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By TW Guest Contributor, James LaRosa
Let there be light!
Or at least let there be play. After getting rained out yesterday (even God was crying over Lindsay’s loss), the US/Germany tie continued today in blinding sun. Will Lindsay redeem herself? Can anyone stop Sabine? Will anyone show up to cheer on a work day?
Last question first, the stands are at about half-capacity. Forget what you’ve heard, people do work in Southern California.
The German team looks well fed and ready. Okay, I can’t tell how well fed they are, I just happened to eat dinner at the next table over from them last night at a delightful little Italian restaurant called Osteria Romantico. A couple of observations (besides the fact that watching five women carb-load isn’t particularly romantico) – they really get on well as a team, and Anna-Lena was laughing and smiling all night. Given recent reports of her slide and struggle to regain her confidence, it was great to see her happy.
And I had the Penne Arrabiata, thanks for asking.
Anyway, Lindsay and last minute sub Julia Goerges take the court. During the warm-up, I immediately notice Lindsay’s energy is way different from Saturday. Like it’s not going to be handed to her. (Sorry, Linds.) She even opts to serve. She’s here on business.
Goerges is yet another Fed Cup rookie. After this weekend, I’m scared of this breed. Lindsay’s clearly not, as she proceeds to go up 3-0. And this is what the crowd has been waiting for. Lindsay! During the break, the DJ blasts Jimmy Cliff’s “I Can See Clearly Now.” (…the rain is gone.) Fo’ real.
An announcement is made that, due to the trimmed down attendance, spectators can feel free to rush the expensive seats and knock down any old ladies in red white and blue wigs that get in their way. At least that’s what it sounded like, and now I’ve got second row seats behind the baseline. Take that, grandma.
Linds takes the first set 6-1. You know what that means. Time for Julia Boserup to launch t-shirts into the stands. My friend catches one! I change my mind, this is vital Fed Cup experience. You go, girl!
Lindsay crushes Julia, 6-2 in the second. It’s clear. She is indeed powered by the sun.
Next up, Ashley takes the court to the theme from Star Wars. As I type this out, I think I have to be wrong. Maybe it was Superman. Or ET. No, Star Wars. I don’t know, but it was ridiculous. Sabine makes her way out, and all I see is the skirt. After this weekend, and really after this past AO, I need this aquamarine Adidas scalloped skirt thing to go away. I blame Ivanovic. Make it stop.
Ooh, only one thing could distract me from it. Alison Lang! She’s chairing the match. I have a bit of a crush on Alison. The kindly face. The stylish blunt cut. The blue polo that says she’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You are a rock star, Alison. And a thief. You’ve stolen my heart. Game, set and match, Lang.
But I digress.
The match starts, and it’s clear Sabine is going to have to work a little harder today. Ashley’s movement is just fantastic. She said in her press conference Saturday that she was going to try to move around during Sabine’s serve. She’s sticking to the plan, and it’s working. At 2-all, I can tell this is going to be a grinder.
As Lindsay looks on, I wonder if she’s just dying to snatch that racquet out of Ashley’s hand and have another go at the German.
We now pause for this special message: ENOUGH WITH THE DROPSHOTS!
