Peter Bodo's TennisWorld

Your Call 7.14

2009-07-14T11:25:29-04:00

Alright, all you clay-court junkies - after that brief intermission called "Wimbledon" (or "Wimbleton," if you're a Yank, including a certain 14-time Grand Slam singles champ who shall remain unnamed because I will be on a conference call with him at 1 pm today), it's back to the future: red dirt tennis! Among the mouth-watering matches on the docket for today is one that will may all of you dirt fans drool - Fabrice Santoro vs.Fabio Fognini. Let's savor the moment and call this a poor man's version of Federer vs. Nadal. Or a middle-income cube farm telephone jockey's answer to Robredo vs. Stepanek. In any event, we're just embarking on two solid weeks of premier clay-court tennis, and the three most notable events (Bastad, Stuttgart and Hamburg) are tour events of historic significance - and credibility.

Personally, I'd rather blow my brains out, or even go have cocktails with some long-lost former girlfriend with whom I never had anything in common, than watch any more clay-court tennis, although I see the appeal this mini-circuit holds for players who stand a good chance to wrack up a few more precious ATP ranking points. Gotta make hay while the sun shines, right? And many of you are clay-besotted, so enjoy the lasts hurrah before the action moves to hard courts.

I'll be back a little later to report on what Mr. Sampras has to say, and in noble protest against this micro-season on clay, I think I'll get back to that coaching series in the coming days.

-- Pete

A Letter to Dick Ebersol of NBC

2009-07-13T16:00:00-04:00

Wimbledon. Remember that little tournament that ended just a few weeks ago? Since I was otherwise occupied at the All-England Club, I only had a feel for the tennis broadcasts back home in the USA via the occasional - actually, frequent - email or other message beseeching me to march into the studios of NBC to behead someone. Having left my scimitar at home for the week, this I could not do. But I'm publishing here a letter Asad Raza - aka Ray Stonada, he of the Nantucket red pants and a former TennisWorld poet laureate to boot! - sent to Dick Ebersol of NBC. He's the executive in charge of the tennis broadcasting effort at his network. Who knows, maybe if you all add your thoughts in the comments, someone at NBC will bother to read this post. I think the bit about the rationale for tape delay evaporating is a particularly good point. So here we go:

Dick Ebersol
Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics

Dear Mr. Ebersol,

Over the last month, your network provided coverage of Roland Garros and Wimbledon, which have both turned out to be superb and historic tournaments in the annals of tennis. I thought your team did excellent work: NBC production values are unequaled, and your commentary booth produces a real sense of the epic importance of the biggest matches. In my opinion, though, there is one glaring problem with NBC's coverage, which is why I'm writing to you: tape delay.

Robin Soderling defeating Rafael Nadal in the greatest upset of the decade? Not shown live. Roger Federer, under mountainous pressure, coming back to beat Juan Martin del Potro in the semis of the French Open? Not shown live. Andy Murray trying to become the first Briton to reach the Wimbledon final in 70 years, against Andy Roddick, the USA's best player? Tape delayed.

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that tape delay erases the appeal of many of the biggest matches in the sport. Live, a great semifinal becomes an event in global culture--I pick up the phone to hear a friend from Germany exulting "Federerrrrr!"; it rings again and my father's voice says, "Did you see that shot!?"; text messages arrive from my nephew reading "VENUS"; people cluster on the internet commenting on what they see--"What a backhand, Rafa!!!!" A big match becomes a joyous, nerve-wracking collective experience--when everyone, around the world, is watching it as it happens.

I recently corresponded about tape delay with the former number one player, Jim Courier, via Twitter. (A lot of the appeal of that website, by the way, is that it lets you read what people you find interesting are thinking about right now, live.) Jim wrote: "NBC pays a lot of money for the rights. Need ratings to justify the price they charge advertisers, which they need to pay (for) the (broadcast), And ratings are better in the afternoon. Delayed TV was never a problem until the internet. Anyway, I'm glad NBC has it as it helps grow the sport but I hear you and feel your pain."

This is a sound business rationale, at least in the short term.

But I also think Jim gets it right by implying that in the age of the internet delayed TV is a problem--there are too many other sources of information nowadays. To stay in the dark about a match, you'd have to become a modern recluse: to stop checking your email, looking at your phone, going on news sites, Facebook, Twitter. Practically speaking, it's impossible - which means that you're showing matches that nearly everyone knows the result of already. And because of NBC's embargo on other networks or websites showing the best matchups, Americans don't get to experience the collective thrill ride these clashes should be.

In the short term, ratings might be higher when you televise a tape of Roger or Serena's match in the afternoon. But in the long run, I don't believe it will grow the sport: you can't connect emotionally to the cauldron of pressure that is a big tennis match if you already know the result--and kids watch TV with laptops open and smartphones in hand. Worse, the delays alienate your core audience, Americans who love the sport and follow it closely. Grand Slam quarterfinals and semifinals are the playoff games of tennis--imagine if the NFL playoffs were tape-delayed!

Perhaps a provisional solution would be to delay matches, but lift the embargo on other networks or show them live on NBC's website. Everything that makes sports compelling and different from other forms of televised entertainment has to do with its live-ness. Competition thrills us because we don't know what's going to happen--when we do, sports lose their unique power as inquiries into the spirit and will of human beings. Thanks for the generally wonderful job your network does with tennis, and I urge you to give us the chance to watch these amazing matches, live.

all the best,
Asad Raza
Contributing Writer, TENNIS Magazine

Monday Net Post

2009-07-13T00:44:35-04:00

By TW Contributing Editor, Ed McGrogan

Last Week's Tournaments

Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships (ATP - Grass - Newport, United States)

Singles Bracket
- Rajeev Ram def. Sam Querrey
Doubles Bracket
- Jordan Kerr/Rajeev Ram def. Michael Kohlmann/Rogier Wassen

Davis Cup (ITF - Various)

Czech Republic vs. Argentina
- Czech Republic wins 3-2
Croatia vs. United States
- Croatia wins 3-1 (3-2)
Israel vs. Russia
- Israel wins 3-0 (4-1)
Spain vs. Germany
- Spain wins 3-2

Collector Swedish Open (WTA - Clay - Bastad, Sweden)

Singles Bracket
- Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez def. Caroline Wozniacki
Doubles Bracket
- Gisela Dulko/Flavia Pennetta def. Nuria Llagostera Vives/Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez

GDF Suez Grand Prix (WTA - Clay - Budapest, Hungary)

Singles Bracket
- Agnes Szavay def. Patty Schnyder
Doubles Bracket
- Alisa Kleybanova/Monica Niculescu def. Alona Bondarenka/Kateryna Bondarenko

McGrogan's Heroes

ATP - Marin Cilic

Juan Martin del Potro and Philipp Kohlschreiber were both sensational in their away Davis Cup matches (del Potro didn't drop a set in his two duels; Kohlschreiber beat Tommy Robredo in straights and outlasted Fernando Verdasco 8-6 in the fifth), but both of their teams ultimately lost the tie. That's no fault of theirs, of course, but this week's award goes to the only player to win two singles matches in a victorious effort -- Cilic, of Croatia.

Just 20, Cilic plays beyond his years. His forehand wind-up is an odd one -- I feel like there's a great potential for mishits -- but he keeps it under control and it usually delivers. His backhand is lovely, and he moves around the court well for someone of his height (6'6"). Toss in a very effective serve and you've got a player who should be reaching the semifinals of Slams soon enough. For now, Cilic will have to make do with the semifinals of the Davis Cup.

On Friday, Cilic fought back from two-sets-to-one down against Mardy Fish to give the home side an imposing 2-0 lead heading into the weekend. Croatia's doubles team couldn't handle the superior Bryan brothers Saturday, so Cilic clinched the tie himself when given the opportunity Sunday against James Blake. The Croat took the first two sets 6-3, 6-3 to demoralize Blake (how low can he go?), and ended up winning in four.

When speaking to an on-court reporter about Croatia's upcoming home semifinal with the Czech Republic, Cilic was elated. "This was one of the greatest ties I've played so far," he said. "I think I've gained a lot of experience here, everyone supported me, and it really felt good to play at home. The Czechs are also a great team, but playing at home is a little bit of an advantage, so with our team we can go through to the final." I think he's right.

WTA - Agnes Szavay

It wasn't too long ago that Szavay was being talked about as a potential WTA star. In 2007, the Hungarian reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open as an 18-year-old, and she was ranked as high as No. 13 in the world in early 2008. But Szavay hasn't been heard from much since; her best result in the past 12 months was a semifinal showing at Bad Gastien last July.

Szavay opened this year's campaign inauspiciously with four consecutive losses, but a quarterfinal run at Acapulco (where she lost a game three-setter to top seed Venus Williams) proved to be her much-needed tonic. Szavay's next few events weren't spectacular -- a fourth round at Indian Wells, a fourth round at Miami, a quarterfinal at Madrid -- but they were marked improvements from before.

At the French Open, Szavay reached the fourth round, her best-ever finish at Roland Garros. It made sense for her, then, to go back to clay this past week in Budapest (besides the fact that the tournament is held in her home country). The draw was far from loaded -- Patty Schnyder got the top seed as a wild card -- but Szavay didn't need style points, she needed wins. And that's what she got, beating Katalin Marosi, Tathiana Garbin, Timea Bacsinszky, Alona Bondarenko, and finally, Schnyder, to win the title, Szavay's first in nearly two years.

Heading into last week, Szavay was ranked No. 37 in the world rankings. The label of "potential WTA star" is now with Victoria Azarenka (if she isn't already), Caroline Wozniacki, and Sabine Lisicki. Szavay is old news. Let's see if she'll change our minds.

This Week's Tournaments

(TV Schedule)

Catella Swedish Open (ATP - Clay - Bastad, Sweden)

Singles Bracket
Doubles Bracket

Mercedes Cup (ATP - Clay - Stuttgart, Germany)

Singles Bracket
Doubles Bracket

ECM Prague Open (WTA - Clay - Prague, Czech Republic)

Singles Bracket
Doubles Bracket

Internazionali Femminili di Tennis di Palermo (WTA - Clay - Palermo, Italy)

Singles Bracket
Doubles Bracket

Davis Cup Crisis Center, Day 3

2009-07-11T19:05:00-04:00

Hi everyone. With the third day of Davis Cup tennis beginning any moment, one nation, Israel, is already through to the semifinals for the first time, having clinched the third point yesterday with a five-set win in doubles over the Russian team. The other three quarterfinal ties are yet to be decided; in each case the fourth rubber is a live one, with the home team up 2-1.

As always, enjoy today's tennis.

-- Rosangel Valenti

Note: Master Ace has again provided us with timechecks for today (with all times TW time or US Eastern Standard Time), and a compilation of the results:

Argentina vs. Czech Republic in Ostrava - 7 AM
Czech Republic leads tie 2-1
Juan Martin Del Potro vs Tomas Berdych
Juan Monaco vs Ivo Minar

Previous results
Tomas Berdych defeated Juan Monaco 6-4,2-6,2-6,6-3,6-2
Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Ivo Minar 6-1,6-3,6-3
Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer 6-1,6-4,6-3

Germany vs. Spain in Marbella - 7 AM

Spain leads tie 2-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs Fernando Verdasco
Andreas Beck vs Tommy Robredo

Previous results
Fernando Verdasco defeated Andreas Beck 6-0,3-6,6-7(4),6-2,6-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Tommy Robredo 6-3,6-4,6-4
Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco defeated Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev 6-3,7-6(1),6-7(6),6-3

United States vs. Croatia in Porec - 10 AM live on Tennis Channel

Croatia leads tie 2-1
James Blake vs Marin Cilic
Mardy Fish vs Ivo Karlovic

Previous results
Ivo Karlovic defeated James Blake 6-7,4-6,6-3,7-6(3),7-5
Marin Cilic defeated Mardy Fish 4-6,6-3,6-7(3),6-1,8-6
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan defeated Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko 6-3,6-1,6-3

Russia vs. Israel in Tel Aviv - Israel wins tie 3-0

Previous results
Harel Levy defeated Igor Andreev 6-4,6-2,4-6,6-2
Dudi Sela defeated Mikhail Youzhny 3-6,6-1,6-0,7-5
Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram defeated Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin 6-3,6-4,6-7(3),4-6,6-4

Dead rubbers start at 8 AM

Davis Cup Crisis Center, Day 2

2009-07-11T08:01:56-04:00

Hi all. It's time for doubles to take centre stage again - one of the only opportunities we have during the year to see some highly-ranked players in doubles action, and in a best-of-five format too. On that note Marat Safin, Nicolas Kiefer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Radek Stepanek and Ivo Karlovic are all expected to be taking the court today, along with Spain's regular doubles team, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.

It's hard to know who deserves most honours for yesterday; Israel's Dudi Sela and Harel Levy certainly did their country proud. I've been watching the tie between the USA and Croatia, and Ivo Karlovic also deserves a special mention, having come back from two sets down to seal the first five-set win of his career against James Blake.

Unfortunately there isn't a picture available of Karlovic's slightly offbeat post-match celebration (it reminded me of someone cranking up an old-fashioned car), but meanwhile Philipp Kohlschreiber gets today's award for the fiercest-looking winning gesture, after his defeat of Tommy Robredo in straight sets. Wide-mouthed imitations of roaring lions seem to be all the rage amongst winning tennis players, and Davis Cup is usually guaranteed to produce its fair share of such testosterone-fuelled moments.

As always, enjoy today's tennis.

-- Rosangel Valenti

A final note: Master Ace has compiled yesterday's results and prepared today's schedule, for those of you who hope to watch and are looking for a timecheck (all times are TW time or US Eastern Standard Time):

Russia vs. Israel, in Tel Aviv - 8 AM

Israel leads tie 2-0
Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin vs Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram

Friday results:
Harel Levy defeated Igor Andreev 6-4,6-2,4-6,6-2
Dudi Sela defeated Mikhail Youzhny 3-6,6-1,6-0,7-5

Argentina vs. Czech Republic, in Ostrava - 8 AM

Tie is squared at 1-all
Juan Martin Del Potro and Leonardo Mayer vs Lukas Dlouhy and Radek Stepanek

Friday results:
Tomas Berdych defeated Juan Monaco 6-4,2-6,2-6,6-3,6-2
Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Ivo Minar 6-1,6-3,6-3

United States vs. Croatia, in Porec - 9:30 AM - Live on Tennis Channel

Croatia leads tie 2-0
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan vs Ivo Karlovic and Lovro Zovko

Friday results:
Ivo Karlovic defeated James Blake 6-7,4-6,6-3,7-6(3),7-5
Marin Cilic defeated Mardy Fish 4-6,6-3,6-7(3),6-1,8-6
B Bryan/M Bryan vs Karlovic/Zovko

Germany vs. Spain, in Marbella - 10 AM

Tie is squared at 1-all
Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev vs Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco

Friday results:
Fernando Verdasco defeated Andreas Beck 6-0,3-6,6-7(4),6-2,6-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber defeated Tommy Robredo 6-3,6-4,6-4