I’m glad that the 5’5″ biker won it again. Her serve is not my favored, but the rest of her game is, especially her fluid single hand backhand – simply beautiful; should charge the net more!!! Her opponent, the fake blond is just .. every time there is close up of her, I have to look away to avoid having a nightmare tonight! The biker’s outfit is baggy and the fake blond’s too tight which made her look like a sausage. Little biker took home $1.4m for 6:1 and 6:3, less than 2 hours. They should play 5 sets too!
Archive for Sports
Which one would you pick?
Which one is more attractive to you??? Sandy’s orchard or Djokovic the Joker 地包天?? In light of my tennis misery, afraid that I’m developing a hobby – think of that, a hobby! – which is totally unexpected .. horticulture.. gosh my family is also in shock.
Do I need a new interest?!?! 
Just can’t image that I’m doing those sissy thing. My eyes are glued to plants and flowers, check them out, buying .. the orchard (was it an orchard?? The bamboos are still alive .. in case you’re wondering of their fates … phew ..) I bought a month ago had died already, pretty much the same time that Sandy bought hers – look at it, her flowers are fat, juicy, and sitting pretty.
Few weeks ago, Xiao Ping who has green thumb walked in and said,
“What? they all died! How pitty.”
She was sort amused that I’m doing those things now. Yes, pitiful. I just bought 2 more. One is Cyclamen, I have no idea what it is, how to nurse it, except it needs sun .. Golfer had always wanted to have a flower garden (for me to read my magazines and newspaper, lol) but due to lack of sunlight… I’m buying things that requires full sunshine, neat. What was I thinking???
Back to US Open, Joker just won the semi. To celebrate his win, he took off his shirt, so did his dad who also rally his friends on the stand to do so. Ok, Dad, pls keep your shirt on. Wondering IF he beats FedEx tomorrow, is he going to strip? Down to what?? :))
Patience 屡教不改
One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life. A Chinese proverb.
I finally got a chance to practice my serve with new grip and arm twisting. Even was only one hopper, but it’s good. I’ve been serving that way, but during crucial moment, I’d resort back to my flat serve.
Jonathan and I lost to SAndy 6:3. I said we’ll try to win once before winter sets in. John is nice, never loses his cool, even when I make the stupidest mistake, over and over again. Not even flinching. Later Simon and I played Bob and Andy, lost 6:0. I’ll hate to make excuses, but I was tired and my thighs are extremely painful, since last week. Don’t even remember what cause that. Anyway, Tony came as we were chatting and drinking, Simon was dishing his zillion-time advice to me, Tony said, “Simon, you’re a saint, a very patient man. You’ve been playing with her since last year .. I know this even I only played with her twice ..” Simon laughed and took a drag at his little cigarette, “Sunny played with her even longer, and he said he wants nothing to do with her any more.” Last time Simon joked to Golfer that he’s going to dump me soon if I don’t change. Lord, isn’t tennis just for fun? Do I really want that 4.0? Can I play it like fun game without using my brain? Lou walked in as they were Irene trashing, he defended me a little: we had a good game last night. Each person has different take on my game, provides me with very different advice. Sunny’s – keep you eye on the ball, don’t jump. Simon says hit deep, lob. Xiao Lee picks my jumping right away, shifting your weight. Lou has his favored 1, 2, 3 method, only if I could remember. Seriously, I get ready, wrist my grip, turn my body and shoulder .. all in preparation for a simply fore or backhand during couple of seconds of time. Oh, I never shift my weight. That’s a grave mistake. Simon picks on my doubles game than my form more. Why do I still love playing??
My tongue needs a massage
How much can I eat? Let’s see what made me so bloated during the two semis (12:15-5:30): cantaloupe, lox n bagel, 烩饼 (sorry you have to be Beijinger to know), ice cream, wine, kimchi, grapes, cranberry juice, water, beer .. not in that order. And I finished 1/3 bag of watermelon seeds that I bought for the card game – forgot to serve. My tongue is in pain now, my lip is dry. They both need a massage, :)). After tennis or swimming, I crave spicy and soupy food, especially when the weather is humid.
Djokovic 地包天
Pumpkin was watching men’s semi when I got home, homework spread out in front of her. Wow. “I like this player” she pointed to Djokovic. He’s cute, witty, has a pair really good looking eyes, and 地包天too, lol. Whatever the reason, I’m just glad she’s watching. “Would you like to watch with me?” Nay, I’m fine here. So we watched separately.
She tried out for the tennis team yesterday. Won both matches. 35 mean gurls/ popular gurls/normal girls jockey for the 18 slots. Unfortunately the swimming and tennis are still jamed at the same time. She’ll have to make a decision soon. Good luck baby!
Dream Girl’s quandary
Yuan Meng has a dilemma, her mom/manager/financier. Pix on FB
Tony arranged a lunch with Ras last weekend in a Greek restaurant in Astoria. I was dumb founded. The two women had skipped the town; he’s just her one time practice partner. The relationship should have ended. They go their separate ways. Apparently it’s not. Tony wanted to help the Dream Girl, so does Ras. Tony’s interest was purely doing good. Ras’s bit more, he’s also interested in finding coaching/managing in China in the near future, for he is smart enough to know that he isn’t going to make it on the ATP circuit.
.
.
He is the same age as Dream Girl but much more mature, can have a conversation. Not just “I like to read comic books, I love to watch TV ..” He ranked #2 in Greece as junior, but didn’t get alone with the president who ran the federation. Not only been denied sponsorship, he’s even scratch off fm the Olympics in Athens in 2004. Right now he lives in LA, attending Irvin as senior or had just graduated. He and Tony agree on one thing: Dream Girl needs help, needs a know-how coach, needs a worldly manager, and on top of them all, a solid financial backer. Yu’s smart enough to take her so far, but now she stands on the way. After all, 鸟枪换炮 era, you got to use the cannon to survive, in order to win. Yu just doesn’t have it. They reasoned that when she saw Dream Girl leap at Australian Open, shot up to 90+ in ranking, she thought the time to reach top 10 was just few more months. (She perhaps signed the Adidas deal without consulting a lawyer, or anyone with tad of knowledge.) But she didn’t realize the higher you go, the more difficult it becomes. She has Dream Girl practice only 2 hours a day. There is no training regime. This just doesn’t cut. Jonathan’s said he could be her manager, but too bad she can’t afford him; he also commented on my question whether they had consult a lawyer before ink the Adidas deal: “hiring a lawyer needs money … .. ” Yu is very sensitive about people who offers help (suspicous of their motives?) – she doesn’t seem to be asking, and is very protective of Dream Girl (guarding her investment?). I found it’s one of the saddest things that one doesn’t know his or her limit. (Or Yu knows but afraid losing control, hence her investment?) Would Chairman Mao be remembered or judged differently should he retired after 1949? I’d think so.
This shortsightedness, 鼠目寸光 sounds familiar? China’s improvement over the past 30 years is tremendous, and I’m very proud of it. But in the company of other highly developed nations, China is green, unsophisticated, can only see what’s under its nose. If you want to be in the major league, make the investment. Lacking education? Hire a pro. Between financial means (that can make many things happen) and talent, I think talent plus hard working is more vital. Ivan Boesky had hoped that his son would make into tennis. He even built an indoor tennis court on his compound. Obviously money can’t buy talent in this regard. (Or maybe his son found better thing to do.)
I asked out loud, does Dream Girl want your help, or Yu appreciate your help?
Hindenburg
We were on court playing, suddenly heard some little unfamiliar sound above. Looked up, saw this beast through the opening of tall trees, slowly moving. Perhaps taking a break from the US Open. It’s little spooky.
I’m a 5.0
player in tennis, the boo-boo queen, 多手多脚, 爱管闲事 八婆, and the most popular jester. Last week I finally got the chance to play with Tony, as his partner. Did he need me? No. I guess that everyone wanted to see a good show, so they paired me up with Tony, the real 5.0 against two guys. Having seen me play, Tony told me at the get go, that I should just stay in the back and not to get too excited .. meaning not to reach for the ball that’s not mine. OK. Simple enough. I understand. But in reality, as usual, I did everything the opposite. Looking like a fool and entertained everyone. And we lost. Tony was mad. Horrified. So the next day when they paired us up again, I smartly asked Tony, darling, which side of the court should I take a seat, left or right = so I don’t get into his way. He firmly replied, “go to sit in the living room.” Yessir. We lost again. Haven’t heard from Tony since, :). Simon is losing his patience, on the verge to drop me, “you never listen to me!” Don’t hit the shot that’s not yours! Yessir, everything you said is right, makes sense .. .. but in the heat of the battle, I just don’t remember what you said, lol. Never change, never improve ..
Men’s doubles final
What a surprise that CBS is broadcasting it live. Too bad neither Mark Knowles nor Justin Gimelstob made it this far with their respective partners, or the pinky cheeked Bryan bros. The winners will split $400k and runner ups perhaps half of that. One of the four players, Pavel Vizner of Czech is grand 37 years old. If Pete Sampras still has fire in his belly, why not try some doubles, I’m sure he can make it on the pro tour and may even win few more grand slams.
The journeyman
Yan Zi and Mark Knowles
Chan/Chuang vs Mattek/Mirza
Those two doubles/mixed doubles matches at Louis Armstrong stadium were more interesting than the singles at the center court, not all baseline. I first saw Mark Knowles in Dec 1992 when he turned pro, at the Bahamian Open (yes, there’s a such thing), Aaron Krickstein was there too. Over the years, Mark never rose higher than 96 in singles but #1 in doubles, made over $5.5m in prize, the epitome of the term journeyman. They lost last night, netting like $15k or $30k. Mixed doubles get paid the least since they only play 2 sets. If it’s a tie then they play a super tiebreak 10 points to decide.
