Rafael Nadal wins opening match at Madrid Open

Posted on May 8, 2013 by admin

Rafael Nadal opened his play at the Madrid Open with an easy victory over B. Paire of France, 6 -3, 6- 4.  Rafa looked quite comfortable on the red clay, which he prefers to all surfaces, especially over the experimental blue clay of last year at this event!  Azarenka was upset on the women’s side by Makarova in three sets, hate to see her go out, guess no Redfoo in the stands for the rest of this tournament (LMFAO and boyfriend of Victoria!).  Tsonga also advanced over Hasse in two tough sets, 7 -6, 7-6, not to be confused with the “old” guy, Tommy Haas, who defeated Robredo of Spain to move on.  David Ferrer also advanced in two sets.

Action continues and tomorrow, both Roger Federer and Andy Murray return to the court. GO FED!


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Djokovic upset at Madrid Open, Federer wins!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by susan

Shocking upset today at Madrid Open Tennis Tournament.  World number 1 Novak Djokovic lost in three tough sets to Dimitrov of Bulgaria, 6 -7, 7 -6, 3 – 6.  Djokovic suffered some sort of ankle injury during the second set, had the trainers come out but continued and went on to win that set in a tiebreak.  Still, out in the first round of the tournament.  World #3 Andy Murray won his 400th career match, but it was not easy, advancing in two sets, 7 -6, 7 -6 over Mayer of Germany.  And welcome back Roger Federer!  Fed looked sharp at times, but also a bit rusty, winning 6 -3, 6- 3 over Stepanek.  Fed was serving for the match in the second set at 5 -2 and was broken.  He then turned it on to break back and take the match.  The girls (his twin daughters) were in attendance to watch Daddy do his magic.  Hope he can keep it going as the tournament progresses as he is the defending champion and needs to defend those points to hold onto the #2 ranking.  Rafael Nadal has not yet taken the court, expect to see him in action tomorrow.  Big disappointment, Raonic of Canada, one of my favorite up and coming players, currently ranked #12, lost in three sets to Verdasco, 4 -6, 6 -2, 6 -7.  Tough loss for this young player, seems like a real class act.

Federer served pretty well, but will need to improve on his first serve percentage to go deep into this tournament.  Also, only converted 4 out of 10 break opportunities.  Still, he looked in fine form after returning from a seven week rest.


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Bulls finish with a flurry, defeat Heat in Miami

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin

The undermanned Chicago Bulls, without Rose, Hinrich and Deng, finished with a 10-0 run in last night’s game to defeat the Heat in Miami and take a 1-0 lead in the series.  What a performance by the Bulls, especially Nate Robinson (27 points).  Nate went down chasing a ball out of bounds along with LeBron and sustained a cut inside his mouth which required stitches.  Gotta say, with the tough physical play of the Bulls, which LeBron is known to complain about, this may be quite an interesting series.  Big question, will we see Derek Rose?

Later last night, Golden State fell to the “old guys”, the Spurs in a thriller, 129 – 127.  No defense in this one, uh?  Big win for Spurs, have to defend home court and they did it inspite of the Warriors Steph Curry scoring 44 points.  Spurs take 1-0 lead in that series.

Tonight: Pacers at Knicks and Memphis at OKC.

Rumor: The Brooklyn Nets have contacted Phil Jackson about their coaching vacancy.


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Bulls finish with a flurry, defeat Heat in Miami

Posted on May 7, 2013 by susan

The undermanned Chicago Bulls, without Rose, Hinrich and Deng, finished with a 10-0 run in last night’s game to defeat the Heat in Miami and take a 1-0 lead in the series.  What a performance by the Bulls, especially Nate Robinson (27 points).  Nate went down chasing a ball out of bounds along with LeBron and sustained a cut inside his mouth which required stitches.  Gotta say, with the tough physical play of the Bulls, which LeBron is known to complain about, this may be quite an interesting series.  Big question, will we see Derek Rose?

Later last night, Golden State fell to the “old guys”, the Spurs in a thriller, 129 – 127.  No defense in this one, uh?  Big win for Spurs, have to defend home court and they did it inspite of the Warriors Steph Curry scoring 44 points.  Spurs take 1-0 lead in that series.

Tonight: Pacers at Knicks and Memphis at OKC.

Rumor: The Brooklyn Nets have contacted Phil Jackson about their coaching vacancy.


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Tennis at the Madrid Open – Big Four back in action

Posted on May 6, 2013 by admin

At long last, seven weeks to be exact, Roger Federer has returned to action and is at the Madrid Open along with the other three that make up the “Big Four”, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray.  Federer has enjoyed a long lay off, vacation time with the family, practice, and hopefully healing time for an ailing back.  Now, we get back to it with the big guns all together on this red clay event leading up to the French Open at Roland Garros.  Should be very interesting and coverage continues throughout the week on Tennis Channel, albeit at some not so great times, 5:00 am EST, 2:00 PST.  At any rate, do not think any of the big four are playing on day one but do expect them to head to the court as the week progresses.  This event was marked by controversy last year when they rolled out a blue clay court.  Both Rafa and Djokovic were incensed (especially since they lost early!) and said they would not return if it was not replaced.  Meanwhile, Roger just played on and won the event.  It was apparently faster and slicker, prompting players to complain about injury.  Well, the red clay is back, the big four are together again, and the ladies are in action as well.  Should be a GREAT event and a wonderful opportunity to watch our favorite tennis players in action!

Again, welcome back Roger Federer!  Next week all the great players will head to Rome as the road to Roland Garros continues!

 


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Tennis at the Madrid Open – Big Four back in action

Posted on May 6, 2013 by susan

At long last, seven weeks to be exact, Roger Federer has returned to action and is at the Madrid Open along with the other three that make up the “Big Four”, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray.  Federer has enjoyed a long lay off, vacation time with the family, practice, and hopefully healing time for an ailing back.  Now, we get back to it with the big guns all together on this red clay event leading up to the French Open at Roland Garros.  Should be very interesting and coverage continues throughout the week on Tennis Channel, albeit at some not so great times, 5:00 am EST, 2:00 PST.  At any rate, do not think any of the big four are playing on day one but do expect them to head to the court as the week progresses.  This event was marked by controversy last year when they rolled out a blue clay court.  Both Rafa and Djokovic were incensed (especially since they lost early!) and said they would not return if it was not replaced.  Meanwhile, Roger just played on and won the event.  It was apparently faster and slicker, prompting players to complain about injury.  Well, the red clay is back, the big four are together again, and the ladies are in action as well.  Should be a GREAT event and a wonderful opportunity to watch our favorite tennis players in action!

Again, welcome back Roger Federer!  Next week all the great players will head to Rome as the road to Roland Garros continues!

 


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For shame, for shame, Knicks lose at home to Pacers

Posted on May 5, 2013 by susan

For shame, the Knicks lose at home in game one to the Pacers, 102 – 95.  Melo’s 27 points and 11 rebounds was not enough as the Knicks were out muscled by the too physical Pacers.  David West and Roy Hibbert were just too much and the home team lost in a game that they should have and needed to win.  One thing is a given in the NBA playoffs, you must defend your home court.  This was a bit of a shocking misfire by the NY Knicks who have high hopes of challenging the Heat for the Eastern conference title.  Set back tonight in Madison Square Garden.


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OKC and Durant hold off Memphis

Posted on May 5, 2013 by admin

Great game one in the OKC vs. Memphis series in round two of the NBA playoffs.  OKC led by Kevin Durant, 35 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, hold off a furious attempt by the Memphis Grizzlies and lead this series 1 -0.  Hey, you are supposed to win at home, right?  Baby Gasol (Marc, younger bro of Pau) had a great game for Memphis.  Game two will be at 9:30 pm EST in Oklahoma City.  This looks like it is going to be a great series.

Knicks and Pacers in progress now…Pacers up 52 – 46 at the half from Madison Square Garden.


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Derek Ernst wins Wells Fargo Golf Tournament in playoff over David Lynn

Posted on May 5, 2013 by admin

Well, I gotta say this was a strange tournament, especially the final round.  The weather has been a huge factor, cold, windy, and rain in the forecast.  Today’s forecast, and tomorrow’s warrants considering getting out the ark!  Anyhow, they sent everyone out early in pairings of three to get in play in the final round.  Mickelson was in the lead with four holes to play and then he bogeyed the 16th and the 17th, very uncharacteristic.  Ernst (USA, age 22) and Lynn (Great Britain) both ended up at -8 after regulation.  Ernst won with a par on the 18th playoff hole.  Congrats to him!!  Still, a bit anticlimactic finish to this event.  The rest of the top of the leaderboard: Ernst and Lynn -8, Mickelson -7, Westwood and Karlsson -6.  The birthday boy, Rory Mcilroy, who turned 24 yesterday, finished at -4.  Tiger was not playing, but he did make it to MJ’s wedding in Florida!


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Surviving “Paradise” now on sale at Cottonwood Gifts!

Posted on May 5, 2013 by admin

Surviving ParadiseThe paperback version of my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver is now available at Cottonwood Gifts.  This is a really unique and cool shop (owner Hali Lawrence) located in Ivy Walk, 1675 Cumberland Parkway, Suite, 406, Smyrna, GA 30080.  Check it out!


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