I wanted Andy Rodent to get his ass kicked today by Grosjean, but oh well. It'll have to wait till the semis.

I want Federer to win, and I REALLY want Lindsay to take this title (possibly her last chance). Lindsay and Maria in the final with Lindsay winning in straights.

No slight intended towards Davenport or Mauresmo, but tennis doesn't get any better than when Maria plays Serena. Hopefully, this match with Venus will be just as good, But I, too, am rooting for Sharapova. (The Willamses have become more brand names than athletes. Anyone read the piece on them in Salon yesterday, BTW?)

Yeah, I suppose it is a little old, although I don't think it was good for the game when they played each other in all the championship matches. Anyway, the article is more an analysis of why they no longer dominate the game. I didn't realze Richard was still coaching them, I thought they'd decided to work with someone outside of the family.

I'll hand it to Venus. I think Mary Carillo was right; she played better today than during her string of consecutive Grand Slam wins, a few years back.

Lindsay will probably take it, in the end. Although I kind of hope either Venus (the ghetto versus the OC!) or Amelie will.

Here's the Salon article:

www.salon.com/news/featur...s/index.html

For those who don't feel like watching the obnoxious commercial, I'll copy & paste a few select paragraphs (this is from Joel Drucker):

>But now the Williams family's tennis history appears less a sustainable franchise and more an interim boutique. Over the course of the last year, both Serena and Venus have failed to assert themselves with consistency or prowess.

>Tempting as it is to cite their injuries as the reason for this, let's take a keener look. These days, both tactical gurus and technical experts often watch the sisters in horror. Though both are superb fighters, neither appears too aware of the need to alter game plans or do much more than slug their way through points. On the craftsmanship side, each of them tends to muscle the ball, failing to marshal all of their body weight effectively. And inefficient stroking leads to the injuries that have forced both Serena and Venus to play fewer tournaments than have most of their peers. Where once their light competitive schedule appeared to keep them fresh, of late they've been woefully stale.

>This rapid ascent and decline illustrates the peculiarities of tennis. In team play, peers demand excellence and commitment lest you let down the collective desires. A tennis player is deregulated, more team owner than member. Add to that the heavy layer of family involvement and the beguiling motivations that compel a father or mother to bring a child to a tennis court.

I agree. It would be in both of their best interests, and that of the game, if they found a coach other than their dad. He can't take them any farther than he already has.

>so, there is a god.

And he PITIES the fool who throws tantrums on the court! <g>