4:45 PM
I’m starting this blog late because it’s been such a beautiful day I wanted to be out taking photos rather than sitting at my desk writing. This is the first really nice day we’ve had. Sunday and Monday were sunny, but horribly hot and humid, and the last three have been freezing cold and dark. But today... perfect, cobalt blue sky, no clouds, bright sunlight, and a temperature of around 21C or 71F. Even the flowers looked more beautiful.
Fans gathered in the plaza to watch matches on the giant TV and enjoy the day. 
Others picnicked in the shade, 
while some took naps in the sun. 
My shooting day began on the Venus Szavay match.
Venus seeded third here was an odds on favorite to defeat the 29th seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary, but Szavay come out strong and never faltered, defeating the American 6-0, 6-4. Yeah, Szavay, pronounced “Sa-vay”, was the savvy one today. Actually, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw 6-0. Wonder when the last time Venus ate a bagel … and this one wasn’t even served up with cream cheese.
Back to the press room... edit, post photos, and head for court one to catch the end of Soderling/ Ferrer. The 23rd seeded Swede sent 14th seed Ferrer packing with a tiebreak in the fourth.
Next up, Nadal/ Hewitt. Wow, Hewitt’s tennis looks flat. He has no fire. No “C’MON”, no fist pump. He’s a fighter, and doesn’t give in to Nadal without a battle, but he doesn’t look like the rowdy Aussie kid anymore. Of course he is not the rowdy Aussie kid anymore, he’s a husband and father, so maybe this is just part of growing up. Rafa is up two sets to love, and serving at 5-1, hits and ace for the final point, which is called out. He comes to the net and very nicely points out that it was in, the chair umpire is called down, makes the call with a flat palm and it’s all over. Rafa and Lleyton both smile embrace, and shake hands. Rafa is through to the fourth round.
6:15 PM
Murray is playing Tipsarevic in the best light of the day, so I head up to the top of the stadium. Late in the day is my favorite time to shoot. The light turns golden, and the clay is even more orange/red. Beautiful. There is only about an hour and a half left before shadow covers the court, so whenever we have sun I try to make good use of it. I love the long shadows, creating an elongated double image of the player. \
I stay up on top for a few games, but I also want to shoot some from courtside. The late day light is also nice here. The strong side light makes interesting images, and there is also what we call “rim” light, when the light just hits the edge of the subject. So there, you have a little photo lesson. If you like photography, try shooting at this time of day and you may be surprised at the result.
Tipsarevic is up 5-2...but Murray digs in and wins the set in a breaker! Fantastic comeback Andy! It looked for a while like this might be one of those great clay court marathons, but the glasses wearing; tattooed Serb withdrew with leg cramps after Murray took the second set 6-3, so the pride of the UK is through to the fourth round.
Venus seeded third here was an odds on favorite to defeat the 29th seeded Agnes Szavay of Hungary, but Szavay come out strong and never faltered, defeating the American 6-0, 6-4. Yeah, Szavay, pronounced “Sa-vay”, was the savvy one today. Actually, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw 6-0. Wonder when the last time Venus ate a bagel … and this one wasn’t even served up with cream cheese.
Back to the press room... edit, post photos, and head for court one to catch the end of Soderling/ Ferrer. The 23rd seeded Swede sent 14th seed Ferrer packing with a tiebreak in the fourth.
Next up, Nadal/ Hewitt. Wow, Hewitt’s tennis looks flat. He has no fire. No “C’MON”, no fist pump. He’s a fighter, and doesn’t give in to Nadal without a battle, but he doesn’t look like the rowdy Aussie kid anymore. Of course he is not the rowdy Aussie kid anymore, he’s a husband and father, so maybe this is just part of growing up. Rafa is up two sets to love, and serving at 5-1, hits and ace for the final point, which is called out. He comes to the net and very nicely points out that it was in, the chair umpire is called down, makes the call with a flat palm and it’s all over. Rafa and Lleyton both smile embrace, and shake hands. Rafa is through to the fourth round.
6:15 PM
Murray is playing Tipsarevic in the best light of the day, so I head up to the top of the stadium. Late in the day is my favorite time to shoot. The light turns golden, and the clay is even more orange/red. Beautiful. There is only about an hour and a half left before shadow covers the court, so whenever we have sun I try to make good use of it. I love the long shadows, creating an elongated double image of the player. \
I stay up on top for a few games, but I also want to shoot some from courtside. The late day light is also nice here. The strong side light makes interesting images, and there is also what we call “rim” light, when the light just hits the edge of the subject. So there, you have a little photo lesson. If you like photography, try shooting at this time of day and you may be surprised at the result.
Tipsarevic is up 5-2...but Murray digs in and wins the set in a breaker! Fantastic comeback Andy! It looked for a while like this might be one of those great clay court marathons, but the glasses wearing; tattooed Serb withdrew with leg cramps after Murray took the second set 6-3, so the pride of the UK is through to the fourth round.
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