Forty Deuce

Robbie Watch '09

Fourth round, bitches!

Robbie Watch '09

L-Rob came back from a set down and 4-1 in the third to advance to the third round.

Phew.

Robbie Watch '09

L-Rob won her first round juniors match, 0 and 1.  Keep it going, kid.

Over and Out.

See ya, Robbie.  We hardly knew ye.  She was suffering from back problems and lost 62 46 86.

C'mon, Robbie!

Proceeds to the third round with a 63 62 win.

Air Quotes: L-Rob. Still Awesome.

She's awesome.  That is all.

Q. Does it feel like starting all over again?

LAURA ROBSON: What, to seniors you mean?

Q. Wimbledon.

LAURA ROBSON: No (smiling). I've already been here for a week.

Q. But it's a fresh start.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, but I've still like been here. I don't know. But yeah, it's a new tournament.

Q. Was it a bit nerve‑wracking defending a title?

LAURA ROBSON: Defending it?

Q. Yeah, trying to win it again. You know, you are the champion there to be beaten.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, but it was only first round.

Q. That's what I mean, though; every girl is playing you as the champion, aren't they?

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I wasn't really nervous today, so it was fine.

...

Q. How many autographs did you have to sign after your first round fixture in the girls' championship last summer? Because you were detained quite a long time when you came off court tonight.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I got a letter, as well. A young guy slipped me a letter.

Q. What was in the letter?

LAURA ROBSON: Don't know. Didn't read it.

Q. It's not a proposal, is it?

LAURA ROBSON: I wouldn't know. I hope not because then I would have to decline. (Laughter.)

No, last year I think there were still quite a few people, just like, oh, it's a tennis player, might as well get her autograph. But this year, hopefully they know who I am.

Q. Last year did you have to sign any autographs and then say who you were?

LAURA ROBSON: No, but I got a couple last year where they were like, "Yeah, can you sign this," and then they'd ask, "No, can you actually like sign your name rather than just your signature." But yeah, this year they seemed to know who I am, which is good.

...

Q. Do you feel as though you are a marked woman, a marked girl, in this championship? You are, as it's been said, the defending champion. You're there to be taken down. Last year you came onto the scene sort of under the radar. This year you're very much ‑‑

LAURA ROBSON: Well, I'm not the No. 1 seed, and I've lost to a couple of the girls in the draw, so I wouldn't say I'm the one ‑‑ I'm probably the one everyone wants to beat because I won it last year. But there's quite a few other girls in the draw that are pretty tough, too.

Q. Do you feel that weight of expectation?

LAURA ROBSON: No. Nope. Simple answer.

...

Q. I spoke to Melanie Oudin that you beat in the second round last year. She decided not to this year because she had done enough juniors. Is that just an age thing?

LAURA ROBSON: No, it's up to the individual because I know Michelle Larcher De Brito stopped playing juniors when she was like 14, which in my opinion might have been a bit young because then it really limits the amount of tournaments you can play each year.

No, I mean, it's up the individual. I'm happy to keep playing juniors.

...

Q. Will you read the letter you received or has it already gone in the bin?

LAURA ROBSON: I didn't put it in the bin. My coach took it and I don't know what he's done with it. But I think it all goes into a pile, which I might read and I might not.

...

Q. Will you be replying to them?

LAURA ROBSON: I don't know, yeah. It depends. If it's from ‑‑ no, it depends. I'll stop there.

...

Q. What about the smaller crowds? Is that noticeable when you're on court, and you're not playing on Court 2, you're on Court 14? Do you notice?

LAURA ROBSON: I don't mind which court I play on. They're all the same grass courts to me, so yeah.

It would have been a bit silly if they put me on a bigger court for my first round junior match, so it was good scheduling.

Remind You Of Anyone?

From Tignor's write up on L-Rob and Burrito:

Unfortunately, the serve was also Robson's biggest enemy today. She double-faulted consistently, especially during the biggest moments, including match point. That said, it didn't look like her mechanics broke down, a la Dementieva; she just overhit, mostly because of nerves—her one errant toss came, not coincidentally, when she went up a break in the second set—but also partly because she hasn't had time to develop a second serve of iron-clad reliability. At this point, it remains virtually identical to her first one.

Not surprisingly, Bollettieri was also right about Robson's weaknesses: her movement and her big-loop backhand. The two are not unrelated, according to Nick. "Her backswing is too high," he leaned over and graveled, "so when she's rushed her contact point can be late, and that's trouble." Hantuchova had success taking Robson's time away by going right at her forehand. The Brit, who is already 5-foot-8, didn't catch up to that shot all afternoon. "Let me tell you," Bollettieri intoned with a tap of his hand on my knee, "movement is going to be the key with Laura. She's got to get in the best shape of her life and make herself as fast as possible."

"She's a great girl," Nick leaned back and said just before walking away. "Great girl, very nice. Maybe too nice."

Like a guy at the end of a first date, a young player does not want to hear the phrase "too nice." Robson is indeed charming, as she proved in her jam-packed presser today. Poised, proper, smart, snarky, she parried questions from every corner of the room—about her recent exams, about Federer vs. Murray (she's picking Federer, but hopes "Andy proves me wrong"), about her coach ("he's nothing special" she said with a dry smile), about the fact that she blew a set and a break lead ("thanks for rubbing it in"), about whether she has time to socialize ("what do you want me to say, I've got no friends?"), about whether Henman Hill should be renamed Robson Ridge ("it's not really a ridge, is it?")—with the kind of self-possessed wit that Americans believe is the birthright of all Britons. I walked out trying to imagine myself in that situation when I was 15. All I could do was shudder.

I hope for tennis' sake that Robson isn’t too nice, that she doesn't have too much personality, too much variety in her brain. Not that she's pretending to be an intellectual—she's too smart for that. When Robson was asked what she does in her downtime, she said, "Uhm, I watch Gossip Girl. But no, season two is finished. I'm so depressed." I hear you, Laura.

Though, a quick point of clarification for Steve.  L-Rob and Burrito are not Queen Bee's.  Not even close.  Not yet.

Pic This: Awesome Shit From Day 1

And so it begins.  Yet another two weeks of frazzletastic tennis a (what non-tennis fans would call) ridiculous surface.


Have I mentioned lately how awesome Shazza is?  No?  Oh, ok.  CUZ SHE IS.


As is the Flying Falcon, who looks like he can hit a leaping overhead and jack himself off all at the same time.


Momo?  So awesome that even douchey white dudes with popped collars like her.  Her awesomeness knows no demographic bounds.

 
Is Fed awesome?  Depends on the definition of awesome we're using.  But you know what needs no definitional clarification?  Fed's awesome mooseknuckle, which he goes out of his way to show off all the time.  Seriously, I must have at least 15 GOATknuckle shots on my hard drive.


Jay-Z.  Always awesome, even when beating other awesome players.


Wait, how'd This Fucker get on the list?  *shakes fist* Damn you, Sod. 


Nads? Awesome.  That dress?  Not awesome. 

Is that a ruffle bandolier?  Because that would easily be the absolute gayest thing to ever come out of Mexico.


Nipple shoes.  Always awesome.  Because I get to write the word "nipple".


Come on.  The definition of.


Jude Law?  Not awesome.  But who's that I see two seats to the left?  Is that the ever awesome ex-Mr. Jolie JONNY LEE MILLER???  Yes, yes, I think it is.  Someone needs to get me some Eli Stone/Slackers/Edmund Bertrum, stat!


Fed's propensity for statuesque poses.  He makes tennis look pretty.  And fancy. 


Tuxedo's eyebrows.  A-some.


Adidas' new grass shoes, judging by the pictures, are clearly 92% better than Nike shoes.


700,000% awesome.

Air Quotes: Laura Robson Gives Good Press. Fact.

I'm sad she's out of the main draw but at least we'll get more pressers when she jumps into the junior draw.  She rules.

Q. Do you feel more disappointed than pleased with yourself?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, yeah. I’m a bit ‑‑ I’m just a little bit upset, but I’m pretty proud of myself. I mean, I thought I played really, really good for a good part of the match, and then in the end just a couple things let me down a bit.

But, yeah, I thought I played a good match.

...

Q. Why do you think you lost the initiative? You were obviously in charge.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, a set and a break up. Thanks for rubbing that in (laughter).

Q. Sorry.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I don’t know what happened. But just the game, when I was the break up in the second, I just got really nervous. You know, I made a couple more mistakes than I should have.

But she started playing more balls in the court and getting more returns in.

Q. What was going through your mind in the dressing room beforehand, just about to go out there?

LAURA ROBSON: Nothing really (smiling). I was kind of thinking about what the towels were going to look like this year. They’re really nice (laughter).

It's Probably For The Best

 

L-Rob did well for herself to take the first set off Dani, but she ran out of steam and Dani upped her game to take it in three and eliminate Britain's Other Great White Hope.

Seriously, though.  This is a good thing.  Let's let Muzz carry the torch this year, kiddo.   

Maybe Ana Should Call Up Isinbayeva.

Ok, so I'm going to post this.  But seriously?  I have major doubts that she said any of this:

Speaking at the launch of EA SPORTS Grand Slam Tennis,Ivanovic said: “It’s very competitive and since Anna Kournikova became famous, tennis has been put in a new spotlight and gone into a new era.

“There’s a lot of jealousy between the girls. So even though we see each other week after week, there is so much competitiveness that we don’t hang out with each other.  We don’t go for a dinner. OK, in the locker room we can have a chat, but it is always about the simple things.  It’s such a shame because we spend so much time together and we could go shopping together and have fun."

“We’re very fortunate to play in such great cities like London and Paris. There’s so much we could do, like go sight-seeing and to a show. It’d be so much fun rather than always being with your team because you always talk about the same thing. Sometimes you want to scream ‘Let’s not talk about tennis any more!’

“I’ve never once been out socially with another player from the circuit. They’re not mean to your face or do anything nasty. They’re just cold and don’t say much.

“As for on court, my career’s not long but I’ve seen plenty of things aimed at putting you off your game – bathroom breaks, physios on the court … They’re trying to get into your head and get a break. I’ve also had some stare-outs. They just stare at you when you cross at the net. But it doesn’t get to me, I just laugh it off.
It always happens when I’m winning. So you know you’re getting to them and they’re desperately trying to find some way to unsettle you.”

Ivanovic, a shock loser at Eastbourne on Monday, said her fellow players had refused to acknowledge her talents, which eventually saw her rise to world No.1 last year after winning the French Open.

“I felt like they were ignoring me. It was if they thought they were too good and you weren’t yet good enough. I’ve had that in my career. They were like: ‘Don’t give her the credit she deserves’. That made me more determined to show them how good I was. You have to be strong and believe in yourself.

“To be a top player you have to be mentally and physically tough and also have technical knowledge. But often what separates the best from the rest is not the physical or technical, it is the mental – if you can hang in there and be strong, especially on the break or match points.”

Ivanovic, 22, said she felt left-handed Robson had what it takes to rise to the top.

“I know Laura because she is also with adidasand I met her in Amsterdam and saw her when I was practising at Roehampton,” she explained. "She is a great girl and is doing so well. She just needs to believe in herself and keep working. But there’s pressure on her and she’s so young, although she is mature for her age and a very smart girl. I’m sure she’ll be fine because she has the game and potential. But it’s also important to be patient with her.

“The good thing is when we met we didn’t talk about tennis. She is a lovely girl, maybe she will be the one I can hang out and go shopping with!”

She sounds so fucking whiney.  But maybe that's what happens when you have no friends.  

Since When Did Masha Become An Elder Stateswoman?

Refusing to let Muzz bear all the pressure, the British press are doing their best in shoveling whatever pressure's left onto the tiny shoulders of one Laura Robson:

Sharapova, who became the third youngest winner of the women's title in 2004, believes Robson's victory in last year's girls singles help could her go all the way this year - even though she is only 15 years old.

“It is a great place to start. There comes a time when you must play on the big stage," Sharapova told The Sun. “Laura’s win at Wimbledon in the girls’ tournament last year will really help her this time around.

“It’ll give her a special excitement coming back and she will be able to cherish every single moment.”

I'm just shocked that (a) Masha knew who Laura Robson was and (b) that she called "Laura".  That one's mellowed with age.

Have to love that the rest of the article contains quotes from Virginia Wade wherein she tells everyone to back.thefuck.off. of little L-Rob.  So meta.

L Robz In Da House

Apparently the she's abandoned Ana and is looking up to Dina now. 

Where's the loyalty, kid?  (Though...can't blame her.)

Girls and Boys' singles has started.  L Rob came back from a set down to win her first match.

Did I mention she's the #1 ranked girl now?  You go, Glen Coco!

Look Who's In The Semis!

British Baby E won her quarterfinal match today to advance to the junior girls' semifinals.  She took the first set 63 and was down in the second 2-5 when her opponent retired.  Was it the heat?  Did she suffer an injury?  Sad for her opponent, but yay for Lil' Miss Robson.  She'll play Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in the semis.  She beat Lertcheewakarn in the Wimbly final last year.

Rule Britannia!

Speaking of Britain, did y'all hear on ESPN yesterday that apparently Muzz is so sick that the doctors won't let him get on a plane to head back home?  What does he have, Sars? 

Get well soon, Muzz.

Baby Baby E Wins Her First Senior Title.

Our girl Laura Robson won her first ITF title this weekend in Sunderland.  Her prize money? 

$1M dollars!!!

Or £772.  Totes same.

Air Quote: Baby E on Baby A

"I think she's great, she has so much potential and she's only 14 and hits the ball really, really hard.  She won Wimbledon juniors and has also played against some WTA players before and is obviously getting more experience. I think she's definitely one to look for.  I think she just needs to be determined and motivated to keep improving and not get satisfied with what she has, but I had a chance to meet her and she seems very professional for her age, very determined and a very nice girl, so I think she's going the right way."

-- Ana Ivanovic on Laura Robson

Luxembourg Loves Ladies, Too.

There shouldn't be too much mystery in Luxembourg, but then again, who knows given the recent form of some of these players.  The way the draw worked out, it looks like a pretty easy warm up tournament for Lena D, who will be looking to regain her sharpness for Doha.  Standing in her way to the finals: Momo and Dani.

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly be shaking in my Yonex boots either.

On the other half of the draw it's a complete crapshoot.  A-Chak and Ski Boots will be contesting that half, but again, given their recent form who knows?  I'd actually put my money on bracket buster and FOJJ (friend of JJ) Na Li to possibly get through this half.  Cuz it's kinda crap.

Nonetheless I will be tuning into this tournament to see the progress of two Forty Deuce baby faves: Sorana Cirstea and Laura Robson.  Cirstea  won her first title a few weeks ago in Tashkent and Robson was granted a wildcard for this tourney.  Hope they do well.

Robby, aka Baby Ana, will play her first round match against Iveta "My Torso is Unhumanly Long" Benesova.  Sorana, aka Baby Flavs, will play a qualifier.

Note to the ITF: Never Put a Women's Tournament In a City Named Shrewsbury.

Seriously, was Hagsville all booked up with a Hats of the World conference? 

But check it out, Baby Baby Elephant, Laura Robson, is in the semifinals!  On her way she's beat some quality opponents: Ursula Radwanska and Tzipi Obziler.

Heh.  Check out the scoreboard.

You go, shrew!