TennisToday

David Ferrer Fights into Semifinals at Barcelona

ATP 500 Barcelona - Quarterfinal

3 David Ferrer d 7 Feliciano Lopez - 67(4) 76(7) 63

Phew: David saved 3 match points to move into the semifinals.

David improves his year to 27-4, this includes 3 titles.

Remember, he's had frustration at Barcelona over the years...

3 times he's lost to countryman Rafael Nadal in the finals: '08, '09 and '11.

Can he finally break thru?

He'll have to get past 11 Milos Raonic first - H2H: 3-0/DF...

For a right to play the winner of Nadal/Verdasco in the other Sf.

Any way you slice it a great final is in the offing on Sunday.

Photo: Reuters

The Men's Quarterfinal Results at Wimbledon

1 Rafael Nadal d 10 Mardy Fish - 63 64 57 64

Rafa moves into his 5th straight Sf: 4-0 & his 16th trip to a Slam Sf: 12-3.

He is the 2nd youngest (by two days) to reach 16 Slam Sf's - after Borg.

Rafa had a little lapse of concentration in the 3rd set before closing it out.

He sets up 2nd straight Sf against Andy Murray: 11-4/RN.

2 Novak Djokovic d Q Bernard Tomic -62 36 63 75

Novak is one match win away for being #1 in the rankings.

I'm very close to reaching the #1, but I try not to think about that too much.

He got a really tough workout from 18 year-old future star Bernie today.

This is Novak's 5th straight Slam Sf & 12th overall.

He will face nemesis Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-2/JWT.

This should be a great match.

4 Andy Murray d Feliciano Lopez -63 64 64

Yesterday Andy met PGA US Open winner Rory McIlroy with John McEnroe.

This is Andy's 3rd straight trip to the Wimbledon Sf: 0-2.

Andy is the only Sf'ist yet to drop a set.

Andy is in the final 4 again - one of these days he'll be the last one standing.

Just have to go out there and play well and serve well...

And believe and I'll have a chance.

12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 3 Roger Federer - 36 67(3) 64 64 64

Jo-Willy came up with the win of his lifetime.

This is his 3rd Slam Sf: 1-1.

This is the 3rd time Roger lost with a 2 set lead - 1st time at a Slam.

Jo-W: The feeling is like maybe beating Nadal in Roland Garros...

So it's just amazing. And for me it will be, for sure...

One of the best memories in my career anyway.

Photos: Getty Images

Feliciano Lopez Upsets Andy Roddick in 3rd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon Men's Third Round

Feliciano Lopez d 8 Andy Roddick - 76(2) 76(2) 64

Boy this loss really feels like the writing is on the wall for Andy.

Since his loss to Federer in that incredible Wimby final 2 years ago...

His Slam resume has been a disaster - only 1 Qf with a Slam W/L of 19/7.

Sad to say but I think his time is definitately running out.

As for Feli - this is his 5th trip to the 4th round at SW19: 2-2.

The grass at Wimbledon is easily his best surface.

Oh and, these two may square of again in Davis Cup in a couple of weeks.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal, Feliciano Lopez & Juan Monaco in a Game of Shirtless Locker Room Golf

And it looks like Rafa hit the hole.

Rafa updated his Facebook with golf and abs, captioned:

This afternoon it rained and we played golf at locker room!

Feli, this ball go to inside ;)

Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer Make Winning Starts at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - First Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Thiemo De Bakker - 62 61 63

3 Roger Federer d Feliciano Lopez - 63 64 76(3)

These two are on a collision course for an anticipated semifinal match.

Of course they both need to win 4 more matches to get there.

AND they both have one potential road bump to the Sf's...

Novak could face Del Potro in the 3rd & Rog could face Ferrer in the Qf's.

Oh yea, and that was Novak's 1,548 consecutive match win, or something.

Photos: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Into Quarterfinals at ATP Rome

Rome ATP Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Feliciano Lopez - 64 62

Rafa righted the ship today - but says he's still not feeling well:

I had a fever this morning but I feel better now.

Certainly I didn't really understand why yesterday I felt slow & without energy.

I understand now better today.

That is that and I am here to fight and to try my best like I have always done.

I am ready for everything.

Surely he'll be ready for Marin Cilic tomorrow - H2H: 1-1.

Rafa beat him pretty handily at the Aussie Open this year in straights.

I'm feeling Rafa will at least leave Rome with #1 in tact...

For now.

Photo: GQ Italia via Rafaholics

Ferrer, Lopez & Monaco All Win Today in Madrid

Eh, I just wanted to post my iPhone TV screen captures.

Madrid Masters Series 1000

2nd R: 6 David Ferrer d Q Adrian Mannarino - 64 06 60

Boys feeding each other bagels is weird.

1st R: Feliciano Lopez d Milos Raonic - 46 76(2) 64

I didn't watch this match but I bet it was a real banger.

Feli's reward? A date with Roger Federer tomorrow night in the Magic Box.

2nd R: Juan Monaco d 9 Gael Monfils - 62 3-0 ret.

Never fear, Gael seemed to just have an upset tummy.

Fernando Gonzalez: Wins 1 and Loses 1 in ATP Return at Serbian Open

Belgrade ATP 250 - Second Round

Feliciano Lopez d W/C Fernando Gonzalez - 64 76(4)

This was Fern's 1st tournament since losing 1st round at the US Open.

The last year or so he has been hampered by that damn hip surgery.

His 1st round straight-sets win over qualifier Klizan had to feel good.

Fern: I haven’t played for a long time but my shots are already in my game.

I’m moving better every day but I need to play more matches...

More points and I need to compete.

Hopefully he his fit again and can work his way back up the rankings.

Where he currently sits at #516. Can he pull a Del Potro?

We shall see... But in any case, it's nice to see him back.

And we will see more as he's been given a wildcard at Roland Garros.

Photo: Stevanovic/Milosavljevic

Federer & Djokovic Advance at Dubai with Identical Score

Dubai ATP 500 - First Round

1 Roger Federer d W/C Somdev Devvarman - 63 63

2 Novak Djokovic d Michael Llodra - 63 63

Only 4 matches away from another Fed/Djoker blockbuster.

Tennis is full of great rivalries at the moment - theirs is right at the top.

Well, ok. Second from the top.

Roger will next play Marcel Granollers for the first time

Novak will play Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 2-0/ND.

The title count between Fed/Djoker & their opponents tomorrow: 86-3.

Whoops.

Andy Murray Upset in 1st Round at Rotterdam ATP 500

Rotterdam ATP 500 - 1st Round

Marcos Baghdatis d 2 Andy Murray - 64 61

Oh dear, that 's not the way to get that #4 ranking back Andy.

Last year Andy lost in the AO final and took a long break afterward...

This year he lost in the AO final & bounced right back & played Rotterdam.

Hmmm.

***

This makes for Baghdatis' 17th victory over a top 10 player.

He also improves his H2H record over Murray to 3-1.

He will next play Spaniard heart-throb Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 1-1.

Photo: Getty Images

Tour Returning Juan Martin Del Potro Wins Sydney Thriller

Sydney ATP 250 - 1st Round

W/C Juan Martin Del Potro d 6 Feliciano Lopez - 67(5) 76(9) 76(3)

What a way to tell 'em you're back. Saving a match point to boot.

And in shirt sleeves.

This marks his 1st win since his 4th round finish at AO10 last January.

He did try to comeback in Sept/Oct and lost 2 matches, finishing '10: 3-3.

He has fallen in the rankings to #259. Tho I suspect that will rise.

Quickly.

Photo: Reuters

I Just Saw the Feliciano Lopez 'Bag Check'...

I'd much rather see the contents of the bag that takes care of all that hair!

Twitter Cuteness Battle: Dulko/Pennetta VS Verdasco/Lopez

Just when you thought the Fern/Feli bromance was the best thing going...

Along come Flavia & Gisela to give them a run for their money.

Both sets of photo were posted to Twitter within the last 24 hours.

Keep 'em coming guys. Well, that's an unnecessary plea.

Juan Martin Del Potro Loses Again in Comeback

Tokyo ATP 500 - Men's First Round

6 Feliciano Lopez d Juan Martin Del Potro - 63 60

Following his 1st round defeat in Bangkok JMDP has now lost two straight.

Now I fall into the 'let's cut him some slack' group but three games?

I never expected this type of a beat-down.

He needs match play. I say he returns to solid form in Australia.

I, for one, was hoping he'd discover sleeves while he was away.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Sails into Quarterfinals at US Open

US Open - Men's Fourth Round

1 Rafael Nadal d 23 Feliciano Lopez - 63 64 64

Yea, it's not often Rafa loses to a fellow Spaniard. This was no exception.

And he's got another Spainiard, Verdasco in the Qf's - H2H: 10-0. Sorry Fern.

Crazy stat: After 4 matches Rafa has yet to drop his serve.

Rafa has cranked up his serve here as never before - one was 135 tonight.

It's actually funny watching Pam Shriver try to get serve info out of Uncle Toni!

Like she's special ops.

This is Rafa's 4th time in the Open Qf's: 2-1. And his 4th Slam Qf of '10: 2-1.

Three matches to go to complete the career Slam. After tonight's display...

I'm thinking it looks pretty good to happen.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Storms into 4th Round at US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Gilles Simon - 64 64 62

AWWW: Gilles can now go home and meet his newborn son, Tim.

Rafa moves into his 5th consecutive round of 16 at the Open: 3-1.

This is his 17th straight Slam match victory following title runs at RG & W.

Insane stat: In 3 matches Rafa has yet to drop his serve.

He will next face countryman & friend Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 5-2.

Lopez won the last match at Queens Club.

But that match was 5 days after Rafa won his 5th RG title. Understandable.

If Lopez can fire up his serve tho Rafa could be in for a long match Tuesday.

Let the Vamos-ing begin!

Photos: Getty Images

Fernando Verdasco & Feliciano Lopez take Manhattan

Hey ladies & gays... if you can tear your eyes off the Spanish besties...

That's a view of Manhattan from the Trump Hotel in SoHo.

Photo: Fern's Facebook

Lock up your daughters Toronto - Fernando Verdasco & Feliciano Lopez have hit town!

Fernando tweeted this photo last night from Toronto.

Sure, they look innocent enough...

#9 Fernando will open against Eduardo Schwank - he's in Djokovic's quarter.

Lopez will open against Thiemo De Bakker - he is in Murray's quarter.

He is also playing doubles with another Spanish hottie - David Ferrer.

Oh to be in Toronto...

Murray & Querrey to Play for Los Angeles ATP 250 Title

Los Angeles ATP 250 Final

1/WC Andy Murray (above) vs 2 Sam Querrey - H2H: 4-0

These two lucky ducks have played some crazy matches to get here.

In fact, Sam saved a match point in the Sf against Tipsarevic.

Despite the lopsided H2H this one ought to be a doozey.

Murray won (pretty easily) their only match in '10 - at Wimbledon.

Andy is looking for his 1st title on the year - Sam his 4th.

Sam is 2nd behind Rafa (5) in titles won this year. He would narrow the gap.

***

Semifinal Results

1/WC Andy Murray d 4 Feliciano Lopez - 60 16 64
2 Sam Querrey d 6 Janko Tipsarevic - 67(3) 76(5) 64

Photo: Reuters

Semifinals are all set for Los Angeles ATP 250

Los Angeles ATP 250 - Semifinals

1/WC Andy Murray vs 4 Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 2-0

Oddly enough Andy is still looking for his first title of the season.

In fact, in 11 tournies played this year he's only been to Sf's 3 times: 1-1.

This is Feli's 3 semi too: 1-1. He went on to win the title in Johannesburg.

This match feels ripe for an upset - just have a feeling.

***

2 Sam Querrey vs 6 Janko Tipsarevic - H2H: 1-0

The only match they played was 4 years ago in Indy: 3 tight sets.

Janko has yet to win an ATP tour title... I wouldn't mind it happening here.

Defending champ Sam has 3 titles in '10 - & looking for a 5th final this year.

***

Quarterfinal Results

1/WC Andy Murray d Alejandro Falla - 76(3) 61
2 Sam Querrey d Rainer Schuettler - 62 36 76(4)
6 Janko Tipsarevic d 3 M Baghdatis - 63 75
4 Feliciano Lopez d WC James Blake - 36 76(6) 64

Gotta feel for Rainer and James - all those chances blown.