tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48377777386337336322024-02-21T01:31:32.567-06:00MY SECOND SERVEJohn Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-31626740892736061652011-09-12T11:29:00.006-05:002011-09-12T11:55:33.532-05:00U.S. Open: Top Seed Takes on Defending Champ<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AFmjd17kyM2RT7hyphenhyphent2NKrtZZEgvLpjtKlqsRNUcU5YRiIIUdJ3sG0MSRH8OZoTkjBjZRWvxOXBl5OzSRjmaCe_JT4ubdqwYt4lf6o9tgsIH3GRiJaPu1W3o7fhpLigzUoLSx5x1ZlAXQ/s1600/novak-djokovic_1994113c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AFmjd17kyM2RT7hyphenhyphent2NKrtZZEgvLpjtKlqsRNUcU5YRiIIUdJ3sG0MSRH8OZoTkjBjZRWvxOXBl5OzSRjmaCe_JT4ubdqwYt4lf6o9tgsIH3GRiJaPu1W3o7fhpLigzUoLSx5x1ZlAXQ/s400/novak-djokovic_1994113c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651511497057621394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Can anyone slow down the chest-thumping Serb?</i></b></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Federer was beaten in a classic, while Murray went out with a whimper. Now the top two tennis players in world are preparing to square off on the world’s grandest stage.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nadal stumbled through the first four rounds, but suddenly found his legs and his confidence in the quarters against Roddick. Djokovic basically cruised through the entire tournament until he ran into a red hot Roger Federer. But even when he was down two match points - Djokovic rose to the challenge.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Rafa versus Novak is such an intriguing matchup. Rafa was once the most CONFIDENT and most ruthless player in the world. He swung for the fences and was always ready to live by the sword and die by the sword. These qualities led him to ten major titles and he really should have won Wimbledon this year.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">But then you look at Novak Djokovic – it was not his skill, but rather his confidence that propelled him past Nadal in the Wimbledon final. And as where Rafa once had that unbeatable swagger about him – it now is firmly in the hands of Djokovic. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Never was the Djokovic confidence more glaringly apparent than against Roger Federer in the semis of this year’s U.S. Open. Federer had Djokovic beaten – a comeback was not only unlikely, it was nearly impossible. On his second match point, Federer ripped a punishing serve wide to Djoko's forehand side – The legendary reply was one of most devastating forehand service return winners in the history of the tournament. You have to believe your own hype to take a swing like that to erase a match point with such authority.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">That mind-numbing forehand told Federer all he needed to know – this match was over.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It’s hard for me to endorse a tennis player who was actually beating his chest for the crowd after his semifinal win. But just because Djokovic acts like he’s on a casting call for Return of the Planet of the Apes, doesn’t mean he isn’t best tennis player alive right now.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Rafa is an amazing champion and a lion-hearted competitor – but he will need his best to have any chance to stop chest thumping number one player in the world – Novak Djokivic.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Unless Rafa can regain his swagger – take Djokovic in four sets over Nadal.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-20525516236498359612011-09-09T18:05:00.010-05:002011-09-10T05:36:49.884-05:00Get Ready for Djokovic vs. Murray - Act Two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVz_zLpw_PxqGXXGHA_o8cKBf3vSU-3Fq9gvdrz__ohyphenhyphenDlgmjZXr-GagIW5ay-sO5g464PZfHGM1QKCLxruYPBNnxnZs4YlRX69l_Q8pEe6U_Uxu_vk5hIuMOrBEWq6kq8gz9HEVruaG-/s1600/HEAD_to_HEAD_MurrayDjokovic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVz_zLpw_PxqGXXGHA_o8cKBf3vSU-3Fq9gvdrz__ohyphenhyphenDlgmjZXr-GagIW5ay-sO5g464PZfHGM1QKCLxruYPBNnxnZs4YlRX69l_Q8pEe6U_Uxu_vk5hIuMOrBEWq6kq8gz9HEVruaG-/s400/HEAD_to_HEAD_MurrayDjokovic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650500071754664658" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, owners of 26 grand slam titles between them, are both in amazing form as they head into this year’s U.S. Open Semis. The only problem is, neither one of them is likely to be around to contend for the U.S. Open Championships on Monday. Andy Murray has been my pick to win his first grand slam tournament since the U.S. Open began and I see no reason to change that prediction now. But first, let’s look at the Federer – Djokovic matchup. </span><!--StartFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Federer is still a terrible threat to Novak Djokovic on almost any surface, but not on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows. There was a time not so long ago, when Federer was unbeatable in New York – but those days have crept by us now. The list of people who can beat Federer regularly on hard courts is terribly short - sporting only three men. The problem is that all three of them, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray are the three remaining men in the draw. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Federer has the skills, but has lost about a half a step in the past year and that’s all Djokovic needs. The Serb is brimming with confidence and has never looked back since stunning Federer in last year’s U.S. Open semi finals. He’s captured two grand slam titles this year and is hungry to put the U.S. Open on his resume. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Take Djokovic in 3, possibly 4 sets.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nadal and Murray represent the other half of the draw and this is really Andy’s time to shine and finally join the grand slam club. Nadal is playing his best tennis of the fortnight, but he doesn’t have the firepower to overcome Murray - if Andy can keeps his wits about him. This is the eighth time the Scot has made it to a Grand Slam semis in his last 17 majors.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Hard courts are Murray’s best surface and after losses in three different grand slam finals – He has the seasoning at the age of 24 to capture this year’s U.S. Open and end the dizzying drought for the United Kingdom. You can’t sell Nadal short because he is the defending champion. But Nadal has lost a lot of the sting on his serve that led him to last year’s title. Unless he can conjure up that booming serve again, Murray will prevail.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have grabbed slam after slam – Murray has been steadily improving. He is playing smart and composed tennis and if he can break out of his own head, he will overcome Nadal and stamp his invitation into the U.S. Open Finals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Take Murray in four tough sets!</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-2634724422536100762011-08-31T16:27:00.006-05:002011-08-31T22:32:13.551-05:00Murray Ready for Break Out at 2011 U.S. Open<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGA4x55Z0mg9uEAJQaOiV0xAz1VTQqI8LsQeHgRk05c-S85SuoElncNnXvVCsOCEr1oSk9wPSoijhvdpiATonS6OpqS9MNZKn-ZFltEbhnD1iih3Uo7zxMzgmHEPAEZctztQdSZe8DWYJ/s1600/t1larg.andy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGA4x55Z0mg9uEAJQaOiV0xAz1VTQqI8LsQeHgRk05c-S85SuoElncNnXvVCsOCEr1oSk9wPSoijhvdpiATonS6OpqS9MNZKn-ZFltEbhnD1iih3Uo7zxMzgmHEPAEZctztQdSZe8DWYJ/s400/t1larg.andy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647134953889631506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Murray is fit and ready to grab his first Grand Slam title.</span></b></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2011 has been pretty good to me so far, correctly predicting the winners of 2 of the last 3 slams. I picked the Djoker to snag the Aussie and Nadal to capture the French. Rafa let me down at Wimbledon, but I'm obviously hoping to go 3 for 4 by picking the man that no one is really talking about – 4th-seeded Andy Murray.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Between Rafa and the Serb, Murray is really the forgotten man at the 2011 U.S. Open and that will come back to haunt the experts. The Scot has a tough draw with arch-nemesis and former U.S. Open champ, Juan Martin Del Potro possibly looming in the quarters. Murray and Del Potro have a mean-spirited history with each other dating back to the Italian Open in 2008, but should Murray prevail, the U.S. Open is his for the taking.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Murray is in the Nadal half of the draw and has had an amazing 2011 campaign reaching the finals in Australia and the semis at both the French and Wimbledon. Make no mistake, Murray’s best surface is the hard courts and he was a finalist at the U.S. Open 2008.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Djokovic is obviously the favorite, but like it or not, Djokovic proved once again during Cincinnati in August that he's still a quitter. Murray was giving him a good thumping in the final when Novak quit before Murray could finish him off.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's not the first time Djokovic has called it quits while losing a match. This was actually the 8th time Djokovic has quit in the middle of match that he was losing, not to mention the fact he has defaulted a total of four times during Grand Slam play.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Going back to Murray – he has a long history of being his own worst enemy – but he is the only player on the circuit right now who has what is takes to knock Djokovic off of his perch.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The drought for the U.K. has to end some time – and it will be Murray who hoists the trophy in New York when all is said and done.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-54686303341369031622011-07-04T07:06:00.007-05:002011-07-04T07:15:16.448-05:00Djokovic Stings Nadal with Familiar Form of Intimidation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYjIqSlDlsnea9oT8k7yJs4OAcGWVRRgf2iRsHtBpJTk7Yb4yabeYfOKiEucvPskZ4ZxOxg5Nt6AX1s_yuK2fEqLNG-VojckFSWRTALjIjOl-7SIYXiMKVvgVs49OOkDB6liFh0TDiO3i/s1600/WIM341-73_2011_165433_high.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYjIqSlDlsnea9oT8k7yJs4OAcGWVRRgf2iRsHtBpJTk7Yb4yabeYfOKiEucvPskZ4ZxOxg5Nt6AX1s_yuK2fEqLNG-VojckFSWRTALjIjOl-7SIYXiMKVvgVs49OOkDB6liFh0TDiO3i/s400/WIM341-73_2011_165433_high.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625467545263995666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nadal shrinks away from the Djokovic challenge at Wimbledon</span></b></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Rafael Nadal has fallen victim to the very same spell he cast over Roger Federer more than five years ago.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">That was when the young Spaniard named Rafael Nadal became a splinter in the mind of the game’s most dominant player, Roger Federer. Back then, Federer was a tennis deity who firmly believed that no one alive could threaten him on any surface. Then came Nadal – And after just a few close losses, the seed of intimidation was planted deep into the psyche of Roger Federer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">From that point on, Federer forever lived in fear of Nadal. Federer was faced with an intimidation factor he never dreamed was possible and it cost him every time he stepped onto the court with Nadal. Nadal’s game played a factor in Federer’s problems, but the bottom line was, “Federer did not play like Federer against Nadal.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Fast-forward to this year, and Rafael Nadal is writhing in the grip of his own inner demons – an intimidation factor he never thought possible, the bold and brash Novak Djokovic. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Like Federer, Nadal believed that if he was playing at 90%, he was unbeatable. But then Novak won a couple of close matches in a row and Nadal suffered what appeared to be a gradual decline in confidence. WRONG! What appeared to be a slow-moving virus is now a full-blown case of, “I’m scared of that guy!”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is not to take anything away from the amazing brand of Djokovic tennis, but Nadal did not play like Nadal in the Wimbledon final. Nadal ran scared and instead of trying to win, he played not to lose. The Spaniard is NOW in huge trouble every time he steps of the court with the Serb.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What also makes this so interesting is the fact that Nadal had dominated Djokovic at the majors for so long. That era seems to be over. The Wimbledon final was only one match – but it is likely to set the tone for the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry for the next couple of years. Each Nadal loss against Djoko is worse than the one before, eerily similar to the decline of Federer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nadal played tentatively for the first time at a grand slam and it was a disaster. Without his fearlessness, Nadal is just another top three player who will win a stray grand slam here and there, more along the lines of Andy Murray.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What’s great for tennis fans is to see if Nadal can overcome it. Tennis history demonstrates that he probably can’t do it. But make no mistake, the torch has been passed.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-85529278991594687422011-07-01T14:44:00.006-05:002011-07-01T22:56:45.075-05:00Djokovic Grabs Top Spot, but Won’t Claim Wimbledon Title<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PiPwpzqzJ5lKtoQHJhfZwPNpvWOEtpFTuZt_kzFaGY_SSpHa2eoVarpFW91c7XOJinTczFWlWIkuqgLodKExIw8G-vNXZBi0LyADhWDOWR9lCCDqi0b1bG5uOkVDRS-40Wu-A384xQaQ/s1600/djokovic-novak-110701.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PiPwpzqzJ5lKtoQHJhfZwPNpvWOEtpFTuZt_kzFaGY_SSpHa2eoVarpFW91c7XOJinTczFWlWIkuqgLodKExIw8G-vNXZBi0LyADhWDOWR9lCCDqi0b1bG5uOkVDRS-40Wu-A384xQaQ/s400/djokovic-novak-110701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624472433264272066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look for Djokovic to take the fall against Nadal</span></b></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Novak Djokovic – This is his time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When the new rankings come out next week, Djoko will be the number one player in the world according to the ATP computer. What he won’t have is the coveted cup that goes along with the 2011 Wimbledon title.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All signs point Rafael Nadal hoisting up his third Wimbledon trophy in four years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Djokovic has enjoyed one of the easiest and luckiest grand slam draws in many years. Any time, you can cruise into the Wimbledon finals without playing a single player ranked in the top 15; you are very, very fortunate. Djokovic screamed and howled through every victory, even though he never encountered a top-ranked opponent. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Djokovic looks surprisingly mortal on the grass. His superior movement bogs down on the green stuff down and his unforced errors break into double digits.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The biggest break in the tournament for the Serb came when Roger Federer forgot to close out his QF match against Tsonga.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tsonga was a pretender, not a contender and Djokovic ate him up on Saturday. Now he's riding high into the championship match having beaten Nadal in four straight finals. However, this is a grand slam and it's being contested on grass. Two pivotal factors that will leave Djokovic on the outside looking in.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It doesn’t matter whether Rafa is ranked 1, 2, or 102 – he is the most ferocious competitor in tennis and he is hungry to claim his third Wimbledon crown.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rafa certainly won’t be happy to </span><span style=" font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">give up his number one ranking to Djokovic on Monday, but securing his eleventh grand slam title by beating him in the final will surely easy the pain.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-60957963474734466442011-06-29T14:29:00.004-05:002011-06-29T14:57:08.901-05:00Didn’t See that Coming – Tsonga Zaps Federer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtBGwFa5GZF0BFPJ-IEdevhmbXNe_Y-74f4iT4hVbheiLQZZDFR6e2ZZA2IjN2Vi6ZUjS2YfoS3-WqChcYG1DGj-Jgg4Bz0axi_dURPbZIfoIDxrbeYBx8lGvJMUgD6cqeCiYhgNQUVXv/s1600/Image-PHOTO-AFP-1779401663-640x480.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtBGwFa5GZF0BFPJ-IEdevhmbXNe_Y-74f4iT4hVbheiLQZZDFR6e2ZZA2IjN2Vi6ZUjS2YfoS3-WqChcYG1DGj-Jgg4Bz0axi_dURPbZIfoIDxrbeYBx8lGvJMUgD6cqeCiYhgNQUVXv/s400/Image-PHOTO-AFP-1779401663-640x480.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623726616815058706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tsonga savors an unlikely win over Roger Federer</b>.</div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">It looked so routine.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Roger Federer was on cruise control with a two sets to love lead. After closing out 179 straight matches with a 2-sets to none lead – Federer sputtered, blinked and choked away a relatively easy path to the 2011 Wimbledon semis.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Swiss star was down a break at 3-4 and 4-5 in the third set. On both occasions, he jumped to love-30 leads on the Tsonga serve and seemed poised to break back. But somehow – IT NEVER HAPPENED!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It seems that all good things must come to an end. Federer was a mere shadow of himself in the quarters breaking down with the finish line well in sight and giving Tsonga the victory.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I really don’t know what to make of Fed any more – this was his match to take. And when you watch it, he seems to have the upper hand. But he let it slip away – without question the worse loss I’ve ever seen from him. Fed actually seemed complacent - he didn't seem interested or inspired enough to close out the Frenchman. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This wasn’t Rafa on clay or DelPo/Djoko on a hard court – it was Jo-Willie on grass and Federer may never be the same. I’ve seen him out of sorts before, but never was the 16-time grand slam champ so in control and then so lost.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The killer-instinct we took for granted for so long seems to have lost its edge. After the French, I was a believer that Federer had one or two slams left in the tank – now, I’m not so sure.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tsonga didn’t play badly, but he didn’t light up the court either. Tsonga served well, but not well enough to knock Federer off of his favorite surface. Tsonga gained confidence only because Federer fizzled out.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The irony here is that Federer, who saved the number one ranking at the French for Nadal – has now for all intents and purposes handed it to Novak Djokovic. Djokovic will batter Tsonga and claim the number one spot, even if Rafa claims the Wimbledon title.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-9628633441257576432011-06-25T13:21:00.006-05:002011-06-25T13:27:45.540-05:00Rafa-Federer Redux - Ready to Renew Epic Wimbledon Rivalry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhcqaYrf1SkD6pdkFBGCjNGs5ZWz84RgKzVGJC0bL3IN4q5-yBAdNNDxXOA2MJldyUEozlzvSRUNtGd21N55LVNTVMOUC5RsW3M4ML-xzZKoMYFazc9JG_YgPTbzeA1MsoAHe5MbNpQpX/s1600/rafael-nadal-roger-federer1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhcqaYrf1SkD6pdkFBGCjNGs5ZWz84RgKzVGJC0bL3IN4q5-yBAdNNDxXOA2MJldyUEozlzvSRUNtGd21N55LVNTVMOUC5RsW3M4ML-xzZKoMYFazc9JG_YgPTbzeA1MsoAHe5MbNpQpX/s400/rafael-nadal-roger-federer1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622224970181103234" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The more the game changes, the more it stays the same. Carve out whatever subplot you like, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are once again on a collision course for the Wimbledon Championships. Just like the French Open – the top two seeds are also the best grass court players in the field.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Novak Djokovic lost just one match all year long and has won an astounding seven tournaments.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">That will be no help whatsoever on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Djoko got dumped on the clay at the French in 2011 and will be unceremoniously knocked out of Wimbledon as well.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Djokovic is playing the best grass court tennis of his life – but it’s still not enough to get him past Federer at the All England Club. If Djokovic makes it to the semis, he is likely to be cut down by the 16-time grand slam champion who is serving like his life depended on it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">British favorite, Andy Murray is rolling, but a relatively easy draw is not working in his favor. A list of easy opponents is no way to prepare for a possible meeting in the semis with the two-time defending champ, Rafa Nadal.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><blockquote><b>"Nadal is not playing his best, but no one on the grass, save Federer, is his equal."</b></blockquote> </span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">This is Federer’s best shot in a long time to exact a little grand slam revenge upon Nadal. Federer is serving lights out, and to beat him, Nadal will have to be at his best. You can never count Nadal out, but he must right the ship against the great one to grab his third Wimbledon title and retain his number one ranking.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-81330960129923926432011-05-21T10:23:00.005-05:002011-06-03T14:43:52.156-05:00The Joke is on Djokovic for the 2011 French Open<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE2j8COWvXVFT0j6Rjm2D-9N-xT-5EQe9WT7e1akh4WtZ4LLih0P_9hxV0eHKXmGA1X-q06oSlwDPdFosZEbED9QlJ13sKmhMo0NaGUZ8VKqjk72ytfhdL8JbTLTlLL4rlZdneMTFxCDC/s1600/ten_g_djokovic11_576.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWE2j8COWvXVFT0j6Rjm2D-9N-xT-5EQe9WT7e1akh4WtZ4LLih0P_9hxV0eHKXmGA1X-q06oSlwDPdFosZEbED9QlJ13sKmhMo0NaGUZ8VKqjk72ytfhdL8JbTLTlLL4rlZdneMTFxCDC/s400/ten_g_djokovic11_576.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609643409529641090" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial, -webkit-fantasy;font-size:medium;">No one can deny that Novak Djokovic’s 37-match win streak is terribly impressive. He’s rolled over the world’s number one player, Rafael Nadal in four straight finals, twice on hard courts and twice on clay. All signs point to Djokovic marching into Paris and leaving as the conquering hero. Only one problem – it’s not going to happen. The best of five sets will sink Djokovic at the French.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 17.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The joke will be on Djoker at the 2011 French Open. Never mind that Sports illustrated is crowing that</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">: ''Novak Djokovic is the most dominant athlete in the world right now.'' The reality is that the</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> best of five sets on the slow red clay of Roland Garros is infinitely more demanding than the best of three affairs where Djokovic has been using Nadal as a punching bag.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 17.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Djokovic has markedly improved his fitness. His cockiness and confidence is certainly at an all-time high – but this isn’t his year at the French. His top-heavy spring schedule is about to catch up with him and he doesn’t even know it yet. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If Djokovic gets to the final, his tank will be sputtering on empty. Nadal on the other hand is looking for payback. Just like he took it to Robin Soderling in the 2010 final – Nadal knows that beating Novak on the grand stage will temporarily beat back all the chatter surrounding who people are already calling the new Number One. Also, it remains to be seen if Djokovic has what it takes to outclass Federer on clay.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Besides, did you listen to that silly primal screaming the Djoker unleashed after he beat Nadal in Rome?</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Try and act like you’ve been there before. It’s hard to imagine what the lad might do if he actually beat Nadal in a grand slam final. It will eventually happen, but not at this year's French.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-34529723503658223832011-01-30T11:41:00.006-06:002011-01-30T11:53:36.817-06:00Ravenous Djokovic Pummels Murray, Claims Second Grand Slam Title<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5AF3XYFgMbZ1NliAYvN4ZOCiS8OUprsSBCnMpJy4XFfzsAoxADgN37yzlJ3DrQMiqRm4K1b7RUdyXfedn1LFXkWcbR5zfVZNhaNe7zVTkqfhMz0zcpBHnsrzQnjbvqj0ocMUWC_Wf_7c/s1600/31tennis_final1-blog480.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5AF3XYFgMbZ1NliAYvN4ZOCiS8OUprsSBCnMpJy4XFfzsAoxADgN37yzlJ3DrQMiqRm4K1b7RUdyXfedn1LFXkWcbR5zfVZNhaNe7zVTkqfhMz0zcpBHnsrzQnjbvqj0ocMUWC_Wf_7c/s400/31tennis_final1-blog480.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568033451489002386" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Djokovic overwhelms Murray in grand slam sleeper.</span></div></b><p class="MsoNormal">Novac Djokovic hammered Andy Murray in the 2011 Australian Open final, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3. Both players went into the match full of belief, but it became readily apparent that Murray was no match for the 23-year-old Serb, brimming with confidence after overwhelming Roger Federer in the semis.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The contest was shaping up to be a spirited affair until Djokovic broke Murray ‘s will towards the end of the first set. Murray was serving at 15-30, 4-5 in the first set when both players stretched each other out across the full length of the court with a phenomenal 39-shot rally. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Both players displayed superior defense chasing down sure winners until Novac charged the net and Murray dumped a forehand in the bottom of the net. That gave Djokovic a pair of set points and Murray appeared to be dead in the water after that rally. It stole his spirit and drained his confidence as Djokovic shifted into cruise control, winning the set and running away with the match.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Notice has been served to the tennis world, that Djokovic is now the greatest threat to Nadal’s tennis supremacy. His fitness, confidence and improved serve are the key ingredients that have pushed Djokovic from contender to champion.</p>John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-12705369986276335002011-01-28T10:26:00.009-06:002011-01-28T20:54:07.003-06:00Fit and Fiery Djokovic Poised to Punish Murray<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UV15AtkLIv9jeDdxiREpmEPWgDRqx5bbqGFrG7KXFe9M_6WsGTb6JD1m8iBK_qCOoTBVI-lm7JJKh6DEGCKJ4Nx9QeTuTZao9Bt6ETdNYoAQDw5r6IdW_fJu-egHSSGGRBnASipJu3WC/s1600/r219304_859367.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UV15AtkLIv9jeDdxiREpmEPWgDRqx5bbqGFrG7KXFe9M_6WsGTb6JD1m8iBK_qCOoTBVI-lm7JJKh6DEGCKJ4Nx9QeTuTZao9Bt6ETdNYoAQDw5r6IdW_fJu-egHSSGGRBnASipJu3WC/s400/r219304_859367.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567274105292431314" /></a><b><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">Djokovic ready to claim another grand slam title.</span></div></b><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Even before David Ferrer extended Andy Murray to four draining sets, third seeded, Novak Djokovic, was and still is the favorite to claim his second Aussie crown in 2011.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fitness has always been the Achilles heel for Novak, but <b>NOT</b> at this year’s 2011 Australian Open.<span> </span>His fitness is the best of his career and he’s serving lights out getting 69% of his first serves in. This particular tournament has shaped up into a worse case scenario for Murray, who’s also playing top-notch tennis right now.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">These two have never faced off before in a major, despite the fact that they have both played in three grand slam finals a piece.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s true that Murray has dominated their last three meetings in smaller tournaments, but a major is different. After knocking off Roger Federer in consecutive grand slam tournaments, Djokovic is locked into a world-beater mind set right now and he should be. Anybody not named Rafa, who takes apart Federer in straight sets, has to be the favorite here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Djokovic’s improved fitness has led to a level of confidence that he hasn’t enjoyed since winning the Australian Open in 2008. He’s dropped only one set on the way to the final and has only had to play a total of ten sets since the third round.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the flip side, Murray was forced to slug his way out of trouble in both the quarters and the semis, and his mental makeup is not positive. The frustration he displayed against Ferrer and Alexandr Dolgopolov underscores a crack in the armor -- a flaw that will likely be exploited by Djovovic again and again. Prediction: Djovovic in four sets.</p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-18932686435485079532011-01-27T09:09:00.006-06:002011-01-27T11:10:24.515-06:00Wozniacki Out, Critics Breathe Huge Sigh of Relief<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7bGSmDXUu_dyHYzDm_qC6GLU3iFXu9bzMEDgzG3L4cxHsBzKisgJFqXAyiUaPAbGbvQo4AbTbPYLv1QvFtjCqTNGrZjXnliyjE2fxIZiyqCFzd801ug9mLQd8u16GGt_sgIL-qxsAPbG/s1600/Caroline%252BWozniacki%252B2011%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252BPreviews%252BqoIyN5I1mYsl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7bGSmDXUu_dyHYzDm_qC6GLU3iFXu9bzMEDgzG3L4cxHsBzKisgJFqXAyiUaPAbGbvQo4AbTbPYLv1QvFtjCqTNGrZjXnliyjE2fxIZiyqCFzd801ug9mLQd8u16GGt_sgIL-qxsAPbG/s400/Caroline%252BWozniacki%252B2011%252BAustralian%252BOpen%252BPreviews%252BqoIyN5I1mYsl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566883229264992130" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, fantasy;"> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Caroline Wozniacki: Just getting warmed up!</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Caroline Wozniacki, squandered a match point against China's Na Li </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and finally succumbed to her critics, bowing out in the Aussie semis 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. But take notice, Wozniacki exits this grand slam as a stronger player with thicker skin.</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"I believe if I keep working hard my time will come," Wozniacki said after the match and her critics should take note.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tennis experts, sports journalists and the “haters” at the Australian Open spent the entire fortnight dogging the top seed and World’s #1 player, Caroline Wozniacki. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dozens of analysts made it clear, that the 20-year-old Dane doesn’t pack the gear to win a major. She came very close to proving them wrong, but fell short by the slimmest of margins. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Martina </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Navratilova, Pam Shriver and several other “tennis television personalities” had a field day criticizing Wozniacki for her style of play. </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She isn’t making a statement, she’s never won a grand slam and she isn’t hitting enough winners. Blah, blah, blah.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wozniacki is a tough kid with an iron will and she will win a major – Whether the critics like it or not.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At 20-years-old, Wozniacki will continue to improve and at some point in the near future – she will have her grand slam title. What will the critics complain about then? I’m sure they’ll find something.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-61940950942465337502011-01-25T21:48:00.003-06:002011-01-25T21:52:33.168-06:00Dick Enberg: Miscalls, Errors & Non Sequiturs, Oh MY!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihllf1CM010f6gsAEXtF3VRF7kjwMSUS96BznsJNDEJ8HF69DpFOGk9U8JlID8_wLk-AdYwf9eV3Gt2OPgCc0iCgOb_PHrs4dVDyGWdGNEruyXFzIJbjFXyI65gDqXDQvOLfCnoBl_2S6K/s1600/Crypt+Keeper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihllf1CM010f6gsAEXtF3VRF7kjwMSUS96BznsJNDEJ8HF69DpFOGk9U8JlID8_wLk-AdYwf9eV3Gt2OPgCc0iCgOb_PHrs4dVDyGWdGNEruyXFzIJbjFXyI65gDqXDQvOLfCnoBl_2S6K/s320/Crypt+Keeper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566336812028622418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"> Dick, Time to hang it up!</div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><div><br /></div>If you love tennis and know anything about it, you know in your heart of hearts that Dick Enberg needs to hang it up. For the love of Pete!! I have tried not to write this article for the better part of ten years, but I can’t take it anymore.<br /><br />His commentary is outdated, inaccurate and mindless! Dick has the ability to detract from almost every point. How can we attract a younger crowd to the sport when we have the Crypt Keeper calling match after match?<br /><br />They banned Bud Collins from calling matches years ago and the sport was better off without him. I’m not saying we have to get rid of him – he can do a few color stories now and again – but Pops has no place in the booth.<br /><br />Try this for just one set:<br />Track the miscalls, errors and non-sequiturs and the sheet fills up quick! How about a Dick Enberg drinking game for every unnecessary “Oh My!”<br /><br />I get it, he’s been calling tennis since the 1970’s and it’s comfortable for the networks to use him. But he brings nothing to the game, if he ever did to begin with. Calling tennis matches can use a bit of an edge.<br /><br />Dick should stick with baseball, football, cricket or bocce ball, I don’t care, just give it a rest on the tennis. OH MY!!!</span>John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-27906304288323212942009-09-22T20:05:00.013-05:002009-09-23T05:36:28.692-05:00Recharged Henin Sets Sites on Career Slam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_eHEc4MfXAk3f07b1RKGaELHpSfZXs8La04aNeKsntF5zNG_SGBRmFKnZ7oB1xe84SbK8MwloNYianV7Vz8SOvQnukfS0xNd0OaqcyL4OfUwrVO0Xugur8-GgEFeOx9sW2rSs6ZHo-JO/s1600-h/henin_wideweb__470x250,0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_eHEc4MfXAk3f07b1RKGaELHpSfZXs8La04aNeKsntF5zNG_SGBRmFKnZ7oB1xe84SbK8MwloNYianV7Vz8SOvQnukfS0xNd0OaqcyL4OfUwrVO0Xugur8-GgEFeOx9sW2rSs6ZHo-JO/s400/henin_wideweb__470x250,0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384471147246391874" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Henin begins comeback at the 2010 Australian Open.</span><br /><br />Justine Henin didn’t let the suspense linger any longer; the world’s former top-ranked player will make her pro re-debut at next year’s Aussie Open in January 2010.<br /><br />The rumors of Henin’s return have been swirling for weeks now. She says her primary goal is to capture the only Grand Slam title not currently on her resume – Wimbledon.<br /><br />Henin’s best showing at Wimbledon was a 2007 semifinal loss to Marion Bartoli. Henin, a 7-time Grand Slam champion, left the game in May 2008 when she was the number player in the world.<br /><br />At the time, she said tennis had taken too much of a physical toll on her and would not return to the game. Obviously, the 27-year-old changed her mind.<br /><br />"A flame I thought was extinguished forever suddenly lit up again," Henin told a Belgian television audience on Wednesday.<br /><br />Many wonder if that flame was rekindled earlier this month, when she watched countrywoman, Kim Clijsters, complete a comeback journey of her own – winning the 2009 U.S. Open Title.<br /><br />Henin is slated to play multiple exhibition tournaments before trying to add another Australian Open to her resume next January.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-54792136605678400722009-09-21T16:00:00.003-05:002009-09-21T16:47:50.463-05:00Justine Henin Ready to Hit the Tour Again?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-epa11YvgcBwB8z2afhh-i7iU7eRuAC-zKXI_hOrwWZY_HDu5Y-YCl1JBeKNWPEoDYcloihGJydDr30d_d0UMNByYEf0M931Gh-j95yvOfVD3qXnzGNJI_CSX452cYwYhmGS8ckZhWq7/s1600-h/_44103977_henin3_getty_416.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-epa11YvgcBwB8z2afhh-i7iU7eRuAC-zKXI_hOrwWZY_HDu5Y-YCl1JBeKNWPEoDYcloihGJydDr30d_d0UMNByYEf0M931Gh-j95yvOfVD3qXnzGNJI_CSX452cYwYhmGS8ckZhWq7/s400/_44103977_henin3_getty_416.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384028649307892818" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Justine Henin maybe eyeing a comeback, but keeping it quiet.</span><br /><br />A week after Kim Clijsters grabbed an unlikely win at the U.S. Open, another Belgian star, Justine Henin, is reportedly ready to announce her comeback to professional tennis. Henin was ranked number in the world when she called it quits in May 2008.<br /><br />Two of Belgium’s top newspapers, the La Derniere Heure and Le Soir reported the comeback on Monday. Henin holds seven Grand Slam singles titles including four French Open wins and two at the U.S. Open.<br /><br />Clijsters quit when she was at the top of the women’s game citing a variety of physical issues that would never allow her to return to the tour.<br /><br />There’s been a great deal of speculation regarding her return to tennis, but Henin herself has yet to release a statement.<br /><br />Henin did take the take the time to congratulate her countrywoman on her website after Clijsters knocked out both of the Williams sisters en route to her U.S. Open title win earlier this month.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-5541243670712068662009-09-14T22:18:00.010-05:002009-09-14T22:55:06.013-05:00Del Potro Pulls Greatest Upset in U.S. Open History<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFP0DU_jM9P70qb2bCm_oQIzKOEcvXjJzBhQX-LqyxSha-lmBvSqj59YrOAacGxApjRP_0McbabC5Lusu7r8gkfgYRoCHXbNoUhVtXjcRbYG4m5RMBrJyjkTFMY8eo5et_ePnN4Q3o5Hh/s1600-h/xin_30209061510249062836921.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFP0DU_jM9P70qb2bCm_oQIzKOEcvXjJzBhQX-LqyxSha-lmBvSqj59YrOAacGxApjRP_0McbabC5Lusu7r8gkfgYRoCHXbNoUhVtXjcRbYG4m5RMBrJyjkTFMY8eo5et_ePnN4Q3o5Hh/s400/xin_30209061510249062836921.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381529263641368306" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"> Del Potro shocks tennis world, rallies twice to down Federer.</span><br /><br />Roger Federer enjoyed 2,200 days of undefeated tennis at the U.S. Open – That streak ended on Monday as 20-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro shocked the world by coming back not once, but twice against the mighty Roger Federer to beat him in five glorious sets, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.<br /><br />During the first 19 games of the match, Del Potro looked nervous and lost as if the occasion had completely overwhelmed him. His shotgun serve was shooting blanks and his blistering forehand was missing in action.<br /><br />But something strange happened around 5-5 in the second set; Del Potro began to believe in himself. Suddenly the booming serve was finding its mark and the forehand began to do its damage. Del Potro evened the match and seemed ready to take down the five-time U.S. Open Champion.<br /><br />But disaster struck for the young Argentine when he hit two consecutive double faults to throw away the 3rd set. But Delpo would not go softly into the night. He actually seemed invigorated by the loss.<br /><br />He found his game once again and began dictating the points. Federer began to lose his cool and even pulled a Serena, using audible expletives in front of a national television audience while berating the chair umpire.<br /><br />Delpo took the fourth set tiebreaker and handled Federer easily in the fifth set. The giant killer blasted Nadal in yesterday’s semifinal and stole the king’s crown tonight. So many great players have tried to knock off Federer during his five-year win streak, but it was bull from Argentina that finally humbled the number one player in the world.<br /><br />Having followed the exploits of Juan Martin Del Potro all summer long – I was honored to pick Delpo as the man who would end Federer’s long reign of power at the U.S. Open when the tournament began on August 31, 2009.<br /><br />Here’s a brief list of articles and links chronicling his run through the 2009 U.S. Open Championships:<br /><a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/roddick-will-falter-on-swiss-alps.html"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Monday, August 31, 2009<br />Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina</span></blockquote></a><blockquote><a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/09/murray-melts-down-del-potro-looks.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Tuesday, September 8, 2009<br />Murray Melts Down, Del Potro Hungry for More</span></a></blockquote><blockquote><a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/09/nadal-federer-final-dont-count-on-it.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Saturday, September 12, 2009<br />Nadal-Federer Final? -- Don’t Count on It: 20-year-old Del Potro prepared to shock the tennis world</span></a></blockquote><blockquote><a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/09/look-for-del-potro-to-derail-federers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Sunday, September 13, 2009<br />Look for Del Potro to Derail Federer’s Win Streak</span></a></blockquote>John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-53014465074856739532009-09-13T22:56:00.000-05:002009-09-13T23:48:03.588-05:00Tears of Joy as the "Working Mom" Kim Clijsters, Claims her 2nd U.S. Open Title<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLmHaiTkJv9IfPjbOdKp6_2OATvluUcQ3XMKpR1LtWlOn35MgoKIn_XFR3lN8l_D-MyLkTvEzIWS7uBtiMY_gmOi2fEdlnzR1YCTXDuJ0rrcy-4rbGsTqbPa8QZm0KPvgZOW1f2M4WdnP/s1600-h/ALeqM5jEW54-xu0eTxaQrZIZJvB86-QIcA.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLmHaiTkJv9IfPjbOdKp6_2OATvluUcQ3XMKpR1LtWlOn35MgoKIn_XFR3lN8l_D-MyLkTvEzIWS7uBtiMY_gmOi2fEdlnzR1YCTXDuJ0rrcy-4rbGsTqbPa8QZm0KPvgZOW1f2M4WdnP/s400/ALeqM5jEW54-xu0eTxaQrZIZJvB86-QIcA.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381168246035409250" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Clijsters falls to her knees after claiming the 2009 U.S. Open</span><br /><br />When this tournament started more than two weeks ago, Kim Clijsters, the 2005 U.S. Open Champion, had more than a few obstacles in front of her:<br /><blockquote>1) It was only her third tournament back.<br />2) She gave birth to a baby girl 18 months ago.<br />3) She had the toughest draw in the entire tournament.</blockquote> That’s no exaggeration either, Kim Clijsters absolutely had the toughest draw in women’s tennis and won the title by beating 5 seeded players including the Williams sisters, Serena ranked #2 and Venus ranked #3. And let’s face it, the top seed, Dinara Safina was no threat - she was out by the 3rd round.<br /><br />So what began as a possible experiment for Clijsters, slowly started to take the shape of an unlikely run to the championships. After taking out Venus in 3 of the strangest fourth round matches played in a long time at Flushing Meadows, the chance was there. The question was, could Clijsters seize it?<br /><br />Clijsters ran over the the 18th seed, Na Li in the quarters, setting up a semifinal showdown against the most dominant woman in tennis during the past year, Serena Williams. Clijsters played a brilliant match and served possibly the best match of her life against Serena. Serena lost the match on a penalty point, but Clijsters had certainly earned the victory.<br /><br />The “working mom” made it to the final where she faced her third top ten opponent in just four rounds, the 9th seeded player from Denmark, Caroline Wozniacki. The 19-year-old Wozniacki made a spirited contest of it in the first set. Both women combined to drop their serves seven times in the first set before Clijsters took it 7-5 and the next one 6-3.<br /><br />She dropped to her knees as tears of joy ran down her face. Clijsters made the perilous climb into the family’s box and was treated to a standing ovation from the crowd. When Kim made her way back down, she posed for multiple pictures alongside of her 18-month-old baby girl and her husband. It was a touching end to a very strange tournament and Clijsters savored every moment of it.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-57657797170598329342009-09-13T19:03:00.001-05:002009-09-23T05:43:45.484-05:00Look for Del Potro to Derail Federer’s Win Streak<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs9YSaMZZO8SZkFagJTNHjqaoL2lLTqr10noVcf12gOgId4yxo3u3n6ch6bjz2kz8Jzmatfqgcq2HmktSwAiDYxNuPMfFTj6GzUrIIuGgc4SsujjlE-zuAxze_7JqJ-qPfO8KaBZr4ZBb/s1600-h/ALeqM5gLoX1h0VvEKtx5eVyoWi9_Mnxt7w.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUs9YSaMZZO8SZkFagJTNHjqaoL2lLTqr10noVcf12gOgId4yxo3u3n6ch6bjz2kz8Jzmatfqgcq2HmktSwAiDYxNuPMfFTj6GzUrIIuGgc4SsujjlE-zuAxze_7JqJ-qPfO8KaBZr4ZBb/s400/ALeqM5gLoX1h0VvEKtx5eVyoWi9_Mnxt7w.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381107480311722354" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Del Potro ready to close the book on Federer at the U.S. Open.</span><br /><br />The men’s semifinals on Sunday produced some unexpected results – but very little drama. Of course Serena’s meltdown was a tough act to follow. <br /><br />Rafael Nadal suffered a beat down at the hands of 20-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro. Nadal is the guy who owns the winning record against Federer, but he had no answers for the young man from Argentina.<br /><br />Del Potro is six-foot-five-inches tall, moves like a cat and serves like cannon. He wiped Nadal off the court 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. No one in recent memory has ever done that to such a fearsome competitor as Nadal.<br /><br />In the other semi, the score was a little bit closer, but the result was never in doubt. Federer slammed the door on Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, 7-5. Federer never looked the least bit concerned and Djokovic lacked the confidence to pull out the win.<br /><br />This of course sets the stage for Federer versus Del Potro. Federer has won the last five consecutive U.S. Opens and hasn’t dropped a match here since 2003. That loss was against a different man from Argentina named David Nalbandian, who didn’t even play the tournament this year. Look for the Argentine curse against Federer to resume in the finals on Monday.<br /><br />Once again, I’m flying into the face of the popular opinion. I think the 20-year-old Del Potro is just what the doctor ordered to bring down the U.S. Open reign of Roger Federer. I picked Del Potro before the tournament began and I’m sticking with him now. <a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/roddick-will-falter-on-swiss-alps.html">Article 8/31/09: Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina</a><br /><br />Head to head, Federer owns Del Potro with a flawless record of six wins and no losses. The last time they played on hard court was at the quarters in the Australian Open. Federer humiliated Del Potro down under with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 win.<br /><br />Hard to argue with stats like that, but Del Potro has found the confidence and the serve needed to win his first grand slam tournament. Forget the past, because the Argentine is ready to make his mark here and now. Watch out "just call me Roger" your incredible win streak will likely end in the finals.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-23947779137918269222009-09-13T10:00:00.000-05:002009-09-13T11:17:03.872-05:00Nadal-Federer Final? -- Don’t Count on It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y2iI9R-Qd0bkqlDKyCVmIiDRFrkJ8_yn2H2fcGCsVFTRE0RAQ64lHr_ONLfoZUkg3gvJSp11pyEXaUkqZ1AANRqke4bzVI3joQ-6LSErF20Bzr7pg-Q9hSfcjA2mdkMt_ityE0XsLpgz/s1600-h/del_potro_1479375c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y2iI9R-Qd0bkqlDKyCVmIiDRFrkJ8_yn2H2fcGCsVFTRE0RAQ64lHr_ONLfoZUkg3gvJSp11pyEXaUkqZ1AANRqke4bzVI3joQ-6LSErF20Bzr7pg-Q9hSfcjA2mdkMt_ityE0XsLpgz/s400/del_potro_1479375c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380967824228713954" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">20-year-old Del Potro prepared to shock the tennis world.</span><br /><br />A pair of amazing men’s semifinal matches are on tap for Sunday, but expect the unexpected. Rafael Nadal, who’s fought back from a slew of injuries, will face Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina in the first match of the day. At the conclusion of that match, Roger Federer clashes with the Serb, Novak Djokovic.<br /><br />Juan Martin Del Potro obviously comes in as the underdog to the six-time grand slam champion, Rafael Nadal this afternoon. Without question, Nadal is one of the most dominant forces in tennis, but he’s not a hundred percent healthy and the 6'5 Juan Martin Del Potro is my pick for this one. <br /><br />The 2009 U.S. Open Championships will be the coming out party for the 20-year-old Del Potro. He’s a monster on the court with laser-like accuracy and a punishing first serve. Nadal has the heart of a champion, but Del Potro is poised for a major break-through. I picked Del Potro to win the tournament from the start and I’m staying with him - <a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/roddick-will-falter-on-swiss-alps.html">Article: Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina</a><br /><br />Look for Del Potro to come through this one in an epic 5-setter. <br /><br />In the other semi, Roger Federer needs no introduction. He hasn’t lost a match here since 2003 and it would take a Herculean effort from Djokovic to end his streak today. It’s not impossible, Djokovic has beaten him on the grand stage before, but Federer is playing beautiful tennis right now and Djokovic has suffered a few ups and downs.<br /><br />Federer should make his way to his sixth straight final in four sets.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-88448806940432502532009-09-12T23:15:00.000-05:002009-09-12T23:51:11.103-05:00Temper Tantrum Sends Seething Serena Packing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZuJ7D5FxtI-LH3x-L6ZRfMdno31ar-K1EPuuH0Pv2lEpC8N__gFJ1y8pSmqFkzj5u9usankYjh8qEEEOvhaDQuJSXAcR-VTpA73acZc3kzEVxqlCh19sAiiLz12BNEi-h8SFS_H9m5VE/s1600-h/ept_sports_ten_experts-981129409-1252813633.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZuJ7D5FxtI-LH3x-L6ZRfMdno31ar-K1EPuuH0Pv2lEpC8N__gFJ1y8pSmqFkzj5u9usankYjh8qEEEOvhaDQuJSXAcR-VTpA73acZc3kzEVxqlCh19sAiiLz12BNEi-h8SFS_H9m5VE/s400/ept_sports_ten_experts-981129409-1252813633.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380809494174352962" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Serena blows a gasket and any chance to defend her title.</span><br /><br />The rain cleared and all finally seemed right in the tennis universe when Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters took the court Saturday evening. But when it was over, Serena, Kim and a stunned national audience could only shake their heads and wonder how things went so wrong, so quickly. <br /><br />Kim Clijsters won the contest 6-4, 7-5, despite the fact that she never got to play a match point. The problems began when Serena lost her temper after dropping the first set 6-4. She bounced her racquet once, took a look at it and then crushed it on the court. <br /><br />At the point, the chair umpire issued a code violation (behavior warning) against Serena. Once a player is issued a warning, the next punishment is an actual loss of a point. That warning set the stage for an ugly and premature end to this match.<br /><br />Clijsters was up 6-5 in the second set. The score was deuce and Serena had just struck a second serve when the linesperson inexplicably and mistakenly called a foot fault. This foolish call gave Clijsters a match point and that’s when Serena lost it.<br /><br />She stalked over to the chair gesturing wildly and showering the offending linesperson with a searing stream of expletives. The linesperson went to the chair umpire and the tournament referee, Brian Earley, came to the court. Serena spoke to them and learned that her tirade and verbal abuse had earned her an un-sportsmanlike conduct point penalty. Since it was match point, game over, SERENA LOST.<br /><br />Serena walked over to Clijsters, shook her hand and congratulated her. Poor Kim looked devastated. This was not the way she wanted to win and the pleasure of her victory was tainted.<br /><br />All the credit to Clijsters who played a great match and served brilliantly. Despite the bizarre outcome, Clijsters earned her spot in the finals. She will go for her second U.S. Open title on Sunday against the 9th seeded Caroline Wozniacki.<br /><br />Wozniacki breezed past unseeded Yanina Wickmayer 6-3, 6-3 to reach her first U.S. Open Final.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-64041528753142147312009-09-12T00:27:00.000-05:002009-09-12T09:29:53.460-05:00Friday Washed Away – Tennis Schedule Revamped<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlBc1yzrqJCDyn7BBYGSXuNShoYsDpLheoRurWDYmA9Ul2I26F7V5j7kPnYmlJE3nM37tzys8qlH1_Oc2JOkIF0vbrxA8V_oqDl7k3EjffdJJQqUsm3wpZ3TsEIJBiJUHSIdnMz88S2tw/s1600-h/ALeqM5js7QINuWjxjWaFqEWttxevp0AekA.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlBc1yzrqJCDyn7BBYGSXuNShoYsDpLheoRurWDYmA9Ul2I26F7V5j7kPnYmlJE3nM37tzys8qlH1_Oc2JOkIF0vbrxA8V_oqDl7k3EjffdJJQqUsm3wpZ3TsEIJBiJUHSIdnMz88S2tw/s400/ALeqM5js7QINuWjxjWaFqEWttxevp0AekA.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380451599155899410" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;"> Washout Friday: The more they rolled - the more it rained.</span><br /><br />A day and night of the rain on Friday wreaked havoc with the schedule at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships that will now be extended until Monday.<br /> <br />Here’s the latest schedule which of course is still at the mercy of Mother Nature.<br /> <br />Rafael Nadal is slated to resume his match against Fernando Gonzalez at noon on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The weather of course, is still in question, but Nadal is up a set and on serve in a second set tiebreaker, 7-6, 6-6(3-2).<br /> <br />Once Nadal in finished, the schedule calls for the first women’s semifinal featuring Wozniacki versus Wickmayer.<br /> <br />The premier women’s semi, Serena Williams versus Kim Clijsters is set for the night session on Saturday beginning at 8pm.<br /><br />The men’s semifinal matches, will be played on Sunday and the women’s final has been shuffled to Sunday evening starting at 9pm.<br /> <br />The men’s final which was to be played Sunday, will now be played on Monday. There will be a quiz after reading this!John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-89947062993884364312009-09-11T06:49:00.000-05:002009-09-11T06:53:45.759-05:00Wet and Nasty Conditions Looming: Serena and Clijsters Up First – Nadal Match to ResumeOn the women’s side, this is the clash that many people hoped for. Serena Williams has yet to blink running through 5 rounds of tennis like she was on vacation. The “Working Mom” Kim Clijsters is one of the great “feel good” stories of the tournament.<br /><br />Clijsters won’t feel good for long. She’s been very impressive so far, but no woman on the planet is match for Serena right now. Williams serves too well, moves too fast and hits too hard for anyone to pose a serious threat. But Clijsters had a great run.<br /><br />After that match wraps up, Rafael Nadal will resume his contest against Fernando Gonzalez. Nadal’s match got suspended last night, not once, but twice. Rafa is up a set and on serve in a 2nd set tiebreaker by a score of 7-6, 6-6(3-2).<br /><br />Nadal aggravated an abdominal injury last night, but should be able to push past Gonzalez. The cold and wet conditions are apparently compounding the injury issues for Nadal and today’s conditions won’t be any better than the weather was last night. <br /><br />Although advancing to the semis would be a great accomplishment for Nadal, he would run into the red-hot Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro struggled with the wind early in his match against Marin Cilic, but then overcame the conditions and swatted Cilic away 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. <br /><br />No one wants a piece of Del Potro including Nadal. But Nadal has pressing issues to take care of this afternoon, before he can worry about the semis.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-86252974285573629652009-09-10T09:51:00.000-05:002009-09-10T13:11:10.529-05:00A Summer Off May Be Exactly What Nadal Needed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzCTUmLGad3GJDwRIuLZwWq32Zt9W9YkOuhQYXtb9oV4F7QMaBqgcnHnKBhdiXxCNLj_0hbUrk5WPRPhhHASGWhmDDk2HY2FRKC4Igc5f0JXIWufYXsp5U5DQH1hGt4YaI2BlkYWV-HkG/s1600-h/ALeqM5hvt3OZ0EKJtnNvlLVIyYoVmy03rw.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzCTUmLGad3GJDwRIuLZwWq32Zt9W9YkOuhQYXtb9oV4F7QMaBqgcnHnKBhdiXxCNLj_0hbUrk5WPRPhhHASGWhmDDk2HY2FRKC4Igc5f0JXIWufYXsp5U5DQH1hGt4YaI2BlkYWV-HkG/s400/ALeqM5hvt3OZ0EKJtnNvlLVIyYoVmy03rw.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379868981103245490" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"> Rafael Nadal proves it time and again - Never count him out!</span> <br /><br />Very often, I'm not happy to admit that I was wrong, but this time is different. Plagued by a summer of knee issues, few writers thought they would still be covering Rafael Nadal during week 2 of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, but here he is - playing Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals.<br /><br />Rafa’s knees have come through with flying colors and he’s done well to overcome an abdominal injury earlier in the tournament. He was pushed to the limit in a four set win over French strongman, Gael Monfils in the 4th round. Nadal split two of the most physical sets you’ll ever see against Monfils before taking him out in four sets. <br /><br />Going back to today’s quarterfinal matchup - Nadal has easily beaten Gonzalez five straight times and today should be no different. Gonzalez has a 3 and 6 lifetime record against Rafa and two of those wins have come on hard courts, but that is ancient history. If Rafa holds up physically, he should win this one in straight sets.<br /><br />In the other quarter, my pick to win the tournament has me a bit worried now. When I picked Juan Martin Del Potro to steal his first grand slam title away from Federer this year, I foolishly never thought he might have to encounter Nadal. I’m staying with Del Potro for now, but I may change my mind for the next round.<br /><br />Of course I’m way ahead of myself right now – for Del Potro to get to the semis, he must take out Marin Cilic from Croatia. I don’t think that’s going to be much of a problem for him, but that’s why they lace up the sneakers. Look for Del Potro to cruise past Cilic in four sets and meet Rafa in the semis.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-34617885156933800722009-09-09T21:28:00.000-05:002009-09-13T19:51:49.010-05:00Fairy Tale Ends for Melanie Oudin – No Surprises for the Men’s Side<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aS6HD2ed5t6Z7YZ_HPQ7WuCuzkE9KswX1vuTo0XRX_qQPgAq3Cl3UikTxM2yusAiiuN1H6yyuD74F6Mqg_BTzL7zAdvO-XEnMihso5IKjnyfaBk2fWXe2N_omgxom3l4NikhPZW_Scbp/s1600-h/10oudin_450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aS6HD2ed5t6Z7YZ_HPQ7WuCuzkE9KswX1vuTo0XRX_qQPgAq3Cl3UikTxM2yusAiiuN1H6yyuD74F6Mqg_BTzL7zAdvO-XEnMihso5IKjnyfaBk2fWXe2N_omgxom3l4NikhPZW_Scbp/s400/10oudin_450.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379662299430543202" /></a> C<span style="font-weight:bold;">lock Strikes Midnight for Cinderella - Out in Straight Sets<blockquote></blockquote></span>It was a magical week for Melanie Oudin, she made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open and beat some of the best players in the game on the way. But Oudin ran into mirror image of herself on Day 10, the 9th ranked player in the world, Caroline Wozniacki.<br /><br />Oudin was able to fight back from a set down in each of her previous matches, but it was not to happen in the quarterfinals of the 2009 U.S. Open. Wozniacki was content to keep the ball in play and use a series of angles to beat Oudin in two easy sets, 6-2, 6-2.<br /><br />On the men’s side, Fernando Verdasco had high hopes in his quarterfinal match against the fourth seed, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic appeared to be on his heels throughout the first set, but somehow managed to steal the first set tiebreaker by a score of 7-2.<br /><br />Instead of going away, the loss in the tiebreaker seemed to pump Verdasco up. He tore into Djokovic, who seemed to wilt under the pressure losing the second set 6-1. After a rash of unforced errors and poor service games, the Serb did his best to hang in there and survive the 3rd set.<br /><br />At 5-5 in third, Djokovic played his best game of the match and ended up running away with the whole thing by a final score of 7-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-2. His reward for the big win is a semifinal clash with the man who’s won 39 straight matches and five straight titles here at the U.S. Open, none other than Roger Federer.<br /><br />It took four sets for the top seed to put away Robin Soderling 6-0, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6. Federer advances to his 22nd straight Grand Slam semifinal. 22 straight semifinals?? That’s two short of six straight years - where his worst performance at a major was a semifinal appearance. I could write the same thing about six more times and it still wouldn't make sense.John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-90056956781505292552009-09-09T06:12:00.000-05:002009-09-09T06:28:23.223-05:00U.S. Open Day 10 Preview: Melanie Oudin Making Life Miserable for Top Seeds<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Melanie Oudin has her opponents literally talking to themselves on the court. What happened to them? They were up a set, seemingly in control and suddenly they were being escorted off the grounds. It’s as if they were having a bad daydream, "What, didn't I win?"<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If I were coaching her 19-year-old opponent, 9th seeded Caroline Wozniacki, I would tell her to play the entire quarterfinal match as if she were down a set and a break. </p><p class="MsoNormal">She'll have to if she wants to advance to her first grand slam semifinal, because the 17-year-old Oudin has "Braveheart Syndrome." She’d launch herself over a game of checkers to beat you. Oudin says of her opponents ‘they know that I’m not going away, they’ll have to beat me.’ She means it, too.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The edge goes to Oudin here. Throw out the rankings and look at the way the young American has won her matches. She’s willing to grind or go for broke, whatever it takes to win. Her confidence is sky-high and she will have the raucous support of an entire nation behind her.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other quarterfinal match pits the 50th ranked Yanina Wickmayer against the 52nd ranked Kateryna Bondarenko. This is what happens when 8 of the top 10 seeds get knocked out on the women’s side too early.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the men’s side, the Andys are long gone, but there is still a field full of challengers left for the world’s number one, Roger Federer. Fed takes on Robin Soderling in the quarterfinals, the Giant Swede he conquered at this year’s French Open to claim his career Grand Slam.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Soderling has been playing big tennis all week long, but this is Federer. He hasn’t lost a match in New York since the Dutch settled the colony back in 1609. I doubt Soderling will be able to take a set unless Roger gets very bored.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, there is one guy on the top half of the draw who’s actually managed to beat Federer a few times. Novak Djokovic from Serbia boasts four wins in 12 meetings against Federer. Djokovic meets Fernando Verdasco in his quarterfinal match. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Verdasco is a tough and capable opponent, but I don’t believe he has what it takes to win three sets off of Djokovic. The Serb should push through in three to four sets.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837777738633733632.post-63458556906212297202009-09-08T19:26:00.000-05:002009-09-08T19:43:43.779-05:00Murray Melts Down, Del Potro Hungry for More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazDifaN9_QltAR83X5Uo2bKrZCXTAao84AeKtsjmI8MNByYF8rxRe6nUlhjj1u37ODXXSGj6yTluE6oidQW2Ak2_bQL5N_BIQfX3OWBQn6L49S-lqDhU1_6o8mPTxvEWrT2maqIFLxyP_/s1600-h/ALeqM5j9DqVZIhK7HEXkxedA9YJkgjBBWg.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazDifaN9_QltAR83X5Uo2bKrZCXTAao84AeKtsjmI8MNByYF8rxRe6nUlhjj1u37ODXXSGj6yTluE6oidQW2Ak2_bQL5N_BIQfX3OWBQn6L49S-lqDhU1_6o8mPTxvEWrT2maqIFLxyP_/s400/ALeqM5j9DqVZIhK7HEXkxedA9YJkgjBBWg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379257816127454194" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Andy Murray: Missing in action, knocked out in the 4th round.</span><div><span style=""></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div>Most experts in the tennis world felt that the time had come for Andy Murray and the United Kingdom. Most experts were wrong. Andy Murray got dropped on Arthur Ashe Stadium today by Marin Cilic from Croatia and I’m not really sure why.<br /><br />Andy Murray fell off the face of the earth after the first set losing 7-5, 6-2, 6-2. Cilic didn’t do anything particularly impressive, he just kind of showed up.<br /><br />Murray displayed no real fight and not much emotion. He went out there, got his butt kicked and left. Not much more to say except that the people in the U.K. are going to be pissed when they see the low-lights from this match..<br /><br />Cilic earns (sort of) a quarterfinal matchup against the 6th seed Juan Martin Del Potro, my pick from the start to win the whole darn thing. <a href="http://mysecondserve.blogspot.com/2009/08/roddick-will-falter-on-swiss-alps.html">((Article: Beware the Dark Horse from Argentina)) </a> It’s safe to say that I’m in the overwhelming minority here.<br /><br />Del Potro wasn’t a popular pick when I selected him to shock the world and win the Open and he still isn’t. Regardless of that fact, this six-foot-six Argentine has been racing around this tournament punishing his opponents with remarkable speed and sledgehammer-like power.<br /><br />He treated Juan Carlos Ferrero like a speed bump, thumping him 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. I believe that even the mighty Federer will wilt under the barrage that Del Potro will bring to him. Stay Tuned!</div></div>John Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12182561578455765804noreply@blogger.com0