Past Tense and the Spanish Inquisition

In the best news about these two all year, Nicole Vaidisova and Radek Stepanek are married. I may not be the biggest fan of either, but after the 2010 they've both had career-wise, it's really great that they've got something awesome to remember the year by now.

But as tennis gossip isn't my forte, let's use this to springboard into a discussion of their, you know, tennis.

So Stepanek is one of those creepy-dangerous players who lurks around and occasionally springs big upsets, in a manner not unlike someone jumping out of a cupboard and yelling 'no one expects the Spanish Inquisition!' It actually took me a really long time to realise that Stepanek was out injured, because he is permanently so under the radar when he plays anyway. Seriously, he has this way of somehow making it to about the semis of a tournament without drawing any attention. He did it in Brisbane this year, actually - I was there for the men's semis, and I didn't even realise Stepanek was in them, let alone expect him to win.

But when he's gone, you just don't notice it. He's not an epic force in tennis like Federer or Nadal, or even one of the guys who match him ranking-wise, like Hewitt or Isner. What he brings to the tennis table is good tennis, but it isn't memorable, and it hasn't moved the game forward. I guess what Stepanek has done in his career is make this a gift, because he gets forgotten about. A lot.

Vaidisova, on the other hand, was memorable... but not for the right reason. It's really galling to refer to someone in the past tense when they're only 21, but Vaidisova's career is emphatically past tensed. Though Stepanek has definitely got the better results over his career (and definitely the better mileage), even though Vaidisova reached a higher ranking, Nicole is going to be remembered for longer and remembered as one thing and one thing only: the ultimate headcase.

Not exactly the moniker you want. And Vaidisova played some great tennis in her career. Why it stopped, I don't know. But it will take a lot of work from the Ana Ivanovics of this world to ever eclipse Nicole's fall from tennis grace.

But whatever has happened in their careers, good luck to Radek and Nicole. (Awkward segue, much? 'Troubled careers! Fall from grace! Oh well, good luck!') Congratulations and maybe - who knows? - we'll see you back on the court someday. (You're only 21, Nicole!)

The Worm Does Shanghai

I'm sorry, but what is the Worm doing in Shanghai?

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It didn't occur to me yesterday when I was writing about Nicolas Kiefer being one of the alternates to think of whom the other one might be - stupid mistake, I know. But had I thought about it, I certainly wouldn't have picked Radek Stepanek, the scary man of tennis. Why did he decide to come, anyway? Shouldn't he be off ruining some female player's career, like he did with Hingis and Vaidisova? Or is he not done with Nicole yet?

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It certainly didn't look like the Worm was thinking about playing - it says he was on holiday in Thailand before coming to Shanghai. (In which case, was he actually an alternate? Or was he just the nearest convenient player? But Kiwi's in Shanghai - why not use him?) His tennis stuff got stuck at customs and he had to borrow a racquet from Novak Djokovic (imagine if he'd broken a string - would he kindly have asked Roger for a lend of one of his? On court?) and socks from Andy Murray and get an emergency prescription of contact lenses. Kudos to him for being so resourceful and stuff, but seriously, why him? You've got a perfectly good alternate in Kiwi - I presume he is actually in Shanghai as well. I just don't get it.

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None of this meant that the Worm actually did that well - Roger took him out in straights, keeping himself in contention for the semis. Now, all he has to do is beat Murray... and I suppose it would help if the Worm beat Simon. (How does that work, exactly? What is the tie system?) I hope Roger can pull it out against Andy - he's certainly capable of beating him, and this would level their head-to-head, instead of Andy pulling ahead 4-2. We certainly don't want Roger to acquire another Rafa, that's for sure!

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Speaking of Andy, he beat Simon pretty handily in the other Red Group match today - he's certainly looking the guy to beat. I suppose he will finish top of the group regardless (yes? no?) which is a shame, because I guess Djokovic will finish top of the other group, which means they couldn't possibly meet until the finals. As I want Roger in the final, this is not a good circumstance, and I would really like to see Andy take it to Novak. I don't think they've played since Murray has put himself up there as the fourth guy in the three-guy domination squad, and I would really like to see him challenge for that #3 spot. Not that he can take it, I think, but it would be nice to see a struggle begin which might be very intriguing all through next year...

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Today's Results

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Tennis Masters Cup (Shanghai)

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Red Group

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Roger Federer def. Radek Stepanek, 7-6 (7-4) 6-4

Andy Murray def. Gilles Simon, 6-4 6-2