Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Australian Open Winner?

To bide the time between the Tri-level and the Abilene tourney, I was curious on folks thoughts on what is going on Down-Under. A few rounds are already under the belt, but it is still not clear who will win the first major.

Is it going to be:

1) Nadal - new number one and the current Grand Slam King

2) Federer - Is the great one back on form and is the motivation of hating being referred to #2 going to be the difference?

3) Djokovic - can he repeat?

4) Murray - the hot guy on tour and the Bookie favourite

5) Tsonga - is this tourney special for him again and is he finally healthy?

6) Simon - moving up the ladder quickly

7) Roddick - can he get back to winning form?

8) Del Potro - another high flyer since the summer

9) Blake - can Obama inspire him to break through?

Or will someone else come out of the woodwork again like a Baghdatis, Fish, Ferrer Ljubicic?

It will be an interesting next ten days as there are some great matchups in the near term such as Roddick - Santoro; Fish - Baghdatis; Federer - Safin; Ferrer - Del Potro in 4th rd. and any of the matchups likely in the Nadal part of the draw.

I am not a Nadal fan per se, but he is my bet on winning this based on what I saw yesterday. His athleticism and skill are a lethal combination in this tourney. His toughest matches will likely be in the middle rounds so if he is gets through them it may make the big name matchups a little easier to handle.

Should be some good tennis, it's nice to have more than just 1-2 players capable of winning.

121 comments:

  1. Federer or Murray. Federer looking to make early statement after dissappointing 08 and Murray could be in store for a big year.

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  2. Eddie Hill wouldn't mind giving Nadal an Australian kiss (like a French kiss, but down under).

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  3. Nadal has not proven himself on a hard court in a grand slam yet. I would have to go with Federer. I don't know who or why but I think the other finalist will be somebody outside of the top 5. I think Murray will feel the pressure of being a favorite and lose before then.

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  4. I'm still siding w/ Slezak.

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  5. this one is for Slezak. Go Cards!

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  6. Hard to pick against Fed and the way he ended the last season but I like Djokovic to repeat if I was forced to choose. He seems to be in shape now and that was the only thing holding him back before.

    I would like to see Tsonga go far because he brings such artistry to the court but I see a slip up happening to him in the quarters.

    USA tennis:
    I would love to see an American breakthrough and at least make it to the quarters and a semi would be amazing for the american contingent. Fish is playing well but he has a ceiling, it comes down to Roddick and Blake and Roddick is not as explosive as he used to be so unless people fall down in front of him he will be taking out in r4, I do see Blake either reaching up and getting to a final this year or flaming out and retiring very soon. His fitness is an issue and with possible high temps his odds will depend on the weather. time to catch up on some tivo tennis, later...lt

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  7. Nalbandian all the way....

    Oops.

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  8. Phy will win if you can get him to show up.

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  9. Who won the Buckwheat vs. Koubek match?

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  10. Who cares about the Australian open, If Icepick cant talk about Icepick then the anons dont have anything to add to the discussion.

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  11. precisely. back to tennis talk

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  12. ummm well I don't know but I kinduv liked the other thread more.

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  13. I would like to see an American win so I will say Roddick.

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  14. Since Tri-level is still a hot topic. Pickett's team had no excuse and should have made the finals. What a waste to play strong 4.5 players Leija/Slezak against the weaker team on Saturday. That game was boring to watch! I feel for them, they looked soooo bored on the court! Pickett should have played these two the Sunday AM match. That would have been a better match for them and they would have won. Leija may not be known as much as other players but he is a strong 4.5 and better than most of the big mouths that post comments on this blog. In 2008 he finished #1 in 4.5 men's doubles. 2009 he is still #1. You may not know him because he is not the type that goes around kissing everyone's ass to be known. He's a great guy. His game is only getting better and better! So watch out if you play him because he will punish you on the court!! SOMEONE FINALLY WROTE SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOU ED AKA PUNISHER. GO KICK ASS!!!

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  15. Good to meet you Ed, we were wondering if you posted on this.

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  16. "Since Tri-level is still a hot topic. Pickett's team had no excuse and should have made the finals."

    Wow Icepick gets alot of love on this site lol

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  17. He isn't known because he plays very little in Dallas. I play as many USTA events as anybody and I've never seen the guy. I have also heard he is very good though.

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  18. Ed was out Sunday morning due to a test. Pickett played the lines with what he had available.

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  19. Oh right, I forgot that Phy couldnt play because he was MIA at the casino in Oklahoma.

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  20. I was going to play Abilene but decided to go to Winstar instead. Wish me luck.

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  21. Sorry man. No KICKING ASS @ Abilene. I'm playing Choctaw Bingo that weekend.

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  22. You would have a better shot winning at Winstar.

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  23. I think that you should play Ed in Abilene to see how good he is. I'm sure he will be playing 4.5 Men's Dubs...

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  24. CoreDawg

    How do you start a thread on here?

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  25. you have to have publishing rights.

    What type of thread are you interested in -Y-?

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  26. "you have to have publishing rights.

    What type of thread are you interested in -Y-?

    Brookhaven indoors thank you

    "Looks like a fat ass instead of a -Y-, don't ruin his logo."

    lol thanks for trying to keep him straight on my logo.

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  27. Anybody ever play the Horseshoe Bay tournament on red clay? Is it a decent tournament? It's coming up in Feb.

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  28. not as good as the black clay in dallas but will sufice if you're bored

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  29. once entries are closed and possibly depending on number of entries wait til draws are posted, but i will put something up next week.

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  30. Wow, I was surfing and just found this site. It is very cool!!! Is the Ed you are refering to E. RATcliff the 70 year old plus self rightous super senior citizen wonder boy?????

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  31. no!!! it's pRATher's minister

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  32. lmfao. I was watching the Aussie open tonite and realized who Buckwheat was. It was one of those tell me now, hit me later deals. That is perfect!!

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  33. After watching Federer play Safin I think he may be able to make it thru to the final and it looks like Nadal has been working on being able to flatten out his forehand on this hard surface. So, he may have increased his chances on making it all the way thru his side of the draw. There are so many players who have improved that it is a hard one to call...But I am saying this is Rogers year to break some records.

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  34. Played in small tourney today, but I had FORGOTTEN how NICE it is to play a FULL 3RD set for a match instead of 2 sets and a 10 point coin flip!!!

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  35. Every significant match I've captained over the past year has come down to a third-set tiebreak. It wasn't that long ago that every league and tournament played out the full third set and I don't remember hearing any complaints then. If you can't handle three sets, don't play. The way the DTA got the scoring system change was bogus and the voting has been questionable ever since.

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  36. Well I am happy with not having to play a third set becasue I am so out of shape I would not make it.

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  37. I guess if everyone wants to play it out the captains could just agree to play out a 3rd set (if it comes to that) before the matches start and it can be reported as a 3rd set tiebreaker. What can the DTA do about it? And it means we get to play more, and less 10 pt tiebreaker stress on the heart for you older fellas.

    Back to the original thread, Nadal wins..though I'll be rooting for "The Federer" to tie Pete's record.

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  38. I agree _ playing a tiebreak instead of a 3rd set is not much better than flipping a coin. The vast majority of players do NOT want to play the match tiebreak. The DTA lied about the voting.

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  39. The DTA does everything behind closed doors then asks you to trust them. The match tiebreak rule is just another example of heavy handedness and lack of integrity.

    When they originally voted on the match tiebreak I know for a fact that the DTA called around and encouraged people (who favored the tiebreak) to come to the captains meeting and vote against playing 3 full sets. (They called my wife and asked her to come to the meeting and vote against playing 3 full sets.) Many people that came to the meeting weren't even captains. They "stuffed the ballot" so to speak.

    Later there was an email poll _ but I doubt that there was a fair count.

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  40. i dont know about all that but i do wish they would be more open with how they assign teams to flights. too often the best 2 or 3 temas are grouped together in the same flgiht while another flight is filled with weak teams. happens too often to be a coincidence.

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  41. To T&A: "Well I am happy with not having to play a third set because I am so out of shape I would not make it".

    You are saying that you could NOT play a 3rd set of DOUBLES?? Of DOUBLES??? You have GOT to be kidding me!!! You know the only way to get in shape is to attempt to get in shape. Maybe playing a 3rd set MIGHT actually help?

    Even if its just during the regular season, it would be a nice start.

    Tennis is supposed to be a sports activity. Not an activity.

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  42. I would love to see a vote on it on this site.

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  43. I believe that they won the last vote legitimately. However, they combined the men's, women's, and senior divisions in the voting. My guess would be that the women and seniors were both about 60/40 in favor of the tiebreak, whereas the men were 70/30 in favor of the third set. They claimed the final vote was like 51/49 in favor of tiebreak.

    I have really gotten over it though because the playoffs will always be third set tiebreaks because of USTA rules and that's where it most needs to be changed.

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  44. Great comeback win by Federer after being 2 sets down

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. "You are saying that you could NOT play a 3rd set of DOUBLES?? Of DOUBLES??? You have GOT to be kidding me!!! You know the only way to get in shape is to attempt to get in shape. Maybe playing a 3rd set MIGHT actually help?"

    Fat people have feelings 2 :( I do get tired when I have to play 3 full sets even in doubles hopefully once I have done the Subway diet like Jared I will be able to play 3 out of 5 sets.

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  47. Almost all the seniors I know prefer to play a full 3rd set. I would bet a lot of money that the DTA used some "creative accounting" in counting the last vote.

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  48. Nadal is really looking good!

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  49. Eddie, are you talking about his game?

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  50. I can promise u that eddie does not get on this site anymore.

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  51. a loss @ dcc is hurtful?

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  52. Where is everyone staying in Abilene?

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  53. Don't know yet. I've stayed at some decent places there before. All I know is that I'm eating at Joe Allen's Steakhouse.

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  54. hey -Y-,
    do you know Icepick? He is a nice guy and I'm thinking he played who was available and don't forget that keith and steven lost to Ellis and a unknown at 4.0
    Seems to me you have people on this site a little jealous. I don't think I've ever heard him boast or not confess up to mistakes. AND as to Ed Leija, he is a great player and I doubt he would have been on the team if Icepick didn't know that. Bunch of anon hypocrites that don't have the cojones to criticize with their name at the top.

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  55. yeah -Y-. what do u think?

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  56. "hey -Y-,
    do you know Icepick? He is a nice guy and I'm thinking he played who was available and don't forget that keith and steven lost to Ellis and a unknown at 4.0
    Seems to me you have people on this site a little jealous. I don't think I've ever heard him boast or not confess up to mistakes. AND as to Ed Leija, he is a great player and I doubt he would have been on the team if Icepick didn't know that. Bunch of anon hypocrites that don't have the cojones to criticize with their name at the top."

    Yes I have met Icepick and he seems nice.

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  57. Hey it's ( - Y - ) not - Y - thanks

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  58. Give up the Icepick talk do you think his rich hot wife will leave him because he lost at tri level. oh wait he didn't play because he sucks

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  59. Icepick is nice; Nice to you, nice to your wife, nice to your girlfriend, nice to all just to make sure he is covered with everyone. Just don't turn your back on him and you'll be fine.

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  60. What happened to Eddie anyway, couldn't take the abuse anymore? That should teach him to keep his fat mouth shut.

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  61. Pickett got bumped to 4.5 and his 4.5's were stronger than himself. Smart move by Pickett! Anon, screw you, you know nothing about winning! Wait till the Spring and you can bitch about me having too many self rated players!!!!!
    Sisk

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  62. Where is Nationals this year?
    Sisk

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  63. Sisk are you playing in the brookhaven tournament on the 6th?

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  64. I haven't planned on it! Do you want to play together?
    Sisk
    I need twinkies and a flat belly partner

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  65. Funny you say that I actually would have played with you since steve is playing in the 4.0 doubles with a friend of ours but I just got a partner a few days ago to play in the 4.0 mix I do not think I can handle playing two events. There is a tournament next month at brookhaven again if I play in it I will keep you in mind.

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  66. Nobody beats Murray in Aussie Open! He looks to good this year.

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  67. Hey fatty, why don't you man up and try competing with your club team for a change, instead of coming up with creative ways to stack your team? You seem like a nice enough guy, but do you cheat at everything to make yourself feel better? What you need to do Sisk, is quit tennis for a few months while you try and compete on the biggest loser or something of the sort. Or was that you on the show last month?

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  68. ASAIN? I cant stand asain's.

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  69. How about we get back on topic. Roddick looked good last night - can he beat Roger?

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  70. Hey Won Ton,

    The only reason Pickett is friendly to you is because you can play tennis and he needs you on occasion for one of his teams. If you couldn't play tennis, he'd be off to the next top spinner.

    And his wife is the rich one and probably about to leave his ass, so get your facts straight before you go throwing chop sticks.

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  71. wow, andy beats jokeabitch!

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  72. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  73. I seriously doubt that was his wife but that was funny whoever did post that.

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  74. Pickett is a great player, friend, husband, father, and person. He plays with passion for the game (and with much success), works hard as a captain, and is great for the sport. Anyone verbally running him or his family down is just jealous. He's always respectful on this blog sight (even to non deserving anons who disparage him) and in person to everyone. It's amazing to me to see anyone belittle this guy. He's got it all...do you anon?
    Fraser

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  75. she's defending her family. good for her. she is right too. way out of bounds. it has always been rule #1 wive's, girlfriends, and family are to be left out of it.

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  76. Guess we know who wears the pants in the Pickett family. Wonder if she takes a piss standing up.

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  77. Rocketman /Noel / Bazan - you should delete the racist comments off of this string and kick that dude off the site. It's ridiculous.
    Fraser

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  78. his wife is way too classy to post on this boring blog. I gotta call him and let him know. He will laugh his ass off at all this crazy attention

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  79. Post your name tough guy!

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  80. Ignore that Fraser. Your
    a damn good player. This blog has gotten rediculous and my vote is that Icepick's wife doesn't even know how to find this blog. I think anything not tennis related should be deleted

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  81. She knows all about this blog all right, no doubt about it. And Fraser does suck, and his stroke is sickening.

    Tough Guy

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  82. You want tennis talk? Well ok then-pickett wears the pants in his family, his wife just tells him which ones to put on.

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  83. What a hateful person. Is this how you get off?? How sad...

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  84. I know it's too difficult to post your name when you are self loathing, insecure, and really scared. You'd be criticized and potentially judged then. How frightening for such a small person.
    Fraser

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  85. Jason,

    You suck and you let people carry you. I would be ashamed!! More over, everyone knows this so don't go thinking that you are some super star........in reality though, no one is talking to you!!!

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  86. -Y- said...

    I'm not hateful but it is how I get off while looking at a picture of a male transvestite. What's the problem??????

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  87. (-Y-),

    you are a very sick little puppy. c'mon dude.

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  88. 9:28

    Why r u so judgemental? Bored or just want to feel important? FOR PETE SAKE YOU ARE AN ANON!!!!

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  89. Tough guy-
    Regarding my tennis game...you're right. I do suck and have great partners. I feel blessed that 4.0players the caliber of Ryan / Broeur / Oberto / Flora would want to play with me on their team. I can't figure it out but I don't ask questions. Just lucky I guess. Regarding the personal attacks on myself, Pickett, and the entire Asian community; I think you might want to re assess the venom that spews from your mouth. I don't know if you're aware but, with the appropriate "ways and means," an anonymous bloggers identity can be exposed. Did you know that?? That's right you can find out their full name, home address, phone numbers, social security #, criminal record, and many others. I've seen it done. Where would you like it posted? Here on this sight for everyone you've slandered and offended to see; or potentially on an ad taken out in the DTA Newsletter. It won't take much time, money, or effort to do them all. It's your call little man. Think about it.
    Fraser

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  90. It wasn't me, I promise. Looks like Fraser lost some sleep last night.

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  91. Boy would that make this site alot more interesting if SOMEONE would out the anons.

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  92. More interesting? Without anons you wouldn't get any of the dirt.

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  93. Anons have gone overboard. I would change my vote. Its fun when its good natured, but its out of control now and just makes this blog suck now.

    I just don't understand how I have never met a person i dint like on the tennis court, but then there's all the a-holes that show up out of nowhere on the blog. Not even like a good natured ribbing that some people need/deserve. but just downright ruthless. It has to be the same people that u met on the court, but u would never know it by reading here.

    now i remem why i took a leave of absence from this blog.

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  94. Frankly I don't care if you post as Anon - I just wish eveyone was required to login so that I could tell various anons apart.

    Even if your login is "Dipshit from HP" or "Garland slut" - at least I would be able to tell it isn't 1 guy posting over and over again.

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  95. its funny how I only come to this site when I get phone calls now day. Like my last post this blog wasn't ment for talking about people that way. First off the age mentality must be around 8, to talk about people like that. Second if you are going to personally attack someone, be a man put your name out there. Talk about their game then challenge them, but put up or shut up. As for Fraser I don't think I would call him anything, former mma fighter and I would bet there isn't a tennis player in texas that would want to fight him!!! As for his game, he's a winner. That's why I play with him, no fear great attitude and the man has some weapons. The best looking swing doesn't always win friends. So stop the jealousy and get off the computer and hit the weight room tuff guy.

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  96. Fraser was no mma fighter, he has a friend that is an x-mma fighter, but that's the extent of it. Don't go posting bullshit out there, even if you heard it from Fraser himself. He probably wrestled his buddy in his living room and now he's x mma. C'mon.

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  97. LMAO - this is gr8 stuff.

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  98. Sorry Jason, not my thread so I can't delete any posts. I would contribute heavily to a fund that could expose these anonymous comments. Nothing would satisfy me more because I think there would be a lot of surprises and a lot of relationships between supposed friends that would be destroyed.

    However Jason, you are falling into the trap that we all have of trying to argue with air. You can't win and maintain your integrity because they have no boundaries. At some point you just end up making yourself look worse, I can attest.

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  99. "(-Y-),

    you are a very sick little puppy. c'mon dude."

    huh are you guys high or something when you post what is sick about a chick in a thong?

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  100. Ryan,Noel,
    I agree with your posts. I like Jason's idea and will help in any way to make it happen!! Corey asked me to pick and line-up the 4.0-3.5 on his tri-level and I'd want Jason again,if he would. Hopefully on my Spring team?! Anon you need to man up and post your name, or keep the hateful crap to yourself!!!!!!!
    Sisk

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  101. You like Jason's idea about what, finding out who the anons are? You guys are kidding aren't you. Unless you make people log on somehow with a nickname or whatever the case, how do you prevent anyone from sending messages from the library, the airport, or wherever the heck?

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  102. so when u blog, do u normally go to the airport to do it? So, u would pick up ur computer go to starbucks. blog something shitty, then drive back home? go for it.

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  103. I do find it funny though that after Jason brought up the possibility, the number of inflammatory comments have dropped considerably already. Anons=cowards.

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  104. There u go again corey, stiring things up.

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  105. Who really takes this blog serious enough to hunt that stuff down? If you do, you have way too much time on your hands and you really need to get a job or another hobby.

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  106. Back on topic - Fed took out Roddick - never losing a service game and breaking Andy twice at 5-5.

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  107. Roddick played really really well too. He didn't look like shit or make bad players. Federer was just THAT MUCH BETTER!!! NO one stops Federer. The spanish bull is going down.

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  108. Lets face it, without anons, this post would likely die. Anons like to stir it up and every now and again they strike a nerve, and their existence is justified. Shame on you if you let an anon get to you. And besides, do you really think that most of the guys that post their names on here don't every post anonymously......perhaps the ultimate in hypocrisy.

    Now for some tennis; Fed is on a mission, looks like he's regained that focus and hopefully he rolls that cocky ass Nadal or the other Spaniard should he luck out.

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  109. Meant to say this blog, not this "post", sorry.

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  110. Hi,........Hello,..Hey guys,

    We are the same anon #1, 2 and 3.

    We are glad to announce that we have been clean now for, I don't know, 3 or 4 days. The breathing is much deeper and we are starting to get color back in our face.

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  111. The Nadal/Verdasco match was incredible. Longest match in Aust. Open History. Verdasco double faulted match point- man I feel for that guy. It will be interesting to see what Nadal has left in the tank for Federer.

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  112. the quality of shotmaking by Verdasco and Nadal was awesome. It was an incredible match.

    I'm thinking Fed is going to get it done.

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  113. That was a great match. I suspect if the TTA/DTA was in charge, they would find a way to put restricter plates on those rackets.

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  114. Yes I agree. Or possibly shorten the match?

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  115. HAHAHA....HAHA,

    You guy are funny. Now this is what I call a blog. It's fun to be here now. Hey anybody want to come over and drink coolaid and watch Barney re-runs this weekend? Oops, got to go. I have got a bugger stuck on my finger and need a klenix. Call me.

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  116. I HATE RAFEAL NADAL

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  117. anons are the heart and soul of the blog

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  118. Anons have neither heart or soul

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  119. Spoken like a true anon!

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  120. I hate Nadal! That was Roger's turn to win it again. Time has passed him by, and to see him breakdown and cry uncontrollably on the stage was very very sad.

    That was his best chance to win. Nadal was completely worn out from his previous match, and then Roger did something he never does. He choked BADLY.

    Nadal is in his head, and he won't get out. It was a sad day for Roger.

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