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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Back and Forth: The Tennis Thread
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
I see the French ***n coverage has moved from BBC digital to ITV4 this year. Seems to be that if you watch tennis, you need car insurance.
So far, Heather Watson's played a good match to get to the 2nd round: Sharapova currently slaughtering the opposition, Sciavone through, and Murray's ***ning match this afternoon.
<small>[ 27. January 2013, 23:21: Message edited by: Imaginary Friend ]</small>
[ 13. February 2013, 04:32: Message buggered about with by: Ariston ]
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Let's hope Murray has the stamina to see it through this time.
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Well he's through fairly easily into the next round (apart from slight drama in set 2).
Has Murray had his teeth fixed or has he just generally smartened himself up? He looks less like Shaggy Dog and more like Tim Henman now (although I'm not too keen on bright red shorts, too much of a Wimbledon 'all in white how it should be done properly' sort of person).
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Djokovic actually had to do a little bit of work today.
The first week tends to be something of a procession - though Serena Williams is gone.
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
Djokovic actually had to do a little bit of work today.
The first week tends to be something of a procession - though Serena Williams is gone.
Her sister's out too, though she's not been well for a while. Athletes always look especially forlorn when they are ill. It seems that they can cope with injuries but illnesses hurt them more.
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Meanwhile, Murray is having a very unlucky 2nd round - back trouble now. I wonder whether he ought to be playing on....
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
He's just said in the post-match interview that he was advised to stop - but didn't, and won in this instance. But I wouldn't have thought that's an approach that'll work every time.
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
I guess he feels it was justified seeing as he did win in the end. But I couldn't help thinking about the long term cost (and even, in the shorter term) his chances at Wimbledon.
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
OK, perhaps I was wrong - he doesn't seem to be having much trouble 2 days later v. Giraldo.
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
I am going to daily mass at the cathedral, followed by a meeting. By the time I return, my lovely bride will be up and about so I can tune in the Tennis Channel. I was disappointed when the Williams sisters were eliminated.
If someone had told me a decade ago that the top-ranked player in the sport would be a Russian girl, I would never have believed it. Back then, if I remember correctly, there was the lovely but untalented fashion-plate Anna Kourinova and precious few others from her part of the world...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
That was an interesting match this afternoon, Djokovic vs Seppi. The fact that he pulled it back after being two sets down probably explains why he's No 1 and the other chap isn't.
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Murray making a good comeback against Gasquet, one set down, now leading 2-1. Anything could still happen....
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
So Murray lives to see another day. Final 8 here we come!
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
Ferrer will be tough for Andy. Ferrer is always tough, and he's having a very good season.
Close call. I think on balance that Andy will make the semis again, meet Nadal, then check out for Queens Club.
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Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
And two QFs to savour! Tsonga-Djokovic was marvellous. Still don't know how Novak managed to pull that one out of the fire.
Can't help thinking that del Potro on two good knees would have rolled over the Fed quite easily today.
The long 5 setters probably make for a more even semi-final. But after his truly Great Escape, I think Novak Djokovic will make the final - and lose to Nadal. Can't see anyone beating Rafa this week - unless his knees go.
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Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
Ferrer was too tough on the day. No great surprise, regardless of whatever injury Andy may be carrying. He made too many unforced errors on the day. You can't do that against Ferrer.
He's in good form and will give Nadal a tough match, but Nadal invariably beats him on clay.
I still fancy Rafa-Novak in the final, with Novak more fatigued by the fight to get there. Hard to pick anyone but Rafa now.
[ 06. June 2012, 21:37: Message edited by: Barnabas62 ]
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Murray will need to work on his general fitness now in time for Wimbledon.
I'd be surprised if it isn't Nadal for winner. He looks fitter than ever, and still hasn't lost his mean fighting look when playing.
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Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
Sharapova was first class today. Even if you don't like the NOISE, she's a real force of nature when her game is on song.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
.. and today. A worthy winner, both today and of the whole thing.
One truly scary bit of news is that her earnings from all sources are pushing Sharapova up towards billionaire status. She really does seem to have a lot to shout about.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
The men's final tomorrow should be interesting: on the one hand, Nadal seems to have had an easy progress, whereas Djokovic has had a couple of epic struggles where his success wasn't a given.
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Celtic Knotweed
Shipmate
# 13008
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Posted
Play suspended for the day ![[Frown]](frown.gif) . Oh well, looks like I'll be following the rest of the final via the BBC web-ticker at work rather than listening at home. Pity, it was shaping into an interesting match over the last few games.
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My little sister is riding 100k round London at night to raise money for cancer research donations here if you feel so inclined.
Posts: 664 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Sep 2007
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Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110
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Posted
Well, it was Nadal in the end, but, following Novak's stunning "rise from the dead" in set three, I can't help but wonder whether Rafa was saved by the rain on Sunday.
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Who is it that you seek? How then shall we live? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005
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Og, King of Bashan
Ship's giant Amorite
# 9562
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Barnabas62:
Well, it was Nadal in the end, but, following Novak's stunning "rise from the dead" in set three, I can't help but wonder whether Rafa was saved by the rain on Sunday.
I'd say he was almost done in by the rain on Sunday. I was pulling for Djokovic, but I have to say that had the conditions not deteriorated, Rafa wouldn't have dropped the third set.
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"I like to eat crawfish and drink beer. That's despair?" ― Walker Percy
Posts: 3259 | From: Denver, Colorado, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Celtic Knotweed:
Oh well, looks like I'll be following the rest of the final via the BBC web-ticker at work rather than listening at home...
That sounds even less interesting than listening to golf on the radio! I'd rather just play a match versus the wall at our local neighbourhood park which has several courts. Thank God I get the tennis channel on tele...
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
I see Murray didn't last long at Queen's. And Tsonga, whom you'd expect to be a shoo-in for the championship in consequence, has just dropped a set to a never-heard-of-him Croatian.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
Hmm, making the line judge bleed - way to lose Nalbandian. Disgusts me that the commentators are saying - oh I wish there was another way to handle it - of course there damn well isn't, he's lucky he hasn't been done for assault.
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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
Oh and fairly graceless apology to the crowd, didn't even mention the line judge.
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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Even John McEnroe didn't go that far!
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Only way to handle it. Top tennis players are not above trying to psych out both their opponents and the match officials if they think they can get away with it. Even Nadal has this thing of keeping everyone waiting at the beginning of a match while he lines up his drink bottles.
Give in to the crowd in an instance like this, and you've ceded the pass.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
I love it when Sharapova beats her opponents quickly - it means you don't have to listen to so much shrieking.
Easy start to Federer's tournament as well.
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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ken
Ship's Roundhead
# 2460
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
I love it when Sharapova beats her opponents quickly - it means you don't have to listen to so much shrieking.
Women's tennis works better on TV with the sound turned down, allowing one to concetrate on the only thing of interest, looking at fit women jumping up and down in skimpy white costumes.
(Men's tennis, on the other hand is improved by having both the sound and the vision turned off, as there is nothing interesting going on at all. Its more boring than even golf or darts on TV. Down there with snooker)
[ 25. June 2012, 17:03: Message edited by: ken ]
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Ken
L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.
Posts: 39579 | From: London | Registered: Mar 2002
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Robson was winning before I started watching her. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Bellucci sounds like the name of an Italian restaurant chain.
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Davydenko reminded me of some of the tennis players of old (eg. Stan Smith).
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
I like Heather Watson.
(am I the only person still watching the tennis?)
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ElaineC
Shipmate
# 12244
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Posted
No Chorister I'm watching - if it's only the 'Slamtracker' over the internet.
It's good to see another British Girl past the first round.
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Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing. John Erskine
Posts: 464 | From: Orpington, Kent, UK | Registered: Jan 2007
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Sharapova lives to shriek into the next round. She's getting married soon, apparently. If you want a quiet night, make sure you don't book into the room next door to the honeymoon suite....
Meanwhile, Murray and Ward are still in - Murray doesn't look quite so scary now he's had his teeth done - and looks like he's paid for mum to have hers done too. I noticed when Murray won the third set everyone started applauding, except for mum who just sat there. I guess it's boring when your son keeps winning. Or did she wish that he could have won all three straight sets?
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Exciting play from James Ward, especially towards the end of the fourth set!
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Very interesting game going on between Rosol and Nadal. Rosol showing an engaging What The Hell approach.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Nadal's a crafty little devil. Don't think he liked waiting for the roof having to go on, though.
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Match resumed and Rosol still playing a blinder. 4 - 2 up - where is this going?
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Well, there's a thing.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Rosol - woo!!!! ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
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Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
I now want him to win the championship more than I want Andy Murray to.
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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
I'm scared to put anything in print for fear of tempting Providence, but ...
Good luck, Mr. Murray! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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the giant cheeseburger
Shipmate
# 10942
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Posted
Nadal showed he is a true champion in his gracious comments after being defeated.
I hope that Andy Murray's babysitter made him sit in front of the television and take notes. Taking it like a man as Nadal did would be a far better reflection on British tennis than chucking a tantrum next time he loses.
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Posts: 4834 | From: Adelaide, South Australia. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
Tantrums? Where and when?
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sir Kevin
Ship's Gaffer
# 3492
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Posted
Whatever happened to women players who are not Russian or from elsewhere in eastern Europe? Did I miss something?
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If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Writing is currently my hobby, not yet my profession.
Posts: 30517 | From: White Hart Lane | Registered: Oct 2002
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
Whatever happened to women players who are not Russian or from elsewhere in eastern Europe? Did I miss something?
Currently (Day 5) - the women's singles matches feature
1 Pole
1 Briton
3 Russians
1 Taiwanese
1 Belgian
2 Americans
2 Germans
1 Italian.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
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Posted
Djokovic losing the first set, interesting times....
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