Peter Bodo's TennisWorld - Of Wolves and Lambs
Live Scores Schedule Players Stats Rankings Money Leaders Photo Wire On TV Gear Instruction Daily Spin Forums
Home       About Peter Bodo       Contact        RSS       Follow on Twitter Categories       Archive
Of Wolves and Lambs 12/02/2010 - 2:08 PM

Gilles

by Pete Bodo

I must admit, I'm still perplexed by France's decision to play Gilles Simon in the second singles slot in tomorrow's Davis Cup opener against Serbia's Novak Djokovic. In my eyes, this has given the Serbs an enormous advantage, but who knows—it may turn out to be one of the more cagey tactical decisions we've seen in the Davis Cup. But I have my reservations, for a couple of reasons.

Since winning the first match he ever played against Djokovic (Marseille, 2008), Simon lost their next four meetings. In two of those, including their most recent clash in Beijing a few weeks ago, Djokovic laid down the hammer, winning in straights. The Beijing score, 6-3, 6-2, was the most lopsided in their head-to-head career. I dunno, maybe Simon has scorched the lines and destroyed his teammates in the practice sessions arlier this week?

I've also always felt that is Simon is—how do you say this diplomatically?—a little soft (there is no way, I guess). He's a nice guy, a happy-go-lucky, lovin' life kind of guy, which is just the kind of guy who is likely to find himself in way, way over his head when the the playground turns into a battlefield. The Serbian attitude, that this Davis Cup final is a critical, life and history shaping moment, may be a bit excessive, but it signaled Serbia's deadly serious intent. Of course, that could work against them—there's no pressure worse than the demands you place on yourself—but it can also be intimidating.

Of course, not too many men have a positive head-to-head record against Djokovic. But Llodra is 1-1, and he won their last meeting. To me, that's serious psychological ammo, even though Llodra is a mere 3-3 in Davis Cup singles. But guess what? Simon has won only two Davis Cup matches, both of them dead rubbers.

Llodra, by contrast, beat Juan Monaco of Argentina and Fernando Verdasco of Spain in live rubbers in 2010, although both matches were on French soil—and indoor hard courts. Llodra also played winning doubles in those ties, and he's 6-1 overall in his last seven matches.

Also, unless that indoor surface is extremely slow, Llodra can seriously hurt you with his attacking game, and have you wondering just what degree of aggression he's going to bring to the match. Djokovic would still be a big favorite against Llodra, but the match-up would give him much more to think about and fret over.

And let's remember, Llodra is just outside the Top 20 in singles, and coming off a great week at the Masters 1000 in Paris, while Simon languishes at almost double that ranking number (42). Simon lost the last set he played in a singles tournament this  year, 6-0, and won just one match in Paris. Here's how French captain Guy Forget explained his choice: "I expect Gilles to play a great match against Novak. I expect Michael to play great doubles with Arnaud [Clement]. They’ve done so many times in the past. In my opinion, that was the best choice for the French team. The Sunday matches probably will count. That leaves me probably some more options doing it this way.”

I guess the reasoning is that if Llodra had played singles, he'd be less fresh for the crucial "swing" match, the doubles in which he'll team with Arnaud Clement to battle Nenad Zimonjic and Viktor Troicki. But while doubles certainly is more important in Davis Cup than tournament tennis, and Davis Cup singles matches are best-of-five, I would think that a guy could bounce back after a tough singles to play pretty good doubles the following day. I just don't know if the "freshness" factor warrants keeping your doubles star out of the singles.

Of course, if you're a fan of "secret weapon" strategies, Forget could always insert Llodra to play a potentially decisive fifth rubber. But then Llodra will have the opposite problem—he may have to face Tipsarevic in singles 24 hours after a potentially tough doubles match. Given that a Llodra-Tipsarevic match is a toss-up (Tipsarevic is 1-0 against Llodra, but 0-1 against Simon, which qualifies as "insufficient data"), would you want to concede the fitness/fatigue issue to your opponent?

Well, if Forget pulls this off, he'll be called a genius. And I have to confess, I asked former U.S. Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe about this and he thinks Forget made the right call—keep Llodra fresh for the doubles. I still think it's unnecessarily risky, and most of all it suggests that the French may be less confident—or is it more cavalier?—than they hope or have a right to be. On paper, the tie ought to be 1-1 after the first day of play, so why view the doubles as a must-win?

So much for that. Much of the commentary leading up to the tie has focused on Serbia's opportunity to  join the elite teams that have won the Davis Cup, and on how important the tie is to Djokovic. He's certainly done nothing to downplay the stakes or the potential significance (personal, national and even international) of the tie. But the guy who's been forgotten in this Cinderella story is Gael Monfils, whom you ignore at your peril.

Opening the tie with Monfils vs. Tipsarevic gives both teams hope. The French must be pleased because on paper, Monfils ought to win that match. If he does, it might to some degree take the crowd out of play, and it certainly would put Djokovic under a fair amount of pressure when he meets Simon in the second rubber. But if you're a Serb partisan, you have to like that Tipsarevic can go out there and swing from the heels. He's the underdog, and he's got Djokovic to back him up should things turn out badly. Tipsarevic is lucky he doesn't have to hang around, watching the first match, feeling the pressure build. . . and build. Monfils is less lucky, because the crowd will be all over him, and if he doesn't get off to a good start he'll make his own life very difficult.

Monfils has only played four Davis Cup singles matches, but he's won the last three. He sometimes seeems to thrive on emotional energy, and not always the best kind—during his win over the unexpectedly tough Robert Kendrick at the U.S. Open, he busted out a sneer as he mocked the fans chanting Kendrick's name. This penchant for getting sucked into the gestalt could get him in big, big trouble in Serbia, where they probably will play a little rougher than the spectators at Flushing Meadows. Almost any acccomplished Davis Cup player will tell you that Rule No. 1 is to avoid getting into it with the crowd; stay focused, ignore the noise and hubbub. That might be hard to do in the Belgrade Arena.

Take a look at the photo of Monfils and Tipsarevic atop the news stories at the Davis Cup website (it's presently in their rotating carousel), and tell me: Does Tipsarevic, who will meet Monfils in the first match of the tie, look like he's nervous, or like he's the big, bad wolf licking his chops as he eyes the baby lamb?

For more on this tie, tune in to our latest podcast (it ought to be up not long after this post). Easy Ed McGrogan asked for our predictions. Steve Tignor and Ed called it 3-1 for Serbia. Off-line, Pat McEnroe called the same score, 3-1 and whatever happens in the meaningless match.

I'm going whole hog for Djokovic and company and calling it a sweep, 3-0. I can think of many positive ways to describe the players on the French team, and the squad in general, but "tough" isn't high on the list, and on this occasion toughness will count more than talent, strategy, or technique. And I think the decision to play Simon will hurt the French.

I see wolves and lambs in this one.
423
Comments 		Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
<<      1 2 3 4 5      >>

Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:03 PM

tina - yep , miracles do happen
and that is what it is gonna take for Gilles to turn this match around

and for the French to not start questioning Forget's choice of keeping Llodra or the higher ranked Gasquet on the bench

Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 12:05 PM

That was a fast second set. 6-1. Sorry, Jackie. Allez, Gilles, make Novak work for this point.
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:06 PM

It seems Djokovich has decided revenge is a dish best served in front of 17,000 people.
Posted by tina (ajde, Novak: handsome and talented Balkans #1, world #3, Davis Cup hero, AO 2008 titleist, reigning USO finalist, cutest butt in tennis, rapper, the face of Belgrade t-shirts, Novak water and Restaurant - don't u wish your polyglot was hott like me) 12/03/2010 at 12:06 PM

I can't remember the word for breadstick - and the salty ones there are so delicious.
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:07 PM

well that was quick, Novak is one of those players that plays pretty solid tennis even when he's nervous...that wasn't true a few years ago
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:09 PM

tina, in serbia or france? petit baguette?
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 12:11 PM

Gilles had a hard time even keeping the ball in the court. All the nerves seemed to have spilled onto him. Not helping that his 1st serve deserted him as well.

Novak stepping up and in.
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:11 PM

The glaring difference between their net games continues.

Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:13 PM

WOW. Tennis Australia is playing hardball with their bad actors. They've barred three of their juniors from getting wildcards into the AO because of their poor behaviour. sigh. I need parenting advice from these guys. I'm sorry Tomic isn't on the list. I don't like him.
Posted by jb (chocolate FTW!!!) 12/03/2010 at 12:13 PM

Tina, I consider France to be a team of lower ranked players, though gael recently hit 12. I think they have a better chance than say, Britain would with Murray on the team and no other support. I'm thinking lower ranked as outside the top 10, teens, 20's etc. because those players, on a given day, CAN raise their game.

Just sayin' you can't build a team around just 1 player, someone else has to be able to step up or they may win one tie, but not make it through an entire year of play.

This tie could very well come down to the final match on Sunday.
Posted by Sherlock 12/03/2010 at 12:13 PM

Ruth, he he. That was rather evil. I enjoyed it. :)
Posted by Arun 12/03/2010 at 12:21 PM

Nice. This whole tire-Nole-out-for-Sunday plan by Forget is working great. For Serbia.
Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 12:21 PM

"It seems Djokovich has decided revenge is a dish best served in front of 17,000 people."

:-))
turn for the bagel...
Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:22 PM

Ruth:)

I am feeling pretty sorry for Simon right now
he is just getting hammered
As Pete predicted , this may just come back to haunt the french tema
I know the surface does not suit Llodra's single style
and Richard is not known for his fierce competitive fire
but leaving the 28 and 29 ranked players on the bench and playing Simon who is a counterpuncher in every sense of the word , is just going to be hard to explain to a French public .
Simon's weaknesses at the net are going to be exposed by Nole
Llodra would not have had that problem , even Gasquet is a good player at the net
It could have worked out differently

Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:24 PM

France should have played a shotmaker against Novak not a backboard ....Simone doesn't do anything better than Novak.
with 'my sweet Llodra' and 'a ticket and tasket my head is made out of a basket Gasquet' on the bench , not sure Forget made the right choice
Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 12:26 PM

sorry for the OT, have you seen proposed shirts for Tsonga and Verdasco from Adidas for 2011? very bright colors :-)
http://www.gotennis.ru/news/?p=57081

back to DC, Ajde, Novak!
Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:26 PM

forgot to mention , that the French press has been reporting the "practice game " results from the French camp this week
and that Gasquet beat everyone else on the team - on this surface - in Serbia
I know , practice is a whole different thing than a real match
but , why play the practice , and tell everyone you are basing your choices on the week of practice
when you are going to blatantly disregard the results anyway

and yet , knowing how Richard has played against the Serbians lately - I get it , I really do
but
right now , I am thinking he could have done better than these last two sets

sorry , Jackie :(

Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:29 PM

heck - it is not just the French who are gonna second guess Forget
it's me and yellow fuzzy :)

Posted by tina (ajde, Novak: handsome and talented Balkans #1, world #3, Davis Cup hero, AO 2008 titleist, reigning USO finalist, cutest butt in tennis, rapper, the face of Belgrade t-shirts, Novak water and Restaurant - don't u wish your polyglot was hott like me) 12/03/2010 at 12:29 PM

Annie, in Serbia. "mala kruh" is a little bread, "slane kruh" is salted bread - but it's something altogether different and more specific. It will come to me... hours from now, when I won't care.

jb: I hear you. That's why I mentioned the 2005 Croatia team - there was no star, and I don't know if anyone on that team was ranked above 15 (maybe Mario was, I can't recall) Then again, that was a "team" of two - really just Ljuby and Ancic.

I absolute agree that this could go down to the final match on Sunday. And I hope it does. That's what makes DC so exciting.

Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:30 PM

feel sorry for Simon, too. he started well, but in that second set it really looked like he knew he was facing the #3 player in the world, a big ask. But he held off the break just now, Serbia 3-2 in the 3rd set.

Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:30 PM

just pointing out the obvious here
but the doubles match tomorrow is gonna be
HUGE

Posted by Metro 12/03/2010 at 12:31 PM

Jewell: "snow-readiness audit" is a waste of taxes. Just some plush jobs for civil servant to publish some 100s pages report. We need salt, sand, grit, drivers and snow vehicles.

Blame it on the wrong sort of snow
Posted by Arun 12/03/2010 at 12:32 PM

beth: Yeah. I think Zimo will guide Troicki big time.
Lloders/Clement make a great team too.
Also +1 to everything you said in your 12:26..
Posted by Metro 12/03/2010 at 12:34 PM

Any previous encounters between the doubles or is a first time?
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:35 PM

LOL beth.

I get it. DC and Gilles don't seem to mix. Nor do Gilles and Nole. Still, would've been tough for Llodra or Gasquet or any other Frenchie to take a pumped-up Nole down, no? *consoling self*

Can't wait for the dubs!
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:35 PM

beth
it's not just us... especially now that the outcome has become pretty clear. seems like a
no-brainer
Forget forgot who he was facing and who was on the bench and apparently who played well on this surface in practice
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:36 PM

Ok, my SB just died. For the best.

Score, please?
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:37 PM

4-2 Serbia , Simon serving 40-15
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:37 PM

Simon holds -- at the net!!
Posted by beth 12/03/2010 at 12:38 PM

some really great players in the doubles match
I think it will all hinge on how Troicki holds up
not exactly earth shattering analysis , but hey , what can I say
I have never seen him play dubs , so not sure if he knows the strategy
and Llodra and Clement are a formidable team , and know how to pick you apart

well, I have to tear myself away to go play some tennis myself
I wonder if there is a miracle here ?
see you all later at the Deuce

Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:38 PM

Jackie
Gilles just held serve 3-4
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:39 PM

Danke, Holds2Love.

Btw, loved the Jane Austen quote you posted yesterday. :)
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:40 PM

Thanks to you, too, yello fuzzy!

Keep me posted, guys? Thanks much.

See you tonight, beth. "Other" DC. :)
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:42 PM

Bitte, Jackie. Djokovich 5-3
Posted by Deuce 12/03/2010 at 12:43 PM

Hi Beth - I'm with you re Gasquet. I get it - He has flaked out in the past and isn't Mr. Reliable. But on talent alone and given the practice reports (I get resting Llordra as I believe the team that wins the soubles wins the DC) I think he'd be putting up more resistance right now.

Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:44 PM

Simon *holds to love*
Posted by Arun 12/03/2010 at 12:45 PM

LOL, Holds2Love.
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:48 PM

Tomorrow's match is going to be incredible.

hmmm Gilles up 15-30, making a last minute push?
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:50 PM

ALLEZ GILLLLLLESSS
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:50 PM

yes Annie, impressive fight from Simon. Break back point

Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 12:51 PM

I think 1-1 it's a good result for the first day. No surprises obviously for either team. Doubles is not such a given as it would seem with Nenad.

And this match is still going. Just.
Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 12:53 PM

Come on, Gilles. Break back now!
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:53 PM

Djokovic's DS falls on the wrong side of the net on match point. He is incredulous.

Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 12:53 PM

Come on, Novak, finish it off! I need to get some lunch, I'm hungry...
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:53 PM

oooh, Nole, only Roger can do that..
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 12:54 PM

Now where DID I put that anti-DS electro-shock collar?

Though, in fairness, it is a pretty good play against "I hate zze net Giiles."
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:55 PM

wild mishit on his second match point
Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 12:55 PM

commies: "Novak getting ready for the serve with his serve bouncing ceremony... 1,2,3...22 and he serves"

:-))
Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 12:56 PM

"Now where DID I put that anti-DS electro-shock collar?"

LOL
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:56 PM

OMG, bp for gilles...
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:56 PM

Jackie, Gilles has break point!
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:57 PM

hhhhhmmmm the backboard ploy seems to be paying off...Nole is breathing pretty heavily
Posted by FM (Vamos Rafa!!!!) 12/03/2010 at 12:57 PM

Simon breaks!
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 12:57 PM

Oh. wow. 5-5
Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 12:57 PM

Jackie!! Gilles broke back. 5-5.

Posted by tina (ajde, Novak: handsome and talented Balkans #1, world #3, Davis Cup hero, AO 2008 titleist, reigning USO finalist, cutest butt in tennis, rapper, the face of Belgrade t-shirts, Novak water and Restaurant - don't u wish your polyglot was hott like me) 12/03/2010 at 12:58 PM

Well, there's a small miracle! 5-all :)
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 12:58 PM

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ

5-All
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:58 PM

AHAHAHA. That is SO Gilles.
Posted by gauloises 12/03/2010 at 12:58 PM

This would be a DC comeback for the ages. Snuff out any hope mercilessly, Nole, come on.

Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 12:59 PM

Oops.


Oh Gilles, don't be silly now.
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 12:59 PM

Gilles with a 2nd serve that looked like mine
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 12:59 PM

The drama is so heightened when all I have are TW updates. My SB should bail more often.
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:00 PM

Yellow fuzzy - lol!
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:00 PM

I want gilles to put up a fight but I really want Serbia to win the Cup. It would be so thrilling for 'the little country that could' and for Nole.
Posted by Ruth 12/03/2010 at 01:00 PM

As Novak strode to the service line to serve for the match, I was poised to type, "Oh,no, Gilles, my dear, 2 hours won't tire ANYBODY out."

And then..and then...along came Gilles, slow working Gilles! (Does anybody else remember that old song that I'm chanelling?)
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:01 PM

boy, Nole IS breathing heavily.
Posted by sokol 12/03/2010 at 01:02 PM

Come on, Novak, break, please!!!
Posted by gauloises 12/03/2010 at 01:02 PM

I want to say Johnny Cash, Ruth, but I don't know why.

Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:03 PM

I don't know if this is SOP for Gilles, but he is having some success keeping the ball in the middle of the court...a technique that often works against Muzz.

No that time though...

Geeeze, Gilles, where did you leave your serve?
Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 01:04 PM

And Novak breaks back! Serving for the match or not.

I'm thinking of this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hybj2Gfk6G8
Posted by tina (ajde, Novak: handsome and talented Balkans #1, world #3, Davis Cup hero, AO 2008 titleist, reigning USO finalist, cutest butt in tennis, rapper, the face of Belgrade t-shirts, Novak water and Restaurant - don't u wish your polyglot was hott like me) 12/03/2010 at 01:05 PM

yeah, these merciless Gillou points are making Novak a little weary - but realistically, I don't expect this to be a factor on Sunday.

Now, serving again for the match at 6-5. NAPRED!
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 01:05 PM

Ruth
hhhmmmm not sure I can get that song title...what is it?....I was thinking 'Along came Mary" by the Association...but that can't be it
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:06 PM

Nole looks completely whipped. maybe it's the added pressure..
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 01:06 PM

Sigh. What a tease!
Posted by Ruth 12/03/2010 at 01:07 PM

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080412185724AAP9OG0

gauloises: I'm so old I remember only the version by The Coasters, but I see in this link that someone also mentioned Johnny Cash, as you did; so he might have had a version that may be slipping my memory. I will make the research of this important matter part of my silly-woman-who-can't watch-tight-matches-on-TV avoidance therapy. :)
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 01:08 PM

this should be over soon, Novak is ready for his jammies , milk and cookies and a nice bedtime story
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:08 PM

Annie - he so often does..and I am sure the pressure isn't helping.

Commies are saying that Novak isn't using his variety of shot enough, just hitting hard, harder, hardest.

Posted by gauloises 12/03/2010 at 01:09 PM

I think perhaps I'm thinking of another Johnny Cash song, Ruth. But I shall consider myself to be right nonetheless :)
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:09 PM

nice ace down the middle for nole. 30-15
Posted by Sherlock 12/03/2010 at 01:09 PM

"I was thinking 'Along came Mary" by the Association...but that can't be it"

That's what I was thinking too, Fuzzy. :)
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:09 PM

That's what Novak needs more than anything..big first serves.
Posted by Jackie 12/03/2010 at 01:09 PM

Foregone conclusion, I take it?

Heading to lunch. Thanks for the updates, guys! Pauvre Gilles...
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:10 PM

There is an "Along Came John" as well.
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:10 PM

yf, what time is it over there anyway?
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:11 PM

beautiful bh from gilles lands right on the line. 40-30 nole. mp
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:12 PM

Ajde Nole, well done.
Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 01:12 PM

And it's over. Just in time. Congratulations to Novak. Commisserations to Gilles (and Jackie).

On to the doubles tomorrow.
Posted by CL 12/03/2010 at 01:13 PM

Great return by Gilles followed by wild shot error.

Congrats Novak- I think you overcame some serious nerves to pull that out.
Posted by Lynne (Rafalite) 12/03/2010 at 01:15 PM

Good for Nole, congrats to him and Serbia.

Commies to Gilles and France. Can't wait for the doubles tomorrow ...

Ajde Serbia !
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 01:16 PM

Annie
in Serbia? I am not sure but I think it's evening because Noles daddy isn't sporting his mini Novak Tshirt..but the suit may be due to the occasion

whew Nole gets it done...a 4th set would have be very interesting, since Nole looked a bit tired at the end of the match
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:17 PM

yf, my guess is it's 9 or 10pm over there now. tina can confirm.
Posted by yello fuzzy 12/03/2010 at 01:17 PM

Sherlock
gawd we're old!
Posted by Annie (Vamos Heavenly Creature) 12/03/2010 at 01:17 PM

good stuff, looking forward to tomorrow.
Posted by tina (ajde, Novak: handsome and talented Balkans #1, world #3, Davis Cup hero, AO 2008 titleist, reigning USO finalist, cutest butt in tennis, rapper, the face of Belgrade t-shirts, Novak water and Restaurant - don't u wish your polyglot was hott like me) 12/03/2010 at 01:18 PM

Well, I'm satisfied :)) Sorry, Jackie, your hubby gave us a scare at the end there!

I think one of the more intriguing plotlines this weekend is the fact that Zimo and LLodra are embarking on their own doubles relationship next month.
I am unable to make any prediction about that match, just hoping Zvonko continues to play "good luck charm" this weekend.
Posted by Holds2Love 12/03/2010 at 01:19 PM

Djokovich in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5, congratulations to him and Serbia and their fans, but credit to Simon for his fight in that third set and congratulations to the French for Monfils's impressive victory in the earlier match. It will be interesting to see who takes the court for the doubles tomorrow.

when Jackie gets back from lunch, should we tell her Gilles took it in the 5th? no, I guess not...

Posted by zenggi 12/03/2010 at 01:19 PM

Novak doesn't want to give any information about playing tomorrow the doubles match. We'll wait and see.
Posted by Nitish 12/03/2010 at 01:20 PM

Forget's decison to play Simone makes sense. He knows that Djoker is going to win both his matches. No point trying to win that battle and tiring out Llodra by having him play two singles and a doubles. This is a carefully calculated move by Forget. Put Llodra in doubles and decisive 5th!
Posted by Ruth 12/03/2010 at 01:21 PM

Here's the link to the Coasters version of Along Came Jones:

(Oops, I'll be back with a tinyurl of the link.)

And I'd bet that it was the 1980 version by George Jones and Johnny Paycheck that I also saw on YT that made gauloises think of Johnny Cash.
Posted by sisu 12/03/2010 at 01:23 PM

The Coasters - "Along Came Jones"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-timQghfQI&feature=&p=6F9C6BFB25BA155B&index=0&playnext=1

Slow-talking Jones
Slow-walking Jones....
Along came long, lean, lanky Jones.
Posted by Sherlock 12/03/2010 at 01:23 PM

Lol, Fuzzy! Sad, but so true. :)

And Windy has stormy eyes....
<<      1 2 3 4 5      >>

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by:

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Leave a Comment



<<  The Deuce Club, 12.3 Tipsy on the Cusp  >>




Wild Women of the U.S. Open
Wild Men of the U.S. Open
Roddick's Imperfect World
"It's Kind of a Dance"
Nadal's Kneeds
The Racquet Scientist: Canadian Tennis
The Long and Short of It
This blog has 3693 entries and 1646147 comments.
More
More Video
Daily Spin