[Labamba]

Originally Posted by JMG

Yes, I have it on TV! Today they showed only the matchpoint of Jarkko's match, which ended after 40!! seconds or so with a backhand into the net by Novak. Jarkko not with too much emotion, just with a fist and a smile on his face.

You, you lucky bastard! Just kidding, enjoy the match! Any chance you could give us some updates on how Jarkko is playing every once in a while? It would be greatly appreciated, because the scoreboards don't give us any details

Good to hear that Jarkko isn't celebrating too much, it shows that he ain't satisfied yet and wants really to win today!

[Corinna]

great win today of jarkko
6-3 6-2 over seppi

[Smasher]

Well done Jarkko! It is new, that he has learnt to win those BIG games! But tomorrow's game will be very very interesting!

[Mario66]

Fantastic job, Jarkko! JMG, would you tell us how Jarkko played, as you saw it on TV?

[JMG]

Nieminen – Seppi 6-2 6-3
1 Aces 3
1 Double Faults 5
71 1st Serve % 46
66 1st Serve won in % 67
53 2nd Serve won in % 31
18 Winners 31 (8-11 after 1st set)
13 Unforced Errors 48
5/9 Break Points 1/5
72 Total Points 53

It was again fun to watch. Jarkko played in his first service game from about two meters behind the baseline all the time. I don’t know exactly why, but maybe he needed some time manage Seppi’s aggressive baseline game. I really thought at that moment that it would become a tough match, but Jarkko played great from that moment for one and a half set. A great mix of shots, he won nearly every long baseline rally, often he could wait for Seppi’s fault. Seppi had only 2 service games without break point for Jarkko! The best thing about Jarkko was his constant baseline game, I think I didn’t see more than 2 or 3 forehand unforced errors today. A special thing today was his 53 % won on second serve. They were all about only 120/110 Km/h, but Seppi couldn’t take advantage of it. This might be a horrible disadvantage against Nadal. I hope he doesn’t go down like against Nalbandian in Munich this year!
In his on court interview he agreed on a question that it would be a nice birthday present tomorrow to beat Nadal. I think it would be even nicer to win that car on Sunday.

[mele]

And tomorrow he will beat nadal. That`s for sure

[Mario66]

Let's hope that Jarkko can at least make it close and thrilling match and everything over that will be just bonus I think... But dreams can become true?

[Labamba]

Center Court
Matches Start at:
2:00 PM

Rafael NADAL (ESP) vs Jarkko NIEMINEN (FIN)

Great report from JMG. Here is some comments that the players made yesterday:

Jarkko: "I was playing very solid, moving very well. Sometimes I was a little too passive. In the second set I started to move backwards but otherwise I was really satisfied with how I played. I changed the tempo and that worked very well. I'm not so tired despite playing a lot of three-set matches this week, it was good to get a shorter match today."

About playing Nadal
"It will be a nice challenge. He is the best player on clay by far at the moment and has won so many tournaments, so I have nothing to lose. Tomorrow is my birthday so hopefully I can play well."

Nadal about playing Nieminen
"I've never played against him but he is a tough player, who plays well. He has confidence now after winning three difficult matches. It will be a difficult match and I hope to play my best."

Jarkko said it the best, he has nothing to lose and he can play without pressure. I think Jarkko can cause a lot of trouble on Nadal, if he keeps serving at a high percentage and doesn't make many easy errors. But honestly, I would be surprised if Jarkko wins a set today, but we can always dream.

Happy birthday Jarkko!

[Björki]

Happy Birthday Jarkko

[JMG]

Happy Birthday Jarkko! Win the car tomorrow!

[margaret_gn]

Happy Birthday Jarkko

[JMG]

Stats:
Nadal - Nieminen 6-2 7-5
63 1st Serve % 65
81 1st Serve % won 53
56 2nd Serve % won 46
26 Winners 27
18 Unforced Errors 36
5/10 Break Points 2/2
76 Total Points 55

[Labamba]

Nice to see that Jarkko had more winners than Nadal today. Just too many errors I guess, but against the best in the business it's no shame to lose 6-2 7-5. Great tournament from Jarkko and I think his ranking should jump up nicely

Next up for Jarkko is Umag where he plays both singles and doubles. Jarkko had very bad luck with the draw, he plays JC Ferrero in the first round . In the second round he could meet a very dangerous yongster Novak Djokovic. Hopefully Jarkko will play his first singles match on tuesday, so he can have some rest.

His doubles partner is Dutch player Rogier Wassen and they are the #4 seeds. Their first opponents are Czech pair Dlouhy/Vanek.

[JMG]

In Stuttgart they made this campaign that each players gets his own fanclub (10-16 years old kids from 48 tennisclubs). The sense of it is that all the 48 fanclubs support their player in their matches and as long as their player is still in the tournament, all of them get free tickets for the next day. Today Jarkko's fanclub brought him a gateau after the match and sang "happy birthday". Jarkko lifted the gateau and held it like a trophy. But he looked like it wasn't the most pleasant situation for him.

--------
Jarkko hasn't made a break since Wimbledon and Umag/Sopot will be his 6th and 7th tournament in a row. Then he will skip Montreal but I'm not sure about Cincinnati qualifying. It could be that New Haven is his only hardcourt tournament before the US Open. I'm sure that if he stays healthy this time and can play play all the Masters Series events after the Cincinnati, he will be back at 1000+ ranking points soon, maybe around French Open time next year.

[JMG]

Originally Posted by Labamba

Next up for Jarkko is Umag where he plays both singles and doubles. Jarkko had very bad luck with the draw, he plays JC Ferrero in the first round . In the second round he could meet a very dangerous yongster Novak Djokovic. Hopefully Jarkko will play his first singles match on tuesday, so he can have some rest.
His doubles partner is Dutch player Rogier Wassen and they are the #4 seeds. Their first opponents are Czech pair Dlouhy/Vanek.

Yes, it's nearly impossible to beat Ferrero, Djokovic and Coria to make another Semifinal. Maybe he has a better draw in Sopot, at least Nadal won't be there.