I missed Surviving “Paradise” day yesterday (Wednesday) so here we are a day late and a dollar short (literally)!! Also, to add insult to injury, Roger Federer was upset last night in Miami by K. Nishikori in the quarterfinals at the Sony Open, 3-6, 5-7, 4-6.
Gee, it was so insulting, they did not even show the match live…rather they put it on at 1:00 am EST on ESPN2. I watched it on my computer on ESPN3. What were they thinking? Probably that it was a “give me”, Federer would win and advance to face Djokovic in the semifinals. Sort of disrespectful to Nishikori, even though noone is more disappointed than me in the result! Federer seemed more uncomfortable than he has in the past couple of months, his first serve was not on, he made way too many unforced errors, and all credit to Nishikori who has beaten Nadal and Wawrinka as of late. Non the less, Roger made it into the quarters of a tournament that he has not played in the past two years, points were accrued and he made up ground on David Ferrer (ousted in the round of sixteen) and countryman Wawrinka (also ousted prior). So Federer wins in the desert at Dubai, makes it to the final at Indian Wells, losing to Djokovic in three thrilling sets ( what a glorious experience it was!) and then goes down in the cool, very windy conditions at night in Miami to K. Nishikori. Have to say Federer, while looking very complacent in this match, looks very good heading into the clay court season in 2014. Congrats to Nishikori who will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals! Nole took care of Andy Murray in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. A bit of controversy, Djokovic hit a ball over the net, he did not touch the net, but he definitely hit the ball over the other side of the net. Murray was then distracted and dropped the first set. Not really sure it made any difference in the outcome of this match, but hey these guys are pros, they should know the rules…right?
On the women’s side, Li Na survived a tough two set match with C. Wozniacki last night, winning 7-5, 7-5 and will face the fireball known as D. Cibulkova in the semifinals. Today, Serena Williams does what she usually does, defeat Maria Sharapova! Serena advances, 6-2, 6-3. Serena owns Sharapova, let’s face it!
Today, T. Berdych fought off Dolgopolov, 6-4, 7-5 and now we await the outcome of tonight’s match, Nadal vs. Raonic. I would love to see M. Raonic pull off the upset but I gotta go with Nadal!
Roger picked up some valuable points by playing in Miami since he did not play last year, but he looked off last night, as I said earlier, his first serve let him down and way too many unforced errors. I know what that windy, cold weather can be like, and Federer had looked so sharp in his previous matches, not facing a break point. All in all, still a good 2014 for Mr. Federer so far. He really excelled in “the desert”! Too bad about Miami, but we will always have Indian Wells!!!!
Now, about Surviving “Paradise”. Please check out my book at Amazon.com, available in paperback for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition, and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook. It is a funny and entertaining story about neighborhood mayhem in southwest Florida. If you have had a bad neighbor, you can relate. If not (good for you), you can read and enjoy and say, “oh my”!!
In NBA action, the best of the east met and the Pacers prevailed over LeBron and Miami, 84-83, surviving a late surge by the Heat. LeBron had 39 points. Pulling for the Pacers! Go Indy!
The Dance resumes tonight. the sweet sixteen! I have eleven of the sixteen in my bracket, how are you doing?
Last night, ABC hit drama Nashville gave us a new episode and the drama that this show rolls out is almost hard to keep up with. I have to wonder if Rayna and Luke will stay together (of course not, it is a nighttime soap opera) or will her and Deacon ultimately succumb to the bond of their years together and having a child (Maddie). You have to watch this show to really get it!
OK, enough for now..enjoy the basketball, the tennis, or perhaps Greys Anatomy and Parenthood? Maybe, all of them!! That is my plan.
