Thursday Order of Play:

WTA: Osaka at 10 PM(Wednesday) - Craybas, Peer and Benesova scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 2 AM - Murray vs Chardy and Berdych vs Garcia-Lopez scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 3 AM - Gasquet vs Djokovic, Tsonga vs Mayer and Soderling vs Ferrer scheduled
WTA: Osaka at 4:30 AM - Nakamura vs Date Krumm
ATP: Shanghai at 6 AM - Nadal vs Melzer and Monaco vs Zverev scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 8 AM - Seppi vs Federer
WTA: Linz at 8 AM - Matches to be announced
WTA: Linz at 2:15 PM - Match to be announced

"Seriously, the guy has to stop biting those trophies, because who knows what chemicals go into plating them?"

One more thing for Rafa fans to worry about. :)

From TW accounts I'll have something to watch tonight.

Pete,
Very good piece on Djokovic as Djokovic has proved year after year starting with 2007 that he plays well after the USO season. Nadal has had a solid Asian tour to date and Federer is ready to make a late push to close out 2010 on a good note. Therefore, the fall schedule has agreed with the ATP capped off so far with the top 20 players in the world playing in Shanghai. Last year at this time, the ATP had consistent injuries therefore, I hope that the injuries stay away from the ATP(too late for Roddick but hopefully, he will be back for Basel) unlike the WTA where 7 or 8 (depending on Serena) Top 20 players have closed their 2010 season due to illness or injury.

For those of you who couldn't watch the match between Federer and Isner here are some highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpKh4yF7cUw

Nice write up on Novak and I'm very happy to see him back to where he deserves to be. He has, in my opinion, been very unfortunate to be dogged by those breathing problems this year and I hope that he can overcome them next year.

Awwww poor Roddick. I hope Brooklyn has some great cheering-up techniques.

Linz had tweeted he was crying. Heartbreaking! Well, very gutting, at least.

Thanks for writing about Novak Pete. Glad to see and hear that he is energized. At one point in the season he didn't seem to be enjoying himself much. He seems to be inspired right now.

It should be an interesting fall indeed. The top 3 are looking good...didn't see Andy Murray's match.

I still think the season is too long with Davis Cup. Guess we'll continue to disagree on that Pete. We'll always have our shoe appreciation though! :)

Pete, I love this analysis of Djokovic, who certainly hasn't always given off an air of wanting to play. But you're right, now he does. He looks bright-eyed and zealous, for the first time in - years? And it's exciting that he may be the one to challenge Rafa. I'm sure he put a good scare into him at the USO.

I especially like the phrase "gamboling across the court". (Although it might describe Monfils better. Novak doesn't exactly gambol - he zigs and zags with lightning speed.) But you do capture his state of mind, which finally seems *willing* in a way it hasn't been.

Mr. CL once described Gael as the Harpo Marx of tennis.

I like Mr CL. A lot. We have to meet, CL.:)

zenggi -That would be loverly. :-)

I rather like him too. Most of the time. ;-)

Kristy - Andy R was crying? That must have been a major OUCHIE for Andy.

Crying is not just for wusses like Fed anymore, it seems.

Kristy, crying, really? Ugh. My Andy-loving heart just broke some more.

Brooklyn was just on Dan Patrick's show and talked about Andy getting injured and that basically "it happens." She's in Hawaii so hopefully she'll cheer him up over the phone or skype or however they communicate when a part (must be rough).

rafadoc:

Is it 1983 yet? :)

I watched when the trainer was working on him, if he wasn't crying, he was close. Tears of pain, more than angst, I think. The trainer massaged his thigh/groin, and he jumped about a ft in the air, big grimacing, biting his lip, etc.

I hope this is the new thread for conversation. If not, apologies. I wanted to post the most important part of Rafa's press conference:

;-P

Q. Andy Murray just said he thought he and his partner won the game last night against you and your partner. I want to hear the story from your side. Who won?

RAFAEL NADAL: Is not a story about that. That's the true. I not going to answer because everybody who was there knows who win yesterday night. So if he's happy coming here and lie everybody, it's okay (smiling).

But we won, that's true. Monaco and me, we won 2-1. That's true. But, anyway, if he doesn't recognize that they lost, we don't gonna play against them another time. That's for sure.

http://www.shanghairolexmasters.com/Eng ... 0/424.html

Or: 1:15 p.m.

Hey, the trainer massaged his groin? Well now, that calls for a whole other "medical time-out!" :) Hell, why not, Andy's always, "adjusting," that area anyway. Might as well rub it.

CL,
Roger's presser is out on the Chinese youtube. It takes for ever to download but you know the proverb: "The ox is slow, but the Earth is patient..." Yeah.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjE0NTEyMjI0.html

I keep liking Mr. CL. We must concoct a plan. :)

Ohhh. Poor Andy. :(

lilscot: Its 1984. Keep up! ;-)

Haha, CL, good one from Mr. CL.

Heather, I'm glad Brooklyn has such adown-to-earth attitude to Andy's career -- maybe it calms his own teeth-gnashing style. Actually, after a bad loss he usually drops out of sight (from Twitter) for a few days, but eventually pops up with his usual jokes, sarcasm and funny links. In other words I think he suffers for a time but it passes and then he's fine, philosophical.

zenggi : Did you know Picto won today ? And I wasn't ordered under the sofa ... lol !

rafadoc:

1984!!! Man does time ever fly by. Faster than A-Ha can say Take On Me! Oh the 80s. Hated them! Being my age the 70s was my, "influential," period, if you know what I mean. When I was in senior high things were pretty mellow. The Vietnam war ended and the only real problems we thought about was not getting caught by the teachers smoking a joint under the bleachers. Or, even better, catching the teacher doing the same thing.

Then the 80s came along and everything was cocaine and fast-paced and buying that Mercedes and the Cold War. Such a tense and serious decade, but also so full of decadence.

But, most importantly, most of the music suuuucked.

Remember though, this is coming from an old fart like me! :)

Pete:

I echo the others in saying thank-you for the great write-up on Nole. He's my second favourite player and it's so great to see him back where he belongs and playing like we know he can play.

This may sound strange, but ever since Marat left the scene we've needed another big personality around like that. And I think Nole comes close. :) And that's a good thing.

Lynne,
I was SB that match myself while watching Roger-Isner. I couldn't order you anything because I couldn't judge what was really happening on court. Happy for Pico as you know, though a bit dissapointed for my countryman. Thiemo.

I love Pico because he was twitting this morning that he was watching the rescue of the Chilean miners. Good heart or "heart on the right place" besides being his adorable self.

Now to the important matters: Have you used your hoover at last?
And congratulations to you on Rafa's win also!

lilscot, I agree. Nole isn't afraid to show his emotions and he also clowns around occasionally - that kind of stuff is almost completely absent from the men's tour right now, so I really appreciate him and Monfils.

AndyR used to good for both emo and clowning around, but Jimmy Connors sobered him right up and he hasn't goofed around since. He's all business. I see the purpose, competitively, but it's not as much fun. I fondly remember Nastase and Connors himself (!) being entertainers as well as athletes.

lilscot: I am "older" (ahem) too. I agree about music in the 80's. I had a lot of fun in that decade though! Heehee.

I also agree about the tour needing a personality like Nole's. I miss Marat. :(

"I hope Brooklyn has some great cheering-up techniques."

Kristy, I'd say Brooklyn probably IS a cheering-up technique. (too bad she's in Hawaii).

So sorry about Andy. Hope, altho' it seems painful now, it's something quickly-recoverable.

zenggi : Sorry about Thiemo. Yep, hoovered and mopped, both done with alarm yesterday. Good news about Roger too and nice to see him back.

Lynne,
Well done you! Now I don't see any reason for you to crawl under the sofa tomorrow. Melzer isn't a threat at all. Anyway if you need me to order you anything just yell. :)

"I'd say Brooklyn probably IS a cheering-up technique."

LOL, this is a nice way to say the obvious. Thanks, Colette.

Who does Roger play next?

And, yes, great write-up on Nole finding/maintaining his Modjo. Think maybe the cooler weather (in most tournament locations now) helps to some degree (npi).

For those who don't access through Tennis.com, he's ahead in the reader poll on who's gonna win Shanghai. (Think he was even further ahead yesterday.)

http://tinyurl.com/2bkcxws

Kristy,
Roger plays against Seppi tomorrow the last match after Rafa-Melzer.

rafadoc, surely you also should have posted the important part of AndyM's presser+ :)

Damn those guys are adorable! Well, I'm not familiar with AndyM's partner in crime, but the other 3 certainly are.

Er, no, zenggi. In fact, I'm off to tackle the ironing now. See you later.

If this is an article about Djokovic at least show a picture of HIM and not some guy on the shelf.

Thank you, zenggi!

CL, I think Andy was mostly grimacing in pain, prolly crying a few miserable tears. Linz was majorly bummed. She said it was the worst moment in the history of her watching tennis.

"I fear the Danaan's even bearing gifts". That is all I can say about this writer, mr. Bodo. I don't see any of his texts as hones writing, but always with hidden agenda.

Tuulia: Oops! I didn't know Andy talked about it...awesome! This has been fun. Now the trash talkin' starts. ;-)

I have to head to work. Its been fun!

See you all later.

Finally breaking through the Federer Wall in New York did so much for Novak's confidence - and that's the key to his current energy and motivation.
That his confidence got an extra jolt from Davis Cup is also pretty clear.

Since Shanghai is the biggest title of the Asian Swing, I'll continue to wake up at 3 am, or whenever necessary. Though I don't know why I couldn't find working streams 12 hours ago....

With a groin injury, Brooklyn's cheering options are kind of, um, limited.

rafadoc, you "didn't know"? How's that possible - did you read the bit you posted yourself? ;) And now you're off to work, some excuse... lol ok, I guess I gotta do it then.

Q. Who won yesterday evening, Monaco and you or Nadal and your partner?
ANDY MURRAY: Well, you can hear my side and you can ask Rafa later after his match (smiling).
Basically we agreed to play best of three. They won the first match. The second match went into extra time, and they decided if it went to penalties, it didn't count because they didn't know how to take penalties. So the match finished as a draw.
They said, Okay, we're not playing. Didn't want to play penalties. We drew the game. I think we won that one because they didn't want to take the penalties. Then we won the third game. Then they wanted to play a fourth one, which they won.
So I think it was 2 All. They think it was 2 1 for them. But we were the better team, so that was the most important thing (smiling).

Q. You're not blaming your partner?
ANDY MURRAY: No, my partner was okay. I did have the weaker partner. Juan Monaco, he was good. Rafa and my partner weren't as good.

http://www.shanghairolexmasters.com/English/news/50/428.html

Or: 1:52 p.m.

Lol!

Gseries: 1:40 p.m.

I agree it doesn't make sense to have a piece about Nole and have a photo of Andy above. I think it was mainly because of his little trivia game with the question about who said the quotation. He put that picture there to see how many people guessed Andy said it.

On the home-page the story is headed by a really nice photo of Nole though. :)

Funny, you're a Nole KAD, Pete. I knew this since early days.

I am not sure now who I want to win DC. At first I thought Nole's team. But then, wouldn't it be nice for the young French team to hoist that cup too.

ANDY MURRAY: No, my partner was okay. I did have the weaker partner. Juan Monaco, he was good. Rafa and my partner weren't as good.

OMG, Andy you are in BIG trouble when Raf hears this! That guys is the biggest competitor in the world!

Nam1: Thanks for posting the Andy part of the Play Station "issue"

Tuulia: D'oh!! Of course I knew Andy talked about it...but hadn't seen it.

Okay...settled in at work and obviously not working. lol

Nam1: Andy is asking for it now! Although I do hear Rafa is not as good at the Play Station as he is on the court.

I also love that when Rafa plays the tennis video game, he uses "Roger" not "Rafa" because "Rafa just runs and runs and never hits a winner". (I think that is from a Jim Courier AO interview)

The excerpt from Andy M.s presser is GOLD. This is going to
become tennis lore and the ps match is going to take on epic
proportions. money will be won! lives will be at stake! The
different partners names will change over the years...

sooo much fun. Thank you Andy, Rafa, Juan and whoever that fouth guy is.
just too good. wait til Grant sees this.

oh and pete, how I love to see the words Djokovic and Rampage showing up in the same sentence! Ajde!

hey rafadoc: somehow i don't think rafa is still 'being' roger when he plays playstation :)

So, Rafa called Andy a liar and Andy said Rafa sucked. I want a rematch with live video streaming.

deeps, you said it, I cant wait!!

Here's a fabulous Japanese Rafa documentary, in 4 languages, and even if you'd understand none of them I'd still recommend you watch if you're a fan, and a lot of this is understandable without words anyway.

One thing Toni said tho I wanna mention. He was talking about how before the AO '09 final Rafa was saying that he was too tired etc. and Toni said don't tell me that, also quoted Obama (hee). Then he explains how he thinks that no matter how tired you are or what your head tells you you can always give a little more if you really have to - and then says that if someone points a gun at you then surely you can push yourself a bit more no matter what. An excellent example, actually. Yes, Toni, if you put it like that... lol. But seriously speaking I think he's right. People often do give up too easily.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi2sLPQAybc
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFO2r1Mo4yM
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV49wefqvT4
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNeVg3SarDU
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4_gCEb2ujY

deeps, that's an excellent idea!

wow. Tuulia, thanks. now I have my evening viewing all lined up. this will be fun.

and a rematch of the video game is sooo on. but we'll never know the real story. the partners keep changing and so does the score. it's nonsensical and very funny.

Nam1, Tuulia,

If they had live video streaming in the first place, we all could have solved the dispute for them and they wouldn't have to resort to trash talking.

Thanks Pete

I think Nole found his "swagger" again duing the USO I hope he dosent lose it again he did take some time to get it back.

To Andy Fans Sorry.At the moment Andy cant take a trick.

Lilscot Noone comes close to Marat on any level ok lol!

Thursday Order of Play:

WTA: Osaka at 10 PM(Wednesday) - Craybas, Peer and Benesova scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 2 AM - Murray vs Chardy and Berdych vs Garcia-Lopez scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 3 AM - Gasquet vs Djokovic, Tsonga vs Mayer and Soderling vs Ferrer scheduled
WTA: Osaka at 4:30 AM - Nakamura vs Date Krumm
ATP: Shanghai at 6 AM - Nadal vs Melzer and Monaco vs Zverev scheduled
ATP: Shanghai at 8 AM - Seppi vs Federer
WTA: Linz at 8 AM - Kvitova, Ivanovic, Bammer, Suarez Navarro vs Hantuchova
WTA: Linz at 2:15 PM - Zakopalova vs Schnyder

I am so pleased that Tsonga has managed to win a few games here.Joe has had injury troubles since his junior days till now.Its the one thing that has kept him from his true potiental and winning tournaments.I am a fan of his game.Keep well Joe

Pete I believe Rafa has taken up to biting his racquets now

I too was getting worried he could end up with some type of poison of a metal variety with the over chewing of the Trophy.

Gosh its soo hard to be a Winner these days isnt it no? lol!

deeps that's true - except we might not all agree, either, lol - but still, that might be a usefull selling point to support the LS availability. :)

Thanks for the write-up. I agree with Tina, the win against has done the world for Nole's confidence. He seems like he is swinging more freely, taking more risks, etc. It has been nice to see Novak reconstruct himself in this way. Hopefully he can keep up the good work.

Here's a video of Nole doing the 'Art of Tennis" portrait for the ATP World Tour Finals. The top 3 who have qualified used tennis balls and paint to create portraits to auction off to charity. http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/2010/10/Art-Of-Tennis-Novak-Djokovic.aspx

oops typo- lastpost should read the 'win against Federer'.

Djkoer seems to play well at the end of the year. Rafa is one weird dude..annoying guy to watch.

lollipop I am soo happy Nole is back with us

Has always been a fav player of mine

I have watched this young man play live he is such a well balanced athlete

To me Balance is a vital key in any sport you take up and its the first thing I look for when watching a player.

The likes of Federer and also in the womens game Serena and Venus stand out to me.

I remember last year when you were nearly giving up on him though I kept telling you Keep The Faith

Players like to tease us fans dont they? lol! I felt in ways with Rafa when he went through that Dark Period.Though I kept tellig myself he had come though things in his career before.At one time early on in his career they feared he might not be able to play the game again.Just look at him now.

Loving the playstation throw down
That is fun stuff
I love how these guys, though competitors ,seem to have a good time together

I saw the Andy injury timeout , and yes, it did look like he was about to cry from pain- not gonna say he was crying in front of the crowd. But he was truly miserable

Don't know if this was mentioned earlier or hot but in the press conference interview with Roger - he did confirm that his sister (Diana) is pregnant with TWINS (what else!) lol! He said she’s going to have a boy and a girl. Wow, Roger’s parents went from zero grand children 2 years ago to having 4 in less than 3 years! lol! Congrats to his sister and her boyfriend. Roger said he talked with her today and she’s doing great and that he would see her in Basel when he goes home to the tournament.

lollipop - Thx for Nole clip. Charming, per his usual.

And a humorous take on Caro's ascent to #1: http://tinyurl.com/26vlzz9

Beth I remember once Uncle Toni came and found that one of the controls that Rafa had been playing with on his "play station" had been smashed? lol! Well one does have to take out their frustrations some how lol!

sblily LOL! thanks for that article on Little Miss Sunshine.Love de Rosa's view on things.

Beth I watched Richards game yesterday he was playing well.He will have a big test against Nole.I wonder if Guy Forget is still condisering him for a DC position.

Congrats to the Federer family
Growing by leaps and bounds
Guess mom and pop Fed are now experienced twin sitters , so this will be helpful to the new mom, I am sure

Am , I have heard before - and I cannot remember where - but it must have been here
That in spite of his passion for playstation ,Rafa is not the best at the game. Remember the video of he, Moya , Pico playing ? And Rafa was losing ? And oh so upset?

I saw Richard's match against Gulbis ,he played really well . Did not lose focus, even while Gulbis seemed to be barely interested in the match. That is an accomplishment for Richard. Did not see any of the match against Gael , but Rasheed apparently tweeted that it was a very high level match
So , yes, I am sure Forget is keeping his eye on Richard for Davis Cup. Neverr hurts to have three or four good players to choose from , in case of injury ,etc. He can just go with the hot hand at the time.

Beth LOL! Rafa cant be good at everything I guess

I agree with your thoughts regarding the postions for DC.

lilscot - left you a response on the crisis center thread

TMFunk have you shortened your moniker?

I am sorry I did not get to see any of the match between Gasquet and Monfils. But I guess it was on some outer faraway court away from the tv camera.
At least Gael got rid of the braids/headband
Finally listened to the girlfriend , I see

I'm just watching a replay of Richard/Gulbis match and it's striking how elderly their respective fathers look.

The play station stuff is hilarious. Did no one youtube it? What a pity!

Beth I saw Gael watching Richards match and I thought to myself

Thank goodness he has finally come to his senses regarding his "hair"

Shout out to his g/friend.

Lynne - that was Gasquet's coach, Deblicker , in the stands
The camera did not show his dad , if he was indeed there
His dad has grey hair, but I would guess he is only mid fifties -and he does not look particularly old or younger than that age
Gulbis' dad is another story , he looks well
...
Let's just say he looks weathered , and leave it at that

Thanks, Beth, I made a mistake in thinking that was Richard's dad.

sbily- no problem. he is quite charming, isnt he? It kills me sometimes :)

AM- well, thanks for consoling me when I was down on him. :) Yes it is great to see him playing well again. (knock on wood!) and I too have seen him live. Balance is impeccable but what stood out to me was his speed around the court and his flexibility and his defense.

I don't think Gasquet will have anything left in the tank against Djokovic.
Last time he won 2 matches on the same day (curiously involving a Frenchie and Gulbis again), he was beaten quite easily by Verdasco in the next round - Rome'09.

No worries ,Lynne
I made that mistake once too - years ago
Only I thought Deblicker was his grampa :)

Richard's parents have both come to IW on occasion
Dad is pretty stern looking, the mom has a very sweet face.
I would describe her behavior as overprotective of Richard.
Clearly ,she still sees him as her baby and not as a grown young man
She follows him about with this adoring look in her eyes
Like a mom of a toddler on a park play day
He seems to tolerate it , with only mild irritation
Like when he wants to talk to girls , and mom is right there
She is not a good wingman:)

lollipop No worries.I used to have a great mate here named Sic who did the same thing for me.I remember when Rafa was beaten by Soderling at RG 09 I just could not believe it and was in tears.I still remember to this day what he told me and he was soo right.I love Nole return game he is one of the best and he can slide on a hard court like no other.

Arun We wont talk cricket ok

Gotta Keep Some faith

Beth LOL ! Yes, I remember your report after you came back from IW this year ...

That is a weird coincidence about the two matches,Arun
And I am not gonna say he will be gassed, but I would not bet the house nite money on
Gasquet winning tomorrow either

AM: Australia is in transition phase. All that matters to them right now is the home series in about a month.
The series goes by a famous name which I keep forgetting. :)

Yeah, Beth. Djokovic is playing well too.
I hope this doesn't end up as an insulting loss involving eatables.

Pete, I agree the season is not too long. As an aficionado, I want to can watch tennis all year round. As a not-top player, I'd like to can earn money and points all year round. And as a top player, maybe I'd just like to can rest for maybe a month-something while tourneys are no more than 250 events for those (spectators and players) who need it.
But I do think there should be more clay and grass, less HC which is hard on the body.

This year, in the aftermath of the suspension
Mama Gasquet was really close to Richard everywhere he went
No cocaine tainted lips were gonna get near her boy
In the past she was not quite that bad

Arun Hell a transition phase is that what you call it

My memory on all cricket at the moment is just a Blur let me tell you

Where is Shane Warne when you need him.Pity about the idoit Captain.

Though shout out to Tandulker a class act.

Beth I did suggest you take Mama Gasquet out on a long shopping adventure

I know exactly what you mean , Arun
But you know the French do have a fondness for bread :)

Insert indignant remark about stereotypes here

Arun Just heard that our idoit Captain has blamed the batsman

People in Glass Houses hey? he is a batsman.Too funny Ricky.

TMF: 5:00 p.m.

Hey Funky. Just got your message and, sh*t, you're right. I had meant to type, "at this time of year," not, "this year," as you said! NOW I get the joke! Doh.

AM - Annie suggested the same thing
This year,maybe I will
Or maybe a spa day!

I don't know about her English though
And my French, well, it is pretty weak