Forty Deuce

Air Quotes: 2 Cool + 2 B = 4Gotten

Q. Just you and Dinara go back a long way. Can you just talk about when you first met her? You're the same age.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Oh, yeah. This story goes way back. I was like 12 or 13, and Dinara was unbelievable girl. She's one year younger than me. I had no chance playing against her. I remember I lose to her 6‑1, 6‑Love or something, but it was no chance.

I used to be girl from St. Petersburg, she was Moscow and her mom is huge coach who been coaching her. I mean, she was No. 1, No. 2, always great. I don't even know what number I had.

But then I talk to her. I said, Dinara, do you remember something? She goes ‑‑ or whatever. We talk about it. She says, Yeah, I remember you coming with rock shirt, because I was big fan of the rock band, and with big bottle of Coke to the match.

It's fun, you know. She tells me back then this is what she remembers. 

The Way It Was Meant to Be

Is there any more perfect way to end the clay season than with a French Open final between the two players who've shared the major clay titles?

Both of them have had amazing tournaments, dominating their first four rounds and coming through tough matches with harder opponents.  I know a lot of people wanted the Serena/Dinara ultimate showdown, and that would have been a just finale in its own way, but for this part of the tennis season, this really has to be the best ending-- the year's two best clay court players battling it out for the biggest clay title of the year.

It may not be a great match-- Sveta's had three 3-setters in a row, Dinara's sick, and they've both got a touch of the cah-razy.  But it's a great ending to Roland Garros.

Pic This: What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

Head. Ache.


Thu-Tay Fo-Tay


There is so much I'm loving about Sveta right now.  The Karate Kid headband is gone, she's wearing punk pink, and...oh yeah, SHE BEAT SERENA.  Happiness.


Elf is veiny.  Pass it on.


Ok, can we all stop rolling over for him please?  It's getting really awkward.


Now *that* is a tan line.  Yowza.
 

Pic This: It Was *Something* On Clay.

Not sure "ecstasy" is the right word, though.

Uhhhhhh... What?!

Sveta, what?  What??  How unexpected was that?  I mean, obviously, Sveta has had the far superior clay season and is-- these days-- the superior clay player, but I always assume that once she's into the quarters of a Slam (assuming her opponent is not named V. Williams, J. Henin, or J. Jankovic), Serena has pretty much an automatic pass to the final.  And since Sveta is such a nutcase, there didn't seem to be any reason to think today would be different.  

However.

Well well well.  Congratulations, Sveta.  Way to demonstrate that there is, somewhere in there, a good dose of grit and mental fortitude.  And actually, also to Serena.  Coming in injured with zero clay play and making the quarters is pretty astonishing.  That's just Serena for you.  Wimbly next, and I'm sure if she's back to full health, she'll be more than ready for it.

It's too soon after the match for there to be very many pictures yet, but there is this one, so enjoy.

Do ballkids get training for these situations?

"Code Violation: Fashion Don't. Warning, Miss Radwanska."

So, yeah yeah yeah, there was a match between Kuzzy and Aga today, and it was really important because they'd both been playing well coming in and Aga's won 3 of their last 4 matches, and if either of them were going to move on, they both needed a good challenge from a strong player to really test where they are in their games.

But it got about 14 million times better because MO WAS UMPING!!!!  Seriously, this is the trade-off.  I'm willing to put up with the lack of on-court coaching entertainment at Slams if it means I can have Mo umping WTA matches.  What Aga was wearing today wasn't even that bad...

(Exhibit A)

... but Mo would be just the guy to straighten her out.  Dude, that woulda been awesome.  (Although, he clearly hasn't seen the TTC Rad Sisters profile, because he insisted on pronouncing her name Rad-VAN-ska, not Rad-VINE-ska.  Pfffft.)

Anyway, it was sort of a crazy match, always all about Sveta.  She was just sane enough to get the first set.  Lost it in the second and pulled it back together in the third (after pulling Ye Olde Lena D and going to change after the second set).  Good for her to know she can lose it a bit and still pull out a fairly solid win over a tough opponent, but the whole match was still kind of random.  

Her presser, as always, was full of awesomeness.  This was my favourite:

Q. Can you talk about the coaching relationship, how that's going and what you're learning?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: It's going great. I enjoy working with Larisa, because she's not only my coach, she's my friend. This is great. For me, atmosphere in the team, it's means alot.
Now I have my hitting partner, which is 22, my massagist [sic] which is 24. So it's funny, you know. In some way I just start to think about it right now, and it's very funny. But I enjoy it so much. I cannot explain it.

Q. Why is that funny?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Because everybody is so young. We're like in school almost. A little bit grown school.

Q. Are you the school teacher or are you the student?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I'm medium. I'm in between. Larisa is the mama of us, kind of. No, she's not definitely mama. She's like my sister, but older sister which tells me what to do sometimes.

LOL.

Supersonic

Look, Sveta, I know you come from a cycling family and all, but in tennis, it's not a race.

There's no particular need to be decimating your opponents in under 50 minutes.  Then again, it did seem pretty cold and gross out there today, so maybe it's just another indicator of your awesomeness that you graciously allowed your opponent to get back inside and have a nice chocolat chaud ASAP.  No wonder everyone loves you so much.

(Seriously, 25 winners in 49 minutes?  [giggle])

1-1

That's Serena's new record against Klara Zakopalova for the '09 clay court season.  So... there's that.  I can't really say anything about anyone's level of play since I didn't watch very much of it, but I can say that Serena's knee wrap looked oddly high tech.  Although I could be making that up in my head.

I don't think she's even wearing jewelry from her own line. What kind of marketing strategy is that, Serena?  

There were other matches this morning, of course, mostly wrapped around a two hour rain delay...

Jelena's new not-entirely-horrible, but not-entirely-awesome Anta dress made its debut today. That's also a pretty good summary of how she played against Petra Cetkovska-- it's kind of like her game is currently on a factory reset: the big problem is gone, but none of the old programming has been reinstalled yet. Competent, and certainly enough to get her through the first two or three rounds, but not entirely solid yet. Meanwhile, look who's wearing pink!

Man. If, in some alternate universe, it ended up being a Dinara/Sveta final, Sveta would immediately have the upper hand because Dinara would be so. Jealous. Sveta played a really solid match against Claire Feuerstein, a French journeywoman who turned out to be much better than anyone thought she'd be-- possibly including Feuerstein herself.

'Round the ATP side, Nicolas Lapentti did his part to get Philippe Chartrier back on schedule by retiring down 4-6, 1-3 to Nole.  

  

Lapentti rolled his ankle-- which was already heavily taped-- towards the end of the first set, and obviously never got comfortable again. Nole looked calm and collected, had some silly misses, but mostly looked in perfectly good shape for the beginning of the tournament. 

Other results thus far: Monfils, Kohlscreiber, JMDP, Gicquel, Seppi and Disco Tommy all through easily in straight sets. Juan Monaco just knocked out Marcos-- Marcos, we hardly knew ye.  Caro, unsurprisingly, took the third set against Vera D fairly easily (6-1). The Gypsy prolonged Dani's misery by beating her in straight sets, Ruano Pascal did the same to Nikki V. Aleks Wozniak went through in 3, U-Rad went out in 3. Lena D through in straights, but went down a couple of breaks in the first. Sania's out and Dokic is through (only her second win since the AO?!). Quality guy Ivan Ljubicic is in a deciding set with Ferrero and Jo Willy and Apricot Bars are locked down in battle on Chartrier, but ESPN2 has decided I'd rather watch Blah. They are incorrect. Thank god for livestreaming. One note: conditions today have been terrible-- hours of rain delays this morning, terrible wind ever since. It looks like hell out there.

And Then There Was One.

"You're hot and your cold, you're yes and you're no, you're in and your out, you're up and you're down."

Lena, Kuz, and Nads, 3 of 4 Russians in the top 10, go crashing out of Madrid today.  Lena took the first set 61 from Amelie, then proceeded to "Pull a Lena" and lose the next two 64 62.  Kuz meanwhile ran out of steam both physically and mentally, losing in straights to A Bond.  I guess a letdown was inevitable, but come on.  Alona?  Bondarenko?  She's not even the *good* Bondarenko.

But can I get a what what for Momo?  She crushed Lena even while lactating.  Or something.  Sheesh.  You're officially on my headlight list, Momes, right after Dani and Venus.  Lock it down, honey.

And in Faux #1 news, Baby Blue took out Nails in straights.  Nice.  Though she would later withdraw from dubs citing a right knee injury.  Quit copying your BFF, Dina.  Come up with your own fake injury.

Singles - Third Round
Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) d. (3) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 16 64 62
Patty Schnyder (SUI) d. (8) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 64 67(2) 76(5)
(Q) Vera Dushevina (RUS) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 63 46 62

Singles - Second Round
(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Li Na (CHN) 63 76(2)
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. (6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 63 62
(7) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 64 61

Doubles - Second Round
Chuang/Mirza (TPE/IND) d. (2) Medina Garrigues/Ruano Pascual (ESP/ESP)
76(4) 46 107
(4) Stosur/Stubbs (AUS/AUS) d. King/Niculescu (USA/ROU) 60 62
(5) Llagostera Vives/Martinez Sanchez (ESP/ESP) d. (WC) Safina/Szavay (RUS/HUN) w/o (Safina: right knee injury)
(7) Hantuchova/Sugiyama (SVK/JPN) d. Bondarenko/Bondarenko (UKR/UKR)
06 62 101

Pic This: Rome If You Want To

It's just so damn poetic.  You can't make this shit up.

  
So.  Close.


What the what was going on Vika's quarterfinal match? 
All I have are pictures of her with her ass on the clay. Not that I'm complaining.

 
Does anyone really know where JJ's game currently ranks relative to the other ladies? 
I'm finding it really hard to handicap her chances at RG. 

Also?  With as much hairspray as you use on that ponytail,
I really don't think you should be noshing on it, honey.


LOLZ.

Get a sponsor, Agi.


Come on, ladies.  Get it together for RG.  Stop being retarded in third sets.


The Cone won!  And then she lost.


Not sure I'll ever get sick of Dina's "Ecstasy on Clay" modern art piece.

 
So.  Close.

God, She Sucks.

Not bad, Dina.  Not bad at all, kid.

So the kid makes #1 and proceeds to make the finals of her first tourney as #1 and wins her second one, beating Venus on the way.  Why does she even bother playing tennis?  She sucks so hard.  I mean, she's not even 1/10th the player that the real #1 is.  I'm so amazingly embarrassed for her.

Stop smiling, Dinara.  You shouldn't be wasting that champy.  You should be sitting in a dark corner guzzling it straight from a bottle, cutting yourself and reminding yourself that you're a complete waste of space and an embarassment to not only women's tennis, but sports in general.  Hell, you're a shitty human being, too. 

Fuck.  I can't even look at you.  Go away. 

Meanwhile, while Dina's competely embarssing herself by pretending to play like a #1 (seriously, stop trying, it makes it way more pathetic), how about some love for the Kuzzie resurgence?  It's so awesome to see her playing well over the past few weeks.  Second straight final of a Premier event, not to mention the semis of Miami.  She was throughly outplayed today, but then again, she whooped Dina last week.  She has to be considered in the mix for RG.  Go Kuz!

It's Like Watching A Fish Walk On Land

Wait, what?  Could it really be?  Could Sveta really have just won her first tour final in 20 months?  Nah.  This must be a photoshopped alternate reality.

But then I saw this...

...and this...

..and knew that I was actually conscious and not caught in a five-beer stupor.  Because you cannot make up either of those expressions.

Congrats to Sveta for her 64 63 win over Dina.  Condolences to Dina, though she does have the locker room bragging rights of being the first #1 since Justine to make the final of her first tournament at #1 (thanks to FD statistician Carrie for that).  So...glass have full!

All Russia, All The Time.

 
Well that was quite a day.

Dina survived an awesome challenge from Flavia to make her first final as the world #1.  Flavia looked like she had Dina, taking the first and leading 40-15 at 5-5 in the second set.  She would miss an easy backhand and double fault to go to deuce, and Dina never looked back.  She would reel off the next 8 games to take it, 36 75 60.  Good on Dina for showing the grit and comeback spirit that started her whole resurgence a year ago in Berlin.  Tough luck for Flavia.

In the other semi, Kuz absolutely blitzed Lena D. in a match that wasn't as close as the scoreline indicates.  Kuz won 64 62 in a little over an hour. 

While I would love to see Kuz breakthrough to FINALLY win a final, I have to root for Dina to back up her #1 ranking and take the title. 

This Week, On WTA's Next Top Model...

Pics from last year's photoshoot at the YECs in Doha.

Despite the fact that those shoes don't fit, you go, Dina!


Uh...mouth closed, Serena. 


I'm not entirely sure what the idea for this pic was (Cocktail hour in a locker room?) but Bepa rocked it.


Don't love the weave or the pose.  But Venus is all class.


JJ: You have one of the raddest bodies on tour.  Why the potato sack?  Just say no.


Sveta!


Toga, Toga, Toga!  Elephant feet notwithstanding, well done.


Something's just wrong with this pic.  It's all very forced.

I Don't Know, Russia. I'm Not Feeling It.

Italy's got their game faces on. 

And never underestimate what Tranny can do during Fed Cup.  Or Flavs for that matter. 

As for the Russians, they come in a bit battered and shell-shocked:

Into the second singles berth steps the 22nd- ranked Anna Chakvetadze who has registered only four wins to her name this year, four less than Nadia Petrova who can count herself unlucky to be watching from the bench.

Winners of 15 of their last 16 ties, Russia will look to Svetlana Kuznetsova to provide a backbone for success. Kuznetsova is now coachless after her split last month from Olga Morozova but is enjoying a Fed Cup run of eight straight singles wins. She admits though that preparations this week have not been perfect: “We have not managed to practise indoors, only outdoors, and not as much as we should have because of the conditions but we are looking forward to the weekend.”

Chakky only has 4 wins this year?  Ugh.

Saturday
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)

Sunday
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) v Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
Sara Errani /Roberta Vinci (ITA) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/Nadia Petrova (RUS)

Draw day interviews with Chakky, Sveta, Flavs, Tranny, and Nads and Chevy.

Is It A Coincidence That Dinah Shore Was This Weekend?

Huzzah, Kuz and Momo!  Congrats on your dubs win.  You're the feel good team (well...next to Dani/Ai) of the year.  Much love, ladies. 

MUCH LOVE.

Serena Wins, Keeps Earth On Its Axis

Oh thank God.

Baby Sister evened up her H2H with Big Sis (10-10) winning 64 36 63, securing her #1 spot at least for another two weeks until Charleston.  Meanwhile, a huge sigh of relief was heard coming from a small apartment in Monte Carlo.

Afterwards, now that Serena's secured #1 for a little longer, she revised and edited her response to a certain question.  Not surprisingly, it was way classier:

Q.  Dinara doesn't have your credentials.  How would it feel about to relinquishing the No. 1 ranking to somebody who -- what are your feelings on that?

SERENA WILLIAMS:  (Laughter.)  Well, I mean, she's really a good girl and she is a nice person.  You know, I just have the utmost respect for not only her, but everyone on this tour.  I just think it's crazy that I can just be so consistent throughout the year and last year and barely be No. 1.  I mean, winning two of the last four Grand Slams and getting into the finals of three of the last four.  I just -- I can't compute it.  I mean, it's just psycho really. 
 
Q.  Seems like somebody who hasn't won a Grand Slam, how do they get there? 
 
SERENA WILLIAMS:  I mean, she's been consistent.  I don't know.  It's just, you know, she's done well in the Grand Slams, and she's been working really hard.  You can see her improvements.  You got to respect that.  Like I said, I think I have the utmost respect for her.  You can see her body even changed she's worked so hard.  But, you know, I think -- I feel like I have actually -- I don't feel like, I actually have won the past few Grand Slams and been to the finals of the last three or whatever.  So I feel like I shouldn't be in that competition of being able to stay No. 1. 

Jesus.  Was that so hard?

So Serena will get a chance to defend her title against Viko, who benefited from a playing a player who choked worse than she did, beating Kuz 63 26 75.  Kuz totally had this match and Viko started choking once she had match points.  Dammit Kuzzie!

So I'm still "rooting" for Serena in the final.  Lord help us if Viko wins a fucking Premier Mandatory tournament and beating Serena on the way. I hope someone has passed on all the articles where the journos say that Vika wold have beaten Serena in AO had she not gotten WOOOOOOOOZY.  That's some good bulletin board material.

Pic This: So Much Word, Kuz. So Much.

"You're Over Me? When Were You...Under Me?"

The great thing about Sveta still being in the tournament?  She holds it down for crazy honest Russian pressers:

Q. Do you feel like you've got a pretty good shot at making the finals if you continue
to play well?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, guys, you know, like I came here and I lost first -- two tournaments in a row first round. I been prepared. I felt like I practiced well and I been playing well when I was training, I came here and I was like so disappointed.  You know, I haven't been winning matches. I never lost first two rounds in a row I think, as I remember. So for me it was very important to just play match by match. Now I'm in semis, and I'm really happy about it. I'm just going to concentrate on semis. For me it's great to get to this point. At the stage I came into the tournament I didn't believe I could make it. Well, I did believe but I was like, I don't know, I would be surprised. I am surprised.

Q. You won the title here before. Tell us what it means to play here in Miami? Do you like the night life? The conditions? How does that work for you?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I cannot think about night life first of all, because I played all days at 11:00. I'm professional enough I'm not going out during the tournament for sure. Maybe to celebrate sometimes I can let myself do that. I like Miami a lot. The conditions suits my game a lot. Definitely good memory of winning here other past years. Gives me a good memory, a good feeling about here.

Q. Seems like you kind of fall under the radar. Do you like that? Does it bother you?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don't care about it. I'm just living my life, and I enjoy it. I enjoy my life. I don't care whether I'm under radar or on top of radar. Whatever.

Q. How is it going with Olga?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I'm not working with Olga anymore.

Q. As of when?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: As of finishing of Indian Wells. I'm by myself for all tournament. It's is my first tournament on my own without coach.

Q. In your life?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah.

Q. Are you if the market for anyone?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I was actually maybe once, but always somebody was there to help me. But here I have 200% responsibility. I have a hitting partner. Very nice guy. He helps me a lot out. But I'm just -- you know, I needed to take some time off. Because she's unbelievable person and great coach, but we kind of didn't get each other tennis-wise and outside-wise. By the way, it's first I announce about that, because I never been asked about this. We just decided it's not working out for both of us. We have perfectly good relationship between us. I mean, she's unbelievable person. I took as I could a lot from
her. I don't know, I'm a little bit frustrated now. But, yeah, I'll see. Definitely I don't think I can be
on my own. I think a player needs a coach. Maybe Roger can do it because he knows -- I mean, he's No. 1. Well, No. 2 now. But for me he is one of the best players ever. But for myself, I think I can improve many
areas, but I need coach. And first of all, I need something to get along well, to understand me, because I cannot handle the pressure. You know, I need somebody who really goes along well with me.

Q. But you would try to find one as soon as possible, or you'll be on your own for a
while?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, after I finish with Olga, I was like, I just want to take my time, you know, to find myself on the court. Then I got here, and first two days I said, I need somebody. Then it was kind of -- but I'm winning matches. I know I can rely on myself. It makes me mature and it makes me find more ways, makes me stronger, because there's nobody else to help out. Like today's, Wozniacki's she has coach like maybe three, four times, and I have to figure out all by myself. But I'm mature enough. As I read today in newspaper, they say I been for years on the tour, and I'm only 23. They called me
young veteran. But anyway, you know, I think I'm mature enough to play on my own like this, but definitely I have moments improve, and I need somebody to help me to do that.

There's more awesomeness in the presser.  It's like the journos don't know who to talk to anymore so they interviewed her for like, 30 minutes.

One Russian To Rule Them All

 
Rafa is totes yummy in that pic, y'all.  Minty fresh and lovin' it.

Well Viko had her "take notice of me yeah I'm for real" run last week.  Could this be Woz's breakthrough run?  Seems to be a similar storyline.  Both beat top 5 players who, let's face it, aren't at their best right now.  But both also were a few games away from beating Serena earlier this year, too.  Huge difference?  Caro's not a raging bitch.  So there's that.

Really happy for Boots, who bested Lena in straight sets.  I felt really bad for the kid when she played so well against Lena in Luxembourg and still lost in three tight sets.  But I love her attitude and her game has a lot of upside.  She's not even close to tapping all her potential.  Also, thanks for making me not lose all faith in the Adidas Player Development Program, Boots. 

 

Muzz and Venus are also through, though Venus was tested by a resilient and crafty Agi.  It took her three sets, but she got it done with, what else, an ace.  As for Muzz, he fell behind 0-3 in the first, but again, there was never a doubt that he'd figure out Massu's game and get his back on track.  He took it in straights.

But the story of the day?  Of the 12 Russians in the top 10, only one is left standing:

What is this, 2006?  I credit the old school Fila Heritage kit.  Looks great on her. 

Oh, Honey. You Need To Leave Vegas.

Is that a poorly placed tat I see on Boots?  I'm not convinced that thing is even on her hip.  It's like an inch and a half from her belly button.
 
Boots and Sorana, the two ladies holding it down for the Adidas Player Development Program, lost to Momo and Sveta, the two ladies holding it down for...well...something else.

Can we give the sportsmanship award to these two?  I kinda love them.  They were hilarious at IW apparently.  Sveta kept fucking up in a very epic way and Momo kept laughing at her.

Also, I'm kinda starting to think the APDP is a curse this year.  I don't know, we'll see if my theory pans out this week.  But something tells me they don't pick up many racquets when they're training in Vegas.  I mean, it's fine that y'all are fit and everything, but if you can't hit the ball between the lines (OR TO FEDERER'S BACKHAND), you're not really going to "develop" per se.

Maybe they'll prove me wrong.  But Sorana already lost her first rounder yesterday.

More From Around The Grounds

Here's the thing.  If you were to ask me what my favorite matches were this past week it would actually take some time to even recall what matches I attended.  For me, the tournaments aren't really about the tennis that's played in stadium court (though, the Simon/Lu and Rafa/Nalby matches were rad).  I can and do watch tennis matches all the time.  The real action is around the practice courts and near the player areas. 

A rare smile from Nalby on the practice courts.

Old Man Fed holding his back.  THAT must be why he lost to Murray.

Shirtless Viktor.

Sam and his Querrey Hand under the watchful eye of Jose Higueras.

The only thing we liked about Vika: Her shoes.

Flavia Stink Eye is the best.

LaMonf playing some footie.

Sveta on her way to practice.  She stuck around for a few days after she lost.  Good.  She needed the work.  Unfortunately her practices were not great.

Aww...puppy.

Creepy tennis paparazzi.  I think this is after Ana apologized to Victoria for not being able to stop for an autograph. "No, sorry."  Adorbs.

For *this* you don't put a towel over your face?  

(Pics for Forty Deuce by Love All and C Note)

More IW Stalkerazzi Footage

I'm starting to feel like I'm the Perez Hilton/TMZ of Indian Wells.  That makes me very very sad.  Oh well.

More random video from around the grounds this week:


Hint to Dina: Kuzzie will totally be friends with you if you would stop noshing for a second and say hello. It's the little things, girl.

>br> Rafa getting swarmed by fans after his win over Elf yesterday. He proceeded to hit the practice courts for some more reps. I guess he wanted to burn off those cookies.


Vika goes down 2-5 against Bepa.


Cahill and Mats hitting with Ski Boots. Gotta love the idiots behind me who thought he was Lleyton Hewitt.


MaKiri watching Igor beat Jo.


Marat says goodbye to Indian Wells.


Match point.

Pic This: Just Kidding. Smiles Abound!

Dina just LOVES her new hair.  FLOVES it.


Sveta's meth brows will always crack my shit up.


Bepa playing the shy and coy card while negotiating peace in Georgia.


Vika was there?  Weird.  They didn't even give her a fun background.


Another pic of Ana, just because it's my blog and I speculate that she looks amazing.

Pic This: In The Battle For Happiness, Serbs Win

Do I detect some rouge there?


"Buy Orbit gum!"


Nervous about those final points, Sveta?


You'd think with her big impending run-in with Fer that she'd have started her Proactiv regimen by now.  Oh, Baby E.  Your aloofness owns.

No Need For Dina, Ana Avenges Herself.

Well a top seed fell in her first match and it wasn't the seed you'd think it was.  Sveta.  Wha?  6-0 in the third to Vezzy?  Girl, you need to get right.  Of course, we've all been saying that for years now I suppose. 

Hard not to be happy for Vez, though.  The 5th Wheel of the Russian Fed Cup team is really having a totally out of nowhere resurgence.  As far as I know she didn't change coaches during the off-season or anything.  It must be the Lacoste.

In the AO rematch, Ana got her revenge over the Kleyb, 75 64.  It wasn't a pretty match, but Ana showed more than a few flashes of her old form.  Her toss is still a bit wonky but she somehow served 13 aces, though from what I could see it was more fro Kleyb's inability to read her serve more than anything else.  But it was a tremendously encouraging performance.  She served her way out of trouble, her groundstrokes looked more solid, she moved well, and she was really aggressive at the net.  And more importantly this was the first time in a while that I've seen her remain calm and confident in the face of adversity.  She was up 3-0 in the first before Kleybs came back to level it.  But I never sensed there was any panic and she just kept grinding away.  Nice to see.

Two other seeds suffered surprising upsets.  A-Rad lost to U-Rad 64 63 and Chakky lost to lucky loser Morita, 75 62.  Sheesh.  What is going on with those two?

In the super weird match of the day, Mono came out and bageled Ai, only to drop the second 46 and have to grind out the third, finally winning 8-6 in the tiebreaker.  So she lives to fight another day.

Singles - Second Round
(Q) Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. (7) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 64 36 60
(8) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 75 64

Singles - First Round
(Q) Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. (9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 64 63
(10) Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) 64 61
(11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 60 46 76(6)
(12) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 64 62
(14) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Andreja Klepac (SLO) 63 61
(LL) Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. (15) Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 75 62
Monica Niculescu (ROU) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 36 75 62
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (WC) Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 75 62
Virginie Razzano (FRA) d. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 75 62
Alona Bondarenko (UKR) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 64 63
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 61 61
Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 64 63
(LL) Camille Pin d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 26 62 63

Pic This: Fast and Extremely Furious

Phew!

Serbia 2, Japan 0

It was a little touch and go there and Ana's still serving like crap, but she somehow came away with a 64 64 win over Ai to kick off Team Serbia's 2009 campaign to get into World Group I.  JJ had a much easier go, beating Morumi 61 60.  So Serbia is 2-0 and they'll kick off the reverse singles with JJ/Ai (rematch of AO) and then, if necessary, Ana/Morumi.  At this point it wouldn't surprise me if Ana took the match just for the court time.  Let's also hope that the girls stick it out for doubles in front of the home crowd.

Italy 2, France 0

The drama tie so far has to be Italy/France.  Even though Italy has a 2-0 lead, it didn't come easily.  Flavia came back from a set down to beat Momo 26 76(7) 64.  Great win for Flavs.  Maybe this will kick start her season.  But sad face for Momo.  She really should have taken this in straights.

You know there's drama whenever The Cone is involved.  It's like horseshoes and hand grenades.  She lost to Tranny, 61 26 86 in match that lasted over two hours.

Slovak Republic 2, Belgium 0

 
SuperGirl returned and took her match in straights over Wickmayer, 76(2) 63.  And Domi took out The Flipper, 76(4) 61.  Looks like they're well on their way in advancing to play the winner of Germany/Switzerland. Dur.  Nevermind.

Russia 2, China 0

Duh.

Germany 1, Switzerland 1

The two split Day 1 but Day 2 should be the interesting one.  Lisicki will play Patty and ALG will play Timea.  You have to think ALG has the game to beat Timea easily, which means the Swiss hopes are all on Patty to beat Sabine.  That should be a fun match, actually.

As a side note, can someone tell Sabine that she's not a figure skater, nor is she a teenage aspiring fashion designer brat kid sister in Manhattan either.  Lay.  Off.  The Eye Makeup.

Czech Republic 1, Spain 1

Petra Kvitova had a nice win over CSN, holding off a late comeback charge, 64 64.  But perrenial midriff flaunter Iveta couldn't keep her lead, eventually losing to Llagostera Vives 16 61 64.  Still, you have to think Spain has this one given their doubles prowess.

Ukraine 1, Israel 1

Shahar Peer is one of those players that always scares me in Fed Cup.  Like she kicks it into a whole different gear when you slap that flag on her back.  Must be the military training.  Anyway, she kept Israel in the hunt by beating K Bond 63 67(6) 63.  The winner of this tie will play Serbia (if Serbia wins).

What If...

That's what Kuz is going to be asking herself after this match.  The match started under the glaring Aussie sun and Kuz was able to gut out the first set, 75.  Then they decided to close the roof.  And that's when things changed.

No doubt, Serena raised her game once the roof closed and she got her racquets restrung.  She served better and defended better.  And Kuz had her chances.  Heck, she served for the match at 5-3.  She muffed a bunch of volleys and just got nervy and...well..Kuzzie.

But it's hard not to wonder what would have happened if the roof stayed open, or even if the roof had been closed to start the match.  I just really don't like changing the match conditions mid-match.  It's going to screw up someone.

Afterwards, the normally diplomatic Sveta voiced her displeasure, while still acknowledging that she's a bit of an idiot:

Q. Did the closing of the roof greatly affect your chances of winning?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: It's gave her more chances, I guess (smiling). I mean, I don't know.

Yeah, definitely it was a big change. I was very comfortable playing outside.

Q. What were the conditions? You obviously prepared, did you, for the conditions today?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, yeah, I guess it's two different games. One you play inside; one you play outside. She has big serve. She was using it very good when the roof was closed. I guess it was in her favor very much.

But, still, I tried to do my best and I had my chances even like that. I was 5‑3 up.

Q. Some people that were in the tunnel when you came off court suggested that you were a little bit angry to have been brought off court. Is that correct?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, yeah, definitely angry. Why should I not be? Game going my way. I'm fine playing with the roof. I think the guys yesterday, it was the same weather. Everybody was playing with the roof. Why today they had to close it? I didn't get it.

Yeah, that was why I was angry.

Q. Who are you angry at?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don't know (laughter).

Q. Did you ask the referee?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: What I have to ask them? It's the tournament, what I have to say. I'm just a player. I play. That's it. It's not in my hands, you know.

Q. Is it difficult for you and the other players to understand how the rule on heat works here?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I didn't get the rule at all. Closing the roof middle of the match, I don't get it.

Q. Was it especially surprising for you that you started with an open roof and then during the match they closed it?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah. I mean, how you do that? I don't know. You just playing outdoor tennis, and one set you play indoor tennis. It's very good.

Serena was tough. She's playing great. I give her credit. But I don't get this rule. This is it.

Q. In your heart of hearts, do you think if the roof stayed open you would have won the game?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: You know, there is one saying that they say. It's not very good one. I mean, you can say what happen if, if, if? The match is over. She won. This is it.

But it could have been different way.

Q. Did you feel okay out there? You didn't feel any physical discomfort or danger?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: What, in the heat?

Q. Yes.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: No. I was completely fine. It was not easy to play because it's heat. But we are in Australia. It's normal, no, to play with the heat.

Q. When you were looking at Serena down the other end, did you detect she was having trouble in the heat?

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, you can compare her serve with the roof closed and with the roof open. This is it. This makes all difference.

Yeah, I saw it's tough for her. It was the same, not very easy for me, you know. But I managed to move pretty well. I was fine. I was playing well. This is it.

Q. You were serving for the match still.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah, that's what I said. It doesn't matter. I still had my chance. Even with roof closed, I was 5‑3 up, 5‑4, serving for the match. I just didn't do that.

Definitely the chances with the roof open would be more. But, still, I had my chances. You know, I'm there, I just got to work on some points on my game to improve it. That's it.

No More Drama

And on the fourth day, order was restored.  Lena, Flavs, Cone, Domi, and Kuz all got through with no problems.

Lena and Flavs won 4 and 1, Domi dished out a bagel winning 0 and 2, and Kuz finally cruised, taking her match 2 and 2.  I know upsets are fun and all, but if you look at the full draw, all you want are the favorites to play well and keep the draw in order. 

Zheng Jie had to fight through three sets but she took her match over Czink 76 57 63.  What a great tourney for Asia with Randy Lu's upset over Nalby and now Zheng and Peng into round 3.

And it was Alize's 19th birthday today.  But of course, because she's French, she couldn't just leave well enough alone

So not hot.

 

Busted Belly

Poor Kuz.  She was forced to withdraw from Sydney due to an ab injury.  Ab injuries suck.  They're like back or neck injuries.  No matter what you do you can't really immobilize them and get them to heal quickly, and they're so crucial to core strength and power.  Hope she heals in time for AO.

Sydney Day 3 Results

Welcome to Sydney, the Anti-Hobart.  Where seeds do what they're supposed to do and high level competition is aplenty.  That being said it was a pretty ho-hum day, though Sveta had to battle back to beat Kaia Kanepi in a third set tiebreaker.

Speaking of which, check it out.  Sveta's got a belly tat:

Although now that I wrote that I remember the Inside the WTA bit where Nads talks about wanting a tattoo and Sveta said she'd go with her because she already had one.  I'm just rambling.  Anyway, here are your scores:

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 61 62
(2) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (Q) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 63 60
(3) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (WC) Jarmila Gajdosova (SVK) 62 64
(5) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Kaia Kanepi (EST) 62 26 76(3)
(6) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 63 75
(8) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (Q) Melanie South (GBR) 62 60
Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 76(5) 61
Ai Sugiyama (JPN) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 26 61 62

A nice win by Reeshie over Dima.  Here's hoping he mixes things up in Melbourne.  The kid is just too good to be the #3 Frenchie.  Tipsy over the Sockless Wonder and check this out:  Gooch beat Big Byrd.  That's a bit of a shocker, no?

And of course, the hometown boy won.  He came back to beat Apricot Bars in three sets.

[WC] C Guccione (AUS) d [6] T Berdych (CZE) 63 64
J Tipsarevic (SRB) d [8] M Fish (USA) 64 36 64
P Mathieu (FRA) d A Seppi (ITA) 62 26 63
[WC] L Hewitt (AUS) d J Benneteau (FRA) 57 62 64
[Q] J Chardy (FRA) d R Stepanek (CZE) 64 30 ret. - illness
R Gasquet (FRA) d D Tursunov (RUS) 76(4) 64

Sydney Interviews

Interviews with Nole, Nalby, Dani, Sveta, Dina, A-Rad, and Mario here.

Sydney Scares

It's been a scary day in Sydney.

First, Serena was *thisclose* to getting bounced by homegirl Sam Stosur.  First, Serena, serving for the second set at 30-30, hit a clear let serve.  Stosur returned it and ReRe, thinking it was a let, didn't even try for it.  The umpire flat out missed the call.  That gave Stosur a break point, which she converted and then went on to win the set in a tiebreak.  As a quick aside, if it was a clear netcord, as it appears to have been, shouldn't Sam have told the umpire to replay it?  I'm just saying.

Then in the third set, Stosur had three match points and proceeded to lose her nerve and double fault twice, let Serena break her serve, and then Serena went on to serve out the match.  ReRe survives, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5.

Poor Sam.  You had her.

Kuz also got a bit of scare from Shuai Peng, who took the first set from her 63.  Kuz eventually turned it around, winning in three, 36 61 63.

Today's Scores:
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Samantha Stosur (AUS) 63 67(4) 75
(5) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 36 61 63
(6) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 64 63

Since When Does Agi Have An "Ever Present Smile"?

Matt Cronin previews 2009 for the ladies:

1. Jelena Jankovic: Let's begin with the positives: Jankovic became the first Serbian in history to end the year at No. 1 and really went hard after the top ranking following Wimbledon. Even though she frequently complains about nagging injuries, she shows up week after week and punches the time clock, mostly with a positive attitude. She is by no means a standout No. 1, but she's a terrific defensive player who can capably mix in high-octane offense. Jankovic does have the tools to win her first major and could do so in 2009, but she cannot afford to play scared at crunch time like she did in Paris and New York.


2. Serena Williams: For those who have closely followed the younger Williams' career, 2008 is the season where she deserved the heartiest pats on the back, as she drove herself harder than she ever has in order to snare another major title. After eight months of fits and starts and some extremely tough losses, all her hard work paid off when she won her third U.S. Open title. Williams all but packed it in after that, but with a continued commitment she should win her 10th Slam in '09. If she does, she will all but have sewed up the unofficial title of being the best player of an extremely good generation.
   
   
3. Dinara Safina: A tremendous four-month stretch that included runs to the French Open and Olympic finals and titles in Berlin, Los Angeles, Montreal showed that in tip-top shape, the tall Russian is capable of great things. But while she picked up her chin at some of the year's biggest events, she also fell short, which indicates that she's not bubbling with self-belief yet. Without question, she has the on-court tools to go a step further in 2009. Now it's up to Safina to take a page from her Slam-winning brother Marat's book and close the deal.
   
   
4. Elena Dementieva:  She finally achieved one of her biggest goals by winning the Olympic gold medal, but at the age of 27, the fleet Russian likely doesn't have more than two years to meet her other two goals, reaching No. 1 and winning a Slam. Dementieva showed in Beijing that she is capable of both accomplishments, but she has to put her nose and mind to the grindstone for an extended period next year if she doesn't want to retire a barely decorated competitor.
   
   
5. Ana Ivanovic:  The sweet-as-pie Serbian roared out of the 2008 gates, reaching the Aussie Open final, winning Indian Wells and then her first major at the French Open. Then, it appeared that she had finally reached her potential and would become a more consistent player. But after sustaining a thumb injury prior to Wimbledon, she collapsed mentally and wasn't really heard from until the end of the year, and even then, she did little to impress. There is no doubt that by improving her serve and coming to net more that Ivanovic could be a primetime contender at every Slam, but as bright as she is off court, she doesn't play smart nearly enough. Ivanovic must open her mind to new strategic possibilities in 2009.
   
   
6. Venus Williams:  It's a virtual toss-up between Venus and her sister Serena for Player of the Year honors, but by winning her fifth Wimbledon title at the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, Venus grabbed two of the year's six biggest crowns, which no other player was able to do. Week to week, the 28-year-old is no longer a dominant player, but when she's healthy and employing her spiced-up net attack, she's as good, if not better, than any player on the planet. But it would be nice to see her win another hard-court Slam, a feat that has eluded her since 2001.
   
   
7. Vera Zvonareva:  One of five Russians in the top 10, Zvonareva rediscovered her love of competition and fought as hard as she ever has in her career in 2008. Somewhat introverted, she has no love of the biggest stages, but she's a ferocious inside-the-baseliner and can take down any elite competitor when she's not being touted as the favorite. Next year will tell the tale as to whether she can withstand the pressure of being an elite player again.
   
   
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova:  A truly disappointing year for the 2004 U.S. Open champ, who ended the year without a title and then waved goodbye to her longtime coaches at Spain's Sanchez-Casal academy. Now she has gone back to her Russian roots by returning home in the offseason and hiring Olga Morozova to coach her. Hopefully, Morozova will be able to pull the self-confidence that Kuznetsova has been sorely lacking out of her student's stubborn head.
   
   
9. Maria Sharapova:  A season which began brilliantly with her third Grand Slam title at the Aussie Open, an astounding first appearance on the Russian Fed Cup team and her first clay-court title in Amelia Island ended miserably when Sharapova suffered a tear in her right rotator cuff and was unable to compete past the first week of August. The only positive that might arrive from being unable to serve during much of the fall is that she'll be forced to improve her all-around game. But if the world's most endorsable women's athlete doesn't come back at full strength or very near to it and is unable dominate in her service games, she'll be hard-pressed to snare the No. 1 ranking, or even win another major. She's an incredible fighter and manages the court better than she used, but she's for all intents and purposes a power player and given that she's not particularly fast or durable, it's hard to see Sharapova remaining a super-elite player by contesting long, exhausting rallies from the baseline. But if her shoulder does heal, grant her another Slam title in 2009.
   
   
10. Agnieszka Radwanska:  The only teenager in the top 10, this creative and scrappy Pole is much tougher inside than her ever-present smile would indicate. She doesn't have huge overall weapons, but Radwanska plays smart, is very steady and understands her weaponry. At this point it doesn't look like she's Slam-winning material, but if she can grow in confidence and hit out on key shots, a visit to the top five isn't out of the question in 2009.

Gobble Gobble, Time To Wobble

Well it's Thanksgiving here in the States, the day in which Americans gather around a roasted bird and pretend to forget that in exchange for the generous hospitality the indigenous peoples occupying this great land offered, white settlers gave them disease, war, subjugation, and casinos.  So you know, win-win!

Putting all that aside, it is the day where we gather around the table with people we may or may not like and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us.  This year I'm spending it in NYC with my sister and it looks like I'll be attending a very Felicityesque T-Day with a bunch of NYC transplants.  I'm genuinely looking forward to it.  Well, the mulled wine at the very least.

All this is a roundabout introduction to my list of the 10 Tennis Related Things I'm Thankful For:

10.  JJ -- Shocker, right?  But seriously, I'm thankful for JJ.  She keeps it fun and interesting.  After all, who else would we talk about if she wasn't around?  The girl gives good quote, hilarious picture, and non-stop glitter-infused drama.  To that, I raise my glass of Aqua Viva water.

9.  My Wilson KFactor kTour Racquet -- Sigh.  It was love at first strike with this puppy, which I got about 8 months ago.  I resisted it for so long because it was Lindsay and Justine's racquet of choice, two players I didn't like that much.  But I demoed Masha's Prince 03 White, Ana's Yonex RQiS 1, Nole's Wilson kBlade, and even JJ's Prince Speedport White and couldn't find one I loved.  At my wits end I finally demoed the kTour, and it was absolutely perfect.  For anyone who's interested, try it out with Wilson Sensation strings at 57 lbs.  It's just a pure and clean hit.

8.  The First Half of 2008 -- It was fun while it lasted.  My girls (Masha/Ana) and boys (Rafa/Nole) were winning, they were looking good, and my life as a tennis fan was all rainbows and handbags.  And then we all stepped on the grass of Wimbledon and it all (well, almost all) went to shit. 

7.  Crazy Eyez Fed -- I love this guy.  He needs to come back, ASAP.

6.  Crazy Russians -- What is it about the home of Stalin, Rasputin, and Vodka that it keeps rolling out the crazies?  Hmmm...I think I may have answered my own question.  Between CrazySexLostHisCool and his  potty mouth of a baby sister, Casper The Melting Ghost, Underachieving Kuz, NoServe McGee, Angry A-Chak, and of course, their greatest export, Maria "Fuck The French" Pova, they really keep things interesting.

5.  New Pretty Faces -- Hot Crazy Elf Train, Gilly, Jo, and Ernie.  Not only are they new cute boys to fawn over, but they actually have game and are exciting to watch.  Sometimes God does give with both hands.

4.  Davis Cup -- Sure, maybe this is inflated given the events of the past week, but still.  Even if Spain hadn't won the Cup in the manner in which they did, Davis Cup was awesome this year.  And looking forward to next year it can only get better, what with TMF agreeing to grace us with his presence.  So for all the HoYay! awesomeness that Davis Cup brings on a quarterly basis, I bring thanks.  Now, if only the ladies took Fed Cup as seriously. 

3.  Rafa -- Sure, I love my Nole, but Rafa's ridiculous 2008 drew me back into men's tennis.  I love his fight, his competitive spirit, his strut, his ADD, his humility and grace, and his perfectly bulbous ass. 

2. Baby E -- Come on, this one's obvious, right?  She single-handedly brought me back into tennis, as it had been a long time since I had a WTA player that I genuinely rooted for.  She's a breath of fresh air in the diva world of the WTA.  And on this day of overeating let us never forget: She's a nerdy fat girl stuck in a hot body. 

1.  You guys -- I really didn't know what to expect when I started this blog in July.  It all came down to the fact that I had all these stupid and immature tennis thoughts running in my head all the time that it was distracting.  So I started the site just to get these ideas "on paper" so I could move on.  I never expected a an international coaltion of like-minded tennis fans, who love the sport and the players but don't put them on a pedestal, would come together to create the rad community that we have going here.  Seriously, you guys make me check my own site on a quarter of an hour basis to keep up with your hilarious comments and insights.  So on the serious, with no sense of cynicism or or irony intended, thanks.

Alrighty, off to get drunk now.  If you see a drunken Asian girl stumbling the streets of Spanish Harlem, steer clear.  I can't promise the turkey is staying down.

There's Gonna Be A Lot Of Leftover Guac To Eat.

Pics from the Pajama Party/End of the Year Player Party. 
 

Where is everybody?  Oh, hail no.  First Lady Dinara went through a lot of effort to put this party together and not even Lena or JJ show up?  Y'all made a big mistake.  Dinara's so gonna pull a Kelly Kapoor on you next year. 

Watch your backs.

JJ Wins In JJ Style, Kuz Loses In Kuzzie Style. And All Is Right With The World.

So JJ moves to 2-0, beating the Kuz in straight sets, 76 64.  As you can see, JJ got some treatment during the match for what sounds like a back issue.  Kuz will try and end her season on a positive note tomorrow against Ana.

I only saw the second half of the second set, but from I could see, nothing seemed wrong with JJ.  I mean, she was wincing and whatnot between points, but her movement and power seemed fine.  Maybe I missed something.  I'm NOT saying she's faking.  I just didn't see the injury affect her play to much and therefore I suspect she'll be fine to play Bepa tomorrow, which will be interesting because the loser will face Venus in the semifinals.

Can I just say one thing though?  Why does JJ feel the need to yell at the ball boys and ball girls?  That always really bothers me.  I saw it for the first time at Indian Wells and it bummed me out.  Nole does it too sometimes.  I know people will say it's the heat of the moment and they're frustrated and whatnot, but come on. 

It's like how I fee when I see attorneys yell at their secretaries.  They can be total asshole to me, they  can be a total dick to me, and I can still think they're a decent person.  But if I ever hear them yell at a secretary or assistant?  They are dead to me.

End rant.

Here's JJ's presser:

Q. So it's 2 2, all going well?
JELENA JANKOVIC: What does that mean?

Q. Two wins in two matches.
JELENA JANKOVIC: Oh, okay. Yes, it's great to win two matches. And go to the semifinals no matter what I do tomorrow. Today was a tough match. I had some problems with my back in the beginning of the second set, and I was struggling a little bit. And I had to take some pace off of my ball and all that, but I managed to win my match.
So, you know, I'm happy that I was able to get through and looking forward to my next match.

Q. With the treatment you received for your back, is it an injury that you've had before, or is it something new?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I didn't have this injury before. I just started today during the match. I had it in the past, but not recently. It decided again to hurt me and to bother me during the match. I dislocated something when I ran for some ball, and that is the problem.
So I hope that the physios are going to help me and that I'm going to be able to play tomorrow.

Q. Does it feel okay now?
JELENA JANKOVIC: It feels painful now. It's a little stiff, and when I bend down to tie my shoes, I have pain and all these kind of things. But hopefully it will be okay. We'll see. I will have treatment. I will try to recover it as fast as possible.

Q. At the end of the game you acknowledged the crowd and you looked up at the sky to acknowledge possibly some sort of divine intervention. Did you feel you might have had a bit of luck today with the injury that you suffered and maybe God was looking down on you favorably?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I don't know. But I always do that. I always look up the sky when I win my matches. This is just my something that I do. You know, maybe I received a little bit of help.
You know, it's always tough when you have some problem with your body, some injury, and you're not able to play hundred percent. You're struggling. But, you know, I tried my best, and that was the most important thing in those kind of circumstances.

Q. How are you going to prepare for the semifinals with the injury possibly bothering you?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I hope that I will be okay. I hope that when I will have treatment and they will because this thing has moved out of place, I hope they put it back in the normal position. And I don't know what you have to do. That is what the trainer told me when she saw me on the court. So I don't know what happens. How it will be, I cannot tell you. If I knew it, if I would have pain tomorrow or not, I would lie.

Q. How do you feel now after going through such a grueling match?
JELENA JANKOVIC: Oh, overall I was not really happy with the way I played, but it's not so easy. Especially against Kuznetsova, she plays, I have always tough matches against her. Especially having this kind of problem in the second set.
First set, in the beginning for a couple of games I played very well, but then I kind of stopped. Then in the second set I took a lot of pace off my ball, which allowed her to step in the court and start hitting some of her shots. But then at the end of the second set I was able to focus a little bit more and push myself and finishing in my favor in two sets.

Q. You mentioned the other day that being No. 1 there was a perception that everybody was out there to get you, now with the injury as well, does that bring added pressure, and do you feel any sort of way of tackling with it differently now?
JELENA JANKOVIC: No, I don't feel any pressure whatsoever. I'm proud to be No. 1. I love being in this position. I look at it as a challenge. I don't look at it as a pressure at all.
I have the confidence. I have what it takes to stay up there, and I hope I hope to stay there as long as possible.
This is just my point of view, you know, looking from my perspective. I love being on this position. This is something that I worked for since I was a young girl. It was a dream of mine. Being on the No. 1, having that No. 1 ranking is something that nobody can take away from you, and you can just enjoy it. You have nothing to lose.
When you retire you can always say you've been No. 1. And it's something that not many girls in the history of tennis have done. So why do I have to put pressure on myself?
I'm healthy. I have the No. 1 ranking. I'm enjoying my tennis. I've made a lot of money. What else can I ask in this world? That's all.

Q. You're definitely sleeping at night?
JELENA JANKOVIC: This is the truth. It's the reality (laughing).

Q. It's shaping up as though you and Vera from this group are going to play the Williams sisters from the other group. Any preference from your point of view? Which one would you prefer to take on first?
JELENA JANKOVIC: What do you mean?

Q. It looks like the two Williams?
JELENA JANKOVIC: The Williams? Well, it's the same. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best players in the world. For me, it doesn't matter who it will be, both of the Williams sisters are tough opponents and really great athletes. I have to play my best tennis if I want to win.

Q. Do you feel beating them here would be an even greater endorsement of your world No. 1 status?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I've beaten Venus in Stuttgart which was just a couple of weeks ago. And I lost to Serena in the U.S. Open in a tough two sets. But I've beaten them both many times, so I know how to play against them.
But I know that I have to play my best tennis to win. So it will be tough either way. I will try my best, and hopefully I can do it.

Q. But there's no reason for you you have any fear about either of them?
JELENA JANKOVIC: I have no fear against anybody. I respect all of my opponents, but I don't have any fear. I go out there believing in myself, and I play my game. I don't really take care of who is on the other side. If she's taller or bigger than me or whoever she is, I am there to compete. And I try my best, that's all.

What The Hail Did They Do To Sveta?

What is the WTA's thought process here?

• Let's put Ana in a toga
• Let's get a crack whore off the street to stand in for Sveta
• Let's hide Serena behind said crack whore
• Let's annoy the crap out of JJ by putting Ana in the middle again
• Let's wrap Elena D. in a towel
• Let's hide Dinara's face so no one can recognize her

Check.  Check.  Check.  Check.  Check.  Check.

Air Quotes: Ok, You Know Something's Wrong When Even Kuz Is Calling You Out

"Maybe she didn't win great tournaments, but she's been more consistent.  But I don't think we have a clear No. 1."

-- Svetlana Kuznetsova, on JJ's #1 ranking

Doha: Tuesday Head to Head Stats

                               
   

                   

                          

Air Quotes: Doha Edition

“There can be no friends when you go on court both wanting to win a match and the tournament. But I have no enemies either.”

-- Ana Ivanovic, on tomorrow's match with Jelena Jankovic

"I need the money."

-- Serena Williams, on her expectation that she'll perform well in Doha

""It creates a stronger business model for not only the players but the tournaments.  I feel like the (WTA) road map is a great thing."

-- Venus Williams, on the WTA Roadmap

"In the beginning ... there was a spot open for everybody.  I'm really proud of myself that, you know, I could cope with all the pressure, and I could get all the points and secure my No. 1 ranking for the rest of the year."

-- Jelena Jankovic, on ending the season as #1

"I achieved much in tennis, and now I have different possibilities in Russia. I have more courts, more things the Russian Federation is also going to help me with.  And in Spain I was kind of bored. I started coming back to Moscow or St Petersburg two years ago. Every time I would come there I would not feel like leaving and it was very hard for me."

-- Svetlana Kuznetsova, on her decision to move back to Russia from Spain and get a new coach, Olga Morozova

Upon Further Review There Is Some Serious Monet Action Going On In Doha

Ok, Dinara you're looking good.  At least today you dressed appropriately and covered up your ridiculous tan lines.  I do feel like you're rocking the heroin chic look (can't you just hear Fiona Apple's "Criminal" playing in the background?) but whatever, it's cute.

But WHAT IS UP WITH THE COON EYES???  You really shouldn't have let JJ do your eye make-up at the Pajama Party. 

That was a rookie mistake.  Just because she's #1 in tennis doesn't mean she's #1 in eye makeup advice.  Also, I'm still really disturbed by the fact that JJ didn't look great at these pressers.  Her hair is all frizzed out, her makeup looks horrible, she's brushed her bangs into her eyes, and her cheeks look swollen.  She has one of the best bodies on the tour yet she dressed in a yellow potato sack yesterday and then today she's all bundled up in a trench coat.  WTF?

This was supposed to be your coming out party, JJ!  You have not acquitted yourself well.  Fail.

Speaking of "Fail", what the eff is going on with Kuzzie's brows? 

I know there's a "carpet matching the drapes" joke in here but I'm much to classy and sophisticated to make it.  Yup, too classy to go there. 

And as for Serena?  Let's just say she's had a rough few days on this blog:

She's knows Halloween is over, right?  So then why is she doing her makeup like the Joker?  Here's a tip: Lipstick goes ON THE LIPS, not around them.

The only girls that look good up close are Ana, Elena, Venus, and Bepa.  And that's because they're not wearing that much makeup at all.

 

The Ladies Clean Up For Doha Presser

Well apparently Larry Scott did circulate a memo this time as all the Doha ladies put their track suits away and actually attended a presser all glammed up.  You wonder why the WTA doesn't make them do this all the time?  Because they all looked pretty good (well...almost all).

 

Sveta Arrives Early To Help Dinara Set Up

Sveta's in charge of music for the pajama party.  I have a feeling she's just going to put "99 Problems" on loop for the whole night. 

More From Russia, With Love

More pics from that little Russian Tea Party/Funeral/Graduation/Wedding thingy:

First thought:  Did Dinara dye her hair darker?  Cuz girl is looking GOOD, and I think it's the hair.  And the confidence.  Well, more her hard core inappropriate secret crush on her coach.  It's definitely something.

Second thought:  I think it's great how the Russians seem to get along so well.  I mean, that's the case in other countries too, but it's more surprising for the Russian ladies because they're all at the top of the game.  It's easy to be buddies when you're not really fighting for the same thing and running into each other all the time.  But for Dina, Lena, Sveta, Chakky, etc., it's kind of cool.

Third thought:  Marat is looking all kinds of prep school tasty.  Yum.

(Pics from Tennis Forum)

Pic This: Too. Many. Jokes. Can't. Pick. One.

The Kurious Kase of Kuz

Sandra Harwitt pretty much sums up everyone's thoughts on Kuzzie and the status of her game and her career.  She lacks confidence and conviction and she has a power game but tries to play a clay court game.  Hopefully the change in coach and her move back to Russia will give her a more offensive style of play.

But did Sandra really need to call her ugly?

A cheery sort who often can be seen bopping along to the music from her iPod, Kuznetsova is understandably not a first-string player in the WTA Tour's publicity and tends to get lost in the shuffle among key players -- Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Serena and Venus Williams.

Ouch. 

Moscow Player Party Pics -- Who died?

What's with all the black, ladies?  And seriously, a little bronzer on the feet never hurt nobody.  Y'all need to try it.

(Pics from Tennis Forum and Mens Tennis Forum)

Kuzzie and the Case of the Headcasey Headscratcher.

"I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill

I had been meaning to do a WIUW piece on Kuzzie for a while but I honestly kept thinking she'd get it together.  And it looked like she had over the past two weeks, at least making it to finals before losing  easily and rather spectacularly to players she should at least be able to take to three sets. 

But then today she lost to Peppermint Patty in the second round of Stuttgart.  How she can lose to Patty is beyond me.  Sveta has the better serve, better return, better net work, more power, and is as athletic as anyone.  But what's with that head of hers?

Well my procrastination has paid off becaues Steve Tignor laid out in really nice fashion the Spectacular Case of the Headcasey Headscratcher.  It's a great read.  In my very humble opinion, he nails the technical flaws in Kuzzie's game which I've always had a problem with: that whippy Spanish forehand and her abundance of athleticism.  She, like Serena, is so darn athletic that she doesn't need to be all that technically sound to beat lower ranked players.  But against the top girls, it just doesn't cut it and her failure in footwork is exposed.

My favorite tidbit:

The only Russian woman to reach No. 1 is Sharapova, but like I said she’s at least half-American, especially in the way she takes success as her right, as the product of her will. In fact, the only year-end WTA No. 1s from the Eastern bloc, Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles, are American citizens

Success as her right.  I love that.