Faulkner

Petko coming in with the snaps.

Ha, Simona dropped the first set in the first round to Ali Riske 1-6 but came back to win in three. This is what Ali just tweeted:

So who’s the best active WTA veteran player to not win a Slam at this point (now that Wozniacki and Halep have gotten over the hump)? Pliskova? Madison? I suppose Jankovic is a former No. 1 and GS finalist, but that ship has saaaaailed. Probably the same for former No. 2 and Wimbledon finalist Radwanska. Cibulkova and Bouchard have both made finals, but... no. At least not at this point, barring a huge Agassi-like turnaround. Errani, no. Safarova could eventually play herself back into a better position and have a Pennetta-like surprise title.

And Halep showed great focus and resilience. She has really improved incrementally over time.

HALEP FINALLY DID IT!!!

Sloane is doing some Radwanska-level pushing, but she has power on her shots. And she just doesn’t miss. EDIT: ...but can switch to breathtaking offense on a dime. Just saw Coco Gauff won the junior ladies’ French Open earlier. The African-American women are really dominating.

James Blake got played. The kumbaya BS doesn’t work with the NYPD. (I suppose he could still exercise his right to sue?)

Yikes.

It’s going to be tough unless Simona completely checks out. Simona looked DIALED IN today. But both are good movers and defenders. Simona will have to protect that AWFUL second serve. I love Sloane, but I want Simona to finally win one.

I figured Garbiñe would be able to up her level since she’s won two GS titles. But I was more surprised at Halep because we’ve seen get a tough win and then just go off the rails. Or get a dominant first set and then fall apart, which was what she appeared to do against Mugu today. But she broke back and then fought through it. She still has to beat Sloane (most likely), who is a tough big-match player and manage any letdowns, as Sloane is so solid.

Wow at Halep coming through strong over Muguruza! She wants that French Open title!

Ramona’s acting in that scene wasn’t much better, but at least she produced real tears.

Yeah. It just seems like Rafa lucks out more often than not, especially when he steps on a clay court. Cakewalk draws. Favorable weather. Well-timed interruptions. But still Schwartzman suddenly became Thomaz Bellucci after that rain delay. A lot of foolish mistakes that can’t be blamed on Rafa. There was one ball that was clearly sailing out, but he took it in the air and shanked what should have been an easy volley.

It’s always sad to hear about the ugliness and abusive behavior that happens behind the scenes of shows and movies you enjoy. I was thinking about people how people facetiously suggested Rosie O’Donnell as a recast, and then you remember all of the monstrous stories about her (“Don’t you lie to me. You know what happens to liars? They get cancer.” Said to a cancer survivor who worked at her magazine).

Still no mention of lights for evening matches:

It’s crazy how good and competitive Halep/Kerber matches can be. I just wonder if Simona will have anything left in the tank for Garbiñe, who just has that sort of “I’m going to win my third Grand Slam title and try me at your own peril” game face on.

I remember the S4 reunion being a shrill, ugly screechfest (where Andy had to tell the ladies to “shut the f*** up” in complete exasperation), and I think that led to the massacre of Alex, Cindy, Jill, and Kelly. Oddly, Luann, who was responsible for a lot of the hostility in that reunion, dodged that bullet.

^Jill’s acting in the “We can NEVER be friends!” scene was so cringe-inducing.

Rafa saved by the rain AGAIN, but Schwartzman has made some brain-dead errors.

As they say, Mugu does everything Maria does, just much better.

Novak out, but he sure fought to the death in the tiebreak. Cecchinato is having a Puig-like run. Everything is working for him.

“Johan face. Johan.” ”Alex was walking with VENOM!”

This guy’s Nick Kyrgios impression is ON POINT! Federer: John McEnroe: A mashup of McEnroe, Murray, Nadal, Courier, Federer, and Djokovic.