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.