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		<title><![CDATA[GrandSlamFantasyTennis.com Forum]]></title>
		<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent topics at GrandSlamFantasyTennis.com Forum.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:20:25 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[How great is Nadal on clay?  Check it out!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/143/how-great-is-nadal-on-clay-check-it-out/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rafa Nadal is back! The real #1 player is back to #1 after recovering from knee tendonitis. Wimbledon should be interesting this year.

But before we get to that, this seems to me a good time to review what Rafa has done the past 6 years on clay, because it is beyond amazing. His overall record on clay during the period 2005-present is 177-6. Really.  I kid you not.

In 2005, the year Nadal broke onto the scene and rose like a rocket through the men’s rankings, Rafa went 50-2 on clay!!! Way too many matches no doubt — but after all, even the Nadal camp didn’t know he would be THAT successful that fast. His first loss came to Gaston Gaudio in the quarters of the first clay court event of the year, in early February in Buenos Aires. His other loss came to Igor Andreev in the quarters of the first European clay court tourney of the year, Valencia. Rafa then won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, Bastad and Stuttgart to end the clay season with 34 straight victories. Not bad. He turned 19 at RG that year.

Just like this year, in 2006 Rafa was undefeated on clay.

In 2007, Rafa lost only one match on clay — ending the longest clay court winning streak of all time, during which Rafa won 13 straight tournaments and 81 straight matches -- to Federer in the Hamburg final. An exhausted Rafa frankly ran out of gas and was bageled by Roger in the third set. That will never happen again, I predict.

In 2008, Rafa again lost only one match, to Ferrero at Rome, when Rafa had awful blisters on his feet that very greatly limited his mobility.

Last year, he lost two clay court matches: his famous loss to Soderling in the Roland Garros R16, and to Federer in the Madrid final (just after his SF marathon with Djokovic). In both of those losses, Rafa’s mobility was limited due to his knees — though both players still had to play amazing tennis to beat him.

In 2008 and again this year, Rafa won Roland Garros without dropping a set. That had happened only three times before in the open era — Borg in 1978 and 1980 and (nearly unbelievably) Nastase in 1973. I fearlessly predict that the 6th time that happens, it will again be Rafael Nadal who does it.

Now that his knees are back to OK and he’s limiting his play, hopefully we will be able to enjoy many more years of unparalleled greatness from this young man who just turned 24 and has already established himself as — unquestionably and by far — one of the two greatest clay court players in the history of the game.

Six losses on clay in the last six years. Since the loss to Andreev in 2005, a clay court record of 161-4.
161-4??? You’ve got to be kidding me!!! Not even Borg has stats to match that.

Here’s what’s even more disconcerting for the other players: 3 of Rafa’s 4 losses on clay in the last 5+ years (the only losses since 2007) were due to injury and the other was due to exhaustion!!! Compare Rafa’s movement around the court this year to his movement when he lost to Federer and Soderling last year, and I think you’ll agree that was the difference. If you’ve never seen photos of Rafa’s feet at Rome in 2008, I hope you never do. It’s hideous.

So you have to be a great player playing your best — and get Rafa when he’s not 100% — to have any chance whatsoever to win, and even then you probably lose. That’s so dominant, I’ll go this far with it:

The extent and degree of Rafa Nadal’s dominance on clay for the last 5+ years — a time when the sport had FAR more excellent players than at any time in the past — is utterly unparalleled by any athlete in ANY sport, ever.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:20:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/143/how-great-is-nadal-on-clay-check-it-out/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[French Open 2010 Women's Draw?? Who to choose?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/131/french-open-2010-womens-draw-who-to-choose/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I'm looking at the women's draw, and some players have it tough. Henin, one of my top picks, has to get through Sharapova and Serena - both very tough players. So I don't think Henin will make it to the finals this year. The second half of the draw looks easier to me, especially since Venus does not do well on clay. I think Wozniacki has a good shot, and perhaps Dementieva.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 02:24:31 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/131/french-open-2010-womens-draw-who-to-choose/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Soderling or Nadal??]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/142/soderling-or-nadal/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Soderling and Nadal are playing amazing tennis. So if they both make it to the finals (which is very likely), then who will win? Nadal is great, but at this time I would pick Soderling to win that match. Maybe i'm crazy, but he dismantled Fed the other day and looked unbeatable.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:06:52 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/142/soderling-or-nadal/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Second week TV coverage]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/140/second-week-tv-coverage/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Second week TV coverage of Roland Garros is abominable. I can't stand these contractual obligations to show matches on different networks. Last year Tennis Channel was showing live coverage of other matches when Nadal went down and Federer went 5 with Del Potro. Because NBC had the contract to show the matches, the Tennis Channel commentators couldn't even say a word about either match. Instead, everyone had to wait 3-4 hours until the matches were over for NBC to air them, and by that time everyone knew the outcomes. This is continuing again this year. You couldn't watch the Federer-Wawrinka match live yesterday on Tennis Channel, ESPN or NBC, and today coverage of the Almagro-Verdasco match (which started on Tennis Channel) is cut off and although it is still going on, ESPN 2 is showing the Djokovic-Ginepri match that happened hours ago.

I already pay my cable provider extra for sports channels, and I just think this is embarrassing. Between NBC, ESPN 2 and the Tennis Channel, nobody can show live coverage of Federer in the semis or Nadal losing his first ever match at Roland Garros? Is anyone else in the same boat I'm in with the horrible coverage?]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jun 2010 05:48:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/140/second-week-tv-coverage/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Federer lost to Soderling!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/141/federer-lost-to-soderling/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Wow, I can't believe after 12 straight wins against Soderling that Federer lost in 4 sets in the QF. Not only does this end his winning streak against Soderling, but his streak of 23 consecutive semifinal appearances is also over. Soderling played amazing tennis - hitting and serving as hard as is possible on clay - while Fed seemed a bit tired, and could not come up with an answer for the powerful shots coming his way. It was a well deserved win by Soderling, and another exciting upset by him as well at the French.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (gTennis)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:57:15 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/141/federer-lost-to-soderling/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[OUCH!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/133/ouch/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In making my picks, I felt I had done brilliantly with my 3 non-top-16-seed men's picks.  

I liked Baghdatis' draw, so I took him, but I was FAR more excited about the chances of Ernsts Gulbis, who has nearly unlimited potential and who has started to come into his own this clay court season.  So guess what?  He retired in the first round with a thigh injury.  Lovely.  OUCH!

I thought my smartest pick of all was Richard Gasquet, who comes off an impressive win of the tourney in Nice last week, including a victory over Verdasco in the final.  Gasquet is, at his best, a great clay court player, though a bit of a head case.  He drew Murray in the first round.  Clay is BY FAR Murray's worst surface, and he had been utterly atrocious throughout the clay season, playing like a journeyman at best.  

Man, did I feel smart when Gasquet came out and won the first two sets.  After beating Murray, the draw was wide open to the round of 16 and maybe the quarters.  But nooooooooo!!!  Utilizing, I'm sure, all his grit, conditioning and cleverness, Murray somehow managed to come back and win in 5 sets.  AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!    

Well, folks, I should have read the rules.  I probably would have taken Gasquet anyway, but I sure was surprised about the -16 points!  OUCH again!  

And then there's Azarenka.  Since I follow the men's game far more closely, I was blissfully unaware she had been fighting through injury.  Her game failed to show up at all, and she was embarrassed by a poor player in the first round.  OUCH yet again!

So my teams are in trouble this time.  I hope to do better with my Wimbledon picks.  

But, I gotta warn ya -- watch out come the 4th round at Roland Garros, because Dropshot Kings will rule!]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:16:32 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/133/ouch/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[OMG!  RG Upsets]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/139/omg-rg-upsets/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[OK, just like every other year at RG, major upsets occur.  So far, it hasn't been anything as crazy as Nadal losing at RG for the first time, like last year, but today we got the first truly stunning upset of the tourney on the men's side.  And, no, it wasn't Gabashvili dismantling Roddick, though it was a bad loss for Andy and a bizarre result any way you look at it.  Tough day to play, though.  

The most preposterous result in my opinion was David Ferrer getting taken out in straight sets by Jurgen Melzer.  Melzer actually bageled him in the second!  David Ferrer is a guy against whom you have to earn it.  He does not give away many points, much less matches.  He's one of the best clay court players in the world.  I was certain he'd make the quarters.  This is an astonishing result.  I would have to imagine that Melzer was on fire.  Considering the cold and the wind, that's particularly amazing.

So now we've got a R16 match between Gabashvili and Melzer!!!  It's why you have to love the French Open.  Right?

Nearly as unexpected was Robbie Ginepri's victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero.  Way to go, Robbie!  Nice win.  Hopefully this will keep him on the tour another year as John McEnroe suggested.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (DonDenman)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 29 May 2010 23:52:30 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/139/omg-rg-upsets/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[The Future of Roland Garros]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/138/the-future-of-roland-garros/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[What do people think about the possibility of moving Roland Garros? I discussed this in one of my recent blogs and Ican't help but think (the sentimental fool that I am) that it would be tragic to see the event have to move. 

Then again, I suppose all tennis organisations have to move with times. It just seems such a shame....]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 29 May 2010 19:46:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/138/the-future-of-roland-garros/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[HERE WE GOOOO!!!!!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/126/here-we-goooo/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Its comin!!!! the french open is coming over the horizon!! what are all of you all's predictions????? It ought to be a very intruiging tournament.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (tennisguy44349)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2010 21:15:45 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/126/here-we-goooo/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Federer will win!!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/49/federer-will-win/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Ok, does anyone think that Soderling has a chance against Federer tomorrow? Yes, Soderling is playing great and he beat Nadal, but he must be tired from so much tennis and he will probably feel the weight of the world when he plays in his 1st grand slam final. I think he will get a set, but Federer will win and he will earn the title of the greatest tennis player in history.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (TheTrainerofKings)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 00:18:38 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/49/federer-will-win/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Predictions]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/46/predictions/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I don't know about anyone else's, but mine are down the drain. For starters I believe that Rafa would win, but today put a stop to that. 

Then I thought Verdasco would in an outside with a chance, but Davydenko just put a stop to that. 

All I've got now is Federer...anyone else feeling a bit shaken prediction-wise?

Maybe it's just my poor quality of predictions, but I'm sure most people had to change at least some predictions with Nadal today,....]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (MagooTennis)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:43:47 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/46/predictions/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[What did you think of the Women's final?]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/48/what-did-you-think-of-the-womens-final/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[So today Kuznetsova (7) defeated Safina (1) 6-4 6-2 in the final. I thought the tennis in the first set was pretty good. Both players played well, except for a few key points that gave Kuznetsova the set. Then the second set came and Safina seemed to be mentally beaten already. It felt like I was watching her brother Marat Safin, a player known to let his unstable emotions get in the way of victory. She is such a good player, but she gave up and then the match was over fast. 

What did you think of the final?]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (chadshack)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:01:42 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/48/what-did-you-think-of-the-womens-final/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[First Few Days]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/39/first-few-days/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[So the first three days are over, what does everybody think? Did anything particularly surprise/disappoint/delight anyone so far? 

I for one am surprised at just how pink Nadal's shirt was yesterday, disappointed that the British women's trio were knocked out so early on, and delighted that it rained in France whilst being sunny in England today! A little mean I know, but when you live under a rain cloud you get a bit like this...

I think my highlight are the outfits; I forgot how, erm...eye catching some of them can be!]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Aiur)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:57:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/39/first-few-days/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Tennis Player To Shrink Beasts To Improve Performance...]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/42/tennis-player-to-shrink-beasts-to-improve-performance/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I had to throw this in here...

A Romanian player has decided to she needs to get a breast reduction to improve her court mobility.

So my (not very serious) question is - 

Should she be allowed to do this or is it considered performance enhancing surgery, akin to something like blood or gene doping.

Read all her about her troubles here

[url]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/186175-new-boobs-please-young-tennis-star-will-reduce-her-boobs-to-help-career[/url]

She may find she loses a few fans anyway...]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (charles)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:08:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/42/tennis-player-to-shrink-beasts-to-improve-performance/new/posts/</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Rafa goes down!!!!!!!!!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/45/rafa-goes-down/new/posts/</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In the biggest upset that I have ever witnessed, Robin Soderling beat Rafa Nadal 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6. I am at a loss for words, as I thought Rafa's draw was an easy road to the finals. The following is a message for Roger Federer: IF YOU DO NOT WIN THIS EVENT, YOUR CAREER IS OVER.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (drcilantro)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:32:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.grandslamfantasytennis.com/forum/topic/45/rafa-goes-down/new/posts/</guid>
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