Oz Open

Okay....I think it's time that admit I have a problem. I am severely addicted to the blue court that is the Aussie Open. Tonight, Friday evening at 7:30, Nadal and Verdasco began semifinal play. It is now 12:18am - and I am up - alone, watching and yelling - and just moments ago Senor Verdasco just took the tie break of the fourth set, and we are now headed into the fifth, and deciding match. Some time ago, probably mid-second set, I ditched the contacts and have been sporting the specs, but my eyes cannot handle this - they(my eyes and the athletes) have been at it now for 5 hours...I was really hoping that Rafa (that's how the cool kids refer to Nadal) would put Fernando (and me) out of our collective misery in four sets - but that's not how the game is shaking out tonight.

I am not sure if it is because of my close vicinity to the AU Open (I do usually get into other Grand Slam matches, but not like this) this time around or what, but I can't pull my self away! I partially blame the lack of ESPN in my diet here in Sydney, so the fact that this is live, and exactly like it would be at home, is really speaking my language. If you'd like to join in on the madness I suggest you hurry up http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html

Because it is all winding down...tomorrow S. Williams and Safina will play for the woman's title, and on Sunday will be the men's final.

I learned today that there is a massive big screen and bleachers set up down at Circular Quay to watch the games live - and they are actually selling AU Open gear (and other necessary souvenirs...so you can bet that I will be checking that out tomorrow).

It's 12:38 in the A.....and they are still going at it.