Now I Know What I've Been Missing

For the first time, I'm able to watch the first week of the French Open. Usually, I only get to see it when NBC airs it during the second week. Well, I watched yesterday and today and unfortunately, it seems like I've only seen three matches: Venus Williams', Serena Williams', and Justine Henin's. I know there are rain delays, but couldn't the tennis channel and ESPN show some interviews, or doubles matches from last year, or something other than the same match over and over again? And why didn't they show Marat Safin's match over and over again? I swear I was never more happy to see Roger Federer than today when his match started.

It Finally Happened

Well, Federer finally beat Nadal on clay today. But it makes me suspicious. Nadal took the first set rather easily. Then he dropped the next two, with no games won by Nadal in the final set. How can the King of Clay not win one single game in a set? This is what makes me suspicious. I think the match was fixed. I do believe Federer has improved on clay and that he is capable of winning against Nadal. But, the way it was done, I don't believe it. Nadal can't suddenly be that bad after being so good for these last few weeks.

Anyway, that's over now. Whoever that woman was who spoke during the award ceremony - the crowd in attendance didn't seem to like her. And they let everyone talk. I thought for sure they were going to let the custodians who clean the bathrooms talk before presenting the trophy.

Nadal V. Federer (again)

Well, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet again tomorrow in another final. Both reached the finals after winning competitive three set matches. I was hoping to see Nadal and Moya in the final. That would have been interesting since they are good friends. This final is sort of a downer since they've played each other so often. Hopefully, Nadal will continue his win streak though.

Quarterfinals-Hamburg

Spaniards everywhere today. David Ferrer finally took a set from Federer, a positive move for him. Rafael Nadal moved on to the semis in straight sets. Carlos Moya advanced in a three set win and Lleyton Hewitt moved on to the semis as well. So the semis will be Federer-Moya and Nadal-Hewitt.

Views on Today's Matches at Hamburg

Carlos Moya and James Blake committed a fashion faux pas by wearing the same outfit today to their match. Moya looked hotter in it. You'd think Nike would prevent things like that from happening. Moya beat Blake in three sets.

Rafael Nadal continued his winning streak on clay by defeating Andreev, the last man to beat him on clay.

And what might be considered an upset: Lleyton Hewitt beat Nikolay Davydenko.

Andy Murray

I don't like Andy Murray that much, given his behavior on the court and all the cussing/yelling he does and such, but it was sad to hear that he injured his wrist and had to retire from his match today in Germany. I've learned that he gets injured a lot and it must be really frustrating to get healed up only to get injured again. I really hope he gets it all figured out and gets back on track. He's so young that it would be a shame for him to not have a really good run at a successful tennis career.

Nadal Wins Again

Well, I've used that post title before. Nadal beat Gozalez in straight sets today to win the Rome title for the third time.

If I had only known.....

If I had only known I would actually predict something and it would come true, I woudn't have wasted the power on picking the finalists of the Rome tournament. I would have bought lottery tickets. But alas, I did say that it looked like Nadal and Gonzalez for the final and that will be the match-up tomorrow. Should be exciting and I think Nadal might actually see the end of the streak.

Rome

Nadal is into the semi-finals and Federer is out. Fillipo Volandri and Nikolay Davydenko are also into the semi-finals, with Davydenko meeting Nadal and Volandri playing either Fernando Gonzalez or Juan Ignacio Chela. I'm not good at predictions, but I think it's reasonable to think that we might see a Nadal-Gonzalez final.

Nadal Beats Federer in Half Clay/Half Grass Match

Canadian Press

Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Balearic Islands (AP) - In the end, Roger Federer's favourite surface cost him on Wednesday.

Two-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (10) in an exhibition match on a half-grass, half-clay court when Federer couldn't reach Nadal's forehand as it took an awkward bounce across the green side of the court. "The ball bounced badly and it cost both of us," Federer said.

The four-time Wimbledon champion was leading 4-1 in the tiebreak before Nadal rallied. After the Spaniard double-faulted while leading 6-5, the world's two best players traded match points before Nadal hit three of the final four winners from the clay side in front of a sellout crowd of about 7,000.

"We're used to playing long, hard games with a lot of tension involved," Federer said. "So it's fun to play on this half-grass, half-clay surface."

Nadal came into the match with a record 72 straight wins on clay, while Federer hasn't lost on grass in four years - a 48-match run that includes four straight Wimbledon titles.

The grass caused some awkward bounces, especially as the match progressed. But both players showed little difficulty in switching surfaces, as they changed shoes at changeovers.

Aside from holding the homecourt advantage, Nadal may have held a slight edge on the clay surface after the grounds crew was forced on Wednesday morning to rip up and re-lay the grass court, which required US$1.63 million and 19 days to prepare.

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