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.

Bracket update, shout out

I am still in the lead, and Dave actually thinks I may win this thing. Hooray for me!

Standings after round 2:

Bess
Men: 75/96
Women: 59/96
Total: 134/192

Dave
Men: 61/96
Women: 56/96
Total: 117/192

Dave can relax, though, because I've already picked out my $145 prize. So he won't have to worry about that. ;-)

On an unrelated but really appreciative note, a shout out to some of our newest readers:

• Rhonda, who said she had no idea what we were talking about, but enjoyed it anyway

• Diane, who said reading the blog may cause her to start following tennis again (yes!)

• Vernon, who said Dave and I should promote this blog more because he finds it entertaining

• Maggie, who posted our first non-Dave/non-Bess comment on the blog and re-promoted Mixed Doubles on Facebook with a positive review
  

Thanks to them and to all of you for clicking through to hear us babble on (and on) about the sport we love.

Shout out also to my boy Baghdatis. If you've been watching the NBC coverage today, you may understand why I love him--such heart. And such a good guy!