Wk.42- You're the Only Argentine I Juant (A.K.A an article from a JMDP fan)

Hola Y'all! Galileo here.

Yes, I did just say hello in Spanish, and that's because -- of course -- it's the predominantly spoken language in Argentina. I love Delpo. I love his serve and his forehand. Lordy Me! He always looks like he's only hittin' that beast at 50 or 60 percent and it makes you want to see it at 100 hundred percent. After coming through a serving epic against qualifier Daniel Brands, he was pretty much perfect and looked effortless. I think he will get to a Slam semi next year and maybe even two. He has more firepower than anyone else in the top ten. I didn't say better, I said more firepower, and, boy, when he puts down his 1000 horsepower engine his opponent had better be in possession of a nuclear bunker. I mean when he hits it right he can alter the axis of the earth. The 2009 U.S. Open is a prime example. He literally smashed Nadal's face in for want of a better expression. He literally hit through Nadal. Then went and came back from two sets to one down against the Goat and destroyed him 6-2 in the fifth. He's amazing, but I will pick a different article to write 10000 words on all his attributes. This week I watched the "Toy Story" films -- all three -- back-to-back. I cried so much at the end, it was ridiculous. I mean "Toy Story 3" is one of the biggest tear-jerkers I've ever seen, although I've not seen too many. I am quite partial to a good weepie, though, as long it's a good one. I have two albums by The Boss, and one of them is "Nebraska," which I like to listen to when I'm sad or depressed. The other I have is one of my favorites, and which I love. It is "Born In the U.S.A.," which was number 86 on Rolling Stone's 500 greatest album list.



Righteo, as it's the end of the WTA season, I'm going to help (or steal) Todd's job by predicting the WTA Championships. I'm going to pick realistically. And I'm going to do it thoroughly.

RED GROUP
#1 Azarenka: Beats Li Na in 3, Kerber in 3 and loses to Williams in 3
#3 S.Williams: Beats Li Na in 3, Kerber in 3, Azarenka in 3
#6 Kerber: Loses all her matches in 3
#7 Li: Beats Kerber in 3 and loses rest in 3

...the only way this group could be any harder is if Kvitova was in it. I think every match will go three. It is the hard group this year and there will be explosions-a-plenty, and most likely not just on the court, as a couple of these players have a history of being, ermm, well, ermm a little well throwing tantys.

WHITE GROUP
#2 Sharapova: Beats Radwanska in 3, Kviotva in 3 and Errani in 2
#4 Radwanska: Loses to Pova in 3, Errani in 3
#5 Kvitova: Loses to Pova in 3, Errani (will be a thrash) in 2 very easy sets
#8 Errani: Wins her only set of the tournament against Radwanska

...I'm sorry, but next year Errani is going to crash and burn. She just is not on the same level as most of these players. She did well to get here and she had a great year but she had a lot of luck and fortunate draws along the way. Anyways, she'll be this Championships whipping girl. I can't pick between Kvitova and Radwanska. If The Radwanska turns up, god help us all. She'll beat Kvitova -- as The Radwanska -- but I give Kvitova the very slight edge here if only Agy turns up. I know Sharapova will go through, though in second or first remains to be seen. Despite the fact she can finish at number one, it's not on her priorities because she says it's not in her hands. Good call Maria.

Anyways, then I think Serena beats Kvitova, Azarenka beats Maria and then Azarenka loses again to Serena. I'm sorry, but Serena is going to lose just 4 maybe 5 sets here max. She's Serena Williams.



*Wk.42 CHAMPIONS*
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
S: Juan Martin del Potro/ARG d. Grega Zemlja/SLO 7-5/6-3
D: Begemann/Emmrich d. Knowle/Polasek
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
S: Tomas Berdych/CZE d. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga/FRA
D: M.Melo/Soares d. Lindstedt/Zimonjic
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
S: Andreas Seppi/ITA d. Thomaz Bellucci/BRA
D: Cermak/Mertinak d. Bolelli/Bracciali


PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Juan Martin del Potro, ARG
...I've already written so much and rambled on and on about this and other things, but for me del Potro is like power and consistency combined nowadays. Yes, he tends to crumble against those ranked higher and, yes, he can capitulate better than Kuznetsova can -- ok maybe not better because that's like her thing, but, you know up there -- but he's still my Juan Martin del Potro and he still has the cooled name in the top 50 so there! = ] . This week Delpo managed to win a historic clash with Brands, and then pretty much cruised through -- a 7-6/7-6 win over Muller looks more difficult then it was -- and put qualifier Zemlja to the sword in the final.
=============================
RISER: Andreas Seppi, ITA
...the Italian is having a career -- much like Sara Errani -- year and I like him. He's quiet and just gets on with his business and seems to be a thoroughly decent sorta chap. Plus, he's winning a lot this year, which is always nice. I think he'll continue to do well next year and be a standard Top 20 player for a few years, if not longer. And good luck to him.
=============================
SURPRISE: Malek Jaziri, TUN
...Sports Illustrated put this as well as anyone could. "Malek Jaziri: Ranked at No. 112, Jaziri became the first Tunisian to make an ATP semifinal in Moscow." And I have to agree. To become the answer to a very obscure trivia question sounds amazing. A good example of a trivia question: Name seven singers who have sung songs for a James Bond movie. Oh also, the Tunisian's done well at the Pan Arab games.
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VETERAN: Ivo Karlovic, CRO
...once #14 in the world, now #103, the 6'10' Croat showed why he is always so dangerous and why he can never be ruled out. Having a bigger serve is better than a big backhand or forehand or what have you because you can take risks and it won't matter.
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COMEBACK: Thomaz Bellucci, BRA
...we've missed you, Thomaz, and you were so close to a title here that now perhaps you're back for good. The Brazilian has been in a slump and the young talent appears to be coming back now. He won a title in Gstaad this year, so perhaps he'll mount a serious challenge in 2013. Here's hoping he does.
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NEW FACE: Begemann/Emmrich, GER/GER
...the Germans took over Austria and -- oh, crap. No no no not like that... no, I meant, oh, damn. There was no extreme right wing stuff here. Oh, no, Ive stuffed this up, but basically they beat the fourth seeds and the first seeds and the second seeds. And they dropped just two sets in four matches. Very good job, boys.
=============================
DOWN: Alexandr Dolgopolov, UKR
...my Kingdom ,my Kingdom for a year of consistent results. I really hope that the Dog sorts his act out because he's so entertaining and one of my faves.
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1. Vienna Rd.2 - Delpo d. Brands
...6-7/7-6/7-6. "Top-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro prevailed against German qualifier Daniel Brands 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 7-6(6) in a gripping service battle Wednesday at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna. It was the first time in a best-of-three sets match on the ATP World Tour both players hit at least 30 aces since the ATP began keeping RICOH ATP MatchFacts in 1991. Brands fired 32 aces to del Potro's 30." That is a direct quote from the ATP and that sums it up really. It was an absolute epic.
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2. Stockholm Final - Berdych d. Tsonga
...4-6/6-4/6-4. 6-4/4-2 Tsonga led and was mere points from effectively sealing his place at the ATP finals. Then he choked and Berdych came back to win a classic. Oh, Jo...
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3. Moscow Final - Seppi d. Bellucci
...3-6/7-6/6-3. The semifinal where the Brazilian defeated Karlovic was also excellent, but that final was amazing and Seppi showed true style, class and character to take the title. And the way he pushed Djokovic was memorable, too. I think that was the perfect way to finish the year. He won't realistically win another title this year, but what a great way to cap off a career year. With a favorable draw, don't rule out an appearance in the second week of the Aussie and maybe a couple of the other slams, too.
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*VALENCIA, SPAIN*
=SF=
#1 Ferrer d. Verdasco
#2 Tsonga d. Tipsarevic #3
=FINAL=
#1 Ferrer d. Tsonga #2

...look for the Dog and the wily Frenchman to rebound and, Verdasco to do well at Valencia, as usual.

*BASEL, SWITZERLAND*
=SF=
#1 Federer d. Wawrinka #4
# 3 Gasquet d. Del Potro #2
=FINAL=
#1 Federer d. Gasquet #3

...Gasquet likes it here, and Federer, well, Federer will probably only lose one or two sets maximum. Also, I think if he does make the semis Delpo is all but into the WTF. Yes, basically, all he needs to do is make the semis here and have a decent showing at Paris and del Potro is home safely.

Our feel good moment comes from "Friends" -- enjoy folks! And don't forget to go to WTA Backspin.

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