Rafa rocks

It seems like the top-tier WTA women can't find their game lately. So far only Ana was convincing in her first match even though she had to rally to win the first set.

Kuznetsova(no.6 seed?) is out, followed by Demetieva(no.3) and Jankovic(no.2).

WS will be missed.

The top-tier women come to play in Indian Wells this fortnight and the field looks like a joke. The world no.2 - Safina couldn't find the service box throughout the AO(how she got to the final is still beyond me), Jankovic decided to work on her body during the off-season but somehow lost her game, Dementieva , well, she's had a great run so far but she's a choker when the stage gets big, Can Ivanovic defend her title with that poor game she's been displaying since RG?, or maybe someone else will step up to the baseline and shake things up a lil? I'm not even gonna mention Kutznetsova.

Could this be Radwanska's chance to launch an assualt at the so-called top dogs?

Too many questions and no clear answer.Bottom line: WTA without the Williams sisters is a joke.

Oh well, when the cats away, the mice go to play. Its probably going to be a messy contest of who can hit the most double faults and still win the tourney.

Who's your pick?

I personally think this is Ana's chance to step up and regain her confidence without Venus/Serena having a say on it. otherwise Dementieva should have no problem running away with it.

How were the ballers drawn anyway? Or was it planned for the WS to be on opposite sides of the draw? I mean, having them play each other at an exho event whose purpose is to promote tennis especially in America, it only makes sense to have the two top american ballers battle it out in the final, at the grandest sports stage in the americas.

Well, if thats the case the organisers got what they wanted as the WS topped the two Serbs for a final showdown.

Lil Suprise there really!

After what seems like forever Venus WIliams finally shows some consistency that saw her climb to the top of the rankings at the beginning of this decade. Venus won her 5th Wimbly title by defeating her sister, later lost to her sister who went on to take the U.S Open, but bounced back to defeat her sister en route to the WTA Doha Championships title.

Of coz she had a disapointing showing at AO but it seems she got over that the only way the sisters know how to, that is by winning another title right away(Dubai) and get this, she just won her 41st career title. Abierto Mexicano.

She said it herself that she wants to climb up the rankings so that she doesn't have to play Serena before the championship matches. I guess we could be up for a great 2009 tennis season with the Williams sisters contesting for championships like they did constantly in 2002-2003.

Could this be for real? I kinda have a feeling it's for real.

I know Rafa have already secured the coveted year end no.1 but how about the three ballers behind him?

Is there a chance that their can be a change at no.2,3 & 4?

i.e. Does Nole have a shot at the no.2 position.

or Murray at no.3?

Funny how, only a few months ago, Rafa was the one in danger of being replaced from no.2.It seems now federer have to look over his shoulder at the two charging ballers in Nole and Murray.

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On a side note: ATP tour have just become even more interesting. Now the big 3 have become the big 4.I see Murray giving the top 3 a good run for their money come next year.

Get ready for an exciting year of tennis next year y'all :-)

Venus just secured herself a place at Doha next month by winning Zurich Open.whoaaa! i gotta say it was long overdue.It's great to see V winning something outside Wimbly lawns.

Anyway, whom do u guys think will be the season-end champion? All the top ladies are capable but if u ask me , i think Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams, Dinara Safina and Venus Williams will be the top contenders.

Well, i included Venus just because u can never discount her from any title(except Roland Garros of cos).I'd like to see her play Serena for the title.And avenge her US Open loss.

I really don't understand how the WTA Race to Doha championships work.Actually i don't understand all the WTA rankings.

Anyway, what's Venus supposed to do to qualify?

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By the way, V played awesome tennis to revenge her AO loss to Ana

Well, Nole finally admitted what most tennis fans thought. Apparently he is working on his physical strength bcoz it seems Nole can't get through long haul matches without taking medical timeouts, albeit to take breathers..

"I don't like how I have got a reputation as a guy who asked for medical time-outs to intimidate opponents," he said. "It's not me trying to provoke my opponent, it's me trying to win."

More like "medical time-outs to [disrupt] opponets" Nole..definitely not to intimidate or provoke.

Ana's horrid season continues as Zheng Jie topples her once AGAIN.

Whats going on with her? I hope she doesn't go down as one of those one slam wonders.

i live in Malaysia but i'm not malaysian and i can't read bahasa malay. A couple of days ago i logged into my yahoo mail only to realise it has been changed to malay.

Now i don't even know where to start since even the account information is not english.

Anyone got an idea how i can turn this around or even why yahoo switched my account language?

I actually know how the points system works but bcoz of the olympics and the rescheduling of tournaments i'm confused.

Federer lost on the 3rd round today, as the defending champion he has lost over 300points.The difference between him and Nadal at the moment is 300, and Nadal has succesfully defended his 5points. Isn't it technically correct to conclude Nadal has already secured the no.1 ranking when Federer's last year points(500) are taken off?

I used to hate it when he'll let his ego do most of the talking but now that he's becoming a lil too 'soft'(for luck of a better word),i kinda miss the old Djoker..

""I'm not thinking about them[Nadal & Federer] and their rivalry," said the Serb .

Does that mean he's taking himself out of the mix now? Even his oncourt demeanor isn't as fierce as it used to be.where are all the fist pumps and the yelling.The huge presence he used to bring to the court doesn't seem to be there anymore.

anyways, i'm probably just overreacting but his last few appearances at both Toronto and Cincinnati were not very convincing.

Rafa just gave Serra a cold harsh bagel with a breadstick. Now tht should hurt,even for a low ranked player its still embarassing.

Can Rafa keep this up?i mean he's on a 30 match winning streak on 3 different surfaces.It must be hard on him.

Anywayz congrats to Rafa..

Rogers Cup final : preview anyone?

So far Nadal is 3-0 H2H record against Kiefer.and all the matches were played this year. 2 hardcourts and one at Wimbledon.He hasn't even taken a set from Nadal.

The mismatch of this final is apparent but can Kiefer atleast steal a set?

He totally outplayed Djokovic.Which is a bit weird considering their H2H record.

Djoker's chances at taking the no.1 spot, let alone pursue Nadal for the no.2 will have to wait a lot more than he anticipated a couple of months ago.

Speculations anyone?I mean he looked agitated, spraying balls all-over the place.even at one point losing his cool with the umpire.

*. Could it be the late effects of mono.?

*. Or the wimbledon hangover?

*. Or maybe other players are getting better?

*. Or perhaps its the NADALisis? i mean, he's gaining on him fast, maybe Roger just can't handle the pressure.which again, would be weird considering he's one of the most cool and collected players on tour.

So, what could it be really?

I searched the official website and all i could find was the 2007 main draw.It starts on the 19th(?) of July.Isn't it a bit weird that they haven't published the draw yet?

If its out and anyone knows where i can find it i'll be glad if you let me now.

Thanks :)

And the nominees are:

Best Male Tennis Player

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic

Bob And Mike Bryan

I personally will pick Rafael Nadal based on his performance so far this year but i wouldn't bet against them giving it to Roger Federer.While they are at it, they might as well consider giving him the GOAT title.I mean we know they worship him anyway.

And why didn't they nominate Djoker for Breakthrough Athlete, or he's too much of a seasoned athlete to consider for that award?I mean they nominated Ivanovic, didn't these two breakthrough around the same time?

And just how did Sharapova get nominated for Best Female athlete.Bcoz she won the Aussie Open?is it just me or there's something totally wrong with that part of nominations?

``He's old school,'' said Steve Rosner, co-founder of sports marketing firm 16W in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

``The Wimbledon victory puts him on the list of endorsers to consider. But until he makes an effort to clean up his English and show he wants to get out there and sell, I don't think anyone will be dialing their agents screaming, `We've got to sign this guy.'''

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Its really a shame that people would rather have him change and be someone that he's not just so he can get endorsements. Rafa doesn't care about the endorsement money, he just wanna do what he does best: play tennis and be HIMSELF - humble and down to earth.

i say screw endorsements, just do what makes u happy Rafa. And u certainly don't have to worry about ur 'english'.Stay true to your roots. Toni taught u well man.I'll be proud to have him as an uncle, coach and mentor.He's like the best uncle in the world.

``He's old school,'' said Steve Rosner, co-founder of sports marketing firm 16W in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

``The Wimbledon victory puts him on the list of endorsers to consider. But until he makes an effort to clean up his English and show he wants to get out there and sell, I don't think anyone will be dialing their agents screaming, `We've got to sign this guy.'''

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Its really a shame that people would rather have him change and be someone that he's not just so he can get endorsements. Rafa doesn't care about the endorsement money, he just wanna do what he does best: play tennis and be HIMSELF - humble and down to earth.

i say screw endorsements, just do what makes u happy Rafa. And u certainly don't have to worry about ur 'english'.Stay true to your roots. Toni taught u well man.I'll be proud to have him as an uncle, coach and mentor.He's like the best uncle in the world.