Forty Deuce

Dude. Your Racquet SUCKS.

I miss arrogant Nole.  Cuz *this* guy is just no fun to watch.  He's got no confidence whatsoever and I don't really know where that came from.  I thought his win in Shanghai at the end of last year would give him something to build on for this year.  But instead it's as though he's trying to make a concerted effort to care less about tennis.  I'm not sure why but doesn't it seem like he *trying* to be apathetic sometimes and stopping himself from getting fired up?  It's really odd.

Not that his loss today to Jo is really anything to be ashamed of.  I mean, it was a close match and we all know that when Jo is playing well he can beat anyone on any given day.  But Jo's clearly in Nole's head now.  I just wonder when/if this kid is going to recover anytime soon. 

It'll be an all French final in Marseilles and Michael "Diesel" Llodra upset Gilly in straight sets. 

[4] J Tsonga (FRA) d [1] N Djokovic (SRB) 64 76(1)
M Llodra (FRA) d [2] G Simon (FRA) 76(5) 62

Pic This: Hmmmm....Racial Sensitivity Fail

Alisa Kleybanova Cares Not For Your Immature, Trivial Movies

The shocking thing about this clip is that there is nothing shocking about this clip. Well, other than that Na Li wants a better husband. And that Agi didn't identify "Jelenin Svet" as the best horror movie she's seen this year.

Radek Roddick Redux

So it'll be a rematch of their San Jose semifinal match that saw Radek come out on top.  We'll see what happens here.  Radek beat Dudi 2 and 1 and A-Rod had to fight it out with Lleyton after dropping the first set, 26 76(4) 64.

I'm with those of you who enjoy Radek's game.  Whenever one of his matches comes on TTC I'll watch it.  The variety is fun.  That said, I definitely prefer to not watch in HD.

Pic This: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Oh, Dubai. You're So FOS. It's Almost Adorable.

Apparently it really wasn't all that hard to guarantee the safety of Israelis in Dubai.  Go figure.

Air Quotes: Maybe She's Waiting Until After The Check Clears

"I felt like I had to talk about her.  I thought it was brave of her to come here and try and play despite knowing that it is not going to be easy for her. My dad grew up in an area where if you spoke too much, it was your life. So I felt I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone will listen.  I am not here to rock any boat or upset people, I am just here to do things that are right, and I think right things are already happening next week and right things will happen next year.  Obviously, Andy Ram got his visa, so I'll be happy to come and defend next year. If everyone is not given the equal opportunity to play, I'd rethink but I love this tournament. They really care about the players."

-- Venus, on why she mentioned Shahar in her victory speech.  I think it's great she did that but can the players please stop talking about how great a tournament this is?  It really annoys me.

Pic This: We Miss Masha Too But Come On, Nike.

 

"Love lift us up where we belong..."

Welcome back to the top 5, Venus. 

She beat Razzano in the Dubai final today, 64 62.  Congrats to Razzano on a pretty solid run to the finals here.  Sure she benefited from the draw opening up, but she did her part, taking out Dinara and Bepa both in straight sets.

It looks like 2009 so far has been the year of market corrections.  The absolute insanity of 2008 is arguably being righted.  Can you believe this is the first time Venus has been back to the top 5 since 2002???  Finally I think the top 5 represent the current cream of the crop in women's tennis (not rankings wise, just that they're the Top 5 players).  Come on, Ana and Maria, get back up there.

Don't you hate it when work interferes with non-work?  I didn't get a chance to write up the Venus/Serena match and I haven't read everyone's comments, but boy, doesn't it seem like this rivalry has turned from "awkward" to "icey"?  As they've gotten older and the stakes have gotten higher (i.e., time is running out) it seems to me that they, and in particular Venus, really really want to beat each other.

Venus now holds the edge on their head to head meetings (10-9).  But that's not phasing baby sister, who always cracks me up with her baby sisterness:

It was Serena’s fifth defeat in her last seven meetings with her sister. Asked whether it mattered that Venus now led in their head-to-head record, she started listing her Grand Slam titles, which number 10 to Venus’s seven. “That’s what counts,” she said.

Pic This: But Where's Cousin Larry?

Frightening what a hair cut can do, no?  From super hottie Spanish guy to our favorite illegal immigrant from Mypos.

He lost yesterday in Marseilles to Jo, 62 67(1) 64 but it looks like he's starting to find his rhythm and playing better.  Nice.

Well Fine, I Guess I Won't Hate On You For A Week.

I've called Andy Roddick a lot of things, but gutless is not one of them.  Super ups to him for pulling out of Dubai because of Visa-Gate:

American Andy Roddick says he won't defend his title at the Dubai ATP tournament next week in protest at the UAE's refusal to grant a visa to Israel's Shahar Peer at the WTA event.

``I really didn't agree with what went on over there,'' Roddick told Saturday's Los Angeles Times.

``I don't know if it's the best thing to mix politics and sports, and that was probably a big part of it.''

Roddick's announcement is a blow to the sponsors of the Dubai event which has also been stripped, through injury, of world top two Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

I'm still really bummed, though not surprised, that Nole and Muzz are still playing. 

WTA and ATP Scores and OOP

Been slammed at work.  You'll have to excuse my consolidation and lack of commentary for today.

Dubai:

1. Kanepi vs. Razzano (14.00hrs)
2. S.Williams vs. V.Williams (NB 19.00hrs)

Memphis:

Thursday's scores:
[1] [WC] A Roddick (USA) d R Ginepri (USA) 62 63
[2] J Del Potro (ARG) d E Gulbis (LAT) 63 64
[5] R Stepanek (CZE) d S Koubek (AUT) 62 64
C Rochus (BEL) d [7] M Fish (USA) 62 64
[8] S Querrey (USA) d [WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) 61 62
I Kunitsyn (RUS) d P Petzschner (GER) 36 64 64
[Q] D Sela (ISR) d F Serra (FRA) 76(4) 76(4)
L Hewitt (AUS) d [Q] C Guccione (AUS) 62 76(4)

Friday OOP (really awesome lineup):
[6] S Lisicki (GER) vs [2] V Azarenka (BLR) - WTA (10am)
I Kunitsyn (RUS) vs [Q] D Sela (ISR) - ATP (NB 12pm)
[5] R Stepanek (CZE) vs [2] J del Potro (ARG) - ATP
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [4] A Keothavong (GBR) - WTA
[1] [WC] A Roddick (USA) vs [8] S Querrey (USA) - ATP (NB 6:30pm)
L Hewitt (AUS) vs C Rochus (BEL) - ATP

Marseilles:

Thursday's scores:
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d J Hernych (CZE) 75 64
[2] G Simon (FRA) d R Schuettler (GER) 64 46 62
[4] J Tsonga (FRA) d S Bolelli (ITA) 63 62
J Benneteau (FRA) d [LL] G Bastl (SUI) 61 26 61
M Llodra (FRA) d P Mathieu (FRA) 63 76(1)

Friday OOP:
Nole vs. Zverev (2pm)
Youzhny vs. Llodra
Tsonga vs. FeLo (NB 5pm)
Apricot Bars vs. Gilly (NB 7pm)

"You're special too. But I feel like I'm saying it in a different way than you are."

God, Serena FTW. Also, for the record, I dance JUST like Venus does. In otherwords, I rule.


Uh, is that an "Oh by gooooodnesss" from JJ? It's like, my favorite thing. Next to "Yeah, I used one once. In the Summer of 1863."

Also, I think it's hilarious that they had JJ, Serena, and Venus do these hilarious bits but sent Ana to her swimming pool to talk about bombs and down the line hitting. Kudos to the marketing people. Because Ana in one of these things? Epic comedy fail.

Rafa Kneeds Rest, Fer Needs...Healing.

Rafa's pulled out of Dubai citing his knee and wanting to rest for the upcoming Davis Cup tie with Serbia.  Initially I had heard that Rafa pulled out of Davis Cup too, but that doesn't seem to be true as of now.   The DC Hero, Tabasco has announced that he's also skipping Dubai.  He's got a stress fracture in his foot apparently. 

Or is it a stress fracture in his heart.

Hey oh!

Air Quotes: "I have confidence in sunshine. I have confidence in rain. I have confidence that spring will come again."

"I think Sven did a great job with her in the training process and really helped elevate her game, but any player at that level, especially in the women's game, they need someone that they can truly rely on and not have to worry about the incidental possibilities.  Ana needs someone emotionally she can connect with when she's on the court as well as guide her training.  We just have to give her time.  Building the confidence back up and really working on some specifics that will give her that confidence, I think she'll be back."

-- Tennis Channel analyst Katrina Adams, on Baby E' coaching situation

Killer After Roger?

Killer Cahill stepped down from his post as Captain of the Australian Davis Cup team yesterday, vaguely citing "business and personal reasons."

Hmmm...has Roger found himself a new coach?  Does this mean I'm going to have to tune into more matches to see my lovely tennis commentating boyfriend?  And more horrifyingly, does this mean no more Cahill commentary in the booth?

Still, What About Shahar?

Quick note -- Andy Ram?  Totes cute.

So after all the media speculation and the back and forth, UAE is granting Andy Ram a visa and changing it's policy so that no Israeli athletes will be banned in the future.  So change has occurred but at what cost?  It feels like such a hollow victory to me, not unlike how I felt when Obama won and Prop 8 passed.

Reaction from around the tours:

Women’s Tennis Association chief Larry Scott: “I had been in touch with heads of several other sports and people in the Olympic movement and there was shock and dismay over this decision and real concern as to what the implications would be.

“I know certain organisations called for a sporting boycott or suspension of all sporting activities in the UAE until this policy was changed. So there were potential ramifications for all other sports.”

Men’s ATP Tour chief Adam Helfant: “No player, who qualifies to play an ATP World Tour event, should be denied their right to compete on the basis of ethnicity, nationality or religion and we are happy that the Dubai Tennis Championships and the UAE have shown that they share that view. The UAE government has made the right decision.”

Shahar Peer: “I hope and believe that from this day forward, athletes from all over the world will be able to compete in the UAE and anywhere else in the world without discrimination of any kind.”

Andy Ram: “I am pleased that the UAE have today confirmed that I will be able to travel to their country next week to compete in the Dubai Tennis Championships. As a professional tennis player I thrive on competing at the world’s best events and next week will be no different.”

Israel Tennis Association honorary president David Harnik: “The Dubai tennis authorities and the Dubai government learned a lesson from the firm standing … about the consequences that Dubai might face if they do not let Israeli players play in Dubai. The Dubai authorities were afraid that they would not be able to hold tournaments next year if they were to go on with their behaviour of discrimination against Israeli players.”

Seven-times grand slam champion Venus Williams: “It was a big deal around the world and people took notice. We’re all just athletes. It’s wonderful that Andy Ram will have the opportunity to play here. We have no platform. We’re just playing tennis, we’re entertainers.”

Ten-times grand slam champion Serena Williams: “The pressure that they (UAE) felt after Shahar Peer not getting a visa, it opened up the opportunity for this other player to get a visa. In the day and age like this everyone bleeds red blood and everyone to me (should have) an equal opportunity.”

2008 Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic: “I don’t think sport should ever mix with politics… and it’s a step forward for everybody.”

Jonathan Erlich, Ram’s regular doubles partner: “The fact that people want to harm (Israeli players) is simply an excuse. As far as I’m concerned, they can surround the players with the entire army, the players need to be able to play.”

I'm still more interested in what penalties (if any) will be imposed on the tournament and what the WTA will demand in order to recompense Shahar.  Obviously she should get a good chunk of change.  But how do you calculate that?  She was in the quarter of the draw with Virginie Razzano, who is one match away from making the finals.  Do we use that as a but for metric and demand the tournament shell out whatever Shahar would have earned in that case?  Sure, we all probably suspect that Shahar would never have got past the third round.  But who had KK, Razzano, and Vesnina in the quarters? 

Hell, if I were Larry Scott I would demand the tournament pay Shahar for a finals appearance.  Because you can't just give her what you think she would have earned.  On some level the amount she gets has to be punitive.  You basically have to say "Look, had you just let her play you would have paid her a lot less than you're going to have to now.  Because all odds and betting aside, you can't guarantee the results.  THAT'S WHY YOU PLAY THE MATCHES."  In addition, the WTA will, at a minimum, not dock Shahar for the points that drop off from Doha because she wasn't given a chance to defend them. 

What do you think?  What should Shahar get?  42 camels and all the schwarma she can eat?  Though you know those bastards would limit it to pork schwarma if given the chance.

UPDATED: Once again, Deadspin nails it:

U.A.E. officials say they denied Pe'er's visa over security concerns—her security, of course—but there's no word on how awesome security has become in the last three days to justify the change of heart.

Dubai Highlights: Thursday

Tier III


Tier I

"This Is How *I* Do It."

Entertaining!JJ in da house.

Pic This: Ok, Fine. This Was Kinda Sweet.

 

Head Up, Girl. HEAD. UP.

To be honest, this match was everything I was hoping for.  Sure, it would have been nice for Baby E to get the win.  But what I wanted was for both players to bring their A game and duke it out with some quality tennis.  I also wanted Ana to stand toe to toe with Serena and gain her respect and the respect of tennis fans everywhere.  Well I'm not sure if she succeeded in the latter, but I have a feeling Serena's going to tip her cap to Ana the next time they see each other in the Forty Deuce High halls.

Despite the shakey start, Ana regroup and played well.  She came back from an early break to even things up in the first before eventually losing 64.  She was attacking and defending really well and showed a lot of headiness in choosing when to come in to the net.  After lost the first set I was really worried she'd go away.  But hey, this is Ana we're talking about.  She's a fighter.  She continued her solid play, breaking early and holding a 4-1 lead.  But then Serena went into overdrive and upped her game and her serving, reeling off five straight games for a 64 64 win.  All in all, a fantastic performance by both women.  Ajde!

Serena's win sets up the Final...I mean "semifinal" matchup with big sister, who dusted Lena off the court, 63 63.  Poor Lena.  She plays so well and then just crashes into the brick wall that arethe Sisters Williams.

Can we take some time and give some props to Coach Craig?  Maybe he did something, maybe he didn't.  But his presence sure is helping, no?  Ana's playing with more purpose ("On my mark, unleash hell"), confidence, and calm.  That last one is REALLY weirding me out.  Here's what Ana said before the match:

“We have only been working together for a few weeks but I’m already really seeing the benefit.  My confidence was not too good for a while but we’ve worked hard at getting that back and Craig has also made me realise just where to put tennis in my life.

“It’s a little strange to say because tennis is everything to me but it completely took over all my thoughts. When I was practicing I put everything into it and when I wasn’t I was thinking about what I should do in the next practice session. Then when I actually got out on court to play a match I was thinking about too many things.

“Craig has told me just to play my natural game which was to attack and not to get too confused with other aspects. It appears to be working so far but it’s going to be a long term thing.”

Squee!!!  So happy.

Oh yeah.  The other semi of this Premier tournament is Kaia Kanepi vs. Virginie Razzano.

The fuck?  What the hell, Bepa?  Feh!

Memphis OOP: Thursday

STADIUM start 10:00 am
[8] P Parmentier (FRA) vs [2] V Azarenka (BLR) - WTA

Not Before 1:00 PM
E Gulbis (LAT) vs [2] J del Potro (ARG) - ATP
L Hewitt (AUS) vs [Q] C Guccione (AUS) - ATP
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [Q] M Krajicek (NED) - WTA

Not Before 6:30 PM
[1] [WC] A Roddick (USA) vs R Ginepri (USA) - ATP
[WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [8] S Querrey (USA) - ATP

GRANDSTAND start 10:00 am
[6] S Lisicki (GER) vs [3] L Safarova (CZE) - WTA
[5] R Stepanek (CZE) vs S Koubek (AUT) - ATP
C Rochus (BEL) vs [7] M Fish (USA) - ATP
[Q] D Sela (ISR) vs F Serra (FRA) - ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
I Kunitsyn (RUS) vs P Petzschner (GER) - ATP
[4] A Keothavong (GBR) vs [5] M Erakovic (NZL) - WTA

I'm really hoping AKO gets to the semis here.

Can Boredness Induce A Heart Attack?

From AKO's Twitter:

Another long day. 2nd up after 11 tomo. A spectator had a heart attck during Blake-Hewitt match. Match had to be suspended- drama!

George Bastl Is Still Playing???

Everytime I see George Bastl's name I think George Peppard.  In fact I think I've answered trivia questions switching their names.  Which of course would explain my shock that the guy that beat Pete on Court 2 at Wimbledon in 2000 is still playing.

Three notable stories here in Marseilles.  First, The Falcon is back, stomach virus and all.  Apparently Nole flew back to Belgrade after AO and basically had a House-ian physical to figure out what the eff is wrong with him physiologically.  Apparently they didn't come up with anything yet.  So the career retirement Slam is still in the mix.

Second, La/Le Monf was upset by fellow pastry PHM, who I am convinced would be WAY cuter if he put a few pounds.  He looks gaunt this year.  But it's working for him so go French-Guy-Who's-Not-Part-Of-The-Four-Muskateers!

Last, look who's got a win streak...

Singles - Second Round
[8] F Lopez (ESP) d D Tursunov (RUS) 76(4) 76(1)
M Youzhny (RUS) d A Seppi (ITA) 76(2) 63
M Zverev (GER) d A Clement (FRA) 64 57 62
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d J Chardy (FRA) 76(4) 64
P Mathieu (FRA) d [3] G Monfils (FRA) 46 64 75
[4] J Tsonga (FRA) d A Golubev (KAZ) 76(5) 62
M Llodra (FRA) d [LL] R de Voest (RSA) 76(2) 61
[LL] G Bastl (SUI) d M Gicquel (FRA) 64 63

How The Heck Did Steve Darcis Win This Thing Last Year?

You know how sometimes you go to look up scores and you actually burst out laughing at the absolute non-absurdity of it all?  Yeah, I had one of those moments today.

Blah lost in the opening round to Lleyton.  I don't really know why that made me laugh so hard.  I mean, Lleyton's actually playing well lately.  But still.  It's Blah.  It's funny.

Otherwise it was business as usual on the men's side, with the notable result being Querrey California's straight set win over Tommy Haas.

[1] [WC] A Roddick (USA) d S Darcis (BEL) 76(1) 62
L Hewitt (AUS) d [3] J Blake (USA) 36 61 64
[5] R Stepanek (CZE) d [Q] K Kim (USA) 64 62
[7] M Fish (USA) d Y Lu (TPE) 61 75
[8] S Querrey (USA) d T Haas (GER) 76(4) 64
R Ginepri (USA) d [Q] S Greul (GER) 64 64
P Petzschner (GER) d J Nieminen (FIN) 63 64

It was seeds all the way through on the ladies' side.  Boots, Lucie, AKO, Sabine, and Parmentier all won in straight sets.

[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) d S Bremond (FRA) 61 76(1)
[3] L Safarova (CZE) d V King (USA) 76(1) 63
[4] A Keothavong (GBR) d [WC] M Larcherde Brito (POR) 76(2) 64
[6] S Lisicki (GER) d S Foretz (FRA) 62 64
[8] P Parmentier (FRA) d [Q] C Scheepers (RSA) 64 61

The True Fraud Is Forcing The Champions Cup On Us.

Anyone who subscribes to the full-of-integrity Tennis Channel is well familiar with The Stanford Champions Cup.  It's a bunch of tournaments where old fogeys like Jim Courier, John McEnroe, Todd Martin, and Jimmy Arias duke it to prove to America that it's not fun watching old people kill themselves. 

The Champions Cup, as well as a few other big name tournaments such as the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, is sponsored by R. Allen Stanford, a Texas billionaire.  Well Sir Stanford, who was a U.S. citizen who eventually got citizen ship in Antigua & Barbados and was knighted (gotta love Texans, man), has been accused by the Federal Government of "massive fraud":

In a civil complaint filed in federal court in Dallas, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Stanford, a high-profile cricket promoter, and two executives of fraudulently selling $8 billion in high-yield certificates of deposit in a scheme that stretched from Texas to the Caribbean.

"We are alleging a fraud of shocking magnitude that has spread its tentacles throughout the world," said Rose Romero, regional director of the SEC's office in Fort Worth, Texas [Seriously, gotta love Texans].

The SEC complaint named Stanford International Bank (SIB), based in Antigua with 30,000 clients in 131 countries and $8.5 billion in assets, and the group's Houston-based broker-dealer and investment adviser units.

In all, the company claims to oversee $50 billion in assets.

...

The SEC said Stanford's Antigua-based bank sold $8 billion in certificates of deposit "by promising high return rates that exceed those available through true certificates of deposits offered by traditional banks."

Holding dual U.S.-Antiguan citizenship, Stanford lived for more than 20 years in the reef-girded island, where he owns the country's largest newspaper, heads a local commercial bank, is the biggest private employer, its top investor and is the first American to receive a knighthood from its government.

He has homes sprinkled across the region -- from Antigua to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to Miami.

"Everybody always wondered where he got his money from," said Odessa Haley, 28, a manager of a cafe in the island's capital St. John's.

Many feared the U.S. charges would revive Antigua's image as one of the Caribbean's most corrupt nations, which local policy makers took pains to shake off in the 1990s.

Others feared the economic fallout. "A lot of people work for him," said Francis Cortwright, a taxi driver.

There were no signs of imminent criminal charges against Stanford, whose personal fortune was estimated by Forbes Magazine last year at $2.2 billion. A Justice Department spokesman would not confirm or deny the existence of a criminal investigation.

But Peter Henning, a professor at Wayne State University Law School in Michigan and a former federal prosecutor, said U.S. prosecutors have likely filed a sealed criminal indictment against Stanford to be unveiled at a later time.

"The amount of money involved indicates there will be criminal interest in this, as well as the number of potential victims involved," Henning said.

So all in all, a pretty good week for tennis.

UPDATED: I Hope You Plan On Thanking Shahar.

So Dubai is granting Andy Ram a visa to play in next week's tourney.  To which I say...

You Fuckers.

You want to take a stand?  You want to stand on principle?  Then frickin' do it!  This just goes to show how ridiculously underhanded, manipulative, and weak the tourney directors by extension the UAE governement are.  They screwed over Shahar because they knew the WTA wouldn't/couldn't do anything about it given the timeframe of the announcement.  And now that they're seeing the true repurcussions of their actions and find that the ATP is getting real pressure to pull the tournament, they acquiesce. 

Just...whatever.  I'm so tired of this.  To quote Professor White from Bonnie Ford's article:

"If you're going to do business with a country, don't kid yourself about who you're dealing with."

Even more apropos, to quote ABBA: "Money money money, always sunny, in a rich man's world."

UPDATED: Doug Robson is reporting that actually, no decision has been made on Andy's visa, and that the ATP has given the UAE until Friday afternoon to make a decision.

Air Quotes: Pammy Keeps It Simple

"[I]f this tournament is going to send out invitations and only ask who they want, if that's the way they want it to be, then they're an exhibition."

-- Pam Shriver, on the Dubai tournament, obviously.  Nice article from B. Ford, too.

Dubai OOP: Thursday

Centre Court (from 14.00hrs)
1. Vesnina vs. Kanepi
2. Zvonareva vs. Razzano
3. Dementieva vs. V.Williams (NB 19.00hrs)
4. S.Williams vs. Ivanovic

Pic This: Excuse Me While I Get My Laundry

Even Dima's intimidated.

Air Quotes: JJ Channels Her Inner Serena

“This was the worst match of my career. It was a horrible day. I kept framing the ball, kept making unforced errors and could not put two balls together on the court. I didn’t move properly, and I didn’t see the ball properly.  She didn’t have to do too much. Basically, I beat myself. I don’t know what happened out there. I am ashamed of this performance.”

-- JJ after her loss to KK today.  How do you frame the ball when you don't really hit all that hard?  Just sayin'.

Dubai Highlights: Wednesday

Day Session


Night Session

The Story Of Two Tournaments

First there's the Tier I/Premier Mandatory/Grand Slam part of the draw. 

The Sisters Williams keep right on rolling trough Dubai with easy straight set wins over quality opponents today.  Too bad I've learned my lesson and never put money on Venus anymore.  She'll looked to be the cleaner and stronger of the two so far, but we all know how that went in Melbourne.  Venus will face her first tough matchup with Lena D tomorrow.

Serena will face a newly confident and aggressive (but not so confident and aggressive that she's out of the woods yet) Baby E, who continued her uber-aggressive play today to beat Pin 62 76(5).  Once again the kid's cyborgian shoulder reeled off 7 aces on her way to the win.  Good girl.  Now we finally get the matchup that has eluded us for two and half years.  Here's hoping E doesn't get completely embarassed.  Still though, nice performances from Baby E this week.  Lots to build on going in to the North American swing.

Then there's the Tier III, "Huh?  Why did I buy these tickets" side of the draw.  Kaia Kanepi will face Elena Vesnina in one quarterfinal and Bepa will face Razzano in the other.  Eh?

Scores:
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (13) Zheng Jie (CHN) 64 62
(16) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 62 75
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 61 63
(5) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 52 ret. (foot pain)
(6) Venus Williams (USA) d. (10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) 63 62
(8) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (LL) Camille Pin (FRA) 62 76(5)
(Q) Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. (12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 46 61 40 ret. (heat illness)
Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 62 16 62
 

Stop Being So Offensive, JJ.

Here's the thing about JJ losing to players significantly ranked lower than her.  To me, it simply defies expectation.  Her game is built on retrieving, counterpunching, and forcing players to go for too much and miss.  But whatever Ricardo "European Tennis Genius" Sanchez did to her game over the off-season has completely thrown it out of whack.  It's as though he tried to transform her into a player that she isn't/wasn't/won't be(?) comfortable being.  An attacking retriever, a la Nole. 

My sense of JJ's game and her success over the past few years was that it was totally "accidental".  Like, she was just a retriever who ran around, dumping balls back, and then her opponent would miss out of frustration.  And then next thing you know she won the match not in any spectacular way but simply because her opponents imploded.  It was like "Well, I ran around for two hours and next thing you know, I won!"  She didn't really have to think that much on the court.  Just get the ball back and wait for the girl to miss.  And it worked.  She was able to beat 95% of the tour and she almost NEVER lost to anyone ranked significantly below her.  She was that one player on the women's tour that you could count on to make the QFs easily, only to get beat by the players she was "supposed to lose to", like Ana, Serena, Venus, Dina, Lena, etc.

Because here's the thing about being an offensive attacking player (which is what most of the top girls are).  You're going to lose to low ranked players.  You're going to have those days where because you go for so much and hit with so little margin, you're just going to miss and lose. 

But if JJ is losing to the likes of Kaia Kanepi, then there's something seriously wrong with her game.  She shouldn't be going for so much that she consistently misses.  I mean, the girl became #1 with no kill shot and no serve.  She hobbled into the semifinals of AO 08 on one leg playing puffball retriever tennis.  She made the semis of RG with one arm tied behind her back.  Then she disappears for a few months, attests to working on her game and getting fitter, and now she's losing all the time.  Not just losing tight three setters.  But getting embarassed (bagels from Bartoli, breadsticks from Momo, and now straights to Kanepi).

The game that she is being asked to play is just not her style and I'm not sure she'll ever be used to it.  She's just not used to missing shots.  And when you're not used to it it starts to drain you and affect your confidence.  Ana, Dina, Serena, they'll miss shots.  But they shake it off when they know they played the right shot, went for it all, and missed.  Ok, on to the next point.  It's part of their mindset and psychology as an attacking player.  But you can see it with JJ.  She dumps balls into the net and everytime she looks absolutely befuddled as to how she missed that shot.

JJ's in a tough spot.  On the one hand, if she plays a la JJ of 07 and 08, she'll consistently win and be in the top 5.  But she'll never consistently beat the top girls at a Slam.  Without being aggressive and taking it to them, there's no way.  But if she adjusts her game and plays more of an attacking style as she has in 09, then sure, maybe (and it's a big maybe) she's added enough pop to her game that she can beat the top girls.  But she's going to have to get used to losing these totally random matches against girls she should beat easily.  And to be honest, I don't think that's part of her makeup.

What's Michael Phelps Doing In Dubai?

Most awkward player party ever. "Oh yeah, I love this tournament. It's great. This is a really fun player party. Sorry, Shahar!"

Dubai Highlights: Tuesday

Day Session


Night Session.

Memphis OOP: Wednesday

Heh.  Just noted that Vika and Boots are playing doubles together.  That's fun.

STADIUM start 10:00 am
V King (USA) vs [3] L Safarova (CZE)
Y Lu (TPE) vs [7] M Fish (USA)
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs S Bremond (FRA)
T Haas (GER) vs [8] S Querrey (USA)

Not Before 6:30 PM
[3] J Blake (USA) vs L Hewitt (AUS)
[1] [WC] A Roddick (USA) vs S Darcis (BEL)

GRANDSTAND start 10:00 am
R Ginepri (USA) vs [Q] S Greul (GER)
[4] A Keothavong (GBR) vs [WC] M Larcherde Brito (POR)
[5] R Stepanek (CZE) vs [Q] K Kim (USA)

COURT 1 start 10:00 am
[6] S Lisicki (GER) vs S Foretz (FRA)
J Nieminen (FIN) vs P Petzschner (GER)
[8] P Parmentier (FRA) vs [Q] C Scheepers (RSA)

What's With All The Avenging Lately?

The Woz dusted Snot Rocket, 1 and 2.  That's quite a statement.  But could this be the beginning of the end of JD's run?  She's gotta be exhausted.  She hasn't really had much of a break since Melbourne.

Memphis Scores:

WTA Singles 

[5] M Erakovic (NZL) d [WC] M Oudin (USA) 46 62 63
[Q] M Krajicek (NED) d K Barrois (GER) 63 36 76(0)
[2] V Azarenka (BLR) d S Cohen-Aloro (FRA) 62 62
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) d [Q] J Dokic (AUS) 61 62
[Q] C Scheepers (RSA) d L Hradecka (CZE) 61 57 76(5)
S Bremond (FRA) d K Flipkens (BEL) 64 60
S Foretz (FRA) d M Czink (HUN) 62 46 62

ATP Singles

[2] J del Potro (ARG) d G Canas (ARG) 63 76(5)
E Gulbis (LAT) d T Dent (USA) 64 36 62
[WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) d K Nishikori (JPN) 75 63
F Serra (FRA) d [4] R Soderling (SWE) 64 67(1) 62
C Rochus (BEL) d [WC] D Young (USA) 64 63
S Koubek (AUT) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 62 62

Deadspin FTW

Posted on Deadspin today:

The Tennis Channel will not broadcast the Dubai tourney because of Shahar Peer's denied visa, which means I may never know if the Tennis Channel is actually in my cable package.

Pic This: "Why You Make Me Do This? It's So BOOOOOORING"

Gotta love the kid with all the tournament gear.  He's THAT guy. 

He's totally going to grow up be the guy who wears a Dave Matthews Band t-shirt TO A DAVE MATHEWS BAND CONCERT.  We get it.  You like the band.  That's why you're here.  What are you, retarded?
 

Bad Day For Safin(a)s.

I can't believe that Marat played in France and there are like, no pictures of it.  So we're going to have to revel in the Melbourne love.  Yummers.

Alas, The Marat was short lived, losing to Arnaud The Hobbit, 46 63 62.  Boo.  Stupid old French bandana man.

While Marat is inarguably, super hot, I think the cutiepatootie matchup of the day was Gilly vs. Grigor.  That kid is just making the ladies swoon.  He's like the Robert Pattison of 2009.  He played well and gave Gilly quite the scare, but Commodus pulled it out in three, 46 63 75.

[2] G Simon (FRA) d [WC] G Dimitrov (BUL) 46 63 75
A Clement (FRA) d [7] [WC] M Safin (RUS) 46 63 62
R Schuettler (GER) d [Q] L Recouderc (FRA) 61 64
M Zverev (GER) d [Q] I Marchenko (UKR) 67(5) 63 64
A Seppi (ITA) d [Q] J Janowicz (POL) 76(5) 56 76(3)
S Bolelli (ITA) d [Q] R Bloomfield (GBR) 76(5) 76(1)
J Benneteau (FRA) d F Santoro (FRA) 46 64 62

Dubai OOP: Wednesday

Centre Court (from 12.00hrs)
1. Zvonareva vs. Bartoli
2. Cornet vs. V.Williams
3. Pin vs. Ivanovic
4. Kanepi vs. Jankovic (NB 19.00hrs)
5. S.Williams vs. Zheng

Court 1 (from 12.00hrs)
1. Vesnina vs. Cibulkova
2. Hantuchova vs. Razzano
3. Doubles
4. Dementieva vs. Medina Garrigues (NB 16.30hrs)

That's actually a really decent lineup of matches.

Blame Gisela. And the Aguardiente.

From Flavia's blog in Bogota:

I'm heading out to dinner with my coach, Gisela and her brother again. We may go out tonight but we're not sure where, but of course I won't be out too late as I'm playing my first singles match tomorrow!

Flavs lost her first round match to Masa Zec Peskiric 63 46 76(4).

"The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are...Oh No Wait, They're Turning Back."

Dina didn't lose to Razzano today.  She was beaten by the ball kids.  Those smug little bastards.

Ok yes, she did lose listlessly to Ichabod Crane, 64 62.  It was truly a comedy of errors.  Balls weren't getting picked up, weren't being thrown to her, couldn't get a proper towel off to save her life.  Afterwards, Dina said this loss was worse than the one in Melbourne. 

Duh.  You lost to Ichabod Cran.

Otherwise it was an odd but predicable day.  It was a hot one, which helped the bakers of the group as ReRe, Bepa, and Venus doled out bagels and breadsticks.  Serena destroyed Errani after looking relly rusty and dropping the first set, Venus looked frickin' retarded in her solid win over 17 year old Pavylenchposuvjklnersoeirva (let's just got with Pavs for now), JJ beat Niculesci, and Lena beat Bammer.

Oh and sad face for Baby Rad.  After notching a solid win over her sister yesterday she had to retire from a very tight match against Pin due to heat illness.

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 46 62 60
Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. (2) Dinara Safina (RUS) 64 62
(3) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 63 62
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 75 62
(5) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. (WC) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 60 63
(6) Venus Williams (USA) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 60 61
(10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. (Q) Julia Schruff (GER) 61 62
(11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 76(5) 36 63
(12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 76(5) 64
(13) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 36 75 75
(14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 62 75
(16) Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (WC) Sania Mirza (IND) 75 62
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (LL) Ayumi Morita (JPN) 76(1) 62
(LL) Camille Pin (FRA) d. (Q) Urszula Radwanska (POL) 67(6) 75 20 ret. (heat illness)

Pic This: JJ's Ode To Europe

I see London, I see France...

Givin' Dubai the Bird.

I would like to think that the ladies are being so subversive here.  Oh well.

 
Love how Venus looks as cool as a cucumber here. 
"Yeah, no big deal.  I hold birds and falcons all the time.  No big whoop."


What is this, 2006?  All that's missing is her awesome Center Court choker.


Leave it to Serena to play Picture Bandit. 
*whispers "Who is this girl and why is she in our picture?" 
"Shhh.... just go with it."

UPDATED: Visa-Gate Rolls On.

God, this whole story just gets funnier and funnier (in a sad sad way).  The Wall Street Journal Europe has pulled its sponsorship of the Dubai tournament, citing it's "free markets, free people" editorial philosophy.  Nice move, but still, I don't see how that impacts the tourney's bottom line. 

But the name sponsor, Barclays Bank, will not be pulling its sponsorship:

“Barclays has a commercial agreement with Dubai Duty Free as the title sponsors for the tennis championships. Our agreement does not allow us to interfere with any actions or decisions that have to do with the tournament itself, or the players, or the regulations of the host country”

So...you're going to honor an agreement you signed with a party that refuses to honor an agreement based on your conviction that agreements should be honored.

...

...

...

Riiiiiight.  Way to stand up for...integrity?

Meanwhile, the sackless tourney organizers are going with the security excuse for the visa denials:

“The Tournament is a longstanding and loyal supporter of women’s tennis and the WTA Tour and respects the rules and regulations of the Tour.  [C Note says...bullshit]

The Tournament also respects Ms. Shahar Peer as a professional tennis player on the Tour and understands her disappointment.  [C Note says...bullshit bullshit]

There were several elements to be considered concerning her participation [C Note says...bullshit bullshit bullshit.  There was only ONE element considered in denying her visa.]:

*Public sentiment remains high in the Middle East and it is believed that Ms. Peer’s presence would have antagonized our fans who have watched live television coverage of recent attacks in Gaza.

*Ms. Peer personally witnessed protests against her at another tournament in New Zealand only a few weeks ago.

*Concern was raised about her wellbeing and her presence triggering similar protests. Given public sentiment, the entire tournament could have been boycotted by protesters.

*We do not wish to politicize sports, but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players and the many tennis fans of different nationalities that we have here in the UAE.”

What the fuck ever.  Shahar doesn't need your patronizing "Oh we did it to protect you" speech.  Grow a pair and own up to your decision, douchenuggets.  You wanted the tournament, you got it.  Get on the phone to Blackwater and have them run the security detail for you.  Don't pretend like your country is full of idiots that you can't control.     

BTW, here is Shahar's statement:

“In response to the tremendous outpouring of support and empathy over the UAE decision to deny me a visa that would allow me to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my friends and fans around the world, and my fellow players.

While this is a very difficult moment for me personally and professionally, and the fact that the visa denial was issued at the last moment, I firmly believe that my fellow competitors should not be harmed the way I was - they were in or on their way to Dubai and denying them the right to play in this year’s tournament at the last moment would not make the wrong right. In fact, it troubles me greatly that my doubles partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld from Germany will not be able to compete as we had planned.

Going forward, I am confident that the Tour will take appropriate actions to ensure that this injustice is not allowed to occur in the future, and that the Tour will make sure I will not be further harmed in the short and long term. There should be no place for politics or discrimination in professional tennis or indeed any sport.”

Nice.

So Roger's out of Dubai.  I really hope Rafa, Nole, Muzz, and A-Rod do the same, along with the other top guys.  That would be awesome.

UPDATED:  More from Leisure Suit Larry:

“We don’t want (the decision to proceed with the tournament) to be interpreted as complacency and accepting what has happened, because it’s not,” he told the Guardian. “We will take a decision about what is to be done only after consultation with the players and tournament directors.

“We don’t have a timetable on this yet. This is a shock and it has to be digested.”

Scott said he recognized the potential for a problem, but thought the situation was being addressed.

“I knew there was an issue they would have to get over - that they don’t have official relations with Israel - while there are security concerns as well.

“In the last two months we have been in daily contact with them. I am surprised by the decision they took because of the significant ramifications there have been, not only in the world of professional tennis, but to the sporting agenda, and beyond.”

Who Knew He Was Referring To His Back?

Roger's out of Dubai and Davis Cup because he's rehabbing his bum back.  Apparently it's killing him.

What do you think, guys?  Is the back the new mono?

Oh, and one more strike on Tennis Channel.  Guess you'll have to pull those "THE SWISS ARE COMING!!! HIDE YOUR WOMEN AND DAUGHTERS!!!" commercials.

Well Isn't That Just Kick You In The Crotch Spit On Your Neck Fantastic.

According to Douglas Robson, an source has confirmed that UAE has denied Andy Ram a visa. 

But check this out:

The expected rejection would cast Ram and partner Jonathan Erlich’s decision to pull out of the Dubai event a year ago in a more dubious light. The two Israeli doubles players said publicly after winning the 2008 Australian Open they intended to compete in Dubai, but have refused to elaborate in detail about why they decided at the 11th hour not to go.

The tandem’s former agent, Norman Canter, sought seven-figure compensation from the ATP, the Dubai tournament and its sponsors following the unexplained withdrawal. In an extraordinary move, the ATP board, then led by departed executive chairman Etienne de Villiers, reimbursed the doubles pair for their travel expenses.

In Australia last month, Ram, 28, said that he wanted to play at the $2.3 million Persian Gulf tournament, if for no other reason than it had been upgraded to a “500” status event with more ranking points and prize money. 

“For me, going there would be like going to another tournament,” said the Uruguay-born Ram, who with Erlich would have been the first Israeli athletes to compete in the UAE, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

The 11th-ranked Ram did not immediately return emails seeking comment. Erlich is recovering from right elbow surgery has not played since last September’s U.S. Open. He is not seeking to enter the $2.3 million tournament.

Last month in Melbourne, Ram gave the same muddled explanation for last year's about face: that the documentation he and Erlich needed to travel to Dubai was late in arriving; that Erlich got cold feet; and ultimately, they did not press the issue by boarding a plane to find out if they would be allowed to enter. “We didn’t do everything we could to go,” he said. Whether they could have entered is “in the air,” he said.

The rejection of Peer and presumably of Ram puts Dubai’s place in tennis calendar in danger. In order to be sanctioned by the ATP or WTA, tournaments must accept entries of players only on the basis of ranking. Otherwise, they risk fines or de-sanctioning.

The Dubai tournament is owned by Dubai Duty Free, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dubai government. Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the UAE.

What does this all mean?  Well it looks like clear evidence that at least the ATP (and therefore the WTA in my eyes) knew that this was going to be the position of the UAE government.  The ATP didn't take any action this year based on the UAE's actions last year.  Completely sackless.  Will the WTA do the same thing in 2010?  Or will Larry put his foot down and take the tourney elsewhere? 

And what becomes of Shahar, who wasn't given the opportunity to defend her Doha points and also lost quite a bit of money.  If you look at her proposed draw she could have easily gotten to the third round.

All I know is that the more publicity this gets the better.  No more sweeping this crap under the rug by either party.

Robson's article is a very good read.  I highly recommend you click through and read the whole thing.

Pic This: Muahahahahaha