Gee I hate the bounce of this court already

Is Brooklyn there, AM? She apparently was supposed to be headed to London.

any live streams? Iam at my computer at work

Yes Brooklyn is there

Jason said the colour wearing is called Maroon by the way

Wilson75 London people love Kylie

ugh Andy's going to lose serve already.....good thing I didn't get my hopes up!

Okay, Andrew, it's wilson75 and tina and me against you! ;-)))
Actually, I do think that holding tight to the #4 (year-end, final rankings, remember) spot can be and was a motivator for Murray. And I also think that he's a [particularly motivation-driven player. A guy driven by having something to prove. So, despite it seeming a silly idea that anyone would care much whether they ended up #4 or #5 in the rankings, I believe Murray does. I also believe that Roddick is similarly motivated. His dip outside the top 10 did not last very long, and if he were to win this thing, he might even shoot up to #5 or #6, which would put him just outside the game's elite. And really, when you think of his Grand Slam and Davis Cup records, coupled with his 8+ years inside the top 10, one could make a pretty strong argument for Roddick's being among the game's elite.

Just sayin'....

Quite like the colour purple ... even the socks, lol.

AM: I know but I still don't get it.

Rafa you had 2 b/points there?

Thanks, AM! Glad to hear that, they've been apart for awhile. Clearly I am too invested in the lives of people I will never meet, haha.

Crap I'm frazzled. So wish Rafa could have broken there. Anyway, Vamos!

Hell I hope Rafa its not going to be one of those games when you have b/points and dont convert them.

its not exactly purple, fuschia ? pourpre? light grape purple?

Yeah, I know Tuulia. I guess its a guy thing. I will say that I like the last pic for being more natural.

As a man with a challenged hairline, I think that Rafa's is curious case. Its not typical "male-patterned" baldness, in that his hairline does not seem to be receding, and the middle and back of his head are not patchy (a la Prince William). His hair just seems to have thinned without a pattern. Who knows, maybe it'll stay that way.

Stream:

http://www.fromsport.com/v-0/10/184/v-118498.html

Do. not. get. broken. here. Rafa!!

Welcome GB unusal to see you soo Frazzled

I still have the keys to the Open Bar by the way and I remember you like

Vodka?

Hell Rafa down love 30 I might open the Bar now lol!

Rafa seems nervous to me. He REALLY wants this

Yep, he is in big trouble, Jason:(((

Okay I am pouring myself a double drink

Rafa down love 40

Anyone want a drink

Livescore is on the fritz...oh no!

I think the color is magenta? Really strong magenta lol.

Great way to lose a serve Rafa

2 d/faults

Nooooooooooooooooo!

*steps up to AM's bar*

Afternoon folks
yipes Rafa DF's twice and gets broken

OMFG, a df to get broken:(((( Think I will lace my morning coffee with some vodka, thanks AM

Urkkkkk.... 2 DFs?

Roddick breaks, after saving from 15-40 in his own service game. And sorry, #majorkitfail by the world no 1.

Interesting commments Jay, as a fellow baldey, mine actually followed Rafa's, from back to front. At some point he'll just have to shave it all off i suppose. Meh, there are way worse things in life to be confronted with.

Such as NOT BEING BROKEN in his first service game *frazzle*

and as predicted rafa brings the unnecessary drama early on!
he can't possibly still have his abysmal performance from last year still on his mind? and roddick says gee thanks rafa for refusing my gift and for yours!

Heather, try fromsport

I like the color combo.

Rafa's service motion looks weird. No legs. Reaching too much with no uncoiling. Very tight.

I might have to run out and stock up on more alchol

Some options here. Zenggi posted yesterday.

http://www.tennisform.com/default.asp?action=LIVEStream

Do not have a good feeling about this:(

Ahhhhhhhh Neil

Want a drink I am onto my second double already

Aussiemarg,
Better stock up on the alcohol quickly...

3 140+ mph aces by A-Rod? Not bad.

Doesn't bode well for Rafa.

Hi all!

Sooo... Nadal-Roddick not going too great for anyone, I take it?

Someone needs to send a note to Rafa that says even though we all know he is a 4 surface GS champ now this is still not clay and he better not get broken against a server like Roddick.

I wish this tournmanet was on clay.

Thanks for the live streams, although I am not sure I want to watch it now!

*waves to Neil*

Did Rafa really DF on break point? Oh well. I like the magenta. Perhaps he was inspired by the Legend in Lavender....

Hell Rafa just one a point

There is some hope?

neilintoronto: Just no comb-overs! :)

I only feel bad rooting for Rafa when its against an American. I'm going to try to focus on work, and just let this one play out as it will.

(quietly whispering "vamos")

Those were 3 aces in a row, BTW.

Rafa's kit actually ain't half bad. A brighter bandana and wristbands would've been better, but at least those as they stand now don't distract.

Thanks, Colette but I'm at work...can't watch live streams...it looks like my livescore is just on a bit of a delay, should be okay, crossing fingers!

Kristy, are you still here....3-0?!

Howdy AM!!!, Nah, don't drink here, but am smoking furiously. SBing the Rafa match, while watching Berdy's abysmal performance against Nole on T.V.. Hopefully Rafa can right the ship before he gets too far down.

Rafa your timing is way off

Rafa needs match practice

Neil You know my thoughts about smoking though in this instance go ahead

I might take it up myslelf

Just win this point and get on the board already, Rafa!

LOL Jay, please no comb overs. As a friend used to say to me to try and cheer me up, " think of it this way, the more hair you lose, the more head you'll get". Never really worked but did make me giggle at the time.

F another df!:(((

Calm down everybody. The match is just beginning. Let him find his rhythm, range and rafaocity.
Color is great!

Rafa would be wise to go more for percentages than pure heat on his serves today. He's been too many 1st serves so far, and besides A-Rod's not even a good returner.

Deuce again:((

Question for those watching, Is it just Rafa's serve that's off so far? I hear the courts aren't super fast, but they're low bouncing. Are his groundies off as well?

Mrs Tennis You are right.Rafa's timing is way off at the moment

I dont like the bounce of the court.When he seetles he will be ok

He did have 2 b/points against Andy in the opening game

Well, he's on the board at least, its only one break...vamos!!

and thank u andy for being generous coz rafa dear seemed intent on gifting this one too, rafa rafa rafa!

nice game plan so far by Andy

Neil The med pace should suit Rafa the bounce is low.If he can use his slice it will be to his advantage.The slice works well here.Rafa's timing is off he is a player that needs match practice.

what the heck happend to the new and improved serve that reached to 135mph???? It's back to the old slow, puny serve, I'm afraid. And he's making it look worse by being so predicatable and not putting 1st serves in.... oy.

missing too many 1st serves, I mean

"Are his groundies off as well?"

Yeah. A-Rod's been hitting deep, so Rafa's been forced to half-volley from the baseline occasionally and he's been less than successful in that. And the low bounces prolly aren't helping.

great hands by Roddick

Hitting some moonpies would be a good idea for Rafa right now lol!

Omg whaaa? It's 3-0 Andy? I'm frantically trying to scroll while I work.

Great reflexes at the net by Andy great pick up Andy off a half volley to boot.

It seems that now Rafa is starting to try to change the pace a little bit, although he is still off. But I think he is getting better

Ausiemarg...
He'll figure it out.
Nerves might be playing with him for a bit. Determination is one of Rafa's greatest attributes. He won't give up.

1st set is gone. Rafa's ROS is not good enough to break this Roddick... Why is Roddick grunting loudly every hitting and serves?? It's as if he's trying too hard. Last time that happened was when he played against Fed at US open. He got his a$s kicked then.

ok Andy lets not over-use the S & V

Would be awesome if you could somehow break back here, Rafa!!

Andy with 2 poor approaches and Rafa has a BP....

Nadal's passing shots are the greatest.

Or not

S and V actually a good choice there, Andy. Deuce

This game, Roddick is feeling it already. The second serving game, Roddick was full of aces. Now he can't get a first serve in

Pls don't kill me with all these bps but no breaking, Rafa!

Good play by Andy there

BTW, I like the color combo, whatever it is- It reminds me of the old pirate like Nadal, only without the sleeveless

Sounds like Rafa is having an off day! Go Andy!

A-Rod is getting too predictable with his S&V, and on 2nd serves to boot. Dude, you ain't no Edberg. Take it easy.

So it looks like just about _everyone_ here is a Rafa fan... go Andy!

I heard one of the announcers refer to the color of Rafa's shirt as "maroon."

Nope. Not even close.

This announcer's knowledge of colors is about as impressive as Rafa's play on break points on Roddick's serve.

I'm with you, neilintoronto! I was so happy when Michael Jordan made baldness cool!

On the men's tennis tour, however, the trend has not caught on. Blake wears his well, while I think that Lubicic looks like the father of whomever he is playing. Roddick seems to be facing reality with aplomb.

I look at Verdasco, who can start a tournament with a crew cut, and leave with a ponytail, and realize that life is just not fair!

Good tough hold by Andy

Like the way he used that 2nd serve and came in on it

Rafa had his chances there Andy wasnt getting 1st serve in

Cna't believe it Rafa is 0-4 break points already

Good hold for Andy -- a good second serve does wonders....

Manuel That was Jason who called Rafa's tee Maroon lol!

I've said many times. The difference between Fed and Rafa when they face against Roddick is ROS. Fed is way better against fast flat serve, hense 22-2 record. Rafa is not as good and therefore, more trouble for him, especially when he gets behind like this. 1st set is gone.

ROFL Jay, The Nando line i will have to keep and reuse if that's ok with you. At least Rafa hasn't gone the Brett Michaels look, the full head bandana with a horse hair weave poking out of it. If that ever happens i'll hold Rafa down and shave his head myself.

Bald is Beautiful* ( and other lies i tell myself :P )

Feeling sick ...

Well I do have Andy symphaties...but I want Rafa in the semis(I want Fed-Rafa).

Rafa would you please play to your strenghts?

Like you had a good kicker serve and went back inside when you had the open court

And what the heck happened to Rafa's serve! really! It's back to the puny version and Roddick is returning everything. 1st and 2nd!!

Me, too, Lynne. Although I think I feel sick due to the number of potato chips I just ate....

I really don't have a horse in this race, so watching this is a pleasure....

I think the court surface equally helps/hinders both.

Rafa has more time, but the low bounce is throwing his footwork/timing off.
Agree he needs to use his slice more and short chip the ROS. Make Roddick move up and back.

Roddick likes the sure footing and lack of elements. His strength is consistency and he doesn't have to go for a lot with Nadal's UFEs. OTOH, the carpet appears to be difficult to serve through.

Love Rafa's indside out f/.hand to me its his best shot

Wow! Nadal is serving nowhere close to UsOpen/Tokyo etc. WTF happened to the new serve? It'll be interesting to see the mph.

Nadal's also NOT getting ANY read on A-Rod's serves. This one could be over quickly..