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Washington Crisis Center (8.1) 08/01/2007 - 1:11 PM

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Mornin', Tribe. I'm happy to be posting this on-site report on yesterday's action at the Legg Mason tournament in Washington D.C. by confessed FL [Frequent Lurker] Jane Voigt. It's funny but just this morning I was considering calling the ATP's Greg Sharko, to see if we could learn anything more about this kid who beat Tim Henman, John Isner. Then I received Jane's dispatch. . .

You know, glad as I am for Isner, something terrible is happening to Tim Henman. I was talking with his coach, Paul Annacone, a few days ago, and he told me that Henman has been hitting the ball great. He's had outstanding practices. He's working hard. Trouble is, he lost confidence. Apparently, he lost it big-time. This essentially means that at crunch time, he - like anyone else to whom this happens - becomes a basket case. It has nothing to do with fitness, "feeling" the ball, technique or strategy. It is all - and I mean ALL - in the head. And that's a horrible thing for any player to endure. It's a little like when a baseball pitcher can no longer find the plate, from one day to the next. There have been some famous cases of that, too.

Anyway, enjoy Jane's report and use this as the place to discuss tennis today. I'll have an OT post later where we can all lighten up and chit chat. . .Jane may come back with another report from Washington later this week. I sure hope so.  ----  PB

The early bird always gets the worm, or so the saying goes. But what’s a girl to do arriving an hour before the gates open on Day Three of The Legg Mason Tennis Classic? And that's two hours before any matches begin?  Walk… walk, look and listen, because the sights and sounds sure are different than what they’ll be in a couple short hours.

Luckily, the trailers, tents, and fencing that mark off the official grounds of the William H. G. Fitzgerald Tennis Center are not impenetrable, and quite a few others also arrived early, hoping to catch a glimpse of Marat Safin practicing, or Andy Roddick hitting a few huge serves. Who knows, you might even encounter a guy who looks all of 6-10 firing off cross-court forehands on Match Court 3 - which is exactly what happened to me.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the big man and knew if I stared long enough his name could pop in my head. But, no. It didn't. But two young lads standing next to me at the fence knew more than I did.

“Do you know who that is?” I asked.

“Yeah, it’s John Isner,” one said.

I didn’t want to sound uninformed, or totally uncool ,so I paused a second before adding, “He looks familiar. Where’s he from?”

“North Carolina, but he went to school at the University of Georgia.”

“Oh…” I exclaimed. “That’s NCAA champ John Isner!”

“Yeah,” the young man said, shaking his head up and down, like finally I’d seen the light.

And, I had. Practicing on the other side of the chain-link fence and windscreen was the college senior who this year had helped his University of Georgia squad win the NCAA's team and doubles championships.  He was in The Legg Mason as a wild card.  Turns out that the youth who identified Isner for me was Mitch Herb, whose father – Tom Herb – was John's coach at Georgia.

And in a short time, John was going to play probably the biggest match of his life on Center Court at a US Open Series event against an international favorite, frequent Top Tenner and Wimbledon semifinalist,  Tim Henman. John didn’t look nervous, but maybe that's because you don't associate that with men so big; this kid's head practically brushed the branches of the blooming Crepe Myrtle trees scattered around the grounds. We would see.

I turned away and strolled along the practice courts, stopping to watch Sebastien Grosjean. Wow… that amazing cross-court forehand still has a bite. However, I learned from the woman standing next to me that Sebastien already lost his first-round match  - in three sets, to Russia's Igor Kunitsyn.

“Maybe he’s staying here to support his fellow Frenchmen,” the woman added. Arnaud Clement is defending champion, and the draw also includes Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau. So having  cries of “Allez!” coming from the stands could make a difference for those three remaining Frenchmen.

Two young boys of about 5 or 6, with their dad, were also watching Sebastian hit. Their noses were pressed to the fence and their eyes wide, as they clung to their junior racquets. Then… Bang!  A ball slammed in the fence, right in front of the children.

“This is way better than TV, Dad!” one said. “Wow… did you see that, Dad?”

These two kids were enough to reassure anyone in earshot that tennis can really get you going: Can we see Roddick tonight? He’s a seed, Daddy. What time is it now? Will he be on soon? When are they going to start playing?

It was hard to walk away from such enthusiasm.

The grounds were coming to life as the minutes ticked by. Volunteers arrived, ball kids poured into the big white tent just east of Center Court, ice was carted to coolers on court, to food stands, and to the players lounge and first aid stations, all against a background of balls popping off strings, assuring early arrivals that they were in for an afternoon of world-class tennis. Security guards gathering near the North Gate, too, as people lined up for the 3 PM official opening of the gates. Little plastic strips were secured to each backpack, computer case, or bag that had passed inspection.

A bell finally rang. We were off.

The noise level jumped inside the grounds. Two rows of concessions lined the walkway from the entrance. The Wilson crew was busy setting out racks of hats and other wares, including the new K-Series Racquets and giant tennis balls better suited to collecting autographs than batting back and forth over a net - unless it was a volleyball net. Raymond Weil, the watch manufacturer, had pretty display. South African Air had a promotion going, and eager hands and eyes pored over the drawsheet.

I stopped at one court to watch local favorite Paul Goldstein, from nearby Rockville, Maryland, hit with a young player I did not recognize.  Thomas Blake stood off the the deuce side, watching.  He had his hair pulled back, but those locks are recognizable in or out of a hair band. A small crowd quickly gathered, as soon as Thomas’s name spread.

“Awesome…” one teen said, “I want his autograph.”

According to the In The Spotlight feature on the drawsheet, this is Paul Goldstein’s 14th year playing Legg Mason. His first-round match would be with Somdev Dev Varman, a qualifier here, and the 2007 NCAA singles champion from The University of Virginia. Varman is one of four NCAA singles champions playing this week - the others are Bob Bryan (1998), Amer Delic (2003) and Benjamin Becker (2004).

Making my way to the south side of the stadium court to check out what’s going on, I see Lars Graf,  the consummate ATP chair umpire. He headed toward the trailer where groups of linesmen and fellow chair umpires were gathered to get their court assignments for the day’s matches.

Tommy Haas, the Number Two seed, and Thomas Johansson were having hit on Court One. Nice to see Thomas J. hitting again; he spent months off the tour with a detached retina. I’ve got my eyes on Johansson this week; he’s a sleeper and Washington could be his launching pad for a fine summer on the hard courts of American circuit. But Tommy Haas gets the bulk of the attention. His bare, tanned chest, and buff physique are showstoppers. One ball girl snaps a shot of Tommy with her cell phone, whispering to her nearby friends, “I love you, Tommy.”

It’s 4 PM - time for the first round to get underway. I find a seat on the shady side of Center Court just as the umpire intones,  “Time.”

Tim Henman and John Isner are poised to start what would turn out to be a stunning match. With his 6’ 9” lanky frame and powerful serve, Isner is a formidable opponent. He hangs in there with Henman, loosening up as the games click off. Half an hour into the match, they’re on serve at 4-games.  At 15-40, Isner bravely serves an ace, but Henman breaks with a passing shot.

A few years back, a tough, focused Henman might have closed the set with no problems. But he just doesn't look confident today. Maybe it was the pressure coming from the NCAA doubles champ, but he goes down, 15-40, while serving for the set against a neophyte. Henman’s ground strokes are flying long, wide and into the net. He doesn't even seem capable of staying with the ball as he makes contact. Instead, he pops up, straight, before finishing his stroke and follow-through. But what sets a serve-and-volley player apart from the baseliner is often his serve, and Henman serves his way out of trouble to win the set, 6-4.

Both players find a high level as the second set gets underway. Isner comes to the net more frequently than before, but Henman often answers with brilliant passing shots. Again, each player holds to 4-all, and now the tension was palpable on court - and in the stands. For a relatively unknown player, John Isner has plenty of fans; they cry out, “Come on, John!”  Henman’s fans are quick to drown them out.  Isner holds to go up 5-4, and again Henman' groundies start to fail. They are short. One whacks the netcord. Game to Isner, it's all tied.Tim

The crowd is swelling, because word has gone around the grounds that the upstart Isner and the star Henman have split sets. Is it possible, could Henman - a former singles champion here - lose in the first round? The third set has it all: big serves, and then bigger serves, and then huge serves. Both players averaged about 65% first-serve conversion. Some of those rockets were close to 140 mph, although most were around 125. They players are  holding, but it isn't just about the serve. There are outstanding baseline rallies, serve and volley brilliance, chips and charges, and drop shots that quietly creep over the net to fall for winner. It seemed inevitable that it would all end in a tiebreaker.

The first five points were all won on service aces. Whack, whack… whack…whack, whack! The partisans of the crowd go wild each time their man gives them hope, and the degree of support accorded Henman is impressive, considering that Isner is not just an underdog, but practically a local boy.  At the first changeover it's 3-3, and it would be impossible to predict the winner.

Henman then begins to use his slice, forcing the strapping Georgia Bulldog to really get down to the ball.  But Isner does what he needs (he bends his knees and stays with his shots) and the tide seems to turn. Henman's groundies, inconsistent throughout the match, really deteriorate. Tim misses a cross-court forehand long and Isner has the mini-break, 5-3. An ace gives Isner triple match-point.  Henman manages to get to 4-6, but then does what any club player might, in his shoes: he double faults to end the match on a anti-climatic note.  The final score is 4-6,6-4,7-6(4).

In minutes, Henman is gone. John Isner seems to be in shock, as are many in the audience. The youngster has done it. It is the upset of his career - so far.

John Isner signs autographs for at least a hundred people as he make his way toward the tunnel that leads to the player’s lounge under Stadium Court. Ironically, the man who follows Isner on the Stadium Court after his moment of glory is Dev Varman (playing Goldstein) - the same player who beat Isner in the singles at the NCAAs this year.

As I left, I wondered if Paul Goldstein, working on tournament 14, would have the same experience as Henman. It's called a changing of the guard.

--- Jane Voigt
119
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Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 01:47 PM

First again - Wow.

Today will be interesting to see how Haas play since his injury at Wimby and Isner do have a good chance to beat Becker today.

Also, in San Diego, we are going to see if Sharapova shoulder flares up again if she continues to win this weel. Good to hear that Hingis is feeling good again. Maybe she will make a run at trying to win the USO. Also, will fatigue set in on Chaki and Mirza this week?
Posted by jhurwi 08/01/2007 at 01:49 PM

First? Thanks for the detailed match call. As a Henman fan, it was disappointing to see that he had lost in the first round, but it sounds like a terrific match. And the U.S. certainly needs all the good news it can get about its young players--I had seen Isner play in a televised college tournament but don't know anything about how he has been doing on the pro tour.

Speaking of young American players, Sam Querrey beat Donald Young in Vancouver 6-4, 6-4. That sounds like a respectable showing from Young.
Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 01:55 PM

Poor ol' Tim. Hope he'll do well in the upcoming tournaments. C'mon Tim!

Thanks for the report, Jane.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 01:59 PM

Annabelle,
A Rod is taking it easy today waiting on Stepanek, if he beats Goldstein today. At least, Henman plays doubles today.

Jhurwi,
That is a respectable showing for Young especially if Sam Q wins the challenger event.
Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 02:04 PM

Thanks patrick. I didn't realise Tim was playing doubles. Looks like he scored a pretty good partner, although pretty tough competition in Handley and Ulleyet. Go Tim & Bhupa! And go Paul!

And of course: Go Andy!
Posted by Sam2 08/01/2007 at 02:08 PM

Is that a good showing from D Young? Yes, Sam is ranked 150-some places above DY, but I was hoping DY would really build upon the Aptos win and start pushing some of ATP regulars. I'd like to see some match stats - that would give us a bit more insight.

In Indy he went out 6-2 6-4 to Lee, who has been playing pretty well and is a tough competitor. I think that might have been Donald's best showing in an ATP event.

Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 02:11 PM

Sam2,
Agree that DY loss to Lee was his best showing in an ATP event.

Annabelle,
Tim and Bhupathi does have a tough one today as stated in your post.
Posted by Sam2 08/01/2007 at 02:12 PM

A breakdown of the Donald-Sam match:

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=813276df-e5c4-4933-bf4d-ce997ae3cab7
Posted by Bobcat 08/01/2007 at 02:16 PM

I also noticed the Querrey/Young result...I saw Young win in an Aptos Calif Challenger and he looks poised and mature enough to compete at the very top of the Challenger level + perahps go a few rounds in the "big leagues" ...it's a good showing as well considering the week Querrey is coming off..the only thing that will stop Querrey here is over confidence at being in a Challenger
Posted by fsucf 08/01/2007 at 02:27 PM

Nice report Jane!
Can't wait to watch Isner progress and play Wimbledon
Posted by Jenn 08/01/2007 at 02:36 PM

Thanks, Jane. Great report. I love hearing about the kids having their first live tennis experience. I think all of us get a bit wide-eyed when standing a few feet away from these guys (and girls) and seeing their talent and power first hand.
Posted by robbyfan 08/01/2007 at 02:39 PM

I really enjoyed this post by Jane. Please write more from DC.

Us Georgians are verrae proud of John. So go John!

I saw him play an exhibition match in Atlanta filling in for the Bryan brothers when their plane had problems. His serve is just huge and his groundies are boomers too. I also am pleased that he chose to go on to college before turning pro. Which reminds me-whatever happened to Brian Vahaley? (sp?)
Posted by Snoo Foo 08/01/2007 at 02:53 PM

Thanks Jane! Quite an enjoyable read!

Hola A-Belle!
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 02:56 PM

Robby Fan,
Why is Robby not playing DC this week especailly after his unexpected loss in Indy? Is it that he wants to get prepared to qualify for Montreal this week or what? But, your other fave ARod is "chilling" today.
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 02:57 PM

Nice report Jane.
SDV eventually lost rather tamely to Crash Davis.

Hey A-belle. Long time.
Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 03:12 PM

hmm, typepad just swallowed my comment. It's been too long...

anyway.
hola Snoo, how's life? Still following the cricket?
hiya ptenisnet! I've missed you?

robbyfan, indeed, why isn't Robby playing this week? Hope he's not injured. Cheer for Andy with me?

Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 03:14 PM

sorry ptenis. that was meant to be a statement: I have missed you. no question about it. How are you?
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 03:23 PM

Doing quite well. You?
I was welling with pride from the fact that my indians won the second test.
Posted by Ruth 08/01/2007 at 03:33 PM

Wow,Jane. That is an excellent report on your experience at the DC tourney, a tourney which I've been promising myself to attend for years since I'm a relatively short drive away in Philadelphia. But Legg Mason takes place, as always, at around the same time that my USO tickets arrive, and I hear myself telling myself, "Aw, you can wait a few weeks for live, in person tennis!" But your report makes me want to ignore my own voice and head south to DC! :)

BTW If you don't mind, I'm going to copy and share your comments about the father and his two young sons with a friend of mine (and JR's) who works in DC and lives nearby. He was wondering aloud on anther tennis forum whether his son would accept a day at Legg Mason as a substitute for Arthur Ashe Day which the family had hoped to but could not attend this year.
Posted by Libby 08/01/2007 at 03:39 PM

Jane, thank you for the detailed report! It's a treat to hear about the sights and sounds and atmosphere of a tournament along with the details of the actual match. Nicely done!
Posted by Ruth 08/01/2007 at 03:39 PM

Speaking of USA and college tennis, I saw Baylor trounce Stanford 7-0 on TTC today. Darn those "rebuilding" periods which Stanford is obviously going through right now. It might sound like a cliche, but the Stanford coach was right when he said that his team would just have to accept a tourney like that as a major "learning experience."
Posted by AmyLu 08/01/2007 at 03:46 PM

Hi Jane, thanks so much for such a great report! Really well-written and very insightful.
Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 03:47 PM

Good on India - winning by 7 wickets! Maybe they should stick to being coachless, as such. - did you get to watch any of it?
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 04:01 PM

very little. I saw a bit of india's first innings. Too much sopcast work and not a great feed.
They were lucky to get out of the first test.
Posted by Annabelle 08/01/2007 at 04:27 PM

hmm, E. should have won that one. ah, the rain... shame it's not televised for you. But surely the tennis is?
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 04:32 PM

yes I believe we get finals televised every sunday.
I am guessing that people who get TTC have better coverage though.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 04:50 PM

Samantha,
Justine and Jelena has officially qualified for the YEC today.
Posted by DMan 08/01/2007 at 05:01 PM

Thanks for the on site update. Am curious about the 4pm start time for the DC tournament. Is it because of the heat factor? Or other scheduling concerns? I don't recall other tournaments having a 4pm start time for weekday matches. Seems kind of odd.

Do they have separate day and night sessions for the DC event?
Posted by Ruth 08/01/2007 at 05:17 PM

DMan: I've heard that the late start is partly because of the heat and partly because of their thinking that thevast majority of their potential audience would be after-work people (9 to 5 government people) -- although you'd think that, with the limited number of pro tourneys in the greater DC area (one with the men, and none? with the women), there'd be enough tennis fans who would arrange things so that they could attend during some normally "working" hours.

As long as a tournament is officially part of the US Open Series, ESPN2 will be showing selected matches on Friday and Saturday, and the final on Sunday. My TV Guide for this week shows broadcasts of LM at 7 pm Friday and 9 pm Saturday and from Acura at 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Don't know and can't remember if the Sunday finals will all be live.
Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 05:17 PM

Geez, Dr. Ivo just whacked the young lad, Korolev. Ouch.
Posted by Ruth 08/01/2007 at 05:23 PM

Patrick: Are #1 Justine and #3 Jelena the first women announced for the YEC? I guess that #2 Maria has too many potentially vulnerable points (after winning USO in 2006) for her to be named now. Congrats, ladies!
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 05:29 PM

Ruth,
YEC are based on results of this year only. Maria has not played as much as she would like due to injury.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 05:31 PM

Ruth,
The finals of DC and San Diego WILL be live on ESPN2 on Sunday.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 05:37 PM

Ptenisnet,
Elena took no prisoners today - winning 1 and 2. On to Bartoli tomorrow.
Posted by DMan 08/01/2007 at 05:45 PM

Ruth,

Thx for feedback. Have to say it's the first time I have ever heard a pro tournament adjusting its scheduled start time in the day so as to "wait for the audience" to show up. Hmm, is that a brilliant idea or is it a lame one?

I know it can get real hot and sticky in DC in the summer, but IMHO, I think it's kind of lame to delay the start of matches until 4pm. For one thing, why not start at 11:00am, like the US Open does? Conditions at 11 can be a heck of a lot better than at 4:00pm on a hot muggy day. Australia has its heat rule and for when to close the roof. But DC has no roof so every match is played outdoors. I also think that since these are pro athletes, they ought to be conditioned to play in hot weather. (If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, or something like that?!?) And if the potential for serious harm due to extreme heat exists in Washington, then it's time to nix the event from the calendar - pronto. Change it to an exo, where they can schedule all matches at night. (Not that it's a big event anyway - only two top 20 players in the draw.)
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 06:00 PM

G.O. .E.L.E.N.A.
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 06:07 PM

Jane - really enjoyed your report
It is always good to hear about a young up and comer. I do feel bad for Tim though - I always liked him.
I particularly loved the part about the little boys at the fence. That was priceless.
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 06:09 PM

BTW Patrick.
I dont think I have ever arsked who your favourite players are.
Posted by Beckham 08/01/2007 at 06:18 PM

err ok seriously...what in the hail is wrong with Vee...broken twice in the 2nd set after playing so well in the 1st set...she is now at 6 DFs...Vee snap out if it right now and hold your darn serve....yeesh!!!!

*and Vee breaks back*
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 06:23 PM

Beckham,
Don't worry today, Vee will be playing Hantuchova tomorrow:)
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 06:25 PM

Ptenisnet,
Believe it or not, I do not have favourites but I like to watch good matches.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 06:26 PM

Beckham,
Did you watch Vee's match today? If so, how did she look?
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 06:32 PM

FYI - John Isner just split sets with Benjamin Becker - so he looks to be playing well again today.

Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 07:14 PM

JMDP loses to who? Odesnik? Geez, the men's tour, aside from Federer and clay Nadal, is sooooo stinking brutal. Seems like every match could be a pick 'em.
Posted by Rosangel 08/01/2007 at 07:16 PM

Thanks, Jane.

I am beginning to think that Tim Henman will call it quits soon. During his tennis life, he has given me many things to cheer for, and I will ruthlessly virtually dismember anyone who is stupid enough to suggest (in the manner of some of our brainless British tabloid pesss) that his career has been a failure because he didn't win Wimbledon.

Tim has risen well above the basic talent that he was given due to his family background. His story tells us much about hard work, belief and application.

I just hate seeing him lose in the way that he has done this year, after returning from injury. He has given so much to the game. I wish him well, always. Tough to take in his struggles. I hope that he has an Indian Summer before he finally decides to retire.

Posted by Andrew 08/01/2007 at 07:16 PM

And yet, Sherlock, the Tribe is hitting about 80% in the Picks Games for RG and Wimbledon.

4 out of 5 ain't bad, in my book.
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 07:18 PM

Sherlock - I know what you are saying - at present Mardy Fish is losing to someone named Berrer- I mean I know it is Fish - but who in the world is Berrer?
This is really weird.

Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 07:27 PM

That really IS amazing, Andrew. The USO will be interesting to see if we continue that success. :)

Isn't it something, Beth? I've seen Berrer's name around before, but know little about him. Which probably means he's ranked around 150, is an amazing tennis player, and on a good day, can beat 95% of the tour. Incredible stuff, this sport.
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 07:33 PM

And Isner wins again
good for him
Sherlock - Berrer was in the LA tournament - but I did not see him play - just remember the name on the board. Your description sounds as good as any.

Posted by Snoo Foo 08/01/2007 at 07:35 PM

DMan, the Umag tournament had a 5 pm weekday start.

Aaaaaarrrrgh, Wee Juamadelpo, what happened son? Arrrgh. Ah well. But... once more... sorry... aaarrrrrgh.

and Miss Lucie, not you too! :-(

But good on Young Ivo!

And Big Bad John Isner wins!
Posted by ptenisnet 08/01/2007 at 07:40 PM

patrick. I find that quite easy to believe.
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 07:45 PM

this may be a dumb question - but I will ask it anyway.
but it Thomas Johanson the guy who won the AO - or the big server who is nicknamed PimPim?

Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 07:48 PM

Beth, the former, the AO winner. Joachim, or something like that, is the big serving Johansson. I always liked Thomas' game actually. Very smooth. And rather underappreciated, despite winning a slam.
Posted by mmy 08/01/2007 at 07:50 PM

This is completely OT, but there has been a major bridge collapse in MN
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 07:52 PM

thanks, Sherlock ! I don't know why I cannot keep those straight.

Posted by Snoo Foo 08/01/2007 at 07:56 PM

Thomas Johansson (not Joachim) won the 2002 Australian Open, he beat El Maratski in the final. The big serving, perpetually injured Joachim, aka PimPim, has never won a GS.
Posted by dana 08/01/2007 at 07:58 PM

Living north of Philadelphia, Jane's report was the next best thing to being there in DC! Enjoyed all the pre-game, court level detail and the impromptu comments with fans. Will forward to my local tennis pals so they get front-row seats, too.
Dana
Posted by tangerine popsicle (tangi) 08/01/2007 at 08:05 PM


federersamprasmacao.com

New website on the Fed/Sampras exos. They will play three tiebreakers. Direct link in Tennis Week website article.

Mr. Wilanders stirring up trouble again ... saying there's no way Roger would beat Sampras in his prime.

Fed's bio on that website is not updated -- says he has 10 slams and is #1 in the race.

The idea for the exos was born from the pre-IW Fed/Sampras practices at Pete's house.
Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 08:05 PM

My pleasure, Beth. It's easy to do, when one is hurt all the time, and the other is a very quiet, non-news making sort. Plus, Thomas is on the downside and hasn't made big splashes tennis wise in quite a while.
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 08:10 PM

Berrer wins his match against Fish. Did Fish get injured in Indy last week?
Posted by Beth 08/01/2007 at 08:10 PM

yeah - I guess they are not exactly household tennis names - and they do have the same last name - so I have that as an excuse .

Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 08:12 PM

Hey guys!*waves*
Posted by Flyer 08/01/2007 at 08:13 PM

Well - looks like Johansson is about to close out Clement - glad for him after that terrible injury.
Posted by baxter5 08/01/2007 at 08:13 PM

patrick-

"Maria has not played as much as she would like due to injury."

am i the only one who is skeptical about maria's so-called injury?

it looks to me like she has a bad case of the yips, and that has nothing to do with her right shoulder, and everything to do with her toss.
Posted by Snoo Foo 08/01/2007 at 08:17 PM

Hijole, ToJo takes out the defending champ!
Posted by Sherlock 08/01/2007 at 08:19 PM

Hey, Celia. How was the movie? :)
Posted by Flyer 08/01/2007 at 08:20 PM

Wish I could see Haas's match - hate scoreboard watching - I always notice how numb my "tail" becomes when staring at that silly little screen!

Whooo - that bridge collapse in MN is horrendous - haven't heard yet why they think it happened - perhaps too much rain/flooding??
Posted by patrick 08/01/2007 at 08:25 PM

Baxter 5,
If the injury is questionable, besides her pride, why have Maria not played a good share of tournaments. Her first tourney after the Serena beating in Miami was Istanbul so the injury could be serious.

Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 08:27 PM

Sherlock- it was okay. Not exactly the best movie you're going to ever see, but it did do itself justice.
Posted by baxter5 08/01/2007 at 08:31 PM

i think it could be her pride...

perhaps she is working very hard in practice to get her serve back on track?

after getting blown out by serena, ivanovic and venus at the majors, she must be concerned.
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 08:39 PM

*waves at Celia*
Are you still there?
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 08:46 PM

Andrea! Hi!
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 08:52 PM

Andrea?
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 08:54 PM

Celia-
Oops, I was on some other site real quick. I'm here.
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 08:57 PM

Hey! We haven't talked in a while. How are you?
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 09:01 PM

Hi back! Where have you been?

Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 09:03 PM

I've been playing tennis and exercising like crazy.
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 09:15 PM

Lucky you. I would love to play tennis, but I don't have a hitting partner. There is a backboard at my school, but it's got huge, gaping holes in it :(
I've been working out as well at the local gym and it's pretty entertaining to watch the personal trainers 'interacting' with their clients...most of whom are girls.

Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 09:21 PM

Well, you get the gym, I get the tennis. All I have is my treadmil and something called a bun and thigh roller in my basement. I don't have a gym by me.
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 09:22 PM

Speaking of bun and thigh roller, I need to go work out on it. I'll be back in 6-7 minutes.
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 09:31 PM

I'm back.
Posted by jhurwi 08/01/2007 at 09:36 PM

Andrew: re success rate at picks. I believe you (or the author of the article, if it wasn't you) said in the post analyzing the picks or suicide pool results at the slams that a "naive strategy" of simply picking the higher-ranked player in each match would result in a success rate of about 80%. So a rate of 83% for TW doesn't seem all that remarkable.
Posted by jhurwi 08/01/2007 at 09:43 PM

RE Michael Berrer: according to the ATP website, he is from Germany, currently ranked 84 (career high is 83) and plays mostly on the challenger circuit. Prior to this tournament his record in ATP matches this year was 7-8 in singles and 3-3 in doubles. His best result for the year was reaching the quarterfinals at 's Hertogenbosch in June, where he lost to Benneteau.
Posted by jhurwi 08/01/2007 at 09:48 PM

Re Michael Berrer, cont'd: he is 27 years old (born 1 July 1980)
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 10:11 PM

Celia-
How does a bun and thigh roller work???? lol.

Posted by Tim 08/01/2007 at 10:17 PM

why do I have a feeling that Wilander would put his money on Rafa against Sampras in his prime - or at least have more confidence in Rafa that he seems to have in Roger ...

I still say Roger must have slighted him in some way because his anti-roger comments are so regular and negative that there has to be something sticking in his rear admirals!

:)
Posted by tangerine popsicle (tangi) 08/01/2007 at 10:23 PM

Tim,

Agreed! Or perhaps it's jealousy? He seems to go out of his way to say negative things about Roger. It sure does appear that he has an ax to grind.

The other day you mentioned watching old matches -- do you have a big Fed collection?
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 10:25 PM

Andrea-sorry. I was at youtube.
A bun and thigh roller is basically a chair with wheels. You hold onto handle bars that stick out of it, then you make sure your neck is above the headrest(even though it's not a headrest. More of a neck rest, but that's the best way I can explain it) then you put you're feet on the ground and roll back and forth for 5 minutes. I hope this makes sense.
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 10:26 PM

http://shop.bodybuildingforyou.com/Images/ASOT/bun-thigh-roller2.jpg
Andrea-this is what it looks like. Sorryif the picture is small.
Posted by Andrea 08/01/2007 at 10:34 PM

Delia-
Oh I see...makes sense.
Does it actually work?

Posted by 08/01/2007 at 10:37 PM

Celia,

It looks like one of those ab rollers. Have you seen those?
Posted by Celia 08/01/2007 at 10:39 PM

Andrea- I'm not exactly sure if it works because I've only been using it for about two weeks.
Posted by jon 08/02/2007 at 01:42 AM

Donald Young lost 4-6, 4-6 to Querrey? Damn, sounds like a good showing from Young, finally...especially considering that Querrey is playing well lately. I would really, really like to see them both do well in the future
Posted by jon 08/02/2007 at 01:46 AM

How does 6'10 John Isner expect to move with the best of them in the ATP? I understand the guys an amazing tennis player and an NCAA champion (I've watched him play), but seriously...the ATP is a whole different ball game, some of those guys can MMMMMOOOOOVVVVEEEE
Posted by Moderator 08/02/2007 at 03:50 AM

Andrea and Celia: please be careful that you don't use TW as a personal messaging system. Also, this thread is for tennis discussions. OT discussions go in the OT Thread. I am removing most of your comments from 10.25 to 1.21 for this reason (not because they were in any way offensive).
Posted by robbyfan 08/02/2007 at 06:41 AM

Hi Annabelle and Patrick! I heard that Robby has a new coach and is still battling a staff infection. He is skipping DC but should play in Cincy.

So meanwhile-go Andy!
Posted by svelterogue 08/02/2007 at 06:47 AM

gutted for henman's loss to isner, esp after reading news on the guardian how henman has been looking forward to playing at a high level again during the hardcourt season. :(

anyhow, i hope he does really well in the doubles
Posted by patrick 08/02/2007 at 08:27 AM

Svelterogue,
Unfortunately for Tim, he and his partner lost in straights to a good team in Hanley and Ullyett last night.

Also, I believe Isner will make it to the QF and play Haas tomorrow.

Sorry, so late but thanks Jane for a great job reporting from D.C. I hope you do another one and give us an update on Isner.
Posted by patrick 08/02/2007 at 08:28 AM

Robbyfan,
Do you know who is coaching Ginepri now?
Posted by DMS 08/02/2007 at 08:43 AM

Patrick you may know this..isn't Isner a lefty?
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