Fantastic Five

Victorious are Rafa, Roger, Coria and Clijsters. Getting there is F.Lo who is 2 sets up against Volandri.

I've a beef against the coverage of the US Open (and the rest of the Grand Slams) by the powers that be, whoever the heck they are. Kim Clijsters, seeded number 4 was being covered yesterday when suddenly, a voice from nowhere piped out that some viewers will be moved to another match. And on comes Mirza and Washington warming up. Two-thirds of the blastedly lengthy match was silent without commentary, and while this was going on, Clijsters and Nadal were playing. Aside from the inconsequential fact that those 2 are part of my fantastic 5, they are both seeded in the top 5. Who would fans rather watch ?

Being situated here in Asia, I guess the gods of cable here must believe that I watch tennis just to give my whole-hearted support for any player that has hints of an Asian origin. I don't give a damn where they hail from. If an Asian player can make it to the top 10, give him/her all the airtime they deserve. In the meantime, if India is besotted with Mirza (they should be proud of her as she is the first Indian lady to make it big, after all), air her match there and let her progress be closely followed in that part of Asia. That is, if national pride takes precedence over entertainment value. I, for one, am entertained by the beauty and finesse of players who have proven their mettle by rising to the top of their game. Let the best players rule the airwaves for they are the ones that have earned the right for their skills to be marvelled at by fans.

US Open Season

August 29th to September 11th. Prepare your couches.
It's US Open Season again and here are the Men's Round 1 matches :-

Source : US Open Official Site

Maria Sharapova is seeded first although Lindsay Davenport has just regained her World Number One title back, relinquishing it only for a few days.
Here are the Women's first round draws :-

Source : US Open Official Site

This will mark two weeks of nightly sessions with the telly, while I cheer on Rafa, Roger, Coria, F.Lo and Kim Clijsters. Long live Star Sports Super Sports !

P/S - Click on those teeny tables for a much better view. Virgin venture into screen-capture technology. Pretty nifty stuff.

Hard Courts, here comes Rafa

Rafa with his 3rd Masters Series Title

Source : Rogers Cup Official Site

“Now I know I can play on hard court. That gives me confidence going into the US Open.”

That's what all the players want to hear. Rafa with his speed, power AND confidence for the last Grand Slam of the year.

Beat Agassi. Check.

Alright, Rafa has beaten Agassi. Not in straight sets though. 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in an hour and 54 minutes.

Place Your Bets

Source : Rogers Cup Official Site

Nadal and Agassi are poised to meet in the battle of youth against experience, power versus placement, beauty in the face of balding. They're about to face each other at the final of the Rogers Cup in Montreal. It will be live on Star Sports at 2 am. I'm going for Nadal in straight sets.

Fireworks for the Firecracker

Source : ATP Tennis

Guillermo Coria beat Rafa's idol Carlos Moya 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 at the Croatia Open Final. It's been some time since Coria won a title, partly because of Rafa's blazing successes, so it's good to see him lift a trophy again. With his ninth career title Coria is now number 5 on the ATP race with 333 points. Rafa is 2nd with 737, behind Federer at 910 points.

They didn't air this tournament here at Star Sports but I bet Carla was there to support her hubby, and the Old Fogey of a commentator made a remark on how she's supposed to be studying but has put it on hold to keep Coria company.