Auckland Heineken Open ATP 250

[Virginia]

I wouldn't give up on JJ yet. Those condtions yesterday were the worst possible imaginable. Several players said they'd never experienced anything like it. I played in the morning and the wind was swirling around, changing direction and destroying any rhythm.

I think the wind affected the taller players more and also the younger ones. Rocchus managed very well, as did (of all people) Malisse.

JJ seems to have no nerves at all - he did get frustrated with the wind of course - almost like he was thinking "Hey guys, you need to fix this!"

But he went for all his shots - no defensive play to speak of. He just needs to settle down and learn some patience, rather than trying to hit winners all the time, expecially in difficult conditions.

Klizan and Goffin were disappointing too - once again, youngsters with less experience of these sort of conditions.

Hell, I pity the guys (and girls) in Sydney today - temperatures of 43 dgrees C - 110 degrees F are forecast!

[underground]

At least JJ will be fresh for the AO.

[Zildite]

Originally Posted by Bobby Jr

I know Justin Gimlestob is... what feed/channel is Robbie Koenig commentating for?

Same one as Gimelstob, I don't think commentated together though.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Rhino

Also known as the David Ferrer Open.

I've been at the ASB Classic WTA event and the Heineken Open so I thought I'd post some pictures.

Here are Yaroslava Shvedova and Julia Goerges after losing the doubles final on Saturday:

excellent pics, Rhino ..... thanks!

gotta question for you as someone who's familiar with Kiwi culture: Regarding the way their pronounce their vowels A-E-I-O-U .... do they teach school children to pronounce the Es the way we pronounce Is and the Is the way we pronounce Es?

[Nostradamus]

any good LIVE HD stream for this event ? I am willing to pay for it.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

any good LIVE HD stream for this event ? I am willing to pay for it.

there's an excellent stream at tennistv.com .... BUT .... since this tournament is a 250, they do NOT broadcast it for those of us who live in the USA ..... damn shame ... no idea why they do us that way!

[Love Game]

[Q] J Levine (CAN) vs [WC] D King-Turner (NZL)

WTH? Since when did Jesse Levine ditch the USA and start playing for Canada again?

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Virginia

I wouldn't give up on JJ yet. Those condtions yesterday were the worst possible imaginable. Several players said they'd never experienced anything like it. I played in the morning and the wind was swirling around, changing direction and destroying any rhythm.

I think the wind affected the taller players more and also the younger ones. Rocchus managed very well, as did (of all people) Malisse.

JJ seems to have no nerves at all - he did get frustrated with the wind of course - almost like he was thinking "Hey guys, you need to fix this!"

But he went for all his shots - no defensive play to speak of. He just needs to settle down and learn some patience, rather than trying to hit winners all the time, expecially in difficult conditions.

Klizan and Goffin were disappointing too - once again, youngsters with less experience of these sort of conditions.

Hell, I pity the guys (and girls) in Sydney today - temperatures of 43 dgrees C - 110 degrees F are forecast!

This exactly. Nothing about the loss last night made me think any less of Jerzy's enormous potential. Baker barely got away with the tie-break, and Jerzy's youth showed in the next 10 minutes where he got frustrated and had a lull. He should do better in that situation as he matures.

That fact that "Jerzy seems to have no nerves at all" is exactly what makes him so dangerous, along with that huge serve and forehand. He's exactly the kind of guy that any big dog at a Slam does not want to face, because he can take the racquet right out of your hands with his game and, so far, it seems like he just isn't prone to get too tight. What I really want to see is if he continues to play such fearless, no-nerves tennis in Slam matches as he gains more notoriety and now, for the first time, a seed. The way he handled those break points against Baker, just crushing the ball and nailing those serves, was remarkable. Can he do the same under the bigger lights of Melbourne? That will be interesting.

Super stoked to watch him progress. Both he and Dimitrov in the early rounds of AO will be super fun to watch.

[Mainad]

Originally Posted by Love Game

[Q] J Levine (CAN) vs [WC] D King-Turner (NZL)

WTH? Since when did Jesse Levine ditch the USA and start playing for Canada again?

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=448808

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Mainad

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=448808

Thx, Mainad!
Wonder how much money Uncle SAP invested in Levine? Obviously, there's not as much ill will as there was against Alex Bogomolov ... but ... did Jesse Levine EVER play tennis for Canada (in a money-earning capacity, that is)? He's earned almost a million playing "for" USA ..........

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by Love Game

excellent pics, Rhino ..... thanks!

gotta question for you as someone who's familiar with Kiwi culture: Regarding the way their pronounce their vowels A-E-I-O-U .... do they teach school children to pronounce the Es the way we pronounce Is and the Is the way we pronounce Es?

Thanks. Kiwi pronunciation isn't taught. We just pick it up, because everyone around us is speaking the same way.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Rhino

Thanks. Kiwi pronunciation isn't taught. We just pick it up, because everyone around us is speaking the same way.

K so ... pull the other one ... even 'em out!

fun match this ... could swear I heard a kiwi say: monfils wens the sicond sit!!!

[Love Game]

Kiwis were so supportive of Isner the last few years. This year he's playing sydney, but American Brian Baker's in Auckland in his stead .... are you Kiwis taking to Baker as much as you did to Isner, Rhino?

BTW, love the center court renovations ..... nice, very nice!

[Love Game]

Really love this tournament. First year I watched it Juan Martin del Potro won ... Fun and comfortable that year. Still fun, but renovations are nice, still preserving the intimacy ... is that a NZL channel broadcasting? ..... Anyway, Becker was playing very well at first, especially serving ..... monfils almost threw second set away, but held on to win it .... then fell apart a bit ... monfils looking determined and becoming a crowd favorite all over again after six years away .... good choice giving him a wild card .... my choice to meet Ferrer in the semis ...

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by Love Game

Really love this tournament. First year I watched it Juan Martin del Potro won ... Fun and comfortable that year. Still fun, but renovations are nice, still preserving the intimacy ... is that a NZL channel broadcasting?

Yeah it's an awesome tournament. I'm not biased, I used to live in London and I actually prefer attending this to Queens (although I realise the quality of draw is lower). The facilities are really nice. There is a gym, an Olympic pool, three hidden practice courts on the roof, three indoor courts, great food, two pro shops, and the chance to get close to the players, who all seem a lot friendlier here than when they are in the US.

Host broadcaster is SKY TV (New Zealand).

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Rhino

Yeah it's an awesome tournament. I'm not biased, I used to live in London and I actually prefer attending this to Queens (although I realise the quality of draw is lower). The facilities are really nice. There is a gym, an Olympic pool, three hidden practice courts on the roof, three indoor courts, great food, two pro shops, and the chance to get close to the players, who all seem a lot friendlier here than when they are in the US.

Host broadcaster is SKY TV (New Zealand).

Poor Becker, he always comes close to beating these top guys and falls short.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Rhino

Yeah it's an awesome tournament. I'm not biased, I used to live in London and I actually prefer attending this to Queens (although I realise the quality of draw is lower). The facilities are really nice. There is a gym, an Olympic pool, three hidden practice courts on the roof, three indoor courts, great food, two pro shops, and the chance to get close to the players, who all seem a lot friendlier here than when they are in the US.

Host broadcaster is SKY TV (New Zealand).

The venue sounds awesome. Is it my imagination, or is there more traffic noise now than there used to be a few years ago?

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

Poor Becker, he always comes close to beating these top guys and falls short.

Yeah. So near and yet so far. He looked so cute in his pre-match interview without the hat. Never realized he was that good looking before. Did sound as if the qualy win might have been an advantage for him ... but gael's class finally took effect. Still, leMonf maybe should not have done the slide splits on those nicely unbandaged knees ..... he just can't help himself when it comes to crowd pleasing .....

[DunlopDood]

Originally Posted by Love Game

Thx, Mainad!
Wonder how much money Uncle SAP invested in Levine? Obviously, there's not as much ill will as there was against Alex Bogomolov ... but ... did Jesse Levine EVER play tennis for Canada (in a money-earning capacity, that is)? He's earned almost a million playing "for" USA ..........

Yah I don't think I have seen an interview with this guy outlining why he now all of a sudden wants to play for Canada. He made his choice to play for the USA and he should just stick with it. I really don't like this changing loyalties business thats so prevalent in tennis.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by DunlopDood

Yah I don't think I have seen an interview with this guy outlining why he now all of a sudden wants to play for Canada. He made his choice to play for the USA and he should just stick with it. I really don't like this changing loyalties business thats so prevalent in tennis.

agreed ... I mean, I can understand people doing what's best for themselves, but how bout "giving back" ????? it seems most of these foreign teenagers who train here in the usa just take, take, take ... when does "giving back" play a part?

[Love Game]

early break for Mr. Ice Blue Eyes, now leading Falla 3-0

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edit: querrey d rochus 75 63 -- will play the winner of g.jones/g.monfils in tomorrow's QF
and x.malisse d s.giraldo 76(6) 64 -- will play the winner of Kohly/Falla tomorrow in the QF

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edit: Falla breaks to hold 4-5