New ATP rankings out and Federer #8?

Hey guys!  OK, the new ATP rankings are out today, and Roger Federer is ranked #8??  Forgive me, you all know I am a Fed fanatic, but PLEASE….#8, REALLY?  Gee, he just made the semifinals of the Australian Open.  Yes, he lost in straight sets to  Nadal, I think he needs help with getting this Nadal thing out of his head.  He also whipped Tsonga and Murray (quarters) in route to this semifinal appearance in the first Grand Slam of the the year.  So, since I do understand a bit about how these crazy ATP rankings work themselves out, I am confused.  He defended his quarterfinal points from last year, he lost to Andy Murray in five sets last year down under, and made it into the semis.  He defeated the #4 player in the world, Andy Murray to archive this so I just don’t get it.  I completely understand Stan Wawrinka being ranked #3.  He deserves it after winning down under and based on his performance last year, especially during the last six months.  Still, you have to admit, it is all a bit confusing!  Correct?


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Stan (the man) Wawrinka over Nadal for Australian Open title!

Way to go Stan Wawrinka.  Stan the man gets it done down under, defeating Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-2,3-6,6-3 to win the Australian Open title and his first ever Grand Slam title.  Brad Gilbert calls him “Stanimal” but I like Stan the Man!!  Wonderful for Wawrinka who has rededicated himself both professionally and personally in his life and has now accomplished the pinnacle, a major title in tennis.  To be fair, Rafa appeared to suffer a back injury in the second set, or perhaps he brought something into the match we were unaware of, but Stan was taking it to him from the get go.   Take nothing away from Stan, he played a beautiful match and deserved this trophy on every level.  It was Australia Day, and as fireworks went off in the distance to celebrate, the fireworks on the court were set off by Stan’s complete game, serving, forehand winners, backhand winners, net play, Stan was “the man”!!  As an aside, I only wish if Rafa was going to go down, it had of come a couple of days earlier, against Roger Federer.  Gee, that is not cool, I know it.  I do not want to rain on Stan’s parade, and I know Roger, being the class act he is, does not either.  But still, this Rafa – Roger thing is in Federer’s head!  I think Stefan Edberg is a great addition to Roger’s team. But I almost think he needs a sports psychologist to erase the “Rafa syndrome” from his mind.  Roger can beat Rafa, he just needs to let go of all their history and get out there and get it done.

Anyhow, today was all about the great victory for the other Swiss guy, who on Monday will become the #1 ranked Swiss player.  Really interested to see how the men’s rankings shake out after this first Grand Slam of the year, with Del Potro losing, David Ferrer losing and Stan beating both Djokovic and Nadal.  Rafa was heartbroken that his body had let him down, sobbing with his face down in a towel, obviously in pain and so disappointed.  The Aussie Open has not been kind to Rafa or his body.  So, Wawrinka wins, the rankings come out tomorrow, and the tennis season is underway!  Give Mr. Federer another month and a half to get himself right with the new racquet and let’s see what the spring has to offer.  Hope Rafa recovers and is at full strength for the next tournament he plays.  Again, what a huge accomplishment for Stan Wawrinka!  I was pulling for him, and I bet Roger was too!!

In the Farmers Open Golf Championship from Torrey Pines, a few clouds in the sky (no, not in California?) and Scott Stallings takes the title with a final score of -9.  Jordan Spieth fell off and finished at -5.  Gary Woodland finished second at -8.  Honestly, I did not watch, no Tiger, no Phil, no Rory, what can I say?  Watched the depleted Lakers fall to the Knicks at the Garden in a close one.  (Kobe in street clothes on the bench).

Later guys!


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Li Na wins Australian Open!

Li Na of China, in her third appearance in the women’s final down under (second consecutive final) defeated diminutive Dominka Cibulkova of Slovakia 7-6, 6-0 to win the 2014 women’s title at the Australian Open.  Congrats to Li Na!  I really like her, she is not only a tremendous talent on the tennis court, she is funny, witty and entertaining off the court as well.  Who cannot enjoy her interviews, especially when she make fun of her husband, Dennis, and his snoring.  Today, she did not let us down, on the court or in her post match interview.  She thanked her agent for making her rich (she pondered retirement after Wimbledon but he talked her out of it), she thanked Dennis for giving up his life to travel with her, hit with her, get her water, and in general, take care of things.  She said he was famous in China (tongue in cheek) and he was lucky to have found her.  I think they were likely lucky to have found each other.  Very dominating performance by Li Na after a very nervous start to the first set, she trailed 4-5 before recovering and taking the set to a tie break and prevailing.  The second set, well 6-0 says it all.  Also, congrats to #20 Cibulkova for a great tournament down under.  Li Na will move to #3 in the new rankings out on Monday, and is very close to overtaking #2, Victoria Azarenka.

Tonight, 1 Rafa Nadal vs. 8 Stan Wawrinka in the men’s final.  Go Stan!  Rafa is the heavy favorite, of course.  I will be very interested to see how the men’s rankings shake out on Monday.  Stan will become the #1 tennis guy in Switzerland (over Roger Federer, gasp!) but I do not understand how Fed can drop from #6 in the world.  He defended his quarterfinal points from last year’s Australian Open in which he fell to Andy Murray in five sets and made it to the semifinals.  He defeated both Tsonga and #4 Murray.  Also, #5 Del Potro went out early and #3 David Ferrer lost before advancing as far as Roger.  So, we shall see how it all shakes out.

In other sports news… Melo went crazy and scored 62 points setting a single game scoring record for the New York Knicks.  At the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla, CA, Tiger Woods missed the secondary cut for the first time ever in his career with a score of 79 and Phil Mickelson withdrew due to a sore back.  Woodland leads the young sensation Jordan Spieth from Texas by one stroke heading into tomorrow’s final round.


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Same story sadly…Nadal over Federer in three sets down under

It never gets old (Roger vs. Rafa) but then as a loyal and devoted Federer fan, perhaps it does, or frustrating, sad, etc.  Same story down under after all the hype, Nadal takes down Federer in the semifinals of the Australian Open, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3.  Yes, it was hard fought, especially the first set.  One had to feel deflated after Fed lost the first set in the tie break.  He looked like his confidence was waning for sure midway through the second set as Rafa was just relentless.  The tactics that work against everyone else on tour (and yes, I mean Murray, Djokovic, and the rest) just do not hold up against Nadal.  Then Federer begins to press and looked out of sorts…well, you all know what I mean if you watched.  So much is about the mental part, and Nadal is in Roger’s head.  This is not to say Federer played at all poorly, he played extremely well, but he was not able to do things as he wanted to do them and was also unable to make adjustments to compensate.  Way too many unforced errors, shaky at the net, as compared to his matches against Tsonga and Murray, and not enough first serves and declining percentage of points won on second set as the match went on.  At the end of the day, it is about match-ups and Nadal is a tough matchup for Federer and his game.  Yes he beat him a couple of years ago at Indian Wells, and literally wiped the court with him the end of 2011 at the Year End Tournament in London.  But this scene from last night has been an all too familiar one for those of us who pull for Roger Federer.  All credit to Rafa, such intensity and power.  I do believe this tournament has shown us that Roger can have a much better 2014 and compete for a major, Wimbledon being his best shot.  He can match up with anyone on his day, and has the game to take down Djokovic, Murray, Berdych, Del Potro, etc.   Nadal remains the big X factor for accomplishing Grand Slam title #18.

Meanwhile, Rafa will take on the other Swiss, Stan Wawrinka in the final.  Wawrinka has never beaten Nadal but his backhand is a bigger weapon against Rafa than Roger’s.  Still, Nadal is the heavy favorite, but I will pull for Stan to win his first Grand Slam.

Rod Laver Arena was full of tennis legends last night, Rod Laver, Ken Rosenthal and Pete Sampras.  Pete keeps a very low profile so it was nice to see him in the crowed of esteemed tennis greats.

Li Na vs. Dominika Cibulkova will be tonight (wee hours of the am) for the women’s final.

Still disappointed…..later!

P.S. I was hoping for rain and a closed roof!  (Fed is 4-1 over Nadal on indoor hard courts)


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Stan (the man) Wawrinka gets it done down under!

Stan the man gets it done!  That would be Stan Wawrinka from Switzerland, who last night defeated Thomas Berdych, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 to reach his first Grand Slam final!  Way to go Stan.  He now awaits the winner of tonight’s marque matchup, Federer vs. Nadal, ie., Roger vs. Rafa, what more need be said?  Really have to congratulate Stan who has elevated his game, reached a career high ranking of #8 (sure to continue upward) and stands poised to perhaps win his first ever Grand Slam title.  Standing in his way, his BFF, longtime fellow Swiss player, you may have heard of him (?), Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.  Wawrinka is Roger’s biggest supporter, and vice verse.  The match we have all wished for, wanted, and have gotten, Fed – Nadal airs at 3.30am EST on ESPN.  (Not ESPN2, do not get confused as I did earlier in the week!) Really a bummer for those of us on the east coast in the USA.  I have my DVR set, but I did actually wake up and watch the Federer vs. Murray match that aired at the same time a couple of nights ago.  All day I have received texts from my daughters…when is the Fed – Nadal match?  “I cannot miss it”!  You see, the obsession runs deep!  Well, I do not know if I will automatically wake up and watch it live or watch the replay tomorrow…all I know is I am pulling for Roger Federer to get it done!!!  (It is almost nap time, just in case!)  This is THE RIVALRY in tennis still, no disrespect to Djokovic, Murray and others, but this is the one that we all get up for!  It never gets old, it never let’s us down, and it never loses it magic.  So, I am going to pick Roger Federer (just as I did over Murray) to wave his new, larger magic wand and continue his return to vintage brilliance in the wee hours this am.  IF I am wrong, and Rafa does prevail, then I will pull for Stan to win his first Grand Slam title.  Keep in mind folks, I like Rafa, but I LOVE Roger Federer!  ROGER THAT!

On the women’s side down under, Li Na dominated the brilliant young teen from Canada, Eugenie Bouchard last night, 6-2, 6-4 to make the final down under for the second year in a row.  Meanwhile, in a bit of an upset, Dominika Cibulkova dispatched A. Radwanska with ease, 6-1, 6-2.  Really surprising as Radwanska was playing so well and I predicted a Li Na – A. Radwanska final.  It will not happen…it will be Li Na vs. Cibulkova and I predict Li Na will win her second Grand Slam title (previously won the French Open).

On Golf Channel, Tiger and others are playing in the first big golf tournament of 2014, the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla, CA.  Fog set in and delayed things a bit, but they are well under way.  Tiger was even through six holes.  He has owned this golf course.  Still, for me, today, it is all about Mr. Federer!

Oh, I forgot…missed my Wednesday book plug (see, it really is not all about me!)  Please check out my book Surviving “Paradise” at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition, and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  It makes for a great entertaining read, full of comedy and drama.  Follow a southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida, full of hope and excitement, only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstance.  Can I say Bulgarian criminal neighbors, horny and inappropriate cop, jealous bitchy wife, dishonest redneck homeowners’ association President, well, check it out, you will not be disappointed.Surviving Paradise

Until tomorrow…ROGER FEDERER!


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And it will be Roger vs. Rafa XXXIII in the semifinals down under!

ROGER THAT!  It will be yet another epic meeting, Roger vs. Rafa XXXIII (roman numerals in honor of upcoming Super Bowl in the US) in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open.  Rafa took out the young upstart G. Dimitrov, but not without some difficulty, advancing in four sets, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2.  Dimitrov seemed to run out of steam in the fourth set.  Following that match, Mr. Federer took the court at Rod Laver Arena to face Andy Murray.  Fed came out very aggressive and won the first two sets in just over an hour, 6-3, 6-4.  Then in the third set, Andy lifted his game and Roger was broken when he was serving for the match at 5-4.  In the tie break, again, Fed failed to convert when he led 6-4 and could have closed it out in a tie break at 7-4 in the breaker.  So third set to Murray (7-6) and they played on.  In the tight fourth set, Murray continued to fight but Federer had the answers and at 4 all, Roger broke Andy and then served it out, the winning match point appropriately an ace!  So happy to see Roger playing with confidence and moving well and seemingly very comfortable with the new, larger magic wand.  He has been hugely successful coming into the net, winning a huge percentage of those points and has also served well, over 60% on first serves in last night’s match and defending his second serve quite well (very important statistic in tennis!).  Now, the matchup worthy of a final, but it will be the semifinal on Friday (3:30 am Saturday in the US) between Fed and Nadal.

The other men’s semifinal will featured the other Swiss guy Stan Wawrinka, fresh off his huge win over Djokovic against Berdych (winner over Ferrer).  Great to see both Roger and Stan in the semifinals (brings a smile to Severin Luthi’s face for sure).  Not sure I want to make a pick on these matches…Nadal will be favored for sure but the way Roger is playing makes him dangerous and capable!  As far as Berdych vs. Wawrinka, likely Berdych would be the favorite but I will be pulling for Stan!

On the women’s side, another upset of sorts.  Victoria Azarenka, who became the clear favorite with the dismissal of both Williams and Sharapova earlier in the tournament was masterfully defeated by A. Radwanska, 6-1, 5-7, 6-0 (that is a bagel…time for lunch people!).  Really shocking to see Vika struggle as much as she did last night, but she had to be feeling enormous pressure after becoming the heavy favorite to repeat down under.  Azarenka had over 42 unforced errors early in the third set!  Radwanska had every shot in the book working for her in this match.  This now means Li Na will play the young nineteen year old from Canada, Bouchard and A. Radwanska will face Cibulkova in the other semifinal.  Cibulkova advanced in two easy sets over Halep.  So, Li Na would be favored in one but watch out for “Genie”, and Radwanska could be poised to finally win her first major.  I want to say Li Na vs. A. Radwanska in the final but this tournament has been so crazy with upsets, it is way too difficult to call it!

Once again, I am just happy to see Roger back in top form!  GO FED!

P.S.  Tiger Woods is taking to the golf course tomorrow in California (where else could you play golf in the US in January) for the Farmers Insurance Open.  Coverage begins late tomorrow afternoon live from Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, CA on Golf Channel.

 


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Big upset down under…Wawrinka takes out Djokovic!

Huge upset down under at the Australian Open yesterday, or was it?  Stan (the man) Wawrinka took out Novak Djokovic (defending champion) in five tough sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6 -2, 3 – 6, 9 – 7.  What a sweet victory for Wawrinka after last year’s heartbreaking loss to Nole at the same event in five sets, losing in the fifth set, 10 – 12.  Really happy for Stan the man!  He has elevated his game so much in the past year and now finds himself in the semifinals of the Australian Open to face Thomas Berdych who took out David Ferrer in four sets, 6-1, 6- 4, 2 – 6, 6 – 4.  Really think Stan can win that one and get to the final!  So, now will that other Swiss guy, (you may have heard of him?), Roger Federer get it done tonight (actually 3:30 am EST) against Andy Murray?  I think he can, especially if he continues to play as he has played so far in the tournament.  I really want to see Roger make it through the quarters into the semifinals.  Then, if it happens, well, you all know what that likely means…Roger vs. Rafa down under!  Nadal will face off against G. Dimitrov in the match prior to the marque match tonight (Roger vs. Andy).

In women’s action, the new darling of the women’s tour, Engenie Bouchard took out Ana Ivanovic in three sets, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.  Sad way for Ivanovic to go out after that huge upset over a slightly injured Serena Williams.  I believe Ivanovic was nursing a bit of a hip injury herself last night.  Certainly do not want to take anything away from the win by Bouchard.  She is nineteen and into the semifinals of this year’s Aussie Open.  Her reward for that victory, a matchup with Li Na.  I think it will be a great semifinal, have to favor Li Na.  Bouchard has her”Genie’s Army” cheering her on at each and every match.  After her wins, they present her with a new stuffed animal.  Also on the docket for the women’s semis, Azarenka (who has to be the one to beat at this point) vs. A. Radwanska.  That should be a good one as well…going to have to pick Azarenka to get through.  The other women’s quarter will feature Halep vs. Cibulkova (took out Sharapova).  In the interest of full disclosure…I am only focused on Mr. Federer and his match with Andy Murray.  GO FED!  And again, well done Stan Wawrinka!


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Seattle vs. Denver for the Super Bowl, Vintage Federer down under!

The Seattle Seahawks came from behind at home in a tremendously exciting and hard fought game late Sunday to defeat San Francisco, 23 – 17 and will face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl on February 2,2014.  Pulse stopping finish to this one, San Francisco driving and with 22 seconds left, pass in the endzone for M. Crabtree was deflected by Richard Sherman and found it’s way into the hands of fellow defender Smith for the game saving interception.  The Seattle – Denver match up should be a great one.  Also love the irony at the end, Richard Sherman played for 49er head coach Jim Harbaugh at Stanford.  Well taught, don’t you think, it was an amazing defensive play to preserve the victory.

Meanwhile, admiring greatness and amazing talent, let’s talk Roger Federer!   Federer returned to vintage “Federer form” last night (wee hours of the morning in the US) to take out J. Tsonga in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5 ,6-4.  Federer express is rolling once again, and he will next face Andy Murray in the quarters.  Murray needed four sets to prevail.  Every facet of Roger’s brilliant game was on full display, forehand, backhand, serve, chip and volley, he certainly looks ready to ring in a much better 2014.  Only converted on 3/7 break points opportunities, would still like to see that improve.  Non the less, he looks locked and loaded to give Murray, Nadal and Djokovic a run for it all!

Nadal had a tough three set match against K. Nishikori, winning 7-6,7-5,7-6.  22 Dimitrov continues to come on and won in four sets to make his first quarters at the Australian Open (first of any Grand Slam).

On the women’s side, Sharapova fell to Dominkia Cibulkova, 3-6, 6-4,6-4.  Both Serena and Maria out of this year’s Australian Open, failing to make the quarters.  Serena can cite a back injury as a contributor to her early exit, along with the outstanding performance of Ana Ivanovic.  Sharapova was simply beaten.  She has not looked good at this tournament after her four month injury layoff.  Azarenka took out the last remaining American, Sloane Stephens in convincing fashion, 6-3,6-2.  She is the favorite, with strong consideration going to Li Na, A. Radwansak, both winners in straight sets, along with Ana Ivanovic.  Ana will play the 19 year old tournament darling from Canada, Eugenia Bouchard (ranked #30) in tonight’s women’s quarterfinal match.

Very funny exchange with Azarenka in her on court post match interview.  Boyfriend Redfoo was in the stands supporting her as he almost always is and she was asked about possibly buying a house down under since she loves the beaches there so much.  She grinned and the commentator mentioned something missing..a ring!  She laughed, Redfoo laughed (cringed?, no not really) and Vika said he better get her a bigger one than Caro’s.  That was referring to the gorgeous huge rock given Caroline Wozniacki by now fiance Rory Mcilroy.  So, we shall see how that all unfolds but he certainly loves tennis and is a very supportive boyfriend for Vika, almost never misses her matches.

Action continues tonight from down under, men’s and women’s quarters will air tonight and tomorrow night on ESPN2 with replays the next day on Tennis Channel.  Most enticing match tonight on the men’s side, Stan Wawrinka vs. Novak Djokovic.  Wawrinka lost a heartbreaker to Nole last year in five sets.

Until later…

 

 


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Omaha, Omaha..Peyton and the Broncos are going to the Super Bowl!!

Omaha, Omaha, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are going to the Super Bowl!  No, the Super Bowl is not in Omaha; that is merely a reference to all the talk this past week about Peyton’s use of “Omaha” in his signal count.  The Super Bowl is at Met Life Stadium in Jersey, the house where little bro Eli plays!  (Ironically, Eli Manning won a Super Bowl in the house that Peyton built, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy..the irony!)  Anyhow, back to today’s game.  The Broncos defeated Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, 26 – 16.  A tremendous performance by the Broncos and Peyton.  Manning was 32/43 with 400 yards and 2 TDs.  Brady was 24/38 with 277 yards passing and one TD.  No interceptions for either. Former  GT stud WR Be Be Thomas had 7 receptions for 134 yards for the AFC Champion Broncos.  The Denver defense put the hammer down on the Patriots running game and sacked Brady twice.  MVP of the game…Peyton Manning of course.  The Broncos punted one time, on their first possession and scored on each possession thereafter.  So happy the Broncos are Super Bowl bound!  Also, congrats to Champ Bailey who will make his first Super Bowl appearance in his fifteen year career.

Now…San Francisco will take on the Seahawks in Seattle….(NFC title game)  They will raise the 12th man flag and it will get LOUD!

And, Roger Federer vs. J. Tsonga from down under very late tonight!!  Again, GO FED!


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Ivanovic upsets Serena down under!

Ana Ivanovic upset Serena Williams down under last evening, the largest upset of this year’s Australian Open so far, and she did it in convincing fashion, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.  Ivanovic ripped sizzling returns on Serena’s serve (almost unheard of) both with her forehand and backhand returns.  She had a great game plan and she stuck with it and it paid off.  In fairness to Serena, it was revealed that she had tweaked her back and was playing a bit injured.  She certainly did not look at her best, way too many unforced errors and her lack of movement was telling.  Taking nothing away from this huge win for Ana, Serena was very gracious in her post match interview.  Ivanovic had never taken a set off Serena in their previous matches and this victory sends her into the quarterfinals and snaps Serena’s twenty five match winning streak.  Well, Serena will go home, work hard, and just come back better.  Hopefully this will propel Ivanovic back into the top ten and send her deeper into this tournament as well as the remaining Grand Slam tournaments this year.  After becoming number one and winning the French Open in 2008 she has really struggled and with a new coach on board, she really is blossoming.  Her next opponent will be the new darling of the tournament (not that Ana is not loved as well by the Aussie fans!), Eugenia Bouchard of Canada.  She even has her own cheerleading team!  It also brings a smile to Li Na, who also advanced as this really opens up her half of the draw.  Azarenka moved on in straight sets as well.

On the men’s side, Stan Wawrinka (the other Swiss guy), Djokovic, and Berdych all advanced in three sets while David Ferrer had a bit of a struggle and needed four sets to move on.

Tonight…it is a big one…4th round matchup for Mr. Federer vs. J. Tsonga.  If Fed can get through this one, he will likely face Murray in the quarterfinals.  Come on Roger…get it done.  It is the 4th match on Rod Laver so it will be in one of the evening time slots televised on ESPN2.  I am afraid it is going to be in the wee hours of Monday morning but will have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, there is some football on today!  Broncos host Patriots in first game (AFC title game) and then later, San Francisco visits Seattle (NFC title game).  Made my picks yesterday (Broncos and Seahawks) and I believe I will stick with them!

Also tonight, the series finales of the ABC show Betrayal airs at 10:00 pm EST.  Cannot wait!  Sure to leave us hanging…

Until later


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