PUT A CAP ON IT: Reeshard

After resolving his recent off-court issues Richard Gasquet is one win away from capturing his first title in over 2 years - allez! He'll face a resurgent Marcos Baghdatis who edged out Mardy Fish 6-4, 6-7(7), 7-6(5) in the final.

So I don't know if Reeshard is in pain, in need of a bathroom break, or is in pain because he needs to use the bathroom like REALLY badly.

WTH is going on here?!

[Photo(s): AP]

PHOTO OP: She totally deserves this win

"...but I AM happy for her. I'm smiling. See?"

Once again, Elena Dementieva got the best of Serena Williams in Sydney. Could it be a good sign for next week's Australian Open? Well, not exactly.

The Russian knocked the apparently injured top seed all around the court grabbing a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win ahead of the year's first major. Last season, after winning in Auckland a week earlier Elena crushed ReRe 6-3, 6-1 in the final four here and entered Oz as one of the faves to take the title. Unfortunately she get her arse spanked by the 11-time Grand Slammer 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals of Melbourne ending her hopes of a first major championship.

For her part, the world's top lady baller preferred to blame the loss not on the injury to her left knee but on her unforced errors...oh, and Elena's good play of course.

“I made about a thousand and two unforced errors … it’s better now than later, I guess. I was struggling a little bit, but, you know, I hate to make any excuse. I think she definitely deserves all the credit for what she did.”

Classic. I wonder how severe this injury is to her surgically repaired knee, though. It's certainly not the way she wants to go into the defense of her title. Elena, however, has other things to worry about Down Under besides ReRe - like a possible showdown with Justine Henin in Round 2.

[Photo(s): GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: Roddick gets bragging rights on Blake's booty

Just a few thoughts on this hilarious Andy Roddick moment from a recent practice session in Melbourne:

1. He's on a roll with vids.

2. I'd lose a bet to him. On purpose.

3. Blake & Co. look a little too comfortable in that position.

FASHION FIX: Really A-Rez, REALLY?

Question: Is Aravave Rezai reacting this way because of the outfit she chose to wear this week in Sydney or her collapse against Serena Williams in the semifinals today?

Answer: Please let it be a little bit of both.

The Frenchie held a set and a 5-2 lead over the world's top lady baller before feeling her own nerves and ReRe's better play, going down 3-6, 7-5, 6-4. Oops. The American will face Elena Dementieva, who crushed Victoria Azarenka, in tomorrow's final.

They both seemed to downplay the match with some interesting tidbits from the post-match pressers:

“For me, she was not too impressive,” Rezai said. “Of course she’s a good player, of course I respect her. But I could have won today. I wasn’t impressed. Probably it was more difficult for her to play against me. I know she’s a fighter but I am also a fighter."

"Today I lost. Probably next time I will win.”

Uh, OKAY.

"Was I down that far? I didn’t even realize,” Williams said. “I don’t think she lost her way at all. I felt like I literally lifted my game at that point, because I knew I was going to be headed to Melbourne if I didn’t. I kept thinking, ‘I want to get a little more practice, and I’d hate for it to end now.”’

It must be nice to know that while you're fighting for an important tourney win and a victory over a future Hall of Famer, she's looking at you as just another nameless, faceless practice partner.

But you have other things to be sad about A-Rez like this outfit. I mean, what is with this get up? After staring at it for a while (fine, 5 seconds is all it took) in disbelief, her cocktail number from last season has me wishing for more of that thing.

Word of advice Frenchie: it's never good to use hand-me-down material from other lady baller outfits espesh ones worn by Bethanie Mattek-Sands. TRUST.

[Photo(s): AP]

(UPDATED) Must Be Melbourne: Shirtless practices begin for Del Potro and Roddick

"These balls have some funk."

I figured these shirtless baller shots were as good a place as any to start back up. And so I am.

The latest member of the shirtless brigade, Juan Martin del Potro, was spotted at Melbourne Park today grabbing a practice hit ahead of next week's Australian Open. The Argentine was forced to withdraw from his match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Kooyong warm up with a wrist injury though it doesn't seem to be bothering him here.

Who knew Delpo had a full-on body carpet? It seems to run from head, to face, to neck, to body, to *blank* (I'm guessing), to toe (I'm still guessing.) I'd like proof on those last two areas however.



Andy Roddick, who possibly inspired two female koalas to go gay for him, was also seen getting his shirtless practice on at the venue. He's even selling a stuffed koala via his website so you too can share a piece of that action. Don't lie - you know you want to.

Anyway, enjoy A-Rod's shirtless shots.




UPDATE: Thanks to xeres18 for sending links over of Carlos Moya + Fernando Gonzalez in all their shirtless glory. Now back to your regularly scheduled droolfest already in progress...

[Photo(s): PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images]

Like, HELLO?

Hey readers,

I know some of you have been wondering why there haven't been any updates recently and what the status of Down the Line! is at the moment.

I'm hoping to get back to my blogging ways soon but I have some non-tennis, real life things that have required my attention. Believe me, I'm missing tennis and trash-talking with all of you, too, but mama needs to make money!

In any case, I hope you're enjoying the start of the 2010 season. I'm targeting the Oz Open for a return if all goes well.

*everything crossed*

RiCH

Letter to DtL readers: I've been Tumblr'ed

Hey peeps!

As you can see I haven't been posting on DtL lately. It's partly because it's the off-season but mostly because I've been spending my time elsewhere (and NO it's not with those sickly beautiful log carrying boys sillies, though that could be lots o' fun.)

I've started a Tumblr called "Richly Deserved" and although it includes some tennis it covers more of my other loves.

Click here to take a peek and/or follow @RichlyDeserved updates on Twitter.

And, don't worry. It doesn't bite. Much.

(UPDATED) PHOTO OP: Sexy Spanish MF's (well, mostly)

"I'm sexy too, no?"

The champion Davis Cup team along with compatriot Tommy Robredo grabbed a gussied up photo op with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the cup during an official reception at the Moncloa presidential palace in Madrid today.

Oh PM how jelly I am of your position in that photo. I'd gladly be sandwiched between all that pretty chorizo.

So who's bringing the most HAWTNESS here peeps? I, for one, am loving Tommy's suit + scarf moment. But as always, there's too much clothing in the way for my tastes.

UPDATE: Ooh, better pic here including coach Albert Costa and the epically drool-worthy Juan Carlos Ferrero.


[Photo(s): AP]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: JuJu

I want much more emphasis on human relationships. In my first career, I didn't realise what sport can mean to the people. Now I understand better.

My big problem is that I am basically shy. When the spotlight is on me, I crawl into my shell, instead of showing that I can be funny or fun. I'm trying that now. It's my job.

- Justine Henin on her new approach to tennis

Ah, so JuJu finally realized that sports isn't just about the athlete but it's also ENTERTAINMENT.

I guess we should sit back, relax, and get ourselves ready for some serious Belgian LOLs y'all.

[Photo(s): AP]

(UPDATED) PHOTO OP: Raising the cup to victory

"Rafa, let's prepare your shelf for the cup, k?"

A big congrats to the Spanish Armada for defending their Davis Cup championship after defeating the Czech Republic!

Rafael Nadal started things off in spectacular style dismantling Tomas Berdych in the opening rubber. The second rubber saw David Ferrer furiously fight back from a 2-set deficit to upend Radek Stepanek 1-6,  2-6,  6-4,  6-4,  8-6. And the doubles pairing of Feliciano Lopez + Fernando Verdasco clinched an unbeatable 3-0 lead after defeating The Berd + The Worm 7-6(7), 7-5, 6-2. It's the country's fourth title in Davis Cup play.

I'm sure this win will help Rafa + Nando heal the sting of going a combined 0-6 at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals last week. It's always great for the confidence to end the season on such a high note.

I mean, even Rafa's infamous ass-ets seem perkier than usual. DAYUM.

UPDATE: So Spain completed the absolute beatdown of the Czech Republic and went 5-0 with Rafa scoring a 6-3 6-4 win over Jan Hajek and Ferru grabbing a 6-4 6-2 decision over Lukas Dlouhy. Ya think they wanted this DC?


[Photo(s): VamosRafa]