The 3rd Annual Legg Mason Blog (Pics! Vids!)

[Topaz]

Yup, it is that time again. Legg Mason time. Though, this year sees a smaller and somewhat depleted field due to the Olympics. Still, these guys clearly know how to hit a tennis ball!

I was not able to catch any of the weekend matches, which unfortunately meant that I didn't get to see one of my favorite players...Wayne 'the Train' Odesnik. Odesnik fell in three sets to Nicholas Mahut.

The first thing I saw today, though, kind of made up for that. Nothing like starting with a bit of Tommy! Tommy Haas, that is. He was just finishing up practicing as I started walking around, and was having a discussion with his hitting partner, asking if he was ever pro. The hitting partner (I have no idea who it was) was evidently as high as 47 in the world at one point.

Tommy sitting down after practicing:

And, because I know some of you like this stuff, his racquets:

I can usually figure out who I see on the practice courts, but again, this isn't the normal field that we see here. Here is some guy without a shirt practicing his serve...if you know who he is, by all means, jump right in!

Then onto the grandstand to watch Vince Spadea vs. Israeli Dudi Sela. A though first round match up for Spadea, who is a Legg Mason staple. I always enjoy watching him play as he works hard for every single point. He's also one of the nicest players to the ball kids that I've ever seen and heard.

Spadea's serve:

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[Topaz]

More Spadea...who is with Prince now, so no more crazy S logo.

The first that struck me about Dudi Sela as I approached the match was that he was sliding...on a hard court. And super fast. He had a one handed back hand that could be brilliant, or a big, fat error. Very fiesty, a small guy, and a heck of a fighter.

I only watched the first set of this match, but it was very entertaining and exciting. At one point Spadea had a break, but Sela erased it, and eventually took the set in a tiebreak. I later learned he went on to win the match in two sets.

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[Topaz]

As I left, headed for the stadium, I watched just a bit of Florent Serra, who was getting started against Uladzimir Ignatik (Belarussian player). He (Serra) went on to win in straight sets...nice looking strokes, so I took a few pictures:

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[Topaz]

I headed into the stadium to watch Taylor Dent (yes, you read that correctly, he received a WC into the main draw!) take on former NCAA champ Somdev Devvarman. Devvarman had taken the first set in a tiebreak when I got there. Actually, Dent was *rolling* in the second set when I got there!!!

The Dent Serve:

Digging out a volley at net:

Despite Dent being a serve and volleyer...this match was snooze worthy! Ugh! Should have stayed and watched Vinnie! After he took the second set 6-2, Dent just plum ran out of steam, and started piling up the errors. He looked tired, and just wasn't moving well. Not unexpected...since he isn't exactly match tough. Devvarman had no real weapons to speak of (zzzzzz), he was just able to outlast the veteran. Devvarman won the third set 6-1 (I think) and the match in three.

Devvarman:

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[Topaz]

Then it was Tommy time again! I was in my actual 'real' seat for this one, thus the constant changing views. I actually moved around quite a bit tonight, as there were plenty of available seats just about anywhere you looked.

Anyway, Tommy warms up:

His opponent - Rik De Voest of South Africa. The only reason I know of De Voest is because I follow World Team Tennis, and he is one of those staples in WTT.

Inexplicably...this match went to three sets. Also somewhat snooze worthy. I think Tommy was only playing at about 75 percent...it lulled me to sleep for a bit. Haas eventually came out on top 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. I think in that third set he finally decided to quit screwing around!!

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[Topaz]

Next up was the match most were waiting for...the giant John Isner taking on the #8 seed (yes, you read that correctly) from Spain, Marcel Granollers Pujol. Interestingly enough, Marcel (yeah, I'm not typing that name over and over again) won the toss and elected to receive. Against Isner? Gutsy!

Also, a programming note...it is this time of night that I lose the light, and I can't take decent pictures without a flash, so some pictures are a bit blurry. I eventually switched over to taking video, as that came out much better.

Isner got a break in the first set, and saw it through 6-3.

The giant!

I moved again...and was right next to his box...this is his coach:

Behind coach was mom, and unfortunately they were joined by a very loud man decked head to toe in neon Adidas...so obnoxious that even the coach moved after the first set!!! Kind of made me want to root for the Spaniard, who even spoke to this guy at one point, though my non-existent grasp of the language prevents me from being able to tell you what exactly he said. I was embarrassed to even be sitting near this guy.

Anyway, he coach was taking notes on a sheet through the match...and with the help of a friend, I was able to read that it said 'Mardy Fish's Personal Point Tracker. It looked like coach was tallying each point of the match, like a stat sheet. I tried to get a picture here:

Some videos (click on them to play):

 

[Topaz]

Two more vids from this match:





Until the end of the third set, this was another snoozer...even with loud, obnoxious guy. Isner had a horrible first serve percentage, and spraying shots left and right. Marcel had nothing on his serve (though he placed it well), and Isner couldn't break him to save his life. He ended up squeaking it out in three sets 6-3, 6-7, 7-6.

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[Topaz]

Two last observations on the match...neither guy had the consistent depth on their shots that I saw in the other matches, and Marcel had some kind of read on Isner's serve. He must have picked up on something, because even when Isner got the bombs in, more often than not, Marcel was right there!

This match finally ended at 10:25! (zzzzzzzz) That brought us to the last match of the night, Donald Young and Luis Horna. I was still sitting next to the players box, and was delighted when the loud, obnoxious man was replaced by Horna's crew...one older man (clearly the coach) in Lacoste, and two younger guys. One looked like he was Horna's brother. And yummy...but I digress!

When the players came out, Horna set his things down, walked right up to the ref who was waiting at the net for the coin toss. Young comes out, sits down, takes off shoes, takes off warm-ups, puts on different shoes, takes out racquet, unwraps it from plastic, and then finally goes to the net. Jeesh! The match started about two hours later than we all thought it would...you think he would have been a bit better prepared!

Coin toss:

Some points from the match:







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[Topaz]

More points...I think I got rid of the really short ones, but please let me know if I should take one down...I'm too tired to go through all of them now:









(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

Two more videos of points:





The previous obnoxious guy had riled up some guys on the other side of me, who tried to continue being rowdy during this match, but the yummy guy from the Horna contingent shut them up with one look and a 'Hey'. Thank you!!! Stupid idiots.

I couldn't stay for the whole thing...just too late, and there is a lot more to go this week. When I left, Young was up, and I haven't even checked to see who won the match yet!

I did not get out to see Bobby Reynolds/Marc Gicquel, or the doubles matches that took place tonight, either. Tomorrow features both Safin and Roddick, so should have some good tennis to come! I plan to post all my stuff in this one thread, instead of making multiple threads like I have in the past...if you go, please feel free to contribute, add thoughts, and pictures/videos.

Good night!

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Topaz,

Great pictures as usual, I asked ilovecarlos for you earlier, because I know that both of you are in the same area. Will there be a women's ITF tournament again this year? :-?

Great pics and stay out of the sun.

 

[Topaz]

Topaz,

Great pictures as usual, I asked ilovecarlos for you earlier, because I know that both of you are in the same area. Will there be a women's ITF tournament again this year? :-?

Great pics and stay out of the sun.

No women this year! The official line is that it was canceled due to the Olympics, but I heard a rumor that their contract ran out, and was not renewed. I guess next year we'll know for sure. I do miss them, and it seemed a bit empty with just the guys this year.

Would you believe that I was *cold* tonight!!! We are enjoying fall like weather in DC...a big change from the usual sweltering heat that we get during this tournament.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

No women this year! The official line is that it was canceled due to the Olympics, but I heard a rumor that their contract ran out, and was not renewed. I guess next year we'll know for sure. I do miss them, and it seemed a bit empty with just the guys this year.

Would you believe that I was *cold* tonight!!! We are enjoying fall like weather in DC...a big change from the usual sweltering heat that we get during this tournament.

That's what she told me, trust me I can relate because it's currently 63 degrees in Chicago. For some reason I thought it would be hotter on the east coast. I remember last year you go burnt literally from the blazing sun. Great pictures, keep up the good photography.

 

[auzzieizm]

Topaz, Great pictures, videos, and commentary. Are you planning to go everyday this week?

 

[Sup2Dresq]

Good pics and nice commentary. Keep up the good work.

 

[Topaz]

Topaz, Great pictures, videos, and commentary. Are you planning to go everyday this week?

I have package tickets, so yes...I hate to not use tickets that I've paid for. Depending on what is going on with this ankle business though, that may change. Did you see Sap's messages on the TWMAC board? A few people are going Thursday if you are interested.

 

[ilovecarlos]

Great job as usual Topaz! Lucky for you to see Tommy...I missed seeing him Sunday...he didn't show up for his scheduled practice Don't know if you got a chance to see the ladies thread lately....lot's of pics of Feli and Schwank from Sunday and a little commentary. Isn't Spadea a doll? He's just the friendliest person on the court...to everyone...kids...adults...everyone.....Schwank was a doll too! Keep up the excellent work...we appreciate it....I was hoping to buy a package this year, but due to the "appliance gods" this was not possible....so I'm living vicariously thru you....represent!

 

[stanfordtennis alum]

Awesome thread Topaz! Have fun!

 

[auzzieizm]

I have package tickets, so yes...I hate to not use tickets that I've paid for. Depending on what is going on with this ankle business though, that may change. Did you see Sap's messages on the TWMAC board? A few people are going Thursday if you are interested.

I have people visiting on Thursday, but who knows maybe I might be able to get over there at some point.

p.s. I want more pictures and videos. What happened with Safin?

 

[Topaz]

I have people visiting on Thursday, but who knows maybe I might be able to get over there at some point.

p.s. I want more pictures and videos. What happened with Safin?

Uploading now!

Patience, patience....

 

[10sbune]

What a great thread. Thanks for your efforts!

 

[Vermillion]

Any pictures of Zapvor?

 

[Topaz]

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Today started off auspiciously. For the first time in three years, I was told at the gate that I couldn't bring in my water bottle. Which, okay, I get it, you want me to spend 4 bucks on water. Grrrr....and the stadium used to have water fountains, which have also conveniently disappeared. Good thing that it has been uncharacteristically cool, or you'd have to take out a mortgage on your house just to pay for water. Plus, in the past years, on the days of the double sessions, the concession stands have actually run out of water. Better not happen this year!

Anyway, when I got there I took my customary stroll around the practice courts. Spadea was still hanging around, even though he lost, and he was practicing with the #2 seed, del Potro, (edit...not JMdP, not sure who that guy is!)who was to play later in the evening.

Mardy Fish was up first on stadium court, and I had no interest in watching him (seen him many times before), so I set up camp at the top of the grandstand, so I could watch Viktor Troicki play Denis Gremelmayr on the grandstand and Igor Kunitsyn versus Mischa Zverev on the neighboring court.

Troicki/Gremelmayr was a fun match! There were some great rallies, and some dramatic pleading toward the line judges by Troicki. These guys are both smaller in stature and speedy, however Gremelmayr seems to possess too much of a fondness for drop shots. Troicki came out on top 6-4, 6-2, and relied heavily on a great BH down the line and converting great defense to offense. He got an early break in that second set, and just rolled; while Gremelmayr's body language was very defeated.

Troicki had an odd serving stance:



Gremelmayr:

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[Topaz]

Any pictures of Zapvor?

Actually, Zapvor was standing to my right while I took those pictures of Spadea and del Potro.

 

[Topaz]

While all of this was happening, Kunitsyn and Zverev were having quite the battle. In the first set tiebreak, Igor blew the lead that he had, and ended up losing that first set. The second set was tight as well, but the Russian came out on top this time, 6-4. Then the fight seemed to go out of Zverev, and Kunitsyn rolled in the third set 6-2.

Kunitsyn:

Zverev:

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[Topaz]

Next up on the grandstand was American Robert Kendrick and Feliciano Lopez. This was a *great* match. Kendrick played some lights out tennis, and won in two sets 6-3, 7-5, breaking Feli once in each set.

Kendrick:

Feli:

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[Topaz]

Videos of Kendrick/Feli:









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[Topaz]

Kendrick's serve was *on*, and one of them got stuck in the fence. The ball girl tried to get it, but couldn't reach:

Feli had to come over and knock it out with his racquet.

Ok, at this point, I wandered around a bit more before heading into the stadium. I found Luis Horna on the practice court, getting ready for doubles later in the night.

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[Topaz]

Now, into the stadium where Safin had already started against Italian Fabio Fognini. When I got there, Safin was on the ground, taking a medical time out at 3-2. It looked like the trainer was working on his neck, but I'm not sure. I grabbed a seat, and watched Safin get broken at the end of the set to lose it 5-7.

Then, suddenly, Safin is walking off of the court! I was very confused, and then figured he must of retired. I have no idea why...he walked off with no problem. He just got done breaking a racquet, so he felt well enough to do that. Maybe he needs to start training with his sister!!!

To fill time until the Roddick match started, there was a ceremony honoring Chalie Brotman, the long time announcer and 'voice' of Legg Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Paradorn came out, and Wayne Bryan was on hand.

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[Topaz]

Yes, that is Paul Goldstein with the mic in that last picture.

Safin vids:





Roddick was up next against the speedy Ramon Delgado. The coin toss:

Roddick was actually broken when he double faulted away a game, but he quickly recovered, and took the first set 6-3.

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[Topaz]

Videos from the match:









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[Topaz]

Last up was Jesse Levine against #2 seed, and LA winner, Juan Martin del Potro. Levine is small...maybe 5'9"? Fun player to watch, and seemed to have good anticipation, but del Potro was just too solid. JMdP really seems to have improved from last year. He took the first set and was ahead when I left.

Because of where I moved to, I had a great angle on some serves. Six videos from this match:









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[Topaz]

Two more:





That's all for tonight!

Tomorrow Haas is back out, and Isner takes on Young.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Topaz, e-mail me. I might be able to make it one day this week.

 

[Rhino]

Nice work Topaz!

 

[auzzieizm]

I am starting to get attached to getting the tournament action vicariously through you.

 

[diegaa]

excellent thread. this is a great example of what a thread should be.
topaz, keep it up!

 

[Topaz]

Thanks everyone! I will do my best to keep going! The fact that it isn't a billion degrees helps a lot!

 

[River Hill]

Kendrick is playing great. I bet we start hearing more of him.

 

[ilovecarlos]

Yeah...can you believe it? I didn't even break a sweat on Sunday! The weather is unbelievable!!! That sucks about the water Topaz. I brought my own in Sunday with no probs. You're doing a great job! Read today that Safin thought he puuled a muscle in his neck first point...hmmmm...sounds a bit fishy, but oh well......guess Feli was in a worse mood yesterday than he was in practice Sunday...losing to Kendrick...glad you got to see Horna too! Have fun......may I suggest a large bag with water bottle on bottom? I just opened my bag and they really didn't look very closely what was in it...guess they thought if I was so "open" about opening my bag I had nothing to hide....which I didn't...anyway....have a blast!

 

[Topaz]

ILC, that's what I've done in the past, but yesterday they actually made me take stuff out! First time in three years that the security guy actually did his job.

Though, I did watch a woman on the grandstand very slyly take a small glass bottle from her purse and empty it into her lemonade. Lol. Meanwhile, the woman next to me was taking out a full meal packed in tupperware!!!

 

[ilovecarlos]

Sheesh...and there you are, just trying to bring in water (like me)...when will we learn? Hahaha...booze (in a glass bottle!) is ok....just no water in plastic.......like you said...the first time in 3 years they actually do their job....

 

[Topaz]

Wed. Aug 13

Sure enough, like clockwork, the first thing I see today is Spadea on the practice court. He appeared to once again be working on his serve. Have to admire the guy's work ethic. I forgot to mention that on Tuesday I also passed him walking around...he was recording a rap into a small recording device. I kid you not!

Spadea working on that serve:

These were the other guys on the practice court...no idea who they were.

(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

Doubles action was up first on the stadium court, with Eric 'Booty' Buterac teaming up with James Cerretani (also American) against those Thai twins that announcers love...Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana. The Ratiwatana brothers were actually replacements in the doubles draw for the duo of Kunitsyn/Safin. Safin is...injured, remember?

The American team:

The twins. No, I have no idea which is which...they would even walk to their chairs in perfect step with each other!

Cerretani was *fabulous* at net, though the twins kept it close. The Americans advanced 6-4, 6-4. Very entertaining match! Here's a point:



(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

I also had a bit of luck today, as I was able to snag one of the doubles action t-shirts that they throw out to the crowd in between points. Sitting in the front row helped...t-shirts don't throw easily.

Next up was Tommy Haas and Nicholas Mahut. Just to stretch my legs, I walked around a bit, and ran into a couple of tennis buddies. We ended up getting our picture taken at the Olympus booth, where you can pose in front of a poster of some players with a giant k-factor and tennis ball. Somehow, we ended up with the actual photographer (Craig) in our photo. I don't have it...not sure if I'll ever see it!

I rushed back in just as Haas and Mahut were starting. I wanted to deem this match the 'battle of the two beautiful one handed backhands'. There was also lots of net rushing by both players, though Mahut approached much more (as is his game). The first set Haas actually stormed out to a 5-2 lead, but the Frenchman wouldn't go away, and pushed it to a TB, which Haas eventually won. The second set was tight as well, with Haas closing it out with one break at 6-4.

Haas:

Mahut:

Some points from the match:





(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

Next up was the 'marquee' match of the evening...the battle of young Americans...John Isner and Donald Young.

The warm-up:



It was a tight match, but in the end, Isner was just able to hold by overpowering Young with that big serve. Young was showing plenty of frustration by the end of the match, and there was a cracked racquet to show for it.

I know there's been a ton of talk about Young on this board. Simple fact is...yes, he's incredibly gifted. There is no doubt about that. But he is just too small. Even Isner, who really lacks much of a groundstroke game (especially on the BH side), was able to push him around and break him. Young's extremely loopy FH takeback isn't going to help him on the hardcourts, either.

The coin toss:

Isner's serve:

(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

Some points from the match:







(continued...)

 

[Topaz]

Late match was Juan Martin del Potro (playing two nights in a row) against Dudi Sela. Or, we could just call it, David and Goliath!

Del Potro *ripped* through Sela with a bagel in the first set. Seriously, it was 'blink and you'll miss it' tennis. Though Sela has nice, smooth, consistently deep groundstrokes, dP was just too much power for him. They honestly were not in the same league.

And then we got to the second set. I think dP was just trying to hard, and when I left they were on serve, though that included a break for each. In checking scores I saw that Sela actually took that set 7-5. dP did win the third set 6-2, but wow...maybe a bit of a mental lapse there? Though again, I have to say I'm so impressed with how much dP was improved from last year...he is playing some great tennis, strong on both sides, moving well, and serving great.

JMdP:

Some points:







Not sure if you can pick it up, but on the video where dP is receiving, he scuffles and squeaks his shoes. He did this on every first serve of Sela's, right as he was tossing the ball. He did NOT do it on second serves, oddly enough. It was...noticeable.

That was actually it for today. There were two matches on the grandstand, but I didn't get over there for them. Because of the Olympics, the draw is somewhat depleted, and also smaller...so they are stretching things out over the days. Makes the absence of the women even more noticeable. And again, lots less tennis for the same price. Booooo!

Tomorrow will feature some appearances from TWMAC members! Exciting!

 

[Greenfin Beta]

The twins. No, I have no idea which is which...they would even walk to their chairs in perfect step with each other!

they'd probably do well in synchronised diving.

great thread, btw. love your commentaries. will haas be playing today?

 

[diegaa]

TWMAC... lol, it's like an indian name or so.