TennisToday

Novak Djokovic Wins Historic Title at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Mardy Fish - 62 36 64

This is just getting down-right scary. I mean look at these stats:

2011 W/L: 53-1. 9 titles. Only 17 sets lost. 16 wins over top 10 players.

His lone defeat was in the Sf's at Roland Garros to Roger Federer.

Novak also becomes the 1st man to win 5 Masters titles in a single season.

This is his 2nd title in Canada ('07) & his 10th Masters Series 1000 title.

He is the 1st #1 since Sampras to win a title in his 1st tourney at the top.

He seems on course to have the most incredible season in ATP history.

Novak: History making, of course it’s special.

Of course, it’s an honour and privilege to be part of the history...

Of the sport that I love and that I play.

ADJE.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins WTA Title at Toronto

Toronto WTA Final

Serena Williams d 10 Sam Stosur - 64 62

So I'm just gonna say it - Serena is officially the favorite at the US Open.

In only her 4th tourney back after a year off this is her 2nd straight title.

She has yet to lose a hard court match in the North American swing.

The win today win see her ranking rise to around #30.

To think just a couple of weeks ago she was outside the top 150.

Serena: My goal was to do really well to get some extra cash...

Cuz I haven't played all year.

Photo: Reuters

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Takes Out Roger Federer in 3rd Round at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 3 Roger Federer - 76(3) 46 61

So... Jo-W backs up that upset win over Roger at Wimbledon.

Oddly enough this is only Jo-W's 8th trip to a MS1000 Qf: 2-5.

And here is the stat of the day/week/year:

This is the 1st time Roger & Rafa were in the same tournament...

And neither of them made it to the quarterfinals. Unreal.

That won't happen again in Cincy.

As for Rog - this is his 2nd straight MS1000 3rd R loss.

He has yet to make the final of a MS1000 tournament this year.

His last final (and win) was last year in Cincinnati.

Photos: Reuters

Rafael Nadal Suffers Rare Opening Round Defeat at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

Ivan Dodig d 2 Rafael Nadal - 16 76(5) 76(5)

Giving it away - somebody needs to shake some rust before Cincy.

Rafa hasn't lost an opening match since Rome '08.

Dodig: I keep fighting second set even when I was down 3-1.

I think I relaxed more and my serve started to work.

Especially after I broke him first time,

I was getting more points with my serve.

I was getting also like more relaxed during the rallies.

Photos: Meredith Lackey

Andy Murray Loses 1st Match at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

Kevin Anderson d 4 Andy Murray - 63 61

Andy has yet to win a match on North American soil this year.

He also lost his opening round matches at Indian Wells & Miami in March.

Whoops: Andy was the 2-time defending champion in Canada.

Shocking that he could only manage 4 games...

Even more shocking - he lost his serve 3 times in the 2nd set.

Completely lackluster. Hmmmmm.

Photo: Getty Images

Caroline Wozniacki Wins WTA Title in Montreal

Montreal WTA Winner

2 Caroline Wozniacki d 8 Vera Zvonareva - 63 62

It's not often that a final is played on a Monday - stupid rain.

Has Caroline pulled from New Haven yet? I'm thinking she should.

The last thing she needs to be is overplayed before the US Open starts.

A US Open by the way, where she will be the top seed.

This is Caroline's 3rd title on the year following Ponte Vedra & Copenhagen.

She & Kim Clijsters are leading the tour this season with 3 titles each...

Interesting that they are the 2 finalists from the US Open a year ago.

Caro is a real bet this year... Move on to the next post...

Photo: Getty Images

Semifinals All Set for WTA Event in Montreal

Montreal WTA - Semifinal Preview

8 Vera Zvonareva vs 10 Victoria Azarenka - H2H: 4-2

Vera had a terrific come from behind win over Kim Clijsters yesterday.

Victoria has won the last two matches - both in 2010.

She has also enjoyed a nice N. American Summer - winning in Stanford.

***

2 Caroline Wozniacki vs 11 Svetlana Kuznetsova (above) - H2H: 2-2

They have flip-flopped matches - Caro won the last one. Sveta's turn?

Sveta has had a dismal year - she is beginning to turn things around.

It began with winning San Diego then *boom* she's in the Montreal Sf's.

She's enjoying her 2nd Sf in 3 weeks & in all of 2010.

This Caro's 5th Sf of the season: 3-1.

Feels weird: Caroline will be the top seed at the US Open. Um...

Photo: Reuters

Jelena Jankovic Loses Opening Match at WTA Montreal

Montreal WTA - Second Round

Q Iveta Benesova d 1 Jelena Jankovic - 76(3) 63

Not good: This is the 2nd week in-a-row Jelena's lost to a qualifier.

Since getting to the Sf's at the French she's yet to get to a Qf in 5 tourneys.

To be fair, she retired 2 of those losses owing to injury.

Yesterday she slipped from #2 to #3 - she lose Qf points this week.

OK JJ - let's get it together and step it up for the US Open.

Photo: Reuters

Andrea Petkovic's Twitter Critque of Her 1st Round Loss at WTA Montreal

Andrea tweeted: Yesterday was...

Andrea lost to Dinara Safina - 63 63.

With every Tweet I love her all the more.

Andy Murray Wins Toronto ATP Masters 1000 Title

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 Winner

4 Andy Murray d 3 Roger Federer - 75 75

Andy finally gets a title under his belt for 2010.

This marks his 5th Masters 1000 title & 15th career ATP tour title.

Drought over: He defends his title in Canada - 1st title since last Fall.

This is the 4th time Andy has successfully defended a title.

Marks the 2nd time this year a player has beaten Rafa/Roger in same tourney.

In fact, Andy becomes the 5th player to do so...

Andy/Roger H2H is now 7-5/AM - but, 1st time he's beaten Roger in a final.

***

As for Roger this result secures a move back up to #2 in the rankings.

It'll take a disaster in Cincy for him to lose it again before the US Open.

Well, he just needs to stay even or go a round better than Novak in Cincy.

Roger has won 16 Masters 1000 titles & has been runner-up 11 times.

Photos: Reuters

Roger Federer & Andy Murray to Play for Toronto Title

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Final Preview

3 Roger Federer vs 4 Andy Murray - H2H: 5-6

Andy may have the lead but Roger's won the last 3, including AO '10 final.

Owing to threatening skies the match has been moved up to 1:30.

This is a really quick turn-around for Roger...

He didn't get off court until 10ish & who knows what time he went to sleep.

Given that & how well Andy's been playing this could be a lopsided affair.

I said, could be.

Yesterday Andy kept his #4 ranking while Roger moved himself back to #2.

Andy is playing for his 1st title in '10, 15th overall & 5th Masters 1000.

UM: Roger's playing for a 2nd title in '10, 63rd overall & 17th Masters 1000!

Let's hope he's not too jaded today to make it a great match...

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Wins Another Thriller - This Time in the Semifinals in Toronto

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Semifinal

3 Roger Federer d 2 Novak Djokovic - 61 36 75

What a bizarre match. I mean - Roger was up a set and a break, but...

How many matches has Roger played this year up a set then blows the 2nd?

Earlier in the year he lost tight 3 setters - he's now won 2 tighties in-a-row.

He'll have a short turn-around before he plays Andy Murray - H2H: 6-5/AM.

The win will give Roger the #2 ranking back come Monday morning.

Here's a shocker: Novak has yet to beat a top 10 player this season.

Photo: Getty Images

Andy Murray Upsets Rafael Nadal to Advance to the Final in Toronto

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Semifinal

4 Andy Murray d 1 Rafael Nadal - 63 64

Suddenly this feels like the best rivalry in men's tennis - H2H: 8-4/RN.

But for 2010 - H2H: 2-1/AM.

That was a well played aggressive match from Andy from the outset.

He got a lot of Rafa balls back that 99% of the other guys can't.

With this win Andy will remain at #4 - for now...

Defending '09 points: Andy has a win here & Sf in Cincy - Soderling has 10.

But given the way he's been playing this week...

Rafa has still yet to lose 100 matches on tour. Today was loss #97.

He won't get to the century mark until sometime after the US Open.

But it will happen this year. Nadal's 100th Loss Watch begins now.

He will play Cincy next week which is only 1 of 3 Masters 1000 he hasn't won.

Switheroo: Next week'll be Federer in his half of the draw, not Murray.

Photo: Getty Images

Top 4 Players in the World to Play Semifinals in Toronto

Something 'bout Canada - last year the top 8 players made the quarters.

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Semifinals

1 Rafael Nadal vs 4 Andy Murray (above) - H2H: 8-3

6 Masters 1000's played this year - Rafa's been to the Sf's in all - winning 3.

Andy is the only semifinalist yet to win a title this year.

In fact, this is only Andy's 4th Sf for 2010. Time for a breakthrough?

Rafa won the last time they played - in straights at Wimbledon last month.

Pressure: Andy needs to win today to keep from slipping to #5.

***

2 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 9-5

Novak won their last match - last Fall in Basel.

They also met once before in Canada - in the final '07, won by Novak.

Sloppy: This is Roger's 6th Sf: 2-3. And this is Novak's 5th Sf: 1-3.

***

Quarterfinal Results

1 Rafael Nadal d Philipp Kohlschreiber - 36 63 64

Rafa got the test out of the way... Way to turn it around.

4 Andy Murray d David Nalbandian - 62 62

Murray exstinguished the Nalbandian fire that had flared recently.

3 Roger Federer d 7 Tomas Berdych - 63 57 76(5)

Roger escaped in a thriller. Thanks Maria for letting ESPN go there.

2 Novak Djokovic d Jeremy Chardy - 62 63

Kind of a late start. Kind of not cool. Well, at least there was no heat.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Escapes in a Thriller in Toronto

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

3 Roger Federer d 7 Tomas Berdych - 63 57 76(5)

That headline could easily read: Berych Chokes Match Away.

Or, Rude Toronto Crowd Rattles Berdych at Crucial Times in 3rd Set.

Anyway you look at it - that was a GREAT match.

Revenge: Roger snapped a two match losing streak to Tomas.

Roger lost in Canada in '09 in the Qf's so he's adding points this week.

This is Roger's 2nd Masters Sf this season: 1-0 in Madrid.

Photo: Getty Images

Quarterfinals Set for Toronto ATP Masters 1000

Toronto Masters 1000 - Quarterfinals

1 Rafael Nadal vs Philipp Kohlschreiber - H2H: 0-0

This is Rafa's 11th tourny in '10 - he has failed to make the Sf's twice.

He has made at least the Sf's of all 5 Masters 1000 played so far this year.

This is Philipp's 6th Qf (1-4) & 2nd in a Masters 1000 (Monte Carlo) for '10.

***

4 Andy Murray vs David Nalbandian - H2H: 0-2

They haven't played in a couple of years.

The way David is playing lately this could be a really good match.

In '09-'10 David has played in 1 Slam & he's in only his 7th Masters 1000.

***

3 Roger Federer vs 7 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 8-3

Tomas won their 1st meeting at the Athens Olympics in '04.

Then is was 8 straight for Roger through the glory (glorious) years.

2010 has seen Tomas take Fed out twice including a big win at Wimbledon.

Can he make it 3-in-a-row. Or can the Fed turn the tables. Stay tuned...

***

2 Novak Djokovic (above) vs Jeremy Chardy - H2H: 4-0

In 4 matches Jeremy has yet to win a set.

This is his 3rd Qf on the season (0-2) the other 2 were in 250 events.

This is Novak's 3rd Masters 1000 Qf in 2010: 1-1.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer Wins Match in Toronto - Sets 20 Slam Goal

Toronto Masters 1000 - 3rd Round

3 Roger Federer d Michael Llodra - 76(2) 63

Roger will next face Tomas Berdych in the Qf's. Berdych has been Roger's biggest nemisis this year beating him twice - in the 4th round in Miami and the big one in Qf's at Wimbledon. Can Berdy make it 3-in-a-row?

***

In a conversation with the BBC he said that he'd like to win at least 20 Slams. I know everyone thinks he's finished - I don't and I think 20 is a reachable number. He just turned 29 this week and he'll surely be a factor for at least another 3 or 4 years.

The World #3 said, "I believe that having won three Grand Slams per season three times, and two per year a couple of times, it's something doable for me."

And for you weirdos that keep saying his only focus anymore is the Slams he had this to offer, "I'm giving 100 percent for each and every tournament that I play because I don't play a ton of tournaments. Tournaments like Toronto this week and Cincinnati next week are important to me, too. The motivation is huge for the next few years. And obviously if I can win Grand Slams that's fantastic, but they are not the only motivation over the next few years."

Here is what Roger had to say about how recovery is different as he's gotten older, "Some things take a little bit longer to recover from with age, but I can prevent more problems by doing a lot more stretching, physical work, practice, massages. I'm doing everything much more professionally today than I ever have before. There's no denying that I've played almost a thousand matches in my life, and that obviously has a big wear and tear on your body, too. So you have to be a little bit more careful."

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic - 'Soccer Tennis' in Toronto

This video (shot the other day) is beyond fun...

David Nalbandian into Quarterfinals in Toronto

Toronto Masters Series 1000 - 3rd Round

David Nalbandian d 5 Robin Soderling - 46 64 61

I told you on Sunday after he won in DC that he'd be seeded at the US Open.

His win today will move him up to about #35 - a win tomorrow & ta-da!

And he has exactly ZERO points to defend next week in Cincy.

With the DC title & 2 Davis Cup rubbers he has won 11 matches straight.

Wasting away: I think this is the thinnest we have ever seen David.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Wins 1st Match Since Winning Wimbledon

Toronto Masters 1000 - 2nd Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Stanislas Wawrinka - 76(12) 63

One word sums this match up more than any other: rust. Yikes.

But what can you expect after six weeks off...

And let's not ignore that he's never been much of a night player either.

Tomorrow he will face tricky big serving Kevin Anderson: H2H: 0-0.

So what's with Rafa & Roger and their ice cream kits in Toronto?

Last night Roger looked like neopolitan ice cream...

Tonight Rafa look like a Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle!