After the USA’s triumph yesterday in doubles, Novak Djokovic was forced to win it on his racket. Unfortunately for the Serb, John Isner really brought it to the current world no. 2 this afternoon in Belgrade.
Djokovic struggled early on his serve, which made it a long day at the office for the Serb against the big-serving American. Luckily the Serb has other things to rely on. After a couple of broken rackets and a code violation, the Serb eventually prevailed with a 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 triumph after being on the court for 4 hours and 16 minutes. The Serbs now progress into their first Davis Cup quarterfinal.
The US actually played pretty well this weekend without its veterans and on clay. I have been frustrated with the development of the current crop of American players – a group of players with big serves and forehands and nothing else, who ridiculously do not play on clay. Sam Querrey and especially John Isner played pretty admirably this weekend, so let’s hope Isner and Querrey can build on this experience.
Sunday's Results
R4 - Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4
R5 - Sam Querrey (USA) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 7-5 6-2
(Images: AP)
Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic cleared their openers against John Isner and Sam Querrey respectively today in Belgrade. Troicki put in an admirable performance in his upset against Isner.
The Americans faced an uphill battle from the beginning since the Davis Cup tie is played on clay, and I guess American men do not play on clay anymore. They could have been in a sweet spot if Isner had beaten Troicki. The Bryan brothers are handle themselves on clay, so a 2-1 lead could have been possible.
Now, the only way for an American victory is a total Serbian implosion. Nenad Zimonjic has been a nemesis for the Bryan brothers, but he is without his partner, Daniel Nestor. Even if the Serbs lose in doubles tomorrow, Djokovic should be able to put away Isner on Sunday.
Serbia vs. USA
Friday’s Results
R1 – Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4
R2 – Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Sam Querrey (USA) 6-2 7-6(4) 2-6 6-3
Saturday’s Match
R3 – N. Zimonjic (SRB)/J. Tipsarevic (SRB) vs. M. Bryan (USA)/B. Bryan (USA)
(Images: AP)
Novak Djokovic successfully defended his title and points in Dubai this week. After being forced to play the final over two days because of a rain delay, Djokovic eventually overcame Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 5-7 6-3. The victory is the Serb’s 16th title.
(Image: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships)
Novak Djokovic made it into the final by the skin of his teeth. The world no. 2 again had a slow start. He staved off a charge from Marcos Baghadatis but was ultimately victorious with a 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 win. The win was not pretty, but it was enough to advance.
The Serb will now defend his title against Mikhail Youzhny tomorrow. The Russian has been playing well but has not been tested this week since his quarterfinal opponent, Janko Tipsaravic sent home Andy Murray in the second round.
It should be an interesting matchup with Djokovic still struggling and Youzhny playing well. Their head-to-head record is 3-3 with the world no. 15 winning their last meeting in the Rotterdam semifinals.
Friday's Results
Singles Semifinals
2 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4
7 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 7-5 7-6(4)
Doubles Semifinals
2 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) def. C. Kas (GER)/D. Norman (BEL) 2-6 7-6(6) 10-7
S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS) def. F. Lopez (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) 6-2 3-6 14-12
Championship Saturday
Singles Final
2 Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. 7 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
Doubles Final
2 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/P. Hanley (AUS)
Saturday's Order of Play
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(Image: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships)
Novak Djokovic was all business today with Sergiy Stakhovsky. The Ukrainian eventually retired with a left knee injury after losing the first set and trailing 1-4 in the second set.
The Serb will advance to play Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland in the second round. Chiudinelli barely got past Frenchman Michael Llodra, who had a slow start, but the Swiss eventually prevailed 6-1 6-7(5) 7-6(6) after a 2 hour 36 minutes of battle. Djokovic won his last meeting with Chiudinelli this year in the second round of the Australian Open.
Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 6-2 4-1 RET. (left knee)
6 Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Q Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 1-6 7-6(0) 7-6(5)
Julien Benneteau (FRA) def. 7 Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 6-3 6-3
Q Marsel Ilhan (TUR) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-1 6-4
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) def. Michael Llodra (FRA) 6-1 6-7(5) 7-6(6)
WC Thiemo de Bakker (NED) def. LL Jan Hajek (CZE) 7-6(5) 6-3
Doubles First Round
1 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. J. Tipsarevic (SRB)/V. Troicki (SRB) 7-6(1) 6-1
2 F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) def. WC J. Huta Galung (NED)/I. Sijsling (NED) 6-3 6-2
4 C. Kas (GER)/D. Norman (BEL) def. I. Ljubicic (CRO)/J. Melzer (AUT) 6-1 7-6(2)
F. Lopez (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) def. M. Damm (CZE)/F. Polasek (SVK) 6-4 7-6(3)
Wednesday’s Order of Play
(Image: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament)
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)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga rallied from behind to beat Novak Djokovic in the final quarterfinal of Wednesday evening. The last Frenchman in the draw upset the third-seed 7-6(8) 6-7(5) 1-6 6-3 6-1 after 3 hours 52 minutes of work on the court. The tenth-seed was out for the count until Djokovic came down with a mystery illness and was visibly ill on the court.
According to Djokovic:
It was unfortunate that I couldn't perform on the level that I wanted to in the fourth and fifth set. I don't want to find excuses for my loss, but, you know, I went to vomit and I had diarrhea before the match. Just a terrible feeling.With the win, Tsonga books a date with the world no.1 Roger Federer, who pretty much dismantled Nikolay Davydenko in four sets, in tomorrow's other semifinal. The two players are 1-1 in head-to-head meetings with the Frenchman winning their last meeting in Montreal last year. Tsonga is trying to be the first Frenchman to win the tournament since Jean Borotra won in 1928. It would be nice to see a Frenchman win the trophy, but Tsonga has two tests to past first.
You know, it's been a great tournament for me, so it's just a bad way to not to be able physically go through the whole match.…………………………I had a little problems with the stomach even before the match as I said. No, the big deal I started feeling after third set when I just I couldn't hold on.
After two games I had to go to the toilet. There was no way, otherwise I would throw up on the court. That's when I had to do it.
Wednesday’s Results
Singles Quarterfinals
1 Roger Federer (SUI) def. 6 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5
10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. 3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7-6(8) 6-7(5) 1-6 6-3 6-1
Doubles Quarterfinals
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. A. Clement (FRA)/J. Erlich (ISR) 6-4 1-6 7-6(6)
I. Karlovic (CRO)/D. Vemic (SRB) def. 3 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 6-3 6-4
Thursday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
5 Andy Murray (GBR) vs. 14 Marin Cilic (CRO)
Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. M. Kohlmann (GER)/J. Nieminen (FIN)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) vs. I. Karlovic (CRO)/D. Vemic (SRB)
Thursday’s Order of Play
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(Image: Getty Images/AFP/Paul Crock)
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur took part in the Hit for Haiti fundraiser at Rod Laver Arena yesterday afternoon. The 90-minute exhibition has brought in over $200,000 so far.
The Spanish Davis Cup team posed with Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero after recapturing the title this past weekend.
Spanish camaraderie won in the end. Plus, there are details of Ferrer’s bathroom break right after he lost the first-two sets to Radek Stepanek (NYT)
Tignor takes a harsh look at the Davis Cup final participants. He is really hard on Tomas Berdych and kind of hard on Radek Stepanek. It is a little too severe considering the fact that, on paper, the Czechs should have never made it that far, but they did. Other teams allowed the Czechs to get past them when they should have won. Spain just did what it was supposed to do (Tennis.com)
Freep this poll! Ronaldo vs. Nadal (TMZ)
Viktor Troicki beats Novak Djokovic in a Serbian exhibition 7-6. Djokovic does some impressions and talks tennis (Blic)
Andy Murray commits audio terrorism against the world. You have been now warned (The Pop Cop)
Guga will be honored by Brazil's President Lula. I will now be holding my own parade to honor the honors (ATP)
Pat Rafter wins AEGON Masters title (BL's Tennis News)
Roddick rehabs knee after injury (TSN)
The Austrian Open is dropped from the ATP calendar, and the ATP transferred the rights to Nice, France (TSN)
Roger Federer finishes the year No. 1 in singles, and the Bryan brothers finish no. 1 in doubles (ESPN)
(Image: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images)
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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Tennis Channel – 9:00 AM
(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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(Images: AP)
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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(Images: AP)
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)
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)
Nadal had no troubles dismissing Feliciano Lopez 6-1 3-0 today in Shanghai. Lopez had problems with his ankle in the first set and retired at 3-0 in the second set after just 50 minutes of play. This is the eighth retirement in the tournament this week.
Though the match was not very competitive, Nadal was able to get in some target practice. The Spaniard really started to feel it with his shots, which will be bad news for is opponent tomorrow. If this continues, he could really light it up tomorrow.
In the first semifinal of the day, somehow Novak Djokovic let Nikolay Davydenko get passed him at 4-6 6-4 7-6(1). To Davydenko’s credit, the Russian has a good all-around game and is always dangerous. The win marks his first final appearance in a Masters tournament or grand slam this year. The world no. 8 will now try for his fourth title and first Masters title of the year.
Should he win tomorrow, he would be the first player outside of the Nadal-Federer-Murray axis to win a Masters title this year. To do so, he will have his work cut out of for him tomorrow against Nadal. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head matchup 4-2.
The current world no. 2 is trying for his fourth Masters title of the year. The final will not be a shoe-in for Nadal since he is still trying to get back to top form, but he should be able to win another title if he continues to improve his shotmaking capabilities as he did today.
(Image: AP)
Feliciano Lopez knocked off sixteenth-seed David Ferrer in the second round, and today he took out ninth-seed Robin Soderling 7-6(4) 6-3. The Spaniard's semifinal appearance is his best showing in a Masters event or grand slam EVER. The current world no. 41 will play against his friend and top-seed Rafael Nadal in a lefty showdown tomorrow.
Lopez will have his work cut out for him, as Nadal has beaten him four-consecutive times. Anything is possible since Lopez did beat Nadal once in 2003. It should be a good match tomorrow.
On the other side of the draw, Novak Djokovic held off Gilles Simon 6-3 2-6 6-3 in probably the best match of the tournament -- the second best was Blake-Nadal. Nikolay Davydenko defeated Radek Stepanek 6-1 4-6 6-1. Djokovic and Davydenko will now face off in the other semifinal tomorrow. The Serb leads this matchup 2-1. It what should be another good match tomorrow.
(Image: Phillipe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic and Gilles Simon advanced into the Shanghai quarterfinals. Djokovic had an easy time dismissing German veteran, Rainer Schuettler 6-4 6-2. The Serb has quietly been advancing through the draw and looks, by far, the most solid of all the players in the field.
On the other side, Gilles Simon had no trouble with the usually problematic Tomas Berdych. He topped the Czech 6-3 6-4 after 90 minutes of play. Both players had been battling injuries this week, but the Frenchman was able to pull this one out.
Simon will meet Djokovic next. The second-seed looks good and leads their head-to-head 3-1. All meetings were on hard surfaces with the Serb winning the last three. It should be a good matchup tomorrow.
(Images: AP)
The Serb must have won today because he is back to taking his top off. After his win in Beijing, Novak Djokovic threw his shirt into the stands. Djokovic was able to stop Maric Cilic, who happens to be on roll, 6-2 7-6(4) for the title.
(Image: Ng Han Guan/AP)
- The tour is now in Asia.
- Novak Djokovic (pictured) won the Beijing Open this weekend and will overtake Andy Murray in the rankings next week.
- The musketeers did well. Gael Monfis won his first title of the year at the Open de Moselle. Not to be outdone, Gilles won his first title this year in Thailand the following week. Now this weekend, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the Japan Open – his third title of the year. After four months off, Gasquet went to the semifinals in Metz where he lost to Monfils and the quarterfinals in Malaysia where he lost to Fernando Verdasco.
- Nikolay Davydenko was tops in Malaysia.
- Albert Montanes won the BCR Open in Romania.
- All is not bad for the Brits with Murray’s drop in the rankings. Ken Skupski and Colin Fleming won the doubles title at the Open de Moselle.
- Rafael Nadal and Kobe Bryant model new track jackets for Nike (New York Mag)
- Speaking of Nadal, he returns to the tour in Beijing after pulling out of the Thailand. The Spaniard advanced to the semifinals where he took a pretty-bad beating from the surging Croat, Marin Cilic. He lost 6-1 6-3.
- The Chinese held a farewell party for Marat Safin. I am sure there were tears (China Daily)
- Juan Monaco leads the tour in clay court wins with 28 this year. (Buenos Aires Herald)
- Spain will host Switzerland in the first round of Davis Cup next year (Latin American Herald Tribune)
- Federer pulled out of Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters due to fatigue. Murray withdraws from Shanghai (Open Court)
- There is rift in Australia (or misunderstanding) between Lleyton Hewitt and up-and-comer Bernard Tomic. I guess Tomic used the swine flu as an excuse not to hit with Hewitt. The Aussie youngster denies it, but it would be kind of hysterical if it turns out to be true (The Age)
- Simon exposed (Crazy World of Tennis)
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