Gauloises So happy you are reporting again in London.

Thank you again for setting the scene in London you make me feel I am right there.

I was impressed with Murray today.Hopefully he can keep up this level of play during the whole tournament he has the ability to win here.

Thanks again I love reading your posts.

Occurred to me today watching the Barclays on Tennis Channel and the final NASCAR event on ESPN how much in common tennis and stock cars share. Simultaneous seasons, high speeds, solo attitudes, dominant dudes, and more. All tennis lacks is the hundreds of thousands of fans in the stands. But not sure I'd want the NASCAR crowd at Flushing Meadows, or vice versa at Pocono Downs. http://www.topspinblog.com/2010/11/fast-cars-and-fast-serves-atp-and-nascar/

Gauloises, thank you for this wonderful piece of writing. So vivid -- it feels like I was there. Very happy you will continue to share your thoughts and impressions with us all week!

Gauloises, I hope tomorrow to read a good report of Rafa from you.......

London Order of Play:

Monday
Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi vs Lukas Kubot and Oliver Marach at 7:15 AM
Novak Djokovic(57-16; 2-6) vs Tomas Berdych(44-24; 5-8) at 9 AM
Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic vs Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman at 1:15 PM
Rafael Nadal(67-9; 7-4) vs Andy Roddick(48-15; 4-2) at 3 PM

Tuesday
Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes vs Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner at 7:15 AM
Roger Federer(61-13; 12-6) vs Andy Murray(45-16; 6-3) at 9 AM
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan vs Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski at 1:15 PM
Robin Soderling(56-21; 5-8) vs David Ferrer(60-22; 7-12) at 3 PM

You captured exactly how I feel watching Andy Murray play. I watch him at every opportunity. I couldn't dream of being able to articulated it better, though. So nicely done.

I was torn today, because I love Robin too, but the match had an inevitable feel.

Or, articulate it, even.

I don't think he was smooth as much as he was smooth.

He was just really fast and Soderling shot 49%, so he lost.

Gauloises, it's always a pleasure to read your reports. Keep up the great work.

"Personally, next year I want to see the eight finalists come out of a TARDIS dressed as various cultural heroes from the UK."
Hee! Can I come dressed as a Dalek and take out Justin Gimelstob? Ex-ter-min-ate.

Hi everyone

It looks like I will have to read today's post afterall, it will have to be when I get home from work.

Mmm not impressed that Robin lost to Murray so easily. Can't be bothered saying congrats and all that. Moving on...

nicely done again G... I do feel there is a certain schizophrenia about the English and their embracing or not embracing of the notion of Britishness. No doubt in my mind that the English would always prefer a lovely English boy to support, but the Muzzard and his general unlikeability is all that is left to that Sceptered Isle. Always going to be a tough ask to go full throttle whole hog for the Muzzard I reckon.

Love the blog - great writing and inspiration. Also love Chicklet's comments - funny.

Sod needs to practice more the volley

Thanks for the write-up Gauly! Lovely to have you there writing for us.

i saw bits and pieces, thought that Andy was moving awfully well, and Robin showed more of the up / down play he's been prone to this fall. Bercy was the first time I saw him playing consistently well, not sure if he'll be able to recapture that later this week.

Andy on the other hand, looks like he's on a mission. :)

Pfft- well jeeze just THANKS gauloises...as if I didn't already find The Muzzter slightly creepy, now you have forever linked him in my mind w/Blue Velvet. ***sputters***

More damn fine writing though.

Thanks for posting the match times for tomorrow, Master Ace. I came here hoping someone would know!

Rafa news from his website,22nd November,2010.

Rafa will be in action in the last match of the day on Monday.The World no 1 will be trying to improve on last years performance World Tour Finals after losing all 3 group matches in straight sets.

Rafa will meet Andy Roddick.Rafa has a head to head 5-3

On the hard court Roddick has a 3-2 over Rafa.

Oh - I was just wondering who Hannah Wilks was :) Well done, again - gauloises.

Hey, freddy, I never got to finish the answer to your question the other day, but it looked like you already got the gist of it. Yeah, it has to do with commercialization, and the assembly line of tennis pros it's been producing over the last decade or so.

f

Just reading from a article from Carlos Moya on his thoughts regarding Rafa after his recent retirement.

"You know,knowing him for so long makes it special for me because first time I met him,he was just 11,12 years old">

"S he was a good prospect of being a good player but you never know what can happen.I realised he had something special,but could never think that he could be that good,to be honest"

"He's one of the greatest ever.But he's on his way to become,who knows maybe the greatest"

Read the full article.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE6AK1JH2010/21?pageNumbe.

Morning, everyone. :)

Hey Gauly, good read. :) Although, I agree with naughty's comment at 9.35; and I'm not sure Murray's ability to pick himself up after the difficult first five or six months is the year is quintessentially British - plenty of other players manage to do the same.

"One has to wonder, can he - will he - ever serve big for seven matches in a row?"

Even yesterday, I thought his serve faltered after the first set; could've been a different match if Robin had been able to take an opportunity in that eight-minute game.

I was watching a stream that kept buffering, so I've missed a lot of points. But I've got an impression that only serve allowed Federer to close out. In the second set Ferrer was having an upper hand in baseline rallies. It spells a very difficult time for Federer against Murray. With superior reach Murray will receive Federer's serve more effectively than Ferrer. If Federer will not fix his forehand, he'll lose. His backhand was more reliable, but lacked pace.

Morning Jewell

Just woke up after my "siesta" which kind of went over time

I thought Murray dictated from the baseline and though his 1st serve percentage did dip in the 2nd set to me played a good match.He was mixing up his shots nicley and used his slice well.Bringing Robin forward he often got the error.Robins serve let him down all match and he cannot volley and was breathing heavy at times in the match.

Murray is boring, he's miserable and the ultimate pessimist.

Yet despite this, I want him to do well, not for any other reason but to reward him for his hard work he's put in. This tournament will be a somewhat consolation if he wins it considering his Grand Slam disappointment this year.

Until he starts being more positive on court, he'll never win a Grand Slam. When he gets down, not only does his body language stoop and his audible verbal grievances get progressively louder, but he plays way too defensively.

All these factors spur his opponents on which explains why he loses matches at GS's he simply shouldn't.

Hey AM. :) (and mick1303 and dallas flooring.)

I agree, Murray played a decent match. Soderling's net play really was pretty awful yesterday. I think he said something about not being there in the first set and Murray being too good, which seems about right to me - his serve was mediocre and he made a fair few UFEs. But he did start to play better in the second and he did have real chances, that he didn't take.

Jewell Sorry.I had to give their cats their medicine.Hmmm they were spitting their tablets out.Finally got them to take it.Worse than kids.

Will you be able to watch Rafa's match at all?

How are the cats going on?

I think I will be able to watch, although it will be on at the same time as University Challenge. *frowns at TV scheduling gods*

I haven't seen Rafa play since Tokyo SF - feeling a bit deprived, LOL. Hope he plays better than last year!

Jewell Much better thanks.

Can you tape the tv show at all?

Well he can only improve on last year? lol!

I will get up earlier and watch Novak v Tomas.I hope Tomas remembers to being his "brain" to London after Bercy.

I'll catch up on the BBC Iplayer, but it's not really the same. Still, Rafa beats out most things. :)

Annoyingly I'll be at work for Djokovic-Berdych - kind of intriguing after their Wimbledon SF. I'm still surprised that Berdych is in the top eight after his less-than-inspiring performances over the last half of the year - not that he doesn't deserve to be there, he does.

Jewell I thought after Wimby Tomas had turned the corner I think the high expectation from him making the final got too much.His game is suited to the hard courts so I hope he can do better at London.

Well I have to feed myself and get the cats their dinner

Bye for Now

So far, it's showing just how impressive Soderling has been over the last year and a half, in backing up that first big performance.

See you later, AM. :)

Good morning,

Brilliant article again, Gauloises. Thank you. I think you give Murray too much credit comparing him to a Lynch film vieuwing but I'll take your word for it/him. :)

And I like your observation of Soderling's FH "The pace and power of Soderling’s forehand is more impressive, and less ungainly than it looks on TV. For a shot more utilitarian than beautiful, the length of the backswing makes it seem almost impractical." He needs the extreme backswing to generate the power and velocity but I also think that it looks a little extreme in execution on TV.

Had to laugh comparing Robin to Bruce Willis(?) though your conclusion that "You know Soderling is going to attack, pummel the ball, press forward until he misses." isn't always true. Most of the times he doesn't miss. Except for those weird net approaches he did yesterday. Thankfully for him!. :)

Hi AM and jewell,
Big day for group A. Maybe the stadium is warmer today and the ball flies through and bounce high. Fingers crossed.

“[London] punching above one's weight"?
In 1884, at the height of Queen Victoria's empire, when ‘time’ began, Britain - as you say - was world HQ and London the obvious place for everything. France, the nearly-country of European power play, had had her day, and Paris was never more to London than Athens was to Rome.
And in a few years time, when the Asian tigers of Shanghai and Mumbai rule the international jungle, LA and DC will no doubt still have a heritage to cherish ... and tennis will probably still be played at Flushing Meadows.
Times move on and every empire leaves its legacy. But every so often something happens that harkens back to former glories.
Andy Murray ... !
Nice piece, Hannah.

By the way, I'm glad muzz has kept the dropshot in his bag of tricks. Doesn't always work, but more often does, and sometimes spectacularly. The drop-shot that took the first set yesterday had as much improvised elegance as anything I ever saw Lee Trevino craft from a green-side bunker.

Hi alex & zenggi. :)

Agree on that shot, alex. I still wonder if he uses it too much at the wrong moments - goes to it too often - but hard to complain too much about a good win, so. :)

As a Murray fan I confess to liking an article on the basis that it finds joy in his game. I have to say your writing is really good, poetic and smooth (like murray when he is on form). You put into words superbly murrays game.

I loved his slice today. The trajectory better resembled federers in that it stayed low to the ground and tied soderling down. His variety was on full display mixing powerful serves with precision backhands, the occasional strong forehand put away and the delicate slice.

The drop shot to win the first set was breathtaking as was his defense. The first set demoed perfectly what all court tennis looks like. He stepped away from it a bit in the second.
I someday hope that he recognises the blueprint to winning a slam is modelled on how he played that first set.

I'm yet to find excitement in watching Murray play. He was too defensive and if it was on a faster court against a better player he would not have appeared to look as good as he did yesterday.

Here we go with Mahesh Bhupahi and Max Mirnyi v Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach...

Morning all. I had to google TARDIS and Dalek to understand but I’ll do anything if Chicklet’s 8.55pm came true and JG would be gone forever. (Don’t want to even spell his full name; the revulsion I feel is strong.)

Need to know - Hannah or gauloises? I’m going with Hannah when I address you as the contributing writer you’ve taken to like fish to water and gauloises when you’re posting as a TWibe member. Your preference? Should you have one I’ll follow your lead. And Pete, an overdue thank you for bringing Hannah into the fore to participate along with you and your other contributing writers. Much appreciated.

Random thoughts -
“Volunteers shoot ATP -branded T-shirts into the crowd during breaks…” - Was wondering what was being shot into the crowd, thought it was confetti.
“…and the blanket of tennis promotion that covers it this week will be whipped off next.” - Examples of a disposable society or imagination and innovation on display? I believe the latter.
“He’s amazing when he wants to be - smooth, aggressive, clever. I love watching his feet, and the exceptional balance…” - THIS is the Murray I love.
“He does like to complain, looking down at his legs, the court, his racquet when he makes an error, searching for something to blame.” - THIS is the Murray I don’t enjoy watching. But I do love the British and do admire Andy‘s picking himself up and starting all over again after a difficult beginning of the year.

Players on court. Think I’m pulling for Bhupathi/Mirnyi and must say I’m admiring the beautiful cheekbones on Lukasz Kubot!

"if it was on a faster court against a better player he would not have appeared to look as good as he did yesterday."

If it was on a faster court against a better player he would not have played as he did yesterday ... as demonstrated last month in the shanghai masters final.

supreme tactician :)

Hi, sisu. Yes, Pete revealing Gauloises's true identity is a bit like finding out Superman = Clark Kent. ;-) I might have preferred the mystique to remain, but I think this recognizes the transition from random internet posting, which any nut can do (witness yours truly), to professional writing. well-deserved.

Kubot/Marach up a break, 3-2

morningggg twibers! say rafa are u playing first or second, i need my morning nap,lol...

alex: Shanghai is a slow court too.

So glad you're *back*, Gauloises ... of the lovely palindromic name. Loved your "contrast" of the players' introductions. And I could picture Murray's feet as you described them. Also glad to know (maybe "duh" on my part) why the name "02" (not O2).

This doubles match is Men in Black!

eclipse22, Djokovich/Berdych is the afternoon match. Nadal and Roddick play this evening. sweet dreams...

Hello everyone!
For once, and even though it's raining cats and dogs outside, I'm very cheerful first thing on a Monday morning.
I'm looking forward to following the action at 02 (as much as I can manage from work anyway)
Glad my adopted favorite (Murray) won easily yesterday! :)
Of course if my dear Rafa manages to play well and has to meet Andy then well... you know ;-)

Sisu,
I truly enjoy your posts and I'm with you on Kubot. There is something about him.

And last but certainly not least, thanks Hannah/Gauloises for a very enjoyable write up from London! I picked Murray as my favorite because I really don't think Rafa can win this (or maybe I'm just trying to anti-jinx him unintentionally) and I must confess he winning the whole thing and you capping it all off with one of your nice reports sounds pretty good right now (Rafa notwithstanding) :)

Next year I want to volunteer for the DJ job @ WTF, the music is terrible.

Wilson,
I was thinking the same yesterday (about how horrible the music was!)
Let me know if you need signatures to go along with your application and if you will take requests from your TW friends ;-)

@work: I will:)

Bhupathi/Mirnyi break back to level it, 4-4

momentum shifting to Bhupathi/Mirnyi as they hold easily, 5-4.
Cheekbones to serve.

Good Morning! Can't believe I'll miss Andy and Rafa this afternoon, hopefully livescore won't let me down!

I like the broken blue stripe in Mirnyi/Bhupathi shirts...lol not much to comment on in men's tennis fashion.

I could imagine Federer going Navratilova and playing doubles till 50. He really seems to love tennis. I think he would be good.

Bhupa has a funny service motion like some kind of war ceremony.

Bhupathi/Mirnyi take the first set TB,7-2. Bhupathi the MVP of the TB, including a sweet BH volley at 2-1. Physio working on Kubot's shoulder.

actually probably the back... temes, lol on Bhupa's service motion. will watch for that.

hi wilson, yep but not half as slow as yesterday's and a far better opponent beaten with different style and by an even more impressive scoreline. anyway, don't want to argue, you're entitled to your taste and if muzz isn't your cup of tea, fair enough - soderling isn't mine, even though I think some are cruel to him.

Serena will not play Hopman Cup and may not play Australian Open:

http://tinyurl.com/23ef9rn

alex: No arguments from this side. The fact is the slower the court the better it is for Murray to play his defensive style and to win matches. I'm not a fan of either player but I agree that the Soderling hate can go overboard sometimes.

disappointing news, Master Ace. best wishes for Serena's recovery.

MA, nooooooo...Serena should just stay in bed now lol. Her foot injury is reaching absurd heights.

MA: Thanks for the info. I'm not surprised Serena is out of the Hopman Cup and think it's very likely she will not be at AO next year.

30 minutes to Novak, guess I have to get out of bed. Couldn't find a stream to save my life yesterday, and the only TV with TTC is downstairs. I just wanted to lie in my cave, though.

Wow, Serena might not play in Melbourne? Very worrisome.

I hear what you're saying but the new-improved-muzz isn't all defence any more. On the slow court note, I think it will make a muzz-rafa match-up even more exciting - I'm sure even you will enjoy that one if it happens:)

djoker shouldn't have any more difficulty with this one than fed or muzz had yesterday.

Bhupathi's serve... it's a bit odd, isn't it? He starts almost like an archer. Perhaps the stiffness and the deep stacatto sound he makes are what evoke the war ceremony...?

temes wrote: "I could imagine Federer going Navratilova and playing doubles till 50. He really seems to love tennis. I think he would be good."

yes, if Beijing 08 is any indication. :-)

alex: It will only be exciting if Rafa's winning that match-up:). I'm still not convinced that Murray's being more aggressive, I'll have to watch him so more.

Holds 2 Love, yes that must be it about Bhupathi's serve lol.

Roger yes he's not too shabby in doubles is he...I think he could be in the top 10 even in an advanced age in doubles. Atleast I would like to see it.

Bad news, MA. I've said this before, but I worry that a tendon injury could be career ending for Serena.(Please, nooo)

Breakfast and phone calls completed. Back to tennis.

Hi H2L. I wondered whether G/H had any choice in that decision. I too would have chosen the mystique to remain. Must disagree on the self-imposed “nut” label. If you’re a nut then I think I’m in the same cluster. ;))

Thanks @work. Love your moniker.

I’m not familiar with Oliver Marach but I’m reminded of Lleyton Hewitt whenever there’s a close-up of Oliver. Loving the net play.

Temes/H2L, I would love to Roger team up with Patty Schnyder or even Martina Hingis for mixed dubs.

Sisu, thought the same thing about Marach reminding me of Lleyton Hewitt.

Colette, don't say that it breaks my heart. Serena's career is too amazing to end in a restaurant.

I know, temes, it's probably a bit "extreme" and I sure hope I'm wrong. The crazy way it happened - plus the WAY she was playing before it happened - make it all the more devastating.

Colette: I'm with you, I hope this injury doesn't end Serena's career. It will be a real disappoint if it ends like that.

I mean disappointment not disappoint.

Morning all :

I wondered who Hannah Wilks was when I opened up this page and after reading a few lines, I realized that it was none other than Gauly.

Gauly : You are always such a pleasure to read, so glad that you are in London. Hope that you will be writing many more articles for us.

Bhupathi/Mirnyi take it 7-6, 6-4.

Good Morning Everyone

I hope this match is worth getting up early for and competitive

Tomas dont let me down ok

Reading back a bit and I see it is bad news of Serena. So hope that she gets fit and well soon.

Master Ace I had a feeling that Serena may not play in Australia.I hope at least she may play at the AO and defend her title.

thanks, sisu, interesting ideas on the doubles pairings, Colette. the only thing is, would Mirka want to take the family on the road indefinitely? especially once the girls are in school. and perhaps there will be other mighty babies. Berdych and Djokovich making their entrance...

Is there a replacement for her at Hopman Cup?

Carlos Bernades is the umpire

Aussiemarg,
Good question about a replacement for Serena. Venus and Melanie will be in Hong Kong that week. Also, if I recall, USA may w/d and another country will take that spot.

Looks like Berdych has started off where he left off in Paris.

Maybe "Scandinavia" can play in Hopman Cup, LOL.

Could Coco play Hopman Cup with Isner? Are there requirements that need to be met in order to be able to play?

Master Ace Thanks

Berdy atleast try to look like you're among the 8 best of the season...atleast try.

Well neither player serve is good.Both have made d/faults

Of course Tomas service game was the worst

Novak finally holds serve

Come on Tomas at least get on the board

Hell that f/hand didnt even make the court Tomas

Come on

I see Maradona is here.With his 2 diamond studded earings to boot

Tomas this court should suit you? your shots are flat

Heather,
Yes, Coco can play with Isner if USA selects her. Remember, Laura played with Murray this year and France will have a youngster, Kristina, play with Monfils in 2011.

Tina,
Scandinavia's top female player will be in Hong Kong during HC week.

I might go back to bed this match isnt worth getting up at 1.00am for

Honestly Tomas you are looking at a double break

Aussiemarg,
After all the 3 set drama in 2009, I have a feeling that there will be a lot of straight set action this year.

Well this match is going worse than the worst expectations at the moment.