Weekend Tennis Roundup

 Frances Tiafoe won the title in Delray Beach, Fla., yesterday, hitting two consecutive aces to defeat Peter Gojowcyk of Germany, 6-1, 6-4. It was particularly nice to see that he didn't suffer a letdown after upsetting Juan Marin del Potro in the fourth round -- and that he was able to beat fellow NextGen stars Denis Shapovalov and Chung Hyeon, about whom you hear so much more. The breakthrough title for the 20-year-old inserted a much-needed burst of energy into American men's tennis, with Tiafoe becoming the youngest U.S. man to win a tournament since Andy Roddick captured Houston at 19 in 2002. 

And between Tiafoe's ass and Gojowcyk's cute hair, the match was an eye candy feast!

Diego Schwartzman won the Rio de Janeiro Open with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco. The title raises the Argentine's ranking to 18th. (The Jewish Telegraphic Agency points out that it is the first time that a Jewish player is among the top 20 in the ATP rankings since 1990, when American Brad Gilbert was fourth.) “I’m very happy to break into the top 20,” Schwartzman, 25, said afterward. “It’s a very difficult tournament, with top 10 [players], great players in the draw and when the week starts you don’t think you are going to play the finals.”

Dominic Thiem working on his volleys earlier this week at the Rio Open! 👏🔥🎾#tennis #news #channel
🎥 tenis.argentina ✅ @ThiemDomi pic.twitter.com/zTXBZo9tLN

— tennisnewschannel (@tennisnewschan1) February 25, 2018

No. 1 seed Marin Cilic was taken out by Gael Monfils and No. 2 Dominic Thiem inexplicably lost 4 and 0 to Verdasco. 

And in another porn-worthy final, Karen Khachanov outlasted Frenchie Lucas Pouille 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 for the crown in Marseille. It was the big-serving Russian's second ATP title of his career.

"I hope there are many more finals between us in the future," Khachanov said to Pouille, who celebrated his 24th birthday at the event. "I felt I was playing good here from the first day. It's nice to play on a full court in the final, and I hope to come back next year."

In Budapest, 23-year-old Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck upset Dominika Cibulkova 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in the final of the Hungarian Ladies Open, to clinch a second career WTA title. 

And finally, just when it seemed we were safe from Elina Svitolina overtaking the No. 1 ranking, she easily defended her title in Dubai, with a 6-4, 6-0 blowout against unseeded Darya Kasatkina. (En route to the final, the 20-year-old Russian had saved two match points to beat seventh-seeded Johanna Konta in the second round, and three against second-seeded Garbine Muguruza in the semifinals.) Angie Kerber looked like she was continuing her strong play by killing Barbora Strycova and Karolina Plishkova, only to lose to Svitolina 3 and 3. (Sigh.)  

Of course, this photo with Andrew Bettles sort of softens the blow ...

Having My Beef Cake and Eating It, Too

Everyone's going crazy because the Simpsons predicted the U.S. would beat Sweden in curling back in 2010. But for me, the thrill of it coming true was being able to ogle the losers while feeling patriotic rooting for the Americans ...

Lots more to look at HERE.

Bananarama Brings a Bunch of Joy to NYC

Hard to put into words how much fun I had seeing Bananarama at the PlayStation Theatre on Saturday night. As longtime fans know, Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Siobhan Fahey -- the three original members of the post-punk girl group -- had never toured together. But last year, Dallin and Woodward decided to reach out to Fahey -- who had departed the group in 1988, quickly finding success as Shakespears Sister -- to see if she would be interested in reuniting for a U.K. tour. After selling out throughout their homeland, the woman brought their enduringly youthful brand of pop songs and self-deprecating humor to North America this month, with so few dates that my best childhood friend from Arizona, Greg, flew in from his current home in Des Moines to catch the final stop, which happened to be in New York City.

Judging a concert is highly subjective. But putting together the nostalgia factor -- my late brother Bill brought Fun Boy Three's debut album and the "Shy Boy" 12-inch single home from college in 1982, turning me into the gals' biggest U.S. fan -- that my dear friend was with me -- each new import single was like a new romance for these New Wave closet cases, and finding a seven-inch Japanese import of "He's Got Tact" was like our prom! -- and that the women looked and sounded beyond my wildest expectations, the concert was undeniably one of my favorites of all time. 

A well-considered set list also helped, which included U.K. singles like "Robert De Niro's Waiting" (my personal favorite), "Rough Justice" (if "King of the Jungle" had followed I might have died!), "Trick of the Night" (with delightfully seedy footage of motels projected behind them) and "Cheers Then" (which took on a special meaning during this reunion). The night hit legendary status when when they segued from "Shy Boy" into "Boy Trouble," first known as "Don't Call Us," which Bill declared better than the A-side when he brought home the single. (The women got wistful when they recounted the olden days of "b-sides," something that don't really exist anymore.) From there, the Stock-Aitken-Waterman years -- despite all of their drama -- held up beautifully, with "More Than Physical," "I Can't Help It" (a surprise crowd pleaser), "I Want You Back" (another one of my faves) and, of course, "Venus" leaving the crowd begging for more. ("Some Girls," for instance!) \

That they chose to acknowledge each others' post-trio work -- with Sara and Keren filling in for Marcella Detroit on "Stay" (before Shuv swooped in for her goth-girl close-up), and Siobhan playing the part of Jacquie O'Sullivan on "Preacher Man," which the former Mrs. Dave Stewart declared her post-Rama favorite -- only highlighted the enduring friendship and mutual respect they feel for one another. And the one-two punch of "It Ain't What You Do" (the splendid Fun Boy Three single that brought the gals to prominence in 1982) and "Love in the First Degree" (their classic single that didn't even make the U.S. Top 40) for an encore reminded me (and the rest of the crowd) that Bananarama is one of pop music's most underrated artists. 

There's nothing better than an old friend 

Greg, me and Damian

With the palpable joy these women bring to the world, here's hoping this triumph leads to more dates later in the year.

Greg, Dave and Greg

Fans shouldn't have to travel to Manhattan to see them, although I'm awfully glad one in particular did.



Filming the video for "Cruel Summer" was their first time in New York ...

Girls about town ...

We want you back!

It ain't what they did, it's the way that they did it ...

Mug Shot Monday

Jesus Christ, kid. It's not enough that the police have to investigate you for posting photos with guns. You're also (allegedly) into kiddie porn?

Song of the Day: 'Suspicion' by Terry Stafford

Another modestly successful '60s crooner I've only recently discovered. There's no question Chris Isaak was a fan growing up ...

Morning Wood

Love a humble CrossFit guy who also finds time to go-go dance at Micky's and Revolver in West Hollywood.