Shakira meets the players.

The uncomfortable zone around the net.

Have you noticed the lame attempts players make to avoid each other at the net while moving towards their chair for breaks?

From stopping to get their valuable towel to suddenly looking in the crowd as if someone called them out to shifting their eyes just enough to get the opponent in their peripheral vision to staring at their racket to……..

Who resembles his mom more than his father?

Federer vs Roddick.

Federer vs Roddick:

Roddick has as great shot at beating Federer this time. The two matches both have played today may play a big part if Roddick is able to pull it off. While Federer was clearly not his usual self against Dent, Roddick was at his very best against Monfils.

While it’s possible that both Dent and Monfils were still not fully recovered from their previous matches, there’s still enough fodder prior to that to realistically expect Roddick to make a match out of it, if not win it.

Federer’s bread and butter today, the serve, is still erratic. He reached 80 percent first serves in against Kiefer while hitting the high fifties against Dent today. Although that stat has never been a factor in winning against Roddick in the past, it may very well spell doom this time around for two reasons:

1. Federer’s overall game and other weapons which have been more than enough to subdue Roddick in the past are not even close to where they were at the peak of their rivalry. That brings a little parity to the huge imbalance in their match up.

2. Roddick’s movement which was exploited to the hilt by Federer is way up to further narrow the level playing field. Additionally Roddick’s backhand, his biggest liability is firing on all cylinders so much so that he has been able to hit outright winners from that wing.

Roddick is a guy who needs momentum, crowd support and home court advantage to bring the best out of him. That’s one of the reasons he has done so well at US events including the US Open. Not to mention the root of his success at Davis Cup.

So there’s a lot going for Roddick today further evidenced by the great season he has had so far. 

But if Federer hits above 60 percent on serves and is even 70 percent of his usual self, Roddick will hit the beaten path to further mess up his H2H stat.

For Federer, it’s not just vital that he win this title before heading into clay, he should at the very least not lose to Roddick of all people at this time. That would become that salt and wound story all over again.

Given the easier draw, the loss to Roddick will only exacerbate the pain of not winning a hard court title this year. Ideally for Federer, if this match turns out to be a close one, it will serve as a good ‘conditioner’ for the semis and the finals.

Three matches that could have changed Djokovic’s fate.

These are the three shots he had at taking over the No. 2 spot. Why?

Because playing as No. 2 in the world, specially when you have replaced Federer, has it’s own momentum extremely difficult to not get swept by.

There’s no doubt any of those three arrows would have hit the bulls eye to rejuvenate Djokovic to reach for the next spot, some place he claims he has always dreamed about.

Having missed that opportunity he is now facing an almost certain possibility of getting relegated to No. 4 spot any day now. The process could start cementing as early as tomorrow.

Nadal’s potential calendar Slam this year can win him two huge prizes.

1. Very real shot at being a GOAT.

2. Passing No. 14.

Why?

Because if Nadal gets to 9 majors by this year’s end at age 23, the likelihood of him getting five more, even if they all are FOs, is pretty high. The recent improvement of his hard court game further stokes that claim.

Winning a calendar Slam will make his case into the GOAT debate extremely difficult to ignore. And being the only one to have won on all surfaces will be the kicker.

Sampras may have already shifted his focus from Federer to Nadal in his prayers for retaining the No. 14 crown. Sampras is still hoping for Federer to just equal his record at best in the worst case scenario.

But with Nadal’s recent charge on all surfaces, the prospect of Sampras getting eclipsed may be quite real.

Even if Nadal’s career is shortened due to excessive wear and tear, it’s still just one major per year till he retires at age 28. Not an unrealistic hope given the complete package surrounding Nadal.

Quarterfinal match up @ Miami.

Federer vs Roddick.

Djokovic vs Tsonga.

Murray vs Verdasco.

Nadal vs Del Potro?

Miami tidbits.

Who is the knucklehead advising Monfils for the most suitable hair style for his face? Or is that he himself?

What’s the need for Federer to check his belt buckle so frequently? I mean everybody is not Nadal trying to pull his shorts down.

What’s up with a huge improvement in Roddick’s volleys. Did you watch his match against Monfils? Wow!!!

Have you noticed the little jump Federer has been using lately to remotely get the ball over the net?

Federer on all fours against Dent appeared nasty.

What Ferrer faced here seems to be what may start happening routinely soon: Facing three 6’6″ and above clowns back to back to back until one of them finally consumes you.

Del Potro tucking his shorts is his version of superstition or what? God knows what else is rolled up, given his size.

Federer offering eight freaking break points in his opening game against Dent? Does that mean serve and volley will be next weapon of choice for all future Federer’s opponents?

They showed Boris Becker behind a rack all hanging out. Was that camera guy trying to juggle between keeping his job and losing it?

Dent’s success here was largely due to the absent syndrome I talk about. Watch for a few more seed massacres this year before he settles down to mediocrity.

Photos.

Fourth round match up @ Miami.

Federer vs Dent.

Nadal vs Wawrinka.

Djokovic vs Berdych.

Murray vs Troicki.

Verdasco vs Stepanek.

Simon vs Tsonga.

Roddick vs Monfils.

Del Potro vs Ferrer.

Is Stepanek a lighter rendition of Agassi?

Here’s why:

-Guy is just as athletic at 30 if not more, than most of his younger competitors.

-Has completely shattered the myth that serve and volley is ineffective in today’s world.

-Has boned some of the best broads on the circuit.

-Before the start of this season he had won just two titles in his 12 years on the tour. This season he already has two.

-Some of the players he has defeated this year:

Gonzalez.
Verdasco.
Gasquet.
Fish.
Roddick.
Del Potro.

All that cannot happen without that ‘nail’ BS I keep bringing up here. It requires that Rocky III? type of regimen to run with these younger kids of today. They are bigger, athletic and more powerful than EVER.

Did he suddenly become better this year after being on the tour for so long – at age 30? Not likely.

Imagine if that storm sweeps clowns like Federer, Safin and other underachievers at whatever stage. That would be colossal.

If this theory really works, then is Tiger Woods already on it or there’s still another gear? Or it only engages when you hit bottom? Or it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s the quality of the switch that matters?

Either way that renaissance leaves a trail of brilliance irrespective of how great the achievements are given the circumstances. I mean Stepanek’s run now is great to watch irrespective of whether that includes a Grand Slam or not.

I think we all carry that switch which once flipped takes us on the glorious journey to whatever we consider success. There can be no other logical or scientific explanation to millions of people who have defied seemingly insurmountable odds to post gains in practically every field of human endeavor since the beginning of time.

The secret of success then (whatever you consider success), despite the technological and other advances humans have made through the centuries, remains an intangible one. And it’s immutable.

One thing’s for sure: The switch I have been flipping forever is not the right one, or is it? Maybe I am already there.

Photos.

Jobs That Will Never Go Away.

Click here.

Nadal tames a determined Gil to move on.

But Nadal exceeded his unforced error average in the first set itself (13), ending with what 23? Although it had a lot to do with the inspired play from Gil, Nadal cannot let that become a pattern to ensure his top spin-laden forehand delivers with confidence.

With so many mechanics working into making that forehand effective, any sustained increase in the unforced error count will only hurt the conviction to turn it into a liability from a weapon overnight.

Sharapova’s first serve percentage is a prime example of that affliction.

That’s one of the curse of being No. 1. Everyone plays their best against you, often with low percentage shots and way above their natural ability. You can gain with one win what you have failed to achieve your entire career sometimes.

But still this was far better than facing Karlovic and his tie breaks. Once you get into that crap shoot with Dr. Ivo, anything can happen. Federer can testify to that.

Nadal’s assault on Miami title will largely depend on how much time he spends on the court, considering the back to back schedule and Nadal’s track record of folding miserably when fatigued, unless it’s Federer. Add the fact that just five clowns have ever done it back to back and you know how vital it is for Nadal to keep himself fresh for a lot fresher Federer expected on that Sunday.

With AO semifinal and final as evidence Nadal may have some confidence specially if it’s Federer in the final, but back to back five setters may not be as taxing as back to back Masters Series titles.

So far Federer’s numbers expectantly look the best, but will that be a good thing or bad is still up in the air.

Watching the depth in mens tennis makes Federer’s four and half year reign on the top that much more precious, now that the certainty of winning a title, despite Nadal’s run, has comparatively evaporated.

However, everytime Nadal is able to adapt and adjust his game to tame a beast, his memory banks get loaded with another potent weapon to assist him whenever he finds himself in trouble. Not to mention the increased confidence it gives him on hard courts, place where he was billed by some to never win significant titles.

The most intriguing part for me is to see how Uncle Tony and company proceed to take Murray apart, now that age is not a big factor and the result may be a lot purer and richer than what they accomplished against Federer.

Every successful person does this, I think.

I know I am barking up the wrong tree with you lazy freaks, but did you know most successful people get up very early in the morning?

Do it ONE day and you will be hooked. Get up at say 5:30 AM and take a walk in the park if your village has one. Take in that fresh air, listen to the birds chirping, feel the wind in your face before the pollution of all sorts starts for the day.

Make that a habit and you will see an instant difference in everything from more time, more energy, sharper mind, healthy body, tranquility etc. etc.

Go to bed early today and set that alarm clock. You will never regret it. Although there’s zero chance you freaks will ever be successful, you can always claim to have one trait common with the great ones.

It’s like a drug. Once you get used to do (it takes 10 days for a habit, isn’t it), you will never be able to go back.

Isn’t tennis one sport that decides the winner with minimum grey area?

With the addition of Hawk-Eye there’s will little discussion on who could have won the match if this or that would have happened. Contrast that with the massive discretion referees have in Football, Basketball, Soccer, Cricket etc. to affect the outcome of a game.

Remember the disgraced NBA ref who fixed games for years? Even with the recent introduction of replay at these other sports, there still is a gaping hole for refs to go in and decide who wins the match – legitimately.

In tennis, however, if you lost the match there’s a greater chance that it was as close to a pure outcome as can be expected in today’s world. You were just not good. There’s very little room for ifs and buts.

So compared to other disciplines, the tennis player who moved up in the draw or rank really deserved it. Of course, there are still potholes of time outs, faked injuries, retirements, bathroom breaks etc. but all that is peanuts compared to what’s going on elsewhere. 

Is that the reason tennis refs are the most abused bunch? Has to be. You put out a tiger with no teeth and even ants will dare to take liberties.

In light of above someone holding on to the No. 1 spot for what 237 weeks suddenly takes on a new meaning compared to greats of other sports, don’t you think? Jordan certainly had his share of games where he stretched and sometimes even broke the rules with impunity purely because of his star status.

There is a certain percentage of close games that were won purely on that undue advantage. Were they enough to secure the home court advantage that guaranteed the trophy? Who knows. But the possibility exists.

Nadal’s run can safely be accounted to his superior skill and touch than any questionable loophole in the system to make at least the top five ranks as pure as possible.

Gasquet and some cloth were really not needed here!!!

Photos.

 

What kind of stupid benches are these?

The reason for players to have a break during the match is to relax, which means anything less than running after balls.

And these morons have parked a public park picnic bench out there with wooden freaking planks. What, rocks were not available?

Give them a decent cushion at least for all the money they are making for you while you sit in your suite with a trophy wife. Geeeeezzzzz!!!!!!

Who makes the ball kids work the most?

Safin must be thinking of retiring right about now with a gift to Monfils.

Safin was as close to his best as he has been for a while against an athletic and muscular Monfils. Safin almost looked like Agassi making Monfils run from side to side.

In the final few games, it was apparent Monfils was exhausted from all the running. He could barely stand and was heaving mightily during breaks. Monfils resorted to a smarter strategy of just concentrating on returning the balls with complete disregard to firing winners.

Monfils was banking on the unforced errors from Safin since Safin was the one going for outright winners with his high risk game in an effort to close the game quickly.

With two breaks secured in the final set, Safin played right into Monfils hands by being overly anxious to shorten the rallies and fire winners. Monfils deserves credit for being patient, which may have been his only option, since he had used up all his fuel chasing down flat shots from Safin.

But it was another glimpse into Safin’s brilliance for a moment. These are the kind of losses that expedite the retirement process prematurely. And if you somehow fail to notice it, the jokers at the press conference will never fail to remind you.

Nevertheless, it was a thriller or as close you can come to it these days considering the top four cats are just folding against each other.

Federer moves to round four with 80% first serve against Kiefer.

Has anyone noticed how big a part Federer’s tongue is to his game? Every shot is caressed and directed by the movement of his tongue.

Just like Boris Becker’s. Remember Agassi mentioning how he could tell where Becker’s serve will land based on which side his tongue was hanging?

And what’s up with Kiefer stroking the ball back to the ball kid and then standing still watching the kid retrieve the ball before going into his serve motion? You are not paying for lost balls here. Geeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz!!!! Just stare at the racket or develop some routine. He makes Nadal look good.

Federer is doing what he is expected to do against the tomato cans. But will that be enough to prepare him for the shock awaiting in the finals, if not the semis?

With Robredo, Roddick, Djokovic and Nadal to go, there isn’t much resistance to acclimatize for the rough weather on Sunday. Well, Federer has had the other scenario the whole of this season. Will this be the format that will get him to promised land now?

It better be for there’s no third wing to launch the rocket today. The sudden nose dive from Djokovic despite the charged-up Roddick has weakened that last step leading to the finals.

Under normal conditions this would be a huge advantage, considering the semifinal battle that will rage on the other half of the draw. But given the huge mental edge the finalist will have over Federer, it would be nice to at least be ready with some quality opponents and hurdles to clear before that.

It’s vital for Federer to win the title here for a horde of obvious reasons. Going into the clay season with the same record as last year will resurrect the ghost which will need another major to go away for a while.

For the first time, Federer must be dreading the clay season like he has never. Hope someone takes him out of his misery early because Nadal will exact all if not more of the revenge for those two Wimbledon finals with some serious roasting.

However, a title here will, to a great degree, cushion whatever happens on red. Will this current line up aid or hamper that goal. Answer coming up soon.

What happened? She is just falling apart. Lookswise, gamewise.

Want to Save Money? Carry Around $100 Bills.

Click here.

Photos.

 

Which umpire evokes the most respect from players?

Mohamed Lahyani.

Maria Pascal.

Carlos Bernardes.

Enric Molina.

Lars Graff.

Cedric Mourier.

Murray drops a set in opening round.

Granted Monaco is not a typical opening round tomato can, but all that’s coming out of that mouth of Murray lately, this has to be a humbling match. Dropping a set so early at ANY event is disturbing specially when you are talking about being No. 1 by year end.

For me the break points earned and offered is a good start to assess who was the real winner. Murray earned 10 and offered 12. In the process he has doubled the time he has spent on court compared to both Federer and Djokovic.

This is the first time Murray is playing a back to back Masters Series event where his fitness is under scrutiny and test, having reached the finals at Indian Wells last week.

Record on that kind of turnaround is extremely poor and with Murray still suspect with his endurance, knees and virus this will be good measuring stick for him to gauge his physical preparedness.

Although it’s still early in the tournament, what the top four are really jostling for today is psychological advantage, since the game itself is pretty much at par – at least on hard courts.

What do you do when your spouse gets pink-slipped.

For all you freaks unfortunate enough to be in a relationship instead of keeping it simple with the goats, here’s something you might face soon if you haven’t already.

Click here.

Photos.

Ivanovic and Nadal getting too close for Verdasco’s comfort?

Nadal on Miami.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFBdL8snNDE

Eyeballing game. From Stella. Thanks.

STELLA

we all think we’re really accurate in seeing things, in or out.
how good are we at eyeballing?
try this
http://www.woodgears.ca/eyeball/

Murray on playing Federer. From Gilly. Thanks.

GILLY

More arrogance…hints at weak field?

“The one thing that I always thought, or it looked like from watching,
was that everyone was just trying to play so well all the time to win
against him, trying like too hard and trying to hit the ball to the
line and playing the game style that necessarily didn’t work for them.
You know, I made sure that when I played against him I haven’t tried
to do that. I haven’t felt that just because I’m playing Federer I
have to hit every ball on the line and stuff. So it’s not — I just
learned a lot from watching when I was growing up. ”

http://andymurray.com/news/article/593

Rafa and Roger together before Indian Wells SF. From DuncaNengland. Thanks.

Click here, here and here.

Interesting matches to come @ Miami, other than the obvious ones.

-Nadal vs Karlovic.

-Nadal vs Wawrinka.

-Cilic vs Del Potro.

-Murray vs Nalbandian.

-Verdasco vs Murray.

-Tsonga vs Simon.

-Djokovic vs Tsonga.