I'm off on Saturday
so I'll finish uploading my pics then.
I want to write about Saturday, especially the men's doubles match. We got there a bit early, play started at 11 am, and it being Saturday, it was more crowded. We saw Magnus right when we walked in; apparently the Swedes were practicing on the stadium court before the first men's semifinal. Magnus was twirling a racquet in his hands, so I guess he actually got out on the court and hit with them
Shortly after seeing him (and, like a dope, saying, "Hey, there's Magnus!"), we saw Thomas, Benneteau, Lindstedt, and Aspelin leaving the court, stopping to sign autographs.
Believe me, if I had known they were practicing I would have gone earlier! ;D But until then, nobody had been allowed to practice on the stadium court so it was a bit of a surprise.
Anyway, we sat through the first men's semi. It was pretty good. Fish wasn't having a good serving day, but he was more of an opponent for Haas than the 3 previous guys had been. All through that match I was nervous for the doubles that followed. I had been waiting for Thomas & Julien to lose (it seems my faves haven't yet made it to a final when I've been around to see it live), and they had surprised me with their gutsy QF appearance.
Luckily, Haas disposed of Lady Legs Fish in straight sets, and it was time to settle in for the doubles. That French guy (check out his socks!) who was at the first match with Magnus came in right after both teams, then Magnus slipped in at the last second (he certainly likes slipping into places!).
Sigh. It was the worst kind of loss for Benneteau/Johansson; the kind where they made you think they could win the match and they completely blew it in the end. They started off strongly, breaking Butorac/Murray and leading for the first set. Thomas didn't serve as well as he had in the QF, but Benneteau picked his game up and they were able to hang on. They won the first set, and I was started to get excited that they would stay on an extra day! Woohoo!
They broke to start the second set, and I can't describe my happiness. I just wanted both of them to hold on so they could win, but they started to falter. Butorac/Murray (who had the most obnoxious cheering section of anybody at the event) managed to break back, and both Thomas and Julien were starting to look grim. Magnus left after the first set to retrieve his phone, which he spent the first part of the second set using, texting someone I guess. Both of the coaches were sitting back all relaxed in their seats while I was squeeing about the possibility of them making the final and extending their stay. After they were broken back, tho, both Magnus and the French guy started paying attention again. They were trying to rally behind their guys, especially after Butorac's cheering section got wild, but Thomas looked as negative as he had vs Roddick in the first round, and Benneteau didn't look too far behind him.
As high with happiness as I had been, I was falling at an equal pace. Butorac/Murray broke to win the set, and it was match TB time. Once again, Butorac/Murray jumped out to a big lead, but Thomas/Julien managed to play some good points and drew close to them. There was still a chance they could win! They even had the first match point, IIRC, but it was on B/M's serve and of course they lost it. They lost 11-9 in an edge of the seat nailbiter of a TB, and it was just heartbreaking.
Though both looked for all the world to be down and out of the match, their late surge made their loss so very disappointing. I stood up as quickly as Magnus to catch a final picture of him, and was seriously trying not to cry. Obnoxious fans just make you feel worse when your guys lose, you know?
They were clearing the stadium to set up for the second men's semi, which was a new session, so we left with the crowd and went into the stargazing hallway, where people were filtering in and out between sessions. By complete and pure chance, I spotted Magnus in the hall, as he came down from the players' lounge and went into the hospitality area. I couldn't believe my luck; never before or after that did I see a player wander into that chaos unless it was for an autograph session. I managed to screw up enough courage to go up and speak to him, and the rest you guys already know
I'll never forget what he was wearing; actually it was the same as that first pic I took of him, where I didn't recognize him - gray sweatshirt, baby blue t-shirt, white trackpants, and a navy hat. Sigh. That's still my favorite memory of the tourney, and one I hope to have for the rest of my life. It's not everyday I speak to tennis players, much less someone I find so attractive I'm intimidated. It was a personal victory, if nothing else
Piccies to come in 2 days. I took pics at all the finals, plus the doubles match I just reported.
! You didn't even recognise him the first time and now you're best mates ;D
. I'll scan it next tweekend when I'm at my parent's place.
. I'll scan it next tweekend when I'm at my parent's place.
The men's final was quite the display! 
I will give my thoughts on that. It depends on what my work schedule is like as to when I'll have time to sit down and write, and upload piccies.
