TennisToday

Maria Sharapova Beats Venus Williams to Advance to the 4th Round at the Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's 3rd Round

2 Maria Sharapova d 25 Venus Williams - 61 63

This post isn't really about the match but about the pre-match chatter.

I didn't watch the match as it was on in the middle of the night in LA.

But I saw plenty of pre-match commentary.

And ALL of it sucked.

All of the ESPN people actually gave Venus almost a 50-50 chance.

They spoke about her like it was 5 years ago.

I love Venus but honestly who on earth really thought V would come close?

I get that they are all friend and need to kiss ass.

The worst offender of this is that Justine Gimelstob.

Listening to American commentators commentate on American players...

Is beyond annoying.

Philipp Kohlschreiber Upsets John Isner Late into the Night in 3rd Round Action at the US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

19 Philipp Kohlschreiber d 9 John Isner - 64 36 46 63 64

This match tied as the latest finish at the US Open ending at 2:26 am.

This is Philipp's 6th trip to a 4th round at a Slam: 1-4.

The 1 win just came at Wimby so can he make it 2 Slams in-a-row?

He'll next face 8 Janko Tipsarevic - H2H: 2-2. Very doable.

***

As for Isner... He couldn't get past the 3rd round at all 4 Slams this year.

And all 4 of those losses were defeats in 5 sets. Sucks, but it's ok.

My problem is this... In 19 Slams played he's been to the 4th round 3 times.

And has exactly ONE quarterfinal showing - at the US Open last year.

BUT - if you listen to the ridiculously biased commentating of Gimelstob...

You'd think he was a serious contender at every Slam.

Um Justin, there is zero evidence of that, zero.

To be clear - my problem is not John, it's Justin.

I get that they are chums but it should not cloud his blatherings.

On a positive note: John cleaned up well for Vogue this month:

Falla Eats Fish at Aussie Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

Alejandro Falla d 8 Mardy Fish - 76(4) 63 76(6)

Easily the biggest upset of the entire tournament thus far.

Mardy came into the Aussie Open with high hopes - as all top players do.

However, Justin Gimelstob had even higher hopes. Annoyingly so...

Hopefully this will get Justin to stop banging on about his upward trajectory.

Dude - this is as good as it's gonna get for Mardy.

He's not a top 5 player - please adjust your biased commentary accordingly.

OK, got that off my chest.

LOL: The only spell-check word suggestion for Gimelstob is 'comeliest'.

Jus' sayin'.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

ATP Uncovered: Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Talk about Their Legendary Rilvary

Here is a cute couple minutes with our two tennis titans.

I want Justin Gimelstob's life.

Former Tennis Stars Amelie Mauresmo & Justin Gimelstob to Run NYC Marathon this Weekend

I get a feeling that Amelie is gonna smoke Justin (with Jonathan Stark).

Kidding aside: this is no small feat - best of luck to all three.

Justin Gimeltob's Trophy Date

Justin tweeted this photo today - he went on a double date with the Fish's.

Justin once wrote an article about tennis players trophy wives/girlfriends.

Um, yea. He might now top that list. I'm sure he'd agree. Just sayin'.

Even Smooth-Talkin' Justin Gimelstob Can't Out of Traffic Ticket

This is precisely why I love Twitter... Where else are you gonna be this entertained?

Justin tweeted away from traffic court this morning:

1. Early am in traffic court, fighting a ridiculous camera ticket. I have a full courtroom/captive audience, this will be interesting!

*** I'm thinking, how do you fight a camera ticket?

2. Bad news, just found out they have video, my chances just diminished significantly.

*** D'oh!

3. Traffic Court was an unmitigated failure. I will never get this these 2 hours back in my life, and I'm the only one to blame. I'm an idiot.

*** D'uh!

4. Silver lining, I did successfully negotiate 8 hour traffic school instead of 12!

*** Hehe, thanks for the laughs Justin!

Brooklyn Decker at the ESPY's: Va-Va-Va-Voom!

I have long considered her to be the lucky one in that marriage.

Not after last night. Zounds! What mounds!

Hubby Andy Roddick couldn't attend the event...

So tennis buddy Justin Gimelstob filled in - he Tweeted:

AND, I adhered 2 almost every rule of Andy Roddick,

1 time there was some incidental contact,

but 99% of the time I kept the 2 feet cushion!

Photo: AP

Miami: Rain delays can really ruin your day

Since I was away all weekend I was all set for a good day of tennis.

Stupid rain.

So why does Fox Sports have to show Murray/Fish from 2 days ago?

Oh yea, they think American's are only interested in watching American's.

It's so annoying. And I've had to mute the commentary...

Gimelstob loves to be all too generous when calling a friends match.

"Fish has one of the best backhand returns in the game."

Um, no he doesn't - he's not even in the top 100...

He doesn't have one of the BEST anythings. Well - maybe trophy wife.

Photos: Reuters

Justin Gimelstob Tweets Photos of an ATP Photo Shoot

I love that Justin gives us his inside view on his Twitter.

But dude, how do you not have a better camera on your phone?

Roger ** Andy ** Carlos

Andy Roddick & Justin Gimelstob have VERY ODD exchange on the Tennis Channel

Andy Roddick called in for a chat with Justin Gimelstob and Leif Shiras during the Davis Cup match between Novak Djokovic and John Isner. At one point in the conversation Justin asked Andy if John felt comfortable within a team competition because he went to college. This is what followed:

Andy: I didn't go to college so...

Justin: You didn't really go to high school either.

Andy: Well, I did actually Gimel. (weird laugh) Graduated. I might not have wanted to be there but I definitely was there.

Justin: We're counting GED's now?

Andy: Haha, funny. How's that college? You've been working on that for about 8 years now. Is that complete yet?

Justin: I'm pacing myself.

Andy: I gotta think that if I did go for it I'd get it done within 8 years tho.

LONG AWKWARD PAUSE.

Leif jumps in to change the subject: So we're at deuce now...

Um, wow.

This, from the Justin Gimelstob Twitter Page

Now this guy I envy!

Justine Henin practicing on Rod Laver Arena

Baghdatis celebrating his 5 set comeback win

Things are getting close with me & Leif in the booth during Federer match!

You can follow Justin on Twitter as I do.

Photos & captions: Justin Gimelstob