Has anyone been watching NBC since they came on at noon? Have they acknowledged that they're completely recorded? Not even the intro was live. We went from play suspended and raining on ESPN to clear skies and play going on on NBC and nary a mention that it was pre-recorded. But I've been out the last 40 minutes, so I haven't seen it.

I just think they should come clean about conditions "right now" even if they choose to show recorded play. Ugh.

Yay Ana! That was a crazy match. I'm glad she held it together in the end but she really can't take that long to start playing against Venus (who played amazing against Kuznetsova). Aww but I really want her to win against Venus, she's just so gosh darn cute I can't but root for her over pretty much everyone.

I'm glad other people also aren't big Vaidisova fans, I tried to like her but I can't, something about her irritates the hell out of me.

I've never felt one way or another anout Vaidisova but the whole yelling at the ball kid story got my attention. And that was an impolsion vs Ana

I like both Ana and Venus but am squarely in the anyone but JH camp and think Venus has a much better shot of beating her in a final.

While I'm wary of dragging wedgie-gate to unreasonable lengths, I want to follow up by saying that (even taking second-language things into consideration) I think it's a quite the leap to go from voicing one's opinion about the state of affairs to projecting their motives. While it's obvious to all involved and anyone paying the slightest bit of attention that there's a crisis going on and that some of it might have been foreseen and prevented, it's not as objective to say that it's because "it's clear that the officials don't care about the players".

It's a nuance - but an important one for me. While my reactions to Nadal are obviously tinged with a strong (and regrettable) bias of pure loathing, this is a bit stretch.

Go Venus! Go Roger - so sad I can't see it right now.... I wait all year for Roger on grass, and it's been a week!

Maybe the only good thing about this current rain delay is that the bottom half of the men's draw has finally reached the quarters, so if play is suspended for the top half for the rest of the day, the bottom's disadvantage from scheduling won't be as severe.

This absolutely drives me up the wall as well, OopsSorry. And breaking the rules is cheating, by defintion. The damned officials need to take care of it.

And speaking of, with the discussion of Nadal and whether the press took some of his comments out of context -- sure. They do that, and it sucks. But he acted like a prick on court all on his own, and not for the first time, and never acknowledged his own actions later. I'm of the mind that it doesn't really matter what the players are like off-court, because we'll never really know. But I also think one's personality comes through on-court loud and clear. YMMV.

Well, that's it-no more play today. I guess it's good the halves are getting to the point where they are almost equally screwed. It will be very interesting to see how Federer comes out tomorrow.

Huh-to me Nadal is one of the nicest, most respectful players-almost to the point where I wish he would talk trash a little more. I agree that he is not innocent in the Soderling mess but I don't think his comments about the tournament are any worse than other people's.

Well that's it, no more play for the day. According to Radio Wimbledon, Nadal/Berdych will be the first match on Center Court, with Federer/Ferrero following.

As far as I am concerned, Rafael Nadal is a great person. I have no reason to believe that he's not. Fans who meet him, players he plays against, people who interview him, they all say he's great. And the general vibe (which means nothing, granted) I get is that he's a really nice guy. He worries a lot about saying the right thing, or offending people (hig blog is a great example of this), almost to an annoying degree. He said in his blog that he may have said too much to the press, but he also said they made issues seem bigger than they are. Probably both are true, and it's great that he admits that. He's no saint, certainly, but I have no problem with his personality on court or off. He's young, and he's going to make mistakes, but he's never malicious in any way. If he starts being that way, I will be extremely disappointed. I say these things fully admitting I'm biased, but aren't we all?

To me it feels malicious if he knows (and he must, right??) that he's breaking the rules on the pre-service delays and doesn't fix it. He can talk about worrying about saying the right things, etc. - but for me I'd have given him a total pass on his comments if this freaking behavior would stop. But it doesn't. And then people get to their wits' end and they're the jerks.

I don't like anyone talking trash - and I often don't read any blogs or any interview transcripts (except the occasional Federer one), because - well, I don't know. I guess I'm happier watching the tennis. So it's not for me that he doesn't talk trash; it's that he's infuriating and pushing the limits.

I haven't read (obviously) that he wished he hadn't said some things in the press conference. Good on him for acknowledging that. But seriously - wasn't the heart of the complaint that Soderling had waited for him all match (as does everyone) but that when Nadal had to wait he was sarcastic about it?

That's how I saw it. The conference where he said that the tournament doesn't care about the players just topped it off (especially when many of you heard me rant about how I think they should make him face the #3 seed in the semis). But I'm glad he stepped down from that.

Now I'm ready for some tennis -but not until tomorrow apparently - from another nice, respectful person. It feels like it's been all Nadal for a week, and I'm fatigued from it and miss Roger!!

I saw someone here mention the Melo-Sa doubles victory and decided to look for details. This is the true marathon match - nearly 6 hours of actual play, a Wimbledon-record 102 games played (includes a record 54 game 5th set). Started on Saturday ended Wednesday and figure there were at least the number of delays that were in Nadal's match, some in that 5th set. Also, fellow countryman Guga was there, apparently moonlighting as their coach.

And yet this has not been mentioned on TV because it's just doubles. *eye roll*

The umpires are there to enforce the rules. If they do not give him a time warning during a match, why should he change his routine? Nadal's job is to stay focused and play hard, not worry about whether his opponent is annoyed by his taking time between points when the umps are condoning it. I have seen him get warnings before and when that happens he does speed up his play. I don't think he is jerk-ish about this behavior at all.

My opinion on what happened was that Nadal wasn't being sarcastic about the "new balls" thing. He forgot to say it (as is customary), so he made a joke out of it. I never got he feeling he was saying "Are you ready to play, now?!?" He's done things like that before (and quite a few in the crowd were laughing), and I don't think it called for Soderling's strong reaction. But there's no way to know either of their true motives, so no reason to talk about it, IMO. And there's no reason to go around in circles talking about how 'nice' a player is, so the best thing to do is just agree to disagree about it. Same thing goes for the 'malicious' thing. I just don't think he's ever been like that. And it doesn't annoy every player he plays against. I know Roddick said yesterday or the day before it doesn't bother him and there was another player who said the same (Hewitt, maybe?).

And, this is just my opinion, if rules aren't enforced, they might as well not even exist. They're just words in a dusty old book. What's the point of having rules that aren't enforced? The entire purpose is defeated. If he's going over the limit, they need to stop him. Penalize him (and anyone else who does it), no questions asked. They don't...so it's on them. They are the ones with the problem. They should be getting a royal asskicking over it.

I kind of see your point about rules, whyistherumgone, but I guess I personally believe that rules are rules. Just because they aren't being enforced doesn't mean the player breaking them is right. And it's not that the chair umps aren't enforcing the time rule on Nadal, for example -- it's that they're not consistently enforcing it. Of course the umps should be blamed for this, but it doesn't mean the player isn't breaking the rule. They're both to blame. YMMV of course, and not to beat a dead horse or anything...

ETA I finally saw Kuznetsova's braids. Holy shit. She's like Gary Oldman in "True Romance" and that is so not a good thing.

When Rafa was little he was trained by Toni to take time between points and collect his thoughts. So this has been a habit ingrained since he was a child playing. I do think that he takes time for internal reasons- to focus, etc. and for the very large part does not do it to irritate his opponent. That stated- it does obviously irritate his opponents when the feel he is taking too long. I think he will always be a slow player and may not realize when he is going over the time limit. You can take up to 20 seconds before you start your service motion (and that includes the ball bouncing- so if you are bouncing it- then your service motion has started) and that can actually be a while. Therefore, I don't think he is maliciously trying to go over the time limit. Of course- we all have our different opinions here about this. That stated, the umps need to enforce it. That is their job. When he was talking to Chris Fowler today he actually welcomed umpires calling him on it. But if the umps do call him on it- they need to do it for everyone. I remember last year at Queen's when he was playing Verdasco (who is also very slow) Nadal received a time warning when he was actually ready and Fernando was the one holding up the play.

I think Rafa has some very ingrained behavior that is hard for him to break. In fact- I really do think he does have at least a mild strain of OCD. But he is started to say that he would like to make changes. From his blog



I do not think Nadal is an angel in any way. But I do not think he is a malicious devil either. I feel that he is generally a good kid with some bad habits. I think he does tend to suffer from a lack of self-awareness about things and is actually kinda sensitive to interactions in the locker room. He really is a love him or hate him player. I just happen to be in the former camp. And even if you don't like him- he certainly does bring buzz to tennis. And I do get a little defense about him when, for example, I hear on Wimbledon Radio one of the guys (the same fellow who seemed to have no idea who Verdasco was earlier in the tournament) saying that he does not play tennis but is a gymnast. Hello? It may not always be pretty- but it is still tennis.

Kinda interesting, but during his interview with Fowler he said in Rafa-english that he does not have a problem with Tomas now.



They have been a fun story at the tournament. Between the dust-up with the French team and the marathon match- it has been a very interesting tournament for them. I was hoping to catch some of their match before work today but it was not on one of the courts featured in the Wimbledon feed.

And their middle three sets today all went to tie-breaks! Is there a doubles' record for time on court - and are they close?

I'm glad we can all agree on the officials - and I think that really extends beyond the chair umps to a stronger tour policy. Because I think much of tennis's history is based on the courtesy and self-regulation between players. I think that's why most players do not run past that time limit (acknowledging that there are other players who do and for the most part they're the ones I can't watch: Pierce, Verdasco, et al).

As a teacher, it's exhausting to think of sanctioning him every single time, but I know from experience that it works to do that. People eventually get it. So I put tremendous blame on them, as per my post. Because it should not be the burden of the opponent beyond his/her own ability to abide by the rules to then monitor the rule-breaker. But I also think that if a rule is so vastly understood - so much so that you and I know it inside and out - then how can a player at that level not do something about it outside of the sanctions? Students who wait for me to be the one to remind them of the boundaries of acceptable behavior are the most difficult for me - and always the ones who I feel are not respectful of others. This feels the same.

Alas, I have never said he was the devil! He's a kid - whom I've tried to like but can't when I see him play.

This quote from Ana about being nervous when playing Venus on Centre Court is just so cute. It makes me smile.


She sounds like a kid. "I played one match there I'll be ok," meanwhile Venus pretty much lives there.


That is an entirely unfortunate hairstyle, it even won for the worst one on the random BBCwebsite poll they were doing fun during all the rain delays.

Oops- my point is that Rafa my not realize when he is going over the time limit. He will always be slow- imo- since it is something that he has been taught since he was a kid. But there is going slow and going under the time limit which is perfectly acceptable and going slow and going longer. When he gets a warning- he seems to become more aware and pick it up. I do like that he has mentioned he wants to cut down on his habits. So the self-awareness is getting there. But as I stated, I also think he is a touch OCD or something and I would really welcome prodding from the officials so he can be more aware. He was very good at that during Indian Wells and I would like to see that again. I do want him to speed it up- but it may not be as easy for him as someone who is not so ritualized. I am not saying that gives him a pass or anything- just pointing it out.

I read Youzhny's presser and it just broke my heart. He says that his back problem is pretty chronic but with the schedule and the required tournaments it is hard for him to get enough rest for the back for it to heal properly.

Seriously though- this guy is adorable.



I hope to see this guy play in person someday- because the flove is so very strong.

Ana even sounds more like a kid when you hear the quote via audio. She just seems like she is having a lot of fun.

The time rule thing....has anyone ever timed it? I have a couple matches DVRed, so I have a 30 second advance button. No matter who is playing, if I hit the 30 second fastforward, I'm always well into the next point (or the point may actually be over) in all matches, including Nadal's yesterday v. Soderling. I didn't bother trying it with Nadal/Soderling in the days before...because you know, I deleted that crap. I just used it with last night's Complete Wimbledon. *grin* I'd actually liked 30 seconds between points because it would make my fastforwarding so much easier.

Point being, I'm not sure he IS going over time 200 times per match. I think it might just seem that way because they do show every single towel request, face wipe, arm wipe, walk to service line, grab shorts, fix hair, bounce ball routine rather than reshowing the last point or showing the opponent. Some players may like to go faster, but the rule is 20 seconds. If Nadal uses 20 seconds per service point and served over 100 times, that's a hell of a lot of time, but still within the rules.

I know I'm sounding like a Nadal apologist, but it bothers me when people are being called cheaters when they aren't actually, you know, cheating.

Heh. Well 200 was Soderling's number. I've never timed him, but have heard a number of references to times that people have. 45 seconds, 40 seconds. Sometimes 30-35. And it seems to be fairly vastly agreed-upon. Even by Nadal.

If the umps don't start timing it, maybe it's on all of us to try and compare notes. And then mail off some letters. If they're worried about the future of the sport (or at least about its future as a televised sport), maybe that would have an impact.

I'm married to an OCD person, so I may have a shred of sympathy on this level, Chesty. And even as I hear all of your arguments, I start to soften to him. In my head I think: "poor kid. he is a fighter. not all his fault. etc."

Until the next time I watch, and then so help me, it's all lost.

But I did get to revel in my 10 service games of Roger and JCF this afternoon when I got home, so I already feel better.

ETA: And Youzhny! It seems we can all agree on him. What a great spirit.

I don't hate Nadal for taking advantage of the umpire's complete lack of spine. Those idiots will cling to a wrong call until the cows come home to preserve their honor or whatever, but they, for whatever reason, can't seem to enforce the rules on one player. If they are going to give him Michael Jordan treatment, he should take advantage of it. I don't think he is evil or honorable, just opportunistic like most competitive athletes. The rules exist precisely because competitive drive can make otherwise moral and fair people do not so fair stuff. I wish they WOULD enforce the rules because he is ridiculous out there.

Ahh I FLOVE Ana and I am so happy she made it to the semis. For all the media that waxes poetic about Sharapova's beauty, I personally think Ana is the most beautiful woman on the tour.

I am really upset about the rain delaying the Fed-J.C. match. It was looking like J.C. may have taken the first set, and I was really hoping for a close match. Unfortunately, Fed will probably come out guns blazing. He definitly looked a little rusty.

To more important matters, did JCF really get hurt when he slipped in the 11th game, right before the rain delay? If he's injured and Fed gets another walkover, aiyaya. Call me crazy, but I'd like the all Spanish final as well. Or even any two players left in it other than Fed/Nadal. A Baghdatis/Berdych final with Baggy taking it in 3 would be fantastic. Berdych just reminds me of my irrational hate for Jim Courier.

For the Djokovic lovers (I'm a liker), does he rip his shirt off like Brandi Chastain after every match? Is he the SYTYCD Dmitry of tennis? It's cute, but it could get old if the match isn't even close.

TikiGirl, I agree completely. I look at it like driving - if you're going 55 in a 45 zone, you're breaking the law regardless of whether you get a ticket or not. While some of Nadal's mannerisms on court (and comments off-court) bug me, I still like the guy. I know some people don't agree with this, but I tend to chalk it up to him being barely 21. He's so poised most of the time that I tend to forget that he's still maturing. And I still have a lot of love left from last season - maybe it was at the US Open? - when he lost and refused to blame it on an injury he had. He said something along the lines of "If I had won, we could talk about it. But I lost, so it's not a factor." It was such a change from the players that never give their opponent credit that I immediately softened towards him a bit.

MarenAte just reminded me of my irrational hate for Baghdatis. Every time I look at him, I think someone dug up a frozen Neanderthal, reanimated him, and taught him tennis. That's horribly mean, I know. Hee.

I'm a rule follower too (Navy brat) and this is interesting to me. I find my blood pressure going up when I watch Henin getting coached from the box, no repercussions, and the same with Nadal and Sharapova in their endless stalling between points. I think that S. has hers timed exactly, though, pushing the limits but rarely crossing them.

With Nadal I think he has so much going on that sometimes he does go over the time limit. And it bugs. Majorly.

To clarify, do they have 20 seconds before they begin their service motion? Does the 20 seconds start at the split second the previous point concludes?

And to finish off the foursome, I find myself pulling against Andy Roddick every time he plays. He is so pissy when he's getting beaten. I have a theory on him too - I think he is so damn self-conscious that he can never actually get into the "zone" - I think his mind is racing and he gets embarrassed when he starts to play poorly. By the time he's in his post-match interview his rational side has taken over again and he's able to seem gracious, but in the moment he strikes me as a "youngest child" (I'm one, too) that is used to having things go his way and doesn't know how to deal with frustration.

Ok add Youzhny to my irrational love list. That press conference snippet was great.

About Nadal and the timing issue. I agree that it's the umpires responsibility to keep Nadal on his toes time wise but I also think Nadal could speed up his game just a bit so he's not out on court for hours every match. I swear even his straight set blowouts seem to go on forever.

I just think it would be as beneficial for him to speed up his game as it would be for his opponents so he doesn't have to spend so much time on court.

/rant

Virginia, I've noticed the same thing. I think part of it is his being self-conscious, of knowing what fans and other players and the press are saying about you. When watching him, I'm always struck by the fact that he doesn't seem much like a tennis player, but more like an athlete who happens to play tennis. I get the feeling that he's mentally connecting the dots and running through the mechanics of every shot he hits, rather than just playing and going with his instincts. It's painful to watch sometimes. I'm not quite sure whether he's never in the zone because he overthinks and overanalyzes, or if he just doesn't have a zone to be in.

I feel like the only person who's completey neutral on Nadal. I don't love him, but I don't hate him -- he's just kind of there. I'll root for him when he plays Roger (because Roger will always be an irrational HATE) or Hewitt or another player I don't like, but otherwise, meh. The whole issue of his timing and all doesn't bug me in the least.

Of the men left, I'm totally rooting for Andy or Bagdhatis. Berdych, Djokovic and Gasquet pretty much bore the snot out of me (though I can't say none of them will ever win me over), Ferderer I hate, Nadal is too meh, and I guess JCF is okay and if he gets past Fed I wouldn't completely mind him winning (though I probably want him to beat Fed moreso that Andy might actually have a chance).

On the women's side? Anyone-But-Henin, but I'm hoping for a Venus win. She really loves Wimbledon.

I can totally see what you guys are saying about Roddick. He definitely seems self-critical, self-conscious, and most of all self-depricating (almost to a fault in his post match interviews). Though, I also think he does have a zone... and we saw it over the summer of 2003. And even though I am a huge fan... I don't think we've really seen it since.
But - I also think it's amazing that he's somehow managed to spend a good part of the year as the world #3, without ever really hitting that zone, and sometimes seeming a bit unsure. It's what all Roddick fans hope will come back to him at some point in the future - that real spark that he had in '03.
What's also really weird? I watch his matches, I'm psyched that he's been getting through in straights... but I'm still not entirely happy with the way he's playing. I think he's a really decent guy off-court, and I hope he's able to unlock whatever that thing is... partly because you can really see how badly he wants it.

ETA: Just have to say... a big fat word to all of the Baggy love. When he is in the studio with Fowler for his little post-match interviews, it's like a little explosion of adorable. Also loved his little pirouette at the end of his match today (yesterday?) all this rain is making me loopy.

I agree her hair doesn't look good, but it's better than the horse hair Venus is currently sporting. Did you see her bangs - they start beyond the top of her head. It's not even that horrible when she's playing, but when you see her in interviews without the visor it looks awful. And I love how Serena is wearing her hair now, which calls even more attention to Venus' disaster.

I wish Venus would try to wear her hair like the model Roshumba used to wear her hair - close cropped to the head and natural. Even the way Roshumba wears it now - straight, but still quite short - would be a big improvement. And I discovered while searching for old photos of R's hair that her last name is also Williams.

Another Baghdatis adorer here. He's such a joy to watch, and what a beautiful game he has.

Why is Juanqui giving me hope??? Sigh. I shouldn't hope. I really shouldn't. It's ridiculous to hope.

I want Henin to finally win this Wimbledon, but if not her then Venus, because she's been under Serena's shadow for so long.

I have enjoyed reading the different theories on Andy. I have noticed that he tends to get pissy much more against lower ranked players than to say top-10 players or the like. I wonder if part of that is the embarrasment as well- i.e. he feels there is no way that I should not be doing well agaisnt a guy ranked #33.

Gotta agree about the bad Venus hair. I would like to see her retry an afro. I just think whe would look soooo cute playing with one or two Afro puffs. She also does have the long and lean look that would look nice with a Roshumba-like do. Ar she could take Seren'as look a little futher/shorter and a sleeker 1920s or 1960s style bob.

Embarrasing confession time: Even though he tends to have unfortunate hair choices and has the physique of a professional bowler- I find Baghdatis oddly attractive. I am a smile girl and he has one of the best there is- totally transforms his face.

It must not be that embarrassing, as a couple of us have admitted to it today. I find him adorable, especially when he smiles, as you said. When he smiles he just seems so full of joy. It's nice to see.

Heh...yeah, he and David Nalbandian could probably kick some serious ass if the ATP decided to replace tie-breaks with pie eating contests.

Hee. I see them going the way of Kafelnikov when the stop playing.

Word on kind of hating that Juanqui is giving us hope. I would be in tennis heaven if he and Gasquet won. If they both lose, I hope Federer gives Andy another Australian Open type beatdown. Andy annoys me more with every tournament. Venus was cute commenting on Rafa today. I like how when Chris Fowler asked her if lots of people watched Rafa's matches in the women's locker room she responded "Why? because they think he's hot?" Of course, she went on to say she likes to watch him because of his game. I guess with her boyfriend there she can't admit the Rafa hotness.

Yeah, that was so cute. Admit it Venus, you think Rafa's cute. Venus did a good job commentating. She has a nice speaking voice.

Who's her boyfriend? I hope it's not the guy who was sitting next to her father. He looked like he'd wandered off the set of a rap video.

Venus with an afro. I for one think Venus is pretty enough to be a model per this, this, and this. But I too wish she'd get rid of those awful bangs over her visor, not a pretty look. I found it cute how nervous Baghdatis was watching Hewitt and Novak play.

ETA: Laurgan Venus' boyfriend is white and he's an ex-golfer named Hank Kuehne. He and Venus are holding hands. He reminds me of someone but I can't think of who that is. I do have the thought that she could do better.

Okay so I follow tennis religiously, but I must have missed something... what happened to Nadal in the Soderling match?

Mpol, they showed it on ESPN 2 billion times. Go back and read posts starting on July 2, 2007. There are too many interpretations of the whole thing for you to read just one. Suffice to say Soderling thought Rafa was a jerk and responded and Rafa thought Soderling was a jerk and responded. Who started it, who was in the right, who was in the wrong, judge for yourself.

This was the only video I could find of the most talked about incident. It sounds as if Nadal says "New Balls" when he holds up the ball to Soderling.

I've read other articles, some I found just downright silly, exaggerating other stuff that may or may not have happened.

Eta: Who knows how long the video will stay up before it gets yanked? It's already pulled off youtube.

Oh I'm in Australia. It hasn't been replayed on our Foxtel Sports channels at all. I didn't hear of it until coming over here! Weird. But then again our coverage team is so hell bent of fondling Hewitt all tournament, it's no wonder, really.

MarenAte thanks for the footage. AS far as I see it... I Rafa really wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. It was a tense moment in the match, as it was the fifth set. Rafa always takes him time. I just think Soderling was fed up. What happened after really shouldn't have happened.

I can see why this has garnered a lot of discuss. Should Rafa change his habits or should Soderling, having put up with it all match, just have done nothing. I can sympathies with both... Rafa was not consciously taking any more amount of time than what he normally does, however Soderling was just fed up. I think Soderling went pretty low with the wedgie incident. THAT was uncalled for. Rafa can't help that he has some junk in the trunk.

Me too. I can see why people don't like her. She's far too intense and serious for my liking (though by all accounts she has lightened up considerably since making up with her family) but I love her game. I find the way she plays fun to watch, she has a crazy good backhand, and it's fun to watch this tiny thing hit the ball that hard. I really want her to win at least 1 Wimbledon so she can have her Grandslam collection, but I would love to see Ana make it to the final too and make up for the Rolland Garros incedent (but I know that is pretty much impossible with the way Venus is playing now).

I have always thought she could model, too! I think she's so pretty in a majestic, regal way. Plus she has the best figure. I really enjoyed her post-match interview. To me, Venus has always been so polite and very protective of Serena.

Rafa's in the semis! I'm so happy for him! Awesome. And a nice little interview with him afterwards. I love his accent! Um, I might be getting a little crush on him, which is kind of weird. But I think it has to do with how proud I am of him this tournament!

*ahem* *sings*

And I am telling you
I'm not going

*bows* Rafa never ceases to amaze me. I keep doubting him (*slaps wrist*), and he keeps proving me and a lot of others wrong. After reading his press from yesterday, I don't have quite as much of an issue with him anymore, but...Bye Bye, Berdy!

No matter what happens in the Semi-finals, he has impressed me so much. You can't even compare his level of play on grass now to what it used to be. He has gotten so much better. It's like a different person. 88% (14/16) at the net? Nadal? Rafael Nadal? Surely, you jest! Amazing. I just love him. For me, he's already surpassed what he did last year. If he had played this draw last year, I fully believe he wouldn't have even made it to the Semis. Hell, he may not have made it out of the 3rd round. He's improving by leaps and bounds. So even if this isn't his year (I don't think it is), he's only 21 and he's got a great shot at winning it one of these days.

I feel bad that I keep doubting him. Three matches in a row now, and he's won them all.

That being said, if Nole goes on to win his match, playing the way he is, I can definitely see Rafa losing to him. (Hey, if ain't broke...lol)

ETA: I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my feelings about Venus' hairstyle of choice. That's ass ugly, girl!

I'm so happy for Rafa. I think his improvement has been amazing this year, and no one can see he's had too easy a draw this year. I really expected Berdych to trouble him more. Amazing!

I can't bear to watch my other Spaniard. I'm going to switch the channel and quietly await Henin-Bartoli. The only time Juanqui didn't break my heart was when he won the French, and I can't bear to see him lose today.

So Nadal has played three matches in three days, or is my timeline wrong?

Blah, again. Nadal's in the semis.

At least Juanqui's making things interesting with Feds :D Got a set off him! XD

You give hope and then you take it away *Cries*

I am so impressed with Rafa beating Berdych so decisively. Wow. The semi-final is going to be awesome because Djokovic and Baghdatis are in a dogfight and either opponent is going to be very tough.



The rap video looking dude is Serena's boyfriend, actor Jackie Long. As stated previously, Venus's boyfriend is actor Hank Kuehne, who BTW, is a divorcee with a toddler.

What is up with all the commercials, ESPN??!!??

He's actually a professional golfer. There was another character actor by that name who acted a few decades ago- could be the boyfriend's father since his full name is Hank Kuehne II.

I am surprised that Rafa won and did so in three sets. He was better at handling the wind and played with very good tactics.

It looks like now that Roger lost a set to JCF he is really bringing it. Glad that the Baggy was able to get a set against Djokvoic.

Agree that there are too many commercials - we have two matches going on- there is no rain delay- show some more tennis guys!