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Post by mercedes on Dec 17, 2004 0:56:23 GMT
It has just finished the 1st match: what a match!!!! Gaudio-Monaco... Actually I could only watch the last games of the 3rd. set and the TB. Gaudio was 5-3 and 40-0 and Monaco could turn it up. There had been many MP for both and the TB ended in 13-11. It seemed like an official tournament. And there were a lot of stars in the stadium: Vilas, Maradona and Batistuta. After the match Gaudio gave his racquet to Batistuta and had a great hug with Maradona. Now, Chela-Calleri is going to begin... keep you informed. Mercedes.
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Post by GWH on Dec 17, 2004 5:49:09 GMT
Thanks for that Mercedes. I have heard the Gaston/Monaco was a very good one and now he has to play Calleri.
It seems everyone was there Vilas, Batigol, Maradona there were probably others as well.
Keep up with the news.
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Post by egg on Dec 17, 2004 10:35:03 GMT
Thanks for the report Mercedes! Must have been a cracker! Gaston was actually 51 up in the third, and had 14 matchpoints altogether. Some things don't change, it seems... But congrats to Monaco for putting up such a fight! And the second match must have been exciting too! I envy everybody who was at the tennis yesterday!! Hm, I guess the same goes for today!
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Post by Melu on Dec 17, 2004 10:48:05 GMT
I went yesterday, and went to the press conference. Gaston said he couldn't concentrate knowing 3 monsters where watching him, it was an honor. He knew Gabriel Batistuta was (he had promised a raquet for him in advance) going but Maradona there was a surprise.
Unlike Tandil (which the local players HAD to win, hehe), these matches seem from a real tournament. Players are fighting at their best.
PS: Calleri you suck! Don't kill anybody while you play (he hit a ballboy and then a little girl from the audience with his balls) PS2: Louise if you want to send anything to Mariano, today I will see him.
Hugs, Melu.
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Post by mercedes on Dec 17, 2004 12:09:42 GMT
Melu! what a priviledge!!!! Being in the press conference... I have no doubt that he couldn't concentrate with those monsters... and everybody was reminding him that they were there... "Dieeeegoooo", "Baaaatiiiii"... should be tough... I don't think that Calleri did it on purpose... he hit the ball as hard as many other players...I'm sure that it was not his intention Tonight: go Mariano!! David doesn't really know up to now if he is playing tonight.... he will confirm his presence during the day... If not, Mariano will be playing Lucho Horna or Franco Squilarri.
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Post by Melu on Dec 17, 2004 15:46:22 GMT
Lobo told me that David had not arrived until yesterday but they would wait for him till the last minute. If he doesn't feel like playing, Squillari will take his place since he's the second LL in line.
I know Calleri did not do it on purpose but still... at least he could have a nice gesture and hug the kids or something... If you are going on Saturday Mercedes, I will be wearing my red tshirt in case we meet, hehe.
Melu.
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Post by Corina on Dec 17, 2004 16:50:53 GMT
Thanks Mercedes and Melu for the match reports, lucky girls !!! Good luck to Mariano today against whoever he is gonna play!!!! Here a pic from eleco.com !
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Post by GWH on Dec 18, 2004 4:42:03 GMT
Calleri is just very intense when he is on the court, you can see it in the eyes.
Thanks for the reports and I really wish I could be there, it sounds like the crowd are providing a football like atmosphere and that can only be good.
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Post by egg on Dec 18, 2004 22:18:46 GMT
Okay, if nobody else wants to say it then I will: Nalbandia-Zabaleta 76(5) 16 76(4) I'll leave the comments to those who actaully saw the match. Thanks everybody for the reports, news-bits, and the great pic.
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Post by mercedes on Dec 20, 2004 13:19:47 GMT
Hi everybody: sorry Egg. I couldn't write about the match before, I had a busy weekend... Starting from Friday: I could actually watch only the last part of the match (some games of 3rd set and TB). Seemed to be a tough match. My friend Verónica went to the stadium, and although she is neutral, she was cheering for Mariano so I was able to see him on Saturday (she is so sweet). She said that Mariano really fought. Her comment: for David things are easier, since he is naturally talented. Mariano is no so lucky, but he has a great fighting spirit. People cheerings were divided, as happened in the rest of the tournament with each match, except for González-Acasusso (guess who were people cheering for?). Verónica told me something about this match that made me feel better: nobody said nothing to González despite his passport comments. I was afraid that people "booeh" him, but fortunately they behave as civilized persons (something that it is not always expected in my country unfortunately). Well, everybody knows the end of Friday session...At least there was a good purpose: Nalbandian winning seemed to make him very well. So, Saturday night session was good (but not complete for me). It was a great warm night. Calleri-Gaudio and Nalb-Acasusso were very entertaining matches. Again jet-set was present in the stadium (Maradona and other local celebrities). And so was Sunday final. But in this case, was a chilly night. First we had a exhibition doubles match (Etlis/Rodriguez: Hood/Prieto). After that Paola Suárez received a prize for her achievements in 2004 (finally someone remembered poor Paola!) and then Nalbandian-Gaudio. Great match again, Gastón played really well in the last 2 sets. David played ok, but sometimes he seemed to be out of the court (very understandable). Mariano was present in the stadium with his gf (signing, having pictures taken, doing star things.. ) Good experience. 2 top ten in the final (what else could be asked for?) even something was missing for me. It is ok, I'm happy with my friend's comments. This tournament is announced to be held next year again. So my toast will be for an excellent 2005 for all the argentine tennis players again, so we can have this kind of events again and again. In fact, I don't know where I will be next December, but I would like it to be repeated for my friends and family who like tennis, and that is the only way they could see these sport stars lively. Mercedes p/s: Melu, where were you??? I looked for a big G both days and nothing... I was sitting in the cheapest seats in front of the umpire, and you?
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Post by Corina2605 on Dec 20, 2004 20:35:40 GMT
Thanks Mercedes for your report ! Copa Argentina sounds like a great event!! I am glad to hear you had a good time, even without seeing Mariano play. Hopefully better luck in February, which is already soon...
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Post by egg on Dec 21, 2004 12:07:47 GMT
Mercedes, thank you very much for the report!!! Glad to hear you had a good time, although it would've been better if Mariano had been playing, too, of course! Hopefully next time!!! I was also happy to read that González was treated nicely, and that Paola was remembered, too! She deserves it!!! One question: who won the doubles match? I've also read about your plans regarding studying abroad, which sounds like a great idea! If you want to know more about Budapest, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to help!!! I used to work with foreign students, and I can tell you that they really enjoyed living in Budapest. True, we have no prestigious tennis tournaments, but there are some in the neighbourhood, and plane tickets to a lot of European cities are quite cheap. (Our ticket to Paris was less than 90 USD.) Anyway, if there's anything you want to know, just drop me an email. Louise knows the addfress.
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Post by mercedes on Dec 21, 2004 13:06:40 GMT
Egg: about the doubles, Hood/Prieto won. It was a 9 games mini-match and they won 9-6, I think, I am not sure... Thank you very much for you offer. I will ask Louise for your email. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to go to many tournaments if I finally go to Europe. My budget will be too tight But if maybe when I finish my studies and get a good job again (hope so) Best wishes. Mercedes.
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Post by egg on Dec 21, 2004 13:23:38 GMT
Mercedes! Thanks for the doubles news! Wow! It would've been the perfect evening for me, had I been there... Looking forward to hearing form you!!!
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