US Open 2010: Days 9 + 10 wrap

Hey, sorry I disappeared for a second there. I couldn’t bring myself to watch tennis yesterday, Day 9, because of the recent development that is Caroline Wozniacki. I just didn’t want to hear about it. Pardon my moment of weakness.

I did, however, hear about (and later saw) Fernando Verdasco’s amazing match point against David Ferrer. Then, I read that Kim Clijsters and Sam Stosur played a match that started off with high quality tennis but ended pretty poorly. With that, it’s hard to bet against Venus Williams now.

Day 9 results:
Quarterfinals
Kim Clijsters [2] def. Samantha Stosur [5] 6-4, 5-7, 6-3
Venus Williams [3] def. Francesca Schiavone [6] 7-6(5), 6-4

Round of 16
Rafael Nadal [1] def. Feliciano Lopez [23] 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Fernando Verdasco [8] def. David Ferrer [10] 5-7, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4)
Mikhail Youzhny [12] def. Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
Stanislas Wawrinka [25] def. Sam Querrey [20] 7-6(9), 6-7(5), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4

Day 10 was pretty uneventful. The wind made it hard for everyone. It was hard to play under those conditions and it was hard to watch the pros play under those conditions. The favorites all came through relatively easily. Straight sets on tap.

Day 10 results:
Quarterfinals
Caroline Wozniacki [1] def. Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 7-5
Vera Zvonareva [7] def. Kaia Kanepi [31] 6-3, 7-5

Roger Federer [2] def. Robin Soderling [5] 6-4, 6-4, 7-5
Novak Djokovic [3] def. Gael Monfils [17] 7-6(2), 6-1, 6-2

Image via Getty

US Open 2010: Day 9 preview

Day 9 promises a lot of exciting tennis. Quarterfinal matches start for the women while the men begin their R16 tussles. On tap; Kim Clijsters, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Samantha Stosur.

• Francesca Schiavone [6] vs Venus Williams [3]
  Like Vee said, 30 is the new 20. I love this match-up! I like both players and both have been flying under the radar all tournament long. And after this match, (boom!) in the semis. I hope they put on a great show!
• Stanislas Wawrinka [25] vs Sam Querrey [20]
  You took out my favorite Stan, better not not take out my non-favorite.
• Samantha Stosur [5] vs Kim Clijsters [2]
  Just like Sam’s previous match, this is tough to call. We all know what Sam can do but I feel like Kim can defend enough to weather Sam’s fire power and turn it into offense. Mmmm.. this has the makings of a tasty match.
• Rafael Nadal [1] vs Feliciano Lopez [23]
  Feli doesn’t mind the hard courts and will probably look to attack as much as he can. He also knows and thinks he can beat Rafa on the fast stuff. It’ll be a fun battle to watch. It’ll be funner after Rafa wins it. Or after Feli wins it. Honestly, I’m fine with either result.
• David Ferrer [10] vs Fernando Verdasco [8]
  I haven’t see Nando play much this tournament but I’ve read that he looked very good in his 3rd round match. Daveeed’s also been playing well, obviously, but I’d like to see Nando take this one. He needs another good run at a slam.

Complete Day 9 schedule here.

Image via Getty

US Open 2010: Day 7 wrap

Crazy day! My pick to win the men’s title, Andy Murray, was sent home in the third round by Stanislas Wawrinka. Some great matches on the women’s side; Venus Williams and Shahar Peer played a tight 2-setter and Elena Dementieva and Samantha Stosur played the best match on the women’s side so far this tournament.

After winning the first set in his match against Stan, Muzz played very passively and got very down on himself. Per usual. I don’t think anyone can explain why he does it but everyone can see that it needs to stop for him to be able to break through and win a slam.

Lena D and Sam played a great match where they both held and saved match points. This match started a little before 11pm and went late into the night, last call for alcohol late. Lena had 4 chances to win but was not able to convert any of them. Sam had 2 and won it on #2 in the 3rd set tiebreak after Lena sent a forehand long. Towards the end of the match, it was clear that Sam was mentally stronger and that got her the W.

Day 7 results:
Kim Clijsters [2] def. Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-1
Venus Williams [3] def. Shahar Peer [16] 7-6(3), 6-3
Samantha Stosur [5] def. Elena Dementieva [12] 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(2)
Francesca Schiavone [6] def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova [20] 6-3, 6-0

Image via Getty

Vamos Filete!

(via Strawberries & Scream)

While watching the Feliciano Lopez and James Blake match yesterday, I couldn’t help but compare both of these guys’ legs. I mean, Feli forces you to look at his and James… well, he was there and they switched sides every so often. Unfortunately for James, his legs looked like they were having a hard time holding him up. I know they are probably just as strong as any athlete’s but looking at them after staring at Feli’s? Ha!

I did sneak some glances at the actual match and I gotta say, James can really crack forehand (sometimes backhand) returns. Feli got a little lucky in that second set, James played a few loose points on those match points and gave him room to comeback. And he did and won the match 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4!

I revisited my Indian Wells gallery and here’s one more Feli porn. (Just because I can!)

In fotos: Wimbledon Schwimbledon

The rest of the tennis world looks like this.

John Isner via Getty Images, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez via X17, Maria Sharapova via Everywhere

Roland Garros 2010: Day 2 wrap

We all knew that the match between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet was not going to be easy for either player. Although it favored Richie for 2.5 sets, Muzz stayed with him and made him work- brilliant shot-making and all. It also felt like he knew Richie wasn’t going to be able to keep up such a high level if he took him to 4 then 5 sets and that’s exactly what he did. When Richie’s legs started to give out in the third, Muzz took his opportunities and the rest is RG history.

I was surprised to see a few Spaniards lose today. Feliciano Lopez lost to Julian Reister (WHAT!?) and Tommy Robredo to Viktor Troicki.

It was all business for the women, including Ana Ivanovic. She struggled but pulled though. A win is a win!

Notable wins and losses:
Andy Murray [4] def. Richard Gasquet  4-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1
Novak Djokovic [3] def. Evgeny Korolev 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
Feliciano Lopez [27] lost to Julian Reister 1-6, 6-7(5), 2-6
Tommy Robredo [22] lost to Viktor Troicki 4-6, 4-6, 3-6
Ana Ivanovic def. Kai-Chen Chang 6-3, 6-3

Complete list of today’s scores here.

Image via Getty