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by TLR
Host Todd
Hello TLR Nuts and tennis fans! The 2009 grand slam
season has begun and Tennis Live Radio will be back
soon. I thank you for your patience and very much look
forward to speaking to you all again. While we wait for
our radio return, I decided to express some of my
Australian Open opinions right here during the next two
weeks. Please excuse any spelling and/or grammatical
errors. We do this on the fly. |
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#1 ONE
for the AGES Although I wouldn't be surprised
if Federer and Nadal swept the slams in 2009, it appears
we could be blessed with a Grand Slam for the ages in
Melbourne. Check out the potential men's matchups:
Roddick/Nalbandian, Djokovic/Baghdatis, Federer/Del
Potro, Nadal/Gasquet, Murray/Tsonga, Federer/Nalbandian,
Nadal/Djokovic. We know Nadal and Federer will show up
to play, but Del Potro, Murray and Nalbandian arrive in
Melbourne with titles and the rest should be fresh.
Could be a good one! |
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#2
JANK'S BEST SHOT?: Jankovic believe's she is
the best on Tour despite being the first women to end
the season ranked #1 without a major title on the
resume. Melbourne could be her chance to prove herself
as her unpredictable Aussie Open draw looks good. |
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#3 CONGRATS: Congratulations to former
TLR guest and Canadian #1 Aleksandra Wozniack for the
first grand slam seeding of her career. Good luck
Aleksandra. |
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#4.
FEDERER in DENIAL? RODDICK NOT:
You all know how I feel about Andy Murray. I strongly
believe he WILL win a grand slam title and I have
thought so since Wimbledon 2008. Apparently the odds
makers have him as the favorite Down Under and some
disagree. By 'some' I mean Fed. Ok, so maybe because
Andy hasn't captured a big one yet, he shouldn't be
considered the top dog, but these odds makers are not in
the business of losing money. In this short season he
has beaten everyone and in some cases, twice! I've never
gotten off the Federer bandwagon and won't because he is
a champion, but I believe he should accept Andy Murray
as a member of the top class. Winning seven best of five
set matches is a different animal no doubt and some may
believe it isn't possible to beat a rival opponent three
consecutive times. I thought so to, but the Pittsburgh
Steelers accomplished that feat on Sunday.
"I'd have to be dillusional"....That was Andy's reponse
when asked if he belong in Top 4. In denial he is not,
but there is much tennis to be played! |
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#4
SOMETHING to TALK ABOUT:
I love seeing hometown talent create waves at the grand
slams. Lleyton is back, Jelena Dokic picked up a win on
Monday, as did young gun Bernard Tomic. |
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#5 PAYBACK?: Fabrice Santoro, possibly
competing for the last time in the major with best
result, dropped JC Ferrero on Monday to push into 2nd
round. Roddick advanced as well and could meet the
Frenchman in the 3rd. I remember that 2008 NY serve, do
you? |
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#6 I'M
BRACING MYSELF: Roger Federer and Marat Safin
could meet in the 3rd round in Melbourne. I can hear it
now if Safin somehow wins, "When he plays well he is the
best in the world." Makes me nauseous, but I'm not
concerned because the fork n firmly in place. |
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#7:
THE DEMENTIEVA QUESTION: Let me start
by saying I am very far from being perfect on
the radio as both a host and/or analyst. Let me also say
that I'm sure there have been many people that have
tuned into Tennis Live Radio and then tuned out because
they dislike me. Ok, now my opinion. ESPN's Chris Fowler
simply rubs me the wrong way, always has and did so
again on day #1.
Aside from his slightly constant, arrogant tone...he
proceeded to compare Ana Ivanovic's ball toss to that of
Elena Dementieva's during Ana's on set interview with
Chris following her match. I have vented in the past
about this, but for those who missed it, here is again.
NEWS FLASH to Chris and all the others that speak the
same.....We ALL know Elena's serve ain't the best. The
world #4 and 2-time champion in 2009, knows it ain't the
best. WE GET IT! It is absolutely ridciulous to bring it
up time and time and time again. Here is some advice to
you...try and think up a few new questions and then
DON'T ask them. Do us tennis fans a favor. I recognize
that he good at what he does, but I simply just don't
like the way he does it. I'm sure many have said the
same about me. |
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