Places to skip for a first date.

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Frontier Nadal is yet to cross – the one that can drastically change his plans / goals.

With what we know today, specially after Wimbledon, there’s no doubt that there’s ABSOLUTELY no one who can now stop Nadal – at least on two surfaces – other than his knees. Even if he fails to master the US Open surface, we know he has won the AO once – beating Federer in his prime. If that’s primarily attributed to the rest from the off-season, producing a similar hiatus between now and the US Open could realistically change course allowing him to dominate EVERY surface. Translation: It’s come down to how masterfully he can manage his body and schedule essentially eliminating the competition from the equation. Or has it?

There’s still one stone rolling around who hasn’t had his say yet – a stone that cannot be brushed aside definitively even based on Nadal’s current form. Have a clue? No, you don’t!!!!!

Heard of some guy who has defeated Nadal the last three times they have met – two of them in straight sets? Score? 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. 7-5, 6-1. 6-4, 3-6, 7-6. Even though Nadal has been able to master both Soderling and Berdych – miniature forms of this giant – Nadal cannot still claim to clear the landscape of ALL worthy opponents as long this guy is lurking. Del Potro anybody? Last time Nadal beat him was in 2007.

Unless Del Potro makes the blunder of prematurely returning to the tour before the wrist injury heals completely, Nadal’s clear path to being home free will forever remain ‘thwarted’ unless proven otherwise. Del Potro is way way way ahead of both Soderling and Berdych – combined – in his ability to unleash shots Nadal cannot handle even if they are coming straight into his strike zone. Del Potro’s game is the ideal mismatch for Nadal turning Nadal’s strengths into liabilities – instantly.

US Open attempting to ‘buy’ Wimbledon’s hallowed status?

Hasn’t the prize money now gone up practically every freaking year since the whole of past decade or so? Isn’t that tactic usually reserved for when you are trying to attract top players to your event? So if you are a Slam and that’s taken out, shouldn’t these increases be more to just keep pace monetarily with other Slams to stay afloat? But if you are making massive waves year after year leaving all other Slams way behind the curve, shouldn’t there be a very strong motive driving that truck? Or are the turkey necks deciding to share the added wealth huge attendance etc. is generating progressively?

Next up probably is a show of even stronger star power to supplement the cash push. Should we then expect ‘A’ listers showing up at ALL US Open matches? Shouldn’t hurt, don’t you think? After all, who wouldn’t agree to rate US Open ahead of Wimbledon if following routinely appear in the stands: Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, O J Simpson, Mel Gibson, Tiger Woods, Jesse James………..?

If nothing else, it should make the ‘road trip’ tournaments leading to the big event fiercely competitive for the massive windfall when matched with US Open title. Didn’t Clijsters win what $2 million when she won the title?

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There’s a very good reason this wasn’t a video. Still photo cut out all the ‘other’ stuff Dr. was about to go into.

Photos.

Tennis legend John McEnroe, surrounded by traditional ancient guards, arrives to the port of Dubrovnik on July 8, 2010 for the humanitarian match against Goran Ivanisevic (not pictured) on the streets of the ancient old city of Durovnik. All money raised from this event will go to the renovation of the children’s ward of Dubrovnik hospital. AFP PHOTO/HRVOJE POLAN (Photo credit should read HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)

Nuns applauds tennis legends John McEnroe and Goran Ivanisevic play during an humanitarian match in the streets of the ancient old city of Dubrovnik on July 8, 2010. All money raised from this event will go to the renovation of the children’s ward of Dubrovnik hospital. AFP PHOTO/ HRVOJE POLAN (Photo credit should read HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)

Place for photos of your pets. From Bettyjane. Thanks.

BETTYJANE

Hi Claire,
I went to bed early last night and missed the rest of the thread about the dogs. I LOVE your idea of sharing. Tell me all about Molly. (I prefer pets that have human names. I had a golden named Emma for 14 years.)These mixed breeds are the rage now aren’t they! Mixi-poo? Enlighten me, lol!
Setters like Henry are pretty crazy, but the English are the least so of the three types. I’ve never posted a photo to this site, but I think if we asked TP to get a section for out pets up and running he’d say the site has gone to the dogs.

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CLIFFORD

Okay, folks…..
while waiting for the US Open draw to come out, I thought I’d finally get around to posting a picture of the lovely pups.

This is Kaiser (Shepherd) and Russell (Yellow Lab)

Kaiser (initially named Monty, but that only lasted one day!) was rescued from a junkyard, where he was no longer wanted because he was just too darned nice! He is about 15 months old, and is just full of love- and energy.

Russell was dumped in the country by his previous owners, who had clearly never taken him for walks or given him toys. He was over 120 pounds, and was unable to run. For the past five years he has been the best dog one could ever wish for, and is proving to be an excellent older brother for Kaiser.

Thanks for providing this thread, TP- it’s awesome!

Clifford’s Kaiser and Russell:

Not the best photo, but it captures their temperaments beautifully.

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// Bjornino’s ‘piglet’ Akita: “She will be 13 years old this fall but is still going strong”.

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Bluechyll’s Nina:

Bluechyll’s Nina, Genevieve and Ginger.

Stella’s Fluff: