c1, you mean possibly, not probably.

Well its a good thing... I guess... that Fed spent all that time on Sardinia practicing with a lefty since he has to now face a left he knows zip about. I wonder if Luthi...or anyone...did any scouting at the Simon/Who's That Other Guy? match....

Breaking News: Andrew's Cats Request Asylum Until After the French Open.

Sherlock - true..but there are different way of showing that 'toughness' -some more appealing to some people than others. No?

crazyone - when my serve goes consistently long, I try to toss the ball a little further back...sometimes, it even works!

The Bulls have taken a 12-pt lead. And unless my eyes have stopped functioning, that was Jesse Jackson in da house.

Hey,lets not go over board here please?

Winning Roland Garos is the hardest slam to win,both pysically and mentally,it tests all levels.

Rafa probably played the "Ideal Clay Court Game" today.Yes it showed his brillant defense to ofense,footwork,touch etc

I for one are not going over board or agree with anyone else that he could win 9 to 10 slams at RG.That is pie in the sky stuff at the present time.

I will say lets enjoy and marvel at the Greatest Clay Court Player.

As Rafa says he just stays in the moment.

I think the rest of us should too.

""I for one are not going over board or agree with anyone else that he could win 9 to 10 slams at RG.That is pie in the sky stuff at the present time.""

AM: That comment from Sampras was very casual, almost as a joke. I don't think anyone thinks Rafa's going to win 9 RGs. That's impossible.

imjimmy- we have tennis channel-- so it convers the rome tournament-- but since rafa's game will be last i would have to wait for djokos game to end which is now, then federer (which is good because i do want to see him in his for right now,some peeps here mentioned his vintage self reappeard) then nadal-- i dont care if it will be very late--raga said it was once of his best matches and i really believe whatever he says...

speaking of surprises this week-- i am curious about Federer's quarterfinal opponent -- did you see Zverev play against Simon-- was Zverev good or was Simon self destructing---

also curious about Monaco-- his 1st serve % is 80% against Cilic and i get the feeling he has a good chance to defeat Gonzalez..

and i already know ur thoughts about verdasco--hahahh if the AO 09 verdasco will reappear then we're in it for a long ride!!!

and if idelly roger and djokovic will make it to the semifinals-- i want them both to play at their BEST LEVEL

VaMOs RAFA :P

malimeda-- good point there!! you just gave steve tignor and idea of his next story line about rafa:P or perhaps they are saving it until the end of the clay season....

i never doubted that nadal will get better.... he does seem to be in good feelings lately!! vamos

10 grandslams from FO to be possible would mean he would need to win it every year until 29.. geee. def impossible

BUT if F0 would be played 4 times a year:P then no question!!!! :P

IT"S TIED!!!!!

frances: Definitely watch Rafa's match. It was a devastating exhibition of clay court tennis, at least until the early part of the 2nd set. After which Soldering faded off mentally and physically. I thought Soldering played really well in the 1st set: much better than the breadstick he has to show for it.
And until Rafa starts serving better, he will keep on getting into these 0-40 holes.

WTHIGOW with the Bulls?! Last I checked, they were up 91-86. Now they're behind 99-91?! Oy.

This series has been ridiculous. When you think the Bulls have the game locked up the Celtics make a furious run at the last minute to turn it around. And when you think the Celtics are gonna breeze thru the Bulls come back with a vengeance. Exactly what's happening tonite.

Well my eyes hare just hangin at the moment

I need to sleep!

Bye for Now.

Reminds me of the good ole days!!!

imjimmy i do share your concerns about the serve-- not at his best level but i realy have this gut feeling it will reappear again when he needs it the most!!! he's playing at a realy good level right now so we shouldnt be complaining no? hahha.. at least those the nadal miami 09 hasnt gotten the best out of him

and speaking of first serves-- the once's who got it worst is Federer-- he was serving under 50% today-- but he seems to be happy and confident bast on his press interview which is good.

even djoko's serve is not impressive yet ... but he's doing well..

Yeah, MJ. This Celtics-Bulls matchup is a classic.

Nite' AM - take it easy!

frances: even with a sub-par serve, Federer beat Stepanek comfortably. Ominous signs?

I am not so young anymore-not sure my heart can take it!!

Pierce misses a clincher. Game now tied @ 101 with only 5 sec remaining. Can the Bulls make the buzz beater this time, or are we in for yet another OT?

And they don't. We're headed for the 5th OT in this series, folks. Pinch me!

imjimmy- not threatening enough yet:) no offense to stepanek fans but im watching right now-- stepanek is not playing his best tennis and his serve was poor also- i have to wait and see how he plays djoko and then decide.. either ways i do want both of them to play well.. and i want rafa to play best!!

frances: not yet, but we're getting there. Definitely better than MC. Federer just needs a couple of big wins to get his confidence back. If he can make it to the final, it would be a good result for him.
Speaking of Nole, I hope the Nole of AO 08 returns soon. I love watching him when he's at his best.

Chicago has had three or so turnovers in a row. So frustrating!

imjimmy-- i agreed--

i want them both to play at a realyl good level.. since im not an avid fan for neither of them-- but i am a fan of both in general (not a hater) -- it would be a good match for me to see and just enjoy without having those nervous breakdowns!!! hahah

imjimmy-- i agreed--

i want them both to play at a realyl good level.. since im not an avid fan for neither of them-- but i am a fan of both in general (not a hater) -- it would be a good match for me to see and just enjoy without having those nervous breakdowns!!! hahah

watching fed rigt now -even though he's not having good % first sserve-- he seems to manage to mix it up wisely which is troubling stepanek and earns him cheap points

dayum. is this match ever going to end?

Ok - OT no 6 - starts biting nails - refuses to believe that bulls will pull it off - effers.

And after this, every other series is going to feel like an anti-climax. The winner of this series should get the ring just for the entertainment value.

Another 2nd OT. Again, ridiculous.

"The winner of this series should get the ring just for the entertainment value."

Damn straight, deeps. I don't think I've ever seen a 1T series like this, though that's not much from some1 who has yet to have a midlife crisis.

coming from, not just from. Anyway who fu*king cares right now?!

I have just checked the socres and WTF Simon, this is the 2nd time I have picked you and it is the 2nd time you have let me down. Did Zerev play great or did Simon play crap?

Did Soderling even turn up?

Jezus, Ray Allen has played 52 min tonite. Prolly not the ideal situation for a 33-year-old.

Lol NP - midlife crisis - what midlife?

Angel of the Surf - Soderling actually played Rafa pretty well the first set and a half - had a couple of break points too - Rafa was just better.

and now we have replays and lines and inches

deeps, just meant to say I'm still fairly young.

Can the Celtics make the last hoorah? They do, but unluckily for them Allen's left foot apparently was inside the 3-pt line by a milliliter or two. Chicago leads 116-115 with only 20 sec to go.

Miller redeems himself and makes both FTs this time. 118-115, Boston with one chance to tie the game (and reach the THIRD OT, the 1st in this series).

RAY ALLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bloody hell - Ray Allen is sooo the man.....I can't take one more OT.

HOLY FU*KING SH*T. Allen just made another 3 to tie the game. Wow. Chicago have 7.6 sec to have the last laugh.

Oh. My. Gawd. 3rd OT and SEVENTH OT in this series. Words fail me atm.

This is tiring as a viewer- can't even imagine how it is for the players.

Gosh- Chicago had a decent amount of time and couldn't even get a shot off.

Come on Bulls!

how awesome was Ray? This series is a classic y'all!

Angel: the russian, misha, played great everyone said. i didn't see too much of the match. i was too heartbroken. but reports were that he was very good.

did you know that at one point today you were in first place on the tw leaderboard in the bracket challenge. i posted a shout out to you but you may not have seen it. congrats.!

dear.lord. Ray Allen AGAIN!

Rose needs to penetrate when he gets the ball- he keeps pulling back. Heinrich just seems sloppy right now.

Come on Bulls!

Angel: you are currently tied for second with 59pts. with MJnanny. pipe-tennis is in first with 60pts. don't know who pipetennis is. anyway have a good day and hope to see you at 7am tw time for the new day of tennis.

'nite everyone.

paul pierce fouled out! and can you believe what noah did? Words fail me!

I love you Noah! Superstar play!

Ray Allen is insane.

And Pierce couldn't catch Noah. That's embarrassing.

Yannick's gotta be super proud of his son right now. Joakim just made a dunk AND fouled out Pierce. And he knocks down the FT. Chicago lead 126-123 with just over 1 min remaining.

Lame fou; ca;;ed on Pierce...but good lord...that dunk!!!

Thisis totally nuts - now can the Bulls finally finally hold on to the lead?

Carrie, proud of your boys? :) Who could have predicted this really?

Oh, yeah, and Joakim also stole the ball from Pierce. A sensational play if there ever was one.

sonya & Lock, Allen is a beast. The guy could shoot from the perimeter all day.

LOL!! You could almost call it. The Bulls all over Allen, so House drills it. Big mistake not getting behind the line though.

this is insane, does anybody want to win the match?

ok 3-point lead for the bulls. Allen again, lol?

Baby is fouled out and Miller again makes both FTs. Chicago now lead 128-125. Can Allen make his 999999th clutch shot?

ok 3-point lead for the bulls. Allen again, lol?

Miller getting 2 free throws is eerily similar to OT 2. Come on Bulls- get the W this time.

So Rondo scores in about 5 seconds. Smart to take the quick two.

Rondo does a paint job. 128-127, the Bulls with possibly the last possession with less than 24 min remaining.

Hinrich - you bloody bloody moron.....

and rondo makes it, bulls don't try anything! and they do, miss the layup, god!

and rondo makes it, bulls don't try anything! and they do, miss the layup, god!

Gotta love Rondo!!

Hinrich has been useless during the OTs and totally screws the Bulls over with that pathetic missed shot.

Hinrich stupidly misses an easy layup. Jezus, the drama just thickens.

DERRICK ROSE!

Oh, my. Rose just blocked Rondo's fadeaway. Amazing.

damn and its finally over -after all taht the bulls did, its over - bloody hell..

game 7! man oh man, god knows what the celts and bulls fans are going through right now! talk about drama!

Rose misses both FTs but Boston can't get the last shot in. Chicago finally come ahead 128-127.

Great game!!! Congrats to Bulls fans...game 7 might just do me in!!!

now Houston make me happier!

Sherlock I have just read your post regarding Bartoli giving Caro and beatdown and it made me laugh and smile.

And yay I am on top of the TW leaderboard with 55pts. Woohoo. Not too shambolic at all.

Congrats Bulls fans.... I should probably switch off the playoffs after game 7 - nothing can match this series.

I'm exhausted after that 4 hour game. Our pets are in hiding after our yelling.

Sorry to Boston folks but I am so glad for the Bulls.

Great defense by Rose and I had to laugh when he was pinging himself for missing those free throws (although I was lamenting loudly at the missed shots.)

Noah was very, very exited after the win- pulling a Gaudio and high fiving courtside fans. I am trying to imagine a conversation between Jo and Derrick as Jo is full of energy and Rose is sooo laid back with a very flat affectation.

Jo: Oh my GAAAAWWWWD! That was CRA-zay! ***takes time to do a little dance*** Game seven bah-BEE! ***does some more dancing*** We've got to BRING it!

Derrick: yes, that was enjoyable and we must play well on Saturday.

Condolences, MJnanny. Game 7 at home, though. That should be a great one.

Sonya, I don't think you have much to worry about tonight. :)

The Blazers two-man offense just isn't enough.

Angel, he he he. :) And well done on the bracket. You probably can't even see me from where you are. :)

Sherlock even though I can't see you I can feel your smiles. And I have a huge grin on my face.

Thanks Sherlock- Honesstly since my beloved Larry Joe retired, I can watch the Celtics as a normal fan...it doesn't give me stomach ache...only Rafael does that to me now...Rooting for the Blazers...even though they are down by a bunch...there is still lots of time...

Carrie lol re Jo and Derrick conversation!

Sherlock, well, you should never underestimate the Rockets headcaseness, just saying...

imjimmy, I didn't think he said it as a joke at all, I saw the interview. I think he thinks of Rafa as more dominant on clay than he himself was on grass, and Sampras won 7 Wimbledons.

What a game indeed in Chicago. After Boston made that run late in the 4th qtr to take the lead, Doc Rivers went with Tony Allen for defense and it backfired on them as Tony was stuck with the ball as the shot clock was winding down, Also, for all the talk about Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose, Brad Miller and John Salmons have been quietly getting key points and rebounds. Do Boston ever miss Kevin Garnett now? Fun time in Boston on Saturday.

Glad you're smiling, Angel. :)

Thanks, MJ. It's not going to happen, but they had a great run this year. Good things to look foward to.

Glad the Celtics aren't giving you ulcers anymore. :)

Sonya, well, if the Blazers could have kept it close, Houston would really start thinking about it, losing serve here and having to go back to Portland. But with such a cushion, there's no pressure.

The Chicago boys have totally won me over this postseason. I still don't want the Celtics to be knocked out so early, but if Chicago win Saturday I won't be in the least bit surprised.

Sherlock I thought the way Portland won on tuesday would give them a boost for tonight, but at this point you may be right.

Oh, yeah. If any1 has seen a better 1R series please let me know.

Hmm. Gotta think about that. I thought Warriors-Mavs a couple years ago was great too.

Bulls-Celtics has been amazing, but obviously it wouldn't be quite so good if Garnett was there.

I am hoping that even if Chicago loses this series they will build on this next year. They did not have a strong record this year in the regular season but have really been gelling during this series. And they are so young- and hopefully LD will be back.

NP- I agree- this series is crazy good.

NP= Pacers/Celtics 1992 was pretty amazing...but this one has been fantastic!!

Lock, I still remember the Warriors-Mavs for Davis' ridiculously entertaining one-man show, but that series doesn't begin to compare to this one in drama.

Word, Carrie.

MJ, unfortunately I didn't see the '92 matchup. Thx for the input, though.

Well, I think it certainly begins to compare. A #1 seed doesn't get knocked off every day.

So the Rockets blast off. Congrats. Sorry, Lock.

Thanks. One thing about getting smoked, it's a lot easier to take. :) Those previous two games in Houston were torture. This one, not so much.

Lock, if you put it that way, sure. :)

Well put, Lock. Squeakers hurt a lot more than blowouts.