[illerlytoindy]

Then, I frankly stopped noticing Vince. And the world agreed.

Oh, I'm glad we finally found out that the tree limb was the famous "Big Noise." I'm sure Nelslus is too young to know that reference.

One more question, what label does your Ram do films for - perhaps special interest? I haven't found your oeuvre at my local shoppe.

Have a bunch of fun, you 2 kids.

[Glanteeignile]

Hey Nelslus - did you guys get to see the Jenkins/Soeda match, by any chance? Wondering about your impressions of Jenkins -- has he got anything in your opinion?

[alexosnasos2]

Hey Nelslus - did you guys get to see the Jenkins/Soeda match, by any chance? Wondering about your impressions of Jenkins -- has he got anything in your opinion?

Thanks for asking, kandi. Yes, we did see this match. I'm a little late in posting about this (but will also now post about what we saw today) because of exhaustion due to: a. this has truly been a tennis orgy for two weeks- with Wimbledon and Winnetka- and I am definitely feeling it; 2. got a bit of a cold now- the temperature dropped MAJORLY last night (so bad that we didn't stay for the doubles)- and even though we had coats on- I just don't do well with constant temperature changes; and, 3. the typical V and Rog-induced crap sleep. Gotta say, I've gotten more sleep than usual for a Slam season. But, still- it ain't exacty restful sleep.

SO- to briefly summarize the two latest matches that we saw:

1. Jenkins d. Soeda. 7-5, 7-6 (5). Saw this last night. Jenkins won this match in a way that I totally did not expect- and that I find potentially quite encouraging. He out-steadied and out-lasted the NUMBINGLY steady Soeda- even saving a set point in the first set. I've always thought that Scoville has a lot of talent- a lot of shots- but has been too much of a hot-head for far too long. His "A" game- hitting shrieking winners and all- was most definitely not working. He also DID get hot-headed a couple of times- smashing balls and yelling and all that (with no warnings- the ump majorly gave him a break with giving him no warnings.) But, he calmed down very quickly- and just rallied with Soeda until Go made some (and too many) uncharacteristic errors. Scoville also has a nice serve- still needs to work on the volley and coming to net more on better approach shots. Again- I was encouraged by this match.

2. Ram d. Dorsch, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. The Handsome match- nice looking guys (not Gregorc-Level Yum, mind you- gotta get some more junk-in-the-trunk for THAT nelslus vote of confidence, dontchaknow. But, handsome fellows, nevertheless.) Because of the factors listed above (plus, ya KNOW I was watchin' Wimbledon Live as long as I could- my man had to TEAR me away from seeing the Bob/Sam d. Huber/Murray match- WOO HOO for being able to see this later on the site), we got to Winnetka today late and missed the first result- listed as Jenkins d. Kendrick 4-5 (ret.) Wouldn't you know, as we walked in we saw a player walking by with a knee all taped up and limping terribly. Since I had no idea what the hell Kendrick looks like (his parents probably don't either, for that matter)- we didn't know until later that this was Kendrick. Folks told us that Kendrick had a lead, but started limping noticably until he finally had to quit. Looked REAL ugly- poor guy. I have no idea if he walked on the court with a problem or if it happened during the match. Winnetka people apparently aren't the most observant people on the planet.

We ALSO got there to hear Ram losing the first set from the ump's microphone. They sell burgers and dogs from the barbecue- and you all KNOW that especially a lunch-less nelslus is gonna get him a burger before worrying about V-less and Roger-less tennis. Of course, we then had to run to make sure that we got in before the second set started. Still, we're talkin' about a burger from the grill, folks.

Ram got down 3-0 in the second (one break)- and we figured at that point- we ain't gonna get much live tennis today. Up until then, Ram's game still looked pretty but far too lightweight, and Dorsch (who I now looked up on ITF- he's 26 and ranked 229) just seemed too solid. Ram was just slicing too much and not coming to net enough (and when he did, on nothing approaches.) Furthermore, each game in the second set was close- so, there were ample opportunities for Dorsch to put this match away. But, Ram just simply picked up his game. Everything got bigger- his serve, he hit harder, hit his slices sharper and came to net a lot more steadily- albeit, he will need to watch out for backing off from potential approach shots during big points. Mind you, Ram also had many games in both sets where he'd win the first two points (both serving and returning), and then struggle the rest of the games. Over and over again. Still, the major break came at one of Ram's break points against Dorsch at 4-all in the second when an approach shot of Ram's was called in (that Dorsch could do nothing with)- that could just as easily have been called out. And, trust me, this is a statement that Dorsch would fully endore. Let's just say, Dorsch just didn't take this call real well (understandably.) Up until that very point, I did think that Dorsch would take this match. After that point- it was Ram's to win or lose. Dorsch never got his focus back, really- the third set was so close mostly because of Ram's hitting errors too much, or becoming alternatingly too passive or way too aggressive at times.

Still, Ram's game is lovely to see. If he plays at his best, I see him beating Scoville. However, note that Ram had only won one singles match since early February until Winnetka. So, he didn't come in here with oodles of confidence in singles, you'd think. Scoville has won a lot more singles matches as of late. Hope it'll be a good match. The singles final is tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m., with the doubles match to follow (of course, Kendrick had to default his doubles SF today.)

I for sure think that these four players have enough talent and ability to make it to the main tour- albeit I don't see Slam titles in their futures, either. Ain't likely to happen for Dorsch, being 26. (Although to be fair it DOES seem like there are more of those players-coming-out-of-the-woodworks-doing-great-WAY-late-in-their-careers stories than ever before these days. Tennis can truly be nutty at times.) Ram's also 24- but, he obviously is already a factor in doubles. Go's close with a 124 ranking- but, he's also 24. Jenkins has time on his side the most, as he'll turn 22 in August. Still, I suspect that the clock's already ticking too hard for Dorsch, Go's game is just TOO based on being steady with nothing that I saw that will dictate results, Ram's game may still be too lightweight for consistent singles success- and, Scoville's gotta make a run, STAT. Scoville also needs to REALLY make that forehand his dependable killer shot. They ALL could stand having a real killer shot, for that matter.

[Glanteeignile]

Thanks Nelslus for the great report - almost like being there - LOL !!! I got to see Dorsch and Soeda play (livestream) from Dallas a while back and also saw a steadiness in Soeda, and some decent play from both of them. Good second-string players, as they say. Kendrick was also there and played well, too bad about his knee.

I've not seen anything of Scoville or Rajeev, but favor Rajeev in tomorrow's match. Maybe I just have a soft spot for Asians -- who knows. I am still basking in the glow of Jie Zheng's lovely birthday run at Wimby.

[Glanteeignile]

Huge thanks from me too, Nelslus - love reports like this. My next question was going to be about Rajeev, thanks for answering in advance!!! He and Bobby gave Nestor/Zimonjic quite a battle at Wimby before losing and heading home to Winnetka - LOL.

So, I gather that Vince did not noticeably limp off the court -- --
what a character.

HAHAHAHA - Spadea needed to get the heck outta Winnetka, as he is playing for WTT today in Philly -- as I write this!

[Glanteeignile]

He did it - Rajeev d Scoville for the title!!! Wahoooo !!!

[muytreda]

Ok, what a drag! I have not been on this site since I got knocked out of the suicide pool. Too bad! I had searched for info about this challenger and the ATP site was a worthless. I gave up on it and now I see I completely missed it! Too bad! It would have been a good thing to do today. Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe next year I'll remember to look for it again.

[alexosnasos2]

WELL, baby nelslus and I made it out to Winnetka today for some of the first day's qualifying matches. What we found that was interesting is that the qualifying field is not nearly as international as has been true the last couple of years that we have been going- a lot of Asian players played qualifying last year, for example. Also- thanks to Wimbledon, we won't be seeing Jessie Levine (still celebrating getting to the third round, we suspect) and Prakash (son of Vijay) Amitraj, who's still in the Wimbledon doubles. Hopefully, we will get to see Wimbledon qualifiers Michael Yani and the extremely yummy (at least he better still be yummy) "My Name Is" Luka ("I Live On The Second Floor....") Gregorc- as they are listed in the main draw. AND- Isner, Donald Young (- shouldn't have to still be showing up to joints like Winnetka, Donald), Rajeev Ram, Spadea (....zzzz.....), Scoville Jenkins, Warburg and Okun (amongst others) are all listed in the main draw.

The level of tennis we saw was far better than what we've been used to seeing during qualifying matches. This was particularly impressive, as there was a nasty and REAL unpredictable wind throughout the matches that we saw. The wind was WONDERFUL for spectators since it was a hot day here- but, not so much fun for the players. Plus, it's been common for fairly Tailgate-tourny-level players to somehow find their way into Wild Cards for the Winnetka qualifying draws in the past. Probably true this year, too....maybe we just got lucky. In any case, as for what we saw today (all second round qualifying matches- seeds and Edelfsen got first round byes):

Niemeyer (top seed in the qualifying draw) d. Edelfsen 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-4. We saw the last two sets of this match. From what we saw, it was a very even match- albeit, Edelfsen was mostly the better player throughout the match, as Niemeyer was really struggling with the wind- and his being a Mr. Grumpypants. Edelfsen had two match points in the second set tiebreaker- but just got too tentative both times- a recurring theme for him with just about all big points. Edelfsen then played his worst two points in these two sets to get broken from 30-all to lose the match.

Czerwinski d. Rubin (8th seed in the qualifying draw- albeit he's listed as being ranked 961) (HEY, this IS Winnetka, folks) 6-1, 7-6(3). We saw most of the second set. Czerwinski just has a lovely game- very nice one handed backhand, good volley and serve- and not a bad looker. A WAY better player than you'd expect for someone whose highest ranking listed in the ITF site is 1133.....in November of 2007. (We're such geeks that we can't wait to run home and get on the computer to look up some of these scrubs every year. ) Probably should have been an easier score for Czerwinski- but, he was down a break at first in the second set, so at least he took it in straights. Played a terrific tiebreaker, except for the first two points after going up 6-1 in the tiebreaker- which were just REAL nervous errors. Then, served an ace, and that was that. It must also be noted that Michael Rubin is the rare human who would give Jessie a truly rare chance to feel like a giant (OH, YES, nelslus WENT there )- WHAT a shrimpy.

Fruttero d. Matsui (4th seed in the qualifying draw), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. We saw the last two sets- after Matsui took a LONG potty break after the first set. Matsui was, ahem, very AN-o-mated throughout the second set. Just put a TON of energy into EVERYTHING, good and bad. Grunts and noises while hitting and/or getting to every shot, barking out encouragements after winners or self-deprication after losing points. And quite the potty-mouth. Lots of REAL borderline gamemanship there. Then, in the third set- while Matsui maintained his momentum to be up 3-1 in the third, which included two REAL long games- he suddenly completely ran out of steam. Maybe was on and off ill in the match- which would explain the long potty break? Probably it had the most to do with that he expends WAY too much energy on EVERYTHING- and how many times can we see this with players- especially those who keep underachieving in their careers? (See Jenkins, Scoville and Gimelstob, Justin )

Fruttero on the other hand, while he, for example, could get upset at times like all players- was consistently a gentleman on the court. What a concept- thanking the ball kids every time they did anything for him. (A ton of ball kids swarmed him for autographs after the match- go figure.) His attitude is the opposite of his game- very, VERY hit and miss. Can just wack the hell out of the ball- which works the best for him when it stays in the court. Not the best volleyer out there to say the least- BUT, I admired that he just kept coming.

AND, folks- even with a little bit of facial bad skin/acne (I think? Didn't get THAT close) (DAMN it) issues and not quite enough junk in the trunk for nelslus- WHAT A BABE! REALLY nice face- and, let's just say that Mr. Fruttero has worked the weight room with that upper body, BABY!!!!! To the extreme that, admittedly, Mr. Fruttero even has a bit of man-boobs. Which nelslus found unexpectedly and disturbingly to be erotic. (Be fair now. Trust me, kids, after you've been monogamous for over 14 years and counting, your, ahem, perspective just changes. Your random 22- 55 year old Walgreen's checkout guy- or, oh, heck, an Archie comic- might just give ya wood.)

As I've noted in past years- qualifying matches in these challenger tournaments just continue to be fascinating psychologically. The differences between players ranked 300- 1,133 can look REAL miniscule. And, what causes some to then have breakthroughs, while 98%+ never do.....

WELL, enough. I'll post more- if, frankly, I'm in the mood to do so the rest of this week.

[Angeheade]

Hey nelslus, are you sure Isner's recovered from his mono and won't withdraw?

[alexosnasos2]

Hey nelslus, are you sure Isner's recovered from his mono and won't withdraw?

Definitely not sure at all. Hey, PLENTY o' players besides Isner could drop out, too. (Keep in mind, once again....this is Winnetka we're talkin' about.) Just let baby nelslus and nelslus live in our happy Winnetka-main-draw-place for a little while longer, 'K?!?!