With Ike about to bring it on, this could be my "Out of Office" Reply for a time. I'm as prepared for a ####slap as I can be here in Houston. But we might run out of juice, a foreign concept to Jose Canseco.
Though I'm a scrapper, you just can't take it to a Himmicane. So like Tina, I plan on surviving... and wearing short skirts when I clear 50.
If you can't already tell, I'm keeping a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Currently I am petsitting, and have decided to make my stand here in the dogs' house. My brother is at our apartment two miles away, with my two nephews -- a French mastiff and an Amazon parrot. Though my brother & the mastiff paid us a visit this morning -- a whirlwind of its own, since combined they easily clear 300 pounds.
Things will probably get even more surreal, but I already have to laugh at the following:
* I am a staunch bike commuter. And I spent 15 minutes in line at the gas station to fill up someone else's car.
* Riding the storm out doesn't make me nervous. However, when I stopped at the apartment yesterday for some supplies and found the Amazon loose outside of his cage, my heart jumped into my throat.
Hey... that one-pound featherneck has scarred me several times over!!! This round, however, went without bloodshed.
*When I stopped for those supplies -- which mostly consisted of non-perishable food items -- I also picked up my Marat Safin buttons.
* As I said, I am as prepared as I can be. The dogs & I won't be hurting for food, water, shelter, entertainment or escape plans. My years as a Girl Scout are serving me well.
But I still had to call my mom for advice on how to cook a meal in the slow cooker!!! Even though that is one appliance I can usually manage. I couldn't bear to think about the power going out with my Hatch chili chicken sausage in the fridge! But I couldn't find a quick & dirty recipe online, so... after consulting both my best friend and my mom, I managed a hot lunch.
Yeah, I was a Girl Scout and earned a sash of badges... but I don't remember earning the cooking badge. I was the scout whose pancake rolled down the hill, right along with my Buddy Burner.
One of the homeowner's mothers called to express worry over my situation. It was very sweet, and I hope I reassured her.
But my family, like me, seems to be taking things in stride. When my brother stopped by, we couldn't resist the Ike & Tina jokes. Then he imitated weather patterns, and I pointed out how the Saucony logo on my runners resembles the symbol for a hurricane. (They actually have a shoe called the Hurricane, but I sport the Triumph... take that, Ike!)
And when my mom called to make sure I wasn't food poisoning myself with undercooked sausage, she finished with, "If I don't hear from you for a few days, I'll assume the power is out."
I'm saving one of those tailgate-worthy Hatch chili brats for my brother. And I'll try to update when I can. But if you don't hear from me for a few days... assume the power is out! :)
It's 3 a.m. and I am still reflecting on the wonder that was the U.S. Open. To truly recap all the memorable highlights (oh, how I enjoyed USA's coverage of Safin) would take a fortnight-plus-a-bonus-day itself! So I'll write that looking-back tome in my head, and only focus on some highlights here that have me looking forward...
MAJOR GENERAL
Perennial powerhouses Spain and the U.S. each have two players in the top ten. It was stunning that both countries lost their number two players -- David Ferrer and James Blake, respectively -- to unseeded opponents in the third round.
But it attests to the depth of talent that two of their lower profile countrymen stepped in to reach the second week. On strong merit. Tommy Robredo notably beat Marat Safin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and then scrambled through five sets with Novak Djokovic before his run ended in that fourth round match. And American Mardy Fish yanked three seeds, including Blake -- and one set from Rafael Nadal -- before his ouster in the quarterfinal.
This makes their upcoming Davis Cup semifinal even more enticing. Though the US squad has already been named (Fish, who is getting married a few days after the tie, is not on it), it will be interesting to see Spain’s lineup. As the 15th seed, Robredo was actually the number four Spaniard coming into the Open, behind Nadal, Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco.
PRIMARY TIME
Jelena Jankovic in yellow. Serena Williams in red. Cracking the ball across the blue expanse of court in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was as if a stage manager articulated the set and costumes, fitting right in with the USTA ad campaign, “It’s Showtime.”
And though the Serbian was in her first Grand Slam final -- the stakes not only the trophy, but also the number one ranking -- she showed no signs of stage fright. The Women’s Final was a highly entertaining match, with the second set lasting one hour and seventeen minutes -- longer than any of Serena’s first four matches.
In contrast, only Jankovic’s first round against American Coco Vandeweghe (now Girls' Junior Champ) took less time than that 77-minute final set. Though inconsistent play early on in the tournament kept the second seed on court longer than she’d have liked, she tidied things up for the final three rounds. And on Sunday night, she proved that she belongs in Grand Slam finals... and the fans love to see her there. Not just because of her play. With her vivacity and interaction, she upstaged Serena’s star power.
MORE TIME TO SHINE: HER FUTURE'S BRIGHTER THAN FOOTLIGHTS
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THINGS
Significant tennis news was not solely dialed on the Open. On September 1, Neil Harman of the Times of London revealed that Russian Nikolay Davydenko will be cleared in the ATP match-fixing investigation that originally made headlines before last year’s U.S. Open.
Absolution of both guilt and the burden of his scandal-bait status was originally expected at the time of the French Open. By then, it was already the longest-ever such inquiry in tennis & Davydenko was frequently referenced in stories of the Tim Donaghy-NBA gambling fix. Let’s hope this time, it's truly resolved.
Unlike many, I hadn’t written him off, but I was admittedly thinking narrow. Though I always kept in mind that Fed’s relative slump is still a damn fine year -- and that his Olympic gold in doubles was meaningful -- I was hinging huge significance on this one man in this one tournament.
But now that he has actually won his fifth U.S. Open in a row, I’m excited about the remainder...
Of the season. The Big Three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic had already qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Since Andy Murray just joined them, the scrap for the other four spots is on!
Of the decade. Maybe we'll be soon referring to The Big Four. Today’s top four ATP players all made Grand Slam finals this year. With the most wins, Nadal will have many points to defend in 2009. A man familiar with that scenario, Federer proved that the king is not dead. Australian Open champ Djokovic morphed into a bad boy. Murray beefed up & has beaten all three men ranked above him. And the only other Slam finalist, Tsonga, is finally coming back from an injury lay-off.
Of Fed’s resurrection. Roger had to fight for this title. He’s admitted to his struggles with movement, which Jim Courier attributes to lasting effects of Federer’s bout with mono. The Swiss still never showed a consistent elevation, but he felt those moments of flow back at times. And we witnessed it.
Of his career. Sure, there are the records. But more importantly, Federer displayed his relish for challenges and the difficult matches. His ability to recover from great disappointment. This year has been a different kind of test for him and adds to my respect for the man, the athlete.
He may not be world number one, but he’s still leading.
In my family, ripping is a year-round sport. No one is spared. Though my mom, not one given to making many mistakes, has a perennial Steel Curtain-like D.
My dad, on the other hand, consistently faltered in the warm-weather seasons. For that was the time his three divisional opponents -- my mom, my brother & myself -- could unite to prey on one particularly glaring weakness.
My dad, then Master of the Grass, would go out to tackle the yard in a uniform of white undershirt, plaid shorts...
And BLACK SOCKS!
Once upon a time (according to a yarn I read*) a college basketball coach was asked how he made a time-pressured personnel decision. He answered, "The first thing I did was cut the guys wearing black socks."
Outside of the office, black socks were a sign of frailty, knits that would fold under pressure. Mockery of my father became such a shorthand that eventually it was just a matter of stocking-laugh.
Now I'm starting to believe he was actually ahead of his time.
Because I have unraveled the mystery of why yet another Master of the Grass is so dominant!!!
IT'S HIS SOCKS!!!!
Of course, at Wimbledon, the world's best athlete is confined to wear white. But this past fortnight on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, the fashion-forward Swiss star earned the nickname "Darth Federer" for his all-black night match get-up.
Even while practicing with boys' junior champ Ricardas Berankis, Fed -- clad in a pale, unkempt tee -- could not forego the dark footwear.
Except for his quarterfinal against American Andy Roddick, Federer was not playing at the top of his form. He lost sets to John Isner and Feliciano Lopez. And the scoreline of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in his final against Novak Djokovic is only a straight-set win on paper. Djokovic had nine break point chances and seven set point chances.
Djokovic was a break and 40-0 up in the first set. And then in fifth game of the third, Fed was 0-40 down on his serve.
Where a pair of white socks would have wilted, black socks prevailed.
'Cause when you think about tough men's tennis attire, you think of... Shoes?... Shorts?... Manpris?!??
No, SOCKS!!! If a player's preference is "Boxers" or "Commando," well those have a certain zing (especially when I think about Marat Safin). But Socks, which doubles as a verb, packs the most punch!!!
And evidence supports that the color of the hosiery matters.
As the song says:
White socks, they always get dirty The longer you wear them; the weaker they get Sometimes, I think I shouldn't wash them But something inside me says "Do it right now!"
Black socks, they never get dirty, The longer you wear them the stronger they get! Sometimes I think I should wash them But something keeps telling me No, no, not yet!
Yes, once upon a time, black socks were the marker of mockery, the sign of shaky footing, the stamp of a heel! But perception has been turned inside out:
They're not just for girl scout campfire songs anymore! Members of Lamb of God -- a band hardcore enough to kick each other's #### -- are so convinced of the power of black socks that they double-duty them, cutting them off to fashion arm bands.**
Darth Federer.
My dad now has someone else cut the lawn while he slices blades of grass with a seven-iron instead. He & his black socks just won his golf league and he has already spent his earnings on a new club. Master of the Grass...
And fashion, apparently... Hmmm, I might just have to dig up some new material for ripping. But before I jump back into the fray, I'm going to throw on a pair of black socks.
Yes, this is a medical evaluation of sorts. But no, the five-time Wimbledon champ does not have calculi in his kidneys. I'm talking about the pair between his thighs. It shall never again be questioned whether Mirka keeps them at home or in her purse.
It was a wild and wobbly Wimbly, with the rain delays and some outstanding matchups... Henman v. Moya, Vaidisova v Ivanovic, and Djokovic v Baghdatis were most thrilling. But the gentlemen's final topped them all.
One would think Tommy Haas' fourth-round withdrawal and the cramped second-week schedule of his Spanish opponent gave Federer an advantage. Quite the opposite.
Take as an example the way both Williams sisters worked their way into form for their Grand Slam titles this year. The first couple of rounds are always tricky, and a player likes to build on challenges as he or she goes along.
The blustery forces of nature that gave Federer a week off in the middle of the tournament!!! left the champ with rust. (Hey, how about that Juan Carlos Ferrero?!!) And this after the Swiss -- once again flying solo as his own coach -- skipped Halle, the grass-court lead-in he had won four years running. Preparation and superstition, be damned.
The man was not what you call match-rich. And he had a lot of time to think about the immense significance of what he was attempting. Even he said he did not feel as confident and prepared as he did in 2006.
Meanwhile, an improved game and heavy dose of luck produced an opponent that was match-saturated and rising in confidence as the tournament moved on. The same opponent from the year prior, the indefatigable Rafael Nadal. Not completely surprising, but the reigning French Open champion was also fortunate that Mikhail Youzhny and Novak Djokovic played impaired.
Where Fed would have likely been challenged by healthy Tommy Haas, Nadal would have likely been toppled by a healthy Youzhny. And Djokovic had scrapped his way to results that live up to his brashness before he had to retire from the semifinal. So the two finalists spent roughly the same time on court Saturday.
Fortunately, I'm used to the roller coaster of anxiety of a Marat Safin match. This experience gave me the stamina to survive this final. The opening three games had me feeling secure with Fed at 3-0.
That sense of security did not return until late in the fifth set.
In between, Federer battled a grass court that was slower than ever, some dubious calls from -- oddly enough -- the electronic line judge and obviously, the one opponent who is most in his head.
This has been a challenging year for the world number one. He parted ways with Tony Roche shortly before the French, Guillermo Canas took him out of two tournaments early, and in the French Open final, his best game -- especially his serve -- abandoned him.
Federer's serve was premiere Sunday, but his best game was not all there. Five sets in a Slam is unusual territory for Fed. And he was irritated enough by the seemingly erroneous Hawk-Eye that he asked for it to be turned off. (Which didn't happen.)
It was a rough day on center court for the defending champion. But he needed this.
Despite a timeout for treatment to his knee, Nadal had the momentum going into the final set. Twice in the fifth, Federer was down 15-40. Since last year, I had Fed as the man who should and would win this tournament. (Provding he got past Safin, of course!) But on that long series of break points, even I doubted the historic Bjorn-like moment would happen.
And then in the sixth game, Federer scorched a forehand winner down the line and I knew.
This was the Roger I recognized.
No... this was the Roger I hadn't seen in a long time. He was pushed to an extreme the entire match and came through. He didn't always play brilliant -- which is his trademark, but he played brave.
He needed this checkup. Head, heart, guts and nuts... intact!
Some have doubted Federer's ####... but probably not the folks that erected this sign.
Though it pales in the shadow of the Virginia Tech tragedy, Monday totaled to quite a loss with the deaths of both Boris Yeltsin and David Halberstam. These two larger-than-life men were never before linked in my head. Now they will be so forever. Despite the sad circumstances, I am grateful for this juxtaposition.
Yeltsin's political legacy had been debated before yesterday's obituaries and rememberances. And will no doubt continue to be a matter of opinion afterwards. However, his impact on tennis -- especially in Russia, is clear. And still riding its powerful momentum.
In a November profile of Shamil Tarpischev (at one time Yeltsin's personal tennis coach and current captain of the Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams), Christopher Clarey of the International Herald Tribune wrote on the rise of the sport's popularity in the post-Cold War era:
The key moments were tennis re-entering the Olympics in 1988 and Yeltsin's discovering a passion for the game during his tenure as Russia's first president from 1991 to 1999. "At that stage, the middle level of tennis was not bad, but when Yeltsin came out in a tennis outfit on court, at that moment the whole thing took a leap," Tarpishchev said.
Today, as Clarey notes: You can make a strong argument that Russia, with its combined strength in the men's and women's game, is now the world's leading tennis nation.*
If Tarpischev is the lone link between Russia’s 21st century tennis explosion and its dark, structured Soviet past, then (Gene) Scott, along with the Anna Kournikova phenomenon, Marat Safin and Maria Sharapova must share much of the credit with Boris Yeltsin for enabling tennis to look soccer and ice hockey in the eye as this vast nation’s most popular sport.
Kournikova, Safin and Sharapova. Three names that will endure. Three athletes among many of their compatriots that acknowledge the importance of Russia's first freely elected president to their opportunities and careers.
Evans continues:
...None of it would have happened quite so soon without the flamboyant support of President Yeltsin, who wielded his tennis racquet with almost as much enthusiasm as the political whip he used to shepherd his bemused nation to a new, entrepreneurial dawn.
If President Eisenhower made golf a necessity for anyone wanting to get close to America’s leader in the fifties, then Yeltsin’s deep love of tennis required Kremlin insiders to start working on their backhands in the last decade of the century.
It's no coincidence that these two articles were published at the end of last November, for it was the eve of the Davis Cup final in Moscow, with Russia facing a strong team from Argentina. Most fans tabbed the South Americans to win.
Of course, Boris Yeltsin was there. Just as he had been in Paris to witness Russia's first-ever Davis Cup title in 2002.
Yeltsin's passion for tennis was unmistakable & infectious. Pictured with Safin & Dmitry Tursunov, winners of the doubles rubber on Day 2 of the Davis Cup Final 2006.
Those three dramatic days in December left everything to the fifth rubber. Safin cliched the series by defeating Jose Acasuso in four sets. Russia won their second Davis Cup!
In February, the defending champs survived a first round against Chile -- on clayinChile!! -- that virtually noone expected them to win. Three of the four best Russian Federation players were not in attendance, yet they prevailed 3-2 with Igor Andreev playing a pivotal role.
Two weeks ago at the quarterfinal against France, the Russian team looked stronger though Safin was hobbled by a foot injury. Yet when the decision again came down to a live final rubber, Tarpischev called on Safin -- who had not played the first two days... who had not even practiced those days!! -- to win the pressure match, and he did.
perhaps... just perhaps bordering on irrational at times...
But when it comes to his athletic ability, not unfounded! In the IHT article, Clarey refers to Safin as "the most gifted men's player not named Federer." In my opinion, the difference between the two men is in the mental game. Federer maintains a level of consistency and self-belief that is probably not found in most people, let alone athletes.
When Safin believes, he can beat the best on their best days. Including Federer. See the epic four-and-a-half hour semi between the two in the 2005 Australian Open. Yes, Safin's 2005 Australian Open.
Though Safin has not won a singles title since then, his Davis Cup play has been clutch. Of his latest heroics, he says, “I felt I was going to win, and with such confidence I felt there was no chance it would go five sets.” Marat won in straight sets.
It seems there's something about the team play that brings out the best in the mercurial shotmaker. And I can understand why, since Davis Cup is my Super Bowl... one of the most exciting events in all of sports!
I know that, to a degree, I have Boris Yeltsin to thank for the mere presence of my favorite athlete and my favorite men's tennis players (aka The Rest of the Russians).
But I also think he deserves a measure of credit for the motivation that Safin brings to the Davis Cup. The mental edge. If it's possible there was one spectator more excited than I when Russia won in December, that person would have to be Yeltsin.
Will the champs repeat? I believe they will. Though they have a tougher route than likely co-finalist, the United States. The teams are a contrast. One criticism levied against the US team -- who was ousted by Russia in the semis last year -- is that they don't care about Davis Cup enough. Another is that there seems to be a void of talent after the current crop of players.
Should this final come to fruition, the US would host the event. But passion breathes on the side of the Eastern World and there would be a heavy pro-Russian contingent in attendance. I, for one, will crawl on my lips if I have to in order to get there!
I'm glad to know that Tarpischev and the Russian squad gave Yeltsin one more title before he died. That he went out knowing they were defending it.
And though he probably didn't know it, there is at least one fan who will carry on his fervor for the Russian Davis Cup team.
*Note that all emphases are mine!!
What does this have to do with David Halberstam? There is a segue, believe it or not! While Yeltsin gave me a gift as a sports fan, Halberstam gave me a gift as an athlete... more on that in a second installment.
Seems like I just got my glorious red, limited edition (now sold out) RUSSIA v ARGENTINA 2006 Davis Cup FinalMoscowsweatshirt... and here we are on the verge of the first round of Davis Cup 2007.
In case you hadn't heard, Marat Safin won the title for Russia in the final rubber against Jose Acasuso. In December, glory! In February, Russia's chances to advance are in jeopardy against Chile. However, some of the first round ties are worth a sure bet. My picks in red, ranked by confidence.
Loaded Dice
SPAIN at SWITZERLAND: When the draw came out last year, this looked like a juicy Grand Slam thriller otherwise known as Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer. However, Fed opted out of the competition to focus on the Slams. And the next best Swiss, the promising Stanislas Wawrinka, now confronts wrist surgery instead of David Ferrer. Advantages for Switzerland has are turf-based: home court advantage and a fast indoor surface. Spain brought what it needs: Nadal, Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez. Three out of four are lefties no less.
ROMANIA at FRANCE: All last year, I gave France credit for its depth. The foursome captain Guy Forget has assembled here could carry the team through the most difficult quarter of the draw. Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra are a steady force at doubles. Sebastien Grosjean is a big-match performer. Setting the tone will be young Richard Gasquet, less steady but still France's number one. Romania's core is a pair of journeyman, Andrei Pavel and Victor Hanescu. Matches will probably be competitive, but the host country is in control.
SWEDEN at BELARUS: It just doesn't seem right that the two men who comprise the second-ranked doubles team in the world have to face off on opposite sides of the net. They just did so in the Australian Open mixed doubles semis, with Max Mirnyi and his partner Victoria Azarenka advancing. Still, Swede Jonas Bjorkman has stronger personnel around him. Unlike Mirnyi, he isn't even expected to play singles. Instead, his compatriots Robin Soderling and 2002 Australian Open champ Thomas Johansson make for a potent first day lead-off.
Dicier Than You'd Expect
ARGENTINA at AUSTRIA: Like France, Argentina has many options for its roster. To give you an idea: The top four players are staying home!! Which is the only reason I dropped them to this second tier. Austria has a solid team, but Argentina has men that can elevate beyond solid. Guillermo Canas, returning from a 2005 substance abuse suspension, should not be underestimated. He'll probably break into that Argentine top four by year end.
US at CZECH REPUBLIC: The US team is loaded: Andy Roddick, James Blake and the Bryan twins. So you'd think they'd be favored. However, this is clay. One possible scenario is that Tomas Berdych, who earned his first Masters title on the clay in Paris, wins both his singles rubbers. Leaving only one more point out of three to win. However, if singles split and it comes down to doubles, the Bryans are French Open champs and Vinatieri clutch.
AUSTRALIA at BELGIUM: As tough to call as the above tie. On the Aussie side, Lleyton Hewitt, one of the most competitive players on tour. His second, Chris Guccione is an underrated player on the upswing. For the Belgians, Olivier Rochus, one of the most competitive players on tour. His second, Kristof Vliegen, is an underrated player on the upswing. Rochus and Gooch played a first round thriller in Australia, with Rochus the victor. But I say Hewitt's hungry and he's pulling a full tour, doubling with Paul Hanley.
Diciest
CROATIA at GERMANY: I'm tapping this as the most competitive tie of the first round! Croatia, the 2005 Davis Cup Champion, is favored here. A nice match-up. Germany's Tommy Haas and Davis Cup hero Ivan Ljubicic are the respective marquee players. Benjamin Becker and Mario Ancic have unique games: Becker has a powerful serve and comes from a college tradition. Ancic is the now rare serve-and-volleyer and ranked ninth in the world. Ancic and Ljubicic are pairing for doubles to face Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske, recent titlists in Zagreb. Haas is playing better than Ljubi -- go with the upset.
RUSSIA at CHILE: It is with a heavy heart that I write this... Dmitry Tursunov pulled out of the event with a wrist injury. Mikhail Youzhny and Nikolay Davydenko are not on the squad. Core of the team: Safin. Surface: Clay. I still believe in Safin; he has the gifts to win his singles rubbers against Fernando Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu. And Igor Andreev likes clay. But Gonzalez and Massu are pairing up for doubles, too. Gonzalez and Massu: 2004 Olympic Gold Medalists. Best three out of five. I just can't pick the hosts, but I'll offer to change my name to Mrs. Marat Safin if Chile wins.
Davis Cup coverage starts on The Tennis Channel on Friday, Feb. 9 and runs through Sunday. Each day:
The Melbourne fortnight went by too quickly, so now is time for pavlova, Australian shiraz and a little reminiscing.
Heavens Above! Sublime... the semi-final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. In the third game of the second set, the world number one broke the American at love with a series of passing shots. One included a miraculous get at the Swiss' feet while on the run for a crosscourt winner. By the third set, Roddick was so frustrated that he fired off a near-expletive that had him immediately apologizing to the deity he evoked.
Things are looking a little fuzzy... While the newest "New Balls Please" campaign was just launched featuring some of the hottest youngsters in the ATP's Top 50, three out of the four semi-finalists were originals from the old "New Balls Brigade." Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas were part of the 2000-1 promotions. Fernando Gonzalez, at age 26, is also of their "veteran generation." Since the old balls still have it over the new balls, they may have to bring back the "These balls still bounce." slogans as well.
Kimmie still wins. "Aussie" Kim Clijsters has been a fan favorite Down Under and was one of the favorites to win the championship after her fast start in Sydney. The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup would have been a nice trophy to add in the Belgian's final year on tour, but Maria Sharapova stopped her in the semis. However, the WTA launched a new initiative called ACES Race 2007, which rewards players for promoting the sport. It's no surprise that Clijsters, who won the ITWA's Ambassador for Tennis Award in 2005, was the early leader as of January 15.
Going the Distance. Several athletes, such as breakthrough player Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, embodied the Australian spirit by sporting the host country's colors of green and gold. But fashion-foward Serena Williams knows the value of accessories and added a pair of earrings perhaps inspired by the dot paintings of Papunya Tula. This style of comtemporary Aboriginal art has been popularized by painters including Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri.
Get Some Guts, Girls! I'm tempted to credit the earrings plus Serena's sheer talent for her title win. But it also seemed the ladies cowed to Serena's reputation and competitiveness. The exception being Shahar Peer, who pushed the American in the quarterfinals only to lose, 6-3, 2-6, 6-8. The Israeli player is also working off her mandatory military service and excels at sharpshooting tests. Nadia Petrova and Nicole Vaidisova should consider training that will teach them how to pull the trigger.
Speaking of guts. We don't have to miss Hardenne, but we missed Henin.
Most Dominant Player You've Never Heard Of. Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands, winner in Women's Wheelchair Singles & Doubles
Best Rivalry You Don't See. America's Bryan Brothers versus Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi. Where was the Doubles coverage, ESPN?
So where the bloody hell are you? Said in the nicest possible "No Worries!" way, of course! This controversial slogan is Tourism Australia's marketing campaign. As if I hadn't already wanted to go! They had me at 5,500 lbs. of curry consumed in a fortnight!
So what the bloody hell are you thinking? During the first round match between Marat Safin and Benjamin Becker, Ball Girl #111 was observed pinching Marat's used and discarded towels between her thumb and forefinger and holding them out away from her body as if she was afraid of boy cooties. I would have been stuffing all of those sweaty terrycloth treasures down my shirt... and my shorts -- I'd even be wrapping them around my head like a turban -- to spirit away after the match.
First of all, I'd like to thank Marat Safin & Benjamin Becker for the three hours, twenty-six minutes of suspense early this morning. That total should edge out the two-day premiere of 24 (minus commercials), which probably won't measure up in racquet abuse either.
Monday By the Numbers
But Safin's first round win wasn't the longest match of Day One at the Australian Open. Lukas Dlouhy of Czechoslovakia and Russia's Teimuraz Gabashvili were still playing their four hour, 48-minute five-setter out on Court 10 while a capacity crowd watched the 2005 AO champ in Rod Laver Arena. Talk about extremes: Gabashvili needed only 19 minutes to win the second set. The fifth set, which is not decided by a tiebreak, went to 16-14 and lasted 122 minutes.
For his efforts, Dlouhy now faces a second round against compatriot Radek Stepanek, who was off the court in just over a quarter of that time. Stepanek was one of 11 players -- nine men and four women -- to serve up a bagel.
Andy Roddick faced two tiebreaks in his first two sets of this tournament. In the first, 38 points were played before Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won on the tenth set point. While the athletic Frenchman was ousted, his home country brought the largest contingent of 28 athletes. Twenty-two of those players remain, which matches the number of Americans left. Both countries have legitimate title contenders.
Friction between two other countries led to the ejection of 150 spectators. Croatian and Serbian fans scuffled, though no injuries were reported. Security was beefed up for today's match between Marin Cilic (CRO) and Ilia Bozoljac (SRB).
Tuesday's Proportions
Day Two provides symmetry.
The two top singles seeds, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, each lost exhibition matches coming into this tournament. To strong favorites on the Rebound Ace surface: Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. But neither of those match-ups could play out as the final in the Slam, since these pairings are seeded to meet in the semis.
Federer and Roddick are already into the second round, while Sharapova and Clijsters will be featured on center court today. Clijsters, an "adopted" Australian, has declared 2007 her last year on the pro tour. This is an ideal surface for the 2004 finalist and she proved her dedication to the year with her come-from-behind Sydney title win last week.
There's already "Tiki Talk" on the 23-year-old. Many believe she won't really retire. But she will be marrying American basketball player Brian #### this summer and she's ready to start a family. Sharapova, who also looks forward to motherhood, recently stated that she could see herself retiring at that relatively young age if she is no longer motivated to play at the top level.
The other matches on center court include a replay of a challenging Wimbledon 2006 match-up, American Robert Kendrick v Rafael Nadal. The night matches feature home crowd favorites: Alicia Molik, who plays Yung-Jan Chun; and Lleyton Hewitt, who has American Michael Russell talking some pre-match smack. Both Aussies have had recent career setbacks due to injury and are dark horses for this event.
More Next Door
Tournament organizers have an embarrassment of riches for this round. The center of entertainment today may not be center court, but Vodafone Arena. All four day matches there could be very competitive. Martina Hingis -- who has a streak of six finals here, winning three in a row -- will play another wily veteran in France's Natalie Dechy.
Top American James Blake matches up against 1997 finalist Carlos Moya, a repeat of last week's Sydney final. They played a competitive match and should again, but this one will also draw the eye candy fans. These two know how to rock the sleeveless look, and mercy... it's hot in Melbourne!
The other two contests on this show court should measure up even though a couple of the competitors don't... in one sense only. In an era where players hover near the six foot mark, American Vania King and Olivier Rochus of Belgium stand at 5'5". King faces thirteenth seed Ana Ivanovic, one of those six-footers. While Rochus' opponent, Australian Chris Guccione, is 6'7".
Rochus has already proven determination as a returner. He's had match points on Federer and has been known to frustrate (and defeat) a certain tall Russian who's as talented as the world number one. King, also a baseliner, has shown confidence that has her ranked highest of the upcoming American women.
Still, I don't think either will be a David and Goliath story. Not to slight the short, but Ivanovic and Guccione have too much firepower and momentum. Nadal says Gooch, last week's Adelaide finalist, has one of the best serves on tour. Ivanovic steamrolled Hingis in the Montreal final last year, and also beat Amelie Mauresmo on hard court. Both players are riding some confidence coming into this, but it would be folly for them to overlook their smaller opponents.
Christmas was three weeks ago. But it's today that's given me that little-kid, still-believing-in-Santa sleepless feeling of anticipation. One hour after the Australian Open begins, Day Six of life with Jack Bauer dawns.
The amount of energy I have right now could power a large metropolis.
My holiday wish book: 24 previews, Kiefer Sutherland sightings and the Australian Open draw.
The amount of effort I have put into pouring over those seedings and matchups could get me through CTU Academy training.
My preliminary intel report:
Day One
Men's Top Half, Top Quarter
Out of the 31 other men in Roger Federer's quarter, the only one to have a winning record against the top seed is his first round opponent. But the single win Germany's Bjorn Phau notched against the Swiss was in 1999, when both men were fresh faces on the ATP Tour. Since then Federer has won 45 titles; Phau none. Danger levels for the defending champion in this round are low.
Of the five men in that top quarter who have beaten the world number one, only Juan Carlos Ferrero has done so more than once. While the past is a strong indicator, it is the future may be Federer's biggest threat. Some of the best young talent tapped to be the future of the ATP lies in that portion of the draw:
Last week's Adelaide champion Novak Djokovic is seeded to meet Fed in the fourth round.
Marcos Baghdatis, who took the first set from Fed in last year's AO final, could be his quarterfinal opponent.
France's gifted "baby Federer" Richard Gasquet has the most recent win against Federer in 2005.
Two thus-far less accomplished youngsters, Gael Monfils of France and America's Sam Querrey, are long shots, but names worth noting. Veterans Mikhail Youzhny and Tommy Robredo could ride their momentum from last year.
Men's Top Half, Bottom Quarter
This section provides the first men's marquee night match on Rod Laver Arena: 2005 Australian Open Champion Marat Safin versus Benjamin Becker, aka the man who sent Andre Agassi into retirement. Safin himself is enough to warrant this honor. Whether he will let his German opponent into this match or not... well, that's part of the drama.
Safin could set up a repeat of the best match of his 2005 run, a semifinal against Federer. But while the Russian has finally regained a ranking that has him seeded in a Slam, it could pit him against Andy Roddick in the third round. Up side for the American: Roddick just beat Federer in an exhibition match. Down side: He will likely be without Jimmy Connors for the tournament, as Connor's mother just died. Mario Ancic will be a challenge for either player.
Perennial contender Ivan Ljubicic could have an engaging first round against Mardy Fish. But after that, the most likely to edge him is David Ferrer, who picked up the title in Auckland last week.
This tournament will be a litmus test for four unseeded players who had shortened seasons in 2006 due to injury. These sleepers could be dangerous. Starting with the most threatening: Joachim Johansson, Radek Stepanek, Thomas Johansson and Igor Andreev.
FINDINGS: I expect all the men highlighted to advance to the second round.
Querrey will provide the upset of the day for the men's side by defeating 27th seed Jose Acasuso. Djokovic's match against Nicolas Massu will be the most competitive and not without controversy. Stepanek v Michael Llodra will be entertaining. Two that will go the distance: Ivo Karlovic v Jurgen Melzer and Stefan Koubek v local hero Wayne Arthurs.
Women's Bottom Half, Top Quarter
This is the What If... section, the most unpredictable quarter of the tournament, women's or men's. The only sure thing is there will be surprises. There are many threat scenarios to run through.
The quarterfinal could just as easily be contested by former Grand Slam champions Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serena Williams, as it could "next best" players Nadia Petrova and Shahar Peer, as it could newcomers Victoria Azarenka and Julia Vakulenko.
Petrova and Jelena Jankovic, seeded to meet in the fourth round have had the best prep coming into the tournament. Petrova won all but one match -- including singles and mixed doubles -- on her winning Hopman Cup campaign. Jankovic won all but one match in her first two 2007 tournaments. She took the Auckland title and then beat Martina Hingis, Amelie Mauresmo and Nicole Vaidisova on her way to the Sydney final.
Jankovic lost the Medibank International title to Kim Clijsters in an high-quality three-set match. This could have been a preview of the Australian Open final, and at the very least set the bar high for match of the year.
Both Jankovic and Petrova are nursing slight injuries, otherwise their advance would be more confident. Still, I'd bank on one of them to get through to the quarterfinal, though Marion Bartoli, Michaella Krajicek or Azarenka could make things interesting. Possible opponents would be the inconsistent Kuznetsova, Peer, Tatiana Golovin or Maria Kirilenko.
Women's Bottom Half, Bottom Quarter
In contrast to above, this may be the most secure quarter.
Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo got a nice draw... early. She should face progressive challenges in Shenay Perry, Jie Zheng and number fourteen seed Francesca Schiavone. Her possible quarterfinal opponents include seventh seed Elena Dementieva and tenth seed Nicole Vaidisova.
The Frenchwoman might prefer to see Dementieva, even though she double-breadsticked Vaidisova here last year. The last two matches between Mauresmo and Vaidisova have gone three sets and gone to the Czechoslovakian.
Dementieva is always shaky on her serve, and may even fall early to the likes of Kirsten Flipkens. Mauresmo could be tested by Schiavone. But Dementieva will pull through and the likely quarterfinal will be Vaidisova v Mauresmo.
FINDINGS: Women highlighted here will advance to the second round. Note that Hingis and Clijsters are in the other half, so I did not highlight them to avoid confusion. Even though I have them tabbed for their own quarterfinal match.
Mara Santangelo of Italy has a chance to upset Serena, much like Sybille Bammer did in Hobart a few days ago. Aside from that match, the closest Day One contests will be Giselo Dulko v Tiantian Sun and Maria Kirilenko v Karolina Sprem.
I believe that Marat Safin and Kim Clijsters will be 2007 Australian Open champions. I believe that Jack Bauer will save the world... and none of my favorite characters will get killed off this season.
OK, I don't really believe that last bit, because... well, that's part of the drama.
A few more hours of suspense before I get to see how it all plays out.
For a few years now, my recipe for success has been Hoppin' John. Eat some black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and you'll have luck all year. In 2006, tennis found its equivalent.
THE LAUGHING BUDDHA
Walking, Talking Talisman
At the US Open, two of the most dominant current athletes met for the first time. Roger Federer hung out with Tiger Woods just prior to his final against Andy Roddick. Woods and his wife Elin sat in Fed's player box and watched a quality match that gave the Swiss his third consecutive US Open title.
The schedules of the ATP and pro golf crossed paths early November in Shanghai, where the round-robin Tennis Masters Cup was held. So Federer watched Woods play a round at the HSBC Championship. Shortly afterwards, Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian also met the golf phenom... Were they hoping for a little cross-pollination of success?
However, Federer cornered the market on that mojo, beating both Nadal and Nalbandian in an undefeated title run. Even Woods only finished second in his tournament, two strokes short of victory.
Something for everyone
A more diversified charm of fortune is the power of the blog.
Both the ATP and WTA official websites introduced player blogs at tournaments this year. Readership skyrocketed with Dmitry Tursunov's humorous entries, which included him blogging from his hotel bathroom on death-defying drivers in Estoril. He was later named the ATP's resident blogger and of course, detailed Russia's Davis Cup win.
While he holds that resident title alone, several players excelled in the tournaments at which they wrote their blogs:
Ivan Ljubicic kicked off the first blog at the Chennai Open and also began the winning trend.
James Blake followed suit the next week in Sydney.
At the World Team Cup, Croatian Mario Ancic won his three matches and Croatia won the whole event.
Spain's Tommy Robredo earned his first-ever Masters Shield in Hamburg and was so excited he pulled a Brandi Chastain, thankfully sans bra.
His compatriot Rafael Nadal defended his French Open title, with manpris.
Americans Bob & Mike Bryan completed a career Grand Slam with their first Wimbledon championship.
Federer, whose bear-likeness was asked to write before he was, found time to play pranks on his girlfriend and take home hardware in Tokyo.
Belgian Kim Clijsters wrote on her first tournament back from an injury layoff and won the event in front of a home crowd in Hasselt.
Doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs reached the Madrid final with partner Cara Black. The pair ended the year ranked third.
Nadia Petrova and Marat Safin were each singles' finalists in Moscow. Both finals were all-Russian events, with Anna Chakvetadze and Nikolay Davydenko the respective victors. However, only one of the bloggers included half-naked pictures.
Does there need to be any more evidence that blogging is good for you? Now eat your legumes and have a Happy New Year!!!
The Inaugural MCLioness Lawn Ornament Awards (Tennis Edition) were introduced on Dec 18, the anniversary of my blog beginnings, and will run through New Year's Day. Honors bestowed thus far:
With THE LAUGHING BUDDHA going to the power of the blog and Runner-up Tiger Woods, the Inaugural MClioness Lawn Ornament Awards (Tennis Edition) have now concluded. However, the 2007 Tennis season has now started.
The rise of free-ranging Gnomes, who are now encouraged to throw down their tools and walk off the lawn, may leave a person wondering how the yard work will get done. Gazing Balls offer a multi-tasking solution. They fill the aesthetic void as well as offer answers to such wonderings.
Bloggers who make wild-eyed predictions -- and I do consider myself in that group though I wasn't the one who picked Tampa -- may consider this a wise investment:
THE GAZING BALL
After my own divination consultation, the following events of 2007 were revealed...
The Golden Goose
Nike believes it has the biggest marketing hook ever with Maria Sharapova challenging LeBron James to a run-off in January. An underpaid former Liberal Arts major recognizes the synergy between Greek goddesses and convinces the company to portray Sharapova as Atalanta, the virgin huntress.
