Novak Thwarts Dimitrov: Not Yet Your Time

Old guard 1. New guard 0. While Dimitrov breezed through Andy Murray, he ran into a brick wall which Novak built a tad bit higher for the very talented Dimitrov to climb over. But it was very close.

However, I believe, it's just a matter of time before these up-and-coming players can win over ALL the Big 4 in just one tournament.

Great job Novak!

Eugenie Bouchard Leads the Subtle Changing of the Guards in the 2014 Wimbledon

Hayyy! To be young, pretty and twenty - a great age to be ambitious, with everything in life just laying at your feet. That pretty much sums up Eugenie Bouchard from Canada, who I think has a really good chance of winning Wimbledon this year!

If she does, it would usher in a very subtle changing of the guards in the women's game, something that happens every ten years or so. For avid tennis watchers, you could feel it happen in last month's French Open, where several new faces like Eugenie, just went deep into the tournament. Now, they have one of them in a grand slam final, with a chance to raise the trophy itself.

Petra Kvitova: Second Wimbledon Final in Four Years!

It's great to see Petra Kvitova in the finals of Wimbledon again, 3 years after she claimed her first title. It's a joy to watch her play freely as the balls just zip by with such flatness.

Julian Reister: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Second Round of Wimbledon 2014

Julian Reister of Germany (#110) reached the second round of Wimbledon for the third time in his career. He was able to achieve it in 2010 and last year. 

He was invited into the main draw this year and promptly won his first round match against American veteran, Michael Russell (#94). He lost to Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan (#45) in the second round.

Ante Pavic: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Second Round of Wimbledon 2014

Ante Pavic of Croatia (#163) reached the second round of Wimbledon 2014 for the first time. It's his second time to be in the main draw of a grand slam.  He had to qualify for the main draw here in Wimbledon.  

He won over Colombian Alejandro Falla (#55) in the first round, but fell to Feliciano Lopez of Spain (#26) in the second round.

My Memories of Henman Hill or Murray Mound, As It's Called Today

Well, since the tickets for Center Court and Court #1 is stupendously expensive, I usually just buy the grounds ticket, which in those days just ranged from 11-13 pounds (around 1300 pesos during that era).

If I wanted to watch a match in those 'expensive' courts, all I had to do was find my place in Henman Hill, which is actually called Aorangi Terrace, but has been affectionately called that name because the Brits loved supporting Tim Henman in those days.

It has recently been renamed as Murray Mound but that doesn't sound as cool as Henman Hill.  

Gilles Muller: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Second Round of Wimbledon 2014

Veteran Gilles Muller of Luxembourg (#103), has reached the third round of Wimbledon twice, in 2005 and 2011. In 2014, he reached the second round for the fourth time, being able to reach the same stage in 2007. He also had to qualify for the main draw of Wimbledon 2014. 

He defeated Julien Bennetteau of France (#46) in the first round but lost to Roger Federer in the second round.

Simone Bolelli: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Third

Simone Bolelli of Italy, currently ranked #132, reached the third round of Wimbledon for the third time this year.  He also made it this far in 2008 and 2011.  He has been most successful here in Wimbledon, among all the other grand slams.

Well, he had to qualify to reach the main draw. He had wins over Tatsumi Ito of Japan (#129) and Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany (#22). He was stopped in the third round by Kei Nishikori of Japan (#12).

Nick Kyrgios: Breakout Player for Wimbledon 2014

Australia has been on a search for a dominant male player for a decade now as Lleyton Hewitt has left that mantle a long time ago.  Bernard Tomic seemed to fit the bill but his performances in the grand slams has not been that consistent.  

So here comes Nick Kyrgios in Wimbledon 2014, blasting his way through the quarterfinals and finished off world #1 Rafael Nadal in four sets 76(5) 57 76(5) 63 in the fourth round!  He will next meet Milos Raonic (#9) of Canada.

His scalps for Wimbledon were Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic (#68), Richard Gasquet (#14) and Stephane Robert (#78), both of France.

After seeing him play today, Nick Kyrgios looked imperious and should win his match against Milos Raonic!  Let's hope his serve holds him well since that weapon really helped him defeat Rafa Nadal.

There's A Filipino Player in Wimbledon 2014!!

Treat Huey, along with his doubles partner, Brit Dominic Inglot, were actually seeded #10 in Wimbledon 2014!  Unfortunately, they lost their first round match against 46 67(5) 36 against Mate Pavic and Andre Sa.  I didn't know also that the men's doubles pala are three set matches din pala like the men's singles!

I have never seen Treat Huey personally, which is weird, but I hope to see him play in Kuala Lumpur later this year.  I missed him last year kasi di pa ako familiar sa scheduling ng KL tournament.  Hopefully this year, I arrive in KL a few days earlier.  He usually participates in that tournament, and I really hope they do well there!  Sana makapasok din siya sa main draw ng singles!

Denis Kudla: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Second Round of Wimbledon 2014

For the second straight year, Denis Kudla of the US (#136) has reached the second round of Wimbledon 2014.  He also had to qualify to reach the main draw.  

He defeated fellow qualifier Marsel Ilhan of Turkey (#151) in the first round but promptly lost to Japanese Kei Nishikori (#12) in the second round.

Frank Dancevic: Player Ranked Outside the Top 100 Who Reached the Second Round of Wimbledon 2014

This is the third time Frank Dancevic of Canada, currently ranked #107 in the world, to be in the second round of Wimbledon.  He reached the same stage in 2007 and 2008.  This year though, he had to go through the qualifying and was able to make it to the main draw.

He defeated Ivo Karlovic (#32) of Croatia in the first round, but succumbed to Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan (#63) in the second round.

It Should Be Your Time to Shine Simona Halep!

Now that the semi-final line-up for the women has been set, I am rooting for Romania's Simona Halep to get to the finals and win her first grand slam title!  For it to happen in Wimbledon 2014 would be amazing - and I'm sure she's ready for it!  I think she deserves this one, after that heartbreaking loss in Roland Garros!

Standing in her way is Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, who, out of nowhere, is now 3 for 3 in grand slam semifinals this year!! This girl is just amazing and everybody is trumpeting her to be the next Maria Sharapova!  I'm sure all the girls in the locker room hate her hahaha because she's the whole perfect package - ingenue beauty, incredible legs, beautiful face - and possibly the best thing about her - she's so calm when she plays - she's so fearless!

Petra Kvitova - bar any mishaps - should win her side of the draw and become Simona's opponent.  But since we've all seen how much a fighter Simona is against the big guns like Maria Sharapova, I think she may have an edge over the erratic Czech! However, if Petra brings her massive armory during the finals, and if she's near perfect - we're all in for a real fight!

In the end, it would really depend on who wants the title the most this year!

Baby Fed Finally Rises Out of the Shadows!

OMG! I've had a crush on Grigor Dimitrov for the longest time! But before, I only had to share him with Maria Sharapova!

Now, since he demolished defending champion Andy Murray in the quartefinals, to reach his first Wimbledon semifinal, I will have to fend off now many women since he will surely become a household name!

Are You An Aspiring Model or Singer?

Achieve your dreams.

Are you an aspiring model or a singer or a group that needs exposure in a mall?

Come and Join us at the FABE CONCERT & FASHION SHOW

August 9, Saturday, SM City North Edsa Skydome

Registration Fee is only Php 2,500 pesos.

It will include:

1. A one day modeling workshop on catwalk.

2. A studio photoshoot. Pls. bring 2 sets of clothes, any theme will do.
Hair and Make up during the photoshoot is provided.
Pls. bring a USB so you can get a copy of all the shots, around 60 to 70 shots.

3. You will be part of the FABE Concert Series and Fashion Show.
Not included is the hair and make up during the show, if you need one, it's only 500 pesos.

Register Today. Experience is the best teacher.

Text Vic at 0916.654.5707

Can Children Join? YES.

1. It's open to ages 5 years and above.
1. Aspiring models who are still starting out.
2. Those who needs a setcard/photoshoot for their setcards.
3. Those who wants to experience a live fashion show.
4. If you are a singer or a group performer, you can still join.

You will have 2 numbers during the show.

How to Join?
1. Just text Vic at 0916.654.5707 to reserve a slot and set a schedule of your photoshoot.
2. Hair and make up is not included, an additional of only 500 pesos for the hair and make up.
3. Just bring 2 sets of clothes. Any theme will do.
4. Bring the registration fee of Php 2,500
FABE Photo Studio
ESNA Bldg. 30 Timog Avenue, Quezon City
It's beside Mcdonald's Timog Avenue near Music 21.
We are open daily, Monday to Sundays, 2pm to 8pm

Really Happy for Angelique Kerber As She Wins Mighty Battle Against Maria Sharapova

It's never easy to win against Maria Sharapova because she doesn't back down!  I have seen her play many times and when she's down, she always finds a way back to the winning box - something which she did several times in this year's French Open enroute to her fifth grand slam title.

Well, I had to ditch the Body Jam launch class today at FF Trinoma because I wanted to catch their match live, 8PM here in Manila.  The match finished around 10:30PM as Angie Kerber really upped her game and traded blistering groundstrokes against Maria.  

I was rooting for Angie Kerber since I knew that she had the game to upset Maria.  Of course, that's easier said than done.  I really thought she had it in the bag when she was 4-1 in the third set, but Maria came back, as Maria is wont to do in these situations and at 5-4, Angie had to contend with seven matchpoints before finally winning the match!

It was such a high quality match with a lot of unbelievable shots!  I don't know if Angie will have enough time to rest before she meets Eugenie Bouchard tomorrow but anyway, I hope she can still play at this level in their match tomorrow.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia Brings Rafa Nadal to His Knees!

OMG! I just picked Nick Kyrgios of Australia, ranked #144 in the world, as my Male Breakout Player for Wimbledon 2014, because he reached the fourth round of this grand slam, and what does he do next? He finishes the #1 player in the world and two-time Wimbledon champion Rafa Nadal in four freakin' sets - 76(5) 57 76(5) 63!!

Kyrgios just played a really amazing game!!  His ability to serve at such a high level throughout the match was stupendous to watch!  To play toe to toe with Nadal is hard enough to do in one set, how much more in four sets!  

I was really really impressed with his magnificent performance!  You can really see that he was in the zone!  I hope Nick gets all the support from the Australisn tennis federation because I think the world has discovered a potential tennis superstar!  From the look of his game today, he should rock the tennis establishment soon enough!

The Incredible Depth of Women's Tennis

Just my observation, but everytime I check the women's draw in the grand slams this year, Wimbledon 2014 included, I could see that there are women players who are not expected to be in the semi's and finals stages of the slam, but are there!

We can begin with surprise Australian Open finalist, Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia!  She was ranked #21 around that time when she bested Agi Radwanska in the semi's.  She lost to Li Na, but she sent a signal to the other players that anyone can make it as deep as that in the grand slams.

Her peers did not disappoint.

What happened in the French Open was even more surprising, as we had Andrea Petkovic, who ranked #27 and Eugenie Bouchard, ranked #16 around that time in the semifinals!  They both lost but they sent a strong signal to the top tier of the women's tennis establishment that the players down the list are just as game to win at any point of the grand slam tournament!

True to form, it happens again in Wimbledon, as Czech veteran, Lucie Safarova, currently ranked #23, reached her first grand slam semifinal ever!  There's more!  Eugenie Bouchard again, currently ranked #13 is threatening to be in the semi's of a grand slam for the third time in a row! Then there's fellow Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, who is playing the tennis of her life!  Currently ranked #43, she reaches her first quarterfinal grand slam.  Both these women still have a chance to make a semifinal appearance!

Lovin' Barbora Zahlavova Styrcova!

I've been hearing of Barbora Zahlavova Strycova but I first saw her play in the finals of Birmingham, a few weeks ago, where she lost against Ana Ivanovic.  Surprisingly, it's she and not Ana who reaches the quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2014!  I think she played well in Birmingham, which I'm sure gave her the confidence that has brought her to the quarterfinals stage of this tournament!

She has had wins over Alla Kudryavtseva (#134) and Elena Vesnina (#49) both from Russia, Caroline Wozniacki (#16) of Denmark and Li Na (#2) of China.

She will face 2011 Wimbledon champion and compatriot Petra Kvitova in the quarters. 

Tereza Smitkova - Female Breakout Player in Wimbledon 2014

The Czech Republic just won the Elite Women's Team award for Wimbledon 2014 yesterday where they brought four female players into the fourth round.  They were led by Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova and Tereza Smitkova.  

Tereza Smitkova also wins the the Female Breakout Player for Wimbledon 2014.  Ranked #175 in the world, Tereza finds herself in the fourth round - in her first grand slam appearance!  She had to qualify for the main draw.

She had wins over Su-Wei Hsieh (#126) of Chinese-Taipei, Coco Vandeweghe (#51) of the USA and Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia (#45).  She lost to compatriot Lucie Safarova (#23) in the fourth round.

Hopefully, Tereza will find herself in the main draw in the upcoming US Open, and at least now, she may find herself invited to the main draws of the other tournaments.