US Open '05!
:D so thanks to the fact that I have been at my relatives' for the past few days (ie, I moved out of my lovely Brooklyn apt.), I had access to cable -> USA Network -> all US Open, all the time.
Not really, but, lots. So yesterday I witnessed some really good matches and one sort of lame (Verdasco vs. Nieminen, because Verdasco simply sucked and neither could serve to save their life; Lleyton Hewitt has the fine chance to flatten Nieminen, who was smart enough to do only what he needed in the match against Verdasco, which was pretty much Verdasco vs. Verdasco with Nieminen reaping the benefits). Federer was in crappy shape but still beat Kiefer. Great players in crappy shape is such a disappointment to watch.
I'm still irked at Blake for defeating my man Nadal (although, in the midst of packing I caught a few glimpses and he did play well, can't deny that), so I won't watch his match vs. Agassi tonight. Never been much of an Agassi fan.
that being said, the women's matches were excellent and chokeful of drama: first Petrova recovered from 4-1 in the first set to break Sharapova and end in a 7-5 for Sharapova, then took the next set 6-4 and finally surrendered to Sharapova in the third set, after many beautifully saved balls. It's good to see MS have to use her best tools to win a match. The woman doesn't give you an easy win, she changes the ball from side to side, so only the most fit can catch up, and Petrova did so very well. Which means MS's semifinal to Clijsters should be something to look for, judging by Clijsters' performance with Venus Williams, where she covered the court and saved unbelievably hard to reach balls. I mean, whoa! That may have been an even more dramatic match than V. Williams - Sharapova of earlier this year. Clijsters and Venus kept breaking each other's serve for the better part of the second set. After being down 6-4 4-2, Clijsters simply wore Venus down, which was amazing to watch. Venus played well, and she's still totally scary when she comes to the net after a good serve, but she simply ran out of gas when Clijsters returned all her dangerously placed balls.
looks like Mary Pierce beat Amelie Mauresmo, which is cool, cos I like Pierce's game (very effective and risky, going for the line) and I enjoyed watching her beat a tired Henin-Hardenne the other day. So I'm looking forward to tonight's Davenport - Dementieva match, see how Lindsay fares. Then it's gonna be interesting, cos I enjoy all the women left standing. As much as I like both Venus and Serena, back when they were playing each other it was kind annoying to watch. I just wish they got back in shape and kicked each other's ass early on so I could see either of them play without that burden ;-) I sometimes wonder if they will get back.
it was funny, I've enjoyed Sharapova's energy and precision since I first saw her play at an Australian open a couple of years ago or so, but last night I rooted for Petrova. That girl deserves more wins herself.
in real life news (never as important as tennis!), I have moved, sold my Nishiki (today!) and I'm going back to Ro! Oh, no! well, I will report from there, and possibly regale you with my reversed culture shock ;-) I wish I could make an audio entry now and one after a couple of months of staying there, as I fear my Engrish will take a tumble (well, unless I speak to Tasha every day, hehe, in which case it's only gonna be the faint American accent that's gonna fade ;-)). Again, the important stuff about moving is my accent. I am pretty excited about the move, since I came to the conclusion that, at this time, this was my best move, since business bes scarce in the States these days. But let's all drink to this being a layover in Bogdi's grand scheme of things :-)
Not really, but, lots. So yesterday I witnessed some really good matches and one sort of lame (Verdasco vs. Nieminen, because Verdasco simply sucked and neither could serve to save their life; Lleyton Hewitt has the fine chance to flatten Nieminen, who was smart enough to do only what he needed in the match against Verdasco, which was pretty much Verdasco vs. Verdasco with Nieminen reaping the benefits). Federer was in crappy shape but still beat Kiefer. Great players in crappy shape is such a disappointment to watch.
I'm still irked at Blake for defeating my man Nadal (although, in the midst of packing I caught a few glimpses and he did play well, can't deny that), so I won't watch his match vs. Agassi tonight. Never been much of an Agassi fan.
that being said, the women's matches were excellent and chokeful of drama: first Petrova recovered from 4-1 in the first set to break Sharapova and end in a 7-5 for Sharapova, then took the next set 6-4 and finally surrendered to Sharapova in the third set, after many beautifully saved balls. It's good to see MS have to use her best tools to win a match. The woman doesn't give you an easy win, she changes the ball from side to side, so only the most fit can catch up, and Petrova did so very well. Which means MS's semifinal to Clijsters should be something to look for, judging by Clijsters' performance with Venus Williams, where she covered the court and saved unbelievably hard to reach balls. I mean, whoa! That may have been an even more dramatic match than V. Williams - Sharapova of earlier this year. Clijsters and Venus kept breaking each other's serve for the better part of the second set. After being down 6-4 4-2, Clijsters simply wore Venus down, which was amazing to watch. Venus played well, and she's still totally scary when she comes to the net after a good serve, but she simply ran out of gas when Clijsters returned all her dangerously placed balls.
looks like Mary Pierce beat Amelie Mauresmo, which is cool, cos I like Pierce's game (very effective and risky, going for the line) and I enjoyed watching her beat a tired Henin-Hardenne the other day. So I'm looking forward to tonight's Davenport - Dementieva match, see how Lindsay fares. Then it's gonna be interesting, cos I enjoy all the women left standing. As much as I like both Venus and Serena, back when they were playing each other it was kind annoying to watch. I just wish they got back in shape and kicked each other's ass early on so I could see either of them play without that burden ;-) I sometimes wonder if they will get back.
it was funny, I've enjoyed Sharapova's energy and precision since I first saw her play at an Australian open a couple of years ago or so, but last night I rooted for Petrova. That girl deserves more wins herself.
in real life news (never as important as tennis!), I have moved, sold my Nishiki (today!) and I'm going back to Ro! Oh, no! well, I will report from there, and possibly regale you with my reversed culture shock ;-) I wish I could make an audio entry now and one after a couple of months of staying there, as I fear my Engrish will take a tumble (well, unless I speak to Tasha every day, hehe, in which case it's only gonna be the faint American accent that's gonna fade ;-)). Again, the important stuff about moving is my accent. I am pretty excited about the move, since I came to the conclusion that, at this time, this was my best move, since business bes scarce in the States these days. But let's all drink to this being a layover in Bogdi's grand scheme of things :-)