Overheard

Jason Goodall [from the commentary booth]: Mirka must be a little concerned. [She was texting and not looking at all concerned about hubby being down a set and a break to Nikolay Davydenko in the Qatar Open semis.] She's got her lucky Chanel bag there [a big old pink thing sitting on her lap]. Maybe she ought to rub it a little bit.

Overheard On ESPN

Cliff Drysdale (on Roger Federer): He's so used to being given some quarter by his opponent.

::

I'm certain most of his fans won't say so aloud, but that statement sums up Federer's come back from the brink victory over Tomas Berdych in its entirety. It took most of three sets till Berdych started giving some quarter (he was smothering Federer with effortless power and precision) but once he started giving, he gave and gave and gave.

By the end of the match, the Czech headcase had given a couple of dollars.

Overheard On ESPN

Brad Gilbert: Serena plays great in the odd years.

Bud Collins: And oddly in the others.