BARCELONA OPEN: Rafa Might Actually Bring The Ugly VW Home

So all that expectation of Rafa vs Kolya boiled down to nothing. Rafa won easily 63, 62, and he is through to his fifth consecutive final in Barcelona.

To be honest it's getting kinda boring. Can no one give him a real challenge? Sure, Nole the Smurf King took him to 3 sets last week, but last week he was not his best, yes? This week he kinda is, and the result is mindblowingly boring matches. Although I say that with the greatest compliments to him, I really want some exciting matches soon. I mean, there's no drama whatsoever! That's like watching one of Kate Winslet's Oscar winning movies to me.

Meeting him in the final and trying to wrestle the ugly VW off Rafa's hands is David Ferrer, who won over Gonzo in 3 sets. Yep, last year's finalist right here in Barcelona. Yes, Dabid might be great on clay, and on the stuff he might triple his actual tennis abilities but no way in hell is he getting past Rafa. I mean, let's be realistic here. But who knows. Maybe we'll have a surprise on court tomorrow.

Anyhow, Rafa seems happy enough, so that's enough for me.

And because this picture is like, five kinds of awesome:

Btw, this ugly VW I'm talking about is the Volkswagen on display at the corner of the center court in Barcelona. I'm guessing it's what he winner would bring home. I'm sorry, but it's so ugly it offends me. How is that thing supposed to be an incentive?

/rant

BARCELONA OPEN: Nalby Withdraws, Rafa Through To Semis

Not that he wouldn't if Nalby didn't, but I'm kinda glad he's got a bit of rest before he goes against Kolya.

On day 4, Rafa beat Rochus 62, 60. 

Btw, Kolya is seriously impressing me with his comeback. Months out with injuries and he's waded in to the deepest part of the pool without missing a beat. He might be my second Ginge. I think I have to come up with a name. I'll let you guys know.

This image was taken yesterday, and it made me a little bit sad.

He's trying so hard, no?

Maybe it's just my medicine talking.

(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

MONTE CARLO: Ginge vs Kolya - Best Match So Far

In my not very humble opinion at least. The second set was just thrilling stuff and pure grit from both players. Both have played once already during the day and it showed, especially on Ginge. But he held on amidst his yells and shouts and screams of "Fuck!", "Come on!", and "What is that!". How do you not love a player of this caliber?

A very funny thing happened at deuce on Andy's winning game. Kolya's ball was called long by the judge, but the umpire wasn't too sure and down he came from his chair. Ginge was totally knackered by then, and he just pointed to what was supposedly the mark with his racquet and said "it's there" with not much care. But the umpire didn't agree, he pointed to the mark inside the court and well, suffice to say Andy went BALLISTIC. Ears steaming, roof hitting, violence in your mind kind of ballistic.

"What!!"
"It's that one!!"

"Oh my god!"
"I can't believe this!"

I was sort of hoping he would say "You can't be serious!" ala McEnroe, but alas, I had to be satisfied with head clutching, complete and utter disbelief and so much panic in his voice it was cracking. The match alone is worth watching, just for that scene. It was that priceless. I will hunt down a video of it in youtube, here's hoping Ginge's fans would get off their asses and upload something interesting about him. Don't look at me, I don't have the kind of bandwith to upload videos, so I'm off the hook.

So Ginge won 76(1), 64.  The scoreline just didn't do the match justice. I wish Kolya all the best in upcoming tournaments, he played great - unless he meets Rafa or Ginge. All's fair then.

What a win.

Oh - and to reward him, he has to play against Rafa tomorrow. Yeah. I'm looking forward to Ginge just frazzling away from nerves and throwing tanthrums on court while Rafa just looks on with that stony expression he has. Good times.