Nadal Simon AO 2009

Aaaaaand here we go! The French Puppy against the Spanish Wolf.

Bad? Yeah. I'm sorry. In my eyes, Gilles looks a little like this:

Whaaa?? I'm sorry, I can't help how my eyes sees people. Besides, it's not an insult. Coming from a dog lover like me, it's very high praise actually. Poms are smart and alert. See? High praise.

I wonder if this set of fans will be watching today. They were at the Nadal/Haas match. To say I loved them would be an understatement.

The chair umpire chatted a little with Gilles at the net, and though I cannot hear most of it, this was spoken:

"..this match will be 6th hour on court for him.."

Or something to that effect. WAY to put a player down. I don't know whether to laugh or frown. Let's not make the Baby Pom cry, ok?

FIRST SET

*1st game, 5 deuces, Baby Pom made 7 UE to Rafa's 1. Rafa breaks. Can I just say how HOT it looks? And it's supposed to be night time there.

*4-1, 1st set, Rafa breaks for the second time.

*4-1, 15 all. Rafa doublefaults. Is this his first DB in AO?

*4-2, Rafa's broken. He was playing it real careful, but made a UE to end the game for him. He seems bothered by something. Most likely the heat. His shirt's plastered to his chest, abs, shoulder, biceps... Ok I should stop.

*1st set Rafa takes it 6-2. He makes 8 winners to his 7 UE. Baby Pom makes 9 to his 15.  Rafa's 1st serve 78% to Pom's 55%. Appalling stats for Pom.

SECOND SET

*HO!1st point, 2nd set, Rafa hits a down the line forehand, and Simon gives an expression that says "Sacre bleu!! what the hell am I supposed to do when he does that?". Love it.

*Both players are frowning fiercely and looks vastly uncomfortable. The Rafarms are glistening with Rafasweat. Oy.

*Damn this broadcast! 2-2 second set, 3rd deuce and Rafa served. Next thing I see Pom's on his back with his racquet clattering away. WHAT HAPPENED!!!

*Second set, Baby Pom up 5-4, Rafa serving next. We might be heading for a tiebreak. Simon is so cute even when he sulks.

*Rafa just saved a set point from Pom with vicious forehands. It's so quick.

*YES!!! 5-5, second set. Baby Pom to serve.

*5-5, 0-15 for Simon. Rafa stopped play to challenge a call on his side of the baseline. It was at least 10 cm out. Rafa got it.

*Rafa breaks! 6-5 for him now.

*Wooohoooo! Rafa takes the set 7-5 with great forehands. VAMOS!

THIRD SET

*Baby Pom breaks. 3-3.

*Pom holds. 4-3.

*Aaaaand the broadcast is seriously crapping out on me.

*Pom holds 5-4. Rafa to serve. Pom got the last 2 points from Rafa's UE. C'mon babe.

*A UE, a double fault, another UE, a rally, and Rafa breaks to 6-5. Baby Pom looks exhausted. And did he say "zhit"???

*Rafa serving for the match. One more game and you can go to a cool air-conditioned room with me acting like an ice towel on top of you.

*Cross court forehand and MATCH POINT!

*WTF??!?! Baby Pom challenged the winning point! LMFAO. It was out. Rafa wins in (close) straight sets. No continental kissing for these two. DAMMIT. Oh well.

Big props to Simon for fighting like a champion. The heat was grueling to say the least. Smooches to Rafa for keeping his concentration. Semis, here we come!