2014 Sony Open...Miami, Florida U.S.A.

[don_budge]

Kia Nishikori...groin pull

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/28/sport/tennis/miami-masters-tennis-djokovic/index.html?hpt=hp_t4

Anybody see signs of this injury during his match with Roger Federer? Seems a little fishy to me...but then again I always smell conspiracy.

[don_budge]

The Final...Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal

With the state of tennis what it is today...the tournament will be a total failure with anything less than a Novak "Cheater" Djokovic vs. Rafael "Psych Con Man" Nadal show now that Roger Federer has been dispatched to spectator status. Tomas Berdych doesn't have the box office appeal...no matter how much our highly esteemed colleague from southern Florida cares. If Berdych had a one hand backhand and he was playing a charismatic style with considerable more flair it would be a different story...but as it is he is pretty much a bland form of vanilla. He's generic. He lacks spice...he has no sex appeal.

The state of tennis what it is today...damir called it a circus...the tournament desperately needed a Djokovic vs. Nadal final after Federer left the stadium. I have said "Big Time Wrestling". The tournament would have been a total and abject failure if this final did not evolve or was engineered.

I never in my life have heard of two opponents who looked so healthy in the quarterfinals...they were healthy enough to defeat first rate competition...turn around and default to their opponents with so much on the line for them personally.

These are strange days...all around. It's 1984. Airliners disappear into thin air when every single one of us is having every single one of our telephone conversations tapped. Russian troops massing on the Ukraine border. Tennis being played at supersonic speeds and nobody says anything...hypnotized by the spectacle of everything. Shock and awe. I don't know about you guys...I'm scared! I'm getting the hell out of here...wait a minute...there's no place left to hide! Yikes!

Whoops...never mind. I just woke up. It's only a bad dream.

[stotty]

w/o

I wake up this morning to find two w/o's...TWO!

Is that a first?

[klacr]

Brutal Friday for South Florida tennis fans. two walkovers in the semifinals.

Berdych was sick all day with a stomach virus and he looked like it when he addressed the media.

I can't say much for Nishikori as I never saw him.

I was down there Thursday, all day. It was glorious. I was able to see Berdych's full practice on stadium and his match. He looked sharp and turned on the extra gear when he had to. I can die happy now that I was able to see him.

Damn shame Djokovic and Nadal get free passes into finals. Unlucky for Nishikori and Berdych. Terrible news for tennis fans.

I'm now turning into a crazed superstitious tennis fan, I may never want to see Berdych play live again if my viewing of him results in gastroenteritis the day after. Some incredible coincidence I'm sure, but maybe there is more to it. Perhaps unwillingly I made a deal with the tennis devil. In exchange for seeing my one of my favorites, he is subjected to clinging to the toilet for the next 24 hours. In fact, the only thing in Key Biscayne that was more vicious than Nadal's forehand topspin was the revolutions Berdych's intestinal tract was making. Tough luck.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[GeoffWilliams]

I've never seen a double semi withdrawal. Wonder which restaurant gave Berdych the runs? It's called: buy from organic markets and cook your own food. His girl friend looks as if she has never made a dinner in her life. Super spoiled model type all the way to the toilet.

[klacr]

I've never seen a double semi withdrawal. Wonder which restaurant gave Berdych the runs? It's called: buy from organic markets and cook your own food. His girl friend looks as if she has never made a dinner in her life. Super spoiled model type all the way to the toilet.

Geoff,

Berdych ate at the same restaurant all tournament long and had the same meal. Chicken and Rice. He said in the press conference yesterday that it was not the restaurant's fault. He just got a bug. bad timing. Although, it was going around down in Key Biscayne as some other players had 24 hour symptoms and then recovered. Sabine Lisicki withdrew from her singles match because of it. A few other players had complained of flu like symptoms. Lauren Davis had it in Indian Wells and forced her to withdraw. It happens.

As for the cooking comment...Berdych likes to cook. His model girlfriend doesn't need to cook. I, much like Tomas enjoy cooking. Unlike Tomas, I do not have a model girlfriend.

If any female swimsuit models are reading this I know what you are thinking and the answer is YES! , I am available.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gordonp]

Geoff,

Berdych ate at the same restaurant all tournament long and had the same meal. Chicken and Rice. He said in the press conference yesterday that it was not the restaurant's fault. He just got a bug. bad timing. Although, it was going around down in Key Biscayne as some other players had 24 hour symptoms and then recovered. Sabine Lisicki withdrew from her singles match because of it. A few other players had complained of flu like symptoms. Lauren Davis had it in Indian Wells and forced her to withdraw. It happens.

As for the cooking comment...Berdych likes to cook. His model girlfriend doesn't need to cook. I, much like Tomas enjoy cooking. Unlike Tomas, I do not have a model girlfriend.

If any female swimsuit models are reading this I know what you are thinking and the answer is YES! , I am available.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Try the Playboy forum. Might have better luck!

[klacr]

Try the Playboy forum. Might have better luck!

Thanks for the advice. Already have with resounding success.

Moving on...

Today's the final that everyone wanted. Nadal vs. Djokovic. This may be a preview of things to come for the rest of the season. Who is your pick? Scoreline please. I'm edging towards Djokovic. Last weeks win in Indian Wells was a huge boost and I think he's primed and ready to take on Nadal and all that he brings. I'll say Djokovic 7-6, 7-5.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

Nadal in three...

Thanks for the advice. Already have with resounding success.

Moving on...

Today's the final that everyone wanted. Nadal vs. Djokovic. This may be a preview of things to come for the rest of the season. Who is your pick? Scoreline please. I'm edging towards Djokovic. Last weeks win in Indian Wells was a huge boost and I think he's primed and ready to take on Nadal and all that he brings. I'll say Djokovic 7-6, 7-5.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

I think it might Nadal's turn. Djokovic has been patchy so far this year...other that the last four games against Murray where he was sensational.

Nadal looked phenomenal earlier in the week.

I'll go for Nadal in three....7-5 in the third.

[gzhpcu]

I am betting on Rafa. Vamos!

[GeoffWilliams]

I'm betting on whomever took the most peds before the match.

[stotty]

5-2 Djokovic...looking focused and solid, isn't he?

[stotty]

Set and 2-0 to Djokovic...surely he can't keep this up.

[stotty]

Or will there be a culmination point?...there has to be...always is.

[stotty]

Phew...head and shoulders better in the end...remarkable. Kept Nadal completely off balance from start to finish.