2015 Miami Open…ATP 1000…Miami, Florida USA

[tennis_chiro]

I noticed this too. I admit it. Like a little kitty cat against a lion. Serena sure does dominate all of the other woman like no one else. Like nobody ever has. I remember you calling Rafael Nadal a "freak of nature" but you resist with Serena. It's probably politically incorrect to say so.

Perhaps it wouldn't be seemly to call Serena a freak of nature. A Swedish friend of mine emailed from Spain yesterday. How did he put it…Google translate if you care to. He even mentions Nadal in the same sentence.

"Just nu sänder de damfinalen i Miami, Williams (det monstret) mot en liten spanjorska från Kanarieöarna, precis som Nadal."

Serena sure does dominate. It almost doesn't seem fair. There is a picture on CNN of Serena flexing her biceps for a photo op. I'd rather just see a close up of her hands.

That part about Serena is old news. Just revisiting.

What I was really amazed by was how good Bartoli was as a commentator.

don

[don_budge]

Serena…a Freak of Nature?

I watched most of the second set of the women's final today. Whatever else you want to say about her, you have to admit Serena can dominate the other women's players like no one else when she is playing well. Suarez Navarro was completely overmatched.

Anyone else notice this?

don

I noticed this too. I admit it. Like a little kitty cat against a lion. Serena sure does dominate all of the other woman like no one else. Like nobody ever has. I remember you calling Rafael Nadal a "freak of nature" but you resist with Serena. It's probably politically incorrect to say so.

Perhaps it wouldn't be seemly to call Serena a freak of nature. A Swedish friend of mine emailed from Spain yesterday. How did he put it…Google translate if you care to. He even mentions Nadal in the same sentence.

"Just nu sänder de damfinalen i Miami, Williams (det monstret) mot en liten spanjorska från Kanarieöarna, precis som Nadal."

Serena sure does dominate. It almost doesn't seem fair. There is a picture on CNN of Serena flexing her biceps for a photo op. I'd rather just see a close up of her hands.

[tennis_chiro]

women's final

I watched most of the second set of the women's final today. Whatever else you want to say about her, you have to admit Serena can dominate the other women's players like no one else when she is playing well. Suarez Navarro was completely overmatched.

But the one great find for me, and it started in an earlier match, was Marion Bartoli as a commentator. I know she has the reputation as a Mensa member and she demonstrated it just a bit when she gave a detailed translation of what Suarez Navaro's coach had been telling her in one meeting during the second set. But the superb detailed memory was only incidental. The great thing was she was absolutely delightful to listen to. The accent was just right and she showed real enthusiasm for the players and the game. I was really impressed. This may have been just on TennisTV, but for the sake of the game, I hope some of the larger media channels heard her performance. I saw her in a post match interview a couple of years back and was duly impressed then, but this really blew me away. Of course I am probably imagining some French actress when I am listening to her voice, but the voice and the content was really terrific.

Anyone else notice this?

don

[stotty]

So I have VIP box seats tomorrow for Djokovic and Murray. Based on what my ticket says and my familiarity with the stadium, I'm sitting just behind the player's box. Which player I'm not sure but I'm hoping it's Djokovic. Coach Becker and I need to have a word or two.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Can you wear your Tennisplyer.net T-shirt please and wave if the camera pans your way? Oh...and wave a banner with "John Yandell for President", please.

Thank you....

[klacr]

So I have VIP box seats tomorrow for Djokovic and Murray. Based on what my ticket says and my familiarity with the stadium, I'm sitting just behind the player's box. Which player I'm not sure but I'm hoping it's Djokovic. Coach Becker and I need to have a word or two.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stroke]

"I actually had a fun match," Williams, who collected win No. 701 of her career, was quoted as saying by the WTA's website. "I just feel it was on my racket."

She doesn't look like she is having fun most of the time. As if there is some titanic struggle lurking beneath the surface. The screaming. The dramatics. It all adds up…to something. It's all an act.

"I had chances in the second set but didn't take them. That's something I can't do going into the grand slams coming up."

Of course Serena…there is no way that your opponent was playing better. It is only about Serena.

"Her game was great," Williams said. "She plays so well, and it's so good to see her play so well. She's so young, and I actually love watching her play. I'm actually a fan of hers.

The repetitive use of the words "so" and the word "actually" is really a put on. This is one of the biggest phonies since the days of "The Catcher in the Rye".

"I really like her attitude on the court. I like how she gets pumped up. I like how she fights. I like how she plays. It's definitely a refreshing type of game."

The repetitive use of the word "how" is another dramatic statement from Her Phoniness. The voice is like a fingernail on a chalkboard. The lack of sincerity just oozes and drips from every syllable.

Guess who I am pulling for tonight. Of course it is a long shot. It's a null and void shot. Like a little kitty cat going in against a lion.

I agree with your thoughts here.

[don_budge]

Her Phoniness…Serena Williams

"I actually had a fun match," Williams, who collected win No. 701 of her career, was quoted as saying by the WTA's website. "I just feel it was on my racket."

She doesn't look like she is having fun most of the time. As if there is some titanic struggle lurking beneath the surface. The screaming. The dramatics. It all adds up…to something. It's all an act.

"I had chances in the second set but didn't take them. That's something I can't do going into the grand slams coming up."

Of course Serena…there is no way that your opponent was playing better. It is only about Serena.

"Her game was great," Williams said. "She plays so well, and it's so good to see her play so well. She's so young, and I actually love watching her play. I'm actually a fan of hers.

The repetitive use of the words "so" and the word "actually" is really a put on. This is one of the biggest phonies since the days of "The Catcher in the Rye".

"I really like her attitude on the court. I like how she gets pumped up. I like how she fights. I like how she plays. It's definitely a refreshing type of game."

The repetitive use of the word "how" is another dramatic statement from Her Phoniness. The voice is like a fingernail on a chalkboard. The lack of sincerity just oozes and drips from every syllable.

Guess who I am pulling for tonight. Of course it is a long shot. It's a null and void shot. Like a little kitty cat going in against a lion.

[don_budge]

Amen...

Good to see both men had there women locked up indoors for this one...

"Sometimes you just have to be a man about it…"-my old friend Leon.

[stotty]

Murray played T-Bird really well. He served much better than usual and gave Tomas lots of awkward stuff to deal with. He ran out the worthy winner. That said, I don't like the match up and found the game a little dull. There is no love lost between the two men so Murray will be chuffed to win comprehensively. I notice the girlfriends weren't on site this time. Good to see both men had there women locked up indoors for this one...

[don_budge]

Tomas Berdych vs. Andy Murray…They don't like each other? That's nice.

Well neither player likes each other which adds to the drama. Both men are dodgy on court in terms of what they get up to. Berdych trumps Murray in the girlfriend department with his blond stunner. I wonder what will unfold this time...my wife enjoys the drama and may even watch this one.

Well…why should they? There is nothing I like better after playing myself into exhaustion and then going out to battle the beaver(s) than to watch a couple of guys who don't like each other play tennis.

It's pretty hard to like Andy Murray anyways. Are there any other male professional tennis players that have a woman for a coach? Trust me…I can admire somebody who likes to be different…somebody that is an individual and true to themselves. But come on…you cannot be serious.

[stotty]

Berdych has won 11 sets compared to Djokovic's 40. Uphill battle but needs to get past Murray first. Tomas can do it. Let's hope. I'll be there Sunday to see my boy if he can beat the Scot in semis first

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Well neither player likes each other which adds to the drama. Both men are dodgy on court in terms of what they get up to. Berdych trumps Murray in the girlfriend department with his blond stunner. I wonder what will unfold this time...my wife enjoys the drama and may even watch this one.

[don_budge]

Navarro vs. Williams...

May the best person win...

[klacr]

Semi-finals are set.

Djokovic, Isner, Murray, Berdych

Berdych career head-to-head vs. Semi-finalists

vs. Murray 6-5
vs. Isner 6-2
vs. Djokovic 2-18

against Djokovic, Berdych has won 11 sets compared to Djokovic's 40. Uphill battle but needs to get past Murray first. Tomas can do it. Let's hope. I'll be there Sunday to see my boy if he can beat the Scot in semis first

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Bernard Tomic…Control vs Out of Control

I was in the stands for the entire match vs Tomic. Tomic really had the upper hand until Tomas, with terrific fight, took the 2nd set. Tomic is really a unique player. He really demonstrates how, even at the highest level, one can kind of just redirect the ball with very, very short backswings(particularly on forehand) and still dictate out there. It was great fight and win by Tomas.

What is power…I rhetorically ask the student? Control is power.

Bernard is an interesting case. While his personal life seems to be quite complicated he has an alternative philosophy on the tennis court. Instead of trying to bully or out muscle his opponents he plays it smart and tries to dictate points with a combination of speed, placement and spin.

What is control…control is the combination or blending of the elements of speed, placement and spin. Control the ball…you control your opponent. Control your opponent…you control the match. Control the match…you win. Roger Federer is the Living Proof. Mr. Control. He has the tennis world marching to his beat whenever he is playing tennis.

Bernard falls short in a couple of categories that would enable him to successfully pull this tactic off at the highest echelon of the game. First of all…at 6' 5" tall and 200 lbs. he should have a serve that is so dominating that players should feel privileged to just get a whiff of it. His serve is decent but no where as dominating as it should be. Secondly…here is another prime example of the modern coaching paradigm gone awry as he has clung to his two hand backhand like a child clings to his security blanket.

A perfect complement to Tomic's game would be a "Federesque" backhand…a blend of Wawrinka with heavy emphasis on Rosewall as well. Much as I would design for EdWeiss' Project J. With Tomic penchant for playing tactical tennis and his size and athleticism (?) he needs more options to finish the point. He appears to have the knack for keeping his opponent somewhat off balance and if he had the option of moving forwards as part of his tactical bag of tricks he might just be a threat to the top tier of tennis on a consistent basis. As it is…he is going to be a difficult opponent when he feels up to it.

He not only lacks the above two factors but he may also be deficient in discipline. But that could be remedied…with the proper "old school" Australian influence. Harry Hopman anyone?

[stroke]

Yes, Tomic is quite a gem to watch live. TV doesn't do him justice, does it? The way he can push and place that ball around is nice to watch.

I agree completely. He warmed up so relaxed and casually and played the same way once the match started. And you are so right. TV does not do him justice. He basicly dictated play, with what appeared to be way less effort than Berdych, for the first 2 sets. That is very hard for any player to do agianst Berdych. Tomic's serve, even though it looks a little ackward with his very high elbow position and low toss, was more effective than Berdych's. I got to watch the match, because it was on the Grandstand, about 5 rows up directly behind the players, so I could really get a feel of the play.