Mid August
The highlight for the most part has been the tennis season . Lot of tennis activity going on . We decide to go to Cincinnati for the Western and Southern Financial Group Tennis Championship . We fly to Columbus Ohio ( where my aunt and he family lives) and drive from Columbus to Cincy as they call it .
Luckily I am able to take half a day and we fly from Midway airport . We decide to take an earlier flight . I pick up a rental car at Columbus ( Chevy Malibu Max) . We meet my aunt and her family . Her son is also planning to travel with us to Cincy .
Its , almost a 2 Hour drive . This location is called King's Island is supposed to be an amusement . They have a big tennis center .
We enter 30 mins prior to start of play and we are treated to a lot of tennis
First of all I am able to spot Max Mirnyi ("The beast ") and Jonas Bjorkman practise . The beast is truly a beast . He almost looks like a Vulcan !
The first match is the semi-final between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo , the spaniards . In between the match , we get a glimpse of Fernando Gonzalez practice and we learn that he hits the ball with significant power . His coach steps about 4 feet inside the court and serves across the T , to simulate Roddick's power (who he is slated to meet in the evening in the semi's ).
Finally Juan Carlos prevails . We head out , not caring much about the Doubles match between the Bryan brothers against Andy Ram + partner .
In between I spot Mark woodforde , who gives me a Hi.
we head out to the central area where Juan Carlos Ferror speaks to Chris Fowler , Patrick Mcenroe and Pam Shriver ( who cant bear the heat) in the makeshift outdoor ESPN booth .
The rest of the afternoon is spent in checking out the stalls . Interestingly I am treated to some fierce tennis between Dominic Hrbaty and Michael Youzhny who are practising playing a set . Youzhny is amazing and its evident in his current US open run . I really get an extremely close look of Youzhny .
Check out my pic with Patrick mcenroe
The evening session begins when I get to see Leander Paes practise with his partner Martin Damm . Leander is quick and agile but lacks a fast serve . I guess thats his bane . I am not sure his serve has any kick either . I get a chance to speak to Leander when he is nearby and wish him luck .
Slowly the crowd gathers to witness the duel between Fernando Gonzalez and Andy Roddick for some semi-final action . Roddick ploughs through games and wins easily . The next match is the doubles semifinals between leander-Damm v/s myrni - Bjorkman . We are lucky to be seated in the first row , right behind where Leander was serving . It was fun to watch .
Tennis was the higlight of this trip . its an ardous journey back home . Back to work .Past weeks have been moderate , barring a hard drive crash . Things have been ok . Until then adios .
Luckily I am able to take half a day and we fly from Midway airport . We decide to take an earlier flight . I pick up a rental car at Columbus ( Chevy Malibu Max) . We meet my aunt and her family . Her son is also planning to travel with us to Cincy .
Its , almost a 2 Hour drive . This location is called King's Island is supposed to be an amusement . They have a big tennis center .
We enter 30 mins prior to start of play and we are treated to a lot of tennis
First of all I am able to spot Max Mirnyi ("The beast ") and Jonas Bjorkman practise . The beast is truly a beast . He almost looks like a Vulcan !
The first match is the semi-final between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo , the spaniards . In between the match , we get a glimpse of Fernando Gonzalez practice and we learn that he hits the ball with significant power . His coach steps about 4 feet inside the court and serves across the T , to simulate Roddick's power (who he is slated to meet in the evening in the semi's ).
Finally Juan Carlos prevails . We head out , not caring much about the Doubles match between the Bryan brothers against Andy Ram + partner .
In between I spot Mark woodforde , who gives me a Hi.
we head out to the central area where Juan Carlos Ferror speaks to Chris Fowler , Patrick Mcenroe and Pam Shriver ( who cant bear the heat) in the makeshift outdoor ESPN booth .
The rest of the afternoon is spent in checking out the stalls . Interestingly I am treated to some fierce tennis between Dominic Hrbaty and Michael Youzhny who are practising playing a set . Youzhny is amazing and its evident in his current US open run . I really get an extremely close look of Youzhny .
Check out my pic with Patrick mcenroe
The evening session begins when I get to see Leander Paes practise with his partner Martin Damm . Leander is quick and agile but lacks a fast serve . I guess thats his bane . I am not sure his serve has any kick either . I get a chance to speak to Leander when he is nearby and wish him luck .
Slowly the crowd gathers to witness the duel between Fernando Gonzalez and Andy Roddick for some semi-final action . Roddick ploughs through games and wins easily . The next match is the doubles semifinals between leander-Damm v/s myrni - Bjorkman . We are lucky to be seated in the first row , right behind where Leander was serving . It was fun to watch .
Tennis was the higlight of this trip . its an ardous journey back home . Back to work .Past weeks have been moderate , barring a hard drive crash . Things have been ok . Until then adios .
posted by Maverick at 3:43 AM
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