Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Marats in Training

Argh, Marat Safin is not the only frustrating player out there right now. I have some other names to chuck into the ring: David Ferrer and Stan Wawrinka. Sure, these guys have not honed their be-frustrating skills to quite the same fever pitch that Marat has, but they are both annoying me SO MUCH right now.
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Let's start with Ferru. He was ranked #4 for a lot of this year - aka the best of the rest, behind the Big Three. Not bad at all, eh? He didn't have any massive runs at Slams, but he was consistent, you know? That's a quality I really appreciate in a tennis player. He's quick and scrappy and arguably the best returner on tour, and even though he's not the most aggressive player in the world, he was fun to watch.
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But now? Now he is getting smashed like a guitar by Philipp Kohlschreiber. He's really faded severely, especially post-US Open - and it's ridiculous, because there's no reason why his game shouldn't translate to carpet. Hell, we know he can do it - he owned his half of the Tennis Masters Cup last year, right up to playing the final with Federer. So what's up with Ferru? I hope he gets his head in the game by the Aussie Open, because I want to watch him do WELL!
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Ditto Stan Wawrinka. His loss this week was a little more understandable - he went out to Tomas Berdych, a former champion here - but he has taken a whole string of early losses in the last few weeks, which has ruled him out of the Masters Cup, which makes me sad, because I would have liked Roger to have one of his little friends there... and also, Stan is kinda fun to watch. I saw him live at the Australian Open this year, and I had a great time - he plays fun tennis. So wake up, Stan. Yes you can, Stan. Come back to the fold of awesomeness.
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Someone unfrustrating is my last Star in action for this year (counting out Juan Martin del Potro), which is Marin Cilic, who had a good win over Marcel Granollers. What a good boy he is. Watch out for him next year, mark my words: 2009 will be the Year of Cilic - hopefully the Year of Gulbis as well. And obviously the Year of Federer... but all years are the Year of Federer for me. I'd also like a Year of Safin - so please don't retire, Marat!
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Oh, David Nalbandian has to play Juan Martin del Potro again. I don't know if this can be especially healthy for Davis Cup... because there is SO obviously a rivalry!
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Today's Results
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BNP Paribas Masters (Paris)
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Roger Federer def. Robin Soderling, 6-4 7-6 (9-7)
Andy Murray def. Sam Querrey, 6-2 6-4
Rafael Nadal def. Florent Serra, 6-2 6-4
Philipp Kohlschreiber def. David Ferrer, 6-3 6-2
Nikolay Davydenko def. Ivan Ljubicic, 7-6 (7-5) 7-5
David Nalbandian def. Nicolas Kiefer, 7-6 (7-5) 6-3
Gilles Simon def. Igor Andreev, 6-3 7-5
Tomas Berdych def. Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-3 7-5
Marin Cilic def. Marcel Granollers, 6-4 7-6 (7-2)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Radek Stepanek, 3-6 6-4 6-4
James Blake def. Simone Bolelli, 6-7 (10-12) 6-3 6-4
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Bell Challenge (Quebec)
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Melinda Czink def. Julie Ditty, 6-1 6-1
Melanie Oudin def. Olga Puchkova, 6-1 7-6 (7-3)
Rebecca Marino def. Jill Craybas, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1

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