TennisToday

Rafael Nadal Wins Exhibition Title at Abu Dhabi

The score today: Rafael Nadal d Roger Federer - 76(4) 76(3)

The pair have now played 4 matches in the last 6 or so weeks.

They've split them 2-2... yea, sure 3 of them have been in exhibition play.

But I have a feeling we may just see them play 2 more times in January.

I mean, are you gonna bet against them meeting in Doha or Melbourne?

Rafa Slam: Seems fitting for Rafa to have to go thru Roger, no?

This is the best highlight video I've ever seen:

Photo: Reuters

Robin Soderling gets a Massage from James Bond!

Robin tweeted this photo today after his loss to Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi.

Captioned: Getting some treatment in style. James Bond style.

Looks more like a probing for bullet holes in a scene from CSI if you ask me.

But hey, it's Robin's deal - who am I to submit a (West) Hollywood rewrite?

***

Robin's January last year consisted of 2 1st round losses: Chennai & Aussie.

Surely he can (and will) improve upon that.

Marcel Granollers played the match of his life in Australia. It happens.

Robin finished '10 ranked #5 after a brief flirtation with #4 late in the year.

At present only 180 points separate him from current #4 Andy Murray.

And remember, Andy has runner-up points to defend at the Aussie Open.

If things fall his way Robin will have a longer relationship with #4 very soon.

Like February soon.

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer to Meet in Abu Dhabi Final

WELL HAPPY NEW YEAR TENNIS FANS!

Sadly, I'll be sleeping one off and won't be able to watch.

Today's Semifinal results:

Roger Federer d Robin Soderling - 67(3) 63 63

Rafael Nadal d Tomas Berdych - 64 64

A pair of fun looking scores that ultimately led to the inevitable:

A Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer popcorn match in the UAE.

They also have the chance to meet twice more in January...

As both are playing next week in Doha and later at the Aussie Open.

Do you see anyone really ready to step up and dethrone them?

Yea, me either.

Semifinals All Set at Abu Dhabi Exihibition

Today matches looked to be entertaining and went like this:

Tomas Berdych d Marcos Baghdatis - 63 36 75

Robin Soderling d Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 67(5) 61

***

So the semifinals tomorrow look mouthwateringly like this:

Rafael Nadal vs Tomas Berdych

Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling

***

Yea, Rafa and Roger will surely give us a Happy New Year!

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer sure seem to be besties these days, no?

The two giants of our sport participated in a kids event in Abu Dhabi today.

Damn, lucky kids.

We may just start this New Year off right Saturday - with a Rafa/Roger final.

If so, lucky us.

Roger Federer Updates Facebook from Abu Dhabi

Roger updated his Facebook page with this photo he captioned:

Starting the year tomorrow with my first match in Abu Dhabi.

Spent some of the day doing a kids clinic and signing autographs.

Rafael Nadal Prepares for Abu Dhabi, Doha and Australian Swing

Rafa's nephews (at the end) are super cute, no?

Tho it seems impossible Rafa can actually pick up points in this swing.

He was runner-up in Doha & a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open.

He can also leave Down Under as the holder of all 4 Slams.

Something that hasn't been done since Rod Laver's calendar Slam in 1969.

Rafanatics will want this one real bad...

***

Thanks to Nadal News for the video link.

Rafael Nadal Wins Adu Dhabi Exo Tournament

Hey, it may not have been a sanctioned ATP tournament but he played damn well in his two matches and took out his recent nemisis Robin Soderling in the final today, 76(3) 75.

Rafa's next stop is Doha where he is seeded second behind Roger Federer. It would be nice if they locked horns in the final. We only got 2 matches out of them last year - I need more this year.

Looks like Rafa is back, stew on that naysayers!

Rafael Nadal Wins, Roger Federer Loses in Abu Dhabi

So much for a dream final to start the year...

Robin Soderling coolly eyes Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi presser, "#13 is mine."

Well, I didn't officially predict that Robin Soderling would beat Roger Federer yesterday but I did mention that the guys lately have been taking care of those 0's in their head-to-heads. Alas, this is an exhibition tournament and it won't actually count for anything but I bet it felt good to be Robin yesterday all the same. It was a close one for 2 sets, 67(8), 76(1), 62.

Robin will face Rafael Nadal in the final after Rafa beat countryman David Ferrer in straights, 76(3), 63.

Robin had the upset of '09 when he famously dumped the 4-time defending champion out of Roland Garros in the 4th round and he beat Rafa a second time last year at the season ender in London. I'm thinking Robin won't get a third straight victory - Rafa has a lot to prove and scores of critics so silence this year. Starting now.

The Players at the Abu Dhabi World Tennis Exo

From left to right we have Stanislas Wawrinka, Robin Soderling, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, David Ferrer and........ Boy George?

Seriously, click on the photo to make it larger, it's still Boy George.

It. Just. Won't. Stop.

Robin Soderling & David Ferrer Win Abu Dhabi Openers

Remember when players use to warm-up for the AO in Australia?

Robin Soderling practicing in Abu Dhabi. Photo from their website.

Sudden Swedish tennis star (continuing to rise?) Robin Soderling dismissed Swiss #2 and newlywed Stanislas Wawrinka in two tight tie-break sets, winning them 4 and 2 in the opening round of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

In the 6-man exhibition Soderling will next face #1 Roger Federer in the semifinals. He brings with him the weight of a dismal head-to-head record - Federer has beaten Soderling all 12 times they've played. In fact, in sets played Roger leads an astounding 28-2. The good news for Robin? Lately a few players have been taking care of those 0-fer records against Rog, we'll see...

In the other match played today the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga substitute #17 David Ferrer of Spain came from a set down to beat Russian #6 Nikolay Davydenko, 26, 62, 64. That was probably a fun shot-making match to watch. I suppose I could have streamed the match but living in Los Angeles I was sound asleep.

In a battle of the Spaniards Ferrer will face #2 Rafael Nadal (who says he is ready for a great season) tomorrow for a place in the final. Oddly enough they have only played each other 11 times - you'd think it would have been more, no? Rafa leads their series 8-3, winning the last 4. Ferrer last beat him at the '07 Masters Cup.

Now who on Earth doesn't want to start the year good and proper with a Roger/Rafa final? ME TOO. For old time sake!!!