How you put the 3 grams (Day 7)

Nadal, DelPo, Federer (the Man) roll in straights... Berdych loses the crowd.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Federer put away the young Aussie Bernie Tomic by making better shots with his backhand. Better topspin, better slice, and better winners down the line. Even though he did play well in the first set, and had already played 14 sets to Roger's 6, Bernie's off pace slice and push shots were just not going to work this time.  

"I knew I wasn't going to hit 10 slices in a row against him, like Alexander did."
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Nadal stands back farther for receiving the second serve than for the first serve. Counter-intuitive? The basic reason is that, on the second serve, it allows him more time to take a full cut with bigger topspin, while still keeping his shot in the court. This approach works well in doubles, too. On the first serve it takes away time from the net man for poaching, especially if one is just blocking a return back. Then for the slower second serve one can stand back to take that bigger cut (with spin) and "hold" the net man in place.

Chrissy Evert: You weighted your racquet with 3 grams more. Have you felt any changes in your game?

Nadal: I feel a change on my racquet that's sure. On my game...? We decided to make the change because we thought that that can help little bit in a few shots. Especially the higher balls or the serve... If we talk about that with the normal people 3 grams seems like a stupid, no but depends on how you put the 3 grams.
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Del Potro is on fire. He would be looking like the champion if he didn't have Federer next (this is only a quarterfinal!). That match is pretty much the first must see match of 2012. It will help determine how the season plays out for all of the top 4 + JMdP. Federer just said that he missed del Potro when he was out with injuries and that the big guy had a shot at the #1 ranking...
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Berdych lost the crowd in his match when he refused to shake Almagro's hand.  Nico had taken a hard shot which nailed Tomas in the right arm. Berdych was booed off the court for making such a stink. The Aussie crowd will not soon forget this incident. They say he could even be fined by the ATP, but to me it isn't appropriate to legislate good sportsmanship. It's better to let guys be jerks if they want to be, then we all see who they are. Hitting balls at players and being hit are both parts of tennis. Don't be a sitting duck, but if you are, don't be a turkey or a turducken. 
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The Challenger at KRC has the main draw posted.  Qualys are in full effect in Kailua, check it out!

Grand Slam Champion Jack Sock, winner of the Mixed Doubles at US Open 2011 with Melanie Oudin is in the draw to face Hawaii star Dennis Lajola... (Jack's coming from Florida where he just won 3 rounds in a Futures level tournament.)