It’s 6:50am on the Left Coast…anyone else up watching?
A brush with fame: Every year, there’s a women’s tennis tournament at Stanford University. It’s had some different sponsors over the years; I think the current title is the “Bank of the West Classic”.
Across El Camino Real from the University property (diagonal from the football stadium, if you’re really interested), there’s a shopping center. Many of the stores are pretty upscale, but at one time, there was a good family restaurant called Stickney’s. (They had a toffee crunch cake to die for!)
The spouse and I went there for dinner one night, and as we were leaving, we saw a tall, very attractive young woman sitting in a corner booth with an older man. I went up to use the restroom while the spouse was paying the bill. As I came out, the spouse said to me, “I think that was Lindsay Davenport!” I took another look, and though I wasn’t super-familiar with the tennis scene, I had to agree with him.
So, for sentimental reasons, I gotta root for Lindsay…
Was just about to post that Venus is looking strong, then she double-faults…
Lindsey’s improved movement is going to make this one good match. No hiccups for Lindsey yet. She has break point for 5-2.
in the first set so far; both by Davenport.
Commentators said that Williams doesn’t seem to have the energy she usually has. I didn’t see the semifinals — maybe those took a lot out of her.
Davenport didn’t look sharp on that chance to take the first set. The caffiene may be kicking in for Williams…
Venus breaks back.
The semi final with Venus and Sharapova did require a lot of energy, just the grunts were exhausting.
Lindsey serving for the match for the second time.
for Davenport…got it!
First set 6-4
First set Davenport.
But, Venus has shown up.
Boy, if Venus misses a first serve, Lindsey is deadly.
Venus wins the first game, second set, but not easily.
One all. The level of play is improving for both. This could be a classic.
since you’re the only one up, do you play? I used to bat the ball around a bit, but couldn’t get the hang of serving. Thinking about taking the game up again in my old age…then again, I was watching the Women’s US Open (golf) last weekend and told the spouse I wanted golf lessons! lol
I played until I was 32 or so, all the way through graduate school and a bit after. Not very well, but for my amusement and exercise. Now, I’m 60 and fat and my knees and ankles would object.
stomach is rumbling…breakfast calls…
Come back quick Cali Scribe – Davenport is serving for the championship!!!
Venus fell, but appears to be ok.
Lindsey breaks and is serving for the match.
Venus breaks back.
Tiebreak time.
Something has caught fire in Venus – just hope Lindsay can hang on and bring hers back.
This is some fine tennis.
Venus takes the tiebreak. One set all.
Here we go!
One of the things I love about tennis is that you can have chamionship point and still loose. It makes the mental game so obvious for everyone to see and so critical to winnng.
Did anyone watch the Australian women’s final a few years ago with Martina Hingis and Jennifer Capriati? That was really the ultimate demostation of the power of the mental game. And of course, not to totally ignore the men, Jimmy Connors was the ultimate “mental” player. He won far beyond his physical capabilites because of it.
It isn’t over til it’s really over in tennis.
One of the reasons I think Lindsey will pull this out is that her mental strength has improved greatly this last year.
Oh Cali, I do hope you are watching this while enjoying your breakfast.
Because off all the times people I knew said how sick they were of those Williams sisters taking all the publicity when they really meant “who do those black girls think they are?”
Because of all the times someone decribed Venus as mannish or too tall or too muscular.
Because she showed up with out the jewelry and other “bling”.
….now if she would lose the weave. She’d look great with her hair really short, she is a beautiful strong Amazon of a woman with a face like a sculpture and I would love to see her embrace that fact.
I’m really happy that Venus is in this final. It was so nice to see her celebrating victory again. She has looked depressed for the last year or so, so I’m thrilled that she seems to be enjoying playing again.
And, this is a great match.
Does anyone else wonder if Venus might just wear Lindsay down? She doesn’t seem to be in as good physical condition but I could be wrong. If I am right and the match goes on long enough will Williams just beat her by wearing her out?
Fitness could become an issue, but so far both look to be holding up well. Actually, Lindsey looks to be in better shape at the moment.
Davenport breaks. 4-2 Davenport.
Venus breaks back. On serve.
Uh oh, Lindsey has gone off for an injury break. It appears she tweaked her lower back.
Lindsey holds, but is moving gingerly.
Venus to serve to stay in match.
Venus double faults, giving Davenport match point.
Deuce.
I want Lindsay to win. She just seems like a real person, plus she’s a great player!
Wow – what a match!! And Lindsay definitely is mentally stronger than I’ve seen her in the past. She has tended to get discouraged and start hanging her head. Even with an injury – she’s still in this one. Great to see.
Why doesn’t Davenport come into the net at all?
I think its because her biggest asset is her strength – not her quickness.
Venus wins. 9-7 in the third.
we didn’t put $$ on this.
if we did. = )
First I watched. Then I turned to blogging. Had I but known…
Nah! Longest ladies finals in history, I wouldn’t have spent any time looking at anything except the game.
I have to say that others have been far more exciting. But excitement isn’t everything, not by a long shot.
Thanks for this. I couldn’t watch. I just couldn’t bear it. I wanted Venus to win so badly until I would have just collapsed into a heap.
I’m a much better sports-watcher when I don’t have a puppy in the fight. You should have seen me in the NCAA championship when Maryland (my alma mater) played IN. Just a pile of nerves, I wanted them to win so badly.
And she was very very happy!