Winners and losers

August 1st, 2010 • 4 comments lena v. always brings the lolz, vika azarenka

Each passing year, I believe more and more that some players have it and some don’t. What’s it? It is what makes some turn into champions and others not. ‘How can you not believe it? It’s right there’, you might say. But the thing is, I have a problem believing talented players such as Elena Dementieva and Andy Murray might not have what it takes, or not have enough, to win a major. Surely they’re both superior players than Francesca Schiavone or Juan Carlos Ferrero — to name a few. But maybe they aren’t, after all, those two are both Roland Garros champions.

Not that Istanbul is the 5th Slam or anything, but, today, Elena Vesnina played her third WTA final there.  Today was also her birthday — she turned 24. One third of those years were spent on the pro tour. I’m a fan but I’m surely not deranged enough to expect Lena V. to win a major. (Not that I wouldn’t go around buying people drinks if that happened though.) If you have ever seen her play, you know she has a good game. Last year, she reached the #22 position in the rankings and she definitely has top 15 potential. I don’t need to go around naming all other players that have won WTA titles that are, technically, worse at tennis than Lena V. But I’m sure you can think of a few.

The bottom line of this (useless) story is that today Lena V. was two games away from her first title. She was leading Pavlyuchenkova a set and 4-0 up. But, she lost, 6-4 in the decider, after over 3 hours and 10 minutes of match. Not wanting to spoil anything, but the story ends with a sobbing Russian. You can guess which one.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Lena V.‘s friend, Victoria Azarenka, also played a final. As you probably already know (from around the web or from my overexcited celebratory tweets), Vika won Stanford. Whatever it is, I’d say Vika has it. The only tough match she had on the tournament was against Bartoli — where she had to come back from a set and a break down. On the semis, she crushed Sam Stosur. On the final, she crushed Maria Sharapova. I don’t know what’s the winning characteristic that it possesses but it’s what makes us believe that, no matter the score, Serena Williams or Rafa Nadal are going to find a way to reach victory.

I don’t think it’s as simple as saying some players can focus and have a lot of fighting spirit while others are chokers. The greatest tennis champion of all time, Roger Federer, has choked quite a few ridiculous leads. The forever a bridesmaid Elena Dementieva has had some spectacular comebacks. It’s something more, I’d say.

And, since we were talking about Andy Murray: he lost today after having a match point on the second set. Don’t worry, though. In Mandy, we trust. Am I right?

(You know, tomorrow I’m going to write an essay called ‘Victoria Azarenka: why she’s the most misunderstood player of our generation and how she’s actually a sweetheart’. Maybe I’ll get a few people that aren’t related to her to read it. Who knows.)

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. :)

The good, the bad and the ugly — the Russian edition

October 21st, 2009 • 1 comment bepa z., kiri is 2 hot 4 u, lena v. always brings the lolz, pavs

From the Kremlin Cup’s players party:

The good:

Maria Kirilenko and Elena Vesnina

The bad:

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

(And I actually like the sneakers.)

The ugly:

Vera Zvonareva

(Oh Bepa, did they pay you to wear that shirt? How much? A billion dollars???)

Last bit of Beijing LOLZ

October 12th, 2009 • bondarenkos, doubles couples, lena v. always brings the lolz, sam stosur, yanina wickmayer

Somehow I feel like that picture should go to the blog’s “about” page.

My first full thought when looking at this picture was “OH LOL for a second there I thought that dude in white was Yanina Wickmayer“. And then I looked at the subtitle. It was her. Oh, Wicky, never change, okay?

And via Mind The Racket, another video of the two most unintentionally hilarious doubles players (Elena Vesnina does not count): Sam Stosur and Rennae Stubbs. Playing ping pong.

I think I could actually beat them. WIN.

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.

Happy Birthday, Lena (V.)!

August 1st, 2009 • 3 comments chaky, demented, lena v. always brings the lolz, maria shutupova, vika azarenka, williamses

Considering the DISASTER that was the Lena-Venus match today, I’ll avoid talking about it. If you’re a Venus fan, I’m sure it’s delicious to have a bagel and a breadstick for breakfast, but… with these stats? Lena had 3 winners and 19 unforced errors, even Sharapova managed to win a couple of games per set! I think Lena’s loss was because of bad karma from me. Not only was I rolling on the floor laughing at her recent “bitchiness”, but I also failed to keep a straight watching Sharapova play Venus. Her volleys, you guys. How are you supposed to not laugh? Yes, I’m a terrible tennis fan, tell me something I don’t know.

Moving on to another Elena, today’s Elena Vesnina’s birthday (!!!!). I don’t know if you guys are familiar with this but I adore her.

And that lovely Russian girl turned 23 today (August 1st) and I just thought I could post a few pics. You know, to celebrate.

Even if she didn’t play tennis, she would still have hilarious facial expressions that would amuse me ’til the end.

And she could always remain Failed Cup’s official cheerleader or something. Give me an R!! … no?

And as I tuned in on the Bartoli-Stosur match to check the score, the commentator informed that yesterday it was Lena V.’s gf Vika‘s birthday. I looked it up — it’s true. Vika turned twenty (!!!!) yesterday. I’m sorry but it’s not my fault I forgot. I can hardly remember my friends’ birthdays and Vika doesn’t have an LJ to remind me of such triviliaties. Her bad. She didn’t get a picspam.

*My* blog means I can be as much biased as I wish, right?

June 26th, 2009 • 3 comments demented, domi cibulkova, lena v. always brings the lolz, sorana banana, vika azarenka

LEEEEEENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She defeated Domi today 7-5 4-6 6-4 in 3 hours and 3 minutes. Seriously, what a frakkin’ marathon it was. My heart couldn’t handle it and I eventually focused my attention on Sorana Banana-Vika (¡hola eyecandy!). I believe my most used sentence of the day was “FOR FUCK’S SAKE, LENA V”. The Lenas, you guys, they’re up to no good. They want to give me a heart attack, I’m sure of it. Lena V. choked up a lead in the second and then came back from 0-2 in the third. Each game would last for-frakkin’-ever. The girls did not get the memo this isn’t green clay. This is grass, girls, GRASS! Blink-and-it’s-over grass. Take it easy on me.

Now, Lena V. plays Lena The Greater. Ouch. Lena V., a fourth round is good, girl! Let my all-time fave win pls. In two easy, if possible. Thx!

For the love of headbands!

June 24th, 2009 • 4 comments forza!, gise dulko, lena v. always brings the lolz, pavs, severine bremond, tennis players are fashionists too, vika azarenka

Because you saw this coming. Tea + catching up with tennis = all I need at the moment.

From left to right: The day’s superstar Gisela Dulko, Elena Vesnina, Victoria Azarenka and Anastasia Pavyulenchkova.

Gise’s pic is actually not from today because I couldn’t find a decent one where you could see the Lacoste logo. Only 45588941 different images from Sharapova. Who needs unbiased Journalism, eh? Lena V./Vika picture I believe was posted here. If not… HOW CUTE ARE THEY? Answer: Very. Lena V.’s RG doubles outfit was lovely. Black tight dress and that bicolour headband. I approve it, she looked gorgeous (as usual). Now, it looks like Pavs’ headband is from the Men’s collection. I still like it though. I believe it would have been slightly more girlier if the Adidas logo was to the side, but oh well. I don’t know if you can see in the tiny picture, but if not, click here, HER NAIL POLISH MATCHES HER SHIRT.  Ignore the fact Pavs lost today to Vinci, she’s such a frakkin’ baby rockstar.

The same headband worn by Lena V. in doubles at RG was worn by Gise in Stuttgart. In this picture, you can see it more clearly. I want it. It matches my red (or should I say “terre batue”?) RG wristband. Special appearance by: Flavia Pennetta (headband-less).

Here we learn with Severine Bremond the different ways to wear a handband and look stylish. First picture is at RG, she wore it on top of her head (à la Serena/Blair Waldorf). At Wimbledon, the “regular” way. And at last year’s US Open she wore a ridiculously pretty blue-and-white one. God bless Lacoste.

Let's stare at teh purdy, shall we?

June 10th, 2009 • 3 comments lena v. always brings the lolz, vika azarenka

Close your eyes and pretend Federer didn’t win RG and that you’re not a bitter Rafa fan (if you’re me).

Close your eyes and pretend the clay season isn’t over (if you’re a claycourter).

Close your eyes and try not caring about all the injured players like Rafa, Caro and Sharapova (if you’re a tennis fan).

Now open your eyes and squee over the Women’s Doubles finalists, Team QT #2, Vika and Lena V. (if you’re human).

+ Pic-tures from Nouf at TF.

Vika’s dimple fyt:

Love her nail polish.

Written on Friday, posted today

May 23rd, 2009 • 2 comments bb safina, caro the danish cutie, demented, holy rafa, kiri is 2 hot 4 u, lena v. always brings the lolz, maria shutupova, the radwanskas, vika azarenka

At the moment I’m in my flight to London with over four hours remaining before we land. As I talked (typed) to myself (yes, I’m this crazy) I decided I should post here and tell you guys about Roland Garros, etc.

I’ll arrive in Paris on Monday the 25th and will be at the stadium at about 2 pm. If there’s wi-fi there, I’ll be doing in-site tweeting. You can follow me @awaltzforanight or simply take a look at the sidebar here every once and a while. I warn that it might be incoherent rambling such as “OMGGGG VIKA AND CARO ARE BEING GIGGLY TOGETHER HEE OMG”. Yes, I’m a proud fangirl. No, I’m not going to be serious unless I’m getting paid (read the blog’s About section). For RG related news, I also recommend the very serious twitter @Roland_Garros.

On Monday, I only have tickets to the external courts, so I’ll try to watch some practice sessions, wave my Brazilian and/or Russian flags at random matches and try to catch some Kiri or any cute choker. Hellz yeah.

I have tickets for all days until Sunday. They’re mostly Chatrier or Lenglen tickets. I’ll be praying to the Lords of Kobol to watch Lena live. Please, tennis Santa, please, I’ve been a nice girl and you already fucked me over with her draw (WHY LENA-CARO AGAIN WHY WHY WHYYYYYYYY).

When there, I want to chat and take a picture with the biggest rockstar in tennis: Mommy Vera Dementieva. And given the opportunity, ask Sharapova why she broke up with Camilla Belle. Gurl, Camilla is dreamy, what’s wrong with you?

If you can’t tell by the excessive capslock (no, come on, I’m not always like that!), I’m really excited for this. I’ve never been to Roland Garros to watch a match, I’ve only visited the stadium and the tenniseum (oh why so pretty) days before the EPIC Failed Cup (at time ‘Fed Cup’) final between Russia and France. With Nastya choking up closing the tie and Dinara and Lena winning the last rubber in the last set. If it was EPIC from my TV, imagine how EPIC it was live… there. When I go to cheer for Russia live, they lose to fucking Argentina. No comments, Russia, NO COMMENTS. I would break up with you if I could.

Well, folks, I have no further things to say from the plane. All I hope is to land soon and post this whenever I get internet.

P.S. Who did Sharapova have to sleep with to get that draw (anyone that answers “Rafa” will be hit with a rock over their head)? And why didn’t Ula sleep with the same person? Idiot!