The men start action today, here is a link to the page for the draws, in Adobe, and do not link directly well.

http://www.pacificlifeopen.com/en/players/draws/

A quick aside, poor Ljubicic, he's this year's Hewitt, having to meet Federer in all his tournaments, and thus far losing. It could be a quarterfinal match this time. And props to Gaudio actually for his no. 8 seed--he may be a one-hit Slam wonder, but he's sure made the best of it.

Looks like Andy Roddick has a cakewalk to the quarterfinals. Then again, it looked that way for him at Davis Cup.

Okay, I cannot get the draw to open, but anyway, Federer plays Fish today on ESPN. Hope to make it home to see some tennis.

So what is this ridiculous talk from McEnroe, Pat and Cliff Drysdale about a four-way competition, rivalry between the top four male tennis players? Sounds just like hype for Roddick if you ask me because there is little rivalry when in comes to Federer right now. Roddick's record against Federer is 1-8, that does not make a rivalry. It seems that since this tournament is in California and on ESPN they need to hype some American angle, god it gets so annoying.

And why are they still talking about the Dubai stunt? Come on, it was weeks ago?

So live tennis, Federer vs Muller from Lux, thus far tough service game for Federer, a few dueces and Fed is on the board.

Old-school Dent beat young-gun Safin easily yesterday. Maybe we'll have to add Dent to the rivalry list.

Dent beat Safin????!! Wow. He was up a game in the first set when I called it a night. Good job Dent.

Roddick has taken the first set from Gonzalez, but they are playing very equally. Good match, but to listen to McEnroe and Clysdale, you would think Roddick was the Second Coming. So annoying the way they hype the kid. Only surpassed by the hype for Agassi.

What happened with Dent in his match. I was on the phone, when he retired... :confused:

According to Pat McEnroe, Dent suffered from food poisoning last night and apparently was too drained to put up a decent match against G. Canas.

I love Dent's game. His serve and volley game is fun to watch. He played great against Safin. I just wish he could get some consistancy going and string a few good matches together.

A few lite moments at the Pacific Life Open to raise money for UNICEF

Safin playing Mr. Magoo?




Chair Umpire Lars Graff & Marat Safin share some love on the court.


[ March 17, 2005, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: Xander ]

Can you imagine being that close to Safin, and going in for a kiss? Oh my, I may have this on my mind all day.

Poor Ljubicic has become Federer's whipping post, losing in two tiebreaks last night. Was this on ESPN? I forgot to watch.

[ March 17, 2005, 05:04 AM: Message edited by: shore ]

I was shocked at how easily Agassi disposed of Coria. Usually Coria puts up more of a battle than this, but Andre was really really sharp too.

Thanks for those Marat pics, Xander! Hysterical!

I like Taylor Dent and admire him for sticking with such a strict serve-and-volley game. He played seriously brilliant tennis to beat Safin. But he's becoming one of those players that gets on my nerves by playing fantastic tennis to upset a top name and then unfailingly losing in the next round. Granted, he had food poisoning and was sick, but I knew as soon as he shook hands at the net with Safin that he would go out to Canas. I've had annoyance issues with Chanda Rubin for the same reason. Lovely people who always get in my fave's way before bowing out. I don't mind if you play well and win ... just keep winning, please!

Agassi also played great against Coria. That was a fun, fun, fun first set to watch!!

[ March 17, 2005, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

Why is Kiefer so red-hot lately? What's been his story? He's next up for Roger, can he pose a threat? I was glad to see Roger beat Ljubicic in two tiebreakers because sometimes his play in tiebreaks can go off, he lets the opponent in and they can take it from him. I think winning like that toughens him.

The Agassi match was a thing of beauty. When Andre is on his style of baseline tennis is really a pleasure to wantch. Essentially, he broke Coria's spirit - you could see him deflate both physically and emotionally in that second set.

What? Kiefer's always been red-hot in my book. Oh, you mean he's playing well. Really, Kiefer began to play well again last summer after 3 pathetic years, but was injured for a while. Expecting him to beat Federer might be too much to ask for, though. He returns serve well and has enough variety in his game to keep it interesting, I think.

Although they're tied up right now, Canas is one of those players that Henman simply can't seem to get past, like Lleyton Hewitt. Speaking of Hewitt, the match-up with Agassi could be quite a good one. I'm leaning to Hewitt, because Agassi's level tends to fluctuate more from match to match at this point in his career, but it could go either way. They're 4-4 against each other lifetime.

I agree G4G. losing to Dent right now, is sort of what a loss to Anna Kournakova must have felt like when she was still playing. wink

He's got the game to beat most of the top players, but he doesn't have what it takes to make a good run for the title.

But, Taylor's got a new coach and seems fitter, so hopefully his game will become more consistent.

ouch...moya's getting his paella spanked in the third set. he looks flatfooted, a little disinterested. roddick's playing some sweet tennis right now, couldn't be helping moya's cause. looks like a roddick/hewitt matchup...

It's a shame that Andre Agassi had to pull out right before the match with Lleyton Hewitt. But, from what I read, there was just no way he was going to be able to move around on that toe. Hopefully, it's just a sprain (MRI results probably won't be out until next week). It was a classy move by Andre, facing the crowd at Indian Wells and apologizing for not playing. This tournament has been very good to him over the years.

did anyoune see roddick change his shirt at end of the first set? holy shit, he has been workin out! any one have recent shirtless pic?

hubba, hubba

watching federer is like witnessing a ballet. even though he's dominating the game he is the best thing for the game in a long time...a true class act...and he's raising the level. that backhand...aye yi yi...woof.

the match vs Hewitt was typical Roger, brilliant tennis, especially that one long 45-stroke rally, and cool collected Roger. But you know, he usually has a little, little little letdown somewhere in the match and that is when his opponent HAS to take it to him. Hewitt had chances and Roger was a little off, but Hewitt couldn't overcome Roger's play, couldn't push himself to do it. I know, easier said than done, but I do believe Roger leaves little openings. Of course, they don't come when the opponent is playing his best, so maybe that's why they can't rally and take it.