Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 - Third Round
3 Novak Djokovic d 31 Ernests Gulbis - 60 61
So, you're not much of a morning person eh Ernie?
Ernie had 3 break points in the 1st game - then went back to bed.
Pretty sad showing.
Novak remains undefeated on the year: 14-0.
He will next play countryman & close friend 16 Viktor Troicki - H2H: 7-1/ND.
Novak showed big love to Japan with his tape job. Nice Novak, real nice.
Photos: Reuters
Australian Open - Women's First Round
Ekaterina Makarova d 19 Ana Ivanovic - 36 64 10-8
The definition of a thriller.
I sure hope Ana can leave this match behind her - it was encouraging.
Despite the loss she's on the right track. Keep going Ana.
***
Men's First Round
Benjamin Becker d 24 Ernests Gulbis - 76(5) 62 64
For Ernie this was always gonna be a tough match-up.
Ben is a formidable player. Remember, he sent Agassi into retirement.
But at some point Ernie you have to win a match at a Slam.
Hell, even winning a set would be nice.
The last set he won at a Slam was at Wimbledon in 2009.
That's 5 straight 1st round losses - in straight sets.
Um...
Photos: Getty Images/AP
Sydney ATP 250 - Men's Final Preview
4 Viktor Troicki vs Gilles Simon - H2H: 0-4
In fact, Viktor has never even purchased a set off of Gilles.
But they haven't play in over a year & this is a new/improved Viktor.
Viktor is looking to add a 2nd title to the maiden one he just won in Moscow.
Gilles is seeking an 8th. Funny, I don't remember him winning 7 titles.
Lemme think. Ah yes, now I do. There was that lovely little run in '08.
Viktor is the 2nd ranked Serbian - Gilles the 5th highest Frenchman.
***
Semifinal Results
4 Viktor Troicki d Florian Mayer - 64 76(4)
Gilles Simon d 3 Ernests Gulbis - 76(1) 60
Um, Ernie... bagels are not on the diet.
Photos: Reuters
Doha ATP 250 - 2nd Round
1 Rafael Nadal d Lukas Lacko - 76(3) 06 63
Rafa showed up in Doha suffering from a bit of fever.
And it showed in his match today - but he still played & won in doubles after.
Rafa last lost a love set in Feb '09 to Andy Murray in the Rotterdam final.
Rafa will play 5 Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 3-0/RN.
But Ernie has taken a set in each of their three matches. Interesting.
***
2 Roger Federer d Marco Chiudinelli - 76(5) 75
Roger won the battle of childhood friends. And it was closer than he'd like.
I watched the 2nd set & Fed didn't seem to have his usual fight.
But he drew enough will to score the win. Phew.
Roger moves into the Qf's at Doha in all 6 appearances: 4-1.
Roger will play 6 Viktor Troicki in the Qf's tomorrow - H2H: 1-0/RF.
Warning ahead: Troicki is playing the best tennis of his life right now.
***
Both matches tomorrow should be good. Setting my alarm now.
All 8 are in action in the 3rd round tomorrow in Paris.
1 Roger Federer vs Radek Stepanek - H2H: 9-2
2 Novak Djokovic (above) vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 1-0
3 Andy Murray vs 13 Marin Cilic - H2H: 4-1
4 Robin Soderling vs Stanislas Wawrinka - H2H: 1-2
5 Tomas Berdych vs 10 Nikolay Davydenko - H2H: 1-8
6 Fernando Verdasco vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 0-1
7 David Ferrer vs Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-1
8 Andy Roddick vs Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 2-0
5 of the 8 are playing for 3 spots in London. All could be settled tomorrow.
DVR set. Gonna be a long day tomorrow!
Photo: Getty Images
How happy is that kid? I'd love to ask this him, "Roger or Rafa?"
And I'd love for this kid to shrug, "Why not both?"
Yes, I made a bit of a statement there. Why not both!
Photo from LA Open Twitter page.
Julien Benneteau d 23 Ernests Gulbis - 64 62 10 ret.
Ah, I was looking forward to a fun run by Ernie.
He's played so well this clay season. Real pity.
This photo is his profile pic on the Roland Garros website.
It's hilariously airy and weird.
1 Roger Federer vs 9 David Ferrer - H2H: 9-0
They are 19-2 in sets played.
This is David's 3rd straight Master 1000 semifinal (1-1) & 6th overall (1-4).
This is Roger's 33rd Masters 1000 semifinal (25-7) & 6th in Madrid.
This may just be David's best shot at a win over Fed - can he step up?
***
Quarterfinal Results
1 Roger Federer d Ernests Gulbis - 36 61 64
Revenge in 3.
9 David Ferrer d 3 Andy Murray - 75 63
No shame in losing to the 'prince of clay'.
Photos: Getty Images
ATP Title Winners for July 31, 2011
Los Angeles ATP 250 Final
Ernests Gulbis d 1 Mardy Fish - 57 64 64
Ernie captures his 2nd ATP title - interstingly, both on American soil.
Heading back up: The win bumps him up 29 ranking spot to #55.
A year ago he enjoyed his highest ranking of #21.
Let's see if he can keep it going - I think he belongs in the top 20.
Ernie: It means a lot to me. It's my second title.
It gives me a huge boost in confidence.
***
Gstaad ATP 250 Final
8 Marcel Granollers d 4 Fernando Verdasco - 64 36 63
Marcel also captures his 2nd ATP title - and first since Houston in '08.
It’s very important for me because I won my first tournament in 2008...
Which was a little unexpected, and three years later I won here.
So there is a lot of work behind today and I feel amazing.
The win bumps him to a career high ranking of #33.
DomiNation: Another Spaniard winning another title.
***
Umag ATP 250 Final
2 Alexandr Dolgopolov d 4 Marin Cilic - 64 36 63
Big congrats to Alexandr on winning his maiden ATP title.
2nd times a charm: He lost his first final in February at Costa Do Sauipe.
He becomes the 6th first-time titlist of 2011.
Alex rises 5 spots in the rankings to #21 - 1 spot below his ranking high.
Alex: I was first in the rankings in Ukraine, but I hadn’t won a title...
And everyone was talking about that a bit. It’s a good moment.
I’ll keep on working and try and get higher and higher in the rankings.
Photos: Reuters/AP
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