Posted by DAVE It's Wimbledon Eve. Are you ready? I'm not. This should shock none of you, particularly Bess. I have not posted to this blog she and I share since last year. Actually, I have not seen a Slam match, in its entirety, since last year, either. Pathetic, I know. Bess keeps reminding me how much of a slacker I am, and triggering my Catholic guilt. (sigh)
Moving on...
Who should you cheer for this fortnight? Murray, despite the nagging back problems that kept him away from Roland Garros, and Sharapova, despite her rather lackluster performance against Serena in the French final. (I did see about 10 minutes of that match.) Wouldn't it be awesome to see Murray win one for the Brits? And wouldn't it be fun to see Sharapova beat Serena again in a Wimbledon final, especially given their trash talk about one another the past few days? (And, yes, I realize Sharapova is, like, 0-13 since the last time she beat Serena, but whatever.)
Of course, I wouldn't mind at all if you cheer for Djokovic (always fun to watch, unless you're Bess) or Federer (always a class act). Why? Because I'll be pulling for them, too. On the women's side, I'd love to see Stephens (deserves a breakthrough) or Jankovic (deserves a return to glory) make a run at the title.
Who are your favorites this year?
Showing posts with label Stephens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephens. Show all posts
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A collective gasp from the tennis world
Posted by Bess: So last night (American time), Sloane Stephens cemented her place in the Top 20 and in the collective conscience of the tennis world, beating the de facto world number one and the odds-on favorite to win the tournament... the one... the only... Serena Williams.
The first time Serena had lost to a lower ranked American... or something like that.
Now, Serena was dealing with one or more injuries which really hampered her play for a short while toward the end of the second and beginning of the third sets. But I really felt like she was going to will herself to win, as she's done so many times before. Especially after Sloane clearly tightened up at the end of the second set.
But I'll be gosh darned. Sloane pulled it off! She remained calm, stuck to her game plan and--in the end--did not allow herself to be intimidated by the situation.
Good on you, Sloane Ranger!
Can we pause for a moment to discuss how fun Twitter makes live sporting events... especially when you're watching at home alone? If you're following the right people, it can greatly enhance your viewing experience.
My favorite exchange from last night:
They flashed back to a recent match between Sloane and Serena, in which Sloane was complaining to her coach that Serena aggressively yelling "COME ON" after winning points was getting to her. She deemed the continued outbursts, "so disrespectful."
At one point in last night's match, a frustrated Serena slammed her racquet on the court, rendering it a mangled mess. Sports Illustrated's Courtney Nguyen tweeted: Sloane holds to 2-1 and Serena vaporizes her racket. Said the racket, "So disrespectful."
After LOLing at that, I responded, "If only Sloane had yelled COME ON after Serena smashed her racquet."
No clue if Courtney even saw my tweeted response, but I managed to crack myself up, which was all that really mattered.
If you're keeping score at home, I'm having a one-way blogging conversation and a one-way Twitter conversation related to this tournament. Unclear if this can get any more pathetic. But it's still fun.
Oh. And for the record... there was another barn-burner this morning, which I was happy to see the end of as I was getting ready for work. Federer/Tsonga going five sets in an entertaining, thoroughly enjoyable match.
Fed pulled it out in the end, and offered another pseudo-stand-up routine in lieu of a post-match interview. Dude seems unusually punchy this tournament. To quote my friend Debbie, I very like it.
The first time Serena had lost to a lower ranked American... or something like that.
Now, Serena was dealing with one or more injuries which really hampered her play for a short while toward the end of the second and beginning of the third sets. But I really felt like she was going to will herself to win, as she's done so many times before. Especially after Sloane clearly tightened up at the end of the second set.
But I'll be gosh darned. Sloane pulled it off! She remained calm, stuck to her game plan and--in the end--did not allow herself to be intimidated by the situation.
Good on you, Sloane Ranger!
Can we pause for a moment to discuss how fun Twitter makes live sporting events... especially when you're watching at home alone? If you're following the right people, it can greatly enhance your viewing experience.
My favorite exchange from last night:
They flashed back to a recent match between Sloane and Serena, in which Sloane was complaining to her coach that Serena aggressively yelling "COME ON" after winning points was getting to her. She deemed the continued outbursts, "so disrespectful."
At one point in last night's match, a frustrated Serena slammed her racquet on the court, rendering it a mangled mess. Sports Illustrated's Courtney Nguyen tweeted: Sloane holds to 2-1 and Serena vaporizes her racket. Said the racket, "So disrespectful."
After LOLing at that, I responded, "If only Sloane had yelled COME ON after Serena smashed her racquet."
No clue if Courtney even saw my tweeted response, but I managed to crack myself up, which was all that really mattered.
If you're keeping score at home, I'm having a one-way blogging conversation and a one-way Twitter conversation related to this tournament. Unclear if this can get any more pathetic. But it's still fun.
Oh. And for the record... there was another barn-burner this morning, which I was happy to see the end of as I was getting ready for work. Federer/Tsonga going five sets in an entertaining, thoroughly enjoyable match.
Fed pulled it out in the end, and offered another pseudo-stand-up routine in lieu of a post-match interview. Dude seems unusually punchy this tournament. To quote my friend Debbie, I very like it.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Upstarts getting all upstarty
Posted by BESS: I was too tired to watch much tennis overnight, but I did see the third and final set of Federer's win over Milos Raonic. A much more straight-forward affair than had been predicted.
Their three previous meetings had all gone five sets. And after Tomic's strong performance against Fed last week (although he, too, lost in three sets), it seemed like Raonic would have even more hope.
Alas for them (but yay for me), Fed is in fine form again this tournament. And he's a marvel.
He barely seems to break a sweat. He rarely seems out of breath. And against these younger, taller opponents, Federer's medium-sized frame is deceivingly capable.
Post-match, Raonic revealed that he didn't know if he'd even be able to play until shortly before the match, given a metatarsal injury. So he was likely not in top shape. Which maybe explains his lackluster performance.
Still, I was happy to see Fed teach these youngsters a thing or two about the patience involved in earning your spot in this sport.
I don't get the sense that Raonic is too obnoxiously impatient, but Tomic? Yeesh. When the draw came out, people immediately started buzzing about the potential third-round meeting of the young Aussie rebel (Tomic) and the beloved GOAT (for the uninitiated, that's Fed.)
After his first round win, Tomic was asked about this potential clash with Fed in the third round. Tomic said something to the effect of, "Well, he has to get there first."
Meooooooow!
Now, some commentators say that's a good tactic. Try to get in Fed's head. Try to plant some doubt.
But my, oh, my. The hubris. You could call it refreshingly brash. I call it delusionally rude.
It's one thing to assert that you'll make it that far and could even take Fed. But to insinuate that you'll likely make it to that round and he might not? I'm thinking that's skating a little too close to the thin ice at the edge of the slippery cliff of decorum (to mix all of my metaphors at once.)
Turns out, it's a popular move among the upstarts at this tournament. After her impressive win last night, young American Sloane Stephens, into her first major quarterfinals, was asked about her potential meeting with Serena in the quarters. Her response was something to the effect of, "She has to get there first."
Oh, Sloane. Please take my previous advice to Maria and don't invite the wrath.
All that aside, Federer seems medium-sized and in charge so far. Nice to see and fun to watch. But he's got a tough road to go before he can hoist that trophy overhead at week's end. Potential match-ups include Tsonga, Murray and Djokovic.
I mean, if they get that far.
Their three previous meetings had all gone five sets. And after Tomic's strong performance against Fed last week (although he, too, lost in three sets), it seemed like Raonic would have even more hope.
Alas for them (but yay for me), Fed is in fine form again this tournament. And he's a marvel.
He barely seems to break a sweat. He rarely seems out of breath. And against these younger, taller opponents, Federer's medium-sized frame is deceivingly capable.
Post-match, Raonic revealed that he didn't know if he'd even be able to play until shortly before the match, given a metatarsal injury. So he was likely not in top shape. Which maybe explains his lackluster performance.
Still, I was happy to see Fed teach these youngsters a thing or two about the patience involved in earning your spot in this sport.
I don't get the sense that Raonic is too obnoxiously impatient, but Tomic? Yeesh. When the draw came out, people immediately started buzzing about the potential third-round meeting of the young Aussie rebel (Tomic) and the beloved GOAT (for the uninitiated, that's Fed.)
After his first round win, Tomic was asked about this potential clash with Fed in the third round. Tomic said something to the effect of, "Well, he has to get there first."
Meooooooow!
Now, some commentators say that's a good tactic. Try to get in Fed's head. Try to plant some doubt.
But my, oh, my. The hubris. You could call it refreshingly brash. I call it delusionally rude.
It's one thing to assert that you'll make it that far and could even take Fed. But to insinuate that you'll likely make it to that round and he might not? I'm thinking that's skating a little too close to the thin ice at the edge of the slippery cliff of decorum (to mix all of my metaphors at once.)
Turns out, it's a popular move among the upstarts at this tournament. After her impressive win last night, young American Sloane Stephens, into her first major quarterfinals, was asked about her potential meeting with Serena in the quarters. Her response was something to the effect of, "She has to get there first."
Oh, Sloane. Please take my previous advice to Maria and don't invite the wrath.
All that aside, Federer seems medium-sized and in charge so far. Nice to see and fun to watch. But he's got a tough road to go before he can hoist that trophy overhead at week's end. Potential match-ups include Tsonga, Murray and Djokovic.
I mean, if they get that far.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Bracket update #1
Posted by BESS: So sorry Dave is not feeling well, but he picked a good night to go to bed early. Both Wozniacki and Djokovic rolled over their opponents in very quick fashion. And that was all she wrote, as far as the evening's broadcast went.
Unsure what to do with the rest of the evening (I mean, tennis was over by 9:30! The night is still young!), I will update you on the bracketology.
Round one goes to Bess. :-)
Here are the deets:
Bess
Men: 44
Women: 47
Total: 91
Dave
Men: 43
Women: 44
Total: 87
While I bemoaned the decimation of the lower half of my women's bracket last night, I am totally rocking the top half. Hopefully I can keep it up.
And in the online bracket challenge, I have made great progress overnight.
There's always next year!
One final note. For those of you who read the blog/comments last night and heard Dave and I raving about Maria's attire, you can learn more about the inspiration behind it in this video (the night dress is featured at the 1:14 mark.) Tried to find a decent shot of her in it, but they're all too action-y. Darn tennis. Getting in the way of the glamour shots.
Unsure what to do with the rest of the evening (I mean, tennis was over by 9:30! The night is still young!), I will update you on the bracketology.
Round one goes to Bess. :-)
Here are the deets:
Bess
Men: 44
Women: 47
Total: 91
Dave
Men: 43
Women: 44
Total: 87
While I bemoaned the decimation of the lower half of my women's bracket last night, I am totally rocking the top half. Hopefully I can keep it up.
And in the online bracket challenge, I have made great progress overnight.
- In the women's competition, there are 7,641 entrants. Yesterday I ranked 5,887th. Today I'm... 2,068th! Talk about leapfrogging over the competition. And if Azarenka defeats Serena, as I have predicted, my stock will soar in this competition. Come on, Victoria!
- I've also moved up in the men's competition, although not as impressively. There are 11,008 entrants. Yesterday I ranked 7,186th. Today I'm 6,013th. Positive progress. I'll take it.
There's always next year!
One final note. For those of you who read the blog/comments last night and heard Dave and I raving about Maria's attire, you can learn more about the inspiration behind it in this video (the night dress is featured at the 1:14 mark.) Tried to find a decent shot of her in it, but they're all too action-y. Darn tennis. Getting in the way of the glamour shots.
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