Venus Williams out in three sets at US Open, more results in rain delayed Open

Posted on August 28, 2013 by susan

Rain continued to be the story at the US Open on Wednesday.  Sadly, Venus Williams fell to Zheng of China in three sets, 3 – 6, 6 – 2, 6 – 6- 7.  Sad to see Venus go out!  Del Potro is in a battle on stadium court against Garcia-Lopez, 6 -3, 6 – 7, 6 – 4, and on serve in the fourth set.  Now approaching four hours in the Del Potro match and still no where near over.  Will Andy Murray take the court and make his 2013 US Open debut against M. Lloydra?  Also, Sloane Stephens scheduled to take on U. Radwansak following that match.  Will have to wait and see, the rain has really thrown a monkey wrench into today’s scheduling.  So far, only 10 of 34 scheduled matches have been completed.  Currently in action, Wawrinka, Leyton Hewitt vs. Brian Baker of the USA, and James Blake vs. I. Karlovic.  It is going to be a LATE night at Flushing Meadow!

Updates:  Del Potro through in four tough sets, wins in the fourth set over Lloydra in a tie break! Day session FINALLY over!   So, next up Andy Murray!  (On a personal note…I just want to know how this rain is going to affect tomorrow’s schedule..ie. Roger Federer is schedule to play tomorrow against Berlocq.  So will it happen?  That is what I care about most!)  Anyhow…more to follow!

Update:  Andy Murray through in three sets over Lloydra, 6 – 2, 6- 4, 6 – 3 and Sloane Stephens has NO trouble with U. Radwanska, winning late on Ashe Stadium 6 – 1, 6 – 1.  Also, American James Blake walked off the court for the last time (singles match, still has doubles match to play) after blowing a two set lead, losing to Ivo Karlovic in five sets (tiebreaker in the fifth).  Blake announced he would retire after the US Open at the start of the tournament.

Roger Federer is scheduled on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday to face Berlocq in the 3rd match (say around 4:00 pm perhaps?) and Rafael Nadal will wind up the day on Ashe Stadium in the final match against Dutra Silva (likely around 9:00 pm or so).  So rain permitting, both these two should be in action and hopefully will make it to their predicted match up in the quarters.  Still a long way to go   over and out for now.


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US OPEN on Wednesday..Rain! Check out Surviving “Paradise” the book

Posted on August 28, 2013 by admin

Well, the story of the day so far from Flushing Meadow is RAIN!  Rain is in the area, 40% chance today and into the night, so play has started and then been halted.  Earlier, A. Radwanska and Li Na both advanced in two set matches.  Then the rain delay, so we got to see Roger Federer win again (rebroadcast from yesterday).  That is NEVER a bad thing!  Del Potro took the court to face Garcia-Lopez and then down came the rain again.  Del Potro is one of the few guys the experts predict can crack the hold of the big four (and yes, that does include Federer, along with Murray, Djokovic and Nadal) on the Grand Slam titles (he already holds one, US Open over Fed in 2009) and break into the exclusive club.  Expected to play today were Venus Williams, Serena Williams, James Blake (on his farewell tour), Leyton Hewitt, Stan Wawrinka (the other Swiss), Andy Murray, and Sloane Stephens vs. the other Radwanska, Ursula.  So, we will just have to be patient with the weather and see what action they are able to get in today.

Meanwhile, CFB (that would be college football) gets underway tomorrow…big game between Univ. of North Carolina vs. Univ. of South Carolina (you all have heard of the beast named Jadaveon Clowney?).  Can you believe it…it is already time for college football!  Some great games on Saturday, not the least of which will be Virginia Tech vs. Alabama from Atlanta at 5:30 pm EST and then at 8:00 pm EST, University of Georgia at Clemson.  This game is going to be huge…as a GT fan I am pulling for Dabo and the Tigers…go ACC.  Georgia Tech opens up their season vs. Elon on Saturday, should be a tune up for a very tough schedule after a week off the next weekend.

Meanwhile, it is Wednesday and you all know what that means…Surviving “Paradise” day.  Check out my book based on a real life experience full of witty and humorous adventures in a ridiculous neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida.  I mean Florida is really just a strange world in and of itself…so check it out at Amazon. com., $9.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Just got word yesterday that I should receive more screenplay pages tonight and then the following pages will be the complete version.  In the words of my “ghostwriter”,  “I really love it”!  I hope it makes it onto the screen (big, small, it makes no difference) and I truly believe this kind of story only happens in the movies (words of one recent reader) and you will be entertained…and you deserve to be!  Thanks guys for reading and I appreciate any and all support you may give me!ss_gt_photo1Surviving Paradise


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Federer wins first match at US Open

Posted on August 27, 2013 by susan

Finally!  After waiting to watch Roger Federer take the court last night only to have the match postponed due to rain, Mr. Federer took the court around 4:00pm EST today and took care of Grega Zemlja, 6 – 3, 6 – 2, 7 – 5.  Roger had a slight hiccup in the third set but lifted his play and broke back to finish up easily in three sets.  Roger served well (12 aces) and was brilliant when he came into the net with some beautiful volleys.  He is now 65 – 8 career wise at the US Open (ties John McEnroe at 65 wins) and is playing in his 14th straight US Open and his 56 straight Grand Slam.  What more can you say!! I love Roger Federer.  Also, the hair is now the perfect length (a bit short when he played earlier this year)…so looking good Mr. Federer!  Next up for Roger on Thursday, Berlocq.

Other winners today on the men’s side so far today, John Isner advanced in three easy sets, unusual for John, he tends to have these very long dramatic matches at the US Open but not today.  He will face G. Monfils next.  (should be very entertaining match!)  Sam Querrey won in four sets, Thomas Berdych appears to be cruising to a three set win as does the ageless Tommy Haas.  Milos Raonic of Canada won in three sets but the other Canadian, Pospisil lost in five sets (controversial call in the tie break).  Also, the Jerzy boy, Janowicz lost in a match that was resumed today after being stopped last night due to rain.  On the women’s side, Ivanovic won in two sets, Wozniacki won in two sets but really struggled in the second set.  Yes, Rory was in her box to watch and cheer her on as he gets ready to head to Boston at the end of the week to play in the Deutsche Bank Championships.  Christina McHale won a tough two set match over J. Georges of Germany.

Tonight, Djokovic takes the court for his first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium and he will be followed by Victoria Azarenka.  Alot of tennis to be played but I am hoping Roger can make all the naysayers eat their words!  GO FED!

Update: Djokovic appears to be cruising to an easy three set victory over Berankis, 6 – 1, 6 – 2, and up 3 – 0 in the third and serving.  No reason to see this going anywhere but a beat-down by Nole.  The real story tonight is the huge upset of 11 Sam Stosur (2011 US Open Champion) by seventeen year old American Victoria Duval, 5 – 7, 6 – 4, 6 – 4!  What a moment!  To find out more about the story behind this young teenager and her path to tennis and living in the USA, google her!  This was really heartwarming.  Later tonight, Victoria Azarenka will face D. Pfizenmaier of Germany.  Result to follow, likely tomorrow!  Nope, it was lightening fast, Azarenka 6 – 0, 6 – 0!


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Rain keeps Federer from playing first match at US Open

Posted on August 27, 2013 by susan

Serena Williams dismantled F. Schiavone 6 – 0, 6 – 1 after the performances which are traditional on opening night in Arthur Ashe Stadium on day one of play at the US Open.  Then, the rains came and that meant no Roger Federer on opening night.  Gotta feeling those folks who had night session tickets were very bummed!  Well, I was bummed too as I was eagerly awaiting “Federer time” but alas, it will occur this afternoon as he will fact 61st ranked Grega Zemlja in the third match on the Stadium court.

In action throughout the day yesterday (day one), Rafael Nadal continued his red hot play, remaining undefeated on hard courts this season as he took out American Ryan Harrison, 6 – 4, 6 – 2, 6 – 2.  David Ferrer advanced but some notable upsets on the men’s side: 11th seed Ken Nishikori, 27th seed Verdasco and 30th seed Gulbris fell.  On the women’s side American Sloane Stephens survived a tough three set match against Minella of Luxembourg, 4 – 6, 6 – 3, 7 – 6.  Sloane was not at her best but came through and Minella dissolved in tears when the match ended as she had played some of her best tennis.  Welcome back Venus Williams, who took out 12th seed Flipkens of Belgium in two easy sets.  Also advancing A. Radwanska, Li Na, S. Lisicki, Laura Robson.  Many others were winners and a few more matches were in progress last night on the outer courts when the rain came and will have to be continued today.

In addition to Federer, Novak Djokovic will make his 2013 US Open debut headlining the night session tonight.  And finally, James Blake (American tennis player) who once was ranked as high as #4 in the world announced he would retire after this US Open, ending his fourteen year career marked by numerous injuries and remarkable comebacks.  Kind of reminds one of Andy Roddick’s announcement last year?

So, today’s action starts shortly, Wozniacki will be up before Federer on the Stadium Court and I expect Rory Mcilroy to be there…contrary to rumors they are still together.

Until later…


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Will Power wins Indy Grand Prix race in Sonoma, CA (controversy!)

Posted on August 26, 2013 by admin

Where there is Will Power, there is controversy.  Hate to say it, given that I am a biased Dario Franchitti fan and not much of a Will Power fan, but ask my Indy insider and he will confirm it, Will Power is “sneaky”.  Doesn’t mean he isn’t good, he has long been considered the best road courser driver, with Dario getting the edge on ovals.  But this year, the star of the Gnassi team has been Scott Dixon, take nothing away from Charlie Kimball’s break through victory last race, but “Dixie” has been getting it done this year.  He came into Sonoma, hot in pursuit of Helio Castroneves, the current point leader for this year’s series Championship.  Scott led for most of the race until the unfortunate incident in pit row occurred.  He was just behind Will Power in pit row, the quarters were more than tight, and as Scott began to exit one of Power’s crew members walked around holding a tire out to his left and well, from there you just have to watch the replay and decide for yourself.  Dixon brushed him on his way out, or did he literally walk into the side of Dixon’s car, hard to say, but it was controversial and Dixon was accessed a drive through penalty which cost him the race.  Most importantly, no one was seriously injured, a bit sore, but everyone OK.  Dixon wound up in 15th place and now trails Castroneves by 39 points with four more races to go (maybe five, have to check that one with my Indy expert).  There was carnage everywhere in this race, widely considered one of the more difficult and grueling road races on the Indy tour.  The good news, my guy Dario Franchitti finished third, his fourth podium finish in the last five races and he has quietly moved into the 6th position in the points standings (remember, Dario is a three time series Championship winner, and a three time Indy 500 winner!).  Dario did not talk with reporters after the race, a clear sign he was not too happy about the penalty against his racing teammate, Scott Dixon.  There were a record seven yellow flag cautions as racers ran into each other and ran each other off the course.  At the end of the day, however, Will Power recorded his first victory this season, Justin Wilson finished second, and again, Dario finished third.  Next week, Baltimore!


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Adam Scott wins The Barclays in a crazy finish to the first FedExCup playoff

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

Adam Scott emerged as both the victor and the survivor of a crazy finish to The Barclays, the first playoff in the FedExCup.  There were huge movers and much carnage as well as big stumbles and near miraculous recoveries!  What an afternoon of golf!  Matt Kuchar, the co-leader saw the wheels fall off on the 9th hole with a triple bogey.  He finished at -5 with a birdie on the 18th.  His playing partner and co-leader Gary Woodland had two chances to birdie, at the 17th, and missed and again at the 18th, and missed to wind up in a four way tie for second at -10.  And then there was Tiger Woods, cruising along in Tiger mode until he hit the ball off the tee on #13 and fell to a squat on the ground in pain from spasms in his back.  He would later tell the announcers that he actually tweaked it on the 12th hole.  He wound up with a disastrous stretch on 13 through 15 only to once again become Tiger like and birdie 16 and 17 and head to the 18th with a chance to tie and force a playoff.  He hit his second shot over the flag and was just off the green in the rough and still, stroked the ball on his putt right up to the cup and oh so close, but no, inches short and finished in second at -10.  Lefty, (Phil Mickelson) made one heck of a charge today, starting out at -3 and shooting a round of seven under par to finish at -9 (bogey on the 18th kept him from also tying for second place).   Jim Furyk and D A Points joined Phil in third place at -9 and Rickie Fowler, Nick Whatney and two others came in at -8.  Bubba Watson finished at -7 and Rory Mcilory a bit disappointing at -5.

Tiger Woods remains in first place in the FedEx point standings, Adam Scott moves into second place with Phil Mickelson in third.  Matt Kuchar (has to be disappointed in his day) moves down to the fourth place position.  Next up, Boston and the Deutsche Bank Championships, 8/30 (Friday start) thru 9/2.  Will Tiger and his bad back be able to go???  The third playoff will be the BMW Championships, 9/12 – 9/15 and then all roads lead to Atlanta for the Tour Championship at Eastlake Country Club (sponsor, Coca-Cola, of course).  The top 100 in the point standings will advance to Boston next week!

Whew, like CBS whose coverage of golf has finished for this year, over and out for now!


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Adam Scott wins The Barclays in a crazy finish to the first FedExCup playoff

Posted on August 25, 2013 by susan

Adam Scott emerged as both the victor and the survivor of a crazy finish to The Barclays, the first playoff in the FedExCup.  There were huge movers and much carnage as well as big stumbles and near miraculous recoveries!  What an afternoon of golf!  Matt Kuchar, the co-leader saw the wheels fall off on the 9th hole with a triple bogey.  He finished at -5 with a birdie on the 18th.  His playing partner and co-leader Gary Woodland had two chances to birdie, at the 17th, and missed and again at the 18th, and missed to wind up in a four way tie for second at -10.  And then there was Tiger Woods, cruising along in Tiger mode until he hit the ball off the tee on #13 and fell to a squat on the ground in pain from spasms in his back.  He would later tell the announcers that he actually tweaked it on the 12th hole.  He wound up with a disastrous stretch on 13 through 15 only to once again become Tiger like and birdie 16 and 17 and head to the 18th with a chance to tie and force a playoff.  He hit his second shot over the flag and was just off the green in the rough and still, stroked the ball on his putt right up to the cup and oh so close, but no, inches short and finished in second at -10.  Lefty, (Phil Mickelson) made one heck of a charge today, starting out at -3 and shooting a round of seven under par to finish at -9 (bogey on the 18th kept him from also tying for second place).   Jim Furyk and D A Points joined Phil in third place at -9 and Rickie Fowler, Nick Whatney and two others came in at -8.  Bubba Watson finished at -7 and Rory Mcilory a bit disappointing at -5.

Tiger Woods remains in first place in the FedEx point standings, Adam Scott moves into second place with Phil Mickelson in third.  Matt Kuchar (has to be disappointed in his day) moves down to the fourth place position.  Next up, Boston and the Deutsche Bank Championships, 8/30 (Friday start) thru 9/2.  Will Tiger and his bad back be able to go???  The third playoff will be the BMW Championships, 9/12 – 9/15 and then all roads lead to Atlanta for the Tour Championship at Eastlake Country Club (sponsor, Coca-Cola, of course).  The top 100 in the point standings will advance to Boston next week!

Whew, like CBS whose coverage of golf has finished for this year, over and out for now!


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Kuchar and Woodland share lead at The Barclays after 3rd round

Posted on August 24, 2013 by admin

Day three at The Barclays is in the books and Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland are the co-leaders at -12.  Nice weather, the course playing well, and some great scoring today.  Kuchar had a rough start on the front nine (as did Tiger Woods) but came on strong on the back nine with a score of 32 (also, as did Tiger) and finished tied for first place with Woodland going into tomorrow’s final round.  Kevin Chappel is in second place at -11.  Tiger Woods and David Lynn are tied for third at -8, four strokes off the lead.  Tiger had a rough front nine, a good back nine (32) and the birdie on the 18th helped to put him at -8 and head into tomorrow with the leaders in clear sight.  A host of players are at -7, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Kevin Streelman, Jordan Spieth (the 20 year old), and Jonas Blixt.  Adam Scott, Aaron Baddeley, Rory Mcilroy, Webb Simpson, Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia are six shots back, all finishing their rounds at -6.  Phil Mickelson had a nice round today and wound up at -3.

Tomorrow, coverage begins on CBS at 2:00 pm EST immediately following Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day live from nearby Flushing Meadow, site of the US Open which begins on Monday.  Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and others will be there for the “party”.

Tonight, two preseason NFL games, the Atlanta Falcons visit the Tennessee Titans and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos welcome the St. Louis Rams.  All world TE Tony Gonzalez will make his preseason debut tonight for the Falcons!

Alot of fun stuff going on and there is much more to come…college football kicks off this Thursday!

Until tomorrow…


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Kuchar leads at The Barclays after incomplete round 2

Posted on August 23, 2013 by susan

Once again, the horn blew at 7:45pm EST as the sun set in New Jersey, site of the Barclays, the first of four FexExCup playoffs which lead to the final tournament in Atlanta, GA at Eastlake Country Club (the only golf course I have actually “played’!).  Currently atop the leaderboard is Matt Kuchar at -10 (Georgia Tech grad) and he is trailed by Webb Simpson at -9 (who teed off early in the day).  Kuchar, Tiger Woods (-5) and Brandt Snedeker (+2) all picked up their balls on the putting green on the 15th hole as the day ended.  Once again, round two will be completed early tomorrow and then round 3 will get underway at 10:30 am EST.  Rain from yesterday has thrown things into disarray.  Rickie Fowler played 30 holes of golf today, finishing up with a stellar performance of 71, and 64 on his second round to finish at -7.  Rory Mcilroy has made a tremendous charge and is currently at -5.  Tiger Woods started out on fire but then hit a few speed bumps, cursed at himself (as the analysts were kind enough to elaborate on) and then came back to life with a birdie on the 14th hole.  Phil Mickelson is at -2 and appears safely within the projected cut of E par.  Also, the twenty year old “wonder boy”, Jordan Spieth is at -2 and is currently ranked at no. 8 in the FedEx point standings.

The leaderboard after an incomplete round 2 is as follows: Matt Kuchar -10, Webb Simpson -9,  H. Woodland -8, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley -7, Sergio Garcia, Brandon De Jonge, David Lynn, C. Villegas, Jim Furyk, Henrik Stenson, Morgan Hoffman, -6, Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy, Charles Schwartzel, Hunter Mahan and others, -5.

So, tomorrow bright and early round two will be completed and then those fortunate enough to make the cut will proceed to round three.  Another long day of golf, in a picturesque setting with the Statue of Liberty in the background.  Until then…


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Kuchar leads at The Barclays after incomplete round 2

Posted on August 23, 2013 by admin

Once again, the horn blew at 7:45pm EST as the sun set in New Jersey, site of the Barclays, the first of four FexExCup playoffs which lead to the final tournament in Atlanta, GA at Eastlake Country Club (the only golf course I have actually “played’!).  Currently atop the leaderboard is Matt Kuchar at -10 (Georgia Tech grad) and he is trailed by Webb Simpson at -9 (who teed off early in the day).  Kuchar, Tiger Woods (-5) and Brandt Snedeker (+2) all picked up their balls on the putting green on the 15th hole as the day ended.  Once again, round two will be completed early tomorrow and then round 3 will get underway at 10:30 am EST.  Rain from yesterday has thrown things into disarray.  Rickie Fowler played 30 holes of golf today, finishing up with a stellar performance of 71, and 64 on his second round to finish at -7.  Rory Mcilroy has made a tremendous charge and is currently at -5.  Tiger Woods started out on fire but then hit a few speed bumps, cursed at himself (as the analysts were kind enough to elaborate on) and then came back to life with a birdie on the 14th hole.  Phil Mickelson is at -2 and appears safely within the projected cut of E par.  Also, the twenty year old “wonder boy”, Jordan Spieth is at -2 and is currently ranked at no. 8 in the FedEx point standings.

The leaderboard after an incomplete round 2 is as follows: Matt Kuchar -10, Webb Simpson -9,  H. Woodland -8, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley -7, Sergio Garcia, Brandon De Jonge, David Lynn, C. Villegas, Jim Furyk, Henrik Stenson, Morgan Hoffman, -6, Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy, Charles Schwartzel, Hunter Mahan and others, -5.

So, tomorrow bright and early round two will be completed and then those fortunate enough to make the cut will proceed to round three.  Another long day of golf, in a picturesque setting with the Statue of Liberty in the background.  Until then…


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