He is an adorable little guy...although he might not be shorter than Justine. I've never really believed her listed height and weight--she's supposed to be only 2" shorter than Kim. But certainly he's more at a size disadvantage on the men's tour--I mean people think Coria is too small and he's got 4 inches on Rochus.

He's bigger than Anna Smashnova of the amazing 11-0 record in WTA tour finals, though.

Oli Rochus is adorable, so thank you for the compliment first of all. Moreover, you just unknowingly made my day. I saw Oli years ago and said to a friend, I think this guy sorta looks like me ... albeit much, much cuter. He even plays a little like me ... albeit much, much better. But he came to net off an inside out, squash forehand last night that had G4G written all over it. Of course, when I tell people that he reminds me of myself, they stare at me funny. I'm not sure if it's because I'm nowhere near that cute or nowhere near that talented a tennis player, though. Probably both!

I was actually talking to that friend about Oli last night. On the topic of players that I play like, he told me he'd decided that my backhand looks just like Francesca Schiavone's. The story of my life ... I want Rochus and get Schiavone.

As for the real Oli Rochus, he's a really fun player to watch and if he were a bit bigger, he'd be ranked in the top ten. But he holds his own against the big guys. Not only Karlovic. Safin hates to play him, too!

[ August 19, 2005, 06:10 AM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

Boy I sure noticed Rochus last night. The man is really cute, and has a hot butt, which definitely mentiones merit on the other thread about tennis butts. wink

Watching Ginepri/Safin. So far Ginepri is pretty much having his way with Marat in the first set. Ginepri looks mighty damn fine. Very much like he has been working out. I can see the hair on his neckline during interviews indicating he has a furry chest too. What a stud. C'mon Robby!

And self-deprecating on top of everything. Great things come in small packages. Btw, G, ballots are being tabulated right now on how cute you are. Here are the results: Edible! So he's not way cuter than you. And the people who are staring when you mention the similarities are probably thinking "yeah, that works for me. Now turn around so we can see the delightful tennis butt. "

Are you going to write a prediction for the Open? (Mental vibes going to G "don't pick Kim, don't pick Kim, she has enough to overcome")

Yeah, I'll write my preview for the Open this weekend. No picks until the draw comes out. It's true, I really shouldn't pick poor Kim. She has enough to bear without the curse of my prediction. I did pick Federer to win Wimbledon, though. That's not at all different from picking Kim to win the Open, right? wink

Thanks for the compliments. You are too nice to me. I don't want to derail the topic with yay or nay about me, but I can tell you for absolute certain that I am about as assless as they come. So, that's where the comparison between me and Oli (rear)ends.

I was watching some of Safin vs. Ginepri on my lunch hour. Safin is playing terribly and Ginerpri is playing well. Marat looks like he'd rather be anywhere other than a tennis court.

[ August 19, 2005, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

Sweet solid straight set win for Ginepri!!

Good for Ginepri...I've always liked him, even when he dated Minne Driver. Now that's a true fan. I'm sure my like for him has nothing to do with how hot I find him.

He's had a good summer. Hopefully he can make some noise at the Open.

Wow...Ginepri kicked some Russian ass today. Federer's chances just got a lot better as Safin was the only one left in the draw who had a good chance of beating Federer. Federer owns Roddick and Hewitt and should take care of Ginepri. Robby's had a really good summer and is taking advantage of a good draw. Up next will be his biggest challenge yet in beating FedEx. But, Robby's had good wins over Roddick and now Safin in the past couple months. He sure has a very open gait. Certainly has gotten the body better conditioned.

Federer/Acasuso....this should be a str8 setter for Federer. Acasuso's got some great legs. That beautiful skin tone and shape of his legs are very nice. I also like his shorts. I wish Andy would wear tighter shorts like that instead of those 5 times too big shorts he wears. Show that booty off Andy...don't be ashamed.

[ August 19, 2005, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

I guess I spoke too soon on Marat, though Ginepri has been having a very nice summer. Now, wouldn't we all like to watch Ginepri having his way with Marat--that sounds much more appealing than Mike Tyson and Jenna Jameson to me.

The Roddick/Youhszny match was interesting to begin with. Interesting if you were for Youhszny. Roddicks' first set effort was atrocious. I have noticed a pattern here with the big guns, namely Safin, Federer, and possibly Hewitt and Roddick. They have all gotten off to bad starts in the first sets of their matches. They can't find a groove and their whole games are really off. My sincere hope for today is that Ginepri can at least keep up with Federer in his contest. But if Federer is on, its just about over. C'mon Robby!!

A very, very good start for Ginepri, as he takes the first set from Federer. His serve has been his biggest weapon so far. This match isn't over yet, but now Federer has to win two sets straight. Keep it up Robby!!!

I hope I am not the only one here watching this. As Gilbert said, Ginepri is playing this game to perfection. After Robby takes the first set, we are knotted up a 5-5 in the second with a rain delay. Looks to be temporary though. Federer hasn't looked sharp at all...yet.

Play resumes, and Federer takes the second set 7-5. Damn. C'mon Ginepri.

Too bad. Ginepri came within just a couple of points of taking this match, but as they pointed out, Federer knew exactly what to do, and has been there so many time before. But his performance today, clearly, at least to me, points out that even though he is the worlds number 1, he is clearly vulnerable, on occasion. I hope the weather holds for Roddick/Hewiit for tonight, but it doesn't sound that favorable.

And that gentleman is why Federer is the #1 player in the world and has lost only 3 matches in almost a year. I called it just as Brad did. I felt that Federer would break at the 5-4 game in the 3rd set. That goes to show that even a sluggish, misfiring Federer is tough to beat. Robby couldn't play any better so his level wasn't going to improve, but all Roger had to do was up his level on some points and thats all it took. Hats off to Robby for a good week but like James Blake you can't be up 40-love and 40-15 serving at 5-6 and blow the next series of points to lose your serve and the set. They talked about his wonderful service holds all week but he picks the two worst times to get broken and in the first he lost the set, and the second he lost the match.

I'm thrilled with Robby's run this week. He showed a mental maturity that has been absent for the past couple of years. Today's match was disappointing, though -- being up 40-15 at 5-6 in the second set, no matter who your opponent is, you have to convert that. I'm thinking he would have lost the tiebreak anyway, but I thought that during the Indy quarters against Andy, and he pulled it out there. Just too many first serves missed. Can't do that against Fed.

It will be interesting to see how he reacts to this loss. The tournament SHOULD be a huge confidence boost, knowing that he can play toe-to-toe with ANYONE in the world. Knowing that if he wants it - if he's willing to work for it - he can be Top 20 and threaten to go deep at Grand Slams. But his run of 3 masters series quarters, and 3rd round at the US Open, proved oddly to be his downfall.

On another topic, it's hard to imagine Robby playing New Haven, but given that the draw STILL hasn't been announced, there's always "hope." He has a shot at winning the US Open Series with a good result there, and he's in terrific shape obviously, but he's played so many matches this summer, I don't think it will be worth it to him. Better to go home, relax, practice, and then pick up where he left off once he gets to NYC. Here's hoping for a few clay-courters in your draw, RG! No more Agassi in the first round shit (2 of the last 3 years!) for you.

Woooooo Hooooo...I didn't think Andy was going to beat Lleyton but I'm so glad he did as I wouldn't piss in Lleyton's mouth if his teeth were on fire.
Andy will have to hope that Roger plays the way he did vs Ginepri today. I don't see that happening. We all know Roger's record in finals. He's never lost a final he's been in. Roger thrives on these opportunities and he loves to give it to Roddick. Andy will have to be painting the lines with aces tomorrow and hope that Federer's timing is again off to have a chance. Roger hasn't been returning very well. He really struggled today against Ginepri so first serve % will be key for Andy. Federer at 50% still didn't lose to a 100% Ginepri and since Andy's game lives and dies by his serve thats going to be more important than ever tomorrow. If Andy was ever gonna pull an upset though it will be tomorrow. I'm just glad Hewitt is gone. I can't stand that racist, homophobic punk.

My friends and I are watching this Roddick match and they are all shocked that Andy is carrying so much junk in the trunk. I think I've converted some more guys into watching tennis. With asses like Nadal, Blake, and Roddick there is plenty of eye candy for ya.

[ August 20, 2005, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: ltskinmdterp ]

I couldn't get over the second to the last point. Both of Roddick's aces were called out, and Shotspot showed both of them as in, in fact, the first was even well inside the line, not even touching it. The guy in the chair got it right.

Anyone notice how slow the pace of the game was at times? I think Andy is maturing. He wasn't flailing away impatiently at stuff, he threw lots of off-speed loopy topspins, slow and low backspins, and various other junk during rallies at Hewitt, which seemed to perplex him. And wasn't it amazing how much Roddick came to net and how successful he was? I'd love to see him back up that monster serve with a monster-serve-and-volley game more often. Tonight proved he's capable of it.

Hewitt's frustrated Roddick for so long now, I hope this turns the tide.

Andy's had a good buffet of tests this week. Slow starting matches (horrible 1st set with Youzhney) and a guy who for the most part owned him. And he's passed these tests quite well. His confidence has to be up there.

I was impressed with Andy tonight, he really played a mature match. I am always a little worried when he starts coming in a lot. Sometimes he starts coming in and keeps doing it even if it is not working. Against Hewitt, it might be his best bet to be super agressive, as Hewitt is so consistent from the baseline.

Ain't it the truth? Since the hottest tennis asses thread came out I've been being extra observant. Andy definitely has an awfully nice one. I think he goes to the top of the list.

how damn hot is Ginepri? Yikes!

good to see Roddick beat Hewitt.

Ginepri is hot...just take his head off. I'm not feeling his face but he's definitely been doing a lot more conditioning and its paid off. His stomach is very nice and the guns are bigger. He is so bowlegged too.

Ginepri played Federer really hard. He made very little mistakes, was solid from the baseline, and served very well. I think that no one could have defeated Ginepri the way he played during most of that match. He just let up on his game at the wrong times and that was all that Federer needed to come up with the win.

It seems as if some of Federer's losses or really close matches on hardcourts within the past year have been to opponents who have very solid baseline games.

For example, last year Federer lost to Hrbaty in Cincinnati, he lost to Berdych at the Olympics, and he came really close to losing his quarterfinal match against Agassi at last year's US Open.

It remains to be seen if Roddick's confidence that he gained from defeating Hewitt will be enough to break his losing streak against Federer.

Hrbaty, Berdych, Agassi, and now Ginepri were able to push Federer around the court with their groundstrokes and by simply holding serve. I don't think Roddick has the consistency in his groundstrokes to do the same.

However, if Federer returns poorly and makes too many unforced errors, as he did in his match against Ginepri, Roddick might have a chance.

Dedric

Count me in as one who loved the Roddick victory over the weasel, Hewitt. So like why wasn't he pumping himself up all night long and yelling at the top of his lungs, c'mon......?? He was like to contained and restrained. Interesting. Maybe he finally was somewhat fearful of Roddick. Speaking of Andy, the way I see it and hope for it, is that he gets two shots at Roger now. Cincy, and hopefully in New York. He will have to bring his A+ game to the court today, and hope that Roger doesn't bring his A game, and has a slow start. I will be rooting for Andy, but expect Roger. Go Roddick!!

[ August 21, 2005, 06:30 AM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Did the light bulb go on for Roddick? When he actually realized that he could play and should play defense, play with patience, until there's an opening, and then strike? Last night's match against Hewitt was the first time I saw Roddick calculating on the court, and choosing to play a little careful waiting for a better opportunity. And the first time I have seen him commit to coming to net with as much passion as striking his forehand from the baseline.

I remember watching the light bulb go on for Gaby at the 90 US Open, for Sampras at the 93 Wimbledon, Hingis at the 96 US Open (lost against Graf, but understood that she could play). Maybe Andy will understand it inside himself now. If so, he's capable of winning the Open.

Arrrgh, what is this?? West coaster here, and CBS is showing infomercials instead of the men's final. Anyone else seeing this, or is this just some result of our DirecTV hookup...

Roddick's first serve is not good, nor is his decision making about when to come to the net. Now its starting to get to his head already in the second. Not good signs. He should also slow down. He looks too rushed.

The newspaper headline for the Federer/Roddick match should read 'Raggedy Andy' cuz thats what he looked like today. I don't know why people were gauging Roddick's chances vs FedEx today based on his match with Hewitt. Roger beats up on Hewitt WORSE than Roddick. Federer is simply in a league of his own. Yes Roger had a couple scratchy matches and his timing was a bit off but there is a reason he is now 22-0 in finals. 10-1 vs Roddick now. Oh and when did Andy think he became a natural serve and volleyer? That ended up being a mess today. Surely he didn't think what worked against Hewitt would work against Federer. Federer had his hiccup in the second set when he was broken but a break is never successful unless you consolidate, which Andy didn't. I mean I support Andy but his game is too one dimensional. His game lives and dies by his serve.

The score was close but the match really wasn't. Had it not been for Andy's aces it would have been pretty close to a hit & run by Roger.

The score was close but the match really wasn't. Had it not been for Andy's aces it would have been pretty close to a hit & run by Roger.

The best part of the Federer-Roddick match was no Brad Gilbert commentary!

I saw moments of this tourney this past weekend. The Ginepri match really gave me a scare, but man, was I please with Federer's play at the right moments. I'm surprised that he is able to turn it on almost at will in matches, and I'm surprised/puzzled that his opponents don't come to the court expecting to have to up their game at 5-5. How many times has he just turned to it at this stage of the match and broken his opponent? It's like he has toyed with them for five service games and then decides, okay, now. Of course it's brilliant because then the pressure is really on them to come up with the goods. So it was in the Ginepri match, and Ginepri, with those gorgeous armpits, came to net as a dejected man.

I only saw a moment of the Roddick-Federer match, second set 3-3 and I could tell that Federer was going to have no trouble.

Can't wait to see the draw for the Open.