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)

On Monday, Ivo “Dr. Ivo or MC Ivo” Karlovic took out 13-seed Radek Stepanek. The Czech became the first casualty of the Australian Open. The opening day was a rather harmless when compared to day two of the tournament.


Tuesday was a fragile day for seeded players. Twenty-third-seed Juan Carlos Ferrero and 25-seed Sam Querrey lost their Aussie debuts. A big stunner was 16-seed Tommy Robredo’s exit. The Spaniard is usually so consistent. Perhaps the biggest stunner of them all was eighth-seed Robin Soderling.

Columbian Santiago Giraldo (pic. left) took out Tommy Robredo. The world no. 114 did not qualify at last year’s US Open, but he was able to surpass handily the Spaniard on 6-4 6-2 6-2. Giraldo now advances Pole Lukaz Kubot in second round.

Robin Soderling lost to world no. 113 Marcel Granollers (pic. right) of Spain. The Spaniard rallied to eventually kneecap Soderling 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2. The 23 year old will meet Columbian Alejandro Fallo in the next round.

Soderling’s departure now opens his quarter of the draw and gives Spaniard Nicolas Almagro a good shot at the round of 16. The 26 seed has never made it to the round of 16 in a grand slam on hardcourt. He did make it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2008, which is his best grand slam result to date.

Tuesday’s Results

Wednesday’s Order of Play

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(Images: AP/Andrew Brownbill, AP/Shuji Kajiyama)

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

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

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



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

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

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

(Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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

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

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

(Image: AP)

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

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

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

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

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

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

(Image: Elsa/Getty Images)

Sam Querrey was able to win his second-career title in Los Angeles. He beat Carsten Ball 6-4 3-6 6-1. This is the American’s first title win of the year.

(Image: AP)

Sam Querrey stunned top-seed Tommy Haas 6-3 7-5 last night in their semifinal showdown. Querrey will now play the qualifier Carsten Ball of Australia today for the title. Ball will be going for his first title while Querrey will be trying for his second trophy. This will be their first meeting in ATP competition.

(Image: Getty Image/Stephen Dunn)

Top-seed Tommy Haas and the retiring Marat Safin had an old school matchup in the quarterfinals of the LA Open. The more consistent of the two players prevailed. The top-seed seized the match at 7-6(3) 6-2 and secured a spot in the semifinals.

It was Safin’s final appearance at the tournament, as he retires at the end of the season. Through a series of self-pranks, I did not have the opportunity to see the match but heard Safin was a mess in grand fashion. Despite last night’s performance, I think it was a good tournament for him because he did not lose in the first round, and he, at least, made it to the quarterfinals, which is respectable for him.

For Haas, he could easily win his second title of the year, but he will first have to get passed Sam Querrey today. The German currently leads their head-to-head matchup 3-1 with Querrey dismissing Haas in their last meeting this year in the first round of Memphis. Querrey’s win also occurred during the first-four months of the tour, which were problematic for Haas. The German’s is now been playing his best tennis over the last-three months. He is now healthy, on a roll, and I am sure will be looking for revenge for his dismissal in Tennessee.

(Images: Getty Images/Stephen Dunn)

The second day of the tournament was a good day for the Germans. Bjorn Phau, ATP world number 77, upset Mardy Fish 6-3 5-7 6-3. In the next round, Phau will play Scoville Jenkins. The two players have never met in an ATP event.

Veteran player Tommy Haas had a routine win over countryman Denis Gremelmayer 6-3 6-3. Haas, who celebrated his 31st birthday a few days ago, will play the sixth seed Marcel Granollers. The two players have never played in an ATP event, though Haas won the title in 2004.

It was not the best day for the American singles players. The top seeds James Blake and Mardy Fish lost. Fifth seed Sam Querrey pulled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. Fellow American, Amer Delic replaced Querrey and then lost to Chilean Paul Capdeville after winning the first set.

Taylor Dent, John Isner and Scoville Jenkins won their matches after losing the first set and then rallied to win in three sets. On the doubles side, the reliable Bryan brothers won their match against Jeremy Chardy and Brian Dabul 7-6(5) 6-3.

The last Argentine player left in the singles draw, Guillermo Canas dealt Blake his loss 6-4 6-4. This is the Canas’ second win this year. He will play Evgeny Korolev in the next round. In 2007, Canas came out on top in their only meeting.

The lone Frenchman in the tournament, Jeremy Chardy took no time defeating Jesse Levine 6-3 6-0 after 61 minute of work. He will meet Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the second round. The two players have never met in ATP play. On paper, Chardy should have no trouble with the Spaniard.

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
Guillermo Canas (ARG) def. 1 James Blake (USA) 6-4 6-4
Bjorn Phau (GER) def. 2 Mardy Fish (USA) 6-3 5-7 6-3
4 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) def. LL Jesse Levine (USA) 6-3 6-0
6 Marcel Granollers (ESP) def. Brian Dabul (ARG) 2-6 6-4 6-1
Paul Capdeville (CHI) def. Amer Delic* (USA) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-1
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) def. 7 Diego Junqueira (ARG) 6-0 6-2
Tommy Haas (GER) def. Denis Gremelmayr (GER) 6-3 6-3
WC John Isner (USA) def. Q Michael Russell (USA) 4-6 6-3 6-2
WC Taylor Dent (USA) vs. Marcos Daniel (BRA)
Sergio Roitman (ARG) def. Agustin Calleri (ARG) 6-3 6-3
Q Scoville Jenkins (USA) def. Q Alexander Peya (AUT) 0-6 6-4 6-3
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) def. Q Giovanni Lapentti (ECU) 1-6 6-0 6-2
*Replaces 5 seed Sam Querrey (USA)

Doubles First Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. J. Chardy (FRA)/B. Dabul (ARG) 7-6(5) 6-3
2 A. Fisher (AUS)/J. Kerr (AUS) def. J. Melzer (AUT)/A. Peya (AUT) 3-6 6-4 10-7
J. Cerretani (USA)/D. Norman (BEL) def. 4 S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 7-5 7-6(6)
J. Levinsky (CZE)/P. Vizner (CZE) def. M. Gonzalez (ARG)/S. Roitman (ARG) 6-1 6-4

Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
3 Jurgen Melzer (AUT) vs. Wayne Odesnik (USA)
4 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
WC John Isner (USA) vs. Paul Capdeville (CHI)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) vs. Sergio Roitman (ARG)

Doubles First Round
3 L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/M. Damm (CZE) vs. J. Levine (USA)/R Sweeting (USA)
D. Gimeno-Traver (ESP)/D. Junqueria (ARG) vs. S. Lipsky (USA)/D. Vemic (SRB)

Double Second Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. J. Isner (USA)/T. Parrott (USA)
J. Blake (USA)/Mardy Fish (USA) vs. J. Cerretani (USA)/D. Norman (BEL)

Wednesday’s Order of Play

(image: Aaron M. Sprecher/ROCC)