Sports - Tennis #18: Because we love the new Centre Court roof at Wimbledon!

**Hot Rod** · 05-15-2009, 11:58 AM

WELCOME TO THE 18TH TENNIS TALK THREAD

This is one of FF`s santuaries to discuss all things about tennis. The others are the Roger Federer thread, the Rafael Nadal thread, the Maria Sharapova thread, the Novak Djokovic thread and the Andy Roddick Thread.

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**Hot Rod** · 05-15-2009, 08:05 PM

Here`s an update on the last two quarterfinal matches in Madrid.

The first match was a matchup between the Spanish Armanda`s top stars where Rafa defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-5. This was a tight match as expected. In fact Fernando had a 4-0 lead in the second set, but wilted in the face of Rafa`s charge back.

In the second match, Juan Del Potro defeated Andy Murray 7-6(4), 6-3. Juan also made a nice comeback, coming back from down 2-5 in the first set. From then on he took control of the match. This was a bad way for Andy to spend his 22nd birthday.

So in all three of the Big 4 were victorious today in Madrid. Tomorrow will be the semifinals. In the marquee match, Rafa and Nole will once again meet up. Also Fed will face Juan Del Potro for the second time this year. Obviously the Rafa-Nole match looks very intriguing, especially with Nole giving Rafa his toughest matches on clay in a while. Hopefully both matches will do pretty good.

Anyway here are some pics from the evening matches.

**-wait for it-** · 05-17-2009, 04:09 PM

Federer must feel so relieved that he finally got one up on Nadal
i know Nadal must have been tired but still..on clay

**Hot Rod** · 05-17-2009, 04:41 PM

Yeah it`s also a surprise whenever Rafa loses on clay. However i think that he`s still the heavy favorite at Roland Garros. Plus he has had a loss during the clay court season in the previous couple of years and we know how things turned out at RG. However Nole has closed the gap on Rafa lately, which will makes things interesting.

Anyway next up on the schedule this week will be the Warsaw Open, which will feature the long awaited return of Maria.

I`m so glad that she`s finally going to be back.

The tour hasn`t been the same without her. Hopefully Maria can give a good showing at Warsaw.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s match along with some pics from the first event at the new look Centre Court at Wimbledon, which was an exhibition match featuring Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters.

Not much luck today for Rafa.

Nice to see the fellas in good spirits after another clash.

Centre Court looks better than even with the new retractable roof.

kat99 · 05-18-2009, 12:26 AM

Congrats Roger you are my number 1

love the caps

***Catherine*** · 05-18-2009, 06:45 AM

I havent had much time to stay caught up on Tennis, but I caught the match yesterday..wooo..

Thanks for the pics!

**NikNak** · 05-18-2009, 11:28 AM

Nice to see Maria back and practicing.

Thanks for the pics.

**Nele** · 05-20-2009, 01:52 AM

I love the new Centre court

Kim Clijsters seems to have regained her old form and ready to play again

Last week we had a show here in Belgium to honour Justine Henin, it was really great. So had to face 12 different challenges

**NikNak** · 05-20-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nele (View Post)

Kim Clijsters seems to have regained her old form and ready to play again

Glad to hear that. I've always like watching Kim play.

**Hot Rod** · 05-21-2009, 05:44 PM

Glad y`all like the pics.

Here is some news regarding two of the all time greats:

Sampras to play Agassi for 1st time since retiring

MACAU (AFP) - Tennis legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi will renew their epic rivalry later this year for the first time since the US Open final in 2002.

The two Americans, who played each other 34 times, have not faced off since Sampras won that classic match and then retired.

But they will be back on court in front of 15,000 fans at the Venetian Macau Showdown on October 25 for an exhibition.

"I really enjoy playing, keeping sharp and staying in shape. It's great to see Andre playing again as well, after the problems with his back," said Sampras.

"My motivation to play Andre in Macau will be playing my rival and the great energy that Macau has, so I am very excited to play him in October."

Asked what he remembered most about facing Agassi, Sampras, who won 20 of their encounters, said it was the intensity of their rivalry.

"Andre had a great return of serve, passing shots and first serve. We always had really tough matches and we brought out the best in each other," he said.

"Back in the mid-90s when we were No.1 and 2 in the world I think it was a great rivalry and we transcended the sport.

"When people ask me who my great rival is I always tell them Andre—our matches were so competitive, so it will be great to play him again."

Between them they have won 22 Grand Slams.

"I have followed the Macau events featuring Roger (Federer), Pete, John (McEnroe) and Bjorn (Borg) so when the opportunity arose … I was excited to join such an illustrious roster of top tennis names," said Agassi.

I`m very excited that Andre and Pete will finally play each other again.

I remember a lot of their classic matches back in the day and they were always must see TV. In fact it seemed like they were meeting in a final almost every tournament in 1995. Hopefully the Tennis Channel will air it.

In other news, Maria was defeated by Alona Bondarenko 2-6, 2-6 in the quarterfinals in Warsaw earlier today. Not much of a surprise there. However i`m disappointed that Maria couldn`t make the match more competitive. Still i`m glad that she`s finally back in action.

It was nice to see her get a couple of wins in Warsaw. Today`s match obviously shows that she has a lot of work to do before she can get back to the championship form we`ve seen from her.

Lastly John Isner, Dmitry Tursunov and Mario Ancic will miss the French Open, which stars on Sunday, due to illness, a heel injury and lack of fitness, which is a first, respectively. Tough break for those guys, especially for Big John.

**Hot Rod** · 05-22-2009, 12:54 PM

Earlier today, the men`s and women`s draws for the French Open were released. I like to know what everyone thinks of them. Personally i think that Rafa has a very favorable draw, while Fed and Nole could be on a collision course in the semifinals. Meanwhile on the ladies` side, Dinara Safina will obviously be the favorite there. However i`m still hopeful that Ana can showcase the magic from last year and make a nice run in RG. I`m really looking forward to the French Open, mainly because this is the first time that Rafa will have some serious competition with Nole giving him some tough battles recently and Fed beating him in Madrid a few days ago. However i have a feeling that Rafa will really turn it up once again on the big stage of RG.

Anyway here are some pics from the draw ceremony and a few practice pics too.

**NikNak** · 05-22-2009, 07:05 PM

Oh, I would love to see my boy Agassi play Sampras again.

Thanks for the news and pics.

**Hot Rod** · 05-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Here is the first French Open update, which i apologize for being late with.

First of all, Fed had a tough match against Jose Acasuso, but he came out with a 7-6(8), 5-7, 7-6(2), 6-2 win. Jo-Wilfried also had a pretty tough match against Juan Monaco, but he came out with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(8) win. His partners in crime in the French Connection, Gael, Paul-Henri Mathieu and Jeremy Chardy also won their matches. Andy Roddick defeated Ivo Minar 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(2). I`m very pleased with Andy`s play in his first two matches at Roland Garros. Plus it`s great to see him finally make the third round over there again. Juan Del Potro also won his match in straight sets and Nole was leading Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-3, 6-4 when the match was suspended due to darkness.

So that`s the story on today`s matches at Roland Garros.

Tomorrow will be a more star studded day. First of all, Rafa will take on Lleyton Hewitt and later on, Andy Murray will face Janko Tipsarevic. This is a pretty tricky looking match for Andy, who has had his struggles at RG in his first two matches. Also hometown favorite Gilles Simon will play Victor Hanescu, Stan will take on Nikolay Davydenko, Fernando Verdasco will face compatriot Nicolas Almago and Nole will complete his match agaist Sergiy Stakhovsky. Meanwhile on the ladies` side, Maria, Ana, Venus Williams and Dinara Safina will play their third round matches.

Anyway here are some pics from today`s matches.

Mirka is obviously pleased with her hubby`s win.

Good job Andy.

Good job Jo-Wilfried.

What a sad end to the French Open for Jelena Dokic, who had to retire from her match against Elena Dementieva with a back injury after playing a good match.

christallh24 · 05-28-2009, 10:34 PM

Yes, that is SOOOO sad what happened with Dokic. She was going to win that match, too. She just can't catch a break. Thanks for the update, HotRod. I haven't really been able to watch much since Tuesday. I completely missed Rafa and Nole's matches. So bummed about that.

I'm glad Roger made it out of his match. Mirka looks great! All appears happy and healthy. My two guys, Rafa and Nole...well, first of all, I want Nole to get through his third set quickly since he's due back on court tomorrow. Second, according to Brad Gilbert, "Everybody is talking about how bad Rafa's playing!". Are they really? A few days ago, that would have scared me to hear, but I'll reserve judgement until I see for myself later today.

Despite him not having the easiest two opening matches, I think Andy will win against Janko. Probably in three or four. As will Verdasco against Almagro. Just can't see Ferdie losing to Nico. Giles, whom has not been having a good season at all, hopefully, the crowd will be enough to get him through to the second week. Stan vs Nickolay? I haven't the foggiest. I guess I should want for Davy to win.

Nole, finish quickly, Rafa, please play better and win in straights, and Giles, good luck, honey!

ETA:

Quote:

Personally i think that Rafa has a very favorable draw, while Fed and Nole could be on a collision course in the semifinals

Well, considering that Rafa and Nole have been in the same half of the FO draw since '06 (I think), I love that potentially both of them could reach the final. It would be interesting to see who'd come out on top of a Nole/Rogi semi-final with Nole having been the 2nd best on this surface this season.

Quote:

I`m really looking forward to the French Open, mainly because this is the first time that Rafa will have some serious competition with Nole giving him some tough battles recently and Fed beating him in Madrid a few days ago.

Ahh, lol. You're looking forward to Rafa getting beat, lol? But this will hardly be the first time he has or will have serious competition. I'm sure Rafa and Roger thought of him as serious competition. Especially, in '07 after Roger beat Rafa in Hamburg. The difference being that I don't think Rafa is playing as well as he did that year. That makes me a little anxious. But he has won three titles not playing his best tennis. That reassures me some. Another but, is where Roger may or may not be as good as he was last year, Verdasco is, Andy surely is, and Nole for damn sure is. So, yes, Rafa may be playing against the same players he did last year, but they are all much better than they were last year, too.

Avatar · 05-29-2009, 09:42 AM

That Michelle Larcher de Brito girl has got quite a shriek on her.