Rafael Nadal and his biceps celebrate during his second-round match with Nicolas Kiefer. The Spaniard eventually triumphed over the German 6-0 3-6 6-3 6-4.

It started out as an easy match for Nadal but then had a bad game in the second set that allowed Kiefer to take the set and get back into the match. After four sets, the Mallorcan prevailed and now continues to round three.

It was good challenge for Nadal, and Kiefer was able to keep him honest for the last three sets of the match. It was also nice to see the usually ailing German playing well and showing the audience that he still matters.

(Image: AP)

This evil match came and went on Wednesday. Michael Llodra and Nicolas Kiefer faced off in first-round action. I suspected Kiefer might have troubles since he has had nagging injuries this summer and was heavily taped up for the match.

Llodra jumped out with a break and was leading 3-0. Suddenly Kiefer found his game and killed Llodra with forehand winners. After he pretty much dismantling Llodra's game, he ended up beating the Frenchman 6-3 6-4 6-4. The German must have some tennis voodoo over Llodra because he is now 3-0 over the Frenchman.

Kiefer now has the large task of meeting Rafeal Nadal this evening. Nadal leads this matchup 4-0, so there will be little doubt who will come out on top of that matchup.

(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)

28.08.2009: ... What can be learned from a U.S. soldier New York is always an experience. I love this city, the ever-growing and in which there are always exploring new things. I have again moved into a hotel in midtown Manhattan, because I love the action.

For a week I have been here. At first I was turned off and I relaxed, went shopping, drinking coffee, exploring the city. Then I am taken off. With changing training partners I have specifically worked on fitness and tennis. Over two days, Marian Cilic was my training partner, who is coached by my former coach Bob Brett. We understand we are still very good, and he could give me many good tips. I then stood with Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, David Ferrer in the square.

Of course it was something special with Roger. We have trained very early in the morning, which is very dear to me anyway, because it is still not as warm and humid. Roger is even awakened early now, as a young family man with his baby. This certainly means a very nice conversion. Nevertheless, he is my favorite tournament.

My first U.S. Open opponent is Michael Llodra. The balance is positive, but that does not interest me. We start at 0-0. Although this is a stupid cliche, it is true. We both stand in the rankings not particularly good.

Ah, yes, even a little anecdote from my flight from Chicago to New York. Because of inclement weather, we were late and were put off repeatedly. Many are excited about it or insane. A soldier sat beside me, who took the 24-month deployment in Afghanistan after his 22-day leave before he returns to the front. He took the delay perfectly calm although it took him urgently to his family. From such people, we should learn.

Nicolas Kiefer will play Michael Llodra today in an evil first-round matchup. He is currently 2-0 over the Frenchman. They have both battled injuries this year, but I suspect Llodra maybe in better shape this week. It should be a good match today. Too bad it is so early in the tournament.

(Translated by Google from Nicolas Kiefer; image: Denise/tennisfiend)

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)

Brazilians Marcos Daniel and Thomaz Bellucci booked spots into the Swiss Open semifinals today. Daniels took out Frenchman Florent Serra 6-4 7-6(1). He is become the Francoslayer of the tournament by taking out three-consecutive Frenchmen – Mathieu, Benneteau and now Serra.

Bellucci, on the other hand, was lucky today when Nicolas Kiefer had to retire due to a left ankle injury. The German was up a set at 6-3 but had to withdraw from the match after the first game in the second set.

Poor Kiefer has struggled to consistently stay healthy enough to keep his game on track. This is his second retirement of the year – not including the Hopman Cup. The lack of play has caused the 32 year old’s ranking to drop to 128. He played so well in Stuttgart a couple of weeks ago and was playing well this week. Let's hope for a speedy recovery for the German.

For tomorrow, Daniel will draw third-seed Igor Andreev while Bellucci will play Andreas Beck. None of these players have played one another in ATP competition. Tomorrow should be interesting.

(Images: AP)

Nicolas Kiefer poses with the ballboys and ballgirls at the Allianz Suiss Open in Gstaad today.

(Image: AP)

Nicolas Kiefer successfully debuted in Gstaad today. He beat Argentine Jose Acasuso 7-6(5) 6-2 in under 90 minutes of play. Next up for the German will be Ivan Navarro of Spain in the second round. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

(AP/Peter Schneider)

City: Gstaad, Switzerland
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Victor Hanescu
2008 Doubles Champions: Jaroslav Levinsky and Filip Polasek

Stanislas Wawrinka, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Igor Andreev, Victor Hanescu, Jeremy Chardy, Nicolas Kiefer, Feliciano Lopez and Paul-Henri Mathieu are the top-seeds at this tournament. This week could be a good opportunity for top-seed and hometown favorite Stanislas Wawrinka to win his first title this year, but Jeremy Chardy has been hot of late. We shall see how it all shakes out this week.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

(Images: Allianz Suisse Open Gstaad)

Increased contact between the boys and girls tours spurs more love connections (WSJ)

Wimbledon misses Nadal. No kidding! Though, Tommy Haas and Juan Carlos are doing their darnedest to fill the void (Bangkok Post)

Nadal has more heartache. Pobrecito! (Daily Mail)

Suspect betting patterns hit Wimbledon (CBS Sports)

Nicolas Kiefer is not a fan of gossip (Croatian Times)

Nicolas Kiefer and Marat Safin were both upset at Wimbledon today. Frenchman Fabrice Santoro sent Kiefer home 6-4 6-2 6-2 in a battle of the veterans. Santoro is playing in his last Wimbledon tournament, as he is retiring this year. American Jesse Levine took out Safin 6-2 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4 in the Russian's final Wimbledon appearance.

Also, Dmitry Tursunov retired against German Mischa Zverev 6-4 6-2 3-0. He injured his ankle in last Saturday's Eastbourne final. He promised to play in Wimbledon but was not able to make it through his first-round match.

(Images: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images, AP)

Nicolas Kiefer easily took out Viktor Troicki 6-2 6-1 to the delight of the hometown crowd after just 75 minutes of play. Kiefer will now meet Jurgen Melzer in the second round for a Austro-German rematch of their Davis Cup match last March. Kiefer is currently 8-0 over the Austrian, though the two players have never met on grass before.

(Image: Getty Images)

The German doubles team of Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev saved one match point to eventually beat Robert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling 7-6(4) 4-6 13-11. The win gave the Germans a 2-1 victory over the defending Swedish champions.

They have now booked their place in the finals. The Germans will host the Serbians, so it should be good times tomorrow.

Friday's Round Robin Results
Argentina Beat Russia 3-0
Fri - Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) def. Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 6-3 3-6 6-3
Fri – M. Gonzalez (ARG)/J. Del Potro (ARG) def. E. Korolev (RUS)/D. Tursunov (RUS) 2-2 Ret’d (Korolev - left ankle)
Thu - Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) def. Igor Andreev (RUS) 6-3 7-6(3)

Germany Beat Sweden 2-1
Fri - Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Andreas Vinciguerra (SWE) 6-1 6-2
Fri - N. Kiefer (GER)/M. Zverev (GER) def. R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) 7-6(4) 4-6 13-11 - Saved 1 M.P.
Thu - Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Rainer Schuettler (GER) 6-0 6-0

USA Beat France 2-1
Thu - Sam Querrey (USA) def. Gilles Simon (FRA) 7-5 6-3
Thu - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. Robby Ginepri (USA) 3-6 6-2 6-4
Thu - M. Fish (USA)/S. Querrey (USA) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA) 2-6 6-4 10-7

Serbia Beat Italy 2-1
Fri- Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Francesco Piccari (ITA) 6-2 6-3
Fri – N. Zimonjic (SRB)/V. Trocki (SRB) def. F. Piccari (ITA)/A. Seppi (ITA) 6-0 7-6(5)
Thu - Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-1 6-4

Saturday’s Order of Play

(Images: Getty Images)

The Germans beat the French team 3-0. Yesterday Rainer Schuettler beat Gilles Simon 6-4 6-4. Today Philipp Kohlschreiber rallied from losing the first set to upset France’s toughest competitor, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-7(2) 6-3 6-3. To add insult to injury, Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev defeated Jeremy Chardy and Gilles Simon 6-0 6-4.

The German team has only lost one match in two round robins of play. The team is currently 5-1 in the tournament. Defending champion, Sweden is 4-2, as is Argentina. The surprise of the tournament is Serbia. The Serbs share the same record as the Germans at 5-1.

(Image: ARAG ATP World Team Championship)

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Team Germany at the Player's Night at the ARAG World Team Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany.

(Image: ARAG ATP World Team Championship)

It was a rough day for the seeds and the German players. Mikhail Youzhny sent third-seed Nicolas Almagro packing, and Jeremy Chardy ousted sixth-seed Nicolas Kiefer. On the doubles side, the Czech pair of Jan Hernych and Ivo Minar upset the top-seeds Mike and Bob Bryan. The Bavarian audience also witnessed three German singles players go down.

All was not so bad for the Germans. The German doubles pair of Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske defeated Italian Simon Bolelli and German Christopher Kas 6-4 4-6 10-8. They will play Hernych and Minar in the quarterfinals.

Second-seed Marin Cilic restored order by giving German Philipp Kohlscheiber a nasty beating 6-0 6-4 after 77 minutes of play. The Croatian is in the hunt for his third title of the year and will play Jeremy Chardy in the round of 16. The two players have never met in ATP competition.

On the other side of the draw, seventh-seed Paul-Henri Mathieu held it down against German Denis Gremelmayr 6-1 6-4. Mathieu will meet Youzhny in the round of 16. Youzhny is currently 3-0 over the Frenchman in their head-to-head match-up.

Wednesday’s Results
Singles Second Round
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Philip Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-0 6-4
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. 3 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 6-4 7-6(8)
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. 6 Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-4 7-6(8)
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 6-1 6-4

Doubles First Round
J. Murray (GBR)/P. Vizner (CZE) def. P. Petzchner (GER)/A. Peya (AUT) 6-4 3-6 17-15
M. Kohlmann/A. Waske (GER) def. S. Bolelli (ITA)/C. Kas (GER) 6-4 4-6 10-8
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) def. 1 B. Bryan/M. Bryan 1-6 6-2 11-9

Doubles Second Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. E. Gulbis (LAT)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) 7-5 7-6(3)

Thursday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
Simone Bolelli (ITA) vs. Potito Starace (ITA)
Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Julien Benneteu vs. Daniel Brands (GER)
Theimo De Bakker (NED) vs. Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

Doubles Second Round
R. Bopanna (IND)/T. Parrott (USA) vs. J. Cerretani (USA)/J. Chardy (FRA)
J. Hernych (CZE)/I. Minar (CZE) vs. M. Kohlmann (GER)/A. Waske (GER)
J. Murray (GBR)/P. Vizner (CZE) vs. D. Gremelmayr/D. Meffert (GER)

Thursday’s Order of Play

(Image: Matthias Huber)

The Germans are off to a good start. Nicolas Kiefer rallied to defeat Ernest Gulbis 2-6 6-3 6-2 after 92 minutes of play. The Latvian youngster has shown promise in previous years. Gulbis continues to struggle this year and recently fired his coach.

As for Kiefer, he now advances to play Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who handled Evgeny Korolev pretty easily. The two players have never met in ATP competition. It will be the battle of the veteran versus the youngster.

The other German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who won the singles and doubles titles in 2007, advanced over compatriot Bjorn Phau after Phau had to retire due to a hand injury. He awaits the winner of the Cilic-Kindlmann match.


Sunday Results
Singles First Round
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Jan Hernych (CZE) 6-3 6-4

Doubles First Round
E. Gulbis (LAT)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) def. P. Starace (ITA)/M. Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 6-3 6-4

Monday Results
And The Qualifiers Are . . .
Thiemo De Bakker (NED) def. Marco Crugnola (ITA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
Dieter Kindlmann (GER) def. Stephane Bohli (SUI) 6-2 6-4
Alexander Peya def. Lamine Ouahab (ALG) 6-4 6-2
Sascha Kloer (GER) def. Amer Delic (USA) 7-5 4-6 7-6(0)

Singles First Round
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Ivo Minar (CZE) 6-3 7-6(5)
Nicolas Kiefer (GER) def. Ernest Gulbis (LAT) 2-6 6-3 6-2
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Bjorn Phau (GER) 6-2 2-1 Ret’d
Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 6-3 6-3

Doubles First Round
WC D. Gremelmayr (GER)/ D. Meffert (GER) def. Alt P. Marx(GER)/F. Moser (GER) 3-6 6-3 10-1
4 R. Bopanna (IND)/T. Parrott (USA) def. N. Almagro (ESP)/S. Prieto (ARG) 6-4 5-7 10-8

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
2 Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Q Dieter Kindlmann (GER)
4 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Q Sascha Kloer (GER)
5 Rainer Schuettler (GER) vs. Q Thiemo De Bakker (NED)
7 Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs. LL Lamine Ouahab (ALG)
8 Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) vs. Potito Starace (ITA)
WC Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Mischa Zverev (GER)
Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) vs. Denis Gremelmayr (GER)
Q Alexander Peya (AUT) vs. Julien Benneteau (FRA)
WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Philipp Petzschner (GER)
WC Daniel Brands (GER) vs. Stefan Koubek (AUT)
LL Stephane Bohli (SUI) vs. Simone Bolleli (ITA)

Doubles First Round
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) vs. Alt M. Crugnola (ITA)/C. Haggard
N. Kiefer (GER)/M. Zverev (GER) vs. J. Cerretani (USA)/J. Chardy (FRA)

Tuesday’s Order of Play

(Image: dpa)

Preview: BMW Open
City: Munich, Germany
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 250
2008 Singles Champion: Fernando Gonzalez
2008 Doubles Champions: Michael Berrer and Rainer Schuettler

Fernando Gonzales was set to defend his title this year but has pulled out of the tournament. He sprained his ankle in his Roman quarterfinal match with Juan Monaco. He did play in the semifinal against Rafael Nadal, but his ankle was still sore. The Chilean was playing well and would have been the odds on favorite this year.

The withdrawal now opens the draw. Marin Cilic, the second seed, should be the favorite, but he is not as proficient on clay as some of the others. He should have a good shot at the semifinals, but I would not be surprised if he was tripped up in the earlier rounds.

Lleyton Hewitt is back on tour after taking a break from the tour after his first round loss in Monte Carlo. He did win on clay in Houston and should have no trouble getting to the quarterfinals. From there, he could meet Andreas Beck or Mischa Zverev in the quarterfinals, and I think the Aussie might lose that battle. It is a shame these German upstarts have to play each other in the first round. They are both looking to breakthrough and what better time than in front of an eager German audience. Berdych is also in this quarter and could do well.

Julien Benneteau now breathes a sigh of relief, as he was scheduled to play Gonzalez in the first round, but now plays a lucky loser. Clay is not really his surface, and I would not be surprised if someone tripped him up in the early rounds. His portion of the draw is now the least predictable.

The main beneficiary of the Gonzalez withdrawal is Nicolas Almagro. He is an excellent clay court player and the most proficient in the tournament, but has not had a great year. He did successfully defend his title in Mexico, but his European clay season has been a disaster. This could be a good opportunity for another title and build some confidence for Madrid. His only problem is Mikhail Youzhny, who he could meet in the second round. If he can pass the Russian, he has a pretty good shot at the title.


Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Malfeasance
Andreas Beck (GER) vs. Mischa Zverev (GER)
Nicolas Kiefer (GER) vs. Ernest Gulbis (LAT)
Evgeny Korolev (RUS) vs. Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

Monday’s Order of Play

(Image: Getty Images)

The weather was uncooperative today. Wind and rain disrupted play. A little more than half of the matches were completed with the rest of the matches moved to Tuesday.

Of the matches that were completed, Juan Monaco was able to get off to a good start in the tournament. Monaco won easily over Nicolas Kiefer. He dismissed the German 6-2 6-3 after 73 minutes of play.

The Argentine will play fourth-seed Andy Murray in the next round, who has improved his clay court play, in the second round. It will be a rematch of their second-round match in Miami, where Murray prevailed in straight sets. Monaco has recovered from injury and did exact revenge on Tommy Robredo in Monte-Carlo for his loss in Argentina. The Scotsman should proceed with caution, as the Argentine may strike again.

Someone who probably needed to play on Tuesday was James Blake. The fourteenth-seed managed to lose in the first round in straight sets to Victor Crivoi (pictured), a Romanian qualifier. If you do not invest any time on clay, this is what happens. This is a great example and encapsulates what is currently wrong with American men’s singles tennis.

(Images: AP, Getty Images)

Nicolas Kiefer was bounced by countryman Andreas Beck 1-6 7-6(1) 6-4. Kiefer won the first set handily and somehow lost the next to sets to the 23-year-old qualifier.

All is not lost for the German, Kiefer will play doubles tomorrow with Cilic. The pair beat the clay power-duo of Nicloas Almagro and David Ferrer. Kiefer and Clilic will play fifth-seeds Bruno Soares and Kevin Ullyett tomorrow.

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
14 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. Q Flavio Cipolla (ITA) 6-3 6-2
Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) def. 15 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-3 1-6 6-3
Q Oscar Hernandez (ESP) def. Julien Benneteau (FRA) 6-4 6-4
Andreas Seppi (ITA) def. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-2 6-0
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 6-2 7-5
Juan Chela (ARG) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-4 2-6 7-5
Marc Gicquel (FRA) def. Edwardo Schwank (ARG) 3-6 6-1 7-6(2)
WC Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) def. Q Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4
Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 7-6(4) 7-6(2)
Q Andreas Beck (GER) def. Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 1-6 7-6(1) 6-4
Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Q Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-2 6-3

Doubles First Round
A. Montanes (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. T. Berdych (CZE)/F. Cermak (CZE) 6-4 7-5
F. Lopez (ESP)/F. Verdasco (ESP) def. I. Andreev (RUS)/M. Safin (RUS) 7-6(3) 6-4
G. Monfils (FRA)/S. Wawrinka (SUI) def. WC G. Couillard (MON)/J. Lisnard (MON) 7-5 6-3
N. Djokovic (SRB)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. M. Melo (BRA)/A Sa (BRA) 6-1 6-4

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
9 Gael Monfils (FRA) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
10 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
12 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
16 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs. Albert Montanes (ESP)
Q Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Marat Safin (RUS) vs. WC Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Florent Serra (FRA)
WC Jean-Rene Lisnard (MON) vs. Christophe Rochus (BEL)
Igor Andreev (RUS) vs. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG)

Singles Second Round
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Q Oscar Hernandez (ESP)
4 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Victor Hanescu (ROU)
6 Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. Q Andreas Beck (GER)
11 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)

Doubles First Round
J. Chardy (FRA)/G. Simon (FRA) vs. N. Davydenko (RUS)/O. Marach (AUT)
WC M. Gicquel (FRA)/P. Mathieu (FRA) vs. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/P. Cuevas (URU)
R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA)

Doubles Second Round
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K. Ullyett (ZIM) vs. M. Cilic (CRO)/N. Kiefer (GER)

Tuesday's Order of Play

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(Image: AP)