Novak Djokovic looked like he would cruise to the title this afternoon. It appeared that he had resumed his form from yesterday. The Serb jumped out to a 6-2 3-0 lead.

His opponent, Gael Monfils came out flat in the first set but then was able to keep more balls in play a third of the way through the second set. This change caused Djokovic to make more errors. Monfils then went on a run by holding twice and breaking back to even the set at 3-3. They battled back and forth on serve until the Monfils broke again in game eleven and served for the set. The hometown crowd went wild after the Frenchman went from being on the ropes to leveling the match in eight games.

After Djokovic struck first in the third set, the visibly winded Frenchman ran out of steam but hung in there. Serving at 4-2, Djokovic had a very sloppy game that allowed Monfils to break back. The Frenchman leveled the set to 4-4 and eventually pushed the match to a deciding tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Djokovic won a point on Monfil’s serve for 4-2. It was lights out from there and victory at 6-2 5-7 7-6(3).

Djokovic won his first Masters title of the year and fifth of his career. Paris is his fifth title of the year and 16th title of his career. The Serb finished out the year strong with wins in Beijing, Basel and Paris and looks like the player to beat in London next week.


Championship Sunday
Singles Final
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 15 Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-2 5-7 7-6(3)

Doubles Final
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP) 6-3 6-4

(Images: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic played exceptionally well today and had no trouble with Rafael Nadal. He upset the second seed 6-2 6-3 after 76 minutes of play. Djokovic is back to his form before he changed racquets last year.

The Serb played to perfection today. He simply hit, served and volleyed better than his opponent. Nadal had no answers today and seemed shocked. At one point in the match, Djokovic won seven games in a row after he broke Nadal in game six of the first set.

Nadal has had knee issues and now struggles to get back to top form. Earlier in the week, Nadal got into trouble in the second and third rounds but was able to get out of it. You were able to see where he stacks up against the other top-tier players. He still has to get back to feeling comfortable with his shots, in particular playing the lines. Hopefully, he will be able to get his feel back in the off-season.

Djokovic will play Gael Monfils. In the other semifinal, Monfils beat Radek Stepanek 6-4 5-7 6-4. Monfils can flake out at times, but he managed to close it out against the Czech. The Frenchman served for the match game 10 of the second set, but Stepanek broke back to level the match and take the second set. It looked like the Frenchman might let the match get away from him. To the contrary, Monfils was able to be patient and attack Stepanek at the opportune moments.

The French went wild when Monfils converted on match point. Though the defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost yesterday, Monfils will try to keep the title in France with a win tomorrow.

Whoever wins the title will be a first-time Masters champion this year. Federer, Nadal and Murray have had a monopoly on Masters titles this year. Nikolay Davydenko broke up their cartel first in Shanghai. Tomorrow’s winner will be the second person to breakthrough. Should he win tomorrow, Monfils will win his first Masters title of his career.

Djokovic leads their matchup 3-0. Plus, he is in top form. Monfils has a few tricks of his own and will have the crowd behind him. It should be another good match tomorrow.

Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6-2 6-3
15 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. 13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-4 5-7 6-4

Doubles Semifinals
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. 8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-7(2) 6-4 10-2
M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP) def. 7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 6-4 6-2

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 15 Gael Monfils (FRA)

Doubles Final
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP)

Sunday’s Order of Play

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(Images: AP)

Rafael Nadal looked a lot better today after living dangerously earlier this week. He put in a pretty solid performance against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and surpassed the defending champion 7-5 7-5 in under two hours of play. Nadal’s win not only allowed him advance into the semifinals, but it also assisted his compatriot Fernando Verdasco in qualifying for the year-end tournament while dashing Tsonga’s hopes at the same time.

Nadal advances to play a familiar foe, Novak Djokovic, who surpassed the troublesome Robin Soderling 6-4 1-6 6-3. These two players have not played each other since Cinicinnati in August where Djokovic came out on top. Nadal leads their head-to-head overall 14-5.

Djokovic has played the better in the last couple of weeks, while it looks like Nadal maybe coming into a late surge. It is hard to tell who might be tops tomorrow, but it will be a heck of a match to watch.

Gael Monfils and Radek Stepanek will play in the second semifinal matchup tomorrow. Stepanek benefited from Juan Martin del Potro’s retirement over an abdominal strain. Ay, Dios mio! Monfils overcame a one set deficit to upset Marin Cilic 3-6 6-4 6-4. La Monf leads his head-to-head with Stepanek 2-1.

Friday’s Results
Singles Quarterfinals
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 7-5 7-5
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 9 Robin Soderling (SWE) 6-4 1-6 6-3
13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 5 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 4-0 ret. (abdominal strain)
15 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. 12 Marin Cilic (CRO) 3-6 6-4 6-4

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3 7-6(3)
7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) def. 2 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) 6-4 7-6(7)
M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP) def. S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) 6-3 6-7(3) 10-7

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. 3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) – 8 AM ET
13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. 15 Gael Monfils (FRA)

Doubles Semifinals
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. 8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK)
7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) vs. M. Granollers (ESP)/ T. Robredo (ESP)

Saturday’s Order of Play

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Rafael Nadal was hopefully praying to Jesus after his match with Tommy Robredo. Robredo served for the match in the third set at 5-4. Some kind of way, Robredo let Nadal get back into the match and sneak off with the victory.

While living on the edge this week, Nadal managed to advance into the quarterfinals to play the defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The current world no. 2 leads their head-to-head 3-1. This matchup could be dangerous for the Spaniard, as Tsonga tries to qualify for the year-end championship. Tsonga did pull out of doubles today with a wrist injury, so we shall see how it all unfolds tomorrow.

While Nadal escaped defeat today, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Verdasco were not so lucky. These top-seeds lost today. Verdasco is now out of the running for the year-end championship. The current US Open Champion Juan Martin del Potro slid through the draw after fighting off seven match points from Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez retired at the end of the second set with a leg injury to allow the Argentine to advance.

Thursday’s Results
Singles Third Round
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 14 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-3 3-6 7-5
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Q Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-2 6-2
13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 4 Andy Murray (GBR) 1-6 6-3 6-4
5 Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) def. 10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-7(6) 7-6(6) ret. (leg) - saved 7 M.P.
9 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. 6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-3 3-6 6-4
12 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. 7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 3-6 6-3 6-4
8 Jo-Winfried Tsonga (FRA) def. 11 Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-2 6-3
15 G. Monfils (FRA) def. J. Benneteau (FRA) 6-4 6-3

Doubles Second Round
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. WC A. Clement (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) 6-3 6-4
2 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. J. Benneteau (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) w/o - Tsonga (wrist)
C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) def. 6 J. Knowle (AUT)/A. Ram (ISR) 7-5 6-4

Doubles Quarterfinals
8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. J. Kerr (AUS)/T. Parrott (USA) 6-2 6-4

Friday’s Order of Play

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Marat Safin played his final match of his career this evening. He lost to Juan Martin del Potro 6-4 5-7 6-4. The big Russia did well today and put in a solid performance against the 21-year-old Argentine. The US Open and Australian Open champion closed his career with a 422-267 record.

The Parisians gave him a great tribute, and it was nice to see the other players join in the ceremony. His good friends Younes El Aynaoui and Marc Rosset were also on hand for the festivities.

Tennis fans will miss the former world no.1 for his play and charm. His wit and honesty will be sorely missed, and I do not know if any one will be able to fill his shoes. With this gem from yesterday in regards to Andre Agassi’s book, there is really no other player that could sum up what most people are thinking with sounding like a heel:

I'm not defending the ATP, but what he said put it in a delicate position. The ATP allowed him to win a lot of tournaments, a lot of money. It kept his secret. Why does he need to be so cruel with it?

. . . . . .

If he is as fair play as he says he is, he has to go to the end. You know, the ATP has a bank account and he can give the money back if he wants.

Marat will be missed. I just cannot believe he already gone.

It was not an easy day at the office for the top three. Julien Benneteau upset top seed Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4. In their two previous meetings, the Frenchman never topped the current world no.1, but he broke through today. Hopefully, the 27 year old makes a run this week in front of the hometown crowned.

Benneteau continues the tricolor surge. He will play compatriot Gael Monfils in the third round. Monfils leads their head-to-head matchup 3-1.

Second-seed Rafael Nadal had never lost to Nicolas Almagro in their four previous meetings, but Almagro almost put an end to all of that today. Nadal was not helped by the fact that he really struggled in the first part of the match. The Majorcan was able to steer the ship clear of disaster after he saved five match points in the second set. After three hours and 15 minutes of play, he staved off disaster by beating Almagro 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5. Nadal will now meet another compatriot Tommy Robredo in the next round.

Novak Djokovic's day was not as tragic as the other two, but Juan Monaco did give him a test. The world no. 3 had an easy first set against Monaco, but the Argentine made him work for it in the second. Djokovic topped the Argentine 6-3 7-5. Arnaud Clement, who upset Tommy Haas in three sets today, will be the Serbs next opponent.

Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. 1 Roger Federer (SUI) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 3-6 7-6(2) 7-5 - Saved 5 M.P.
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-3 7-5
4 Andy Murray (GBR) def. James Blake (USA) 6-3 6-7(5) 7-6(4)
5 Juan Del Potro (ARG) def. WC Marat Safin (RUS) 6-4 5-7 6-4
9 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4 7-6(6)
10 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 7-6(3)
12 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Q Lukasz Kubot (POL) 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2
13 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-4 6-0
14 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-4 6-4
15 Gael Monfils (FRA) def. Q David Guez (FRA) 6-4 7-5
Q Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. 16 Tommy Haas (GER) 5-7 6-3 7-6(8) - Saved 1 M.P.

Doubles Second Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. 3 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) 6-4 6-7(6) 10-7
J. Kerr (AUS)/T. Parrott (USA) def. 4 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 6-7(5) 6-4 10-5
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. 5 W. Moodie (RSA)/D. Norman (BEL) 6-4 7-5
7 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) def. J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J. Rojer (AHO) 6-4 7-6(5)
8 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) 6-3 6-4

Thursday’s Order of Play

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During the first-two days of the Paris tournament, the French had lost five-straight matches. To start out the third day of play, Jeremy Chardy lost his hard-fought match against Juan Monaco. Things were looking bleak for the French fans.

Out of nowhere, French qualifier and world no. 179 David Guez upset Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets. Julien Benneteau beat Philip Petzschner in a tight match. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga then had a routine win over Albert Montanes to kick off the evening matches.

Gilles Simon had a difficult matchup with Ivan Ljubicic. The Croat has been playing really well of late and had caused a lot of trouble during the indoor circuit. He was especially troublesome for French players. In the last month, Ljubicic picked off Paul-Henri Mathieu, Julien Benneteau, Gael Monfils, Florent Serra, Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra. Plus, it did not help matters that Gillou has played victim to the Croat in all three of their previous meetings.

On paper, it looked like he might cause trouble for Simon again. Instead, the 24 year old played well for the most part of the match. The Frenchman was finally able to post his first win over the veteran able by surpassing Ljubicic 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) in a three-set thriller. Gilliou now advances to play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in an evil matchup of compatriots in third round.

After hemorrhaging matches for the first-two days, the French ended day three 4-1. Things are starting to look up for the tricolor.

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) 6-2 6-4
[Q] David Guez (FRA) def. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-3 6-4
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-6(6) 7-5
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. Philipp Petzschner (GER) 4-6 7-5 6-3
[Q] Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 6-3 6-1
Singles Second Round
6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-2 6-1
7 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-7(3) 6-4 6-4
8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-1 7-5
11 Gilles Simon (FRA) def. Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 6-3 3-6 7-6(4)

Doubles First Round
B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) def. P. Cuevas (URU)/O. Marach (AUT) 6-1 7-6(6)
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. J. Del Potro (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI) 7-6(2) 6-2
C. Kas (GER)/P. Kohlschreiber (GER) def. J. Monaco (ARG)/R. Nadal (ESP) 4-6 7-5 15-13 - saved 2 M.P.
J. Kerr (AUS)/T. Parrott (USA) def. M. Damm (CZE)/J. Erlich (ISR) 6-3 6-4
J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J. Rojer (AHO) def. WC S. Grosjean (FRA)/F. Santoro (FRA) 6-3 3-6 10-5

Wednesday’s Order of Play

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(Image: C. Saidi/FFT)

The French Sports Academy awarded Rafael Nadal with the performance of the year 2008 prize.

(Image: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

Marat Safin is playing in his final tournament of his career this week. The grand-slam winner was slated to play French qualifier Thierry Ascione, who is the current world no. 168, in the first round. This should have been a walk in the park for him, but this is Safin we are talking about after all.

The match looked like it was going to be another routine win for Safin. He was up a set and tied at 3-3, and it would be only a matter of time before he broke the Frenchman again for the win. Safin’s serve began to fail him and then errors crept into his game. Ascione, instead, broke the Russian in the tenth game of the second set to even the match at a set apiece.

In the third set, both men stayed on serve, but then Safin faced three match points on his serve at 4-5. He was able to fight off the Frenchman’s advances to even the set. After the scare, the Russian seemed to get his act back together and held serve again to take the match to a tiebreaker.

Safin was all business in the tiebreaker and was able to close out the match. He ended up winning 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) after 112 minutes of play. He now advances to play Juan Martin del Potro in the next round, in what could be his final match of his career. The two players have surprisingly never met in ATP competition. It was be a challenge for the big Russian, but no one more than Safin is capable of surprising the young Argentine. It should be a good matchup.

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3 6-3
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) def. Pablo Cuevas (URU) 7-6(3) 6-4
Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Q Vincent Millot (FRA) 6-3 7-6(4)
Q Lukasz Kubot (POL) def. Andreas Beck (GER) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 7-6(4) 3-0 ret. (right calf)
Albert Montanes (ESP) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 3-6 6-3 7-6(3)
John Isner (USA) def. Q Alejandro Falla (COL) 4-6 7-6(10) 7-5 - saved 3 M.P.
WC Marat Safin (RUS) def. Q Thierry Ascione (FRA) 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) - saved 3 M.P.
Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) def. WC Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) 7-6(2) 6-4

Doubles First Round
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA) 6-4 3-6 10-7
WC A. Clement (FRA)/M. Llodra (FRA) def. J. Levinsky (CZE)/F. Polasek (SVK) 3-6 6-1 10-4
J. Benneteau (FRA)/J. Tsonga (FRA) def. J. Coetzee (RSA)/M. Melo (BRA) 6-3 6-4

Tuesday’s Order of Play

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Part 1


Andre Agassi was on 60 Minutes to promote his new book last night. The tennis star made a confession of using meth in 1997 a couple of weeks ago. This revelation sent the tennis world a flutter. It is kind of naïve to think these guys would not try recreational drugs, as they are of the age where people usually experiment with drugs.

The real shocker for me was when he revealed that his bleached-blonde mane -- the one that made him famous -- was actually a wig. How did this get past me? I can usually spot a wig a mile away. I guess the headband threw me off.

In the interview, he described being in the final of the French Open and being terrified of his wig falling off during the match after his wig fell apart the night before. Though he lost, he felt he triumphed because his hair stayed on for the entire match.

What was disturbing was when he described failing a drug test. He was able to avoid suspension by writing a letter stating that he took drugs on accident. If that is true, then it looks like the ATP does not take its own drug policy too seriously. I guess you can talk your way out of a suspension if you are a big enough star.

Which brings us to the present day . . . Why were they hassling Richard Gasquet ten months ago if this happened? Some have wondered if there is a need to test for recreational drugs in the first place. The ATP should just test for performance enhancing drugs and call it a day.

Anyway, it is a good interview, so enjoy.

Part 2


Thanks Mrs. P!

Fabrice Santoro played his final match of his career in Paris. The French veteran also known as the Magician lost to James Blake 6-4 6-3. We will miss the feisty Frenchman and his bag of tricks.

BNP Masters
Singles First Round
James Blake (USA) def. Fabrice Santoro (FRA) 6-4 6-3
Benjamin Becker (GER) def. WC Michael Llodra 3-6 6-2 6-3

Monday’s Order of Play

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(Image: BNP Paribas Masters)

City: Paris, France
Surface: Indoor Hard
Championship Points: 1000
2008 Singles Champion: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
2008 Doubles Champions: Jonas Bjorkman/Kevin Ullyett

It is the last main tournament of the year, and a lot of players are banged up this time of the year. This should be an interesting week to see who prevails. Marat Safin and Fabrice Santoro put in their final career performances this week. It should be a good week of tennis.

Draws
Singles | Doubles

And The Qualifiers Are . . .
Araud Clement (FRA), Alejandro Falla (COL), Vincent Millot (FRA), Lukasz Kubot (POL), David Guez (FRA), Thierry Ascione (FRA)

Tournament Evils
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)

Novak Djokovic upset the current world no. 1 6-4 4-6 6-2 in Basil. Federer fell apart in the final set. The Swiss champion is 8-8 when his matches go to a final set this year. An underreported fact is Federer’s record dips to 4-8 when it is against top ten players. Three of those four wins came against Andy Roddick, who has some limitations when it comes to strategy. So, the moral to the story is if you are a top ten player and you take Federer to a final set, he will fall apart, except in the case of Andy Roddick.

For Djokovic, the victory marks a fourth title of the year and 15th career title. This win is his third 500-level title of the year. The Serb has yet to triumph in a 1000-level tournament this year, though Federer, Nadal and Murray dominated this year’s Masters title wins. This week’s title win should be a good tune-up for the Serb in the upcoming Masters tournament in Paris.

(Image: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images)

Andy Murray celebrates his 6-3 6-2 win over Mikhail Youzhny in Valencia. It is his sixth title of the year.

(Image: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Valencia Open 500
Singles Final
1 Andy Murray (GBR) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-3 6-2

Doubles Final
3 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. M. Granollers (ESP)/ T Robredo (ESP) 6-4 6-3

Davidoff Swiss Indoors Basel
Singles Final
2 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 1 Roger Federer (SUI) 6-4 4-6 6-2

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