VANtage Point: Breaking down the Sony Ericsson Open

Hello, and Happy New Year! Granted, that sentiment might be a little late, but this is the first VANtage Point of 2011 and it would be rude for me to proceed without the proper salutations!

And if you’re wondering what VANtage Point is, it’s where guest blogger Van from Tennis Talk, Anyone? (that’s me) pops in on DtL and gives a breakdown of some of the biggest events on the ATP and WTA calendars. So let’s get into it, shall we? First, with …

This Week’s Spotlight: I’m taking my tournament-predicting talents to South Beach* - the scene of the Sony Ericsson Open - and what many in the tennis world consider the unofficial “Fifth Slam.” The defending champs are Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters who are both back in the field with all of the game’s elite. You know, players like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic and Vera Zvonareva—yeah, those guys!

Players to Watch: It’s funny to write this but keep your eye on that Federer fella. It’s hard to gauge how his season has gone so far: He’s made deep runs at every event he’s played—as he’s apt to do—but he keeps losing to Djokovic, who even took away Fed’s number-two ranking after capturing the crown in Indian Wells last week. Djokovic has a nice big bagel sitting in the loss column for the year, but can he keep the run he’s going on through Miami? Also, watch out for Andy Murray, who could possibly be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him seed in Florida.

On the women’s side, I’m going to actually point out a whole quarter for you to watch! Check out the one where Zvonareva is the high seed. I think there are all types of players that could get far in the draw that aren’t the world number three. She could go out in the second round after playing the winner of the Dinara Safina-Jelena Dokic first-rounder. You also have last week’s Indian Wells finalist, Marion Bartoli, lurking. Higher up in that quarter, top-10 seeds Francesca Schiavone or Agnieszka Radwanska have a great shot at getting to the semis.

The Final Fours: For the men on the top half, I’m going with the dream match-up—Federer vs. Nadal with Federer winning. On the bottom half, I have a little bit of a surprise with Stanislas Wawrinka over Djokovic. As for the women, on the top half, I like Wozniacki to take out Svetlana Kuznetsova, then Schiavone falling to Clijsters.

And the Winners Are … : Federer and Clijsters: two future Hall-of-Famers getting it done. Enjoy the tournament.

*And a special kudos to you if you can figure out where I got that asterisked sentence from, tennis fans!

Van Sias writes the blog Tennis Talk, Anyone?. Follow him on Twitter @ttanyone and Facebook here.

[Photo(s): ]

VIDEO VAULT: Serena Williams spins her top (and other parts)

Check out this supposedly unauthorized Top Spin 4 promo starring Serena Williams and another woman called 'The World's Sexiest Gamer.' It features the former top lady baller in a onesie and thigh high boots showing off her gaming skills - a typical night at the ReRe mansion, no doubt.

I don't see what the big deal is here. After the catsuit and other near-nekkid ReRe moments this one is actually pretty tame.

Thanks jovan017!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Kim Clijsters

I won’t go [to Tokyo.] And I won’t go to Beijing either.

- Kim Clijsters on avoiding the Asian tourneys in the fall due to fears of radiation contamination

Well, she didn't play any of them last year and she has talked at length about her limited schedule getting even more limited next season. It wouldn't surprise me if Kimmie never played those tourneys again. Just a thought.

[Photo(s): Matthew Stockman/Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Just because

"How YOU doin'?" asks Nipplet.

I give you Fernando Verdasco shirtless, of course, practicing in Key Biscayne for the Sony Ericsson Open. There really isn't much else to say but ENJOY.

Oh, and YOU'RE WELCOME.

A few more after the jump - click the head. And, remember, keep it clean. Just kidding!

Nadal wants you to drink responsibly (no, really)

Rafael Nadal has become the latest ambassador for Bacardi Ltd. and will star in a series of ads for its "Champions Drink Responsibly" campaign. The announcement will be made today during an event at the New World Symphony Space in Miami Beach.

The first spot (above) featuring the world's top baller is geared toward the message that champions watch out for their friends while drinking and includes the line "I'd always tell my friends where the line is." According to the Miami Herald, the second ad will focus moderation and features the message, "I try to beat everyone at tennis, not at drinking."

I enjoy socializing with my friends and family and drinking responsibly is important no matter what your game is,” Nadal said in a statement. “That is why I’m teaming up with Bacardi Limited as I want to take the lead in promoting social responsibility to fans and consumers around the world.

The Spanish lefty will participate in events around Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and other tourneys to help get the message out. He joins Formula One world champ Michael Schumacher who became the first face of the campaign in April 2008.

I always find it interesting when athletes partner with brands like Bacardi Ltd. that go against the athletic ideal (more in the minds of the fans than the athletes themselves me thinks) of strictly healthy eating/no drinking.  It's a fine line for them and could torpedo their well-crafted image. Granted, it's an educational campaign about responsible drinking, but Rafa still wasn't afraid to admit he enjoys "socializing" (as he put it) within limits from time to time. Like we didn't know that already.

[Via: The Miami Herald]

PHOTO OP: Her arse don't lie

Christie's auction house in London is hosting an exhibition entitled "Court on Canvas" exploring the subject of tennis in art. Fiona Walker, 53, was 18-years old when she posed as the "Athena poster girl" in this now famous photograph.

I can only hope my arse holds up as well as Fiona's when I reach her age. Maybe I should photograph mine now...

*seriously considers*

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

(UPDATED) MEDIA MASHUP: Who's got the real salsa skills, eh?

Here's a video of Rafael Nadal + Novak Djokovic during their exo today in Bogota, Columbia. You just knew they were going to pull them out on court for a bit of salsa, didn't you? Not sure if dance was contractual but, in any case, let the awkwardness begin!

Some images from the exo below and after the jump.

UPDATE: Double OMG. More of this here. Seriously, extra credit to both for flying down to Colombia a day after competing in the Indian Wells final only to put on these hats and carry those murses. Oh, and the money. They got lots of that, too. I guess it's all good.

VIDEO VAULT: Falcon flies again

It made me laugh, it made me cry. And it comes with an Oscar-worthy score.
 
[Via: HEAD]

VIDEO VAULT: Charlie called. He wants his Angels back.

Maria Sharapova and WTA tour sponsor Sony Ericsson revealed the six lady ballers who will be taking part in the Xperia Hot Shots initiative during a launch party in South Beach, Miami ahead of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Heather Watson, Alize Cornet, Sabine Lisicki, Sorana Cirstea and Dominika Cibulkova were chosen to take part in the web-based series which will help them "realize their dreams" (aren't they doing THAT already?) by giving them exclusive access to a bunch of really cool events thereby helping grow their Facebook fan base (see the page here.) The lady baller with the biggest base gets a "support deal" from Sony Ericsson. No idea what that means exactly.

There's also a dedicated YouTube page where these webisodes will premiere. It's a bit Charlie's Angels to me - not that there's anything wrong with that. But the girls need more high-waisted pants, hair flipping and background explosions. Yes, definitely more explosions!



[Via: MariaSharpova.com]

Desert dust up

There have been comparisons aplenty lately between Novak Djokovic + Caroline Wozniacki. They both have world-class defensive skills (check), enviable footwork (double check) and a love for the big stage (triple check.) Here's another one now: They're both Indian Wells champs with Nole grabbing his second and Woz earning her first.

Nole was already playing like the world's top baller going undefeated on the season as he entered the final against the reigning World No. 1 Rafael Nadal. He had claimed the second spot in the rankings in the semifinals when bested Roger Federer for the third straight time - only the fourth baller EVAH to accomplish the feat (Rafa, Andy Murray, David Nalbandian.) But he had never beaten the Mallorcan Matador in a final in five attempts. You just knew this time could be different, though, based his soaring confidence heading into the match. And it was, with Nole winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Serb was outplayed in the first set as Rafa pushed Nole around with his superior forehand. But, like all champs, he made crucial mid-match adjustments and began pummeling the Spaniard's backhand with his forehand. He was also able to neutralize Rafa's tricky second serve delivery by upping his footwork and getting around to smack it aggressively. By the third set, the top seed was bleeding errors from every part of his game and couldn't buy a first serve. I guess he was kinda upset:

Now here's where championships are won: Serving at 4-1 and up a double break in the decider, Nole put the clamps on the 9-time Grand Slammer cracking FH winners and pummeling an ace to snuff out any hope of a comeback. No indecision, no shakiness - just pure focus and drive. He was brimming with supreme confidence and wanted Rafa to know. That's how you do it, kiddies.

Wozzi played her usual brand of steady, heady tennis against Marion Bartoli and rolled over the French lady in the first set. Like Nole, the top lady baller's supreme footwork allows her to stay balanced and get behind the ball with enough time to pretty much do whatever she wants with it. By the second set, though, Bart was driving her double-fisted blasts into the corners getting past the Dane's defensive wall and forcing her to go for too much. Inevitably, the fatigue from reaching her first final in the desert (she also suffered a stomach flu earlier in the week) and punishing rallies started to show on the Frenchie. She was able to steal the second set but by the third the wheels were coming off:

Unlike Nole, who knows how and when to shut it down, Woz was broken while serving for the match against an foe who was clearly scraping through to the end. This is an important difference and where Woz will need to improve if she's to finally grab her maiden major. She still gets tentative in key moments, allows her opponents back in and gives them hope for the upset - sometimes they come through big (think Li Na in Oz) and sometimes they don't like Bart. In either case it never seems like it's in her control. Nole's FH is a much bigger weapon as well and he put it to great effect in the final stages of his win; Wozzi's is getting better but is still attackable and lands short when she gets tight.

Big props to the 20-year old for keeping her "head cool" and closing it out 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, though, and earning her first Indian Wells crown. I admit I have been one of those fans who's been on the fence about her chances to grab a major, but after her performance this week, particularly her demolition of Maria Sharapova in the semifinals, I can see it happening. Maybe not tomorrow, but at some point in the coming year or so. A congrats also goes out to Bart who re-entered the Top 10 at No. 10 on the back of her stellar week in the desert.

[Photo(s): AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS]