Weather's Getting Cool

I really don't have much to say this week.

The Jays did alright, won a few games, lost a few. Still 28 games back, and .450 in the win % column. I have said all there is to say about them, so let's move on.

Played some tennis today. I'm absolutely lovin this sport!! There's something about it, despite the repetitiveness, that keeps me on the court. Love it! Love it!

My school's volleyball teams start their seasons next week. That should be exciting. I have a ton of friends on the team and it's always fun to go cheer for them. Can't wait.

-D

I (Heart) Juan Martin Del Potro

When he made the finals of the Rogers Cup, I was pleasantly surprised and wanted to know more about him.

Before he effortlessly cruised through the early rounds of the US Open, I picked Del Potro to face Roger Federer in the final.

When he beat Nadal to fulfill my prophecy, I was starting to like the guy a lot!

And when he outduelled the five-time reigning champion, I fell in love with him.

Think about it. A young, 20 year old, baby-faced Argentinian stud ousted the best player to ever step onto a tennis court. It took 5 sets and just over 4 hours, but Del Potro did it and he did in style. Though I never really expected him to put up much of a fight, I couldn't help but cheer for him towards the end of the match.

And to be honest, I didn't think he had a chance until that 4th set tiebreak, when Del Potro got the crowd roaring with several forehand winners and took the tiebreak convincingly, 7-4.

But you know, as much as I love this young kid from Argentina, my favourite player is still Roger Federer. He was the class act once again, in congratulating Del Potro on his first Grand Slam title. I think now that the pressure of the 14th and 15th titles are off his shoulders, Federer is playing much more relaxed and it showed in his acceptance speech. This time, he didn't shed a tear.

At the beginning of the year, I predicted that Nadal and Federer would share the year's 4 Grand Slams. Federer got the two he wanted, but Nadal's nagging injury kept him from adding more trophies to his mantlepiece. Next year, I think we'll see a whole new dynamic in men's tennis. There are 6 major players-Federer, Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Roddick, and now Del Potro who can serve it up any day and win a major.

That should make 2010 an enthralling year!

-D

Photo credit: Olev Volkov

Profanity Galore

"Foot fault!"

That was the call that set Serena Williams on a rampage last night. I was sitting in front of my TV and there she was, swearing and gesturing at a small, innocent line judge. To be honest, it was shocking to see Serena do that. From seeing her at the Rogers Cup and all the interviews on TV, Serena was always a soft spoken, smiling, and nice lady. But last night, the words that were coming out of her mouth-it was just wow! You know what, I can't judge whether that foot fault was the correct call, but I definitely agree that she should have received that point penalty, which just so happened to be match point.

Williams' conduct was certainly inappropriate, but I still think of her as a sportsman. She has always been and I think she was just caught up in the moment. I know how she feels. Sometimes, there are days when it feels like nothing's going for you, when everything and everybody's against you. It's a frustrating feeling, and it can get a hold of your emotions sometimes. I don't blame her. I get uncharacteristically intense when I'm playing sports. It could have happened to anybody, and it was the appropriate consequence in the end.

It sure was interesting, but you gotta give Kim Clijsters credit. I have no doubt she would have taken the match even without that bizarre ending. She was just that good, making Serena run from one corner to the next, almost making Williams trip over herself sometimes. Though the other finalist, Caroline Wozniacki isn't the most famous player in the world, it should be a nice final. You can't have the exact same people win everything all the time right?

Is anybody watching this Nadal-Del Potro match right now? Boy, the Argentine kid is just DOMINATING Rafa. At the beginning of this tournament, I predicted that Del Potro would make it to the final, but I thought it'd be tougher than this. Del Potro's up 6-2, 6-2 and 5-2. That's just incredible. This kid has been something else this summer, and you know what, it makes next year even more exciting. The age of Federer/Nadal is definitely in the decline, and having all these valiant challengers is very exciting to watch.

-D

Photo credits: http://www.ktla.com/media/photo/2009-09/49234928.jpg (Getty Images/Associated Press)

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01479/del_potro_1479375c.jpg (The Telegraph)

**UPDATE**: Juan Martin Del Potro has just disposed Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Incredible match. Incredible play from Del Potro. I'm starting love this guy. And he's only 20 years old!! Lovin' it! Lovin' it!

Brackets Shrinking in NYC

So my hometown girl Li Na lost this afternoon against Kim Clijsters. She just had too many unforced errors, and didn't hit enough winners. Final score was 6-2, 6-4. I really hoped she'd break into the semis, but hey, Clijsters getting there is a pretty good story by itself.

On the men's side, Andy Murray's been erased by 20 year old Marin Cilic. Boy that is big news. But you know, Andy just didn't look like he had it today, hitting balls long and into the net, even on his own serve. He went down in straight sets too, no less. Don't worry though, I really think Murray's first Grand Slam will eventually come.

Serena went through against Flavia Pennetta-great run by the Italian. Can't wait for Oudin-Wozniacki tomorrow. If there is a Serena-Oudin final, that would be freakin' amazing!!

Nadal-Monfils getting underway in a bit. Should be an easy match for Nadal, but I still don't think he'll make it to the final. Del Potro showed today just why I picked him, disposing of Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

First day back at school, my Grade 11 year-should be an exciting one!

-D

The United States Open

So I'm watching Melanie Oudin right now face Nadia Petrova...man, this 17 year old is FIERCE!!!

In the first set, Oudin couldn't even hold serve, losing to Petrova 6-1. In the second set, she got into it big time, winning the tiebreak 7-1. Now, they're in the third set, tied 2-2. I really want to see Oudin win this one. I think she can make it to the final if she keeps fighting like this.

Earlier today, Kateryna Bondarenko beat Gisela Dulko in the fourth round 6-0, 6-0. What the heck is going on? Dulko didn't even qualify for the Rogers Cup. Bondarenko had to fight through the qualifying round here in Toronto. And they both make it to the fourth round in the US OPEN?!? I'm thoroughly confused.

I cheered for Kim Clijsters yesterday against Venus Williams. That was one hell of a match too. 6-0, 0-6, 6-4, I don't think I've ever seen that before. But you gotta feel for Williams, being cheered against in your own country.

Federer plays later today. My hometown girl Li Na plays tomorrow against Clijsters. Now, that is one test of loyalty. I really like Clijsters, but again, Li's not just from China, she's from my hometown!!! Who would you cheer for in a situation like that?

I still stick to my prediction of Del Potro making the final against Federer. But what do I know? I said Dementieva would win on the women's side.

To some baseball action, yesterday's Jays-Yankees game was one of the highlights of the 09 season. Halladay's one-hit wonder Friday night was also one of those highlights. Both these games were so exciting and dramatic. The Jays played relatively well against the Yankees, splitting the series against the likely AL East Champs.

And how 'bout the Brewers' triple play yesterday, eh?

This week is a classic example of what makes sports SOOOO awesome to watch!!

-D

The Jays are Depressing

There, I said it.

The Toronto Blue Jays are officially depressing. After that blazing start to what could have been an interesting season, the Jays have slipped down the pipeline to Hell. First, there were the rumours to trade Halladay, which screwed him up for this second half of the season. Then, we give Rios away for absolutely nothing. And while Hill and Lind have been the feel good factors during this 2009, it has generally been a downhill slide as far as optimism goes.

This September, I guess the Jays will be playing the role of spoiler again. I can't say enough how much JP Ricciardi needs to go!! The offseason, with him at the reigns, could again prove dramatic, as the Halladay Question will inevitably pop up again. And how bout Wells' lack of production? Do we enter a mode of rebuilding? Or do we try to buff up the team by increasin the payroll?

Yes, the Jays are depressing right now. But light moments like Lind's 8 RBI night always feel good. Unfortunately, we can only hope for more of those for the rest of September...until this team shows that they can contend. Hopefully, they won't turn into another Toronto Maple Leafs.

-D