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I got home late from work on Tuesday night and had the Wawrinka vs. Querrey five-setter on my DVR. No wonder I’m going to bed after 2 am. I’m on West Coast time – Rafa and F-Lo finished a whole four hours ago. So please excuse the wacky wrap. I’m in free association mode, tonight. My God, tennis is such a gorgeous, bizarre, heartbreaking and fucked up sport. It brings tears to my ESPN seared eyes, especially after one of the morning-into-midnight sessions we had on Tuesday at the Open, complete with guts on the ground five-setters, gale force winds and one hot pink, sequined tennis dress.

And then there’s Francesca Schiavone, who brings joy into my jaded, tennis nerd heart:

As Brad Gilbert says: “You got to get up!” And I was, during that first set tiebreak, quaking like a preacher on Sunday and screeching “I love you Francesca!” What a fantastic match she and Venus played. I realized: Francesca Schiavone is now my favorite player on the WTA tour. Earlier this week, she mentioned how being a Major champion has changed her . Instead of the scrappy veteran, she’s now the captain of her soul. She lost on Tuesday night, but showed a Champion’s passion and hunger. There’s no going back, now, Franny. We’re in this together. The bright side: we’re getting a Clijsters vs. Williams semifinal! The way both played on Tuesday night – Kim beat Sam Stosur in a tight three sets – it’s going to be, well, frigging amazing! (Does Venus look ready to win the whole thing, or what? Wozniacki’s having nightmares as I type this.) Love this quote from Venus:

Q. What are the tactics involved when you play Kim? VENUS WILLIAMS: Win the point. (Laughter.)

I admit I get all warm and fuzzy inside whenever John McEnroe launches into one of his “these guys make me proud to be a professional tennis player” speeches. He did it to me again on Tuesday, during the tail end of Wawrinka vs. Querrey. Or maybe it was just watching a mild-mannered guy like Stan Wawrinka show off his “ALLEZ!” side.

Amazingly, John McEnroe talked me into the necessity of the fifth set tiebreak at Majors. Anyone disagree?

Speaking of fifth set tiebreakers, how about Fernando Verdasco vs. David Ferrer? 4 hours and 23 minutes of Pamplona style tennis. Click here for more on “Spain Day” at the US Open, including that amazing match point.

And now for the blur of sexy Spaniards.

No, I’m not including Tommy. My blog.

Mikhail Youzhny beat Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the first Round of 16 of the day. He gets Wawrinka in the quarterfinals.

Seriously, if Harlequin can do NASCAR, how about a series on Spanish Davis Cup. . .

Now accepting entries into our “DAVIS CUP DREAMS” romance novel book cover contest. Photoshop away!