IVO THE RAT: Harvey Fialkov likened 6-foot-10 power server Ivo Karlovic to “Randy Johnson in shorts.”
CHILE RECEPTION?: Despite the devastating earthquake that’s claimed the lives of more than 700 people, Chile still plans to host its Davis Cup tie against Israel in the port town of Coquimbo.
‘…AND INTRODUCING FERNANDO VERDASCO AS MAXIMUS’: Fernando Verdasco may have Hollywood good looks, but the Spaniard insists he has no plans to pursue a career in acting, unless, of course, it’s the right role: “If they offer for me to make Gladiator II, I do it.”
A MURRAY MOMENT: Andy Murray is in hot water after he copped to using his second-round match against Janko Tipsarevic at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 defeat) as an experimental warm-up session for the bigger Masters and Slam events. “I would have liked to have won, but it’s not the end of the world,” he said. “If it was a Slam or something, my tactics and my game style would have been a bit different.” Barclays’ John Beddington bristled at Murray’s comments, saying, “We’re disappointed that he lost and also that he made remarks which were not really necessary. While we appreciate that top players value Grand Slams over other tournaments, because of their prestige and points, this is one of the top events at the 500 level on the ATP Tour.”
THE NUMBERS
18: Consecutive free throws made by Ernests Gulbis in the players’ lounge at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
3: Months shaved off Damir Dokic‘s prison sentence for threatening the Australian ambassador to Serbia
58: Doubles titles won by the Bryan Bros., who won the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships and now trail only The Woodies (61) on the all-time list.
11,702: Fans in attendance for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden, where Venus Williams topped Kim Clijsters 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
QUOTEBOOK
“He was as keen as mustard when we rang him.” — Captain Todd Woodbridge on Bernard Tomic, the newest and youngest-ever member of the Australian Davis Cup team
“He’s the mirror to look at.” — Fernando Verdasco on Roger Federer
“When Venus Williams reached the Wimbledon final last year her left knee was so heavily bandaged that her leg looked like a badly lagged water pipe.” — Paul Newman, The Independent
