The RCA event has started and I notice that Roddick is playing doubles with Bobby Reynolds. This proves that Andy reads Outsports Tennis and has taken the advice on the many posters who suggested he play doubles to improve his net game.

Hello Andy.

LOL, Thanks Xanthos....Paragraph 2 cracked me up.

Let's see if Roddick plays as well against players not named Delgado, some of the articles seem to be saying ARod is back in form. We'll see....oh yeah, and Hello Andy. I actually liked your visor, it keeps you cooler than a cap too...maybe that's your problem.

I remember that the visor was the first thing Brad Gilbert told him to get rid of.

Nice wins from the top American boys today. Blake, Roddick, and Ginepri posted nice wins, although Blake had to eek out a three setter and Roddick played 2 close sets. Ginepri won 2 matches in a row. Wow...when's the last time that happened? I guess being defending champ he felt he'll actually try to put effort into defending. He better...he's got a lot of points to defend from here til the end of the year and the way he's been playing lately...I don't know. Hard courts are his better surface as is James so hopefully the American boys can continue to do well and feed off each other back here in the states. REPRESENT!!!

So....Roddick vs Ginepri tomorrow and Blake vs Malisse. Roddick v Ginepri should be interesting and I would put Blake through but he's been struggling with his matches this week. None of them have been routine and he squeezed out two tiebreak sets with Mahut today. Ginepri meanwhile breezed through Srichipan but I'm convinced something was wrong with Paradorn. With his win...Blake is into the top 5 now of ATP tennis. YEAH BABY!!!

Very tight first set....both are playing really well. Andys fir serve is deadly again. Good to hear he had a chat with Jimbo Connors. I really hope it did some good.It certainly can't hurt. From what we were told they really talked about Andy's mental aspect.....
Yeah Jim ( Courier) it is good to see some Americans in the finals... for a change,but I have to ask, were there not any Eurpoeans or South Americans in the tournament?? There had to have been some, or if I am wrong, that they have all been beaten, please inform us..meanwhile back to the (taped) coverage. Both are studs, and I don't know who to root for....

Nice win for Andy. It was basically routine and his serve was never threatened. Andy's baseline game still isn't impressive to me but it did enough today to win. Nice tournament from Robby...the best of the year but not enough to overcome Roddick today. I'm not gonna go jumping over Roddick's win today cuz it came against a player who was knocked out in the first round 10 times this year. Robby has a lot of points to defend so he better get with the program.

As an aside...Robby looks much better with the shorter hairstyle...much less cave man looking. Roddick looked great as usual with his plump booty

Robby's hair does look better. His chest doesn't look too bad either.

James silences the X-Man. Great start to the US Open series for James. He posts his best result ever at Indianapolis and now goes into the final against Roddick. James has been serving poorly throughout the week. He served just above 50% today. Roddick hasn't been broken all tournament so I think the key tomorrow is going to be for Blake to take care of his own serve. He can't afford those sloppy games he continues to have at times.

On the flip side though...James is getting through these matches while serving poorly which says a lot about how far his ground game has come. James has the advantage in the rallies vs Roddick. James is quicker and has more variety. However, Andy's got a big advantage in the serve. Andy's serve is the key to his entire game and I think that will be key tomorrow.

An advantage for James is that he finally beat Roddick just a short time ago, on grass and returned Andy's serve very well. Andy is definitely on a mission though. He's hungry and will be looking to make a point against Blake who overtook him as the top American tennis player. Should be interesting. Boy to be in that lockerroom shower after the match tomorrow. Thats gonna be a nice looking final wink

Good start to the hardcourt season, with Roddick and Blake in the final. They each should be on a mission....Andy to recover that mojo (was that like the SI jinx....once he said it, he did lose it), and James because he can really challenge on hardcourts. He continues to mature as a player...it'd be nice to see him take another step this summer going into the Open. Because he has the tools to beat Federer and Nadal.

[ July 22, 2006, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: Good Hands ]

Great sports day for me. Tiger wins #11 (oh my god I cried so hard when he broke down on 18), James beats Roddick for the second time in a row and truly proves he deserves to be the #1 American, and Landis wins the Tour De France. You can tell that loss really hurt Andy who, quite frankly, acted like a dick at times in that match. And what was up with James holding his hand up after winning a point that didn't touch the net. Stop being so damn nice James. I love it about you but I think its the thing that keeps you from breaking through big in the majors.

But, Andy I really think wanted to make a statement today and James played a complete game and came through the tiebreak by stepping his level up at the right time. James did what the others couldn't do all week: break Andy's serve and keep Andy under pressure. Great win James!

Excellent win today for James. James has always had the talent, but the mental side has always been iffy. It's great that he beat a guy he's had trouble in the past with. Now if only he could put it all together in a major. He certainly has the skills to challenge Federer, and he's never lost to Nadal. As for Andy, he certainly looked a lot better this week, so hopefully he can gain some confidence get back up the rankings. As limited as his game is, he is certainly better than what he's shown so far this year.

That was a great final with some very high quality tennis. James, as usual, dazzled with his speed and his class. That backhand down the line at 5-4 in the tiebreak was stunning!

Like mdterp01 says though, Andy acted like a boob in both the semis and the final. In the past, I have (almost) always found myself rooting for him despite myself...the lone American, the fighting spirit, the big serve when he needed it. But his arrogance and nasty attitude have turned me off. You would think that someone who has suffered such big recent defeats would find some humility. Not Andy. His eye-rolling, sneering and cursing at umpires has just gotten worse.

[ July 25, 2006, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: WhatWouldChrissieDo ]

I think that's Andy's way of trying to prove to the world that he hasn't lost his confidence. Sadly, he could prove it a lot more effectively by winning a tournament.

I wonder if Jimmy told him to go ahead and be an ass**** on the court - Connors pulled that crap often and I never liked that part of his persona. I've always had an issue with Andy's attitude towards the ref and his really ugly sarcasm. If only he could see himself, if he could see just how unappealing and obnoxious and juvenile his behavior is, perhaps he'd stop and think for a moment about what being a professional is all about.

[ July 24, 2006, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: Bryan ]

Well said, Bryan. In a way, this Roddick attitude reminds me a lot of Capriati. It's as if both of them have this feeling of entitlement -- like simply for being who they are, they deserve the riches and the glory and the victories and to hell with any linesperson, or chair umpire or fan that dares to disagree. It's the definition of the "ugly American."

That's why James is so appealing. He seems to cherish every victory and knows how lucky he is to be in his position.

Liking Andy's newfound backhand up the line! Hopefully he becomes comfortable enough with it to wield it with a little more purpose than he did against James. And most of Andy's antics are directed at himself. Not everyone can be an ice maiden out there. Plus his sarcasm CAN be very funny - he probably gives the wittiest quotes in press conferences of anyone in tennis.

Thrilled for James' win, though. Would love to see him in the Open finals, and it looks like he's in a strong position to make the Masters Cup tournament (in seventh now)! Go JB!!!

Watching a replay of the doubles final now. Good (and a little weird) to see Andy playing doubles. His volleys are so awkward, but this practice can only help.

His bad attitude has continued and his antics are most definitely not directed at himself. He's been nasty to the chair umpire for 3 games now regarding some foot fault calls. He doesn't seem to realize that the umpire can't overrule them!

If I can quote you, WWCD, "geeze, cut him some slack." wink

HAHAH...I hate when things I've said are brought up against me!

But I guess when I was saying that we should cut him some slack, it was in reference to those people who were saying that his best playing days are behind him and that his game was really no longer a force. That's simply not true.

With regard to him being an a**hole, no slack is required.

Who did Bobby and Andy play in the final?

Goldstein/Thomas....and I know that because they were on my fantasy tennis team. I am a tennis crack whore, and I need help.

And Goldstein just beat Hewitt, at UCLA. I know no one will be crying over that result, but it's still a shock, given that Hewitt seemed to be getting his game back together this year.

Great win for Goldstein. He had a pretty good American summer last year, if I remember correctly. Hopefully he can get back to that. I like when someone has success "late" in their tennis life, for the first time.

Ginepri won again...between that, the war in the Middle East, and Paris Hilton's album, I'm a little bit worried about the possibility of Armageddon. Hrbaty next, who's obviously dangerous but who's had a bit of a rough go of it this year. Another Davis Cup curse?

Roddick lost a set to Oudsema (nice result for Scott) but is on to face Tursunov. All in all, tomorrow should be a fun day in LA. Too bad Safin couldn't have made it as well to the quarters...

Haas-Tursunov final could be the hottest final of the year or ever.....I got to go with Haas for experience, has Dima ever even been in an ATP final?

I watched the Haas-Hrbaty match yesterday. Hass looked quite sharp. Very good looking guy too I might add.

[ July 30, 2006, 06:00 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]

Is this a modern-day Samson & Delilah story?

Maybe the better results are coming now that the chest hair is growing back? Why would he mess with his best asset?

My beautiful Jan-Michael Gambill won today in his second round match, beating Janko Tipsarevic in 3 sets.

Looks like JMG's career may be riding off into the sunset before he settles down with me to start our life together. wink


*sigh*

It looks like this is another great opportunity for Tursonov to do good here. Semis, probably, with finals a great possibility as well. Hopefully he can pull out his first tournament victory here.

Triple or nothing Mardy Fish makes the finals? wink

Seriously though, anybody know about tickets for Legg Mason....not available online. I'm hoping it wont be a problem once we get down there.

In Washington this is a very interesting 3rd round match coming up between Safin and Blake.Sure to be some sensational power hitting, wish I could be there. The result I suppose depends on which Safin turns up, if is the 2004 version then I see him over Blake but if he has a brain drain then Blake just has to wait to win.

I see the quater final between Hewitt(he should beat Clement) and the Safin/Blake match critical and the winner of the tournament will probably be determined here. I do not see anyone on the other side of the draw who can handdle Hewitt or Blake/Safin on hardcourts and in the heat.

And Safin wins. I'm shocked, actually, given how badly he's been playing this year. I thought his brain had "checked out" permanently. Always sorry to see James lose, but it's worth it if it means Safin is back for real. (Now watch his lose in the next round.)

You love Fish! (of the Mardy variety of course). I'll actually be in the city the middle weekend of the Open for Saturday and Sunday sessions. I'm looking forward to it. I'll stop off at a bakery and get a half moon cookie and pretend it's from you.

I'm not as suprised by Blake's loss. It looked pretty close according to the score. This does give me more hope for Tursonov though...

well, i owe you and i'll be there....i dont like feel like i'm reneging, so maybe i'll buy you a $12 us open burger.

i actually dont think the food there is as overpriced as people complain about.....what drives me crazy is the $5 evian, RIDICULOUS!!!

anyway, i'm happy for the boys in dc making their climb back up the rankings.....safin, henman, clement, and of course mardy.

So Hewitt is done a set and a break to Clement (who I might add has only gotten better looking with age).

Wouldn't mind seeing an upset here. Of course usually when I write this stuff then some "miraculous" turn around happens.

P.S. Where are all of our tennis friends this week? It's so lonely in outsports tennis land this week for goodguy and me (or I, whatever).

So Clement goes on to win. Next up Safin or Moodie. Good chance there for any of these guys.

That leaves Tursunov (7) and Murray (8) as the two highest seeds left. God don't hold it against me, but I want Fish to get through against Murray. Things just keep looking better for my boy-toy elect Tursunov.

The scheduling today seems a bit odd. They are only having two quarterfinal matches during the day on the main court, with two quarters beginning tonight around 7.
Tursonov is one of those 7 o'clock matches on the grandstand, not even the main court, and then he has a doubles match right after.

It seems odd that they wouldn't schedule all 4 matches on the main court.

One day I'll run the world.

[ August 04, 2006, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: shep71 ]

AND they are scheduling the night matches from opposite sides of the draw, so someone will really get screwed when they have to return from tonight's night match to play tomorrow during the day against a fresher opponent. Weird scheduling. Tursunov is one of those night people and has to play both singles and doubles.

I hope Mardy comes back from a set down against Murray and plays a very tired Dima. Sorry, love Tursunov and Henman for that matter....but Mardy has a special place with me. I also really like Murray as well for the record.....and Clement is getting hotter and hotter.

And yeah, where did everybody go?

Reporting from lovely and HOT Washington DC. I saw the Blake/Safin match last night and ya know...James is one of my favorites but I wasn't too disappointed with the loss because I love Marat Safin. He's got so much talent but is a head case. It would be great to see him in the mix because when his game is on he can beat anyone. Marat had too much game for James last night but thats ok. James needs to do well at New Haven since he won there last year to keep himself from not losing too many points. Overall I was impressed by the match from both players. Marat won the crucial points and was the better player.

As for tickets...I don't know if you can still get them online. Since I live in PA and this is one of the only men's tournaments close to me I get mine early every year. There obviously has to be tickets available somewhere cuz it hasn't been sold out. Anywho...I'll be here watching the semis and finals. Enjoy the tennis fellas.

You guys have it good out there on the East Coast with multiple tournaments, especially on the ATP side!

I am so happy about Safin having a return to form. Now if he can just sustain it for longer than a match.

One other thing -- Tursonov was amazing against Gonzalez last week. He went into the final against Haas with a defeatist attitude and I wonder if things had been different if he acted like he owned things. On the forehand side, he was actually outhitting Gonzalez not just in terms of accuracy but also power. I don't think I've seen Gonzalez look like he was being punched around before that match.

So Clement beats Hewitt, what do I know. Not going to predict the winner now, perhaps Safin if he is concentrating again but only Marat knows!!

I think it's a lot to ask for Safin to be concentrating for more than 3 or 4 matches in a row, but anything's possible. And Hewitt's seeming comeback this year has sure been derailed in a big way lately.

Safin loses a pair of tiebreaks to Clement, who was sporting the worst Miami Vice (old school) clashing getup I've had the misfortune to see in a while.

Madman Marat on the other hand just gets more handsome. If he just could lose a point without going into a state of agony he'd be a contender again.

I read somewhere that Clement has a vision problem which would at least explain the prescription sunglasses. I have been pulling for Safin to get back to form but I was majorly impressed with Clement's game and I think he is super handsome.

I thought the style of shades he wore, suited him well. He is a very handsome guy. I was rooting for Safin here, and again he goes down to defeat. He seems to have alot of the same "mental" issues that Roddick does quite a bit, that or he gets so down or mad at things or himself, he ends up losing. He is such a talented player though.

Safin is his own (and his raquets') worst enemy. The passion, volatility, and talent are so tightly intertwined with him, I agree. It would be great to see what he could be like if he didn't let his temper get to him, and if he trained and treated each part of the year consistently, instead of winning a slam, and then partying for an entire year. A guy like him should have more slams than he does.

Safin is so enormously talented, so it's disappointing when his brain locks up. In that regard I can see the comparison with Roddick. But Safin is a much more talented player, with the ability to be both powerful and creative. In that sense he is a peer of Federer and Nadal. If only his mental power were as formidable. I enjoy watching him play when he's playing well, but I actually more admire people like Henman, Davenport, and others who seem to get the most out of their ability.

A nice win to Clement. Apparently he wears prescription lense glasses as he cannot tolerate contacts.

Actually, I have always though Clement a bit of a prize. I know he sometimes dresses like a gypsy on court but off court in casual wear and on the pratice court shirtless he is hot.

And that accent..................

Yeah, Arnaud is HOT!!! ! Sexy dimples!

And another win today over Murray. You know Safin's mental foibles are legend but christ Clement played well in that match too as he did today. As P Macenroe said, he doesn't have the firepower but he's got great court position, he's a fine ball striker, and my god is the guy fit. His very first American tournament win (and he's 28!).