Archive for August 2014
Aug/14
31
The Biofile: Tommy Robredo Interview 2004
3 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios, Scoop
This is the first interview I ever did with Tommy Robredo, it was in 2004 at the US Open player lounge café, I still remember this interview because Jelena Dokic was sitting at our same table while Tommy ate and answered my questions simultaneously. This Biofile is in serious need of an update interview, but it's still an interesting read about a still evolving champion at the early stage of his professional career.
DOB: May 1, 1982 In: Barcelona, Spain
Childhood Heroes: "I like different things of everyone. Sampras forehand and serve. Agassi's return. The volley of Edberg. Things like this."
Hobbies/Interests: "I like to do a normal life like a kid. Going out, cinemas, the mountains, doing activities in the sea also. Fun things like this." Continue to read full article...
Aug/14
29
The Biofile: Zarina Diyas Interview
Status: WTA #48 from Kazhakstan.
First Tennis Memory: "I was watching the tennis on TV when I was six years old. It was Australian Open and I don't remember who it was...I think maybe Martina Hingis."
Tennis Inspirations: "I like Serena Williams. She's a role model for me."
Current Car: "I don't drive. I don't have driver's license [laughs]."
Last Book Read: "Jane Green, Fault In Our Stars." Continue to read full article...
Aug/14
28
Hewitt Falls To Berdych But Will Soldier On
8 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Lleyton Hewitt looked like a fading former champion boxer as he desperately tried to overcome the fearsome challenge of the towering Tomas Berdych but there was not enough in his limited arsenal. Berdych prevailed 63 64 63.
It seemed Berdych could raise his game any time he needed to. He saved early break points in the first set and overcome a 03 deficit in the second. Continue to read full article...
Status: ATP # 104.
First Tennis Memory: I grew up in a country town which is on the New South Wales and Victorian border in Australia. I remember I used to ride my bike down to the courts every day. My parents couldn't get me off the courts. I didn't have a coach my first year. I was ten years old and just loved it. Continue to read full article...
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Hewitt was hitting with Matosevic. Hewitt doesn't play his first rounder until Wednesday vs. Berdych.
Simona Halep, WTA world number two ranked player, was asked if she's been recognized much in and around New York City and she said so far just one person noticed her: "A policeman. He told me, You are Simona Halep, no? Yes I am. Only one."
Angie Kerber edged Ksenia Pervak in the first match on grandstand. The #6 seed cruised through the first set 62 but then found herself in a battle. Pervak, coached by Dusan Vemic since last October, and also a lefty began to outhit Kerber from the baseline. Pervak, who has a win over Wozniacki, took the match all the way to 55 in the third but then Kerber seemed to play it more safe and conservative. Experience the difference. A funny thing I remember from this match was after the first set Pervak took a bathroom break and took her racquet with her along with some kind of energy bar. Continue to read full article...
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Aug/14
24
Gulbis and Thiem go at it on Grandstand
12 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Good crowd watching these two titans working hard in practice in early afternoon on Grandstand.
They're doing baseline tennis, at first they are doing a lot of hard hitting right back at each other and it's clear Thiem is more on his game, Gulbis is missing more. On many first balls off the feed Gulbis puts the ball in the net. Thiem is like a one handed machine. Continue to read full article...
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The volatile but supremely talented Alexander Kudrayvtsev took down Ricardas Berankis 76 06 63 and then, as he exited the court, swiped a kid's white cap off his head. The kid ran after him shocked, then the big Russian playfully tossed it back to the kid and also gave him his yellow headband. I like this big hitter and who ever has to play him in the first round better be on high alert. By the way, AK may be the only player in tennis history to wear two different color socks, one red, one black.
My man Taro Daniel won again in three sets, watch this guy people, he's got a very aesthetic game.
Fognini was hitting with Bolelli on grandstand. Continue to read full article...
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Aug/14
21
Daniel, Coric, Jabeur, Rusty Shine on US Open Qualies Thursday
30 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Michelle Larcher De Brito was beaten by Barbora Krejcikova AND her coach Jana Novotna 76 63. Novotna was doing a lot of coaching especially through the first set. Her presence has to be a bit intimidating as she implored her charge on with intense sounds and provocations.
Lleyton Hewitt hit with Federer on Ashe in the morning. I was told by ATP scribe Joshe Meiseles that Djokovic was asked about being "rusty" at his press conference at John McEnroe Academy on Randall's Island, and the ATP World number one humorously replied, "There's only one Rusty and that's Lleyton Hewitt." Continue to read full article...
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Aug/14
21
Wednesday Observations US Open Qualies
4 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Daniela Hantuchova has a lot of fans who admire her game and her model-like physique, well, guess what, there's a new young Dani on the scene and her body is even longer and taller. Elizaveta Kulichkova of Russia could give Giselle Bundchen or Heidi Klum a run for their money and cover shoots. Keep your eye out for Elizaveta Kulichkova (in photo). She lost a tough one to veteran Stephanie Foretz, the bestacled French lady.
If you want to see an unfulfilled talent, watch Alexander Kudryavtsev of Russia, tall, rangy, long arms, solid technique but his head is the problem. He can lose his mind at any moment. And if you like to see racquets thrown and smashed, Kudryavtsev is your man. He smashed some racquets while beating Italian Thomas Fabbiano. Continue to read full article...
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When you go to US Open qualies it's a constant barrage of tennis. You see so much, it's hard to remember everything. I will try. In no particular order...
Gael Monfils entering incognito with a hood on in middle of sunny afternoon by the front entrance by the Eric Fischl sculpture of Ashe. Looks like La Monf came via bus. He was with a female French player who I can't name. Continue to read full article...
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