[alexosnasos2]

SO, to recap the latest....

First match we got to see was Ain't Afraid of Ya Spadea vs. Rajeev Ram (interestingly enough, you all should know that, in a strange bit of serendipity, Rajeem Ram is also nelslus' porn name.) According to the ITF site, since the beginning of February, Rajeev has won a whopping one singles match- beating Purav Raja (contrary to popular opinion, Purav Raja is most definitely NOT a porn name of nelslus') at the New Delhi Challenger. So, of course, Rajeev takes Vince out 6-3, 5-0 (ret.)

It's funny- when I first saw Vince was in this draw, so help me, I told my man, WATCH this man tank. Don't think Winnetka is exactly huge in Vince's plans. That if he played against anyone who put up any kind of a fight, he wouldn't try all that hard. Ya think I MIGHT have been on to something here?!?!? As you might imagine, the ending of the match was bizarre. He first calls for a trainer down 5-0 in the second- and then, before we all knew it, he then instead shook Rajeev's hand, and that was that. Apparently, those who live in Winnetka are over-all just TOO TOO, to do anything as vile & uncouth as boo. But, 'twas a pathetic display. To be fair, looking up Vince's record as of late- he does currently have a bizarre series of results. SO- if he is genuinely injured, I take this all back (SOMEWHAT)....but, it all just stunk of a tank to me. And ya can't just finish off the match for cryin' out loud, Vince? In case any of us gets info on Vince's health status, feel free to post.

We thoroughly enjoyed Rajeev's game BTW. Very fluid, graceful, big serve, solid off both sides, with a GORGEOUS one-handed backhand (that probably WOULD be fairly easy to pick on- but, it was beautiful to watch here.) AND- hold onto your hats, kids- but this is an ATP player who.....drum roll......actually serves and volleys. AND should be doing so. He has a real solid volley.

We're probably all nerdy enough to already know without my pointing this out, that he's a genuinely solid doubles player. Current ranking in doubles= 44 (singles BTW= 278.) He made the quarters in doubles last year at Wimbledon with Levy after qualifying and has won a ton of lesser doubles tournaments. Tried qualifying at Wimbledon in singles- lost first round in qualies. Played doubles this year at Wimbledon with Bobby Reynolds (with whom he's won these tons of usually challenger tournaments), beat Delic and Evans (both of whom of course are in Winnetka) in the first round and lost to Nestor and Zimo 6-1, 7-6 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (1). Really hope he can at least continue to excel in doubles.

The second and last evening match that we saw were the Brian & Dann "NOT the Bryans, and most definitely NOT twins" Battistone brothers who beat Kryvonos & McClune 3 & 3. Brian is 28, and Dann is 31. Started slowly, then played good doubles. AND they both played with those freaky new two-handled racquets. Don't remember if this all has come up in TAT already? In case- as their success (and Brian's jump serve- he's also a ton taller than Dann) has apparently made them You Tube-able- here's some video on them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNr90XZ05A&NR=1 Not sure if the jump serve is worth all THAT- but, they played well.

What made this all the more stunning is, in the middle of the match, all of a sudden there was this REAL loud noise. At first, most of us thought it was fireworks- but, when I turned around, I could see a ton of leaves falling. Turns out that out-of-the-blue, a HUGE tree branch just broke off and fell. Amazingly, no one was hurt. And, as this was near one of the parking areas- it was also amazing that no car or anything else was damaged (they had a VIP tent that had a bunch of leaves and branch remnants on the top is the most that happened.) TRULY a freaky moment- trust me, this was a HUGE branch- enough size for a regular tree- and, as you can imagine, it took a second or two to start the match up again- folks ran out at first to check if anyone or any property was hurt. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

I must also add that, after some bizarre occurrences with some Winnetka folks last year- and acknowledging that there is STILL some REAL loony in-bred Stepford Wives/Alien 2/Children of the Corn/Ordinary People vibe that ya get in Winnetka (or pretty much in your average hoity-toity suburban area)- so far, folks have been very nice this year. Talked up a couple of local women and had a blast.

P.S. Poor Munchin- they finally posted the qualifying results, and apparently Cecil Mamiit dropped out before his first qualie match against Wild Card Qualifying Contestant Joe "Master" (tee-hee) Bates. BUT- My Baby Luka won his first match in the main draw- and trust me, my friends, Luka "PLEASE turn around AGAIN, Luka, PLEASE!!!!! YUMMMM" Gregorc is WAY enough fantasy for all of our sick and twisted naughty bits minds.