1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Devin Britton (USA) 6-1 6-3 7-5
5 Andy Roddick (USA) vs Bjorn Phau (GER) 6-1 6-4 6-2
8 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Dieter Kindlmann (GER) 6-3 6-4 7-5
12 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 3-6 6-1 6-4
14 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Q Donald Young (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-3
15 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-4 6-4 6-4
20 Tommy Haas (GER) def. Q Alejandro Falla (COL) 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) 6-2
21 James Blake (USA) def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) 6-1 6-4 7-5
23 Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-0 6-4 6-4
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. 26 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 2-6 7-5 6-0 6-2
John Isner (USA) def. 28 Victor Hanescu (ROU) 6-1 7-6(14) 7-6(5)
31 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Thiago Alves (BRA) 6-0 6-3 6-4
Q Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 7-6(3) 7-6(2) 6-0
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 2-6 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-0
Jan Hernych (CZE) def. Rainer Schuettler(GER) 1-6 7-6(5) 6-4 2-6 6-3
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. Q Peter Polansky (CAN) 6-4 6-4 5-7 3-6 6-1
Q Marsel Ilhan (TUR) d Christophe Rochus (BEL) 3-6 6-3 3-6 7-5 7-5
Robert Kendrick (USA) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-2 6-2
Q Somdev Devvarman (IND) def. Frederico Gil (POR) 6-3 6-4 6-3
Olivier Rochus (BEL) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-3 6-0 6-2
Simon Greul (GER) def. Q Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0 7-6(9)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-4 6-4 6-2
Marc Gicquel (FRA) def. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 6-2 5-7 6-3 6-3
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-4 4-6 7-5 6-3

Tuesday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 11:00 am – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360

All of the usual suspects and the grand majority of seeds advanced during the first day of the play. Twenty-sixth seed Paul-Henri Mathieu was the first-seeded casualty of the US Open. After losing the opening set, Mikhail Youzhny rallied to defeat the Frenchman 2-6 7-5 6-0 6-2. He will now meet qualifier Marco Chiudinelli in the second round. The two players have never met in ATP or grand slam action.

Later on in the afternoon, American John Isner sent home twenty-eighth seed Victor Hanescu. He beat the Romanian 6-1 7-6(14) 7-6(5). Isner and his big serve now advance to play qualifier Marsel Ilhan of Turkey.

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal -- who happens to be a big fan of musicals (who knew) -- poses with the cast of Mamma Mia after attending the performance this past Saturday. He was only able to see the second act after having to go to an ATP Player Council meeting. The Spaniard tries to see a musical every year. Last year, it was Phantom of the Opera.

Which one will it be next year?

(Image: Rafael Nadal)

It was just a pleasure to play. I'm back so that I can forget all the blows I've suffered. It's been a sad time for me – the only sad time in my life. Stopping for those two and a half months was very tough mentally. I ask only one thing: be patient. I need time. Not many people would have recovered after going through what I've experienced.

-Richard Gasquet on his pleasure to be back on tour.

(Image: EQ)

It looks like a good cross-section of players qualified yesterday, which is good for the tournament. Giovanni Lapentti now joins his brother, Nicolas Lapentti in the draw. That has not happened for some time.

In the US, television and online coverage is much improved. If you cannot make it to the tournament, you should have no problems watching a lot of tennis this fortnight if you so desire.

US Open Qualifiers
Pictured
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI), Thomaz Bellucci (BRA), Horacio Zeballos (ARG), Peter Polansky (CAN), Alejandro Falla (COL)

Not Pictured
Michael Yani (USA), Marcel Ilhan (TUR), Josselin Ouanna (FRA), Jesse Witten (USA), Dieter Kindlmann (GER), Michael Berrer (GER), Juan Pablo Brzezicki (ARG), Carsten Ball (AUS), Giovanni Lapentti (ECU), Donald Young (USA), Somdev Devvarman (IND)

Saturday’s Qualifying Results

Monday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
Tennis Channel - 11:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ET
US Open
ESPN 360

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

After rain delayed the singles semifinals yesterday, the tournament pushed the missed action to Saturday morning. By the end of the afternoon, Sam Querrey and Fernando Verdasco were left standing and had the opportunity to face-off this evening for the title.

The two players had never met in an ATP play, but the world no. 10 managed to walk away with his first win over the world no. 23. Verdasco managed to pass the American 6-4 7-6(6) after 95 minutes of play. New Haven is the Spaniard’s first title of the year, first hardcourt title and third career title.

Now, Querrey and Verdasco will head to the US Open. They are both playing well now, so they will definitely be in the mix in next week. Hopefully, the tournament delays do not impact their games.



Championship Saturday
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 6-3 6-4

Singles Final
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 6 Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4 7-6(6)

Doubles Final
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-4 7-6(3)

(Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Friday’s Results
Doubles Semifinals
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. 4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Linstedt (SWE) 6-3 6-4
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. M. Melo (BRA)/A.Sa (BRA) 6-4 7-5

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Jose Acasuso (ARG)

Singles Final
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) or 7 Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. 6 Sam Querrey (USA) or Jose Acasuso (ARG)

Doubles Final
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) vs. J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT)

Saturday's Order of Play

Watch Live
CBS – 1:00 PM – 3:00 pm ET - WTA Final
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET – ATP Final

City: New York, NY USA
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 2000
2008 Singles Champion: Roger Federer
2008 Doubles: Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan

This is the final grand slam of the year, and Roger Federer will go for his sixth-consecutive US Open title. Between Rafael Nadal’s rehabilitation and everyone else just flaking out, this is the first tournament in two years where I am pretty certain Roger Federer will win. Federer is the most consistent player on tour at the moment. He has also won 16 grand slam titles, so he knows he has that advantage over the others in the slams, with the exception of a top-form Nadal.

Once again, Federer has an easy quarter where he could possibly take meet Robin Soderling or Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals. Davydenko had problems this week in New Haven with his wrists, so he should not really be a threat. Soderling is capable of being dangerous, but it looks like he does not know it yet.

Federer’s possible semifinal matchup could be with Novak Djokovic or Andy Roddick. We know Djokovic is still flakey, and Roddick just cannot beat the Swiss champion for a host of reasons. This quarter of the draw is also chalked full of people. Tommy Haas and Fernando Verdasco should be in the mix. Anyone of the fore-mentioned players could end up in the semifinals, so this is the hardest part of the draw.

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray anchor the second half of the draw. Nadal has a good quarter for his predicament since he is still trying to find his original form. His first-round match is with Richard Gasquet, who is probably rustier than Nadal is, so that is a good scenario for him. In the round of 16, the Spaniard could possibly have to contend with Gael Monfils. The Musketeer has been tame this year, but he could start feeling it at any time.

The top half of his quarter is littered with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych and Fernando Gonzalez. These four players are going to have to duke it out for the chance to possibly play Nadal in the quarterfinals. Nadal’s trouble begins here because he has to meet one of them. The old Nadal would have no problem, but the more vulnerable Nadal could have trouble with anyone of these four.

Murray’s quarter is kind of precarious. This first part of it will be very manageable, but his possible quarterfinal meeting with Juan Martin del Potro could be a giant headache for him. Whoever is left standing will have to possibly deal with Nadal -- who could find his form at anytime -- and then head to the final. For this reason, it is probably better for Nadal that he is seated third rather than second.

At the end of the day, the tournament is really Federer’s to lose. Nadal is still nowhere near where he needs to be to be a real threat. The Spaniard probably will not be better until next season to be realistic. When he was playing in Cincinnati, the announcers pointed out that he was still gingerly moving on his forehand side.

As for Murray, he should win this tournament, but he is going to have to stop flaking out in the slams. He wins everything else, so it is time. If we are going to have to be subject to Brad Gilbert, Darren Cahill and Robbie Koening go on-and-on about him, the Scotsman better get it done this year. I still think he should have won Wimbledon this year, but he pulled a flakey-jake routine.

It would be nice if Verdasco found his Australian Open form. It would also be nice to see Andy Roddick solve his Federer riddle. It would be really nice to be pleasantly surprised about Nadal’s form. It would be really, really nice if Juan Martin del Potro took the whole enchilada. I guess a girl can dream. Let’s hope this fortnight is exciting and chalked full of surprises.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Evils (formerly Tournament Malfeasance)
3 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Richard Gasquet (FRA)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO)
13 Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
26 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN)
Michael Llodra (FRA) vs. Nicolas Kiefer (GER)

(Image: Rob Loud/usopen.org)

Thursday's Results
Singles Quarterfinals
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. 1 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-3 3-6 6-4
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 11 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-3 6-1
7 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-4 6-7(4) 6-3
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 7-5 6-4

Doubles First Round
P. Hanley (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. WC D. Martin (USA)/R. Ram (USA) 6-2 6-3

Doubles Quarterfinals
M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. 3 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-3 6-4
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. P. Hanley (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) 6-2 3-6 10-6

Friday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. 7 Igor Andreev (RUS)
6 Sam Querrey (USA) vs. Jose Acasuso (ARG)
Doubles Semifinals
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Linstedt (SWE) vs. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) vs. M. Melo (BRA)/A.Sa (BRA)

Friday's Order of Play

Watch
ESPN2 - 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET - Live
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET - Delayed

Nicolas Kiefer assists Mario Pagan this evening at the Taste of Tennis event that raises money for the Food Bank of New York and kicks off the Open.

(Image: Taste of Tennis)

The most anticipated matchup of the qualies this year was today’s matchup of Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov. It was the top-seeded qualifier versus last year’s US Open junior champion.

In the end, Bellucci had a routine win over the Bulgarian up-and-comer 6-4 6-3. Bellucci should have won this match since he is the older and more seasoned player, but Dimitrov is more than capable of staging the upset – just ask Tomas Berdych in Rotterdam.

The Brazilian will play American Scoville Jenkins tomorrow for a spot in the main draw. They have never met in ATP or lower-tiered events.

Thursday’s Results

Friday’s Order of Play

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

Sam Querrey is enjoying a good summer and great week. With yesterday’s win, he won the US Open Series and could possibly bank a million bucks. Today, he took out top-seed Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 3-6 6-4 in New Haven.

His win single-handedly opens the draw for the American. Querrey will awaits to play the winner of the Acasuso-Serra match. Either winner should not give him trouble, but Jose Acasuso is the more dangerous of the two. He now has a good shot at the title, and a great opportunity to make it to the final.

On the other side of the draw, Igor Andreev and Fernando Verdasco both advanced into the semifinals tomorrow. Verdasco leads their head-to-head 3-1 with the Spaniard taking all their clay-court meetings and they split their hard-surface meetings. Andreev though did win their last encounter in the third round of the US Open last year.

(Image: AP)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Third Round
1 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. 15 Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 7-5 6-3
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 16 Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-6(3) 6-2
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Bjorn Phau (GER) 7-5 6-3
7 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Q] Frederico Gil (POR) 6-4 6-4
11 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. 8 Victor Hanescu (ROU) 7-6(5) 4-6 6-1
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. 14 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 3-6 7-6(3) 6-3
Florent Serra (FRA) def. WC Rajeev Ram (USA) 4-6 7-6(6) 7-5
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-2 6-4

Doubles First Round
3 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. W. Moodie (RSA)/H. Tecau (ROU) 7-6(4) 4-6 10-7
4 M. Damm (CZE)/R. Lindstedt (SWE) def. WC R. Kendrick (USA)/S. Lipsky (USA) 7-5 6-4
M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) def. S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 7-5 6-3

Doubles Quarterfinals
2 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) 6-1 7-6(3)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Petzschner (GER) 7-6(2) 4-6 10-8

Wednesday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
ESPN2 - 1:00 pm–5:00 pm ET
ESPN2 - 7:00 pm–9:00 pm ET

The top three have now revealed their US Open kits over the last two days. Fred Perry has done a good job with Andy Murray over the last year. The Scotsman definitely had the best kit at Wimbledon this year.

Nike always makes good kits for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. There are no real surprises here or faux pas yet. The problem lies somewhere with Federer’s outwear and accessories where they, without fail, are always over the top.

We will not see these accoutrements until his first match. I always forget about this small detail until he walks out in some ridiculous jacket with handbag. Luckily, he has to remove them before playing, or it would be distracting for everybody involved.

It will be a small victory for everyone if he stays away from military-inspired jackets and patent leather bags this coming fortnight, but we shall see next week if he can restrain himself.

(Images: Fred Perry, Nike, Nike)

Leonardo Mayer is having a pretty good run in New Haven. Today the 22-year-old Argentine and world no. 65 beat Simone Bolelli 6-2 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals where he will play seventh-seed Igor Andreev. The two players have never met in ATP competition, so tomorrow's matchup should be a good test for Mayer.

(Image: EFE)

I managed to catch the opening day of the qualifiers at the US Open yesterday. There were actually a number of good matches to see. The two standout matches were the Thomaz Bellucci and Grigor Dimitrov.

Bellucci happens to be the top-seed of the qualifiers. The Brazilian managed to take apart Giancarlo Petrazzuola 6-2 6-0. He played a really solid match and almost made no mistakes. The current world no. 68, who more of a clay-courter, started out the year steadily progressing but then stalled. The 21 year old returned to the challenger circuit this spring, but returned to the majors this summer where he won his first tournament in Gstaad.

The other standout match featured the up-and-coming Dimitrov, who is already being compared to Federer and now has his old coach. The 18 year old beat German Tobias Kamke 6-3 7-5. Kamke was a much better opponent than Petrazzuola and went from being almost blown out to battling back for a competitive match.

In the worst case of tournament evils, Bellucci and Dimitrov now have to play each other in the second round. I do not know why Dimitrov did not receive a wildcard in the first place since he won the US Open juniors title last year. Despite this obvious crime, this should be the match of the week.

Qualifying Draw

Wednesday’s Schedule of Play

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

Tuesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
1 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Robert Kendrick (USA) 7-6(10) 6-3
2 WC Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Paul Capdeville (CHI) 6-0 6-3
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. 3 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 3-6 7-5 7-6(5)
WC Rajeev Ram (USA) def. 5 Mardy Fish (USA) 6-3 6-3
7 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Kevin Kim (USA) 6-3 6-1
8 Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-4 6-7(8) 6-3
Bjorn Phau (GER) def. 9 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 2-6 6-3 7-5
Florent Serra (FRA) def. 10 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-7(8) 7-6(4) 6-1
11 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. Q Paul Cuevas (URU) 6-2 3-0 ret. (shoulder)
Q Frederico Gil (POR) def. 12 Philipp Petzschner (GER) 6-7(2) 7-6(8) 6-3
Simone Bolelli (ITA) def. 13 Andreas Beck (GER) 6-4 6-4
14 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. WC Taylor Dent (USA) 6-3 6-4
15 Fabrice Santoro (FRA) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 7-5 6-0
16 Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. LL Oliver Rochus (BEL) 6-0 6-4

Doubles First Round
2 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. E. Butorac (USA)/J. Coetzee (RSA) 6-3 6-3
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. O. Marach (AUT)/D. Skoch (CZE) 6-3 6-4

Wednesday’s Order of Play

Fernando Verdasco had an easy time with Paul Cuevas today in New Haven. He beat the Chilean 6-0 6-3 after 49 minutes of play. Next up for the Spaniard is Italian Andreas Seppi, who he happens to be 4-0 against. Hopefully for Verdasco, there are no surprises for the second-seed tomorrow.

Though Verdasco had an easy time today, some seeds did not fare as well. Philipp Petzschner and Andreas Beck lost. Ninth-seed Nicolas Almagro -- who has struggled after the South American clay-court season this year -- lost to German Bjorn Phau 2-6 6-3 7-5. Tenth-seed Jeremy Chardy went down in a three setter against compatriot Florent Serra.

The shocker of the day was third-seed Tommy Robredo who lost to Jose Acasuso 3-6 7-5 7-6(5). Those Argentine veterans (Canas, Acasuso) are always trouble, and they strike at the most inopportune time. Acasuso now advances to play Igor Kunitsyn tomorrow. The two players have never met in ATP play.


(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

A lovely reader shares with us these gems of Fernando Verdasco, Igor Andreev, Richard Gasquet and Ivan Ljubicic from the practice courts of New Haven yesterday.

(Images: Mrs. Dancevic)

Czech Ivo Minar tested positive for a banned substance and denies the allegation (The Guardian)

Gasquet returns to the circuit in New Haven but fails to qualify. Let's hope he gets back into form soon (BBC News)

Novak Djokovic gained confidence from his week in Cincinnati and looks forward to the US Open. (Reuters)

Dmitry Tursunov is questionable for the US Open and may need a second surgery (The Sacramento Bee)

Le baiser à la cocaine as told in grand fashion by the Brits (Times Online)

An interview with Novak Djokovic, who thinks he was born at the wrong time (Blic)

Andre Agassi will release his autobiography in November (CBS Sports)

Safin wedding rumors (Oh No They Didn’t)

How you can obtain an autograph from Rafa (Gossip Barf)

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
Simone Bolelli (ITA) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 6-3 6-4
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3 2-6 6-3
Q Pablo Cuevas (URU) def. Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-3 6-4
Kevin Kim (USA) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-4 5-7 6-3
Bjorn Phau (GER) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 2-6 6-2 6-3
Robert Kendrick (USA) def. Q Frederick Nielsen (DEN) 6-3 7-5
Q Frederico Gil (POR) def. WC Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-4 6-3
Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-2 6-2
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) 6-1 6-7(7) 6-2
WC Rajeev Ram (USA) def. Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 7-5 1-6 7-6(3)

Singles Second Round
6 Sam Querrey (USA) def. Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2

Doubles First Round
C. Kas (GER)/P. Petzschner (GER) def. 1 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 7-5 6-3
J. Chardy (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) def. T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) 6-4 3-6 10-7

Tuesday’s Order of Play

Jeremy Chardy has the Ps number. He defeated the pair with Gilles Simon in the first round last week in Cincinnati. This week, he and Fabrice Santoro defeated Travis Parrott and Filip Polasek 6-4 3-6 10-7 in their New Haven debut. It’s déjà vu all over again. Let's hope the Ps do not have to lock horns with Chardy & Company in the early rounds next week.

Chardy and Santoro now get to wait for winner of tomorrow’s Butorac/Coetzee-Soares/Ullyett match.

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

And The Qualifiers Are . . .
Nicolas Lapentti (ECU), Fredrik Nielsen (DEN), Frederico Gil (POR) and Pablo Cuevos (URU)

Singles First Round
WC Taylor Dent (USA) def. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 6-3 6-4
Florent Serra (FRA) def. Steve Darcis (BEL) 6-3 6-3
Paul Capdeville (CHI) def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 7-5 6-3
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-5 2-0 ret. (left leg)
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) def. Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-2 6-4
Marc Gicquel (FRA) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-4

City: New Haven, CT, USA
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Marin Cilic
2008 Doubles Champions: Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa

Marin Cilic will not defend his title this year. Nicolay Davydenko is the top-seed and the one to beat in this tournament. He has a good draw and should be able to advance into the quarterfinals. Sam Querrey, who has been playing well, could give him trouble there.

In the semifinals, the Russian could possibly meet Tommy Robredo, Jeremy Chardy or Mardy Fish. Their quarter of the draw is probably the most competitive of all the quarters.

Second-seed Fernando Verdasco anchors the other side of the draw. The last-minute wildcard should have no trouble getting through his quarter. The Spaniard could possibly meet Igor Andreev in the semifinals. Andreev has a good quarter and could go far if there are no surprises.

It should be a good week and good warm up for the US Open.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

(Image: Elsa/Getty Images)

Roger Federer won his second Masters title yesterday in Cincinnati. He beat Novak Djokovic 6-1 7-5 to deny the Serb his first Masters title of the year. This is Federer’s third Cincinnati title and 16th career Masters title.

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-1 7-5

Doubles Final
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) 3-6 7-6(5) 15-13

(Image: AFP)

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 3 Andy Murray (GBR) 6-2 7-6(8)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-1 6-4

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 7 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) 0-6 6-4 10-4
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) 6-4 6-3

Friday’ Results
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 6-3 6-4
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-4 7-5
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. LL Julien Benneteau (FRA) 4-6 6-3 6-1
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 9 Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-4 7-5

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 7 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) 6-4 7-6(11)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 7-6(6) 6-7(8) 10-4
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. M. Llodra (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) 7-6(6) 6-3
8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. D. Ferrer (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) 7-6(2) 6-1

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
1 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. 3 Andy Murray (GBR) – 2:00 PM
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. 4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) – 7:00 PM

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 8 L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH)

Saturday’s Order of Play

Watch
ESPN2 – Semifinal 1 - 2:00 PM EST - Live
ESPN2 – Semifinal 2 - 10:00 PM EST - Taped

Rafael Nadal looked good tonight in Cincinnati and was starting to look like the Rafa of old. He moved well, and his strokes -- especially his forehand -- looked good. The Spaniard dominated poor Tomas Berdych and gave his opponent no hope for winning for the first time in the tournament. He is still not quite in beatdown mode, but his play tonight looked promising.

Nadal jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening set and cruised to take the set after 43 minutes. After losing the first set, Berdych was not discouraged and dug in the second set. Unfortunately for him, Nadal broke the Czech in game eleven. The Spaniard then served out the set for the match at 6-4 7-5 after 101 minutes of play.

The top-four players booked all the semifinal spots for this tournament, and Nadal just took the final spot. Next up for the Spaniard is Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Nadal leads their head-to-head matchup 14-4, but the Serb's last victory over Nadal was last year at this very tournament in the semifinals. Also, the Spaniard is still very vulnerable to being upset tomorrow.

Luckily, Nadal is still improving since being away from the tour, but he is going to have to step it up a notch for Djokovic. It should be a good match tomorrow, so stay tuned.

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

Thursday’s Results
Singles Round of 16
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. David Ferrer (ESP) 3-6 6-3 6-4
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 7-5 6-2
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. 16 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-4 6-1
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-5 6-3
9 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. 8 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-7(6) 6-4 6-4
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 6-1 2-6 6-3
LL Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 4-6 6-4 7-6(4)
Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Q Chris Guccione (AUS) 6-4 6-3

Doubles Round of 16
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) 6-4 6-2
6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA) 6-2 6-4
8. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. WC J. Isner (USA)/S. Querrey (USA) 4-6 6-2 10-8
D. Ferrer (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. 3 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 6-2 6-4

Friday’s Matches
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)
3 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. LL Julien Benneteau (FRA)
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 9 Gilles Simon (FRA)

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 M. Bryan/B. Bryan vs. W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. 6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL)
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) vs. M. Llodra (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA)
8. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) vs. D. Ferrer (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP)

Friday’s Order of Play

Watch - Updated
ESPN2 – 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST – Live
ESPN2 – 10:30 PM – 12:30 AM EST – Delayed

Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 6-3 7-5
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 7-6(4) 7-6(3)
3 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 7-6(3) 6-2
4 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Q Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 7-6(5) 6-4
Sam Querrey (USA) def. 5 Andy Roddick (USA) 7-6(11) 7-6(3)
Q Chris Guccione (AUS) def. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 7-6(12) 6-2
8 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-2 1-6 6-3
16 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. WC Marat Safin (RUS) 4-6 6-3 6-1
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d [Q] M Youzhny (RUS) 75 63
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-6(9) 6-4
[LL] J Benneteau (FRA) d J Melzer (AUT) 62 36 62
Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 7-6(8) 6-7(7) 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. WC John Isner (USA) 6-7(1) 6-3 4-1 ret.
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-3 6-3

Doubles Second Round
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. F. Lopez (ESP)/F. Verdasco (ESP) 5-7 6-4 12-10
M. Llodra (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) def. 5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-0 6-3

Doubles First Round
D. Ferrer (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-4 6-7(2) 10-7
J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA) def. T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) 4-6 7-6(3) 12-10
M. Mirnyi (BLR)/A. Ram (ISR) def. WC J. Levine (USA)/R. Ram (USA) 6-2 6-2

Thursday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
ESPN2 – 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST

Jeremy Chardy and Gilles Simon took out doubles specialists Travis Parrott and Filip Polasek. After losing the first set, they rallied to win the second-set tiebreak. They then saved match point in the third-set tiebreak to surpass the American-Slovakian team 4-6 7-6(3) 12-10. The French duo will now face the Polish team of Mariusz Frystenberg and Marcin Matkowski.

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

Rafael continues to have a rough comeback. He played Italian Andreas Seppi in his second-round match in Cincinnati. The Spaniard is clearly vulnerable and has a ways to go before he is back to his usual play.

His serve and groundstrokes are off, and he is currently hitting a lot of errors. It is rather hard to watch his matches because injury has certainly interrupted his once fine form, especially with all the current G.O.A.T. nonsense -- since the current number one found his top form after Nadal was injured and out of the picture.

Despite these facts and two rain delays, the Mallorcan was able to pull off the win and beat Seppi 7-6(4) 7-6(3). One positive that was good to see was his clutch play. When he needed to, he was able to come with big shots that ultimately helped him best the Italian.

Next up for Nadal will be Paul-Henri Mathieu. He currently leads the Frenchman 8-0 in their head-to-head matchup. Despite this stellar record, it will be another test for Nadal tomorrow.

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

Marat Safin’s retirement stop in Cincinnati ended to day with a loss to Radek Stepanek. The Russian started out well and won the first set. It looked like he had his head together today, but as a viewer, you know there is a ninety-percent chance of a trainwreck.

In grand Safin fashion, he allowed Stepanek into the game and fell completely apart in the third set. The Czech veteran rallied to win the match 4-6 6-3 6-1. On the bright side, the big man did make it to the second round, so there is a small victory for him there.

Stepanek now has the large chore of playing Andy Murray in the round of 16. Murray currently leads their head-to-head matchup 2-0.

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

Tuesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
9 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 6-1
David Ferrer (ESP) def. 14 Marin Cilic (CRO) 7-6(4) 6-2

Singles First Round
Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. 10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-4 ret. (knee)
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. 11 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 7-6(4) 7-6(4)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. 12 Robin Soderling (SWE) 3-6 7-6(8) 6-3 - saved 2 M.P.
Q Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 7-5 6-2
Jurgen Melzer (AUT) def. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 5-7 7-6(4) 7-6(7)
Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Q Jan Hernych (CZE) 3-6 6-4 6-1
Q Chris Guccione (AUS) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 7-5 2-6 6-3
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Jame Blake (USA) 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-4
Philipp Petzschner (GER) def. Q Simone Bolelli (ITA) 7-6(6) 6-3
WC John Isner (USA) def. Tommy Haas (GER) 7-6(5) 5-7 7-6(3)

Doubles Second Round
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. R. Lindstedt (SWE)/M. Melo (BRA) 6-4 6-4

Doubles First Round
M. Llodra (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) def. J. Melzer (AUT)/R. Stepanek (CZE) 7-6(2) 6-4

Wednesday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
The Tennis Channel – 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST

Unlike the Spaniards (Verdasco lost, Lopez lost), the Frenchies had a good day today in Cincinnati. Ninth-seed Gilles Simon was able to subdue a tough charge from the Russian Igor Andreev. Simon secured a spot in the round of 16 with a 7-6(5) 6-7(6) 6-1 victory. He now awaits the winner of the Davydenko-Kunitsyn match.

In doubles, Micheal Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga topped Jurgen Melzer and Radek Stepanek 7-6(2) 6-7(6) 6-1 in their Cincinnati debut. They will now have the opportunity to meet the fifth-seeds Bruno Soares and Kevin Ullyett in the round of 16.

(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
9 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. WC Wayne Odesnik (USA) 6-3 6-2
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. 13 Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-4 6-7(5) 7-6(2)
14 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 6-3 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. 15 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-3 7-5
16 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-6(2) 1-0 ret. (foot)
Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-1 7-5
Benjamin Becker (GER) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-3
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-4 1-0 ret. (groin)
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-7(4) 7-5 6-3
Q Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) def. Florent Serra (FRA) 4-6 6-3 6-4
David Ferrer (ESP) def. Stanilas Wawrinka (SUI) 7-5 6-2
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Q Lukasz Kubot (POL) 6-4 6-3
WC Marat Safin (RUS) def. WC Robbie Ginepri (USA) 7-5 7-6(2)
Sam Querrey (USA) def. Q Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 6-3 6-4

Doubles - First Round
F. Lopez (ESP)/F. Verdasco (ESP) def. S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 4-6 7-6(2) 10-3
T. Berdych (CZE)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) def. N. Davydenko (RUS)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) 5-7 7-6(4) 10-7
R. Lindstedt (SWE)/M Melo (BRA) def. J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Erlich (ISR) 7-6(3) 3-6 14-12

Tuesday’s Order of Play

Watch Live
The Tennis Channel – 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Djokovic steals the show at Montreal 2009 Preview. That boy sure loves to take his clothes off.

Adidas unveils its US Open looks (Tennisidentity)

Stephanie Myles profiles Rafa’s doubles partner at the Rogers Cup. I’m still not amused. He would have been better off playing with Uncle Toni (Open Court)

Murray will be the World No. 2 on Monday (Guardian)

The Times thinks this era of mens tennis has more depth (NYT)

ITP appealed Gasquet’s doping ruling (Seattle PI)

Djokovic is looking to change things (Blic)

Sunday’s Results
The Qualifiers Are . . .
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO), Lukasz Kubot (POL), Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE), Mikhail Youzhny (RUS), Chris Guccione (USA), Simone Bolelli (ITA) and Jan Hernych (CZE)

Doubles First Round
WC J. Isner (USA)/S. Querrey (USA) def. J. Kerr (AUS)/A. Sa (BRA) 1-6 6-4 11-9 - saved 4 M.P.

Monday’s Order of Play

City: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Surface: Outdoor Hard
Championship Points: 1000
2008 Singles Champion: Andy Murray
2008 Doubles: Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan

Andy Murray will be on hand to defend his title in Cincinnati. He will have his work cut out for him because his half of the draw is chalked full of contenders.

He could meet Juan Martin del Potro in quarterfinals. The Scotsman has had the Argentine’s number, but it is only a matter of time before del Potro turns the corner and surprises the defending champion. Del Potro did have physical problems during their Rogers Cup match, so he might be less of a threat this week. Murray could also have to deal with Federer in the semifinals.

Federer’s quarter of the draw is as difficult as Murray’s. The Swiss champ could have to contend with Robin Soderling or Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals. He then, of course, could meet with Murray or the surging del Potro in the semifinals.

Rafal Nadal has a pretty good draw. For someone who needs to play their way into contention, this draw could be a good way for the Spaniard to make it to the semifinals or finals because he desperately needs the points. He may have to see Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Fernando Gonzalez in the quarterfinals and then maybe Nikolay Davydenko or Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Evils (formerly Tournament Malfeasance)
Singles
10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)
14 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)
16 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. Nicolas Kiefer (GER)

Doubles
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) vs. J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA)

(Image: Eric M Spohn/WSFGM)