That's it, I'm ready to declare it.

The Alonya Bondarenko era is over.

Sigh...oh well, bring on the fresh talent!

"Roddick chases down those balls like a freakin' labrador"

Good to hear! He drives me insane when he watches balls go past him.

Dinara-Serena third set TB and interview
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RWSZEzYJAqU&feature=user

Voks, did you see JJ? Any comments?

Voks - I see your point. Fed having proper fitness preparation in and of itself does not mean he will be old Fed. He gets older, other players continue to believe/improve etc. I do believe one of the underrated parts of Fed's dominance was his fitness. And clearly staying illness/injury free for as long as he did was amazing (and also perhaps had something to do with fitness). My point was merely fitness and practice (repetition of shots so they don't falter when nerves creep in) clearly plays a role. Which is what calls to mind Serena, Justine and even Maria. Its just that us Fed fans were sooo spoiled by his pristine play and clutch play in Big match moments, it is hard to see him falter. Its like watching Tiger Woods loose to a golfer I never heard of before at the 07 Masters - wait he did that. Anyhow, I digress - hope this helped Voks!

well he does have a fair share of passing shots to watch zip by, because the net seems to have some sort of Roddick magnet on it (where do I get one of those from, btw?)

Roddick actually hit a drop volley a moment or so ago!

GO ANDY!!!!!
up 2-1 in second set

Disco is cute (especially with the headband, reminds me of Roger *sniff*), but Andy's one of my guilty pleasures. His game frustrates me at times, and always makes me laugh, but how can you not like the guy?

I think I've just diagnosed his problem.

It's the physical form of Tourette Syndrome.

Commentators say that if Roddick keeps serve-and-volleying this much, he will replace Max Mirnyi as the most dominant serve-and-volleyer on the tour.

one thing that both endears and enrages me about Roddick - he NEVER stays seated until time is called, despite being expressly told to at the start of every match.
little thing but I always notice it.

seriously, whatever is attracting Roddick to that net - bottle it and sell it.

Azarenka and A. Bondarenko played each other twice today, first in singles and then in doubles, and Azarenka won both times. Wonder how often that happens.

OMG, Andy's turning into Tim Henman!! Henman was rushing the net on every point the year he got to the semis of the French Open.

Madrid has been selected via a 'secret' vote to host the US for Davis Cup in September.

Also, the current captain (emilio sanchez) will continue as captain.

The President, Pedro Munoz abstained from voting and the breakdown was: Madrid 9, Benidorm 4, Gijón 2, Tenerife 1.

Looking at the language style of the 1:42pm post on the prior thread, looks remarkably similar to the Undeniable One, who I've exchanged pleasantries with at Steve Tignor's site (see, for example http://tennisworld.typepad.com/thewrap/2008/05/rome-back-to-ma.html ).

There's a monomaniacal aspect to the comments that almost warms me to the poster. Lots of vim there, if not a lot of balance. SO I wouldn't take these thoughts personally - I haven't.

OK so let us consider rankings points after Rome:

Rafa gets 5 points (I think?) for this effort and loses 500 so he will end up with 5930-500+5=*calculates...* like, 5435 points.

Federer last year had 75 points for R16 and this years he got to quarters for 125 points so he ends up with.... 6775+50= ... 6825 points? So Federer just increased his lead big time.

Djoko last year got to quarters for 125 points. If he loses today, he stays at 4750. If he wins today, he gets 225 points for a total of 4850. If he gets to finals, that is 350 points for a total of 4975. And finally if he wins the final (ha! pun) that would be 500 points a total of 5125. Still 310 points away from Rafa.

Now if Rafa pulls out of Hamburg, which is conceivable, that is 350 points down. Fed of course got 500 for Hamburg title and Djoko got 125 for quarterfinals.

Deuce, And then Tiger did it again in 2008 *sigh*

Ryan, I can see the era theme going on here. If we go by tournament, the the "Bondarenko sisters" in doubles would qualify LOL

At least they won the Australian Open.

Andy rushing the net?? I wish I could see this.

Geez Andrew--don't you know that facts are things that are true with no falsehood and they are important in that things that are factual have truth with factness to prove their factality? Duh.

Andrew: I'm frazzled as hail, so my opinion might be off kelter but do you think the Fed is just mentally not TMF at the moment...I think his fitness is there now, he's going for balls that he didn't even attempt to get in IW/Miami...it's more of I don't have the unshakeable belief anymore, those BH shanks look nervy...he got there in time and just shanked them wide...not even close...and he kept shanking them, without self correcting, even more frazzling, it was the exact same swing with the exact same result...

Any help in calming my nerves will be greatly appreciated...

"The Alonya Bondarenko era is over."

Ryan, bite your tongue. :)

If it is over, maybe I can revive it for her? Yowsee.

Hmmm, is she old enough for me to say that without committing a felony?

Of some interest today is that Federer actually won more points than Stepanek, 88-82, yet lost the match. We all know that in tennis this is theoretically possible, but that it does not happen often.

Someone with more time on their hands might go back and check the ATP or WTA site to see approximately how often.

vetmama, I have to agree with the Tourette's diagnosis, the guy cannot stop twiching. What I don't get either, and maybe you die hard Roddick fans could help me out here, is why he's constantly touching his "little Andy". I mean if he's afraid it's about to fall off, then he should a) seek immediate medical attention and b) wear some kind of brace to make sure that if it does fall off, it won't stray too far.

Or maybe it brings him good luck, I don't know, but it's annoying.

For me Roddick is really a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide kind of player. He's so annoying to watch and I could do with a bit less attitude, but off the court he's funny, charming and really smart. If he could just stop touching himself...

0-30 hole for Robredo.
two net dumps and it's 15-40.
Roddick misses BP #9 & 10 so it's deuce.
Roddick powers a FH on Disco's 2nd serve and knocks down Robredo's advantage.
CC FH and Robredo gets ad back.
service winner and he eventualy holds.

still one break in it, Roddick serving 3-2.
one break is enough yeah? it's all good.

Robredo holds (with the help of a lucky net cord) to avoid a double break, after being two break points down.

Noooo FED! *sigh*

C'mon Andy!!!!!!!!!!

So Andy was moonballing in previous match and is rushing to the net today? I'm off to check it out

Dunlop Maxply, it's happened quite frequently in Federer's losses in the past, including his loss to Nadal in Rome 2006.

I am not touching the "little Andy" issue. not while he's on my screen anyway...

Disco gets a BP, and I'm regretting saying one break is enough.
Roddick gives it away with a double fault.

trying to process this. can't.

I'm really, really impressed with Roddick's performance. Wonder if he regrets skipping Monte Carlo?

Roddick double-faults twice in one game; back on serve at 4-all.

Poor Roger. Roma was his tournamnet to win, once Rafa went out.

Don't get broken Andy!

WAY TO DF ON GAME PT. NO MORE DFS!

Is there a link to Fed's presser?

Did Tommy just break ADHD Andy?

Sorry, my 2:28 should have said, "3-all"

Beckham, good point re getting to shots he didn't get to in IW and Miami. So footwork is back, but the inconsistency in his shots, isn't this the second part of fitness and practice. One tournament his serve is awful the next his forehand his off, now today its his backhand. Am I wrong in thinking shot consistency comes with adequate practice?

Dunlop: he did it against Nadal in Dubai 2006 F also, I can think of more but it's just too depressing, le sigh...another one of those things he's patented...le sigh...

Andy still has that hot date with the net, but at this stage it's leading to heart palpitations on my part.

Robredo is seizing this for all it's worth.
and he holds at 15.
Rowdy serving 3-4.

I really think I remember Andy saying in an interview that he was probably ADHD when he was younger, but never diagnosed. lol He could have been kidding though - I say that alot just joking around too.

if Novak's match goes the same way the other three matches have gone today, the doubles match that follows will start at 2 in the morning!! What a great way to promote doubles...

Totally agree Swiss Viking:
"For me Roddick is really a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide kind of player. He's so annoying to watch and I could do with a bit less attitude, but off the court he's funny, charming and really smart. If he could just stop touching himself..."

The main thing that should concern Roger/Jose right now is his ability to maintain his intensity and focus throughout a match. I don't think this has anything to do with mono or conditioning.
The physical deficiencies he had through Miami are essentially gone. From a technical standpoint, he is in fine shape.

Fed has lately shown a consistent pattern of being unable to hold after a break, or losing tiebreaks after being ahead. The fact that he would hold after a break was almost a given; not so now. There are several TBs where he was up and then let slide. I see this as a precipitous decline in mental toughness. Hopefully someone in his camp is paying serious attention to the fact that
Roger is losing many more 7-5/7-6 matches than he is winning them.

Deuce: he's had whole months in which it seemed like his forehand or backhand is off. I don't know if we can blame even fitness for this.

I do think the match with Karlovic threw him off his rhythm in terms of playing a baseline game.

Negative body language from Roddick. Commentators note that he doesn't get broken often, so very frustrating when it happens to him.

Aw Andy nooo. Okay, hold. Pls hold.

Ana up a break in the second. Serving at 5-4.

Andy's picked a bad time to develop a glitch in his serve.

*The fact that he would hold after a break was almost a given; not so now. There are several TBs where he was up and then let slide. I see this as a precipitous decline in mental toughness. Hopefully someone in his camp is paying serious attention to the fact that Roger is losing many more 7-5/7-6 matches than he is winning them*

Bingo. He knew to keep up the intensity vs. Karlovic but not vs. Stepanek???

I don't think this is a case of "oh, two tails".

We've seen this pattern repeated far too many times this season for it to be the case.

Whitney: Oh good, that sort of makes me feel better. Around my fam, I'm always calling him "ADHD Andy" but I get nervous posting it because it's rather politically incorrect. ;)

Roddick holds at 15 with a lot of big serves; he seems to be using the frustration to pump himself up.

negative body language is nothing but expected in a Roddick match.
but so far this tourney I've been impressed by his concetration and general demeanour on court, as well as his play.

DFs are creeping in now though. thankfully he aced the hail out of it.

4-4 Robredo to serve.

and on and on and on,

I can't believe I'm actually enjoying this match!!

garglesnurf!!!! No more DFs Andy! I don't care if you're up 40-0!

Well, Beckham, the roll Federer was on, and frankly, is still on in the sense that he is over 1,000 points better off than a guy who may well end up on the list of all time greats himself, has really thrown people off in terms of what to expect.

The fact that Federer went the better part of four years winning match after match in which his opponent, like Stepanek apparently did today, played the match of his life, well, if you saw it at all be sure to tell your kids and grandkids about it because you may not be seing it again for a while.

All those people who thought that guys were giving up then were simply not watching carefully enough. What, the other players were intimidated when he only had 6 Slam titles but now that he has 12 they have more confidence? Please.

It was almost thirty years between Borg and Nadal, to make one obvious comparison.

It was twenty years between McEnroe's 1984 year and Federer's 2004 -- run.

I all other years, you had great players. Just great players who lost 10-15 matches a year instead of 5.

Amit: thanks...just what I needed, someone to confirm my frazzledness...I was looking for a hail no, Beckham, it's all in your head...thanks very much...

Robredo holds at love for 5-4.

Come on, Tommy!

Really, though, what a strange tournament.

I don't know if any of you are familiar with any Hindi movies, but there's this utterly stupid song from a movie called Kal Ho Na Ho entitled, "It's the time to disco!" that I always think of when I see Robredo. Who is hanging in there more than I thought he would.

wow... what does garglesnurf mean?

love hold to Robredo.
so gutted that Roddick couldn't capitalize on his lead, because he really was playing impressively. he deserve a win here.

Rowdy serving to stay in the set.
he's out pacing the court about 2 seconds after he sat down.

Beckham: re your 2:23pm - I think there's a genuine element of luck when sets get to 4-4 in a tie-break. A Federer may be able to win 65%-75% of these, but he won't win 95-100%.

Today, Stepanek played two absolutely clutch points in the TBs: at 4-4 in the first, and at 5-6 in the second. Sometimes, that's all you need.

One tiny thing I did noticed was that Federer won the point of the match to go 4-1 up in the second set TB, then stepped up to the line to serve while the crowd was still applauding. He had to pause to let the applause die down, which may have just let Stepanek get his breath back. The Czech then cracked a strong return to get one minibreak back. Of such tiny things are wins and losses made.

To be honest, I was more concerned with the way Federer played the first ten games of the second set. He just seemed to lose his rhythm in a way I hadn't seen since RRH in the first round of MC. This time, his opponent didn't let him off the hook in the end.

I was really impressed with Roddick's attitude in Dubai - never got down on himself or lost it from the matches I saw.

Jackie - yeah it is not very PC - I'm waiting on someone to call me out for it. But I definatly have attention problems and lots of nervous energy like Andy does. I guess I'm a spaz too.

stay in the match* more importantly

>little bit of frazzle.

Crazyone - is he tinkering with his shots too much so they are Rafa ready? Do you believe this has to do with the inconsistency? Still doesn't explain the serve not working all the time.

And Ana takes the second set.

I haven't done this in a very long time:

Cheer for Disco Tommy.

Kal Ho Na Ho is a great movie =)

On to the third set in Berlin.

Dunlop Maxply:

*All those people who thought that guys were giving up then were simply not watching carefully enough. What, the other players were intimidated when he only had 6 Slam titles but now that he has 12 they have more confidence? Please.*

Thank you, thank you! This needs to be stated a million times, and still there will be some people who don't understand.

Vamos Tommy!!! It's up to you to hold it together for the Spanish Armada

Ana is seriously fighting back. She does not want the Serb "mini-era" to end And a lot of point to lose if she loses (Maria will move to 2nd and she will drop to 3rd in rankings).

Meanwhile Svetlana has now dropped to 5th will Jelena moves up to fourth since she defended her last year QR final showing. Serena still remains at 6th and if Elena goes to further than the SF she moves to 7th and Anna Chakvetadze drops to 8th while Venus drops to 9th. If Elena loses at the SF she moves to 8th and Venus drops to 9th.

Whitney: I'm a TOTAL spaz. Like, I was known for it in school. No worries. I guess that means we can call him whatever we want, right? :)

DEUCE.

A DF??? Andy no!!

Crazyone:

Considering all that he's been through, he's doing okay. The elite Roger would have risen to the occasion today. He almost did. He's not there yet. He's playing himself into peak condition, which I hope will bear fruit in June. If he falters at R.G. then I will be seriously worried.

Dunlop Maxply: right on your 2:35pm.

And BTW, I do plan to do some analysis on point scores. When I get the time.

That was supposed to be "in all other years"

Also, those who cite "intensity" are on the right track. I don't know if for me its reducible to one word. Its that quality all champions have to not get frustrated with the situation, not allow themselves to think "what a day, I'm playing the worm and he's zoning on me"

Federer has every right to be frustrated. Good luck to Stepanek playing worry free in some other match. Its only against Federer or Nadal at the moment that these guys have absolutely no pressure. And if you don't think that guys like Stepanek can play well when they know they have nothing to lose, well, again, look more closely at the way these matches go.

Roddick double-faulting a lot (6 in this set) but winning points from the net. 5-all.

crazyone, Kal Ho Na Ho was quite fun and It's The Time To Disco spent some time as my ringtone.

Back to lurking...

consolation?
- roger gained points.

what's bad?
- exposing chinks in his mental armour.
- possible setback when it comes to regaining his aura.
- still not winning a tournament he has yet to win.
- not gaining the match experience that he wants.

4 > 1. that's enough for me.

match suspended in Berlin due to darkness? Don't they have flood lights or something?

I use the word garglesnurf in lieu of other less appropriate four letter words =)

I agree with Voks here or on the other thread: we can start talking about the end of the Fed era if by SEPTEMBER FED HASN'T WON ANY SLAM. For me, that's the way to see it: who could have foresee Rafa's exit or for that matter Fed's to Stepanek?? So many things can happen until then. Fed is back in control of his fitness and health and that's the most important for the moment.

ryan: that cooment about Bondarenko/end of the era was hilarious!!!

Andy double-faulting???? Won! And the public cheers a lot for Roddick actually!

Robredo holds for 6-5; commentators say his serving percentage in this set is 80%.

Ana's match is suspended due to darkness.

Get to the TB!

GO ANDY!!!

(and little andy too)

I hope Roddick can pull this win out- it'd be a solid clay court win

Oh Rani, I liked the movie, and the song is catchy, though I still think it's stupid :P

It should be Tommy's theme song.

*FORESEEN*

and on and on and on could Robredo actually be winning!

the public is so totally for Roddick!!!!

aiaiaiaiaiai...not a good day for the nerves.
C'mon Andy!

Come on Disco Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roddick holds at love to go into a tiebreak. Commentators say he's winning 86% of the points when his first serve goes in, only 31% when it doesn't.

> It should be Tommy's theme song.

crazyone, totally brilliant.

Have you heard that Bolly-tune "Where's the Party Tonight?" Now, that's stupid ;).

any Fed fans still alive out there? still breathing? i just had a BIG cookie and a large java, and it is giving me some solace...

Fed played well at the end, a tad unlukcy, but im SO glad he fought back, that bodes well... Wormie played the match of his life, remember...i hate it, but onward, and i cant wait for Higueras to show up, Fed u cant do it alone forever ... just ruins my weekend is all, it makes my day to watch TMF in full flow, all seems right with the world when he does...

Seriously, while I'm utterly crestfallen that Rog lost, I don't feel that sense of desperation like I did earlier in the season ... and I don't have that "Oh no, is he really losing it" feeling, either. He's playing well - better than last year during this stretch, some might argue - and lost to a fine opponent by a nominal margin. Look, he gained some points, Rafa's out anyway, he played great tennis leading up to today and even including today, etc., etc. I'm moving on.

how did Andy get better after he split with JC? He's had much bigger wins since then-- perplexes me...

The Federer press conference is up here:

http://www.internazionalibnlditalia.it/1/default.asp?LNG=EN

And he gets this absolutely right: "

But, you know, after getting, you know, sort of back on even terms, it was just a big disappointment to be broken yet again. And then, you know, having to break him again, I guess it just used up too many lives. Unfortunately, I couldn't sort of win the tiebreak. I don't know how I lost it, but it happens sometimes, I guess."

He just used up too many lives today. And Stepanek played well.

who knew that Roddick could play that well on clay?

Is this the beginning of a new era?!

Garglesnurf ... LOVE IT.

Time to use it now - garglesnurf, Rowdy Roddy's about to win this thing.

I'm stunned a reporter asked him this question:

Q. Many people say that this year is the beginning of the end. What do you think about?
ROGER FEDERER: Next question, please.

In my professional opinion (haha) I think Connors put alot of added pressure on Andy. Just an observers opinion and means absolutly nothing - but I think it was a daunting task for Andy to do well under the eye of someone like Connors.

Q. Many people say that this year is the beginning of the end. What do you think about?

ROGER FEDERER: Next question, please.

:) .. doesnt knw wht to reply

sweetest sublimessst drop shot right on the line by robredo

What an awful question to be asked after a loss. Poor Roger.

justine pulls out of rome What gives with her. Does anyone know what is really wrong??

and Roddick is winning from the net...

Match point for the clay master Andy Roddick. ;) (just a joke)

FAINT

well at least Fed isn't painting a rosy picture of that match, and i dont think he was the word 'pity' even once! hurrah... but like he said these guys give u no rhythm at all and he cant play his game, it turns into a crapshoot of serves and returns... odd that he does so well with Roddick given the net rushing assault he's tried so often, with a huge serve to boot...

this cookie is a delight, i might need another...

Whoo Hoo! Go Andy!

fantastic play for Roddick: I'm really impressed.

Meh. Oh well, time for a Starbucks run before Nico-Nole.

Roddick wins 7-5 in the tiebreak, boos from the crowd. Commentators remarked earlier in the tiebreak on the effectiveness of serve and volley tennis on clay today, first by Stepanek and then by Roddick. Nice effort from Robredo, who had to play so late yesterday.
Who would have thought that Roddick would be in the semifinals, and neither Nadal nor Federer would be?

Deuce,

The shanked FHs and BHs come and go, as does the serve. Roger has enough in his arsenal to compensate for a particular shot not working, I'd like to believe. What conerns many of his fans is his clutch play in tight sets. He seems to suddenly lose toughness for 4 points, and the set is gone. Has happened far too often lately.

Today I was impressed with the way he broke Stepanek twice to get to TB in the second set. But, up 5-2 in TB and then lost the plot. TMF would have had a vice-like grip on the match at that point. Think of the number of times he has done this against Roddick. This consistency separated him from the rest of the field, and the lack of that causes concern. Losing this mental edge will be disastrous for him.

Andrew, i know i missed your stats, but please please dont tell me yu called this match a 'clean kill' lol

OH MY HEEBUS! ANDY WON!

Take THAT Spain! *teehee*

Roddick wins, 102-101. Um, tight match. Well done, him. Commiserations to Robredo fans.

Well done Roddick!! He looked very happy and relieved at the end of that.

just looked at the ATP page. Can't believe Stepanek did the "worm" thing again.

Roddick just won the tiebreak. Robredo will be disappointed.

Now, come on Almagro....win this match. You can do it!

Beckham:
Dont frazzle
There is hunger in the world, injustice, crime, poverty, and the fed lost....
i asked before...when is your first trial?? whenever it is give us an overview in tennis format
- the defendant goes up 15-0 after a quick serve that caught the plaintif off guard and his attemptes straight forward reply went wide by a mile...or something along those lines....

Rachael...i'm fainting with you.

Yessssssss! Whoohoo.
Can't wait to get home and watch this. Lowered expectations does wonders.
Sorry Disco fans.

Hugs to Disco Tommy fans. It was a tight match.

Good for Andy. I guess.

It's weird that Rog is still fielding those "beginning of the end" questions after what he's done in the past few weeks. Moreover, his attitude in this presser is markedly different from those following his other losses this season. I dunno - I kind of like it?

Wow--Andy Roddick outlasted Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in a clay court tournament. I'm really impressed.

If this isn't the year Americans turn things around in Paris, I don't know when it's coming.

wow- ggod win Andy
nice observation Whitney :))

the tennis "Powers that Be" (that decide the fates of all professional tennis players and outcomes of all matches) have clearly been smoking crazy grass this entire year--
Roddick could actually win the Italian Open-- should beat Wawrinka on big match experience alone
Almagro over Djokovic? why not?

"Next question, please." This should be Nadal's reply if anyone asks hims about the schedule again LOL

OR better still "No Comments, next question, please (insert a smile here)"

Quick, some smelling salts for Rachael please!

Yes, our boy won.

Oh for goodness sakes. Neither Nadal nor Federer are over.

They both lost very close matches. Nadal had chances to win the first set in his match and then kind of fell away in the second. Blisters? yeah and a very good JCF. Federer definitely had chances to win his match today and probably should have. I doubt he will use mono as an excuse and neither should his fans. But for anyone to say that Nadal and Federer are not big favorites at RG is stupid. I would put money on both Nadal and Federer in Best-of-5 matches. Had their matches been Best-of-5 here...I think both guys would have won, especially Federer.

I see Roddick pulled out his match against Robredo. Now we'll see if the #2 Swiss guy can beat Roddick too. That should be an interesting match.

Tim: which match?

Roddick - Robredo was a squeaker. Roddick made a minibreak stand up in a 3rd set TB.

Stepanek - Federer was one of those really odd matches where Federer won more points than his opponent in both sets, but still lost two TBs. So, no, not a clean kill. In that respect, a lucky ducky.

AMS is repeating the second set from 5-5, in case we haven't had our fill.

evie, I was just reading that now. It's ridiculous. I think some journalists just try to provoque players to see their reaction. What on earth is he supposed to answer to that. I actually think it's a rude question, and one no one actually expects an answer from (which therefore begs the question of why it's asked in the first place).

Man, we criticize some players here but once in a while we should take the journalists to task...

I think he's much more disappointed with this loss than others this year because he feels "back" and had leads in both sets at the end. And he can't understand exactly why he lost.

oh garglesnurf - that was nuts. I think I'm back from the edge..

Andy played so well, whatever P-Mac has been doing (a lot whipping and shouting most likely) it has worked. tactics spot on and playing with intelligence. rushing the net all the live long day, going for it on second serves, both when serving and returning.
also very subdued on court, just like in Dubai when he posted some massive wins, and vlike his momentous victory of Federer.
I agree with Whitney - he has been bagging some amazing wins since Connors left his corner. some shock losses too, but as we've seen this week, who doesn't have those?
Connors can be credited with a lot (reviving Andy when he was at an all time low, and strengthened the hail out of that BH) but he undoubtably brought a tonne of pressure along with him. Andy's kept the good stuff from the partnership, and totally revelled in a chance to go it alone.

also, a peachy off court life can't help matters.

I'm really proud of Roddick :)

commiserations to Roberdo, and well done on pushing him to three and taking your first ever set off Rowdy.

Congratulations to Andy Fans and commiserations to Disco Tommy fans

Somebody go check on Rachael.

Swiss Viking -- totally agree. It's a taunting question when the guy is down, particularly phrased like that. Unprofessional, imho.

Oh never mind - there she is!

YeeeeHaaaaw Andy!!!!
At least I can be somewhat happy for something today.

Tim, do you have the energy to bartend, or are you too depressed?:(

Myself, I need some serious counselling after the FishFace win. Or maybe I just need a whole bottle of something.

Got any Glenfiddich?

Beckham: re frazzling. I'm trying to be a bit more philosophical after the Kentucky Derby last weekend (when the second-place finisher had to be euthanized on the track after breaking both of her front ankles). As Boris Becker famously said, "It's only a tennis match; nobody died."
This doesn't extend to my actually being able to watch a match in which Federer is losing, but it helps to put it in perspective afterwards. At least our favorites (with mono or blisters or bd knees or whatever it may be) live to fight another day! And if they never won another match in their lives, it wouldn't be the end of the world either (I keep telling myself...)

Roger's answer should have been, 'check the rankings and you tell me"?

the guy just wanted a hot quote, it happens all the time...but i think its hard to imagine the pressure rog and rafa are under, eveyrone waiting for them to falter and then devour them ...

so Andrew the stats go something like this??

Lucky ducky
Squeaker
Clean Kill
Thumping
Thrashing
and there was the one rafa gave to grem but i dont remember what you named it points where 82% to 18% i think

I think Federer himself handled the TB question well:

Q. It was 5 2 in the tiebreak; what happened there? I mean, the first part of the match we can see he was playing very well.

ROGER FEDERER: Two good serves, so we have 5 4. So then we talk again and that changes already. Then I had one mini break in hand, and that's not a lot, you know. Maybe at 5 2 everything looks a little bit more relaxed. But if he serves two big serves, one ace of it, one service winner, I mean, those three points lead gets cut down to one. So that's not to exaggerate, but I had the lead, you know. Maybe at 4 1 he hit a good return to go instead of going 5 1, I go 4 2. Never hitting such a good return all match long I think on the forehand side on the ad side, so it just went against me, I guess.

Amit, there was one loose BH, I think at 5-5 in the second set TB. Most of the rest was good play by the opponent.

Hugs to all Roddick fans! Amit - thank you for the reply. I had asked that question as I was making the argument earlier that the mono induced halt to his February training is what was causing shot inconsistency and therefore the lack of mental edge/confidence or the coming and going of it a la Serena and Justine. But it appears I was so awed by Rogers sublime play for so many years that I didn't quite realize his shots came and went even when he was dominating. Thank you everyone!

Orpheo: :-)

Sounds about right to me.

"Connors can be credited with a lot (reviving Andy when he was at an all time low, and strengthened the hail out of that BH) but he undoubtably brought a tonne of pressure along with him. Andy's kept the good stuff from the partnership, and totally revelled in a chance to go it alone."

Spot on.

"Of some interest today is that Federer actually won more points than Stepanek, 88-82, yet lost the match. We all know that in tennis this is theoretically possible, but that it does not happen often."

Actually I've seen that more than a few times in matches that Fed has lost...especially when tiebreaks are involved because Fed is usually always IN the other guy's service game. In the first set, Fed was holding serve very comfortably and he was really pressing Stepanek - he just couldn't get the crucial break. He had mini-breaks in both tiebreaks and didn't hold on. On paper, Federer should have won that match.

These are the kinds of matches that just grind at you. I imagine it will take a few days for him to get over this one and the lost opportunity he had. Still, I imagine he'll take comfort in the fact that he has increased his points lead. Of course, all the pressure moves back to him as the defending champion in Hamburg. Nadal too since he has 'final' points to defend.

They're showing Fed-Mr Love while waiting for Djoko-Nico to start....:( And I can't bear to watch it again--

by the way where is Tari?? Tari: zillion of hugs and cookies!!!

and an interesting article about
the ATP losing money
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/58877

ha Whitney - I'm just about here.

debating whether to stick around for Nico and Nole actually.
have a feeling a Nole bashing might be on the TW cards, and I've had my fill of those.
but it's hang with the tennis or research a paper.. hmm...

for now I will bask in the glory of Andy and "little Andy" for a while. with some extremely loud Black Flag!

Well, reporters are trained to ask the tough questions. It's not all a love fest. But, yeah, is was awful for Roger and he handled it with great presence of mind.. "Next question."

A lot of people would have walked out of the interview.

Rachael - go with the tennis. lol

Off to run errands. I've put them off long enough.

Rachael, my vote is for tennis. :)

Wow--the players want in on EdV's contract renewal. Methinks that really means "this guy is so outie."

I think Djoko will be energized by Fed's loss and try to blast his way to the semis. No more tiredness b/c now it's impossible to lose to Roger. His confidence should be skyhigh even though he's playing Nico.

Syd: don't forget there was a please in there...ever the gentleman...

It's not the end of the world and it's only a tennis match but all the possibilites if he won were endless that's why this stinks...really really stinks...

actually I feel for the guys: starting play past 9PM...

it's friday night over here - I can't sit and watch more tennis. can I? although I definitely can't go out, according to my bank balance.
I'll dust off any persistant housemates with "I can't leave the house, such a huge workload" ... they don't need to know I'm not actually doing the work I should be.

a 21 year old student, sitting in her arm chair drinking tea and watching tennis on a friday night.
Nico better do something amazing, to make up for the tradgedy!

1.) Totally loving the Stevie Wonder music.

2.) The stands look really empty. Are they going to fill up later????

FS 2nd set TB:

1-0 F BH running pass.
2-0 F FH running pass
3-0 F ace
3-1 F BH long
4-1 S BH wide (33 shots, point of the match)
4-2 S forcing FH return
5-2 F ace (I think)
5-3 S ace
5-4 S serve winner
5-5 F BH long
6-5 something
6-6 S volley forces F error
7-6 S serve winner
7-7 F saves
7-8 S attacking 2nd serve return, F BH error on pass
7-9 S serve winner

Points 4-1 on are from memory. It was very good stuff.

what exactly was wrong with Rafa's foot? what the big gash from? blisters?

Congrats to Roddick making it to the semis and possibly further on clay! Regardless of how he does at RG, this has to give him confidence for this summer and Wimbledon!

Roddick and Blake beating Spaniards on clay...who would have believed it?! I think the Spanish Tennis Federation must now listen to the Spanish DC players about which venue will have the most advantage for them.

Come on Nico, win!

They are playing to empty chairs. What time is it in Rome? Why can't they start earlier?

Mt AMS TV doesn't work. Now I am confined to TVU coverage . They show AMS but with 1/100 of the resolution! I want my AMS TV Back!

**Hugs again to all Fed fans. He'll back as his majectic self in HAmburg ***

( I am still not conceding the Hamburg and RG to Fed! it's a fight!)

What if Wawrinka or Almagro win theis? Please GOG, anyone but Djoko!

I dont have the strength to bartend yet, but the bottles are all open, and there's plenty of ice... I suggest you skip the mixer, and maybe even a glass, and nurse the bottle for awhile... my cookie is almost gone so thats the direction Im goin...

all I can say is, Rome ain't Paris, and thank GOd for that!