TOPIC: US Open - Day 7: Nadal Leading Against Tsonga
Well, I gave my wife and kids a chance to take a break from tennis this afternoon; offering to change over to Nextel Cup Racing... or another channel. Everyone wanted to watch tennis -- our 7 year old son wanting to once again count Rafa's butt crack snacks. We all laughed, but decided not to keep count again. Really, that's just gross! Anyway, as I type, Spaniard Rafael Nadal has a 7-6 lead against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Serena Williams ended Marion Bartoli's hopes of reaching the semi's earlier this morning, in a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win.
I was disappointed to see John Isner put down so easily by Roger Federer yesterday. Yes, I know Federer is ranked number one and Isner is a newbie. BUT, Isner has flown through his first two rounds -- and was looking good to keep going. As is his way, Federer quietly took his game to Isner; and won in just three sets.
James Blake didn't have as easy a time as Federer, but I'm glad to see him advance. Blake is a classy guy whom I'd like to see win the 2007 US Open. We'll see what he does later this evening.

TOPIC: US Open - Day 5: Nadal Picks His Seat... and Other Player Quirks
Not much in my fan camp occurred today at the US Open. Tonight, Rafael Nadal played Janko Tipsarevic in a rather uneventful match. The kids and I had a little fun with Rafa, though. It seems that the young Spaniard has a pre-serve quirk that is quite hilarious, if not a bit gross. Nadal picks his seat -- or what we call, a butt crack snack. If you don't believe me, watch him Sunday afternoon as he plays.
The norm is to take three balls from the ball-boy. Switch them around once; drop one. Stick one ball in his right pocket, swoop his hair behinds his ears and then for the finale -- Nadal pulls out a wedgie from his butt crack. On second serves, he generally doesn't take the third ball or swoop the hair. BUTT, he still goes digging for gold.
My wife thought I was being cruel, saying Nadal doesn't pick his seat on almost every play. I challenged her that he does it dozens of times every match I've ever seen him play. So, we counted. Yeah, I know... but the kid got a great laugh out of slow-motion TiVo of the "butt crack snack". In fact, we counted each Rafa butt crack snack for the match -- until Tipsarevic retired from a rib injury during the third set. The total = 67 butt crack snacks for Rafael Nadal. His pants even showed a large wet spot from all that digging crack with his right hand.
My wife asked me if other players have odd quirks. The only ones I have seen during the 2007 US Open are Maria Sharapova's two high bounces before shreeking on every serve. John Isner generally bounces the ball between his legs, from behind, on his first serve.

Can you think of other tennis players with odd quirks? If so, feel free to leave a comment.