Nadal did what everyone knew he'd do: desperately scratch his way to the Rome final. He got a very beatable draw. But it almost doesn't matter who he plays on this surface other than an in-form Djokovic or maybe a high-flying Dominic Thiem. I'm surprised Tsitsipas actually put-up the fight he did, losing on one …
Novak Takes Rothenberg’s Lunch Money
https://youtu.be/U88Sr0s2MYY Do you know who Ben Rothenberg is? I've slammed the guy a few times with my teeny tiny Twitter tongue; he's a tennis journalist who, I think, basically writes for Ben and Twitter 😉 He's a big WTA honk and leader of the "anti Best-of-Five" crew. These credentials alone (WTA cheerleader/anti-Best-of-5 clown) make him, …
The Madrid Tea Leaves and Rome . . . and Roland Garros
There are a couple of major story-lines as we reflect on Madrid, and order another beverage on our stop-over in Rome, en route to Paris with the anticipation and excitement for the potential drama of the 2019 French Open. Maybe this little hint at "a couple of major story-lines" is for the readership, for the …
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2019 Madrid Quarterfinals
Friday 3:00am PST Djokovic v Cilic Haven't really seen the Djoker play, but his draw has been weak. He missed-out on a Cecchinato or Schwartzman, even a Dimitrov though the later is pretty much on career laxatives. Still, Djoker got Fritz and Chardy, the equivalent of some Ritz Crackers and a bad French chardonnay. Cilic …
The Madrid Draw, ATP Youth (Fck’an A!): Let’s Go!
Just a reminder that there's a bunch of solid ATP competition going on right now (as you know), with an interesting theme entailing some juniors throwing dirtballs, but the competition is about to get bananas with Madrid on the brink! And what a draw! 😀 Fck'an A, this kid Fokina has been tearing-up his Estoril …
Continue reading The Madrid Draw, ATP Youth (Fck’an A!): Let’s Go!
Domi(nant) Thiem Wins Barcelona
What a run from Dominic Thiem. I don't see this just in terms of a win over Nadal in the Barcelona SF in straights, in total command, on the court named after his lofty opponent, where the Spaniard has won 3 million times (11 times actually); I see this as the Austrian's continued move to …
The Story of Guido and a Cannoli
Once upon a time: Guido had serve at 4-1 and two game points to go up 5-1 in that first set against Nadal in their Monte Carlo QF match. He had broken Rafa's first three service games. 5-1? Would have been Rafa having to comeback and as we joked the other day about the Spaniard …
The DHFE Memo is Back
What is DHFE? Look it up. Many have to have thought (perhaps wildly erroneously) that Novak took the Sunshine Double off (early exits at both tournaments) only to prepare for his clay campaign, as the hunt for Nadal continues (ala the AO final) and clay mastery has to be an unquenchable thirst for the Serbian …
Monte Carlo Early
Nadal and Djokovic look good for an April clay Masters final. Novak might have found some needed confidence for this clash in his easy win over Fritz today. Nadal continues to roll, but does conceding five games to Dimitrov reveal some vulnerability. 😀 The other interest concerns seeing how the peasants fare in this city …
Let’s Call it a Comeback Part I
Shit. I promised an expanded sports coverage and then it looks like I took the red-eye to Club Neglect. Place is over-rated, actually. Bad move on my part. Forgive me. Been busy as a bee, yet the sports news cycle has been busier than me! The "comeback" has been in-play for a few weeks, at …
