Federer – Nadal, tomorrow for final in Rome!

Posted on May 18, 2013 by admin

Roger that!!  A great rivalry renewed!  Tomorrow Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal in the final of the Rome Open.  Ah yes, old friends together once again!  Way to go Roger, defeating the hot young French player B. Paire today in a very tough two set match, 7 – 6, 6- 4.  Roger was not quite as sharp today as he has been in his earlier matches,  a bit too many unforced errors (winners/errors, 19/26) and serve not quite as on target, 70 % first serve percentage, 50 % second serve winning percentage, but he got it done in straight sets.  Perhaps looking ahead a bit to Nadal tomorrow?

Nadal made easy work of Thomas Berdych in the earlier semifinal, 6 -2, 6- 4.  No disrespect to Berdych, but unfortunately when there is an upset of Djokovic, this is what tends to happen, a blowout.  No problem, still got the match up I want, Federer – Nadal.  Need anyone say more?  Congrats to Roger, his first final of the 2013 season.  With it being on clay, advantage Nadal.  But never, ever count out Roger Federer!

The final will air live tomorrow on Tennis Channel at 10:00 am EST.  Be there, or be square.


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Rome Open – Quarterfinal results and an upset

Posted on May 17, 2013 by admin

Quarterfinal action today in Rome, Italy, and already an upset!  Thomas Berdych comes from behind to defeat 1 Novak Djokovic, 2 – 6, 7 – 5, 6- 4.  Very nice win for Berdych.  So, out in his first match in Madrid, now out in the quarters in Rome.  Have to wonder what that means for Novak’s chances at Roland Garros!

Rafael Nadal took the court against his fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer and as always, it was hard fought and competitive, going to Nadal in three sets, 6 – 4, 0 -6 (have to scratch your head at that one?), 6 -4.  Nadal has now gotten the best of Ferrer sixteen straight times.

In the earlier quarterfinal, B. Paire of France blazed past M. Granollers of Spain, 6 – 1, 6 -0.  Now, the one that matters…Roger Federer taking on the young Polish sensation, Jerzy Janowicz.  This match is just getting under way, I have been waiting for it!  Stay with me…I will be back with the results!

Semifinal action tomorrow will feature Berdych vs. Nadal and Paire vs. the winner of Federer vs. Janowicz.  Back soon…

And Federer is thru to the semifinals, defeating Janowicz, 6 – 4, 7 -6.  Interesting match!  Federer had one break point in the first set in the tenth game, and he took it and the first set.  He then was broken in the first game of the second set (sometimes a disturbing pattern for Fed).  Anyhow, he broke back and then went onto win the tie breaker in the second set handily.  Great to see Fed in the semifinals of Rome Open, a tournament he has never won (what, a tournament Federer has never won?).  He will face the red hot B. Paire of France tomorrow in the semifinals.  J. Janowicz is a very talented and promising young player who I am sure we are going to see a lot as the tennis season progresses.

Some statistics:  Federer had 72% first serve percentage, 75% on second serve (points won), and winners/errors were at 26/13.  Tres impressive!


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Spurs advance in West, Knicks win to force a game 6 in East

Posted on May 17, 2013 by admin

The San Antonio Spurs will face the Memphis Grizzlies for the Western Conference title.  They defeated the Golden State Warriors on the road last night, 94 – 82, led by their aging but still superb center, Tim Duncan with 19 points and 6 rebounds.  An injured Steph Curry (ankle) led Golden State with 22 points.  So, a #2 seed and a #5 seed will play for the final in the West.

Meanwhile, in the East, the NY Knicks forced a game six by defeating the Indiana Pacers in Madison Square Garden, 85 – 75 (under the watchful and cheering eyes of Michael J. Fox and his wife!)    The Pacers played a turnover plagued game and were without the services of George Hill, out due to a concussion.  His status is unknown for game six on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Paul George tried to carry the Pacers but had foul trouble and Melo scored 28 points to lead the Knicks to a win at home.  So, onto game six…will the Pacers win and play the Heat for the Eastern Conference title?  If so, it will be the first time in nine years they will have made it to the title game.  Stay tuned…tomorrow is Saturday!


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Roger Federer! Into the quarterfinals in Rome!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by susan

Roger Federer, shorter hair, but same superb game, is into the quarterfinals at the tennis tournament in Rome, Italy.  He made quick work of G. Simon of France, 6 -1, 6 -2.  Actually, surprisingly easy for Fed.  Loved the sign in the crowd, NO ROGER, NO PARTY!  I agree.  Over 70% on first serves and 83% of second serves won (the measuring stick for success in men’s tennis, % of second serves won!).  Next up for Roger is J. Janowicz of Poland who upset Richard Gasquet today.  Also upset today, del Potro, falling to B. Paire of France, 4 -6, 6 -7.  Bit of a shock there as well.  Nadal had to come from behind, dropping the first set to E. Gulbis to advance; three set victory for Rafa, 1 -6, 7 – 5, 6 – 4.  Top seed Djokovic made easy work of A. Dolgopolov, 6 -1, 6 – 4.  T. Berdych advanced over K. Anderson, 7 – 5, 6 – 2.

So it is onto the quarters!  Of the top seeds, Djokovic and Federer have looked the sharpest, even though Rafa is notorious for his clay court tennis.  Hopefully, Fed can pull off something special in Rome, he looks REALLY sharp after that debacle in Madrid.

Nadal will face fellow Spaniard Ferrer in the quarters, Djokovic will face Berdych.

As a footnote:  Andy Murray, who had to withdraw due to a back injury, has announced it is unlikely he will be able to compete at the French Open.  Such a shame to have one of the big four out!


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Nashville recap – Will Rayna and Deacon make it?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by susan

Rayna and Deacon are back together and he is hanging out with her and the girls (the older one Maddie, is his child, but NO ONE knows it but Rayna, Teddy and Lamar, at least yet!).  Teddy comes by the house to drop something off and is one very unhappy camper to see Deacon there.  He tries to get a restraining order, but Lamar steps in (remember, Rayna is currently the “good” daughter) and the judge throws it out.  Meanwhile, former “good” daughter, Tandy, tries to step in and take over at the office while Lamar is recuperating from his heart attack.  Lamar puts in a surprise appearance at the board meeting, and lets Tandy know she is in his chair!  Ouch!  Scarlett and Gunnar are having some difficulties over her success and his success which she feels is a “fraud”, based on him “using” his deceased brother’s song.  Their friend/neighbor, Lexington, auditions for Rayna and it looks like he will get a shot at joining Scarlett as one of the first to be promoted by Rayna’s new label.  Avery is in the crowd when Scarlett performs at the Grand Ole Opry, and he is in awe!  Then there is Juliette and all of her problems!  Dante (her mom’s former sober coach, her former lover/manager) is blackmailing her over a sex tape and when he gets paid, well, he decides he wants more.  Juliette’s mother falls off the wagon, picks up some pills and other illegal drugs, then lures Dante to Juliette’s home and shoots and kills him.  Not exactly the kind of publicity Juliette needs ever, especially when she is up for a CMA award against Rayna.  So…next week is this season’s finale.  Maddie has discovered that Teddy is perhaps not her biological father and one has to think things are going to get really messy as this show winds down for season one…can Rayna and Deacon weather the storm?  Stay tuned!


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Nashville recap – Will Rayna and Deacon make it?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

Rayna and Deacon are back together and he is hanging out with her and the girls (the older one Maddie, is his child, but NO ONE knows it but Rayna, Teddy and Lamar, at least yet!).  Teddy comes by the house to drop something off and is one very unhappy camper to see Deacon there.  He tries to get a restraining order, but Lamar steps in (remember, Rayna is currently the “good” daughter) and the judge throws it out.  Meanwhile, former “good” daughter, Tandy, tries to step in and take over at the office while Lamar is recuperating from his heart attack.  Lamar puts in a surprise appearance at the board meeting, and lets Tandy know she is in his chair!  Ouch!  Scarlett and Gunnar are having some difficulties over her success and his success which she feels is a “fraud”, based on him “using” his deceased brother’s song.  Their friend/neighbor, Lexington, auditions for Rayna and it looks like he will get a shot at joining Scarlett as one of the first to be promoted by Rayna’s new label.  Avery is in the crowd when Scarlett performs at the Grand Ole Opry, and he is in awe!  Then there is Juliette and all of her problems!  Dante (her mom’s former sober coach, her former lover/manager) is blackmailing her over a sex tape and when he gets paid, well, he decides he wants more.  Juliette’s mother falls off the wagon, picks up some pills and other illegal drugs, then lures Dante to Juliette’s home and shoots and kills him.  Not exactly the kind of publicity Juliette needs ever, especially when she is up for a CMA award against Rayna.  So…next week is this season’s finale.  Maddie has discovered that Teddy is perhaps not her biological father and one has to think things are going to get really messy as this show winds down for season one…can Rayna and Deacon weather the storm?  Stay tuned!


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We have two winners…Heat and Grizzlies advance!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

We have two winners, one in the East, the other in the West.  The Miami Heat rallied to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 94 – 91 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.  It was a surprising effort by the Bulls, one I truly did not think they had left in them.  Without the services of not only superstar Derek Rose, but also missing Deng and Hinrich, this team has appeared to literally wilt before our eyes after winning game one in Miami.  The series has been contentious, to put it mildly, and coming home to Miami with a 3-1 lead, I thought the Heat would put them away with ease.  That was not the case so kudos for the Bulls on their last ditch effort!  LeBron James led Miami with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.  Will Smith and son Jaden were in the house!

In the West, the surprising Memphis Grizzlies led by Zach Randolph (28 points, 14 rebounds) took care of OKC on the road, 88 – 84 and they advance to the Western Conference finals.  OKC, the number one seed in the West, has gone 2 -6 since the loss of their All Star point guard, Russell Westbrook, due to injury.  Memphis was the number five seed headed into the playoffs.

On a personal note, I am still missing the LA Lakers.  The NBA playoffs without the Lakers, who could have imagined?  OK, on to tonight’s games…

The Pacers will come a calling on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden with a 3 -1 lead in the series.  Think perhaps the Knicks could take this one and force a game six in Indiana?  Also, San Antonio will play at Golden State with a 3 -2 lead in that hard fought series.  Steph Curry’s injured ankle has of course hurt Golden State, but hard to rule out the experience and savvy of San Antonio with Duncan and Parker.  Hmm…this game is a toss up on the road.  I think both the Pacers and the Spurs will be the eventual winners and advance to face the Heat and the Grizzlies!


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Heat into Eastern Conference finals with 94-91 victory over Bulls

Posted on May 15, 2013 by susan

Well, I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw the halftime score of the Heat – Bulls game, Bulls up 53 – 47 in Miami!  Alas, there was no miracle for the Bulls as the Heat finally prevailed, 94 – 91, to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.  So, who will they face?  Perhaps the Pacers?  OK, Nashville is on, so…more tomorrow on NBA playoffs!


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Tennis news from Rome

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin

Let’s hope we will always have Rome!  I am hoping Roger Federer will have Rome, a title he has never won.  He has a new look, very short hair for Fed.  Anyhow, Roger will not be back in action until tomorrow.  Today, Nadal advanced with ease over F. Fognini, 6 – 1, 6 -3.  The King of Clay looks to be in fine form.  The same cannot be said of Andy Murray.  Andy lost the first set to M. Granollers of Spain, 6 -3 and then appeared to be on track with the second set in a tie break, 7 -6, only to retire with a back injury.  Not a good day for the birthday boy, Andy Murray.  (As a Fed fan, I hope this tournament will put Federer back to #2 in the world heading into Roland Garros).  Also out, Tsonga in three sets to Janowicz of Poland.  Wawrinka went out in three sets, retiring in the third set.  Hate to see that for Stan after his tremendous showing in Madrid which moved him to #10 in the world.  But, he has played a lot of tennis as of late, and perhaps it has caught up with him and he needs a rest before the French Open.  David Ferrer prevailed over Spain’s Verdasco in three tough sets.

Tomorrow, both Djokovic and Federer in action!


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It is Wednesday, Surviving “Paradise”

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin

OK guys, I have to admit, it has been one heck of a day.  I am just flat out of witty banter at this point.  One problem after another, and well, it is what it is, just a bad day!  But, it is also Wednesday, and that is the day I plug my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  So, you simply cannot make up the kind of “stuff” that happens to me.  What can I say?  Perhaps, buy it, read it, and tell me what you think!  It is available at Amazon.com for $9.99 in paperback, $3.03 in kindle edition, and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  There should be a cool book signing event/wine and cheese party at a local boutique in Atlanta coming in mid June.  Stay tuned, will keep you posted!  (P.S. The cool boutique is Hemline!)

 

Surviving Paradise


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