Wimbledon Update: Day 2

(Source)

Day 2 at Wimbledon:

Serena scared me a little by dropping a set. But, ever the champion, she served her way out and won it in three: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. It was so great to see her back on court. All the commentators are predicting she'll have a hard time during this tournament, since she's been gone for so long. But I have a feeling that she'll make it all the way to the finals. She always performs amazingly well in majors. Go for #5, Serena!

Djokovic looked liked the amazing player he's been all year and won easily: 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. I love his new game, serve and confidence! If for some reason Nadal gets knocked out, you better take it all, Nole!

World #1 Caroline Wozniacki had a shaky start, but her vigilance paid off. She beat down Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2, 6-1. Caroline doesn't have a lot of umpf to her game. But give her time and steadily, she wins. I'm still not convinced that she should be ranked #1 and has yet to win a major, but no one asked me when they came up with ranking system.

The infamous Isner/Mahut rematch! As I guessed, someone (Isner) won it in straight sets: 7-6, 6-2, 7-6. Mahut didn't seem like the same Mahut from last year. And Isner made some great shots. Let's hope he does well next round, too.

Soderling struggled a little bit, but pulled it out in four sets: 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6. Eh, Soderling is my least favorite player besides Federer, so I would have been okay if he lost.

Oh yeah, Fed won.

Roddick rocked it in straight sets -- 6-4, 7-6, 6-3 -- and had 30 aces! He's looking good and I hope he goes far this year.

Sharapova also beat down her opponent, Anna Chakvetadze, 6-2, 6-1. She look confident and I like it. Though, I'm still hoping Serena wins it all.

Azarenka advanced after Magdalena Rybarikova had to retire. But Vika was already leading with a set, so I think she would have advanced anyway.

What a great day 2! I can't wait until day 3!

The allure of grass

(Source)

It's Day 1 of Wimbledon. Venus is back from injury. So is Roddick. And of course Rafa is ready to defend his title. Tomorrow my beloved Serena is finally back after 50 weeks away due to injuries. Also tomorrow, Djokovic continues his amazing 2011 season. I'm excited to keep up with all the players and see the results of their matches. I even joined twitter so I could follow my favorites and get the inside scoop; you can find me: @brynspeak.

Probably the most interesting thing about this year's tournament thus far is the re-match of John Isner (USA) & Nicolas Mahut (FRA). You might (or might not probably don't) remember their infamous 1st round match last year. The longest match in history, spanning three days, taking more than 11 hours to complete and with the 5th set score of 70-68. I'm pretty sure that with all the hype surrounding this re-match one of them will win in straight sets tomorrow. But it's pretty unbelievable that they're meeting at Wimbledon in the first round, again.

 

While you're waiting for tennis coverage to resume - because you're all waiting, right? - you can check out this article that a lovely friend passed along to me: The most beautiful game by Geoff Dyer. Aside from his obvious adoration of Federer (ack!) it's a wonderful love letter to tennis. And I can't resist a good love letter to tennis.

Anyone else a tennis fan? Oh, just me? That's okay. I'll be sure to keep you all updated. Happy Monday!

Sixth time's the charm

(Roland Garros)

Yesterday Rafael Nadal won the French Open for the sixth time. Yes, sixth. His record at the French is 45-1. Meaning for six out of seven years he's entered the tournament and won it. Rafa's my favorite male tennis player. There are so many great things about him, but what I love most about him comes from his coach, his uncle, Toni. Uncle Toni has said that he taught Rafa how to be a good person, not just a good tennis player. And that if Rafa ever starting acting cocky instead of humble, or ever let fame, money or winning change him, Uncle Toni wouldn't coach him anymore.

So congrats, Rafa! A well deserved win for one of the best tennis players ever. And also one of the best people ever. Looking forward to watching you defend you title at Wimbledon is just a couple short weeks!

I thought it was supposed to be Spring

 In honor of Memorial Day & Spring

Who gets a cold in May? Oh wait, I do. And apparently my old roommate. Can we possibly still be sharing things after seven years? Room, what are you thoughts?

I am pretty much the worst at being sick. I whine about how awful I feel. And repeatedly ask Neal why this is happening to me. He is endlessly patient and wonderful. Always asking what he can get for me and telling me that I'll get better. He also suggests that I call my mom because she will undoubtedly be sympathetic. I did call her. She was.

Fortunately for the rest of the world that are neither my husband nor my mom, I keep my pathetic-ness (yes, I made that a word) to myself. Well, to myself, Neal, my mom and now all of you. So I guess not to myself at all. But I'm not moaning and groaning to every stranger I see on the street. So that's something, I guess.

In the midst of asking Neal why this is happening to me, I usually start asking him how I got sick in the first place. Because obviously he knows the answer. Inevitably, it sparks a conversation that I think we've had at least 30 times. It goes like this.

Me: How did I get sick?
Neal: Everybody gets sick sometimes.
Me: I guess so. What do you think I have?
Neal: Well, I think it's a cold. Or...maybe it's allergies.
Me: No, I don't have allergies. I've never had allergies.
Neal: Okay, but your body chemistry changes every seven years, so maybe you've developed them.
Me: That's ridiculous. I don't have allergies.
Neal: You're the one who told me that a person's body chemistry changes every few years.
Me: I know. Still, I don't have allergies. I've never had them. Could allergies make me feel this bad?
Neal: Yes.
Me: I don't think so.
Neal: Okay. (shakes head)

End scene.

I'm never a fan of being sick. Just ask Neal. But especially in May. It was 80 on Sunday and 90 on Monday. And I spent both days inside. Granted I did watch a lot of the French Open and episodes of Law & Order: SVU - tell me, is there a better show? I also worked hard developing my 30-year smoker cough. Trust me, it sounds authentic.

Here's hoping no one else gets a spring - or even worse, summer - cold.

She's Back

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Welcome back, Justine Henin! After being absent for more than 1 1/2 years, she is competing again. She shocked the world two weeks before the 2008 French Open (her favorite tournament) and retired as the World's #1 female player - the first player ever to retire while ranked #1.

Now, fresh off her 20 month hiatus, she has not competed in enough tournaments to have a ranking, yet. She will most likely rectify that by the end of this tournament. She's working her way through the Australian Open ranks thanks to a wild card spot. Now into the round of 16, she has already taken out #5 in the world and 2008 Gold Medalist, Elena Dementieva.

And now that Kim Clijsters is out of the tournament (read about her brutal beat-down), another Belgian can make her way to the Champions' podium at a major. Good luck! But I'm still hoping Serena Williams will take home the trophy for a 5th time.

* Image from the Telegraph web site

Australian Open Update

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Congrats to 6'9"(yes 6'9") American John Isner for making it to the round of 16 at the Australian Open! You played an awesome match against Monfils and really killed it in the tie breaks. Best of luck to you next week against Murray!

* Image from Mail Online

The Game of Ifs

I am a tennis fanatic. And tennis season is finally upon us! After three long months of waiting, another Grand Slam has arrived. The Australian Open started this week in Melbourne. It's the most difficult Grand Slam to view due to the 14 hour time difference. Last year I got up at 3:00 in the morning the watch the finals live. Hey, don't judge. I didn't want to learn the outcome in a news story. Thanks, internet.

Most of the people I know don't get very excited about tennis. But I love the game and cheering for my favorites: Serena Williams & Rafael Nadal. I love their drive and intensity and their fight. And in real life, they're two of the nicest people around.

I like to call tennis the game of "ifs". I guess that can be said about most sports. But one point in a tennis match can often mean the difference between a win and a loss. What if Robin Soderling hadn't beat Nadal at last year's French Open? Would Federer still have taken the title?

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the what ifs - the commentators sure love to. But one of the best things about tennis is the moment, the anticipation. I am almost always on the edge of my seat when I'm watching the finals. Let's hope it's a repeat of last year and Nadal wipes the floor with Federer.