AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2016 WOMEN'S FINAL

So exciting! Here we are at the women's final at the 2016 Australian Open! We have a left-handed powerful German Angelique Kerber ranked number 7 in the world, versus world number one, we know, Serena Williams.

Angelique Kerber is 28 years old, from Germany, and is 5'8''. This proves you do not have to be a giant to excel in tennis! Serena is 34 years old and 5'9''. This proves you can be over the age of 30 and excel at tennis!

FIRST SET

Already Angelique Kerber is winning in the first set 3-1, and Serena has made double digits in errors.  Kerber almost lost a match earlier on in the Australian Open but turned around a match point to win~ Chrissy Evert commentates that this momentum leads to a more confident, relaxed showing in this final for Kerber.

Kerber gets tight and is not making her first serves, but boy is she hitting to give Serena a run for her money! Another fault, we are at 3-2 right now. Oh no! 3-3 now.  Serena has a great chance to run away with this set now. Can she do it?

Of course I favor Angelique Kerber, as a lefty and coming from a similar gene pool! Lefties think differently, but with practice we can understand and mimic the right handed way of life and perspective as well.  

Kerber is continuously attacking. "Serena is trying to get her feet going, to cut cut off the angles and is taking the ball earlier," says Commentator Pam Shriver. Great  commentating here all around.  Break point for Kerber! So tight here! Serena has an unforced error at the net! Break for Kerber, 4-3 for Angelique!

I really think Serena is having a tough time playing against a lefty.  I do not like playing against lefties either, and I am a lefty! 

Another error of Serena's at net, she is overly aggressive and has trouble hitting neutral balls, I can remember this tactic of Angelique's for my own matches! 40-15  Kerber. Another Serena error. Kerber only needs to be consistent to stay with her solid conservative game plan. 

Another over-hit from Serena. 0-15 now at 3-5.  Stress. Fault. Kerber definitely has the momentum but Serena screams as she wins the point. Serena is exhibiting a full volume of emotion. She is now battling hard and getting a few points in now.  I know, it is tough out there, for everyone. 40-15.  Serena hits long, Kerber is getting everything back, great legs!!  40-30. Fault, definitely nerves here. Ultimately, game Williams, 4-5. But not enough.

Kerber wins handily to take the first set! 6-4.

SECOND SET

Serena is back! Not much to say, she bulldozes her way back to lead at 5-2.  

Now Kerber wins her serve to stay in the game, 3-5 Kerber. Her forehand down the line is Kerber's favorite shot. You have to have a favorite shot in tennis, what is yours?

Serena is leading 15-0, 5-3 now.  A very quick second set! A double fault. More nerves. It is so hard to close out a set.  Ace!  Practice those serves on your off time :) They come in handy when you need them most.  Fault.  Second serve 95 miles per hour to the T. Kerber hits long. Fault. 40-15. Wow, solid tennis on Serena's part even though her first serves are not working today, now a heavy second serve to Kerber, Kerber hits to the net.

Second set to Serena! 6-3.

THIRD SET

Kerber opens the service game, always a good omen. You always want to serve first, Roger Federer certainly knows that, he will mostly win the set if he opens serving. Let's see how Angelique Kerber does...

Both players stay on serve, both fighting, the crowd roars, this is a great match!  I do not think this scenario is what Serena has bargained for, and although she is trying to hide her emotions at this point, I sense by her body language she is nonplussed.  In other words, not quite sure what to do.  Left handers have this innate ability to upset even the most stable of opponents.  Kerber's racquet strings~ gut strings in the mains, poly strings in the cross.  It gives her depth to her shots!  I think I may do this for spring tennis.  This string construction affords greater depth to the shots.

A tough game here for Serena~ Serena is serving now at 2-3. Still behind, that is why it is more advantageous to serve first, you get an extra chance in the set if you have a break.  15-15, loud sound from Serena, Kerber is quiet.  Throughout the match in fact.  Serena blasts a great wide serve, Kerber returns cross court and Serena races to the net and hits herself with the racquet, 15-30 now.  15-40, Serena nets and is on her knees.  Fault.  Oh my gosh, what a point! Back and forth cross court, running, great defense with Kerber and her strong legs that get her there, 30-40.  Ace! Wide in the box. Deuce now. Practice those serves, they will get you out of a jam!  Wow, tricky tennis, Kerber delivers! Kerber looks at the ball on the strings as she hits it. She knows where it is going.  AD out, now Serena is back, deuce again.  The trophy is waiting, right there in the corner....  AD Williams!  120 mile per hour serve.  Nice.. okay Kerber defends with a backhand slice drop shot.  Great disguise.  Deuce.  Fault. Double fault. nerves.  It is tough out there! Fault. Great serve to the T, a few shots, Kerber nets.  Deuce.  Another serve to the T, Kerber nets.  Aim to the backhand, it 'rushes' lefty here.  Serena wants this game. Kerber does too! Kerber responds with another backhand drop shot, deuce again. An 'instinctive' shot says Commentator Chrissy Evert.  Fault. Double fault.  This is such a tough game.  AD to Kerber.  Serena plays to Kerber's backhand, but then Serena responds with a forehand to the AD corner but hits long.  So hard, incredible calm on Kerber's part. Game Kerber.

Kerber serves at 4-2.  15-0. Fault. A big rally, Serena is attacking Kerber's backhand, but surprise, lefties like backhands! 30-0. Ace! 40-0. Practice those serves...! Kerber now holds at love to the game and Kerber now leads the set at 5-3. The trophy in the corner beckons.

Serena serves.  Fault, double fault. 0-15, fault again. Banter back and forth, Serena takes the point deeply cornering Kerber then hitting to her backhand down the line in the deuce court.  30-15 now, another cornering and coming to the net for a put away.  30-15.  Serena definitely attacking her backhand as serving.  So many changes in direction, Kerber does not want the backhand deep shot, she changes the direction to favor her forehand.  30-30.  Ace! Love those serves! 40-30. They can get you out of a jam and into a lead at the same time.  Lucky shot for Serena, Kerber's ball falls back from the net, game Serena!

Kerber serves at 5-3 for the set and match.  0-15.  Play the point, don't get tight! So hard, 0-30.  Kerber hits a short ball and Serena over hits, 15-30. A chance. Now 15-40, cross court balls.  2 break points now.  Nice serve to Serena's backhand, nets, 30-40.  Another chance to catch up and bring the game to deuce. Going for a slice serve, but Serena responds favorably, breaks Kerber!  4-5, Serena, catching up!

Serena serves now. Fault. Kerber gets the point with Serena netting it.  0-15.  Serena nets again, Kerber is taking the ball earlier. Smart. 0-30.  Ace! Those serves come in handy... 15-30. Such great tennis! A nice long rally, 30-30 now.  Fault serve to the T.  Great cross court rally, Serena closes with the short sitter ball and hits it down the line, 40-30.  Fault.  Kerber responds to a neutral serve down the line and Serena nets.  Deuce!  Fault.  Great cross court and Kerber changes direction to take the point.  AD out!  Serena serves, a few shots back and forth, and low and behold, Serena is at net and hits the ball long! Kerber is stunned, happy and on the ground! Game, set, match, championship to Angelique Kerber!

BIG CONGRATULATIONS! Angelique, you played with beauty, strength and resolve.  You played smart.  And Serena, you played as well as you could, and hung in there against a worthy opponent.  'Any given day,' as  they say, even for champions, and you are a champion.  But today, today is Angelique's day.

What an amazing sport tennis is! Get out there everyone and practice those serves, they sure come in handy when you need them most!

Source:Reuters

US OPEN 2013 MEN'S FINAL

What does the future hold at the men's final US Open 2013 for world number 1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic, and world number 2, Rafael (Rafa) Nadal?

They walk onto court with bags slung over their shoulders, business as usual in these tense times.

SET 1~

Novak wins the coin toss and wins the first game handily.  No surprises here. Both players are on serve, then Rafa breaks Novak, so now Novak is behind 3-4.  Oh no! Rafa breaks Novak again, we are already 36 minutes into the match, Novak broken twice, and 8 straight points go to Rafa. The score is now 5-2, Rafa. Novak in his bright red tennis shirt and matching sneakers forces a winner, 0-15. Rafa works his buggy whip forehand, and wins almost every time. 15-15.  15-30. Novak tries to grab momentum, even if to move him into the next set.  Windy day. 30-30. Nadal hits another winner to the corner, 40-30. Let ball.  Now Novak hits long, 42 minutes, Rafa takes the first set 6-2.

SET 2~

Okay, let's just start over here. Novak opens the set. 15-0. 15-15.  Novak is moving before Rafa makes his shot, so Rafa hits to the open area, as described by John M.  30-15.  Novak takes teh first game, again, and now Rafa is up to serve. He is just a powerhouse. Novak is leading teh gam eat 15-40.  Fault.  Novak hits out. 40-30.  Just too good, Rafa hits a fabulous passing shot while Novak at net.  DEUCE.  Rafa has Novak on his knees, Rafa ready to take his game now. Novak shanks wide, 1-1 now.  That was a long game.  Some rallies, now Rafa shanks a ball after a long point.  No one is perfect here.  Novak now hits a sharp short volley at net, tough shot, bravo Novak.  Game to Novak, 2-1. A 23 shot rally, Rafa cuts it sharp for a winner.  So much spin, light frame helps for racquet head speed says John M.  2-2 now.  

Novak serving, hits a winner, 15-0.  Rafa hits down the line for a winner.  A rally, 40-15 Novak.  ACE!  His third in the match, 3-2 now.Super long rallies, these two players are so evenly matched. Such grace and athleticism.  Break point for Novak, Rafa serves.  Whoa, a standing ovation, a   54 shot rally such power and strength, we are all breathless, Novak gets the break, 4-2.  Nadal has not been broken in 89 times till now.

Novak serves, but down 0-30. Hits out now, 3 quick points.  As if nothing happened before.  Novak reaches to get a volley, 15-40.  30-40 now.Novak hits long, back on serve, 4-3 Novak.

 Novak screams into his towel at the changeover. A first for me to see that!  0-15.   It's beginning to get dark out now.  15-30, Rafa serves.   30-30, Novak hits long.  rallies, 40-30.  Rafa is going for bigger serves to help him get this lead.  DEUCE! Novak hits a corner shot, inside.  90 miles per hour winner.  Novak shanks a ball, AD in.  Novak wins on a corner again, wind makes the play tricky today, as yesterday in the women's finals.  Rafa's serve is just too good.  AD in.  Wow, Rally and Novak hits a wicked overhead to win the point and level the playing field back to DEUCE.  Novak misses a serve from Rafa.  Wow, Novak hits for a winner again, DEUCE!  8 minutes into this game. Novak returns out. AD in. Wide ball, DEUCE.  Rafa nets the ball, AD out. Novak gets a chance to break Rafa here.  Oh my goodness, 5-3!  Long rally, crowd on its feet, shots so fast, then Novak gets to net and goes in for the winner.

Novak serving for the set.  15-15 now. 15-30 now. 30-30.  Rafa playing against the wind.  The strength of these men is incredible.  40-30.  They are one to one in power.  Novak hits a down the line winner. Takes the set!  

SET 3~

A set apiece now.  Both men are now playing their best, this could now be a very long night!  Rafa serves, 0-40 now.  Hits out, an early break for Novak!  0-1, Rafa.  Novak has clear eyes, he is focused. Rafa seems slightly weary, Novak reaches for a sharp net shot again, Novak has the wind behind him, making possible a double lead break.  30-15 now. Here we go, 40-15 now.  40-30.  Can't be careless now.  Novak errors at net, DEUCE.  Rafa hits wide after another many shot rally, AD Novak.  ACE! To the middle T line, Novak holds,  2-0.

Rafa serves, 15-0. Novak is being moved around, points dictated by Novak.  Momentum has clearly changed. 15-15, now 15-30.  Rafa is in a hole now, he gets to net to gain a point. 30-30.  Novak hits out, 40-30.  Wow, just too good, fast crosscourt shot from Novak for a winner, DEUCE.  Another break possibility. AD out.  Novak hits long, DEUCE. Rafa serves wide.  Okay, power shots, then Rafa slices a drop shot!  Moves his grip around for that winner.  At the two hour mark now.  We are seeing their every shot now.  AD Rafa, now Novak hits long. game Rafa 1-2.  We are in for a long night :)

This is such an important set, both men are battling for the take.  Novak serves, misses a drop shot at the net.  Now he gets it.  15-15 now.  Now 30-15 with a volley winner from Novak.  Rafa hits long. 40-15. I just love the score of 40-15, but be careful!  Has Rafa on his knees now, ACE! 3-1, Novak.

Rafa serves, but it is Novak who is moving him around.  0-15. 30-15 now.  Wow, great serve from Rafa, easy hold at 40-15.  No aces, no double faults from Rafa tonight.  Game Rafa, 2-3.

Novak serves. Every seat is taken at this Arthur Ashe stadium.  Vertigo plus in those high seats!  0-15, Novak nets his angle shot.  15-15, Rafa moves out of range for Novak's winner. Hmmmm.  Novak hits long now.  15-30.  Too good, Novak has Rafa on his knees now.  30-30. oh my, Rafa shanks a ball and miss hits his back hand. 40-30. Fault.  Novak shanks out now.  DEUCE. Novak hits long, break point for Rafa, AD out.  Fault.  Ugh oh.  Rafa breaks back Novak!  3-3 now.  Huge opportunity for Rafa.

Rafa serves.  Novak has to protect his momentum, but he nets.  Rafa smells blood and is really going for his shots.  30-0.  Fault.  Fast play, but Novak misses wide form the net, 40-0.  Fault.  Double fault.  40-15.  Novak hits long.  Game Rafa, 4-3, back on serve.

Novak serves, Rafa hits long, 15-0.  ACE! Number 6 for this match.  30-0.  30-15.   40-15. "He has Nadal reacting, instead of creating," says Mary Carillo. Game Novak, up at net and drop shots the ball. 4-4 now!

Rafa serves.  perfect lob and incredible touch from Novak, a slice, a drop shot, a lob all in noe from Novak.  0=15.  great shot from Novak!  Rafa slips and falls, have to proftect those feet and legs!  0-30.  0-40.  Triple break point for Novak.  15-40.  Big rally and variety of shots, Novak nets.  30-40.  ACE!  First ace of teh match for Rafa!  DEUCE!  A BIG moment here now.  Notice the word moment is in the word momentum. AD in! DEUCE!  AD in!  Game Rafa, standing ovation for Rafa's come back in teh game, plus the superb quality of play!

Novak serves.  Some back and forth, 30-0, then a great play of all the shots each had, Rafa gets the point, 30-15.  Now 30-30.  Rafa knows how to grab momentum. Novak nets a ball. 30-40, set point for Rafa! Rafa has Novak on his knees, Rafa leads 2 sets to 1! I have never witnessed such power playing in my life, these two warriors are more, they are artists in every sense of the word.  Tennis artists.

SET 4~

Rafa serves.  15-15 now. 15-30. Some back and forth, DEUCE.  Novak on his knees, AD in on a low volley at the net. A tough ball to handle, as John M. says.  A big overhead, Rafa gets the point and service game, at 1-0.

Novak serves now. Very fast points, 0-40. Ouch!  15-40 now.  Fault.  The ball hits teh net and drops in, point to Novak!  30-40.  Hold that momentum!  Oh my, just too good, Rafa hit s a corner down the line winner.  Game Rafa.  Novak at 0-2, broken in the early third set. But, tennis can be forgiving, will Novak break Rafa back?

Rafa serves now. Too good. Game Rafa, 3-0.

Novak serves now.   0-15.  Can Novak turn the tide? He's slowing himself down to gather a piece of that momentum. Good, 15-15 now.  30-15.  Rafa has earned 12 titles so far. 40-15. Yes!  Rafa hits wide, game Novak.  1-3.

Novak's job is to break Rafa now.  Rafa serves.  0-15, hold onto that momentum, Novak! I am breathless, just too good!  Rafa gets the point, uses his right hand to his advantage in a two handed back hand cross court winner.  15-15.  Rafa has Novak on the run, 30-15.  Novak had no answer to that, says Jim C. I like Rafa's pink Nike logos on his shirt!  40-15!  49 unforced errors of Novak this match.  Novak hits long, 4-1.

Novak serves.  15-0 now.  Nice over the shoulder drop shot, Novak!  30-0.  Novak nets. 30-15.  Novak hits long.  30-30.  Novak hits wide.  Break point for a 5 to 1 lead.  30-40.  Pressure.  Novak hits a passing shot long and wide.  1-5. Game Rafa.

Rafa serves for the championship. Novak returns well. 0-15.  Anything can happen, let us see.  Great serve and volley, Rafa, moved forward to cut the ball off.  15-15.  Rafa has broken 7 times, Novak only three.  30-15. One ball at a time.  Novak cannot return the serve.  40-15!  match point is here!  The crowd is loud!  Request for quiet.  Novak nets after a few shots. Rafa wins!!! 

4 sets, 3 hours and 20 minutes. 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

CONGRATULATIONS, RAFA!   His second major title at the US Open!!

New York Times chronology

Out of 256 total tennis players competing at the US Open 2013, men and women, the finals boil down to a mere four players.  In these men's finals, Novak Djokovic, you played valiantly, with grace, creativity, resolve. You are a force, and no easy win for Rafael Nadal, you are to be applauded, as witnessed tonight.

photo credit by David Goldman click here for the official US Open site

FRENCH OPEN 2013 MEN'S FINAL

By now we know that tennis great Rafael Nadal of Spain, 27, is truly the "KING OF CLAY." Nadal has swept the 2013 French Open at Stade Roland Garros, and we as mere spectators can simply marvel at his prowess, his focus, his largesse as a player.

photo courtesy Associated Press

Today Rafael wins his 8th French title, CONGRATULATIONS! You have made history, no one has ever won this trophy eight times, let alone any slam eight consecutive times in the Open Era! You also have now won your 12th grand slam trophy.

AND, lest we not forget his opponent and friend Spaniard David Ferrer, 31, you played so well! You were able to break Rafa three times, appreciate such accomplishment!

photo courtesy Associated Press/Petr David Josek

It is cold in Paris this day, the conditions are damp with a hint of rain, but so far so good.

Final scores, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.  We can see from the scores alone that David Ferrer put up a valiant fight against Nadal. But Nadal was not to be taken lightly in the second set and shows his stuff.  David fights back in the third, but Rafa has his way. Game, set, match!

Duration, One hour, 49 minutes.

Here are 10 minutes of highlights, see how Ferrer holds up against 
'The Great' Rafael Nadal~

FIRST SET~
Okay, Ferrer wins the coin toss, serves first, wins his first service game. On serve for the first few games, but then at 2-1 Nadal has already broken Ferrer, and now serving.  The ball moves incredibly fast, all this early hitting, and Rafa is successfully attempting to keep David back deep behind the baseline.  It is working as a domination.  Both players are really grunting, hard to tell who's who!

Ferrer is a Retriever, with power shots from the baseline. Nadal is too, plus more all court. 


Great point construction by Ferrer~ hits a drop shot, Nadal returns short crosscourt, Ferrer hits for a winner down the line.

Rafa just pushes Ferrer back even farther from the baseline. This could be a tactic due to Ferrer's height of 5'9", it is simply harder to push successfully deeper from the back court. Ferrer is strong but 14 feet behind the baseline, lots of topspin to do this for Rafa's part.

3-3 now.  Break point for Nadal. Breaks Ferrer. already 3 breaks in the first set, 2 for Ferrer,
1 for Nadal. Breaks exhibit momentum shifts.  This is tough playing, each is playing at optimum, this is an exciting match!

Rafa serving at 4-3 now.  "Rafa has more spin, more trouble for Ferrer," commentator Martina Navratoliva says. 

Okay, Ferrer is out of the woods, at service and net now, at deuce. Nadal has great serves.  Another story to dissect his lefty kick serve on the deuce, then a hammer up the T. Game Nadal.

Ferrer having trouble now. 0-30. Nice powerful serve but Nadal is there. Double fault. 15-40. A tough place to be. Another break for Rafa. Game and set, Rafa.

SECOND SET~

Rafa serves first.  We know what happens, just by looking at the scores, you know that Ferrer will be broken at least twice in this set. Too many service breaks will predict the final outcome. Stay on your serve! easily said than done, of course.  Ferrer is flying as he returns serve. 40-40. Martina is discussing the benefits of topspin, you get nervous, you swing harder, ball stays in.  Open stance, wrist action, strings, racquets, all favor the topspin ball. Game Nadal.

Hanging at the baseline is not enough for Ferrer to beat Nadal. 

These are very fast points. 

30-40, Ferrer serving.  Nadal corners Ferrer, then he goes down the line for a forehand winner. Game Nadal.

Nadal serving at 2-0, now 30-0. Nadal gets the game with 5 winners.  Light rain now. 3-0.

I feel for Ferrer, no one likes a 0 on the board. Deuce now, some tricky net play earlier.  Ferrer is working really hard, yet somehow you feel from the crowd they expect Nadal to win. He has more to his shots.  Ferrer's game is one dimensional compared to Nadal's.  Okay, AD Ferrer.  Great!  On the board, 1-3 for Ferrer.  Construct one point, one shot at a time , says Martina, when you are up against a player like Nadal.

Nadal serves, at 15-30. Early ball and Ferrer hits deep.15-40! 30-40.  Nadal creeps his way back in.  Nadal corners Ferrer again, deuce. Lefties love to serve from the deuce court.  Now, we get creative serving AD. Whipping action on the racquet by Nadal. Deuce again.  Now AD Ferrer again.  Fault,  Nadal is not giving up.  Deuce.  Our favorite court!  Break point again! Ferrer hits early down the line shot, impossible for Nadal to get. Very loud grunts, fast, back and forth, Nadal wins the point. Pure physical strength to stay down low and hit the ball for a winner. Deuce.  Ace. Okay, game Nadal. 4-1.  

Martina says Ferrer must take chances to win, he cannot play to not lose.  I know what she means, you have to ger out of your comfort zone and go for shots, create shots, construct shots, be proactive!  Again, easier said than done.  Practice, practice.

Okay, some heckling now, crowd is noisy.  Nadal looks concerned. Ferrer serving now. 30-40.  Ferrer is missing easy shots, against Nadal you cannot afford these unforced errors.  AD Nadal.  Game Nadal. 5-1.  

A firecracker device on court with a heckler.  Security guard drapes himself over Nadal.  Okay, court clear. Nadal serving for the set.  Crowd claps for the security. 0-15. 0-30. 15-30, Nadal trying to focus and get back in the game.  15-40. Ferrer has a chance to get one of his breaks back.  Playing catch up is not fun, stay on your serve!  Game Ferrer, 1 break for Nadal.

Wow, Ferrer unhinged, Rafa wins the set at 40-0 in the last game! That was very quick! Nadal is a hustler.

THIRD SET~

40-0, Rafa serving. Game Rafa.

15-40, Ferrer serving. Hard to hit a topspin shot early. Okay, Nadal breaks Ferrer again. 7 times broken versus Nadal broken 2 times. Game  Nadal 2-0.

Nadal serving now. 0-15. Rain falling again. Ferrer breaks Nadal!  Game Ferrer at 1-2 now.

Ferrer serving now at 40-0. An adrenaline rush? 2-2 now!  Break for break! Back on serve!

Nadal serving. Lots of ball bounces. Ace to the deuce court. 4 aces so far.  30-15. 40-15.  Nice place to be! Game Rafa. 3-2.

Ferrer serving. 0-30 now. Tough place to be, I have been there, hang tough and keep your concentration. Your fitness will maintain concentration, Martina says.  Get pumping!! Raining again. 40-30. Game Ferrer.  A fighter, a scrapper, a defender, says commentator about Ferrer. 3-3 now.

Nadal serving and fighting hard. Both are. 0-15.  What a point!  How does Rafa win these next final 3 games?  0-30 now.  15-30. 30-30.  Rafa is on! Lots of pace and spin for Rafa.  30-40 go Ferrer! Tense moment in the match now.  Rafa is fighting even harder. 40-40.  AD Nadal.  Game Nadal, 4-3.

Ferrer serving now.  Really, both players are back on serve, anything is possible. Nadal hits a winner. With spin on the ball you either take it on the way up, or on the way down, says Martina. Nadal is just beating up the ball with his inside out forehand. Opponent has to guess where the ball is going. A break possible here now. A clean winner from Ferrer.  Fault, AD Nadal. Tense moment.   Serve fault, double fault!! Game Nadal at 5-3 now.  Tough timing for Ferrer.  The crowd murmurs. Claps, they want more tennis!

Nadal serving. New balls. 0-15, Ferrer coming in and moving around more, taking chances.  Lots of ball bouncing. 15-15 now.  Lots of pressure. 30-15 now.  The Ad serving side, with a  twist out wide.  40-15.  Lefty favorite deuce side.  Wow!  Great serve, great shot!  Back on the clay Nadal!!  

Game, set, match!

Until next year, we will miss you Roland Garros!

CONGRATULATIONS ALL YOU WONDERFUL ATHLETES!

Rafa has made history, and Ferrer was a tough contender.

No better clay court player than Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

The greatest player Roland Garros may ever see.

Roland Garros

FRENCH OPEN 2013 WOMEN'S FINAL

 Maria Sharapova, 26, the number 2 player in the world, is defending her 2012 French Open title, and here she is, once again on the clay facing her nemesis Serena Williams, 31, the number 1 women's tennis player in the world and 15 time grand slam winner.  Wow, what a duo!

courtesy of www.sikids.com
fashions by www.Nike.com

 How sweet, both players just entered Stade Roland Garros, court Suzanne Lenglen, holding hands with the ball kids!

Okay, the coin toss, a photo, and now warm up (of course they've been warming up much earlier :)).  Serena starts the warm up, but Sharapova won the coin toss and serves first.

 For simplicity, within the game, scores are from perspective of the server. The game score is also from perspective of the winner.

FIRST SET~

Game 1. First point Williams.  Serena gets to the service line immediately attacking Maria's service game. Twice now. 0-30. 0-40 now. 15-40.  Maria is tight. Better serve. 30-40. Ace to the middle. Deuce. Rally. Deep to corner. Ad Out. Wide Ad serve. Deuce again. Ad In. great Ad serve to middle, Serena hits wide to ally. Okay, Sharapova is on serve now. Game Sharapova, 1-0.

Game 2. Serena serves. Rally, 15-0. 15-15. Rally, Serena hits long. 15-30. Rally, maria hits deep to deuce corner, a winner. 15-40. Go Maria! First serve fault. second to middle, rally, Serena hits wide. Game Sharapova, 2-0.

Game 3.  Maria double faults. 0-15. a momentum killer. Crowd is so quiet! Ad serve out. Deep breath. Exhale. High toss, wide angle short rally, Serena hits wide. 15-15. High toss, wide serve, Serena hits wide and out. 30-15. First serve out. Second serve, ace! 40-15. High toss, both players hitting strong and deep. Maria nets. 40-30. High toss, into the net. Second serve. Windy today. Second serve, rally, now 40-40. Just misses ally line. Deuce. A miss-hit from baseline, AD Serena. Serena blasts Maria, deep to the corners then Serena gets to service line to smash an overhead for the game. Game Williams, leads at 2-1.

Game 4. Serena nets, 0-15. Next, great serve! 15-15. First serve wide to T. "Patience is a reward," says John McEnroe. Maria hits long. 30-15. Rally. Serena advances to service line, Maria nets. 40-15. First serve fault.  Maria attacks second serve, Serena nets, 40-30 now. Serena serves wide to AD side, Maria returns cross court, Serena returns down the line for a winner. Game Williams. At 2-2 game score now, both players on serve again.

Game 5. Maria double faults. 0-15. maria serves wide to AD, wide reuturns, Maria nets. 0-30.  Big first serve but faults. Big second serve to T, great Serena return, Maria hits out. 0-40. First serve fault. Second serve to Serena BH, crosscourt, maria returns, Serena to service line but nets the ball, too short. 15-40. Windy. Fault. Short rally, Serena hits long. 30-40. Tries for the T, faults. Serena wins a short rally, breaks Maria! Game Williams, 3-2 now.

Game 6. Sharapova gets first point, 0-15. Maria hits long, 15-15. First serve fault. Now hits near T and Maria nets. 30-15. Ace to middle, great serve! 40-15. High toss an dFAST hit for that ace. Deuce court second serve rally, both players hustle to net, 40-30. Wide deep serve to AD court, maria returns crosscourt and long. Game Williams, 4-2 now.

Game 7.  Maria serving, very windy, 0-15. Ad court Serena hits long. 15-15. Serena returns wide. 30-15. Maria serves wide, Serena serves wide, out. 40-15. Let ball. Wide ball. High toss, Serena nets. Game Sharapova 3-4.

Game 8. Serena serving. For greatness, a player needs "aggression and focus," says Mary Carillo. Nice serve, deep rally 3 times, Maria faults long. 15-0. Rally, 15-15 now. High toss, bold hit, ACE Serena! 30-15. Rally, 30-30 now. First serve out. 30-40, Serena nets. Nets first serve. Second serve and a short rally, flat ball sails on Serena, Game Sharapova. At equal 4-4 now.

Game 9. Maria first serve fault.  High toss to the T, rally, Serena gets to service line and net, drop shots successfully. 0-15. great serve, ball pops up, 15-15. High toss, deep crosscourt rally, 4 times, the Serena hits down line to change direction and Maria nets. 15-30. Rally, Maria hits wide, 15-40. Nets first serve. High toss on the T, Serena returns early + short wide angle for a winner. Breaks Maria. Game Williams. 5-4 now.

Game 10. Serena serving for the set. High risk playing on Serena's part. High toss, blasts a power serve to T, Maria ops up. 15-0. Fault first serve. Rally, maria nets an easy rally shot. 30-0. Ace! 40-0. Tries for the T, fault. Let ball. Easier serve, Maria returns shorter for winer. 40-15.  Re-does toss. Blasts first serve, has maria running side to side and Maria hits wide.
On serve. Game Williams, 6-4. 

Game and set belong to Serena Williams! 6-4. In under 1 hour of play.

SECOND SET~

Game 1.  Sharapova serving, 0-15 now. AD court, double faults. 0-30.  Wide serve long crosscourt rally, Serena hits wide, 15-30. Second serve now. Double faults, 15-40. Serves to the T line rally, 30-40 now. Serves near the T, Serena returns wide and out, Deuce! First serve wind behind maria needs more topspin she hits out. Ad Serena. Wow, what a great play, slice at end of point, Maria slices deep and not dropped, she faked a shot. Deuce again. Ugh, Serena forces Maria to hit a big shot at a tough angle. AD Serena. They are both fighting for this game. Power returns, Serena nets. Deuce. Nice serve but Maria hits long. AD Serena.  High toss, nets. Wide serve, Serena returns crosscourt, then Maria down the line. Deuce. Power serve in the T, short rally, Serena nets.AD Sharapova. Fault. Rally, Sharapova winner to wide ally. Game Sharapova 1-0. 

Game 2.  Williams serving. Long rally,Serena corners Maria, both at net, lobs over Maria.
15-0. Maria lobs now to get Serena off balance.This works!  15-15. Rally, 30-15 now. Serves wide to AD court, Serena next returns down teh line for a winner. 40-15. aria cuts a drop shot but Serena come sin and Maria pops high. Game Williams, 1-1.

Game 3.  Maria is serving. Maria drop shots again, Serena gets it and hits down the line for a winner. 0-15. Second serve, short rally, Serena uses forehand and hits short angle spin shot for a winner! 0-30. First serve fault. Tough return for Serena, 15-30 now. Serena shanks out second serve, 30-30 now.  High toss, nice rally, good defense on Serena's part, Maria could have had a winner but instead nets. 30-40. Short point, Serena takes the game. Game Williams 2-1.

Game 4.  Serena has a first serve wide on T. Second~ too tough, Maria nets. 15-0. High toss blasts a serve. Rally, Maria hits long. 30-0. High toss, htrows body into teh serve, power returns, Maria hits long, 40-0. Serena gets the job done.  Hits wide power serve, Maria offers a light return, but Serena approaches net and puts the ball away. Game Williams, 3-1.

Game 5.  Sharapova Faults first serve.  Serena gets those balls back, but maria hits a winner to angle from baseline. 15-0. Tough shot now 15-15.  maria needs to angle more.  First serve fault. Blasts a forehand, Serena returns long. 30-15. The crowd claps and rallies!  Ad serve out at T. Second~ high toss, short rally, maria approached service line Serena nets. 40-15. High toss, second serve now, Serena blasts a quick return! 40-30.  Oh no, Maria has Serena on the run but then Maria nets the ball! Deuce. Fault first serve. Second Serena tries to blast again but instead nets the ball. AD Maria. High, high toss. Maria plays wide deep angles to Serena and Serena returns wide and out! Game Sharapova, 2-3.. 

One hour 24 minutes so far.  Very quiet stadium throughout the match.

Game 6. Serena blasts a serve and Maria blasts back too much. 15-0. Wow, Serena clips the line keeps moving in after she hits for a down the line winner. 30-0. Now hits deep and Maria misses. 40-0. Serena's serve improves as the match progresses. Now Serena misses a return as she approaches.  40-15.  High toss and blasts a serve near the T for an ACE! Game Williams. Now at 4-2.

Game 7. Sharapova serving now. High toss and blasts a wide serve Serena hits deep and long. 15-0. High toss, beautiful serve, Serena returns usual but maria nets the ball. 15-15.  Second serve now, Maria returns wide angel, and approaches for a volley at service line, puts ball away. 30-15.  Serves to T, Maria is running Serena and Serena hits long angle. 40-15.  Second serve now. Crosscourt rally, Maria nets. 40-30. Wide serve, Maria has Serena running, Serena nets. Game Sharapova. 3-4.

LOVE the Longines slogan, "Elegance is an Attitude."  Just like Maria's serve!

Game 8.  Serena serves now, Maria needs to break her to succeed to a third set.  let us see what happens here.  Second serve, great inside the line short angel winner, 15-0. Serena runs Maria wide on her AD serve, then approaches service line for an opposite court winner. 30-0. Now 40-0. Serena is fast!  Good toss and blasts a powerful ACE to the T!  Game Williams. Now 5-3.

Game 9. Maria serves.  Faults first serve. Short rally and Serena returns long. 15-0. Faults first serve. Second, high toss near T playing to middle then hit s deep to BH corner Serena pops up and out. 30-0. greta serve too fast of a rally and Serena beats with quick placement, 30-15.  First serve good, middle shots but maria returns a flat ball too wide. 30-30 now.  High toss wide serve has Serena running!! Serena cannot get to, great deep shot Maria !40-30.  Taking her time, high wide serve tries ot out fox Serena but Maria misses a short angle return, 40-40 now!  High toss, wide on T, fault. Second, to the T, Serena returns long. AD Maria.  Serves to middle then hits deep to corner and Serena shanks the ball out. Game Sharapova. 4-5.

Game 10.  Serena serving for the Set, the Match and Championship.  Play the point, the game.  High toss, BLASTS a serve to the T, ACE!! 15-0. High toss, serves to the T and middle, Serena has a tight return off Maria and shoots wide. 15-15.  ACE!! Wow, too fast to see! 30-15. Use those aces!!  Serena serves wide inside AD court, Maria returns and Serena returns deep corner down the line. 40-15.  High toss, blasts a middle ACE to the T, a winner!!!  Game Williams, 6-4.

In under 2 hours, see what can be done!

CONGRATULATIONS SERENA WILLIAMS!!!

In two sets you took the clay, 6-4, 6-4.

photo courtesy Associated Press/ CHRISTOPHE ENA

Serena is so happy!  Her 16th major championship!  

Maria, you played so beautifully, we look forward to seeing you at Wimbledon!

Such a big day for these fabulous tennis players at Stade Roland Garros, click the RG icon to take you to all the highlights and latest!

Where it all happens

FRENCH OPEN 2013

Welcome to the French Open 2013 at Roland Garros, just outside of Paris! 

Logo source: Roland Garros

This slam begins the triumvirate of the spring/summer tennis season- first the French Open on clay, then Wimbledon on grass, then the US Open on hard court.  To win all three slams in a row is a feat indeed, quite similar to the equestrian Triple Crown. And, we must not forget the fourth major, the Australian Open on hard court, held every winter in January. 

Who are the men's and women's hopefuls this season?

First of all, click here for television coverage in the US beginning Sunday May 26th on ESPN2 at 5:00 AM EST. The matches follow through June 9th with the final men's match aired live on Sunday June 9th at 9:00 AM NBC network.

A favorite sports site is Bleacher Report, click here for French Open 2013 Predictions!

So, the Open hopefuls for this season~

source: Getty Images
25 May 2013
Maria, Rafael, Serena, Roger 

Look how slim they look! I really think the game of tennis creates the best of the physical attributes of men and women.  Plus, today's nutrition and fitness knowledge is the best offered at any point in history, and see the results!!

Sunday update~ i) Serena now has 25 consecutive match wins! Wins round 1 at 6-0, 6-1. Wow, what a player!  She makes winning look so easy, the sign of a true champion.

ii) Roger~ wears the violet headband, won most votes on his new Twitter account @rogerfederer ! There are multiple accounts, some 'official' some not, so I would tune in to this current handle :)

Other great hopefuls, and equally as important~

Ana Ivanovic
a gorgeous fit tennis beauty
2008 French Open Champion

Sunday update~ Ana wins her Round 1 match in 3 sets, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. A solid win for her 2013 debut. Said to have the 'best of all' women's baseline forehand.

Maria's boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov, ranked 28 from 95 last year, as compared to Roger Moore in the good looks department~

source: Reuters

CLICK the picture for entire article from The Telegraph.

Li Na, wow! What a solid player for her homeland China~

source: Mike Erhmann/Getty Images

CLICK Li Na's picture for predictions and tournament preview, from Bleacher Report.

Andy Murray, you are such a fighter, we will look for you at Wimbledon, hope your back improves and we will miss you this round!

Victoria Azarenka, you never give up, best of luck!

source: Getty Images

CLICK Victoria's picture for more predictions and tournament preview of ALL the players!!

AND, Novak Djokovic, we love you!! Happy Birthday arriving at RG on May 22nd!!

source : FaceBook

from Novak: Today has been an incredible day :) I arrived to Paris with my team, and just finished my 1st practice on Philippe Chatrier stadium. I feel very good on court and I am excited to be back on the Roland Garros. The best part is that I am feeling really happy and enthusiastic, especially because I have received so many unexpected surprises from my fans! You have made this day a great day! Thanks for your messages, tweets, videos, pictures and everything you have done to make me smile in this day... BTW thanks to the Roland Garros for this delicious cake and a warm welcoming ;)

The excitement before a performance and competition is like no other.  All is possible, all is expected.  And our tennis players are the best in the world, so strong, so competitive, and such complete people.  Congratulations, champions!

 

A warm welcome to all at Roland Garros, onward French Open 2013!!!

For the Women's Final play by play on June 8th, check out post FRENCH OPEN 2013 WOMEN'S FINAL.

For the Men's Final play by play on June 9th, check out post FRENCH OPEN 2013 MEN'S FINAL.

For the FASHIONS?  Check out NIKE FRENCH OPEN 2013 !!

TENNIS WINNERS

For every tennis match, there is a winner and a loser. Tough this game is. No matter how you try to get around the big white elephant in the room, the suspense of who will win the next shot, ultimately a single shot does not matter because it does not determine who will win and who will lose the match. Such is the challenge. As players we know this from the start, try to make shots and points, but no matter how you try, and how well those shots are executed, there is a winner and a loser. The big white elephant. Tough game.

In tennis terms, what does 'winner' mean? A 'winner' is an impossible shot to defend. The shot is executed with perfection, intelligence and pinpoint accuracy.

Here is a wonderful shot of Novak Djokovic, before a match in Rome at the Italian Open this past Friday, totally pumped and ready to go for a match against Tomas Berdych~

Source: FaceBook

Novak was so energized with the children, look at his body posture, his attention, his attentiveness. He is so happy to be in Rome and playing as a champion of tennis.

BUT, oh well, you may know by now that our number 1 player in the world, Djokovic, succumbed to Berdych in 3 sets, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4.  Novak is not so happy this day on clay, got to get ready for Roland Garros coming up in less than 9 days!


Regardless of the upset, Novak is a winner in my book, he knows how to pace himself, learn from defeat, and rest up~

Source: FaceBook

From Novak: A bit weird match for me yesterday. I wish i've used my chances better, but I didn't and Tomas is now in semis. Congrats to him. I'm already back home regrouping my strength and energy for RG. On the positive note, i'll have more time to prepare :)

So, for each winner there is a loser.  It keeps the champions humble so when the big slams are upon us they focus completely. They choose their battles.

Arrivederci Roma, bonjour Paris !! 

STARTLING TENNIS INSIGHTS

This morning I have been reading through notes I have systematically made regarding my tennis progress over the past three years, and some startling observations come to light!

It is definitely spring tennis season, and so far the weather has been cold and windy. My match experience has been quite varied, and fortunately each competition does get better for me.

I have had immense struggles over the past years with my tennis game, and reviewing my notes has given me a wide smile on many levels.  Firstly, I am a computer rated 3.5 USTA player, who has improved from a 3.0 about 4 years ago. Over that span of time I have not competed a lot, but enough to raise my rating and improve my game.  I am thankful for my coaches, my opponents, my Monday contract players (quite a tough bunch!) and anyone who has had to suffer with my endless excuses, because my excuse list IS endless...

But, really folks, not anymore!  It is correct to say NO EXCUSES, because truly, your opponent has the exact same conditions you have. Fine, maybe the wind DID blow profusely only in your direction for two hours, changed direction each time you switched sides, each time you went for a winner, each time you.... yes, you get the message! Excuses are actually quite silly. No more.

Instead, improve upon your game.  One shot at a time.  I am quite actively working on this, and someday hope to raise my rating one more notch.  We shall see.  Meanwhile, my growth curve continues.  I have not looked at most of these index cards for up to three years. Some of these cards I tossed out today, because the information was necessary at the time, but no more.  Others I have saved and will yet refer to, these are the ones from tennis lessons, books I have read, specific matches that were difficult on many levels.

The most startling insight is this~ going through my notes, I realized that my tennis game has progressed. The basics that I wrote down are no longer necessary to refer to on paper, instead these lessons are ingrained in my psyche for match play.  These lessons are now automatic.  Do something long enough, and it becomes a part of you.  Such is true in learning any new skill.

Trust is so important.  I chose to trust my coaches, and work through the incorrect thinking of my own choices, which seemed in my mind to help at the time, and maybe they did to a certain degree, but going to a master will give you the quickest route to learn the right way. Then, you trust and you practice. And practice some more.

So, I am happy to say that by following the correct way of doing things from trust and lots of practice, from a smashing serve to a slice backhand helps, really helps! Yesterday I played in two matches first a singles match for 105 minutes (yes, I wear a watch on court and only regard the time before and after a match), then took a 25 minute break, ate a banana and small sandwich, changed my socks, and back out on the courts for a doubles match, which my partner and I won in 90 minutes.

The singles match was difficult for me because my opponent was physically strong and had a fabulous 'wheelhouse' topspin forehand and great net play.  I thought I was finished before the match began!  I still dug in deep, and played the first four games with focus, calm and at 65% level.  Not forcing winners, simply getting the ball back one more time and varying my serve. I was able to pull out the first set at 6-3. I was still quite worried, thinking, oh my goodness, she is just getting warmed up, we will go to three sets.  But then, something happened in the second set. I was down 0-2, and somehow turned the match around to take the second set at 6-3.  How did I do this?  I kept watching my opponent, I continued to take away her topspin forehand, even though a few times she readily placed the shot in the far corners, and I continued to focus on her weaker side, the backhand.  I could tell she was quite uncomfortable with this shot as she had tight returns with it, albeit some good returns, but others not, and the ones that did not work for her I simply tried my hardest to keep from returning that tennis ball to her forehand. And that strategy is what shows up in my notes time and time again~ rob thy opponent of their strongest shot, capitalize on their weakness.

After my short break and fresh tennis socks, back on the courts, and I followed that same strategy in doubles.  The same plan worked.  6-3, 6-2. Very nice players, but we took away their best shots.

The moral here? Keep good notes, trust them, and see what develops! You will soon recognize that your learning will pay off as long as you give it time, time to test the data and time for it to become a part of your playing, to the point where you do not have to look at notes but instead use the knowledge in a split second.

Now, on to the Kick Serve, a new goal in mind!