Roger, Roger On the Wall…

Bryan Bros. Hit 58...Murray's Troubles...Quotebook

IVO THE RAT: Harvey Fialkov likened 6-foot-10 power server Ivo Karlovic to “Randy Johnson in shorts.”
CHILE RECEPTION?: Despite the devastating earthquake that’s claimed the lives of more than 700 people, Chile still plans to host its Davis Cup tie against Israel in the port town of Coquimbo.
‘…AND INTRODUCING FERNANDO VERDASCO AS MAXIMUS’: Fernando Verdasco may [...]

A Fluffy, Green Tonsillectomy (and Other Revelations)

Murray's Tears...Serena Chases Fed...Quotebook

NOT GONNA GO THERE: Asked what the difference between Kim Cljsters and Justine Henin is, Serena Williams said, “Uhm, hmm, I’m going to keep that to myself.”
SNOTTY LITTLIES IN TOW: The Age’s Linda Pearce marveled at Roger Federer’s accomplishment in Melbourne, writing, “Fathers struggle to win major titles. It is supposed to be harder with [...]

‘Nobody Beats Nikolay Davydenko 13 Times in a Row’

Serena's Swear-Box...Thanksgiving with the Agassis...Quotebook

IF HE’S PLAYSTATION, THEN WHO’S PONG?: Juan Martin Del Potro said Nikolay Davydenko — who handed him a 6-3, 6-4 loss at the ATP World Tour Finals — “plays like PlayStation.  He runs to everywhere.”  Added the Argentine, “He beat me in [a] good way.”  Is there such a thing?
SIGNATURE STATEMENT: Asked how many times [...]

Order Has Been Restored

Watson's No Murray Fan...Serena the Naughty No. 1...Quotebook

A NEW NO. 1: A combination of Dinara Safina’s loss to wildcard entrant Zhang Shuai and Serena Williams‘ 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ekaterina Makarova at the China Open has put Williams back atop the WTA rankings at No. 1. The reigning Aussie Open and Wimbledon champ regains the top slot for the first time since [...]

Looking Ahead: Cilic vs. Del Potro

Breakthrough Win Sends Cilic to First Slam Quarterfinal

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — Far from the emerald-green lawns of the All England Club, and the shouldering-a-nation pressures that come with being the British No. 1, Andy Murray has historically played his best tennis on this side of The Pond. He won his first Challenger title in the little seaside enclave of Aptos, Calif., back [...]

The Federer-Nadal Duopoly and Other Hitchcockian Insights

Marat to Marry?...Psycho...Quotebook

THE TENNIS CHANNEL VS. CABLEVISION: Newsday has reportedly rejected an ad from The Tennis Channel that takes a swipe at its parent company, Cablevision.  TTC’s “Thanks For Nothing, Cablevision” ad, which features a tennis racket smashing a cable box and takes aim at Cablevision’s refusal to include its programming among its offerings, has been accepted [...]

Panatta, Pennetta and the Italian Renaissance

JMDP's Frozen Rope...Kim's Comeback...Quotebook

GOOD SPORT OF THE WEEK: Serb Novak Djokovic suggested that quarterfinal opponent Andy Roddick challenge a call in the first set of their Rogers Cup match that turned in the Texan’s favor and later proved pivotal in a 6-4, 7-6(4) loss.
JUST WONDERING: Is towering Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro’s hometown of Tandil the greatest south-of-the-Equator [...]

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Exclusive Larry Stefanki Interview

Moses roamed around in the desert for 40 years. But that was nothing. The United Kingdom – the motherland of tennis – hasn’t had a Wimbledon champion in 73 long arid seasons. But with the Flying Scott, Andy Murray, the land of proper manners and devastating defeats, had a hope. And this guy was no [...]

Of Gorillas, Elephants and Other Beasts

AND NOW A WORD FROM COACH STEFANKI: After Andy Roddick’s clutch five-set win over Lleyton Hewitt, his coach, Larry Stefanki (who has worked with John McEnroe, Tim Henman, Marcelo Rios and Fernando Gonzalez, among others), said that Andy was now a man – that he showed great maturity at crunch time.  A quietly elated Stefanki, [...]

Wimbledon and the Art of Delayed Gratification

This year, Wimbledon has been an exercise in delayed gratification.  It’s as if the Wimbledon referee’s office issued some secret edict: “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!  Hold your fire during the first week!” The big stories of Wimbledon’s first week were soft, off-court affairs: Rafa will not defend his title. [...]