Argentina thought it would lose this weekend without their star players of Juan Martin del Potro, Juan Monaco and David Nalbandian. Nalbandian attended the Davis Cup tie as a cheerleader because of a recent leg injury.
On the first day, Argentina was able to split the singles rubbers. Argentina then activated Nalbandian for doubles with Horacio Zeballos the following day. The pairing proved to be successful, and they beat the Swedes in straight sets. Robin Soderling then came out today and defeated Leonardo Mayer 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5) to level the Davis Cup tie at 2-2.
The tie would be decided in the final rubber. Argentine coach Tito Vazquez activated Nalbandian again to face Andreas Vinciguerra. The Argentine veteran took the first-two sets. The Swede cleaned up his game in the third set to keep even with Nalbandian and broke in game 10 to keep hope alive.
Vinciguerra had a lot of momentum in the beginning of the fourth set. The Argentine stomped on Vinciguerra’s momentum by breaking in game three after Nalbandian came up with a couple of huge returns and went up 2-1. Nalbandian never looked back and beat the Swede 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 to clinch the first-round tie for Argentina.
Team Argentina will meet Russia in the quarterfinals in July. If Russia can get back Nikolay Davydenko and Argentina can get back Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco, that quarterfinal could be highly entertaining.
Sunday’s Results
R4 – Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-2 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
R5 – David Nalbandian (ARG) def. Andreas Vinciguerra (SWE) 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4
(Image: AP)
Roger Federer took no time in taking apart Andy Murray in this straight-set snoozer. The world no. 1 triumphed over the Scotsman 6-3 6-4 7-6(13) after just 2 hours and 41 minutes of play. The win extends Federer’s grand-slam titles to 16.
Last year, Federer was inconsolable in his five-set loss to Rafael Nadal in their epic thriller. Now, Nadal is no threat with his knee issues that began last May. We now see the tennis great atop the stand with yet another trophy.
It seems that neither Murray nor Novak Djokovic -- and we can now add Nikolay Davydenko to the list -- will step up to break up the Federer monotony with the Spaniard consumed with his issues. Being peers with the Majorcan, Murray and Djokovic bring their A-game when Nadal is playing well. When Nadal is not really a threat or around, you can look forward to them being content with getting to the semifinals or playing runner-up to Federer. It is officially annoying.
In Murray’s case, he wins when it does not really matter. The Scotsman has beaten Federer, Nadal and Djokovic in Masters tournaments and has four career titles at that level. It is at the grand slams where he has yet seal the deal.
There is no reason why Murray should leave the grand slams titleless. Juan Martin del Potro was able to take care of business at the US Open last year at the tender age of 20. It is starting to look like the Scotsman is the new Andy Roddick but with more talent.
With Nadal neutralized, all the Scotsman has to do is take out Federer in the final, but that is too much to ask. You would think it would be an easier path to a grand slam title. Since Nadal’s problems began, Murray lost in the semifinals at Wimbledon to Roddick, of all people. Murray then turned around and lost to Marin Cilic in the fourth round at the US Open where he is away from the British media and the pressure.
Murray has all the physical and technical skills to win a grand slam. Everyone respects his game. The problem may lie somewhere between his ears. Luckily for the Scotsman, he is still young at 22 and can learn from these grand slam losses.
Give Federer credit. He is always consistent and always brings his A-game to the slams. His confidence is back with a vengeance with Nadal is out of the way.
On the doubles side, the Bryan brothers have successfully defended their Australian Open title. They bested second-seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 on Saturday. The win is their third Aussie title. The Bryans have now won 57 career titles. Ten of those titles come from grand slams. They earned themselves a career slam in 2006.
Sunday’s Results
Singles Championship
1 Roger Federer def. 5 Andy Murray 6-3 6-4 7-6(11)
Saturday’s Results
Doubles Championship
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3
Friday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
1 Roger Federer def. 10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonge 6-2 6-3 6-2
Thursday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
5 Andy Murray (GBR) def. 14 Marin Cilic (CRO) 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2
Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. M. Kohlmann (GER)/J. Nieminen (FIN) 6-1 6-4
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. I. Karlovic (CRO)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-4 6-4
(Images: AP/Rick Rycroft, AP/Andy Wong)
Juan Martin del Potro covers his head during his fourth-round loss to Marin Cilic. Too bad he had to meet the Croat in the round of 16. Maybe next year.
(Image: AP/John Donegan)
Marin Cilic upset fourth-seed Juan Martin del Potro 5-7 6-4 7-5 5-7 6-3 after 4 hours of 38 minutes of play. The young Croat finally beat del Potro, who was 2-0 over the fourteenth seed. His quarterfinal appearance this week will match his best grand slam performance at last year’s US Open, where he lost to Juan Martin del Potro.
Now, the Croat will play Andy Roddick next, who was able to overcome Fernando Gonzalez in five sets. They are currently 1-1 in head-to-head action with Cilic winning their last meeting in 2008 in Toronto. It would be nice to see the Croatian youngster make it to the semifinals.
Sunday’s Results
Singles Round of 16
2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4
14 Marin Cilic (CRO) def. 4 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 5-7 6-4 7-5 5-7 6-3
5 Andy Murray (GBR) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2
7 Andy Roddick (USA) def. 11 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-3 3-6 4-6 7-5 6-2
Doubles Third Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 17 J. Melzer (AUT)/P. Petzschner (GER) 7-6(1) 6-4
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. P. Marx (GER)/I. Zelenay (SVK) 6-4 6-2
Arnaud Clement (FRA)/J. Erlich (ISR) def. J. Brunstrom (SWE)/J.J. Rojer (AHO) 6-3 0-6 7-5
Monday’s Matches
Singles Round of 16
1 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. 22 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. Lukasz Kubot (POL)
6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. 9 Fernando Verdasco (ESP)
10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. 26 Nicolas Almagro (ESP)
Doubles Third Round
3 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) vs. J. Isner (USA)/S, Querrey (USA)
11 S. Aspelin (SWE)/C. Kas (GER) vs. F. Gonzalez (CHI)/I. Ljubicic (CRO)
M. Kohlmann (GER)/J. Nieminen (FIN) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA)/A. Seppi (ITA)
Monday’s Order of Play
ESPN - 7:00 PM ET
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(Image: AP/John Donegan)
Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic triumphed in their second-round matches last night. The previous night, 20-seed Mikhail Youzhny staved off Richard Gasquet in an almost five-hour battle. On Wednesday, del Potro and Cilic found themselves in a similar situation.
Del Potro had the unfortunate task of drawing James Blake. The Argentine is currently battling a wrist injury that has made his playing status questionable leading up to the tournament. Blake, who is the current world no. 45, has battled injuries last year and returned to the tour more fit this year. Blake’s ranking is a misnomer. Plus, the hardcourts are his favorite surface.
Despite these obstacles, the Argentine was able to withstand 81 winners from Blake to beat the American 6-4 6-7(3) 5-7 6-3 10-8 after 4 hours and 17 minutes of play. The fourth-seed will now play German Florian Mayer in the third round. Their head-to-head is one match apiece, with del Potro winning in their last meeting in last year’s Aussie Open.
Meanwhile on center court, fourteenth-seed Marin Cilic received a serious challenge from Aussie up-and-comer Bernard Tomic in their second-round night match. After trading sets, the 21-year-old Croat pulled it out in the final set. He surpassed the 17-year-old Aussie 6-7(6) 6-3 4-6 6-2 6-4 after 3 hours 48 minutes of play.
Cilic did not get off of the court until the early morning. He now gets treat of having to turn around and play nineteenth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who played earlier and two hours less than Cilic. Wawrinka leads their matchup 4-1. The Croat did win their last meeting a couple weeks ago on the hardcourts of Chennai.
Wednesday’s Results
Thursday’s Order of Play
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(Images: AFP, Getty Images)
Though the season is already a couple of weeks in, I decided to take some extra time this year, as I overdosed on tennis last year. With some rest, I am back to overindulging on tennis this year. Last year started out great but then when to the dogs. It was hard to see Rafael Nadal go from winning the Australian Open to not being able to defend his title at Wimbledon in just four-short months later due to an extreme case of tendinitis.
Other low points last year include:
- Travis Parrott and Filip Polasek broke up
- Richard Gasquet’s suspension
- Andre Agassi’s biography. Some of the revelations revealed the subsequent ridiculousness of Gasquet’s predicament
- The tricolor charge did not live up to expectation. Let’s hope this year will be better
- Juan Martin del Potro won the US Open
- Spain repeated its Davis Cup championship
- Novak Djokovic finally got his act together and is back to living up to his potential
- Nikolay Davydenko’s rise again as force to be reckoned with
- Gasquet cleared up his troubles and can now focus on tennis
- Juan Carlos Ferrero and David Ferrer turned out the Valencia Open. It went from to some tiny tournament to a definite must-go-to stop on the tour. See for yourselves:
At the end of last week, Nikolay Davydenko took the ATP World Tour Finals. He surpassed Juan Martin del Potro 6-3 6-4 in the final. The title is his sixth of the year and 19th of his ten-year career.
The win helped the Russian overtake Andy Roddick in the year-end rankings. Davydenko started out the year no. 6 and fell to no. 12 in July. He had a great indoor season and is now back to the no. 6 position behind del Potro.
(Image: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images)
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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(Images: AP)
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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(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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?Marat will be missed. I just cannot believe he already gone.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.. . . . . .
Colombian up-and-comer Santiago Giraldo won the Natomas challenger title last week. The 21 year old won his third challenger title this year and six for his career. Let's hope he makes a speedy transition to the pros (Sacramento Bee)
Nadal warns of tour overload and thinks the season is too long. After all the nine retirements in Shanghai this week, you would think the ATP might want to be proactive about the situation (Guardian)
Roddick chimed in about the season (BBC Sport)
Novak Djokovic takes both sides into account (The Independent)
Marat Safin adds that he was talking about the season length five years ago. The Russian took time to slam Roddick for his newfound position on the matter, and then takes a swipe at Berdych too. Boy, I am going to miss him (The Globe and Mail)
Maybe they should get rid of the Race (The Globe and Mail)
Andy Roddick will be out with a knee injury for three weeks (NYT)
Czech Ivo Minar is banned for eight months in a doping ban (Fox Sports)
Safin feels the love in Shanghai (Open Court)
The many sides of Djokovic (ESPN)
The case for Juan Carlos Ferrero to play against the Czech Republic for the Spanish Davis Cup Team (Times Online)
Juan Martin del Potro wants to build on his success (CBS)
Novak Djokovic almost played for Great Britain (Times Online)
You wouldn’t know if from tennis common "wisdom" in the States, but Nadal is actually the most popular player worldwide on tour. They pretend it is Roger Federer (CCTV)
(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)
Top-seed Rafael Nadal passed James Blake 6-3 6-7(4) 6-4 after 2 hours and 11 minutes of play. Blake gave the Spaniard trouble last week in Beijing and proved to be slightly problematic again this week.
It looked like the Spaniard might wrap up the match quickly after taking the first set and getting a break in the second set. Blake, who is not known for having a plan B or C, was able to change up his tactics a bit and also started to play better. Blake broke back in the second set and was able remain on serve. He finally walked away with the second set in the tiebreak.
In the third set, the players remained on serve until Nadal broke in the fifth game of the third set. Blake was able to break back in game seven. After holding serve at love, Nadal went on attack in game ten. The attack proved too much for the American, and Nadal finally closed out the match.
Nadal now advances to the round of 16 to play compatriot Tommy Robredo. The Majorcan was also aided today when his draw opened up after third-seed Juan Martin del Potro retired in his match with Austrian Jurgen Melzer. The recent US Open champion has had Nadal's number of late, so the Spaniards's possible trip to the final has been made a lot easier.
Fifteenth-seed Tommy Haas also retired to allow Rainer Schuettler to advance. Other downed seeds today include Fernando Verdasco and David Ferrer, who loss to Feliciano Lopez no less. Lopez will play Melzer in the next round.
(Image: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
Juan Martin del Potro is having a whirlwind week. He won the US Open, moved passed Andy Roddick to world no. 5 and qualified for the ATP finals. The Argentine then went on an American media blitz, and some people think he can keep up tennis' golden age. Finally, he went home and received a hero’s welcome. It is nice to see del Po receive some love.
Bernard Tomic wins Junior title (Fox Sports)
The 61-year-old ballboy at the US Open speaks (Boston Herald)
Roger Federer fined for use of profanity (ESPN)
Scattered seeds questioned at USO (WSJ)
Dick Enberg’s awkward moment. Ultimately, the tennis broadcast mafia should be broken up. New blood is desperately needed (NYT)
USO scheduling is always under debate. They need to scrap the one match on Saturday and let both match play on Friday. I know they would like to milk their broadcast deals, but the practice is unfair (LA Times)
USO scores ratings winner during the men’s final (CBS Sports)
Bricker’s CBS report card (Tennis News)
Juan Martin del Potro puts Tandil on the map (NYT)
Jeremy Chardy replaces Gilles Simon for Davis Cup (ESPN)
Juan Carlos Ferrero will replace Rafael Nadal for Spain’s Davis Cup semifinal (Fox Sports)
Nadal's pull out gives Israelis hope (Jerusalem Post)
Rafael Nadal admits 2009 year has been unlucky. I suspect a certain someone possesses a voodoo doll (Live Tennis)
2009 and Nadal’s injuries (USA Today)
Dmitry Tursunov will have ankle surgery. He could miss four to six months (Sacramento Bee)
Tennis is becoming more brutal (NYT)
Goran Ivanisevic will play Andrei Pavel in his last match (Croatian Times)
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.-me
Someone finally granted my wishes. Juan Martin del Potro won the US Open singles title over five-time defending champ, Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2. I did not watch it because I am superstitious, but I am so thrilled the 20-year-old Argentine won his first title.
Del Potro is the first Argentine to win the title since Guillermo Vilas did it in 1977. He also breaks up the Federer-Nadal monopoly since Djokovic won the Australian Open in 2008. It is nice to see new blood step up to the plate. Let's hope there are more titles for the kid to come.
(Image: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images)
Juan Martin del Potro won the battle of the 20 year olds in yesterday’s quarterfinal. He rallied to beat Croat Marin Cilic 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-1. The world no. 6 advances to the semifinals and posts his best grand-slam performance to date. With the win, del Potro will also move up a spot to world no. 5 next week.
The Argentine awaits the winner of the Nadal-Gonzalez match. It might be awhile since rain delays prevented that match from completing last night, and it is supposed to rain throughout the day today.
(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Musketeer extraordinaire, Gael Monfils during his tricolor match with Jeremy Chardy.
A look at Monfils, Tsonga, Simon & Ouanna's bond on and off the court. They, as a group, put in a respectable showing at Flushing Meadows after having a rough last couple of months. Two of the four are now into the second week (NYT)
An examination of Safin’s career that was plagued by questions of what if (SI)
The top ten dominate, but really the top three REALLY dominate (WSJ)
The always smart and thoughtful, Mats Wilander likes Juan Martin del Potro (Busted Racquet)
His run for the USO title my be difficult and hampered, but Nadal is winning the shirtless poll hands down (PopSugar)
A crazy story about Canada’s Peter Polansky's freak accident and recovery (NYT)
What a difference 18 months makes for Serbian players (New York Observer)
Rafa-mania at the USO (Straight Sets)
(Image: Denise/tennisfiend)
Argentines Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco met in another evil matchup on Wednesday. Del Potro is playing great, and the same was true on this day. The world no. 6 made easy work of world no. 41. He defeated his compatriot 6-3 6-3 6-1 after 125 minutes of play. Monaco’s poor play also aided del Potro victory with 46 unforced errors and was not able to put up much of a fight.
Del Potro will now meet Jurgen Melzer, who beat Marat Safin. The Argentine is 4-0 over Melzer. The 20 year old is going to need some easy early-round matches since he is going to have a hard road during the second week of the championship.
(Images: Denise/tennisfiend)
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