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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 MY GASQUET STOCK HOLDING
STRONG: In what was the match of the tournament
thus far, Richard Gasquet dropped yet another commanding
two set to love lead at a major championship. Although
two such heartbreaks in the last 3 slams could curtail
the promising careers of some, as well as curtail the
belief outsiders have in him, I still believe Richard
will break through. I don't believe his Wimbledon or AO
failures were bad losses. I don't believe the
Frenchman necessarily lost those matches, I believe
Murray and Fernando won them. Don't forget he has been
on the other side of these type of matches in the past
and understands the taste of victory as well (Roddick,
'07 Wimby). Although he has been under the spotlight for
years, I bought my Gasquet stock just this past summer
after SW19 and I ain't selling now. I bought my Murray
stock at the same time and I'm about to cash in on my
investment. I plan to do the same with Gasquet in the
near future and do so on lawns of London. I'm sticking
by my claim made on TLR in 2008. Gasquet WILL win
Wimbledon! |
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#2 BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP:
Please allow me to beat a dead horse. On Day One we
predicted a slam for the ages and it is so close to
happening. The stars are aligned and now they just have
to play to their potential to make it a reality. Gasquet
and Gonzalez led things off with an epic 3rd round
battle on Day Six and now we have a round of 16 draw
rivaled only once before since 2000. 15 of the 16
players in the men's round of 16 are seeded players.
Only once before since the turn of the century have we
had so many seeded players reach the 4th round at a
major. It was the 2007 Australian Open. In 2008 at
Melbourne Park, 14 of the 16 players were seeded. I'll
tell ya, for a slam many regard as unpredictable, there
appears to fewer unpredictable results Down Under
compared to elsewhere. One for the ages.....I've built
this up and now hope the 16 remaining buttercups don't
let me down.
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#3 SHE CAN PLAY BALL:
I didn't have to set my mental alarm this morning to
catch Day Six night action that included Gasquet/Gonzalez,
as well as Dementieva/Stosur. I didn't go to sleep until
5am. We all know that Sam Stosur can play tennis. She
has been a doubles #1 and unfortunately was struck with
Viral Meningitis and Lyme Disease in 2007 which halted
her progress. I, like many of you I'm sure, have seen
her play not only tv, but in person as well. I've always
walked away saying to myself, "Why is she not ranked
higher". She reached a career high of #27 in 2007 before
illness. She proved again last night, or was it this
morning, against Dementieva that she can play. Elena
believes so as well. "You have to come out with a game
plan against someone like her because, I mean, her
ranking should be much higher. She’s a top‑20 player,
for sure.†She has a big serve (3rd fastest of
tournament), a big forehand and can play the net. She
will turn 25 in March, so let's see what happens. |
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#4 THANKS for the EMAILS:
Some of the TLR Nuts have contributed this week.
Rich in LA continues his push for grand slam
scheduling reform and strengthens his case after
witnessing in full the Roddick/Keeplebunkenstein match
while Gasquet/Gonzalez developed a marketing masterpiece
on Margaret Court Arena.
Sue in Raleigh is preparing a dinner date for
Ivanovic and Nalbandian. Ana can help David with the
fork in his side and Nalbandian can pass Ivanovic the
sweet n' low. Great Cup of Coffee reference Sue.
Victoria in San Diego....Is it tennis season yet.
I'm up to my elbows in snow. Send us some sun. We're
working on our return. The Mac is Back.
Macwomble in the city I can't say, Lochboisdale,
Eilean Siar, emphatically proves tennis is the REAL
DEAL. And newcomer
StanSmithers from Atlanta responded to my Nadal/Gilbert
entry a few days ago. I agree with StanSmithers that
there was much drooling over Federer by many in the
media. Point taken. Hope to hear from you again soon. |
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