina Wickmayer vs Bojana Jovanovski
Yanina Wickmayer vs Jelena Jankovic
Kirsten Flipkens vs Bojana Jovanovski
Hendler/Uytvanck vs Jankovic/Krunic

Italy vs Ukraine(9 AM - 9 AM)
Sara Errani vs Kateryna Bondarenko
Francesca Schiavone vs Lesia Tsurenko
Francesca Schiavone vs Kateryna Bondarenko
Sara Errani vs Lesia Tsurenko
Errani/Vinci vs Beygelzimer/Savchuk

Germany vs Czech Republic(6 AM - 5 AM)
Sabine Lisicki vs Iveta Benesova
Julia Goerges vs Petra Kvitova
Sabine Lisicki vs Petra Kvitova
Julia Goerges vs Iveta Benesova
Groenefeld/Kerber vs Hradecka/Zahlavova Strycova

World Group II

United States vs Belarus (1 PM - Noon)
S Williams, McHale, V Williams and Huber vs Azarenka, Yakimova, Govortsova and Kustova

Japan vs Slovenia (10 PM Friday - 9 PM Saturday)
Date-Krumm vs Hercog
Morita vs Kolar
Morita vs Hercog
Date-Krumm vs Kolar
Fujiwara/Morita vs Hercog/Klepac

Slovak Republic vs France(7 AM - 6 AM)
Hantuchova vs Parmentier
Cibulkova vs Razzano
Cibulkova vs Parmentier
Hantuchova vs Razzano
Cibulkova/Hantuchova vs Cornet/Mladenovic

Switzerland vs Australia(5 AM - 4 AM)
Bacsinszky vs Stosur
Voegele vs Gajdosova
Voegele vs Stosur
Bacsinszky vs Gajdosova
Bacsinszky/Sadikovic vs Dellacqua/Dokic

Also looking forward seeing JJ and co battle Kim-less Belgium.
It is 50-50 an open tie

Idemo devojke

6-3 Berdych
1st set w/ufe
Berdych: 18/2
Mahut: 9/5

Alright Williams Sisters, work it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

even if vika were to win her two singles i'd still have trouble seeing belarus taking the tie. and not even convinced she'll take those singles...
but intriguing tie anyway.
and when was the last world group II tie with as much big-name-big-babery on the scorecard? thanks a lot, london olympic games, i guess. ;)

clean first set from berd. since then it's all fallen apart a bit.

See Berdych is back on serve in set 2.

Bismarck,
Good question on World Group II having big names and I think the Olympics have a little to do with that in all Fed Cup matches(WS and Maria)

End of an era? When was the last time the US won Fed cup. With the sisters, they
should have won multiple times, but that is not the case. The sisters only play for themselves
or the US would in fact have dominated fed cup.

"Of course, since it's 90 minutes from me, I could (?) and should go."

Oh, go ahead and go, Ross, and let loose with a few cheers for me...especially if Venus plays! I would go if I weren't a few thousand miles away and in a different country. :)

Hey everyone,

Amazing. Not one single thread goes by withouth a poster insulting another. Quite remarkable. Specially because this is an innocuous topic.

Berdych has Mahut's number. 3-all 2nd set.

From Jon W re US Olympic eligibility:

• If I try to explain the Olympic eligibility regulations, your head will explode. But suffice it to say, we're headed for a potentially ugly situation regarding the U.S. women's team. Venus (kinda, sorta) fulfilled her requirements to play, but may not be ranked sufficiently high to make the London Games, at least not in singles. Serena was supposed to play two years of Fed Cup since the Beijing Games but will be making her "debut" next weekend in Massachusetts. The ITF tells me that if Serena is to make the team, she will need a special exemption. We assume she'll get it.
The Olympic teams will consist of six players maximum, four in singles, two in doubles. You figure that Serena makes the team, as does Christina McHale (No. 42) and Vania King (65) and maybe Bethanie Mattek-Sands (No. 67). If Venus wants to play doubles, there's a chance that Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond, currently No. 1 and No. 4 in the world, won't make the team. Stay tuned...

Correction. I was meaning to post that comment on The Tricolore thread. Not that this topic is controversial at all. Lovely picture! All the best to Miss V.

And the only reason the sisters are playing now is to participate in the olympics.
So transparent. Personally, I can't wait until they retire, though it's fun to see them lose.

Yes the Williams losers are done for! They cannot challenge anyone anymore! They are weak, inconsistent, and deplorable people! They have no business playing tennis anymore! As soon as they announce their retirement (which I hope will be sometime this week) I will be so much happier! Everyone knows Jelena is making a comeback when Doha and Dubai approaches. The loud mouth Williams losers know they don't stand a chance against Jelena and her magnificent power! Step up haters!

hey zenggi, et al,
when Berdych is 78% of net points won and Mahut is only 36%, it doesn't augur well for Nicolas. Mahut serving to stay in it, 3-5

so there will be blood while forming the US olympic tennis team? interesting to see how that knot gets disentangled over the next weeks/months.

berd to serve for the match. save one woeful game early in the second set where he made three UE in a row his service games were a breeze.

two service winners and two aces and into the SF the berd goes. pretty fly.

Lovely smile, Tomas, and well done. "I don't have to change anything." Sure you don't the way you are playing. :)

Looking forward for Gasquet-Kohlschreiber

Hi H2L and Bismarck. :)

... to start. Next match will be Jarkko-Gael. Too much for my poor nerves, I fear.

AndreWright,

Harsh and ugly personal attacks of that sort are absolutely not allowed, as you know. You are banned.

ahoj you two.

lacko already in the zagreb SF. lanky czecho-slovak thrashing machines marching on everywhere! rejoice! ( but sorry for your haase, zenggi)

Kat Stacks

What happened? Janko/Wozz at the AO. Any thoughts?
It had to hurt seeing your girl Jelena, whose one claim
to fame is being a slamless No 1 get taken out by the very girl
who took being a slamless No 1 to a new level. It was a
serious act of usurpation.

usurpation: noun 1. an act of usurping ; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure. 2. illegal seizure and
occupation of a throne. Origin: 1350–1400; Middle Ages

"Not one single thread goes by withouth a poster insulting another. Quite remarkable. Specially because this is an innocuous topic."

+1

I would add that the whole forum is about a very innocuous topic...tennis...a sport, supposed to be fun..etc etc

And it's not just posters insulting other posters, there is a trend to label and box various posters based on who they cheer for.

Crap! I missed another good banning.
I'm only there for the ones that happen to me.
It ain't right.

Bismark, this is from previous thread to answer:

Bismarck, thanks for the pics, they are great, looks like they had a fun time,... but very cold

"are/were you a muscovite? or 'just' russian?"

I am a muscovite. It's so nice to see pictures from my hometown

I loved the picture in the gallery where they're all in the air, how were they able to get that shot? :-))

Кто еще заметил, как многие иностранные фразы вползает сообщений людей?

cheers sokol. really some fun pics, all the more impressive with the red square as background.

Hey Bismarck,
It's Haase's fate in tennis life. I have given up on him so many times already. Maybe in Wimbledon? :)

Nam1,
You let it get to you. I don't care when other fans attack Roger and/or his fans. Roger and I are above those petty persons. Ha!

BP,
You have to wake up earlier. You are missing something!

Jarkko should ask Verdasco's advice about hair gel.

I noticed, Cotton Jack. :)

If Youzhny lets his beard get any longer, he'll look like an orthodox priest.

Cotton Jack

немного. We're an international crowd :)

The Aceman cometh. Karlo up 4-2 over Youzhny. No comms on the feed. CanalPlus appy polly loggied in a crawler. Actually, it's kind of nice. I just wish there were more people. Really dead crowd in Zagreb. Meanwhile on Sport+ France, Gaël to the first set against Jarko 6-3. Livelier crowd in Montpellier.

I'm not international, I just have Google Translate permanently open on my computer......

Ruth--
They make it too hard. I don't want to go both days. I could give the Sat. ticket to my daughter, but I, the credit card holder, would have to go up to Worcester to do that. So, 2 trips to Worcester (6 hours), plus missing a good part of the Super Bowl. Plus, my spouse would like to see/hear Chris Botti, Sat. afternoon! TV will have to suffice.

So, here is a totally random question...but I just don't know where else to ask.

Does anyone have an opinion as to the probability that the March 5th NYC expo between Fed and Roddick still happens?

Seeing Fed live (even in an expo) is on my bucket list - but I'll have to do some serious juggling NOW to make March 5th work.

Any thoughts? Bite the bullet, buy the ticket and just pray?

Gaël just hit a "I'm standing 1 meter behind the baseline, hmm, what do I do? I know, I'll try an idiotic drop shot which a million others have tried from this position and never succeeded." Rocky: "Again, Bullwinkle? But that trick never works." Bullwinkle: "This time for sure! OOps, wrong shot."

But you are British, Cotton Jack, no? :)

Where is temes? Jarkko is pushing Monfils back. But then his FH's sail long.

"Correction. I was meaning to post that comment on The Tricolore thread. Not that this topic is controversial at all. Lovely picture! All the best to Miss V."

So far on this thread, the posters are focussing on personal attacks on players who are probably somewhere in their homes weeping copious tears about the opinions that certain TW commenters hold about them. LOL

BP: Snap! (re: 11:46)

Keep your snark and other offerings in that vein and away from the edges of the pornographic, and you won't be witnessing any bannings of yourself ever again. :)

Hey Kat, instead of putting down the Williamses, you may want to worry about your favorite, the permanent period girl who you CLAIM only loses matches because she's on her period like ALL the time. JJ's game is a hot mess, so why don't you leave V and Serena alone. JJ can only dream of having the career they have. Your girl has been on a downward slump since Serena stole her wig and ran her off the court at the USO to win her slam. Good on BP for telling the truth about that hot mess JJ. Bravo BP, love your post. Can't wait to see Vee and Serena.

Youzhny held, Long Ivo serving for the set 5-4

Hey Patrice,
The tickets are already on sale so you can be sure that the exhibition will go on.

Youzhny bresk with a lovely passing shot right on the line, serving at 5-5.

"Everybody knows Jelena is making a comeback." The only thing she's coming back to is losing early in the slams. I don't know what Weirtheim is talking about, you got a whole bunch of slamless, titless no l and you got Venus William. Give me a break here, Vee deserves to make the Olympics.

Thanks Zenggi - I sure hope you are right! :)

I just want to see Fed...so I don't care if Andy shows up with a cast on his leg. Hopefully the money lure will work some magic healing powers. Ha-ha.

And Gaël is soiving for da match 5-3

Correction, should read slamless and titless Americans and you got Venus Williams with many slams.

Gaël wins. yay. Jarko loses. Boo. Ain't tennis grand.

Umm....paging BP.

We have a titless American problem. I think it is right up your alley. So to speak. ;)

Gee, Ross, I'm sorry about the complications that will make your missing FC impossible. I attended 2 ties in Delray Beach (one with my husband), and the experience was a wonderful one. It was especially good to see some of our stars upclose, something that doesn't happen for me at the USO since they are alway assigned to Ashe, and I used to be only in the noseleed seats there for several years (don't do Ashe anymore).

BTW I always remember that the day that I met you and your daughter at the USO was the only day that I've had the experience of enjoying viewing a match from the "good seats" in Ashe. When you and I met, I was on my way to see an Angela Haynes match that had just been moved from Armstrong to Ashe; since the Ashe day session was officially over, they let us fans sit anywhere in the stadium. It was nice to see how the "other half" lived! When I win a small lottery, I'll be able to afford to sit in those seats again. :)

And of course, it's a breaker between Youzhny and Long Ivo. Are there any stats on the record for tiebreaks played by a player in a season and in a career? Long Ivo must have both records.

I'm titless and slamless. I guess that's why I feel an affinity for Jelena.

That should be affinity with.

Another problem for the bottom 99%, or even 90%. :)

What a surprise. A tie-break in the match Ivo-Youz. 9-9

Time to switch to Gasquet-Kohlschreiber.

'titless'

Hehe

Jesus Christ

I'm writing an e-mail for an idiot and Sam/Manix/zenggi/Patrice
Ruth etc etc show up. I've missed the show again.

Howdy Manix! Caro really needs a coach. Has Lendl got a sister?

Ah yes, titless Americans.............

We of course begin with Melanie Oudin.

That's it really.

Not a very long or illustrious list is it?

Ruth, BP: Double snap!

I missed all of them!

Patrice,
I hope your wish is granted and you can watch Roger. Who care who he is playing against, right?

Maria and Caroline are also expected on March 5th. I mean it wouldn't be a total waste of time.

Saturday
R1: Christina McHale (USA) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
R2: Serena Williams (USA) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)

Sunday
R3: Serena Williams (USA) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
R4: Christina McHale (USA) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
R5: Liezel Huber / Venus Williams (USA) v Victoria Azarenka / Olga Govortsova (BLR)

*Caro really needs a coach. Has Lendl got a sister?*

maybe papa woz can dress up as lendl's sister. to keep the charade of the last year going.

Oh Richard! That was an easy volley you missed... :(

Zenggi - given that I've been to Scotland once and Norn Arrland never I think would be better off calling myself English not British. Our language teaching is second to none. >COUGH<

zenggi

I just clicked on your name. Who the hell was Johnny Bristol?
Never heard of him. He looks....awkward. Actually, scratch that.
He looks like he doesn't know he looks awkward. It starts off like
ersatz Barry White than veers into Philly disco land. Ahhh, 1974.
I remember it vaguely. The year rock n' roll began going downhill.
The Osmonds were big that year. John Denver too.

Caro really needs a coach. Has Lendl got a sister?"

lol
but she has a coach, no? :-)

"Кто еще заметил, как многие иностранные фразы вползает сообщений людей?"

Cotton Jack, did you use Google translate for this?

you're going to get Mod's attention with writing in non-English language :-)

"I'm titless and slamless. I guess that's why I feel an affinity for Jelena."

:-))
well, Jelena is not "titless" :-))

Patrice, were you thinking that the MSG exo wouldn't happen because of Roddick? His AO injury? Even if it did prevent him, I'm sure they would get a replacement, so get the ticket. See Roger. As someone who has seen him many times at IW and Miami, I can say without a doubt that he is not to be missed. And as much as I love watching him in match play, standing a few feet away from him during practice is the best. You can really see what he can do with the ball. His variety and artistry is magic upclose.

So GO! Don't hesitate! GO!

Oh man, can someone flag the moderator and have her/him spellcheck the 12:48 post. I'm laughing so hard I have tearsand am about to bust a gut!

Please BP, no more names, it's cruel (still LMFAO)

Venus has an excellent record against Vika, I know she has been ill, but that is still better than McHale against a GS winner and reigning world's no l. I don't care what Sanchez says about Caro's dad as long as he leave her out of the trash talking. Woul

just read that Putin promised athletes awards for medals in London:
Gold- $133K, Silver- $83K, and Bronze- $57K

You hear that, Sveta? :-))

Thanks Alexis. Yep, I was wondering if they would cancel if RAndy's AO injury isn't good to go by then.

Sharapova vs. Caro is up first, at 7 pm.

I'll have you all know I bought a ticket. Courtside. Yay me. :)

Sokol - there would be an enjoyable irony in that no? ;-)

Автоматизированный переводчик Google, это наше будущее!

[roughly: c'mon Google]

[honest]

Anne

There's always John Isner.
They don't call him Big John because of his boobs you know.

BP re Johhny I:is it because of his big hands and feet? Which as we all know always means-wait for it-big gloves and shoes, right?

BP,
I change the theme behind my moniker quite often. I don't know who Johnny Bristol was but I probably chose him because of the song's title.
Now Johnny is gone. Let me hear what you think of the new one.

Now Phillip in trouble after winning the first set 6-2.

Cotton Jack,
I stand corrected. I wanted to be PC about you as I didn't know where you are from exactly. I wish I could write and speak English correctly.

Zenggi, your English is fine. It is better than half the people I work with, and most of them were born in this country. Or, at least born in Canada - which as any good American knows is really just another US state. :) (I kid, I kid. Nothing like starting a good US - Canada argument every now and then.)

But in all seriousness, we all stumble over the PC thing every now and then.

"I wish I could write and speak English correctly"

I shouldn't worry, 98% of the English can't.

Its weird: when I was little one never called oneself British - the rise of the word "British" seems to have gone hand in hand with the possibility of the United Kingdom being broken up.

The now very common abbreviation "Brits" was originally used by Republicans in Norn Arrland as a highly pejorative appellation.

"I wish I could write and speak English correctly."

+1

For Anne

It ain't his nose. That much I'm sure of.

For zenggi

I hate it! It creeps me out. Get freaky! Do Tiny Tim.

For Ruth

I have to go now, but just in case anyone asks...............

"I had a wonderful day today. Little Billy's parents continue
to be a problem what with all the lawyers and nonesuch but
today was a respite from all that. I did a charity exhibition
for the Boy Scouts of America. Seeing all those fine young
cannibals looking proud in their shorts and handling all those
fuzzy balls made me want to grip my racquet with supreme panache!
Oh, to be young again..............."

That is all.

Oh geez Sokol, not you too?! :)

Good grief people. Your English is GOOD, for heaven's sake.

You would be amazed at what passes for acceptable communication skills in this country.

Besides, I love the international flavor of this site.

Excellent Patrice. You won't regret it! Have a GREAT time!

Oh and the best part, Patrice. Roger and Andy are two of the better guys to have at an exo, especially if they are miked. Both of them are funny and know that the tennis is for fun! They will allow each other to shine and be comical.

"I wish I could write and speak English correctly."

+1

Good Morning Everyone,

Puts a smile on my face to see one of my all time favourtite players Miss Vee.

Thanks Pete for a great photo

English is a tough, tough language to learn. You guys do fine.

+ 2 I also wish I could write and speak English correctly:)

i wish i could write and speak english like their Queen. also, cockney rhyming slang.

bearded youzh survives dr deckchair and his doomin' aces.

Um, Pete, if I remember my Texas history correctly I think just about everone defending the Alamo perished. I think they let one poor schlep go to let everyone know not to mess with Santa Anna and his army. Shouldn't this be more like a-cue super awesome boxing music-"Rocky" moment? I'll even take "Eye of the Tiger" in a pinch. Go US.

Biz

LOL!

Anyone knows what nationality is Aza's coach? Bielorus/French?

Game Lover

Sam is French