Nadal is in mid-air

Of all the matches played in the quarterfinals at the US Open, why should it be Rafael Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez that had to be rain-delayed? Now the excitement of everyone is held in mid-air as we coil in anticipation who would be in the semis?

I know Serena William's semi-final match with Kim Clijsters was postponed due to the fact that Serena played doubles with sister Venus yesterday (they won, too). I really don't like watching doubles match. It's kind of boring for me.

I read today that the Gonzales-Nadal match will resume today in the afternoon. I hope to see Nadal and Federer both in the finals. I want to prove if my theory that it is only Nadal who can beat Federer in grand slams final is true.

Dementieva Wins the Roger's Cup

It's really great to see Elena Dementieva won the 2009 Rogers Cup. It was like a couple of years ago when I first saw her. The match was between her and Maria Sharapova. Dementieva was outplayed, like she won only three games in a two-set match. The tournament was not a major and it was like only the first or the second match.

Fast forward last Sunday: the two of them met again. It was refreshing to see Demetieva won another title. I saw her only won a title twice and that includes the Olympics. Her smile for her victory makes you smile with her. And in her interview, you can see that she is proud of her achievement but she is also humble about it.

Federer's First French Open Title

I'm happy for Roger Federer that he finally won a French Open title. In an interview with Jon McEnroe shortly after the championship ceremony, he said he deserves it.

It's really a crowning glory for him -- it's his 14th grand slam and he's now tie with Pete Sampras. He also is now the best tennis player ever lived because he has a career grand slam.

What I like about Federer besides his being a super tennis player is his devotion to his girlfriend. I heard from a commentator before, someone who used to be in the ATP tour himself, that they had never been apart since they met. And yesterday, I learned from Federer's speech that she is now his wife and she is pregnant.

I noticed the commentators mentioning Rafael Nadal so many times during and after the match or the whole broadcast itself. Actually, Nadal is always part of the conversation during the whole French Open. It's like was eliminated earlier on but he is still very much a part of the tournament.

Nadal is still the clay court king so to speak. And the world No. 1. In the last three grand slams that Federer played with Nadal - Fench Open 2008, Wimbledon 2008, and Australian Open 2009 - Federer lost. Nadal is still Federer's toughest opponent. As it is, Federer is only able to win a grand slam if it's not Nadal that he is playing with.

But I'm really glad that Federer won the French Open. And yes, I agree with him that he deserves it. I think destiny handed it to him.

Second Week of French Open

So this is the second week of French Open. New faces, some comeback, some upsets, some exciting games. Roger Federer almost lost to Haas in the round of 16. But the true marks of a champion shined through - with two sets down, he won the next three sets.

Nadal's Loss is Gain for Federer

It saddens me to learn about Rafael Nadal's loss. It was not aired on ESPN as it happened on a Sunday. The thing is, Nadal is supposed to win the French Open -- he is the best clay court player ever and the only one in the way of Federer winning a French Open. This opens up the opportunity for Federer to have a career grand slam and if he did, then this is the way fate has made a way for him to do so. After all, Federer is the greatest tennis player who ever lived.

Sharapova's Outfit

Now, I would like to comment on Maria Sharapova who is making a comeback after ten months of therapy for her shoulder. She looks really nice. She is on her quarterfinals after hard won victories over the first four matches.

Sharapova's outfit is the best outfit I've seen in the French Open. She does not have to bother with it, not pulling on it, or putting back it back in place after some intense court action. It just falls naturally and moves with her. The style is like a dress and perfectly cut and fitted; it also does not show too much skin. Sharapova is used to tucking a ball underneath and even the ball does not bulge on her hips. Sweat don't show as well. I would say Nike has engineered a very efficient and classy outfit for Sharapova.

Dinara Safina

Last year, I watched Dinara Safina beat Maria Sharapova in three sets in the round of 16. I would say that on that day, I became Dinara Safina's fan. I wrote a few posts about her in this blog the past year. Well, she is the No. 1 female tennis player today (has been for five weeks) and I could not be more proud of her. As I wrote here earlier, she would be No. 1 and she did. I hope this French Open would be her first grand slam victory (she lost in the 2008 finals against Ana Ivanovic).

Australian Open: Who's the next champion?

Today marks the second week of Australian Open and each day, the excitement is growing. Who would be this year's Australian Open champions?

I don't have a favorite on the men's side but on the women's side, my favorite is Dinara Safina. On this tournament, Safina has changed the way her last name is pronounced, stressing on the sa rather than the fi.

I watched the round of 16 between Safina and Cornet. Safina saved two match points in the third set and worked her way from 3-5 to 7-5 to win the match. Now that's what I call a class act. That's what makes Safina above her counterparts, her abiity to even out a game from a losing perspective and finally win it.

Looking at the roster of the quarterfinal winners, I also like Marion Bartoli and Elena Dementiva. But as I said, I will be going for Dinara Safina. I think this competition is Safina's break, her chance at a grand slam.

Federer's Fifth

As I expected, Roger Federer won the 2008 US Open, his fifth, earning him a total of 13 grand slam titles. At least, the year did not end without him winning a major. I believe there is still more left in Federer. He can still win more grand slam in the coming year.

But the thing is, it's not Rafael Nadal who he beat to win the US Open trophy. It is Andy Murray, a first time grand slam finalist who beat Nadal in the semi-finals. Twice this year, Federer and Nadal met in two finals, French Open and Wimbledon, and in both times, Federer lost. Now, I think he must thank Murray for breaking the curse. Maybe if it was Nadal he played with, just maybe, he would lost again.

There was a rain delay for the US Open on Saturday so the men's finals was moved to Monday. I forgot it would be aired at 5 pm on NBC. I waited and waited thinking it was at 8 pm. When I tuned in at 7:45, NBC was showing a replay of the Serena-Jankovic match and I could only wonder why. Then after the match, the announcer was thanking everyone for patronage of the 15-day coverage of the US Open. It showed clips of Federer holding the trophy. And then it occured to me that the men's finals went very quick that's why they had the women's finals replayed just to fill up the remaining time. I felt bad I forgot that the airing of the men's finals was at 5 pm. My loss.

Serena's Back

So there is no first grand slam win nor No. 1 spot for Elena Dementieva, Jelena Jankovic, or Dinara Safina. The title was won by the veteran Serena Williamn: her third US Open championship, 9th grand slam record, and World No. 1 ranking. All these are familiar territories to her.

Tonight is the rain-delayed and postponed Men's Tennis Finals between Roger Federer and Andy Murray from Great Britain. The two players are just extreme. Federer is looking at his 13th grand slam title while Murray for his first. I really think it's going to be Federer for the fifth time since Rafael Nadal, World No. 1 is out.

First Grand Slam and the No. 1 Spot

There are three women in WTA who have the chance to win her first grand slam plus the coveted title of World No. 1. They are Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva, and Dinara Safina.

Jelena Jankovic She was ranked No. 1 for a week this summer. She is one of the most hardworking player in WTA tour, playing up to 15 tournaments before US Open. This earned her a lot of points so even if she has to win her first grand slam yet, she had been in the No. 1 position. She is playing for semifinals match with Elena Dementieva on Friday, September 5th.

Elena Dementieva She won this year's Olympics. Winning that gold medal has given her so much self-confidence and she is playing rock solid, not yet dropping a set. I first saw Dementieva in a match between Maria Sharapova. It was a mismatch. The commentators commented on the lack of power on her serve. She lost that day to Sharapova. She has tremendously improved since that day and now, she is looking at that first grad slam and No. 1 title.

Dinara Safina I first saw her in this year's French Open during the fourth round match with Sharapova (Sharapova again- I think if it's Sharapova, I'm watching the match). The commentators were saying that two years back it was Safina who beat Sharapova in the earlier rounds of French Open. The camera showed Safina and behin her was Sharapova, both of them waiting to be called to enter the court.I saw Safina and I notice that she is special. There was just a decisiveness in her. In the match that was about to happen, she was the underdog and definitely not the media nor the crowd's favorite. And as history would have it, Safina won the match. A stunning comeback after a match point in the second set, 5-2. Then she did it again with Dementieva in the quarterfinals-- a match point in the second set, 5-2.

Now here are the three of them, all vying for the No. 1 spot and the first grand slam trophy.

US Open and Nadal

US Open started airing yesterday via USA channel. Of course, Rafael Nadal is at the center of the show. For the first time, a grand slam tennis tournmanent showed Nadal's game in the first round. Yes, that's the exposure you get when you are No. 1 in the world.

I remember the date - July 8, 2007 - Nadal lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. It was a sad bad day for Nadal. But the irony of it is that it was a joyful glorious day for Federer. That day is written in tennis history: Federer claimed his fifth Wimbledon victory.

Fast forward to now: Nadal is on top of the world -- French, Wimbledon, Olympics, and the number one ranking in the world. No one can beat that. And I'm sure it is very exhilarating and scary to be in that position. Will US Open trophy be next? Everyone is watching.

Safina's Two-time Win

She's really unstoppable. She won the Rogers Cup yesterday - August 3, 2008. And now, Dinara Safina is World's No.7. It was two weeks in a row, back to back, after her big win ast week. If she wins the U.S. Open, she would receive $2.5 million as prize money.

But Dinara said, she is not all about the money. She said she loves playing tennis and she wants to just play it match by match and be quiet. Her strategy has so far led her to three titles -- Berlin, Los Angeles, and Montreal.

Ashley Harkleroad

I first saw Ashley Harkleroad on a match between US and Germany (I'm not sure) on Tennis Channel. That was early this year. She won the match. She looked very simple but to me, she exuded a lot of class. Maybe it was her tennis outfit. It was a plain tennis shirt and skirt but with a beautiful body to match. She looked very respectable and dignified.

Instantly, Ashley became one of my favorites. I know she is not in the league of top tennis players and I was kind of doubting she would. Seeing her play and basing on the years I've watched professional tennis, her play is cut out from the books. Nothing special. I've seen her play in two grand slam tournaments and she lost both in the first round.

I was surpised to know Ashley posed for Playboy. I didn't think she would be a type who would. I also thought she was shy and reserved. I guess I couldn't judge someone just by seeing her play tennis and be interviewed for a couple of minutes.

Now get this: I'm buying my first issue of Playboy magazine because of Ashley Harkleroad.

Well Done, Dinara

Dinara Safina won the East West Bank Classic Championship held at Los Angeles yesterday. She ranks No. 8 in the world and with her consistent performance, is predicted to top the WTA in the coming months.

But Dinara chooses not to dwell on the rankings and just play it -- competition by competition. Her performance is really stellar. She was at the finals of the Fench Open this year, on a clay court. And she had played well at Wimbledon, on grass court, too, reaching the third round (which was better than the World No. 3 and World No. 1 at that time). And now, in the US Open Series, which is a hard court, she really has done well.

Rafa won, at last!

It is a championship worth winning and most deserved.

As for the Williams sisters, one of my dreams in the tennis world, that is, to see these two compete in a grand slam match, came true. Yes, they played each other before in a championship match but I didn't get to see it.

Both the players I cheered on won the titles at Wimbledon. I could'nt be happier. What an exciting sports tennis is.

No Serbs Left

As of today, there are no Serbs left at Wimbledon. No Ana Ivanovic, no Novak Djokovic, no Jelena Jankovic.

No one got through the quaterfinals. It's a shock to see top players losing and leaving so early during a tournament. Maybe this is the time new seeds have to bloom.

And yet, the defending champion, Venus Williamns, is still a strong contender along with her sister, Serena. Will it be a Williams call again or a new seed?

Huge Upset for No. 3

Maria Sharapova is now out at the 2008 Wimbledon in England. She is No. 3 in the world. Alla Kudryavtseva, No. 154 and no title to her name, sent her home in an easy 6-2, 6-4 match.

Coincidentally on the men's side, No. 3 Novak Djokovic lost the 2nd round match to Marat Safin yesterday. Safin did not drop a set.

I've been closely watching Wimbledon on ESPN. I would say they really have an excellent coverage of the tournament. Even if the No. 3s are gone, there are still a number of players worth watching for.

Ivanovic almost lost it

Ana Ivanovic, No. 1 seed almost lost to No. 97, Nathalie Dechy after a tough second round match at Wimbledon today. The result is 6-7, 7-6, 10-8.

While watching the match on ESPN, I almost believed Dechy would win it. But I've seen Dechy a few times during major tennis broadcasts playing doubles. What struck me about her is her capacity to smile between points whether losing it. I think it is an added bonus: grace under pressure. Just taking things cool and under control.

The doubles match I watched, Dechy and her partner won despite the great odds, almost to the face of defeat. But they played with such good naturedness and they were rewarded for it. That was about two years ago so I can't really recall the specifics.

Today, I thought Dechy would beat the No. 1 in the world just by seeing her flash that familiar smile.

She did it!

Ana Ivanovic is the new world No. 1 and the reigning French Open champion for 2008. I cannot say anything more than wishing her the best this year and more power to her.

And of course, congratulations to the 4-time French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal. Vamos Rafa!

French Open

This weekend is the championship for the women and men's tennis in the French Open. I'm excited to watch who would win. And of course, I have my favorites.

On the women side, it is Dinara Safina. She just became my new hero when I watched her play with the No. 1 seed in the world, Maria Sharapova. Too bad, by Monday, she is no longer the No. 1 because Ana Ivanovic would be the No. 1. But of course, the placement or the ranking kind of messed up when the real No. 1, Justine Henin retired two weeks before the French Open.

Watching Safina play, I saw the blood in her eyes. She just fought until the end and her spirits did not crumble despite a match point service. She did it again with Dementieva in the quaterfinals. I believe she could win the French Open. It is not a question of ability or talent, but of willpower. And I believe she got it ten times more than Ivanovic.

On the men side, I'm for the No. 2 seed, Rafael Nadal. The undefeated champion and the best tennis player in the clay surface. He is seeking to win his fourth French Open Championship. But of course, it may be Roger Federer -- the No. 1 seed who is still short of a French Open for a career grand slam.

It would be nice watching tennis history on Sunday.

Serena and the Clay Court

Serena Williams won the Family Circle Open. Yes, she did it again. She now has three titles for 2008 - from Bangalore, Miami, and now Charleston, SC.

I know it's silly to call the titles the names of the places where she won the events. But that's how the tennis commentators refer to them. They are all part of WTA tour anyway.

Family Circle Cup is on clay court. I know Serena, who is now 24 years old, is trying to get a lot of practice on clay surface because of the coming French Open.

French Open is also called Rolad Garros. That's because it's the name of the place in France where they hold it. I'm not sure if it's a name of a town or just the tennis park.

Another top player whose eyes is on the French Open throphy is Maria Sharapova. This is understandable because she has no French Open title yet. She recently won the Bausch and Lomb Championship, which is also on clay court.

Serena beat Sharapova in the quarterfinals of Family Circle Cup in three sets. It was a great match, like watching the championships. Both Serena and Sharapova have least liking to the clay court but they have to overcome it. They should, if they are aiming to win the French Open.

Clay court is really hard to play on. I say this out because not too many players like it. In fact, Roger Federer has never won any championship at Roland Garros even if he has 12 grand slams, five of which are in Wimbledon.

WTA Tour

I watched Serena Williams yesterday in a tennis event called Family Circle Cup. It was round of 16 and she won it. She played against Srebotnik-- I missed her first name. Serena is really doing well. And looking great, too,

I see that this WTA tour would be televised, with the championships on Sunday on ESPN at 1:00 PM eastern time.

I really like watching tennis. I have never learned how to play the game. I just played with friends a while back just for cardio workout. At that time, I wasn't a bit interested with the world of professional tennis yet. Now, I'm really a fan.