Night match preview: Carlos Rodriguez believes Henin can’t defeat Dementieva

January 19th, 2010 • 1 comment Uncategorized

From a translation over here:

“Practice with Tuesday’s hitting partner is going to be very important,” says Rodriguez. “I want many long rallies. After all, Dementieva can turn the match into a demolition job.”

“The final against Kim gave a wrong idea of the level that Justine can reach at the moment. Justine had to wait for Kim to lapse to get into that match.”

“But you don’t get a chance like that every match. I would like to see Justine get the victory herself against Dementieva. But I think it’s too early for that. Give us another two months.”

“The expectations are too high. No, I don’t think it will end well against Dementieva. Except for Kim, no one can currently reach her level of play.”

If I were to bet on this match, I’d say whoever takes it, will win 2-0. I think it all depends on Elena’s head. If she (or them, her + her special lil’ head) shows up to play, she can easily win, just like she did with Serena last week at Sydney. If she’s in one of her, let’s say, “inspired” days, I think this match could easily go to a rusty Henin.

The match will take place at Rod Laver Arena at 7pm Melbourne time. Should be a good one.

BAD BLOGGER APOLOGIZES

November 22nd, 2009 • 1 comment Uncategorized

Been busy as hell. Want updates? Follow @fiercetennis on Twitter, ta!

Video of the day: Learn how to pronounce the players’ names

October 9th, 2009 • 9 comments Uncategorized

Brazilian blog Saque e Voleio posted this really cool video. During the U.S. Open, they interviewed journalists from different countries and asked them to pronounce the names of some of the players from their native countries. I think it’s a great initiative. Some of these are even shocking. And when I say some… I mean the Czech names. Like… what the hell? I don’t think I can even repeat some of those.

Here’s the list of names in the order as they’re said:

Philipp Kohlschreiber, Andreas Beck, Mischa Zverev, Simon Greul, Tommy Haas, Bjorn Phau, Rainer Schuettler, Juan Martín Del Potro, David Nalbandian, Juan Mónaco, José Acasuso, Martín Vassallo Arguello, Horacio Zeballos, Máximo González, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Kristof Vliegen, Cristophe Rochus, Yanina Wickmayer, Kirsten Flipkens, Olivier Rochus, Steve Darcis, Thomaz Bellucci, André Sá, Marcelo Melo, Thiago Alves, Bruno Soares, Marcos Daniel, Jie Zheng, Na Li, Shuai Peng, Marin Cilic, Ivan Ljubicic, Mario Ancic, Ivo Karlovic, Fernando Verdasco, Nicolás Almagro, Marcel Granollers, Rubén Ramírez Hidalgo, Carlos Moyá, Rafael Nadal, Sam Querrey, John Isner, Wayne Odesnik, James Blake, Andy Roddick, Melanie Oudin, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Marion Bartoli, Alizé Cornet, Amélie Mauresmo, Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Anne Keothavong, James Ward, Andy Murray, Laura Robson, Francesca Schiavone, Roberta Vinci, Tathiana Garbin, Fabio Fognini, Simone Bolelli, Potito Starace, Agnieszka Radwanska, Urszula Radwanska, Marat Safin, Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, Mikhail Youzhny, Nadia Petrova, Vera Zvonareva, Alisa Kleybanova, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, Victor Troicki, Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Petra Kvitova, Ivo Minar, Lucie Safarova, Patty Schnyder, Marco Chuidinelli, Timea Baczinsky, Stefanie Voegele, Stanislas Wawrinka, Roger Federer, Ayumi Morita, Ai Sugiyama, Kei Nishikori, Kimiko Date-Krumm, Aiko Nakamura.

Watch the video here.

Look at this #2 in the world GQMF

September 9th, 2009 • 2 comments Uncategorized

I I I I I I I

Sunshine Boy just defeated Gaël Monfils 6-7 6-3 6-1 6-3. What’s important about this win? That not only Rafa had a real test but he also gets his number two ranking back. This means, PARTY POST. Feel free to spam the comments with gifs! :D

Hello world!

August 3rd, 2009 • 1 comment Uncategorized

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Cool matches I won't watch

June 23rd, 2009 • 2 comments Uncategorized

I won’t bring my uni whining to even here, but tomorrow’s Women’s OOP is looking mighty fine, eh?

Maria Sharapova(RUS)[24] v. Gisela Dulko(ARG)

We’ll see if Sharapova’s 24th seed was fair. Gise is a fair talented player than can take out the 2004 champion. And she was also wearing a headband during RG. I believe we need to follow and support the headband…ers.

Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[8] v. Ioana Raluca Olaru(ROU)

Pretty girls. That’s all. Oh, idk why you would like to see this match. To see Vika’s headband? Vika’s “hype”? The “Romanian Revolution”? There. Three great reasons. I win. Go scream “Davai Vika” now.

Aravane Rezai(FRA) v. Elena Dementieva(RUS)[4]

Calling an upset here. Only this is Lena. And I’m never right when it comes to Lena… except when I am. So… a-ha!

Dominika Cibulkova(SVK)[14] v. Urszula Radwanska(POL)

Roland Garros semifinalist and Tiniest Player Ever, Domi, has a real challenge when she takes on Grassula (!!!!!!!!!!! ♥) on grass. May the best player win*.

Elena Vesnina(RUS) v. Vera Dushevina(RUS)

This match has the potential to be one of hell of a three-setter. One of these long matches in a tiny external court that keeps the crowd hanging there cheering the players on. Except this is grass so there’s a chance of being 6-7 7-6 9-7 in a little over an hour. I still except something exciting. Both Russians and both Failed Cup players — they know each other well. Bring it on, girls.

*And by that, I mean, may the cutest hot-tempered blonde Polish girl win.

P.S. Rofl, no way I’m going to tag/categorize this with all the players’ names.

Lovely sums it up

June 11th, 2009 • 4 comments Uncategorized

Doesn’t that picture calm you down? I don’t know if it’s the architecture, the new blue painting job or just the lad (grass season allows me to pretend I’m British) working on the grass. I’d love to go to Queens, watch some tennis for a couple of days and then head to the city and spend all my money shopping. Lovely.

Now I’m going to continue this lazy rainy morning by drinking tea and watching Novak at Halle. Hmmm.