Rain delay, argh.......

It's really just the Ashe court fans. You almost never see faults cheered at Armstrong or the Grandstand and certainly not at the side courts. It's these people that get free tickets because they're someone important's client that are so embarrassing. I know so many people who care nothing for tennis, only know Agassi and Roddick, but go because they got a free ticket, it's a good seat, and it seems like something fun to do.

And yes, I'd like to see a bit more of the Henman match but since this match is so good, I can understand why they're not showing it. I noticed they waited till Henman had actually won the 2nd set to show his match point. I guess they were afraid if they showed it live and it ended up with 12 deuces they'd be in trouble. I assume if this set has a match point they'll show that but one never knows.

This is the first time in my life that I'm sorry I don't live in Queens. Except for when they opened the Target there.



ETA: Ok, then it's just me and Martina H. I think Amelie looks like a man. She's just got a masculine face. I also think [ducking] that Roger Federer is quite ugly but I know I'm bringing on the flames with that one.

No need to duck. One of the things that I love about Federer's face is that imo he can look kind of homely from some angles and really handsome from others. To me that makes his face interesting.

One fellows who is just goregous from every angle imo is Tommy Robredo. Sigh...

When Federer finally retires, he has a guaranteed career as the next bitter-beer face.

Okay- I am on a completely superficial vien tonight. Did you guys see Mats Wilander when he came into to chat with John and Ted? I had such a crush on him when I was young and LORD- if he does still not look wonderful. I think he looks even better now. Boy- he was sexy as all get out tonight. ***wipes brow***

Word. He always has that very tight, pursed lips, scrunched face look. And he needs a haircut in a major way. Does he actually think that he has a flattering hairstyle? It's not short, it's not long, it's in between. When he doesn't wear the headband, his hair is very feminine looking with the way the back flips. It's like he pulled out Vogue and pointed to the cover model and told his hairdresser that he wanted the same haircut.

Oh funny, Chesty, I was just swooning over Mats.

Distant Sun, he needs to get a little help from Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suarez, the smiliest doubles team ever. [OT] Did you get your name from the Crowded House song? Even if you didn't, it's one of my favorite CH songs ever. [OT]

And a big shout out to my brother who just called to offer me his ticket for the Sunday final! He's staying home with the kids and I'm going with my SIL. Bro, I officially forgive you for the time you ripped the head off my Barbie. She deserved it anyway; she dressed like a skank.

After watching Agassi and Federer go at it tonight and watching snippets of Davenport's annhilation of her outgunned opponent and the wee peek at Henman:
I'm on the Davenport and Henman love train. I would really love to see these two win the Open as a fitting finish for two classy players.

As for the U.S. Open being the rudest crowd in tennis? For the Grand Slam tournaments, a big ol' YES, definitely THE rudest.
However! Davis Cup crowds...they make U.S. Open crowd look like Mr. Rogers' tournament.

ETA: Ooh yes, Mats looks perfectly fine. Like a good Bordeaux, aging gracefully with a good body.

You know, I've always railed against his hair, but it didn't look bad in that interview with Courier. I never thought I'd say that. I'm still in mourning that I won't get to see Serena's all-black outfit again. Damn, that girl is hot!


I have to admit that I do think that's part of the charm of Davis Cup. I'm not entirely sure why though.

[OT]Castallack, my name is indeed from the Crowded House song. They're my favorite group and, while "Don't Dream It's Over" is my favorite song, "Distant Sun" is a better username (and an excellent song in its own right). BTW, you should get the new Finn Brothers CD -- it's outstanding.[/OT]

Venus has used specialists for her game at various points in her career. But this was not Tracey's point. Originally, Tracey suggested that the Williams parents were not capable coaches because they'd never played professional tennis. The fact that both Venus and Serena were #1 ranked players who've won major tournaments without traveling the normal route of the typical tennis champion makes this suggestion quite an insult. This is not the first instance that a commentator has given suggestions which advocate seperation and hostility within the family. They've heavily criticized the father though he's managed to raise two very determined, skilled, educated, daughters outside of the traditional tennis environment.

I think Federer looks like a troll when he smiles; however, when he is perfectly expressionless (like when he's playing), it's a beautiful thing.

Tommy Robredo has a pretty extensive website. The photo galleries are especially exciting.

Well, the schedule is up for tomorrow and tonight's continuation matches aren't on it although I assume that will change if they don't end up finishing tonight. As it stands it's Hewitt/Haas as the last match of the day session and Roddick/Johansson at night.

(Distant Sun, rock on! Neil Finn is my favorite artist and I love the new CD.)

Darn! I was hoping for the Hewitt-Haas at night- what a match up that may be. Is this the third or fourth match that Roddick has had at night? Share the wealth! Hewitt is a former Open champ and the crowds and the announcers all seem to really like Haas and are happy about his return.

ETA- Pictures do not really do Robredo justice. The man is just so good looking to me. Great- yet another tennis crush formed.

Well, despite the fact that I knew they'd put Roddick on at night, I'm disappointed too. I think Hewitt/Haas will be the better match. But at least we should get to watch the end of both matches from tonight in their entirety as I'm assuming they'll both be on Ashe.


ETA: I take that back. Henman/Hrbaty will continue on the Grandstand while Agassi/Federer is back at Ashe. Both are not before 2pm but if the Grandstand matches go quicker, we still have a hope of seeing both.

My man was complaining about this as well :-). Most all my male friends are completely devastated at her loss. She's the talk of the barbershop but I'm hearing that nothing she's worn so far tops the infamous black catsuit.

Did you catch her post-match interview tonight? They showed it during the rain delay. She was asked if she thought instant replay was a good idea--she thinks of herself as a "traditionalist" and is against it. I don't know what to think about that. Part of me agrees with her; if it were instituted, matches might run twice as long because players would argue every single close shot. On the other hand, I wonder if Lindsay would feel differently if she had experienced what Serena had. If the chair ump had had access to a replay of those four shots, we might be seeing someone else in the semis.

I'm with Lindsay and am not in favor of it. If it does happen, I would say that it would have to be similar to football - you only get one challenge per set and if you're wrong you lose another point.

Glad the rain came to interrupt the Agassi-Federer match. After the third set, I feared that Agassi would get run over. Hopefully he regroups tonight and finds a way to knock that ugly man out.

UGH! I hate rain. Now that the Federer/Agassi match will continue this afternoon I can't watch it because of work! At least I can listen to the radio feed.

Why does it not surprise me that during the rain delay they replayed the Serena/Jen controversy? Beat, beat, beat that dead horse.

Pee-Mac announced the Davis Cup team that will play Belarus at the end of the month: Andy, Mardy & the Bryan Brothers. No surprise.

You can read the press conference transcript. But try not to gag while doing so.

Is it me, or has Pee-Mac deluded himself into thinking that he's Mardy's coach?

He may be ugly, but he has the most beautiful game I've ever seen. And I'll go on record as saying I'll be surprised if this match goes five sets (and completely shocked if Andre somehow wins).


For some reason, I find his fawning over Fish kind of endearing sometimes. It just doesn't rub me the wrong way like his Roddick fetish. Still, I hope James Blake can get healthy again, because he's not the headcase Fish, Dent, and Spadea can be.

Mardy doesn't need another coach; he needs a sports psychologist. And a new hairdo.

Well you and I see this differently, lahboogie, so we'll have to agree to disagree. When I heard Tracy make the comment it seemed to me at least that her point was that all the direction the sisters have received have come from two non-players. Obviously they did a great job since they've won so many slams but, and if I recall correctly she even said, that venus seems to have peaked and hasn't improved the weaknesses of her game while the field has caught up so maybe she should take on additional coaches to supplement the parents. I never once heard her say that she should dump her parents or that they didn't do a good job. And for anyone to say that Tracy was making derisive comments against the Williams family is a bit insulting actually.

Okay, what's with Jim Courier's love for Al Trautwig? Besides the EWWW factor, did he not watch the gymnastics in the Olympics?

I think I'm jumping on the Jim-Courier-is-drunk train.

NOOO! I missed Mats?! I loved him when I was younger too. Does anyone know a place to see a recent photo of him? He was the first Swede I ever saw with wavy hair - I thought they all had stick straight flaxen locks.

Mats was great in the booth. They even did "Mats Phone" and let folks call in and ask him (and McEnroe) questions during the rain delay.

On a question about how Serena should have handled the bad calls while ON the court:
McEnroe: I wouldn't have let it go as easy as she did.
Mats: Well, we all know that.

Mac cracked up.

Weirdism: Ted was calling him "Mots" but I always thought it was "Mahts"?

Here are some recent pictures

Here is a fairly recent one with Mats, Edberg, and Borg. And he's a cute one from many moons ago for old times sake. Awww - he looks so young and adorable. He is one of the few who looked good with that shaggy early-mid 1980s mullet.

Mats and John had a really good rapport last night. If I recall correctly, I think that they are rather friendly (even played music a little together in the mid-1990s). Do you guys know if they are chums?

Thank goodness there is some live tennis going on now (although the winds are so gusty!). I am home with a bad summer cold and fever and would love to be able to see the conclusion of the Agassi/Federer match and the Haas/Hewitt match live. Am aslo hoping that they show some of the Paes/Rikl vs. Nadal/ Robredo doubles semifinal. I love watching Paes play doubs and Robredo- as I have mentioned before, is the latest to join my tennis player harem.

Please rain- stay away.

I noticed on the schedule at the USO website that a "Super Seniors" doubles match, featuring Ilie Nastase/Tom Okker vs. Owen Davidson/John Newcombe, is scheduled on Ashe after the Roddick/Johansson match. I hope we get to see at least some of that -- should be entertaining. I used to think that both Nastase and Newcombe were hotties -- when both they and I were MUCH younger.

I find it pretty amusing that the Seniors' doubles for men are broken down into three different age categories -- 35, 45 and Super (geezer), while ladies' doubles has just one all-encompassing senior designation. I wonder if it's because there are so many senior men's teams that it has to be broken down, or is it simply that they don't want the ladies' teams to have to admit their approximate ages?

Or maybe they are just awaiting the arrival of Martina- who will be able to play in any age group regardless of her calander year age.

Nope, not just you two. The first time I ever saw her play they were in a close up of her face and I thought, man that guy has long hair. Then they showed her playing and I thought to myself, Does Renee Richards have a daughter somehow? Ok, I’m evil.


Me too and I also hope he regroups, not because I don’t like Federer, I do and I think in profile he is absolutely beautiful. I just want Andre to win because he is considered the underdog and I want him to win just one more to prove that he still can. (For us ‘old’ people.)
It was great seeing some of the old greats sitting in the stands. They all looked like they were just in shock at how well both Agasse and Federer were playing.

Anyone know why there is no play on the outside courts? I thought they would be slamming through those matches to avoid last year's debacle.

Mats and John are definitely friends.

I was shocked to see Jimmy Connors:
a) at the Open
b) in the studio with Tracy Austin doing a (presumably) live interview
c) suggest that he and McEnroe should play doubles next year against Pete Sampras and one of Sampras' peers.

I thought Jimmy & Mac didn't speak? Great to find out different.


I doubt this would happen. More than likely they would do what the NFL does and allot each player a specific number of challenges. So you'd have to hold onto for crucial points. Not sure how they would deal with "charging" the requesting player as they do in the NFL (with the forfeit of a time out if the ruling is against the requestor. (I think.))

Awww, don't call him ugly. He may not be handsome in the traditional sense, but I think he's endearing in his own way. Plus he's charming in his interviews.



This is why I am conflicted about this match. Although Agassi isn't my favorite, I kind of wish he could do a Pete Sampras and win one more Open.
Still, when it comes down to it I'm pulling for Federer.

For the record: I'm all about Andre. (But I think that's well documented.)

Jimmy Connors? He was there too last night? Damn, I picked a hell of a night not to watch. Thanks for the Mats photos, especially Mats in an Edberg-Borg sandwich. My fantasy life is taken care of for the next few weeks now. I know what Connors looks like, but I would have loved to hear him talk about stuff. It's interesting which players wind up hanging around, broadcasting, participating in senior doubles, and which don't.

Maybe the thought with the women is that they don't have as much to lose strength and power-wise as they get older, since they didn't have as much to begin with, so they all play together. Also, maybe there aren't enough top women who still play for three separate divisions. It may change in the future when the really strong women get older. Using figure skating as an example, Katarina Witt barely leaves the ice anymore, certainly doesn't do triples any longer, and she used to do 6 per routine. On the other hand Dorothy Hammill skates routines similar to the ones she used to do because there were fewer jumps required back then.

Actually, when my brother and I watch her play we do the Austin Powers "She's a maaan, baby," line and crack each other up. Because we're twelve - and evil.


I wonder if there is and it's not showing up on the scoreboard. I say that because the Ashe match keeps disappearing from mine and then coming back up.

Also, McEnroe calls Capriati "Cahpriati" whereas I've never heard anything but Capriati (rhymes with Rap-riati), What's up with that?

A dude at Whole Foods just tried to sell me his ticket for Saturday when he heard me fretting in case I wasn't back in front of my TV by 2pm. The whole world loves tennis this week.

ETA: Go Gentleman Tim!

Except the guy who has a ticket for Saturday and is trying to sell it!

It bugs me too the way Mac says Cah-priati. I think Mats is an Americanized way of saying his name and in Sweden the pronunciation is closer to Mots.

I think you're right. I think the letter A is pronounced the same in his first and last names.

Andre should be paying thanks to someone for the rain last night and the wind today.

Tim Henman in the semis! Woohoo!

Andre. **sigh**

Agggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, Castellack and Juanita. I hate to see the heartbreak.

But I'm so happy! Yay, Timmy! Yay, Ugly Man! (Just kidding! It doesn't bug me at all.... Different strokes, etc.)

Wow. Even as all the hype was going to this QF, I was trying hard not to hope for this semifinal all along. Hooray!

Just like the Indian Wells final, which I got to see live. Hooray! Again!

Only you guys will understand that: the minute the last point was played, my phone at work rang. Here's the conversation:

"This is Juanita."
"I want to offer my condolences and sympathies."

I have a friend, married to a Brit, who is a big tennis fan too. She was watching at home and as we once shared an office, she knew of my obsessive compulsive internet/radio habit. She knew I'd know.

But good for Andre. He put up a hell of a fight. Not that we would expect anything less.

Good job to both players in tough conditions. I'm disappointed for Andre- but really happy for Federer. He seemed really happy (and tired of his shirt) at the end of the match. I'm glad that the crowd appreciated the efforts of both players and applauded when it was mentioned that Fed was going to the semis for the first time.

Now onto Hewitt-Haas!

I think it was the wind on his big bald head.

I know I'm just being selfish but I had envisioned Agassi winning the US Open and making a tearful retirement speech, all with moi in the audience. Poof! The dream is gone.

My crystal ball (it looks just like Agassi's big bald head) seems to point to another Roddick v. Federer showdown. Let's see if Lleyton can bring on the whoopass.

Three cheers to Tim "My teeth are so British" Henman. Too bad he's going to get demolished pronto by Herr Federer.

Word! This is outstanding! No matter what, I'll have someone to root for in the final. Excellent. I'm hoping Tim can pull it out -- he has a good record against Federer (and Roddick). I couldn't care less about the other half of the draw (although I'm hoping Haas can get through it).

Aw! Bummed for Andre. :( But if someone had to beat him, I'm glad it's Federer. At least he lost to the best.

I don't think it's the teeth. He looks British with his mouth closed. It's the ears.

In the vein of rooting for the underdog: wouldn't it be great for Henman to win it all?

That's what I've been rooting for the whole time. How unlucky is he? His last two first-round opponents here were Karlovic and Roddick.

iMissEthan, his teeth are the very definition of British (well, the stereotype anyway).

If Tim can pull this off, it'll be a little fitting that he breaks through at the same event where his good friend Todd Martin came so close (and also where he retired). I'd almost be like a victory for Todd as well (another of my favorite players).

It's the mouth too, I think.


I'd love that but the Brits won't care unless he wins Wimbledon.

OK, so I admit, when Michael Barkan was interviewing Tommy Haas about the weather conditions, all I could hear was [doing best Ah-nuld] "Ah, unt I am a yummee tennis playah."

I am afraid the wind will blow Lleyton away. I think I weigh more than he does.

BWAH!

His teeth are rather sad, aren't they? From what I've noticed they're kind of dingy and little, like alligator teeth. (Are they crooked, too, or is that my imagination?)

And what is it with the Brits smiling in a way (think Hugh Grant) that you never see their bad teeth? Have they perfected it?

One word folks: invisAlign.

Oooh yes, my Davenport-Henman train is still running and accruing passengers!
Too bad about Agassi but Federer has that ability to turn it on when he needs it. Now gentleman Tim needs to keep him off guard by serving in the ohhh, 80% first serve range? Federer may have trouble with a serve and volley type, lets just hope the winds die down a bit.

As for Henman's uber-Britishness, I do believe it IS the ears. If he let his hair grow a bit you wouldn't notice, but the short cut kind of accentuates it. He DOES possess that little cockeyed-grin-smirk that Hugh Grant has and like Grant, he always plays the same character!

Now if Tommy Haas wins, life will be wonderful this weekend.

Heh. I'm British. Mine were worse!

I was thinking, Castellack, that had your vision of Andre retiring after the final been at all a possibility, Federer may have let him win! (He is rumoured to be waiting for Cahill to be free.)

Anyway, good on both of them. One for a long and hearty career, and the other for having taken on the rowdy fans, media, and ambience to prove himself here and now.

BTW: Henman beat Roddick back at Indian Wells to get to the final v. Federer, where he had a winning record going in. It might be anybody's match; who knows?

ETA: Go JJ!