http://www.gototennisblog.com Tennis blog. Tennis news. Tennis gossip. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:54:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/13/indian-wells-report-day-3-justine-bounced-andre-agassi-bombs-at-hit-for-haiti/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/13/indian-wells-report-day-3-justine-bounced-andre-agassi-bombs-at-hit-for-haiti/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:26:00 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=17234 I thought I was witnessing the most awkward part of Day Three at Indian Wells when Maria Sharapova went down 1-5 in the first set to Vera Dushevina on Stadium 2. The crowd was groaning and wincing as she hit serve after serve into the bottom of the net. But then I heard a collective [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/13/indian-wells-report-day-3-justine-bounced-andre-agassi-bombs-at-hit-for-haiti/feed/ 48 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-report-day-2-roger-federer-and-justine-henin-conference-on-awesome/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-report-day-2-roger-federer-and-justine-henin-conference-on-awesome/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:28:47 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=17161 Okay – first of all, Rafael Nadal is not keeping the kinds of hours I’d expect of a Spaniard. Meaning, I totally missed it when he and Kim and Roger and Ana were all together on the practice courts on Thursday morning. I was still eating my breakfast! Thank goodness there are other crazed tennis [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-report-day-2-roger-federer-and-justine-henin-conference-on-awesome/feed/ 23 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/nadal-ivanovic-roddick-at-the-2010-indian-wells-players-party/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/nadal-ivanovic-roddick-at-the-2010-indian-wells-players-party/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:41:32 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=17188 No, these aren’t our photos. We weren’t invited to the Indian Wells Players’ Party, sniff! And good thing we weren’t, because. . .well, we might have said something rude to Ana about her pantyhose. Let’s take a look: So far, so gorgeous, for Ana Ivanovic! And then we get to the nurse pantyhose and 80’s secretary pumps. [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/nadal-ivanovic-roddick-at-the-2010-indian-wells-players-party/feed/ 14 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-practice-photos-tsonga-ferrer-o-henin-wozniacki-argentine-futbol-and-more/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-practice-photos-tsonga-ferrer-o-henin-wozniacki-argentine-futbol-and-more/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:39:48 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=17187
We can’t get enough of the practice courts (and practice field) at Indian Wells. Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Robin Soderling, Gilles Simon, the Spanish Armada, Justine Henin and Caroline Wozniacki worked on their strokes and their foot work on Thursday. Anna Chakvetadze looked on while Marcos Baghdatis, Juan Monaco, Gaston Gaudio et. al played a [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/12/indian-wells-practice-photos-tsonga-ferrer-o-henin-wozniacki-argentine-futbol-and-more/feed/ 2 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/09/indian-wells-wta-draw-and-preview-belgians-vs-russians-in-the-desert/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/09/indian-wells-wta-draw-and-preview-belgians-vs-russians-in-the-desert/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:00:02 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=17042 So the ladies’ draw is out for the Indian Wells tournament (click here) and the first question that comes to mind is: Really, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Caroline Wozniacki are the top seeds? I mean no offense to either of these players – it’s just a jarring reminder that Serena (boycott) and Dinara (back) are not showing [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/09/indian-wells-wta-draw-and-preview-belgians-vs-russians-in-the-desert/feed/ 6 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/05/del-potro-gonzalez-out-of-indian-wells-nalbandian-in/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/05/del-potro-gonzalez-out-of-indian-wells-nalbandian-in/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:40:12 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=16938 REUTERS/Michael Fiala via Daylife It’s the incredible shrinking draw! Juan Martin Del Potro and Fernando Gonzalez are both confirmed “nos” for Indian Wells. Gonzalez, who is playing Davis Cup in Chile this weekend, has decided to stay in his country to help with earthquake relief (his efforts reportedly include organizing a Hit for Chile in Miami [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/03/05/del-potro-gonzalez-out-of-indian-wells-nalbandian-in/feed/ 4 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/04/justine-henin-gets-wildcard-into-indian-wells-tournament/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/04/justine-henin-gets-wildcard-into-indian-wells-tournament/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:49:05 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=16082 Great news for SoCal tennis fans – Justine Henin was granted a wild card for Indian Wells, a.k.a. the BNP Paribas Open, which begins on March 8. This will be Henin’s next tournament after playing the Australian Open. She won the event in 2004. Quotes via the tournament website on February 3: “Not only is the BNP [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/04/justine-henin-gets-wildcard-into-indian-wells-tournament/feed/ 5 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/01/thats-a-wrap-chest-bumps-fake-outs-and-last-laughs-at-the-2010-australian-open/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/01/thats-a-wrap-chest-bumps-fake-outs-and-last-laughs-at-the-2010-australian-open/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:16:06 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=16005
There are always some loose strings and leftover challenges after every major. Allow me to clean out my virtual tennis bag. ROGER AND SERENA ARE OUT OF SIGHTS (I love this photo because it looks like he’s been awarded a Ferris Wheel for a trophy): Roger Federer decided to spice things up on his [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/02/01/thats-a-wrap-chest-bumps-fake-outs-and-last-laughs-at-the-2010-australian-open/feed/ 25 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/30/2010-australian-open-womens-final-serena-williams-and-justine-henin-show-us-how-its-done/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/30/2010-australian-open-womens-final-serena-williams-and-justine-henin-show-us-how-its-done/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:44:26 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15916
“Billie – we’re tied!” That was Serena’s best moment on the podium on Saturday night, sharing a laugh with Billie Jean King, who was ensconced in the stands. Serena’s 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Justine Henin in this year’s Australian Open final pulls her even with Billie Jean’s 12 Major singles titles. Five of [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/30/2010-australian-open-womens-final-serena-williams-and-justine-henin-show-us-how-its-done/feed/ 16 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/28/australian-open-day-11-wrap-dreams-come-true/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/28/australian-open-day-11-wrap-dreams-come-true/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:55:02 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15853 Nikolay Davydenko made this comment after beating Fernando Verdasco in the Round of 16 on Monday: Q. Have you allowed yourself to dream that it (an AO title) might be this time? NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Dream? No, no. No, I never dream. Maybe in the night, but not in the day. Contrast this to what Justine Henin, [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/28/australian-open-day-11-wrap-dreams-come-true/feed/ 16 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/27/2010-australian-open-order-of-play-day-eleven-semis-with-serena-and-justine-murray-vs-cilic/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/27/2010-australian-open-order-of-play-day-eleven-semis-with-serena-and-justine-murray-vs-cilic/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:10:52 +0000 freakyfritters http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15810
Wow, this tournament suddenly emptied out. Day eleven brings semifinals action in singles and doubles. It’s lonely at the top. Match of the Day: Obviously the singles semifinals. In doubles, the Williams sisters vs. veterans Stubbs/Raymond should be good. Question of the Day: Justine vs. Serena in the final? 2010 Australian Open Order of Play Day 11: Thursday, [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/27/2010-australian-open-order-of-play-day-eleven-semis-with-serena-and-justine-murray-vs-cilic/feed/ 8 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/26/australian-open-day-nine-wrap-murray-brings-nadal-to-his-knees-henin-to-face-fangirl-zheng/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/26/australian-open-day-nine-wrap-murray-brings-nadal-to-his-knees-henin-to-face-fangirl-zheng/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:09:15 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15779
Tuesday was Australia Day and the first day of quarterfinal action at the Australian Open. There were fireworks. Andy Murray was awesome against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday night. He out-served him, out-hit him, out-ran him and out-muscled him. He brought Rafa low: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images via Daylife Nadal was moving well at the beginning of the match – [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/26/australian-open-day-nine-wrap-murray-brings-nadal-to-his-knees-henin-to-face-fangirl-zheng/feed/ 16 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/24/australian-open-day-seven-wrap-all-or-nothing-nadia-cilic-down-the-stretch/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/24/australian-open-day-seven-wrap-all-or-nothing-nadia-cilic-down-the-stretch/#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:18:29 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15684
Today was the start of Round of 16 action Down Under. It must stink to lose in the fourth round – so close to the final weekend yet so, so far. Let’s see who made it over the hump and who’s humping it back home. Nadia Petrova isn’t happy just making it halfway. She backed up [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/24/australian-open-day-seven-wrap-all-or-nothing-nadia-cilic-down-the-stretch/feed/ 9 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/22/australian-open-day-5-wrap-tanks-yanks-and-shanks/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/22/australian-open-day-5-wrap-tanks-yanks-and-shanks/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:12:16 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15571
Let’s be honest, Day 5 Down Under kind of sucked. I typed that sentence before listening to Kim Clijsters’s press conference. She confirmed it: “I was completely off. Just, you know, I think tennis‑wise, I didn’t feel the ball at all. . .It sucks that it has to happen at this stage of this tournament at [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/22/australian-open-day-5-wrap-tanks-yanks-and-shanks/feed/ 8 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/20/australian-open-day-three-wrap-intense-henin-intense-del-potro-incensed-roddick/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/20/australian-open-day-three-wrap-intense-henin-intense-del-potro-incensed-roddick/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:20:29 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15515
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via Daylife INTENSE. That’s the only way to describe the evening hours in Melbourne park on Wednesday. And it’s how Justine Henin described it after beating Elena Dementieva, 7-5, 7-6, in 2 hours and 50 minutes on Rod Laver Arena. “My heart was there 200%” Justine said. We didn’t hear from Dementieva court [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/20/australian-open-day-three-wrap-intense-henin-intense-del-potro-incensed-roddick/feed/ 11 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/18/australian-open-day-one-wrap-sharapovas-upset-roddicks-dog-roger-in-the-rain/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/18/australian-open-day-one-wrap-sharapovas-upset-roddicks-dog-roger-in-the-rain/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:13:07 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15459
A strange start to the Australian Open: rain, cold and an upset. As in really upset. Maria Sharapova went out in three sets and over three hours to Maria Kirilenko: 6-7, 6-3, 4-6. She smacked a total of 76 unforced errors on her way out of the tournament. Sharapova hasn’t lost in the first round [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/18/australian-open-day-one-wrap-sharapovas-upset-roddicks-dog-roger-in-the-rain/feed/ 13 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/16/verdasco-isner-bondarenko-win-australian-open-warm-ups/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/16/verdasco-isner-bondarenko-win-australian-open-warm-ups/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:34:40 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15416
Yes, you are too sexy for that shirt. . .photo by REUTERS/Mick Tsikas via Daylife Well, we have the latest crop of weekend winners, (almost) the last before the Australian Open starts on Monday. Winning a warm up the weekend before a major is tricky – it gives a player loads of confidence but can be [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/16/verdasco-isner-bondarenko-win-australian-open-warm-ups/feed/ 8 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/12/australian-open-saviours-justine-henin-kim-clijsters-and-the-return-of-first-name-tennis/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/12/australian-open-saviours-justine-henin-kim-clijsters-and-the-return-of-first-name-tennis/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:02:23 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15304
For the first time in years, women’s tennis is in the media forefront Down Under. Darren Cahill and Pam Shriver were peppered with WTA-focused questions in an ESPN2-sponsored conference call on Tuesday, and Len DeLuca, the station’s senior V.P. of programming and acquisitions, is counting on the ladies to pull their ratings weight: “Tennis is set [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/12/australian-open-saviours-justine-henin-kim-clijsters-and-the-return-of-first-name-tennis/feed/ 3 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/11/weekend-review-more-glory-for-spain-roddick-wins-and-rants-robson-a-gem/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/11/weekend-review-more-glory-for-spain-roddick-wins-and-rants-robson-a-gem/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:27:38 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15197 I admit I had a hard time following all of the tennis action from the past week. We had the men and women in Brisbane, Roger and Rafa (and the mighty Kolya!) in Doha, Peer protests in New Zealand, an ATP tourny in India, Laura Robson making Andy Murray look good at the Hopman Cup [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/11/weekend-review-more-glory-for-spain-roddick-wins-and-rants-robson-a-gem/feed/ 10 http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/09/brisbane-blockbuster-kim-clijsters-beats-justine-henin-in-a-thrilling-final/ http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/09/brisbane-blockbuster-kim-clijsters-beats-justine-henin-in-a-thrilling-final/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:25:07 +0000 freakyfrites http://www.gototennisblog.com/?p=15169 REUTERS/Tim Wimborne via Daylife My God, it’s not even the Australian Open yet and we’ve already been treated to one of the best matches of the year! Saturday night’s all-Belgian final in Brisbane lived up to the hype. If anything, it surpassed it. There was loads of power on display, plenty of finesse and tension you could [...]]]> http://www.gototennisblog.com/2010/01/09/brisbane-blockbuster-kim-clijsters-beats-justine-henin-in-a-thrilling-final/feed/ 11