Legg Mason Day 2

Topaz

Legend
As a Northern Virginia resident, and tennis geek, I purchase package tickets to all the sessions at Legg Mason. Last year I wrote about my experiences and posted pics, and since they were pretty well received, I thought I would do it again.

Day 1 was all qualifying matches, and though there were matches being played that interested me, I decided to pass since I knew I'd be spending so much time there this week. I wanted to see Treat Huey and Jan Michael Gambill, and sure enough, they both lost. Howoever, the kid who won the NCAA title, Somdev DevVarman, was playing, and he won! So I had hopes of seeing him play today.

Things to always take to Legg Mason:
*Water, but in a plastic bottle
*a towel, to dry off a wet seat, to cushion the tushie, to wrap around you when your skin is on fire from the sun...the towel is the most useful item in my bag!
*some snacks, unless you want to spend 6 bucks on a smoothie
*the camera!
*sunglasses, and or visor, since I'm still stuck on the sunny side of the stadium
*umbrella

So I packed my bag, and I was off! I drive to Rock Creek park, and then leave my car in one of the appointed parking lots and take the free shuttle to the stadium. It is a GREAT service that they provide absolutely free!

I spent a bit of time walking around, and glanced in at the practice courts. I saw Igor Kunitsyn and Leander Paes practicing, but didn't recognize or take the time to figure out who anyone else was. I headed into the stadium where Kevin Kim and Tomas Zib were on serve 2-1. Both men were serving well, and the first set went to a tiebreak. Zib was able to secure a few mini-breaks, Kim faded a bit, and that was the first set with Zib winning 7-6.

The next match featured Swede Thomas Johanssen and Columbian Santiago Giraldo. I figured it would be a somewhat easy win for Johanssen based solely on the fact that I had never heard of Giraldo. Johanssen, as expected, had a big serve, but his groundstrokes, in comparison to his serve and the groundstrokes of Giraldo, looked slow and off pace. Giraldo would be rallying with him and then KABLAM!, he'd hit a zinger with his FH. (Though, he was capable of doing the same with his BH) Only problem was that Giraldo would sometimes send the ball wildly out instead of zinging an impressive winner. He was fun to watch, though, and I hope to see more of him.

He did manage to break Johanssen, but then Johanssen broke right back, and the two were on serve when the sky opened up. I had just bent down to put my sun visor in my bag, and when I looked back up, it was raining!

Since I sit in the second tier, I can easily take refuge under the upper stadium seats. I spent at least an hour and a half under one of those last year waiting for the Blake/Safin match to resume after a few storms blew through. With DC humid summer weather, a passing thunderstorm, even a severe one, is hardly a surprise.

I figured today I would do the same thing...just wait it out. And sure enough, it stopped and the crews took to the court to get things dried off. But they didn't get much further when it started to pour again. I waited for about 45 minutes, then packed it in for today. I have no doubt they will get the matches in since Legg Mason is lighted, but I will just have to read about those matches on the internet. If the NCAA champ DevVarman won his match today, he would make it into the main draw!

All for now!

Pics to follow this post...
 

Topaz

Legend
Kim and Zib on a changeover:

KimZib.jpg


Kevin Kim had 10 aces!
Kimserve2.jpg


So did Zib, and though he had 10 less winners than Kim, he still won the match!
Zib.jpg
 

goober

Legend
I am really surprised that Kim had 10 aces, because I have seen serve several times before and didn't think he was that good of a server compared to other top 100 ATP players. He must have been on fire.
 

Topaz

Legend
does anyone know when the usta member appreciation days are?

I believe they are today (Monday) and Friday, but if you double check the Legg Mason website, that will tell you for sure (look under special events). Or, check the Mid-Atlantic website, I know they had some Legg Mason info on there.
 

ilovecarlos

Professional
Nice photos and commentary...as a fellow local, don't you think that the person that decided to hold a tournament in DC in July should be shot...or at least maimed????? Hahaha...the humidity it like 95% already today and it's not even 11 yet! Last nights storms were pretty intense and we're supposed to get them all week...glad you're close to cover....
I hope to get down there sometime this week...enjoy yourself;)
 

Topaz

Legend
Nice photos and commentary...as a fellow local, don't you think that the person that decided to hold a tournament in DC in July should be shot...or at least maimed????? Hahaha...the humidity it like 95% already today and it's not even 11 yet! Last nights storms were pretty intense and we're supposed to get them all week...glad you're close to cover....
I hope to get down there sometime this week...enjoy yourself;)

Well, it is sooo much cooler than it was this time last year, that it hasn't fazed me yet. Last year was just insane...this year it is just hot...so far!

Maybe it is good training for the players for NY, since it isn't likely to be much cooler for the Open? I'm just happy I get to go to a tournament!
 

ilovecarlos

Professional
Well, it is sooo much cooler than it was this time last year, that it hasn't fazed me yet. Last year was just insane...this year it is just hot...so far!

Maybe it is good training for the players for NY, since it isn't likely to be much cooler for the Open? I'm just happy I get to go to a tournament!



Amen my friend...it was in the 100's last year....I nearly faint thinking about it! Have fun
 

J-man

Hall of Fame
I was hoping to go to Legg Mason this year but I don't think I'll get get tickets through my moms client
 

simi

Hall of Fame
That's all I took yesterday...I'll take more today, and upload them when I get home...probably sometime around midnight though!

Any requests?

Requests??? A telephoto, if you have one.

Love the swirl image. Very artistic. Since it never rains out here on the west coast, so haven't the foggiest how they dry the courts. Informative, and a good snap. Keep 'em coming.
 

Sup2Dresq

Hall of Fame
That's all I took yesterday...I'll take more today, and upload them when I get home...probably sometime around midnight though!

Any requests?

Shcmad would like anything Safin.

I'm not that praticular, as long as its not Roddick.

Great pics, what type of camera are you using.
 

boobik2371

Semi-Pro
I saw isner play i really dont think he has a consistent backhand nice serve and forehand. correct me if im wrong about his backhand ive only seen it once in action
 

patrick922

Semi-Pro
shcmad i took some photos of safin for you and took really close up pics of his racquet too. ill post it once i figure out how to upload it.
 

Topaz

Legend
I can do the Haas request tonight, but Roddick and Safin will have to wait...haven't seen them yet.

About to get started on the Day 3 post.

Oh, and my camera...nothing fancy...a Sony Cybershot.
 

Sup2Dresq

Hall of Fame
shcmad i took some photos of safin for you and took really close up pics of his racquet too. ill post it once i figure out how to upload it.

Someone call ShCmad to make sure he didn't faint after reading this post. His man crush's racquets up close.

You know how long it took us to convince him his current Safin set up racquet was too heavy for him. Now we'll never get him to see reality.
 

Sup2Dresq

Hall of Fame
I can do the Haas request tonight, but Roddick and Safin will have to wait...haven't seen them yet.

About to get started on the Day 3 post.

Oh, and my camera...nothing fancy...a Sony Cybershot.

Actually i think Safin and Roddick take court tonight. Haas I believe is tomorrow night.

Please report back if you see a Korean guy run on the court after Safin. Spikey long hair may indicate a MAC member we all know well.
 

Topaz

Legend
Actually i think Safin and Roddick take court tonight. Haas I believe is tomorrow night.

Please report back if you see a Korean guy run on the court after Safin. Spikey long hair may indicate a MAC member we all know well.

Ha! Got it, I will have my camera at the ready!
 
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