Black Tennis Pros

I am always so happy to give people what they deserve, be it praise or a little nudge to let them know that their shoe belongs on their foot and not in their mouth. Today Justin Gimelstob decided that he would like to chew on a little leather.

Gimelstob was commentating along with Chanda Rubin and Barry Tompkins at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. Each of the three was legitimately discussing the very poor play of American Ahsha Rolle and attempting to asses what could be wrong.

Well, Gimelstob wondered if her problem could be emotional because, as he assumes, that does occur in the women's game. Rubin stated that there are emotional issues with the men too.

The very Goofy Justin Gimelstob says , "are we talking about the men that you date?" (not an exact quote, but very close.) Rubin very professionally and succinctly said, "don't get personal."

*drum roll please* For bringing up a subject, and then attempting to take a nasty jab at Chanda Rubin who kept everything above board and did not tell Gimelstob to kiss her behind as I would have, Black Tennis Pro's awards Justin Gimelstob the Goofy Commentator award that he so richly deserves.

American Angela Haynes' success at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California was short lived. Earlier today in the second round of the Open, Angela's opponent was the tournament's defending champion Daniela Hantuchova. Daniela defeated Angela 6-1, 6-2.

Angela was a wild card recipient into this year's Open. With a great first round win I thought that she might be able to build a little momentum with each successive round. However, having to face a gifted player such as Daniela this early didn't exactly help. Oh well, c'est la vie!

The day was no better for several players on the men's side of the tournament. Frenchman Gael Monfils who went out in the first round of the Tennis Channel Open last week, met the same fate this week. Monfils was defeated by Croatian Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-2.

In the doubles department, South African team of Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie were defeated by teammates Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-3, 3-6, 10/4.

Round 1 - Men's Doubles

Jeff Coetzee, RSA and Wesley Moodie, RSA
vs
Philipp Kohlschreiber, GER and Jarkko Nieminen, FIN

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA and Sebastien Grosjean, FRA
vs
Richard Gasquet FRA and Robert Lindstedt,SWE

Round 1 - Men's Singles

Donald Young, USA def. Bobby Reynolds, USA 6-3, 6-4


Round 1 - Women's Singles

Ahsha Rolle, USA def. Madison Brengle, USA 6-2, 6-2


Round 1 - Women's Doubles

Angela Haynes, USA and Mashona Washington, USA
lost to
Tatiana Poutchek, BLR and Anastasia Rodionova, RUS
6-4, 6-3

Raquel Kops-Jones, USA and Christina Fusano, USA
def.
Anabel Medina Garrigues, ESP and Ma. Emilia Salerni, ARG 7-5, 6-3

First round play has begun at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California and twenty-three year old American Angela Haynes, who received a wild card into this tournament, has begun the event in fine form and fashion. Wearing her signature head scarf, Angela defeated her Italian opponent Sara Errani 7-5, 6-2.

"People have been asking me where I've been," Haynes said. "Have I been hurt? No, I've just been playing challengers."

Regarding having to try and comeback from being 0-4 down during the match Angela said, "I figured it couldn't get any worse. I was going to call my dad, my coach, after the set and ask him what I was doing wrong. I needed some help, badly."

"I felt if I can get one game and get my nerves down and get something going, I felt I was going to be OK. She was playing well. I was just giving her too many free points."

Angela talked about falling so far down in the rankings. "Back when I was playing well, having good results, you can take it for granted so easily, and I think that's what I did. I got a little cocky and had a couple of humbling experiences."

"Being here now, you just have to work hard and when you get to where you want to be, you have to work even harder to keep it. I definitely know that now."

Angela then talked about the time subsequent to losing her brother and getting back on the road. "It's brought us a lot closer, especially after what happened to my brother. I respect my dad a whole lot more. He went back with me on the road a month after my brother passed away, which was the hardest thing for him. It was very tough, my mom needed him the most and he came with me."

"My mind has really, really been gone, I've had a lot of setbacks. I've tried to get it back and my mind was gone again. But this year I feel good. My head is there. I've got to leave it behind me and move forward."

Angela, who resides not very far away in Irvine, California, has a challenging second round coming up, she will be playing the defending champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

Unfortunately American Scoville Jenkins did not share the same match success today.

Scoville was attempting to enter the main draw through the qualifying rounds. He made it to the second round, but was defeated on Wednesday by Serbian Dusan Vemic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3).

As of late, I have had the misfortune of having caught the attention of someone who uses the screen name "Frigga." The poor soul must either be incarcerated, stuck at home, or simply a fool. Whatever the problems is, this individual has selected Black Tennis Pro's as the place where they will spew their hatred.

Time after time I have come to check my blog and found a hate-filled racist message in the comments. I have reported this person as spam and asked that the IP address be banned. Of course there are ways around this, so I only have so much control.

I am particularly disturbed by this type of behavior. I know that racism is still alive, well and having babies in the world, but that world does not exist inside my life, my house or my heart. Given that, whenever I am confronted by it and reminded of just how hateful some people can be, it truly disturbs me.

I have the wonderful pleasure of a readership that visits Black Tennis Pro's out of a love for tennis, the players, personal friendship or just passing through to check me out. Whatever the reason, it's been my pleasure to see you here and I hope that you continue to find reason to visit.

If you have had the unfortunate instance of seeing one of "Friggas" hateful messages, I'm sorry that you had to see that and please know that I am continuing to try and resolve that person coming here.

Round 1 - Singles

James Blake, USA vs. BYE
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. BYE
Gael Monfils, FRA vs. Mario Ancic, CRO
Donald Young, USA vs. Qualifier


Round 1 - Doubles

Draw Not Released

Round 1 - Qualifying Singles

Scoville Jenkins, USA vs. Mischa Zverev, GER*
*(Jenkins defeated Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2)