+ FRIDAY NETCORDS: Year-end road maps...Talking to Todd...Secret behind Tsonga's injuries

(Andy Roddick, Tokyo)

LINKS

Road to Shanghai [TENNIS]
Road to Doha [TENNIS]
Todd talk [tennis week]


BLOG TALK

Breaking down Jo-Willy's breakdowns [Tennis Diary]

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Dementieva looks demented during Stuttgart loss - WTF?

Elena Dementieva, who was defeated 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-1 by Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in the Stuttgart quarterfinals today, looks absolutely demented here. She's going to put a serious hurting on that unsuspecting tennis ball - I'm sure of it.

I wonder who or what the Russian is thinking about right about now. Any guesses? Do tell!

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Tomas crushes Gonzo in Tokyo, works refreshing Nike style

Tomas Berdych's erratic game seems to be rounding into form in Tokyo. The Czech baller dismantled Fernando Gonzalez 6-0, 6-4 in their 62 minute quarterfinal; it was his second defeat of the Chilean this year (Cincinnati). He'll face American Andy Roddick for a spot in the final this weekend.

I'm LOVING the Nike outfit Tomas is wearing here. It looks to be the Resort Polo in grey from their Holiday 2008 collection (colorway possibly Europe only) paired with Global Team Short in scarlett.

This color combo (which Nike debuted at the US Open with Roger Federer's duds) paired with the white hat, white + red Vapors and grey wristbands still seems fresh and the stripes add a nice bit of texture to the entire outfit. Plus, it looks like the Czech added a personal touch with his underwear's peek-a-boo green waistband.

Hmmm - I wonder what other sneaky things are going on underneath his outfit...

(images via Getty)

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Ernests enters Kooyong...Michelle reaches career first...JJ vs. Marcelo

(Viktor Troicki, Tokyo)

LINKS

Don't sleep on the fall [ESPN]
Jon Wertheim, you've got mail [SI]
Kooyong grabs Ernests [Yahoo! Sports]


BLOG TALK

Shrieka 2.0 makes first quarterfinal [Nick's Picks]
Is JJ pulling a Marcelo? [Peter Bodo's Tennisworld]
For your mini-Maria [What's All the Racquet]

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Jo-Willy stomachs another injury, retires in Tokyo

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and his game hit the skids again in Tokyo today.

The Frenchie baller, who soared to his first ATP title last weekend, came crashing down after suffering an abdominal strain while leading Serb Viktor Troicki 7-5, 1-2.

I'm not quite sure what to make of his laundry list of injuries at this point. What I do know is that it sucks for tennis to not have him around.

Be well Jo-Willy. Oh, and get yourself a traveling physio - it's done wonders for Andy Murray.

(image via Getty)

Poker reminds Boris of tennis, may be losing his marbles shortly

Old age may have finally caught up to Boris Becker.

The recently engaged 6-time Grand Slammer is one of the star attractions on the Pokerstars.com team so the UK's trash rag The Mirror decided to sit down with the tennis legend for a video interview as the European Poker Tour got underway today.

As if reading mental cue cards, a serious and somewhat ragged-looking Boris discusses his long history playing the game, the competitiveness between players, and what he hopes to accomplish on the tour.

The German star also reveals how the card game reminded him so much of his time he ruled the roost in tennis:

I used to play tennis, obviously, so poker is sort of the next thing. It reminded me a lot about my past, the skills you need in poker you need in tennis as well: concentration, patience, endurance, reading the other player, I'm bluffing sometimes...

No kidding with the "bluffing" thing B.

But seriously, "concentration", "patience", and "endurance"? Really?? I had no idea tennis + poker were so similar - crazy! It's good to know you've put those skills to good use and they won't get rusty in your dusty tennis bag.

Hey Rafa - if this tennis thing doesn't work out you'll always have a spot on the poker tour (some people have all the luck.)

Check out the full video here.

(image via Getty)

Kei spanked in front of home crowd, Richard can more than empathize

Kei Nishikori's homecoming was short and not very sweet.

The Japanese baller was spanked off the court in front of his home crowd in Tokyo today, losing the 55-min match to a suddenly solid Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2. The Frenchie had a great serving day hitting 7 aces in the mini-match.


As for Kei, well, a lesson learned: it's hard playing great ball in front of your home peeps. Just ask Richard - it's a thrill-a-minute for him in Paris because his crowd might actually eat him alive.

(images via AP)

VIDEO VAULT: NBC's Harry Cicma fluffs way through tennis talk - sign me up!

Harry Cicma reports on tennis for NBC Sports, an institution in the world of athletics as far back as I can remember.

So you'd think the sportscaster would have great access to ballers and insidery information for hungry fans, right? Well, let's see!

Here's his rundown on the current issues surrounding Ana Ivanovic this season. Check it:



Huh? Where's the beef Harry?? Maybe it was the topic. Let's try his take on Andy Roddick's season so far:



Harry, c'mon! There wasn't a single interesting, insightful comment in either video (the part after the long commercial I was forced to watch I mean.) I could've done that "fluff piece" from my make-shirt desk using my web cam at the dining room table.

Geez - someone sign me up for one of those cushy, NBC Sports news "jobs" please...

(image via nbcsports.com)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Flink's WTA report...Prince gets personal...Catching up with Donald

(Richard Gasquet, Tokyo)

LINKS

Flink thinks WTA [Tennis Channel]
The curious case of Kuzy [TENNIS]


BLOG TALK

Personalize your Prince [Daily Racquet]
Exclusive: Donald Young talks tennis [Black Tennis Pro's]

(image via Getty)

Na knocks Serena out of Stuttgart and the WTA Penthouse

Li Na has a way with the Williams sisters.

The Chinese baller, who defeated Venus at the Beijing Olympics, pulled a Serena stunner knocking the world no. 1 off her perch in Stuttgart with a strange looking 0-6, 6-1, 6-4 scoreline and ending ReRe's short stay in the WTA Penthouse.

Jelena Jankovic will again take over residence on Monday - so let's make sure the powder room is stocked with gowns + glitter, okay guys?

(image via AP)