Federer set to compete at Gstaad Indoor Tournament

Posted on July 23, 2013 by admin

Roger Federer is back home in Switzerland ready to compete at the Gstaad Indoor tournament with his new 98″ prototype Wilson racquet.  This marks a change for Fed, who has competed with a 90″ Wilson racquet for over a decade.  He played his first tournament in Hamburg, Germany last week with the new racquet and the result was a mixed bag.  He lost in the semifinals to qualifier Delbonis.  At times he looked very sharp, at other times, the timing simply was not there.  Also, reports are his back was taped at the event in Hamburg, so perhaps the aching back he struggles with from time to time is a bit of a problem.  At any rate, he is playing in these smaller tournaments, trying to get his timing and comfort level where it needs to be with the new larger frame racquet (the racquet is tweaked constantly and is a work in progress) as he prepares to head to Toronto for the Rogers Cup Masters 1000 Tournament in just over a week.  He is next scheduled to compete in Cincinnati before the US Open in Flushing Meadow, NY, the final Grand Slam event of this 2013 tennis season.  This has been a bit of a lackluster year for Roger, especially when measured by “Federer standards” and he is currently only ranked #5 in the world according to the ATP rankings.  One has to expect it will take a bit of time and experimenting for Roger to get his comfort level where he wants it with the new Wilson racquet, especially after so many years of using what was one of the smallest racquets on the ATP tour.  To show their  appreciation for Federer playing in the Gstaad event for the first time since 2004 (he won it, of course), he has been presented with a gift from the tournament officials, a COW!  I mean after all, what in the world do you give a man who has virtually everything!

Roger is scheduled to face D. Brands of Germany in his first match at this event on Wednesday.


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Magical day for Phil Mickelson who wins his first British Open

Posted on July 21, 2013 by susan

Phil Mickelson played a magical game of golf today, shooting a final round of 66 and while the others ahead of him stumbled and faltered, Lefty played his way to a score of -3 and won his first ever British Open Championship.  It was a Sunday to remember for Mickelson, the emotion showed by “Bones”, his long time friend and caddie was telling and of course the family was there to greet him after the victory as well.  Also in attendance, his longtime friend and college coach.  Lee Westwood seemed to perhaps be on his way to his first major victory ever, (he holds the unfortunate distinction of having the most top three finishes in a major without a win), but as has happened in the past for the Brit, he stumbled into the finish as did so many others (he did come in at +1).  One Brit who was on fire was Ian Poulter, he had an eagle on #9 and then went on to birdie #10, #11, #12, and #13.  It appeared he may catch the leaders and take the jug for himself.  Alas, he began to falter, hitting some overzealous shots and finished the final round at +1 like Westwood.  Also coming in for a challenge was Henrik Stenson, but he came up a wee bit short, finishing at E for the day.  As for Tiger Woods, not a good day of golf.  Tiger was frustrated, angry and typical of Tiger, cussing as he continued to make errant shots and put himself in the position of having extremely long puts.  Just not Tiger’s day and the four year drought as far as major titles continues.  He did of course finish in the top ten, +2 to be exact.  A very nice moment occurred between Tiger and former caddie Stevie Williams, who now caddies for Adam Scott who played along side Tiger today.  When he finished play at the 18th hole, there was more than a cursory handshake, the two actually smiled, shook hands, and appeared to exchange some kind words.  After all that has been said and/or not said, it was really nice to see.  Adam Scott made a bit of a charge himself, coming up a little short as well, finishing at + 1.  So wonderful day for Phil Mickelson,  playing fantastic under difficult, windy and overcast, cool conditions.  Way to go Phil!

Final leaderboard top ten: Phil Mickelson -3, Henrik Stenson E, Ian Poulter +1, Adam Scott +1, Lee Westwood +1, H. Matsuyama +2, Tiger Woods +2, Zach Johnson +2, and F. Molinari and Hunter Mahan at  +3 rounding out the top ten.


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Magical day for Phil Mickelson who wins his first British Open

Posted on July 21, 2013 by admin

Phil Mickelson played a magical game of golf today, shooting a final round of 66 and while the others ahead of him stumbled and faltered, Lefty played his way to a score of -3 and won his first ever British Open Championship.  It was a Sunday to remember for Mickelson, the emotion showed by “Bones”, his long time friend and caddie was telling and of course the family was there to greet him after the victory as well.  Also in attendance, his longtime friend and college coach.  Lee Westwood seemed to perhaps be on his way to his first major victory ever, (he holds the unfortunate distinction of having the most top three finishes in a major without a win), but as has happened in the past for the Brit, he stumbled into the finish as did so many others (he did come in at +1).  One Brit who was on fire was Ian Poulter, he had an eagle on #9 and then went on to birdie #10, #11, #12, and #13.  It appeared he may catch the leaders and take the jug for himself.  Alas, he began to falter, hitting some overzealous shots and finished the final round at +1 like Westwood.  Also coming in for a challenge was Henrik Stenson, but he came up a wee bit short, finishing at E for the day.  As for Tiger Woods, not a good day of golf.  Tiger was frustrated, angry and typical of Tiger, cussing as he continued to make errant shots and put himself in the position of having extremely long puts.  Just not Tiger’s day and the four year drought as far as major titles continues.  He did of course finish in the top ten, +2 to be exact.  A very nice moment occurred between Tiger and former caddie Stevie Williams, who now caddies for Adam Scott who played along side Tiger today.  When he finished play at the 18th hole, there was more than a cursory handshake, the two actually smiled, shook hands, and appeared to exchange some kind words.  After all that has been said and/or not said, it was really nice to see.  Adam Scott made a bit of a charge himself, coming up a little short as well, finishing at + 1.  So wonderful day for Phil Mickelson,  playing fantastic under difficult, windy and overcast, cool conditions.  Way to go Phil!

Final leaderboard top ten: Phil Mickelson -3, Henrik Stenson E, Ian Poulter +1, Adam Scott +1, Lee Westwood +1, H. Matsuyama +2, Tiger Woods +2, Zach Johnson +2, and F. Molinari and Hunter Mahan at  +3 rounding out the top ten.


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Lee Westwood surges to lead at British Open

Posted on July 20, 2013 by susan

Day three of play at the British Open golf tournament saw Lee Westwood play his way to the top of the leaderboard at -3.  He played along side Tiger Woods and the two were tied and the lead see sawed back and forth until things took a big turn on the 16th hole.  Westwood birdied the hole, Tiger bogeyed the hole.  At the end of play, the leaderboard stands as follows:  Lee Westwood -3, Tiger Woods -1, Hunter Mahan -1, Adam Scott E, Henrik Stenson E, Zach Johnson, Angel Cabrera and Ryan Moore at +1.  Interestingly, the final pairings for tomorrow’s play will put Lee Westwood and Hunter Mahan teeing off last and Tiger Woods with Adam Scott, which of course means Stevie Williams will be along for the ride.  (As we all know, Stevie currently caddies for Adam but was on Tiger’s bag for almost fourteen years and there is no real love lost between Stevie and Tiger).  Stevie does not know how to be quiet on occasion, Tiger usually has little to say.  So could be for some added drama.  Let’s hope it is all about the golf!!  All fourteen of the majors Tiger has won have occurred when he was in the lead and/or at least had a share of the lead.  Will tomorrow be Lee Westwood’s day? (the Brit who now lives in South Florida)  Or will Tiger come back and take his first major in over four years?  Others are of course in the hunt as well.  The course was playing slower today so how the course plays tomorrow will remain to be seen.  There are not many players scoring low and there are certainly a myriad of those all within striking distance.

Stay tuned…let’s hope it is a great finish!


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Federer out in two sets – semifinals at Hamburg

Posted on July 20, 2013 by susan

Well, bummer of a morning for me, and Roger Federer as well.  Fed went down in the semifinals at Hamburg to the young Argentine, Delbonis, 6 – 7. 6 – 7.  Two straight tie break sets, and Roger is out and Delbonis moves on to his first ever ATP tournament final.  Very well played match by the young player from Argentina.  Not a bad match by Federer, but his first serve percentage needs to be a bit higher and his 2nd serve pts. won was too low, 59% vs. close to 70% for Delbonis.  Roger appears to be struggling in his adjustment to the use of the new larger 98″ Wilson racquet.  Have to expect it takes some time, after all he has used the same Wilson smaller racquet for over a decade.  I truly hope he will get comfortable with the racquet if he plans to continue in the “equipment tweak” as Pete Sampras has said that he truly regretted being too stubborn in the latter stages of his career to try making such a change.  Roger will head home to Switzerland and compete in another small clay court tournament before heading to Toronto for the Rogers Cup, the beginning of the North American hard court swing.  This of course culminates at Flushing Meadow with the US Open.

Meanwhile, congrats to Delbonis who will face Fognini of Italy in tomorrow’s final.  As for me, well I guess I can be happy I will not feel the need to wake up early and watch since Mr. Federer will be headed back home.


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Tiger Woods on the prowl at the British Open

Posted on July 19, 2013 by admin

After day two of play in Scotland, Tiger Woods is definitely on the prowl in this year’s third major golf tournament, tied for second on the leaderboard at -2.  The conditions are brutal, windy but sunny, the course very dry and all the players are really struggling.  Tiger called it a “grinding day of golf”.  Well, grind he did, and he is certainly in the mix as the weekend play approaches.  Only nine players are currently under par and the cut is at +8!  The day two leaderboard after play was completed is as follows: Miguel Jimenez at -3, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods, and Dustin Johnson at -2, Martin Laird, R. Cabrera Bello, Zach Johnson (the leader after round one), and Angel Cabrera at -1, Ryan Moore at E.  Mickelson along with Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Charles Schwartzel and Jordan Spieth (the teen sensation) are at +1 along with three others.  Other notables are Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker at +5, Ernie Els (last year’s champion) at +6,  and Jason Duffner at +7.  Missing the cut, the world number two, Rory Mcilroy who continues to struggle with his game, finishing up today’s play at +12.  Also at +12, Rickie Fowler.  Justin Rose at +10 will also miss the cut.

Coverage of round three begins tomorrow at 7:00 am EST on ESPN and then ABC will broadcast play at 3:00 pm EST.  It was a day of carnage today according to the analysts.  Graeme McDowell who finished up at +4 playing along side Tiger Woods called watching Tiger grind it out, inspiring, saying he found himself awestruck at times.  Hope we see the same from Tiger tomorrow!  He needs to win a major.  I am ready to see that fist pump, dressed in red once again on Sunday!


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Federer advances in three sets in Hamburg

Posted on July 19, 2013 by admin

Roger Federer, still trying to adjust to the new larger Wilson racquet he has reluctantly embraced, advanced today in three tough sets over F. Mayer, 7 – 6, 3 – 6, 7- 5 in Hamburg.  It was not an easy victory for Fed by any stretch of the imagination.  Mayer was playing quite well and really took it to Roger, especially in the third and deciding set.  At one point in the third set, with night time approaching and the air getting chillier, Fed donned a sweater vest, perhaps to protect his back?  They exchanged breaks and it looked like this set may go to a tie break just like the first.  Federer removed the sweater vest and got a late break and went on to serve it out to take the match, 7 -5 in the third.  He advances to the semifinals tomorrow.  The new racquet is definitely something Fed is going to have to get used to and it is a work in progress.  Much to my dismay, the other older guy, 35 year old Tommy Haas, the #2 seed in this tournament went down in straight sets to Fognini, 6 – 2, 6 – 4.

Semifinals will air live on Tennis Channel tomorrow am beginning at 6:30 am EST.  The time difference is as difficult for me as watching Roger make the adjustment to the larger “magic wand”.  Hope to see Fed advance tomorrow and make it to the final on Sunday!


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Pretty good day for Tiger, bad day for Rory at British Open

Posted on July 18, 2013 by admin

The British Open, the third major of the year, got underway today under blue skies and very pleasant temperatures.  There was a good bit of chatter regarding the pin placement on the holes, especially by the likes of Phil Mickelson who went out early and shot an opening round of 69, finishing at -2.  He could have had an even better score were it not for the double bogey on the 18th.  Lefty was pretty clear in expressing his displeasure with the difficult placement of the pins and expressed his concern for those going out in the afternoon session.  One of those heading out was Tiger Woods.  He matched Mickelson’s score of 69, also finishing at -2.  Tiger also said that the pin placement with the drier conditions in the afternoon made for very difficult play.  Well, he certainly did OK, given the circumstances.  One top ranked golfer who did not fare so well, and also had the benefit of am play was Rory Mcilroy, finishing at a dismal +8.  Rory is certainly struggling with his game.  Super teen golfer, Jordan Spieth, the first teenager (18) to ever win a PGA tournament had an amazing day, also finishing at -2.  The day two leaderboard is as follows: Zach Johnson -5 (the leader), Rafael Cabrero Bello -4, Mark O’Meara -4 (age 42), Miguel Jimenez, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Tom Lehman, Shir Kapur all at -3, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods along with 4 others (including Spieth) at -2.

So tomorrow coverage of round 2 gets underway at the very early hour of 4:00 am EST on ESPN.  Don’t despair, it continues until 7:00 pm EST so we can all catch a good bit of it.  Replay will of course be shown Friday evening on Golf Channel.

Nice opening round for Tiger Woods.  Not too bad for Zach Johnson either!


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Federer waves new larger magic wand to victory in Hamburg

Posted on July 18, 2013 by susan

Roger Federer waved his new larger magic wand to a two set victory today over J. Hajek today in Hamburg, 6 – 4, 6 – 3.  Fed started off a bit shaky but then poured it on and went on to to a straight set win to advance to the quarterfinals.  He will face F. Mayer who advanced in a straight set victory over F. Lopez.  Roger is testing out his new, larger Wilson racquet in both Hamburg and later at Gstaad to see how he feels from a comfort level.  Obviously, an equipment change takes some time to adjust to.  Very interesting to see Roger finally make this change after a disappointing first half of the 2013 season (especially the second round exit at Wimbledon).  Many have called for Fed to make this change for some time as the other members of the big four use larger racquets, Roger using his 90″ Wilson wand was using one of the smallest ones on tour prior to testing out the new 98″ Wilson racquet designed for him.  He seems to be making the change comfortably and I certainly hope it makes a big difference in his performance as we head to the hard court swing of the season in North America, especially at the US Open.  One of the other ‘older” guys, Tommy Haas also advanced to the quarterfinals today with a straight set win over Berlocq.  I hope Roger can win this event and the next smaller tournament in his home country of Switzerland and gain the confidence in the new equipment that he is going to need to be a serious threat to Djokovic, Murray and Nadal (providing Nadal’s knees are cooperative) at the final major of the year!  GO FED!


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Wednesday, Surviving “Paradise” day!!

Posted on July 17, 2013 by susan

It is Wednesday, officially Surviving “Paradise” day, at least at this blog!!  OK, so let’s cover a few events in the sports world first.  The NL fell to the AL in the MLB All Star game last night, 3 – 0.  Bummer!  As a Braves fan, I pull for the National League and this marks the first time in three years the AL has defeated the NL.

Moving on, in tennis, Roger Federer waves his new “larger” magic wand in Hamburg, Germany today to defeat D. Brands but he needed three sets, losing in the first set, 3 – 6, and then taking the second and third sets respectively, 6 – 3, 6 – 2.  Has to be a bit of practice time for the maestro testing out the new larger Wilson racquet (98″ as opposed to the 90″ Wilson racquet he has used for a decade).  Fellow “old” guy Tommy Haas also advanced in three sets.  Going to be really interesting to see how Federer adjusts to this equipment change with the US Open looming in early September.

British Open Golf Championship gets underway tomorrow, at the unimaginable hour of 4:00 am EST.  Not to worry, replays will follow later in the day!

NBA news:  The Lakers are planning to go after Mello and LeBron in 2014.  Really?  Gee, I don’t know what to say except, REALLY?  Carmelo Anthony I can see, but LeBron to LA from Miami?  Hey, I would go to LA from Miami in a heartbeat, but as for LeBron, I am not feeling it.  We shall see.  Anyhow, it is still all about Kobe in LA (as far as the Lakers (and me) are concerned, not the Clippers!).

Moving on to the event of the day, promoting my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  Really great story about neighborhood mayhem in Sarasota, FL.  Have you ever had a nasty neighbor?  What about a bunch of nasty neighbors?  It is a story that is must read.  It is relevant, entertaining, funny and really sheds some light on what ordinary people can experience in southwest Florida.  Please check it out at Amazon.com for $9.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition, and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Just signed a contract with a ghost writer for screenplay for submission to directors, agents, and producers.  Hope it will be coming to TV and/or a theater near you ( and me) in the  near future!


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