It's all over Down Under

Posted by BESS: Several days, by which I mean nights, have passed, and the 2013 Aussie Open is now complete.  I missed talking about a lot of matches, and I also missed a lot of matches.

I did, however, see a good portion of the Murray/Federer five-set semi-final. Was really rooting for Fed in that one. But, alas.

I did NOT see the MTO heard 'round the world... Azarenka's questionable medical time out right after choking away five match points in her semi-final against Sloane Stephens.  After leaving the court and seemingly regrouping, Aza went on to win the match and lose just about any support she might have had. The fans, the media, commentators, other players, the Twitterverse... everyone was in an uproar.

By all accounts it was a rough two days for Azarenka, preparing for the final while dealing with the fallout of that questionable sportsmanship. So tension was high as she and Li Na took the court for the women's championship. What then transpired was riveting TV. 

Three sets complete with a heavily partisan crowd (seemingly all supporting Li), strong play, two medical time outs (unquestionably legit) by Li for rolling her ankle--one combined with slamming her head on the court and being assessed for a concussion, a 10-minute break for Australia Day fireworks outside the stadium, and frequent shots of Aza's box where LMFAO's Redfoo, her friend/perhaps boyfriend, wore a neon, leopard print ensemble with a T-shirt proclaiming "Get your grunt on."

In a word (or three), it was bizarre and unexpected and entertaining, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Until the very end, when Azarenka won.

It marked one of the oddest winning moments I can remember in a grand slam final. She won, and the crowd barely reacted. Here she is, your women's champion, and... tepid applause at best. Reluctant.

Her celebration was, to her credit, muted. She sobbed heavily into her towel, then jogged over to celebrate with her team--getting reassurance from them more than anything else.

So Aza leaves Melbourne with another trophy, and Li Na leaves with a kabillion more fans (conservative estimate.) She's a clearly improved player, and her unending popularity stems as much from her impressive play as for her humorous candor during every single interview. Simply charming.

Well done, Li Na. Hoping the rest of 2013 is just a little bit better than this tournament ended up for you.
 
As for the men's final. Well, I was frankly bored by Murray/Djokovic. And tired. So I took a break after the first two sets (which they split) and then just couldn't be bothered. Something like 28 straight games without a break of serve? Oy.

It was a final between two players I don't really care for, so I wasn't so much rooting for someone as I was rooting against the Djoker. And when it seemed he had taken control of the match, my heart wasn't in it. Especially at 5 a.m.

I'll just say that it wasn't the best match from either of them. And had Murray not played a tough five-set semi just the day before, the result might have been much different.

I did see the end and the trophy presentation (had to wake up for Andre!). The upside: Djokovic didn't rip his shirt off while staggering around court screaming like the Hulk. So there's that.

Also, perhaps my second-favorite tweet from the tournament: SI/CNN/Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim's random observation and stellar verb usage last night:  "Murray really sausaged his body into his clothes this event."  Hahaha. Nice. (And true.)

Housekeeping
So... it's been fun. But I've missed Dave arguing with me over my dislike of Djokovic or Venus's fashion choices. Perhaps when the French Open rolls around Dave won't find himself quite so busy/sick/out of the country (a bad combination as far as blogging goes.)

I look forward to putting the "mixed" and the "doubles" back into Mixed Doubles.

For those keeping score, both Dave and I picked DelPotro and Sharapova as singles' champions. So clearly, we failed.  Better luck next time, Juan Martin and Maria. Also, Dave and me.

Until Paris... (and, God willing, Rafa...) A bientot!

Do not adjust your screens

Posted by Bess: Mixed Doubles is back! Yes, we took a very long hiatus at arguably a very inopportune time. But that was so last year. This year we are in it to win it!

And, having just finished Rafa's book (watch for a future post on that) we are now modeling our hunger-for-victory after that of a true champion. Look out, tennis blogging world!

Dave and I have big plans for Mixed Doubles in 2012, but before we truly kick things off, there are a few housekeeping items to take care of.

1. The big time: Way back in September we were honored to have CNN/SI writer Jon Wertheim link to one of our posts about the U.S. Open men's final. Being a bit of a Jon-o-phile, this was HUGE for me (and, I believe, for Dave as well), and it caused our page views to skyrocket. And one might have assumed it would have garnered us a few new readers.
   
   But instead of letting our elation fuel future posts, capitalizing on our fame (ha!) and fortune (ha ha!), we clammed up. In fact, we did not post again until... right now. It's hard to explain why. Fear of success, maybe? ;-)
   
   So, Jon (if you ever read our blog again), please don't take it personally. And thanks for the highlight of our blogging year.
   
   And to any of you who may have discovered our blog through Jon's column, and who may wander back here wondering if we will ever post again... welcome back! We look forward to sharing the 2012 tennis season with you.
   
   
2. The winner: If you think Sam Stosur and Novak Djokovic were the big winners of the 2011 U.S. Open, well, you only have part of the story. You've clearly all been on the edges of your seats wondering whether it was Dave or I who won our 2011 U.S. Open bracket challenge.
   
   Wonder no more: I took the coveted title, winning bragging rights and a lunch on Dave. Let me report that lunch was delicious; well worth the hours I poured into my bracket strategizing. Or maybe it was half an hour. Regardless, congratulations to... me!
   
   Note, though, that the Aussie Open is just around the corner. Can Dave pull out a win in Melbourne? Stay tuned.
   
   
3. The designer: Ever since we started this blog in mid-2011, we've been meaning to publicly thank our logo/masthead designer, the fabulous Trenton Burd. Trenton's design work helped give this blog some street cred before we ever even typed a word. Thanks, T-Burd.
   

And now, in an effort to keep these posts a bit shorter in 2012, I'll conclude. But be on the lookout soon for these upcoming posts:

• Our 2012 predictions

• Dave's post tying tennis to the Iowa caucuses (first in the nation kind of post, I'm assuming)
  
  
• A recap of my day at the ATP World Tour Finals in London last November (Rafa v. Roger! Fish v. Tsonga!)
  

• A review of Rafa's book

• A new recurring feature that we need *your* help with!

• And, of course, coverage of the Aussie Open
  

Happy New Year, tennis lovers. It's nice to be back.

Babyfaced assassains

Posted by BESS: Apologies for neglecting the blog. I have, indeed, been watching tennis. But I've also had a lot of cooking, subsequent cleaning and socializing to do. That done, I'll now return to thrilling you with my US Open recaps. (I'll just assume our one reader is thrilled.)

My good friend Jeff Winker is at the Open this weekend. This is particularly heartbreaking for me because the one and only time I attended the Open was with Jeff and his beautiful wife Heather. We had a fantastic time, and they got to meet--and stay with--my grandparents and great-aunts. All of whom are now deceased. In fact, Jeff's first email to me from the 2011 Open included this comment: "Alas, no Roma." (My grandmother.) Alas, indeed.

But I'm glad Jeff's having some fun, and I appreciate the opportunity to live vicariously through him over the weekend. Here's some of what he's been observing:

• First, here's the view from his baseline seats for Isner-Ginepri. His takeaway from this match was "Isner -- even taller in person. But slow."

• Jeff was then watching the Murray-Haase match. Jeff's a fan of Murray (I know, inexplicable), so I emailed him when it appeared Murray was down for the count. I asked what was up with his boy tanking and Jeff's response was, "He looks terrible. Like he just got off the plane, walked into the stadium and it was already the second set. Maybe he stopped at Carnegie Deli on his way in." Murray would go on to win the match, however.
  
  Jeff did comment that Haase looked "legit," though. I remarked that Haase's 'fro was more legit than Andy's, as well as his tennis. Jeff's response? "It's very powerful hair." That's the best hair-related phrase since my co-worker Derek brilliantly used the phrase, "Her hair looks like Las Vegas" to describe the hair of someone important at work. Who shall remain nameless.

• Jeff then moved to the nosebleed seats in Arthur Ashe stadium to cheer for Kansas City's own Jack Sock. A few notes, here. Jeff now lives in KC. And despite all the talk about Sock being from Nebraska (which he is) he actually plays in KC now. So evidently there are a few areas claiming him as their own.
  
  Jeff then shared this observation: "Arthur Ashe stadium may be the worst place to see live sports I've ever been to." As far as the nosebleed seats go, I'd have to agree. It's like climbing a ladder to get up there! But Jeff, Heather and I also had great seats in Ashe for a day session (when I got to see Andre play!) And from those seats I thought the action was great fun to watch. And the atmosphere is, indeed, electric. So the key is to pay up the wazoo for good tickets if you're going to be in Ashe. Otherwise you might as well be on one of the smaller courts with closer seats for less money. #tip

• The next day, Jeff got to see the match Berdych pulled out of. As well as Federer's match. And "awesome" mixed doubles (SQUEE! the name of our blog!) with Jack Sock/Melanie Oudin taking on Bob Bryan/Liezel Huber. Sock/Oudin pulled it out in a tiebreak, prompting Jeff's friend Barry to nickname them the "babyfaced assassains," which I love! Do you agree the nickname is apt?
  
  Here's Oudin:

And here's Sock:

• Today Jeff is in Ashe and got to watch Rafa play. He promised to alert me when the shirt came off. And he did. Good job, old friend. This is the same guy who made me give back his sports goggles many years ago when he discovered that I was just using them to check out Brooke Shields' hair... not to watch the match. Glad he's come to understand what's really important to me. :-)

I hope you're all having as fun a weekend as Jeff is at the Open. And that you're not as bored as Dave claims to be. Despite this post from just mere days ago...

That one time when James Blake gave me a virus

Posted by BESS: It's a really good thing that Dave posted that picture of James Blake tonight.

Because then I didn't have to do it.

True story... the last time I searched online for a photo of James Blake I got a computer virus. Full on messed-with-my-shizz computer virus. Had to take it in to the Geek Squad and everything. My computer never fully recovered.

And ever since that time, my life has been understandably devoid of photos of James. Tonight that situation was happily rectified. AND I got to tell my "James Blake gave me a virus" story yet again. Never gets old.

Seriously, though. James is darn good looking. And a winner (for now). And based on a Tweet from Andrea Petkovic, I missed a heck of a final point in his match tonight... she claimed his return of serve on match point made him her new idol. Wow! I was doing dishes at the time. So I heard the eruption of the fans, but still don't really know what happened. Regardless, Blake won, just how I predicted it. Wahoo!

My big question, though, is... was the J-Block there in all their obnoxiously supportive glory?! I hope so. James deserves good things.

My big disappointment of the night is Na Li/Li Na (can we ever decide?), who I took through the fourth round, despite knowing that she hadn't been playing that well lately. Evidently memories of her stellar performance earlier this year clouded my judgment. I misjudged that situation terribly. Fool me once Li Na/Na Li...

Afterward, she was quoted as saying that she has no confidence and is playing like sh*t. Well. I appreciate the honesty, but I wish you would have told me that before I filled out my bracket!

The Nadal match was surprisingly competitive and, therefore, interesting tonight. If you ignored it, Dave, you missed out. I was a bit concerned at several different stretches. I think Nadal was broken three times in the second set? Needs improvement. But he pulled it out in three tough sets. Vamos, Rafa!

According to Rafa's coach, Uncle Toni, Nadal's confidence is lacking. And he hasn't been playing well at all lately. Something tells me that perhaps Uncle Toni isn't the most motivational of coaches. But his approach produces results, so who am I to question?

As for Serena's outfit... it's actually pretty conservative and a bit boring. Perhaps that's why, despite her 6-1, 6-1 win, Serena didn't seem to have her usual mojo. Glam it up, SW! We know you're capable of far crazier attire. And at least then we'd have something to think about for the 56 minutes in which you completely rout your opponents.

In short, we're gonna need a little bit more crazy if we're to stay interested.

The Open begins; all is right with the world

Posted by BESS: Dave said it first, and he said it well. Thank goodness the U.S. Open is here. It's the last major of the year, and there are some scores to be settled!

• Nadal needs to beat Djokovic (unlikely).


• Sharapova needs to win (pretty unlikely, but maybe).
  


• Dave needs to beat Bess in the bracket challenge (highly likely, despite my glorious Wimbledon win.)

It's the first day of the tournament, and I was ready for a humdinger of an opening celebration. But tonight's program included some lackluster comments made to tepid applause. Some kid named Greyson Chance (sp?) oversinging some songs, including the national anthem.

And... that was... about it.

I'm used to Aretha. Gospel choirs. Production value. Even the beautiful, ginormous U.S. flag unfurling across the court seemed less impressive than in the past. Bottom line, I was let down. It was just like last night's VMAs all over again. And no one really needed that.

Just as I was blogging this, Dave commented via FB that he's bored. And I quote, "I'm bored with the Open tonight. Couldn't stand that Harry Potter kid who sang (so poorly) the opening number. Chris Evert needs a longer skirt {amen!} and a more interesting personality. And Venus' outfit makes her look six months pregnant. The end."

This is why I like Dave.

And let me tell you, I had already concocted in my head the moment when Venus would win her first round match, then turn to the camera and caress her belly, a la Beyonce, announcing her pregnancy to all the world. It would totally explain that outfit. Not to mention the "virus" that kept her off court all summer.

I guess the night is still young!

Federer's up next. Can the GOAT rescue the evening?

No matter what, all is not lost. There are some things to discuss.

• Like how hell has frozen over and Dave and I have predicted the same two champions... Djokovic and Sharapova! Egads. That means every point we score in these earlier rounds is that much more important.

• Also, during boring evenings, like this one may continue to be, I can be comforted and entertained by my latest literary purchase... Oh yes. >>Rafa - the biography. I cannot wait to begin it.

• Finally, my friend Mark Movic sent me a link to this NYT Magazine photo special , featuring Andy Samburg re-enacting famous tennis moments. Be sure to check it out. And thanks to Mark for feeding the blog!

Special shout out to loyal reader Vernon Johnson for prompting Dave and I to start blogging again. Almost as if he enjoys this blog! We are honored. Even if we're making way too many assumptions there.

And now... I'm off to see if Federer can entertain me live, on-screen, or if I'll have to resort to Rafa, on paper. Either way... TENNIS IS BACK! Hurrah.

Preparing the gauntlet for the throwing down

Dave is right that I adore Rafa. But if you assume I adore him solely because he's a sultry Spaniard with one really big muscle (I'm referring to his left bicep, sheesh), you would be mistaken. It's that, yes, but also how he competes--as if every point were match point--and how awe-inspiring his tennis and athleticism can be. I want to compete in life like he competes on the court! (I also want to get paid in life like he gets paid on the court, but that's neither here nor there.)

So here's hoping the upcoming fortnight treats Rafa well. I, for one, am hoping for another Fed/Nadal final in two weeks time. We shall see.

On the women's side, I often have trouble picking a favorite. Whereas the men's side has been clearly dominated for the past 4-5 years, the women have been a little all over the place. And with Kim Clijsters out with an injury (or maybe just too ashamed of her new haircut?), I'm at a bit of a loss. I'll likely root for Maria Sharapova to finally break back after injuries, surgery and some tough months of competition. But there are a lot of great stories I could get behind. Let's see who starts to truly impress next week!

Speaking of next week, the Wimbledon draws came out today. And while everyone's talking about the crazy first round match-up between Isner and Mahut (who played the longest match ever -- in the whole history of anything -- in the first round here last year), I'd like to focus on another first round match I find particularly heartbreaking.

James Blake vs. Marcos Baghdatis.

Why, tennis gods? Whyyyyyy!? (Invoke the Nancy Kerrigan intonation.) I love them both, I root for them both, and now... one's guaranteed a loss in the first round.

Plenty of people I don't care about will win matches and advance to later rounds that I also won't care about. But either James or Marcos is packing up and shipping out of London in a mere 72-96 hours.

It's a cruel sport.
Yet I cannot look away.

And with that, I'm off to fill out my Wimbledon brackets so I can take Dave down this year*.

*Dave is totally gonna win.