Andre- Thanks for all the memories!

It’s easy to sit here and write about Agassi’s 8 grand slams, his 1992 Wimbledon title, his achievements including the career grand slam, numerous affairs including Barbra Streisand and Brooke Shields in the 1990s, the transformation from a rebel to a legend, his marriage to Steffi Graf, his groundstrokes, his return of serve, his rivalry with Pete Sampras and ofcourse his charity work but nothing I write is ever going to do justice to this man. The facts simply do not tell the entire story and for once in my life, I am very badly short of adjectives.

One of his best attributes was was his tremendous resilience. He had plummeted down the rankings and was torn to shreds by the media but he fought his way back playing in the small tournaments and boosting his ranking enough to get into the grandslams. In the course of a year he had transformed his game and had become the best in the business. As Confucius said “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Men’s Tennis has just lost its most popular player ever. And more importantly the sport has lost a great personality. I can’t think of a single player on both the men’s and the women’s tours who had the same charisma as Agassi. And he kept men’s tennis cool despite the repeated threats from sexy Russian babes. So long, and thanks for all the wonderful memories!

Z

Technorati Tags: Tennis, US+Open, Agassi, Graf, Sampras

David vs Russian Roulette: Nalbandian vs Safin

Nalbandian vs Safin going on. Set 5, 1-1, Safin serving

A Nalbandian victory is predicted. The despair of all tennis lovers world over, that moody Russian, Safin - why can’t he just play the sublime tennis he is capable of? He is a man who can beat Federer, and maybe even consistently or is that a wrong word to use in the same sentence as Safin? With him, every match is a game of chance, a game of Russian roulette.

A detailed post on Safin later.

-Prof

Update:

Safin beats Nalbandian in a tie-breaker in set 5. That’s one more of my semi-final predictions out of the window. Big mistake overlooking Safin and also, didn’t realize Baghadtis would be playing Agassi this early. You never write these guys off. Ah well, now Agassi is out, beaten by Becker and Safin…well, hard to predict what he will do next, kind of like a random walk.

Sania, Hingis knocked out. Agassi through!

The glam factor of the US Open took a sudden dip when Sania and Hingis were knocked out. Hingis losing in straight sets was a surprise. She had displayed good form before the tournament. However, none of that form was on display as she went down 6-2 6-4 to Virginie Razzano of France.

And Sania… well, what can one say? When you start believing she’ll start playing more consistently, she goes out and loses in three sets after winning the first. Not that i expected her to go very far in the tournament but then you always hope. There is an interview clip of Sania with Taylor Dent at The US Open website

And what on earth is Taylor Dent doing interviewing people instead of playing on court? (I am guessing there was an injury I didn’t read about… a pity, though). A beautiful serve and volley game and I mean SERVE and volley. I remember him playing Hewitt last year and also playing him once before and troubling Hewitt, who was then at the peak of his meagre powers. Hope this guy is back in action soon… the world needs another successful serve and volleyer, it’s a beautiful game.

Talking of beauty, today will see Roger Federer play the forgotten great English hope, Tim Henman. The modern “Fred Perry” should be disposed off in straight sets. Tim, your fifteen minutes are up!!

- Prof

Update:

Agassi beats Baghdatis in five sets. That takes out one of my predictions for a possible semi-final spot. I would love to see Andre play at the fag end of week 2.

Technorati Tags: US, Open, Tennis, Agassi, Hingis, Sania, Mirza, Federer

Round 1: Nadal vs Philippoussis and the winner is…

A seed is down, the oldest grandslam winner in the draw is through, the Swiss miss is making a comeback and the first video challenge of grandslam tennis: The US Open promises to bring more excitement… and what a Round 1 match lined up: Nadal against Philippoussis.

The Aussie along with that maddening Russian, Safin, is probably the biggest waste of talent among current players. The big serve, booming ground strokes can do nothing if the player isn’t fit and on court! Philippoussis, the Greek Australian has suffered this for most part fo his career. And if that isn’t frustrating enough, he turns up at matches with his game in the locker room. He will hit the best shots in the book one day and the next day you will find him playing like a man with both feet in one shoe. He has shown us occasionally what he is capable of: Wimbledon finals but tennis at the highest level is about more consistency and sadly for us all, he has failed.

Nadal would do well to not take Philippoussis lightly. On his day he can beat the best and make them look like fools. At one point, I thought he might win The Championships atleast once but then there was Sampras and then Federer and our man was always out injured in action.
Another unrequited talent…

Video Challenge

The challenge thing is a good idea. The fans get to see where the ball went and the players are left with no reason to complain. i just hope it is used in a measured fashion. With most players looking to hit the lines, close calls are going to be there more and more frequently and we shouldn’t have play being interrupted every two points. I would like to know what the linesmen and chair umpires think…

Predictions

Federer beats Nadal in the finals. The other semi-finalists I would like to predict but without seeing that chart, I don’t want to make silly errors like naming a person who would play Federer in the Quarters. But if he doesn’t meet either of these guys, I predict Roddick and the final choice is probably Baghdatis, Nalbandian or Tursunov.

Henin triumphs. The semi-finalists barring the draw thing would be Mauresmo, Clijsters and let me go with either Sharapova or Ivanovic for the final spot.

-Prof

Technorati Tags: US, Open, Tennis, Nadal, Henin, Predictions

US Open: The Streets of New York

The US Open is all set to begin on Monday, the 28th. In an exhibition and sponsorship event, Federer and Nadal took it outside onto the streets. An event sponsored by Nike saw the biggest rivalry in tennis currently, being played out with a friendly exchange of strokes in New York.

“… Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, hit the streets of New York City – literally – playing a one-on-one exhibition Thursday on a make-shift court set up in front of the Golfsmith Golf and Tennis Store, located in mid-town Manhattan at 54th and Lexington.”

Source: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2006-08-25/200608241156442916046.html?promo=promobox

In other news, Ana Ivanovic won the women’s US Open Series, getting a shot at the $1 million jackpot at the US Open.

The US Open series standings:

Men: Andy Roddick, Fernando Gozalez, Andy Murray, Dmitry Tursunov, Tommy Haas

Women: Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Martina-well and truly back-Hingis, Nicole Vaidisova.

Watch this space for our predictions on the US Open.

Technorati Tags: federer, Nadal, Tennis, US, Open, Hingis, Sharapova

Murray on a roll, Federer beaten

British Sensation Andy Murray beat Federer 7-5, 6-4 in the Cincinnati Masters. He later beat seed 15 Robert Ginepri. Will he alter my predictions? Wait and watch. While this might not make the front pages like Prince Harry, read the British Press and hear them dub him the next Perry, Laver or Sampras

http://www.usopenseries.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=355860

- Prof

PS: HOH has pre-empted my post. I am still not sure how well he will perform at the US.

Technorati Tags: Murray, Tennis, Federer

Road to the Flushing Meadows

Dmitry Tursunov, James Blake, Arnaud Clement, Tommy Haas, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Paaty Schnyder, Nicole Vaidisova, Vera Zvonareva.

No, I’m not putting up a random collection of names here. These are the top 5 men and women in the US Open series.

The US Open Series is a 6 week hard court build-up to the Grandslam tournament with the highest viewership. It covers 10 tournaments across USA and Canada, culminating in the US Open. The top 100 men will be competing in this pre-grandslam buildup that has been on since 2004.

The top three in the Series have a shot at a grand prize which could lead a doubling of the prize money!!! You need to finish in the top 3 in the Series and then you could win bonuses for reaching various stages of the US Open. Kim Clijsters took home $2.2 million last year!!!!

Technology, the way forward

The US Open Series is using the Instant replay in the current series.

More on Instant Replay:

… Once a player challenges a line call, an official replay will be provided simultaneously to the television broadcast and in-stadium video boards, allowing players, officials, on-site fans and television viewers the opportunity to see the live results of a player challenge. …

The Stars

The Wimbledon champion is in action for the first time since The Championships. Playing in the Rogers Cup (nice name!!!), Federer won his match against Mathieu in straight sets and has struggled to the finals. I expected that this tournament would see Federer play Nadal in the finals, on hardcourts, after a long break. Following Nadal’s shock defeat, we will have to wait longer for that one. The rivalry will continue to build-up till the US Open and will hopefully climax in a Federer triumph in the Arthur Ashe stadium on September 10.

More importantly, this series should be a good indicator of the form of the various leading players and a sign of things to look forward to in the US Open.

Andy Roddick is looking good and will be a serious threat on the hardcourts in New York. Lleyton Hewitt more and more looks a spent force. A player who has survived on his fighting instincts but has been left with a bamboo stick to defend himself against tanks, a glorified Michael Chang maybe. Will Hewitt make me eat my words? Safin in form is a threat on any surface to any opponent. And while I would love to see Agassi go far in the tournament, I would be surprised to see him in the last four.

The women:

Serena Williams is back in action and I expect she will be a strong force if she can hold her service and nerves together. Mauresmo and the 2005 Champion Clijsters are my frontrunners for the women’s title. I would like to see Henin and Hingis in the semi-finals but on current form, Sharapova is a much better bet to make the final four.

I will try and make a prediction on the US Open at the end of the US Open Series presented by Lever 2000.

Technorati Tags: Tennis, US+Open, Roddick, Federer, Henin, Sharapova, Serena, Roddick, Clijsters, Blake

-Prof

Sania Mirza: Poster Girl, Overhyped media star or more?

First Indian Sportswoman on Time South Asia’s cover; WTA Newcomer of the Year, 2005; Round 4 of US Open 2004; Winner Girls doubles at Wimbledon 2003; Media darling and THE TRUE MEASURE OF POPULARITY: had a fatwa issued against her.

That was 2005. The world of sport is unforgiving and most fans have the memory spans shorter than a goldfish. Great champions have been seen to come back after breaks, after brilliant seasons and struggle like ordinary mortals. Things change quickly. Borg found out when he took a break, Ferrari found out last season: you need to keep working, keep improving because sooner rather than later, someone is going to figure you out.

Sania Mirza is discovering that this season. She has had a terrible year, especially at the Grand Slams: Round 2, Round 1, Round 1. Yes, she has been plagued by injuries that have been recurring, a major cause for worry.

The Player…

Sania has a very powerful forehand and is a powerful hitter of the ball. Some wonderful forehand crosscourts she hits! Also, she goes for her shots at all times. This has won her matches against some very good players. She has a strong mind and an ability to dig deep and face adverse situations.

But her serve has been weak and not much work seems to have gone into it in the off-season: if I could see this any opponent would have. And as an athlete, she needn’t necessarily be in the class of the Williams Sisters (very few are). But she seems to be struggling for pace on the court and seems to lack stamina, a drawback for Leander in his early years. Agassi, at 30, was training in the heat in the mountains to help him in the Australian Open. Now, that’s the kind of commitment you need to display to be at the top of your sport.

To a certain extent, there seems to be a feeling that beating a top ten player once or twice is a huge achievement. But then, champions don’t think that way. They know they belong and display that through their performances.

She has passion for the game which is essential but not sufficient. Sania is figuring out the hard way that being a media celebrity is one thing (hard as even that may be). But professional sport is a whole new ball game.

…And More

The perfect poster child: young, good looking woman from a minority community? The woman who will aid the growth of tennis popularity in India? Or will she be more: a consistent winner on the world stage, a top ten ranker on a regular basis? The next two years will tell whether Sania means as much business on-court as the business she generates off it.

Technorati Tags: Mirza, Sania

-Prof

The Angel and Skunky

Sabatini: Latino Tennis Angel

Sabatini, ah Sabatini - Argentinian athlete of the century, the woman with a rose named after her (the first tennis player in history to have that!) An exotic name, such grace and a celebrity who had as much spunk and composure on the court as off it unlike some of the later tennis divas - Kournikova et al - whose celebrity status far outshone their meagre skills with a racquet.

She was among the top ten players in the world for ten consecutive years. Sabatini’s best years unfortunately coincided with those of ‘Fraulein forehand’ Graf. Later, Graf was surpassed by the young, grunting Seles and Sabatini, with a solid game but a weak serve was never a major contender at the grandslams but then neither was anyone besides Graf and Seles. Her only grandslam title came at the US Open in 1990, where she defeated Steffi Graf in the final.

Sabatini’s exit often led to attendance dropping in tournaments and organizers were praying for Sabatini to stay in the tournament long enough to keep some of the male spectators engaged.
Sabatini: the most beautiful woman I have ever seen wield a tennis racquet. Doesn’t she look beautiful in that pic?!
Rafter: Graceful Underperformer

Patrick Rafter is one of the few superstars that India got to witness playing (apart from a very old Boris Becker and a very young Rafael Nadal ofcourse!). Rafter won the second edition of the GoldFlake open at Chennai and his passage to the final was almost unnoticed as all the focus was on Becker.

He was among the few players of his generation who actually played the single-handed backhand, the neglected but infinitely more pleasing ancestor of the thundering power-laden backhand.

Rafter should have won atleast two more Grandslams; true, he was plagued by injuries through his career. But, I believe he should have won the Australian Open atleast once; Australia’s best bet in recent times outside the unimpressive, arrogant Hewitt.

The two US Opens he won were both brilliant performances. He played at close to his best and a joy to watch, beating Greg Rusedski and then fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis (another under performer) in the Finals.

The Wimbledon stories:

Sampras in 2000, need we say more. In 2001, he was up against the underdog, outsider, the wildcard Croat, Goran Ivanisevic. The finals was played on the people’s Monday.

There was enormous support for Goran- the man who was almost destined to remain a bridesmaid forever. Sampras had gone (defeated by a young Federer!) and after overcoming Henman in an emotional semi-final, Ivanisevic was in the final, facing Rafter. The stage was absolutely electric.

Ivanisevic won and Wimbledon got one of it’s best finals. The power and unpredictiablity of Ivanisevic matched by the delicate forehands, and the lobs of the Aussie. I remember Ivansevic being so nervous he couldn’t even lift his racket, let alone serve out the match. Eventually, he prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 and 9-7.

Rafter would never come so close again and retired from professional tennis in 2002.
Recently, Sabatini and Rafter have been inducted into the tennis hall of fame. And this is a post that is dedicated to these wonderful players, being written a few weeks before the US Open, their happy hunting ground.

-Prof

Some Trivia for you: (Courtesy Z!)

Connect George W. Bush and Patrick Rafter.

Ans: Bush’s cat and Rafter’s daughter share the same name- India!

Grace, is thy name Federer?

What do you say about a man who has won his last 47 grass court matches, 4 consecutive Wimbledon tournaments, lost 4 matches this year and has won 3 of the last 4 Grand Slam tournaments? You just appreciate a master at work! Federer is an artiste, he could very well be playing the piano on Centre court. The thing that amazes me about Federer is his ability to play almost any shot in the book, hit any ball to any part of the court and more importantly to do this consistently. Today, except for a brief period in the third set, he never looked ruffled. I don’t think he even considers losing at Wimbledon a realistic possibility (the jacket he wore onto the court actually has his initials set in a Wimbledon trophy pattern!!!). Set 1 was a display of such scintillating tennis. Blanking a player like Nadal is no mean feat. The serve was in place today: the big serve fired whenever required, the backhand slice working well: keeping the ball low to Nadal’s backhand unlike the flatter cross-court that he plays, the volleying was exceptional and a flawless performance except for the  brief period of lapse in concentration in the tie-breaker in set 3. This was top quality grasscourt tennis. Almost the finest seen in ten years but only almost…

While it is not fair to compare Sampras and Federer, the comparison is inevitable. Sampras was, in my opinion, a player with more heart and a better serve. Federer is more style but I have never seen him display the kind of fighting spirit that Sampras used to display ever so often. He never dons the workman’s clothes and dirties his hands to get the job done. He hasn’t required it too often though! If I want someone to play for my life on grass, I’d pick Sampras I guess but I would travel miles to watch Federer play.

What do you do when you are in the presence of such sublime skill and genius: appreciate, applaud, shake your head in disbelief and lose all hope of competing. But then Nadal is no easy opponent. There is a reason why Federer doesn’t quite enjoy playing this man. No one else could have taken these many points off Federer in such form. No one else has beaten Federer in a long time: Oh and btw not all of these victories on clay! The guy is 20, has the muscles of a body builder and the retrieving capabilities that would put Michael Chang to shame.  He keeps coming at you, making you play that extra shot, run those few extra yards and he does this every point. He has a solid game and with the Wimbledon grass becoming quite similar in nature to certain other tournament surfaces, work on his volley is bound to make him a serious contender for the Wimbledon crown in years to come. This man is no one surface wonder and the best of his tennis is yet to come. Federer has competition, competition that he doesn’t like: the forehand of Nadal going cross-court to his backhand, the extra power and kick serves. Nadal is an intelligent player and we are bound to see more contests between these men in the future and let’s hope we get to see some good tennis between these guys. Nadal will grow in stature and become a better player….

… but at this point it is still King Federer. The king is back… step back all ye pretenders! 

Prof