Archive for May 2012
May/12
30
The French Crowd Crushed Serena and Uplifted Razzano
21 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
It was the same dynamic as last year, an almost hostile, one-sided French Open crowd roared and inspired Virginie Razzano to upset Serena Williams. Last year they broke down Djokovic and uplifted Federer.
In no other slam stadium court do you hear the crowd roar as vehemently and emphatically as they do at Chatrier for one of their favored players. Continue to read full article...
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I did this Biofile with ATP #141 (and rising fast) Brian Baker back in 2003 at the US Open so it's a bit outdated but still a good read...
Tennis Heroes: "I think all the young Americans, I grew up idolizing Pete and Andre, for how they dominated the sport for so long."
Hobbies/Interests: "Let's see...Golf. I'm a sports oriented person. I like going out to movies. I like hanging out with friends. I like occasional video games [smiles]."
Nicknames: "Pretty much the only one is Bakes."
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Lauren Davis scores a big knockout win 61 61 over #30 seed Mona Barthel. She will meet fellow young American Christina McHale in the second round. Davis, 18 and two years younger than the Jersey girl, says she doesn't know McHale at all but has watched her play many times.
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May/12
25
2012 French Open Draw Discussion
3 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Top half:
#3 Federer and #1 Djokovic are in the top half, no surprise there.
Djokovic could play Hewitt in the second round if Hewitt gets past struggling Kavcic, which he should.
Continue to read full article...
May/12
22
Brian Baker Continues Winning Ways In Nice
26 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
The comeback story of the year in tennis continues.
Brian Baker entered the qualifying tournament for the ATP Nice 250 event. He routined his way through qualies, defeating Ilja Bozoljac 61 61, David Guez 63 62, and Alejandro Gonzalez 63 63.
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The King of Clay still occupies the throne.
Rafael Nadal conquered Novak Djokovic for the second Masters Series final in a row, taking out the ATP #1 75 63 today in Rome, Italy.
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This was a key match for Novak Djokovic. With Roger Federer gaining momentum from his stellar 2012 season and Rafael Nadal back to his winning ways on his favorite surface and still holding the King of Clay throne, Djokovic needed to fend off Federer this evening in Rome.
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May/12
15
Serena Says Blue Clay Complainers Are Wimps
4 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Madrid winner Serena Williams was not impressed by all the complaining about the new blue clay surface by some of the leading figures of the ATP, namely Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic last week.
Like Roger Federer, Serena opted to adapt to the blue clay conditions, not whine about it.
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Madrid wasn't even completed yet, and the Rome Masters Series is already under way. Former French Open champ Juan Carlos Ferrero beat Kevin Anderson yesterday, and Paolo Lorenzi upset Davydenko. Just under a month ago Lorenzi was playing the Sarasota Open Challenger. Youzhny beat Bellucci and Troicki beat Volandri.
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I can't believe Rafa Nadal just got knocked out by Verdasco in Madrid from two breaks down in the third set. Twice Nadal served for the match but Verdasco prevailed 7-5 in the third in a marathon which lasted three hours and 11 minutes.
Rafa had a perfect 13-0 record vs. Verdasco, though some of their recent clashes were tightly contested battles. Continue to read full article...
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