french open stuff
even though only two of you will care about my thoughts on the French Open (tennis), I am copying them from an email I sent to a friend anyway:
I'm sure they'll play that Mary Carillo piece a time or two during ESPNs coverage of the French Open, and maybe even when NBC picks up the Semis/Finals coverage. I'm hoping both stations will use Mary Carillo and we won't have to wait until Finals Weekend to see her.
Who are some of your faves to take the tourney? As far as the men go, I think it's Nadal 2-1, then maybe Federer 4-1. After that the next closest competitor has to be like 50-1, and who would it be? Gaudio? Coria?
The women's side is much more interesting. I don't know if there is a clear favorite yet. Justine would be at the top of the list, but I think she is a little shakier now than she was last year. Petrova's been playing some good ball, but I don't know if she yet has the mental fortitude for 7 matches. Mauresmo and Pierce would be home crowd faves but Amelie never plays well in France and Mary (one of my all time faves) has been pretty MIA since going out relatively early in Australia. Oh yeah, the other Belgian, Clijsters. Well, she lost to Petrova last week and has played few matches this year. I doubt Davenport or the Williams will even show up. Sharapova could make it to the semis. Kuznetsova had her good win in Miami and I think she could be dangerous if she gets a good draw and doesnt have to play Justine in the Round of 16. I'd like to see Dementieva get a Slam, and the French may be her best opportunity, but I think she's a little too distracted in justifying to everyone (I'm surprised she hasn't called it "strategy" yet) about the pros of her con serve. Schnyder is a favorite of mine, but again she'll get distracted in the Round of 16 or the QFs. The Swiss Miss, Martina Hingis, will she be able to make a dent? She really hasn't played any clay ball yet this season so we haven't yet had a chance to judge her footwork on the surface, but she's wily enough to take the title. How great of a story would that be? Comes out of retirement after being pounded into submission a few years ago by the Williams to win the only Grand Slam she hasn't won (and one in which she lost in a rather dramatic fashion - her meltdowns to Iva Majoli & Capriati). Hell, the girl is 31-7 at Roland Garros and has reached the SFs or better the last five years she played the tournament. Getting back to the Russians, if any of the "lesser Russians" (think the stacked wooden Matryoshka Dolls - they just keep coming and coming and look great all in a line) has a chance, I would place money on Safina then Ivanovic.
And based on the length of the last two paragraphs, I'm sure you can tell which game I'm more interested in right now, lol.
also, in the atp fantasy game i'm doing ... okay. was 2111 at the end of last week. currently ~1590. based on 9912 players. that has me like in the top 15% and i'm thinkign I'll keep climbing.
I'm sure they'll play that Mary Carillo piece a time or two during ESPNs coverage of the French Open, and maybe even when NBC picks up the Semis/Finals coverage. I'm hoping both stations will use Mary Carillo and we won't have to wait until Finals Weekend to see her.
Who are some of your faves to take the tourney? As far as the men go, I think it's Nadal 2-1, then maybe Federer 4-1. After that the next closest competitor has to be like 50-1, and who would it be? Gaudio? Coria?
The women's side is much more interesting. I don't know if there is a clear favorite yet. Justine would be at the top of the list, but I think she is a little shakier now than she was last year. Petrova's been playing some good ball, but I don't know if she yet has the mental fortitude for 7 matches. Mauresmo and Pierce would be home crowd faves but Amelie never plays well in France and Mary (one of my all time faves) has been pretty MIA since going out relatively early in Australia. Oh yeah, the other Belgian, Clijsters. Well, she lost to Petrova last week and has played few matches this year. I doubt Davenport or the Williams will even show up. Sharapova could make it to the semis. Kuznetsova had her good win in Miami and I think she could be dangerous if she gets a good draw and doesnt have to play Justine in the Round of 16. I'd like to see Dementieva get a Slam, and the French may be her best opportunity, but I think she's a little too distracted in justifying to everyone (I'm surprised she hasn't called it "strategy" yet) about the pros of her con serve. Schnyder is a favorite of mine, but again she'll get distracted in the Round of 16 or the QFs. The Swiss Miss, Martina Hingis, will she be able to make a dent? She really hasn't played any clay ball yet this season so we haven't yet had a chance to judge her footwork on the surface, but she's wily enough to take the title. How great of a story would that be? Comes out of retirement after being pounded into submission a few years ago by the Williams to win the only Grand Slam she hasn't won (and one in which she lost in a rather dramatic fashion - her meltdowns to Iva Majoli & Capriati). Hell, the girl is 31-7 at Roland Garros and has reached the SFs or better the last five years she played the tournament. Getting back to the Russians, if any of the "lesser Russians" (think the stacked wooden Matryoshka Dolls - they just keep coming and coming and look great all in a line) has a chance, I would place money on Safina then Ivanovic.
And based on the length of the last two paragraphs, I'm sure you can tell which game I'm more interested in right now, lol.
also, in the atp fantasy game i'm doing ... okay. was 2111 at the end of last week. currently ~1590. based on 9912 players. that has me like in the top 15% and i'm thinkign I'll keep climbing.