Okay, where is everyone?

Great match...sorry for Andy fans and congrats to Roger fans.

At then end when Justin was talking about Andy he said he is gearing up for Wimbledon and the USO and implied that Andy will be taking a time out during the clay season. Is he taking time of to get married? Is he taking time off because he doesn't think it is worthy of his attention? Or is Justin just implying that clay is not Andy's surface.

If it is the second - I am really disappointed. Yanks- in particular on the men's side- need to start viewing clay as a surface worthy of attention and an area to improve on. Traditional clay court countries have made efforts- and made progress- on hard court and it is time for the US system to try to do the same and focus on getting better on clay instead of just regarding it as a time of they year they will not get points. At least Sam seems to care about the surface and Evert's academy includes clay as part of its focues.

Wow..what a match.. I feel bad for Andy ..although i wasn't a while ago. He is a nice guy..and specially the point where it hit the net and went on to be correct, that was just bad luck for Andy. But Fed did come up with a great slice to win it! I just hope he keeps up the Service percentage and cut down on the error's.

But lets not be critical here, I think his FH was fantastic!

Roger and Andy was fun to watch as they both battled well.

In set 1, surprised that Roger broke Andy twice to win the set. The last break in the first set ended up to be pivotal at the end of the match 'cuz Roger served first in sets 2 and 3.

Games stood out for me from set 2
(a) Andy rallying from 0-40 to hold for 2-all
(b) Andy rallying from 40-0 to break Roger for a 4-3 lead. Roger made him battle for the set when Andy served at 5-4 but Andy came through. At that point, Andy was winning the crucial points.

Games stood out for me from set 3
(a) Roger rallying from 15-40 to hold for 4-3
(b) Roger rallying from 40-15 to break Andy to win the match. Got luck from the net as the BH bounced up over Andy and landed in then the BH passing shot that was too hot for Andy at the net to end the match

Ted Robinson, Justin Gimelstob, and Lindsay Davenport were the commentators on FSN.

Also, FSN showed a lot of Joey Porter, Miami Dolphins (American football) linebacker cheering Andy on especially the game before Andy got in the 0-40 hole in set 2. I was wondering did he had a little wager on the match with him picking Andy to repeat 2008.

Andrew,
Forgot to ask to link the 2008 match call from Key Biscayne b/w RAndy and Roger in this overflow post for new readers to read how TW was last year.

Ace summary of the first evening match where the crowd was sparse

Venus Williams defeated Iveta Benesova 6-1,6-4

Venus played a good first set but lost concentration in the first 3 games of set 2 especially the one where she lost serve by hitting the following - DF, UFE-FH, DF, UFE-FH. Iveta had 3 chances for a 4-0 lead but Venus served her way out of trouble. After Iveta held with the help of a missed line call at 0-15 where Venus had to challenge. It was correct but Alison Lang said to replay the point which was right even though Iveta netted the ball. That would have gave Venus 0-30. But, Venus won the last 5 games of the match.

WTA schedule:
Svetlana Kuznetsova vs Victoria Azarenka at 1 PM TW on FSN
Serena Williams vs Venus Williams at 9 PM TW on FSN

Good Night TWibe

Forgot to add that Paul Sunderland and Corina Morariu were the commentators of Venus and Iveta on Tennis Channel with Alison Lang in the chair.

Gerry Armstrong (I think) was in the chair for Roger and RAndy

Pspace, I'll answer your question here. I think nT decided to bail after Pete posted the no-more-frivolous-posts Dick-Cheney missive earlier this week. Next time you see him tell him we now have a slightly more agreeable geezer in the Circle.

Master Ace asked me to post a link to last year's Roddick-Federer QF, which is here:

http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2008/04/miami-morning-c/comments/page/5/#comments

Just back from 45 minutes of fun tennis with a friendly Frenchman. Fun, fun, fun.

I think Mr Roddick has a good reason to think the net cord was made in Basel. Federer really wasn't the better player in sets 2 and 3 - some uncharacteristic indecision on volleys, and he hasn't locked in the GS. He was saved, in part, by Roddick's quixotic attacks at the net to the FH wing - given the amount of success Dent and Roddick have had charging the BH side, why attack the FH? Sorta strange.

Roddick too upset to stay for normalfull questioning during the aftermatch pressor.

Undertsandable.

But - Roger deserved the win - he played the shots needed to win Set 1 and Set 3.

He did have to come back in the final game to break - it wasn't just ALL the lucky net cord in that game.

http://tinyurl.com/c2zc2j

Ouch! Missed the Federer - Roddick match. I'm surprised by the scoreline. I thought it would be a straight set victory for Roger. Hmm...need to catch up with all the comments to understand what really happened.

Ah, so y'all were over here. Time to call it a 'nite for me. Hoping to play a bit over the weekend. So, lesson for the day:

If the opponent has a good fh passer and a weaker bh pass, you should approach I-O on short slices which are not too far in your bh corner. That's a mouthful. Personally, I prefer to try an I-O drop shot every once in a while, and once you get the opponent to stand inside the baseline, you can get more out of your approaches. A lot of Fed's passes were hit from 3 feet behind the baseline. Yes? No? I dunno.

'nite all.

Morning everyone.

*makes tea*

Sounds like a tough match for Fed - glad he came through. Confidence-building, maybe?

*off to check other results*

Roddick's game is just too predictable for Federer. Federer looks good in this tournament though. I'm hoping he and Djokovic have a high quality match.

jewellllllllll.

how are you?

Hey crazyone. :)

still dozing after long long day of work yesterday, haven't caught up on all the comments yet, still catching up with the red-meat posts, aargh! well - not aargh really but there's lots to read. :) Anyway I have a whole day off today.

*treasures lovely day of doing not a lot, except for feeding someone's cats at lunchtime*

How about you?

Morning, Ryota!

that's nice that you have the whole day off.

So I guess you didn't read about the special event in my day ;)

Tell?

It's 6.30 am, I haven't had a chance yet...

hello all

so confused..when is Rafa playing?

jewell, this is from my 2:26 post:

*hey everyone!

Guess who I met today!

The Mancic!!!!

I was waiting with a friend in the lobby of the Harvard Law school, and there's this guy sitting right in front of me, and suddenly I look at his face and his eyebrows and realize, wow, that's Mario Ancic! But since his talk here was 2 weeks ago, I wasn't quite sure. But it really, really looked like him. I was still very hesitant to go up to him, and finally the friend we were waiting for came, and my friend who was there originally says to him, "Crazyone wants to go hit on a tennis player over there..." and so finally I got up the courage to go and talk to him as he went to go buy stuff from the snack bar, starting with the stupid question, "Are you Mario Ancic?" Anyway, I told him I was a fan, he asked whether I was a law student, whether I played tennis, and finally wished me good luck. I didn't really have the presence of mind to ask rational questions. It was just so random to see him in the course of my daily life--very different from seeing a player at a tournament.

He's very cute in person (pretty much the same as on TV), though he looks even skinnier in person and in civilian clothes.*

*laughs* - that's fantastic! Is he as sweet-faced and hesitant as he seems on court in real life?

I thought you sounded happy. :)))

Maybe he'll enrol as a student...

Hey rg, I think Rafa will play not before 3pm TW time, if that is the same as Miami time.

*mouth waters at thought of Djokovic-Federer SF, btw*

he's definitely sweet faced, he wasn't hesitant in talking...

I don't know why he was there.

TW time and Miami time are the same.

Anyone who wants to see what a donkey foal looks like, go here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

I really, really want one.

Federer and Roddick press conferences are up now:

http://www.sonyericssonopen.com/2/en/media/interview.asp

I texted Pete during the match to see if he'd ask about the Federer DFs. I guess he chose to ask a different question, which is his prerogative.

Andrew: I don't see the pressers up.

jewell: Thanks. First time Nole and Roger would clash this year.

Thanks for those, Andrew.

Only three questions for Roddick?

Hm - Roger's assessment of last year is basically what I think. But I can't work out if I'm in denial or not.

Nole's stomach giving him trouble. :-( Guess that = advantage Roger.

No no, Nole is cheating to destabilise Roger's preparation.

/sarcasm

jewell, it was an upsetting match for Andy at the end there...

crazyone: try [Ctrl]-F5.

Andy Roddick appeared distraught at the end of the match - I looked at the brief Tennis TV highlights, and he was using all his might not to do an AO runner up at the net.

It's tough losing to a guy when luck breaks decisively against you. It's even tougher when that gives you a 2-17 record.

hehehe...Jewell, are you equating Nole to Shylock? :-D

Andrew: Thank you. Very interesting interview. Nole speaks so well. Very interesting. Wit et al....

yeah - it was close, and Roger had a lucky net cord, is that right?

I just hadn't seen Roddick so upseet like that in a press conference before, to cut it so short - it seemed odd. He can still be proud though, considering what a dismantling the AO match seemed to be for Fededer. Good fight.

I was struck by Feddy's comment about breaking Andy being a highlight, because the impression I have is that Federer breaks Andy's serve pretty regularly. It doesn't feel like a highlight to me.

Andrew, I tried refreshing it and on two different browsers, it took a while, and sometimes it would appear and sometimes it wouldn't. I've noticed the website to be buggy that way, I've read pressers only to find they've disappeared later on. At any rate, I ended up typing the url in (since one browser didn't actually open the pdfs) and that worked.

ignore my crappy spelling. *hides face*

Well, goodnight, all.

Federer still hasn't, IMV, produced a genuine run of form since the start of 2009. That said, he's made SF, F, SF and now SF, and he's too good a player not to be able to locate that form at some stage. When his results are this solid playing demonstrably below his best, there's some reason for confidence that the results will flow when the best form does kick in.

As for Roddick, I hope he does hold his head high. He's given some good press conferences after hidings, and tonight wasn't a hiding. There's only so many ways you can say "I wuz robbed," so maybe three questions was enough.

Poor Andy, Gosh. I'd root for him against any other player, but this time, I have to say Roger needed that win more.

Anyone catch Nole's little comment about his ball bouncing is like Rafa getting his panties out of his ass? Sweet. He better hope he losses to Roger tomorrow.

Whew! A much more exciting Fed-Andy match than I expected. Actually, a bit excruciating at times ... but all's well that ends well. Things looked pretty bleak at 3-3, 15-40 in the last set, but Roger came back magnificently like the days of old. Roddick was generally very impressive. He has a good chance to be #4 and have his own Quarter in the draws. I was amazed how often he bested Roger in neutral rallies. Fed really has to cut down on his UFE's to beat Djoker on Friday. Expect he will win, though. I said after mono-plagued AO 2008 that Fed wouldn't lose again to Djokovic for 3 years. It's been over a year and he hasn't lost to him yet.

And don't obsess about that net cord winner in the last game. Roger deserves some good luck. Think of all the lucky breaks Rafa had against him in their last two matches.

"Q. Two years ago when you won you took off your shirt and you were very exuberant and we saw continuing that year the Djokovic who liked to perform for the crowd. You had your famous impersonations. Do you think you've become more subdued?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I'm less fun now?"

He just sounds so defensive and plaintive and desperate for someone, anyone to love him. Oh! *hugs Nole and strokes his kitten-soft hair*

I guess about the ball-bouncing he meant he was trying to settle himself and his nerves and that it's just a habit. Both Novak and Rafa seem like very nervous personalities to me.

I wonder if heat affects his stomach?

Agreed about the need to enforce the time limit consistently.

OR; Read that. Mean Nole. I would be rooting for Roger in the semis!

>>"Think of all the lucky breaks Rafa had against him in their last two matches.">>

One could argue that Rafa choked and should have closed out the Wimb 08 final in 3 (or at the most 4 ) sets. Furthermore, had he been physically 100%, the AO 09 final should also not have gone the distance.

I am not saying that the argument above is foolproof, but just that there are two sides to everything. Roger beat Andy Roddick today because he deserved it. Rafa's victories against Roger are likewise. Roger Federer is a good loser. It's just a pity that some of his fans don't learn from him.

I agree luck always plays a part in any victory. And I'm sure that if I wanted to I could ascrible almost any victory in a close match to "luck".

We only tend to remember the really dramatic points though - that net cord that saved Ivanovic over Dechy (I think) at Wimbledon last year, for example.

*needs spelling refresher course*

Having scrolled through some of the match pages I wonder why some so called fans go on and on about how awful Fed is, and Roddick too, come to that. Neither of them are remotely "shambolic". It's to be expected that Fed will come down a bit from lofty levels - all the greats have at his age and he's got back trouble too that's on going. But at the moment he's only losing to two players years younger than him. And that's inspite of having to tinker with his serve because of the back.

And Roddick's playing really well. I think the weight loss and new coach are really helping him. He played great at the AO. It's not at all easy for Fed to beat this Roddick, all credit to Andy.

Hi everyone, well what a day in tennis

Novak just makes it through with tummy upset?

Roger was soo lucky to win,I felt so sorry for Roddick he really deserved to win.

None of the top 4 have impressed me at all

We are now in the business ens of this tournament

Whi is going to step up play consistant tennis and take this title

For me it is still up for grabs.

AM: Hi...is is so tough to pedict now.

Hey Corrie and AM.

Sometimes I think we just frazzle too much over individual points in matches - I know I do it over Rafa. It's easy sometimes to lose perspective when your heart is in every single point.

Hm - the Times said Nole needed treatment for heat exhaustion after the Tsonga match. *worries*

RG Nadal Hola,yes what about we draw a name out of a hat? lol!

ooh Laura Robson is the girls' no. 1.

*happiness*

jewell: losing perspective is just so right. And having realistic expectations is useful too.

True.

Although I didn't see it, "shambolic" seems ridiculously harsh.

and even if it was shambolic - a win's a win, and a win is more important than any of the shots or luck or whatever that got you there, and what happened in the previous match isn't necessarily a guide to what will happen in the next.

Roger was playing well for the 1st set and 1/2,then lost concentration.Roodick picked his first serve up started dictating from the baseline.At some stages in the match Roger looked actually lost to know what shot to play? very unlike Roger.

Sorry I cant give Luck the thing here.I look at the overall game not pie in the sky fantasey thinking,

Roddick in my view,also others desered to win.

Even in Rafa's match yesterday Stan deserved to take a set off Rafa.I was impressed by Stan his mental attitude was exceptional he didnt back off at all.

In my mind whever starts stepping up gee everyone is running out of time here will take this title

I will be interested to see with the day off how Rafa is against Del Potro.Gee he has to improve from the other day.

His break point stat was Horrible,Should have taken that match easily.To Stans credit he did not.

Rafa to me looks tired.Made brain sanp shots again unlike him.

he know he has to step up or its the exit door.

To his credit he always plays the Big points Well.

such a big deal over nole's comment about rafa and his wedgies! dangit nole, put that swiss cheese in his place and beat him good tomorrow.

ajde!

the guy is beating someone he's supposed to beat, so biiiig deal.

I can't believe it's Rafa-Elf again.

AM: I would still stick with Nole.

Svelterogue Well hello Stranger? lont time no see or hear?

Glad to know your still alive? lol!

Jewell I know its getting a tad boring? lol!

RG Nadal well of course you do,you have him winning the tournament

Who is your pick Serena or Venus?

Heh - won't be boring if Elfie wins. ;-)

Jewell Well Del Potro has to make his mark against the top 4,as I said before if you dont Turn up to Play.Any player regardless of rank can get beaten.

Gee i miss GV have any of you guys heard from her.I thought with Rafa's match with Stan she would be around she was not?

that's what I mean, the mark-making could well be today.

Then again our boy didn't exactly look good against Nalbandina but came through and played ok after, so...who knows?

AM: Going with VEE. you?

I think she might still be worrying a bit after Monday. And I think she gets sudden work flurries, hope she'll be back when she's less busy.

oh yeah, and Rafa-Stan would've been at 2 or 3 am for Gabriela. Not surprising she wasn't about.

Rg Nadal Hey you picked Serena for the title,ok I see what you are doing? cant pull the wool over my eyes? lol!

I am going with Serena.

By the way what time is Rafa's match on tomorrow? after his match I will be leaving for Sydney again.

3pm TW time, work out Australia time for yourself. ;-)

AM: If VEE wins she would become no.1. wow!!!!!!! I would be super glad if that happens.

Jewell Tanks a lot,that tells me nothing? you know I cant work out times

Wheres my best friend NP he always does this for me? lol!

Ha - NP promised me faithfully last year he would change all the timezones into one. ;-)

*disconsolate*

I can't work out the times either...but I think Sydney is 11 hours ahead of UK.

*does mad calculations on fingers*

it's 10.15am here now, so is it 9.15 pm where you are, AM?

AM: No way. I had picked VEE and Nole from the beginning. It starts at 20 pm Athens time.

Be nice to see Venus at number one.

Jewell Sorry to disappoint you its 8.21pm here

forgot the clock change.

So you are 10 hours ahead. Rafa will play 8pm ish UK time...so, 6am ish Aussiemarg time?

does that work? - I mean, did I add it all up right?

Rg Nadal Well i thought you said Serena? ok my bad,still?

i am waiting for the tournaments to move to Europe. NA timings do not suit me at all!

Jewell Sounds good to me if not I can always blame you? lol!

AM: I want the clay season to start. Thats the best period for me. Plus the grass season.

Vee is 2590 pts behind serena. How can she just by winninhg the tournament jump from a ranking og 6 to 1?

Jewell Insane hubby who is still refusing to throw out weird objects in glass jars has worked out time difference

Sydney time will be 7.00am which is even better.Yipee.

RG Nadal Well for me the Clay Season is when the real tennis start anyway? lol

I dont mind grass,even though its just for cows,sheep and the like?

Though for me the time difference is just woeful.

aw craptastic, 7am Oz time i will be on the bus by then, le sigh. no Rafa/Elf for me...i was a good girl this week, what's up with the universe???

Mina Good evening glad to see sunshine again,after cyclone winds and rain?

Nothing much really.Hope rafa improves and gets enough rest for his match Again with the Elf tomorrow.

If Del Potro wins the tournament he could climb as high as 5 me thinks.

hi AM, i was standy by the window that looked over the city during lunch, and realized that you can take the girl out of the tropics but you can't take the tropics out of the girl... super glad to see sunshine :)

RG Nadal Well switching horses again? mid stream no can do

You have Novak to win,also I think if he does win can he over ake Roger for no 2 spot I will ask Master Ace he will know.

*waves to mina*

off to feed cats and polish cutlery up for a "tasting" of wedding food...I failed to have the whole day off after all. Glad really - need more money. ;-)

See you all later, maybe, if I'm back before the new CC goes up.

AM: lol...I am not jumping between boats (is that even an expression..!). Just sceculating. I like change in rankings; find it very thrilling.

mina: hola

Rg Nadal Yes it is very close between the no 2,3 and 4 at the moment

For my money Mr Murray is the one to watch?

AM: Yep. Fom now on irrespective of how till then he had been playing in a tournament, Murray should be considered one of the top favs; except on clay (i am actually surprised that he has not done well on the surface). Even when he is playing poorly he is winning the matches and that is the sign of a great champion.

hey rg... my money is on MAndy to get to 3 before Nole gets to 2 :)

mina: Yeah. I think MAndy would get to 2 by the end of the year. A win at the USO could do it.

it scares me to think that far off, USO i mean. he he

one match at a time i guess. i really hope Rafa wins vs Elf so i caould at least see him play this week... a Fed/Rafa Final, should that happen, is of course a treat for the weekend :)

I have to rely on highlights or matches starting in the day in Miami. If not for these two things i would miss the tennis.

btw did you guys turn off the lights during Earth Hour on March 28th?

Well for me Rafa has the best mindset I have ever seen

I doubt if Murray will ever match Rafa there at all.

Rafa has edged out Borg in that league.That is a huge statement coming from me.

I am still in awe of how Rafa beat Nalbandian,Murray could not do that I am sure,well I have yet to witness it.

Rafa has also won Ugly.he just plays the big points the best.

agree on that AM. winning and staying on top consistently, even if it meant doing it the ugly way, is the mark of a champion

Well I am still packing will go now got to be up early for Rafa's match.

Stay Cool Everyone

Bye for Now!

Morning everyone.

rg.nadal: I wasn't home at Earth Hour - not my fault, it was a saturday evening ;) - but I know a lot of people who did. My mother told me she turned off everything else but kept the TV on.

I feel bad because I went out with some friends and we did something terrible - 4 people in 3 cars! But the thing is, each of us had to stop at a different place before, and one of us was driving from another town.