LOL nt, I believe is the Dorothy nick

La Monf is looking do. Hopefully, he can do well at RG again. Just the right kind of game to trouble Rafa on clay...maybe if they meet before the quarters.

*do = good.

they haven´t met on clay in a long time.
might get interesting with this new and improved (is he really?) version of bambi.

is this match Monfils being good
or Acasuso being bad ?

looks like a combo platter to me , from what I have seen
granted- I just joined in

Monfils really struggling in this game

beth, yeah, Chucho had a bad start. But, Monf has been holding quite easily, before this game.

Isn't it kind of silly to have the pretty girl holding the umbrella behind you? I'd wanna take a gander.

Has Bambi ever taken a set playing Rafa on clay? I'm being real here I actually think if Rafa is healthy for RG he is going to win it. Watching this tournament I can see the difference of Rafa's game from other clay courters no one can really play like him it is just amazing.

Poor Chucho, he loses the first set. He just looks so sad on court no wonder he wants to retire from tennis. :-((

you just never know with Monfils
he seems to come and go throughout a match
incredible athletic talent - but not so tough mentally

Also Flavia beat Venus at the FO last year, that will give Flavia a lot of confidence.

CL, that was a sweet 9:40 to Bismarck.

Hi Beth, Naughty, Pspace, and all our wonderful Twibe members.

Did you guys see the cool Monfils pic that Greenhopper posted earlier? Gael looked like a longjumper. :)

*maybe if they meet before the quarters.*

bambi would have to be ranked 13 or lower to make this possible.
looking at his ranking breakdown till FO... unlikely he´ll drop that low imo.

Pspace - be sure you never play the tour event in Madrid then, with the Hugo Boss model ball girls
you would be in real trouble there

Chucho always looks so down to me - one of the reasons I just cannot be a real fan
he just oozes negativity

Is the Tennis Channel going to show the women's final tomorrow night? I had no idea that Acapulco was being televised -- and I'm loving having live tennis on my tv.

Dorothy?
as in...
Chuco, we are not in Kosovo anymore

"waves to Sherlock "
any idea what "page " that photo was on

Honey badger is Snoo Foo's.

Bambi did beat Rafa but that was on hardcourts and 3 set format, but on clay is different on clay players are so intimidated by Rafa. On hardcourt players actually think they have a chance but on clay not so much.

Stella, nope, he's not taken a set. But, the last time they played was in Rome '06. Both have gotten better. I dunno...it's really a headscratcher for me that someone has been so dominant on clay...I feel like he's due to lose...of course, nothing about his current form indicates that anyone can even take a set.

Stella, Does Chuchoo really want to retire from tennis? I was thinking if Nalby is not going to play DC if he is ill, then maybe Chuchoo can take his place due to his good play over the last month.

Stella,
nadal and bambi met two times on clay so far,
2005 monte carlo R64 6-3 6-2 nadal
2006 rome SF 6-2 6-2 nadal

I hate that woman on these Progressive . com ads
she just annoys me

totally OT , of course

for your viewing pleasure.
http://tinyurl.com/ankmmr

down a break already... achucho.

Oh, ok Rosangel.

Hi, Beth! :)

Page 5, 6:57 PM.

Stella, I believe that Rafa and Gael have met twice on clay? It's been a while though -- I think Monte Carlo 2005 and Rome 2006? At any rate, I know that he didn't take a set off Rafa because Doha was the first time he'd won a set from Rafa (and obviously there he took two, as he won the match).

thank you ,Sherlock and greenhopper
he does look like a track athlete in that photo

"achucho"
Quite right.

I think Monte Carlo 2005 and Rome 2006?

AmyLu, are you another one with a large database in your head? Jeez...how do you guys remember these things. I have a hard time remembering anything other than Fed vs Rafa.

Angel,Yes a couple of days ago I translated a Chucho interview when he said that he wasn't enjoying tennis, that he hated all the travel, that he missing being at home with his family. He said that he will probably retire in a year or two at most.

"achucho"

jeje...I just got that.

*missed

Thank you all for the answer

*I have a hard time remembering anything other than Fed vs Rafa.*

how do you cope with life then? jejeje.

Pspace, I have a really good memory for remembering kind of inane stuff -- such as records, meaningless trivia, stats, etc. I don't really know that it gets me anywhere in life, except for the fact that I'm normally a pretty good team member at the trivia nights bars sometimes have. :)

how do you cope with life then?

It's still called "life", eh?

we have some amazing posters with great memories here
or they are really quick to google things :)

Maybe Bambi can clone himself to play Rafa, in the video someone posted this morning Rafa was practicing on clay with two hitting parners at the same time.

Pfff, It seems the Spain and France are going to conquer Nueva Espana again.

"I have a hard time remembering anything other than Fed vs Rafa."

I'm with Pspace. I can't even remember the Masters winners. And pre-Fed, it was really bad. :)

What's this commentator's problem with style over substance? Dude. Winning is not everything! Sports is part entertainment! Showmanship matters! Did you have a sponsor?

Sherlock, yeah. Anways, this is why they invented computers. Don't have to remember anything ever again, except for what to google.

So, typepad must like Acasuso because it keeps eating my posts.

Really? The commentators think Acasuso would normally outlast Monfils in long rallies? Am I the only one puzzled by that comment?

Pspace :) you always make me laugh or bring a smile to my face with your comments.

Pspace :) you always make me laugh or bring a smile to my face with your comments.

Am I the only one puzzled by that comment?

Nope. I'm also puzzled about how this guy became a commentator.

This commentator is an idiot I have my stream on mute. I miss the ESPN deportes commentators there really good, they actually talk about the match that is being played and shut up during the points.

Pspace, though I must admit, I was a complete baseball stats geek growing up. :)

WTF? The Foo Fighters. * puts stream on mute again

Not that I don't like Chucho, but he took out Disco just to get trampled by Monfils? I was at least expecting Acasuso to give Gael a tough time.

more with the baseball :)
what is it about baseball that brings out the most remote stats in the world

I remember vin scully going on what day about a pitcher that was virtually unbeatable on wednesday night games
where did he dig up that bit of trivia ?

I have totally lost interest in this match
it is just painful to watch

Stella I thought the commentator made a good observation. Maybe they are bored so they will talk about anything else except the tennis.

I always think that Chuchoo looks stoned with his doeful look.

He he he. Well done, Beth. I think Vin could fill volumes with his baseball trivia knowledge. :)

That reminds me...only another month or so before I get to hear Vin call the Dodger games on my cable baseball package. Cool! :)

""I always think that Chuchoo looks stoned""

Angel, yeah. Maybe that's why he wants to retire. Damn WADA won't let you smoke some pot or do coke in peace.

Acasuso has this perpetual hangdog look about him, even when he's winning points. It's as if he fully expects his game to unravel at any moment and when it does it's like he's going through the motions of throwing his racquet on the ground, etc...

Sherlock - very true
but it doesn 't look like he will be telling us anything about Manny

Vin does know more interesting baseball trivia than anyone I have ever heard

This match is drawing towards a merciful end
please ,Bambi , finish this

Angel Chucho looks like one of the hippies that I saw when I visited Uruguay. They were selling things on the street in a kind of market they had on Sundays, when they were closing and finish getting there things they started to smoke some weed right there in front of me on sheer daylight it was like 4:30pm.

Going back to the article Vie linked to - wondering how Laver/Borg/Agassi reinvented the laws of tennis and what Mr. Federer needs to pick up from these gentlemen.

I truly don't know what happened in set 5 where Roger folded right after winning the 4th. I doubt anyone does. But one cardinal mistake we make is to assume that Fed-Rafa matches are on one person's racquet. They simply are not. Both of these guys are constantly reacting to each other all through 5 hours, which makes it so very compelling.

Rafa has done a few things to put himself in a advantage when he plays Federer. First, he has just become a phenomenally well-rounded tennis player - improved serve, more economical movement, improved BH, more aggression into the court. Basically, the equivalent of the German football team that never ever makes mistakes on the simple things. Second, his team has studied Federer's game like religious text. At this point, Rafa knows Fed's offensive patterns by heart. Andrew, as usual wisely, mentioned that Nadal systematically took away Federer's inside-in FH during the first 2 sets and that has to be something carefully dissected on the practice courts.

Federer has shown no indication that he has studied Rafa's game in a similar manner; certainly not to that extent. Federer appears under-prepared when facing Nadal, because he sort of is. Given Fed's ungodly talent in hitting a tennis ball, he can still go 5 with a 50% serve stat but Rafa is just better prepped for these duels. As a Fed fan, I truly hope Roger realizes this.

God, that was long winded !!

I always thought Chucho looked homeless, but that's just me. :)

I will say do find it pretty easy to just tune out these commentators. Although the pronunciation of Almagro is incredibly grating...

oh chucho.
you've been bamboozled.

Amylu that was funny. I don't think he looks homeless just scruffy. Now I don't mind scuffy but not on him. Obviously his model gf doesn't seem to mind it at all as she hasn't tried to clean him up.

Sorry chuchoo.

"I always thought Chucho looked homeless, but that's just me."
LOL, Amy Lu!

I think Chucho is really good looking, even with his I don't take a shower look.

Ok people I need to get out of here and go and get some food.

Catch you all later.

OT - For those interested, the fashion police for the oscars are on on E ;-)

Bye Angel.

I'm off to get some sleep is almost 1:00 am here and I want to wake up for the Dubai final. Good Night/Day. Ferru FTW

Amit, Oh c'mon. Fed's reinvented the laws of tennis as much as anyone. He's had his four years of glory, and it's going to be patchy henceforth. The field has caught up to him, imo, and he's too old to make significant adjustments in his game. Also, I don't think it was strategic error that cost him the match, just one or two points here and there. Hardly need to go soul searching after a 5 set loss.

I hope he has a few stellar and lucky days left to get two more slams....which I think he will. But, he can play his best tennis and still lose (as to Nadal in Wimby and Murray in Madrid).

R O G E R F E D E R E R
O _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O

R O G E R F E D E R E R
O-------------------------O

R O G E R F E D E R E R
O-----------------------------O

'morning, evening anybody 'round?

Wow.

Amit's 11:39 post re Rafa and Roger and AO 09 was spot on imo. really nice analysis in my book. But can't for the life of me figure out what Pspace's graphic is supposed to mean.

hope there's live tennis at 5 am. fingers crossed.

nope. not 'til 9 am tw time

hello all

9am TW? that's gonna be um,lemme see... approximately... really late for me :)

Hey Annie, I'm sort of here and on the DC thread.

Sadly - no tennis. :(((

And mina! :)))

Hello everyone!

cannot wait for Ferru-Nole and i hear it's at 9 a.m. TW time? I shall return then :)

Hello is there anybody around?

I have just watched a sad dvd and I need someone to talk too.

whaere are the folken??

Tursnov and partner lost the first set. Ok I think I might call it a night.

Lol that Raffuh foto. Playing a stroke and looking like he is having one. Turn around boy and let me take a good look at you.

oh AA just when I got here. I get the message. Sleep well.

Hey Angel, aw sorry I missed you! I've been around, just lurking and had to head out for a bit.

I thought the final was due to start soon?

Hey nT I think they are all asleepin. The doubles is on in Dubai and I am losing interest fast.

god how does typeBad do that beheading thing and why?

No I am still here have been trying to fill in my time do useless things and trying to stay cool. It is 11.10pm and it is still really hot and a light sea breeze.

OMG I am in blue for now.

oh my God Bush is going on a speech making tour... aaaaaaaargh. God help our poor battered language, just when it was in recovery.

AA get some rest then. I will jump under the shower beforthe Dubai final.
catch you later

grrrrrrrr typeBad this is war!!!!

I might return if not Vamos Honey Badger.

have a good evening Angel and feel better (after the sad dvd watching).

Oh boy looks like the dubs is going to a super TB.

tursunov and de voest with the dubs win. bring on Nole and Ferru!!

Hi Pete,

As I was reading your column last week (and cheering you for having the courage to state the obvious), I wondered how much backlash you'd get. The reason you got so much is that you were 100% correct. To continue your analogy, if you wrote that nobody does clay-court tennis like Germans or Swedes, readers might write in to say that you're off your rocker, but few if any would accuse you of stereotyping.

I enjoy reading your columns. Thanks for writing them.

Sharon (Jerusalem, Israel)