No. 4 seed Olivier Rochus from Belgium cruised into the finals of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships with a 6-3, 6-2 ousting of Brian Dabul of Argentina on Saturday afternoon.
Rochus will meet No. 5 seed Mardy Fish of Tampa on Sunday afternoon at 2.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Fish in final
No. 5 seed Mardy Fish from Tampa beat Richard Bloomfield from Great Britain 7-6(5), 6-4 on Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.
Fish after winning the tiebreaker in the first set needed just one service break in the second set. He got it in the ninth game when Bloomfield at 40-15 served three straight double-faults that set up his defeat.
Fish will face the winner of the other semifinal between Brian Dabul from Argentina and No. 4 seed Olivier Rochus from Belgium currently being played.
The final will be Sunday afternoon at 2.
Fish after winning the tiebreaker in the first set needed just one service break in the second set. He got it in the ninth game when Bloomfield at 40-15 served three straight double-faults that set up his defeat.
Fish will face the winner of the other semifinal between Brian Dabul from Argentina and No. 4 seed Olivier Rochus from Belgium currently being played.
The final will be Sunday afternoon at 2.
Friday, July 9, 2010
LeBron's decision both good and bad
LeBron James' decision to leave Cleveland and join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami makes a lot of basketball sense. The way James chose to tell the world of his intentions, on the other hand, made very little.
Certainly there are a lot of LeBron haters out there, who were going to criticize him no matter which direction he decided to take his career. But the fact is the Heat is now the scariest team in the NBA, and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's proclamation that the Cavs will win a title before LeBron does (he didn't word it so nicely) is ludicrous. I'm not counting on the Heat and their Big 3 to win it all next year, but they'll get close, and I'd bet on them in 2011-12.
In an age when money and fame are seemingly more important to most superstars than winning, LeBron said no thanks to more money in Cleveland and more fame in New York. How do you disparage a guy for that?
The broadcast of "The Decision" on ESPN on Thursday night, however, was a joke. No one player is bigger than the game, or the league, but LeBron made it clear he believes he is with his lame one-hour nationally televised special. He was the most hyped free agent perhaps in the history of American sports, but what's wrong with a simple press release and/or press conference? The whole nation was waiting with bated breath for his announcement, but presidential candidates don't announce their intentions with this much fanfare.
Overall, going to the Heat is a good choice. Announcing it the way he did was not.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to post them here, or vote in the polls on The Newport Daily News Web site (http://www.newportdailynews.com/ee/newportdailynews/index.php?pageToLoad=e_polls.php).
Certainly there are a lot of LeBron haters out there, who were going to criticize him no matter which direction he decided to take his career. But the fact is the Heat is now the scariest team in the NBA, and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's proclamation that the Cavs will win a title before LeBron does (he didn't word it so nicely) is ludicrous. I'm not counting on the Heat and their Big 3 to win it all next year, but they'll get close, and I'd bet on them in 2011-12.
In an age when money and fame are seemingly more important to most superstars than winning, LeBron said no thanks to more money in Cleveland and more fame in New York. How do you disparage a guy for that?
The broadcast of "The Decision" on ESPN on Thursday night, however, was a joke. No one player is bigger than the game, or the league, but LeBron made it clear he believes he is with his lame one-hour nationally televised special. He was the most hyped free agent perhaps in the history of American sports, but what's wrong with a simple press release and/or press conference? The whole nation was waiting with bated breath for his announcement, but presidential candidates don't announce their intentions with this much fanfare.
Overall, going to the Heat is a good choice. Announcing it the way he did was not.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to post them here, or vote in the polls on The Newport Daily News Web site (http://www.newportdailynews.com/ee/newportdailynews/index.php?pageToLoad=e_polls.php).
Hall of Fame Championships, Friday
We're going to have to interrupt tennis blogging a bit to comment on LeBron James, but first, a tennis update ...
Mardy Fish, the No. 5 seed at the Hall of Fame Championships, and Frank Dancevic of Canada just began a first-set tiebreaker on center court. Dancevic served for the set at 6-5 after breaking Fish, but Fish broke right back in the 12th game.
This is the first time this week Fish has been tested. He cruised to straight-set victories in his first two matches, convincingly enough for me to change my tournament pick in his favor. Of course, another contributing factor to that waffling was Sam Querrey's second-round loss.
Mardy Fish, the No. 5 seed at the Hall of Fame Championships, and Frank Dancevic of Canada just began a first-set tiebreaker on center court. Dancevic served for the set at 6-5 after breaking Fish, but Fish broke right back in the 12th game.
This is the first time this week Fish has been tested. He cruised to straight-set victories in his first two matches, convincingly enough for me to change my tournament pick in his favor. Of course, another contributing factor to that waffling was Sam Querrey's second-round loss.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hall of Fame Championships, Day 4
Things at the Newport Casino calm down quite a bit, starting today. With the singles field whittled to eight (four by the end of the day Friday), there are many fewer matches.
The first of two quarterfinal matches today features two surprises. Dustin Brown of Jamaica, who upset No. 1 seed Sam Querrey on Wednesday, is in the second set against Brian Dabul of Argentina, who hasn't beaten anyone we've heard of to get here.
But it's not who you play, it's how you play, and right now, Dabul is up a set and a break, 3-2, against Brown.
When they finish, Olivier Rochus and Raven Klaasen will play for the other semifinal spot up for grabs today.
Tomorrow, Mardy Fish (my new pick to win it all) plays Frank Dancevic, no easy match on grass, and Louisiana teenager Ryan Harrison will take on Richard Bloomfield of England.
The first of two quarterfinal matches today features two surprises. Dustin Brown of Jamaica, who upset No. 1 seed Sam Querrey on Wednesday, is in the second set against Brian Dabul of Argentina, who hasn't beaten anyone we've heard of to get here.
But it's not who you play, it's how you play, and right now, Dabul is up a set and a break, 3-2, against Brown.
When they finish, Olivier Rochus and Raven Klaasen will play for the other semifinal spot up for grabs today.
Tomorrow, Mardy Fish (my new pick to win it all) plays Frank Dancevic, no easy match on grass, and Louisiana teenager Ryan Harrison will take on Richard Bloomfield of England.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Hall of Fame Championships, Day 3
The somewhat surprising question at this point in the tournament is: Will anyone be able to beat Mardy Fish?
The newly svelte Fish, who lost 33 pounds, is running roughshod over the competition through the first two rounds. He continued his path of destruction Wednesday, beating Somdev Devvarman of India 6-2, 6-0. In his first two matches, the fifth-seeded American has lost just five total games.
Up next on center court is No. 1 seed Sam Querrey and dreadlocked Dustin Brown of Jamaica. Brown was fun to watch on Monday in his first-round match, but I can't see him keeping up with Querrey today. Don't be surprised if this one is over in less than an hour.
The newly svelte Fish, who lost 33 pounds, is running roughshod over the competition through the first two rounds. He continued his path of destruction Wednesday, beating Somdev Devvarman of India 6-2, 6-0. In his first two matches, the fifth-seeded American has lost just five total games.
Up next on center court is No. 1 seed Sam Querrey and dreadlocked Dustin Brown of Jamaica. Brown was fun to watch on Monday in his first-round match, but I can't see him keeping up with Querrey today. Don't be surprised if this one is over in less than an hour.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Hall of Fame Championships, Day 2
On a day when the defending champion and the No. 1 seed are playing, a wild-card entry was the center of attention. Obviously this was no ordinary no-name wild card. This was Nicolas Mahut.
If the name rings a bell, it should. Mahut was involved in the longest match in tennis history last month in the first round at Wimbledon. He lost to John Isner 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68, and not surprisingly, Mahut still hears a lot about that match.
He doesn't mind talking about it, especially after his next singles match. It wasn't historic by any means, but it was a win, as Mahut beat Alejandro Falla 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the first round at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Tuesday in Newport.
Mahut said that the support of the fans here helped push him through a match that, in his eyes, wasn't his best.
"It's because of you that I won today," Mahut told the fans after the match. "I was not feeling very good today, but because of all your support, I won."
In the first match of the day on center court, a svelte Mardy Fish made quick work of fellow American Michael Russell, 6-1, 6-2. Fish, who lost more than 30 pounds since he last graced the grass courts at the Hall of Fame, won in 51 minutes. And while he said his newfound fitness allows him to play better longer, he was in no way disappointed that his match finished so quickly.
"I would have rather had 50 minutes," he said. "I've been around too long to try to feel like I need match practice. I just take the wins."
Top seed Sam Querrey is on the court now, against Jesse Levine, and is up a break, serving at 3-2. Up next on center is 2009 champ Rajeev Ram.
If the name rings a bell, it should. Mahut was involved in the longest match in tennis history last month in the first round at Wimbledon. He lost to John Isner 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68, and not surprisingly, Mahut still hears a lot about that match.
He doesn't mind talking about it, especially after his next singles match. It wasn't historic by any means, but it was a win, as Mahut beat Alejandro Falla 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the first round at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Tuesday in Newport.
Mahut said that the support of the fans here helped push him through a match that, in his eyes, wasn't his best.
"It's because of you that I won today," Mahut told the fans after the match. "I was not feeling very good today, but because of all your support, I won."
In the first match of the day on center court, a svelte Mardy Fish made quick work of fellow American Michael Russell, 6-1, 6-2. Fish, who lost more than 30 pounds since he last graced the grass courts at the Hall of Fame, won in 51 minutes. And while he said his newfound fitness allows him to play better longer, he was in no way disappointed that his match finished so quickly.
"I would have rather had 50 minutes," he said. "I've been around too long to try to feel like I need match practice. I just take the wins."
Top seed Sam Querrey is on the court now, against Jesse Levine, and is up a break, serving at 3-2. Up next on center is 2009 champ Rajeev Ram.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Hall of Fame Championships, Day 1
The first two matches on center court are done, although neither finished very quickly.
In the first match of the day, Dustin Brown of Jamaica beat Bjorn Phau of Germany, 7-6(3), 6-7(7), 6-4.
The dreadlocked Brown, who qualified for the main draw here in 2003, served 20 aces in his first ATP World Tour victory in North America.
"It could have gone either way, I'm just happy to be on the winning end," Brown said. "It's always two or three balls that decide a match like that. It was a close one."
Taylor Dent, the 2002 Newport champion, followed with a disappointing three-set loss to Go Soeda of Japan. Dent, known for his monster serve, couldn't find that weapon when he needed it most. Serving to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third, Dent got down 0-40 before losing the game, set and match.
In the first match of the day, Dustin Brown of Jamaica beat Bjorn Phau of Germany, 7-6(3), 6-7(7), 6-4.
The dreadlocked Brown, who qualified for the main draw here in 2003, served 20 aces in his first ATP World Tour victory in North America.
"It could have gone either way, I'm just happy to be on the winning end," Brown said. "It's always two or three balls that decide a match like that. It was a close one."
Taylor Dent, the 2002 Newport champion, followed with a disappointing three-set loss to Go Soeda of Japan. Dent, known for his monster serve, couldn't find that weapon when he needed it most. Serving to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third, Dent got down 0-40 before losing the game, set and match.
Tennis, anyone?
The Campbell's Hall of Fame Tennis Championships officially are underway in Newport. Check back here throughout the tournament for updates, commentary, and whatever else we feel like posting.
The first matches of the day just started not long ago. No headliners are in action at present, but 2002 champion Taylor Dent will be on center court around 1 p.m.
In the final match of the day on center, No. 4 seed Olivier Rochus of Belgium will take on Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
The first matches of the day just started not long ago. No headliners are in action at present, but 2002 champion Taylor Dent will be on center court around 1 p.m.
In the final match of the day on center, No. 4 seed Olivier Rochus of Belgium will take on Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
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