I think you have to appoint two positions now: the #1, and the real #1. They could flip a coin as to who's gonna be which in the beginning of each weak. A lot of problems solved.

Think about that: Serena won the match that gave her the #1 ranking, and lost her next. Now, I don't mean to say that she lost to Petrova intentionally, or didn't give a crap - she usually doesn't let it to get into the 3rd set tiebreak, if she intends to tank (and it was a pretty good match, btw, Petrova's dress notwithstanding. Indeed, speed of some of those rallies surely beat anything that Youzhny-Simon had to offer), but it was kinda symbolic, wasn't it? Both of them want that #1 spot, and both lack that crucial something - whether it's talent and self-belief, or consistency.

( Now to the subject of Petrova's dress )

Also Marat got one back over Gonzo, after losing six in a row. And he played good - I kept waiting for thecustomary 2nd set drop-off, but it never came. Next Nadal, and the buck stops here (and i think, without verifying it on the atptennis, that they've only played once... which is really pretty bizarre). Nadal was really piss-poor for 2 matches in a row, but yeah... next match's Marat's last in Beijing.




( They seemed to have quite a time out there however. Gonzo was just arsing around sometimes )
ETA: as an offside note, and in case someone on my f-list didn't know that alseady: I really hate Gilles Simon. I mean really freaking hate him. Hate him, hate him, hate him, hate him. HATE.

Just so you know.

I know I'm late, but Monkey boy is sick and I have helluva lot of work so sue me.

4th round recap is here for you to read and comment. Please?

( Now something for the Mango Shirt Detractors )
As for Squarekilt's Amazing Ugly Photo Power, it would be a crime to let this one go:

( Mountain Horror defanged )
Also 
( Gonzo makes the funnies hitting faces )

Eat a bagel, toothy horror, and good riddance. Just keep on junkballing, you shit.

*phew*

Soderling - Gonzo is the first semifinal in Paris, and a very interesting matchup indeed. Gonzo leads h2h 4-3, having won the last 4 matches (!), including 2 on clay. But their last match on clay - in Dusseldorf 07 was a really tight affair. I dunno how that all is relevant though, given Sod's recent form: in the Davydenko match he looked almost unplayable. Gonzo hits huge, but Sod does it even hug-er, and off both sides. Gonzo has an edge in finesse, speed and defense, but I doubt that he will get a chance to play many touch shots - should be a ginormous slugfest, right up my alley. Methinks, Sod is the favourite here.

ETA:
(courtesy MacTheKnife from MTF)