April 5, 2009 Mens Final

10:30 AM
Well, here we are down to the last day. It’s been a wild ride with seeds falling and newcomers moving up. The women’s draw suffered the most early exits, with Jankovic seeded three, Sugiyama, seeded 23, Bammer, 27th, Sugiyama 23, all out in the second round along with third seed, Jankovic who went out in straight sets to Dulco in a late night battle. Ekaaterina Makarova, who defeated Sugiyama in the second, went on to take out ninth seeded Petrova in the third. Sixth seed Vera also Zvonareva bit the dust in the third, along with seventh seed, Ana Ivanovic, and 12th
seed Marion Bartoli. Wow, seven seeds gone by round three. Wonder if that’s a record. Then there was 13 seed Wozniacki defeating the number four Dementieva in the fourth, and of course the upset in the final with eleventh seed Victoria Azarenka victorious over would number one Serena Williams. Of course this was not a real contest since Williams was visible limping. The blond from Belarus had better watch out the next time she meets Williams, because Serena is going to be out to prove that she can’t be beaten when she’s playing at full strength. You may see her looking more like this...
Hiding from the American powerhouse than throwing her arms up in victory.

On the men’s side, second round upsets included, 14th seed, David Nalbandian, 27th Mardy Fish, who lost to Nicolas Massu in a 3 set, nail biter, and Jurgen Melzer seeded 30.
Of course the big upset was Nadal loosing to Del Potro in the semis.
So far the best match of the tournament. Second seed Federer, lost to third seed Djokovic, in the same round, but that was not a big upset, or completely surprising. The match went three sets, with the Swiss taking the first, but Djokovic took over in the second, and controlled the
rest of the match.
So much for the past... right now everyone is looking forward to the showdown between Andy Murray, who has never been to a final here, and Novak Djokovic who won here in 2007 at age 19. Murray is exactly one week older than the Serb, they are both 21, so will one week of maturity in age prove to be an advantage? I doubt it. Most of the press corps is betting on Murray. He’s made Miami his end of year home base and is very comfortable here.
The British Press cannot contain their excitement. Murray, who ended the 2008 season ranked number four, is the highest ranked British player in the 36 years since the ATP began. World Tour rankings. The Brits have been hoping for a new hero since Tim Henman retired, and Murray looks like the player that could accomplish what Henman was never able to, win the Wimbledon Championships. My word, if he even makes it to the final this year the fans and press will be wild.

12:45 PM
The stadium is filling. The Blanche High School marching band is playing a rousing welcome, The kids in their green uniforms are excited to be playing here. You can see the big smiles on their faces as they march onto stadium court.

3:40 PM
ANDY MURRAY!! He’s done it! The first Brit to not only make it to the final but to win! Murray went up 4 love in the first 23 minutes and closed out the first set in less than an hour, then the tables turned with Djokovic up 5-2 in the second. Murray fought off two set points, and ran off the next five games. He clenches his fist behind his racquet, and jogs to the net to shake hands with Djokovic.This is his largest title to date. They must be dancing on the courts in London.

So this is the end of my story for Miami. I hope you’ve enjoyed experiencing the tournament with me.
Until next time,
Cynthia

April 4 2009 Womens Final

11:30 AM
I arrive at the site and start to get organized for the women’s final at 12:30. First thing I need is my daily Mango Smoothie. This has been my breakfast for the last 10 days. Yep, I’m just having breakfast. Had a late night at the club on the roof of my hotel. Very nice. I’ll be going back there tonight and will do a photo, but last evening was strictly social. No photography. I needed and deserved it.

12:30 PM
The tournament has given out orange hats to everyone entering the event. The stands look like one of the famous Florida orange groves.

1:00 PM
It’s hot and humid on court. Azarenka is using a towel filled with ice around her neck on every changeover. I need one of those.

2:30 PM
Well it’s all over. Azarenka won in two sets. Serena, playing with a huge bandage on her left thigh, was visibly hurting. As glad as I was to get it done in two sets, it was a shame for the fans. Serena obviously could not run and the second set was a blowout.

When Mary Jo Fernandez asks Serena about playing injured, Serena was gracious, replying that she didn’t want to make excuses, and that today Victoria deserved all the credit.

3:45 PM
All the photographers pile into two vans to go to the beach for a photos hoot with Azarenka. Just as we get there, it starts to rain. We pile back in the vans and go back to the site to do the photo in the Sony Corporate tent. As usual it’s a nightmare. Twenty photographers pushing, shoving, shouting for attention. I take these things pretty casually, do a few snaps and don’t get involved in the craziness.

Victoria is tall and attractive with lots of long blond hair. She has a reputation for not always being the most cooperative person, but today she’s in a great mood, posing and smiling. The photo is nothing special. They stand her in front of a wall of tennis balls and that’s it. It only rained a few drops, so it’s a shame we couldn’t have done something really nice at the beach.

4:50 PM
I am a happy person. I got one trophy shot that I really like! This is always another challenging situation. Lots of pushing, shoving, and shouting at the player... “Look this way” “VICTORIA!” “This way please” “One over here”. .. Its times like this that I don’t want to admit that I’m part of the photographic media. They do behave badly. It’s no wonder that we often have a bad reputation. Again, in these situations, I just go about my business and get the best photo I can. The tournament photographer here saves me a place in the front so I don’t have to worry about standing behind tall men. This annoys the other photogs greatly, but those big guys would think nothing of knocking me down to get a spot.

5:05 PM
They have just announced that the last press shuttle we will leave at 5:30 PM, so I’m going to have to call it a day.

10:00AM

The tournament runs complimentary shuttles to the site for the media from all of the official hotels. Each driver has his musical preference, one likes, jazz, another oldies, this morning we had the hip hop driver, so I’ve got the beat, I’m fired up and ready to go!!

12:00 PM

I love the tropical atmosphere here. Tall stately Palm trees line the entrance,

turquoise and yellow umbrellas give shade to diners at the food court. Latina women in skin tight shocking pink Capri pants teeter on five inch platform shoes, while dark eyed men observe appreciatively. Strains of Bossa Nova guitar and congo drums playing on the Sony stage send Latin rhythms over the park. It’s like a separate little island, different than any other place in the US.

Most people think of the Cuban population in Miami as beginning in 1959 when the first refugees fleeing the Castro regime arrived in South Florida, but because of the proximity of the state to Cuba, there has been a long history of relations and trade.

However it was after the revolution in 1958 when Fidel Castro took control of the island country, that the real exodus of Cuban’s to Miami began.

Approximately 1.1 million Cubans now live in Miami. They’ve brought their culture, music and food.

Miami has a Latin flavor that is unmistakable. One of my favorite restaurants is in Little Havana. Heaven only knows why, but the name of it is “Versailles”. It’s a busy noisy place with family’s celebrating everything from birthday’s to weddings. People come in jeans or wedding dresses. The food is great and the atmosphere and people watching are outstanding. Now that I’m thinking about it... I’m going to get out of here early and go there tonight.

3:00PM

Well, I’ve never seen Roger slam a racquet on the court and totally destroy it. With Djokovic up 3-0 in the third, the normally cool and calm Swiss lost it. I was so surprised that I missed the shot, but got this one when he went to the bench.

Later in the press conference, when reporter ask him, “What was different about today that you just lost it there for that moment? “ to which Federer replied, “ I didn’t lose it. I was just frustrated. Just because I smashed the racquet doesn’t mean I lose it."Oh really? That’s not the way it looked from where I was sitting.

7:00 PM

The much anticipataed match between Del Potro and Murray is about to begin. The British press is out in full force, and the Argentine fans are packing the stadium. Seasoned reporters are betting on Murray. Should be interesting.

April 2, 2009

9:00 AM
I start my day with a walk in Coconut Grove.

Established in 1873,

“The Grove”, as the locals call it, has attracted the creative crowd of every sort, artists, writers, and musicians, and a good share of eccentrics and free spirits. The shaded streets, gardens heavy with fuchsia bougainvillea, are inviting, and cool in the morning.

An Indian restaurant has beautiful long silk hangings blowing in the breeze. I can’t resist stopping to take photos. Lovely. I’m going to use the idea somewhere in my house.
By 10: AM the village starts to wake. I browse in the art galleries, and yes, have a look in some of the shops. Pink, orange, turquoise, and bright floral clothing, entice you to purchase something totally impractical and fun. Something that says’s, “Miami”.

1:30 PM
Okay, I can’t put it off any longer; I have to go do some photos of Kuznetsova and Azarenka.

2; 40 PM
Fashion watch, if Fila hopes to sell that red and white outfit, Kuznetsova is the wrong person to be wearing it. The long stripe of white in the middle would only look good on someone built like Hantuchova. On Kuznetsova, its not only unattractive, it’s downright embarrassing. The baby doll neckline and the little short pleated skirt are just not Kuznetsova. She needs to be in something more tailored and athletic.
As For Azarenka, I’m sure a male must have designed her dress; no woman would design something to play tennis in that should only be worn with a strapless bra. Come on Nike, you can do better than that… again, not a good advertisement for selling this dress.

7:20 PM
Nadal and Del Potro. This was definitely the best match of the tournament so far. It was like a Davis Cup Tie. Argentina against Spain. The Argentine’s outnumbering the Spanish, chanting “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! DelPo! DelPo! Dueling Spanish and Argentine flags waving wildly on every point. In the heart stopping last game, Nadal fought off 3 match points... two with ace’s, but couldn’t keep the momentum up and lost the breaker. I’m thinking that he may need to let his hair grow longer again, and get a new hotter outfit. He just didn’t look like the same Rafa.

Curiosity watch; have you noticed the way Del Potro hitches up the left leg of his shorts when he returns serve? Does he think this makes him run faster... but doesn’t he need to run fast when he serves too? Someone said that maybe it’s a superstition. Now, I’ve heard of a lot of crazy superstitions, but this would take the prize.

8:35 PM
Andy Murray has just wont he first set against Fernando Verdasco 6-1. It may not be a long evening after all.

9:13 PM
I hear the announcers say “ANDY MURRAY!”… The TV monitor tells me it was
6-1, 6-2. Very nice Andy, and thank you, I’d love to get out of here before midnight tonight.

11:05 PM
Looks like getting out of here by before midnight was not in the cards. The sisters split, and it’s 4-1 Serena in the third. I’m going to finish this up, and catch the midnight shuttle.
Good Night!

10:20 AM

Green Tea frozen yogurt for breakfast; an excellent antidote for last nights Green Tea Martini’s. Healthy and yummy … the perfect way to indulge.

1: 45 PM

OH MY WORD!! Na Li is up 5-0 in the first set against Serena. I’d better go and do some photos. The Chinese are certainly giving Serena a hard time at this tournament.

First Zheng, now Li.

3:30 PM

Well Serena managed to pull out a three set win, but not without a struggle and a lot of AHHHH...ing and UHHHHH…ing. Wonder if all those loud grunts and shouts are intimidating to her opponents. Letting loose with one of those ARRRUGG’s every time she hits the ball is surely saying, “watch out ... I’m hitting the ball as hard as I can”. Personally, I like the way Li goes about her business, quiet, focused and determined. No “look at me” showmanship shouting and antics. She certainly has the game, I wonder if she really believed that she could win. Up 5-0 in the first, she let Serena win 4 straight games, and finally pulled out a 6-4 victory in the first set. Li played a tough second set, but the air went out of the balloon after she lost the tiebreak, and Serena scored a 6-2 win in the third.

Fashion note: Serena left her huge earrings and huge and large diamond cuff in the dressing room, but did sport a smaller diamond bracelet, and check out those orangeday glow nails.

As for Li .. Who needs diamonds when you have a hot little heart and flower tattoo.

6:00 PM

Tsonga and Djokovic proved to be as good for photos as anticipated. Both of these guys give it their all and are fun to shoot. Djokovic has lost to Tsonga four times in a row, so this promised to be an interesting match. Tsonga was tough, but Djokovic was determined, closed out the set, stripped off his shirt and threw it to cheering fans.

10:45 PM

I can’t believe I’m still here, and tennis is still going on. Roger Federer said in an earlier interview that he was looking forward to playing Andy in the quarter final, but he might want to change is tune about now. They’ve split sets and its 2 all in the third. Roddick of course has a huge following here, and he loves the energy of a packed stadium at night.

11:05 PM

Andy is serving at 3-4 in the third. The crowd is going mad. I step out on the media balcony to watch this game, even the usually blasé press is into this match. Every seat on the press balcony is full. Andy wins his serve to make it 4 all and the cheering is amazing.

11:15 PM

Well, what a difference a few minutes can make. Roger just won the third 6-4. The writers are streaming back into the press room to start their stories, and I’m finishing up this blog and heading for the hotel.

March 31, 2009

12:40 PM

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!! I’ve spent the morning answering e-mail. Posting my official birthday photo on facebook, eating crepes, and enjoying birthday wishes from all my friends. My birthday always falls during the tournament in Miami and I used to say, “bummer, I’m in Miami for my birthday”, then all of a sudden, I thought …” what am I mad? I’m in Miami for my birthday!” Its all how you look at it right? Now I announce to everyone that it’s my birthday, and enjoy the day.

There is a large Brito sculpture on site... he is a Brazilian artist that I love... and I got one of my photographer buddies to take an official birthday photo with it. It’s a large colorful heart that if I had the bucks I would definitely buy it for my house. I love it!!
12:50 PM
I really should do some photos, but Wozniacki and Kuznetsova are playing on stadium, on my birthday... are you kidding? I really don’t feel like spending even a minute of my birthday shooting those girls. Guess I’ll head out to do some Tsonga and Simon. Roddick and Dent both play later, so I’ll do some snaps of them for sure.

1:15 PM
Okay... I’ve spend the last half hour playing with my facebook. I really have to get to work.

2:50: PM
Went to my favorite place to eat onsite, The Latin Café. Great Cuban food, drink, and atmosphere. Salsa music keeps the beat, lively chatter in rapid Spanish... I’m promising myself to work harder on learning this language. I’ve turned everyone in the media room on to this place and it’s become the in place to eat. I go for a salad and “Papa Rellnos”. These are mashed potatoes filled with spiced ground meat and deep fried... I know, I know, but it’s my birthday and I’m not going to worry about calories, carbs, or anything that’s bad for you. Probably would be good to start my new year with good fresh healthy food, but what fun is that?

2:15 PM
I am really not happy with Kuznetsova right now... after being up 5-3, and serving for the match twice, she let W. come back and now they’re in a tiebreaker. PLEASE don’t let this go three sets... Roddick and Monfils are up next then Dent and Federer, and then I want to get out of here. I’m looking forward to the
R &M match... both players are fun to shoot and there should be a lot of good photos. As you can tell if you’ve been following my blog, matches are not judged by quality, but by quantity of good image possibilities. Well, we all have our priorities.

3:30 PM
K and W have now split, and now I’m hoping that K looses. Anyone who wins the first, serves for the match TWICE, and looses the second set does not; in my opinion deserve to win.

4:10PM
All right!! Roddick if finally on. I’ve been waiting for this match all day.

6: PM
Monfils gave it his all, and looked like he might win the first set, but Roddick will be the one moving on to the quarters.

7:30 PM
Federer won the first and is up 4-2 in the second, so it looks like this will be the end of Taylor Dent in Miami. He’s had a good run, qualifying then making it to the fourth round, defeating 18th ranked Nicolas Almagro in the second round, and 19th seed Tommy Robredo in the third. It’s great to see him back and climbing up the ranking ladder again.

7:45 PM
That’s it for today. I’m going out tonight.