[RogiFan]

Hi guys:

So far the Spanish papers say that Ferrero, Corretja, Costa and Moya will be in the DC in Sevilla Feb 7-9 vs. Belgium

Balcells will not be playing doubles w Alex because he didn't do very well so far this season but he may participate in future rounds

So Costa will be Alex's doubles partner although they are not counting out Carlos

The only real fixed player is Juanqui who has shown great form this year in Sydney and in AO QF

During this round they'll be playing in a brand new facility seating 5,000 people and which they hope can be used for Olympic Games 2012 [competing vs Madrid!]

The surface will be clay and the Belgian players will be Malisse, Vliegen, and the Rochus bros

During this round of the DC, there will be a special Homage to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario!

 

[Layla]

Thanks for all this info RF!

VAMOS!

Oh, I would kill to be able to see a match between Juanqui and Olivier Rochus. That would be heavenly.

I like the Belgians, too bad they have to cancel each other out in the first round.

And Sevilla is a much, much more beautiful town than Madrid.

 

[RogiFan]

Here's the Catedral de Sevilla, the 3rd largest Christian church in the world -- it's huge!!

pretty soon the oranges will be ripening...

 

[RogiFan]

Here is one festival Sevilla is famous for: the Feria de Abril:

 

[Vera]

Thanks RF :kiss:

So I wonder how's the partnership of Albert and Alex. Since they are buddy, should have no communication problem. I like these 4 potential picks . Would be good if we get to watch a match .

That church is one beautiful piece of art.

 

[RogiFan]

Here is a must-see monumento en Sevilla -- Los Reales Alcazares -- absolutely beautiful Moorish palace right in the heart of Seville:

[this is a little tour of Sevilla for you! it is definitely one of my favourite cities in Spain]

 

[RogiFan]

I just have to post the most beautiful bullring in Spain -- La Maestranza -- in the style of Andalusian architecture [bullfighting originated in the S of Spain, in a small town called Ronda, not too far from Sevilla]

 

[RogiFan]

this is what it looks like from the air -- it's gigantic! in the bullfighting area called El Arenal -- lots of neat narrow streets and tapas bars plus the Guadalquivir river leading to the sea -- from where Columbus set sail for the New World!

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Thanks for all the information

I had a feeling they would pick those 4 - I really couldn't see it any other way

 

[TennisHack]

Oooh, thanks so much for all the pictures, RF!! A few of my friends and I were just talking about their plans to study abroad next year. One of them has applied to a program at the Sorbenne! For a year. I'm so jealous of her . . . . and now you post beautiful pictures of Spain, too!

I really want to see this DC tie, but I'll have to settle for USA vs Croata -- good enough for me, two of my faves in Blake & Ancic. And now that Ancic's starting to play near his potential, it should also be a happening tie

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

TH - If the USA and Spain win, you will get to "settle" for their quarterfinal too

 

[Scotso]

Why would they put Corretja/Costa in doubles?

IMO, Ferrero/Robredo would be a better choice... or maybe Portas/Robredo that did well at the Aussie.

Anyway, vamos Juan Carlos y Espana!

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

Ferrero/Robredo, who have had next to NO success in doubles as opposed to Costa and Corretja who even won an Olympic medal together?

Think "objectively" for a second.

Costa/Corretja is the right choice.

 

[Chloe le Bopper]

As for Portas and Robredo - they are neither proven as a doubles pair, nor experienced in Davis Cup.

Furthermore, if they don't use Costa or Corretja for singles they are better back singles players, than the two above would be.

 

[RogiFan]

Oooh, thanks so much for all the pictures, RF!! A few of my friends and I were just talking about their plans to study abroad next year. One of them has applied to a program at the Sorbenne! For a year. I'm so jealous of her . . . . and now you post beautiful pictures of Spain, too!

I really want to see this DC tie, but I'll have to settle for USA vs Croata -- good enough for me, two of my faves in Blake & Ancic. And now that Ancic's starting to play near his potential, it should also be a happening tie

Is this the "Junior Year" abroad? Do you mean the "Sorbonne" in Paris? Spain is so beautiful -- Valencia was my chosen city [plus Montpellier in France].

Hackie if you want to reduce any of my pix, go ahead and do it -- they are quite big and take so long to download. I may have to do sth about it. I plan to post more pix later.

Did you never want to study abroad too? It's a real eyeopener [I hate hyphens btw -- too clunky!] -- great experience!

Well, VAMOS VIVI Y PAOLA!!!!

Buenas noches a todos y a todas!!:angel:

 

[TennisHack]

TH - If the USA and Spain win, you will get to "settle" for their quarterfinal too

LOL, that's the one shining aspect of Croatia losing to Andy & co + James -- watching Juanqui and the Spaniards kick their asses

 

[Vera]

That overhead shot of the bullring is amazing so beautiful. Red bricks and orange clay, and I love European cities which look so colorful.

 

[RogiFan]

That overhead shot of the bullring is amazing so beautiful. Red bricks and orange clay, and I love European cities which look so colorful.

Yeah, isn't it gorgeous! Sevilla is a very colourful city -- very lively and friendly! Everywhere you look is eyecatching. And the people are so nice to look at too!

Speaking of Spanish... Vivi and Paola just won the 1st set 6-4 off the Venus sisters. VAMOS!!!!

I was supposed to go to bed already! They s be on TV now.
:angel:

 

[Vera]

Really! Then I should go watch it then, if there's any chance to watch the Willy lose. I can't believe they really aren't showing the Men SF on TV (they replayed last nite's Lady SF this morning when I checked). Now Juanqui didn't get to SF and it ain't so bad .

Thanks for the pix and pls post more .

 

[RogiFan]

Rather quiet today...

The Spanish Tennis Federation will honour Arantxa on Feb. 8 of the DC in Sevilla -- to recognize her huge contribution to tennis

She won the prestigious premio Príncipe de Asturias de Deportes in 1998, 29 singles titles, including 3 Grand Slams (3 French Open and 1 US Open) & 67 doubles titles, plus 4 Olympic medals: 2 silver and 2 bronze and helped Spain win Fed Cup 5 times

Arantxa was surely the BEST Spanish tennis player to date! In Spain she is a "superstar" acc. to Alex!!

Felicitaciones, Arantxa!!