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The draw is packed in Sin City. Nine top ten players are present; last years finalist Tricatrina is the missing one. Vanessa Child has taken a time out from the fashion world to grace us with her presence she is the top seed. Yodavitch is the second seed, NEA the third, and defending champion Jennacourt is seeded fourth. Almost all of the first round encounters promise to be interesting. I will single out just three,
Matches to Watch
Doublea-Stevos: 1-0
The two Canadian hopes will face each other in the first round. Both play two very different styles of tennis. Doublea is an all-court player, while Stevos relies on getting a lot of balls back and rallying from the baseline. Doublea is the more seasoned and decorated player, while Stevos is a young talent. Doublea has been quite consistent for a few years now; he has quite a good chance if he dictates the rallies. Stevos had a wonderful season a few years back, after rival Jbors has his year in the sun last season, he has cooled though. He did have a huge win over NEA in Laguna Beach however, and is trying to build off of it. This match will be close; I do give the very slight edge to Doublea though.
Dave-J-man: 3-3
It seems forever ago that J-man took the French Open crown. He has always been the ‘talented head-case’. Many however expected him to finally get consistency after that title though. That didn’t quite work out however. Since then he has yet to find his best, or even moderately acceptable tennis. Dave is the opposite. He rarely achieves eye-catching results, but he is a hard-working player that doesn’t lose first round that often. He has had a bad patch since his Aussie final early this year however. He seems to have crumbled under the pressure. He should be able to find some good tennis soon though.
Yodavitch-Leftys
Yodavitch has been hot now for over a season. Leftys is still struggling to finally find good form, something that has eluded her for some time. Yodavitch will likely be too good for her, Leftys is capable of making it interesting. She is so good at not cracking under pressure, what pressure is put on her though? She doesn’t DO ANYTHING.
I have three interviews today two were planned. I had to add another when Stevos came crying to my door begging for an interview carrying a bottle of half-drunken vodka. I couldn’t turn him away. Crybaby. S first,
Q. You achieved your first win over NEA in California, even though you lost last week, is that a confidence booster?
Stevos. Oh yeah, it’s a massive confidence booster. I always get these stupid mental blocks in my game, just little obstacles to get past, and finally getting the win over NEA was a big milestone for me. I feel like my season will get a lot better from here.
Q. I assume you have heard about the very public breakup of Leftys_Rock and Jbors? Feel bad for him in the slightest?
Stevos. Hah, a bit I guess. Poor guy, I think it ended pretty ugly didn't it? Well anyway, he was pretty clingy and needy, so I understand why leftys would feel the need to lose him.
Q. Much has been made of you choking in Slams. Why is that? Why do you struggle so much on the biggest stages?
Stevos. I didn't know much had been made about that? I read the articles and there aren't that many about it. To be honest, I've just met good players. At Roland Garros, I finally made the R16, I'd never been there before, and I think that at the US Open I will hopefully do even better. It's nowhere near where I want to be at slams yet, but I will keep training and fighting to get there. I am extremely determined when I set my mind to something.
Denile ain’t just a river in Egypt.
Q. Who should we watch out for this hardcourt season?
Me! (laughs) No, I think a lot of different players will come out strong. Of course you have to look at Vanessa Child, its no surprise she's on fire this season, but other players will step it up for sure. I hope Yodavitch can keep up some good play to finish strong this season.
NEA.
Q. You have long had a problem with the big events. What prevents your from translating your Tier II/III success into Tier I/Slam success?
NEA. I am not sure yet. I haven't had terrible Tier I/Slam success just really mediocre results. I am not mediocre, far from it. But I cannot quite win enough matches on the big stage. It will change, just a question of when. Right now I am by far the best Tier II player, winning most of my matches and beating fellow top 5 players; why can I not do this in Tier I's and Slams? Who knows - one of life's mysteries!
Q. People have called you a choker. Saying while more talented (that a matter of opinion of course) he will never be considered as great as the likes of PSALT. Many people compare you too Safin and Federer. One is more talented, while the other has better results. Thoughts?
NEA. I think I am held as better than PSALT in most peoples eyes. Obviously I have more talent, but PSALT has not actually won much; Finals are only Finals, you have to win the Final match to become a champion, PSALT ought to remember that. Last I knew PSALT was largely considered the "Tour Choker"...it must be heartbreaking losing all those major Finals, will he ever do it?! I think I kind of combine Safin and Federer yet are neither of those players, I am myself; unique; there never has been, nor will there be, a player like me! Grand Slam success is just a matter of time.
Q. Jbors has recently been dumped, I'm sure you have heard. Feel bad for him?
NEA. No. Perhaps, hopefully, this will dent his terrible ego. He seems to take pride out of being ranked in the top 10 at some point, he won some awfully pathetic Tier IV titles and thinks he is marvelous. He also likes to brag about every damn thing he has ever done, none of it interests me. He is, in fact, without doubt the least interesting person I have ever met in my life; yet he finds himself fascinating, isn't that ironic? Leftys made a great choice, she deserves better.
Q. Who do you think will win the USO?
NEA. Hmmm. A guy from England.
Bizet
Q. You have slipped to No.8 in the world. What has happened to you?
Bizet:
Well I have not been playing as well as I should be. I'm not really sure why, but I will try to improve and find my timing before the U.S. Open.
Q. Many people have said that your are nothing more than a big serve, and that people have figured you out. Do you agree?
Bizet:
I think I am more than just a big serve. I also don't think people have figured me out, but rather I have not been playing my best. If people had to figure me out to beat me they would have done so years ago, not now.
Q. You will play Stevos in your opening match. Talk about him, his game, and how you must play to beat him.
Bizet:
Stevos14 is a great young player. He fights for every point and never gives up. His net game is weak though and I will definitely try to draw him in as often as possible. Sometimes his second serve can be weak as well so I will try to put those away. I'll be aiming to end rallies quickly and get to net because Stevos is not one you want to rally with.
Q. Who should we watch out for come the USO?
Bizet:
Watch out for...I think Stevos as well as some other young players could make their marks as this year's U.S. Open. Tennis Fan, he is ranked outside the top 30, but his results have been steadily improving so I guess he could be a small threat. Ying-Chang has also not played well the past year or two but I expect her to come back to the top 20 soon.
Speaking of Ying-Chang, I have forgotten to mention (I try to push her out of my mind). She retired in her match last week citing a left wrist injury.
