Shouldn’t the watch be on the other freaking hand? And why are the sideburns not cleanly cut? He has lost it. Fire him now.

Bridgette Wilson-Sampras. I am very impressed how she has transformed herself into a great mom and wife – given where she came from.

Thoughts on Federer’s win over Chela.

There’s no question about rust but was that the end all of it? Don’t think so. Some of his routine shots both from the forehand and the backhand with feet firmly planted and squared to the ball were missing the lines by more than six feet over and over freaking again.

Federer won the match on his amazing defense. The shots Federer sent over the net were like sitting ducks for Chela who did the best with them guaranteeing him a point against most anybody else. But Federer turned on the heat to compensate for his ‘cool’ offense forcing Chela to come up with those ‘out of his skin’ shots again and again.

Sure Federer’s serve did it’s part too to hold down the fort but it was more about not losing a point on superb and flat shots from Chela that bridged that ever-widening gap riding on 36 unforced errors. It was clearly an ugly win casting doubts on many aspects of his game.

There’s no way he is going too far with this game, forget about winning – anywhere. To me, it looked his confidence was too shaky suggesting that the run and loss at Wimbledon specially the early rounds are not done taking their toll.

Pete’s speech at the Tennis Hall Of Fame explaining Paul’s influence. Be ready with a box of tissue. It also provides clue to what Mirka can do today to kickstart someone’s career.

Paul Annacone on pete at 2007 HoF induction ceremony.

Rocky and Mr. T of tennis?



Federer VS Chela Toronto – Canada 2010.

Photos.

Looks like he is related to Aunt Tony. He’s been planted?

That’s the problem right there: He’s been eating all along.

It would have been far easier to just ask your box to come a little closer.

Photos of Clifford @ Roger’s Cup, Toronto 2010 earning Wall Of Fame listing. Thanks.

CLIFFORD

Okay, TP…done.
http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy178/jbudsdog/

Couldn’t help myself….just had to represent!

The first set was pretty tight, and the mood in the stadium was tense at times, due to a combination of things.
Fed’s unforced errors started creeping in early, so every time he hit a clear winner, there was an error (or two) to dampen the momentum. What got a little worrying, though, were the longer rallies where Chela was clearly dictating.
At one point Chela won ten straight points, including breaking Roger at love! The bleeding pretty much stopped when Roger challenged a call that would have made it 11 straight, and won the challenge. I think he still lost that game, but the mood was now different, and we could all settle down a bit. I was very glad that I hadn’t invested in a great seat to watch Fed have a bad day!

In the second set he was much more relaxed, and there were many times when we could just watch him play brilliantly and enjoy it. Wish I could take in more, but it’s not to be. I’ll have to settle for television like everyone else.

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Wall Of Fame listing here.

Federer sets new Masters 1000 record. From Adrian. Thanks.

ADRIAN

Federer sets new Masters 1000 record

Roger Federer became the all-time match wins leader in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 action after defeating Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(7), 6-3 on Tuesday night at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

The World No. 3, who notched his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 win in 2000 at Miami, improved to a 210-65 lifetime record at the ATP’s premier level of tournaments. American Andre Agassi, the previous record holder, compiled a 209-73 mark from 1990-2006.

Federer returned to competition for the first time in more than a month, and was made to work hard in his second-round opener. Chela double faulted to give Federer a break in the sixth game, but prevented the Swiss from serving out the set as he converted on a triple break point opportunity to get back on serve at 5-4. Federer finally sealed the set after putting away his fifth set point of the tie-break.

The second set proved more straightfoward for the third-seeeded Swiss. Federer broke Chela to go up 3-2 and closed out the match in one hour and 21 minutes with another break of serve.

Federer is looking to win his 17 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, and his first since last August at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. He won his two Rogers Cup titles in 2004 and ’06 in Toronto.

This is Federer’s first tournament appearance as the world’s No. 3 player since the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup in Houston, where he ended up winning the title with victory over Andre Agassi in the final.

The Swiss, who celebrated his 29th birthday Sunday, will next face the winner of the Nicolas Almagro-Michael Llodra match.

ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Match Wins Leaders
1. Roger Federer 210-65
2. Andre Agassi 209-73
3. Pete Sampras 190-70
4. Rafael Nadal 180-35
5. Andy Roddick 141-57