Forty Deuce

"Step 1, Cut A Hole In A Box..."

6-7(5) 6-1 7-5.  I mean, *really* Dina?

And thus endeth National Lampoon's Slovenian Vacation.  Stay tuned for the sequel.

USO 09: Now Lighter and Less Lanky

 

Nalby and Mario have officially withdrawn from the USO.  No surprises really, but still bummertastic.

Did His Hospital Gown Have an Embroidered "2"?

Congrats to the Vavrinecs on the birth of their healthy twin girls,
Charlene Riva and Myla Rose. 

And here we thought they'd go with Madison and Taylor (but really hoped for Rolanda and insertwittyplayonWimbledonasbabynamejokeherebecauseIcan'tthinkofonerightnow).

I do think it's *really* funny that, given their strategic middle names, they can get away with wearing RF gear for the rest of their lives.  Always thinking ahead.

Pic This: "In My Head, It's Only In My Head..."

Augh.  The ladies need to stop with these headbands.  Yes, I'm looking at you, Masha, Vika, and Pavs.  The only one I'll give a free pass to is Olivia.

No.

"New, You're So New..."

The Masher proclaims that she's 100%.

"I am a hundred percent," Sharapova said Wednesday night before making an appearance for the Newport Beach Breakers in their World Team Tennis match against Kansas City.

"I mean, if I wasn't at that point, I certainly wouldn't be playing. That's why I took my time and gave myself a chance to really go out there and to feel like I didn't have any excuses."

I love how they refer to it as her "surgically repaired right shoulder."  It's not like she's bionic now.

I'm getting a bit pissy.  Next week is looking really shitty work-wise and I'm not sure how often I'll be able to get to Stanford to watch some matches.  That said, it looks like I'll be able to go to the semis and finals of LA in a few weeks.  Mucho thanks to Indian Wells institution and #1 FedFan LaWanda for the tickets! 

"Hey Baby, Hey Baby, Hey"

Mirka's reportedly checked into a clinic in Zurich.

Pic This: "S-T-A-R-I-N-G, I Can't Stop Staring..."

No, actually I am not entertained, sir.


Whatever.  I'm just going to pretend that he chose to dress up as Commodus. 

Fucktard.

"Not Only In Love, I Was Obsessed..."

Aw...she looks so adorable.  Also adorable?  Z's wedding ring. 

Dina keeps crushing the pathetic field in Portoroz.  And to make things easier, more seeds fell today.  Vinci, Lucie, and the other Vera fell.   This is just free money.

Portoroz:

Singles - Second Round
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (Q) Ksenia Pervak (RUS) 61 62
Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) d. (4) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 63 64
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. (6) Lucie Safarova (CZE) 75 26 63
Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) d. (7) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 46 75 60

Doubles - Quarterfinals
Daniilidou/Woehr (GRE/GER) d. Hercog/Martic (SLO/CRO) 67(2) 63 101 (Match TB)

Doubles - First Round
Pin/Zakopalova (FRA/CZE) d. (4) Barrois/Garbin (GER/ITA) 64 16 107 (Match TB)
Errani/Zec Peskiric (ITA/SLO) d. Frankova/Palkina (CZE/KGZ) 46 64 119 (Match TB)

Order of Play - Thursday, July 23, 2009

Centre Court (from 16.30hrs)
1. Ivanova/Tatishvili vs. Goerges/Uhlirova
2. Errani vs. Zakopalova (NB 18.30hrs)
3. Martic vs. Manasieva

Court 1 (from 17.00hrs)
1. Pin vs. Kvitova
2. Pin/Zakopalova vs. Errani/Zec Peskiric (after suitable rest)

Court 2 (from 17.00hrs)
1. Govortsova vs. Brianti
2. Dushevina/Voskoboeva vs. Govortsova/Karatantcheva (after suitable rest)

Bad Gastein:

Singles - Second Round
(6) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 63 46 64
(7) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d. (LL) Tereza Hladikova (CZE) 63 62
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (9) Shahar Peer (ISR) 62 61
(WC) Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 62 26 64

Doubles - Quarterfinals
(4) Koryttseva/Olaru (UKR/ROU) d. Domachowska/Grandin (POL/RSA) 62 64
Malek/Petkovic (GER/GER) d. Brozda/Kiszczynska (POL/POL) 62 64

Doubles - First Round
(1) Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE/CZE) d. Krauth/Nooni (ARG/SWE) 61 61
(3) Hlavackova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) d. Klemenschits/Meusburger (AUT/AUT) 63 63
Borwell/Fichman (GBR/CAN) d. Cornet/Groenefeld (FRA/GER) 64 64

Order of Play - Thursday, July 23, 2009

Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Petkovic vs. Benesova
2. Bammer vs. Olaru (NB 13.00hrs)
3. Zahlavova Strycova vs. Llagostera Vives
4. Cornet vs. Mayr

Court 1 (from 14.30hrs)
1. Hlavackova/Hradecka vs. Kloesel/Tvaroskova

"I Always Thought I'd Be A Mom..."

Congrats to Nathalie Dechy, who is expecting her first child and thus hopping on the Mommy track.  She's retiring after a solid 16 year career that saw her get as high as #11 in the world and the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Best of luck, Nathalie.  We'll always have Paris.

"Kinda Always Knew I'd End Up Your Ex-Girlfriend..."

Singles - First Round
[1] D Tursunov (RUS) d M Berrer (GER) 63 26 60
[2] D Sela (ISR) d V Spadea (USA) 75 61
[4] I Kunitsyn (RUS) d B Dabul (ARG) 64 61
[5] B Becker (GER) d [Q] G Soeda (JPN) 62 63
E Schwank (ARG) d [6] Y Lu (TPE) 46 63 62
[Q] J Levine (USA) d D Udomchoke (THA) 61 76(10)
R Ginepri (USA) d [Q] S de Chaunac (FRA) 75 57 62
[Q] A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) d F Cipolla (ITA) 62 63

Doubles - First Round
[4] R de Voest (RSA) / R Ram (USA) d [WC] H Mankad (IND) / D Martin (USA) 62 64
B Becker (GER) / I Kunitsyn (RUS) d A Clement (FRA) / M Gicquel (FRA) 75 62
S Querrey (USA) / A Qureshi (PAK) d [WC] M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Spina (ARG) 75 76(8)

Wednesday's OOP:

"I'm Like A Beggar With No Luck..."

 

Well, you'll always have pretty.

Loses his first match in Hamburg to a qualifier in three sets.  Why he didn't choose to defend Indy is beyond me.  Is he still with Carinne?  Something tells me he's been galoshing the Cone.  Clearly he's got whatever she has.

Not sure if it helps any of us Gilly fans sleep at night, but Gilles wasn't the only one to crash out of Hamburg today.  Tommy, Stan, and DoucheStamp all found themselves booking their flights to the U.S. a tick earlier than they'd like.

Singles – Second Round
I Navarro (ESP) d [4] T Robredo (ESP) 75 76(2)
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d [5] S Wawrinka (SUI) 62 64
[8] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [Q] P Starace (ITA) 62 46 64
[Q] P Cuevas (URU) d [9] J Melzer (AUT) 76(5) 63
[10] V Troicki (SRB) d T Gabashvili (RUS) 36 62 64
[13] P Mathieu (FRA) d [Q] P Riba (ESP) 61 26 76(3)
[WC] D Brands (GER) d [1] G Simon (FRA) 36 64 63

Singles - First Round
J Benneteau (FRA) d J Chela (ARG) 64 16 61
J Monaco (ARG) d M Youzhny (RUS) 76(4) 63
[WC] F Mayer (GER) d R Schuettler (GER) 67(3) 63 63
F Fognini (ITA) d I Minar (CZE) 64 62

Doubles - First Round
[2] W Moodie (RSA) / D Norman (BEL) d J Chardy (FRA) / P Mathieu (FRA) 36 63 10-7
[4] L Dlouhy (CZE) / D Skoch (CZE) d J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) 76(5) 76
J Knowle (AUT) / J Melzer (AUT) d M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) 64 62
M Melo (BRA) / F Polasek (SVK) d [WC] K Krawietz (GER) / N Langer (GER) 60 64

Wednesday OOP:

"Cuz That's All That You'll Let Me Be..."

Nothing of note in today's ladies' results except that Cone won a match.  Of course it took her three sets to do it over a nobody, but a win's a win.  Guess she won't have to quit her day job just yet.

Oh, and #2 seed in Portoroz, AMG, bit the dust to a qualifier.  Rough.

Portoroz

Singles - First Round
(Q) Vesna Manasieva (RUS) d. (2) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 16 75
(4) Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (WC) Nastja Kolar (SLO) 62 60
(5) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Arantxa Rus (NED) 61 60
(7) Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 60 63
(8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) 46 63 76(4)
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. (Q) Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 61 46 63
Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) d. (Q) Sesil Karatantcheva (KAZ) 61 64
Alberta Brianti (ITA) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) 75 64
Camille Pin (FRA) d. Vitalia Diatchenko (RUS) 63 ret. (upper respiratory infection)
(Q) Ksenia Pervak (RUS) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 64 46 62

Doubles - First Round
Daniilidou/Woehr (GRE/GER) d. (2) Hrdinova/Voracova (CZE/CZE) 63 63
Govortsova/Karatantcheva (BLR/KAZ) d. (WC) Kolar/Majeric (SLO/SLO) 62 ret. (Majeric: right shoulder injury)

Order of Play - Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Centre Court (from 16.30hrs)
1. Hercog/Martic vs. Daniilidou/Woehr
2. Safina vs. Pervak (NB 18.30hrs)
4. Camerin vs. Dushevina

Court 1 (from 17.30hrs)
1. Safarova vs. Voegele
2. de los Ríos vs. Vinci

Court 2 (from 17.30hrs)
1. Barrois/Garbin vs. Pin/Zakopalova
2. Frankova/Palkina vs. Errani/Zec Peskiric

Bad Gastein

Singles - First Round
(1) Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Mariana Duque Marino (COL) 46 76(3) 64
(3) Sybille Bammer (AUT) d. (LL) Nathalie Vierin (ITA) 75 64
(4) Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 76(5) 63
(6) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 63 61
(7) Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d. (Q) Zuzana Ondraskova (CZE) 64 63
Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) d. (8) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 62 62
(9) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (WC) Tina Schiechtl (AUT) 64 63
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (Q) Lenka Jurikova (SVK) 61 60
Patricia Mayr (AUT) d. Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 63 63
Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d. (Q) Carmen Klaschka (GER) 61 61
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) 61 26 64
(LL) Tereza Hladikova (CZE) d. (WC) Melanie Klaffner (AUT) 64 26 64
(WC) Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) d. (Q) Sharon Fichman (CAN) 64 63

Doubles - First Round
Malek/Petkovic (GER/GER) d. (2) Senoglu/Shvedova (TUR/KAZ) 46 75 106 (Match TB)
(4) Koryttseva/Olaru (UKR/ROU) d. Anderson/Chakhnashvili (RSA/GEO) 60 64

Order of Play - Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Parmentier vs. Rybarikova
2. Malek vs. Meusburger
3. Groenefeld vs. Hladikova (NB 14.00hrs)
4. Hlavackova/Hradecka vs. Klemenschits/Meusburger
5. Cornet/Groenefeld vs. Borwell/Fichman

Court 1 (from 13.00hrs)
1. Shvedova vs. Peer
2. Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova vs. Krauth/Nooni
3. Domachowska/Grandin vs. Koryttseva/Olaru
4. Brozda/Kiszczynska vs. Malek/Petkovic

Cheezburger, Cheezburger, Cheezburger!

Sigh.

Singles – First Round
T Gabashvili (RUS) d A Seppi (ITA) 63 61
[WC] D Brands (GER) d [Q] V Crivoi (ROU) 46 64 61
[Q] P Cuevas (URU) d B Phau (GER) 76(0) 64
I Navarro (ESP) d S Darcis (BEL) 64 64
P Petzschner (GER) d F Serra (FRA) 76(3) 62
[Q] P Riba (ESP) d [Q] E Korolev (RUS) 76(3) 62
[Q] P Starace (ITA) d M Gonzalez (ARG) 57 64 63
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d C Rochus (BEL) 64 62
J Hernych (CZE) d [WC] K Krawietz (GER) 60 46 63
[WC] S Greul (GER) d J Tipsarevic (SRB) 26 63 63
[Q] M Granollers (ESP) d M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 64 64
A Beck (GER) d O Hernandez (ESP) 67(3) 64 64

Tuesday:

Dina Gets All Adilibria On Your Ass

Yes, it looks good. But I like my Dina Competitive.  Different strokes.

Portoroz

Singles - First Round
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (WC) Tadeja Majeric (SLO) 60 64
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. (3) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 61 62
(6) Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Katie O’Brien (GBR) 64 64
Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) d. Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 57 64 76(6)
Klara Zakopalova (CZE) d. Masa Zec Peskiric (SLO) 62 64
(WC) Petra Martic (CRO) d. Kristina Barrois (GER) 63 64

Doubles - First Round
(1) Dushevina/Voskoboeva (RUS/KAZ) d. Kucova/Stoop (SVK/GBR) 64 62
(3) Goerges/Uhlirova (GER/CZE) d. Bovina/Kanepi (RUS/EST) 64 67(4) 103 (Match TB)
Ivanova/Tatishvili (RUS/GEO) d. Rodionova/Voegele (RUS/SUI) 60 75
Hercog/Martic (SLO/CRO) d. Brianti/Camerin (ITA/ITA) 76(7) 16 106 (Match TB)

Order of Play - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Centre Court (from 16.00hrs)
1. Manasieva vs. Medina Garrigues
2. Kolar vs. Vinci
3. Brianti vs. Hercog (NB 20.00hrs)
4. Errani vs. Rus

Court 1 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Voegele vs. Tatishvili
2. Goerges vs. Pervak
3. Voskoboeva vs. Kvitova
4. Daniilidou/Woehr vs. Hrdinova/Voracova

Court 2 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Diatchenko vs. Pin
2. Garbin vs. Dushevina
3. Karatantcheva vs. Camerin
4. Diatchenko/Manasieva vs. Kolar/Majeric

Bad Gastein

Singles - First Round
Tatjana Malek (GER) d. (5) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 26 62 64
Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) d. Marta Domachowska (POL) 57 64 63
Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Sandra Kloesel (GER) 64 63

Doubles - First Round
Domachowska/Grandin (POL/RSA) d. Kondratieva/Lefèvre (RUS/FRA) 61 61
Brozda/Kiszczynska (POL/POL) d. Jidkova/Klaschka (RUS/GER) 75 76(5)
Kloesel/Tvaroskova (GER/SVK) d. (WC) Klaffner/Sevastova (AUT/LAT) 62 76(5)

Order of Play - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Centre Court (from 10.00hrs)
1. Domínguez Lino vs. Mayr
2. Cornet vs. Duque Marino
3. Meusburger vs. Fichman
4. Bammer vs. Sevastova
5. Klaffner vs. Hladikova

Court 1 (from 10.00hrs)
1. Dulgheru vs. Benesova
2. Llagostera Vives vs. Hradecka
3. Groenefeld vs. Ondraskova
4. Schiechtl vs. Peer
5. Malek/Petkovic vs. Senoglu/Shvedova

Court 2 (from 10.00hrs)
1. Zahlavova Strycova vs. Zahlavova
2. Shvedova vs. Jurikova
3. Koryttseva vs. Rybarikova
4. Parmentier vs. Klaschka
5. Anderson/Chakhnashvili vs. Koryttseva/Olaru

Sam I Am

I'm really hoping Sam has a good run here in Indy.  He deserves a trophy.  I feel like he's performed so well over the past year with not much to show for it.  And while that may not bother Surfer Sam, it kinda bothers me.

Also bothering me in a totally hot way?  Ernie and Dima playing dubs together.  That is a lot of beautiful crazy.

Singles - First Round
[3] S Querrey (USA) d A Clement (FRA) 63 64
[7] M Gicquel (FRA) d E Gulbis (LAT) 62 63
[8] D Istomin (UZB) d K Kim (USA) 26 64 64
F Dancevic (CAN) d B Reynolds (USA) 62 76(5)
J Isner (USA) d J Ouanna (FRA) 61 76(6)
W Odesnik (USA) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 76(5) 16 64

Doubles - First Round
E Gulbis (LAT) / D Tursunov (RUS) d [3] E Butorac (USA) / S Lipsky (USA) 63 36 11-9
J Cerretani (USA) / T Rettenmaier (USA) d J Coetzee (RSA) / J Erlich (ISR) 61 63

Tuesday's OOP

I Don't Know, Cones. You Might Want To Start Thinking About It.

The Michelle Obama of Tennis

You know, or not.

Here's Ana's interview from Vogue.  Despite the author's stupidity (The Williamses suck? Justine was just plain miserable? Michelle Obama?  REALLY?) it's not a bad interview.  Nothing new but some interesting bits:

On being Baby E:

Her workout is so rigorous, she goes through a new pair of sneakers (size 9) every two weeks. “You have to do it,” she says. “Tennis is much more powerful and aggressive these days.” Also, the tennis press will mercilessly grill you about your “fitness,” one of those code words journalists use for overweight. Until she hired a fitness coach who amped up her workout and got her to cut out pizza, cheese, and desserts (she’s got a sweet tooth), it was a question she occasionally had to confront. “When I was sixteen, I had a little baby fat,” she admits. “But in the last three years, I have worked really hard to change that.” It has paid off. At six feet one and 152 pounds, Ivanovic is all muscle.

On being the nice girl in a mean girl world:

“Having your mother with you gets rid of the loneliness. When I first came on the tour, I thought I was going to make friends, but I would try to talk to people and they would all look at me funny. I realized, OK, that’s not going to happen.” In the beginning, her mother, a slim blonde who keeps a watchful eye on her daughter in public, used to remind her she didn’t have to play tennis if she didn’t want to. “She doesn’t say that anymore,” says Ivanovic, “but whenever I get really stressed, she reminds me that tennis should make me happy, not miserable.”

Tignor on Ana:

“Ana Ivanovic is very good for women’s tennis, and not just because she’s good-looking,” says Steve Tignor, the executive editor of Tennis Magazine. “She doesn’t just hit the ball hard; she’s smooth. She makes it look effortless. She also happens to be a nice, well-rounded person. She comes into the press conference and makes jokes. She’s not defensive. The fact that she’s a normal person at the top of her sport is really rare—the normal people tend to get weeded out as they go up.”
...
“I don’t know if she can really dominate the game,” he said. “I don’t know if she has the fierceness to do it. Ana is more motivated by the joy of playing.” 

Heaven forbid.

Beautiful Loser

Dismissed by fat Marc Gicquel, 2 and 3 in the first round of Cincy.  Even the AFP is over Ernie.  Here's the photo caption:

Ernests Gulbis of Latvia serves the ball during the Indianapolis Tennis Championships at the Indianapolis Tennis Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. French seventh seed Marc Gicquel drove another spike into the heart of a losing season on Monday for once-promising Ernests Gulbis, hammering the Latvian 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round at the ATP Indianapolis Championships.

Horrible sentence structure aside, it's pretty rare for the AFP to add editorial commentary to a fairly innocuous pic.

Pic This: "Near...Far...WhereEVER You Are..."

"Shakedown, Breakdown, Takedown, Everybody Wants Into The Crowded Light..."

Nice to see that France is just as stupidly litigious as the States.

"Pamela" is suing Ricky for libel/defamation, claiming that she never kissed Rick on the mouth and never took coke or said anything that Rick said she said. 

And I think Google has taken sides.  Check out the Google Translator version of the story:

AD: Is it true that Pamela D. spanned a dozen times Mr. Gasquet during the evening of 27 March 2009?

MYB : "Pamela D. says she has embraced Mr. Gasquet only once and it was not a long kiss. Given the large number of witnesses to this event, if there had a dozen of 'good galoshes' as claimed by Mr Richard Gasquet, it seems surprising that nobody has reported. "

...

AD: Why has your client decided to complain after the verdict of the Tribunal anti-doping?

MYB : "My client had an elegance not to interfere in the disciplinary aspect of this case. It was therefore expected that the Tribunal's decision. However, the remarks that were made by Mr. Gasquet through press About Pamela D. serious damage to the latter, it had to act. Now, whenever a claim is misleading or uttered a threat to privacy will be brought against my client A complaint will be filed as soon as possible. I believe that my client was a tool in this case. "

Well I think we can all agree on that last part.  Whatever.  If she really wanted to clear her name she would have stepped up earlier and agreed to testify at the ITF hearing.  Only now is she complaining.  It makes no sense.  The reports about her being all coked up hit the press way before the ITF hearing.  She can't claim that ONLY NOW, after the ITF has ruled and the decision was made public, has she been defamed.

Smells like a shakedown and it'll probably work.  If I were Rick's attorney I'd advise him to pay her and move on.

(links via Savannah's World)

"I'm Back In The Saddle Again..."

Welcome back, Rafa.  And you too, Tio!

Rafa took to the practice courts today for the first time in FOREVER.

Monday OOPs

Potoroz:

Centre Court (from 10.00hrs)
1. Kerber vs. Tatishvili (Singles Q Final)
2. Kanepi vs. Govortsova (NB 16.30hrs)
3. Safina vs. Majeric (NB 18.30hrs)
4. Zakopalova vs. Zec Peskiric

Court 1 (from 10.00hrs)
1. Kulikova vs. Manasieva (Singles Q Final)
2. Karatantcheva vs. Vrljic (Singles Q Final)
3. Safarova vs. O'Brien (NB 16.30hrs)
4. Martic vs. Barrois
5. de los Ríos vs. Kutuzova
6. Hercog/Martic vs. Brianti/Camerin

Court 2 (from 10.00hrs)
1. Kucova vs. Pervak (Singles Q Final)
2. Rodionova/Voegele vs. Ivanova/Tatishvili (NB 16.30hrs)
3. Dushevina/Voskoboeva vs. Kucova/Stoop
4. Bovina/Kanepi vs. Goerges/Uhlirova

Bad Gastein:

Centre Court (from 10.00hrs)
1. Tvaroskova vs. Jurikova (Singles Q Final)
2. Zoric vs. Fichman (Singles Q Final)
3. Kloesel vs. Petkovic (NB 13.00hrs)
4. Suárez Navarro vs. Malek
5. Klaffner/Sevastova vs. Kloesel/Tvaroskova

Court 1 (from 10.00hrs)
1. Ondraskova vs. Hladikova (Singles Q Final)
2. Klaschka vs. Vierin (Singles Q Final)
3. Domachowska vs. Olaru (NB 13.00hrs)
4. Brozda/Kiszczynska vs. Jidkova/Klaschka
5. Domachowska/Grandin vs. Kondratieva/Lefèvre

Hamburg:

Indianapolis

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

That's what this week feels like.  Basically take all the players who played last week, shuffle them up, add a Beluga and the start of the U.S. hardcourts, and you get...this:

Potoroz (click for draw)
Welcome to the Beluga Open, where Dina is the only top 25 player in the draw.  The good people of Slovenia are treating her so great she may not leave.  Form an order queue, Slovenian Gentlemen.

Bad Gastein (click for draw)
Even real tennis fans have no idea who any of these players are.  Four words describe this tourney: Top. Seed. Alize. Cornet. 

Hamburg (click for draw)
Bastad? Meet Stuttgart.  Stuttgart? Meet Bastad.  Stuttgart top seed, Gilly, heads the field along with Kolya, Sods, and Boredo. 

Indianapolis (click for draw)
The US Open Series kicks off in Indianapolis with a field primarily comprised of US based players. Dima and Dudi lead the field, though it's weird to think that Dima and Dudi are ranked higher than Sammy CA.  Also, we see the return of Halpert!  Take that, mono!

Pic This: Celebrities, They're Just Like Us!

Ballet flats and a ripped jean mini-skirt.  Wow.  That's a whole 'nother level, Beluga.

I'm just glad we missed the cooter-flashing picture.

"I'm On A Boat!"

Oh, Dina.  If only you and I were friends.  Then we would go on a nice peaceful cruise around Slovenia and I would totally be the T-Pain to your Samburg.  Legen...waitforit...dary.

 
But instead Dina's BFF for the week is Kata.  And it looks like they had a grand old time doing promo work for the Beluga Open.


So is that her new fitness coach?  Hitting partner? 

Jesus.  Well.  Done. 


Slovenia looks good on ya, girl. 

Pic This: What the...Wha?

Pardon me while I take a moment and consider the fact that my already fragile world has been turned completely upside down.

(Pic via YFB)

Mamma Mia

Mama Bammer takes the title in Prague, beating Tranny 76(4) 62.

If I was a mom on the WTA Tour, I would so want my kid to hang out with Team Italia.  Between Boss and Flavs, I have no doubt my kid would be AWESOME.

Whatever, Bastad. I'm Over You.

How many small furry animals must die before everyone accepts that he is pure evil? 

HOW MANY???


Sorry, Pico.  But a great run for you.

Tonight We're Gonna Chardy Like It's 1999

It's amazing what a little haircut and some facial can do.  Not only is he ridiculously adorable now, but he also got himself his first ATP trophy.  Jeremy beat Victor Hanescu (who totally freaks me out) in the Stuttgart final, 16 63 64.

In addition to that awesome paperweight, he'll also have a brand new Benzo.  Not bad, Jerms.  Not bad at all.

Now someone please get him some hookers.  Preferably not named "Pamela".  I'm sure Boris could hook a brotha up.

All You Need To Know

She is Italian.  She is bad ass.  She is Flavia Pennetta.


And she is the 2009 Palermo champion, dusting Sara Errani, 2 and 1. 

This is Flavs' 7th title, and 6th on clay. Forza Flavia!

What The Tuck?

Dude?  It's WORLD TEAM TENNIS.

World TeamTennis has suspended and fined New York Sportimes coach Chuck Adams after his team -- which features John McEnroe -- and the Washington Kastles got into heated arguments over players getting hit by shots.

The league barred Adams from leading New York against visiting Kansas City on Friday night for "violating the World TeamTennis Coaches' Code of Conduct."

Adams went onto Washington's side of the court to confront a Kastles player Thursday.

The league called this "the first punishment" for what happened between New York and Washington on Thursday. WTT said it "continues to investigate the incident to determine if there will be any additional punishments issued."

Who is Chuck Adams, you might ask?  Well, he's the one who convinced this girl to pose for Playboy and let him knock her up.  Um, you guys all know how I *hate* to judge people that I don't know, but this guy sounds like a used douche.

Cars, Real Estate, and Jewels

I don't know why but all I can imagine Venus driving now is an El Camino. Also, I think it's a travesty that Agi isn't in these videos. I would love to hear her scoff at the idea of extravagance.

I'd Gefaellt Him. I'd Gefaellt Him Hard.

Kolya speaks German? How did you guys not tell me this???

I So Confusing

Wait, which one's the Asian one? Duh. The blue one obviously.

Oh, and apparently ANTA didn't get the memo that the LAST thing I, as an athlete, want to be taking a "dare" on? My shoes.

My Mind Is Sayin' Yes, But My Body's Sayin' No.

Fer had to retire against Pico in the semifinals of the Swedish Open due to a calf strain.  According to Maz, he wooked tyewd.  Get thee to the Bunny Ranch, dude.  Or you know, Miami.  Take some time off.  Just don't hook up with any girls (or guys) named "Pamela".

BTW -- I totally thought the title of this post was a line from "Genie In Bottle".  Then I looked it (because occasionally, just occasionally, I try and "fact check") and realized I was wrong.  And then I was really happy that I was wrong.  Indie Cred 92%.

That Does Not Sound Like A Real Language

Go ahead, call me the insensitive American. But I've watched this thing 5 times now and I'm not convinced she ever said it word. It's just sounds to me. It's also 4am, so...that might have something to do with my coherence.

She's Got Legs...

Venus on Conan. One of the rare times Conan doesn't look like a ridiculously tall dude creepily towering over a young lady.

Smile Like You Mean It

Dina's in Slovenia and doing the rounds in preparation for next week's Banka Koper Open.


And all jokes aside, she looks rested, relaxed, and ready to go. 

Of course, five seconds after this picture was taken she had to endure a 15 minute tirade from Mats Wilander about what a horrible excuse for a Safin she is. 

So...things changed.

Girl, You're Gonna Need A Bigger Cup

Come on, Ana. 

If Dragana needs a Venti quintuple shot latte to get through one of your crazy-as-fuck matches, you're going to need more than a shot o' joe to get through your homeboy's first round at Turnberry.

Yup, AI is in Turnberry for the British Open.  Adam shot a 71.

 
And it looks that that "shress" is back.

Wake Me Up When Flavs Wins

I'm so over Palermo and Prague.  Whatever.

Prague:

(1) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) 62 62
(2) Sybille Bammer (AUT) d. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 61 61
(4) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE)
61 64
(7) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Karolina Sprem (CRO) 62 46 64

(2) Bondarenko/Bondarenko (UKR/UKR) d. Brozda/Kiszczynska (POL/POL)
64 61
Rybarikova/Voracova (SVK/CZE) d. Klemenschits/Malek (AUT/GER) 62 63

Palermo:

(1) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 75 61
Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. (6) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 62 62
(7) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 67(2) 64 62
Tathiana Garbin (ITA) d. María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 62 63
(2) Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. (Q) Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 64 60

(2) Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) d. Brianti/Camerin (ITA/ITA) 62 63
Jans/Rosolska (POL/POL) d. (3) Makarova/Voskoboeva (RUS/KAZ) 16 63 103
Parra Santonja/Uhlirova (ESP/CZE) d. (4) Senoglu/Shvedova (TUR/KAZ)
63 46 107
Koryttseva/Kustova (UKR/BLR) d. Jidkova/Poutchek (RUS/BLR) 61 62
Domínguez Lino/Errani (ESP/ITA) d. (WC) Anderson/Dentoni (RSA/ITA) 21 ret. (Dentoni: GI illness)

Dork.

You Gotta Think He's Envious Of The Hair. At Least.

Interesting stuff from Pete Sampras, as written up by Pete Bodo, on GOATs (or not), Fed, and Marat.

"I do understand the argument as far as being the best ever. You have to be the man of your generation.  He (Roger) has come up short against Nadal. I can see the point. It's hard to answer that. I don't know how to answer it.You know, it's not done yet.  Roger's career isn't done yet. He's going to play Nadal a number of times over the next number of years, and he has to beat him. He has to beat him in the finals of majors. To be considered the greatest ever, he certainly in my book is (already that). But he has to figure this kid out.  He has to beat him.  He's lost to him a number of times. You know, you got to be the man of your generation. He certainly is the man of his generation; he just has to figure out Nadal."

Pushed to elaborate vis a vis his own experience wih Agassi, Pete added: 

"Well, God, you're giving it some thought, huh (laughter)? It would have bothered me if I had a losing record against Andre in majors. It wouldn't have sat well with me. Did it mean I was the greatest or not the greatest? I don't know. It's the debate of greatest of all time. We so badly want to pin it on someone.  With the numbers you have to give it to Roger.  His record against Nadal, okay, you might not give it to him. 

"I mean, if I was 7-15 against Andre and I was done, it's hard to say I was the player of my generation - just because he got the best of me.

...

You may remember that in his Wimbledon press conference, Rod Laver took the position that in one match, on grass, he would pick Sampras over Federer. Laver wasn't the only one who took that tack. Just a few weeks ago, John McEnroe told me, "Watching these guys today, I keep thinking that if Sampras walked out there, he’d still drive these guys bananas. In my opinion he’s still the greatest fast court-player who ever lived. Where Roger is the greatest, period."

I asked Sampras about that, too. He said:

"Well, I think one thing Roger doesn't see on grass the last number of years is really a true serve-and- volleyer, someone that's willing to come in and put the pressure on and make him pass, make him return these big serves. I don't think anyone really scares him. I think my game would make Roger a little bit more uncomfortable. I would obviously come in on both serves and put the pressure on his backhand, sort of go from there. . . I would sort of dictate the play.  But, you know, he'd be a tough guy to break, especially when he's hitting 50 aces like he did (in the recent Wimbledon final).  It would have been a great matchup

"If I would beat him?  If I felt my best on grass, I did feel unbeatable, especially in the mid '90s.  I was a tough guy to break, played well from the back court to have chances, and I moved well enough. It's a flattering comment.  Do I think I could have beaten Roger in my prime?  Sure. I don't think anyone could beat me in my prime on grass. I felt as Roger does now - he feels unbeatable."

...

"Marat and I always got along very well when we were playing. He's a really nice guy, great player, showed what he could do especially at the US Open the one year, he tuned me up pretty good. He's an expressive guy on the court, shows emotion. Off the court, he's a happy-go-lucky guy. I was pretty reserved when I was playing, to myself.  For whatever reason, he and I seemed to get on really well.  We practiced quite a bit together. 

"You know, he's a champion. He got to No. 1. He won a major, I think two majors.  It's sad to see him go because I think he brought a lot to the sport. Haven't sort of kept in contact with him.  But certainly when I see him, we'll talk about some of our matches.  When Paul (Annacone) was coaching (Tim) Henman, Marat would ask Paul, How is Pete doing?  He was always just a personable guy, really nice guy, and someone that I've always gotten along really well with."

Interesting stuff from the always honest and forthcoming Pete.  Too bad no one asked him about Palin.  That would have been fun.

Gems. Gems I Tell You.

If you haven't yet, you should take the time to curl up with the 38 page decision reinstating Reeshie.  It's hilarious.  Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

• In 2007, he was ranked in the top 10, reaching the Wimbledon semi-final in which he was defeated by Mr Roger Federer.  [Oh reeeallly?  He is one of the select few who have the honor of losing to the GOAT at a Slam?  Quite an achievement, that.]
  
  
• The Tribunal found the player to be a truthful and honest witness, and a man of integrity.  [I don't know.  If Ricky told me that he kissed a girl, open mouth, seven times, I'd call bullshit.  But that's just me.]
  
  
• He decided to go out and see a well known French DJ, M. Bob Sinclar, whom he had briefly met earlier that day, and who, as he knew, would be performing that evening in Miami as part of the Winter Music Conference; an event which,though the player did not know it, is notoriously associated with use of illegal recreational drugs including cocaine.  [First of all, M. Bob Sinclar is the lamest DJ name ever.  He sounds like a lawyer.  Second, can you really blame Rick for thinking that the "Winter Music Conference" sounded like a wholesome event?  He probably thought he'd show up, listen to some panels, and pick up a nice goodie bag with $10 gift certificates to Sam Goody.]
  
  
• The player drank a vodka and apple juice prepared for him by M. Champion.  [I've gone to a lot of bars.  I've done my fair share of drinking.  And I've had bottle service a number of times (at Forty Deuce in Vegas, coincidentally).  I have NEVER seen or heard of anyone drinking apple juice and vodka.  That sounds...horrible.  And if any club put a liter of apple juice on my table and tried to pass it off as a mixer, I'd assume that the wait staff was coked up.  So...dead giveaway #2,947, Rico.]
  
  
• The Tribunal accepts the player’s evidence that he and Pamela kissed mouth to mouth about seven times while they were at Set, each kiss lasting about five to ten seconds. We accept his evidence that he was not with Pamela constantly while at the club. At one stage the two of them went upstairs and sat on a sofa where they kissed. After that they came downstairs again, stopping to kiss on the stairs. The player then drank only water from a sealed bottle and a vodka and apple juice he had ordered from the bar.  [Is "made out with"  not a legal term?  Did they have a stop watch?  Did the lawyers make Ricardo simulate these seven kisses with a stuffed panda?  These are the questions I have.  Oh, and Jesus Christ, Reesh loves him some apple juice.]
  
  
• They left at about 4.35am.... The player was tired. His impression was that Pamela did not seem tired. She expressed a wish to go to another venue called Goldrush, where the fourth woman from the restaurant, Denise, was working....  Goldrush turned out to be a strip club. The player and his three male companions did not like it and wanted to leave about 10 minutes after arriving.  [Ah...that's the SheeShee I know and love.]
  
  
• They waited for Pamela to return from the toilet where she had spent longer than expected. When she returned, she had replenished her make-up and rearranged her hair. The group then left at about 5am and said their goodbyes outside. The player kissed Pamela on the mouth for two or three seconds before boarding a taxi back to his hotel with his coach. On arrival at his hotel he went to his room and slept.  [Does anyone find it odd that he made out with a random chick, went with her from club to club, but then he just decided to go home alone?  Is that typical dude behavior?  Because everytime I've made out with a random dude at a bar (yes, embarassingly it happens), I'm pretty sure the making out is not the end game.]
  
  
• On the question of how cocaine got into the player’s system, the ITF disputed the player’s thesis that this occurred, more likely than not, as a result of the player kissing Pamela. The ITF asserted that this was mere conjecture and that if ingestion was not deliberate for recreational purposes, other methods of accidental contamination were as likely as the kissing hypothesis.  [LOL @ "the kissing hypothesis."]
  
  
• As a healthy, single young man who is not often able to go out and enjoy himself socially in the evenings, it is not unnatural that he should have been attracted to Pamela, to the point of kissing her. He is not the first young man to have done such a thing with a young woman during a social night out.  [Nice for the Tribunal to put in a little "wink, wink, nudge nudge, boys will be boys" dig.  You stay classy, guys.]

Fun stuff.  Good for Richie Rich.  I know everyone's focusing on the Pamela stuff.  Heck, it's hilarious so why wouldn't you.  But to me it's really the science that clears Richard.  He had such a miniscule amount in his body (a "grain of salt").  There's no way he took it deliberately.  So whether you believe he got it by making out with a crack whore, picking up some residue on the couch, or someone spiked his 18 apple juice and vodkas, bottom line is that it wasn't intentional.  And really, isn't *that* what the anti-doping laws are about?

Damn You, WTT. Well Played.

Masha's going to play World Team Tennis for the Newport Beach Breakers on July 22nd, when they host the Kansas City Explorers. 

So I guess I'm watching WTT.  Awesome.

Boyfriend Defends My Honor

Well not really.  But kinda.

"I Kissed A Girl, and I Liked It..."

Welcome back, Reeshard.

The 23-year-old Frenchman, who was cleared to resume playing after completing a 2½-month ban Wednesday, convinced an independent anti-doping tribunal that he ingested cocaine by kissing a woman he met at a nightclub in Miami.

The tribunal panel of three lawyers said Gasquet consumed no more than "a grain of salt" of the drug, and a long ban would be an injustice in a case which was "unusual to the point of being probably unique."

"We have found the player to be a person who is shy and reserved, honest and truthful and a man of integrity and good character," the tribunal said in its ruling.

The ITF, which had sought a two-year ban under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Agency's code, was told to impose a retroactive ban of two months, 15 days. The ban ended Wednesday morning, clearing 32nd-ranked Gasquet to resume playing.

Gasquet tested positive in a urine sample in March after he pulled out of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla., with a shoulder injury.

After deciding to withdraw from the tournament he went to a nightclub with friends to see a French DJ perform at a Miami dance music festival, which the tribunal noted was "notoriously associated with use of illegal recreational drugs including cocaine."

Gasquet told the tribunal hearing held in London last month that he kissed a woman, identified in the ruling only as "Pamela."

The tribunal said it was likely she had consumed cocaine during the night, though it had no direct evidence.

Gasquet was "on the balance of probability, contaminated with cocaine by Pamela" and, therefore, not significantly at fault for the doping offense, the ruling said.

"We take into account that the amount of cocaine in the player's body was so small that if he had been tested only a few hours later, his test result would be likely to have been negative," the tribunal stated.

He kissed a girl?  Uh...ok.

Maybe He's Born With It. Maybe It's Maybelline.

PTL! Pico, Gilly, and Techno won. 

Sad Face: Grigor, Apricot, Fabrice, Chucho, and Janko lost. 

Please excuse me while I go explain to donkeygrooming that Janko is horrible at tennis.

Bastad:

Singles - First Round
J Monaco (ARG) d [8] M Gonzalez (ARG) 76(4) 36 61
D Koellerer (AUT) d S Darcis (BEL) 16 63 64
[Q] P Luczak (AUS) d A Martin (ESP) 62 62
B Phau (GER) d [WC] D Berta (SWE) 63 62
[Q] G Canas (ARG) d [WC] G Dimitrov (BUL) 63 76(2)
[Q] P Starace (ITA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 76(5) 63
K Vliegen (BEL) d M Granollers (ESP) 76(3) 64

Doubles - First Round
R Lindstedt (SWE) / R Soderling (SWE) d [2] J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) 64 64
[3] J Levinsky (CZE) / F Polasek (SVK) d J Cerretani (USA) / A Qureshi (PAK) 26 63 10-6
[4] M Lopez (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) d S Darcis (BEL) / F Gil (POR) 63 62
M Granollers (ESP) / P Starace (ITA) d P Marx (GER) / B Phau (GER) 76(3) 46 10-4

Stuttgart:

Singles - First Round
[1] G Simon (FRA) d P Petzschner (GER) 63 64
N Kiefer (GER) d [3] T Berdych (CZE) 63 63
[5] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d D Junqueira (ARG) 63 62
[LL] A Sidorenko (FRA)* d [Q] D Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) 76(3) 16 62
F Fognini (ITA) d [7] F Santoro (FRA) 57 76(3) 61
J Chardy (FRA) d [8] J Acasuso (ARG) 62 76(4)
M Zverev (GER) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 62 64
[WC] S Greul (GER) d A Beck (GER) 76(4) 76(5)
O Hernandez (ESP) d J Tipsarevic (SRB) 64 64
R Schuettler (GER) d I Minar (CZE) 26 76(2) 64
*[LL] A Sidorenko (FRA) replaced [6] A Montanes (ESP) - left leg

Doubles - First Round
[2] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Melo (BRA) d L Arnold Ker (ARG) / P Cuevas (URU) 61 64
V Hanescu (ROU) / H Tecau (ROU) d [3] L Dlouhy (CZE) / D Skoch (CZE) 62 46 14-12

"Now I'm Free....Free Fallin..."

Nikki V and Alize lose in straight sets in the first round of Prague and Palermo, disrespectfully.  Granted Nikki lost to Alla, who occasionally has game, and Cone lost to Cheater, who is riding a wave of Cheat-tastic momentum.  But still.  Can we stick a fork in those two yet?

And FYI, despite reports from the Czech media that they broke up, Steps was in Prague watching Nikki crash and burn.  You know, it's just like The Sex to be there in a young ingenue's desperate time of need.  He's thoughtful that way.

Also, ALG upset Olivia in Palermo.  Forza Flavia!

Prague:

Singles - First Round
(3) Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. (WC) Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 67(5) 61 63
Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d. (5) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 61 63
(Q) Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. (6) Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 62 76(5)
(7) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. (Q) Ksenia Pervak (RUS) 63 62
(8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Anna Lapushchenkova (RUS) 61 60
Kristina Barrois (GER) d. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 57 61 75
Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Katie O'Brien (GBR) 63 62
Polona Hercog (SLO) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 75 64
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. (Q) Petra Martic (CRO) 36 64 63
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) d. Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 75 62
Karolina Sprem (CRO) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 63 62
(WC) Zarina Diyas (KAZ) d. (Q) Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 64 61

Doubles - First Round
(1) Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE/CZE) d. Daniilidou/Woehr (GRE/GER)
64 62
(2) Bondarenko/Bondarenko (UKR/UKR) d. Kapshay/Pironkova (UKR/BUL)
75 64
Rybarikova/Voracova (SVK/CZE) d. O'Brien/Tatishvili (GBR/GEO) 64 64

Prague:

Singles - First Round
(1) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. (Q) Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 62 63
María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (3) Alizé Cornet (FRA) 62 62
(5) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 64 64
(6) Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 63 61
Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) d. (8) Gisela Dulko (ARG) 64 61
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (WC) Nathalie Vierin (ITA) 63 62
Tathiana Garbin (ITA) d. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 64 75
Patricia Mayr (AUT) d. (Q) Olga Savchuk (UKR) 64 64
Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) d. Masa Zec Peskiric (SLO) 36 64 62
(Q) Arantxa Rus (NED) d. (WC) Anna Floris (ITA) 76(3) 64

Doubles - First Round
Begu/Marrero (ROU/ESP) d. (1) Groenefeld/Schnyder (GER/SUI) 64 46 119

Tuesday OOPs

Prague:

Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Hradecka vs. Pervak
2. Pliskova vs. Benesova
3. Zakopalova vs. Hercog
4. Kudryavtseva vs. Vaidisova (NB 17.30hrs)

ECM Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Sprem vs. Malek
2. Bacsinszky vs. Rybarikova
3. Kvitova vs. Lapushchenkova
4. Rybarikova/Voracova vs. Olaru/Peer
5. Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova vs. Daniilidou/Woehr

Court 2 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Barrois vs. Olaru
2. K.Bondarenko vs. A.Bondarenko
3. Mladenovic vs. Diyas
4. Kapshay/Pironkova vs. Bondarenko/Bondarenko

Court 4 (from 11.00hrs)
1. Voegele vs. Martic
2. Niculescu vs. O’Brien

Palermo:

Centre Court (from 16.00hrs)
1. Gallovits vs. Garbin
2. Pennetta vs. Parra Santonja (NB 18.30hrs)
3. Errani vs. Koryttseva (NB 20.30hrs)
4. Pennetta/Vinci vs. Chakhnashvili/Fichman

Court 2 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Vierin vs. Shvedova
2. Dulko vs. Groenefeld
3. Cornet vs. Martínez Sánchez
4. Groenefeld/Schnyder vs. Begu/Marrero (NB 19.00hrs)

Court 6 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Savchuk vs. Mayr
2. Craybas vs. Makarova

Court 7 (from 16.00hrs)
1. Llagostera Vives vs. Zec Peskiric
2. Floris vs. Rus

Bastad: Grisha vs. Canas, and poor poor Pico has to take the court.

Stuttgart: Chardy vs. Chucho, Janko takes the court, and Davis Cup exhaustees, Big Berd and Kiefer, are on the slate.

Pic This: "Aw...old people can be so sweet..."