Hi all! Can't stay long but wanted to wish everyone a great tennis day.

Is JJ staying with Vee or is Vee staying with JJ? Depending on how they're playing. Haven't seen a point yet.

Hope to be back later;))

OK, I'm late and nobody's here??

Going to check elsewhere.

A fair analyses of JJ's game. Inability to hit winners, largely dependent on opponent's errors, weak serve and inability of her game to absorb even a small amount of errors. Kom sa, Caro.

I would disagree with Moriau that the girls on the WTA can learn anything on JJ's serve. I think they would want to advoid copying it as much as possible. It's a liability.

I would disagree with Moriau that the girls on the WTA can learn anything on JJ's serve. I think they would want to advoid copying it as much as possible. It's a liability.

Vee's forehand is way off today.

I liked the analysis of the differences between the two randomly selected groups.

One other difference for me was that I wanted all four in the maroon group to win -- "old" favorites, all of them.

hi guys... good day!!!

just a note, Venus seems to be making a lot of UFEs into the net. (Usually her UFEs drop just outside the lines, don't they?) She got treatment on her knee a few times. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Samantha Elin, Venus is making more UFEs than usual off both sides, right? Think she's injured?

adicecream, I hear you. It would have been nice to see all maroon players in the semis. :)

First set to Jankovic -- may be that those who gave her the edge because of freshness were correct. However, never count out a Williams. Mental toughness is important!

Both Safina and Zvonareva have won Olympic medals. They may not be gold, but they still count.

Thanks Bobby! Finally sat down and turned on TTC.

They keep referring to Venus getting treatment earlier for her left knee and that may be the cause of some of the errors, e.g., her serve.

I'm sick of JJ waiting so long to challenge, checking with her box and talking to her coach. JJ had two winners in that first set and Venus had 23UFE. TWO!

Venus 15-23 Jelena 2-10 winners to errors

Jelena to serve 7-5,0-1

15-0 Venus FH long
30-0 Jelena Ace wide
30-15 Jelena get to short ball but sails reply long
30-30 Venus reads Jelena short shot and gets to net and hit FH for winner
Jelena 0/4 and Venus 7/10 at net
40-30 Venus FH wide
40-40 Venus swinging volley winner after hitting BH deep to ad side
A-40 Venus FH long
Jelena holds as Venus nets BH return

Venus to serve 5-7,1-all

karin1492, you're right about the Olympic medals; thanks for pointing that out. I'll correct that.

Sveta is there, waiting for the reward from the sisters:)
Samantha,
I thought you of all people would understand that a player must try to win a match with the weapons she has. And if she cant hit many winners, she can try to win with consistency. After all, Caro does that quite often.

(Posted again)

Samamtha - Yes. But that's the nature of Vee's game. Not sure why JJ is particularly worthy of derision for seeing that Vee's not in top form and taking advantage of it. To roughly quote a wise woman (Serena, actually): "I don't care if I beat my opponent or she beats herself. As long as she's beat."

sblily, is that Serena quote from 'On the Line'? If so I love that it's coming in handy. :)

Well, i qute like Eva Asderaki, and i think she was right there. JJ seemed to be waiting for Venus to hit the ball before asking for the challenge. If she was gonna challenge, she should have done it earlier.
But that didnt bother her, as she played a series of good points with her BH to hold.

Jelena to serve 7-5,1-2

0-15 Jelena FH wide
15-15 Venus FH wide
15-30 Venus wins the point
Jelena waited too long to challenge as Eva said no
30-30 Jelena BH winner
40-30 Venus FH return long
Jelena holds as her BH is too hot for Venus

Venus to serve 5-7,2-all

*waves at Arun*

Re: Steffilegs-gate... Yeah, I would've LOVED to have been a fly on the wall when Brooke first learned of Andre's and Steffi's coupledom. Esp because, IIRC, Andre has previously spoken about having a crush on Steffi for -years- before they started going out.

Ooh Venus had that first set at 5-4 0-30. One question I have, why is the FH wing the weaker wing for most WTA players? On the men's tour you rarely hear commentators say the FH is the weaker side. But with the women most of them have better BH's than FH's.

Yes, Bobby.

Yes, Bobby.

Bobby - Another great post. Thx for taking the time to do it! V. interesting re: maroon/white stats. Didn't realize that the draw was quite -that- lopsided.

And yes, that quote's from OTL. :)

Big lost chance for JJ in that game, after Venus started playing horribly and gave her 3 BPs. She had a look at a BH DTL in the 3rd one, but sent it to the net. And later, at deuce, she had an easy FH putaway close to the net, and sent it straight to Venus, who answered with a great lob.
That game may cost JJ in the future.

Venus serving 2-2
2nd serve, DF#4 0-15
2nd serve, FH error wide by Venus 0-30
DF#5 0-40
nice deep FH by Venus 15-40
big serve down the T 30-40
another good serve, JJ misses the BH DTL deuce
Ace#6 down the middle ad in
a good serve, comes back with pace, error by Venus deuce
2nd serve, a nice return JJ comes in and Venus scrambles for the lob winner
game point
Venus comes in and JJ can't make the pass
game Venus 3-2

Come on Miss Vee

mellow yellow,
I think it's becuase they have it easier to generate more power when hitting 2-handed. Of course, there are players who dont have weak FHs.

JJ having issues with the umpire

Jelena serving at 7-5,2-3 after missing 3 chances to break

15-0 Jelena BH winner
30-0 ???? (College football pregame shows on and discussion is happening around me)
30-15 Venus BH winner DTL
30-30 Jelena FH long
30-40 Jelena nets BH after Venus return hit the line - Jelena challenges but to no avail
40-40 Jelena passing shot winner after playing great defense as Venus was approaching to net on good shots
40-A Venus BH winner DTL
40-40 Venus BH long
40-A Jelena FH wide as she is forcing Venus to hit one more shot while Venus came to net
Venus breaks as she blasts FH winner

Venus to serve 5-7,4-2

She lost a chance, and now she pays for it. JJ managed to save 2 BPs, but couldnt do anything in the 3rd. She looked very disappointed to miss that lob in the last deuce.

That's the way, Vee! Now hold.

I really like Vee's hairstyle. Much better than the short Aunt Bernadette 'do she was sporting.

hilarious, sblily.
Did you read the excerpts from that book (SI link) that was provided in the other thread?

is there a link to this match pls?

Venus serving 4-2
big deep serve 15-0
another deep serve 30-0
another first serve, JJ makes the BH error 40-0
2nd serve, BH error by JJ
game Venus 5-2

Great Vee keep this up

No t/breaks for goodness sakes

This Vee fan just partcially unclenched.

Sblily
+1 on Vee's do.

AM: http://www.fromsport.com/video-102476.html

Also, watching the Lyon SF.
Llodra seems to be truly back in form.

Venus clearly didnt want to waste too much energy in that game, specially considering she still seems to have some knee issues.
By the way, Venus sure has looooooooong legs.

Jelena serving to stay in the set 7-5,2-5

15-0 Jelena service winner
30-0 Venus BH return DTL wide to deuce side
40-0 Venus FH return long
Jelena holds at love as she hit smash winner

Venus serving for the set 5-7,5-3

I must be the odd one out

I loved Vee's hair when it was cut short myself

Thanks Arun

Arun - Which book? I've already read all of OTL, and I'm trying (unsuccessfully) to remain unspoiled about Andre's book until I can read it myself.

*waves at aussiemarg* I TOLD you so Re: Marat! *pouts*

Closes eyes

Come on Vee,get that serve going

Is it just me or is Venus beginning to slice more.

incredible forecourt play by Llodra.

And Venus takes the second set, 6-3. She sure didnt want to have any trouble in that last game, with a couple of service winners, and i particularly liked that slice that caught JJ completely wrong-footed.
Since this is going 3 sets, i'm afraid i'm not gonna be able to watch much of the Hott Woz versus Serena, which might be a good thing, since i think Serena will have her for dinner.

sblily I blame bloody Haloween for Marats downfall

Major Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Venus serving for the set 5-3
big serve 15-0
2nd serve, Venus changes direction with the FH DTL forces an error 30-0
Venus hits the change-up slice BH JJ is befuddled 40-0
big serve Ace!
set to Venus 6-3

Sblily,thank you for making me spill water all over my blouse talking about Vee's old hairdo,lol!*runs to change*

Yay Vee

Come on dont Go Walk About in the 3rd Set

sblily: In that case, feel free to remain unspoiled. I meant "Open". :)

go vee!!!

Jelena serving to start the final set 7-5,3-6

15-0 Venus nets BH
30-0 Venus BH return long
40-0 Jelena FH winner
Another 3 setter b/w these players. Think that makes it 9 3 setters in 10 meetings
40-15 Jelena CC FH wide
Jelena holds as Venus FH sails long

Venus to serve 5-7,6-3,0-1

Well, that was a good start of the 3rd set for JJ. I was fearing things were gonna go down fast for her now, but she seems ready to keep fighting.

Some players take too long to challenge; others avail themselves of so much on-court coaching I wonder how they might have fared in the days when it wasn't allowed.

Bobby,

That is one mighty fine piece of tennis writing you just produced. Loved the "Last Woman Standing Tennis" line, a fluid yet forceful bit of prose.

Thank you!

And as for the women of the WTA not smiling, I'd merely reference the already classic words from the excerpts of the Agassi autobiography that were made available online in Sports Illustrated:

"I've seen that look.

(S)he hates tennis."

More re: Andre. Stairwell Cassanova (or the player formerly known as Boris Becker) says that the meth confession may be the most shocking thing he's ever heard in tennis.

http://tinyurl.com/yh9rmtr

Heh. Andre has really done something special if even Boris Becker is clutching his pearls.

Yes Vee I agree

Move

Think about the serve,especially the 2nd serve

hey Pete,

Safina has an Olympic silver....

Venus gets broken, and i think her knee is acting up a little bit. Some of her shots in that last game have looked very unbalanced to me, specially some serves. JJ must push now.

Mr. X - YES re: Vee's legs. I think she has the best legs, definitely among current players. But after what happened to poor Brooke, I'll be careful about who sees my fitness inspiration pics of Vee.

*sigh* WTH was that, Vee? Oh, dear.

Ahhhhhhhhhh JJ breaks

Venus gotta move those feet

Come on now break back

Venus serving 0-1
2nd serve, into the body, return error 15-0
big serve, Venus has JJ on a string, but misses the BH volley long 15-15
2nd serve, FH error by JJ 30-15
big serve 40-15
2nd serve, DF#5 40-30
2nd serve, FH error by Venus deuce
big serve, a great BH CC approach, then a low FH volley winner ad in
2nd serve, BH DTL return winner deuce
2nd serve, DF#6 break point
big serve down the T deuce
ace out wide game point
BH error by Venus deuce
2nd serve, FH is long by Venus break point
2nd serve, FH error by Venus
game JJ 2-0

JJ is spraying d/faults now

"JJ must push now." Indeed Mr.X

sbilly
Heh. Andre has really done something special if even Boris Becker is clutching his pearls.

LOL!!!!! thats quite an image

vee break her... that's your only chance....

Sorry I meant Bobby, not Pete. And great piece: lovely spatter gun observations....

Jelena rallied from 40-15 to extend the game and eventually break and now serves 7-5,3-6,2-0

0-15 Jelena DF
0-30 Jelena DF
15-30 Venus nets BH
30-30 Venus FH wide(bad footwork and first serve looked long but no challenge)
30-40 Jelena BH long
Venus breaks as she hit volley winner with a combo of deep BH and BH approach DTL

Venus to serve 5-7,6-3,1-2

Arun - Hee! Well played (re: "Open").

Venus breaks back. That was very bad, JJ. After getting a break and with things looking good, you just cant start the next game with 2 consecutive DFs. She managed to get to 30 all, but that horrible start caught up with her in the end.

Yes she breaks back

Come on Vee,lets focus and Move those feet please

Gosh i left at 4 all in the first, glad Vee won a set but not sure if shes got the stamina to gut out a win her knee looks pretty tender, she cant push off on it at all. Hope she can though, go Vee!!

Samantha,
I meant "push" as in "keep putting pressure". Come on, i dont think you should be calling JJ a pusher. Do you like it when some people call Caro a pusher?

Miss Vee and her knee still not good,hoping she can get it right with the up coming break

JJ having a whinge to herself

Yay to Vee (and Mama Lindsay) for giving the Asderaki time warning the response it deserved. Pfft.

sblily, I was just thinking the same thing about those time comments from Asderaki. The comments were unnecessary at that time -- especially to Venus, who's not nearly one of the worst offenders.

Very good hold for Venus, as i think JJ was trying to go for more with her shots in that game, as proven by the first 2 points she won. However, she paid for that FH error at deuce. Her face after missing that one showed that she knew it was an importaqnt point.

Venus serving 1-2
the chairump was telling Venus ,on the change-over that she has been taking too much time. Venus pulls a Taxi Driver" you talking to me!!?"
2nd serve, Venus comes in hits the OH then the droppa winner 15-0
winner by JJ 15-15
big serve down the middle 30-15
ace 40-15
2nd serve, Venus goes DTL ,JJ goes behind Venus catches her leaning 40-30
2nd serve, Venus hits a nice approach but misses the BH volley deuce
2nd serve, a nice deep FH draws an error from JJ game point
big serve , inside out FH winner by Venus
game Venus 2-2

Samantha: like you, I don't care for great defenders like JJ and Caro being called 'pushers'....I would never refer to attacking players as 'ball bashers'. JJ and Caro have proven that great defenders belong with the elite group of players. Good luck to your girl today.

Wait, what?! Caro has an ab injury too?

Jelena to serve 7-5,3-6,2-all

This is their first meeting since Venus won their 3 setter at Doha SF in 2008
84 points each won by both players

0-15 Venus BH winner DTL
0-30 Jelena DF
2 hrs 10 minutes elapsed
0-40 Jelena DF
Venus breaks as she hit FH winner

Venus to serve 5-7,6-3,3-2

Take her down Vee. Vee breaks. I think Italy will beat the US in three straight matches.

And another break for Venus. JJ is not gonna win any of her serve games if she keeps making 2 DFs in each one of those. Great shots by Venus to get the other 2 points of that game though.

That last FH from Vee just made up for all the UFEs, what a beaut.
Now for consistent play to the end...hoping.

Great break by Venus

3 games in a row

Lets hold serve now Miss Vee

Oh No

Miss Vee has picked up JJ disease

What, sblily? An ab injury too? Boy, she's gonna look like the mummy ou there today. And i'm afraid Serena is gonna show no mercy.
JJ is not done yet, as this match turns into a break-a-thon, with JJ breakinga again after a spectacular BH passing. However, she also had some help from Venus, who joined the DF frenzy.

Thanks for the match call fuzzy.

Come on JJ!

Ahhhhhhhhhh Oh No

Breaksville again

Miss Vee,Nooooooooooooooooooooo

Go Vee,keep it up;)

Venus serving, up a break 3-2
2nd serve, DF#7 0-15
2nd serve, DF#8 0-30
a forceful BH DTL shot by JJ 0-40
a BH DTL pass winner by JJ
game JJ 3-3

Jelena serving at 5-7,6-3,3-all

0-15 ?????
0-30 Jelena CC BH passing shot wide
15-30 Jelena FH effective as Venus could not handle
30-30 Venus FH long
30-40 Jelena BH long - sounds like Jelena screaming before ball gets to Venus at times
Venus breaks as Jelena FH sails wide

Venus to serve 5-7,6-3,4-3

Now hold Vee, just hold. Ja du kanst.

Mr X - This is the first I'm hearing about it. Mama Lindsay mentioned it a few games ago -- thought she was misspeaking at first, but she kept going on about how Woz could barely serve in her last match, etc.

And yet another break for Venus. This match is completely unpredictable now. They just exchanged errors in that game, and in the end it was JJ who missed more.