Celebrating Allan's 65th & more tennis

Ellen & Allan...smilin' big.

Our one day off from tennis...played this morning with our group from the country club...now waiting for friends to arrive for dinner on the patio. 

Toasting (with Almond Champagne, of course) Allan's (3-15) & Bill's (3-13) birthday...will these birthdays ever end?   Thirty one years ago in Alaska (yep, that's a long time), we celebrated their birthdays at a little different location...Chena Hot Springs (about 60 miles outside of Fairbanks) at a cabin in the woods.  Spent the week-end cross-country skiing, soaking in the hot springs, and drinking hot buttered rums.   We all decided this was a much better location this time around....enjoying the warmth of the desert.  Bill and Shari were passing through on their way back to Alaska and dreading what is waiting for them in Fairbanks.

And, it was warm enough to eat outside.

Only one year a part in age...their hair is the same.  (Allan didn't like this comment.)

Now...back to tennis.  Worked the main stadium yesterday...saw lots of good matches.

Here's Verdasco and Del Potro...Del Potro won...barely.

Then saw Azarenka (#1 woman) and Goerges...Azarenka won.  Azarenka plays Radwanska next...who is already complaining (in the paper) about Azarenka's grunting, too.

Then it was Sharapova, the grunter, vs. Vinci.  Sharapova won.

Then it was Nadal vs. Granollers, both from Spain.  Didn't get down courtside before the match started...so my close-up isn't too close.   (Nadal is in the blue on the far side.)  Got off work just as this match was starting, so Ellen and I moved to the upper stadium.  Nadal won...and continued to do his usual routine before every serve...pick his pants and fiddle with his hair.  He must get looser underwear!

We got bored with this match, so we headed to some outer courts to watch our only hope for an American reaching the Finals...Christina McHale,  but she lost in the 3rd set tie breaker.  We then moved over to watch the USA doubles ladies...Huber & Raymond beat Gajdosova & Mattek-Sands in a tie breaker, too.  

 I'm picking up pointers for doubles...so watch out!

Then we were too tired to stay for the evening match of Canada's only hope, Raonic lose to Federer.

Today I work evening...so have some great matches lined up. 

This may be boring for those of you who don't follow tennis...sorry!  Just love working this tournament.  Only a few days left.