Very important poll (pls vote and help my troubled mind)

October 31st, 2009 • 5 comments jj, off-topic

I realize this is a tennis blog. But it’s also a blog that belongs to me, therefore, I’ll post whatever I want. Suck it up, readers. (Just kidding, I ♥ u guise.)

As the days go by, I find myself getting more and more into the TV show Criminal Minds. It’s very entertaining stuff. And now, I’m relating the name “JJ” to that cute blonde on the left below. If I read or write “JJ”, I immediately go “HEE JJ! *squees*”. And this might be an issue. Because JJ is also how I call the tennis player on the right.

So I’m here thinking to myself. Because sometimes I do that… you know, think. And I believe I need another nickname for the Serb. I’m going to do a poll to see what you guys think, but honestly, I’m not feeling any of these names bellow. I’ll be taking suggestions, please comment if you have any. Thanks!

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Tomorrow’s OOP

October 30th, 2009 • 2 comments caro the danish cutie, jj, williamses

Centre Court (from 14.00hrs)

1. Cara Black/Liezel Huber vs. Samantha Stosur/Rennae Stubbs
2. Venus Williams vs. Jelena Jankovic (NB 16:30)
3. Serena Williams vs. Caroline Wozniacki
4. Nuria Llagostera Vives/María José Martínez Sánchez vs. Serena Williams/Venus Williams

A one-legged girl and a player that shouldn’t even be in the semis against a Williams each. Oh, WTA, you never fail to bring the LOLZ into my life.

Woes and hugs

October 30th, 2009 • 6 comments caro the danish cutie, jj, lena v. always brings the lolz, the radwanskas, vika azarenka

If I was the chairman of the WTA, I’d think something was wrong. Hell, I’d know something was wrong. It’s bad enough that they have to use a second alternate in a 8-player tournament. But having another player cry on court, after the whole Caro drama? It’s terrible.  This is sport, not a hospital. We shouldn’t have this many girls taped up, limping around while trying to hit yellow balls. It’s not entertaining to watch.

Vika today had everything to make her first YEC semifinals ever. She was up 6-4 5-2 against Aga. She failed. She had back and leg problems. We were forced to see another play tear up. I was not amused. My heart was broken.

With this defeat, the players to through in the White Group (aka The “omg we’re dying dyiiiiinnnng” Group) are JJ (I know, wtf) and Caro. I will post the cute moments of Caro and Ula in the stands when someone puts the videos up. Caro and her dad Piotr dancing to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and Caro’s choreography to “I Will Survive” (will you really?) as Ula watches her on the screen and laughs. Cuteness. (That was before Vika started sobbing btw.)

And since we’re on the subject of Danish Cutie, Danish news websites sure seem to know where their priorities lie.

Nice layout thur.

I’ll finish this post with a picture that should feel like a big warm hug to cheer up all the Vika fans here. And I know there are a lot.

Lena V. is the special Russian bonus. :)

There’s only so much my heart can take

October 29th, 2009 • 8 comments bepa z., caro the danish cutie, jj

Crazy match. Quite possibly the craziest tennis match I’ve ever seen. It didn’t seem quite that absurd in the beginning. It all started with Caro Wozniacki bagelling Bepa Zvonareva in the first set. Bepa was acting like… Bepa. Headcase as always. Swearing, falling down, bumping on her racquet.

In the second set, Caro was broken right in the first game but managed to break back right away. Bepa was going through some “emotional” problems that only got worse when she got a nosebleed. She was crying and trying to stop the blood at the same time.

Caro settled in the match and soon was up 5-2. She had two match points. Went for the winner down the line, no one called anything, she pumped her fist, celebrated thinking she had won the match. Bepa challenged and the ball was out. Bepa won that game and then other two in a row. The set went to a tiebreak and she took it.

Third set was odd. At the very least. Caro was calling the trainer at very opportunity. Stretching after most points. And then this happened:

According to Caro, “In the third set I knew I had to go 100% for my shots. And then I got cramps. At 3-1 both my legs cramped up, and it just got worse and worse.” With tears strolling down her face (I know I’m dramatic, shut up), she closed up the match. I’m still in the process of mending my heart. You can watch the match point below. Note: Have tissues ready.

I feel good about winning – given the circumstances – and feel better now. I’ve cooled down and am receiving some massage. All the physiotherapists and doctors are helping me. I’ll do everything to try and recuperate tonight so I can be ready again tomorrow.

If she is indeed ready tomorrow, she’ll play JJ.

Gurl, better scheduling next season, please. I don’t need to repeat this, do I?

Popcorn ready?

October 29th, 2009 • bb safina, bepa z., caro the danish cutie, demented, jj, williamses

Today’s Order of Play (starts at 5PM Doha Time)

1. Vera Zvonareva vs. Caroline Wozniacki
2. Serena Williams vs. Elena Dementieva
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Venus Williams

Bepa Zvonareva will play her first match in the tournament. She’s going in as an alternate for Dinara Safina. Yesterday, Dinara retired at 1-1 against JJ due to back problems. Left the court crying and limping. Quite a heartbreaking thing to watch. I’d say Bepa has been playing well since she came back from her injury butt considering she crashed out 0-6 2-6 to Pironkova in Kremlin Cup’s second round just last week… yeah, I’ll be making no predictions. I don’t know how well an injured, tired Piece of Adorable Danish Sunshine Caro can play either.

The second match could be a possible revenge for Serena, after Lena defeated her in Toronto this year. But knowing Serena, I doubt she even cares. She won the epic Wimbledon semis. I’m sure she has no problems sleeping at night. And Elena seems to have this agreement with the top players that goes like this: “I win the Mickey Mouses tournaments, you win the Slams + YEC.” Awesome. But again… predicting matches… I know how good I am at that. (Not at all.)

The third match…. no, I don’t care. *shrug*

“I’m glad she gave me the match. It worked out pretty well for me.”

October 27th, 2009 • 3 comments jj, vika azarenka

Match 1: Azarenka def. Jankovic 6-2 6-3

The day in Doha started in a quite anti-climatic way. The official tour diva and one of the most promising youngsters didn’t seem to attract the residents. Lots of empty places. And the ones that were filled, belonged to unenthusiastic fans that seemed to believe clapping was overrated. The match itself was also far from stellar. In the two sets Vika and JJ played, the Serbian manage to make 33 unforced errors.

JJ herself agreed her performance was poor. “I gave the match away”, she said. Vika’s response? “I’m glad she gave me the match. It worked out pretty well for me.” OOOOOH BURN.

Onto the outfits, Vika still fails to comprehend what “clothes that fit” truly means. It’s okay, it’s endearing. And I really love the blue. I just don’t know what’s going on with the dark blue + black sneakers. They match with nothing in the outfit. They don’t even look Nike’s (or tennis shoes, for the matter in fact). I’ll choose to believe she lost a bet to her coach and, in return, she has to wear ridiculously manly sneaker. Yeah, that’s the theory I’m going for. Why yes, I do like to be completely oblivious to the girl’s bad fashion sense. Why do you ask?

JJ’s dress on the other hand… is not as bad as I expected? Seriously, I’m as shocked as you guys are. It’s much more simple than the absurd frilly stuff Anta has come up with her the whole year. And I actually like the stripes. Of course, I could live without the double-layer thing but I’m in no position to complain, right?

The highlights for the match can be watched here, at the WTA website. For the White Group, tomorrow, Vika will 4th seed Caroline Wozniacki and JJ will play first seed Dinara Safina.

And now a tiny Vika picspam, because, gosh, I’ve missed that bratty little thing.

I like fist pumping pictures. Maybe it’s because I’m a Rafa fan.

Ahhhhh, the WTA

October 26th, 2009 • 2 comments bb safina, caro the danish cutie, demented, jj, kuzzy, vika azarenka, williamses

First, I apologize for not posting these past few days. I’ve caught a flu so I’ve been spending my lovely afternoons in bed watching Criminal Minds and drinking tea. But I’m better now so, hai, u guise. :DDDD

The YEC groups came out out and they are:

MAROON GROUP (aka the “death” group):

• Elena Dementieva
• Serena Williams
• Venus Williams
• Svetlana Kuznetsova

WHITE GROUP (aka “baby!GOATs, #1 and, oh right, JJ qualified” group)

• Victoria Azarenka
• Caroline Wozniacki
• Jelena Jankovic
• Dinara Safina

Play starts tomorrow at 5pm Doha time. Here’s the Order of Play:

I hope everyone’s got their popcorn and playsheets ready!

One down.

October 21st, 2009 • 1 comment bepa z., jj, kiri is 2 hot 4 u, the radwanskas

We started Kremlin Cup with three players fighting for the last spot at the year end championships (YEC) in Doha: Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic and Agnieszka Radwanska. Today, Russian Maria Kirilenko already took out one of the girls from the competition, poor baby Aga, with a double 6-3.

It’s the end of the season. Most of the players are exhausted. If not physically, then mentally. Aga had her leg and wrist taped up. Last week, there was her shoulder too. Even if she is/was badly injured, the last thing I’m going to do is take out Maria’s credit. It’s the second time in a row she defeats the Polish girl. The last one was in this year’s U.S. Open second round. With this win, it’s the first Maria makes the second round in her home tournament. See how I’m positive about one of my favourite not qualifying for Doha? Envy my graciousness.

Here below, we have a Maria interview in Russian for the website Championat. Being obviously fluent in the language, this is how much I managed to understand (reading from the story’s title): “I’m not Kournikova”, she said. Well, Maria, aren’t we glad we settled that?

Let’s learn something here

October 7th, 2009 • 3 comments jj, maria shutupova, vika azarenka

Karma

The Buddhist belief that whatever you do comes back to you, e.g. if you do something good, something good will happen to you, and vice versa.

Sharapova yesterday:

“Is her last name Jankovic?”, after Vika took a second injury time-out.

Sharapova today:

After losing to Peng 2 and 4.

“OH BURRRRRNNNNN” doesn’t quite sum up my feelings.

Hey guys. What’s up, you guys?

October 5th, 2009 • 2 comments caro the danish cutie, jj, lena v. always brings the lolz, the radwanskas

I’m just here to tell I have absolutely no plans in making a real post for like… the rest of the season. Actually, lies, I’ll do my best during Kremlin, my favourite non-GS/FC/DC tournament, and the YEC. Other than that… nope. It’s literally impossible for me to watch over 20 minutes of it with the surreal timezones. And my desire to criticize the WTA, differently from lots of people, doesn’t exist. Sorry.

Instead, I’ll make your days a little more brighter with tennis the Sesame Street:

If you want to make this picture even more hilarious and cracktastic, you can do what I did: pretended Jankovic was in the Elmo costume.

A few more pictures of the Radwanskas + Caro.

These three might be even more ridiculous in pictures than Elena Vesnina. I don’t know, such a tough choice.