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Post by GWH on Jan 14, 2005 1:08:14 GMT
Mariano plays the young Aussie Marc Kimmich in the 1st round.
If he were successful he would play the winner of Ferrero and qualifier.
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Post by GWH on Jan 14, 2005 11:01:43 GMT
Mariano was there training with Acasuso. It was plenty of fun as always and there is a surprise involved here, but I can't reveal it. They weren't really trying hard and Zaba was having his groin stretched and some of the ladies would have loved that for sure.
Tomorrow might be more of a serious workout and we will see who he trains with perhaps Gaston. ;D
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 14, 2005 18:00:02 GMT
Thanks for the updates GWH!! I soooo envy you for being in Melbourne!! Hmmm a surprise, hopefully a good one !Keep having fun!!! As for the draw, I think it could have been worse. A second round clash between Mariano and Juanqui would be interesting. Fingers crossed
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Post by egg on Jan 14, 2005 19:49:29 GMT
That's not fair! To just mention a surprise, and then say nothing! As for the draw, well, could be better, could be worse... The first round should be easy, and Ferrero is beatable, too... We'll see. VAMOS MARIANO!!!!!
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Post by GWH on Jan 14, 2005 23:49:50 GMT
If I mentioned it then it wouldn't be a surprise. ;D
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Post by egg on Jan 15, 2005 19:06:21 GMT
But you have already mentioned it, so it won't be a real surprise now!!!!
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Post by GWH on Jan 16, 2005 0:45:54 GMT
Mariano was training with Lobo at the same time sharing the court with the Toad (Söderling and Nieminen) though he might have trained again later, though I am not sure about it.
He was in jovial mood as always and I have the Swedish speech ready for him when he goes back to Båstad. He will need our support since he is playing an Aussie.
Mariano thanked all the people here for their support.
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Post by Louiselp on Jan 16, 2005 1:25:52 GMT
GWH Thank you for your reports so far! - He will need our support since he is playing an Aussie.
He's got it - and he should bear that in mind at break points and scoreboard breakdowns too! GWH have a great match-watch day tomorrow too.
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Post by mercedes2004 on Jan 17, 2005 15:37:47 GMT
Last night I watched Gastón's match. He played really well. He seemed very confident and put his rules to get the match. Tonight is Mariano's debut. I think I will not be able to watch it (it will 3 am here). Best wishes for your match, Mariano!
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 17, 2005 20:17:53 GMT
Yes, congrats to Gaston on a great result but I am sorry for poor Monaco, losing 7-9 in the fifth GOOD LUCK TO MARIANO tomorrow! We will be cheering for you! Well, I will be at uni and running to the pc room between courses to check the scoreboard ! Have fun GWH and cheer extra loud for M and the rest or the gang
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Post by GWH on Jan 17, 2005 23:19:39 GMT
I have been writing some daily reports at the Aus Open on another site. For those interested in the tennis in general I could give the link. All the Mariano stuff I posted here is there as well. I mean there is a report on the Calleri vs Mirnyi match, same for Monaco and Fish. If it's ok, I can copy the link here, but I will wait for the approval of the boss.
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Post by The Boss on Jan 17, 2005 23:43:49 GMT
GWH
Of course you can copy the link here!!! - can you email me the password too? I cant get on to the board...
Cheer Lots!!! - I hope you have your Cheerleader outfit on!!!
Cant wait to hear your news...
Wish we were there!!!!
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Post by GWH on Jan 18, 2005 12:29:41 GMT
Thanks for that and I am happy that this has been approved. This link should work. rebecca.proboards12.com/index.cgi?board=tourneytales&action=display&thread=1105421051Yes, I was at the Mariano match and he should have won it in 3 sets instead of 4. I will give more details later, but I will say that Lobo, Mancini and Gumy were there as well . Good for him he has a chance against Ferrero as well. Mariano is playing doubles with Juan Monaco.
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Post by mercedes on Jan 18, 2005 13:23:07 GMT
;D well done Mariano!!!! Congratulations!!
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Post by Louiselp on Jan 18, 2005 17:16:32 GMT
Hi Mercedes!!!! --------- GWH Thanks for the Monaco doubles confirmation... I have been watching the "tournaments entered" bit for both of them thinking they were playing together. quote my earlier message He's got it - and he should bear that in mind at break points and scoreboard breakdowns too! OK there may have been a slight loss in translation here if Mariano reads this.... we do NOT like break points!!! but thank you kindly for the 1000+ you offered us last night - just kidding.... it is great to see him in the 2nd round!!!!! GWH As everyone knows here I have had a massive life change (totally amazing but totally different).... I have learned one thing. Sleep was an amazing incredible thing... and I am now an expert at making bottles, feeding and all the "maintenence" a 3 week old "Angel" requires. Lucas is also an excellent Scoreboard BREAK-POINT fellow sufferer!!!!!!!!! - he is looking forward to round 2. Unfortunately though.... I start to see things strangely. (due lack of sleep) Your "hints" in previous messages have been amuzing.... until last night - when I suddenly decided I had cracked your "coding" and decided - that Mariano had done a "James Blake" - [disclaimer - James Blake is beautiful, and high up on my favourite list - and its great to see him back on the tour again] So... this gremlin decided to invade my precious sleep hour - and would not give in until I found somehow confirmation that I was either right or wrong... Can't wait for your next report installment.... Party hard! here is the evidence - this picture from last night - was found on Getty Images - this is a lovely picture! (there are another 2 to be found on the site - but Getty may want to kill me already www.gettyimages.com cache.gettyimages.com/thumb/52005882.jpg?x=x&a=52005882&b=editorial_asiapac&t=1 [/img]
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Post by egg on Jan 18, 2005 18:51:37 GMT
Louise, I don't think Mariano would ever do a Blake!!! Thank God!!!! Well done today, although it looked like it could've/should've been a five-setter, but maybe he enjoyed being on court too much. Ferrero can be beaten, so VAMOS!!!!!!!!! And good luck to TT2. (Team Tandil, too.
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 18, 2005 20:14:54 GMT
Congrats Mariano ! I only had to run to the pc room twice this morning, it could have been worse Looking at the match stats, M served pretty well. Looking forward to GWH's match report Good luck in the doubles tomorrow! p.s.: Thanks Louise for the pics, I am glad nothing has changed
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Post by GWH on Jan 18, 2005 22:50:25 GMT
I am slightly distracted, but here it is.
Zabaleta vs Kimmich. I had never seen Kimmich play before and he definitely plays a lot differently to most Aussies, he plays a with a lot of spin on his forehand and in many ways he plays like he is on clay. Mariano was a bit sleepy going down 0-2 in the 1st set, then he woke up and started using his forehand to dominate the match and was moving him around well with very good angles and comfortably took the 1st set. The best thing that Kimmich does is the splits and he slides on Rebound Ace, he made a huge mark with his shoes after one of the points.
The second set was more of the same and Mariano wasn't dumping as many backhands in the net as he has done when he isn't playing well and that is a good sign. Mariano moving and serving well and was using Kimmich's pace to good advantage and opened the court up and hit behind him quite a lot.
I was thinking cool we will have a 3 set victory as Mariano breaks early, then loses concentration when close to the finish line and Kimmich tightens his game and manages to sneak through to the tiebreaker and was more solid and got a set when he probably shouldn't have.
The 4th set Mariano was back on track, and the funny thing was Kimmich's coach was saying that Mariano has some of the worst volleys he has ever seen, obviously he has never seen Acasuso, Mantilla or Ilie volley and I thought what a tool. He continued on opening the court up with his forehand and serving well and with a group like Mancini, Gumy, Lobo (coach), Chela watching him play he enjoyed it and now he has to take on Ferrero and if he serves well he can take him out.
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 19, 2005 5:24:42 GMT
Thanks a lot GWH for the match report, much appreciated Glad to hear Mariano enjoyed the match. And Chelita, loyal as usual Have a good day today GWH, and let's hope the good results will continue...
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Post by mercedes on Jan 19, 2005 13:08:10 GMT
Thanks for the report GWH!! and, can you tell us what was the surprise about now? please, please, por favor....
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Post by louiselp on Jan 20, 2005 9:49:56 GMT
We had a bonus surprise of 3 games of live coverage, complete with change of end shirt change - orange to dark blue. We saw Mariano fighting hard - (despite the scoreline!) but Ferrero was playing really well. During the shirt change - the commentators (MEN) were complimenting him on his spirit and determination and then said - for some reason this man is REALLY popular with the ladies.... can't see it myself Frew - can you - then they both laughed.... - this comment of course was said between shirts... - the camera man could not have got closer if he tried.... ok so it was only brief - then coverage went back to Molik - but it was good to see M fighting hard..... (MARCUS also formally introduced Lucas to the "man in the bright orange shirt on TV" - very very cute moment...) GWH - didn't see you...
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Post by mercedes on Jan 20, 2005 13:35:52 GMT
Lucky you Louise!!! This tournament is killing. Besides I'm working and studying, staying late for tennis is too much.... My days are something like Last night, I couldn't watch Mariano's match (I don't even know if it was aired), but I went to sleep at 2:00 am because of Coria (and the match was not finished) Tonight we have only Gastón in first place, so hopefully I will have some sleep. Unfortunately, there is no more Mariano in Australia, but I'm sure he fought as always Excellent your comments Louise... the commentators also very funny... it is understable that they "can't see his charmings"
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MandyBee louises sister
Guest
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Post by MandyBee louises sister on Jan 20, 2005 13:49:25 GMT
Big Hello to everybody - I've just popped in for a catch-up while grabbing a quick sandwich break at work -glad to see its all good news (despite losing today) - keep up the good work next tournament Mariano!
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 20, 2005 17:10:26 GMT
Hi Mandy, hope you are fine !! I had full live coverage of set one and two (including the shirt change ) thanks to German Eurosport Ferrero played very well and Mariano did commit too many errors, but the score was definitely too harsh. M did fight and played some nice dropshots. I am glad we are moving to the clay courts now
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Post by Corina2605 on Jan 20, 2005 17:31:45 GMT
(picture from Lanacion.com)
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Post by a joke on Jan 20, 2005 21:49:22 GMT
61 62 60 no comment!!!!
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Post by Louise Lewis-Price on Jan 21, 2005 0:40:38 GMT
yeah but at the end of the day JCF was a former No1 and he obviously was the real favourite on paper... one of them had to win....
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Post by Norwegian reporter on Jan 23, 2005 23:30:34 GMT
The last match for this day was the most disappointing the Ferrero vs Zabaleta match. I was looking forward to this one, even thinking about alternate transport because I might be late from the match going overtime. I was there with a group of South Americans and I saw Emilita from MTF no far from us and getting prepared for the match.
Usually I prepare notes from these reports, but in this case it was better that I didn't do that as the reality wasn't very good in this match. It was one of those days that we have all had in our lives that are hard to forget. Ferrero played well in the way that he was solid and hitting the ball fairly well, but Mariano who had huge support in the crowd and not just from the local ladies, and yes I was asked about him by a few for some some reason, it just didn't happen for him.
He didn't serve that well only at 50% he needed it to be in the 60s at least, but he just made error after error. The first set went quickly and I thought Ok, I'll write that one off and now it's time to grind and fight it out. They were hitting some good shots and Mariano started to try and lengthen the rallies, but when the opportunity came to finish the rally, he would hit the top of the tape with drop volleys when moving forward or hit long.
It was very hard for Mariano and this was not a case of him giving up at all in this match, it was just everything he tried didn't work for him on the day. Yes, the backhand is weaker and he made errors of that side, but his forehand wasn't working so well either and Ferrero well I can't say he was back to his best as he wasn't tested. One thing that could pretty much sum up the match for Mariano was that he won 50 points for the match and he made 44 unforced errors.
Even after he lost the last set 6-0 we all stood up and clapped him because in a moment like this it's important to show that no matter the result that you have to stay to the end and take these kinds of defeats, and Mariano was so dejected obviously, he wanted out of there as quickly as possible and just went through the tunnel.
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Post by Louiselp on Jan 24, 2005 21:09:56 GMT
Hi Norwegian Reporter!
Thank you very much for ALL your Aus Open reporting, this has been really appreciated by us ALL.
Thank you also for spending the time in your very busy schedule to post the Mariano related parts of your reports separately here for us. This has also been really appreciated.
Thank you for your totally honest Ferrero report too.
Even after he lost the last set 6-0 we all stood up and clapped him because in a moment like this it's important to show that no matter the result that you have to stay to the end and take these kinds of defeats, and Mariano was so dejected obviously, he wanted out of there as quickly as possible and just went through the tunnel.
Thank you also for typing that paragraph - I have tried writing that kind of paragraph before in previous similar match reports and in the end taken the easiler "Player Won" route instead.
These matches are needed to make the spectacularly awesome incredible matches even more incredible. Hope this makes sense. Anyway... if Mariano reads this... he should hopefully take away the fact that he is never alone even when it must feel like he is... we will always be there - win lose or retire.
Congratulations Mariano on reaching the 2nd round of the Aus Open, by my reckoning this must mean points which must mean the 2005 climb to the Top 20 (and beyond!) has definitely begun!!!!!!
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