Dem with one more serve,

Dem with error and nets,brain cramp

Hen 7-6

Now it's Lena's time to squander 2 straight points. MP for Henin.

henin with match point

Henin d Dementiava 7-5,7-6 (8-6)

zomg. epic match. too bad Lena had to lose this... sad face

What's that wonderful stream Karen mentioned somewhere else? Pagination makes it a nightmare to search for those things...

And Henin takes it with S&V. Congrats. But keep working on that pitiful toss. Wimbledon is only a couple of months away.

Demmy up 3-1 in the TB. She's pulling Henin wide on the FH side and she's missing a few shots. Looking at the stats alone, the UFE count of this match seems fairly high. Justine's defensive lob lands on the baseline, and she controls the point from there with a big FH. 3-2, Demmy leads. Lovely DTL BH from Henin, followed by a beautiful drop-half-volley. 3-3, Henin serving. Big service winner down the T, 4-3 Henin leads. 2nd serve, Demmy serving. Demmy BH DTL goes long, Henin up 5-3. Henin's FH return goes just wide, 5-4. Henin to serve to try to finish the match. 2nd serve. DF. 5-5. Henin BH goes wide, set point Dementieva on her own serve. Great point from Henin to save it, hits a FH drive-volley after a long rally. 6-6. Demmy's Mom is actually praying. Demmy slice goes into the net, and Justine has another chance to win it on her own serve. Is Demmy in tears there? Henin serving at 7-6. Good 1st serve, she S&Vs and puts away the BH volley into the open court. That was a gutsy move to S&V on matchpoint. Well done. Congrats to Henin. Not the greatest of matches from what I saw, but Henin will take the win, and it's heartbreak for Demmy.

Henin wins. Good win for her. I was hoping Elena could stretch it to 3 but at least she kept it close.

Phew I am Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man what a loss by Dementieva. She played so well to lose that match.

Elena Dementieva's service yips keep her from winning.

Justine Henin's service yips do not.

Two sets and rougly 3 grinding hours of ferocious competition.

Winning a second-round match will never feel so good for any player of Henin's caliber.

The sad ballad of Elena D continues.

We're gonna get our Belgian quarterfinal, barring something wild. Pass the syrup.

I hope Henin rests up for her next match. She looked a little spent at the end of the second set.

By the way

Who won Blake or The Elf?

Ja! Ja! Ja! The Queen of tennis serve was doing an Oudin(the future Evert and Serena) yet she still take it with her GREAT net game. What a fight Demmy, she played so well. Sorry to her fans. Allez Juju!

48% first serve? 8 DF for Henin?

Karin To me Henin looked like she was cramping

"We're gonna get our Belgian quarterfinal, barring something wild. Pass the syrup."

Can't wait for that one.

AM, Elf won. By a hair. Blake certainly didn't lose the match. Elf won it.

So only Cilic-Tomic remains. But I've got things to do. Later, folks.

Aussiemarg : The Elf. That match was something else. I'm betting it's not going to be topped all year as best match of the year.

Brilliant. BRILLIANT! So worth waking up for.

From Rafa's presser:

Q. Davydenko told us yesterday he never wants to be really famous like Federer or you. How do you feel about being so famous?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think you are or you are not. You want or you don't want, that's not an answer, no? You are or you are not. That's it, no?

I feel okay, no? I like my life. I'm feel very lucky to be where I am. And, sure, I work in my hobby. So not everybody can say the same. So I feel very lucky person.

Congrats to the Elf what a guy

Sad to see there had to be a loser

James from what i read,one of your best games ever.Bad luck

Oh Dementieva, I knew you would disappoint and you did not disappoint in disappointing.

Jackie,
Or staying up for :)

Now I really, really want to watch Tomic. Work calls... hmmm which call do I answer?

Smartest, by far, I've ever seen Blake play. (Did he finally get his diploma from Harvard?)

Plus Blake played most of the big points extremely well.

Liked his aggressively going to net. He got passed a bit and made some volleying mistakes but still won about 2/3 of the points where he was at net, better than he was doing from the backcourt.

Delpo, of course, was still ripping passers after four hours, when you might think fatigue would throw him off.

And, I generally agree with Matt Z.; since last year's USO series, Delpo, when healthy, generally serves extremely well on big points.

And the man has better touch than many believe.

See his last backhand topspin lob over Blake.

Or, more importantly, the topspin lob Delpo got over Rafa in the first set TB last year at Montreal. Probably won Delpo that tiebreak.

This has been a unique Aussie Open for Federer and the winner of tonight's women's match:

It's very rare when a draw provides a really tough matchup, followed by two comparatively easy matchups.

Beating Andreev might as well have been a third-rounder for Fed.

Beating Demmy might as well have been a fourth-rounder for Justine.

And hey, there, Samantha! Allez, JuJu, indeed! We just need Bob to come back and it will really feel like old times!

(Yes, for longtime TWibe members, I'm over the Mauresmo incident. That's done and gone, just in case you're wondering...)

Karen, didn't you mention a very good stream the other day? Can I have the link please?

Justine might have injured her quad. Unless it was cramp. That Delpotro match should have been on RLA, though after nearly 3 hours of tension with the women I don't think I could stand much more. Poor Elena, but just great for Justine.

Justine can beat Kim! Go Justine!

Tfactor, or that. :) And I got the JMDP/Blake awesomeness as a bonus!

Go for Tomic. You've made it this far ... ;)

I just want to say if anybody reckons womans tennis is boring

Get over yourselfs ok

bow to the power that is MA. he called this match, Justine over Elena, last week.

Jackie:

Championship Tennis >>> "Championship" (cough, cough, hack!) Football, Pro or College

Not even close.

phew..what a match...it really close. The stats really tell that they have such huge return games.

Henin's serve toss gives me the yips. She was serving harder than Dementieva all match.

Thanks for that little push in the right direction, Jackie :)

AM,
It was just a pity the two matches were on at the same time. AO tends to provide great matches both in quality and entertaining value.

what's with Bernard not taking off the jacket? he did the same thing at the exhibition. oh look he's wearing Rafa's shorts! LOL at least Rafa isnt the only one with fug shorts now.

Tomic won the toss and has elected to serve

Tfactor Yes how rude of these players,playing like this on the same time.pfft.

Oops that was supposed to be *entertainment* value

How do you guys cheer your players down under? AM, Mina?

In the mean time I'll say, Go Tomic

Kwaku, here it is
http://www.veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=4b1c080ee2173#
It is the Tennis Channel live stream. Unfortunately, it does not show tennis until ESPN is off the air. You can see replays of matches starting at 8 am each day

I think of the two Belgians, Kim may be the one who doesn't make it to the quarters. She's going to have a tough match against Kuznetsova in the fourth round. Henin's draw is a little easier to the quarters, provided she gets her rest.

Well Elena should have won the match

Justines serve was off.she served 4 d/faults in one match in the 1st set

Elena just could not convert them.She should have won the first set

Though all credit to Justine she is so mentally and physically tough

*faints* Boy wonder has the same shorts as Rafa

*faints* Boy wonder has the same shorts as Rafa"

LOL
Mystery solved. Now I now why I like this young man :))

MSF, well said on Blake. Most of the time his Plan A is to hit big, and when that doesn't work, his Plan B is to hit... bigger. And bigger. But today he mixed it up particularly with net play as you said, and most of his net approaches were timely and smart, two words I don't generally associate with his game. I hope he'll be able to use this experience as a career-building incentive and not as a self-flagellation toy. He's def still got the game to compete at the top.

Really off.

Tfactor We are this replusive chant

Aussie,Aussie,Aussie,Oi,Oi,OI,

I could kill the person who made it up

I think I am in love with Marin's brown eyes

Which kind of reminds me of Mario Ancic's eyes

Can't believe how hard Blake hits and how fast he runs for five long sets at 30. And Federer is already starting to look a bit physically feeble compared to these young 'uns at 28. Grr!

If anyone is looking for a stream for Marin vs Tomic
http://www.fromsport.com/video-155909.html

Apparently ESPN2 is not going to show it (they are replaying other matches) and my ESPN deportes finished its coverage too.

AM,
Ok then. I will stick with my Go Tomic!
He gets broken to start the match. Cilic serving 1-0

VC I will have Rogers movement any day,even at his old pension age lol!

Thak you Karen.

Congrats to Henin fans. Sad for Demi:(((

& congrats Elfie fans/commies James fans.

WTF - Tomic in exactly Rafa's outfit (but with the white shirt) ??? Way to go Nike, let's make Rafa even less distinctive, no?

Ladyjulia: I loved that Rafa quote. Also liked this one:

-------------
Q. Is it difficult for you?

RAFAEL NADAL: Difficult what?

Q. One year ago you were a king, and this year will you win. Many questions about you.

RAFAEL NADAL: You made the questions.

I feel very happy what I did in this sport. I still having really happy with what I am doing. With 23 years old, having 15 Masters 1000 and six Grand Slams is more than what I expected all my life. So everybody can tell, but these titles are as home, so nobody gonna take me these titles.

Sure, everybody can talk, but I still working as much as I can to be in the top. And, sure, there is lot of very good players. But, you know, I always do all in my hands, and nobody can ask me more than when I do all what I can do.
------------

Marin keeps on making these fh errors...on no pace Tomic shots. hmmmm

ESPN2 believes its viewers would rather watch a replay of the Roddick-Belluci straight-setter instead of live tennis.

I need some sleep.

Later.

OK we have live tennis and yet we are subjected to the Roddick match. Great going ESPN. You are just a total joy

Crap Tomic, your lateral movement needs to improve ASAP

only one player can serve at 33-36 percent in a set and win against a player the caliber of Dementieva and that's Justine. Her game is so excellent she can get by with that serving like nobody else and still hold the match on her racquet. Women's tennis hasn't felt so good since she's been gone, it was thrilling to see Justine perform her magic, she breaks all the rules, dominates with low serve percentage, crushes winners and serves while standing under 5ft 6 inches.. amazing

Remember:

PO'ed about ESPN2 coverage?

Tweet Josh Krulewitz of ESPN Public Relations: @jksports

Let media members, like Neil Best of NY Newsday, know, too: @sportswatch

Aussimarg : I know, but still. I guess all those 80+ match seasons and Slam runs between 2003-2007 must be adding up.

Matt Zemek. Thanks for that *goes off to reactivate twitter account.

VC I will take some of those wins and slams off Roger any day,let me tell you.Dad said to me even when Laver was on the decline his overall game was still head and shoulders above the rest.

How funny is that? I go to reactivate my twitter account and it comes back saying that twitter is over twitted right now, I should try back later - hmm

I seemed to have missed something of a firecaracker btw DelPo and Blake. Good to hear Blake got his "spine and head" back.

Kind for sorry for Demmy. Bad draw.

C'mon Tomic break back!!!

Feet too slow to that ball,Bernard but I like you thinking

I le Pascall Maria as a umpire

The Aussie fanatics are in the crowd,Lleyton must have let them cheer for Tomic tonight.

Typo, that should be Aussiemarg.

Going by wiki, Blake has played 498 matches in his career and Federer has played 839. That's quite a difference, showing that successful players have to play a lot more. However, Blake did miss large parts of 2004-2005 through terrible injuries so he could have played a lot more.

Yay! Tomic breaks for 3 all.

I found a Spanish stream and the commies giving Tomic much love :)

Boy wonder breaks,Tomic has great hands,he has good off pace,though needs to think a bit more win applying it.

Quick hold for Tomic
Cilic to serve 3-4

VC have you read Blakes book,I cried in parts,after that horrid accident and his father dying of cancer he displayed soo much guts by getting back into the game.Also he didnt start his tennis career till quite late.Playing tennis in college then thought I would like to have a go on the circuit.

Aussiemarg : No, I haven't. But I know that he played a lot of college tennis and made an amazing comeback after everything he went through. He played so well today, I wish both players could have gone to the next round, ah well, that's tennis. Stupid draw.

Aussiemarg : No, I haven't. But I know that he played a lot of college tennis and made an amazing comeback after everything he went through. He played so well today, I wish both players could have gone to the next round, ah well, that's tennis. Stupid draw.

Sorry for double post.

Henin's net game was on tonight. She still constructs points beautifully, despite the rust.

Henin Dementieva
Winners: 43 23
UEs: 57 50

Hello all. Happy for Justine, but wanted Blake to win.....

Cilic good thinking making Bernard move forward and gets the error

Pfft rain has started to fall,they should close the roof.Pronto

Tomic holds 6-5

Tomic had 2 b/points

Cilic brings it back to 30 all

Brain snap Tomic,now decides to challenge,no challenges at the moment,will get extra one in the t/break

T/break now for the 1st set

Tomic 1 point

Blah loopey shot down the line,it goes out

Cil 2-1

Tomic to serve

Tomic 2 all

Tomic good volley

Tomic 3-2

Cil to serve

Cil 3 all

Cil with one more serve

Cil missed 1st serve

Tomic with a down the line shot.pfft loose shot

Tomic 3-4

Cil shot hits the net,u/error

4 points all

Toic with one more serve

Tomic 5-4

Cil to serve

Cil 5 point all,good f.hand

Cil with one more serve

Cil 2nd serve

Brain snap Tomci

Cil 6-5

Tomic 6 points all

Tomic with one more serve,2nd serve

U/error by Cilic

Set point for tomic

Too bad ESPN refuses to show this match.
Here is a 17yr old holding his own against the #14 player

Tomic takes the first set

Tomic 7-6 (8-6) 1st set

sorry type pad cut off my final post Blah

wow..Tomic takes set 1.

Cilic to serve 1st,in the 2nd set

TFactor, what is so sad is that this match has two players who have a little bit of a storyline. Cilic is being touted as one of those players who may give DelPo a run for his money (at least according to Pete) and Tomic is a young up and comer who has been in a war of words with a veteran of the ATP tour. You would think since ESPN loves gossip so much that they would have revelled in this match, but no. Also, Twitter seems to be down right now, what with Haiti having another large aftershock, the Democrats losing Massachuset (sp?) and ESPN having *hit for brains right now, and Henin beating ElenaD, not surprised Twitter is over capacity. Who knew

Cilc at the moment cant handle the off pace that Bernard is giving him

Karen,
Yes it is indeed sad. It's not as if this is a meaningless match by any means...
I'm also waiting to give ESPN a piece of my mind via Twitter

1 game all,2nd set

TFactor, methinks you may have to wait in line for that one. It would seem that because Tennis Channel has to be on air at 8, ESPN felt that it would be better not to show a live match, but a recorded one to make up the time that they have. How stupid can you get? I recall AO07 I sat up all night watching a match between Federer and Tipsy that started off one day and finished the next day. During that time everyone who was a fan of tennis was here at TW posting, ESPN went all night, straight through Mike & Mike and everything. It was marvellous. I think the Hewitt/Baggy match was that same night as well. ESPN got rave reviews for that. I guess they felt that once a decade was enough for us.

I'm glad I found this Spanish stream, pretty good quality and with the added bonus of getting a bit of commentary on Spanish players now and again :)

So far, impressed by Tomic.

Wowser f/hand down the line

2 b/points

Tomic gets the break

Tomic 2-1

What was Tomic's ancestors country of origin? Croatian, Serbian? Just wondering how that would be affecting the supporter, what with Cilic being in the match too

I am impressed with him as well. He plays a controlled aggressive type of game. Does not go for the big shot at the outset. Just takes his time and constructs the points. This is causing Cilic no amount of angst as he is used to hitting the ball hard and flat and having his opponents do the same.