One match I'd really love to see at SW19 is Fed-Muzz. Hope, they're drawn together.

cos Tim, Andy has this incredible ability to flame out at FO. This was his best shot at reaching the quarters but this is Roddick.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if Muzz made the SF here. Cilic and Gonzo will both be tough. Pinky will destroy him.

Gee Roger has a walk to the final now with Novak out of the way?

Wow, who would have thought Roddick would last longer than Nole?!?!
I'm still getting over the loss. I also saw a little bit of Nole's presser and I was simply sad to see him.
Federer has now the mother of all cupcakes for a draw. I think this will be his year after seeing him against PHM who looked mighty impressive. Rafa might lose to Verdasco. So Fed will take the title over Verdasco. Too early for predictions but that can happen.
I will be mildly surprised if Rafa manages to win.
Felt really bad for PHM as well.
I was rooting for Sorana(GREAT NAME!!)and I'm glad she won. Too bad for Woz though. I hope she gets back on track.

That Rafa quote about kissing a crackhead is just weird.LOL.
Tsonga looking very good. But I hope LaMonf does well . This has been a good tourney for the French.

I've heard that Cilic has been playing crazy good. Any1 care to comment?

I wonder how Nole is feeling now....
I just couldn't get myself to read his presser.
Can anyone tell me what he said without the painful bits?

Pspace,
I would be surprised too.
I am dying to see if Cilic can win tomorrow, he is another of my favorites to watch, but then again, pretty much everyone is :)

@Andrew, great pic!
Kohlscreiber has a sweet backhand. I hope he can build on this victory. I was expecting to see much more of him after AO last year.

@yellowfuzzy didn't even know MC knew the word. But it was a sheisty play.
Waiting for the pressers to see the official response

Murray on clay? please do I have to even go there?

he is lucky to be still in it

His footwork Tres Bad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His approach to the net with his feet is like a baby Elephant on stampede lol!

ava, Novak's presser is actually good. He doesn't sound too down, and is hopefully for the grass season. He is a very good sportsman, and tends to take losses in his stride, reminding everyone how tough it is to make SF or F in every single tournament. Lots of props to PEHK. Said he had some trouble with movement during the return. Actually, I believe it's the return that's the toughest shot in windy conditions...hard enough as it is, but when the ball is swirling and dying it's a nightmare.

AM, these days, no draw is a cupcake for Federer ;-). However, he played really really really well today...superb movement. I hope he can take it up another notch or two for the rest. I'd grumble about a few fh UFEs, but in these conditions to make so many winners...ridiculous.

And of course it takes AM to restore order in the clay world ;-)

Ava,
I see you're Cassandra personality is back :)

"One match I'd really love to see at SW19 is Fed-Muzz. Hope, they're drawn together."

I want no part of that! Way too dangerous. Wimby loves Rog, but all bet are off when it comes to the British #1.

NP, Cilic has been. I see him as this year's Gulbis. His first serve was a little off the last match but his groundies have been good. I can totally see an upset tomorrow especially with the way Murray has been struggling.

Tfactor, I don't think anybody except Verdasco and Fed (with a nod to Tsongamania) have a real shot at stretching Rafa but on paper, I would take Delpo, Roddick over Verdasco, Murray.

one player that has surprised me on clay is Marin,I thought his game more suited to H/court and say grass?

Good for him,I like his game

Though he could spend a year in Maccas or KFC,too thin needs to build muscle somewhere,everywhere?

Of course I meant
*Your* Cassandra personality.

Too many hours by the computer!
Off for now. Hoping for a great day of tennis tomorrow

AM: I was thinking about you the other day when I was watching Murray play and the commentators were talking about his footwork. They were talking like you do about "growing up on clay" versus not growing up on it. It is very difficult to get used to not pushing off of the hard court. You can "know" you can't do that but your natural tendency to be sure of the ground beneath you is difficult to shake. Thats what the commentators were saying...

duh im so dumb, the whole Boyle performance is on their website, sounds like she'll win, i wonder if the Fame Machine will still eat her alive in the end? she will never have privacy the rest of her life...

Tfactor Thanks for your support

I have won many tournaments on clay,I was brought up on the Red stuff,so I guess I do know a thing about it.

Ava- Nole's presser boiled down to
'he played very well, I had no solutions and it wasn't a fitness issue. It was all my fault.'

A perfect continuation of the match, just passive and meh.
I'm gutted but just slightly. We'll see about TAEC and the end of the month.

that should be kissing a cokehead, shoudlnt it?

:)

Tfactor: It's all about matchups: for ex Muzz stretched Rafa in MC, but got tamely beaten by Monaco in Rome. Here, Muzz's not even sure to make the SF. But it he does and Rafa's not playing his A game, maybe he can take a set off . Don't see him beating Rafa on clay, though. Anyway, I'm not as pessimistic as AM about Murray's chances. Simply because Muzz is a great competitor and he'll gut it out before loosing 3 sets to a lesser ranked player. That's what Nole did not do today.

""Let's see how Nole fares in SW19 and then we can start talking.""

With you, NP. Hope Nole does well there.

""I am big fan of Murray but to me he's been hanging by a thread in this tournament ""

""I bet even Uncle TOni would cry if Fed won the French..""

Tim: Thanks for the laugh :)

Rafadoc Thats right.A player who goes to Spain to train on clay cannot just pick up and learn footwork on clay.

Gee it takes time to learn how to slide on both wings for a start

Rafa can do this on both sides,he is incredible on clay,outstanding.

Pspace thanks very much for that. I really feel bad whenever Rafa or Nole loses. It hurts me really. I really hope Nole has an excellent grass season. If Rafa doesn't win, I'd like it to be Nole.

Also agree about Fed playing REALLY well. That is why I think he will beat Rafa this year.

LOL Tfactor, Cassandra just possessed me.

Pspace thanks very much for that. I really feel bad whenever Rafa or Nole loses. It hurts me really. I really hope Nole has an excellent grass season. If Rafa doesn't win, I'd like it to be Nole.

Also agree about Fed playing REALLY well. That is why I think he will beat Rafa this year.

LOL Tfactor, Cassandra just possessed me.

AM,
I'm in awe of your knowledge.
I used to play myself some time back, but was never any good on clay and I guess it translates into my lack of real insight into the surface.
I wish I knew what you know in particular for the ATP draw challenge. I do very well on hard court tournaments but clay comes around and my position goes down; pretty much only Rafa and a couple of others save the day for me.

Hasn't Haas taken Fed to five sets during Fed's peak years?

I feel for Novak!

I didnt see the game?

Rogi's interview is up. Jeez, he really likes Rafa:

"""
Q. Ingeneral, you get the feeling that as a former No. 1, or while you were No. 1,your goal was getting here, and you guys have no strength to shape this sportthe way you want, to solve the issues?

ROGER FEDERER: I think so, especially now that we're in thecouncil. Even though being in thecouncil that's not a very strong position. I think it is when you're ranked at the top and you want the best forthe game.

So I think having a lotof players now in the council is a good thing. That means we have to speak, even though, let's say we don't like eachother, which is not the case. But itmakes us sit down at the table and discuss issues that maybe we would never do,and I think that's a good thing.

He's being very good in the meetings. He's always listened a lot. We have ‑‑ when we agree, you know,things move very quickly. So far, we'veonly agreed on everything, which is a nice thing. I like doing business with Rafa, let's say. (laughter.)

Sounds so serious, but it's ‑‑the meetings are fun, too.
"""

Ava,
I'm sure it does and it's fun to watch ;)

Imjimmy,
I get you now. I'm a Murray fan myself and I think he's looking to improve (he seems to be channeling Rafa) so I have no doubts his results will go accordingly.

geez Rog, why dont you guys just go to Iowa and make it legal?

:)

Tfactor Well gee some of the results here have shocked me?

As I said before nothing in Tennis is ever a Given

People are handing Rafa the trophy before it started? excuse me?

When we get into the business end of a slam,thats when every player left know their game has to be clicking.

Thx, deeps.

Yeah, imjimmy. Too early to say that painful loss in Madrid was the cause of a lackluster performance in RG.

The French press is really brutal:

"""
Q. It is always said that you shouldn't be happy of the loss of anopponent, but how do you react to Djokovic's loss? He was the toughest player in your part ofthe draw. How do you react to his loss?

ROGER FEDERER: If I can't reach the semifinal it won'tchange anything for me, so I should not lose focus. I've seen nothing from that match, so I can'ttalk about that match. I was playing atthe same time, more or less.

I was getting preparedwhen he started. But indeed it is asurprise, that's for sure. But I'm verypleased with my match today, and that's the most important thing.

Q. But aren't you relieved?

ROGER FEDERER: No, not at all. Winning the semifinal is not winning thetournament, so it doesn't change anything.
"""

Ha ha, Serena's presser. Elbowgate.
The look on her face when she says "I hit that ball pretty hard"

Q. Would you call that cheating?

Serena. What would you call it?

I hear you AM, but you wouldn't believe the times I've heard you say 'I picked him' about a player who I would be dead sure would lose :)
And you're absolutely right, nothing is a given. One match at a time as Rafa says, no?

Anyway, really going now.
Have fun everyone!

LOL @ Mary asking Andy R 'why are you so much better on clay now' (the way she said it, funny!)

thanks izidane. that's good for nole to say Kohli did well.
Nole is always a gracious loser. I loved the exchange at the net as well.
I hope Nole becomes a force in Slams again. I think he's had a sophomore slump. He's doing well in smaller tourneys but when it comes to the big ones he seems to fizzle out. I'll say this, the Muzz loss in AO and now Nole's loss serves as a huge testament to the force of nature, Fedal, is in Slams. Those guys totally know how to play the slams and deal with the pressure and the losses. I said in MC that Fed would still make the finals of RG because it is a slam and I think it will come true. They are different animals in Slams. Both Rafa and Fed know how to pace themselves during a grand slam which is why both have been very successful in them. I think it would be appropriate to expect a Fedal final but I have a feeling Verdasco will play spoiler.

thanks izidane. that's good for nole to say Kohli did well.
Nole is always a gracious loser. I loved the exchange at the net as well.
I hope Nole becomes a force in Slams again. I think he's had a sophomore slump. He's doing well in smaller tourneys but when it comes to the big ones he seems to fizzle out. I'll say this, the Muzz loss in AO and now Nole's loss serves as a huge testament to the force of nature, Fedal, is in Slams. Those guys totally know how to play the slams and deal with the pressure and the losses. I said in MC that Fed would still make the finals of RG because it is a slam and I think it will come true. They are different animals in Slams. Both Rafa and Fed know how to pace themselves during a grand slam which is why both have been very successful in them. I think it would be appropriate to expect a Fedal final but I have a feeling Verdasco will play spoiler.

""and I think he's looking to improve (he seems to be channeling Rafa) so I have no doubts his results will go accordingly.""

Tfactor: Murray's results after Wimb 08 have been 61 wins and 9 losses. Add the fact that he's stepped up another gear this year. Frankly, he's been frightening on the hcs. He's prolly the most consistent player on the tour (Pre-Clay season, better win loss record this year than even Rafa). So the results are already coming.
Anyway, I only worry about Rafa's chances, when he faces Murray or Nalby. 'Nuff said.

Well I have seen Serena play live

I can surely attest to the fact she whacks that ball like a man sometimes lol!

izidane - there are already articles up on the issue and what annoys me is that the ump says MJMS said it didn't happen.

More on the SW-MJMS controversy, the umpire says MJMS said it didn't happen.

"Serena said she asked the umpire to ask Martinez Sanchez if the ball had hit her arm or her racket.

"I said, did you ask her? He said, Well, she's saying that it didn't happen. I looked at her dead in the eye," the 2002 French Open champion said.

"I said, Why? Just be honest if the ball hit you or not. I mean, Hello. It totally hit her. She looked down, and I just have no respect for anybody who can't play a professional game and just be really professional out here."

Annoyed with the call, Williams went on to level the contest and her opponent eventually ran out of steam, bowing out after two hours 11 minutes on the first match point.

Martinez Sanchez said the ball did not touch her body.

"Well, I put the racket, and the ball, it was in, so it goes point for me," the Spaniard told a news conference."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/2460531/Serena-Williams-labels-opponent-a-cheat

Imjimmy,
I saw your answer before turning this off.
I meant the results on clay, obviously.
He wasn't frightening in Indian Wells though ;-)
and he still has to win a slam, so like about any other player is good to keep things in perspective.
Really, really going now

Ava Nole did win the AO?

he knows how to play in Grand Slams

gee sometimes these things happen

Avid I hope this incident hasnt set you off the rails again no?

Well, enough with tennis. There are more important things in the world, like the Magic-Cavs later tonite. Have a good one, folks.

"Q. But aren't you relieved?

ROGER FEDERER: No, not at all. Winning the semifinal is not winning thetournament, so it doesn't change anything."

Good for Roger not taking the obvious bait.

i dunno, when Roddick knocks off an Andreev, Davydenko etc., on clay, its noteworthy not beating a serve volleyer like Giquel, the Monfils match, totally different story, thats the test for sure..

I like Fed getting these tests, it pulls him mentally into the event, no walkabouts...

I did not see Nole's defeat coming. I thought he would reach the final. But after things happen, it is easier to make 'pre'dictions (and btw props to Tim for saying it before it happened):
1-Tired, too many tourneys for his usual fitness levels (Belgrade one too much?)
2-Nadal in his head (claywise) may affect his game with others (Kohlwriter)?
3-Nole's shots are flatter than Roger's (and of course Nadal's). Could that be a reason he cannot be as consistent? The incredible consistency of Fed & Nad along the years coincides with prolly the two players (save Andreev, no clue why) with the most topspin, thus allowing for more margin for error day after day after day after day...

Incidentally, I agree Rafa is prolly the mentally toughest player of all, but not the fittest, at all. Guess who I think that is, even at his age? Federer! Acasusuo's legs were not responding a couple of days ago, but can you imagine that happening to Federer? Never, ever! I have seen Rafa fall apart physically a couple of times (e.g. with Youzhny after Moya), but never Fed, not even in any 5-setter. So when this discussion on Fed's fitness took place here some time ago, I never thought, even for a moment, fitness was the key to his drop in level. After all, I always thought it was the mono, even if it is politically incorrect to say it...

aussiemarg - I was ready to go ff the rail had she lost match but she didn't lose so it's all good for now phew!

Avid- I hope they put up Sanchez's presser up. Looks like she's sticking to her story.

There was ump-failure during the match, infact Carillo and JMac had an issue with him when he wouldn't get up to check a mark for a call that Sanchez was questioning.

I must say I love Phils 1hb/hand?

As every one is aware I am a big fan of the b/hand.

Sanchez looks like a fool, sorry...

im with Serena on this one, fact is a fact, fair is fair, she has a right to be snarky today!

Aussiemarg, I love his backhand too.

I still think this was the match of his life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FngWseAP4Wg

I watched the clip again a few hours ago and was struck by how good your footwork is. I guess when you're shorter and have less reach you really have to have good footwork to hit the ball well.

Kofi As a fellow sufferer of the Horrible Mono which turned into CFS

I dont know how Roger even managed to make it to the s/finals of the AO that year,let alone winning his 5th straight US OPEN title

Incredible effot from Roger,so glad for him it didnt turn too nasty.

er *his footwork, not yours.

Fed has a cupcake draw? Would someone please explain to me how Tsonga, Monfils, Roddick, Djokovic, Del Potro et alii became cupcakes? Some of you are quite delusional.

Re testing positive for Cocaine just by kissing someone...ROFL!!! Um, the ingesting party would have to pass you an aspirin-sized wad in order for you to test that highly. Agreed that a 2-year suspension is unfair. Rafa swears that Gasquet is totally innocent because he knows him as a friend. I'll need to remember that if I'm ever in court. Just have a friend come along to say, "It's impossible." That'll surely change the judge's mind.

Djoko's loss is astounding given that the media are constantly bombarding us with the tripe that he's the second best clay court player in the world. That wascally Fed must've kissed him after using cocaine and ruined his perfect record. Tsk..tsk.

I hope Peter Bodo is in hiding for the rest of this tournament, unless he didn't hear that PHM lost to the guy who wouldn't beat him. Uh, that would be Fed, who proably also kissed PHM just to ruin everything as usual. Uploading huge slice of crow 'n' humble pie to Bozo.

Susan Boyle...God bless her. I hope she wins...voice of an angel.

The other "ugly" winner was named Paul Potts? NO WAY!! LOL...Pol Pot reincarnated. Whodathunkit?

My favorite Roger's answer was the one about the 'ball hitting a player' incident. He did well to say 'I would report it' but explained why a player would choose not to.

Interesting (yet not surprising) that even while playing in the FO, he still uses Wimbledon to make a point when talking about something precious for him to lose.

LOL tim @ 2.19. Fedal love is truly baffling. I was not at all surprised by Fed's answer in that presser. I'm sure Rafa feels the same as well.
Seriously, did Sampras and Agassi like each other this much???

Crazyone When I saw the result I though of you?

Must be in seventh heaven with the result

Good for Phil,I have always had a soft spot for him,

Even with that service action of his.

carnap: Was the level of cocaine in Richard's system published? I missed that. I thought it was just a "trace amount" in which case it could have been accidental...

A lot of writers/commentators and this poster said Nole was the 2nd best on clay "this year". I still stand by that. He has had great results until today.

IMHO baseball has the answer to being hit by your opponent. You get the point.

O.K. Pete: time to face the music on your crazy choice of PHM over Fed. It's Eat Crow time, big-time. ha ha. PMH was good but of course not nearly good enough. Now please tell us what you were imbibing at the time--must have been ultra-powerful. I forgive you (he-he) because you mabde one if the most prescient calls in recent years picking Roger at Madrid. Just don't do something silly like this again. In a word, it's Tignorish.

Kofi-Federer DID fall apart at the final of Australia Open.He was clearly tired.

did Pete reallly pick PHM to beat Fed? i know everyone picked a Djoker Nadal final, totally missing the way tennis really works, in that too many matches, a huge mental defeat the week before, spells disaster for a tennis player ... DJoker has some real headscratchers in Slams of late, poor mental efforts in the last 3 to be honest...

Rafadoc: I'm just not that gullible. I highly doubt that the amount of cocaine entering your system from a kiss would last all night and through a match the next day. Anyway, as I said above, I still think a 2-yr suspension would be ridiculous. I'll check with my brother who is a molecular pharmacologist, but I can imagine the gales of laughter.

everyone is really overblowing this Roddick stuff too, he would have made it to the RD16 in ANY year he had this kind of draw... he hasnt played one grinder or clay courter, i guess its just a American in Paris angle people love to talk it up!

Tigress: Bodo must've kissed Gasquet who kissed the girl who danced with the Prince of Wales, and it totally effed up his brain.

iagree with Fed being in better overall shape than Nadal... i have never heard of one match where Fed physically melted down, MAYBE Cincy vs Murray but it was still a close match he just made bukets of errors...

Rafa's losses resulting from physical exhuastion could fill the phone book!

If this clip is anything to go by, we could be in for a treat in the QF:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF-v1KXR8fA

ugh Giquel is horrible no wonder Roddick blasted him...

i cant believe ROddick went to Angels and Demons TWICE...dude, it wasnt all that lol

Hear, hear, Tim. I doubt there's this much hype about Dominick The Donkey in Europe.

I don't understand the calls for Pete Bodo to eat crow. Surely, a high quality four set affair qualifies as a decent prediction? I mean, hindsight is always 20-20. But, this was the kind of match Fed was losing in the IW-Miami-MC-Rome swing. The opponent took it to him and he couldn't find the extra gear. Today, he did. I doubt anyone would predict PHM beating TMF...the only question is whether TMF would show up. With this years evidence, I would say "no" would've been the likely answer.

I love it when Tim is in such a happy mood,

gee Spring in NYC has such great effects on him lol!

carnap -- it's worth noting that of the players you named in Fed's half of the draw, he'd only have to play two of them: Roddick/Monfils, then Djoko/JMDP/Tsonga. Moreover, I'd say when people (myself included) have referred to Fed's "cupcake draw," they/we had in mind his road to the semis--it's rare that a semi-final match-up is a gimme for anyone, and one can certainly never expect it. So, given that it seemed reasonable to think--at least last week--that Roddick would be a pushover on clay & Monfils was on a bum leg, calling Fed's road to the semis a cupcake seemed (& still seems, frankly) pretty reasonable.

In other news ... uh, wtf, Djoko? W.T.F.

Well, I think it's destiny, now: Tsonga-mania, all the way to the finals. Jo-Willy stylez FTW, ya'll.

It speaks volumes about Roddick, Fish and wives that they saw at least three movies in Paris in the past few days. Not even French movies at that! Imagine being in the most beautiful city in the world and going to see American movies instead of Notre Dame, the L'Ouvre (spellcheck needed) etc. I give up!

carnap: hadn't heard when the test was taken either so-but doesn't cocaine stay in your system for a couple of days. I used to intern in a chemical dependency unit but I can't remember all of this stuff. I know pot stays in the system for much longer than cocaine. AGREE- 2 years is just silly. If you find something out from your bro, let us know. :)

Congrats to Sorana on a good match. I didn't get a chance to root Caro on because I was out. Judging from the score it was a close match. Caro was treated for a back injury and someone called it "Scandinavian gameship." I don't think so. Did you get Caro mixed up with hot mess because she's the reason why the WTA made the new rule about charging players when they called excessively for the trainers. Tennis magazine had a small article on this and guess whose picture they show? It was hot mess, laying on the ground getting treated. HMMM! Caro will be back, no doubt, no fear. Go Caro, Scandinavia's #1. Du er den bedste, Caro. P.S. regrets to the Demmy and Djoko fans. Serena is too much in that press conference.

BGT results are coming in...Susan boyle is through to the top 3..........as is Saxophonist Julian Smith (kinda shocked).....and dance group Diversity...............top 2 and winner coming soon

My thoughts:

*I'm so glad Roger came through. It was a tricky match because his opponent had the home crowd and was playing pretty good. But thank God Roger came through to move on.

*Serena was cheated, but didn't let it affect her so good for her and I'm glad she won too.

*I know I gave the Roddick fans grief because he was winning but hadn't really played anyone, but to Roddick's credit - he's winning the matches he is suppose to win and makes his first "2nd week" matches at the French Open. He's playing relaxed tennis and it's getting him through his matches. Good win for him today and since not many think he'll win the next match - he may just surprise us one more time!

*At the PGA, the players are all supporting Phil's wife battle with breast cancer by wearing PINK. Uhm.. I understand the cause so I won't say anything negative about all these men in pink.

*About Djokovic. I think he hit the 'brick wall' because he has played so much tennis this year and lets face it - physical fitness has never been one of his 'strengths'. He's made the finals a lot this year and he's played a lot of tournaments. But Kohli really played great in that match and took it to Djokovic so hats off to him. It was a surprise because I don't think many of us saw this one coming. But I'm happy for all of Kohli's fans out there because he really did play well in this match.

CPM: well, one could easily say the same for Nadal. The only tough opponent I see him having even up to the final is in the QF, Verdasco, and I guess Murray playing the match of his life in the SF (if he even gets there). There were a lot of tough players in Rafa's quarter but they mostly ended up on Nando's side of the quarter and all cancel each other out before they get to him.

Unless Tsonga is on fire Fed can definitely beat him ands so can he easily win against all the others in his draw. He's proved that. In Slams there are very few people who can beat Roger Federer not named Rafa Nadal. That constitutes a CUPCAKE. LOL, at least accoriding to me. But I'm probably more delusional and crazy than the average tennis fan. No sarcasm.

AM, i was speaking in relation to his after AO08 results where he has failed to reach a GS final.

thanks for letting us now samantha that it was all JJ's fault.....are u part of the people who brought in the rule

hird place to Julian smith.......and the winner is.......

Monfils's bum leg. This is one time I'll side with Bodo. It appears to have been all smoke and mirrors headgames. I wish I could run like that on good legs never mind injured legs.

DIVERSITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....WTF???...they were really good tonite....but Susan Boyle shudda won...she beat them in the semi.....

C'mon, Pspace. Let 'em talk. It's insanely good entertainment. :)

20 years ago, Michael Chang won the FO from nowhere as he defeated Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg(Chang kept Edberg from the career Slam) along the way.

10 years ago, Andre Agassi won the FO to complete the career slam as he defeated Carlos Moya and Andrei Medevev(rallying from 2 set down and got help from a rain delay) along the way.

Now, we got Andy Roddick who has made it to the R16 which is his best effort ever and talk of Americans not doing well on clay. Will Andy pull off a major surprise? Already got help as Novak Djokovic lost in straight sets to Philipp Kohlschreiber in R32. He got Roger Federer in this quarter who is trying to complete a Career Slam and get his 14th Slam and Rafael Nadal who is not only going for a 5th consecutive FO title but will be halfway to a calendar Slam.

carnap: Word. LaMonf is a bit of a drama queen. He called a presser to say he *is* playing in spite of his injury. He might last an hour and a half? I used to like LaMonf but this stuff is really a turnoff...what sealed the deal for me? His jumping 567 feet in the air to show off with an OH smash...and missing it. lol.

Cubs appear to be interested in winning a game against the Dodgers (but its early) so I am signing off for now. Have fun kids!

Vamos Cubs!

WOW, Susan Boyle lost?
Hmmm...First the favorite for American Idol, Adam Lambert loses to guy whose name I cannot remember and then this.
But gotta admit I'm not a Susan Boyle fan.
I haven't seen Britain's Got Talent but if it's anything like American Idol then I don't want to see it. Seriously, AI is one crappy show. At least it was interesting this year with Lambert.

MA, I'd love to see the Yankee streak continue, but I wouldn't bet even a penny on it. Interesting catch, though.

master Ace oops for got about Chang,yes indeed what a result

Poor Ivan another one who couldnt win at RG?

Maybe this RG 2009 will bring a shock result in terms of everyone saying Rafa is a shoe in to win?

Stranger things have happened

Agassi wasnt even going to play the at RG?

@MA don't even start! ;-)

Samantha Elin many hugs from me. I was not supporting Caroline but I was expecting much from her in this tourney. I'm sure she'll get back on track. She's really young and has great future.

C1 @ 4:47 PM: Thanks for the clip. You're right - PEHK and Tsonga could meet in the QF. But I like Elf's chances too against Tsonga.

C1@ 4:54: I don't think Rafa's draw is easy: Sod, Verdasco/Davydenko, Murray/Gonzo before the F. Even Sod's not a gimme. Rafa-Sod Rome match was not a beat-down in the way the scoreline suggested. (1st set lasted 50 minutes and was close).

"""Maybe this RG 2009 will bring a shock result in terms of everyone saying Rafa is a shoe in to win?
Stranger things have happened """

AM: he he.. How about a demerit card for yourself :)

Anyhow, Later every1 - Enjoy the Saturday!

Sod and Mathieu are about the same level I'd say, and Monfils in the QF is a very dangerous customer (I think we can safely say that Monfils' injury is not an issue), though this year obviously Verdasco is playing better tennis. Same with Tsonga with the crowd behind him. Honestly, I wouldn't underestimate Tsonga--I always thought it was a pity because he has the mentality to do well at the French Open, but not the game--but he's proving me wrong and he's bringing the game as well.

Like CPM, I'm going full out for Jo-Willy. Crush 'em like de Gaulles!

By dint of the fact that Rafa is "The King of Clay" and "The Emporer of Rome," every draw is a cupcake for him. There is only one person in the tournament who has ever beaten him on clay. Guess who? The winner will receive a liftime supply of cupcakes.

I wish I could post that pic of JJ in the tennis magazine. She went for the full dramatic effect, no chair for her, layed out flat on the court with her hands on her chest. It looked like a funeral pic. Caro has nothing on her.

Well what about Koyla for champion RG 2009?