Gulbis vs. Mariana Alves

Better later than never. And this piece could not be missed for anything! While Milos was basically hitting and winning against him, Ernie was giving the umpire probably the best replies since Marat Safin. (And by the way, this is the only aspect where he can be compared to Marat.)

"I have a racquet, I have feelings. Can we watch this match together after the match?"

Heartbreaking. Aaand flirty.

"Can we maybe go to a bar later and watch the shot in replay? Or maybe I send you a present, a DVD of the shot?"

How many umpires shouldn't receive something like that, really?
P.S.: Flirty.

M.A.: "I'm trying to do my best."
E.G.: "It's good that we're all trying."

Okay, that was pretty hilarious.

Here is one reason why I kiiinda like him. One and only, to be honest. Dear opponents, make Ernie angry more often! Only hilarity can result from that.

Monte Carlo : Crazy first round

Is loss the new black?! Seemed trendy in the first matches at Monte Carlo. Favourites' loss, to be exact. Can you imagine what might happen in the next rounds? Pff, where is Nole when you need him?

Haase def. Davydenko, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. I miss the old Kolya... I really do.

Stepanek def. Baghdatis, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6.

Mayer def. Youzhny, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Wait WHAT??!!

Gulbis def. Dolgopolov, 61, 6-4. I support you ONCE and you?!

Tsonga def. Monaco, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Well, my pick was Pico. But it's Jo! You know, JO! Although I have to say: bring the fro back!

Raonic def. Llodra, 6-3, 0-6, 6-0. Nice match, girls! Again, my pick was Llodra. I mean, who knew the guy would be that amazing on clay too? Believe me, if you need one more confirmation after all the others, he is the next big thing! Vamos, come on, allez Miiiilooooos!!!

Romanian Tennis Week - I'm happy

Woohoo!!! Sorry, couldn't help it. Last week was such a great week for the Romanian tennis, with surprises and prooves of the players' real calibers. They made me happy.

I'm happy for Alexandra Dulgheru, for breaking the black streak from the beginning of the season and playing in the quarterfinals at Marbella, although she could have done much better.

I'm happy for Monica Niculescu and her Marbella semifinal, and also for her partner, Vitalia Diatchenko.

I'm happy for our one and only Victor Hanescu, for his Casablanca semifinal and his bright break from these dark times.

I'm happy for the amazing newcomer Irina Begu and her surprising tournament at Marbella. For her thrilling semifinal win over Sveta and her good final against Vika. For the beautiful moment of her career where she escaped from anonymity and entered among the first 100 playes of the circuit.

And last, but most important, I'm happy for my most favourite doubles team in the world, Horia Tecau and Robert Lindstedt and their fifth title together, at Casablanca. I'm happy 'cause Brad is healthy again and ready to kick the opponents' asses! (I had to say that.) I'm happy 'cause the clay season is here and a first step to the World Tour Finals can be made soon.

I'm happy for the ROMANIAN TENNIS!

RAndy's golf skills

Here is a video that made me smile today.

That smile!!! :)
(Thank God it's engulfing the outfit!)

DiViHo FTW!

First of all, CLAY SEASON IS HERE!!!!

I don't know why most people don't like it, but I can say it's my favourite, along with the grass season. This week Charleston, Casablanca, Houston and Marbella are opening their gates for the first matches on the red hot surface. Watch out, things can get dirty! ;)

Nicest surprise in Marbella: Dinara took Pironkova out! In two! 6-3, 6-4! Yes, we can be happy for this. I would say a few things about her still not good serve and her many double faults, but I got used to it. It's Dinara and with this serve she was a world No.1 and a Grand Slam finalist, so let it go! The key to her old form is the rest of the game.

Hanescu beat Berrer in two aswell, 6-3, 7-6. I am still impressed by his serve which has both force and placement, but the inconstancy is a problem. So keep it the way you did yesterday!

Lindstedt/Tecau def. Kohlmann/Ventura, 6-4, 6-4. Welcome back, Brad! :) Too bad he was injured at this beginning of the year, they could have done MANY good results. In the quarters they made the good powerful game that brought them trophies. In the commie's opinion, it was such an amazing match that he couldn't even decide which team was better, as he said about each player he was the best. (Gotta love commies!)

In Casablanca I'll be with last year's finalist in singles and last year's winners in doubles. Despite the fact that, being realist, especially in singles is not that easy...

And it goes on... ATP thoughts

Unbelievable, but Novak's streak is still going! After about three months and a half of invincibility, Rafa again couldn't solve the Serbian problem. At Indian Wells Djokovic def. Nadal in three. At Miami Djokovic def. Nadal in three. That says much about the real world leader!

Nole didn't climb to the top of the rankings yet and still has a long way to go, but Nadal seemed to believe in him. "He will be No.1 in the next month, month and a half, two months," he said. Very nice, Rafa, knowing that the clay season is close.

Although this start of the year was very interesting and I love the Rafole rivalry, what ATP needs right now is diversity. I think the post-clay season will be the one where the other players' interventions will become more visible and will cause real problems to these two guys.

The beginning of this year was a promising one for Soderling, but in the past few weeks he suffered surprising defeats from weaker players and very early in the tournaments. Someone who I am really sorry for, for having this little meltdown, is Andy Roddick. It's too bad that he can't play like he used to anymore, but after all this years in Top 10 and all his performances during his career, he is forgiven (lol). No, really, I don't know about you, but I do have a big respect for him and his work.

Ferru also seemed to be in a good period of his career at the end of 2010, but this year was not awesome. Don't get me wrong, Australian Open semifinal and Miami quarterfinal, defeating top players, this IS something, he is definetly among the strongest guys in the tour, but not strong enough to face Rafole from the same level.

A pleasant surprise, maybe the most pleasant was, like many times, a newcomer, young Milos Raonic. To be honest, I remained speechless at his performances, especially the famous two weeks (San Jose and Memphis). I was surprised not only by his game, but also the attitude during matches, interviews and press conferences. It is a big plus for someone of his age, being so relaxed and confident. Let's remember of young Federer. Brilliant and impulsive. When did he seriously start his way to becoming the GOAT? When he decided to be only brilliant. You go, kid! :)

Another nice surprise for me, a comeback this time: Delpo. After his 2009 season it would have been a pity his glory days to be over because of the bloody injury. After the past few weeks I have all the reasons to believe that until the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012 he will be back into his place. Slowly but surely. And by the way, the short-sleeved shirt looks nice! :)

The lattest ATP actions are raising many questions. Who will stop Novak? When will he get tired? What will Federer do now?
What do I think? Federer will never go down. Maybe he won't win many Grand Slams, maybe he won't win any Grand Slam, but he will stick in the top and will stay strong in front of the young challenges.

But 'till then, once again, let's bow our heads in front of the King: Novak Djokovic. :)

Ferrer-Fish, briefly

Say hello to the new best American and Miami semifinalist....*drums*

Maaaardy Fiiiish!

Seriously, since when hasn't Roddick been dethroned from the American No.1 position? And in these moments, with all my respects for Andy, the new rankings seem about right.

After beating del Potro in two tight sets, he sent Ferrer packing, again in straights. An unpleasant incident happened during the match, everything because of a baby's bawls. The kid was crying in the stands and Ferru was so annoyed that he sent a forehand lob towards him after losing his serve in the second set. Fortunately, the ball didn't come close by the infant.

This is the media's version, which, like many times, is wrong. He didn't aim the ball to the kid, he hit the ball in the stands and didn't even use too much power, so the only victim could have been what? A pigeon?! And also, who comes with such a little kid to a tennis match? There are babysitters, you know... Here is what actually happened.

After the match, Mardy said he didn't catch the moment, but declared: "He'd probably take that one back if he could. He's a very nice guy. Obviously flustered."

There you go, Ferru! Safer way to express your frustration!

Sorana as a godmommy

While some people are working in Miami, others are having fun at home. This week Sorana became the godmother of a baby boy, David, in her hometown, Targoviste. Here are some photos she posted on her official Facebook page.


Usually I don't like writing silly posts like this, but look how beautiful they are!!! :)

Evolution of my Petkorazzi love

First thing that comes to my mind when I hear the name Andrea Petkovic? Clearly a special girl, very different from the other WTA stars, surely one of the funniest. Inventor of the famous Petkorazzi Dance which I just love. Also a strong player, with some bad moments like any player, but never one to underrate.

This week at Miami she did a great thing not just for her, but also for Germany. By beating Wozniacki she scored her first victory against someone in Top 5 and became the first player from Germany who wins against a world No.1 since Steffi Graf (1999 against Martina Hingis).

As my sympathy for Caroline was never too big and seems to shrink even more, I was happier than ever to see the Petko dance, without knowing her next opponent. Jelena. Oh, come on! I was hoping Andrea would make a big result here at Miami after that victory, but against JJ?... No. Sorry, but no.

Well, she didn't really care about what I wanted and took Jankovic out in three. Sometimes, after someone beats one of my biggest favourites, there are a few matches when I won't support him/her and I thought this was going to be the case, although my love for Petkovic grows with every match.

But when I found out that Andrea's next opponent will be Sharapova, who for me is in the same category with Wozniacki and also beat Alexandra Dulgheru in an extremely close match, I realized I can't wait to see the Petko dance again.

I would like to say that she has a pretty big chance against Masha, but I don't want to jinx her. So I'll stick to a sincere 'GOOO, PETKORAZZI!!!".

'Hope for Japan' Highlights

Here are some highlights and interviews of the 'Hope for Japan' charity soccer match. The ATP All Stars faced the Fort Lauderdale Strikes in an exciting and well-attended match and battled for the biggest trophy of all: the Heart of the Japanese people.

Ultimately, the Strikers took the match 4-2, but surely both teams won the trophy.



Nice goal, Andy! After the past few weeks, maybe you could actually stick to soccer.

ATP All Stars

Starting: Gasquet's physical aid (GK), Novak Djokovic (cpt.), Kei Nishikori, Feliciano Lopez, Juan Monaco, Richard Gasquet, Viktor Troicki, Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Jurgen Melzer
Substitutes: Alexandr Dolgopolov, Potito Starace, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, David Marrero, Fernando Verdasco, Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer

Source: TennisNow