tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44519571743462133092024-03-12T22:19:46.114+00:00game, set, and blogA British tennis enthusiast with no access to sports TV channels but far too many opinions not to have a blog, raves, rages, and reviews the current tennis happenings.SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-13387470679883633052012-01-18T21:38:00.000+00:002012-01-18T21:38:01.194+00:00No Surprises...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well it didn't take long but Andy Murray became the last British man standing when the other five Brits went out in the first round. Shame for them, and for me since now we've just got Murray to focus on. All favourites have gone through though, apart from US Open champ Sam Stosur who lost in the first round. But apart from that, no surprises.<br />
<br />
I went on a little trip to the David Hockney Gallery, I took a photo of one his and though I'd share it since it's a tennis match although you have to look for it a little:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyHkTYpdHkA/Txc7dG_rxRI/AAAAAAAABvU/Aclf9VYqQE8/s1600/P1030147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyHkTYpdHkA/Txc7dG_rxRI/AAAAAAAABvU/Aclf9VYqQE8/s320/P1030147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-60032127901045531652012-01-15T20:37:00.000+00:002012-01-15T20:37:47.790+00:00A New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, it's been a while since I went to the ATP final in November, in London. But the new tennis year is finally heating up with the first Grand Slam of the year starting in Australia on Monday. Heather Watson, Laura Robson, Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothothong, and James Ward play for Britain on Day One, while Andy Murray starts later on. The Brits will have a tough time getting to next round though; Watson faces third seed Azarenka (from Belarus, got to the quarter-final in 2010, and fourth last year), and Robson will play 13th seed Jankovic (from Serbia, former World number one, won Wimbledon doubles with Jamie Murray). Baltacha, Keothothong, and Ward play people I've never heard of but their people are probably saying the same about the Brits...<br />
<br />
Murray is seeded fourth, and has started working with Ivan Lendl as his new coach and already won in Brisbane at the start of this year. He will hoping to go one better than the final thrashing he received at the hands of Novak Djokovic last year. Djokovic has yet to play this year but Nadal lost in the semi-final of the Qatar Open at the beginning of January to Monfils, while Federer lost in the other semi to Tsonga. Both Gasquet and Del Potro lost in the quarter-finals of the Apia International in Sydney. <br />
<br />
On the women's side, Serena Williams lost in the quarter-final of Brisbane and had a little injury scare, while Venus has pulled out of the Aussie Open due to illness. Clijsters went out in the semi-final of Brisbane, and also may be playing slightly lame in Oz, and Jankovic lost in the quarters, while top seed Stosur lost in the second round. World Number one Wozniaki went out in the quarter-finals of the Apia International, Li Na got to the final, but Stosur and Zvonareva both lost in the first round. <br />
<br />
We'll see what tomorrow will bring, but I haven't seen any tennis yet, and probs wont see any of the open (Murray's matches may be shown, but no other's will be on TV, and I don't have a TV anyway).</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-47415791487015253092011-12-06T11:36:00.000+00:002011-12-06T11:36:11.293+00:00ATP World Tour Finals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1adU1ZDUAM/TtN5OfP4FNI/AAAAAAAABt4/2S8yFjOwpT0/s1600/P1020637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e1adU1ZDUAM/TtN5OfP4FNI/AAAAAAAABt4/2S8yFjOwpT0/s200/P1020637.JPG" width="200" /></a>Some pictures from the match between Tipsarevic (who subbed in for Andy Murray) and Berdych, that I saw in London with my friend Emily. Tipsy was our fave and had a match point, but missed, double faulted, and fell over in the third set tie-break to lose the match :(<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfLQhu3CPCs/TtN6kCDW1vI/AAAAAAAABuA/cIq8Zqv4PYs/s1600/P1020646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfLQhu3CPCs/TtN6kCDW1vI/AAAAAAAABuA/cIq8Zqv4PYs/s200/P1020646.JPG" width="200" /></a>In the fan zone players lockers were auctioned off for charity- fed got the most at nearly £20,000, then Nadal at about £17,000, then Djok and Murray. <br />
The other guys struggled to get £3,000, and most of the winning bids came from Japan weirdly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NXZJKpTIBw/Tt39P5NmS0I/AAAAAAAABuY/3PF26oWVPUo/s1600/P1020649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NXZJKpTIBw/Tt39P5NmS0I/AAAAAAAABuY/3PF26oWVPUo/s200/P1020649.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m88rroRr7Oc/Tt39ZQZ256I/AAAAAAAABug/rSKL-mgWnLM/s1600/P1020667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m88rroRr7Oc/Tt39ZQZ256I/AAAAAAAABug/rSKL-mgWnLM/s320/P1020667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIy0ipRqvjE/Tt39k6tot0I/AAAAAAAABuo/A7e4jOoHVls/s1600/P1020676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIy0ipRqvjE/Tt39k6tot0I/AAAAAAAABuo/A7e4jOoHVls/s320/P1020676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQupslikgPE/Tt39vNnsWhI/AAAAAAAABuw/1s-zu_E_RhI/s1600/P1020683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQupslikgPE/Tt39vNnsWhI/AAAAAAAABuw/1s-zu_E_RhI/s320/P1020683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-9059905485027086192011-12-06T11:24:00.000+00:002011-12-06T11:24:57.387+00:00A Short History of Tennis at the Olympics- part the second<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Right where was I?...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6r0n9c9QygA/TqF1ohPmydI/AAAAAAAABro/D2Cvvu5FT-A/s1600/220px-Seoul_women%2527s_tennis_results.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6r0n9c9QygA/TqF1ohPmydI/AAAAAAAABro/D2Cvvu5FT-A/s200/220px-Seoul_women%2527s_tennis_results.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Ah yes...Tennis had returned in 1968 as a demonstration sport, it was then excluded again until 1984 in LA where once again it was only a demonstration sport. In 1988 in Soeul, it was a medal winning sport again for the first time since 1924. Brad Gilbert who would later work for the LTA as Andy Murray's coach won bronze in the men's singles, and Steffi Graff who won all the grand slams in 1988 also won the Olympic gold. She finished her career having won 22 grand slams.<br />
<br />
The tournament was played on clay in 1992 in Barcelona where Steffi Graff was beaten by Jennifer Capriati. In 1996, Agassi and Davenport both won golds in the singles but Neil Broad and Tim Henman won silver in the men's doubles. This Olympics was in Atlanta and was the first time a single bronze medal was given in all events. Instead of giving two bronzes to the players who lose the semi-finals they now had to play for it. The Williams sisters made their first appearance in 2000, in Syndey when they won the Women's doubles, and Venus won the Women's gold medal in the singles. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-26697713124001967092011-10-04T22:40:00.001+01:002011-10-04T22:45:13.020+01:00A Short History of Tennis at the Olympics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnvp5FVxSYA/TotptBptHeI/AAAAAAAABqk/Dj61H5iGyJw/s1600/220px-Launceston_Elliot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnvp5FVxSYA/TotptBptHeI/AAAAAAAABqk/Dj61H5iGyJw/s200/220px-Launceston_Elliot.jpg" width="126" /></a></div>There isn't much tennis on atm so I thought I'd take a gander at tennis at the Olympics. It's been an Olympics sport since the first modern Olympics in Athens,1896 (although for men only of course, a lady might chip a nail or become a lesbian), it was won by a British man, John Pius Boland. Scant information available, certainly no fancy photos (of the tennis, but here's a nice Greek weightlifter) but since you had to be entirely amateur to compete at the Olympics back then you can almost guarantee he was rather posh. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7kG1EqlCX8/TotsAFzqndI/AAAAAAAABqs/k_2bKoqOTNM/s1600/220px-Tennis_women_1900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v7kG1EqlCX8/TotsAFzqndI/AAAAAAAABqs/k_2bKoqOTNM/s200/220px-Tennis_women_1900.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>Ladies were allowed to compete four years later, in Paris and Charlotte Cooper (three times Wimbledon champ) won the singles and mixed doubles and became the first female Olympic tennis gold medalist. Incidentally, until 1904 only the winners received medals (silver medals) and diploma, and runners-up a copper medal and diploma. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have since retroactively awarded gold, silver, bronze to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd places in the 1896 and 1900 Olympics. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCvEEYM4PXg/Totr_rArcAI/AAAAAAAABqo/VSnSCZqwMFc/s1600/200px-Paris_1900_Olympics_Games_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCvEEYM4PXg/Totr_rArcAI/AAAAAAAABqo/VSnSCZqwMFc/s200/200px-Paris_1900_Olympics_Games_Poster.jpg" width="137" /></a>The Men's event featured three former Wimbledon winners in the semi-final, once again I point out there were few people who had the resources to travel and compete without turning professional so it isn't surprising the same names cropped up in finals. One guy, Lawrence Doherty got to the final when his older brother Regie stepped aside, as they wouldn't play each other in a 'minor tournament'. Ouch take that Olympics...burn. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6u935fISWw/TotvqAwRciI/AAAAAAAABqw/6kqww8eLwQY/s1600/400px-1904_tug_of_war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6u935fISWw/TotvqAwRciI/AAAAAAAABqw/6kqww8eLwQY/s200/400px-1904_tug_of_war.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The women were clearly too distracting in their full-length tennis skirt, and they weren't included in the 1904 Olympics, in St Louis. Shockingly, as there was only one foreign entrant, the host nation won every medal going. But this was an entirely competitive tournament, as you can see in this picture of the Olympic tug-of-war...<br />
<br />
Women were allowed back in 1908, this was in London and the British team were extremely successful; 146 medals, 56 gold, 51 silver, 39 bronze. Only 22 countries had participants though (the UK competed as the UK and some Irish athletes boycotted the games with some American support), and in some events only British athletes competed. In the mens 400metres an American athletes was disquliafied and the final was re-run but the two other American athletes refused to run to protest the judges decision. Meaning British man Wyndham Halswell (posh) won the one man final, and gold medal. In tennis they played indoors and outdoors, and women competed in the singles but not doubles, there was 50 competitors; 40 men and 10 women from 10 nations which must have been thrilling for all concerned. <br />
<br />
The 1912 Olympics in Stockholm don't seem to be at all interesting. After that the First World War proved something of an interruption, the 1916 games had been scheduled to be held in Berlin but these were cancelled. In 1919, the Paris Peace Conference created new states and new sanction on who could compete. Budapest had been selected to host the games but as the Austro-Hungarian Empire had been a German alley the games were transferred to Antwerp. Germany, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary were banned from the games, Germany remained banned until 1925 and held a series of Winter games.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGC9L1m7EiA/Tot7w4t2e_I/AAAAAAAABq0/ZKZlGwr92PA/s1600/1968-caslavska-poutre2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGC9L1m7EiA/Tot7w4t2e_I/AAAAAAAABq0/ZKZlGwr92PA/s1600/1968-caslavska-poutre2.jpg" /></a>Tennis disappeared from the games after 1924 and didn't return until 1968 for unknown and entirely suspicious reasons I believe. On return, in Mexico, it was only a demonstration exhibition. The games were really known for the massacre that killed 44 people ten da<span style="font-family: inherit;">ys before the start of the games, or the black power salute of two black American sprinters (Tommie Smith and John Carlos) on the medal podium. They were suspended from the US team and banned from the Olympic village. And Czechoslovakian gymnast Vera Caslavska turned and walked away from the podium as the Soviet anthem played in a protest against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia- she was subsequently forbidden to travel and compete at sporting events.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></b><br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To Be Continued...</span></span></div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-79970492810761798262011-09-12T14:43:00.000+01:002011-09-12T14:43:12.111+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well two days of rain, player complaints, and water seeping into a broken court has resulted in a Monday finish for the US Open so we've just had the men and women's semi-finals. Predictably on the men's side it was the top 4 players to get to the last four spots, Djokovic took on Federer after another rain delay in the first semi. I only heard the match on the radio- really wish I could have seen it because it sounded like a cracker. Djokovic started off slowly, while Federer was on top form and Fed took the first two sets 7-6 6-4. But suddenly Djokovic was on fire and Federer was in a slump and Djok took the next two sets 6-3, 6-2. And then it was all to play for in the fifth set with Federer having the advantage serving first. And at 4-3 Federer broke to love, and served to 40-15 with two match points on his serve. Dkokovic threw his cap into the crowd, perhaps believing he had lost the match, but managed to break back. Then won the next 4 games winning the fifth set 7-5 and match. Djok into the final and Federer without a GS title for the first time since 2002.<br />
<br />
In the second semi- Nadal took on Murray, whilst I was tucked up in bed. But no surprises when I woke up Nadal had beaten Murray in four sets. This is the third time this year Nadal has beaten Murray in a Grand Slam Semi. So the men's final will be played tonight (9pm UK time) between Nadal and Djokovic for the second year in a row. <br />
<br />
In the women's game Serena Williams, who I don't like for the record and who lost in the Semis in 2009 after being docked a point for racquet abuse and then foot faulted to give the match to Clijsters and then was fine £53,000 and put on probation for subsequently verbally assaulting the line judge, beat World Number One Caroline Wozniaki. Wozniaki may be irk some people for being a world number one without winning a grand slam, and be rather bland, but has never threatened to kill anyone on court, as far as I know. And Australian Sam Stosur beat German Angelique Kerber, unseeded surprise semi-finalist, to get to her second grand slam final. Stosur was beat by Schiavone in the 2010 French Open Final and struggled to find form after that. <br />
<br />
Stosur and Williams battled it out last night, with Stosur outplaying Williams and winning 6-2 6-3, a shock win as most people will have assumed that Serena would over power anyone she came up against this week. Serena showed her aggression and intimidating nature in the controversial element of the match that had not much to do with actual playing- during one point Williams hit an unreturnable forehand winner and screammed 'Come On!' in that way Americans do before the point was over. The Umpire ruled this an intentional verbal hiderance. In all fairness the point should probably just have been replayed, instead Stosur won the point and game. It did not end there, however, as Williams continued to rant at the umpire through the change of ends:<br />
<br />
"If you ever see me walking down the hall look the other way. You're out of control, you're a hater and you're unattractive inside."<br />
"Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser."<br />
"You get a code violation because I express my end, we're in America the last time I checked."<br />
"Can I have a water? Or am I going to get violated for drinking a water? Really don't even look at me."<br />
<br />
Really clever barbs 'Im sure you'll agree. She is still on probation for the 2009 incident, and today officials will decide whether she'll be fined again. So I am rather happy for Stosur, although it's a shame for her that the main story (ok the tiny section of one page that a women's grand slam final gets, about a third of what Andy Murray Sneezes gets) is Serena Williams Tantrums rather that her victory. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-49301107151936847412011-08-31T09:43:00.000+01:002011-08-31T09:43:54.638+01:00US Open<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZizdRcX_Bs/Tl3zoypY82I/AAAAAAAABpY/fQfdZ362MRc/s1600/h8jokp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZizdRcX_Bs/Tl3zoypY82I/AAAAAAAABpY/fQfdZ362MRc/s320/h8jokp.png" width="320" /></a></div>Well it's all kicking off, or hitting off more accurately but that sounds rather violent, and we're through day two of the US Open. Good news/ad news from a British perspective Laura Robson (opponent Morita retired injured) and Elena Baltacha (Opponent Hampton retired injured- what's going on?) are through to the next round, Anne Keothothong and Heather Watson are out (Heather won the first set against Maria Sharapova before losing in three sets). Andy Murray plays someone unrememberable today. And an Irish guy got food poisoning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg5Rh0LQFIs/Tl3zhAtMCNI/AAAAAAAABpQ/XuOl6pdlPhA/s1600/ghij.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg5Rh0LQFIs/Tl3zhAtMCNI/AAAAAAAABpQ/XuOl6pdlPhA/s200/ghij.png" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhpePzK1hno/Tl3zfPdCtWI/AAAAAAAABpM/E6EjLTTjKtc/s1600/fgyuhij.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LhpePzK1hno/Tl3zfPdCtWI/AAAAAAAABpM/E6EjLTTjKtc/s200/fgyuhij.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All the big names are through apart from Wimbledon champ Kvitova who lost in the first match. But Fed, Djok, Nadal, Wozniaki, Zvonerava, Williams(es) et al are all through to the second round. And Hurrican Irene hasn't affected play one bit. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fb7rBNAWEbk/Tl3zibqgUXI/AAAAAAAABpU/tveXNDR2sqE/s1600/ghijo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fb7rBNAWEbk/Tl3zibqgUXI/AAAAAAAABpU/tveXNDR2sqE/s320/ghijo.png" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T4j8lPxDUE/Tl3zqLY_2vI/AAAAAAAABpc/7rmtUm7kz94/s1600/wedf.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T4j8lPxDUE/Tl3zqLY_2vI/AAAAAAAABpc/7rmtUm7kz94/s320/wedf.png" width="229" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-48395772232424504282011-08-22T17:36:00.000+01:002011-08-22T17:36:37.057+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgbO0hX20ZE/TlKFPr57tPI/AAAAAAAABos/INtUN7rc5Xs/s1600/_54728322_54728321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgbO0hX20ZE/TlKFPr57tPI/AAAAAAAABos/INtUN7rc5Xs/s200/_54728322_54728321.jpg" width="200" /></a>Well Djokovic lost his second match of the year when he pulled out half way through the Cincinnatti final against Murray (and Murray won his second title of the year). Djokovic had a sore shoulder after a long year, so questions have been raised whether he will be fit enough for the upcoming US Open. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34vyfdlPg90/TlKFQIKFzhI/AAAAAAAABow/UIXerdBUcGs/s1600/_54731790_54731778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34vyfdlPg90/TlKFQIKFzhI/AAAAAAAABow/UIXerdBUcGs/s200/_54731790_54731778.jpg" width="200" /></a>And Maria Sharapova came from a set down to beat Jelena Jankovic in the women's final. Jelena had come from 1-4 down in the first set to win it, and looked good at the beginning of the second but Sharapova came back and won the second on a tie-break. Then I went to sleep because my eyes were all sleepy. But Sharapova won the third 6-3. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-28710110418676664372011-08-19T19:29:00.000+01:002011-08-19T19:29:48.785+01:00Cinci<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WhnsNHTm5g/Tk6q4q0pvnI/AAAAAAAABoo/xPt0S8P3fAM/s1600/_54709336_tv012689690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WhnsNHTm5g/Tk6q4q0pvnI/AAAAAAAABoo/xPt0S8P3fAM/s320/_54709336_tv012689690.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After losing in the first round last week, Andy Murray has done better in his current tournament beating Giles Simon today to reach the semi-finals in the Cincinnati Masters, the tournament preceding the US Open. The British women; Heather Watson, Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothothong all lost their matches, but have places in the main draw of the US Open. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsIM-C6rG40/Tk6qlAyL54I/AAAAAAAABok/6dQMHxldQqg/s1600/_54660594_54660593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsIM-C6rG40/Tk6qlAyL54I/AAAAAAAABok/6dQMHxldQqg/s200/_54660594_54660593.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YgzduN69CFw/Tk6qDjks3JI/AAAAAAAABog/wyiF3QW9oiE/s1600/_54625089_roddick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YgzduN69CFw/Tk6qDjks3JI/AAAAAAAABog/wyiF3QW9oiE/s200/_54625089_roddick.jpg" width="160" /></a><br />
<br />
Serena Williams won a tournament last week but pulled out of Cincinnati with an injury. And Kim Clijsters has pulled out of the US Open with an injury. Andy Roddick lost his first match, and was somewhat perturbed by the point penalty he received after two angry outbursts on set point in the second set. You know I'm trying to like Andy Roddick cos he should have won a Wimbledon and that mean Federer keeps stopping him but dash it he does make it hard.<br />
<br />
US Open soon ducks!!!</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-78858596330128496812011-08-11T09:24:00.000+01:002011-08-11T09:24:43.031+01:00Road to the US Open<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm sorry, it's been ages- but I've lacked a TV or reliable internet access, and anyway the top players take a month off after Wimbledon and the BBC tennis news has been largely revolving around Elena Baltacha losing or Andy Murray sneezing. <br />
<br />
But now there is some more interesting activity afoot as Andy Murray played Kevin Anderson (tall South African) in the second round of the Montreal Masters (Murray had a bye through the first round, and is the defending champion). Murray moved slowly and was comprehensively beaten by Anderson. And the US Open is only two weeks away...<br />
That's not all, Nadal is also out beaten by Ivan Dodig, at least he lasted three sets Andy. But Djokovic and Federer have won their matches. <br />
<br />
In Toronto number one Wozniaki also lost her second round match, but Wimbledon winner Kvitova, and French Open champ Li got through matches. Clijsters pulled out with a stomach injury. And poor Dinara Safina will miss the rest of the year with her back injury, again.<br />
<br />
In other British news Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothothong, and Heather Watson (jeeps what happened to Laura Robson eh?) all have places at the US Open in a few weeks. And James Ward who reached the Queens Club semis this year has reached a new highest ranking, into the top 150 for the first time, at 144. But he'll still have to qualify to play at the US Open. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-11488375661940782712011-07-05T10:04:00.000+01:002011-07-05T10:04:42.941+01:00Finals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Unless you've been hiding in a cave waiting for my blog you'll know who won Wimbledon- Petra Kvitova beat Maria Sharapova in the women's and Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the men's.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Icgv_HtBjoA/ThLTLnz-zoI/AAAAAAAABoE/q1hy51Vyzcg/s1600/bnj.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Icgv_HtBjoA/ThLTLnz-zoI/AAAAAAAABoE/q1hy51Vyzcg/s320/bnj.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apologies for not blogging until now but I didn't see any of the semi-finals or finals and have been having major internet issues recently- grrr. <br />
<br />
Time will tell if Kvitova is able to win more majors or even maintain a position in the top ten- this year's French Open champ Li Na went out in the second round (to semi-finalist Lisicki), and the French Open finalist and last year's winner went out in the third. As did World Number three Vera Zvonarava. World Number One last until the fourth round, which is when Venus and Serena went out too. Serena has dropped to 175 in the rankings after failing to defend her points form last years Wimbledon. Me thinks she will get a few wildcards though... Anyway, I'd say it was a poor Wimbledon for the favourites but a good two weeks for the interesting players just below them- Kvitova, Lisicki, Azarenka, and obviously Sharapova who made the final finally back to her best after a long time recovering from injury.<br />
<br />
And Djokovic has proved he can maintain the form- he has only lost one match this year, to Federer in the French Open Semis, and became the new number one before the final. Winning the title was a nice way to consolidate his new ranking position, but everyone new he was the best player this year. Just think back to 2008 when Nadal was winning everything (including the Olympics) and no one had a clue how to beat him, and now Djokovic has beaten him 5 times this year, all of those matches in finals...Although he still has a way to go to win the career head-to-head, Nadal's title haul, and prize money...</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-7995438402941340392011-06-30T09:40:00.000+01:002011-06-30T09:40:07.803+01:00SEMIS!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Gah, had severe internet problems...<br />
<br />
Anyway we're at Semi-Final stage, ladies today and it's former champ Maria Sharapova against wildcard Sabille Lisicki, and Petra Kvitova against Victoria Azarenka. I kinda hope for a Azarenka v Lisicki final, but former tennis champ turned lady pundit thinks it'll be Shara against Kvitova if she plays well, or Azarenka. <br />
<br />
On the mens side there was a shock when King Roger was knocked out by Jo Wilfred Tsonga (who reached the Australian Open final several years ago) in the Quarters, Rog was two sets to love up at the time and hadn't lost from that point before. But still you have to ask how much of a shock is it to beat Federer these days? Even Roger seemed to have accepted his fate in the fifth set, and didn't really look like he was trying that hard. <br />
<br />
Anyway Tsonga will take on Djokovic, and Murray will play Nadal. Can't see past a Djok vNadal final really, and it would be interesting to see who won it. Novak is only 65 ranking points behind Nadal...</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-37493245584077613322011-06-23T23:00:00.000+01:002011-06-23T23:00:42.231+01:00Showered but not stirred...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Rain has interrupted and stopped play the past few days, but the roof on centre court has allowed a few matches to continue. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A07vmKw9x2w/TgOyxg19NNI/AAAAAAAABnc/sx7iOejzfHA/s1600/ser.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A07vmKw9x2w/TgOyxg19NNI/AAAAAAAABnc/sx7iOejzfHA/s200/ser.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyg6ZW5sqWs/TgOyms0qNCI/AAAAAAAABnM/AUljaRq2cW4/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9742552%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pyg6ZW5sqWs/TgOyms0qNCI/AAAAAAAABnM/AUljaRq2cW4/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9742552%252C00.jpg" width="117" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foQp-GYoRsk/TgO2Fkh_TlI/AAAAAAAABn4/yg1eFr-4bYU/s1600/hjio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foQp-GYoRsk/TgO2Fkh_TlI/AAAAAAAABn4/yg1eFr-4bYU/s200/hjio.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2NmWWg5W5w/TgOyvwYqQxI/AAAAAAAABnY/CkxOTe1VXps/s1600/qwer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2NmWWg5W5w/TgOyvwYqQxI/AAAAAAAABnY/CkxOTe1VXps/s200/qwer.png" width="141" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eL86Vo-cmUE/TgOy8YTQlgI/AAAAAAAABnk/duThUGTNV4E/s1600/werdef.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eL86Vo-cmUE/TgOy8YTQlgI/AAAAAAAABnk/duThUGTNV4E/s200/werdef.png" width="200" /></a>Mixed fortunes for the British players- all the men went out in the first round apart from Andy Murray, Elena Baltacha, Anne Kepthothong, and Laura Robson all won their first round matches though. Unfortunately for Heather Watson she hurt her elbow in the middle of her first round match, a real shame since she had been winning comfortably, but lost rather uncomfortably 6-2 4-6 4-6. And Anne Keothothong has lost her second round against Kvitova, but Murray of course is through to the third round. Laura Robson's match against Maria Sharapova was postponed due to rain until tomorrow when Baltacha will also play against Shuai Peng. Jamie Murray also won her first round match in the men's doubles (which was reduced to best of three sets to get this damn grand slam back on schedule).<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gg9JYYHiRc/TgO2EDN9ijI/AAAAAAAABn0/RMv1p6pKeC4/s1600/hj9ok.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gg9JYYHiRc/TgO2EDN9ijI/AAAAAAAABn0/RMv1p6pKeC4/s200/hj9ok.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fvR66vYBeU/TgO10t0v8RI/AAAAAAAABnw/CsEAbFBxqX0/s1600/crtvybui%252C.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fvR66vYBeU/TgO10t0v8RI/AAAAAAAABnw/CsEAbFBxqX0/s200/crtvybui%252C.png" width="200" /></a>In other news there was a mega match between Lleyton Hewitt against Soderling, with Soderling winning 6-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4., followed by a cracker between this years French Open champ Li Na and German star Lisicki. The young German got the quarter finals in 2009 but didn't play last and had dropped out of the top 200 with a bad ankle injury. She's now up to number 62 and rising as she knocked out Li Na in a nail biter 3-6, 6-4, 8-6. This was followed by a short regulation win for Federer against French Mannarino in straight sets. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjssRLj3SKg/TgOy0rp-4AI/AAAAAAAABng/v9ITql9ru_k/s1600/we.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjssRLj3SKg/TgOy0rp-4AI/AAAAAAAABng/v9ITql9ru_k/s200/we.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp6Oaez_ZF4/TgOy9qb6k-I/AAAAAAAABno/WlQgN5_R-Wc/s1600/wertyu.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qp6Oaez_ZF4/TgOy9qb6k-I/AAAAAAAABno/WlQgN5_R-Wc/s200/wertyu.png" width="200" /></a>And a round up of other results:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycUotKl7NlQ/TgO2HXGy8oI/AAAAAAAABn8/FKQ9Kxc5dWo/s1600/hjok.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycUotKl7NlQ/TgO2HXGy8oI/AAAAAAAABn8/FKQ9Kxc5dWo/s200/hjok.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umFX8IRhdGE/TgOys7DtuJI/AAAAAAAABnQ/YrmZh5dlPRo/s1600/df.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umFX8IRhdGE/TgOys7DtuJI/AAAAAAAABnQ/YrmZh5dlPRo/s200/df.png" width="147" /></a>John Isner (who beat Mahut in three sets this time around) lost to Almagro in the second round, Ivanovic won her match easily, as did Djokovic, and Nadal, Serena on the other hand needed another three sets to get through her match against Simona Halep, Schiavone won in two though, and Azarenka won 6-0, 6-3, Juan Martin Del Potro continued his come back with a four sets win over Olivier Rochus although the match was held over from last night and after Rochus had won the first set- Del Pot responded by taking off his shoes and throwing them into the crowd, which was odd, Fish, Gasquet, Roddick, and Berdych all won in three, but Stanislav Wawrinka isn't having a great grass season as he lost to Bolelli 6-7, 3-6, 6-7, big shock when Jelena Jankovic lost her first round match, and Zvonareva beat her doubles partner Vesnina in straight sets. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-2620029528960491582011-06-21T11:35:00.000+01:002011-06-21T11:35:06.767+01:00WIMBLEDON<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sorry chaps, I missed out Queens Club (Murray beat Tsonga in the final), Birmingham (Lisicki beat Hantuchova) and Eastbourne (Bartoli beat Kvitova) but I was working and missed most of the tennis. Anyway, it's wimbledon now so wouldn't you rather hear about day one than tell me off for forgetting to blog? I thought so...<br />
<br />
Well much of the tennis was called off due to rain but the roof came into play and protected centre court (albeit with a 40min delay as they sorted out the atmosphere- as I understand it they maintain a certain temperature to stop the grass going gross under the roof. That's a paraphrase of Sue Barker. Anyway, Francesca Schiavone was playing Jelena Dokic- Schiavone who got to the French Open final two weeks ago, after winning the tournament last year. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYnuI2C6meo/TgBxwoCCKDI/AAAAAAAABjs/3eWMjffEfO8/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748921%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYnuI2C6meo/TgBxwoCCKDI/AAAAAAAABjs/3eWMjffEfO8/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748921%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a>Dokic who plays for Australia and who has a turbulent personal life with an abusive father and depression, she stopped playing tennis for several years but is now back and back in the top 50 (highest ranking of 4 back in the early 00's). She's not had a great year but played really well at times against Schivone in a highly competitive match, before losing 6-4 1-6 6-3.<br />
<br />
After that match Andy Murray went up against Spaniard Gimeno-Traver (ranked 56 and the 11th highest Spaniard), Murray sat back and allowed Gimeno-Traver to overcome his nerves, and start to play really well and take the first set 6-4. But Gim couldn't maintain this form and Andy got his act together to win it in four sets- 6-3 6-0 6-0. So the papers are full of King Andy, but really will he beat Nadal playing like that- erm no.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1wazHGWOu4/TgBysvBHcyI/AAAAAAAABjw/65jmmJRCUUI/s1600/vbyhjn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1wazHGWOu4/TgBysvBHcyI/AAAAAAAABjw/65jmmJRCUUI/s320/vbyhjn.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HdabHFkC_vc/TgBy7rV8a3I/AAAAAAAABj0/BHkuLhIFXVo/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748911%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HdabHFkC_vc/TgBy7rV8a3I/AAAAAAAABj0/BHkuLhIFXVo/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748911%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MciE0JedMzo/TgBy-2AE-1I/AAAAAAAABj4/Ym6UDfmjuaQ/s1600/2011-06-20T124640Z_01_WIM27_RTRIDSP_3_TENNIS-WIMBLEDON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MciE0JedMzo/TgBy-2AE-1I/AAAAAAAABj4/Ym6UDfmjuaQ/s200/2011-06-20T124640Z_01_WIM27_RTRIDSP_3_TENNIS-WIMBLEDON.jpg" width="145" /></a>And some other results- Venus Williams back from a long injury time out creamed Amanmuradova 6-3 6-1 wearing a loose white romper with open back, and gold-ish shorts underneath. Always a trend setter eh V?<br />
<br />
Defending champ Rafeal Nadal was down a break initially to American Russell before winning 6-4 6-2 6-2, wearing regular clothes as I understand. Milos Raonic, a young Canadian who whizzed up the rankings last year when he won a couple of tournaments back to back, and is defo one to watch for the future won his first round against Gicquel in straight sets to get a third round meet up with Nadal (if Raonic beats Muller and Nadal beats Sweeting in the second round). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyhmvA5cjIk/TgBzvvT8wMI/AAAAAAAABj8/6QCvBRV6HKc/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748909%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WyhmvA5cjIk/TgBzvvT8wMI/AAAAAAAABj8/6QCvBRV6HKc/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9748909%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Young American Christina Mchale took out number 28 seed Makarova 8-6 in the third, while Britain's Katie O'Brien was the first Brit to lose when she was beaten by the oldest competitor Kimiko Date-Krum (40 years old if you wondered). There were wins for Fish, Gasquet, and Berdych, and tough wins for Zvonerava and Kuznetsova. <br />
<br />
Today Federer, Djokovic, S Williams, and Wozniaki may be playing but all eyes will be on court three when Nicolas Mahut plays John Isner, again! </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-23257506148749344602011-06-07T19:04:00.000+01:002011-06-07T19:04:44.869+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So, I've had some reformatting to do of my laptop, but while I was away Li Na won the French Open on Saturday making her the first Chinese woman to do so. Li Na was this year's Aussie Open finalist and subsequently struggled to win any of her matches. She beat last year's surprise winner Francesca Schiavone in straight sets and said it was 'dream come true' and has now risen to number four in the rankings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5SB_gskjk/Te5jJ21g-BI/AAAAAAAABjU/xmlAQACD-kg/s1600/k.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kL5SB_gskjk/Te5jJ21g-BI/AAAAAAAABjU/xmlAQACD-kg/s200/k.png" width="200" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bh4dULD0YtU/Te5g-MFr8LI/AAAAAAAABjM/WsPOsAl-pHE/s1600/_53246352_012143419-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bh4dULD0YtU/Te5g-MFr8LI/AAAAAAAABjM/WsPOsAl-pHE/s200/_53246352_012143419-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0OAe8iscg8/Te5iUMY1LYI/AAAAAAAABjQ/Ir6cHZvdQUM/s1600/f.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0OAe8iscg8/Te5iUMY1LYI/AAAAAAAABjQ/Ir6cHZvdQUM/s200/f.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
And on Sunday, following the expected loss of Andy Murray to Rafa Nadal in the semi-final, and the surprising loss of Novak Djokovic (who injured his knee) to Roger Federer, Nadal and Federer fought for the men's title. Although Fed took a set he's still no match for Nadal on clay. Nadal won in four sets, and has now won 6 French Opens (10 Grand Slams in total) and is the second youngest man to do so (after Borg). Nadal will now keep his number one ranking, although Novak is hot on his heels, until Wimbledon at least as Djokovic has pulled out of Queens Club.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_3sbCUjogE/Te5n47fzYXI/AAAAAAAABjg/YXr0q-r7GZo/s1600/j.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_3sbCUjogE/Te5n47fzYXI/AAAAAAAABjg/YXr0q-r7GZo/s200/j.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4LQ7WFPZwQ/Te5n7VEUCxI/AAAAAAAABjo/_a_focCb0wc/s1600/s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4LQ7WFPZwQ/Te5n7VEUCxI/AAAAAAAABjo/_a_focCb0wc/s200/s.png" width="143" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLuYFznw1mE/Te5n6iq3gOI/AAAAAAAABjk/Id9dfGJ14Uw/s1600/k%253B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLuYFznw1mE/Te5n6iq3gOI/AAAAAAAABjk/Id9dfGJ14Uw/s200/k%253B.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_219838959"></span><span id="goog_219838960"></span></div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-39044122147308523922011-06-01T19:45:00.000+01:002011-06-01T19:45:12.296+01:00Semi Final Line Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I made my own illustrated draw sheet to show the singles Semis:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd9lLIMqbgU/TeaIS0MhZ-I/AAAAAAAABjE/Y_U6fy6N8rU/s1600/gyhu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd9lLIMqbgU/TeaIS0MhZ-I/AAAAAAAABjE/Y_U6fy6N8rU/s400/gyhu.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AH9lC6TA0ew/TeaIT3ys6fI/AAAAAAAABjI/sX8d6TPTCgo/s1600/nkm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AH9lC6TA0ew/TeaIT3ys6fI/AAAAAAAABjI/sX8d6TPTCgo/s400/nkm.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Took me way too long to do this...and you can't even read the names properly, sigh...</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-32666640005031478212011-05-30T20:13:00.001+01:002011-05-30T20:14:54.412+01:00Into Week Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G5fO9ckKv4/TePqq-X5zyI/AAAAAAAABi4/FlC8IJCyeto/s1600/b_0530_chaleur02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3G5fO9ckKv4/TePqq-X5zyI/AAAAAAAABi4/FlC8IJCyeto/s320/b_0530_chaleur02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Well the women's side of the draw seems to be falling apart with the top three seeds all out before the quarter finals, Wozniaki beaten by Hantuchova, Clijsters by Rus, and Zvonerava by Pavluchenkova. Wozniaki, as always made the mistake of playing too much by playing a tournament in Belgium the week before the French Open started. Although she could push through any physical tiredness, the mental fatigue seemed clear, to me at least, as she never looked convincing or determined at Roland Garros. It's great she wants to play but doing anything week in week out would make you jaded, if she wants to jeopardise her chances of winning a grand slam by playing too many other tournies that's one thing, but she seems to be jeopardising her love for the game she has another ten years to play (all going well). <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C04QKoo1WDA/TePqsoRM7WI/AAAAAAAABjA/UMer2ge4XGY/s1600/b_2505_Rus02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C04QKoo1WDA/TePqsoRM7WI/AAAAAAAABjA/UMer2ge4XGY/s200/b_2505_Rus02.jpg" width="200" /></a>Clijsters, similarly, never looked convincing here (although I did leave the house thinking she was going to trounce Rus of France only for her to come back and win it in three sets when I was at work (crafty French). She hurt her ankle at a wedding and has been out of game for a few months but it was her casual attitude to the matches she played- an attitude I've noticed and despised since her return from retirement. Since she already had a career, then retired, the wins she has now are fun, a bonus, and a bit of a game, with none of the determination and focus a pro athlete ought to have. <br />
<span id="goog_454704651"></span><span id="goog_454704652"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb1XTc4j--0/TePqqEGrPlI/AAAAAAAABi0/DPeochlJ12U/s1600/b_0530_Azarenka02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fb1XTc4j--0/TePqqEGrPlI/AAAAAAAABi0/DPeochlJ12U/s200/b_0530_Azarenka02.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azarenka</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRphVx-MUaY/TePqpZTVuyI/AAAAAAAABiw/OGJcrqvW8Ug/s1600/b_0529_Pavlyuchenkova03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRphVx-MUaY/TePqpZTVuyI/AAAAAAAABiw/OGJcrqvW8Ug/s200/b_0529_Pavlyuchenkova03.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pavluchenkova</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I feel bad for Zvonerava- she had a big year last year getting to two grand slam finals and is struggling this year to have the same impact. Pavluchenkova on the other hand is the up-and-comer of the women's game. Sam stosur, last year's runner up, who was playing well, has also gone out. But Sharapova, Schiavone, Azarenka, Li Na, Pavluchenkova, Kuznetzova, Bartoli are through to the quarter finals, with Kirilenko and Petkovic fighting it out for the last quarter final spot. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkxXiDjmbqg/TePqroiOUgI/AAAAAAAABi8/jipSPLXT5sA/s1600/b_0530_Nadal06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkxXiDjmbqg/TePqroiOUgI/AAAAAAAABi8/jipSPLXT5sA/s200/b_0530_Nadal06.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
In the mens game nothing that interesting has happened really- Soderling will play Nadal in the quarters (the only man to have beaten Rafa here), Monfils plays Federer, and Djokovic is already through to the semis after Fognini pulled out of their quarter final match. And Chela awaits either Troiki or Murray who are playing currently- with Murray down 2-1 sets, and down 2 rackets after throwing a couple of tantrums. Alas Jamie Murray and partner Chric Guccione lost in their second round match against top pair Bob and Mike Bryan, but is in the quarters of the mixed with Nadia Patrova (mixed only has 5 rounds). Unfortunately I don't think mixed doubles counts towards ranking points. <br />
<br />
And how was your week?</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-12497518124540994482011-05-25T19:22:00.000+01:002011-05-25T19:22:53.631+01:00The First Hurdle for the King<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fGUIco-xrA/Td1IFl_dCKI/AAAAAAAABiQ/-mRiMz6FAYQ/s1600/_52939257_nadal_640_get.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8fGUIco-xrA/Td1IFl_dCKI/AAAAAAAABiQ/-mRiMz6FAYQ/s320/_52939257_nadal_640_get.jpg" width="320" /></a>Nearly had a major upset to report- I mentioned in my last post that Rafael Nadal was in a tough 5 setter against John Isner, and boy was he- honestly at one point I thought Isner would definately win it. But Nadal pushed through. Rafa won the first set 6-4 but Isner has shown his mettle before (by winning that crazy long Wimbledon match against Mahut 70-68) and managed to stay with Nadal in the second and third sets. They went to tie breaks and Isner walked them with his giant serve making Rafa look rather ordinary. Into the fourth set it seemed that Isner had the momentum and all he would need would be to hang in there and get to another tie break. The only other time Nadal had been 2-1 down at the French Open was when he lost to Soderling two years ago, and he had never played a 5 setter here before. But Nadal came back hard in the fourth set and raced through to win it 6-2, and he broke Isner early in the fifth- but Isner had broken Nadal back before in the match to level the score and never gave up fighting. It wasn't over until Nadal won the very last point 6-4 7-6 7-6 6-2 6-4. <br />
<br />
No other major upsets or almost upsets to report yet but Djokovic up to 41 winning streak plays del Potro in the next round, Murray is up against Bolelli but should win it, Tipsaravic against Federer might be interesting as Tipsy can play super well sometimes, Jankovic plays Mattek-Sands who became the highest ranked American with her recent win, Shuai Peng plays Schiavone, Vania King who has a nice singing voice plays Elena Baltacha, and Heather Watson who is now in the top 100 plays Kaia Kanepi. And Jamie Murray won his first round Mens Doubles match with Chris Guccione against Clement and Chardy. So we'll see what happens...</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-72688770945866929922011-05-24T17:05:00.000+01:002011-05-24T17:05:03.327+01:00French Latest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4vftsFpQJ4/TdvTROfqiMI/AAAAAAAABhM/qo6cfOM83xE/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695351%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4vftsFpQJ4/TdvTROfqiMI/AAAAAAAABhM/qo6cfOM83xE/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695351%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather Watson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It may be day three but we're still in round one at Le Frenche Opene. Nothing super interesting to report- Cilic is out, Keothothong is out, Murray is through as are Federer and Djokovic (Nadal currently in super tough 5 setter with Isner), Ivanovic is out, Heather Watson is through, Jankovic, Sharapova, and Stosur are through. The outfits this year have been delightfully multi-coloured and I thought I'd share some. :)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCV-MObY2hs/TdvTP_Nr44I/AAAAAAAABhE/zIKrhmvJ5Rk/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695286%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCV-MObY2hs/TdvTP_Nr44I/AAAAAAAABhE/zIKrhmvJ5Rk/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695286%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jelena Jankovic in pink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eneGIDiiAc/TdvTQl_ZqOI/AAAAAAAABhI/A908OSiQlr4/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695345%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eneGIDiiAc/TdvTQl_ZqOI/AAAAAAAABhI/A908OSiQlr4/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695345%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Wozniaki in dark blue</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4QmcFmSIuo/TdvTRvhuGvI/AAAAAAAABhQ/m0eWx7iotu8/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695355%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4QmcFmSIuo/TdvTRvhuGvI/AAAAAAAABhQ/m0eWx7iotu8/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9695355%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zheng Jie in light blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uuhLxU3H7I/TdvTWyvK2_I/AAAAAAAABhk/GlT9REAsrJk/s1600/jmko.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uuhLxU3H7I/TdvTWyvK2_I/AAAAAAAABhk/GlT9REAsrJk/s200/jmko.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students from Ecole de Military or something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j50zXkPFsTA/TdvTrHlKtJI/AAAAAAAABhw/Tycd40XiAfE/s1600/ertyj.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j50zXkPFsTA/TdvTrHlKtJI/AAAAAAAABhw/Tycd40XiAfE/s200/ertyj.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nadal in light blue and muscles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk35NlkCICQ/TdvTsWXvZhI/AAAAAAAABh0/XUlrXK5-dC4/s1600/nmo%252C.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk35NlkCICQ/TdvTsWXvZhI/AAAAAAAABh0/XUlrXK5-dC4/s200/nmo%252C.png" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ana Ivanovic in pink and green</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyIgDzpYK9s/TdvTpOfTVgI/AAAAAAAABhs/_7om6Vo8k0M/s1600/bnimk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YyIgDzpYK9s/TdvTpOfTVgI/AAAAAAAABhs/_7om6Vo8k0M/s200/bnimk.png" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne Keothothong rocking orange</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_bcR0i95Ac/TdvTuKDAj0I/AAAAAAAABh4/aiGX0aZGkFE/s1600/nmo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n_bcR0i95Ac/TdvTuKDAj0I/AAAAAAAABh4/aiGX0aZGkFE/s200/nmo.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rezai in black and pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8Js8lDowNA/TdvUlm_8aVI/AAAAAAAABiI/Xfe3GIuq6pY/s1600/kmop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8Js8lDowNA/TdvUlm_8aVI/AAAAAAAABiI/Xfe3GIuq6pY/s200/kmop.png" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monfils who is kinda like the Ian Poulter of Tennis imo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-90769501596239350382011-05-22T21:45:00.000+01:002011-05-22T21:45:22.934+01:00Sam Stosur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJEGjuf0u6k/TdlzxUIhl8I/AAAAAAAABgQ/PIOL9yN5DEc/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9686833%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJEGjuf0u6k/TdlzxUIhl8I/AAAAAAAABgQ/PIOL9yN5DEc/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9686833%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a>Regarding my previous post on the WTA's Strong is Beautiful campaign (I had a few criticisms not least that the women are so glammed up they don't look anything like themselves, or athletes), I thought I'd compare a picture of last years French Open finalist Sam Stosur campaign photo and a photo from today's play the this year's French Open. <br />
<span id="goog_222392989"></span><span id="goog_222392990"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJ0c0eoRFU/TdlzxCRMLZI/AAAAAAAABgM/ac-riKfXYnw/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9686813%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJ0c0eoRFU/TdlzxCRMLZI/AAAAAAAABgM/ac-riKfXYnw/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9686813%252C00.jpg" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: left;">She seems to be wearing a pre-sweated red dress with long flowing locks, and make-up. </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Stosur in the Strong is Beautiful campaign</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-09fwvXYCxCo/TdlzzCBcaSI/AAAAAAAABgU/fVFIwPabzSg/s1600/df.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-09fwvXYCxCo/TdlzzCBcaSI/AAAAAAAABgU/fVFIwPabzSg/s320/df.png" width="320" /></a></div>She seems to be playing tennis...<br />
<br />
<br />
Well I know which one looks more strong and beautiful to me, although I also know I don't care whether she's beautiful if she plays a good game. <br />
She won her match today in straight sets. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-76871978908386734102011-05-20T09:39:00.000+01:002011-05-20T09:39:37.359+01:00French Open Prep<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Everyones getting very excited- the French Open starts on Sunday. I don't know why we're all giddy about it, it's the most boring one of the lot. It's on clay so it's dirty, the weather's been rubbish for the past few years, the crowd never shows up (long french lunches), and Nadal's gonna win. Well that last ones not looking quite as certain as it was since Nadal has been beaten in four final this year by Djokovic who hasn't lost a match yet. But he has yet to beat Nadal in 5 sets on clay at Roland Garros (in fact only Soderling has). <br />
<br />
The women's side has some interest too as Maria Sharapova comes into form (the French Open is the one grand slam she hasn't won), Kim Clijsters is back after hurting her foot at a wedding (I don't know, I wasn't there), the Willam's sisters are out so we are at least spared Venus's new take on lingerie sports wear, and Sam Stosur (last year's finalist) was playing well last week before being beaten by Sharapova. <br />
<br />
From a British perspective Andy Murray remains the only man in the singles draw- and has said recently that he can win the French Open, despite never doing that well here (clay is like British Kryptonite). He was supposed to play in some group exhibition tennis this week but pulled out with a groin strain (I don't know, I wasn't there), but thank heavens he is fit to play. Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothothong are in the main draw and Heather Watson has won her first two qualifying matches. She plays the third later today, fingers crossed.<br />
<br />
Juan Martin Del Potro is also fit, after pulling out of a tournament a few weeks ago with a hip thing, but Ferrer and Roddick not so lucky and both pulled out injured. The draw for the tournament comes out today, and the commentators of the exhibition match I was watching (Tsonga v Mahut, remember him?) suggested players were getting edgy waiting for the draw. Someone needs to remind them, it aint Wimbledon, kay?</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-16550999628605156842011-05-16T09:26:00.000+01:002011-05-16T09:26:21.693+01:00Rome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixs7mxP3PyU/TdDfN32baiI/AAAAAAAABeI/0mHI9o1e_w8/s1600/_52738028_murray_160511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixs7mxP3PyU/TdDfN32baiI/AAAAAAAABeI/0mHI9o1e_w8/s200/_52738028_murray_160511.jpg" width="200" /></a>Well I nearly had a big upset to report to you all two days ago as our Andy was two points away from beating Novak Djokovic, breaking his unbeaten run, getting to the Rome final to play Nadal, and generally coming out of his own slump. Djokovic had run through the first set 6-1 with Murray making too many mistakes but he pulled himself together for the second set, got the decisive break and took it 6-3. The third set was extremely tight, Andy broke Novak to lead 5-4 and served for the match only for Novak to break back after a tough game in which Murray was only two points from winning. It went to a tie break and Djok pulled away winning the tie break 6-3 and the match. <br />
<br />
He went on to the final to face Rafael Nadal for the fourth time this year (they played the finals of Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid with Novak winning them all) and, it may not surprise you to learn, won the title. Novak has now won 7 titles this year, and is on a winning streak of 39 matches! Nadal will keep his number one ranking for now but it could come under pressure at the French Open.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co2rpnpcNMI/TdDfNd28tGI/AAAAAAAABeE/V6QCXBHXghU/s1600/_52736486_52736485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-co2rpnpcNMI/TdDfNd28tGI/AAAAAAAABeE/V6QCXBHXghU/s320/_52736486_52736485.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQPIZoz40iA/TdDfMiWDmpI/AAAAAAAABd8/NFK0AJrDYVc/s1600/_52690306_federer464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQPIZoz40iA/TdDfMiWDmpI/AAAAAAAABd8/NFK0AJrDYVc/s200/_52690306_federer464.jpg" width="200" /></a>And where was Federer? He was beaten in the quarter final bu Richard Gasquet who is in good form finally after a few months out ages ago for failing a drugs test (he had cocaine in his system because he kissed a woman who has just taken some), but Richard fell to Nadal in the semi. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xydmEJF7S3M/TdDfNBEiV8I/AAAAAAAABeA/bs7mpqpKuKw/s1600/_52735899_shazza_ap464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xydmEJF7S3M/TdDfNBEiV8I/AAAAAAAABeA/bs7mpqpKuKw/s320/_52735899_shazza_ap464.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the women's side of things world number one Caroline Wozniaki was beaten in the semis by an in-form Sharapova who may be looking to add the French Open title to her grand slam collection soon as she played her best in years. She went up against Sam Stosur who had beaten both Schiavone (who she lost to in last years French Open final, I know it all gets confusing on the ladies side of things) and Li Na (who lost to Kim Clijsters in the Australian Open final this year- women's tennis does seem to collect finalists). Stosur has really been struggling to get herself together since last years French Open loss, and a poor start to the year with an early exit at the Aussie Open (her home tournie) but she's back on the red clay and looking good. But come the final she was no match for the Sharapova who won the final 6-2 6-4. <br />
<br />
Round Up- Juan Martin Del Potro had to pull out of last week's tournament with a hip injury and is a doubt for the French Open, Dinara Safina has taken an indefinite break from tennis due to her injury problems, Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish reached the doubles final in Rome but pulled out due to Roddick's bad shoulder, Venus and Serena are both out of the French Open which comes as no surprise, and Sharapova is engaged to a tall Basketballer called Sasha who wore a pink shirt to her match. </div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-28979456578226929562011-05-14T11:06:00.000+01:002011-05-14T11:06:47.725+01:00The Beauty Myth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjeUP5_ZSk0/Tc5SHoWzJMI/AAAAAAAABdA/6Gfk4E9MmkI/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9670154%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rjeUP5_ZSk0/Tc5SHoWzJMI/AAAAAAAABdA/6Gfk4E9MmkI/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9670154%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a>Hmmm... WTA once again you baboozle me. I just don't know how to respond to this- your new 'Strong is Beautiful' campaign for the women's tennis tour.<br />
<br />
Regular readers may know I have some issues with the WTA and how it promotes its female players and the womens tour. For example I have taken issue with the 'Women Are Getting A Call' ad for the End of Tour Finals which feature the top women at the time walking in the park, laughing with friends, talking on their mobile phone (ah it's the Sony Ericsson Tour, didn't you get that yet?), and generally looking pretty without doing anything sporty at all. The mens tour equivalent advertised a fight to the death (or close to it) between the top players with shots of them looking tough and...gasp...playing tennis! <br />
<br />
But the WTA doesn't need tennis to get in the way of a good pictorial, especially when attractive women in short skirts have proved incredibly easy to market- although this does raise the question of what the WTA are trying to sell. Within this context it's easy to see why Maria Sharapova would earn most of her millions off court with Sports Illustrated swim suit specials, Ana Ivanovic went topless, and Venus Williams wore her underwear to a match to 'bring sexy back to tennis'. <br />
<br />
Female tennis players suffer from less respect than their male counterparts, their performance often criticised and scrutinised, while their achievements relegated to the realm of 'women's' tennis. Their good looks and appearance can often be a saving grace in that in can usual garner them some praise, attention, or, at the very least, some cold hard cash. Although obviously working your cute, toned ass off at tennis every day only to have people tell you it looks nice in your shorts would get rather irksome after a while, I assume (not really being an issue I have to deal with). Simultaneously female athletes must also deal with a world that does find athletic women all that attractive- if you hadn't noticed slim is in this century. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPVHBk8Jy8/Tc5SFUFsYyI/AAAAAAAABcw/h1-P2Lvf4Kc/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667666%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPVHBk8Jy8/Tc5SFUFsYyI/AAAAAAAABcw/h1-P2Lvf4Kc/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667666%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniela Hantuchova </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cut to the WTA latest campaign 'Strong is Beautiful'. It features top players and up-and-comers photographed as their rackets hit the balls, in strong athletic poses. Stacey Allaster, Chairman & CEO of the WTA was saying the right things, "The personal stories are inspirational. The unique combination of athleticism, strength and determination on the court and success, interests and inner beauty off the court is what makes women's tennis so attractive to millions around the world."<br />
<br />
In a world where professional female athletes can't get their names in the paper despite great success because male footballers have stolen all the headlines it is gratifying to see a large scale ad campaign that promotes the women's tour. It is also nice to see that strength and determination are being recognised as attractive in women as they have long been in men, and that female tennis players are recognised to have such qualities as they are so often criticised for lacking heart by commentators. <br />
<br />
I suppose my question is why does strong <i>need</i> to be beautiful? (Similarly I wondered 'why does tennis <i>need</i> to be sexy' when Venus strolled out in skin coloured shorts) Why can't the campaign ads say 'Strong is...Really Good For Tennis'...ok yes much less catchy but hopefully you get my point. It is still the beauty and glamour of the athletes that's being celebrated, particularly when you look at the pics in which the players are oiled up, wearing make-up, and glamour outfits designed to show just enough leg and, as usual, it is very difficult to recognise certain players due to the pose, make-up, and air brushing. I find it a little strange that the campaign is saying these athletes are strong and beautiful so you should support us but we still felt the need to cover them in foundation because they were looking a bit peaky...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgObn6TEG-I/Tc5SGudGuwI/AAAAAAAABc4/OdN4L4KjaEQ/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667694%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgObn6TEG-I/Tc5SGudGuwI/AAAAAAAABc4/OdN4L4KjaEQ/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667694%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Azarenka </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvoWvdCK-2U/Tc5SHfX50tI/AAAAAAAABc8/1Qtv6Uc2cqg/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667714%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvoWvdCK-2U/Tc5SHfX50tI/AAAAAAAABc8/1Qtv6Uc2cqg/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9667714%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucie Safarova</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DO9SDstqdF0/Tc5SIIoY_XI/AAAAAAAABdE/iM1LXWGjrCA/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9672635%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DO9SDstqdF0/Tc5SIIoY_XI/AAAAAAAABdE/iM1LXWGjrCA/s320/0%252C%252C12781%257E9672635%252C00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petra Kvitova</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The title of this blog is 'The Beauty Myth' and I think the myth I am referring to is the believe that changing the parameters of beauty, by saying strong, athletic, and determined is attractive for a woman when so long it has been considered undesirable, has solved the problem. It hasn't. Picking a new way women can be beautiful endorses the idea that beautiful is best, and encourages further discussion of female tennis players bodies. I guess what I'm saying WTA is that I like this idea better than your others but I just don't get why the ladies have to look lovely to play tennis?</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-1627067787960591212011-05-08T20:51:00.002+01:002011-05-08T20:51:23.784+01:00New King of Clay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLjV5Hf5ZnQ/TcbycJEZTpI/AAAAAAAABZ8/ZcQtd7Fl3jA/s1600/_52608226_011923580-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLjV5Hf5ZnQ/TcbycJEZTpI/AAAAAAAABZ8/ZcQtd7Fl3jA/s320/_52608226_011923580-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40vrDIZ7uUc/TcbyfAzjTtI/AAAAAAAABaE/MVxeupaZISs/s1600/_52608266_011923580-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40vrDIZ7uUc/TcbyfAzjTtI/AAAAAAAABaE/MVxeupaZISs/s1600/_52608266_011923580-1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuXcPn0pIa8/Tcbye-rQZeI/AAAAAAAABaA/uakTPMFD8D8/s1600/_52601683_011914624-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XuXcPn0pIa8/Tcbye-rQZeI/AAAAAAAABaA/uakTPMFD8D8/s1600/_52601683_011914624-1.jpg" /></a>Nadal's two year run of 37 unbeaten matches on clay just came to an end as Djokovic's 34 match winning streak (on all surfaces) continued- Djok just beat Nadal in the Madrid Masters final. It signifies Djokovic as the player of the moment (and that moment is lasting) and rise up the rankings (he's at number two now, but could be number one even before the French Open). It also suggests that Nadal may be...gasp...on the decline? Strange to suggest as he is still over 2,000 points ahead of Djokovic in the rankings, but once upon a time he was unbeatable and terrifying to opponents but Djokovic has beaten him a few times this year and today it was a straight sets victory. Apparently if Nadal fails to reach the Rome semis and Djok wins then he will be number one, failing that it seems not only possibly but likely to happen at the French Open. Djoko only got to the Quarter Finals last year while Nadal won- meaning Nadal has tons of points to defend but none to gain, but Djokovic would gain over 1500 if he won the tournament. Whether Djoko could beat Nadal in a Grand Slam is another question though...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqzbNaxL_Zs/TcbyfU5cP7I/AAAAAAAABaI/lzsaDgnEyt4/s1600/_52608776_011929967-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GqzbNaxL_Zs/TcbyfU5cP7I/AAAAAAAABaI/lzsaDgnEyt4/s320/_52608776_011929967-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Petra Kvitova who, not only proves Easter Europeans get the best names but also whacks a ground stroke at 80 mph regularly, beat Victoria Azarenka in straight sets in the Madrid tournament. The first set was close and full of winners particularly from Kvitova early on who took an early break before Azarenka broke back and it went a tie break- which was full of errors especially from Azarenka. The second set was somewhat topsy turvey as Kvitova suffered a little from nerves (although her demeanor didn't change) and her killer ground strokes became a little wild and a few breaks were exchanged but Azarenka failed to capitalise on her chances and when Kvitova served for the match she held to love.<br />
<br />
In British tennis, Andy Murray lost to Bellucci in the third round of Madrid, Elana Baltacha lost in her first clay semi-final at the ITF Suez Open, and Heather Watson lost in the second round. Erm, look for the silver lining here...Murray's poorly elbow has healed, Baltacha reached her first clay semi, and Watson has already got her ranking up to 122- next stop top 100.</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451957174346213309.post-21665667553228525862011-05-01T18:11:00.000+01:002011-05-01T18:11:04.226+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's been a long while since my last post, so I apologise to my adoring fans but I've been a bit out of the loop since I started working this month!!! And there's not been much tennis on my TV. So I'll give you the headlines:<br />
<br />
Dinara Safina moved back into the top 100 after time off with a back injury last year, got to a semi-final but had to pull out sick, but she's now 65 in the world and playing in the Barcelona tournament this week. But she's up against Gorges the plucky German who beat Wozniaki in the Stuttgart final, although Wozniaki was clearly not at her best, Gorges played well and will be a test for Safina.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_m2QvbGjqk/Tb2TSKSvoeI/AAAAAAAABXM/beMREzPIvL0/s1600/0%252C%252C12781%257E9615302%252C00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_m2QvbGjqk/Tb2TSKSvoeI/AAAAAAAABXM/beMREzPIvL0/s200/0%252C%252C12781%257E9615302%252C00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorges winning Stuttgart</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Novak Djokovic continued his winning streak- now up to 27 since last November, by winning the Belgrade tournament. Bit if cheat though as one of those wins was a walk over against Tipsaravic, but he beat Lopez in the final fair and square.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-cZ2ro45KI/Tb2TRjQKvyI/AAAAAAAABXI/Q1kz72RXEm0/s1600/_52436322_011845327-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-cZ2ro45KI/Tb2TRjQKvyI/AAAAAAAABXI/Q1kz72RXEm0/s200/_52436322_011845327-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Juan Martin Del Potro- the crazy tall Argentinian who won the 2009 US Open then had to take nearly a year off with a bad wrist, his real ranking dropped to 484 in February but his protected ranking of 4 allowed him to compete in big tournaments- has won another tournament this year by beating Verdasco in Estoril, Portugal.<br />
<br />
British player Naomi Cavaday, who's only 22, has retired from tennis (apparently she suffered from an eating disorder and depression during her career) and is planning to go into coaching. Fellow Brit Heather Watson failed to qualify for Estoril, and Elena Baltacha lost in the first round of Barcelona. And Laura Robson, teenage sensation, seems to have fallen off the face of the planet- or she's at school or something. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnasT02LiSk/Tb2TRH8iWbI/AAAAAAAABXE/bGgE5PvBh_k/s1600/_52425956_cav_getty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnasT02LiSk/Tb2TRH8iWbI/AAAAAAAABXE/bGgE5PvBh_k/s200/_52425956_cav_getty.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naomi Cavady</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Jamie Murray's ranking has risen nicely into the top 50 since playing well with little bro, but seems to have been inactive the past few weeks and doubles barely gets a mention in the news so we'll have to wait an see what happens. Andy Murray started playing better again, getting to the semi-final of Monte Carlo before losing to Nadal, he then pulled out of Barcelona because of a gross elbow injury, and will play Madrid this week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dLY4H3U_1E/Tb2UBKnHM1I/AAAAAAAABXQ/WyqR08QTnU0/s1600/nmo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dLY4H3U_1E/Tb2UBKnHM1I/AAAAAAAABXQ/WyqR08QTnU0/s320/nmo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And how was your week?<br />
</div>SuperFlorencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06817482821278639015noreply@blogger.com0