The Open: Day Two

The Hottie Munchkin (Dominika Cibulkova) lost a tough one today, to a kid from Atherton, California.  I'm sad for the Munchkin, but I think every tennis fan has to be excited by the potential of Ce Ce Bellis.  Great groundstrokes, young lady.

Sveta, Sveta, Sveta…… you're better than these bad losses.

Roger, you have Anna Wintour, Mirka and Michael Jordan in your box, and a great draw….. it was a sloppy three-setter tonight, but if you're gonna win another Major this is your best chance.

My saddest moment of the Tournament so far was tuning into the Tennis Channel to see a pink-haired Bethanie Mattek-Sands, with her bra strap showing, sitting on a coach with Fabio Fognini, comparing tattoos.  Where is Tracy Austin, talking about "proper footwork", when we need her?

Screamora Williams looked taught, fierce and focused tonight, dismantling Taylor Townsend in two easy sets.  She's an easy bet to win The Open this year.  You have to think that if she can't get it done with her serve, or her groundstrokes, that Flinstones-styled dress should distract her opponents.

FIRST DAY at THE OPEN:

Simona Halep, or "Japelena", as Brad Gilbert has coined her, was clearly nervous, but pulled through in three easy sets.  She's still a contender.

Sharapova survived a first set that she shouldn't have won, and bagled the other Maria in the second set.  It makes me unhappy.

I love me my crazy Russians, and Youzhny is one of my favorites, but he fell to the hard-hitting OZ-MAN who may be the new Jimmy Connors:  Nick Kyrgios.

Jo-Willy:  you are my lawyer friend's pick to win this years US Open Champion, are you ready to step-up? It's would be a lot of fun to watch.

Oh, Daniella, you won your first round match - I'm happy.  You have the new coach in your corner, and he believes in your potential.  Don't stop eating, and don't stop believing in your potential.

Stan, I love you.  Get your SHIT together and win another Major….. don't stop believing in your shots.

Interesting three-sets with Venus and Kimiko….. good shot making, and a bumble bee that made everyone take pause…….

Good start the the 2014 US OPEN, I'll be there in two days…….

I Had A Dream:    Raonic in 4 over Federer.

Headline says it all: Raonic serves out the 4th set for his first Slam Victory, The 2014 US Open, and all Fed-Fans are devastated.  I hope my dream doesn't manifest, because I haven't yet forgiven Raonic for cheating last year when he hit the net, and lied about it, and the fessed-up after the match.  Really, Milos, you didn't know that lying was wrong until after the match?  You're doctorally-degreed parents NEVER taught you that CHEATING is wrong: um, I don't believe you.  But I do like Lubijic - your coach, so I'm willing to consider that you're a good guy who made a really bad decision.  And if you win the Open this year,  Luby will get a big paycheck, and I'm happy for that.  But I have to think that Mirka will have spent really good money on muffin baskets for all the people who were involved in the draw, only to have her man come up second - for the last time.  It'd be sad, and a big waste of muffins.  But time moves on…….

CHRIS EVERT LIKES 'EM GREEDY

Chris Evert says that true champions are "greedy."   She says that they always want more wins, more titles, more victories, more slams.  She says this a lot - she's almost greedy in her declaration.  This inspired me to think back…. Here is my imperfect list of the top ten greediest players of the Open Era.

1:   Rafael Nadal

2:   Roger Federer

3:   Stefanie Graf

4:   Chris Evert

5:   Pete Sampras

6:   Serena Williams

7:   Justine Henin

8:   Jimmy Connors

9:   Novak Djokavic

10: Martina Navritilova

Runner-ups:  Seles, Sharapova, Hingis

FLIRTING WITH MARION:  A quick look back to start the Blog.

I’d seen Bartoli play at Indian Wells back in 2011.  It was a 3^rd Round Slug-Fest with Petkovic.  I sat on a front row bench right next to Dr. Bartoli, and I can confirm that while he looked like a nervous wreck, there were no signs of coaching.  I liked both players, and they were both hitting the crap out of the ball, but Marion was hitting harder, and with more accuracy, and she won the match in straight sets.  (Petkovic won three out of the four matches they played in 2011.)

Two years later, late into a hot spring day in Indian Wells, my lawyer friend and I walked over to see Bartoli practice with her new coach – The High Priestess of Wimbledon Redemption – Jana Novotna. There was another skirt on court with them, she was doing most of the coaching, and a collage-aged guy trading groundstrokes with Bartoli.

My friend and I sat in the first row and watched as Bartoli launch her entire body into every groundstroke: 100 percent, every shot.  She truly is a force of nature & stunning to watch.  And soon, she noticed that I was watching her. When she cracked a shot the college dude couldn’t get over the net, I would jump in as the third coach, and say, “Good shot, Marion.”   She nodded my way a few times.   But there was work to do, and she’d only been with Novotna for a few days, so I had to defer.

Marion was soaking wet at the end of the practice session.   She thanked the kid that hit with her and she cheated a glance over to the stands.   I stood up and said, “Good hitting, Marion.  This is your year.”   She smiled – and possibly pushed the ladies up and out just a bit – and said, “Thank you.”  She waved to me and walked away.  

She lost her match at Indian Wells that night and Novotna was gone within a few days.  But Marion persevered and she found her destiny at Wimbledon a few months later: The Ladies Singles Champion.  She deserved it.  And I’d like to think I had a little bit to do with that.