TennisToday

Novak Djokoivc & Roger Federer Win 1st Rounders at Dubai

ATP 500 Dubai - First Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Cedrik-Marcel Stebe - 64 62

2 Roger Federer d Michael Llodra - 60 76(6)

7 of the last 9 titles have been won by these two champs.

Roger took the title in '03-'05. '07. Novak is the 3-time defender.

I'd bet the house that between the two of them they will make it 8 of 10.

In fact, a meeting in the final would be swell.

Chelsea Handler to Maria Sharapova, "You ARE a bitch!" - From Chelsea Lately Feb 27, 2012

Maria: I brought you a dress. You're an extra small right?

Chelsea: See, you are a bitch! (to audience) I like her.

Maria: I really am.

ATP's Weekend Arm Raisers for Feb 26, 2012

ATP 250 Buenos Aires - Final

1 David Ferrer d 2 Nicolas Almagro - 46 63 62

And that's title #13 in a solid career and his 2nd on the year - so far.

David moves his H2H over countryman Nicolas to 9-0.

He'll continue the Golden Swing of South America at Acapulco this week.

ATP 500 Memphis - Final

Jurgen Melzer d 4 Milos Raonic - 75 76(4)

This marks the 4th time Jurgen has lifted an ATP trophy.

He had a remarkable seed-toppling week also downing 1 Isner & 3 Stepanek.

Moving up: The win bumps him 19 placed to #19.

No rest: Jurgen is playing singles and doubles at Delray Beach this week.

I'm exhausted just typing these 4 sentences.

ATP 250 Marseille - Final

4 Juan Martin Del Potro d Michael Llodra - 64 64

DelPo bags career title #10 on the ATP tour.

He will not defend his title at Delray Beach opting instead to play at Dubai.

He's (rightfully) back playing with the big boys.

Photos: Reuters, AP, Reuters

Agnieszka Radwanska Wins Title at Dubai

WTA Dubai - Final

5 Agnieszka Radwanska d Julia Goerges - 75 64

Make room ladies: Welcome to the top 5 girl.

Aga wins her 8th WTA title - and 4th since August.

Post-match: I was pretty close to losing in the first round...

So I'm extremely happy right now.

Tonight I think I was just better in a couple points, to be honest.

In the important moments I was more consistent.

The conditions were a little bit difficult during the match...

But I stayed calm until the end.

That trophy tho... You ain't gonna be able to carry that on the plane.

Photo: Reuters

Fernando Verdasco & David Marrero Win Doubles Title in Buenos Aires

The unseeded Spanish team beat (2) Michel Mertinak and Andre Sa - 64 64.

Fern posted this on his Facebook page. I swiped just cuz I think they're cute.

So, there's that.

Rafael Nadal DInes with Fellow Armani Underwear Man Cristiano Ronaldo

Rafa posted this on Facebook captioned: Having a dinner with Cristiano.

Today we filmed the new commercial for Nike. Had a great day!!

Bah: I'd way prefer an Armani underwear commercial together! I'm so gay.

Arnaud Clement Watch - He's in Marseille

My boy was a wildcard at ATP 250 Marseille this week.

He lost his 1st round singles match to countryman Nicolas Mahut.

But he's still in the dubs with Lukas Dlouhy.

They are set to play the top seeds in the 2nd round tomorrow.

Arnaud was a Sf-ist at a challenger in Bergamo last week.

That showing bumped him up 16 place to his current ranking of #155.

At 34 he will not be around much longer.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic - The Strong Man Heads to Dubai

Novak posted this with the caption: Believe it or not, i am this strong! :)

Novak is on his way to play Dubai next week where is the 3-time defender.

Last year Novak didn't lose a match until the Sf's of Roland Garros...

Will 2012 be a different story?

Victoria Azarenka Remains Unbeaten in 2012 as She Takes Doha Title

WTA Doha - Final

1 Victoria Azarenka d 3 Samantha Stosur - 61 62

Well that was... decisive.

Vika is on a stunning roll in 2012; 17-0 bagging 3 titles: Sydney, AO & Doha.

Impressive: In those 17 match wins she has only dropped 4 sets.

Even more impressive: In her 5 matches in Doha she lost a mere 18 games.

Crazy stuff.

She is the top seed at this weeks event at Dubai.

She has a 1st R bye and will play the winner of Kuznetsova/Georges.

Can she remain unbeaten thru 4 tournies? I'd bet on her.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Wins Title at Rotterdam

ATP 500 Rotterdam - Final

1 Roger Federer d 3 Juan Martin Del Potro - 61 64

Well that was... decisive.

Roger wins his 71st ATP title and 2nd at Rotterdam, following his win in '05.

He adds 500 points to his ranking and creeps a little closer to #2.

I did use the word little - but he's still over 2000 points behind Rafa.

Maybe he'll not skip Monte-Carlo this year?

Longevity: This marks the 12th straight year Roger has won at least 1 title.

His next stop is the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells.

My wish for DelPo? Get in the top 8 before Roland Garros. Please.

Photo: Reuters

Injured Victoria Azarenka into Doha Final

WTA Doha - Semifinal

1 Victoria Azarenka d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 62 64

Early in the 2nd set Vika went down with an ankle injury.

Vika: I don't know how it happened.

But I just focused on each point until the painkillers kicked in and...

I'm happy to pull it out.

If it went to a third set I don't know what would have happened.

Will she be able to return for tomorrow's final against (3) Sam Stosur?

Sam advanced after Marion Bartoli retired before the start of the 2nd set.

Vika has never lost a set to Sam in their previous 5 meetings.

Vika has not lost a match this year: 16-0 - including 2 tournament wins.

It'd be a shame if she couldn't take the court at 100% tomorrow.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Attends Rotterdam Philharmonic Then Orchestrates Quarterfinal Win

ATP 500 Rotterdam - Quarterfinal

1 Roger Federer d Jarkko Nieminen - 75 76(2)

Roger took his mother to hear Beethoven's violin concerto for her birthday.

You can see the proud GOAT birther photo-bombing in the 2nd photo.

Rog has not played this event since winning it in '05.

Me thinks he's on a bit of a ranking points gobble...

He wants stay #3 or even - to move up.

He is looking for title #71.

He's 4th on the title list behind Connors (109), Lendl (94) & McEnroe (77).

He'll catch Mac - but this is one record he'll not hold.

Photos: Leonike at the Rotterdam Phil

Rafael Nadal Got a New Car...

I call... SHOTGUN.

Ryan Harrison Reaches 1st ATP Qf Since Last Summer

ATP 250 San Jose - Second Round

Ryan Harrison d (W) Robbie Ginepri - 63 26 76(0)

And he saved 2 match points in doing so.

He last played a Qf match at Los Angeles last summer and won.

In fact, he had back-to-back Sf showings - at Atlanta and LA.

He will next face a qualifer today, Ditimar Kutrovsky.

It's only a matter of time before this kid starts winning titles.

This weekend is as good a time as any - if you ask me.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Meets His Wax Figure in Serbia

Can you say creepy?

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario Peddles Book in Barcelona

Former #1 Arantxa was in Barcelona to promote her new tell-all.

Broke: In it she blames her parents for blowing her $60 million fortune.

I bet she's pissed. And probable why she's doing commentary.

Arantxa won 4 Slams: RG in '89, '94, '98 & USO in '94.

I still haven't forgiven her for beating Monica Seles in that '98 French final.

I also hated that ball holder she employed at the base of her back.

Blame: She ushered in the era of multi-names when she added the Vicario.

But I loved her grit and tenacity - she got to everything and sent it back.

In winning RG.89 she became the youngest Slam winner at the time and...

Prevented Steffi Graf from winning a 2nd consecutive Grand Slam.

Now 40, Arantxa is on husband #2 raising a boy and girl.

Photos: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova at Vera Wang's NYC Show

A glimpse at how Maria spent part of her Valentine's Day.

Viola Davis looks bored - maybe she's daydreaming about Oscar.

And don't get me started on Roger's bestie, Anna Wintour.

I have a pet-peeve about sunglasses indoors - it's rude and just dumb.

She's so gross. Just go home - surely your ice bath has been drawn.

Photos: Getty Images

Roland Garros Snow Job

Rafa's house in Paris got some snow.

These photos were posted on the Facebook last week.

I thought it looked pretty damn cool.

Rafael Nadal Shirtless with Bar Rafeali for Sports Illustrated

Well Happy Valentine's Day to me. Thank you SI.

But wait, they've even favored us with a making-of clip:

Novak Djokovic Sends His Valentine's Day Love

Captioned: To eternal inspiration, to love, my love...

And all the lovers around the globe: happy Valentine's day people!

Captioned: Lepo je kad je dan pun povoda za čestitanje i slavlje!

Danas je Sveti Trifun, ne propustite da nazdravite dobrim vinom.

A zaljubljenima sretan svaki dan a i ovaj "zvanični" ;)

--- Uh, no clue. I just know that I'd like to be where he is right now!

Photo's from Novak's website.