Evgeny Korolev had no problems beating Belgian Christophe Rochus in straight sets 6-1 7-5. This is the Russians first ATP final of his career. He will play top seed Mardy Fish in the final. The two players have never played in an ATP tournament or Grand Slam event. No top seed has ever won the tournament since its inception.




Saturday’s Results:
Singles Semifinals
1 Mardy Fish (USA) def. 7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-4 6-1
Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 6-1 7-5

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 4 E. Butorac (USA)/B. Soares (BRA) 1-6 6-2 12-10
2 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) vs. R. Ram (USA)/B. Reynolds (USA) 7-6(10) 2-6 10-5

Sunday’s Matches:
Singles Final
1 Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS)

Doubles Final
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 2 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA)

Watch
Singles Final - The Tennis Channel - Sunday 2:00 PM EST
Doubles Final - The Tennis Channel - Sunday 12:00 PM EST

(image: Camerasport)

Novak Djokovic beat David Ferrer 7-5 6-3 in the championship match. The match consisted of two of the best returners on tour, so there were a lot of breaks. Djokovic struck first in game six and then there were another three consecutive breaks. Ferrer was the first to hold serve to tie the set up at 5-5. Djokovic held at love and then broke Ferrer to take the first set 7-5.

In the second set, Djokovic took over and began to show why he is the world no. 3 for the first time this year. Djokovic held for the first game and then broke Ferrer to take a 2-0 lead. The Serb went into cruise control to take the second set and the match. This championship is Djokovic’s first title of the year and the twelfth of his career. In a couple of weeks, he will defend his title at Indian Wells.

The duo Rik de Voest and Dmitry Tursunov came back from losing the first set to defeat Martin Damm and Robert Lindstredt in three sets. Remarkably, this is the duo’s first pairing together, and both can add this title to their other doubles championships. Tursunov won in Rotterdam with Tomas Berdych in 2008 and the Moscow Open with Marat Safin in 2007. De Voest won the China Open in 2007 with Ashley Fisher.

Championship Results:
Singles Final
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 4 David Ferrer (ESP) 7-5 6-3

Doubles Final
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) 4-6 6-3 10-5

(images: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship, AP)

VS.

Friday’s Results:
Singles Semifinals
4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-4 6-4
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG)

Doubles Semifinals
1 Frantisek Cermak (CZE)/Michal Mertinak(SVK) def. 3 Travis Parrott (USA)/Filip Polasek (SVK) 6-3 6-1 2
Lukasz Kubot (POL)/Oliver Marach (AUT) def. 4 Paul Hanley (AUS)/ Jordan Kerr(AUS) 6-2 3-6 11-9

Saturday’s Matches:
Singles Final
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. 4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP)

Doubles Final
1 Frantisek Cermak (CZE)/Michal Mertinak(SVK) vs. 2 Lukasz Kubot (POL)/Oliver Marach (AUT)

Watch
Men's Final - The Tennis Channel - Sunday 12:00 AM EST

(images: Mexport/Jorge Reyes)

Jeremy Chardy packed Marcos Baghdatis’ bags and sent him packing today in straight sets 7-6(7) 7-6(3). Actually, the match was pretty even from a statistical standpoint. It is just the Frenchman served and fought off break points a little bit better.

It looks like Chardy could be breaking through this year and could just become the fifth musketeer. The 22 year old is currently at his highest ranking of his career at number 52. This year, he reached the quarterfinals in Sydney and the finals in Johannesburg. Of the top 30 players, he has beaten David Ferrer and Igor Andreev this year. Now, he is starting to beat the players he should but just needs to start beating the top 30 players. This year, he lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Johannesburg, Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, and Richard Gasquet in Sydney.

Now, he is guaranteed, at least, a semifinal finish this week. The Frenchman will advance to the semifinals against Mardy Fish. These players have never played before in an ATP or Grand Slam.

On the other side of the draw, Evgeny Korolev defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in convincing fashion 6-2 6-2. The world no. 101 will play Belgian Christophe Rochus in the other semifinal. The two players have never played in an ATP or Grand Slam event.

Friday’s Results:
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Mardy Fish (USA) def. 6 Florent Serra (FRA) 7-6(2) 7-6(4)
7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 7-6(7) 7-6(3)
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-3 7-6(6)
Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-2 6-2

Doubles Quarterfinals
2 M Melo (BRA)/ A Sa (BRA) def. P. Petzschner (GER)/A Peya (AUT) walkover
4 E Butorac (USA)/B Soares (BRA) def. R. Bopanna (IND)/J. Nieminen (FIN) 4-6 6-3 10-8

Saturday’s Matches:
Singles Semifinals
1 Mardy Fish (USA) vs. 7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS) vs. Christophe Rochus (BEL)

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs 4 E. Butorac (USA)/B. Soares (BRA)
2 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) vs. R. Ram (USA)/B. Reynolds (USA)

(image: Camerasports)

Novak Djokovic (pictured in his favorite pose, shirtless) beat Gilles Simon in a three set match that clocked in at 259 minutes 3-6 7-5 7-5. Djokovic did not play particularly well but managed to pull out the win in the third set.

Djokovic’s forehand failed him for much of the day but was able to stay in the match with his serve. Simon broke Djokovic in the first game of the third set, and it looked like the Frenchman would cruise into the final. In the end, the Serb broke Simon in the sixth game, which was part of his three game rally, to put himself back into the match. Djokovic then broke again to close out the match in the twelfth game. He will play David Ferrer from Spain in the final tomorrow.

David Ferrer was all business today. He played like the rent was due and trampled Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2. If he continues to play like he did today, EPMD might have to dedicate an album to him.

Ferrer had an all around solid match. He served, returned, volleyed and moved well. The Spaniard was aggressive, and Gasquet really had no real answers for any of it. Every time Gasquet tried to get back into the match, Ferrer would immediately shut any door of opportunity. The Frenchman had six break points in the second set and did not convert.

Ferrer looked today like the player who rose to the ranking of world no. 4 early last year. The Spaniard struggled at the end of last year and is now ranked 14. He is now the third highest ranked Spaniard (after #1 Nadal and #9 Verdasco).

The start of this year, his results were mixed. He was sent packing in the round of 32 at the Australian Open and then made it to the semifinals in Auckland and Johannesburg. In the matches I have seen, the Spaniard looked frustrated, and his shots looked forced. Today was another story, so let us hope he is back to form this year.

If Ferrer plays like he did today, he should be able to take Djokovic. Let’s hope today’s Ferrer shows up tomorrow. Ferrer’s head-to head with Djokovic is split at 3-3, though Djokovic is 4-1 on hard surfaces.

In doubles news, David Ferrer’s doubles fate did not end like his single’s fate ended. He and partner Marat Safin lost to Rick De Voest and Dmitry Tursunov 7-5 3-6 5-10. De Voest and Tursunov will meet Damm and Lindstedt in the doubles final tomorrow.

Friday’s Results:
Singles Semifinals
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 3 Gilles Simon (FRA) 3-6 7-5 7-5 4
David Ferrer (ESP) def. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-2 6-2

Doubles Semifinals
M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. M. Matkowski (POL)/R. Schuettler (GER) 6-4 6-4
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. D. Ferrer (ESP)/M. Safin (RUS) 5-7 6-3 10-5

Saturday's Matches:
Singles Final
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 4 David Ferrer (ESP)

Doubles Final
M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) vs. R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS)

(images: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

Mexsport/Osvaldo Aguilar

Third seed Tommy Robredo was upset by Argentine Jose Acasuso in straight sets. Robredo was on a roll for the last month, but Acasuso broke that momentum with a convincing win over the Spaniard in straight sets. The Argentine exacted revenge on Robredo since the Spaniard has bested him in the semifinals of last two tournaments.

Acasuso will play second-seed Gael Monfils in the semifinals. The two players have never played in an ATP tournament.


AP

Nicolas Almagro is through to the semifinals after dismissing Daniel Gimeno-Traver in straight sets. The defending champion will play Martin Vassallo next.



In doubles news, Oregonian Travis Parrot and Slovakian Filip Polasek beat Lucas Arnold Ker and Nicolas Lapentti in the quarterfinals. Parrott and Polasek are playing well this year where they have made it to the semifinals in Brisbane in January and the finals in Memphis last week. The third-seeds will meet the Czecho-Slovakian duo of Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak, who are the top seeds, in the semifinals. The last time the teams met was Brisbane this year and Cermak and Mertinak prevailed in straight sets.

Thursday’s Results: Singles Quarterfinals
Martin Vassallo def. Daniel Koellerer (AUT) 6-3 7-6(3)
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 6-2, 7-6(2)
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-5 6-2
Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-3 6-7(4) 4-1 Ret'd

Doubles Quarterfinals
P. Hanley (AUS)/Jordan KERR (AUS) def. B. Echagaray (MEX)/S. Gonzalez (MEX)
6-3 6-4
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) vs. L. Arnold (ARG)/N. Lapentti (ECU) 7-5 4-6 10-5
Lukasz Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-3 11-9
F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertnak (SVK) def. J. Ignacio Chela (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU) 4-6 6-3 10-8

Wednesday's Order of Play

Thursday’s Results:
Singles Round of 16
1 Mardy Fish (USA) def. Vincent Spadea (USA) 6-4 6-1
6 Florent Serra (FRA) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3 4-6 6-4
7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 7-6(4) 7-5
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 7-6(7) 7-5

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. S. Lipsky (USA)/D. Martin (USA) 7-6(7) 6-3 12-10
R. Ram (USA)/ B. Reynolds (USA) def. 3 J. Murray (GBR)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-4 6-2

Friday’s Matches:
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Mardy Fish (USA) vs. 6 Florent Serra (FRA)
7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
Stefan Koubek (AUT) vs. Christophe Rochus (BEL)
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS)

Doubles Quarterfinals
2 M Melo (BRA)/ A Sa (BRA) vs. P. Petzschner (GER)/A Peya (AUT)
4 E Butorac (USA)/B Soares (BRA) vs. R. Bopanna (IND)/J. Nieminen (FIN)

Serbian Novak Djokovic enjoyed a routine win over Croat Marin Cilic. He will play Gilles Simon in the semifinals. Their head-to-head is split 1-1 with Djokovic winning at the Masters Cup in China last year and Simon winning in Marseille last year. Simon will need to bring his A-game tomorrow because he has struggled in the last few tournaments.

In doubles news, Dmitry Tursunov and Rik De Voest upset defending champions, Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in straight sets. The first-time pair will meet the David Ferrer and Marat Safin in the semifinals. Another first-time pairing, Ferrer and Safin defeated South Africans Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie in three sets. Ferrer and Safin already knocked off fourth-seeds Andy Ram and Kevin Ullyett in the round of 16.

Tomorrow should be a good day since all the matches have interesting pairings.

Thursday's Results:
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 5 Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-3 6-4
Richard Gasquet (FRA) def. Andy Murray - walkover 3
Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 7-6(3) 6-1 4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. 6 Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-5 6-1

Doubles Quarterfinals
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. 2 M. Bhupathi (IND)/ M. Knowles (BAH) 7-6(4) 6-2
M. Matkowski (POL)/R. Schuettler (GER) def. J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) 4-6 6-4 12-10
M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. S. Bolelli (ITA)/I. Karlovic (CRO) 6-2 7-6(2)
D. Ferrer (ESP)/ M. Safin (RUS) def. J. Coetzee (RSA)/ W. Moodie (RSA) 5-7 6-4 12-10

Friday’s Matches:
Singles Semifinals
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 3 Gilles Simon (FRA)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)

Doubles Semifinals
M. Matkowski (POL)/R. Schuettler (GER) vs. M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE)
D. Ferrer (ESP)/M. Safin (RUS) vs. R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS)

(image: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

Andy Murray has withdrawn out of the quarterfinals of Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament due to a viral illness. The Scotsman was scheduled to play Richard Gasquet today. Gasquet will receive a walkover and books a spot in the semifinals against David Ferrer.

David Ferrer beat Igor Andreev 7-5 6-1 in a 108 minute shoot out. The incredibly, mobile Spaniard eventually wore the Russian down to advance to the semifinals. This is Ferrer's third semifinal of the year.

Ferrer currently leads Gasquet 3-1 in their head-to-head matchup, but Gasquet did win their last meeting last year in Toronto.

Wednesday's Results
Singles Results and Draw
Doubles Results and Draw

Thursday's Schedule

Anna's cousin, Evgeny Korolev defeated American Robert Kendrick in three sets. This is now his fourth win this year and brings his singles record to 4-3 for the year. Korolev will play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the quarterfinals. The two players have only played once, where the Russian prevailed on clay in Valencia last year.

Later in the day, Korolev lost his doubles match with partner, Paul Capdeville of Chile to the Austro-German duo of Peya and Petzchner in straight sets.

Wednesday’s Results:
Singles Round of 16
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. 2 WC Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4 6-1
Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS) def. Robert Kendrick 3-6 6-3 7-5
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. Gilles Muller (LUX) 5-7 6-3 6-3
8 Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) def. Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-4 6-3

Doubles Round of 16
1 B. Bryan (USA)/ M. Bryan (USA) def. A. Fisher (AUS) / M. Mirnyi (BLR) 7-5 6-3
P. Petzschner (GER)/ A. Peya (AUT) def. I. Kunitsyn (RUS)/ M. Zverev (GER) 7-6(7) 6-4
R. Bopanna (IND)/ J. Nieminen (FIN) def. P. Capdeville (CHI) / E. Korolev (RUS) 7-6(7) 6-4

Thursday’s Schedule:
Singles Round of 16
1 Mardy Fish (USA) vs. Vincent Spadea (USA)
6 Florent Serra (FRA) vs. Mischa Zverev (GER)
7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Andrey Golubev (KAZ)
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) vs. Dudi Sela (ISR)

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. S. Lipsky (USA)/D. Martin (USA)
3 J. Murray (GBR)/D. Vemic (SRB) vs. R. Ram (USA)/ B. Reynolds (USA)

(image: Delray Beach ITC)

After struggling in the first round, Gilles Simon (pictured at the Dubai Duty Free marquee yesterday) steam rolled over Teimuraz Gabashvili in just 53 minutes of work. He will face countryman Fabrice Santoro in the quarterfinals.

Richard Gasquet was involved in a three-set shoot out with Italian Simone Bolleli that lasted 183 minutes. Both served big and hit big. The match was close and both players split the first-two sets. The third set was extremely close. Gasquet had eight opportunities to break the Italian, but Bolleli fought off break points by going for big winners when he needed to. The third set went to a tiebreak and was tight until the Frenchman snatched the twelfth point of the tiebreak to win the match.

Gasquet will face Andy Murray tomorrow. We'll see if he anything left for tomorrow after playing three hours today. Gasquet currently leads their head-to-head 2-1, but Murray won the last meeting where they played five-set marathon match that lasted almost four hours.

Wednesday’s Results:
Singles Round of 16
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 6-3 3-6 6-4
2 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-2 6-3
3 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-1 6-2
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4 6-2
5 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-3 4-6 7-5 6
Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 5-7 6-4 6-3
Richard Gasquet (FRA) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-7(4) 6-3 7-6(5)
Fabrice Santoro (FRA) def. Q Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 3-6 6-1 7-6(1)

Doubles Round of 16
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/ N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. J. Knowle (AUT)/ J. Melzer (AUT) 6-4 6-4
D. Ferrer (ESP)/ M. Safin (RUS) def. 4 A. Ram (ISR)/ K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-3 3-6 10-8
M. Damm (CZE)/ R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. WC P. Amritraj (IND)/ A. Qureshi (PAK) 7-6(4) 7-5
J. Coetzee (RSA)/ W. Moodie (RSA) def. J. Tipsarevic (SRB)/ V. Troicki (SRB) 6-3 6-4

Thursday's Schedule:
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 5 Marin Cilic (CRO)
2 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)
3 Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. 6 Igor Andreev (RUS)

Doubles Quarterfinals:
2 M. Bhupathi (IND)/ M. Knowles (BAH) vs. R .de Voest (RSA)/ D. Tursunov (RUS)
J. Knowle (AUT)/ J. Melzer (AUT) vs. M. Matkowski (POL)/ R. Schuettler (GER)
S. Bolelli (ITA)/ I. Karlovic (CRO) vs. M. Damm (CZE) / R. Lindstedt (SWE)
J. Coetzee (RSA)/ W. Moodie (RSA) vs. D. Ferrer (ESP)/ M. Safin (RUS)

(images: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

Frenchman Gael Monfils beat countryman Olivier Patience in straight sets. He will play Thomaz Bellucci in the second round.



Defending champion, Nicolas Almagro cruised to victory over Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez in straight sets. He will face Italian Potito Starace next.



Former World No. 1 Carlos Moya won his first round match against countryman Pablo Andujar while looking very serious. He will face Leonard Mayer of Argentina in the next round.

Tuesday’s Matches:
Singles Round of 32
Daniel Koellerer (AUT) def. 1 David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-4 6-2
2 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Oliver Patience (FRA) 7-6(4) 6-4
3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) v6-4 3-6 6-3
4 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Santiago Gonzalez (MEX) 6-4 6-2
5 Jose Acasuso (ARG) vs Brian Dabul (ARG) 6-3 7-5
7 Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-6(3) 7-5
8 Carlos Moya (ESP) def. Pablo Andujar (ESP) 6-4 6-7 6-2
Kevin Kim (USA) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 1-6 3-0 Ret'd
Alberto Martin (ESP) def. Marcos Daniel (BRA) 6-4 7-5

Doubles Round of 16
L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/N. Lapentti (ECU) def. J. Cerretani/I. Navarro (ESP) 7-6(3) 7-6(8)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-3 6-1
P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) def. T. Bellucci (BRA) /D. Junqueira (ARG) 6-1 4-6 15-13

Wednesday's Order of Play

(Mexsport)

Delray Beach International Tennis Tournament

Jeremy Chardy of France beat German Tommy Haas in straight sets.


Delray Beach International Tennis Tournament

Yen-Hsun Lu sent packing Lleyton Hewitt in three sets.

Tuesday’s Matches:
Singles Round of 32
1 Mardy Fish (USA) def. Q Frank Dancevic (CAN) 7-5 6-3
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) def. 3 Ernest Gulbis (LAT) 7-5 6-2
4 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) vs. Q Evgeny Korolev (RUS)
7 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Tommy Haas (GER) 7-6(7) 6-3
8 Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) def. WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 7-5 2-6 6-2
Vincent Spadea (USA) def. Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 2-6 7-5 6-1
Gilles Muller (LUX) def. Q Ryan Sweeting (USA) 7-6(5) 6-2
Andrey Golubev (KAZ) def. WC Evan King (USA) 6-2 6-4
Mischa Zverev (GER) def. Q Taylor Dent (USA) 6-4 6-3
Dudi Sela (ISR) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 6-3 4-1 Ret’d

Doubles Round of 16
[2] M Melo (BRA) / A Sa (BRA) def. S Darcis (BEL) / C Rochus (BEL) 6-3 -6-4
[4] E Butorac (USA) / B Soares (BRA) def. D Gremelmayr (GER) / S Koubek (AUT) 6-4 6-4
R Ram (USA) / B Reynolds (USA) def. WC X Malisse (BEL) / V Spadea (USA) 6-2 7-5

Wednesday's Schedule of Play

Tuesday’s Matches:
Singles Round of 32
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Q Flavio Cipolla (ITA) 6-3 6-2
3 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. wc Mohammed Ghareeb (KUW) 5-7 6-4 6-4
6 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Rik de Voest (RSA) 6-4 6-0
Richard Gasquet (FRA) def. 8 Marat Safin (RUS) 6-3 5-7 6-3
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-1 6-4
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Juergen Melzer (AUT) 1-6 6-3 6-3
Jan Hernych (CZE) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 4-6 6-1 6-4
Phillip Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Q Michael Lammer (SUI) 6-1 6-1
Simone Bolelli (ITA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-3 6-4
Arnaud Clement (FRA)def. 1-6 6-3 6-3

Doubles Round of 16
2 M Bhupathi (IND)/ M Knowles (BAH) vs. H Abbas (UAE)/M Al Baloushi (UAE) 6-3 6-1

Wednesday’s Schedule:
Singles Round of 16
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Jan Hernych (CZE)
2 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)
3 Gilles Simon (FRA) vs Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
5 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
6 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS)
Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Fabrice Santoro (FRA) vs. Q Marco Chiudinelli (SUI)

Doubles Round of 16
1 D Nestor (CAN)/ N Zimonjic (SRB) vs. J Knowle (AUT)/ J Melzer (AUT)
4 A Ram (ISR)/ K Ullyett (ZIM) vs. D Ferrer (ESP)/ M Safin (RUS)
WC P Amritraj (IND)/ A Qureshi (PAK) vs. M Damm (CZE)/ R Lindstedt (SWE)
J Tipsarevic (SRB)/ V Troicki (SRB) vs. J Coetzee (RSA)/ W Moodie (RSA)

Gilles Simon managed to advance into the second round. He beat Mohammed Ghareeb of Kuwait 5-7 6-4 6-4. The Frenchman struggled and was clearly frustrated throughout the game, but was able to put away the World No. 469. Simon will play Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili in the second round where he currently leads the head-to-head 3-0.
(image: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

Newly buzzed Marat Safin had the unfortunate task of taking on the World no. 26 Richard Gasquet of France in the first round. This is the eighth seed’s last appearance at the tournament since he will retire at the end of the year.

Both players played well for the first four games, then Richard Gasquet managed to win three games in a row. By game seven, Safin was back to keeping it real on the court, but Gasquet remained composed to close out the first set 6-3. It looked it was all going downhill for Safin, but he calmed down to keep things even in the second set. At the end of the second set, Gasquet began to struggle on his serve, and Safin broke Gasquet in the twelfth game to take the set 7-5.

The Frenchmen did not let the loss of the set get him down and quickly broke Safin in the first game of the third set. He then cruised to take the set and won the match 6-3 5-7 6-4. Gasquet will meet Italian Simone Bolleli in the second round. (Both images: AP)

Abierto Mexicano Telcel

Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil rallied to beat Frenchman Nicolas Devilder in three sets.

Monday's Results:
Singles Round of 32
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 3-6 6-4 6-4
6 Bruno Echagaray (MEX) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 6-4
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Diego Junquiera (ARG) 7-6(1) 6-3
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-4 6-2
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-4 5-7 6-3
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Q Pablo Cuevas (URU) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) def. Ivan Navarro (ESP) 6-3 5-7 7-6(3)

Doubles Round of 16
4 P. Hanley (AUS) /J. Kerr (AUS) def. J. Acasuso (ARG) /S. Prieto (ARG) 6-1 6-2

Tuesday's Order of Play

Monday’s Results:
Singles Round of 32
2 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Guillermo Canas (ARG) 7-6(3) 6-4
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. 5 Steve Darcis (BEL) 6-3 6-3
6 Florent Serra (FRA) def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 6-3 7-6(5)
Stefan Koubek (AUT) def. Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-4 6-3
Robert Kendrick (USA) def. Paul Capdeville (CHI) 4-6 6-2 6-1
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. Roko Karanusic (CRO) 6-3 6-4

Doubles Round of 16
3 J Murray (GBR)/D Vemic (SRB) def. T Haas (GER)/G Hill (USA) 6-3 3-6 12-10
S Lipsky (USA)/ D Martin (USA) def. J Chardy (FRA)/ G Muller (LUX) 6-0 6-4

Tuesday’s Order of Play

Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament

Spaniard David Ferrer rallied to beat Croat Ivan Ljubicic in the opening round. He awaits the winner of the Kohlschreiber/Lammer match.

Monday's Results:
Singles Round of 32
2 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-7(3) 6-3 5-3 ret’d
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 3-6 6-2 6-1
5 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 2-6 7-6(3) 6-4
Q Marci Chiudinelli (SUI) def. 7 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(7)
Fabrice Santoro (FRA) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 6-4 6-2
Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) def. Q Laurent Recouderc (FRA) 5-7 7-6(4) 6-3

Doubles Round of 16
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) def. I. Andreev (RUS)/M. Youzhny (RUS) 6-3 6-2
S Bolelli (ITA)/I Karlovic (CRO) def. 3 L Dlouhy (CZE)/L Paes (IND) 6-4 2-6 10-8
M Matkowski (POL)/R Schuettler (GER) def. C Kas (GER)/P Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3 6-2

Tuesday’s Schedule:
Singles Round of 32
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Q F Cipolla (ITA)
3 Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. wc M Ghareeb (KUW)
6 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs Rik de Voest (RSA)
8 Marat Safin (RUS) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) vs. Andreas Seppi (ITA)
Juergen Melzer (AUT) vs Julien Benneteau (FRA)
Jan Hernych (CZE) vs Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Phillip Kohlschreiber (GER) vs. Q Michael Lammer (SUI)
Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)

Doubles Round of 16
2 M Bhupathi (IND)/ M Knowles (BAH) vs. H Abbas (UAE)/M Al Baloushi (UAE)

- noun
when your favorite players play each other early, especially in the first round

Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
First Round
Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. Marat Safin (ESP)

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships
First Round
Tommy Haas (GER) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

City: Acapulco, Mexico
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 500
2008 Singles Champion: Nicolas Almagro
2008 Doubles Champions: Marach/Mertinak

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Monday's Order of Play

This is the last tournament of the Latin American clay court swing (Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico). Nicolas Almagro will be on hand to defend his title. Other contenders include Carlos Moya, David Nalbandian, Jose Acasuso and Juan Monaco. Gael Monfils will now join the clay swing after his Rotterdam appearance two weeks ago.

The player to watch is Tommy Robredo, who has won the last two titles in the swing and made it to the semifinals in Chile. Will Tommy make it three for three?

Robredo may have some problems this week because he has a tough draw. He could meet Juan Monaco in the round of 16, Jose Acasuso in the quarterfinals, Gael Monfils or Carlos Moya in the semis, and then Almagro or Nalbandian in the final. If Tommy pulls it off this week, then look out Rafa in Monte Carlo (just kidding).

(image: Abierto Mexican Telcel)

Tommy Robredo of Spain won his second title in two weeks. The win was well deserved since he and Argentine Juan Monaco were locked in a battle royale in Buenos Aires for the title. Robredo beat Monaco 7-5 2-6 7-6(5) in a 164 minute match.

Robredo won the first set by breaking Monaco late in the set. In what looked like divine intervention on behalf of Juan Monaco, rain forced a delay at the beginning of the second set. Monaco came out from the delay to break the Spaniard three times and take the second set. The Argentine then jumped ahead to a 3-0 lead in the third set and looked as if he were going to cruise to victory.



Robredo rallied to tie the match at 4-4 and then jumped ahead 5-4 to serve for the match. Monaco saved three match points to tie it up at 5-5. The two players battled back and forth to bring the match to a third-set tiebreak. Robredo jumped ahead in the tiebreak, but the Argentine made a run to try to tie it up. In the end, Robredo was able to hold off Monaco to take the title and win his ninth career title.

Singles Championship
3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 7-5 2-6 7-6(5)

Doubles Championship
M. Granollers (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) def. N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) 6-3 5-7 10-8

(images: Copa Telmex)

City: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 500
2008 Singles Champion: Andy Roddick
2008 Doubles Champions: Knowles/Bhupathi

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Fernando have all pulled out of the tournament. This leaves Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic as the heavy favorites. Hopefully, a couple of players will step it up and make this tournament interesting.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Monday's Matches:
Singles Round of 32
2 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)
5 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
7 Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Q Marci Chiudinelli (SUI)
Victor Hanescu (ROU) vs. Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) vs. Q Laurent Recouderc (FRA)

Doubles Round of 16
R. de Voest (RSA)/D. Tursunov (RUS) vs. I. Andreev (RUS)/M. Youzhny (RUS)
3 L Dlouhy (CZE)/L Paes (IND) vs. S Bolelli (ITA)/I Karlovic (CRO)
M Matkowski (POL)/R Schuettler (GER) vs. C Kas (GER)/P Kohlschreiber (GER)

Monday's Order of Play

(image from 2008 final: Barclays Dubai Tennis Tournament)

City: Delray Beach, FL, USA
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Kei Nishikori
2008 Doubles Champions: Mirnyi/J. Murray

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Monday's Order of Play

Singles Championship
1 Andy Roddick (USA) def. 5 R Stepanek (CZE) 7-5 7-5

Doubles Championship
4 M Fish (USA) / M Knowles (BAH) def. T Parrott (USA)/ F Polasek (SVK) 7-6(1) 6-1

A look at the train wreck known as the Dubai Tennis Tournament (Newsday)

The WTA imposes sanctions on the tournament (LA Times)

The latest list of men who have pulled out of Dubai (AP/Google)

The members of the Spanish Davis Cup Team (Reuters UK)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won his second title in three weeks. Two weeks ago, it was the South African Open, and today it is the Open 13 in Marseille, France. He beat countryman Michael Llodra 7-5 7-6(3) in front of a hyped-up French crowd.

Yesterday, Llodra gave Gilles Simon trouble with his serve and volleying. Tsonga was bothered by it early in the match but then started to pass Llodra to put his compatriot on his heels late in the first set. In the second set, he began to crank his serve for 8 aces (11 for the match). Tsonga then took over in the tiebreak to best Llodra for the match.



All was not lost for Michael Llodra. He and Arnaud Clement won the doubles title by upsetting top seeds Knowle and Ram 3-6 6-3 10-8 in 73 minutes of work. This win gives the French duo their seventh ATP title together.

(Open 13, Panoramic)

Singles Semifinals
1 Andy Roddick (USA) def. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4

5 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Q Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-3 6-1

Doubles Semifinals
4 M. Fish (USA)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. E. Gulbis(LAT) /I. Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-1 7-6(6)
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) def. P. Petzschner (GER)/A. Peya (AUT) 6-4 6-1

Sunday’s Order of Play

Copa Telmex

Tommy Robredo and Juan Monaco will see each other on Sunday. It could be Robredo’s second title in two weeks. Robredo defeated Jose Acasuso in straight sets to advance.


Copa Telmex

Juan Monaco, on the other hand, had a more daunting task. He had to play the top seed and defending champion, David Nalbandian. Nalbandian won the first set and was serving for the match when Monaco went on a tear and won three games in a row to clinch the second set. The third set was closer, and the two traded breaks. Monaco eventually won the third set tiebreak and upset the defending champion.

Tommy Robredo and Juan Monaco will face off in the final. Their head-to–head is even at 1-1. Monaco won this tournament in 2007, and Robredo is currently on a hot streak. The final should be good tomorrow.

Match Results:
Singles Semifinals
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. 1 David Nalbandian (ARG) 2-6 7-5 7-6(2)
3 Tommy Robredo def. 5 Jose Acasuso 6-4 7-6(3)

Doubles Semifinals
N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) def. B. Dabul (ARG)/S. Roitman (ARG) 2-6 6-3 14-12

Sunday’s Matches:
Singles Championship
3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)

Doubles Championship
M. Granollers (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) vs. N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP)

Open 13

The French are excited this weekend. There will be an all-French singles final. Frenchies Clement and Llodra advanced to the doubles final. Michael Llodra was also a double winner today.

Match Results:
Singles Semifinals
4 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. 1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-4 7-6(1)
Michael Llodra (FRA) def. 2 Gilles Simon (FRA) 7-6(5) 6-2

Doubles Semifinals
A. Clement (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. 4 S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 6-2 7-6(2)

Sunday's Matches:
Singles Championship
4 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. Michael Llodra (FRA)

Doubles Championship
1 J. Knowle (AUT)/A. Ram (ISR) vs. A. Clement (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA)

Watch Live

I guess Michael Llodra is all about Marseille this year. Michael Llodra today upset second seed Gilles Simon in straight sets 7-6(5) 6-2 in 76 minutes. He will also play later in the doubles semifinals with partner, Arnaud Clement to book the last spot against top seeds Knowle and Ram in the doubles final.

Llodra’s singles match against Simon was close in the first set. There were no breaks, but he was able to sneak off with the first set in the tiebreaker. The second set was not as close, and Simon seemed completely out of sorts. He was not able to handle Llodra’s lefty serve and could not seem to find an answer for Llodra’s serve and volleying. By the end of the set, Simon had completely unraveled and could only seem to find the outer boundaries of the court.

Llodra played solidly today and has booked the last spot in the finals against compatriot, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The two players have never played in an ATP or Grand Slam event. This will be Tsonga’s second final in three weeks. The final should be fun to watch.

(image: Open 13)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dialed Novak Djokovic’s number again today in Marseille. The Frenchman sent the ATP World No. 3 packing in straight sets 6-4 7-6(1) in an 85 minute match. Both players served well, but Tsonga took care of his serve slightly better by winning 81% of his first serve points. Tsonga’s groundstrokes were too much for Djokovic because Tsonga lit up the lines for winners the entire match.

This victory marks Frenchman’s fourth-straight win over Djokovic and guarantees an all-French final tomorrow. Tsonga is awaiting the winner of the Simon-Llodra match. Whoever wins, the French are ecstatic this weekend.

(image: Panoramic)

Singles Quarterfinals:
1 Andy Roddick (USA) def. 8 Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-3
5 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 2 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 7-6(7) 6-4
Q Dudi Sela (ISR) vs. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 4-6 6-4 6-2
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs C Rochus (BEL) 6-2 6-3

Doubles Quarterfinals:
T Parrott (USA)/ F Polasek (SVK) def. J Cerretani (USA)/ A Fisher (AUS) 6-1 7-6(5)
E Gulbis (LAT)/ I Kunitsyn (RUS) def. 2 J Murray (GBR)/ D Vemic (SRB) 6-3 6-7(3) 10-6

Saturday's Order of Play

Juan Monaco won pretty easily over countryman Maximo Gonzalez 6-2 6-3. He will play David Nalbandian in the semifinals, so he will have his hands full tomorrow.



Poor Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spaniard had to retire in the second set against David Nalbandian due to a right leg injury. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery in time for Acapulco.



Top seed David Nalbandian has played well this tournament and looks like the person to beat this week. He was ahead 6-3 3-0 when Ferrero retired. The Argentine will meet Juan Monaco in the semifinals and currently leads their head-to-head 2-0.


Tommy Robredo beat Brazilian Franco Ferreiro 6-4 7-6(4) and will now reach the semifinals. The Spaniard is poised to win his second title in a row, but he will first have to beat Jose Acasuso to reach the final. Robredo currently leads Acasuso in their head-to-head 4-3.

Complete Match Results:
Singles Quarterfinals:
1 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 6-3 3-0 Ret’d
3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Q Franco Ferreiro (BRA) 6-4 7-6(4)
5 Jose Acasuso def. Oscar Hernandez 6-1 6-2
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Q Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) 6-2 6-3

Doubles Quarterfinals:
N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) def. O. Hernandez (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) 6-1 6-0

Doubles Semifinals
M. Granollers (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) def. A. Calleri (ARG)/P. Starace (ITA) 6-1 1-6 10-5

Saturday's Matches:
Singles Semifinals:
1 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)
3 Tommy Robredo vs. 5 Jose Acasuso

Doubles Semifinals:
N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Ventura (ESP) vs. B. Dabul (ARG)/S. Roitman (ARG)

(images: Copa Telmex/Sergio Llamera)