Kate - now you have me thinking about the Good Morning burger from the Simpsons, which consisted of

18oz ground beef patty
6-8 tbl. of rich creamy butter
8 stripes of bacon
4 slices of ham
3 fried eggs

Sounds like the Rafa/Dent match was no great shakes but at least Rafa got through.

Darn- neither of the fellows I wanted to win (Jurgen and Nando) won their tight matches. It seems like Nando has been frustrated lately- he is stalling/regressing and that has to get under his skin

Has any channel showed aDinara's press? She must be thrilled, this is great for her confidence, maybe she will be a sleeper for the USO!!!

Master Ace, I only saw parts of the match so I cannot make a fair assesment of her serve, for what I saw she was serving with a good first serve percentage and effectively, but I did not see aces or service winners. As to her forehand I saw her hitting it as she usually does, I did not see any change, her shots in general were loopy today perhaps as a result of the excessive top spin that Patty uses in her shots.

Hmmm I will Have to watch Richards game tomorrow then.Not fussed about his opponent though

Beth wont be either.

Hey Jax, thanks for another great report. To answer your question, Rafa's english has improved alot over the last couple of years. So it makes sense you are understanding him better!

Dinara's presser might be posted on the Rogers Cup website. If not there, check you tube.

Carrie: Well, we have the Simpsons Donut Burger, so the Good Morning Burger will be next.

Urgh. Trying to add up the calories on that one, but my in-head calculator won't go that high.

After Murray beats Chardy and then Gulbis, who is next on his list?

Pleasantly surprised that Ernie pulled that one out - when I saw that he was down 2-4 in the TB, I thought he was a goner. Wish I could have seen that.

what is up with Hott sauce? How on earth is he still in the top 10?

yay for Ernie pulling out a tight match! A year ago, this was definitely a match he would have lost.

OK, guys, I know this has been alluded to, but I can't resist posting Murray's Vogue shoot with Mario Testino.

http://tinyurl.com/337zypd
http://tinyurl.com/36f8gac
http://tinyurl.com/3xeadcz
http://tinyurl.com/2urpdpc

And my personal favourite:

http://tinyurl.com/35xcabt

I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion .... but he's gorgeous. I always thought so, but in a 'I find weird people attractive' way.

The accompanying article is a lot of hideous tosh. I thought I'd never read anything worse than that description of Rafa's biceps being ripe aubergines or something, but comparing Murray to a rutting stag? Just edges it. But it had this which I liked:

"I prod him to talk about clothes because I guess he maybe doesn’t think about new trends in menswear all that much. In a voice like Atlantic breakers dragging on gravel, with the Scottish accent giving him American-style clarity around the R area, he says no. “I don’t, actually. At all.” He is more of a “shorts-and-T-shirts guy—I spend all my life in them because of playing.” But he liked getting dressed up. Mario had to tie his tie for him: “I had no idea how.” He must have black-tie gear in his wardrobe, though? “I don’t, no.” But doesn’t he go to black-tie dinners and stuff after the Wimbledon tournament finishes? He says, “You do if you win.” Right. “The stuff was really nice. Really, really nice.” I urge him to expand on “nice”—like, what was nice about the tux he’d had on? He says it had a darker stripe down the side of the leg.
OK. This young man is not prickly, grouchy, grumpy, humorless, or miserable: He is deadpan funny."

http://tinyurl.com/3a4gb4m

Anyway.

/Murraymania

Verdasco did have set points in that 2nd set

As usual his headcase tendacies previaled

G. Well Murray did have one of the best Fashio Photographers on his shoot in Mario Testino.

AM, you know I'm completely fashion-impaired.

But I am grateful for that last photo. Eternally.

G lol!

"but in a 'I find weird people attractive' way"
LOL. At least you admit you have a problem.

Murray's not bad as long as he isn't smiling (or grimacing).

Mammamiamurraymania - you're gonna turn us into Murray fans with that last one

Hi AM!!!!

im excited for RAFA to come here to new york

he better play good here:P wink wink

Murray can't say that his PR firm 19 hasn't been trying to build his popularity. I don't know if a fashion shoot will help to overcome his lack of a personality.

Not a good way to start a match against John Isner who is not likely to drop his serve ...

Nam1 - I think Sauce played too much earlier in the season. He hasn't given himself time to let his injuries heal and now his game is crap and he feels like he has to play more to make up for all those early-round exits. He's become part of the soft underbelly of the Top 10 -- technically in the Top 10, but ripe to be picked off by any player having a decent day.

Wish he'd take off next week and focus on getting healthy (or healthier) for the USO, but he'll probably play New Haven. *sigh*

*dies laughing @ Muzz trying to look all hott*

Geeks FTW!

I think Murray has grown to be an attractive young man. He does not look his best when smiling though imo, is so pale that he makes the term “pasty white” seem like a vast understatement and can take some unfortunate pictures when he is in action where he looks like a zombie searching for brains. But- I think he is attractive. He has nice cheekbones and can look very handsome sometimes. He does not make my knees go weak the way say Pico of the Magical Hair can (but really who does)- but I think he is nice looking.

Frances Will you be going to the USO at all?

Demmy cruising in her match.

Elena takes the first set 6-2 while Victoria leads 6-4,4-1

If John was to somehow defeat David, ESPN2 will be hyping him like he is the player of 2010 when he plays Novak tomorrow.

By the way

Doug Adler hates Head Racquets

Master Ace-you say that like that is a bad thing. Go Izzie.

MA: that's so true so let's hope Nalby takes him out.

Rant to Tracy Austin: Every single player who steps onto a tennis court, regardless of their rankings. Regardless of who much money they have made and regardless of their accomplishments steps on to a tennis court with one thing in their head and one thing only. They want to win.

It is not for her to speculate as to which players put in more effort more than others. The ones who have made millions off the court are blessed with wonderful agents and have a look that advertisers like. The ones who make their money the old fashioned way are just as hard working as the so-called glamour ones.

The ones who turn up and win major tournaments do not do so because they are lucky. They do so because they put in the hard work off the court. Hard work that you, Tracy Austin, and many others of your ilk, are not invited to see.

It is also very vulgar, Tracy Austin, to continuously point out how much money players are entering and whether or not they have mortgages on their houses or to speculate on national tv during the airing of an international tennis tournament as to whether a player is getting a mortgage or not to pay for a house. That is none of your business and is downright vulgar and very unsophisticated. Polite and well bred people do not discuss these things in public.

Finally, Serena and Venus Williams do work hard. I will even go so far as to speculate that they work just as hard as many of the women on Tour. They have many business interests that they have to oversee and they still find time to compete at a very high level in tennis.

End Rant

If John actually beats Nalbi it would be a good achievement as Nalbi is well known as on the tour's best returners of serve. The matchup with Nole though would be more interesting if David plays rather than John in my view.

Anyone knows if JJ is hurt still or just was beaten fair and square?I'm really stunned of her hardcourt record so far this summer?what's up with her?

If you are a WTA fan and wants to see Montreal live this week, please catch a live stream as all matches on ESPN2(except for maybe on Sunday) and Tennis Channel will be taped delayed.

ESPN2 will cover Cincinnatil tomorrow from 12 to 4(Djokovic and Nadal should be featured) and at 7(Roddick or Federer should be featured if they win today)

Well ... I obviously think Murray is attractive. Not in a pin-up perfect sort of way - which I often find a massive turn-off - but in an interesting, real way. I like his awkwardnesses and imperfections; they're compelling.

But then I like his personality, too, and I think he has the game to win a Slam, so there may be no hope for me at all.

El Rey, meanwhile, gave up his first service game as he likes to do and is now paying for it.

Is this the first matchup between Nalby and Isner?
I wonder if Nalby needs some time to adjust to the angle of Isner's serve.

From Murray's Vogue interview "But doesn’t he go to black-tie dinners and stuff after the Wimbledon tournament finishes? He says, “You do if you win"

Poor Andy...why would anyone ask him that , do they not know that only the winners dress up and go to the "Champions Dinner" at Wimby? UMMM that why its called Champions Dinner!!!

Victoria vs Na tomorrow from Montreal

LOL - WTF is that? an haute couture life jacket!

http://www.vogue.com/blogs/voguedaily/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/andy-murray-2.jpg

Congrats to Carlos Moya and his girlfriend, Carolina. :)
http://tinyurl.com/25b8ahh

Robbyfan,
I just stated my opinion and typed from ESPN2 experiences whether it is a good thing or not.

I wonder if it was Nalbi who chose to serve in this match or if it was the other way round because those distractions in the first game and his double fault therein cost him dearly.

gauloises: Are you British?

Master Ace: I can guarantee that if Roddick wins today, ESPN is going to feature that match instead of Federer. BTW who does Roddick play if he wins tonite.

How To Lose Yet Another Tiebreaker

The Abridged Version

English Translation

by

Fernando Verdasco

1. Take control of a point with a good down the line passing shot, then roll your forehand into a once open court, so Fish can intercept the ball and steal the point.

2. Float a slice backhand long in a neutral rally.

3. Hit double fault no. 6, so that double faults exceed aces for the match.

4. Expletively yell a string of expresslies, in honor of Brad Gilbert.

5. Hit a forehand long in a neutral rally.

6. Flail helplessly in the direction of a Fish winner, which ends the tiebreak and the match.

7. I'm done.

Roddick would play Soderling or Hewitt tomorrow if he won

I have it on good authority that jacket Murray is modeling is what sheep shearers wear in the Highlands of Scotland. Good on him for promoting Scottish tourism!

Oh Isner got his ankled torned or something poor him but Nalbi is not in a good position niether as he was serving to stay in the set ...

msf, didn't he call them "explicits"?

LOLOL crazyone! :)

Yes I am, wilson75.

Master Ace: Thanks, well for sure ESPN will show Roddick. Federer, if he wins will be playing Kohlshreiber, aka a player not know in the US.

TeamNadal:

it's a weight vest for fitness training

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3408561

Anyone have a stream for Isner/Nalby?

sblily I am watching it on Tennistv.com

Isner is seriously injured? Or just taking an MTO?

gauloises: I thought so.

BTW, I am too.

Kate I do not know if it is serious or not I guess not, it did not look to bad the way he twisted it. My selfish concern here is for David not to lose the little rythm he got in this match.

crazyone:

You're probably correct.

I couldn't do full justice to the Gilbertian malapropism due to a failing memory and lack of time to fully research.

I settled for getting into the spirit of the Gibertism.

Damn. Isner just retired.

Bad luck to John.

David vs Novak tomorrow

Gauloises, I've always thought Murray was very good looking, and that final photo you posted was HOTT. There's no accounting for taste, but I think he's objectively handsome and I'm floored when other people don't think so! Thanks for the Murraylove. You're not alone.

Play-by-play of Isner injury/retirement from Greg Couch's Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/gregcouch

Hope Isner is okay. Tough break for him.

Isner retired? I feel guilty now because of my anti-Isner-ness.

I would not have guessed that, wilson75.

Poor Isner. He looked gutted. A brief but nice exchange with Nalby at the net. Nalby came, quite literally, up to his waist.

another blow to Sam-Isner double team's quest to qualify the year end champ. Ankle injury to Isner mean no double team later on today. Since French Open where Q-man quit, this has not been good on them. They were way in top 8 and now, will be out of top 10, obviously. Their chances at US open doesn't look good, either. Shame...

*high fives Kristy for Murraylove*

You have excellent taste :)

QueIsner team is about 250 points behind top 8 double team. They won't getting any point this week and chances are they won't be getting much points at US open, either. Once promising double team is not looking good...

Meanwhile, the object of my affections has been serving at around 20-5% this set, the rascal.

It'll be less amusing when he loses this set for no apparent reason, because it's not like Chardy's exactly lighting up the place.

1 hr 9 min for these scores

Elena leads 6-2,5-4

Yanina leads 7-6(5),1-all

Sorry to read about Isner and also about Henin.

Love the Murray pictures, Gauly! I am in the "quite hot" camp as well.

magaroni, only the best for Andy....his is made of the finest silk!

Think I jinxed Murray by starting to pay attention...

This Murray-Chardy encounter is rapidly devolving into the worst match I have ever seen.

And I watched Dementieva-Petrova at Wimbledon 2008.

I feel like watching a WTA match in this Muzz-Chardy match. 6 straight breaks. Double faults all over and no one can put in 1st serve...

See Andy could not close the deal on Jeremy

Gauloises @4.30pm,

Did you miss Murray-Monfils last week?

I can't help but speculate some of Murray's morose appearance may be in part to the horrors of his childhood.

No, Amit, I watched it. But I swear to Blind Io, this is actually worse than that second set against Monfils.

Muzz has such a lack of focus in these matches. It's like he's determined to play down to the level of his opponent.

Nothing could be worse than that USO semifinal we don't mention around here.

Jenni - Do you mean USO quarterfinal?

Can you mention it enough so that I know which one you mean, Jenni?

TB! Just make it stop Murray.

Kuzzy-Szavay?

magaroni, only the best for Andy....his is made with the finest silk!

Andy, wake up please!

Come on, Andy!

Maybe the Vogue coverage has wrecked his focus.

Gauloises,

Well then. Didn't think one could top that...maybe it is a Murray/Frenchman thing.

Maybe he's giving up tennis to become a model.

It was Kuzzy-Chakvetadze, but yes. It was godawful.

He hasn't lost to a Frenchman since 2007.

And people say he isn't a true Brit.

Nice pics, G. :)

Murray's a good looking guy. Interesting chap, too.

And no, I'm not British.

Jenni- what USO match????

In terms of angst my personal worst.match.ever was the 2009 FO ladies final. Seeing Safina collapse like that elicted several primal screams on my part.

Was Caro finally able to serve it out against Patty? :)

from twitter:
Serena Williams says:
# I will be participating in a @niketennis event on the 25th! For info visit: http://go.nike.com/06mnubol 5 minutes ago via web

The event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126466830732358

oh right. Chaky. Like Szavay, her game is just...

Apparently, Muzz and Chardy were trying to win this set. then tried losing it.
now they don't even know what they want anymore.

Well, that was just about the worst thing ever.

It can't get worse ... can it?

Shame, Muzz.

Well. Chardy is making life difficult for Murray.

Will Chardy be to Murray what Murray was to Fed in 06?

Murray serving like crap again.

So we go to a third! And I probably fall asleep somewhere in the middle.

Is it bad that Genepri is one of those players that I forget exists until I see his name on the scoreboard? I call it the Seppi Syndrome.

Looks like Andy wants to be sure that the spectators get nice and boiled- onto a thrid set.