MELBOURNE – The star of the show did not win. Yes, she won the crowd of 15,000 at the Australian Open. And she won the praise of her colleagues, foremost among them No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. But it was time to go home for the Italian pixie, Francesca Schiavone, the end of one of the more adverturous runs at a major title. It was Francesca’s afternoon Tuesday even though … [Read more...] about WINNING IS OK, BUT LOSER FRANCESCA OFTEN CAPTIVATES AS THE DEFEATED PLAYER
Roger Federer
SIZZLING RALLIES AS NADAL WINS THE US OPEN
NEW YORK – The reign’s in Spain now, falling mightily and mainly on the crowned head of Roundhouse Rafa. Spain, of course, has a king, Juan Carlos I, with a palace in Madrid. A good fellow, we’re told. But the real monarch today is young Rafa I, whose roundhouse knockout punches on a tennis court are massive left hooks that leave no doubt of his being No. 1 in his … [Read more...] about SIZZLING RALLIES AS NADAL WINS THE US OPEN
FEDERER STILL LOOKING FOR HIS GROOVE, 8 LOSSES SINCE THE AUSTRALIAN, UNUSUAL FOR HIM
LONDON – Decline and falling? Like the Roman Empire? Maybe. But one thing is clear. Roger Federer, the man who owned the green room – Centre Court at Wimbledon – will not be the centerpiece Sunday. After seven straight years of believing that this tennis court belonged to him, he was rudely evicted by a guy born in the Czech Republic village of Vallasske Mezerici and … [Read more...] about FEDERER STILL LOOKING FOR HIS GROOVE, 8 LOSSES SINCE THE AUSTRALIAN, UNUSUAL FOR HIM
WAKE UP CALL FOR FEDERER, THREE POINTS FROM DEFEAT, THE LION ROARS BACK
LONDON – Normally the aged tennis tournament known as Wimbledon opens its gates in much the same manner employed by the log-ago Romans at their Colosseum. Throw some citizens to the lions, and see who could be entertaining. Sometimes, but only rarely, the lesser known of the tennis crowd escape their first round fate by giving the seeded lions indigestion. It’s bannered as … [Read more...] about WAKE UP CALL FOR FEDERER, THREE POINTS FROM DEFEAT, THE LION ROARS BACK
RODDICK’S GREATEST DAY CAN’T PREVENT FEDERER ECLIPSING SAMPRAS
LONDON – The yellow tennis ball hung above Andy Roddick’s left shoulder like a mini-moon. He eyed it with animosity, his weapon poised to shoot the moon as 15,000 witnesses surrounding the grass patch called Centre Court couldn’t believe that with one simple smack the rejuvenated American would post a 2-set lead over the 5-time champion, Roger Federer. It was oh-so-close to … [Read more...] about RODDICK’S GREATEST DAY CAN’T PREVENT FEDERER ECLIPSING SAMPRAS