Nati Nati here we come - Cincinnati 2007 Thread

[jenhatter06]

woot for Roger!

(and a late note ... his SF with Lleyton was such a good match ... down to the wire !)

woot for Erlich & Ram too .... but it was sooo close for Bob & Mike -- great match though, fun to watch, some incredible rallies and shots by both teams

[davis]

www.tennis.com:

Setting the house in order

What began as the week that no one cared about ended as one that set the tennis world’s collective house in order. After mass carnage among the seeds in Cincinnati, and mass indifference to Toronto among the women, the two best players in the world, Roger Federer and Justine Henin, found their best games in time to hold the winners' trophies. In the process, they showed that the cream is rising just as New York City is appearing on the horizon.

Roger Federer d. James Blake 6-1, 6-4

This is, as they say, a bad match-up. For Blake, that is. For Sire Jacket, what could be finer? His opponent’s best shot, his crosscourt forehand, which he always goes for when he has the chance, comes right into SJ's proverbial wheelhouse, his own forehand. Federer also happens to move exceptionally well in that direction and loves to see the ball come in with pace—the more the better, seemingly.

That play defines these guys' matches. Once Blake knows, again, that he can’t hurt Federer—that, in fact, he’s only feeding the guy what he wants—he starts to press and lose belief. Contrast the calm, controlled, athletic sharpshooting he did against Davydenko in the round before with the Blake we saw in the final. This Blake lost the first set 6-1, double-faulted four times in his first service game in the second (but held), and then fought hard to make it 3-3, 30-30 only to fold in about 10 seconds by dumping two off-balance backhands into the net. When Blake did get a look, as he did on five break-point occasions, he couldn't pull the trigger, get over the hump, clear the hurdle—however you want to say it, he couldn't do the one thing he needed to do to win. On a break point in the first set, he even had a hanging midcourt forehand lined up. You could see just a bit of hesitation—uncharacteristic for Blake—and the ball was gone, framed, a foot wide. Whatever the mental obstacle is for Blake against Federer, it's big.

Still, it was an encouraging tournament for the American. Wait, haven’t I said that about a dozen times before? No matter, it’s true again, mostly because he’s heading for the two and a half weeks of the year when he gets around to playing his best tennis, at New Haven and Flushing Meadows. Blake's very solid performances against Davydenko and Ferrero, along with his gutty one against Querrey, are the matches that he needed, and the ones he should remember.

Federer? Cross that bridge if you’re lucky enough to come to it again in New York.

Otherwise, this was a pretty dispiriting week for the ATP. Once again, scheduling two Masters events in a row in August cost Cincy and stalled much of the momentum that had been built for the Open. Djokovic and Roddick put in lame/tame/subpar performances (no matter what the situation), and Nadal had an unfortuante one. Credit Federer for showing the grit to get through a couple ugly days. If the clay Masters schedule is going to change, there should be a change in the summer hard court editions as well, as in more than one day off between them.Sooooo true

Or, what about playing the whole thing at night? Seriously, isn't it so much more enjoyable to watch, even on TV, under the lights?

[Annie]

Congrats to Roger and yes I do agree..the semifinal against Lleyton was darn exciting to watch ;D And congrats to Elrich and Ramm Very well deserved wins ;D

Great run and a big yay for Kolya too

[Annie]

Justsafin thanks a million for your amazing photos!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

[Annie]

Bye bye Nati...Big Apple here we come ;D

[Mrs. Fabregas]

silvitza said:

frensje, do not want to sound picky, but I think this was not Roger's cup...
Rogers cup was played last week in Montreal and lost by Rog in the final :-(

You are so right, Silvitza ... And u do not sound picky to me ;D


* Off to modify my post *

[Mrs. Fabregas]

dina said:

hehe silviza sweety it'sn ot what meant frensje! its' just an allusion to all what he won, and his name is Roger!

.... Nope, Silvitza was totally right, I mixed up the 2 tournaments!!!!!!! for me ;D!!!!!

btw... next time, Dina... I can speak for myself )

[Dina]

you're defintely right frensje I deleted my post! sorry

[justsafin]

admin said:

Justsafin thanks a million for your amazing photos!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

You are very welcome !!

So glad that everybody likes the blog!! ( safin-faniac.blogspot.com/ )

I have added some more videos and slideshows (with more than 200 pics) this morning. It's alot of work but definitely worth it!!!!!!!

[arwen21]

justsafin said:

admin said:

Justsafin thanks a million for your amazing photos!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

You are very welcome !!

So glad that everybody likes the blog!! ( safin-faniac.blogspot.com/ )

I have added some more videos and slideshows (with more than 200 pics) this morning. It's alot of work but definitely worth it!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot!!! great pix and videos!!!!great job!!!