Play has started about an hour ago.

Wednesday Order of Play:

WTA: Montreal started at 11 AM - Radwanska vs King(LIVE on tennistv.com) and Safina vs Petrova scheduled
ATP: Cincinnati started at 11 AM - Troicki vs Djokovic, Ferrer vs Querrey, Berrer vs Gasquet, Benneteau vs Wawrinka, Verdasco vs Fish, Melzer vs Gulbis and Kohlschreiber vs Falla scheduled
WTA: Montreal at Noon - Schiavone vs Makarova, Pennetta vs Kleybanova, Wickmayer vs Szavay and Date Krumm vs Bartoli scheduled
WTA: Montreal at 12:30 PM - Azarenka vs Kirilenko to be followed by Bacsinszky vs Kuznetsova
ATP: Cincinnati at 1 PM - Nadal vs Dent to be followed by Chardy vs Murray ending with De Bakker vs Roddick
WTA: Montreal at 1 PM - Schnyder vs Wozniacki(LIVE on tennistv.com) to be followed by Zakopalova vs Dementieva(LIVE on tennistv.com)
ATP: Cincinnati at 2 PM - Nalbandian vs Isner to be followed by Ginepri vs Davydenko
WTA: Montreal at 7 PM - Clijsters vs Mattek-Sands(LIVE on tennistv.com), Bammmer vs Kanepi and Rezai vs Zheng scheduled
ATP: Cincinnati at 7 PM - Federer vs Istomin and Soderling vs Hewitt scheduled

Thanks for reminding me that this is late, MA. ;)

Enjoy the tennis, guys!

Djokovic, Ferrer, Gasquet and Benneteau wrapped up the first sets in Cincy.

Fabulousness, Jackie - always love your press conference reports - thanks! :)

Hm...Sam Querrey's shirt looks like the sort of thing my biro might create in a moment of boredom.

For a minute there I thought Ferru would get broken back but he managed to hold and serve out the set 7-5.

Thanks Miss Jackie Great reporting as usual

Thanks for the James Blake report.I listened to his pressor courtesey of Sblily.I hope when James takes the break after the USO he can make up his mind will he keep playing on.He mentioned he had injuries he was still struggling with.I wanted to give him a Big Hug.Wish James all the best.

I agree with Rafa 100% in 08 he was mentally fatiqued when he arrived at the USO.In the s/final against Murray his shot selection was at times "very unlike " Rafa.I knew in half way through that game he was gone.Considering the Olympics that year and he did win the gold medal with little time to recover.I think being mentally fatiqued is worse in cases than being physically fatiqued.If your mind is not reacting on court you are basically gone.

Cant wait for your next report.Thanks Miss Jackie.

Yesterday, when I was yapping about Benesova next playing:

Kimiko

Date

Krumm,

I obviously misread the draw. As MA has pointed out, Kimiko next plays Bartoli today.

I meant no disrespect to the talented Ms. Bartoli, her family, or her tens of millions of fans across the world.

Either he WTA website has bleached Vania King's photo considerably or I should seriously adjust the color settings on my TVs and computer monitors.

The Italian Doctor, Valentino Rossi, goes to the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati, next year. Should make the MotoGP season, even more interesting.

Ferru breaks the heartthrob of SoCal ladies and UT students, Sam Querrey, and will serve for the first set.

Reason Juanqui gave for missing Cincinnati was illness. Apparently, Juanqui will get no prep tournament b4 the U.S. Open. Hopefully, he'll be able to give his left knee some much needed rehab and rest.

SoCal's most eligible bachelor barely misses an inside out FH on a second break point, then a FH he usually would put away at deuce, and Ferru is able to hold for the first set.

Fun thread, Jackie. Nice coverage.
Thanks!

AM, I'm actually back home so no running for me. But it's actually three of my favs - Safina's playing too. *drinks*

Jackie,
Thanks for your reports.

Jenni,
Did you have fun in Cincinnati? Ouch, on the 3 favs playing at the same time.

"Physically I'm perfect. Remain two weeks to broke everything."

OK, that's a great line :)

Thanks so much, Jackie. Brilliant stuff as always.

Jackie,

Hope you have a great time at Cincy!

For Fed fans,

Some one has made a slow motion video of Federer's shooting the can. It looks nice in slow motion.

From 1.26 min onwards (and you might want to mute and watch):

http://www.youtube.com/user/Meepo91

Agnieszka served for the match but failed. Vania to serve 0-6,3-5

Looks like Stan doesn't play Rafa 2 weeks in a row. Down a set and break to Benneteau

Jenni LOL! I thought you were going to Cinncy

I guess I am not 'stalk free"

Drats!

MA, I did. Wasn't there very long, but it was fun. Have a new favorite in Zeballos - his match with Kohlschreiber was easily the highlight for me (no, really). Good shot-making and the serving was unbelievable.

Shuts eyes Safina has a Set Point

AM, I did go and now I am back. LOL.

Love your "colorful" and insightful reports. Thanks.

Jenni,
Gauloises would be pleased with your post. Did you read where Vera won easily last night and will play Yanina or Agnes tomorrow?

Dinara finally takes the set 7-5. Nadia 1/10 BP

Fantastic reporting Jackie! glad you got to talk to john about rasslin - +1000

safe trip home.

Novak, David Richard and Julien is leading by a set AND a break in Cincinnati

*faints*

Safina took the 1st set

Raises Glass In Hand to Jenni and runs off to the fridge to make sure I have enough alchol for the 2nd set

Onion has a new fan! Brilliant :)

Did you enjoy his quirky knee-bend on the serve, Jenni?

Berrer broken again. At least my daughter likes Gasquet as well.

Maybe she should root against Berrer. (Stop the jinx? Join the throng?)

If anything marvelous, unexpected or miraculous happens with that match, please do post the news.

Agnieszka breaks to win the match 0 and 3. She will face Timea or Svetlana tomorrow.

Fun report, Jackie! *is disgustingly jealous*

Vamos Ferru...

Now that you mention it, he did do a weird bendy thing and then stop a couple of times, like he was losing his balance. I thought it was just a nervous tic...

Jenni - so glad you had fun , even if it was a quick trip
Jackie - as always , loved your report . Keep up the good work!
So glad you got to talk to John Isner about your shared wrestling love :)
and I love the " I don't understand nothing " quote
I can just see the eyebrow and the furrowed brow that went with it

vamos Ferru ! and Allez Richard !!!

What's wrong with Wawrinka?
Nothing against Benneteau but I'm surprised by the score!

scoreboarding - me , too
Apricot bars is having the season of his life !

and Kate - what is it with daughter's and Gasquet ?
mine adores him too
as does AM's daughter

Looks around to see Jenni's "evil side way glance"

Thanks again Jackie! Enjoyed your descriptions of the pressers. I think Rafa's English has improved vastly, even in the past months as he is cleaning some words up...he no longer says "pression" but "pressure", for example.

Allez ! Gasquet up a double break now

Oh, Jackie - Nole gives good presser! Thanks for your updates, sorry you missed that.

With Rafa, your aptitude for ESL has surely improved - which is an important talent to have. Even though obviously English is my first language, I find I can use ESL when I'm traveling.

The All-Serbia match has gotten unexpectedly tense.

Nole wake up for goodness sake

This 2nd set from you is below par

scoreboarding: I'm guessing he's decided to take a rain-check on his 3rd meeting with Rafa after last weeks meeting.

AM, I'm too busy frazzle-drinking to worry about it. But seriously - Julien loves this tournament and seems to do well here. I have no idea why that is...possibly the breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Kate and Beth,
Richard has that quiet persona that attracts daughters before mothers catch on.

FH winner by Ferru, serve return at Querrey's feet, Querrey DF, and a sprayed BH by Querrey.

Ferru breaks for 2-1 lead.

Ferru hitting his FH well on this court.

A comment from Rafa's last press conference out of Toronto, I found interesting. He said that he hadn't been serving at full speed, due to a fear of hurting his abs, like he did last year.

Not sure how Rafa and is physio try to prepare his abs so that he doesn't hurt them in his matches.

Big serve, then big serve/big forehand combo saves two BPs for Ferru.

No Hawkeye, so Ferru cannot challenge close call.

Ferru saves another BP with big FH.

Querrey and Ferru trade UFEs, back to deuce.

Another wide serve, xcourt FH by Ferru.

Querrey blasts FH long. Ferru up 3-1.

Sam's down a set and a break to Ferrer? My scoreboard stopped working.. I like Ferrer, a lot, what's kept him from further success, mental barriers?

Beth,

At the beginning of the match he seemed to be in control so I wasn't even looking too closely but then the wheels seem to fall off. I hope nothing is wrong with him physically.

Great to see Gasquet about to complete his seocnd victory here. Two games away.

Ekaterina is up an early break on Francesca while Tim's new favorite player in the WTA,Alisa, is on serve with Flavia.

Jenni I have always maintained Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Julien thinks so to by the sound of it.Good for him

I expected a tighter match between Ferrer and Querrey. Good show for the Spaniard so far.

I'm surprised about Querrey-Ferrer. I had David to win but I didn't think it would so easy. Sam's tanking again or is it that he's not as good as people say he is?

Thanks Jackie! Sooo jealous

"he no longer says "pression" but "pressure", for example." :(((( Hate that

This 2nd set in the Nole match is so up and down.

Allez Julien

2 favs to go Jenni

Jenni,
Look like Julien will have a Center Court match against The Rafael Nadal Invitational and Williams-Federer Classic champion tomorrow(I do not see Taylor winning no more than 8 games today)

Heather - His head and the usual limitations of a guy who's 5'9, 150 (being generous) playing against guys who have 6 inches and 30+ pounds on him.

Ferru now serving to consolidate the double break. Working Sammy over. I love it.

Hell it will be Me v Jenni again.pfft.

I saw the Roger ad outtake and it was fun. but my vote is that it's not real. the banter
seemed too 'scripted' and it was hard to see. but love the idea of it just like the murray one.

"he no longer says "pression" but "pressure", for example." :(((( Hate that
~~~~

But he's added "comparations" so it's a net win, no?

GB: I hate that a little too...but probably better for him, no?

Master Ace,
Taylor may just surprise you later, or not!

I thought Querrey may do better than this since the tournament is in the US, or is it that for him is California or nothing? Does he get homesick in Cincinnati too? I wonder.

Beth and MA: For my daughter, it's Gasquet's net game. So exquisite (when he's on it).

I love "comparitions" Sblily. :)

My fav Rafa pressor still is

"I lost by accident"

That shold be in a quote book all of its own LOL!

Jackie -
If you're at Fed's presser tonite, could you pls ask about the Gillette video?
Inquiring minds want to know . . . OK, I've become a bit obsessed

sblily : He's always hated the comparations. If he loses that too, I might have a hissy fit...

Nole, you really don't want to get broken here, no?

I remember reading something about Querrey maybe not liking heat? Or was that someone else? Anyway Ferru is a good returner, no? Among other things. Haven't watched much but if Sam's serve is, say, a little off I can see someone like Ferru taking big advantage.

Testy interview, huh? Interesting, I thoughth is Toronto post-match presser was decent one. I wonder whether he's feeling tired and not exactly confident about his chances here.

No one asked him about the shot?!

"Heather - His head and the usual limitations of a guy who's 5'9, 150 (being generous) playing against guys who have 6 inches and 30+ pounds on him."

Agreed. Plus I just don't think he's as naturally talented as a lot of these guys. He's a good example of maxing out your talent.

Allez Richard 5-2 and serving for the match

Jewell, Dolgopolov also has a big serve so he's gotten used to returning the bombs. He likes that GS court a lot.

AM - Don't forget about "amazing disaster." That's another good one.

Speaking of disasters... Double MP for Ferru. That was quick.

Oh yes Ferrer is a solid player and his winning is not surprising. The score in the second set though is what makes me wonder about Querrey and his commitment to the sport. I'm probably just judging him by the FO fiasco.

Lollipop If you are around for Noles match.I have noticed Nole is bending his arm more on his service action.Its not as striaght as it was a couple of months ago.

Though he just did a d/fault when I said that lol! his 4th soo far.

WOW. From Twitterverse:

DrewLilley: Justine Henin's elbow is healing but the process is slower than expected. She doesn't want to take any risks so is shutting down til 2011.

Querrey's first serve percentage in second set has been 33%.

Querrey gets into 0-40 hole. Ferru gets look at more second serves, wastes three BPs.

Another BP and Ferru breaks.

Querrey has hit a couple of impressive dropshots in this match. That's about it.

Querrey hasn't been returning Ferru's first serve well. Altho Ferru only has one ace, Ferru has been hammering Querrey's short returns.

Ferru's FH much stronger than Querrey's.

Two errors on smashes by Querrey and he's looking at two match points.

He saves them both, the second with S&V.

Querrey holds. Ferru to serve at 5-2.

sblily LOL!! I forgot that one

Yes indeed that can also be added in the book.

Nole´s forehand winners are quite impressive and lethal. I say that is the advantage of his game and a weapon difficult to counterattack or defend unless you are Rafa Nadal in a good day.

"runs off to the fridge to make sure I have enough alchol for the 2nd set"

lol

"I wonder whether he's feeling tired and not exactly confident about his chances here."
I thought about it too. I vote 'All of the above'.
His go_to place during such a situation is defensiveness (or sometimes passive-aggressive attack). A worrying sign.

Oh, yes - "amazing disaster". Everybody's favourite Rafa quote.

Both stunned and stoked for Benny. Allez Lamb indeed.

Ferru, loving your work today as well.

I really need to try to get home ASAP if I'm going to catch Nalbandian.

Nice victory for Richie.
If he can win against Verdasco, we could have a Murray-Gasquet QF. Should be fun.

sokol Welcome good to see you here.2 Russian ladies playing each other.Both with "you know what tendecies" lol!

Ferru serves it out at love. No muss, no fuss. Sam can't get off the court fast enough.

And Gasquet is in the third round! scheduled to play either Fish or Verdasco

A Murray Gasquet quarter final would be great indeed. So Ferrer won easily in the second set? no surprise after seeing how Sam blew it when having to easy balls to break back Ferrer and get into the tiebreak.

Allez Richard and onwards!

good job, Richard
winning two matches in a big event is a nice step forward for his game

MA - I think you may be right , except this mom did catch on :) but he was still a very pleasant young man to deal with
Kate - I am not sure that his game on the court had much to do with my daughter's attraction
It was his off court game - or lack of it - that she found quite endearing
although she has since become a fan of his play when he is on
she gets very frustrated - as do many of his fans - with his off moments

Now , for his sake , let's hope that Verdasco and Fish stay out there a long , long time in the summer heat

off to take my mom to the dentist
hope to be back to catch some more action later

2 Russian ladies playing each other.Both with "you know what tendecies"

pulling for Dinara in this one, she really needs some good wins

Yay Ferru!!! Although my frazzle isn't helped by the fact that Rafa lost to Sam in practice yesterday...

That return from Nole seemed way out but Victor did not dare to stop the point.

sokol I like Nadia.Though I want this win for Safina

Gulps!

Arun, Or - I third your thoughts on Fed's presser...I have a feeling he's going to go out early here (pre-semis) and back to #3 for USO...hope he proves me wrong

Vamos David!

Ok Jenni you nearly on a Hat Trick

Dinara only has 2DFs in 2 sets? Is she serving underhand?

"I like Nadia.Though I want this win for Safina"

same here :-)

Nole's forehand winners are indeed lethal - but his UFE count has been terrible. Viki's stats haven't been any better, though. Hopefully this beast of a match will end with this service game - it's been so ugly, I won't watch a third set.

I obviously missed that presser by Fed. What did he say?
I was actually thinking he may win the whole thing!

Sshh Jenni

Whatever works ok

oh-oh, third set for Dinara and Nadia. Davai Dinara!

Hmmmm Safina we are going to a 3rd set

No real surprise there.

3rd set b/w Dinara and Nadia while Rafael and Taylor will start shortly

Chardy - Murray could be interesting no?

Congrats Nole though 2nd set was a little below par with your game.Though you played better when you were behind.

btw, Davai Katya and Alisa!