TennisToday

Fernando Verdasco Wins Opener at Cincinnati

Cincinnati Masters Series 1000 - First Round

Fernando Verdasco d Thomaz Bellucci - 63 76(4)

First Fern is gonna rock with that buzz-cut - now he's gotta do the go-t!

Lord help me.

With the win today Fern has improved his year to 28-18.

He will next face the winner of Youzhny/Llodra.

Vamos Fern.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Interviewed by Teenaged Jounalists in Cincinnati

What a great opportunity for these kids. Who do a great job.

Thanks to Federer Live's Twitter for the link.

Roger Federer Wins ATP Title in Cincinnati

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 Winner

3 Roger Federer d Mardy Fish - 67(5) 76(1) 64

This match boiled down to a single break - of the last Fish service game.

With the win Roger gets his 2nd title of '10.

It's the latest in a season he's bagged a 2nd title since '01 when he only won 1.

This is Roger's 2nd straight & 4th overall title in Cincy - tying Mats Wilander.

It's also his 17th Masters title - equalling Agassi & 1 behind leader Nadal.

This ties him at #5 on the title leader list with Bjorn Borg with 63 titles.

He is 1 behind Pete Sampras who has 64.

Roger now heads to the US Open as the #2 seed & brimming with confidence.

Knew it: I wrote 2 weeks ago that Roger would turn up the heat this Summer.

***

Gotta feel for Fish tho. This might have been his best chance...

A few months ago the guy was ranked in the 100's. Tomorrow: the 20's.

Easily the most improved player of the year.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer & Mardy Fish to Play for Title at ATP Masters 1000 in Cincinnati

Cincinnati ATP Master 1000 - Final

3 Roger Federer vs Mardy Fish - H2H: 5-1

Mardy won the last match they played - an Indian Wells Sf in 2008.

Roger is looking for his 2nd title of '10 to add to his Australian Open title.

Roger is also trying to repeat in Cincy and also become a 4 time winner here.

He is playing his 90th career final (62-27) & 28th Masters final (16-11).

Mardy is looking for his 3rd title of '10 & 6th overall.

This is his 3rd Masters 1000 final - he's still looking for his first win.

Photo: Getty Images

Semifinals All Set for ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Semifinal Preview

3 Roger Federer vs Marcos Baghdatis - H2H: 6-1

Marcos won their last match in IW.10 to finally erase the 0 in their H2H.

This is their 2nd meeting in Cincy - Roger won it in '07.

This is Roger's 4th trip to the Sf's: 3-0. He's won here 3 times: '05, '07, '09.

***

9 Andy Roddick (above) vs WC Mardy Fish - H2H: 9-2

Mardy won their last match just a month ago in Atlanta.

Re-match: They played a great final here in '03 - Andy won in a 3rd set TB.

But this is decidedly a story of two very different Summers...

Since the French Mardy's W/L is 21-3 including 2 titles in 3 finals.

Andy's suffered from a 'mini-mono' & has gone 11-4 since the French.

A betting man might just go with Mardy in this one.

***

Quarterfinal Results

Marcos Baghdatis d 1 Rafael Nadal - 64 46 64

3 Roger Federer d 6 Nikolay Davydenko - 64 75

WC Mardy Fish d 4 Andy Murray - 67(7) 61 76(5)

9 Andy Roddick d 2 Novak Djokovic - 64 75

Photo: Reuters

Marcos Baghdatis Upsets Rafael Nadal at ATP 1000 in Cincinnati

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

Marcos Baghdatis d 1 Rafael Nadal - 64 46 64

This match was a real dog-fight... And very entertaining.

Marcos advances to his 5th Sf of the year: 2-2.

This is only his 2nd time in a Masters 1000 Sf following Paris in '07.

Marcos has now beaten 2 #1 players this year: also Federer in Indian Wells.

And he'll get another shot at Federer again tomorrow night.

US Open tidbit: Rafa just doesn't seem to like these night matches.

Photo: Getty Images

Shirtless Sexy Fernando Verdasco Practices in Cincy as NEW Photo Spread Debuts in Sept's GQ

Our boy Fern lost early in Cincy... He's accepted a wildcard into New Haven.

Three million thanks to Andrea Nay for that crazy sexy photo!

Look for Fern in the latest issue of GQ. He looks great in clothes too.

Loving the George Clooney Up in the Air thing they caught here...

Special thanks to my pal LA Surf Punk for the GQ heads up.

Quarterfinal Matches Set for ATP Masters 1000 CIncinnati

Andy won a thriller in Cincy over Robin Soderling in a 3rd set TB last night.

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal Preview

1 Rafael Nadal vs Marcos Baghdatis - H2H: 6-0

In sets played they are 12-3 - with a couple of close matches.

Marcos has a #1 scalp already this year d. Federer in Indian Wells in March.

Rafa has not lost before the Sf's in a year's worth of Masters 1000 events.

***

3 Roger Federer vs 6 Nikolay Davydenko - H2H: 13-2

Owing to opponent injury Roger has played but 7 games in Cincy.

Nikolay has played 60 games in back-to-back 3 setters.

Roger won the last encounter - Nikolay got him in the 2 previous matches.

Why can't we see this match live? Why why why why why? Yea thanks ESPN.

***

4 Andy Murray vs WC Mardy Fish - H2H: 3-3

Andy is trying to get the very rare Canada/Cincy double.

He'll have his hands full - Mardy has beaten him twice this year.

Mardy has won 2 tournaments this summer: Newport & Atlanta.

This is going to be an absolute 'not-to-be-missed' match.

Win or loss, with result is enough to get Mardy seeded for the Open.

***

2 Novak Djokovic vs 9 Andy Roddick - H2H: 2-4

6of 7 of their matches have been played in the quarterfinal stage.

Andy has won the last 3 - which represents their 3 matches in '09.

This match will be played in the heat of the day...

Will Novak wilt? Andy played a late 3-setter last night, will he be ready?

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Saves Match Point to Win in Cincinnati

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Julien Bennetaeu - 57 76(6) 62

Rafa saved a match point in the TB & denied Julien a big upset.

Julien would have been the 1st player outside the top 20 to beat Rafa as #1.

Damn cramps. Cost him the TB and then the match.

This is the only Masters 1000 Rafa has not played a final.

He'll need to up the ante to have a shot at it this year.

Tomorrow he wil play Marcos Baghdatis - H2H: 6-0/RN.

Rafa fact: he has been to the Qf's of every Masters played this year: 6-0.

Photo: Getty Images

A Banana has its Moment on ESPN at ATP Cincinnati

Dude, in that Cincy heat?

Some people'll do anything for a little attention...

I actually saw a guy in a banana suit run the LA Marathon too.

Photo: My TV

Roger Federer Gets Walkover into Quarterfinals in Cincinnati

So Roger is into the Qf's in Cincy having only played 7 games.

Good or bad?

Yesterday Istomin retired with a bum ankle - giving up after the 7th game.

Today Kohlschreiber didn't even show owing to a busted up shoulder.

Roger will play the winner of Davydenko/Ferrer being contested now.

I'm making no plans for Saturday hoping hoping hoping for a Rafa/Roger Sf!

Photo: Many thanks to Federer Live on Twitter.

Serena Williams 'Line Judge' Calling Lines at ATP Cincinnati

Most famous line judge in the World. She can thank Serena for that!

She called the Nadal/Benneteau match today. I love when I spot her.

Photo: My TV

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer - Cute Giggle Buddies, No?

The pair just can't keep it together while filming a commercial in Cincy.

Roger aptly jokes, "It's only on the tennis court that we are serious."

John Isner Retires Match Today in Cincinnati - Tweets: "Should be fine for New York"

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Second Round

David Nalbandian d John Isner - 4-5 ret.

Later in the day he took to his Twitter account to send his fans a message. Caroline Wozniacki, no stranger to a sprained ankele, engaged him in this cute conversation:

John Isner: This really sucks. Was playing really well too. Should be fine for New York.

Caroline Wozniacki: What Happened?

John: Rolled my ankle up 5-3 in the first set.

Caroline: Nooo! How bad is it? Did you get an MRI?

John: I just did. I think I'll be fine but it looks nasty, ugh.

Caroline: Oh, I'm sorry! I know, have been there! Is it very swollen?

John: Unfortuneately yes. I know you have been there before!

Caroline: Ok :( Rest up well!! Ice ice ice. Leg up and you will be ok!! (Says the expert...haha)

John: Thanks doc!

Caroline: Haha! You are welcome... Anytime. LOL

Rafael Nadal Makes Winning Start at ATP Cincinnati

 

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Second Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Q Taylor Dent - 62 75

Rafa made a winning start at his worst Master 1000 event.

Cincy is the only Masters 1000 he's not yet advanced to a final.

The last two years he has been defeated in the semifinals.

Rafa will next play Julien Benneteau in the 3rd round - H2H: 1-1.

Hey look, Julien beat Rafa once. In 2004. Rafa was 18. And still Slam-less.

These days: The difference in their prize money? About 29 million bucks.

Oh, and endless thanks to Nadal News for that abs shot above!

Novak Djokovic Wins Opening Match in Cincinnati - Marks 100th Masters Match Win

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Second Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Victor Troicki - 63 75

Today's win marks Novak's 100th at the Masters 1000 level. He is 100-36.

Novak's 1st Masters event was in Cincy in '05 - a loss to Fernando Gonzalez.

His 1st Masters match win came in Paris in '05 beating Victor Hanescu.

His 1st Masters final was a loss to Rafael Nadal in Indian Wells in '07.

His 1st Masters title came later that month in Maimi, d. Guillermo Canas.

He has since added 3 more: Indian Wells & Rome in '08, Paris in '09.

His best results this year (so far): Sf's in Monte Carlo and Toronto.

Photo: From the Cincy Tournament Facebook page.

James Blake Loses in 45 Minutes at Cincinnati ATP 1000

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - 1st Round

Q Denis Istomin d WC James Blake - 63 60

Ok, it was 8 seconds short of 46 minutes but wow, that's ugly.

At age 30 and ranked #107 - James might have some thinking to do...

Especially with 3rd round points to defend at the US Open.

James has accepted a WC into New Haven next week.

I suppose he wants one for the US Open a well. Can't blame him.

I don't like watching a player nearing the end. Makes me sad.

Photo: AP

The Men's ATP Tour Moves to Cincinnati This Week

Cincinnati ATP Masters 1000 - Seeds & Best Results

1. Rafael Nadal - Semifinals '08 & '09

2. Novak Djokovic - Finalist '08 & '09

3. Roger Federer - Winner '05, '07 & '09

4. Andy Murray - Winner '08

5. Robin Soderling - Round of 16 in '04, '06 & '08

6. Nikolay Davydenko - Semifinalist '07

7. Tomas Berdych - Quarterfinalist '09

8. Fernando Verdasco - Round of 16 in '08

***

Quarterfinal Projections

1 Rafael Nadal vs 7 Tomas Berdych

In quarter: Stan Wawrinka, Taylor Dent, Marco Baghdatis, Thomaz Bellucci

***

3 Roger Federer vs 6 Nikolay Davydenko

In quarter: David Ferrer, Sam Querrey, Robbiw Ginepri

***

4 Andy Murray vs 8 Fernando Verdasco

In quarter: Mikhail Youzhny, Jurgen Melzer, Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon

***

2 Novak Djokovic vs 5 Robin Soderling

In quarter: Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubibic, Davis Nalbandian, John Isner

Kim Clijsters Win WTA Title in Cincinnati

Cincinnati WTA Winner

4 Kim Clijsters d 10 Maria Sharapova - 26 76(4) 62

Hey look - another ugly trophy on the tennis tour.

This match was a really a story of two matches...

Maria was up a set & 5-3 with 3 match points. Kim pulled to deuce.

Then came the rain & an hour delay. Kim returns to win the match.

Wild.

Kim takes the WTA lead in titles this year with 3: Brisbane and Miami.

The win moves Kim up to #4 in the rankings to be released tomorrow.

Maria will return to the top 10 (at #9) for the 1st time in 2 years.

Now let's hope ESPN can get their act togther for next weekend.

I mean, two delayed matches today guys, really?

Photo: Reuters

Sexy Shirtless Spaniards Practice at ATP 1000 Cincinnati

Great thanks to OleRafa for tweeting these sexy photos!

 

 

 

Nicolas Almagro & David Ferrer are hot in Cincinnati.

 

Nico is playing in Cincy for a 4th time - his best result a Qf in '07.

 

Seeded 14 he will open against Stanislas Wawrinka. He is in Rafa's quarter.

 

David is playing Cincy for a 7th time - best results were the Qf's in '06 & '07.

 

Seeded 10th he has an Alexandr Dolgopolov opener. He's in Roger's quarter.

 

Good luck guapos!