Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 14 - May 15, 2005
SOMETHING NEW: THE OLD QUEEN STAYS ON THE THRONE

Does the crown rest uneasily on the head of the queen of Rome?   >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 13 - May 14, 2005
HOLD THE NO. 1 FOR A WHILE; SCHNYDER STILLS THE SIREN

The gold ring dangled overhead. Not too far out of reach because the “Siberian Siren,” the big noise in women's tennis - vocally and as an attraction - since seizing Wimbledon last July, is 6 feet tall, grasping for the top of the world, and was coming very close. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 12 - May 13, 2005
MOANS FOR SCHIAVONE AS RUSSIANS CHARGE INTO SEMIS

Amelie Mauresmo must feel like countryman Napoleon in Moscow in 1812 - surrounded by ferocious Russians: four of them in the quarter-finals. But the champ doesn't have to deal with any of them yet, recording a soft decision over 33-year-old Conchita Martinez, 6-1, 6-2. Conchita, dominant for four years in Rome, the champ 1993 - 96, had a good run. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 11 - May 12, 2005
THE LIONESS OF BRESCIA KEEPS GROWLING INTO QUARTER-FINALS

As prickly Italian women go, the 16th century princesss, Lucretia Borgia, renowned as a schemer and suspected murderess, came to mind as a lass known as “The Lioness of Brescia,” continued strutting her tough stuff. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 10 - May 11, 2005
NO SERENITY FOR SERENA, LOSING FIRST START TO LOCAL SCHIAVONE

Did the earth move? Not at the behest of Serena Williams, a mover and shaker who was moved and shook before she could make a solid bid to regain the title she'd won three years ago. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 9 - May 10, 2005
TOO MUCH RUSSIAN DRESSING SAYS MAURESMO OF FORO RECIPE

Somebody asked defending champ Amelia Mauresmo what she thought of the Russians. She replied, with a grin, "There are too many of them." >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 8 - May 09, 2005
AMERICANS HAVE DONE WELL HERE, BUT WHERE ARE THEY THIS YEAR?

Not much more venturesome than their U.S. male counterparts, American dolls numbered a mere four at the starting line. Twenty titles have been won at the Foro by Americans, starting with Bunny Ryan in 1933, and including a record 5 by Chris Evert (1974-75, 80-81-82). >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 7 - May 08, 2005
"EL NINO" NADAL'S THE CHAMPION, MAKING "THE MAGICIAN" DISAPPEAR

When the tennis laborers of Spanish-speaking persuasion talk about swift-footed and lightning-handed Guillermo Coria, they call him "El Mago" - the Magician. And he lives up to it Sunday night by making 3 championship points vanish. But the nimble Argentine's problem was that he couldn't stuff teen-ager Rafael Nadal, who ran and leaped like a jackrabbit, back into the hat. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 6 - May 07, 2005
THE POPE STICKS AROUND BUT FATHER TIMELESS EXITS

A new Pope and an old champ were in town yesterday, going through their usual motions to the delight of their followers. The prelate, Benedict XVI, will be showing his face to thousands, from above St.Peter's Square Sunday. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 5 - May 06, 2005
NO FEAR IN FERRER, SLIPPING 4 MATCH POINTS AND INTO SEMIS

Another Spaniard leaping from the 4-match points frying pan (and into the semis) is 23-year-old David Ferrer. Like those fine oranges raised in his hometown, Ferrer, No. 25, comes from Valencia. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 4 - May 05, 2005
THE HONEST ANDY RODDICK STANDS TALL, BUT PAYS FOR IT

Though the storied pines of Rome, fluffy and billowing, have been sentinels at this tennis pit for seven decades, they may never have overseen such a bizarre reversal of fortune as overtakes Andy Roddick in the gloaming. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 3 - May 04, 2005
THE FRENCH ENFANT IS TOUGH BUT AGASSI BUSTS A GASQUET

More praise for Gasquet comes from Agassi, who nevertheless beats the kid, 6-2, 6-3. Andre acknowledges that Gasquet was rushing, probably nervous, but should make a name fairly soon. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 2 - May 03, 2005
A COUPLE OF LONESOME AMERICANS AGASSI AND RODDICK DIG THE DIRT

Weather glorious, and the lonely Americans feel pretty good, too, considering that the beige dirt is usually a burial ground rather than a happy hunting ground for the Yanks. >>>MORE

Bud's 2005 Italian Open Diary - Day 1 - May 02, 2005
TENNIS AT IL FORO ITALICO - IT'S A 2 WEEK ROMAN HOLIDAY

What a joy to be back in Rome. I've been covering this tournament since 1973, and it remains one of my favorites. This is the 75th anniversary of the Italian International Championships, launched in 1930 at Milan. >>>MORE