CPM -- I'd beg to differ about that Fed/Nole '08 SF -- four pretty tight sets as I recall. Actually, I'm more concerned with Youzhny's ability to put up any resistance. No surprise, I suppose.

CPM, "king is dead" was not Nole, but his mother. Important distinction imo.

WTA Final Preview:

(A-7)Vera Zvonareva vs (A-1)Kim Clijsters

Zvonareva road to final: Kucova, Lisicki, Dulgheru, Petkovic, Kanepi and (A-2)Wozniacki
Clijsters road to final: Arn, Peers, Kvitova, Ivanovic, (F)Stosur and (A-3)Williams

Zvonareva(Dr. Wind) has made her 2nd consecutive Slam final by winning all 6 matches in straight sets capped off by getting revenge for her loss at Montreal against Wozniacki, who had won 13 matches in a row and 19 out of 20. She has kept her emotions in check during the last 2 Slams and in her last 2 matches, she handled the wind very nicely and executed her match plan yesterday against Wozniacki. Zvonareva has won the last two matches against her opponent today in Clijsters. Clijsters is on a 20 match USO winning streak with her last loss being to Justine Henin in 2003. In her last 2 matches, Clijsters play have been up and down but when it came to the crucial points in the 3rd set, she has came up with the answers. Jamaica Karen raised a good question on whether to call Clijsters a USO HC specialist since V Williams has been called a Wimbledon specialist.

Prediction: Vera Zvonareva finally gets her first career Slam

And Carnap, I make my home dress to when I go out, those girls from Little House on the Praire have nothing on me. I even wear the matching bonnet.

ActionFlunky,

Hmm, maybe my disappointment with last year's Nole/Fed match bled into my recollection of their '08 match. And I just don't think there's much reason to suspect Youzhny/Nadal will make for a compelling contest, so I'm not really thinking about much that one. I've got a fan's concern, of course, but ... it's not a compelling match-up in the way a #2 vs. #3 contest is.

Kwaku,

Of course you're right, but though his mother said it -- and I'm sure Nole never would've -- it seemed a nice summation of what his attitude was meant to convey.

"so I'm not really thinking about much that one."

FYI, all, I'm still only half way through my first coffee.

Hi Everyone:)

Aussiemarg- Are you here? I'm still gutted this morning and was sick all night. Vee did me in something terrible.:(...

Rsquared - You're my hero! I Love you and you cant't do anything about it either!=P hehe

I did my Rafa prayer when I got up because if he hurts me today, I don't know if I can handle it! LOL

Vamos Rafa!!!

My heart goes out to all the people who lost their lives and their loved ones on this day.

In honour of Super Saturday, an article that suggests it time to get rid of it. I tend to agree.

http://opensource.si.com/2010/09/10/tradition-of-super-saturday-trumps-fairness/

Morning all : Apologies for O/T for a moment. I would just like to remember Margaret S, my friend, who made me a much better person for knowing her.

I'm going with Vera too and that is not beecause I don't like Kim, I do and have supported her plenty in the past. But Vera struggled so much last year and I just really want her to win her first GS.

Hi Lynne!

It would be fantastic to see Vera win a major,so I'm with you! ;)

What makes me think Vera can beat her is that unlike Venus, Serena and Sharapova, Vera can handle the less powerful Kim. Less powerful when you compare her to three big power hitter. Also, she has beat her in their last two match. Vera went on won't give her the same errors she got from Vee in the second set. And also Kim looks shakey on serve.

No new thread for the semis?

Morning everyone!! It should be a good day of tennis today. :)

O/T: It's weird to think that that I can not remember what I did earlier this week but I remember every detail of that day. Earlier this morning the sky was as blue and crystal clear as that day and it was a bit eery. My thoughts are with those who lost someone and with those who's family members are continuing the fight overseas.

Hey Neveah : How are you today ? I'm still a bit upset about Vee going out too.

Hi Heather! :)

Lynne - I didn't sleep well because my stomach was in that knot and it still is. Venus tore me up! LOL

Hi Neveah! :)

2008 was a bad year for Nole's PR machine even though he won the AO. His chest-thumping, over-celebrating attitude was hard to take, as was hir mother's pronouncement that, "The king is dead." Adding to the misery was his run-in with Andy Roddick and the subsequent nasty comments to the USO crowd that year. What should have been a banner year turned into a nightmare of his (and his family's) making. It's not easy to dig your own grave.

The Nole we've seen since then has been a somewhat whipped child instead of the braggart to which we were accustomed. He's done his penance, worn the sackcloth and ashes, humbled himself before Fed (especially at last year's USO semi), and worked diligently to win the approval of the NY crowd (witness his hitting with Johnny Mac last year, and his witty/pithy comments during his on court interview with Brad Gilber this year).

I'm a Fed fan through and through, but I actually long for the old Nole to be resurrected. Chalk that up to not being one to kick anyone when they're down, even my enemies. Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Wow, today is September 11, when you think about it, a lost of a tennis match by your favorites really doesn't mean much in the scheme of thing.

Hi Heather. Yes, it's always a very sad day in New York City on September 11th. Working in the area doesn't blunt the pain, either.

@Samantha - It puts things into perspective for sure and I thought about that.

Remembering my friend who passed away today on this day, September 11, 2001. She was one of many whose body was never recovered. Rest in Peace my Friend.

I agree SamE, on this day it seems a bit of a waste to continue to discuss something as ineffective and that will not change the world like tennis.

I am out for the rest of the day. Good luck to everyone's faves. May they all play with professionalism and exhibit good sportsmanship, because after all, this is nothing but a game.

Hi, witty carnap. Nice to see you back !

Hi Lynne! Ready to jump on the kilt design bandwagon? I propose that men's and women's tennis outfits should require that a mini kilt (tartan of one's choice/family clan) be worn...undies optional. During this uber windy USO, it would really have made the game popular with a gazillion people.

35th Anniversary of Orantes' U.S. Open three-set finals victory over Jimbo, following Orantes' five-set semifinals win over Vilas in which Orantes came from two-sets down and 5-0 down in the fourth set, and saved Five match points--in a match finishing around midnite prior to the finals.
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Is P.Bodo putting up a new CC for today or does he want us try to break TypePad?

Hi Carnap, I can't imagine, that must be quite difficult.

Well said, SamE.

Watching the reading of the names...so sad. I can't imagine how you find closure losing someone in that way.

"I'm a Fed fan through and through, but I actually long for the old Nole to be resurrected."

+1. But just not today. ;-)

Action: Word!

carnap : Definitely count me in. And with no weights in the hem either ! I love those kilts when they swirl around those pipers knees when it's windy.

Andrew @ "If the match features two "personalities" (Federer-Nadal) but the quality of the tennis is no more improved than the quality of food is improved by being served on a fancy plate in a restaurant that charges you more for the privilege. Your chances of getting lucky may go up, which may, I suppose, enrich the experience. :-)"

I have to say disagree with you in this regard.

To be able to play some sublime tennis its usually only possible when both players are trying to play their best like the Wimby 2008 4th set TB. Rafa hit an angled CC FH which Federer should have missed but his phenominal anticipation helped him not only reach it but hit an absolute stunner BH DTL. And the point before that Federer hit an almost winner FH DTL and Rafa had no business getting his raquet on it but still because of his superb anticipation and movement he not only reached it but hit a FH DTL passing shot. And there were many more such gems. You dont see all those in most games because your opponent doesnt push you to the limit to come up with somthing extra ordinary.

Lynne: Let the wind blaw high; let the wind blaw low.

Where is the new CC post - play starts soon - no?

carnap : Lol ! With great gusto, with great gusto !

Should we draw the line with sgian dubhs? I mean, if somebody lost their temper, having a dagger at hand might complicate things. How do you feel about sporrans in place of murses?

Hoping that Rafito plays good and wins his match.

Vamos Rafa !!!

Hello Everyone!!

Anyone know of any streams. My TV just fried yesterday. So no CBS it seems :(

35th Anniversary of Orantes' U.S. Open three-set finals victory over Jimbo, following Orantes' five-set semifinals win over Vilas in which Orantes came from two-sets down and 5-0 down in the fourth set, and saved Five match points--in a match finishing around midnite prior to the finals.
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Regarding the Toni Nadal article, I wonder to what extent he was involved in Rafa's decision to become commercially involved with Richard Mille watches.

As my alter ego has argued for months, that commercial relationship is very puzzling. First, wearing a $500,00 watch puts Rafa in a bad light with many people--even if Rafa is being paid to endorse the watch. Second, the watch creates security concerns and headaches for the Rafa team--concerns that the team apparently failed to properly address, in light of the fact that the first watch was "lost." Third, in light of the fact Richard Mille is a relatively small company, the compensation Rafa is receiving is probably relatively small in light of his other income and the costs to his team (security and mental) of guarding that watch. Fourth, that watch is buttugly and has one serious horological problem--it is more difficult to read the time on that watch than it is with many other watches. Fifth, Rafa gives the appearance of being a total dumbass for having "lost" his original watch--not good for his PR.

Empty sporans are fine, carnap.

Good Morning Everyone,

Yes Neveah I am here lol!

Master Ace I agree hopefully with your selection for the womens title

imjimmy: usopen.com

Imagine Pspace watching Caroline, and Makiri walking out onto the court dressed in mini kilts with knee socks. His head would explode.

Thanks crazyone! Last year I recall they did not broadcast the weekend tennis. Good that they are doing it this year.

Gotta say I am a little apprehensive about the general. That guy is fierce and has destroyed Nadal on hardcourts before.

Had he not taken up tennis, Youzhny would surely have been a hitman in the russian mob..

Hi Aussimarg!! :))

Its time and I'm spent, I'll just sit back and appreciate this man named Rafael Nadal.:)

Vamos!

You must be kidding?

Youzhney doesn't have the game to threaten Nadal - they are both entirely different players now.

That win over Nadal was a very long tiem ago.

It will be an Easy Peasy Semi win for Nadal.

Remember - he's playing Weazy now.

Hey carnap!!!!!! Missed your haggis cupcakes! Sorry your boy went out early. At least fed is still kicking. Totally agree about Nole, feel for him what with that shirt his Dad is wearing! (just don't want a break through today)

35th Anniversary of Orantes' U.S. Open three-set finals victory over Jimbo, following Orantes' five-set semifinals win over Vilas in which Orantes came from two-sets down and 5-0 down in the fourth set, and saved Five match points--in a match finishing around midnite prior to the finals.
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Youzhny is far from a pushover.

He's playing well enough to reach the semis.

He's beaten Rafa in Flushing Meadows before.

He's beaten Rafa 0 and 1 or 1 and 0 on HCs before (admittedly immediately after a very tough Rafa match against Moya).

And, for those looking for portents, on 9-11-01, Rafa was playing in some match in which he apparently blew something like 12 match points and eventually lost the match.

(I bring up 9-11-01 with serious misgivings, not only because of the immediate loss of life in NYC, but because of the part the NYC events played in the Bush administration's assault on civil rights worldwide and the Bush administration's misguided warmongering that has and will lead to over a trillion dollars of wasted spending and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.)

Hiya toonie!!! Murray losing wasn't a total shock to me. A bit disappointing, but the best man won. It is what it is.

Mr. Nole's shirt is totally him, and I suggest a nice Murray kilt to go with it. Sporran but no sgian dubh.

carnap: Where have you been??? Hope you are well. It would certainly make the all the mens matches interesting if kilts were worn. Everyone would be hoping for wind!

There is a new CC thread up.