ZeroSOFInfinity
Feb 2nd, 2010, 07:52 AM
Cleaning out the Australian Open notebook, a "G Moment" if ever there were one...
Serena Williams wins Grand Slam No.12 and moves a step closer to Evert-Graf-Navratilova-ville. "Refuse to lose," is dusty sports clichι. But how better to describe what she does?
Welcome back Justine Henin, who looked an awful lot like the "old Justine" in Melbourne -- only more aggressive on the court and more Serena-like off of it. There were still some timing and synchronicity issues, some kinks in need of ironing, starting with the second serve. But when the gears really start working in a next few months -- by French Open time -- look out.
Can this be right: More Chinese watched the Li Na-Serena match than there are American citizens? Bravo to Serena-Henin and Federer-Murray. But ultimately this may be recalled as the tournament the Chinese players broke through.
The Williams sisters won the doubles title. It's pretty simple: When they're in the draw, everyone else is playing for second. And if this math is right, Serena is now ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles.
I thought, given its new Olympic status, the mixed doubles draw would have generated a bit more buzz. Cara Black and Leander Paes won the trophy.
I remember talking to a colleague at Wimbledon a few years back about how guarded Li Na had been in an interview, deferring to her translator for even the most innocuous question. In Australia, liberated from the Chinese Federation -- which now siphons "only" 12 percent of her winnings, not 60 -- Li showed off a tattoo, a dyed red hairdo ("my husband not likes") and a charmingly outspoken personality. Compare this (http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id%3d36172) with this (http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2010-01-27/201001271264572238984.html). Is this a representation of what happens when a society opens up?
Kim Clijsters bows out. Juan Martin del Potro, the winner of the previous major, tweaks his wrist and loses in round four. Nadal, the defending champ, can't finish his match. The takeaway: As much as it's discussed, Federer's streak of reaching the semis of 23 straight majors is still underrated.
Li Na cracked the top ten. If China could even come close to approximating this success on the men's side, the dimension of the entire sport could change. (Aside: Li and Jheng are both married and in their late 20s. Calling them "the Chinese girls" is maybe not so appropriate.) :lol::lol::lol:
If one player deserves a rest, it's Yanina Wickmayer. Apart from being on the Jelena Jankovic/ Caroline Wozniacki (over-)playing schedule, she had to deal with a stressful suspension and appeal. She's an impressive player with an impressive game, but after losing to Henin in round four, she earned a week at Canyon Ranch.
One the stranger results we've seen in a long time: Nadia Petrova's absolute destruction of Clijsters in round three. Keep in mind that two weeks earlier Petrova lost to Henin, who lost to Clijsters. Stranger, too, was Clijsters' reaction afterward, lacking as it did in her customary grace. The conspiracy theories were flying, but I think you just chalk this up to the unpredictability of sports. Sometimes you return from motherhood and win the U.S. Open. Sometimes you go out there and lay an egg. That's one reason we watch.
Some of you roasted me for this, but I tried to stay away from the ridiculous "underwear controversy." Venus deserves better. Say this: If there's one player with too much dignity/modesty for tawdry publicity, it's Venus.
Is Venus washed up at age 30, as many of you suggested? If she wins another major on a surface other than grass, I'd be surprised. But she played well for four rounds and should have reached the semis. Besides, how can you kick a seven-time Grand Slam champ to the curb so quickly?
Alisa Kleybanova moves up a ranking point for each pound she loses. Lots of game but that physique will keep her from fulfilling her potential.
Unconfirmed rumor: In the spirit of unity, several parties considered the lineswoman involved in Serena-gate to be a part of the "Hit for Haiti" festivities. She was here, by the way, back working matches (and, understandably I suppose, refusing interview requests). :spit:
Ana Ivanovic has replaced Elena Dementieva for "shakiest serve" honors. To borrow from John McEnroe: She has excellent footwork -- on her toss.
New reality TV show idea: coach swap. Vera Zvonareva split with Sam Sumyk and is now officially being coached by Antonio Van Grichen. Victoria Azarenka was coached by Van Grichen and is now with Sumyk. Azarenka beat Zvonareva in three sets in the fourth round.
Pity the chair umpire assigned to work the doubles match between Wozniaki/Sally Peers and Wozniak/Shahar Peer.
Trivia: Which former White House press secretary has been doing media consulting work for the WTA Tour? Answer: Ari Fleischer.
One Australian commentator noted that Svetlana Kuznetsova "can get a little bit laxadaisy." Remarked a press room wit: "It's some sort of flower that promotes regularity, one imagines."
The Williams sisters will not be playing Fed Cup. The sisters' explanation for their absence: The competition coincides with their "mandatory" NFL owners meetings. Whew, good thing the meetings weren't held a week earlier or, presumably, they would have missed this tournament.
In other shocking news, the WTA now officially permits appearance fees. Which is great because now -- finally -- players can be compensated simply for committing to a tournament and earning income in addition to prize money. On a related note, fire is now officially hot. Water is officially wet and ...
They're putting a roof over Margaret Court Arena in time for next year's event. For those scoring at home: Australian Open, three covered courts. U.S. Open; zero.
:wavey::wavey::wavey:
Serena Williams wins Grand Slam No.12 and moves a step closer to Evert-Graf-Navratilova-ville. "Refuse to lose," is dusty sports clichι. But how better to describe what she does?
Welcome back Justine Henin, who looked an awful lot like the "old Justine" in Melbourne -- only more aggressive on the court and more Serena-like off of it. There were still some timing and synchronicity issues, some kinks in need of ironing, starting with the second serve. But when the gears really start working in a next few months -- by French Open time -- look out.
Can this be right: More Chinese watched the Li Na-Serena match than there are American citizens? Bravo to Serena-Henin and Federer-Murray. But ultimately this may be recalled as the tournament the Chinese players broke through.
The Williams sisters won the doubles title. It's pretty simple: When they're in the draw, everyone else is playing for second. And if this math is right, Serena is now ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles.
I thought, given its new Olympic status, the mixed doubles draw would have generated a bit more buzz. Cara Black and Leander Paes won the trophy.
I remember talking to a colleague at Wimbledon a few years back about how guarded Li Na had been in an interview, deferring to her translator for even the most innocuous question. In Australia, liberated from the Chinese Federation -- which now siphons "only" 12 percent of her winnings, not 60 -- Li showed off a tattoo, a dyed red hairdo ("my husband not likes") and a charmingly outspoken personality. Compare this (http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id%3d36172) with this (http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/interviews/2010-01-27/201001271264572238984.html). Is this a representation of what happens when a society opens up?
Kim Clijsters bows out. Juan Martin del Potro, the winner of the previous major, tweaks his wrist and loses in round four. Nadal, the defending champ, can't finish his match. The takeaway: As much as it's discussed, Federer's streak of reaching the semis of 23 straight majors is still underrated.
Li Na cracked the top ten. If China could even come close to approximating this success on the men's side, the dimension of the entire sport could change. (Aside: Li and Jheng are both married and in their late 20s. Calling them "the Chinese girls" is maybe not so appropriate.) :lol::lol::lol:
If one player deserves a rest, it's Yanina Wickmayer. Apart from being on the Jelena Jankovic/ Caroline Wozniacki (over-)playing schedule, she had to deal with a stressful suspension and appeal. She's an impressive player with an impressive game, but after losing to Henin in round four, she earned a week at Canyon Ranch.
One the stranger results we've seen in a long time: Nadia Petrova's absolute destruction of Clijsters in round three. Keep in mind that two weeks earlier Petrova lost to Henin, who lost to Clijsters. Stranger, too, was Clijsters' reaction afterward, lacking as it did in her customary grace. The conspiracy theories were flying, but I think you just chalk this up to the unpredictability of sports. Sometimes you return from motherhood and win the U.S. Open. Sometimes you go out there and lay an egg. That's one reason we watch.
Some of you roasted me for this, but I tried to stay away from the ridiculous "underwear controversy." Venus deserves better. Say this: If there's one player with too much dignity/modesty for tawdry publicity, it's Venus.
Is Venus washed up at age 30, as many of you suggested? If she wins another major on a surface other than grass, I'd be surprised. But she played well for four rounds and should have reached the semis. Besides, how can you kick a seven-time Grand Slam champ to the curb so quickly?
Alisa Kleybanova moves up a ranking point for each pound she loses. Lots of game but that physique will keep her from fulfilling her potential.
Unconfirmed rumor: In the spirit of unity, several parties considered the lineswoman involved in Serena-gate to be a part of the "Hit for Haiti" festivities. She was here, by the way, back working matches (and, understandably I suppose, refusing interview requests). :spit:
Ana Ivanovic has replaced Elena Dementieva for "shakiest serve" honors. To borrow from John McEnroe: She has excellent footwork -- on her toss.
New reality TV show idea: coach swap. Vera Zvonareva split with Sam Sumyk and is now officially being coached by Antonio Van Grichen. Victoria Azarenka was coached by Van Grichen and is now with Sumyk. Azarenka beat Zvonareva in three sets in the fourth round.
Pity the chair umpire assigned to work the doubles match between Wozniaki/Sally Peers and Wozniak/Shahar Peer.
Trivia: Which former White House press secretary has been doing media consulting work for the WTA Tour? Answer: Ari Fleischer.
One Australian commentator noted that Svetlana Kuznetsova "can get a little bit laxadaisy." Remarked a press room wit: "It's some sort of flower that promotes regularity, one imagines."
The Williams sisters will not be playing Fed Cup. The sisters' explanation for their absence: The competition coincides with their "mandatory" NFL owners meetings. Whew, good thing the meetings weren't held a week earlier or, presumably, they would have missed this tournament.
In other shocking news, the WTA now officially permits appearance fees. Which is great because now -- finally -- players can be compensated simply for committing to a tournament and earning income in addition to prize money. On a related note, fire is now officially hot. Water is officially wet and ...
They're putting a roof over Margaret Court Arena in time for next year's event. For those scoring at home: Australian Open, three covered courts. U.S. Open; zero.
:wavey::wavey::wavey: