CL, agreed. Roddick was sharp today, and still didn't get the win, Nole's gonna have to be great. Even if Rafa isn't 100% he seems to want it so bad this yr he's gonna be hard to stop.

AM: what in the world is up w\Rafa's fashion these days? 1st the awful haircuts, then this hideous yellow on purple thing...I like the grey shorts, and the purples ok, but who in the world thought up the yellow sweat\hairbands? The whole outfit would look better if they were grey!...ohh for days of FO 2008! When Rafa steamrolled his opponents and ruled apparel world.

edit: "ruled THE apparel world"

just horsen The Nightmare Continues Rafa has never been the same until those insane Nike people deciced he needed a New Image.Pfft.

The kit has a caramel tee with white swirls on it with those shorts which he was to wear at Bercy.I didnt see the Maroon/Purple/whatever colour he had on today in that kit.

By the way I was nearly sick looking at it.Of course the match had to go 3 sets of course.Like he cant wrap things up in 2 sets.pfft.

Just checking back in and OMG, AM, I see Remus and Hermione will be giving new meaning to the "cat walk." Stars are born.

Ladyjulia I will be interested to see if Murray can keep up the same level of play he did against Soderling? also the pressure is on Andy too playing in London the press will surely "give it to him" if he has a bad match.He has the ablity to win this tournament.Though to me he is too inconsistant this year.

Colette LOL! I hope they behave themselves thats all.

The Fashion shoot is apparently "avant garde"? Remus has to kind of wrap himself on the models shoulder.Well he perches himslef on my shoulders lol!

The TV commercial is where they both have to walk though I will just over them some treats lol! that should do the trick.

Well its lunch time for me

Bye for Now

"By the way I was nearly sick looking at it."

-unfortunately, I had other obligations and couldn't watch the match...now, I think that might have been a good thing. :) Glad Rafa won though!

AM, is there any way we could get this tournament moved to Aus., pronto? Seems the only free time I to watch tennis anymore is 2am! :). Right now, all the match times are conflicting w\other things and I have only been able to see about 30mins. total. :(

oh Andy u can really break a heart, i still cant believe the moonpies that come off your racquet that used to be rockets, so many loopers, u think youre gonna grind out Nads?

bah! epic fail very disappointing...

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

Tim:

What became of the Roddick whose game was big first and second serves, followed by big forehands, and pummeled Rafa the first time they met at the U.S. Open?

geez Nad KiDS, how can winning ONE match lead to such shock? rafa is NO 1 in the world by 3000 points, i mean, what planet are some here residing on? geez maybe Nads should play challengers next year, its such a shock when he wins right?!

at least Fed fans step up and expcted him to win every darn match he played when he was no. 1, this today was not exactly an upset for a 3 Slam in a rown winner... now he will play Djoker in a meaningless third match, and Djoke will save energy and tank ...

a Fred nads semi is in the works and given the impossibility of hitting through this court, well ...

roddick hits puffy loopy forehands now, WHY, Ill never ever know... i mean he gave it a good go but what a stupid gameplan ... he needed even more aggression to acutally WIN the match, close doesnt count ... tennis is going from a sport about racquets to a sport about mostly about legs... bah

Hey Tim you too,let us frazzle if we elect too,it's like as Nadal fans you don't let us do anything,we can't frazzle,we can't brag,we can't duck,we can't laugh,what will you allow?lol
Let us at least frazzle when we know this is the big kids arena,remember it's a contest against the best(Year End) so we have got to shiver and quiver,yes we can!!!

http://vimeo.com/17105018

step up and be the fan of the NO. 1 who's the favorite every match, and not as if he's some rising junior who pulls off upsets when he wins... how about that :)

rafa does the same thing, he's never the favorite, even when he's no. 1 by a zillion points, talk about the best of both worlds!

"Rafa has never been the same until those insane Nike people deciced he needed a New Image."

I think it did him good overall, judging by results. :) & I like the WTF kit.

I thought Rafa and Djokovic were playing the second match and not Friday's third match? (at least, that's what the BBC's match report said.)

I imagine Djokovic will want some revenge too. Can't see him tanking really.

AB - enjoyed your comment at 6.11pm. :)

Jewell Hmmmm well how did I know you would say that regarding Rafa's clothes

I mean Purple/Maroon/with caramel head band and those shorts just dont go and the socks Please?

I was nearly sick.It wasnt the colour combo he was supposed to wear

I demand the singlet back ASAP.Also those Brown/Green/jungle wall paper shorts he word you must be kidding.

Also I didnt think Andy tanked at all.

Rafa got better as the game went on.Okay he hasnt played for weeks and has always been a player that needs matches.I wish people would give him some credit.How many times have we thought he is going to lose? you cant write him off ever.I feel for Andy and he should have won in 2 sets though with Rafa you can never under estimate him

Jewell When are you going to watch the matches?

:)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2cf332q.jpg

Kim Thanks at least Rafa is in "neutral colours"

Anway I will be wearing my Chanel sunnies next time he plays

Oh, no, Andy didn't tank - Tim said upthread that Djokovic would if he played Rafa. I disagree. :)

It was only those two bad points to give the break back in the second, and then that Rafa return that the TB turned on. I thought it was a pretty good match overall with some fun shotmaking from both men. And I agree Rafa improved as the match went on, especially his serve.

I prefer the sleeves generally to the sleeveless & pirata look (blasphemy, I know), although I agree the IW or Miami shorts weren't up to much. :)

Ooh, the cuddly cardigan. :) There were some nice pics at Moya's send-off of Rafa and Roger laughing into one another's eyes, too...or have I been reading too much bad romance again?

AM - I'm going this evening, I think Friday evening, and for Saturday's afternoon session. Hoping to meet Gauly and Nic today.

Jewell What matches will you get to see?

Oh is Nic in London now she moved from Sydney

Tonight's singles match is Ferru vs Soderling which ought to be fun. :)

Jewell You wont get to see Andy v Roger? any Rafa matches at all

I still have to go to work this morning & there's no way I could get to London for a 2pm match start. So during the week it's evening matches only. I've seen Roger & Rafa live once each which is happy-making enough; anything else is a bonus. :)

I forgot you still have to go to work and the start.Oh well as you say you have seen Rafa and Roger live not bad.

Well I hope Andy can maintain his good playing level against Roger

Murray-Federer could be a cracker of a match. Think I might manage to watch some before heading out again.

BTW, I forgot! Congratulations on Remus and Hermione's new stardom. You'll have to stop them from becoming prima donnas and refusing to eat anything but the best Scottish smoked salmon or something. :)

Jewell LOL!

Well the fashion shoot was supposed to be tomorrow I told her Remus had been sick even though he was better I thought it best to cancel.Anyway she rang me today and said the shoot will be next week.Also they both want Remus and Hermione in a TV commercial next Thursday.I hope they behave themsleves thats all.

I was reading some interviews with Rafa after his match I had to laugh at this

He said he now can play with more "calm" or "colm" now he won his first match lol!

"Ever the joker, Djokovic said that Maradona was doing some tennis coaching with him. "We're working on some specifics, like how to play high balls with the hand," he said."

LOL. *loves Djokovic in that mood*

Jewell Well Maradona has been at all the matches soo far

Well I didnt know Kylie was a Tennis Fan she sat next to Moya's g/friend today.

I think Maradona's going to be there all week. Can't say he's my favourite sporting celebrity in the world but he does add star quality to an occasion. :)

The BBC said Kylie was clapping Rafa. Perhaps he's going to be in a video with her next.

Hmmm Jewell please not after that Sakira Woman

Pat Cash my "un fav Aussie Ever" also was seen sitting next to Kylie

He cant help himslef can he? pfft.

I can just see Rafa taking over Jason Donovan's part in the video for "Especially for You".

I can't help but like Cashy, although he can be annoying sometimes. :)

Jewell Hmmmm I have a upset stomach you like Pat?

Ok I am really ill with Rafa taking over Jasons' part really>

Also David Beckham and Posh will be coming to Sydney she is soo thin we will probably not notice her.

I think I have a bit of a soft spot for, shall we say, "rogue-ish" types.

Is Beckham moving to Sydney, AM?

I'm with you Jewell I don't mind Pat Cash at all at least he is better than Shane 'mobile phone' Warne. Loved Cash when he was playing.

Jewell David is coming with the Galaxy soccer team and Posh is coming with him.

AA LOL!

I see I am out numbered

Sorry I cant stand him period.

Angel! How are you?

Hm...I dropped my copy of Amsterdam in the bath on Sunday night & the pages are still wet. Very annoying as I want to read it & can't.

Guess Posh doesn't want to let him out of her sight. :)

Well I am afraid noone holds a candle to Pat Rafter in my eyes any way.

I just didn't like Pat's dad. But Cash is no worse than any other commentator going around. I see the Poo is going into bankruptancy (sp!).

Jewell I am good but very busy at work today and I am out tonight and tomorrow night so no tennis for me. My social life is getting in the way.

Well I have to make dinner and then get to bed early for the matches

Hope that Roger v Murray is a good match

Hope that David Ferrer can get a win too.Sorry AA for that

Bye!

Have fun at the tennis Jewell.

Meant didn't like Cash's dad, though he wasn't as bad as the Poo's dad. I wish JMac's dad would come back and comment here, I loved his view on things.

I'm off to work, 'bye all. :)

Ok I am 9 pages behind but have just read that Serena has pulled out of HC, I'm not really surprised. Could Argentina be a replacement with either Pico (personal fav) or Elf playing alongside Dulko who has had mixed results at HC in the past.

Bloggers have the explanation for Kylie Minogue's presence in Nadal's box:

"Kylie Minogue was sitting in Rafa’s box together with her Spanish bf, 10 years her junior, supermodel Andres Velencoso Segura, next to Moya and his gf Carolina Cerezuela.

Google Mr. Segura, he’s worth taking a look.

I believe they all met this year during Wimbledon at that Spanish restaurant in South Kensington called Cambio de Tercio (there were joint photos on their site). This is where all the celeb Spaniards in London hang out and it is Rafa’s favourite."

Some more essential info from tweetosphere:

"Another blonde celeb in the audience was frequently shown and captioned - January Jones (actress playing Don Draper’s wife Betty in Mad Men).
A Brit journo tweeted he saw her after the match waiting for Nadal (to take a photo with him, apparently) like some regular fan.
Ah, those cougars."

Tic thanks for the gossip, keep up the good work.

And on a more serious note, Gimmelstob reported that Nadal rolled his left ankle a bit during his practice yesterday, but is on the mend.

Hi AM
Congrats to your cats becoming fashionistas and TV stars!
Have to work tomorrow. Not sure, if it's worth to stay up
to watch Roger loose. (Let's go Roger!!!)

Enjoy tennis as always!
Bye for now.

I went to the WTF on Mon and watched both matches. Djokovic vs Berdych was a letdown and I felt shortchanged for my ticket. Djokovic played well with solid service game, smart drop shots, good FH and clinical net winners. But Berdych didn't show up with his patchy 1st serve and iffy volleys. Djokovic attacked Berdych 2nd serve and got early breaks in both sets.

Nadal vs ARoddick was extremely enjoyable and lived up to its top billing. Roddick's 1st serve was brilliant with plenty aces and points, he sliced and came to the net for volleys. Nadal had plenty FH winners, passing shots and won longer rallies. Impressive how Nadal turned the match around. My first time to watch Roddick live and both players earned my respect.

The event has improved with a earlier commuter friendly start. The new fan zone with sponsors' pavillions showcasing their brands, promotions and tennis themed activities. Service challenge, tennis art, interactive games,tennis for kids, mock beach and more chill out areas for fans to relax and talk. It is a win/win idea as fans have somewhere to go before/after matches and sponsors get more exposure. Good job.

Am surprised about all the talk against Rafa's outfit, i love it - it's WAY better than the pink. "Rhubarb and Custard" some are calling it, lol Rafa's "dessert" range

Must be frustrating having a "slower" surface than expected (yay :D)
but not getting the high bounce (boo D:) that'd be confusing

LOVIN IT! that he got the win even after playing so bad in first set or so!
High drama's fine with me Rafa, if i wanted predictable straight sets i'd be more of a Fed fan. Three setters are fine too! Keep it up hey?!!

Forgot to say well done "Hannah" for the article, love the DL analogy for MAndy!! perfect!

"Watching Murray, on the other hand, is more like viewing a David Lynch movie. It's incomprehensible at times, full of twists and turns, sequences of unexpected and hypnotic beauty, and permanently on the verge of straying into the surreal"

Hi jodiecate, I'm a gauloises KAD, but for me, the David Lynch/Andy Murray (now there's a doubles team!) analogy involves a fair amount of poetic license. perhaps they share a brooding intensity... otoh, would love to hear some Angelo Badalamenti music at the O2... It might work in that venue and would be a switch from London Calling. :) Who's applying to DJ next year? wilson75

Mel/Pet up a break in the first set against Dlo/Pae, 3-1

Just reading Tim's obsessive posts on Rafa and they're LOL. And Tim has the nerve to call me out when I write about Oudin. Here's the difference, the things said about Rafa's game are true, he is a great player and worthy world's no l. The things said about Oudin's game have more to do with hype than reality. Just came into wish Robin the best, if he loses today, he's out. would love to see him go the distance. I really wish the so called "tennis experts" would give Serena the benefit of the doubt they seem to give to other players. Cronin just posted pictures of her on crutches and she recently had a second surgery, yet he and other are still insinuating she's is faking an injury. There was even an article posted here by of course an American writer which said she didn't deserve to be no 1. This was when she was no l and holding two current slams and had been no l for most of 2010. I have NEVER seen an article writen that a player should lose their no l status because they're injured and can't play. I guess in America different rules apply when we're talking about Serena. The same Cronin who has doubted Serena was the same one who defended Sharapova when she claimed she was too injured too play Fed cup for Russia. Yet he felt the need to call Serena out for not playing. Serena is clearly injured, the fashionista isn't hobbling around with an unattractive boot and crutches because it looks good. So get well soon, miss you and hope you're back to defend your title. Serena come back and make them mad again by beating the players they favor. I loved it when she beat Sharapova at Wimbledon because so many wanted her to lose and she defied them. Love her rebel style. Kom igen Robin.

Although Robin is my favorite, I wouldn't mind a Rafa/Fed final. Can you imagine what this place would be like? Now that is hott!!

Fed Vs Muzz is 9 am? Will have to rely on matchcalls...

I hope Fred is locked up and thrown into the river. He can swim back later.

Few of the British journos are picking Muzz..saying the court favors counterpunchers.

Hi TWibe.

Yesterday was scary for this rafan. Roddick was theoretically the weakest opponent in the draw, and still Rafa almost lost in straights against him. He was lucky to win the match. If he does not improve, Nole is going to expose him tomorrow big time.

Yes, Rafa normally improves as he advances in a tournament (that's his business model, right?), but here the opponents are top dogs from the very beginning. At the same time, the round robin format may ease the pressure as compared with the usual knock-out format. Which may be good or bad. I am curious to see how Rafa reacts to a match with Nole he may not necessarily need to win. In his own words, "I can play with a little bit more calm the next match. But even if I lose the next match, I’m still going to have chances to be in the semis." Will this "calm" make him play better or worse?

And I don't trust Berdych a bit in the last RR match either...

Wow tennis.com front is really dramatic...which is further increased by the fact that Djokovic looks like Al Pacino and Ljubo like Marlon Brando there lol.

From twitter, the presentation of Rafa's no1 & Edberg awards will be after Fed-Muzz

Yes!!! Mel/Pel take the first set!! Whew!!

Hello everyone. ;)

I didn't recognize the song but I think LukasD was singing along while Leander was taking a break. On to set 2.

Hello everyone!
I had internet issues right before the start of Rafa's match.
Still I was able to catch the second and third set from home.
Oh my, was I glad that I pulled that stat from the FedEx reliability zone just before the start of the match showing that Rafa has the best record of winning matches after losing the first set! That's about the only thing that kept me somewhat hopeful yesterday.
And I know, I know, many here think or say they knew that Rafa was going to win but honestly when he was down a set and a break in the second, it was hard for me to believe he was going to be able to turn it around (not to even talk about the nightmares from the three losses last years that kept playing up in my head)

Looks like I killed the thread :)

Anyway, I was looking at more stats and not surprisingly Roger leads the indoor and hard categories which is a good omen for him, no?
Not that he needs it really since he knows how to win tour finals.

It's just 15 minutes till Fed & Andy, where is everybody?

Greg Rusedski has picked Muzz to win today.

Either way its going to be a three setter, weird match today where someone's wheels will fall off. The question is whether it will be Muzz or the Fed.

Ladyjulia,
Hi! Glad to see I am not alone :)

I think Fed is winning this one. We'll see.

Oh I just realized the match will probably start late since the doubles is far from over...

@Work,
Believe it or not, my day job did not block the free streaming of the doubles.

Hi @work, since you ask, I'm @work. But going home now to watch the match.
As for tonight's, Ferru has beaten Sod 2 out of the last 3 times they've played, that is 66.6%. (Please don't fill me in with more details about their earlier h2h history :-)

Master Ace,
Am I glad to see you!
What's happening with the doubles?
My SB is acting up again cause it's been stuck at 6-7, 3-0 and 15-40 for the longest time.
Glad you're streaming. No such luck on my end.

@work,

Hi!

I don;t like to bet against the Muzz in a three set match...but i think Fed has good chances and he is in good form (ignoring the five matchpoints in previous tourney).

Last year, the Fed was able to shut Muzz out..and the winner of this match will have it easier to go to SFs. So, they both will be motivated.

Fed is obviously playing catch-up in the H2H..but with two coaches, and good form, it will be quite disappointing if he goes down to the Muzz. Not that Muzz is a lowly player or anything, he's obviously a multi-slam winner potential (like the Fed said)..but Fed's gotta win while he can. He's only going to get older and slower as time goes on. Got to use his chances while he can.

Hi @work, ladyjulia & anyone else!

@work: I also couldn't shake nightmares about last year during Rafa's match. I think he said it was on his mind as well.

Kwaku,

Hehe... I won't, I promise!
I must admit I have been neglecting David and Robin so I haven't been checking on them at all.
I would love for David to win though :)

Melzer/Petzschner is serving at 7-6(9),4-5. They broke Dlouhy/Paes as soon as I got streamed.

Master Ace,
Thanks! Tried refreshing a couple of times but my SB is not moving :(
Hope I can get it to work for Andy and Roger.

Good Morning everyone!

Roger/Andy is the early match?

30-40 for DP as Jurgen smash stayed on his side
DP breaks and takes the set 6-4 as Philip smash sails wide

Heather,
Yes, Federer and Murray should be playing in about 20-30 minutes as the doubles are going to STB.

I'm with you jodiecate. I love Rafa's outfit too. I think he looks great in bright colours. They look good with his skin tone. I even liked his USO fluorescent lime day outfit better than the night black.

GB, I read that too that Rafa's being presented with his awards tonight although I thought I read that they were going to happen before the match, not after. Whatever, I hope the livestreams carry it as I'd love to see it. I had to laugh at Roger's comments when he got his FF award. You can tell he was really chuffed to lose the Sportsman award. Almost the first thing he said was that he tries to be a good guy and tries to play with fair play against the other players. Um, Roger, that was last year's speech. :D

@work, I wasn't so sure Rafa was going to win when he was a set and a break down either! To me, he just looks so uncomfortable on this 'surfrace' and doesn't play with his usual confidence. Of course, with Rafa we always have hope because he's so fierce and competitive but boy he puts his fans through some palpitations first! I'm not usually a frazzler but I'll be frazzling for the start of the Djoko match on Wednesday.

Had to step away. Hi @work and everyone else. I see Mel/Pet are about the lose. Rats. Oh well deserved win I guess.

Oh, forgot it's 10 pt. TB. Now 8/7 D/P. Is there hope for Mel/Pet?

Brad Gilbert is picking Muzz in 3 sets to win.

Ooh, Mel/Pet have drawn even.

8 all, Dlo to serve and misses CC FH. 9/8 Mel/Pet.

Come on! Match point for Mel/Pet.

Yes!!!! They did it!

And Mel/Pet come through and win. Great match!

DP = Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes
MP = Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner

Nick Lester and Ashley Fisher doing the commentary

Steve Ulrich is chair umpire

DP to serve 6-7(9),6-4

Lukas to serve
DP 1-0 ??
Jurgen to serve
DP 2-0 Philipp volley wide
DP 3-0 Philipp volley long after Leander return hit the net and bounced over to start point
Leander to serve
DP 4-0 Leander volley winner
DP 4-1 Jurgen CC FH passing shot winner
Philipp to serve
DP 5-1 Lukas return winner into doubles alley
DP 5-2 Leander nets BH return
Lukas to serve
DP 6-2 Stream froze
DP 6-3 Lukas DF
Jurgen to serve
DP 6-4 Lukas nets BH return
DP 7-4 Philipp volley wide cutting off Leander FH
Leander to serve
DP 8-4 Philipp nets volley
DP has 8 DF in match
DP 8-5 Jurgen smash too hot for Lukas
Philipp to serve
DP 8-6 Jurgen smash winner
DP 8-7 Leander FH return long
Lukas to serve
8-all Lukas FH long
MP 9-8 Lukas volley wide
Jurgen to serve
MP wins the match as Philipp hit volley winner down the middle

Melzer/Petzschner defeated Dlouhy/Paes 7-6(9),4-6,10-8

"Will this "calm" make him play better or worse?"

It should certainly make him play better - if he manages to keep it going.
(it = calm)

Hi Metro! Just read your 6:41am. So glad you enjoyed your day and was thinking of your earlier remarks when the commentators said the start time of the matches were moved up 45 minutes this year because of last year's commuting problems.

I can't remember how many matches you're going to see but hope you have lots of fun. Thanks for the report on yesterday's events.

I didn't realize that the Muzz has beaten Fed on four consecutive occasions.

It must have been 2009 or something...surely not this year.

Neil Harman on twitter:

Fed qualifies for semis if he bts Murray and Ferrer bts Sod or if he bts AM in 2 and Sod bts Ferrer in 3. Round robins rule

Vamos Muzz!