Rafa in Miami 2012: Withdrawn!!

(With a tip of his hat, Rafa says goodbye to Miami.)

Ay, such sadness! Rafa withdrew from competition in Miami today. His left knee has been bothering him since last week in Indian Wells. He barely got by Tsonga on it in the quarters, winning 6-2, 5-7. 6-4, and trying to play at the top level necessary to compete with Murray in the semis could've injured it even worse. So now he rests and hopes he's solid for the clay court season starting up in mid April, and Murray has to face Novak in the Final on Sunday.

I'm disappointed for Rafa. If not for his knee, I thought he had a really great chance at winning against Novak. His level of play had been so strong. Let's all wish Our Hero a speedy recovery! VAMOS!

On a closing note, I am posting a video of one of my new favorite songs written by Ryan Scott Oliver and sung by Lindsay Mendez called "The Party Goes With You." The rest of the tourney won't be the same without you. For when you strike your goodbye pose, Rafa, everybody knows, everybody knows, the party goes with you.

Rafa in Miami 2012: Fourth Round

(Rafa dominates again!) 

Round of 16 action is completed, and Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, has once again triumphed. He took down Kei Nishikori from Japan 6-4, 6-4 and advances to the quarterfinals.

Nishikori came out strong, and broke to take a 2-1 lead in the first set. But Nadal broke back and then took command of the first set. Rafa then raced off to a 3-0 lead in the second but had to fight off a surge by Nishikori at the end. It was another straight-set victory, but it took 2 hours and 10 minutes - much longer than Rafa's previous two matches. Nishikori put up some fight!

Next up, Nadal is playing Tsonga in the quarterfinals. I've never been a big Tsonga fan. I definitely don't want Rafa to lost to him. Hopefully he'll continue to play his top level tennis! Vamos!

Rafa in Miami 2012: 3rd Round

(This is just what I look like prepping for a forehand! Only not left-handed! And not as muscular! And Nadal's shot will likely clear the net!)

Continued Success! Yesterday, Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, eased his way into the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open, shrugging off 25th seed Radek Stepanek 6-2, 6-2. Nadal was pretty much in control the entire time. Radek managed two break points against Rafa but couldn't convert either of them. Meanwhile Rafa broke Stepanek twice in each set, finishing him off in 87 minutes. Easy peasy.

Next, Rafa will face off with No. 16 Kei Nishikori of Japan - another player he has never lost to. Let's keep up the winning ways! I really feel Rafa has a good shot at the title this year! VAMOS!

Rafa in Miami 2012: 2nd Round

(large and in charge!)

Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, is back in action this week in Miami. In his first match since losing to Federer in the semis of Indian Wells, Rafa easily sprinted to victory. He dispatched Colombia's Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 6-0 claiming the final 10 games and winning the match in only 69 minutes. Wepa!

So glad to see Rafa dominating after that unfortunate loss to Fed. Everything was working for him. Next up in Round 3 is Radek Stepanek from Czech Republic. Rafa has won all 5 of their previous meetings. Let's hope he can make it 6-0! Rafa has never won this event and I'm really hoping 2012 will be his year for the Miami title. VAMOS!

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Finals (Yes, FINALS!)

(Champs!)

Okay, so it's true that Rafa didn't play in or win the singles final, but he did play in AND win the doubles final! Our Hero, and his partner marc Lopez, reclaimed the BNP Paribas Open doubles title with a solid 6-2, 7-6(3) win over Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey earlier today.

It was a bummer for Isner who also lost the singles title even earlier today to Roger Federer. Fed is playing exceptionally well right now. Please, sportswriters. Stop telling him he is old at 30. He's not. He's younger than me. And probably you. And he's an elite champion and a winner. So stop the nonsense.

 I am very happy that Rafa gets to end the tournament as a winner - even it's doubles and not singles. It sucks that it comes at a double loss for Isner, who was attempting to become the first man since Jimmy Connors in 1991 to win both the singles and doubles titles at Indian Wells. Instead, he lost both in the same day! Has that ever happened before? That's an unfortunate distinction to hold. But let's recall that Isner played the longest match ever and he won that one too, so he's got some great records to his name and a really bright future for this season with a win over the extremely dominant Novak Djokovic.

If it feels like the Miami tournament starts immediately, that's because it does. Opening round action is tomorrow! Who will win that one? It seems like there are more names in the mix than there were at the start of Indian Wells. I hope Rafa can make it to the final there and bite into that champion's trophy. Vamos!!

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Semifinals

(You'll get 'em next time, Rafa!)

Oof. That was a rough one. After a long rain delay, and following a truly electric semifinal where Isner beat Djokovic, Nadal and Federer faced off in what was a pretty one-sided affair with Nadal losing in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. All credit to Roger for handling the windy and rainy conditions better. Nadal just never got into the right rhythm  The first 3 games of the first set went to Roger. Then Rafa answered with three straight games of his own. Then Fed answered AGAIN by taking the next three games and the set! It was as if Rafa couldn't really get it together until he was down 5-2 in the second set. At that point it was way too late. Well, no.I think I've seen Rafa pull out wins where the score was that dire, but not in these conditions and not against Fed when he was playing that well.

Oh well. What can you do? Our Hero must look ahead. He's still in great condition and competing well. It was just an off night in bad conditions against a terrific opponent. It happens! As for the Final, I would LOVE to see Isner win his first Masters 1000 event. American success is always nice to see and a cause to celebrate. But I've been liking Fed's success lately. So either way it's cool. And then whatever happens, Isner has to go back on court later this afternoon to play the rescheduled men's doubles final - against Rafa! Obviously, I'm cheering on Isner in the singles much more so than in the doubles. Vamos!

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Quarterfinals

(Somebody's feelin' it!)

This evening, Our Hero, Rafael score a come-from-behind victory over David Nalbandian of Argentina 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the Indian Wells Quarterfinals. Nadal previously hadn’t lost a set in the tournament, but Nalbandian was playing at the top of his game, impressively winning the final three games of the first set to take the early lead. Then he led 4-3 and 5-4 in the second, but Nadal refused to surrender and fought his way back to take the set, and level the match. Then Nadal went up 5-2 in the third, but then Nalbandian rallied again to bring it to to 5-4. Nalbandian had a few more chances, but could not capitalize, and Rafa took the match. Thank goodness!

Next up: Federer in the Semis! That's going to be crazy. I'm hoping he can win against his long time super-rival. I would also LOVE a John Isner win over Djokovic in the other semi. And let's not forget Rafa is still alive in the men's doubles draw. He plays for the doubles final tomorrow! Lots of tennis still left to be played. I hope tomorrow the luck of the Irish is with the Spaniard! VAMOS!.

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Fourth Round

(It's another straight set victory for Rafa!) 

Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, sliced through Alexandr Dolgopolov at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday , cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over theUkrainian. Rafa took the first set in 43 minutes, and was even more dominant in the second. He is playing so well! I'm very impressed with his conditioning and mental focus this week after having taken such a considerable break from match play after the Aussie Open.

Still ahead he's got potentially three very difficult competitors before he can claim the title. David Nalbandian awaits him next in the Quarter Finals. Then if he gets through that, it will likely be Federer in the Semis and then his reward should he take that match will likely be Djokovic in the Final. By no means is that an easy road. I hope Nadal can keep us his incredible play through the rest of the tournament. He's still alive in the men's doubles bracket too! Vamos!

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Third Round

(swatting away the competition!)

Playing catch up on Indian Wells! Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, advanced to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers. Werk, Rafa!

Nadal blazed through the first set in just 29 minutes. Granollers stepped it up in the second, putting in a much better effort than the first, but still it was not enough. Rafa is competing very well right now and the scoreboard reflects it! Next up is (well, was, at this point) Alexander Dolgopolov. He's always a fun and tricky player. Rafa should be able to dispatch him easily. Vamos!

Also of note, after his recent doubles match, this stupid dude fell onto the court trying to chase after a signed ball that was bouncing around the stands. It was Tennis Wipeout! Naturally, I laughed and laughed. But Rafa was so nice he went over and gave the guy a hug and a signed ball. That was sweet of him, but I hope he realizes crazed fans are now going to try to fall down in front of him at every match hoping for some signed memorabilia and a little Rafa TLC. At least I know that would be my strategy.

Rafa in 2012 Indian Wells, Second Round

(Back In Action!)

Hello, Dear Readers. It seems like it's been forever since Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, played his last tennis match, no? It was back in January in the Aussie Open Final. He took a nice six week vacation, and his first match back showed no signs of rust having settled in during the break. After getting a bye in the opening round, Rafa charged back into competition at Indian Wells in Round 2, defeating Argentina's Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-3  earlier today. Life is always better when Rafa is winning tennis matches. It's so good to have him back on the courts!

What's not so good, but has nothing to do with Rafa's actual game play, is that his official website has been down for months! It's ridiculous! They overhauled it just a few years ago. Why on Earth are they overhauling it again? Can't they leave the old one functioning in the interim? I liked having one place to go for all things Rafa. I hope they get on the stick and bring it back online fast.

Anyway, Rafa usually does very well at Indian Wells, having reached at least the semis here every year since 2004. Hopefully he will have another very successful run here this week. Up next in the third round is fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers. He's a good player, but Rafa should be able to handle him easily. Vamos!

The Gossip Plays at the Abingdon this Tuesday 3/13!

(you know you love me as a playwright. xoxo.)

Friends! I want to invite you to a performance this Tuesday of a 10-minute play I wrote as part of the The Abingdon Theatre Company's Gossip Plays Benefit Series. My play is titled, "The President is GAY! (and other delicious scandals.)" It's sort of Golden Girls meets Mean Girls scenario. Potential political and personal scandals abound. You'll love it. No one eats cheesecake or gets hit by a bus, unfortunately, but they weren't allowed props so I didn't include those homages. Anyway, if you can come that would be fantastic. I'm sure it will be a fun night of short plays from all the different playwrights. I've really enjoyed working with the cast and director during the last week of rehearsals. You have two chances to see it - one night only. The runtime of the 5 shows selected is about an hour, so you'll be in and out lickety-split. I hope you can make it! xoxo!

The Gossip Plays 

Abingdon Theatre Company 

312 West 36th Street, just west of 8th Ave. 

Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, 1st Floor 

Five playwrights take on the challenge to write a 10-minute play inspired by Abingdon’s current production, LIFE LINE, by Frank Tangredi. 

$10 suggested donation at the door. 

There are no reservations. Only 52 seats per show! 

Box office opens 30 minutes prior to curtain. 

SERIES A Tuesday, March 13, 2012 6:30pm & 8:30pm 

Playwrights: 

Jan Buttram ● Liam Mitchell ● Owen Panettieri 

Bara Swain ● Frank Tangredi 

Featuring: 

Estelle Bajou* ● Gail Merzer Behrens* ● Barbara Bleier* ● Danielle Bourgeois Susan Brady* ● Sheila Burkert* ● Emily Nicole Hansen ● Betsy Johnson* Heather Massie* ● Tony Neil* ● Lisa Riegel* ● Mathew Shear ● James Wilcox Directors: Jessica Creane ● Hilary Edson ● Vincent Scott Melissa Skirboll ● Bara Swain 

STAGE MANAGER: Kristin Bodall 

* Member, Actors’ Equity Association 

All participants are donating their talent to present these staged readings as a benefit for 

Abingdon’s New Play Development Program.