Had a great time in Montreal last week watching the Roger's Cup with the tier I women. really nice to see the kids shine and beat a lot of the top seeds - e.g., Safina, Cibulkova, Azarenko, Paszek, etc. Definitely Safina is my favorite player now and hope she continues to progress. Guess not too much going on in the women's game for the next few weeks - really until the Open. Although weirdly the men are continuing to play like nothing else is going on (e.g., the Olympics); guess the men's sponsors won't let them rest :-). Look forward to the Legg Mason though next week.

French Open

Well, have to give it up for Sugiyami's longevity - has the longest current active streak of 56 Grand Slam main draw appearances in a row - wow! Wonder who the second longest would be, and who the leaders on the men's side would be; my educated guess would be perhaps Petrova or Jankovic - and either Federer and/or Santoro on the men's side (or perhaps Davydenko or Lubijic); or perhaps Spadea. Also, checked out the oldest racquet sport in the world yesterday - court tennis (actually played a set as well) - believe it originated around 100 years ago and is the ancestor of all current racquet sports (e.g., regular or lawn tennis, racquetball, squash, etc.).

tennis this week

Well, looks like everything is in place for a decent tournament this week with the Family Circle Cup - and even getting an extra day of TV coverage on Thurs. :-). Although seems like they really want Janko to get to the final or guess being #1 seed has its privileges - bunch of nobodies and pretenders in her part of the draw (e.g., Dementieva, Bartoli, Schnyder, etc.); while the other side has Chaky, Sharapova, and Serena all in the same part (along with Szvay and Cornet).

As for last week, thought Sharapova was very awkward, but won through determination, her serve, and of course an opponent that wasn't ready for prime-time :-). Would be nice to finally see one of these young kids who get to a final to play well in the final - been very disappointing so far this year with the kids who look deer in the headlights when they get to the final - sheesh! (e.g., Kanepi, Szvay, Cibulkova, etc.). Can't see Sharapova winning the French - just too awkward - was wrong-footed a number of times yesterday (actually tried to shift to the left hand to hit a backhand - sheesh!); doesn't move at all the right way on clay. Many better players on that surface, but guess you never know. Also, not entirely accurate that she won her 1st ever clay court title - has won before in juniors/ITF tournaments on that surface.

Also, guess it's good news that Federer is getting a coach to try to win the French - but haven't we heard this same story two years ago with Roch - just win it and get it over with (e.g., come to the net and stay aggressive relentlessly and you'll have a better shot than just letting Nadal sit back and do what he does best - play D and work the point).

TV coverage or lack thereof

Well, some good news somewhat - the tennis channel will be showing one men's match per night from 3/29 to 4/1 for the Sony Ericsson (see attached). Called the tennis channel to complain why it wasn't more (and why the women always get dissed), and he said their viewers love ATP and WTA so it's not on them for not showing it - it's more on the tournaments who are independently governed and called them at the last second giving them last-minute matches to show. The tennis channel guy admitted that they're really making no money on this due to the lateness of the situation - his window to get ad sales is gone really - just doing it for the tennis fans. Of course then called the Miami tournament to complain, but really no answer from them. Seems like basically these tournaments are TV contract idiots and don't seem to be able to negotiate the best contract with the best network to get maximum TV coverage - oh well :-). Probably need a more uniform voice for negotiating TV rights to get the best tennis coverage. Also, of course the tennis channel guy promoted the upcoming French Open coverage - and I asked him about the stupid situation last year when I think McEnroe made a mistake since they're not supposed to talk about the NBC matches/results - he said they could report results when the matches are over and it won't be an issue after the 1st weekend - we'll see how it goes :-); but look forward to it.

As for the tennis yesterday - basically done with Blake - just plays way too wild to ever be consistent - not really sold on Nadal (kind of like a backboard, but of course does come with some force - but plays way, way back - it's insane), but he'll keep winning as long as he keeps playing weak-minded players (e.g., Blake, Tsonga, etc.) - but of course that all stops with Djoko tomorrow :-).

Pacific Life Open

Hmm, this suicide pool for the women's side (for the Pacific Life Open) is definitely going to be tough (through www.talkabouttennis.com) - have a bunch of no names playing since the seeds all get 1st round byes so a tough choice (ended up going with Natalie Dechy - only one I had confidence in). And the men's draw is finally out - some interesting potential matchups (e.g., Murray vs. Roddick in the 4th round, Federer vs. Roddick in the qtrs., Tsonga vs. Nadal in the 4th round, Blake vs. Gasquet in the 4th round, etc.). But of course, unfortunately, the draw people screwed up again by having Ancic vs. Monfils in the 1st round - sheesh - sorry to have to lose one of those players on the 1st/2nd day of play in the men's draw (Thurs. or Fri.); guess the problem is that both player's rankings have fallen so they're both unseeded. And unfortunately probably a match we won't see on TV, but perhaps can listen to if it's one of the late matches on Thurs. or Fri. Although can probably pay to see it through the internet I believe (through the www.atptennis.com site - master series TV).

Federer and next tournament

For those lovers of exhibition tennis - it's Federer vs. Sampras tonight on the tennis channel at 7:30pm :-). Should be interesting. Of course, more interested to see if Federer can get back on the winning track this week at the Pacific Life tournament - especially since if he doesn't do well, then Nadal can perhaps get even closer to the #1 spot (he's only 350 points away right now) - would assume he has to probably go through Nadal, Roddick, Djoko, Nalbandian, and/or Ferrer to win it. Of course, I don't even pretend to understand this nonsensical point system - how can Federer be so close to losing #1 when he's been in the finals or won so many of the Grand Slams the last few years - think it was up to like 12 in a row before the Australian and has such a great record. And then there's Bartoli who did one thing (get to the finals of Wimbledon) and seems to be firmly locked into the #9 spot even she's done nothing since then. Basically, the problem is the system is based on defending points - so if you win or get to the final, then you don't get that many more points if you win or get to the finals again the next year - so even though (like Federer), you have a great record and kick everyone's butt for 3-4 years - your lead isn't that great since you're simply doing what you're supposed to do. Crazily, you'd get more points, if you start losing in the 1st round, and then win the tournament the next year - seems like a bad system to me - or needs to be combined with something else. Of course, since Federer lost early in both the Pacific Life and the Sony Ericsson last year, then he can rack up huge points this year by winning - hmm, perhaps he planned it like that :-).

And, of course, will be interesting to see if Venus or Serena can beat 4 or 5 good women in a row in 2 weeks. Think Serena only won yesterday because it was Schnyder who we all know is mental. Just don't think she has enough left in the tank to beat 4 or 5 good women in a row - just wants the point to be over in a few shots - and Ivanovic, Janko, Sharapova, and Henin are all better than that now. And some of the other players as well. Hmm, just noticed Alexandra Stevenson's name in the qualifying - nice to perhaps see her back in the mix.

Clint

tennis

http://www.humsurfer.com/view/atp-tennis-free-live-video-streaming-atp-open-13-marseille

Good news, think I found a replacement website for free live video streaming of tennis matches - weblink above (think they took it off eurosport.com unfortunately). Well, unfortunately, looks like this'll be the week where a great women's tournament is going on with no one to watch :-) (coverage doesn't start til Sat. on the Tennis channel unfortunately). The Qatar Open is actually a Tier I event, and pretty much everyone is there who's anyone (except for Vaidisova, Serena, and Henin). Unfortunately, looks like perhaps a few of the young kids have perhaps hit a wall - Szavay just got blown away by the old woman Sugiyami somehow (7-6, 6-0) in the 1st round - sheesh - and Cornet lost in the 1st round in Bogota, and Safarova lost yesterday in the 1st round in Qatar. And incredibly, Kutzy is the No. 1 seed with Henin not here - like anyone thinks she's going to win the tournament - not :-).

As for the men, nice to see the younger Nishikori come through on Sun. - thought he played intelligently by mixing speeds, etc. - to keep Blake off balance (after a great semi win over Querry where he saved a total of 4 match points - including 3 in a row in the 3rd-set tie-break; and also had to win 8 total matches to win the tournament since he was a qualifier as well). And, of course, Blake does what all the stupid American men do (e.g., Roddick, Querry, Isner, etc.) - just rely on a big serve and forehand, and always beatable when the serve isn't going that well - as they all have subpar backhands and return of serve which always makes it a low-margin for error to win against decent opponents. Actually think of the veteran American guys (e.g., Roddick, Blake, Ginepri, etc.) - that Ginepri is capable of being the best one since he has the best all-around game, but seems to have mentally lost it unfortunately (was up to remember him having nice wins over Haas, etc. back in the day, but those days seem long over. And nice to see Murray win in Europe as well - thought he was perhaps done after crashing and burning late last year, but maybe it was good for him to get rid of Gilbert :-). And lots of upsets so far in Rotterdam - Baggy, Ferrer, and Robredo have all already lost; and should be interesting in San Jose (although Young has lost again in the 1st round); Nishikori plays Roddick in the 2nd round - oh well, guess he didn't win his tournament in time to get a draw placement and more respect :-).

latest tennis buzz

http://www.sport.be/proximusdiamondgames/2008/eng/#

Oh well - Szavay wasn't ready for prime-time as I unfortunately kind of expected. Hopefully she'll be ready next time - but put up a decent fight against Chakvetadze. Kind of amazing how someone so young and only 1 year older (20 to 19 yrs. old for Szavay) can seem so much more mature, poised, etc. But the tennis channel does have some good tournaments coming up - Proximus Diamonds this week, then Delray, and then Dubai when everyone comes out for the duty-free money :-). Kind of get the feeling this is Sharapova's season to lose - if she plays like she did at the Australian consistently, no one can touch her, otherwise it'll probably be Henin again. As for the men, definitely interested to see if Federer can get back on track at Dubai, and to see if Tsonga can be more than a one tournament wonder, and whether anyone else new can break through (e.g., gasquet, murray, young, etc.). And who cares about the tennis channel tournament - sheesh - can you get a weaker lineup (e.g., Isner, Hewitt, etc.). Also, looks like you can get a live video stream from proximus tournament - weblink above. And it was interesting during the Szavay-Chaky broadcast, the commentators brought up a point I had thought about before - what's up with all of the 1st round byes for the top 4 seeds - sheesh. They don't have to show up til Thurs. really, and the just do 4 days of work for a big pay day :-). The commentators mentioned that the lower-ranked players are complaining about all of these byes since it's taking away spots from them to get into the tournament. But the tour does it since it says that the top players have all of these other obligations being ambassadors of the sport (e.g., pr work, interviews, etc.) so they can't be expected to make it on mon. for the 1st round all the time - and the tour wants them out there promoting the sport. So guess it's kind of a catch 22 - think I'd cut down it to just 2 byes (for the top 2 seeds); this 4 top seed bye thing is too much - especially when they're for people named Hantuchova, Schnyder, etc. - people who definitely don't deserve a bye :-).

tennis channel

Oh well - looks like the tennis channel has sold out to men's tennis like the
major networks (e.g., CBS, USA, NBC, and ESPN); but won't admit it. Just
called them to complain why they weren't showing more coverage of the women's
tournament this weekend (paz de france) when they showed around 2 or 3 rounds
last year (at least from the semi's), and they're only showing the finals this
weekend. And gave kind of a very weak explanation - said they didn't have
room since they're showing 2 davis cup ties this weekend (US vs. Austria, and
Russia v. Serbia) - sheesh - does anyone care that much (especially since it's
the 1st round - could understand if it's at least the semis). No argument if
they kept the same coverage, but you can't reduce the coverage. Probably has
something to do with no big stars being in it (e.g., no Williams' sisters, no
Henin, etc.); but at least want to see the kids (e.g., Cornet, Szvay, etc.),
but oh well. Told him point blank I guess that men's tennis makes more money,
but wouldn't admit it - kept saying they're showing a lot of women's matches
this year. Uh huh, but then you're only showing one match this weekend -
sheesh. Oh well, think tennis channel is not my favorite channel anymore.
But at least they're showing the Antwerp matches next weekend - and don't
think they showed that tournament last year.

Australian Open

Oh well, it was the good, the bad, and the ugly as usual at the Australian Open as usual. First, the ugly: ESPN should be forbidden from every broadcasting another tennis tournament - they are less than useless. I can't believe they show the women's quarter and then completely stop coverage (even though they have at least 40 minutes left and would assume they'd extend the coverage), and just go to ESPNnews for the rest of the time. Basically saying that Tsonga and Youzny don't matter (Tsonga won). Luckily, I picked up ESPNdeportes exactly for these mishaps, but forgot to tape it for this morning, but it's taped this afternoon I believe. Basically, if it's not Hewitt, Federer, Roddick, Blake, or even Fish; then the match doesn't exist and they don't show it. Definitely will be calling ad/or emailing to complain.

Now the good - finally Sharapova is back - took her enough time (about 1.5 years - since the '06 US Open); she's finally getting near the level she was at when she won Wimbledon. And don't listen the stupid ESPN broadcasters as usual (especially the stupid Mary Carillo); she stupidly said that Sharapova was playing at a level better than when she won Wimbledon - that is totally wrong. She was at the top of her game when she won Wimbledon - she destroyed everyone (including Serena) like they were less than nothing. She had a few hiccups last night, but she basically blew away Henin like she was nothing - was so satisfying :-). Hopefully she keeps it up against Janko and probably Venus. Also, very weird, but think her shoulder is still bothering her or she makes an intentional effort not to wear it out. She basically doesn't hit overheads anymore - she lets the ball drop and hits a swinging volley - she got away with it last night, but a smart opponent would exploit it and see if she can indeed hit an overhead smash.

Now the bad - think Serena either needs to retire or get serious about a real coach and a fitness/condition person. She's totally out of shape - either mentally/physically. Unfortunately, she's turned into a Davenport and the limited American men who think they can win on a serve and a forehand. She wants to win the point in one or two shots - if she has to run she gets lazy/gets out of breath and usually loses the point especially to a human backboard like Janko. Incredibly, Janko is #3 in the world w/o a serve or net game - incredible. Definitely was sad to Serena look so out of position constantly and Sharapova (who's not as athletic) move her butt constantly to get the ball with something on it - oh well.

Australian Open

Oh well, I'm out already on the men's side in talkabouttennis.com's suicide pool for the Australian Open - thought Donald Young was a sure bet, and he loses - sheesh!. But still in on the women's side - picking Bartoli today - probably too early to pick her, but kind of scared of the other choices (e.g., Cornet, Mirza, etc.). But hopefully it should work out. Hopefully Serena can get some revenge for last year when she probably meets Henin in the semis - can't wait for the 2nd round matchup between Sharapova and Davenport - should be fun to watch. And feel so bad for Paszek - totally should have beaten Janko, but wasn't ready obviously (how many easy match points can you blow).