Rafael Nadal beat countryman David Ferrer 6-2 7-5 after 106 minutes of play. Nadal started out strong in the first set. The two players traded breaks, and Nadal was the first one to hold. The Mallorcan began making ridiculous shots and went into total beatdown mode. Nadal made Ferrer go for a lot, which caused the Valencian to hit a lot of unforced errors. The combination allowed Nadal to run off with the set.

Ferrer, always a hustler on the court, persevered on in the second set. The players again traded breaks early in the set, but this time Ferrer held first. Ferrer, more importantly, cut down on the unforced errors, and he started hitting amazing winners of his own to keep the Mallorcan honest. The Spaniards then stayed on serve until 5-5. In game eleven, Nadal had three break points and converted on the third one. He held easily to take the set, match and the championship.

This is Nadal’s fifth-consecutive Barcelona Open title to go with his five-consecutive Monte-Carlo titles. This is Nadal’s second-consecutive title. His record is now 29-3 for the year, which includes four titles. He streak continues with 25-consecutive victories on clay. Today's victory gives him 35 career titles. These are some pretty amazing stats for just a 22-year-old.

In doubles, second-seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles 6-3 7-6(0) after 93 minutes of play. This is their third title of the year and second-consecutive title likel Nadal. They pair have now won nine titles together.

Championship Day
Singles Final
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 4 David Ferrer (ESP) 6-2 7-5

Doubles Final
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) def. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) 6-3 7-6(0)

(Images: AP/Manu Fernandez)

Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 2-6 7-5 6-3
Mischa Zverev(GER) def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 67(7) 64 75
Jan Hernych (CZE) def. Nicolas Massu (CHI) 6-3 6-0
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-3 6-3
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 6-3 6-4
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Andreas Beck (GER) 1-6 6-3 7-6(5)
Victor Crivoi (ROU) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-5 6-4

(Image: Internazionali BNL D’Italia)

Yannick Noah won the French Open in 1983 and is the last Frenchman to win the singles title. He became quite the doubles player and won the French Open title in doubles in 1984 with Henri Leconte. As captain, he lead the French Davis Cup team to victory in 1991 and 1996. For obvious reasons, he beloved by the French and tennis enthusiasts.

In 1996, Noah retired from tennis and since has became a pop music star in Europe. The former French Open Champion Yannick Noah will play a show in US this summer. He will play in New York City this June with other francophone artists celebrating chanson française (French song).

Preview: Internazionali BNL d'Italia
City: Rome, Italy
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 1000
2008 Singles Champion: Novak Djokovic
2008 Doubles Champions: Mike Bryan & Bob Bryan

The top ATP playes will be in contention. Most of the American singles players will be in attendance. Andy Roddick, Gael Monfils, David Nalbandian and Mario Ancic have all withdrawn.

Rafael Nadal is clearly the one to beat. He has already won two of the three Masters tournaments this year and is having another ridiculous year. The only way he loses if he is injured or gets struck by lightening. Though I noticed, his half of the draw is loaded with all the dangerous players (Murray, Verdasco, Davydenko). This is the same tournament where Juan Carlos Ferrero unexpectedly snapped Nadal's winning streak on clay last year, so anything could happen.

Aside from Nadal, it is the usual suspects of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Djokovic won the tournament last year and looked good in the Monte-Carlo final against Nadal. I think he is the better bet on clay than Murray.

Andy Murray has improved greatly on clay but comes down with the case of Nadalitis when he plays the Spaniard. It happens on clay as well as other surfaces, despite the conventional wisdom from the Jason Goodalls of the world. Murray is also in Nadal’s half on the draw.

Roger Federer is having a bad year and is in rapid decline, but he is always dangerous. The Swiss did get it together last year to win the US Open when everyone wrote him off like a bad check. It is also beneficial to him that his quarter of the draw is pretty friendly to him. He only has to get past Djokovic in the semifinals.

I will keep hope alive that Gilles Simon will get it together in time (if he no one upsets him) for the quarterfinals to challenge Federer. Simon is currently 2-0 over the Swiss. I would like to see if he really has Federer’s number. As for the other Musketeers, Tsonga has been battling injury over the last couple of weeks, and Gasquet just lacks courage. Tsonga and Gasquet play each other in the first round and are in Nadal’s quarter.

There are also the next-tier players who could break at any time. They include Juan Martin del Potro, Fernando Verdasco and Stanislas Wawrinka. Veterans Fernando Gonzalez and Nikolay Daveydenko could also be trouble if they get hot for the week. There are also the other three Spaniards of David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro, who are great on clay but are kind of harmless when the top-four are around.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Malfeasance
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Richard Gasquet
Nicolas Almagro vs. Ernest Gulbis
Tommy Robredo vs. Marat Safin
Nicolas Kiefer vs. Q Juan Monaco - Updated

Watch Live
The Tennis Channel – 7:00 AM EST

(Images: Internazionali BNL D’Italia/Costantini)

Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-3 6-2
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. 5 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 2-6 6-2 7-6(5)

Doubles Semifinals
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. 1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) 6-2 6-7(5) 10-7
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) def. S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) 7-6(1) 7-6(8)

Championship Day
Singles Final
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. 4 David Ferrer (ESP)

Doubles Final
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) vs. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH)

Sunday’s Order of Play

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After being out with a series of injuries, Nikolay Davydenko had a pretty good tournament in Monte-Carlo last week. This week, he is having a great tournament and is back to form.

Davydenko held easily in his first-two service games and had three break points in Nadal’s first-two service games. Unfortunately for the Russian, he did not convert. In game five, Nadal was presented with two break points, and the Spaniard converted on the second one. Nadal then ran off with the set.

It looked like Nadal would be off to the races instead the Russian hunkered down in the second set. The two players then slogged it out in each game with plenty of break points in each of their service games. Nadal eventually broke in game four giving the Spaniard a pathway for the match. He then cruised to take the match 6-3 6-2 after 106 minutes of play. Nadal will play in his fifth-consecutive Barcelona Open final and will play his compatriot David Ferrer.

Fernando Gonzalez and his forehand had dismissed two Argentines and a Spaniard on his way to the semifinal. Like yesterday, Gonzalez struck first and broke Ferrer in his opening service game. He trounced the Spaniard from the baseline to take the first set 6-2.

In the second set, Ferrer changed his game plan. He broke Gonzalez in the second game of the set and jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The 27-year-old won the set easily at 6-2.

In the third set, Ferrer struck first in the fourth game after it looked like Gonzalez would hold easily. He handed Ferrer the game with a couple of unforced errors. Ferrer was able to hold on. While Ferrer was serving for the match, Gonzalez finally broke back in game nine after having some break opportunities in Ferrer’s previous service game. The Chilean then held to even the set at 5-5.

In the tiebreak, Ferrer lead with a mini-break at 2-1. Gonzalez and his forehand returned the favor to level it. Ferrer scored another mini-break with a lob that just fell inside the line. Gonzalez and his forehand broke back in ninth point to get back on serve. Gonzalez double-faulted and gave Ferrer a match point. The Spaniard converted on the first chance for the match 2-6 6-2 7-6(5).

Ferrer will now meet Nadal for a rematch of the Barcelona Open final last year. The 22-year-old hopes to win his fifth-straight title. Nadal leads their head-to-head 6-3. Two of Ferrer’s wins come on hard surfaces. The third win was on clay, but it was against an 18-year-old Nadal in 2004.

(Images: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Feliciano Lopez and Olympic medalist Gemma Mengual took part in a tasting competition. The event was a part of various charity events that were taking place on day five at the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell.

(Image: Barcelona Open)

Andy Murray teams up with David Beckham for an anti-malaria campaign (Sky News)
Wimbledon gets lights and a roof (Herald Sun)
Gael Monfils could miss the French Open with a knee injury (The Guardian)
Other than Daniel Nestor, Canada had a bad tennis week (Open Court)
The India-Australia match will be held in Chennai (Tennis)
An excerpt from Monica Seles's autobiography (Times Online)

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

(h/t: Open Court)

Friday’s Results
Singles Quarterfinals
5 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. 2 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 6-3 4-6 6-4
3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. 9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) 6-7(4) 6-2 6-2
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. 6 Tommy Robredo (ESP) 6-3 6-4

Doubles Quarterfinals
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) def. 5 B. Soares (BRA)/K, Ullyett (ZIM) 1-6 6-3 10-7
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI) 7-5 6-2
S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) def. R. Stepanek (CZE)/V. Troicki (SRB) 6-4 6-3

Saturday’s Matches
Singles Semifinals
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. 3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. 5 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH)
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA)

Saturday’s Order of Play

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Fernando Verdasco was trying to become the third Spaniard to advance into the semifinals in front of the hometown crowd. Fernando Gonzalez instead crashed what was to be an all-Spanish semifinal between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco. In the battle of the Fernandos and their forehands, Gonzalez upset second-seed Verdasco 6-3 4-6 6-4.

Gonzalez broke Verdasco in the second game of the match and silenced the Spaniard’s hometown crowd early. Verdasco had an opportunity to break back, but Gonzalez was able to hold off the Spaniard. Verdasco had another sloppy game, and the Chilean jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Gonzalez was probably surprised at his lead over the young gun because he lost concentration and left an opening for Verdasco, who broke back in the fifth game to get on the board. Verdasco then held to bring the set to 4-2.

Gonzalez‘s backhand began to let him down, and he began to shank more balls into the net. Verdasco had another break opportunity, but Gonzalez was able to hold him off again and keep his break advantage. The Spaniard’s run woke him up and caused the Chilean to keep honest. Gonzalez was able to hold onto his break and took the first set after an easy service game.

In the second set, both players dug in and were evenly matched. Gonzalez had three break points and converted on the fourth. It appeared the Chilean would cruise to victory, but Verdasco quickly replied with a break of his own to level the match. Verdasco broke again in game nine and then held serve for the set.

Now even with a set apiece, the two players battled and remained even after six games. Gonzalez finally seized on an opportunity and broke Verdasco in the seventh game of the third set. Verdasco tried to raise his game, but Gonzalez also raised his game and began to punish the Spaniard with his forehand. He then cruised on his service games to take the set and match after 2 hours and 17 minutes of play.

Gonzalez will now meet the fourth-seed David Ferrer. He leads Ferrer 4-2 in their head-to-head matchup and has won all of their meetings on clay.

After both players rallied to win their round of 16 matches, David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo met in the second quarterfinal of the day. Ferrer beat his compatriot 6-3 6-4 after 82 minutes of play. He now awaits the winner of the Verdasco – Gonzalez match.

Ferrer was ridiculously consistent. Robredo had a couple of bad service games, and Ferrer took advantage each time. It also did not help that Robredo had a lot of unforced errors. With this victory, Ferrer is now 4-2 over Robredo.

(image: DPPI)

Argentine David Nalbandian withdrew from the Barcelona tournament due to an acute inflammation of the right hip. It had been bothering the Argentine over the last couple of weeks, and he irritated the injury yesterday in his victory over Nicolas Almagro.

With this withdrawal, Rafael Nadal receives a walkover into the semifinals. The quarterfinal matchup was to be Nadal’s first big showdown of the tournament and a grudge match of their last meeting in Indian Wells. Nalbandian is one of the few people on tour with a winning record against Nadal. The Argentine still leads Nadal in their head-to-head matchup 2-1.

Thursday's Results
Singles Round of 16
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Christophe Rochus (BEL) 6-2 6-0
2 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 15 Tomas Berdych (CZE) 7-5 5-7 6-4
3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. 16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 7-6(8) 3-6 6-4
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Potito Starace (ITA) 4-6 7-5 6-2
5 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG) 7-6(3) 6-3
6 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. 12 Igor Andreev (RUS) 4-6 6-2 6-3
7 David Nalbandian (ARG) def. 10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 6-3 6-4
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. 8 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-4 1-6 7-5

Doubles Round of 16
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) def. J. Melzer (AUT)/J. Knowle (AUT) 7-6(3) 6-1
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K, Ullyett (ZIM) def. G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) 6-3 6-2
R. Stepanek (CZE)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. 7 J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Kerr (AUS) 6-4 6-1

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) 6-1 6-2

Friday's Order of Play

Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Nicolas Almagro will be featured in the May issue of Spanish Elle magazine. The pictures were taken in Key Biscayne, Florida while the players were participating in the Miami Masters tournament.

(h/t: Oh No They Didn't, Elle.es)

Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Frederico Gil (POR) 6-2 6-2
2 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 7-5 6-3
3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 7-6(2) 6-2
5 WC Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) def. Jose Acasuso (ARG) 6-4 6-4
6 Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. WC Gaston Gaudio (ARG) 7-6(6) 6-1
7 David Nalbandian (ARG) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 7-5 6-4
8 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 7-5 6-1
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 7-6(2) 6-0
10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. 13 Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-1 6-7(4) 6-3
Potito Starace (ITA) def. 14 Robin Soderling (SWE) 7-6(5) 2-6 6-2
15 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Oscar Hernandez (ESP) 6-24-6 6-3
16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) def. Q Santiago Ventura (ESP) 2-6 6-4 6-3
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 7-5 6-4

Doubles First Round
WC G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP) def. S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) 3-6 7-5 10-8

Doubles Second Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. T. Parrott (USA) Filip Polasek (SVK) 6-3 6-4
S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) def. 3 L.Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 7-6(5) 7-6(3)
4 M. Bhuthi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) def. R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) 4-6 6-1 10-8
L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI) def. 6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) 6-2 6-3
O. Marach (AUT)/L. Kubot (POL) def. 8 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) 4-6 6-1 10-8

Thursday's Matches
Singles Round of 16
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Christophe Rochus (BEL)
2 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs.15 Tomas Berdych (CZE)
3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs.16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
4 David Ferrer (ESP) vs. Potito Starace (ITA)
5 Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)
6 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. 12 Igor Andreev (RUS)
7 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. 10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP)
8 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) vs. 9 Radek Stepanek (CZE)

Doubles Round of 16
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonijic (SRB) vs. J. Melzer (AUT)/J. Knowle (AUT)
5 B. Soares (BRA)/K, Ullyett (ZIM) vs. G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP)
7 J. Coetzee (RSA)/J. Kerr (AUS) vs. R. Stepanek (CZE)/V. Troicki (SRB)

Doubles Quarterfinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT)
4 M. Bhupathi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) vs. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI)

Thursday's Order of Play

(Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images)

Last time Federico Gil and Rafael Nadal met, Gil gave Nadal trouble in the first set in Miami. Nadal eventually won in straight sets. Now on clay, Nadal had no trouble dismissing the 24-year-old from Portugal 6-2 6-2. Nadal will play Belgian Christophe Rochus, who surprisingly upset Richard Gasquet, in the round of 16.

At the end of the day all the singles seeds advanced to the round of 16, except Robin Soderling and Richard Gasquet. It was not true on the doubles side. Top-seeds the Bryan brothers were the only seeded team to advance to the next round, as well as fourth-seeds Mahesh Bhuthi and Mark Knowles. The brothers had no trouble sending Travis Parrott and Filip Polasek packing (pictured right) 6-3 6-4. They will play Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach in the quarterfinals.

(Images: Getty Images)

Manolo Santana is looking pretty cheeky, as he poses with Rafael Nadal. The two champions exchanged rackets at the Barcelona Open. Santana gave Nadal the racket he used at the 1966 Wimbledon tournament, and Nadal gave Santana the racket he used in Monte-Carlo Open tournament last week. Santana was the only Spaniard to win Wimbledon until Nadal won it last year, 32 years later.











(Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images)

Tuesday’s Results
Singles First Round
Oscar Hernandez (ESP) def. Eduardo Schwank (ARG) 6-2 6-4
Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Q Fabio Fognini (ITA) 6-1 6-3
WC Gaston Gaudio (ARG) def. Diego Junquiera (ARG) 6-4 3-6 6-4
Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. Guillermo Canas (ARG) 7-6(0) 6-3
16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) def. Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) 6-2 6-1
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 6-4 2-6 6-4
Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) def. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 6-4 2-6 6-2
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-3
Juan Monaco (ARG) def. WC 11 Marat Safin (RUS) 6-4 6-1
13 Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs. Jan Hernych (CZE) 4-6 6-3 6-2
14 Robin Soderling (SWE) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-1 6-4

Singles Second Round
12 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. WC Alberto Martin (ESP) 6-2 6-2
4 David Ferrer (ESP) def. Q Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-3 3-6 6-1

Doubles First Round
L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT) def. M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) 6-3 3-6 10-8
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) def. N. Davydenko (RUS)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS) 3-6 6-4 10-6
L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI) def. N. Almagro (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) 6-3 6-3
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) def. F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK) 6-7(4) 6-2 10-7
S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) vs. WC M. Lopez (ESP)/F. Vicente (ESP) 7-6(0) 2-6 12-10

Wednesday’s Matches
Singles Second Round
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. Frederico Gil (POR)
2 Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs. Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU)
3 Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)
5 WC Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) vs. Jose Acasuso (ARG)
6 Tommy Robredo (ESP) vs. WC Gaston Gaudio (ARG)
7 David Nalbandian (ARG) vs. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)
8 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) vs. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG)
13 Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs.Christophe Rochus (BEL)
14 Robin Soderling (SWE) vs Potito Starace (ITA)
15 Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs. Oscar Hernandez (ESP)
16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs. Q Santiago Ventura (ESP)
Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)

Doubles First Round
S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) vs. WC G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP)

Doubles Second Round
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. T. Parrott (USA) Filip Polasek (SVK)
3 L.Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) vs. S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA)
4 M. Bhuthi (IND)/M. Knowles (BAH) vs. R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE)
6 M. Fyrstenberg (POL)/M. Matkowski (POL) vs. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI)
8 M. Melo (BRA)/A. Sa (BRA) vs. O. Marach (AUT)/L. Kubot (POL)

Wednesday’s Order of Play

(Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images)

Juan Monaco has no trouble with Marat Safin, who is playing in his last Barcelona Open tournament. Monaco dismissed the Russian 6-4 6-1 after 65 minutes of play. The Argentine will play the Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver in the next round. The two players have never met in ATP action.

Nicolas Lapentti had a more difficult time overcoming from fellow-veteran Paul-Henri Mathieu. The Ecuadorian qualifier persevered and bested the Frenchman 6-3 2-6 6-2. Lapentti had a good week in Monaco but will play Fernando Verdasco play in the next round. The Spaniard leads Lapentti 4-2 though Lapentti won their last meeting in Cincinnati in 2008.

On the other hand, Fabio Fognini did not survive after having a good week in Monte-Carlo last week. Fellow-qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver beat the Italian pretty handily 6-1 6-3. The Spaniard plays Juan Monaco in the second round.

Gaston Gaudio beat fellow Argentine Diego Junquiera 6-4 3-6 6-4. The 2004 Roland Garros champion will meet sixth-seed Tommy Robredo in the next round. The Argentine leads their match-up 4-3 with Gaudio winning their last meeting in Monte-Carlo in 2006.

The match of the day was Mikhail Youzhny versus Viktor Troicki. It looked like the Serb would take the match, but the Russian rallied from behind to send the Serb home 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-3 after 163 minutes of play. Youzhny will now play Stanislas Wawrinka, who made it to the semifinals in Monte-Carlo last week. The Russian is 1-0 over Wawrinka.

In doubles, all three Spanish teams lost today, plus Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez lost yesterday. Doubles team, Travis Parrot and Filip Polasek rallied to beat Frantisek Cermak and Mertinak Mertinak 6-7(4) 6-2 10-7. They will play top-seeds Bryan brothers in the next round. The Bryan brothers and Travis Parrott are the only American players currently playing on the European clay circuit.

(Image: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images)

Monday’s Results
Singles First Round
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. Albert Montanes (ESP) 6-4 7-6(1)
12 Igor Andreev (RUS) def. Andreas Seppi (ITA) 6-3 3-6 7-5
Christophe Rochus (BEL) def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 6-4 6-4
Q Santiago Ventura (ESP) def. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 7-6(3) 6-3
WC Alberto Martin (ESP) def. Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 6-4
Jose Acasuso (ARG) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-4 7-5
10 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 3-6 7-6(7) 2-2 Ret’d
Potito Starace (ITA) def. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 4-6 6-3 6-3
Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) def. Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 7-5 7-6(3)
Q Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) def. Q Pere Riba-Madrid (ESP) 6-2 7-6(5)
Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) def. Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) 6-2 3-6 6-4
16 Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 5-2 Ret’d
Q Frederico Gil (POR) def. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) 6-2 6-1

Doubles First Round
R. Stepanek (CZE)/V. Troicki (SRB) def. M. Safin (RUS)/D. Vemic (SRB) 6-3 3-6 10-6
R. Lindstedt (SWE)/R. Soderling (SWE) def. F. Lopez (ESP)/F. Verdasco (ESP) 7-6(4) 2-6 10-7

Tuesday’s Matches
Singles First Round
Oscar Hernandez (ESP) vs. Eduardo Schwank (ARG)
Q Fabio Fognini (ITA) vs. Q Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
Diego Junquiera (ARG) vs. WC Gaston Gaudio (ARG)
Guillermo Canas (ARG) vs. Arnaud Clement (FRA)
Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) vs. 16 Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
9 Radek Stepanek (CZE) vs. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
Q Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) vs. Viktor Troicki (SRB)
Juan Monaco (ARG) vs. WC 11 Marat Safin (RUS)
Jan Hernych (CZE) vs. 13 Richard Gasquet (FRA)
14 Robin Soderling (SWE) vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

Singles Second Round
WC Alberto Martin (ESP) vs. 12 Igor Andreev (RUS)
Q Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) vs. 4 David Ferrer (ESP)

Doubles First Round
M. Granollers (ESP)/T. Robredo (ESP) vs. L. Kubot (POL)/O. Marach (AUT)
J. Knowle (AUT)/J. Melzer (AUT) vs. N. Davydenko (RUS)/I. Kunitsyn (RUS)
N, Almagro (ESP)/A. Montanes (ESP) vs. L. Arnold Ker (ARG)/F. Gonzalez (CHI)
T. Parrott (USA)/F. Polasek (SVK) vs. F. Cermak (CZE)/M. Mertinak (SVK)
S. Aspelin (SWE)/W. Moodie (RSA) vs. WC M. Lopez (ESP)/F. Vicente (ESP)
S. Huss (AUS)/R. Hutchins (GBR) vs. WC G. Alcaide (ESP)/A. Martin (ESP)

Tuesday’s Order of Play

(Image: AP)

Les Mousquestaires is a docu-series that follows Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils around on tour. This episode follows the foursome from their Davis Cup tie against the Czech Republic to the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Luckily, it ends before the apocalypse of Monte-Carlo.

To warn you, it is in French, but I am sure you will get the gist of it even if you do not speak French. More than anything, it is pretty funny.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

1 Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 15390
2 Federer, Roger (SUI) 10760
3 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 9520
4 Murray, Andy (GBR) 8950
5 Del Potro, Juan Martin (ARG) 4580
6 Roddick, Andy (USA) 4340
7 Verdasco, Fernando (ESP) 3790
8 Davydenko, Nikolay (RUS) 3675
9 Simon, Gilles (FRA) 3670
10 Monfils, Gael (FRA) 3460
11Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 3305
12 Wawrinka, Stanislas (SUI) 2980
13 Ferrer, David (ESP) 2865
14 Gonzalez, Fernando (CHI) 2825
15 Nalbandian, David (ARG) 2625
16 Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 2570
17 Blake, James (USA) 2460
18 Cilic, Marin (CRO) 2415
19 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 2370
20 Safin, Marat (RUS) 2105
21 Gasquet, Richard (FRA) 1985
22 Almagro, Nicolas (ESP) 1980
23 Karlovic, Ivo (CRO) 1855
24 Soderling, Robin (SWE) 1850
25 Tursunov, Dmitry (RUS) 1820
26 Andreev, Igor (RUS) 1795
27 Fish, Mardy (USA) 1785
28 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 1780
29 Kiefer, Nicolas (GER) 1740
30 Schuettler, Rainer (GER) 1725

Notes

• Rafael Nadal crosses 15k mark and adds another 920 points to his score.
• Federer lost 260 points. His lead over Djokovic fell to 1240, as opposed to 1990 last week.
• Djokovic opens 470 point lead over Murray, as opposed to 170 last week.
• Verdasco and Davydenko move up on one spot to seven and eight respectively.
• Simon falls two spots to nine.
• Stanislas Wawrinka moves four spots to 12 and swaps spots with Robredo.
• Safin moves up one spot to 20.
• Gasquet moves up two spots to 21.
• Andreev falls four spots to 26.
• Ivan Ljubicic jumps 15 spots to 51.
• After his Monte-Carlo performance, Andreas Beck moved up 29 spots to 60, a carreer high.
• Juan Carlos Ferrero moved up five spots to seventy.
• Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci fell nine spots to 73.
• Nicolas Lapenttii shoots up 24 spots to 74.
• Italian Fabio Fognini moved back in to the top 100 by rocketing 24 spots to 84.
• Evgeny Korolev dropped 22 spots to 94.
  

1 Bryan, B. (USA) / Bryan, M. (USA) 4115
2 Nestor, D. (CAN) / Zimonjic, N. (SRB) 1890
3 Mirnyi, M. (BLR) / Ram, A. (ISR) 1735
4 Bhupathi, M. (IND) / Knowles, M. (BAH) 1695
5 Dlouhy, L. (CZE) / Paes, L. (IND) 1560
6 Kubot, L. (POL) / Marach, O. (AUT) 1450
7 Damm, M. (CZE) / Lindstedt, R. (SWE) 1025
8 Cermak, F. (CZE) / Mertinak, M. (SVK) 1010
9 Fish, M. (USA) / Roddick, A. (USA) 1000
10 Parrott, T. (USA) / Polasek, F. (SVK) 840

Notes

• Bryans are really far ahead.
• Nestor and Zimonjic move up seven spots to 2.
• Mirnyi/Ram and Bhupahi/Knowles each move down one spot.
  

Novak Djokovic's Head commercial

After Federer last week, Andy Roddick gets married (People)
Tsonga pulls out of Barcelona Open with knee injury (AFP)
An article about famous sporting siblings, featuring the Safins (NY Times)
Possible challengers to the Nadal-Federer monopoly (Fox Sports)



A very special Federer commercial with Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods

Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) def. Marc Lopez (ESP) 7-5 6-2 6-1
Frederico Gil (POR) def. Daniel Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) 6-3 2-6 6-1
Santiago Ventura (ESP) def. Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-4 6-7(3) 6-3
Daniel Gimeno-Traver (ESP) def. Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 3-6 7-6(3) 7-5
Pere Riba-Madrid (ESP) def. Flavio Cipolla (ITA) 6-2 7-6(5)
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) def. Pablo Anujar (ESP) 6-4 4-6 6-2
Fabio Fognini (ITA) def. Kristof Vliegen (BEL) 2-6 6-3 6-4

City: Barcelona, Spain
Surface: Outdoor Clay
Championship Points: 500
2008 Singles Champion: Rafael Nadal
2008 Doubles Champions: Mike Bryan/Bob Bryan

Rafael Nadal is the four-time defending champion and the one to beat this week. David Nalbandian could be standing in his way in the quarterfinals since he is the only person on the tour with a winning record against Nadal at 2-1.

The bottom half of Nadal’s side of the draw has Stanislas Wawrinka anchoring it. The Swiss had a good tournament in Monte-Carlo by making it to the semifinals. Nikolay Davydenko and Guillermo Canas are also in his quarter of the draw.

The other half of the draw has the other top Spaniards: Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco. They are playing for the opportunity to play Rafael Nadal in the final. Robredo, the 2004 champion, has to get passed Ferrer, last year’s finalist, in the quarterfinals. Verdasco’s possible quarterfinal could be difficult because he could have to contend with Fernando Gonzalez or Juan Monaco.

Veterans Juan Carlos Ferrero and Gaston Gaudio were given wildcards and will put in an appearance this week.

Tournament Draw
Singles / Doubles

Tournament Malfeasance
Juan Monaco vs. Marat Safin

Monday’s Order of Play

(Images: Barcelona Open)

Rafael Nadal has done it again, again, again, again and now again. The Spaniard successfully defended his Monte-Carlo title for the fifth time, a tournament record. He beat Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-6 6-1 to win his fifth-consecutive title after 2 hours and 43 minutes of play. The Serb did something that no one has done since Roger Federer in 2006, which is to take a set from the clay-court king in the tournament.

In the first set, Djokovic jumped out to a 3-1 lead. Nadal then went on a five-game streak to take the set. After Djokovic called the trainer in game seven at 3-4 and then lost three-consecutive games, it looked like it was going to be another dominant performance by the Spaniard. Djokovic stepped up his game and had the Spaniard on his heels. The Serb secured a double break from the Spaniard and then cruised to take the set.

Nadal went back to business in the final set and wore down the Serb. He won the first-two games which were hard fought. Djokovic then broke Nadal in game three to get onto serve, but Nadal buttoned down the hatches and won the next five games to secure his fifth title in Monte-Carlo.

Though he lost, Djokovic should be proud of his game because this is his best performance since his win in Rome last year. It’s good to see him back in the mix. This was also the Serb's second-consecutive Masters final.

In doubles, the second-seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic upset the top-seeded Bryan brothers 6-4 6-1 after 47 minutes of play.

Championship Sunday Singles Final
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-3 2-6 6-1

Doubles Final
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) 6-4 6-1

(Image: AP)

If you picked Nadal, then you were correct. The poll results are as follows:

50% Nadal - Champion
20% Robredo – Second round exit
10% Simon – Second round exit
10% Federer – Round of 16 exit
10% Almagro – First Round exit

The majority rules and was correct. The majority has picked the correct winner 66% of the time. Its only incorrect pick was Miami where Murray won. The Rome Masters poll will be up next.

Second-seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic ended Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki’s run in Monte-Carlo. They will play top-seeds the Bryan Brothers for the championship.



Saturday’s Results
Singles Semifinals
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 4 Andy Murray (GBR) 6-2 7-6(4)
3 Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. 13 Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 4-6 6-1 6-3

Doubles Semifinals
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) def. 3 L. Dlouhy (CZE)/L. Paes (IND) 6-7(3) 6-3 14-12
2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB) def. N. Djokovic (SRB)/V. Troicki (SRB) 3-6 6-1 10-5

Championship Sunday
Singles Final
1 Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. 3 Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Doubles Final
1 B. Bryan (USA)/M. Bryan (USA) vs. 2 D. Nestor (CAN)/N. Zimonjic (SRB)

Sunday’s Order of Play

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