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Wednesday, July 6, 2022

W.10- Grass Court Learnings of London for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (plus Si-mo-na!)


And then there were four...










=DAY 10 NOTES=
...on the second day of the women's quarterfinals, all the talk of Ons Jabeur becoming the first player named Ons (and, you know, all the rest) to reach a slam semifinal sort of obscured the *other* national tennis footnote about Elena Rybakina continuing to push *her* way toward becoming the first Kazakh to do the same.

Granted, Rybakina is actually a natural-born Hordette who only started putting KAZ next to her name a few years ago as part of the country's attempt to scoop up as many of the players milling around on the margins of the Russian tennis establishment as possible, but since the slam mark that Rybakina broke today with her three-set win over Ajla Tomljanovic previously belonged to Yulia Putintseva (2016/18 RG, 2020 US QF) and Yaroslava Shvedova (2010/12 RG, 2016 WI QF) -- both of whom also represented Russia before making the jump -- then I guess it "still counts" in all the ways that matter, right?

Well, anyway... of course, Rybakina is most definitely *not* the first "Elena" to reach a major semi. About that there is no debate.

Aussie Tomljanovic had other plans when it came to Rybakina making a bit of history today. One year after Tomljanovic lost to Ash Barty in the QF at SW19, she was trying to make it two straight years with an Australian in the Wimbledon semis for the first time since Evonne Goolagong's solo journeys in three straight from 1978-80, and the first case with *multiple* Aussies since 1975-76, when Margaret Court reached her final slam SF in '75.

As Rybakina started slowly, Tomljanovic got the early break and dominated on her serve, dropping just five points on it during the set. She served out the first at 6-4.

But Rybakina, her road cluttered so many times in the past due to a pandemic, Covid and even some shoulder issues, got to this point because of *her* big, clean-hitting game and, especially, her serve. She leads the tour in aces in '22, and once she got things rolling today she pretty much rolled *over* Tomljanovic. The pair traded breaks of serve early in the 2nd, but once the Kazakh broke for a 4-2 lead, completing the feat by ending a big-hitting rally with a sneaky chip shot into the forecourt, she never looked back. Rybakina took the 2nd at 6-2.

As she had in the 2nd, Rybakina took a 2-0 lead in the 3rd. Her ace-ace end to game #3 allowed her to hold at love and lead 3-0. Serving for the match at 5-1, she seemed to lightly grasp at her hamstring. Rybakina was broken, and then failed to convert a MP on Tomljanovic's serve a game later. But given a second chance, Rybakina strangled the life out of the final game, serving it out at love, firing her 15th ace of the day on MP to complete a 4-6/6-2/6-3 win and become the *third* different first-time major semifinalist at this Wimbledon, and she does so in just her second appearance at SW19.



Meanwhile, as today's matches were played largely simultaneously (what's the deal with that -- why would you schedule the only two women's matches to play at the same time, and then also do that with the two men's?), the other women's quarterfinal saw, once again, Simona Halep give the "ol' what fer" to another opponent, returning to Centre Court to collect her twelfth consecutive win at SW19, running her sets streak in the event to 21 (and 24/25 since '19) with a 6-2/6-4 victory over #20 Amanda Anisimova.

#16 Halep's second win over Anisimova this grass season (Bad Homburg QF, 6-2/6-1) was done in convincing fashion, and very well could/should have had a similar final scoreline, but a late match hiccup extended things a bit and (maybe) could offer Rybakina more than a dash of hope in the semis.

Up a double break in the 1st set at 4-1, Halep saw Anisimova hold a pair of BP in game #6, but the Bannerette missed on both and became increasingly frustrated by it. Halep held for 5-1 and later served out the set, then went up a double-break at 4-1 again in the 2nd. She served at 6-2/5-2, but suddenly Anisimova started to hit out and picked up some momentum, seemingly catching Halep off guard. Anisimova took a love/40 lead on the Romanian and got the game 8 break.

With Halep serving at 5-4, Anisimova mishit a return and Halep dumped her reply into the net. Simona soon fell behind love/40 again as she was having difficulty getting her first serve in (and started to angrily whack her thigh to try to "right" the problem).

Halep managed to get the game back to deuce, then finally thumped a big serve, with the service winner giving her a MP. An Anisimova long return ended things.



Halep has allowed just 28 games through five matches (avg. 5.6/match), and now makes her first slam SF appearance since her pre-pandemic AO semi in '20. She's missed three slams altogether since then, not counting the Wimbledon that wasn't held two years ago.

Afterward, Halep noted that when Anisimova suddenly started hitting big and getting her shots in she "wasn't sure what to do." If that happens against Rybakina, and it certainly *could*, she had better have a better gameplan in place (oh, Patrick...?). I'm just sayin'.

But she won in fairly quick fashion today, and had a final flourish to seal the deal. So, as Halep said, "Everything is good when it's finished well."



...though the same hasn't been the case in singles, the women's doubles has held admirably to form at this Wimbledon. Today, top-seeded Elise Mertens & Zhang Shuai advanced to the semifinals, meaning that three of the top four seeds -- w/ #2 Krejcikova/Siniakova and #4 N.Kichenok/Ostapenko -- have reached the final four. The only outlier would be the unseeded all-Bannerette duo of Danielle Collins & Desirae Krawczyk, who advanced today.

Once again, Krawczyk is busy at a major. Last year, she claimed three straight MX crowns, winning RG and the U.S. with Brit Joe Salisbury, and Wimbledon with Neal Skupski (def. Salisbury in the final). Teaming with Alexa Guarachi, she reached the RG WD final in '20 and U.S. SF last year.

At this Wimbledon, Krawczyk is not only in the WD semis, but she and Skupski will try to defend their title in the MX final against Sam Stosur & Mathew Ebden (def. Gauff/Sock) after today's win over Sania Mirza & Mate Pavic in a match that may prove to be Mirza's final appearance at SW19.

If Krawczyk were to win MX crown #4 she would move out of a tie for career MX slams with Latisha Chan, Barbora Krejcikova, Kristina Mladenovic, Stosur and Mirza amongst active players. Of course, Stosur could do the same with a victory, which would add to her already impressively varied haul that includes one singles title, four WD and those three MX. Amongst active players, only the Aussie, Barbora Krejcikova and the Williams sisters women have won major titles in all three disciplines.

Currently, Bethanie Mattek-Sands has four MX titles and Katarina Srebotnik five, though Mattek hasn't played this year (I believe she's rehabbing something again, probably... seems likely) and Srebotnik, though I don't think she's ever officially retired, hasn't been seen in an event since 2020, so I guess it's questionable whether either would be considered "active." So a fourth, by Krawczyk or Stosur, would put the winner in "the lead."

Stosur has supposedly retired in *singles* (though she played a match *after* that) earlier this year, and Mirza said early in the year that '22 would be final season on tour (though I bet we'll see her one day in Wimbledon Invitational play if not in a regular draw).

...in junior 3rd Round action, top seed Liv Hovde remained undefeated on summer grass courts, defeating #13 Kayla Cross in three sets to run her winning streak to nine matches.

Canada's Cross led 6-4/4-2 and served for the match at 5-4. She held a MP at 40/30, and thought she'd won the match when a Hovde shot was called out at the baseline. But after Cross had started to celebrate, Hovde challenged the call and Hawkeye showed that her shot was *in*, so the point was replayed. On the *second* first MP, a Hovde drop shot denied the Canadian again, then Cross DF'd on the next point. A wide forehand from Cross gave Hovde the service break and she'd ultimately sweep the final four games of the 2nd and then take a 5-1 lead in the 3rd. Hovde twice failed to serve it out before finally breaking Cross at love to end the match with a 4-6/7-5/6-4 final scoreline.

Two Czechs are into the final eight, as #3 Nikola Bartunkova and #16 Linda Klimovicova won today, with Klimovicova getting a three-set win over #2 Celine Naef.

While Cross and #10 Annabelle Xu didn't advance, their fellow Canadian Victoria Mboko (#5) did, winning in three over Poland's Olivia Lincer. Meanwhile, Panna Udvardy's little sister Luca (#7) was the one who knocked out Xu.



South African qualifier Isabella Kruger defeated Britain's Mingge Xu, but one home favorite did win through in wild card Jasmine Conway.

And since Germans are all over this event, unseeded Ella Seidel has chosen to join countrywomen Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier with her own bit of SW19 success by reaching the QF, as well.

...in Legends action, Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis (hmmm, isn't this how her last comeback began?) were in action again today. This is what Clijsters (almost) did the yesterday...








*LADIES' SINGLES SF*
#17 Elena Rybakina/KAZ vs. #16 Simona Halep/ROU
#3 Ons Jabeur/TUN vs. Tatjana Maria/GER

*LADIES' DOUBLES SF*
#1 Mertens/Sh.Zhang (BEL/CHN) vs. Collins/Krawczyk (USA/USA)
#4 L.Kichenok/Ostapenko (UKR/LAT) vs. #2 Krejcikova/Siniakova (CZE/CZE)

*MIXED DOUBLES FINAL*
Ebden/Stosur (AUS/AUS) vs. #2 Krawczyk/N.Skupski (USA/GBR)

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S QF*
#1 Diede de Groot/NED vs. Dana Mathewson/USA
Lucy Shuker/GBR vs. (WC) Momoko Ohtani/JPN
Aniek Van Koot/NED vs. Jiske Griffioen/NED
KG Montjane/RSA vs. #2 Yui Kamiji/JPN

*WHEELCHAIR WOMEN'S SF*
#1 de Groot/Van Koot (NED/NED) vs. Griffioen/Ohtani (NED/JPN)
Kamiji/Mathewson (JPN/USA) vs. #2 Montjane/Shuker (RSA/GBR)

*GIRLS' SINGLES QF*
#1 Liv Hovde/USA vs. Ella Seidel/GER
(Q) Isabella Kruger/RSA vs. #5 Victoria Mboko/CAN
#7 Luca Udvardy/HUN vs. #3 Nikola Bartunkova/CZE
(WC) Jasmine Conway/GBR vs. #16 Linda Klimovicova/CZE

*GIRLS' DOUBLES QF*
#1 Bartunkova/Naef (CZE/SUI) vs. (WC) Klugman/Oluwadare (GBR/GBR)
#4 Cross/Mboko (CAN/CAN) vs. #8 Tomajkova/Vargova (CZE/SVK)
Ishii/Tararudee (JPN/THA) vs. #3 Ciric Bagaric/Daubnerova (CRO/SVK)
Klimovicova/Salkova (CZE/CZE) vs. Nijkamp/Okutoyi (NED/KEN)







...AND WIMBLEDON *OFFICIALLY* BEGAN... ON DAY 10:

The annual tradition of Beckham dropping out of the sky to associate with the heathens for a few hours is far better than when the icky royals deign to show up.




...IT'S A GOOD THING NIEMEIER DIDN'T "TRIUMPH" OR WHO KNOWS HOW THEY'D HAVE SPELLED IT (ON THE MORNING "SPORTSCENTER")... ON DAY 10:

Even for a network known entirely by a grouping of letters, "h's" are hard.


















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*2022 WTA SF*
8 - Iga Swiatek, POL (6-2)
6 - SIMONA HALEP, ROU (1-3 +L) #
5 - ONS JABEUR, TUN (4-0) #
4 - Maria Sakkari, GRE (2-2)
4 - Beatriz Haddad Maia, BRA (2-2)
4 - Alona Ostapenko, LAT (2-2)
4 - Veronika Kudermetova, RUS (1-1 +WW)
4 - Dasha Kasatkina, RUS (0-4)
3 - Belinda Bencic, SUI (2-1)
3 - Anett Kontaveit, EST (2-1)
3 - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR (2-1)
3 - Ekaterina Alexandrova, RUS (1-2)
3 - Paula Badosa, ESP (1-2)
3 - Coco Gauff, USA (1-2)
3 - Sorana Cirstea, ROU (0-3)
2 - Ash Barty, AUS (2-0)
2 - Zhang Shuai, CHN (2-0)
2 - Alison Riske, USA (1-0 +W)
2 - TATJANA MARIA, GER (1-0) #
2 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (1-0 +L)
2 - ELENA RYBAKINA, KAZ (1-0) #
2 - Amanda Anisimova, USA (1-1)
2 - Caroline Garcia, FRA (1-1)
2 - Madison Keys, USA (1-1)
2 - Camila Osorio, COL (1-1)
2 - Jessie Pegula, USA (1-1)
2 - Martina Trevisan, ITA (1-1)
--
# - to play SF

*2022 WTA SEMIFINALISTS BY COUNTRY (w/ W/O as "W/L")*
[25 nations = 30 events/120 semifinalists]
16 - USA (9-7)
15 - RUS (5-10)
10 - ROU (1-8) #
8 - POL (6-2)
6 - CZE (3-3)
5 - TUN (4-0) #
5 - BRA (3-2)
5 - SUI (2-3)
4 - BLR (3-1)
4 - CHN (2-2)
4 - GRE (2-2)
4 - LAT (2-2)
4 - ESP (1-3)
4 - FRA (1-3)
4 - ITA (1-3)
3 - EST (2-1)
3 - KAZ (1-1) #
3 - GER (2-0) #
3 - JPN (1-2)
2 - AUS (2-0)
2 - CAN (2-0)
2 - COL (1-1)
2 - SLO (1-1)
1 - HUN(0-1)
1 - UKR(1-0)
--
# - to play SF

*2022 FIRST SLAM SF*
=AO=
none
=RG=
Coco Gauff, USA (11th)
Dasha Kasatkina, RUS (26th)
Martina Trevisan, ITA (8th)
=WI=
Ons Jabeur, TUN (21st)
Tatjana Maria, GER (35th)
Elena Rybakina, KAZ (12th)

*FIRST-TIME SLAM SEMIFINALISTS SINCE 2020*
=2020=
AO: Sofia Kenin/USA (W)
US: Jennifer Brady/USA
RG: Nadia Podoroska/ARG, Iga Swiatek/POL (W)
=2021=
AO: Karolina Muchova, CZE
RG: B.Krejcikova/CZE (W), A.Pavlyuchenkova/RUS (RU), M.Sakkari/GRE, T.Zidansek/SLO
WI: Aryna Sabalenka, BLR
US: Leylah Fernandez/CAN (RU), Emma Raducanu/GBR (W)
=2022=
AO: -
RG: Coco Gauff/USA (RU), Dasha Kasatkina/RUS, Martina Trevisan/ITA
WI: Ons Jabeur/TUN, Tatjana Maria/GER, Elena Rybakina/KAZ

*WON BOTH BACKSPIN EARLY & MIDDLE-RD. TOP PLAYER; w/ finish*
2006 Wimbledon - Justine Henin-Hardenne (RU)
2007 Roland Garros - Justine Henin (W)
2008 Australian Open - Maria Sharapova (W)
2008 Roland Garros - Ana Ivanovic (W)
2009 U.S. Open - Serena Williams (SF)
2010 Wimbledon - Serena Williams (W) *
2010 U.S. Open - Caroline Wozniacki (SF)
2013 Australian Open - Maria Sharapova (SF)
2013 Roland Garros - Serena Williams (W)
2013 U.S. Open - Serena Williams (W) *
2015 U.S. Open - Simona Halep (SF)
2021 Wimbledon - Angelique Kerber (SF)
2022 Wimbledon - Simona Halep
--
* - co-Top Player in Early-Rds.

*RECENT WIMBLEDON "IT" WINNERS*
2012 [Alter Ego] "The Radwanska"
2013 [Upstart] Michelle Larcher de Brito, POR
2014 [New Wheelchair Star] Yui Kamiji, JPN
2015 [Vandeweghe] CoCo Vandeweghe, USA
2016 [First WC Champ] Jiske Griffioen, NED
2017 [Next WC Great?] Diede de Groot, NED
2018 [GenPDQ Pole] Iga Swiatek, POL
2019 [Kid] Coco Gauff, USA
2021 [Teen Brit] Emma Raducanu, GBR
2022 [Groundbreakers] Ons Jabeur/TUN and Elena Rybakina/KAZ

*RECENT WIMBLEDON "Ms. OPPORTUNITY" WINNERS*
2015 Garbine Muguruza, ESP
2016 Elena Vesnina, RUS
2017 Magdalena Rybarikova, SVK
2018 Julia Goerges, GER
2019 Simona Halep, ROU and Alison Riske, USA
2021 Aryna Sabalenka, BLR and KG Montjane, RSA (WC)
2022 Harmony Tan, FRA

*WIMBLEDON "SPIRIT OF JANA" ANNUAL HONOREES*
[2018]
Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
...Brno-born; wins WD title in first Wimbledon since ex-coach Novotna's death
Nicole Melichar, USA
...born in Brno, CZE (like Jana); wins MX title in first Wimbledon since death
Donna Vekic, CRO
..."Good Donna"
[2019]
Donna Vekic, CRO
..."Bad Donna"
[2020]
RG Special: Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
...to RG 3rd Rd. (Oct.) on Novotna's 52nd birthday; dedicates to Jana
[2021]
RG Special: Barbora Krejcikova, CZE
...wins maiden slam singles crown w/ Jana as inspiration; also wins WD
[2022]
Marie Bouzkova, CZE (Czech w/ first slam QF)

*"SPIRIT OF JANA" RING OF HONOR*
Marie Bouzkova, CZE (2022)
Barbora Krejcikova, CZE (2018, 2020 RG, 2021 RG)
Nicole Melichar, USA (2018)
Donna Vekic, CRO [Good Donna 2018, Bad Donna 2019]

*LOW-SEEDED WIMBLEDON SEMIFINALISTS - Open Era*
[unseeded]
1968 Ann Jones
1969 Rosie Casals
1970 Francoise Durr
1971 Judy Dalton
1983 Yvonne Vermaak
1989 Catarina Lindqvist
1994 Gigi Fernandez
1994 Lori McNeil
1996 Meredith McGrath
1997 Anna Kournikova
1998 Natasha Zvereva
1999 Alexandra Stevenson (Q)
1999 Mirjana Lucic
2000 Jelena Dokic
2008 Zheng Jie (WC)
2010 Petra Kvitova
2010 Tsvetana Pironkova
2011 Sabine Lisicki (WC)
2016 Elena Vesnina
2017 Magdalena Rybarikova
2019 Barbora Strycova
2022 Tatjana Maria
[seeds]
#25 - Angelique Kerber, 2021
#25 - Serena Williams, 2018 (RU)
#23 - Lucie Safarova, 2014
#23 - Sabine Lisicki, 2013 (RU)
#23 - Venus Williams, 2007 (W)
#21 - Vera Zvonareva, 2010 (RU)
#20 - Garbine Muguruza, 2015 (RU)
#20 - Kirsten Flipkens, 2013
#18 - Marion Bartoli, 2007 (RU)
#17...ELENA RYBAKINA, 2022
#16...SIMONA HALEP, 2022
#16 - Nathalie Tauziat, 1998 (RU)
#16 - Kathy Rinaldi, 1985
#15 - Marion Bartoli, 2013 (W)
#14 - Garbine Muguruza, 2017 (W)
#14 - Venus Williams, 2005 (W)

*WIMBLEDON FIRST-TIME SLAM SF since 2010*
2010 Petra Kvitova/CZE, Tsvetana Pironkova/BUL
2011 Petra Kvitova/CZE (W), Sabine Lisicki/GER
2012 Aga Radwanska, POL (RU)
2013 Kirsten Flipkens, BEL
2014 Lucie Safarova, CZE
2015 Garbine Muguruza, ESP (RU)
2016 Elena Vesnina, RUS
2017 Magdalena Rybarikova, SVK
2018 Julia Goerges, GER
2019 Barbora Strycova/CZE, Elina Svitolina/UKR
2020 DNP
2021 Aryna Sabalenka, BLR
2022 Ons Jabeur/TUN, Tatjana Maria/GER, Elena Rybakina/KAZ

*2022 WIMBLEDON SF LISTS*
[CAREER SLAM SF - active]
40 - Serena Williams, USA (33-7)
23 - Venus Williams, USA (16-7)
9 - Simona Halep, ROU (5-3) *
8 - Victoria Azarenka, BLR (5-3)
8 - Angelique Kerber, GER (4-4)
7 - Petra Kvitova, CZE (3-4)
5 - Madison Keys, USA (1-4)
5 - Svetlana Kuznetsova, RUS (4-1)
5 - Garbine Muguruza, ESP (4-1)
5 - Samantha Stosur, AUS (2-3)
4 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (4-0)
4 - Karolina Pliskova, CZE (2-2)
4 - Vera Zvonareva, RUS (2-2)
3 - Genie Bouchard, CAN (1-2)
3 - Sara Errani, ITA (1-2)
3 - Sloane Stephens, USA (2-1)
3 - Iga Swiatek, POL (2-1)
2 - Danielle Collins, USA (1-1)
2 - Sofia Kenin, USA (2-0)
2 - Sabine Lisicki, GER (1-1)
2 - Alona Ostapenko, LAT (1-1)
2 - Jennifer Brady, USA (1-1)
2 - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR (0-2)
2 - Maria Sakkari, GRE (0-2)
2 - Elina Svitolina, UKR (0-2)
2 - CoCo Vandeweghe, USA (0-2)
1 (W) Andreescu,Fernandez,Gauff,Krejcikova
1 (W) Pavlyuchenkova,Raducanu,Vondrousova
1 (-) Jabeur *, Maria *, Rybakina *
1 (L) Anisimova,Bencic
1 (L) Flipkens,Kasatkina,Mertens,Muchova
1 (L) Petkovic,Pironkova,Podoroska,Sevastova
1 (L) Trevisan,Vesnina,Wickmayer,Zidansek
--
*-to play SF

[SLAM SF 2020-22]
3 - Ash Barty, AUS (2-1)
3 - Iga Swiatek, POL (2-1)
2 - Jennifer Brady, USA (1-1)
2 - Simona Halep, ROU (0-1) *
2 - Sofia Kenin, USA (2-0)
2 - Naomi Osaka, JPN (2-0)
2 - Aryna Sabalenka, BLR (0-2)
2 - Maria Sakkari, GRE (0-2)
2 - Serena Williams, USA (0-2)
1 - Victoria Azarenka, BLR (1-0)
1 - Danielle Collins, USA (1-0)
1 - Leylah Fernandez, CAN (1-0)
1 - Ons Jabeur, TUN (0-0) *
1 - Dasha Kasatkina, RUS (0-1)
1 - Angelique Kerber, GER (0-1)
1 - Madison Keys, USA (0-1)
1 - Barbora Krejcikova, CZE (1-0)
1 - Coco Gauff, USA (1-0)
1 - Martina Trevisan, ITA (0-1)
1 - Petra Kvitova, CZE (0-1)
1 - Tatjana Maria, GER (0-0) *
1 - Karolina Muchova, CZE (0-1)
1 - Garbina Muguruza, ESP (1-0)
1 - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, RUS (1-0)
1 - Karolina Pliskova, CZE (1-0)
1 - Nadia Podoroska, ARG (0-1)
1 - Emma Raducanu, GBR (1-0)
1 - Elena Rybakina, KAZ (0-0) *
1 - Tamara Zidansek, SLO (0-1)
--
*-to play SF

[SLAM SF BY NATION 2020-22 / 10 slams]
9 - USA
4 - CZE
3 - AUS
3 - BLR
3 - POL
2 - GER (1)
2 - GRE
2 - JPN
2 - ROU (1)
2 - RUS
1 - ARG,CAN,ESP,GBR,ITA,KAZ(1),SLO,TUN(1)

[2022 WI SEMIFINALISTS - career WI SF]
3 - Simona Halep (2014,2019,2022)
1 - Ons Jabeur
1 - Tatjana Maria
1 - Elena Rybakina

[2022 WI SEMIFINALISTS - career WI W/L]
29-8...Simona Halep
10-4...Ons Jabeur
10-9...Tatjana Maria
8-1...Elena Rybakina






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From a few years ago...


=MY TOP 10 RFK MOMENTS=




1. Dec.18, 1982 - Washington def. NY Giants 15-14
..."Santa Claus" visited at halftime. Then, with the snow coming down, soon-to-be-named NFL MVP Mark Moseley nails the field goal that wins the game, breaks the league consecutive made kicks record, and sends the team into the playoffs for the first time in my memory (in just Joe Gibbs' second season as coach). They'd win their first Super Bowl.



===============================================

2. Nov.18, 1985 - Washington def. NY GIANTS 23-21
...Monday Night Football, and I witness my childhood athletic idol's career end as QF Joe Theismann famously breaks his leg when Lawrence Taylor comes down on it as he makes a sack. While backup Jay Schroeder (a bit of a jerk, even if he did sort of resemble my uncle, also named Jay) came in and fired a bomb to Art Monk on the first play, I watched through binoculars until Theismann was no longer visible as he was wheeled into a corridor off the playing field. We'd taken a portable B&W TV to the game (that was as good as it got at the time!), so we actually got to *see* the break as ABC replayed the video over and over and over and over again. Then the news came down in the radio broadcast call booth ("Sonny, Sam & Frank," aka Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff & Frank Herzog): compound fracture of the right leg. Eek. I informed the section of seats. Yeah, Schroeder led the team to a win. But hardly anyone remembers that.



===============================================

3. Nov.24, 1996 - San Francisco def. Washington 19-16 OT
...my final RFK visit

===============================================




4. Oct.2, 1983 - Washington def. L.A. Raiders 37-35
...see Jim Plunkett throw an NFL record-tying (forever) 99-yard TD pass to Cliff Branch (who just recently passed away) right in front of me. The Redskins trail and all hope seems lost. I remember a little girl standing in the aisle pleading with her mother (who thought it was a lost cause) to not leave the game early. They stayed, and the comeback was soon complete. So what if the Raiders ultimately demolished the Redskins in the Super Bowl that year, I remember *this* game, won with a Joe Theismann TD pass to Joe Washington with about thirty seconds left. Sometimes I wonder where that little girl is now.



===============================================

5. Jan.15, 1983 - Washington def. Minnesota 21-7
...the Redskins win a playoff game en route to their first Super Bowl title, and fullback John Riggins theatrically bows to the crowd after rushing for 180+ yards. Of course, I missed it -- everyone in the section stood up before I did, and by the time I got eyes on the field the moment was over. Dang it!



===============================================

6. Aug.17, 1990 - Washington def. Pittsburgh 27-24
...a preseason game, with possibly the worst seats we ever had, but memorable because linebacker Ravin Caldwell lost his helmet while covering a punt but continued running 50+ yards down the field without it anyway and got in on the tackle.

===============================================

7. Aug.12, 1994 - Kansas City def. Washington 17-14
...Joe Montana's last game at RFK. With the Chiefs, not the 49ers, but so what? A close loss by a Norv Turner coached team... shocker.

===============================================

8. Dec.5, 1982 - Dallas def. Washington 24-10
...the hated Cowboys. But the only loss in a 12-1 Super Bowl-winning year. Hence... memorable.

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9. Aug.13, 1981 - Washington def. Minnesota 27-13
...a preseason game, and my first RFK visit. We arrived mid-way through the 1st quarter. Even with all that, it was still awesome.

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10. Sept.28, 1986 - Washington def. Seattle 19-14
...Seahawk receiver Steve Largent ties the NFL record for consecutive games with a reception. When it was announced, I alone stood up in the section and applauded his accomplishment. Not the sort of thing I'd normally do, but he deserved it.

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HM- 198?? - Cracker Jack Old Timer's Baseball Classic
...not football, but one of the first of the old timer's baseball games from the era. I'm not sure of the year (1987 maybe?), but it was the only time my mom alone took me to RFK for anything. Usually, it was just me and my father, or all three of us (and occasionally one of my mother's co-workers from the bank). We had seats in the mezzanine level around the middle ring of the stadium, but the seats were low and set so far back from the edge you had to look over to see the field you'd have to be hunched over the entire game to watch it. Plus, I wasn't the biggest baseball fan at the time. And it was *real* baseball. Anyway, we spent much of the game walking around inside the stadium, seeing the differently confgured-for-baseball field from various angles.

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Also, what the actual crap is this...?




Also, Negan would like a word (on behalf of Lucille).

Of course, I'm sure Fox News will now be trotting out old footage of Robert Byrd and Strom Thurmond in response because, you know, Fox News.

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TOP QUALIFIER: Maja Chwalinska/POL
TOP EARLY-ROUND (1r-2r): #16 Simona Halep/ROU
TOP MIDDLE-ROUND (3r-QF): #16 Simona Halep/ROU
TOP LATE-ROUND (SF-F): xx
TOP QUALIFYING MATCH: Q1 - Jaimee Fourlis/AUS def. Dea Herdzelas/BIH 5-7/7-6(4)/6-4 (trailed 7-5/5-3, saved 2 MP)
TOP EARLY-RD. MATCH (1r-2r): 1st Rd. - Harmony Tan/FRA def. (WC) Serena Williams/USA 7-5/1-6/7-6(7) (Williams for match at 5-4 in 3rd, up 4-0 in TB; first match in a year for SW; Tan Wimb. debut
TOP MIDDLE-RD. MATCH (3r-QF/WD-MX): MX Doubles 2nd Rd. - (WC) Olivia Barnett/Jonny O'Mara (GBR/GBR) def. (WC) Venus Williams/Jamie Murray (USA/GBR) 3-6/6-4/7-6(18-16) (34-point TB ends match, Brits win on 5th MP in TB after saving 5 MP in TB)
TOP LATE-RD. MATCH (SF-F/Jr.-WC): xx
=============================
FIRST VICTORY: #28 Alison Riske/USA (def. Y.In-Albon/SUI)
FIRST SEED OUT: #31 Kaia Kanepi/EST (1st Rd.-Diane Parry/FRA)
FIRST SLAM MD WINS: Maja Chwalinska/POL, Elisabetta Cocciaretto/ITA, Dalma Galfi/HUN, Catherine Harrison/USA, Mai Hontama/JPN, Katarzyna Kawa/POL, Jule Niemeier/GER, Panna Udvardy/HUN
UPSET QUEENS: France
REVELATION LADIES: Poland
NATION OF POOR SOULS: AUS (1-5 1st; DC Barty retired in March)
LAST QUALIFIER STANDING: Maja Chwalinska/POL, Catherine Harrison/USA, Mai Hontama/JPN, Katarzyna Kawa/POL, Yanina Wickmayer/BEL (all 2nd Rd.) (LL 2r: Kerkhove/NED)
LAST WILD CARD STANDING: Katie Boulter/GBR (3r)
PROTECTED RANKING WINS: Elisabetta Cocciaretto/ITA, Kirsten Flipkens/BEL, Yanina Wickmayer/BEL(Q) (all to 2r)
LAST BRIT STANDING: Heather Watson (4r)
Ms. OPPORTUNITY: Harmony Tan/FRA Additional Nominees: (non-de Groot WC)
IT "Groundbreakers": Ons Jabeur/TUN (1st TUN slam SF) and Elena Rybakina/KAZ (1st KAZ slam SF)
COMEBACK PLAYER: Simona Halep/ROU
CRASH & BURN: #23 Beatriz Haddad Maia/BRA (1st Rd./Juvan; had won 2 grass titles); #9 Garbine Muguruza/ESP (1st Rd./Minnen; love 2nd lost when back; worst three-slam stretch of career
ZOMBIE QUEEN OF LONDON: #24 Elise Mertens/BEL (2nd Rd.: P.Udvardy 2 MP in 2nd set, Mertens wins set and play susp; takes 3rd set a day later)
DOUBLES STAR: xx
VETERAN PLAYER (KIMIKO CUP): Tatjana Maria/GER and Alize Cornet/FRA
JUNIOR BREAKOUT: Nominees: Canadians
SPIRIT OF JANA (NOVOTNA) HONOREES: Marie Bouzkova/CZE (1st career slam QF)






All for Day 10. More tomorrow.
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