Wednesday, 31 August 2011
The US Open so far - in blather form.
Fanatic Omes:
- Fish swam (I had to) through his match pretty much likeaboss. He came, he saw, he demolished, he probably went home and polished off a can of Bumblebee. Me like-y what me see-y here.
- Harrison failed dismally having lead all through the match and I really don't know why. Maybe the success of his breakout season has finally caught up with him? Or MAYBE HE NEEDS TO CHILL. No one should have a respected commie calling them a 'brat'. Remember when he tried to give Federer advice? Maybe he should take a page out of the GOAT's book and start to control that temper on court.
- Gutsy, courageous - no doubt two words you would've heard Heather Watson being described by when she pushed a crappy Masha to three. What impressed me the most about her was her MIND yo. She was all like: I'm playing Maria Sharapova winner of 3 Slams, no big deal, what are you doing for the rest of the week? She really thought she could win the match (and with the way Masha was playing, I could've probably won the match) and that is what you want to see from youngins. Here's to a bright future Hev.
- We had our first upset of the tournament with Wimbly champ Petra Kvitova. This gives me sadz, I don't like when champions go out emphatically. Especially when I just recently ran my mouth about more WTA consistency. Ahem.
- And then we had our 2nd upset with Li Na bowing out who said she played like the stronger word for poo. And only for the 2nd time in the Open Era, 40 years since the last we have none of the previous Grand Slam winners in the 2nd round of the USO. Which brings me back to dud article on female domination. Jeez can't catch a break.
- We had 2 curses - the curse of the Japanese players with Kei Nishikori, Ayumi Morita and Misaki Doi all bowing out. And the curse of the 5-1 down retirements with Conor Niland and Jamie Hampton both retiring from their matches against Nole and Elena Baltacha respectively.
- Ernie won his match! And convincingly! Shhhh, don't say it out loud.
- Rafa was in and out of focus, actually mostly just out. Golubev lead all the way through the match, but proceeded to choke all the way through the match. Dude has some serious shot-making abilitites, it was almost annoying. And by almost I mean very. Well it was a customary slow start from Rafa. On the plus side the prodigal serve seems to be on its way back home.
- Serena steamrolling through her match isn't news. Her hilarious response to yet another journey back to Foot Fault Gate is.
(Vid: bizbuzz2000 on YouTube)
Monday, 29 August 2011
Rafa Book Review: 10 things 'Rafa' Reveals About Rafa
Neutral Omes:
Rafael Nadal has admitted becoming more open as he's gotten older. He's always been that charming, grounded, sensitive guy who never revealed much at all about his personal life. His memoir with John Carlin has allowed us to gain - rather surprisingly - much insight into the contradictory nature of this humble champion.
Here are10 things 'Rafa' reveals about Rafa:
1. His insecurities.
We always knew Rafa had that humble, unassuming air, but we didn't quite realise the depths of his insecurities. He doesn't seem to believe in his abilities as much as others (including friend and mentor, Carlos Moya,) do and often feels like his top competitors are more talented than he. Rafa admits that Toni with his harsh coaching methods is partly to blame.
2. It's more “Rafa's foot” than “Rafa's knees”.
Rafa's knees had been somewhat infamous around 2008/9 as his Achilles' heel (they even have their own Twitter account). Especially as they were the reason (physically speaking) he lost his first ever match at Roland Garros in 2009 and couldn't defend his Wimbledon title that same year. However the injury - the one that threatened Rafa's career - actually came about due to very rare foot disease where the 'tarsal scaphoid' - a bone located in the bridge of the foot failed to form as a child and thus became slightly deformed as a result of repetitive stress on the area, making it liable to splinter and causing intense pain. The injury knocked him out for four months, with the only form of treatment found in special trainers that had to be made for him. And Rafa claims it's still a work in progress. It definitely explains his reaction when he sustained a foot injury during his match against Del Potro at Wimbledon this year. The knees however have received a special treatment and are no longer a problem.
3. His pre-match rituals are not superstitions but a means for transformation.
The borderline OCD rituals (the jumping up and down before a match, the drinking from the two bottles etc.) are all a part of the transformation into Rafa's on court alter ego - the warrior - and enable him to get into the frame of mind to compete. Some have relentlessly dubbed them as superstitions despite Rafa's countless contestations. But Rafa is adamant that everything down to the tightness of his bandana is necessary to prepare his mind.
4. The extent of the love-hate relationship with Tio Toni.
We've always known Uncle Toni to be a stern coach, but the extent to which the tension between them permeates everyday situations is revealed. You can even feel Rafa’s attitude towards Toni as he writes. Many times throughout the book, Rafa will relay just how difficult it is to cope with Toni's antics - almost bitch about him (for lack of a better term) - but then will retort with praise and understanding, knowing that he owes his successes not in part to Toni.
Friday, 26 August 2011
The US Open Draw
Fanatic Omes:
Having listened to the confusion that was the 2011 US Open draw on a barely functional usopen.org radio (who had the temerity to switch back to the studio just when Rafa, who was on hand to help with the ladies' draw was about to be interviewed) whilst also being ill, I needed a few to recover. So after the intital ooohs and aaahs, I now bring you some attempted analysis.
For the men, bottom line, if you're a fan of the top four, you can sleep easy. And you can also start to unbelieve the coincidence of the stars aligning ever so nicely tournament after tournament for your guy.
Nole, the heavy favourite, is very likely to remain untroubled till the semis. The only notable threats for him are Monfils and Berdych - you know the guys who an injured and ailing Nole beat on the way to the final in Cincinnati last week - the kind of threats you toast to.
Rog has a testier route to the semis, with pesky Jo-Willy who just relishes beating the guy, and a very in-form Tuna Fish Mardy Fish in his quarter. Jo-Wills and Tuna could battle it out in the round of 16 before the winner takes on Rog in the quarters.
The biggest threat for Muzz en route to the semis would be Delpo, who he could face in the quarters. But with Delly P a little bit out of sorts and with Muzzard coming in from victory at Cincy, he should be cool with that.
Rafa also has a sweet deal, with his biggest threat being Daveeeed (of the Ferrer variety) in a potential quarter-final match. Daveeed is just coming back from injury but nevertheless a third round appearance at Cincy bodes well. Even still Rafa, brains and burns-permitting, should be more than ok.
So everything is set, some would argue quite literally, for YET another Rog vs Nole and Muzz vs Rafa semifinal. Fine then, we'll take it.
1st rounders to watch: Cilic vs Harrison, Gulbis vs Youzhny and Isner vs Baghdatis (who just played each other at Winston-Salem yesterday - Izzie won).
The biggest threat to top seed CaroWoz, would be Petkovic for a potential quarters match up, IF Caro finds her form. If not, then Hantuchova and Vinci are also in there. Just sayin. Li Na could also potentially meet Woz in the quarters, but she would have to get through Petko first, and her form is kind of questionable at the moment.
Vika (no.4 seed), poor poor Vika, is the lucky sod in who's quarter Serena lies. The two could potentially meet in the third round. There there Vika.
Masha (no. 3 seed) has Aga and Kvitty to contend with on her way to the semis. That could be tricky as Kvitty was the one with the audacity to deny her her 2nd Wimbly trophy; and Aga's shown us what's she's capable of in this year's US Open Series, even if she was a one-armed bandit. But Masha having just won Cincy, Masha is super-confident and unsurprisingly most people's favourite to win the whole thing behind Serena.
Bepa (no. 2 seed) has enough on her plate with Sabine and Venus (who has enough on her plate with Sabine - the two could play in the 2nd round!). If Bepa doesn't bring her A game, I expect an upset, but she seems to be performing well enough.
1st rounder to watch: Penetta vs Rezai.
And there you go. Let's hope Irene doesn't ruin it all. She's already gone after Arthur Ashe Kids Day. Wench.
(Pic: Getty)
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
New York Good Times
Fanatic Omes:
New York Times asked photographer Walter Iooss Jr. and Andy Samberg to explore the theme of tennis rivals for their magazine. Phenomenal idea and toe-ticklin' gosh-darn funny. As if you couldn't love Andy Samberg even more right?
(Vid: nytimes.com)
Djokes
Fanatic Omes:
So Head and Nole did this commercial - yes, I know you've seen it - just humour me. Head and Nole did this commercial whereby Nole brung that Masha impression we know he's capable of. It is HIGHLAIR. I don't get bored of Nole's impressions. (I get bored of his winning streaks, but that's a different matter.)
Brava Head! Brava Nole!
Highlights:
The annoyed fist shake at 0:10.
The laughing fit at the end.
Choice quotes:
"It makes me feel beautiful on the court."
"Fanatastic. It's just great, yeah."
I snokered (snorted+ snickered) big time when I watched this. Seriously Nole, NEVER stop showing this side of you. Never ever ever.
(Vid: Head Tennis on YouTube)
Readme
Fanatic Omes:
Hello friends. Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately - I spent last week in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. They should really put some telecom masts in there.
Now, read.
- Mardy Fish's Open opportunity.
- Pete Bodo talks about dubious retirements (*cough Tsonga* *cough Nole*) and their effects on the sport. And it's reeeaaallly hard to argue with him.
- Chris Chase's Serena seeding sentiments before and after he found out her seeding. Let's just say he wasn't thrilled, as I'm sure plently of people won't be.
- Holy Swiss! Fed has actually apporached Hingis about the Olympics. Come on guys stop tennis flirting and just pair up already.
- Going to the US Open? Well that means I don't like you :P. But anyway here are tips to make your stay that much more US Openy.
- Lovely jubbly article on Masha. (Gist: she's still here. Ahem.)
- A picture of Rafa's burns. Egadz. Hope he feels better soon!
- Great article on Caro's state right now and what she can do to silence her 100000000000+ critics and win a major.
(Pic: ffk8mediacenter.wikispaces.com)
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