Bobbing To The Surface

A name that is popping up with increasing regularity, I am finding, is Kevin Anderson. Has anyone else noticed this? This boy from South Africa is still under the radar, but he's a little less under, if that makes any sense.

The first time I encountered Anderson - encounters, she says, like she's actually met the guy - was in Miami a couple of years ago, where he put out Djokovic in a real stunner. He then proceeded to do pretty much fat nothing for a couple of years, but if someone is going to put a top guy, even if nothing ends up coming of it, you know there is some serious talent going on there.

He's playing Querrey as we speak, and they've split sets. Now, we must remember that Querrey won the US Open series last year, so this is no mean feat. I couldn't tell you exactly where, but I know I've seen his name popping up a lot this year. Has anyone else noticed this? Or am I just having flashbacks? Or is it because he's South African and there was that whole World Cup thing?

Anyways.

A name that is definitely NOT popping up is Simone Bolelli. Well, I suppose it is popping up, but not in a good way. It's in the losing-in-the-first-round way. And if that keeps happening, well... soon it will be in the qualifying way.

Hanging Tough

You know who has totally snuck under my radar this week? Sam Stosur.

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This is a little unusual, because I usually follow Slammin' Sammy pretty closely, given as she's one of the few good things Australian tennis has going for it at the moment. But in the all the lead up to Montreal next week, with the return of Rafa and Roger and the first pictures of Myla and Charlene and the announcement of their new playmate Baby Wawrinka, I've been a bit distracted when it comes to stuff happening on court this week.

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But no matter. I'm here for you now, Sam - Sam who is into the final of LA! How 'bout that?! And LA was a tough, tough field. Like, really tough. Sure there were no Williams sisters, but there was just about everyone else. And looking back at Sam's scores, she has had a pretty decent run. She's gone to three, but she hasn't had any total down-to-the-wire nailbiters. She's hanging tough and getting it done.

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And ain't that something.

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I seriously believe Stosur can be top ten after the US hardcourt season is over. She has so much in her game to like - her serve and her exquisite volleys probably top the list. She's only really recently come into her own on the singles court after being a doubles specialist and then having Lyme disease, but I like, like, LIKE what I see! And I think the major change is that she's learned to hang in there a whole lot better than she did - even over the last six months or so. I don't think the Stosur would choke away match points like she did against Serena in Sydney.

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No, Sammy is Slammin' and she's here to stay. I would dearly love for her to win LA, which is a biggish tournament - I think it'd be some great validation for all that she's achieved!

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Today's Results

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Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington)

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Juan Martin Del Potro def. Fernando Gonzalez, 7-6 (7-2) 6-3

Andy Roddick def. John Isner, 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 7-5

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LA Women's Tennis Classic (Los Angeles)

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Samantha Stosur def. Sorana Cirstea, 6-3 6-2

Flavia Pennetta def. Maria Sharapova, 6-2 4-6 6-3

Ball Bounced

I don't think anyone's surprised that Ball got bounced by Querrey - it had to happen sooner or later. The possibility of Carsten Ball being in an ATP final is possible in this universe, but him actually winning would catapult us into a new one where fish rode bicycles and stuff.

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That said, kudos to Carsten for taking up those miniscule odds to make the final and for playing Querrey tight. I've liked a lot of what I've seen off the Querrey racquet lately - as I'll discuss in a moment - and Ball, little Carsten Ball of whom no one has really heard, took him to three sets. Sure, the third set was a bit of a blow out, but Carsten hung tough there for quite some time. I don't think he's ever going to be a worldbeater, but onya Carsten.

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On to Querrey. Now, I used to think he was spectacularly overrated - a sort of middle ground between Karlovic and Guccione. I'm still no Samurai, but you have to have kudos for what he's brought of late... and for finally winning a final, even if it was against Carsten Ball. He says he thinks he can win the US Open... I think that might be optimistic, mate. But there's no reason he can't pull a Juan and make quarters or so before going out to a Murray or a Djokovic or, hell, a del Potro. Actually, depending on where he is in the draw, I'm calling it now. Quarters for Sam Querrey... unless he's in the Federer quarter. Or possibly the Nadal quarter, depending on the state of Rafa's knees.

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And Marion Bartoli, eh? What was she doing winning Stanford when there were the Williams sisters there? And Demetieva and other folks that are, like, all good and stuff? I do not understand...

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...more on our final weekend winner, Nikolay Davydenko, tomorrow... unless you count the winner of Istanbul, but I know nothing about her, so no counting will be done.

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Today's Results

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LA Tennis Open (Los Angeles)

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Sam Querrey def. Carsten Ball, 6-4 3-6 6-1

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Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington)

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Wayne Odesnik def. Paul Capdeville, 4-6 6-2 6-4

Ernests Gulbis def. Kevin Kim, 7-5 3-6 6-3

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LA Women's Tennis Championships (Los Angeles)

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Lucie Safarova def. Kaia Kanepi, 6-3 7-6 (7-4)

Alisa Kleybanova def. Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-1 6-3

Ai Sugiyama def. Carly Gullickson, 6-3 6-1

Vania King def. Sybille Bammer, 6-3 6-2

The Ball Keeps Bouncing

Okay, whoa. Whoa whoa whoa. What is Carsten Ball doing in an ATP final?

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He's the type of player I wouldn't expect to see in a Challenger final, so low down the rankings is he - and, like I said yesterday, the couple of times I've seen him play, I haven't been particularly impressed. But here he is, after overcoming Leonardo Mayer in a scraptastic semi, in the final of LA.

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Well, that's something.

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However, I would like to categorically state that Ball is NOT on my list of candidates for this year's Juan. I'm pretty sure this is what we in this blogging business call a 'fluke'. But still... kudos. And yay for Aussie tennis.

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He'll face either Haas or Querrey in the final, and I think both of these dudes are in the running to be the next Juan. Haas's glory days are probably largely behind him, but as we saw at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, this dude has some game. Much game, in fact. I know his shoulder is, like, held together with paperclips or something, but he's been playing awesomely and I see no reason why he couldn't make a big charge here.

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Same goes for Querrey, but you'd want to hope Querrey's big days are still in front of him . He's definitely in a spot of form - he's been floating around the deep end of draws for the last little while - and a title in LA could really put him on a roll. (Like Ball. Roll. Get it? Hahahahahahaha.)

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Today's Results

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Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad (Gstaad)

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Thomaz Bellucci def. Igor Andreev, 6-4 7-5

Andreas Beck def. Marcos Daniel, 7-6 (7-3) 6-3

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ATP Studena Croatia Open (Umag)

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Nikolay Davydenko def. Jurgen Melzer, 6-1 6-1

Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Andreas Seppi, 6-1 6-7 (1-7) 7-5

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LA Tennis Open (Los Angeles)

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Carsten Ball def. Leonardo Mayer, 7-5 7-6 (7-3)

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Bank of the West Classic (Stanford)

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Venus Williams def. Elena Dementieva, 6-0 6-1

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Istanbul Cup (Istanbul)

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Vera Dushevina def. Timea Bacsinszky, 6-2 6-4

Lucie Hradecka def. Andrea Petkovic, 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 7-5

Getting the Ball Rolling

I'd like to take a day's break from our quest for this year's Juan Martin del Potro to give a massive shoutout to the Aussie participants this week, who are batting well above their weight. Nice to see!

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First, we have Chris Guccione who was definitely in a winning position against Mardy Fish - he had match points, I do believe - before going down in a tight three sets. I have mixed feelings about this match - coming so close, I believe Gooch should have won - but Fish is ranked a long way above him, and so playing him so tight for three sets is an achievement in and off itself. If only Gooch could close out a little better... he has all the tools he needs to be a Karlovic-style menace, I just wish he'd bring it to the court a little more often.

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Then we have Samantha Stosur, who had a tremendous win over Serena in Stanford. That's right, Sam beat Serena. I think this is a bit of revenge for Sydney, where Sam had those match points and failed to convert. No such troubles this time. Stosur has really come into her own this year, ever since she made that semi at Roland Garros. She's making a charge towards the top ten - watch out! We haven't had a really bright star in women's tennis since the retirement of Molik, and I reckon Sam could be that girl. Onya, Sam!

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But then, lastly and most remarkably of all, we have Carsten Ball making the semis in LA. Now, previous to this tournament, I'd have to say I didn't rate Ball at all. I hadn't seen him play singles, but I'd seen him play doubles with Guccione, and I really wasn't that impressed with what I saw. Well, time to eat my words, because Ball clearly has a little somethin' somethin' going on. You don't reach a tour level final without a bit of jazz. Now I am totally prepared to become a Ball fan... even if it is only for the awesome punning opportunities his name affords me! So c'mon Carsten and make it to the final - do it for the puns... and the pundits.

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Yes, I really said that.

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Today's Results

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Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad (Gstaad)

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Igor Andreev def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-3 6-3

Thomaz Bellucci def. Nicolas Kiefer, 3-6 1-0 retired

Andreas Beck def. Victor Crivoi, 6-4 7-6 (7-5)

Marcos Daniel def. Florent Serra, 6-4 7-6 (7-1)

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ATP Studena Croatia Open (Umag)

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Nikolay Davydenko def. Simone Bolelli, 7-6 (12-10) 6-1

Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Maximo Gonzalez, 7-5 6-2

Andreas Seppi def. Nicolas Massu, 6-4 6-4

Jurgen Melzer def. Ivan Ljubicic, 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3

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LA Tennis Open (Los Angeles)

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Carsten Ball def. John Isner, 6-4 6-4

Leonardo Mayer def. Mardy Fish, walkover

Sam Querrey def. Dudi Sela, 6-3 7-5

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Bank of the West Classic (Stanford)

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Samantha Stosur def. Serena Williams, 6-2 3-6 6-2

Elena Dementieva def. Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2 6-4

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Istanbul Cup (Istanbul)

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Vera Dushevina def. Anabel Medina Garrigues, 6-1 6-2

Andrea Petkovic def. Olga Govortsova, 6-3 6-3

Lucie Hradecka def. Marta Domachowska, 6-1 5-7 6-4

Timea Bacsinszky def. Urszula Radwanska, 6-0 6-1

Blaze of Glory

Okay, time for candidate #2 in the race for this year's Juan (aka Jodi's adventure in wishful thinking). Time to discuss... Marat Safin.

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I know he's not an up and coming young gun looking for a hot streak to propel him into the top ten. The majority of Marat's career is behind him. But why not go out with a bang? Why not?

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What has Marat got to lose? Nothing. And it would be so, so very Marat, after a lacklustre few years, the only major spot of wow being that Wimbledon semi, to get on a roll and blaze through draws like a bushfire. He's got the ability - I don't think anyone would ever question the sheer ability and talent of the Safinator. It's a question of the mind.

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I'm hoping that that exhibition against Sampras the other day gave Marat a sense of history. His career opened with a spectacular bang in the US - maybe Marat will become motivated to make it end the same way. Though I don't know how much motivation is the question... I don't even know what the question is. But Marat can do this. He can. I want him to.

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Oh, I don't even know what I'm saying - except that I want Marat to do well, and I believe he can do it. Unfortunately, he comes up against our candidate #1, Ernests Gulbis, in the second round... but at least it means one of them will make it to the quarters!

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Today's Results

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Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad (Gstaad)

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Igor Andreev def. Jan Hernych, 6-4 6-1

Jeremy Chardy def. Mikhail Youzhny, 6-3 5-7 6-3

Victor Crivoi def. Teimuraz Gabashvili, 6-4 6-4

Andreas Beck def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 7-6 (7-3)

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ATP Studena Croatia Open (Umag)

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Nikolay Davydenko def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver, 6-2 6-2

David Ferrer def. Daniel Koellerer, 6-1 6-7 (2-7) 6-3

Maximo Gonzalez def. Viktor Troicki, 6-4 3-6 7-6 (8-6)

Nicolas Almagro def. Marcel Granollers, 6-1 6-3

Oscar Hernandez def. Sergiy Stakhovsky, 7-6 (7-3) 6-1

Ivan Ljubicic def. Filippo Volandri, 6-1 6-4

Alberto Martin def. Martin Klizan, 6-4 6-4

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LA Tennis Open (Los Angeles)

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Carsten Ball def. Dmitry Tursunov, 6-4 0-1 retired

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Bank of the West Classic (Stanford)

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Samantha Stosur def. Monica Niculescu, 6-1 7-5

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Istanbul Cup (Istanbul)

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Marta Domachowska def. Aravane Rezai, 6-3 4-6 6-4

Vera Dushevina def. Maria Elena Camerin, 6-0 6-1

Olga Govortsova def. Angelique Kerber, 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-4

Timea Bacsinszky def. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-2 3-6 4-1 retired

Speaking Ernestsly

So who will be this year's Juan Martin del Potro - if, indeed, we get such a figure this year? Are we going to see any young gun blossom out of nowhere and make a tear up the rankings during this US Open series? This was the question I posed yesterday, and if I don't get distracted by something shiny or by the Federer twins, this is the question I'd like to consider this week.

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Today's candidate: Ernests Gulbis.

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Yes, I know he's been playing like crap this year and he hasn't been able to string two wins together. But he says this is because he is still getting used to his increased muscle mass and that he is finding his game again. And he has such beautiful, exquisite talent...

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I know I'm biased towards Gulbis, because he is a special favourite of mine - but I genuinely believe he has the talent to make it big, and why not start now? He's coming off a doubles win with Tursunov last week, and I know doubles wins don't mean much usually, but look what it did for Roger Federer last year, winning that doubles medal? And Gulbis has had a good win in LA today over Yen-hsun Lu, whom we all know is definitely no slouch and has some serious game.

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So why should this not be Gulbis's year to be Juan Martin? He's young and talented, and if he can just get used to his new physique he's got all the tools he needs. Sure, he's unproved - but so was del Potro before his run last year, so unproved the Argentines didn't even take him to the Olympics. There is nothing in Ernests' way but himself... oh yeah, and a few other tennis players, but he has the ability to beat them. I really believe this.

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And then there's the fact that I would love love LOVE Ernests to be this year's Juan and prove me right after I've been bignoting him all this time...

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Today's Results

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Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad (Gstaad)

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Stanislas Wawrinka def. Federico Del Bonis, 6-4 7-5

Victor Hanescu def. Ivo Minar, 6-2 6-2

Jeremy Chardy def. Thierry Ascione, 6-3 6-3

Nicolas Kiefer def. Jose Acasuso, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Marcos Daniel def. Paul-Henri Mathieu, 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6)

Ivan Navarro def. Farrukh Dustov, 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-2

Julien Benneteau def. Stephane Bohli, 7-6 (7-4) 7-5

Florent Serra def. Martin Vassallo Arguello, 6-3 6-2

Thomaz Bellucci def. Michael Lammer, 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-4

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ATP Studena Croatia Open (Umag)

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Jurgen Melzer def. Brian Dabul, 6-3 7-5

Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Christophe Rochus, 6-2 6-3

Andreas Seppi def. Juan Igancio Chela, 6-4 2-6 6-3

Fabio Fognini def. Mischa Zverev, 2-6 6-3 6-4

Pablo Cuevas def. Ivan Dodig, 6-3 6-1

Frederico Gil def. Sergio Roitman, 7-5 6-2

Potito Starace def. Grega Zemlja, 6-1 6-3

Simone Bolelli def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, 7-6 (9-7) 3-6 6-0

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LA Tennis Open (Los Angeles)

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John Isner def. Benjamin Becker, 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (7-3)

Ernests Gulbis def. Yen-hsun Lu, 7-5 6-2

Carsten Ball def. Marc Gicquel, 6-2 7-6 (10-8)

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Bank of the West Classic (Stanford)

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Samantha Stosur def. Dominika Cibulkova, 6-4 6-3

Marion Bartoli def. Ayumi Morita, 7-6 (8-6) 6-3

Daniela Hantuchova def. Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-4 4-6 7-5

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Istanbul Cup (Istanbul)

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Mariya Koryttseva def. Vera Zvonareva, 6-2 1-6 6-4

Rossana de los Rios def. Patty Schnyder, 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-3

Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Anastasiya Yakimova, 6-4 6-2

Vera Dushevina def. Yuliana Fedak, 6-1 6-4

Lucie Hradecka def. Cagla Buyukakcay, 4-6 6-3 6-0

Andrea Petkovic def. Sandra Zahlavova, 6-1 6-2

Urszula Radwanska def. Stefanie Voegele, 6-2 7-6 (7-4)

Julia Goerges def. Masa Zec Peskiric, 6-2 6-3

Angelique Kerber def. Alina Jidkova, 6-2 6-3

Ekaterina Dzehalevich def. Darya Kustova, 6-4 7-6 (11-9)

The Second Golden Age

So how 'bout that Opening Ceremony? Nice to see some familiar tennis faces out and about... not that the Australian media recognised many of them, but to be fair, there were a whole lot of other sports represented too. Much as I would like it to, the Olympics do not revolve around tennis.
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We had two tennis flag bearers, which I suppose isn't a bad representation for the sport... though I thought Rafa got gypped. But Spain is a big place with many different sports, I suppose. I can't remember who carried their flag, but if I were Carlos Sastre, I'd be feeling gypped too. Actually, I was very surprised that we didn't have a tennis flag-bearer from Serbia - but how would you pick between the three of them? There's Djokovic, who (even though I don't like him) has won the Australian and done exceedingly well considering the depth of men's tennis, Ivanovic, who is #1 and won the French, and Jankovic, who'll become #1 next week. Not a lot to split them on, especially the girls.
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But there were two with the flag, in Roger Federer (happy birthday!) and Fernando Gonzalez. It'll be interesting to see how Chile does in the tennis this year, actually, after that stellar performance in Athens, where Massu won gold, Gonzalez won bronze and then they won gold in the doubles. I doubt, somehow, that they can match it, but there'll certainly be some motivation there. Because, you know, the rest of the Olympic teams will obviously be totally unmotivated.
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And we all know where I think (and hope) the gold medal will go. The birthday boy, Mr. Switzerland, Roger Federer. This must be such a bittersweet experience for him, what with the #1 slipping from his grasp. But he said something once which has always resonated with me, and I hope it's true: 'Under pressure I see things very clearly.' He can do this. He can do anything. He just needs to see clearly, to have the right mindset. And I have a good feeling about this, birthday boy. This is the end of the first Golden Age of Roger Federer, but it might well be the beginning of the second.
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Oh, and away from Beijing, Safin lost. Watch me proceed to totally ignore the LA tournament from here on in.
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Today's Results
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Countrywide Classic (Los Angeles)
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Denis Gremelmayr def. Marat Safin, 3-6 6-3 6-2
Mardy Fish def. Florent Serra, 6-4 6-4

Juan Martin del Potro def. Amer Delic, 7-6 (8-6) 6-2

Andy Roddick def. Marc Gicquel, 6-3 6-1

Brought To You By The Letter G

That man Marat is doing his thing! He won in straights over Wayne Odesnik, and convincingly too. I have a good feeling about this week for him. This could be it. This could be the tournament of Marat, the first one back since Australia '05.

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And if I can make it happen by sheer force of will...

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As usual, there is not much to talk about except my will for Safin to win a tournament. Juan Martin del Potro is doing well again. Marc Gicquel's doing okay too. Carlos Moya (hopefully) is going to win in a minute over Amer Delic... or maybe not. Ooh! Doubles! Safin and Kunitsyn are in the semis! That's cool!

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It's really all about the Olympics, when it comes down to it. It is the reason LA is not exactly the world's most captivating tournament. I mean, apart from Marat. It's all about going for gold and glory and all the other things that begin with g.

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Meanwhile, how much of a bitch of a first round draw does the Mighty Fed have? Dmitry Tursunov really isn't a match for him, but really - would you like to run into Tursunov in the first round? The Australian media - in what little attention it is paying to tennis, which is not much, as we haven't a prayer of getting a medal - is going on about how Nadal could meet Hewitt in the second round. Personally, with Hewitt in his current state of fitness, I would be very surprised to see him make it through the first round, where he plays Jonas Bjorkman. And if he does make it through to Nadal, whether or not this tiredness Rafa claims is a factor, he will be demolished. Lleyton has no chance next to Rafa. Less than none.

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Our other man, Guccione, faces Blake. So, bye bye Gooch. If we're going to get a medal in the singles, it'll probably be Dellacqua. Not that I think she will get one, but if one of the Aussies is... in doubles, Stosur might do okay - who is she playing with? My favourite sport, and I know next to nothing about what the Aussies are doing. Some patriot I am. But I have never claimed to be one, so that's all right. We all know where my tennis loyalties lie.

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I know the date on this post is the seventh, but it's the morning of the eighth here as I write it - 08/08/08. And that means two things. One, it's the Opening Ceremony. But two, and much more importantly, it is Roger Federer's 27th birthday. Happy (slightly early) birthday, Roger. You will always, always be my favourite.

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Today's Results

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Countrywide Classic (Los Angeles)

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Marat Safin def. Wayne Odesnik, 6-3 6-2

Mardy Fish def. Vince Spadea, 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-0

Marc Gicquel def. Donald Young, 6-3 6-3

Juan Martin del Potro def. Andrea Stoppini, 6-4 6-2

Amer Delic def. Carlos Moya, 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5)

That Young Guy

So it looks like Hamburg lost their lawsuit against the ATP. I don't know if I really have an opinion (or feel justified having one) on this issue, but you can't help feeling sorry for them. Hamburg has been such an important tournament for so long and to be relegated like that, and moved, and all kinds of other things... no wonder they tried. But they lost. And now they'll be later in the year, post-Roland Garros, so the star quality won't be nearly so high... though some of them will play on the stuff day in, day out if they can help it. But I'd be very surprised to see the Federers and Nadals of this world there.

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So vale, Hamburg of old. You were a fun tournament while you lasted.

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I wonder how this will effect the rankings? Probably not at all, now that I think of it... it's done by week, not by ranking, yesno? Which is how we know Rafa will become #1 (sob) though he isn't yet - because Roger has yet to drop the points from Montreal and Cincy last year. SO Hamburg will be swept into the corner, to become one of those clay tournaments I rail about. That's really sad, actually.

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What isn't sad is that Marat Safin beat John Isner in straights. I know I always overestimate Isner and that really, the Safins of this world should never lose to the Isners, but still - go Marat! He faces Odesnik next, and provided he keeps his head on straight, he should win easily. I hope he's learning something from his sister's new attitude. Dinara's insanely talented, but the reason she's winning at the moment is that she wants it, and she wants it bad - and she's not backing down. I would love to see non-backing-down Marat too. I would LOVE him to win this tournament. Love. LOVE.

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Even the ATP seems to have conceded that this tournament is pretty dull - their coverage seems lacklustre at best. Their big story is that Donald Young upset Tommy Haas. Hardly world-changing stuff... but then, there's only so much to work with.

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Actually, what is it with this Young kid? I've seen him lauded in some places as this crazy-good young guy who's going to be the future of American tennis, but this is the first time I can remember him winning a match. He hasn't even made a blip on my Stars of the Future radar - and I'm out there looking. I have my posse of young guys, and he never even made the shortlist. Hell, he never even made the longlist. I confess I haven't really paid much attention to him - but why should I? Can someone tell me why this kid is supposedly so good even though he seems to lose nearly all his matches? Because winning a few here and there is kind of key. That's why Gulbis and Cilic are looking so dangerous right now - they may not be winning tournaments yet, but they're getting a few wins nearly every time they step out there. They've made the first step.

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Look at me ragging on Young. I bet he goes on to win the tournament now. That would be just my luck.

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Today's Results

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Countrywide Classic (Los Angeles)

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Dusan Vemic def. Sam Warburg, 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4

Donald Young def. Tommy Haas, 6-2 6-4

Marat Safin def. John Isner, 6-3 6-4

Carlos Moya def. Xavier Malisse, 6-2 1-6 7-6 (7-5)

Amer Delic def. Dudi Sela, 6-4 6-4

Vince Spadea def. Sebastien Grosjean, 6-3 3-6 6-3

Denis Gremelmayr def. Feliciano Lopez, 7-5 7-5

Florent Serra def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-2 7-6 (7-4)

Blaming LA

Tennis in America is a pain, if you ask me. The timezone is all wrong for blogging. I sit here at 9am Australian Eastern Standard Time time, hoping to recap the past day - even though I haven't actually seen any of it, I rely on my ability to deduce and basically make stuff up - but when the tennis is in America, or worse, on the west coast of America, the day has barely begun. Really, LA, catch up. You're behind - timewise, at least. You are inconveniencing me greatly.

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Because I really, really have nothing to talk about. I'm sure Odesnik/Reynolds and Stoppini/Kunitsyn were fascinating in their way, but I can tell you very little about any of those players. I don't think I've even heard of Stoppini. As I write this, Grosjean and Spadea are into a third, as are Vemic and Warburg. Much as I like Sebastien Grosjean, these are hardly world stopping matches... especially when you can't see them.

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And I am not talking about rankings. I am not even thinking about rankings. Oh no.

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Federer moved to a new apartment. Does that count as something? Today, I am afraid, I have nothing to say. I blame LA. They're as good a scapegoat as anyone else.

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Today's Results

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Countrywide Classic (Los Angeles)

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Wayne Odesnik def. Bobby Reynolds, 4-6 6-1 6-4

Andrea Stoppini def. Igor Kunitsyn, 6-1 6-3

Mardy Fish def. Alejandro Falla, 6-2 6-2

Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Dinara Safina

How 'bout that Dinara Safina, eh? This has been SUCH a career year for her. If anyone is the #1 slayer this year, it is her. Who was it that defeated Justine Henin in her last ever match? They would be Dinara. Who slew Maria Sharapova, the new #1, in an epic fourth round match at Roland Garros to take that ranking away? D-Saf again. And now, who has ruined Jelena Jankovic's chances of becoming #1 this week? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Miss Dinara Safina.

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Dinara is still a long way off becoming #1 herself - about 1600 points, in fact - but she is doing all the right things right now. She is gaining that thing which has been so elusive for her elder brother Marat - consistency. How many finals have we seen Dinara in this year? It's been quite a few. I don't follow women's tennis all that much, but even I've noticed that it's been a few.

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Winning that Tier I tournament in Berlin just before the French Open was a real turning point for Dinara, I think. She has never really looked back. That narrow defeat in the third round of Wimbledon could have destroyed her confidence, but clearly she hasn't let it. She has just beat Jelena Jankovic - and that is not easy to do, especially considering Jelena is so close to being #1 she can practically smell it. Who would have picked Dinara Safina to make the French Open final? Not me, certainly - but I am so glad she did! She is my favourite women's player right now.

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In fact, I'm going to make a bold, sweeping statement. The winners of the US Open this year will be Roger Federer and Dinara Safina. I have spoken. So shall it be.

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Over in Toronto, we have a Nadal/Kiefer final. I don't know if anyone picked that final. Nadal, maybe, but not Kiwi. I'm not a huge Kiwi fan, but this has got to be so good for him - and he really has showed some grit in coming back from that debilitating injury. And even though I do like the Raf, I think I'm going to be cheering for Kiwi. Because I don't want Rafa gaining any more nasty rankings points, even if he does deserve them. Because my heart belongs to Roger.

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Even still... better Rafa than Novak! I would like to point out that Roger is not the only one losing points this week - Novak will lose a hefty swag as well. Add that to the hefty swag he lost at Wimbledon, and... it might just be all about the Big Two again. This Big Three thing might have been a bit of a flash in the pan. Djokovic is still miles ahead of Davydenko and Ferrer, but the gap is narrowing, just a bit. And I like that. Djokovic is the anti-Federer, in my books... what is bad for Roger will always be good for Novak, in my books! If Roger had to drop points this week, I am very glad he wasn't alone.

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Yes, I am a horrible person, wishing ill on a tennis player I've never even met. At least I know it.

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Today's Results

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Rogers Masters (Toronto)

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Rafael Nadal def. Andy Murray, 7-6 (7-2) 6-3

Nicolas Kiefer def. Gilles Simon, 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

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East West Bank Classic (Los Angeles)

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Dinara Safina def. Jelena Jankovic, 7-6 (7-3) 6-1

Flavia Pennetta def. Bethanie Mattek, 3-6 6-2 7-5

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Banka Koper Slovenia Open (Portoroz)

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Sara Errani def. Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4 6-4

Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Julia Goerges, 6-3 2-6 6-4