TennisToday

Juan Monaco into 3rd Round at Hamburg

Hamburg ATP 500 - Men's Second Round

5 Juan Monaco d Gael Monfils - 64 64

Remember: Juan is the defending champion here.

To continue his defense he'll next play up-and-comer Benoit Paire.

Benoit won their only match - a 3-setter at Rome this year.

Pressure on: Juan will need to repeat to stay in the top 20.

John Isner is 60 points behind and will leap-frog with a loss.

Vamos Pico!

***

Pico posted this pic on Facebook from the gym at Hamburg.

Albert Montanes Wins ATP Title at Nice

Nice ATP 250 - Men's Final

Albert Montanes d WC Gael Monfils - 60 76(3)

Not bad for someone not even planning to play this event.

He was a very lasy minute replacement for Berdych suffering fatique.

This is Albert's 6th title and 1st in nearly 2 years.

That over 30 crowd is still making noise. And it makes me goofy happy.

Post match: I was not supposed to play here in the first place.

I was in my home town, 200km from Barcelona, with friends when

I found out I was entering the main draw last Saturday night.

So it’s pretty incredible that I am here now with the Nice trophy.

No doubt the fact that I came here with no pressure, just happy to play,

taking it day-by-day and match-by-match, helped me win this week.

There seems to be a bug going around Indian Wells

2 players have pulled with intestinal trouble: Vania King & Gael Monfils.

Maybe hospital masks are in order on court!

Also, how about we protect the ball kids...

Let the players deal with their nasty sweaty towels on their own.

And not just now - always.

Weekend Winners for February 5, 2012

Montpellier: 1 Tomas Berdych d 3 Gael Monfils - 62 46 63

Tomas wins his 7th ATP title - his 5th in Europe.

***

Zagreb: 3 Mikhail Youzhny d Lukas Lacko - 62 63

Mikhail wins his 8th ATP title - his W/L in finals is now 8-10.

He also won the doubles title with Baghdatis. He has 9 dubs titles.

***

Vina del Mar: 1 Juan Monaco d 7 Carlos Berlocq - 63 67(1) 61

Juan wins his 4th ATP title - and his first since July '07.

His W/L in finals is now 4-8. This win sure must've have felt good.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Bernard Tomic Wins Kooyong Classic as Jurgen Melzer Takes 3rd Place

Kooyong Classic Exhibition

Final: Bernard Tomic d Mardy Fish - 64 36 75

3rd Place: Jurgen Melzer d Gael Monfils - 63 67(10) 62

I dunno, I kinda like the idea of playing for 3rd place.

Only at the Slams tho. It would be pretty cool as far as I'm concerned.

Hell, they play for the bronze at the Olympics don't they?

Photo: Reuters

ATP & WTA Weekend Winners for August 7, 2011

Washington, DC ATP 500 - Final

Radek Stepanek d 1 Gael Monfils - 64 64

John Isner needs a mention here - he kept Gael on court til 1AM in the Sf's.

Radek wins his 5th career ATP title & 1st since San Jose in '09.

His ranking moved from #53 to a lofty #27.

Radek: It’s my biggest win in my career so far and...

It’s coming in the later stage of my career, so it means so much to me...

That I’m capable even in this age to play such great tennis...

Beating the guys from the Top 10 and winning the title.

It’s really an amazing feeling.

Not bad for the old guy.

***

San Diego WTA - Final

3 Angieszka Radwanska d 1 Vera Zvonareva - 63 64

Aggie wins her 5th career WTA title & 1st in over three years.

Her ranking got a one-spot bump up to #12.

Aggie: Everything was working... I played very well today.

I really wanted to win this tournament so I was really focused...

Winning a tournament with a lot of great matches against top players...

Is very special.

Welcome back to the winner's circle girl.

***

Kitzbuhel ATP 250 - Final

Robin Haase d Albert Montanes - 64 46 61

Another week another 1st time ATP titlist. Well done Robin.

The 24 year-old Dutchman improves his ranking from #53 to #44.

Robin: It’s an amazing feeling. I’m really happy that I won.

It was one of the goals this year to make it into a semi-final or final...

And maybe win it.

I was close a few times when I played good but actually lost to good players.

To win this match and beat good players this week was really great.

Now get your butt to the States.

Photos: Reuters/AP

Roger Federer Sets Up Novak Djokovic Semifinal Clash at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Roger Federer d 9 Gael Monfils - 64 63 76(3)

Gael made a little push toward the end but this was a blowout.

Well, once Roger woke up after a rough start.

He's under the radar sure - but he's the only man yet to drop a set.

The Slam numbers on Roger are just getting sick...

This is his 6th RG Sf: 4-1 and his 28th at a Slam: 22-5.

He will take on recent nemesis Novak Djokovic - H2H: 13-9/RF.

Remember, Novak has won all 3 matches this year.

Is Roger the streak stopper?

Roger: I know [Djokovic] has a lot on the line.

I’m looking forward to that match.

I think we usually play pretty well against each other.

Photo: Reuters

David Ferrer Moves into 4th Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Third Round

7 David Ferrer d 31 Sergiy Stakhovsky - 61 61 63

David's tongue should have its own publicist. Kinda not kidding.

That scoreline shows that he's been the 3rd best clay courter this year.

He's moving toward a possible Qf against Roger Federer...

0-fer: But he will first need to get thru (9) Gael Monfils - H2H: 2-0/GM.

Both of those wins came in France - 1 at RG & the other in Davis Cup play.

This time tho Gael will need to bring something extra special to win.

Either way, that should be a wildly entertaining match.

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.

Pete Sampras Played an Exo in San Jose Last Night

To kick off opening night at the ATP 250 event in San Jose Pete Sampras played Frenchman Gael Monfils, currently ranked #12. And played him pretty close: 76(4) 64. Not bad for the 39-year-old former '96 & '97 champ.

After the match Pete said, "I played a little better than I did last year and held my own, but physically that's the most I've served and volley in combination of the last seven years. Not easy."

Gael tweeted: It was a great experience tonight to play with Pete Sampras.

Other players were also very excited to meet Pete, including up-and-comer Milos Raonic (below) who tweeted: Just met my idol Sampras, its really something special getting to meet the person u grew up idolizing. Lifetime memory.

Davis Cup Day 1: France & Serbia Tied at 1-1

Pretty much as expected, no?

R1: Gael Monfils (France) d Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) - 61 76(4) 60

R2: Novak Djokovic (Serbia) d Gilles Simon (France) - 63 61 75

Doubles tomorrow... decisions, decisions, decisions.

Brewing: I am always happy when Davis Cup ties are decided on Sunday.

***

Photos: Gael from Getty Images / Novak from Reuters

The Davis Cup Draw has been Set

The fun begins tomorrow in Belgrade. Live on Tennis Channel in the States.

R1 Janko Tipsaervic (Serbia) vs Gael Monfils (France)

R2 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Gilles Simon (France)

R3 Zimonjic/Troicki (Serbia) vs Llodra/Clement (France)

R4 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Gael Monfils (France)

R5 Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) vs Gilles Simon (France)

Photos: Taken from the Davis Cup website

Quotes & Pics from French Davis Cup Presser

Guy Forget: We wish we would have a big stadium like this in France. It's very nice. I think it's made for big moments like this one.

Michael Llodra: It's always an honour to play for your country. I beat Djokovic in Bercy but Davis Cup is totally different than ATP events.

A journalist asked about Gasquet not liking Llodra which produced a kiss. Mmm, didn't a kiss get you in some trouble before?

Arnaud Clement: I'm ready for doubles. I don't know yet if I'm going to play, that's a question for the captain, but I'm ready to go on court.

Action begins Friday - live on Tennis Channel.

Handsy: What exactly is going on there Gilles?

Photos: Davis Cup & Gael Monfils Twitter pages

French Davis Cup Team at Practice in Belgrade

Gael tweeted this pic today, captioned: On our way back to the hotel.

Look! '07 Wimbledon doubles champs Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra.

Above you got your team captain Guy Forget with Richard Gasquet.

Below you have the top ranked Frenchman, Gael Monfils.

OK, twist my arm - another pic of Arnaud. J'adore!

And Gilles Simon. Hmm, 3 singles players for 2 slots. What's a Guy to do?

Photo: Getty Images/Reuters/Gael's Twitter

Robin Soderling Wins Title at Paris ATP Masters 1000

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Final

4 Robin Soderling d 12 Gael Monfils - 61 76(1)

I dont think I've ever seen Robin smile so much. I could get used to that.

In 5 finals this season Robin wins his 2nd title: also Rotterdam ATP 500.

This is his 6th career title & his 1st Masters 1000 - his biggest prize yet.

The win will also move him ahead of Andy Murray to a ranking high of #4.

He joins Stefan Edberg ('90) & Thomas Enqvist ('96) as Swedish winners here.

Robin sure plays well in Paris - winning today & 2 finals at the French Open.

Postmastch: I now have 2 favorite tournaments, here and Roland Garros.

Spare a thought for Gael - just not enough left after 3 straight 3-setters.

And last year Gael lost in the final to Novak Djokovic...

RS to Gael: It's hard to lose 2 finals in a row. I did it, in this town actually.

While this was the last official tournament of the year - neither boy is done:

Robin will head to London for the season-ending championships at the O2.

And Gael will head to Belgrade to try and win the Davis Cup for France.

Earned it: I don't know about them but I glad to have this next week off!

Photo: Reuters top - Getty Images bottom

Robin Soderling & Gael Monfils to Play for Paris Masters 1000 Title after Thrilling Day of Tennis

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Final Preview

4 Robin Soderling vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 2-0

You know you just witnessed a great day of semifinal tennis when...

1. Both finalists save multiple match points to advance: Robin 3, Gael 5.

2. Both semifinal matches are settled in 3rd set tie-breaks: Fans win.

3. All 6 sets of tennis have a 7 in them, including 5 tie-breaks: Thrillers.

Both boys are looking for (and worthy of) their 1st Masters 1000 title.

Let's hope today was an idictation of what to expect tomorrow.

I'm happily exhauted.

***

Quarterfinal Results

12 Gael Monfils d 1 Roger Federer - 76(7) 67(4) 67(4)

Yet another match Rog has lost this year after holding match point(s).

Trending?: Another player wipes away his 0 in his H2H with Rog this year.

4 Robin Soderling d Michael Llodra - 67(7) 75 76(6)

I told you guys yesterday that this was gonna be a great match!

Stay tuned: Llodra still has a big win possibly awaiting him in Serbia.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Roger Federer & Gael Monfils Set-Up Semifnal Match at Paris ATP Masters 1000

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 5-0

Bad news for Gael: Roger is tearing up opponents this week. And last.

Good(ish) news for Gael: Roger has erased a few 0's in his H2H's this year.

With a partisan crowd this match could be a highly entertaining affair.

Um: Roger is 20-1 H2H against the 3 remaining players in the draw.

***

For the first time in this tournaments history 2 Frenchmen are in the Sfs.

Davis Cup: Pretty sure Gael & Michael are the singles players in Belgrade.

***

Quarterfinal Results

1 Roger Federer d 11 Jurgen Melzer - 61 76(4)

Don't worry Jurgen, Roddick is still thinking about a certain missed volley too.

12 Gael Monfils d 4 Andy Murray - 62 26 63

I only got to watch the 3rd set - Andy looked really tired.

Both Andy's got some crappy scheduling all week if you ask me.

Roddick kept playing 1st up - Murray kept playing last up. So not cool.

Photos: Reuters

Quarterfinals Set at Masters 1000 Paris Tomorrow

Paris ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 11 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 2-0

Interesting that both are 29 and have only played twice - this year.

They played at Wimbledon & US Open - Roger won all 6 sets. Kinda easily.

3 Andy Murray vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 3-1

Both have a similar W/L records this year: 44/15 for Andy, 43/18 for Gael.

4 Robin Soderling vs 8 Andy Roddick - H2H: 2-2

Andy has won both of their matches this season. 4 matches - 5 tie-breaks.

This might just be the match of the day.

10 Nikolay Davydenko vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 4-1

So Llodra gave us a preview of the Davis Cup final beating Novak today.

Note to Team Serbia: Slow down the courts.

Photo: AP

Top 8 Seeds in Action Tomorrow at Paris Masters 1000

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

Robin Soderling Wins 50th Match of 2010 & Enjoys Kids Day in Valencia

Valencia ATP 500 - Second Round

2 Robin Soderling d Daniel Gimeno-Traver - 62 63

The two also played with the kids in mini tennis in Valencia as well.

This was Robin's 50th match win on the season: 50-19.

Robin will play Gael Monfils in the Qfs tomorrow - H2H: 1-0/RS.

Photos: Getty Images