straight sets

Li Na: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"Because after they beat you, they think, ‘Oh, I beat a Grand Slam champion.’"

Chinese tennis star, Li Na, reacts after her opener loss to Romanian teenager, Simona Halep. The French Open champion has struggled in the latter part of the season. Na lost 2-6, 5-7 in straight sets, her second successive exit in the first round at the tournament.

Na said:

"Before the match, I talked to my coach. I said I didn’t have good timing to hit the ball. He told me everything is perfect, everything is fantastic.”

"I say, ‘Yes, everything is fantastic, but I always lose first round.’

"This is not fantastic. I think we need to change something. I think maybe the coach just tried to give me confidence, but I don’t think I got it."

What she really meant:

“I’m a treasured scalp—a trophy in itself.”

What she definitely didn’t:

“If they lose to you, they think, ‘Oh, it’s OK, I lost to a Grand Slam champion.’”

Ryan Harrison: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I didn’t break any racquets; I didn’t say swearwords on court.  It could have gotten better and I could have been better.  I didn’t really go nuts.”

Ryan Harrison has an entirely different view of his on-court behaviour in his first round straight-sets loss to Croatia’s Marin Cilic on the first day of the US Open.

What he really meant:

“I was quite decorous in my on-court behaviour, wasn’t I? Look, no broken rackets, no abuse. Commendable, eh?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I’m that transparent, am I? What, my skidding my racquet gave me away?”

Nine serious contenders for men’s title at Wimbledon: Milos Raonic, dark horse

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In the men’s section, the top four seeds each have designs on the title.

Will it be Rafael Nadal, last man standing, on July 3, 2011 making it a treble of French Open and Wimbledon crowns in the same season, emulating his 2008 and 2010 feats—further etching in stone comparisons to the marvellous Bjorn Borg?

Somdev Devvarman’s brave fight in vain: India lose 1-4 to Serbia

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If there were any doubts that Somdev Devvarman is the rightful inheritor to Leander Paes’ mantle in the Davis Cup , they were put to rest by his stellar display at Novi Sad against defending champions Serbia.

Novak Djokovic—the World No.3 and architect of the successful Serbian title run last year—opted out of the first round tie. India were hit hard by Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi’s withdrawals due to injuries. The doubles point was considered to be in the bag with the duo around.

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Rafael Nadal’s shattered dream, Justine Henin’s farewell and mused tweets

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Gloom descended on the rafters at Melbourne Park.

The courts will be bathed in bright sunlight Thursday morning, but there will be a weary leadenness in the hearts of tennis players, officials and fans.

The World No.1, Rafael Nadal, bade a somber farewell to his quest for a Rafa Slam. It was not to be.

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Serbian celebrations,”Imbeciles” and awards galore

Djokovic is now truly bold, beautiful and bald. He capped a marvellous 2010 by leading Serbia to its first ever Davis Cup championship in front of a raucous, baying and partisan home crowd in Belgrade.

The Davis Cup always manages to evoke strong emotions; incredible comebacks are the need of the hour and happen more often than not.

This year’s final was no stranger to drama either. The score was even-stevens after the first day’s play. The top seeds on either side, Djokovic and Monfils justified their ranking and clinched wins over their less acclaimed opponents,Simon (6-3 6-1 7-5) and Tipsarevic (6-1 7-6(4),6-0)  respectively.

Tennis Bytes: World Tour Finals roster finalised, Bhupathi and Paes qualify for event

Never discount home advantage. Never discount serve and volley either especially on a super fast hard court.

That is the lesson Novak Djokovic will take away after his shock defeat against Frenchman Michael Llodra in the third round of the Paris Masters tourney.

This is Llodra’s second major upset in recent times. He knocked out Tomas Berdych at the 2010 US Open. This also gives the French a psychological advantage going into the Davis Cup final to be played at Belgrade from December 3 – 5, 2010.

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A Comeback Lesson In Serve And Volley

Aided by the sultry Chennai weather, the Indian Davis Cup team scripted a famous come-from-behind victory at Chennai, outplaying Brazil in both the singles matches on Sunday, the 19th of September, 2010.

This time though, the victory was achieved in a thoroughly professional manner with the entire team carrying its weight.

 Rohan Bopanna and Somdev Devvarman had their say. They have reassured Indian tennis fans that the country’s Davis Cup hopes are in secure hands for the foreseeable future.

Bellucci caved in to cramps and dehydration in the morning after just a set and a half. Somdev Devvarman was left feeling a little bemused but why look a gift horse in the mouth?

2010 US Open: The Ladies’ Final Preview

Who would have believed it?

Vera Zvonareva gets to her second successive Grand Slam final.

She’s flown under the radar. She allowed Wozniacki and her shorter-than-short dress steal the limelight; she warms up in sweatpants and a jacket despite the sweltering heat and now she has knocked out the Danish sweetheart without so much as a by-your-leave.

Vera Zvonareva, you are going places and how!

Caroline Wozniacki found the pressure of expectations too much to handle and caved in to a much calmer, much hotter  (in terms of the tennis) Vera on a day of one upset and two disappointments at the US Open 2010.

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Llodra slips a mickey to a doubting Tomas

The Has!

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Serve and volley? Ha!Ha! Ha! Serve and volley is dead!

Net play? Ha!Ha!Ha!

Are you nuts?

A woman coach? Amelie Mauresmo? Ha! Ha! Ha! You must be crazy!

These are the kinds of barbs , taunts, scorn and scathing attack you would imagine that Michaël Llodra endured when he decided to seek coaching from his compatriot Mauresmo.

Changing your game plan is never easy. Remolding and remodeling it is even harder, especially late in your career. The trick lies in not changing a lot of stuff, just a few things.

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