That loopy FH came into Andy's game and the big wins just became that much harder to get. He was definately hitting it flatter in Miami.

BTW, imo JayZ is HipHop. Catch his Daily Show appearance last week, he articulated it quite well if his lyrics alone don't stand up well for everyone.

Later guys.

*yello fuzzy: When was the last time you actually saw Jay-z? He's one of the best dressed men in hip-hop.
*

Yeah- I mean he occasionaly wears a hoodie and necklace but he does not have his pants dragging on the ground and is also prone to wearing suits, etc.

Old man Fed: I personally don't frazzle over Roger anymore but I know that there are many who will. But I would love for him to win tomorrow, so that I could be spared the British media crowing over another Murray victory over Roger.

Tuulia Word!

Murray will beat Federer in 3 sets. Andy was very sharp yesterday!

Hi Ruth: yes, it was entertaining, but hardly predictable. This was the 1st round match with the biggest upset possibility, given all the givens.

Although I did not expect Rafa to start out serving well under 50% and strewing UFEs all over the place, I did think it would go 3, with no idea who would end up on top.

Amazes me how little joy so many posters here have in watching end of the season tennis between the top 8.

...and wanting to share their negativity and gloom.

I thought that both players brought some flashes of their best tennis today. What more could anyone ask for?

Congrats to Rafa for his 1st match win at the YEC in, how long? Lo siento, RAndy, you came out firing with a good game plan. You still have a chance to make it out of the RR because you won so many games today.

Oh...and by the way, my house is sparkling! LORL (Laugh Out Really Loud!!!)

Hi everybody

That first set Rafa played awful (long vacations are not good for him) later he did better and better. Bad serve and short shots but at the end he won. I'm sure next match he is going to play much better

Murray will beat Federer and put presure on him. Then I hope my man will brings his A game like he did at French open.

AM: very disappointed Remus won't be financing your retirement with his celebrity income.

Though I did see the "Harry Potter" movie and it was excellent! The movie was better than the book.

Loved the landscape of the British Isles.

Speaking of hip hop, there is quite the buzz on Kanye West's new album. Haven't heard it yet myself. The guy is a pain in the a%%, but I have to admit a great, creative artist and a buy some of his stuff.

"Predictable win for Rafa...." Really? I certainly didn't think so during or after the first set and even at times beyond that. I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. Rafa is one of my faves, but RAndy is my #1; so I'll just hope that he keeps his spirits up and plays well in the next 2 RR matches.

Rafa was sidelined for a month so this result was expected given the opponent was Roddick. He will get better with more matches under his belt.VAMOS Rafa!

Mr Rick- I have heard good reviews for the album and plan on picking it up. I agree he can be a real pain in the rear/stinker but yet- he amuses me. I do think he is in on the joke and his twitter entries have made me laugh.

AB Wll thats the model business I guess.Main thing Remus and Herimone are soo muc better.I hear the new Harry Potter movie is the best

I just looked up some of Jayz's lyrics and the amount of curse words and the liberal use of the dreaded N word is just ridiculous. it's baffling to me that this guy is heralded as a great artist, he's just regurgitating ugly
is it possible for Jay Z to do a song without cursing or referring to others as N's ? Seems like thats all he's got

Hi, AB, glad you agree with me about the absence of predictability in the match. With a predictable outcome, I would have spent less time "hiding" in the lauundry room or switching nervously to CNN. LOL

I really don't care for Harry Potter and hiphop/rap. But I understand why people like them.

Thank goodnees they didnt start playing Kylies

I'm Spiining Around in the break or I would have Died!

Just read where Serena has withdrawn from the Hopman. The US better hope Vee replaces her because last year the team of Isner and future "top ten" Mel went out easily. Does anyone know the real extend of Serena's injuries?? I have a feeling it is more serious then we're told. Over at the WTA world site, they were reporting she was in a wheel chair, not that I believe everything over there. And as AM mention, Cronin, that lover of all thing about American tennis except the two best player is constantly talking about their retirement. Wishful thinking, no doubt. Love Round robin because your favorite can lose and still stay around. Kom igen, Robin. I miss Caro so much!! Scandinavia beautiful and talented World's no 1.

yello fuzzy- I don't like that word. But I can't agree with you that he is worthless and his lyrics are always awful and his only skill is cursing. Again- you may find some of his interviews interesting. Of course, it may not change your mind at all- but he does in some of them explain the use of some words- in particular in the aforementioned Fresh Air interview on NPR.

But as always- we don't have to agree. :)

AB, you are quite right, whenever we can get the top 8 players, healthy and playing well, all in one spot for a week, we should be quite happy.

I guess with the weird indoor surface, its just a little nerve wracking - its harder to predict who will will this tournamant than who will win the Kentucky Derby - which can be QUITE unpredictable...

Well, Rafa won at least one. Color me pleased.

+1 to whoever said that RAndy was going to lay a beatdown on Berdy. Poor guy, forever the nearly man.

Both matches tomorrow should be great. I expect an easy 2 set win for Fed, and a hard fought 3 set nailbitter for Ferru.

Samantha one of the weirdest things about Serena's injury is that she herself or her doctors don't seem to understand whether it's serious or not...lol I mean didn't she play an exhibition just days after it happened? And then something else...it's just a bizarre thing all around.

AB and Mr. Rick- it is great to have all eight playing. When is the last time that all eight players who qualified were able to play?

The mighty Swede will be on fire tomorrow!!!

What's not predictable about Rafa winning this match? I mean if you called it beforehand of course, not during the match. Their recent and year long form, their respective records in close matches, and the very slow surface all strongly pointed to Rafa being overwhelmingly the likely winner - and he delivered.

Hi Everybody !

Ruth: Congrats on your Eagles beating my Giants.

Speaking of the Philadelphia Eagles, everyone should check out what they're doing with their stadium. Very Impressive !

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-eagles-greenerstadium

Murray will beat Federer again! I just know it!

Wooo hoo Rafa fans, time to celebrate! He won ONE match! That's all I asked for. Thank you tennis G.O.D.S.

Saw the Harry Potter movie on the weekend; definitely the best of the series though it was much darker than the rest. Harry and his friends have definitely grown up.

LOVED it.

"Rafa is one of my faves, but RAndy is my #1"

Reverse the "R's" for me, so unfortunately I had to root against Randy today. Glad he did well, tho.

Ruth, btw, a very belated Happy Birthday.

Temes, exhibition is a lot different from a serious, competitive match in which you want to win. Serena was there to collect a paycheck, because if you saw the match, you couldn't call that real tennis. She was smiling and looked like she couldn't careless. She was even smiling at Juju so I know she wasn't taking it serious because she doesn't like Juju after that FO incident. Kom sa, Caro, Kom igen Robin!!

Andy has Federer's number!I can't wait for tommorrow!

yes, Carrie, and, bless his heart, the more time he spends on his music and other creative projects, and the less time he spends running his mouth about other things, the better for all ...

Yeah Samantha but I meant it isn't smart to take part in walking let alone a tennis exhibition if you have a serious foot injury. So I don't know what's up with Serena's doctors and their advice.

May I disagree!

If he beats Federer tommorrow, I think his gonna beat Federer at grandslams next year.

Carrie
I just think the great influence these guys Diddy, Kanye and Jay Z have on a generation of young men is not positive .Most of the subject matter in their lyrics are basically this: I got mine, you don't, I got my bling, I'm bad, all those gays and ho's and b*tches ....I come from a time when music was melodic and you could sing along without having to bleep out all the curse words. I love all kinds of music, even some rap...I always loved the Beastie Boys because they rarely if ever used the N word and when they do curse, it's in jest and not to dis someone else...I'm all for creative cursing
; )

Andy will beat Federer and maybe Soderling will beat Federer. Isn't that wonderfull!

Rafa will probably play better as the tourney goes on.

He was nervous about last year's performance, Roddick's victory the last time they met, not having recent match play.

Ruth: I guess many of the TWibe are as rich as Teddy Forstmann since tennis matches are so "predictable" they must be reaping heavy betting paydays.

temes: I think someone at Scholastic could have heavily edited the last few Harry Potter books, but old JK Rowling captures the tension and uncertainty of coming of age as well as the poignancy of friendship. The last 3 movies have exceeded her artistry as the kid actors have grown into their roles.

Mr. Rick & Carrie: I am getting into this tournament and hope for our fellow TWibers planning to attend that they get to see their faves play well.

Andy will try to put the ball to Federer's backhand-side and break his serve. It will be just like when they played at Shanghai!

Carrie, it seems to me that at least one player has had to withdraw from the finals the past 2-3 years, and of course Rafa was there last year but only physically...

I think Roddick had to withdraw one year, Nalbanian another, ????

yello fuzzy: Last week, Oprah who in the past, has stated that she's against rap actually recommended Jay-z's book to her audience. She said that those who are close-minded about hip-hop/rap should read it. I think you should check it out.

Temes, you know Serena is Serena, not sure she would pay them any attention to her doctors. Temes, I saw her in some really high heel boots. Love her, but she is too much. Get well soon.

it is way past the bedtime of both Andy Murray AND Roger Federer - you have matches tomorrow - go to bed

yello fuzzy- did you used to like more of the trip-hop rappers such as De La Soul (Three Feet High and Rising was my best friend's and mine soundtrack for the start of our sophmore year)and Diggable Planets in the late 1980s/early 1990s? Or Tribe Called Quest? If you have never head them you may want to check it out.

Mr Rick, LOL

Anyway Andy Murray, I hope you'll play good tomorrow!!

Must echo the lol to Rick's comment.

Oh geeze I get home to find out Andy lost and then Sarah Palin was just on my tv. I just ate about 4 brownies, I'm an emotional eater! :) Congrats Rafa fans! Guess it was a good thing I couldn't watch. I was trying to follow the score on my phone on the way home in the car, then remembered that it is now illegal to "improperly use" your telephone in our state, thank goodness it was dark out and none of the cops spotted me!

Hugs to Kristy and my fellow Andy fans!

Thanks, Colette!

"Oh...and by the way, my house is sparkling! LORL (Laugh Out Really Loud!!!)"
Mrs. T: I did all of the laundry from my two sets of birthday houseguests during that match! The last batch is in the dryer. :)

Glenn: Sorry about that whipping my boys put on your guys. Well, I'm not really sorry! :) Go, Michael! Go, Eagles!

As I said before

I wish Rafa could just win normally without the drama

I am a Mature Woman and I cant seem to take this excitement much anymore

He has his Career Slam so I am happy still..............................

ESPN is reporting Data Krumm at age 40 will retire in 2011. Will she be back? At least Dina and Maria don't have to worry about being embarassed again. Good luck to her.

Glenn Us Giants fans have to stick togehter ok

AM, but that's what the booze is there for ;)

phew! que suerte la tuya rafalito!!!!
i couldnt stay online and watch the match at same time, i say it over and over rafa u cannot afford to lose a service game on this surface, u rarely if ever are able to make a comeback, its just the way it is!
i don't know how he squeeze through in that second set but boy oh boy as usual when it happened i knew it was over for roddick , rafa seemed less tight , getting into a rythm,andy started getting pierce left and right!
commies andy, there's still hope for u, as long as it doesnt involved messing up rafa's plan!!!

Carrie
I love the trip hop and anything that was creative and had some love in it...I don't feel the love in Jayz work or Kanye and Diddy...before gangsta rap, their was a real creative force in hip hop music, there were innovations (jazz and accoustic hip hop albums, someone even tried a hip hop opera)now it just a vehicle to strand certain young men into intellectual purgatory. there are no PM Dawns or Diggable Planets,Arrested Development, or even a Me'Shell Ndegéocello today..its all the same, Eminem,JayZ, Kanye and they all sound the same lots of cussing, hate for gays, and liberal use of the n word.
o and how tough the streets are...well duh!
eewww I am getting too off topic...sorry folks

Tuulia I never drunk alchol much till I followed Rafa

There may be a hidden message there also its not kind on your skin when you get to my age also the drugs either may I add.

Then again I also follow Safina?

She dosent help my cause either lol!

Ruth,

Just got home a little while ago and am trying to catch up with tennis news

I see I missed your birthday and sure hope it was fun; I know you have been busy with house guests but I have spent the day at my church hanging the greens and getting the tree decorated a few days before schedule(believe me I had lots of help as it's a big church) because my dear friend Susan's funeral is tomorrow. Now it's Thanksgiving and I will be at my daughter's in laws at Lake Oconne for the holiday, hope we can get together before Christmas. Enough personal info and back to tennis which I didn't get to see and that's why I love TW....it gives me a view of how the matches went.
You Rafa fans seem to frazzle a bit too much, of course he was a bit rusty but did you really expect him to lose to Andy R? Rafa is the # 1 player and has won almost everthing he played this year, why do you doubt him?
We Fed fans know what it's like to watch a match and have no clue who will show up!
Sorry for all Andy R fans as it seems that he was really in the match but it's he same old story....close but no win.

AM - yes, watching tennis can be hazardous to one's health, indeed. Not just the tranquillising substances, but also sleep deprivation, non-regular sleeping and feeding times etc. Oh and tense muscles. I'm pretty sure I don't have a heart condition or I'd have died years ago.

Ruth: No need to be sorry. It was a total win for youz guys !

AM: So you're a Giants fan too !! That's awesome. As for the alcohol and drugs, my only recommendation is to rotate the substances of choice :)

Great writing man. Will the Poms ever get what they want??

Yellow Fuzzy: thanks for the suggestions on the hip-hop. I'll check them out.

Stepping out to pay some bills.

Later Y'all

Tuulia and AM, LOL, I understand what you say. It doesn't matter easy or difficult match but to watch Rafa playing give us too many emotions

London Order of Play:

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

Wednesday
Lukas Kubot and Oliver Marach vs Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman at 7:15 AM
Tomas Berdych(44-25; 5-9) vs Andy Roddick(48-16; 4-3) at 9 AM
Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic vs Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi at 1:15 PM
Rafael Nadal(68-9; 8-4) vs Novak Djokovic(58-16; 3-6) at 3 PM

Tuulia Did I mention the stomach ulcers as well and Panic Attacks? lol!

We Rafa fans I think have "steel everything" lol!

Glen Rotation of substances you might be onto something there.Good to see you here again Bye!

Carol Yes Rafa tends to bring out the "emotions" in his fans.Though at the end of the day I would not have it any other way really.

Diane: if you're still around, I saw yr post a few days ago and meant to offer condolences re yr friend.

I hope they achieved some peace before the end.

Hell Rafa plays Novak next

I need to visit my friendly bottle shop and chemist for more supplies

Pronto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs Heather, and other Andy fans. I left work and looked frantically for a bar that might have Tennis Channel -- never thought I'd think "why don't bars have more TVs?" But no one had tennis so I walked home over the Brooklyn Bridge (in pointy shoes -- ow) and got the deflating news when I got home.

Always so close. Well, I hope he can beat Berd. But watch Berd wake up and be deadly against him.

I wouldn't have it any other way, either. :)

Thanks AB

This Thanksgiving means so much to me, realy going to focus on the positive things in life and all of us have things to be thankful for as all of us have things that are trying and difficult.
Funny thing is that here we find tennis and our favs not winning causing us angst. Yes when Fed plays a supid match and loses, I get upset!!I hope I get to see his match in the A.M.; even if he loses it will be a nice distraction for me.

Hey, Diane. Sorry to hear about the sad news about your friend, and especially coming, for her family, during the usually happy holday season. We'll chat after Thanksgiving, OK?

I haven't given up on Roddick's chances of doing well in the WTF, and I hope that others of his fans will also keep the faith. Remember...my RAndy bus is still parked in my aunt's yard near Wimbledon, so I might have to consider taking a quick flight over to London, revving up the engine, and heading to the O2! LOL

Ruth, I think you should rev up the engine! I'll pick up some snacks!

Heather and Kirsty

Commies to you I did leave a post before.I thought he had the matc in ways.I still feel he will beat Tomas with ease quite frankly.So Chin Up.

Thanks, AM! :) Congrats to you! Hoping Berdy doesn't decide to have the best match of his life or anything on Wed, Andy's got a pretty excellent record against him so we shall see.

Hope your feet are okay, Kristy!

Diane, I add my sincere condolences.

It's deal, Heather!

It's funny...I just thought of my near-Wimby aunt when someone mentioned that Kylie Minogue (sp?) was at the match because my aunt became a great grandmother a few months ago, and she complained bitterly to me on the phone that her granddaughter had named the new baby after "some stupid singer or actress she likes named Kylie something." I couldn't help laughing because it sounded like something my late mother would have said, with that unique West Indian pronunciation of "stupid." :)

Ruth

Thaks for the kind thoughts and I might have to get back on The RAndy bus with you. I had lost faith and interest in him for awhile as I did with James Blake but I am mellowing a bit about Roddick again, he like Roger is in the twilight phase of his tennis and I guess I would like to see him have at least one more big win.
Have a nice Thanksgiving and do as I will and forget all Weight Watcher's points.
A bit OT, I have the TV on in the backround and am listening to Entertainment Tonight and they are discussing Dancing With The Stars which I don't watch but it seems that Britol Palin is causing quite a stir; seems the Palin family were meant to be media stars.

Thanks, AM. My chin is rising from your prediction. (:

I love sports and the intensity of competition. There are no "done deals" in sports. You have to close out the match, cross the finish line in front, overcome your own nerves, bad calls, hot opponents and off days.

That's why we play and that's why we watch.

It's a tough ask for Ferrer or Le Sod to make it out of Group B, but Ferrer has often played Le Sod very tough, and MAndy is capable of beating Roger in straights. That would make the 3 RR matches very interesting and the number of games won/lost much more important.

I could see Nole beating Rafa and RAndy taking out Berdy. Again, that would make 3rd round matches in Group A important.

I want to see more 3 setters and tighter matches. I'm looking forward to the next round.

Go Everyone! Bring your best.

Colete

Thanks much to you and night all, off to watch "House"

Diane, I'm sorry for your loss of your friend. That's very sad.

I'm glad you're back on the RAndy express -- he can be exasperating and rude, but...
er... well, there's just something about him.

Heather, thanks, my feet are recovering. (:

Andy did do well. There's reason to hope.

Strange schedule of Murray vs Federer match. Most people are still at work and Television rating likely lower than evening prime time.

But then it is equal oportunities and people can watch Soderling vs Ferrer at prime time.

Ruth...laundry...SLOL (still laughing out loud!!!)

Boy!

Amen to your 8:00 pm comment, AB. As you indicated earlier, luckily for Betfair and other similar companies, most people aren't as sure of the outcome of tennis matches as some members of this TWibe. :)

And to those TWers who might still be wondering why Andy fans and/or Rafa fans might have thought that there could have been an Andy win today (even before set #1), let me offer two bits of infomation: (1) in their last meeting Andy beat Rafa in Miami this year; (2) Andy has won a higher percentage of his matches with Rafa (37%)than have other top guys like Djokovic, Murray, and Federer (app. 31% to 33%)!

Did someone already note that Hrbaty has announced his retirement? Tis the season...
With winning H2H against Federer and Nadal according to James LaRosa's tweet.
I wonder if he's the only one who has that? Surely he is.

AB If your still around.The agent just called me they have changed the
fashion shoot till next week and also they want both Remus and Heriome in a TV commercial the following week

Hello Chanel!!!!!!!

AM: fantastic! heh, heh. I am so envious of you. Most people can't get their cats to do anything.

Yours might afford you a new piece of bling, or better yet, another trip to a Major tournament to watch your boy. Maybe you should just stay in Europe next year and go to Wimbledon, too?

C'mon cats, get to work making money for your mama.

Tt: only surprise was that Hrbaty waited this long to retire. I seem to recall that a few years ago he was already running out of material for his shirts. Hee.

AB lol.

lol, hb.

hard on poor dominic....

AB Hmmm I think I should really set up a Trust Fund for each of them

I dont want to be classed as one of those "pushy parents"

He must be over 30 by now he did have funny teeth if I remember

Though I loved the moment when he and Roger shared the same chair in the break last time they played each other

"Hell Rafa plays Novak next

I need to visit my friendly bottle shop and chemist for more supplies

Pronto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Hi AM. long time. also ditto to ur comment about Rafa-Nole encounter. ouch.

AM: How will they even show up on camera? Aren't Bombays basically just a pair of round copper eyes in a sea of black?

Do yours talk, ride around on Roombas, play with faucet water or otherwise perform?

I think it's wise to try to keep your stage parent's (aka tennis coach) persona from ruining your kitties chance at stardom.

With your taste for expensive accessorizing you must do everything in your power to keep them employed.

Hi Lollipop LOL!

AB There is always a problem with getting their right eye colour.Being Amber is does cause problems.Though these photographers are pros so they can adjust.

The TV commerical will be interesting lol!

AM/lollipop -no worries for Rafa vs. Novak 'Is It DC Yet?' Djokovic. Slower court, even w/relatively low bounce will help Rafa and the chances are pretty good that Novak's mind will already be back in Serbia. He REALLY wants to win DC at home....and who can blame him? But to defeat Rafa you have to bring 110% focus and though Novak's HC record against Rafa is good, methinks the wandering mind will allow Rafa to kick down the door. If Novak gets down early, look for Rafa to steamroller.

CL I am already ordering extra drugs and alchol I dont want my cupboard bare ok.

Well at least it will be a much better match than the Yawn Fest I witnessed between Novak v Tomas.

So, Rafa was rusty today? Or is it a bad matchup with Roddick?

In 2004, Rafa defeated the #1 Fed in straights on HC but got bageled by Roddick in the same year at USO.

Ofcourse, Rafa is not the same player anymore.

I have always wondered..that if in 2005 or 2006...would Roddick have had more chances of making more finals if he fell in Rafa's half instead of being in Fed's half GS after GS, year after year.

Still...credit to Roddick for *still* being in the top 8 since 2003. It ain't easy.

Rafa is ofcourse Rafa. Seen him win just way too many times after being 1-5 down with Fed serving for the set. So, predictability is also a bit based on individual perception.

I would have never bet any money on Roddick winning today.

As for tomorrow, I hope Fed brings his best game. Last year, Muzz's wheels came off in the last set. Nothing against the Muzz...but i wouldn't mind if the wheels came off for the Muzz this year too.