McIntyre Tennis

Ivanovic's Breakthrough; Federer was Hingis' Ball Boy

Sure it's a bit late, but congratulations to Ana Ivanovic on her breakthrough Tier One win against Martina Hingis on Monday in Montreal. I saw the rain delayed finish of the Safina-Ivanovic match on Sunday and was impressed by Ivanovic's game. I think she's got a real shot at a Semi at the Open. (Also congrats to Martina Navratilova for winning the doubles w/ Petrova as she goes into her last tournament.)

And speaking of Hingis, these bits just makes me chuckle for some reason:

"We never played together during our younger days because I was always busy playing with girls and boys three years older than me when I was 14 or 15. However, I do remember that he (Roger Federer) was my ballboy at one of the Basel tournaments (laughs). That was funny."

"A lot of the great players have been injured. I used to play Lindsay, Monica, Jennifer, the Williams sisters -- all of us were beating Mauresmo. And now she's No. 1 and she's more confident. Sometimes in tennis it's about the last one standing."

That Martina.

Roddick Wins, LaLo Blogs and I'm Having Tennis Dreams

I woke up an hour ago and just now realized that I hadn't seen the rain-delayed Ana Ivanovic-Martina Hingis final on TV yesterday, with Pam Shriver, John McEnroe and Feliciano Lopez "judging" (god knows what; I don't remember anymore), and with Patrick McEnroe commentating on the fact that Feli turns heads and is a great pick for the panel.

Disturbing. I never have dreams I'm not in. I feel like I'm crossing some sort of fandom threshold.

Regardless, speaking of finals, Andy Roddick beat Juan Carlos Ferrero for Cincinnati, his first title of the year, and a spot in the top 10. With the victory, he also wins the US Open series and has serious OOMF going into the US Open. Roddick was back to his old self out there--spectacular serving, big stick strutting, firing himself up--as well as looking much more comfortable at net. Jimmy Connors, well done. Dare we say it? Andy seems to have finally found his mojo.

ETA: Here's a good piece on the revitalized Roddick from Tom Perrotta: For Roddick, Timing May Be Key to Success

Also, the lovely Feliciano Lopez (pictured) is blogging from New Haven this week. He dishes a bit on doubles partner and best buddy Rafael Nadal--Rafa's in New Haven to practice (he'll be hitting with James Blake (!) today), but so far it's pretty uninspired stuff.

Here's the Pilot Pen/New Haven site.

Ana Ivanovic: A Star is Born

Nice piece on Ana Ivanovic's growing popularity (thanks for the tip, Tom!). Read 'Ivanovic hits hard and gets plenty of hits on Web'

Hantuchova and Ivanovic Ad

Don't want to Make Every Shot (pause) A Power Shot? Ana Ivanovic (News/Posts)  and Daniela Hantuchova are the latest tennis starlets hawking camera equipment, this time for Sony Ericsson.

Watch the ad, er, "film."

Wimbledon Day 7 Previews

Here's a bit of good pre-Monday handicapping:

Baghdatis must now face up to the serious business
Good look at Murray and Baghdatis' history in the juniors and Marcos' tournament so far.

Berdych has the talent to ruffle Federer
Federer says he fears Berdych.

Ana Issues Warning to Mauresmo
Did you know they both live in Switzerland?

Also, Matt Cronin at tennisreporters.net has made his Monday picks.

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Women

Here's the women's draw. Venus landed at the bottom of Mauresmo's quarter of the draw and so did 14th seed Dinara Safina. Other trouble spots: a newly brunette Tatiana Golovin and Ana Ivanovic who's already beaten Amelie this year. Michaela Krajicek, who's still having a great week in Nottingham, is a potential 2nd round match up for Mauresmo.

Sharapova's section looks pretty straightforward until Dementieva in the quarters, though Schiavone, Sania Mirza, and Danilidou, who made the semis at the Ordina Open, could add some spice.

Hingis, Hantuchova, Jamea Jackson and Patty Schnyder are in Justine Henin-Hardenne's section of the draw. Will be interesting to see if Hingis can reach the massive roadblock that is Justine.

At the bottom of the draw, there are a few threats between #5 seed Kuznetsova and #2 seed Kim Clijsters: Vaidisova, Na Li and Kirilenko.

News: Petrova's pulled out with her lingering groin injury from the French.

Ace Hot List

Well, the most important tennis rankings are out.

For the men, the Spanish Armada is, of course, well represented in the top 10--  Rafael Nadal, Feliciano Lopez, Juan Carlos Ferrero. And apparently bald is also beautiful, with 2 shiny domes making the cut.

For the women, the top 10 is dominated by the Russians and sort-of Russians: Myskina, Dementieva, Kirilenko, Golovin and Sharapova.

The Women's and Men's Lists

I must say I disagree with the rankings. Ivanovic, Venus, Dementieva and Mirza are IMHO the most beautiful women on tour; and the spaniards should clearly have a lock on the top 4 (Feli first, and where is Moya?), and the absence of Ancic and Nalbandian is obviously poor judgement. (Roddick, top 10? Blasphemy!)

Ivanovic Makes an Impression

From The Sydney Morning  Herald: The other Serb is finally taken at face value

NOT many people noticed the other girl who had flown in from Serbia and Montenegro to train at Melbourne Park last month. The one who wasn't fleeing an unpleasant family situation, resuming her Australian citizenship and trying to rebuild her shattered confidence. The one who is successfully fulfilling her vast potential.

However, Ana Ivanovic's 6-3, 7-5 victory over second seed Amelie Mauresmo at the Sydney International yesterday should ensure the other Serb's face might be a bit more familiar when she returns to the Australian Open next week.

The 18-year-old Ivanovic, who has family in Melbourne, accepted an "unofficial invitation" to train at Melbourne Park during the annual Tennis Australia camp in December. While she was not part of the official proceedings, she was given full use of the facilities and hit with some of the locals, including reborn "local" Dokic.

Ana Ivanovic Wimbledon Diary

The latest BBC diary entry is from Ana Ivanovic who so far is doing a good job of following up her French Open quarterfinal breakthrough.  She'll face Mary Pierce in the third round tomorrow and I guess we'll get to see if Mary's French Open final was a fluke or a return to form.  I'd bet on Ivanovic myself.

"I've played at Wimbledon before as a junior but it's really different playing here as a professional - I feel much more confident.

Within just one year I'm already seeded, so it's a really big step for me and I enjoy playing here...

Away from tennis, I've had some offers to do modelling but I haven't done any yet...

Before a match I don't play music, I try to be on my own for a while and just concentrate."

Ana Ivanovic Article

The Guardian has a feature on Ana Ivanovic today: Fastest riser through the ranks

When Ana Ivanovic was 11 she went out to the practice courts in Belgrade to take her mind off the war. "I was a little bit afraid at first. But then you realised that they were not bombing everything, just special buildings."

Even now life can be awkward. "I have so many problems getting visas to go abroad. They want us to use the nationality Serbia-Montenegro but then in our passports we are Yugoslav." Yet, if these logistical problems, coupled with the vivid childhood memories of the troubles and the turmoil, might lead anybody to suppose that this 17-year-old would be short of confidence or conviction, they would be wrong.