Forty Deuce

"And You Are..."

Before she sat to look ever so disapprovingly at Muzzard, the Queen Bee herself greeted some of the world's top ballers.

She also said hi to the English ones.

 

Martina totally fangirled during Wimbledon Primetime about the meeting.

 

"Sluts."

 

I don't know why Caroline is wearing what she's wearing.  And neither does JJ.

Nice to see Nole went business casual for the session.  Andy clearly thought he was going to the Kentucky Derby.  You can't blame him.  The Queen is rocking a pretty amazing hat.

Also, he'll show you to your table, now.

"1, 2, 3, 4, I declare thumb war!"

Still think this was a lost opportunity.

Show off.

 

"Was I too extreme?"

Nice to see all the players so excited about meeting the Queen.  It was cute. 

Weebles Wobble But Won't Go Down

The men have not had it easy these past three days.  Fed was once again pushed, this time by an unknown Serb with a two-handed backhand *and* forehand.  A-Rod rebounded after dropping the first set to Team MomeDra, and Melzer, Montanes...oh, hell, let's just say this: You know your field had a shitty day when the dude who had a rather workmanlike straight set win is Nole. 

Nuff said.

Oh, and see ya, Kolya.  I knew that Brands kid was going to be trouble.

Singles - Second Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d I Bozoljac (SRB) 63 67(4) 64 76(5)
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d T Dent (USA) 76(5) 61 64
[5] A Roddick (USA) d M Llodra (FRA) 46 64 61 76(2)
D Brands (GER) d [7] N Davydenko (RUS) 16 76(5) 76(8) 61
[12] T Berdych (CZE) d B Becker (GER) 75 63 64 
[15] L Hewitt (AUS) d E Korolev (KAZ) 64 64 30 ret.
[16] J Melzer (AUT) d V Troicki (SRB) 67(5) 46 63 76(6) 63
[21] G Monfils (FRA) d K Beck (SVK)  64 64 67(4) 64
[22] F Lopez (ESP) d R Berankis (LTU) 75 46 63 64
[28] A Montanes (ESP) d B Evans (USA) 36 63 67(5) 61 64
[29] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d T Gabashvili (RUS) 76(6) 57 26 76(5) 97
[31] V Hanescu (ROU) d M Ilhan (TUR) 64 64 36 63
A Clement (FRA) d P Luczak (AUS) 67(4) 63 63 64
Y Lu (TPE) d M Przysiezny (POL) 64 76(7) 63
F Mayer (GER) d M Fish (USA) 67(2) 63 64 64
D Istomin (UZB) d R Schuettler (GER) 63 76(5) 46 46 61

Singles - First Round
N Mahut (FRA) vs [23] J Isner (USA) - To Finish Thursday 46 63 76(7) 67(3) 59-59
T De Bakker (NED) d S Giraldo (COL) 67(4) 64 63 57 16-14

Air Quotes: Lucky Idiots, Feelings, and Jamaica.

Q. What were your feelings when the draw came out and it was Federer?

ALEJANDRO FALLA: Well, I knew I'm playing really well at this point of the year. And just sometimes bad luck. Everybody wants to play Federer. But three times in one month is a lot (smiling).

...
Q. Do you think it might have helped you to play him three times in a row?

ROGER FEDERER: It shouldn't have, no, especially after Halle. He should have known that I was going to beat him. But he forgot I beat him (smiling). 

...

Q. We'd all like to see you one day win Wimbledon. It would be brilliant.

LAURA ROBSON: I would, too. I'd like that (smiling).

Q. When do you think? You don't have a crystal ball, but...

LAURA ROBSON: It's hard to say. Ideally I would have liked to have won it this year, but that's obviously not going to happen (smiling).

Why don't you give me a year. Your guess would be just as good as mine.

...

Q. You had to wait over four hours to get on Court 1 today. What did you do in that time?

ANDY RODDICK: Play some Monopoly. Dominated some Scrabble. I watched some tennis. Watched some football. That was pretty much it.

Q. Which tennis match were you watching?

ANDY RODDICK: Challenger that was going on, a future back home in the States.

Q. You were watching Roger's match?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I think everyone was watching that one.

...

Pic This: Day 1

Aaaaaand we're off!

Was Pimmy wearing pearls today?  I'll have to go back and check.

Little man, big heart.

Anna Wintour would not approve.

 

You can *still* see that horribly offensive fistpump in the dark.  Horrible!

Ducky got a standing ovation before and after the match.  Class.

I'm gonna pass on Venus' dress.  It just looks cheap. 

And you know there's an issue when people are saying JJ looks better.

Drama Kings.

Usually it's the Ladies who provide all the crazy drama in the early rounds.  But the ATP did their best WTA impression today, taking, nay, demanding center stage and, in Nole's case, the spotlight.

Kolya had to go 9-7 in the fifth to finally dispatch the big serving Kevin Anderson in a match that lasted over four hours.  Uh...that can't be good for his hopefully no longer broken wrist. But it sure was nice to see Kolya back.  You'd think the media would be excited too, seeing as how he charmed the pants off everyone in Melbourne.  You'd be wrong.

JJ was depressingly drama-free today so Nole decided he'd pick up the slack, needing five sets, a roof closure, and lots of falling down to survive the ever so pesky Little Roch.  And thanks to Nole we learned a new piece of trivia: Wimbledon has an 11pm curfew.  I don't know about you but I'm relieved.  Without a curfew you know Wimbledon would be out and about getting knocked up.  Don't let her prim and proper nature foll you.  She a ho.  Fo sho.

Inspired stuff from little Ollie though.  Gutsy hitting for four sets and two games before Nole reeled off the next six games to finish the match at 10:58pm.  He's a procrastinator, that one.  But big ups to Ollie.  I dedicate this gem, which I caught myself singing throughout the match, to the Wee Little Belgian That Could But Didn't:

Serbia Wins! And Loses. But Wins!

Never leave the tour, Novak. 

The ATP needs your contagious brand of disarming charm.

Your football team could probably use some of that, too, actually.

Oh, You're Still Here?

 

Huh.  Nole's still in Queens.  He and Jonathan Ehrlich are into the dubs finals to face Beck and Skoch, who upset Daniel and Zimo today.  Bummer.  Could have been a Serbtastic final.

What The Hell, Queens?

Well, Queens had everything on the menu today.  We had upsets, injuries, and Americans once again proving that if it ain't football, baseball, or basketball, we are a bunch of p-words.

Rafa was pushed in three tight sets by Istomin, 76(4) 46 64.  More problematic than the challenge was a Rafa calling the trainer to look at his famous ass.  Afterwards, Rafa complained of some pain the back of his leg and up to his bum.  It sounds like a typical grass court injury (the players, used to the balls bouncing high on clay now have to get low for the balls on grass).  He said he'll get some tests and hopes he can play tomorrow.  Let's just be happy it wasn't his knees.

You knew it was going to be a bad day at the office for A-Rod when Dudi broke him in his second service game.  Gilbert observed that the grass was playing a bit slow and I have to agree.  Dudi played some inspired tennis though.  You have to think Andy needs more than just two warm-up matches for Wimbly though.

Then Nole got bounced by ATomic Killer X-Man.  Yeah...I don't know. 

And then, to cap it all off, Mardy No-Socks had to pull the most chickenshit stunt I've seen in quite some time.  After splitting sets with Muzz and jumping to a 3-0 lead in the third, No-Socks would drop the next three games to even it up at 3-3.  At that point, he started bitching and moaning about the light (it was about 8:30pm), the tourney referee was called out, a conversation was had (which didn't include Andy), play was suspended, and then No-Socks abruptly packed his shit and walked off the court.  Moose was livid and ripped the umpire for a good while.  As he pointed out, No-Socks was perfectly happy to play 10 minutes ago when he was up in the set  and "politely" reminded the chair that he had played until 9:30pm last week in Paris.  The crowd wasn't too pleased either.

Seriously, Britain.  With the amount of fight and lack of guile displayed by the Colonies these past few weeks, I have no idea why my dollar bills don't have the Queen on them.  Maybe instead of muskets and frigates you should have just rolled out some grass turf back in 1775, poured yourself a hot cup of tea, and watched as we all ran to Canada.

Dear England: Please hand us our asses on Saturday.  I'll be rooting for you.

Cruise Control

62 62 in 52 minutes.

63 63 in an hour and 12 minutes.

Pic This: Au Revoir.

 

And so another RG comes to a close.  All in all, it was an odd tournament that had some unexpected twists and turns that ended in two memorable feel good moments that made you happy and proud to be a tennis fan.  You can't ask for more than that.

 

Autograph request fail.  Or win.  I'm actually not sure.

 

Come to Mama.  I'll make it all better.

 

Hey, does anyone have 3-Across?

It's all fun and games until Rafa doesn't show up.

 

I'm happy to see you too, Andy.  At ease.

Noleo, Noleo, Where For Art Thou, Noleo?

Look, I'm happy for DoucheStamp.  I really am.  You can't not be happy for a journeyman player who breaks through at a Slam, putting together quality win (Ferrer) after quality win (Gabs) after quality win (two sets down to Novak).  And his celebration was so joyous.  He's the Franny of the ATP.  Let's face it, she probably has a douchestamp, too.

But what of this kid?  Up two sets and a break he once again, as he has done throughout the tournament, lost his focus and let his opponent back into the match.  Only this time, he didn't get away with it. 

I suppose people will be talking about this call.  With D-Stamp serving for the match in the fifth and down 0-15, Nole hit what looked like a forehand winner.  Bernardes called it out.  ESPN's Shot Spot showed the ball clipped the line.  To Nole's credit, and contrary to some idiot headlines, he didn't blame the call for his loss.  Nor did the call change his opinion that Hawk-Eye should stay the hell away from Roland Garros.  The bottom line is that he had numerous chances to break back in that game and he couldn't.  Meanwhile, Melzer the Veteran came out swinging, determined to "win" the game and not just let Nole lose it.

Sigh.  I feel like I've said this at every Slam of the past two years, but I hope the kid figures it out.  He used to be my absolute favorite player to watch.  Fluid game, effortless serve, amazing movement, intelligently aggressive counter-punching.  Now I can barely stand to watch three games in a row, regardless of whether he's winning, without wanting to switch to another match. 

Tennis is better when Nole's winning.  That's a fact.

And he's still #1 at post-loss net-exchanges.  I mean, it's nice to be #1 at something.

Have fun with this, D-Stamp.

Air Quotes: You Got To, Accent-uate The Positive...

Q. Comparing to your first set, you especially struggled more in the second set. It looked like some Bermuda Triangle there. What happens? A physical thing or...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Why do we have we keep on getting back on negative things, you know? Always struggle, struggle, struggle. I won the match. That's what happened. I think I finished in a good way with a lot of winners and aggression and the game that is recognized when I'm on the court.  It's in my style, and I just need to be aggressive from the start and keep on playing all the way. Of course, I did have some ups and downs, and you could see that in second set. But, you know, you cannot always perform 100% in every single point.  So it happens. 

Collision Course

Nole keeps quietly moving his way through the draw (though not without the slight hiccup) and will face DoucheStamp for a shot at the semifinals.  You have to like his chances at a Rafa rematch.  I wonder if the prospect of that match finally lights a fire under him.  He just seems to be playing with a slight lack of intensity, which to me, explains why he keeps going four sets against guys he should be dumping in straights.

And Rafa won, flexed his muscles, and fucked some air.  So...just another Monday afternoon for him.

 

Nole: Shaky On Court, Nails It Off Court

Nole got through in straights over Project 45, but he's still not playing in any form that gives anyone confidence.  He was breathing heavily in that last set and his serve is still giving everyone palpitations.  

But, as usual, he was awesome in his presser:

Q. How much did you enjoy your karaoke with your buddy? I was wondering who came up with that idea to sing like a gypsy?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Gypsy. Oh, my God. I’ve seen it. My brother sent me. I’ve seen it last night, or it was this morning before the match. It make me relax a little bit. You know, I was nervous before the match, and then I was laughing unbelievable for two minutes.

What we have done? It’s just crazy. Sometimes I’m not aware of the things that I’m doing. I think you have to ask Troicki, as well, my partner in that video.

We are very proud. I haven’t spoken to Nadal still what he thinks about it. I think he would be proud of my performance of Shakira. I really put a lot of energy and effort into that. I’ve tried to, you know, impress my partner who was sitting on the chair and playing a little guitar. I was shaking whatever I had in there.

Yeah, it was fun.

Q. I just want to know, what do you need to do after a long match on the clay to take care of your body? I mean, maybe with your physio or…

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I prefer woman, but unfortunately I have to stay with physio (laughter) for two hours. 

Is It Just Me Or Does Viktor Seem Turned On?

Nole wins. He always wins.

Pic This: RG Day 2

It was a warm on in Paris today.  And the heat brought out the crazy.

It's not so much that Feli likes to show leg, it's that his legs refused to be contained.

 

I'm flattered by the offer, but no.

Oh no you di'n't, JJ.  Allison will cut you.  She'll do it.

DonotlookherintheeyeDonotlookherintheeyeDonotlookherintheeye...

Fuck!  Too late.

More after the jump.

Janko Who?

A good day for Serbia as JJ cruised over Molik (sorry, Victoria), Viktor scored an upset over Tommy (sorry, Christina), Nole fought off Evgeny in four sets (sorry, Tracey), and Ana won in straight sets with her "C" game (sorry, NOBODY).

Pic This: RG Day 1

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  Walk with me.

Gisela!  It's singles!  Flavi's not there.  Focus!

"So what I'm gonna do is I'm going to hit more to his forehand, like high topspin, and push him back behind the baseline.  Then I'm going hit this shot, have you heard of it?  It's called a forehand drop shot.  Anyway, apparently it works on clay.  I just figured this out.  Yeah, I know, I'm brilliant.  So like I was saying..."

More after the jump.

You Can't Fight Nature.

Nole was forced to retire from his match against Filip Krajinovic due to, I assume, his allergies and respiratory issues.

I went to law school in a farm town.  If I came outside during the Spring and saw a yellow film on my car, I immediately turned around and went back inside my apartment.  There was no way in hell I was going to deal with that much pollen in the air.  I also hated school so, there was that. 

Sucks for Nole.  No reason he'd want to withdraw or retire from his home tournament.  If it's really allergies is there a reason he should withdraw from Madrid?  Isn't that an indoor tournament?

Air Quotes: I Think You're Just Allergic To Winning.

“I’ve been going through a difficult period over the past couple of months. It’s springtime and I have a strong allergic reaction to pollen. It’s never been this bad and no medications are helping it. A quarterfinal and a semifinal at [Monte Carlo and Rome] are quite good achievements, but in the past I’ve been known to win these events. I probably could have done better this year. But I have fierce competition who also wants to be on top.”

-- Nole, on his sub-par clay season.

"Mama, I'm Comin' Home."

The Novak Open is this week.  In case you didn't know.

Pic This: You Blockhead.

Pic This: Archangel

So cheesy.  But he's into the quarterfinals to play FeVer.

Hope he shows up this time.

Augh. Put Your Phones Down And Start Making Out Already.

Totally cute.

No Che, Nole

Uh, no.

Serbing Woes

I wish Nole and Ana would stop making out all the time.  Shit's contagious.

Pic This: Au Natural

Ok, so yes, they're hot when they're all dolled up. 

But really, I like my boys relaxed and in their comfy clothes.

Because that's how I imagine them in my non-creepy dreams. 

 

YOU SHAVED!!! THANK GOD!!!

Wampire.

Ocean's 11

Monte Carlo Player's Party.  Always a classy affair.

Oh, Rafa.  I'm not sure you'll ever look comfy in a suit. 

Augh.  Jelena is so adorable.  How dare you?

Skelator never looked so good.

Mmmm.  Nenad.  And...Steve Buscemi.  Or something.

Oh, look who decided to roll out of bed to join us. 

Ass.

Pic This: Night At The Museum

ZOMG I wants to be there.  My boys!

It's a book, Jo.  Left to right, up to down...nevermind.  Just look pretty.

Jo could give two shits what you're talking about, Nole.  I assure you.

Dorks.

How Do You Say "Cougar" In Serbian?

Uh, don't worry about Nole, you guys.  He's doing just fine.

I Kinda Squeed When He Listed Ana First

CNN interview with Nole on the supposed "rise" of Serbian tennis. Uh, way to be current, CNN.

Slider, You Stink.

I mean, really, dude?  You lost to a hobbit, 62 67(7) 64.  A HOBBIT.  Look, I know the climate change from the dry desert sun of Indian Wells to the humid swampy Miami air is rough.  Especially for someone who already has a history of breathing problems.  But dude, you had plenty of time to acclimate, you're the #2 player in the world, and, oh yeah, YOU WERE PLAYING A BELGIAN HOBBIT!!!

I can't even fucking look at you right now.

The "good" news?  Nole will remain #2 even if Rafa wins Miami.  So...yay?

 

Yeah, yeah yeah.  Enjoy your moment, Short Round.

Goin' Deep

Nole throwin' the ol' pigskin around with Viktor after his doggy day.

This is one of the sexier pics of Nole I've seen.  Something about the perfect technique. 

Or, you know, it's just him.

Speaking of which, if you'd like a happee in your pants, go to the jump. 

Nole Goes Mythbusting

Kind of a whatever video, but any opportunity to see Casual!Nole must be seized. I do love that Head has let his fun personality infuse it's marketing campaign for him.

Um...I Hope This Wasn't For Charity.

If you play and exhibition and no one watches, was anything actually ever exhibited? 

This is the existential question I am left with after watching this video of the exhibition in Miami involving Scary Spice, Jay Sean, Nole, and Ana.  Congratulations, Miami organizers.  You found, in Mel B, someone who is currently less relevant to tennis than Ana Ivanovic.

Kick-Snare-Crash.

But really, I'm not complaining.  Anything that gets Ana and Nole to hug at the net is A-OK by me.

How Much Is That Doggy In The Window, ARF ARF!

During Nole's only on-site practice session of the week (at least while I was there), he and Viktor ended their practice session with a tie-breaker.  I am sad to report that their initial negotiation involved the loser pulling down his shorts, which Todd quickly put the kibash on.  Fuck you, Todd, you clam-jammer.

But that wouldn't stop the Serbs from having some fun.  After Nole won the breaker on some pretty questionable line calling, Viktor had to pay up.  He stalled for a good five-minutes, trying to find some way out of it.  But in the end the top Serb won out and Viktor had to endure his humiliation...

I WANT TO BITE IT.

Confession: I saw a lot of shirtless boys practice at IW.  And for the most part, while it was fun, I wasn't exactly fawning over anyone.  It was hotness but I wasn't exactly riveted.  And then Nole took the practice courts for a shirtless practice session. 

I was tuning in just to watch him practice but I found myself completely riveted by his ass.  I just could not stop staring and fawning like a 15 year old girl in heat. 

I never make any requests or editorial suggestions to Steph but on this one I had to grab her and demand she take pics of Nole's ass.

Thanks, Steph.  A million times thanks.

More hotness after the jump.

Ham and Cheese

 

Nole hasn't been around the grounds much since we've been here.  I assume he's practicing off-site, which pretty much sucks all around.  I hope he remembers that the last time he practiced on-site, he won the tournament.  So...why fuck around? 

 

 But he did show up after his heart-stopping match with PEHK to do some promo work with Tennis Channel and Emirates Airlines.  And thanks to Twitter, I knew about it and Steph ran over to grab some pictures.

 

"Don't tell anybody, ok?"

 

 

Such a cheeseball.

 

Welcome to the Mile High Club!

 

Her eyes are up here, Nole.

 

 

Gangsta.

(Pics for Forty Deuce by Love All)  

     

While I Was Busy Stuffing My Face at Olive Garden...

Davis Cup once again did not disappoint.  There was drama, there was passion, and there was national pride.  But most importantly there were hot sweaty dudes rubbing up on each other.  Like all over the world.  On behalf of all the women in the world who are currently celebrating Woman's Herstory Month (see what I did there?), I say "thank you."

Spain v Switzerland 4 - 1

A blockbuster tie on paper, except that, well, it wasn't really.  Spain played without Rafa, Fer, Feli, and JCF, and Switzerland claimed they were short a player.  I don't know what they're talking about but the Switz were heaping their hopes on the spittle-strewn shoulders of newly daddied Stan.

In the end it was a true team effort as Daveed won his first rubber, Marcel and Tommy teamed up to take the doubles, and Daveed came back on Sunday to take his second rubber.  Vamos, Spain. 

France v Germany 4 - 1

Look at that.  That is the definition of teamy.  All the Frenchies were on hand to support each other as France demolished Germany 4-1, clinching the tie with the doubles win on Saturday.  Ok, not all the Frenchies were there.  But I don't think Guy wanted Jeremy's bad mojo anyway, so thanks for staying away, Jerms.

Russia v India 3 - 2

Russia's into the quarters over India as Mischa clinched it in the fourth rubber.  Tough couple of days for Somdev, who couldn't convert either of his matches.  That was a pretty monumental task anyway.

Sweden v Argentina 2 - 3

Well done to you, Argies and welcome back Nalby!  What a way to make a splash.  Dude saved the Baby Blues by helping with the doubles win and then winning the decisive 5th tie.  Thank god he did.  I'd much rather see Nalby/Elf in the DC quarters than Sod and his merry band of Swedes.

Croatia v Ecuador 5 - 0

Complete mismatch, really.  Marin and Ivo vs. The Brothers Lappentti in Croatia?  Move along, Croats.

Serbia v United States 3 - 2

Way to make it interesting, guys.  One of the BryBros gets food poisoning from some chicken curry, has to pull out of doubles, eyebrows are raised, and then Nole and Halpert play a 4+ hour five setter, which Nole wins to clinch the tie.  Huge win for Nole and the Serbs, but for me, the star of this tie was Johnny Isner.  In his first DC tie the kid jumps in to play doubles with the non-tummy-afflicted BryBro to beat Nenad and Janko.  Then he comes back the next day and battles on clay, his worst surface, in front of a hostile crowd to force the world #2 into a five setter that Nole narrowly wins, 6-4.

So yes, congrats to Serbia.  Seriously, you know how stoked I am for you guys.  But can I please get a standing slow-clap for Halpert?  He showed so much heart this weekend.

Belgium v Czech Republic 1 - 4

This one goes into the Croatia/Ecuador category.  Moving on.

Chile v Israel 2 - 1

This one's still going with Chile one win away from clinching the tie after they dropped the doubles today.  Go get it, Gonzo.  And God bless.

The Happiest Place On Earth.

Apparently Novak is playing quite the host. 

Well played, chap.

Pic This: X-Ray Specs.

Nole in glasses!!!  Davis Cup is just the best.

There is so much about Nole in this picture that I love.  So much.

[snicker]

Nerd.

Ok, So The World Is Still Kinda On Its Axis

Contrary to what Slate and Business Week might tell you, the events of this weekend (namely, Ernie and Kleybs winning) did not send the Earth off its axis*.  What's that?  You want proof?  I got better than proof.

I got proofs:

 

 

Congrats to Nole, Vee, and Daveed for their tourney wins.  Why can't we get a picture of Nole captaining his new boat on the open seas as Venus lounges in her sombrero and a shirtless Daveed cuts up some pears.  I don't see why that's a lot to ask.

*Thoughts and prayers to the people in Chile.  I've only been through a 20 second 6.9 quake in 1989, and that alone caused bridges and buildings to collapse in San Francisco.  I'm not a skilled enough writer to adequately articulate how much this sucks, so I'll just leave it at that.  It sucks.

Pic This: Is That a Racquet Brand or a Command?

Rusty

Well that was the shakiest 62 63 opening round win I've ever seen.  It took Muzzard an hour and and 41 minutes to beat Consumption, with the second game of the match taking 25 minutes to complete.  This was his first match since Australia.  Let's hope it get's slightly more workmanlike going forward.

 

Nole had a bit of match as well, leading a set and 5-0 up before Garcia-Lopez reeled off four straight games.  Nole would get hit focus back and break for the set to win 64 64.  He describe the win as "sweaty."  Which...

 

I'm sorry, what was I saying?  I lost my train of thought.

Ajde, Motherfucker.

Are We Sure It's Not A Hospital?

Because that would be appropriate, too.

With the success of the Novak Open, it looks like plans are underway to build a large tennis complex that will house courts, shops, hotels, and a restaurant.  It will, of course, be called "Arena Djokovic"

Whatever.  Call me when a drag bar opens called Club JJ and a puppy adoption center opens called Ana's Adoptions.  Then we'll party.

Jeremy's On The Wrong End Of A Streak.

Rotterdam

Nole cruised before Stakhovsky retired, Apricot Bars pulled out a nice win over Lubes, and cutie patootie Chiuds ousted Mrs. Saifn's BFF, Michael Llodra.

Totally cute.

Singles - First Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d S Stakhovsky (UKR) 62 41 ret. (left knee)
[6] M Youzhny (RUS) d [Q] A Golubev (KAZ) 16 76(0) 76(5)
J Benneteau (FRA) d [7] I Ljubicic (CRO) 63 63
[Q] M Ilhan (TUR) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 61 64
M Chiudinelli (SUI) d M Llodra (FRA) 61 67(5) 76(6)
[WC] T de Bakker (NED) d [LL] J Hajek (CZE) 76(5) 63

San Jose

I normally don't dig the Tommy cheddar, but that haircut is definitely working for me.  Or maybe it's the fact that "God Bless America" plays everywhere he goes.  Either way, dude looks good in San Jose.

Not looking good?  Jeremy Chardy, who goes down without a fight to Phau.  That's six straight losses for Jeremy.  I mean, not even Ana's got a streak like that. 

Singles - First Round
[4] T Haas (GER) d [WC] D Britton (USA) 64 76(3)
[6] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d R Ram (USA) 67(7) 61 63
[7] S Querrey (USA) d T Gabashvili (RUS) 63 62
B Phau (GER) d [8] J Chardy (FRA) 63 61
[Q] R Berankis (LTU) d R Ginepri (USA) 67(5) 62 63
B Becker (GER) d [Q] T Smyczek (USA) 64 62
M Russell (USA) d *[LL] K Im (KOR) 76(6) 61
*[LL] K Im (KOR) replaced M Fish (USA) - left knee

Brasil

Nothing to see here.  Move along.

Singles - First Round
[1] J Ferrero (ESP) d E Schwank (ARG) 76(4) 63
[3] T Bellucci (BRA) d [WC] T Alves (BRA) 62 75
[4] I Andreev (RUS) d P Starace (ITA) 62 62
[5] V Hanescu (ROU) d J Souza (BRA) 76(5) 64
[6] P Cuevas (URU) d [Q] F Volandri (ITA) 64 63
M Granollers (ESP) d [7] H Zeballos (ARG) 75 30 ret. (left hip)
L Kubot (POL) d O Hernandez (ESP) 75 76(2)
J Chela (ARG) d P Luczak (AUS) 67(4) 63 64
F Fognini (ITA) d M Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 64 60
[Q] R Machado (POR) d M Daniel (BRA) 63 76(3)
N Massu (CHI) d [Q] R Dutra Da Silva (BRA) 64 36 64
F Gil (POR) d [LL] P Andujar (ESP) 76(9) 62
[WC] R Hocevar (BRA) d [Q] C Berlocq (ARG) 75 63

Pic This: More Ana/Nole Love

Pic This: MELTY!!!

I never get sick of seeing these two goofballs together.

(pic from Tennis Forum)

Pic This: I'm Sure In Some Cultures, This Means They're Married.

Their dads were even there. 

Come On! [/GOB]

Man Hands and Specs Do Belgrade

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! Too fucking cute. And as DonkeyGrooming points out, Ana's hands are bigger than Nole's.