posted Jul 7, 2007

Just pretend he doesn't exist....

That's what we do!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

Both my wife and I think it would be great if the French lady won. What a tonic for the Womens' game it would be. I ask myself why I feel like this. I quite like Mauresmo who plays a beautiful flowing game when on song but is prone to be a little too erratic . Henin has nil personality, the Williams sisters are too brash (Serena - "I was only operating at 50% when I played Henin and still nearly won" - how endearing!) and the Eastern Europeans are producing shrieking clones of Sharapova with that annoying mid Atlantic twang). Bartoli is a breath of fresh air with a seemingly unathletic appearance, a completely unphased demeanour and she doesn't give up whatever the score. I agree that it is unlikely that she will beat Venus but to do so she has to vary the angles, take the pace off the ball and not allow Venus to settle into a routine. If she slugs it out she hasn't a hope. On a slight digression is the end of Federers dominance in sight? 3 fellow semi finalists 21 and under who will all improve with the experience of these big occasions. Federer may win this year's tournament but passing Pete's Grand Slam record is not the formality it once seemed.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

Sorry, I have been living in the Amazon rainforest since 1967.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

Regrettably I was stuck in traffic most of yesterday- Friday-pm. My entertainment was listening to chump commentators slagging off Henins opponent, as misplaced, unbalanced, no energy, and basically on the same court due to the rain breaks helping her rest during the week.
Imagine my joy as Henin was defeated by someone who refused to give in...BRILLIANT.

The so called experts should be made to listen to their recorded uterrances then write out 100 times their so called judgements after the first set, and then consider retiring.

May I suggest they are replaced by film critic Mark Komode, so restricting his babbled self wonderment to only two weeks of the year, and at least his vocab will be interesting.

Radio commentators should be knowledgeable and entertaining; get rid of this lot en masse, its sounds like a private club enjoying themselves with childish giggles.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

poshstevereeves : On the button there, but just 100 lines?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

Of course Bartoli CAN win, just like a qualifier CAN win, as long as they're in the draw. And she has a better chance than 126 of the other combatants in the womens' tournament this year. But she's completely inexperienced in SUCH massive conditions as these, and she's had to come back from a set down in each of her last three matches and all against higher seeded opponents. On top of that, she's facing Venus who destoryed Sharapova and Ivanovic before they'd had time to fart out there. Plus she has won this event three times, and (importantly) has ONLY lost to Serena in Grand Slam finals.

It should be in the bag for her, but I certainly hope the fantabulous Frenchwoman proves me wrong and we end with a lovely "underdog deserves what she gets" storyline. Especially since it is now looking certain to be a Federer/Nadal mens final (though there's still a glimmer of hope for Djoko).

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

*Correction, Venus also lost the US Open final to Martina Hingis in 1997. But that can be forgiven, Martina was World number one at the time after all, as was Serena for most of their finals. This is a completely different kettle of fish.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

i dont think the match will be as complex has describe above. i think bartoli will be treated by venus as a baby trying to walk, weak and fradgile. although i love bartoli as she has been in New Zealand and won here n auckland last year but i cant denie what venus is doing. she is playing incredably well considering here first three matches and at the moment i think she is playing better than wat she did in 2005. go veuns. venus will win 6-1 6-2

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

a bit trick for Venus bcoz Bartoli is playing some very good tennis.her strengh though lies in her ability to capitalise on any mistake of her rival like she did on Henin.i like how she contain the pressure - not emmotional at all which is one her strengh anywhere.but....Venus is on fire!can go either way.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 7, 2007

The difference is that Venus has been here before. This is new territory for Bartoli....

As I speak, Venus leads 3-0 in the first set.

add comment | complain about this comment