TennisToday

ATP & WTA Winners at Eastbourne & 's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch ATP 250 - Men's Final

Q Nicolas Mahut d 2 Stanislas Wawrinka - 63 64

This is the feel good story of the weekend.

At 31 Nicolas is the oldest 1st time ATP winner since 2005.

Before this tourney he had a W/L of 1-2 for the 2013 season.

Post match: It's amazing. I cannot believe I won today.

Eastbourne ATP 250 at - Men's Final

Feliciano Lopez d 2 Gilles Simon - 76(2) 67(5) 60

Feli wins his 3rd title and 1st on grass - and 1st in 3 years.

Post match: I think grass is my best surface,

and to have at least one title on grass is very nice feeling.

***

Interesting to note: both men's winners this weekend are over 30.

WTA Eastbourne - Women's Final

Elena Vesnina d Q Jamie Hampton - 62 61

Elena picks up her 2nd title (both 2013) - Jamie will wait for her 1st.

Post match: But I kept believing in myself. I knew I would win this title.

I knew it was going to happen. It's not self-confidence - I knew if I kept

working hard and believing in myself, it would come. And it did.

WTA 's-Hertogenbosch - Women's Final

Simona Halep d 4 Kirsten Flipkens - 64 62

2 weeks - 2 titles. Last week she won at Nurnberg.

So she's on a nice little 10 match winning streak.

Will she be too tired to do much at Wimbledon?

Post match: I'm really happy. I want to enjoy this evening.

It's a special moment for me.

Roger Federer Wins Historic 5 Setter to Gain Quarterfinals at the French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

2 Roger Federer d 15 Gilles Simon - 61 46 26 62 63

Roger's 35 match quarterfinal streak was in jeopardy for a sec there.

But Roger being Roger dug deep and powered thru the last 2 sets.

There was also an injury scare as Rog rolled over his ankle a in the 2nd.

The victory also marked the GOAT's milestone 900th ATP match win.

He is only the 4th player to reach 900.

Post match: I knew 900 was on the line. I'm just happy I have been able

to win a lot of matches throughout my career, [giving] myself an

opportunity over and over again. I love this game.

Every time you turn around he's breaking records.

A Qf win over Tsonga and he'll own the record for most FO match wins.

He loves those records.

Gilles Simon Wins a Thriller in 1st Round at French Open

French Open - Men's 1st Round

15 Gilles Simon d Lleyton Hewett - 36 16 64 61 75

Someone dug deep. Way deep.

Post match: I simply got back into the match by playing better.

Unfortunately, at the end he played one more time great tennis.

It's never easy to finish when you see the guy coming back 5-1, 5-2, 5-3

after a few match points. So I'm just happy that I managed to win this one.

Andy Murray Thru to Quarters at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

3 Andy Murray d 14 Gilles Simon - 63 61 63

Skunk a tired Frenchman. He'll skunk another one tomorrow.

I don't think unseeded Jeremy Chardy is going to be much of a threat.

Tho he did get Andy in their last meeting in Cincy last year.

Don't look for lightning to strike twice.

Post match on that loss: I hope it maybe motivates me more.

Eh, Andy plays too well Down Under to lose this match.

Who will he play in the Sf's? Roger or Jo-Willy?

I'm not picking one. I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy.

David Ferrer into Rome Quarterfinals

ATP Masters 1000 Rome - Third Round

6 David Ferrer d 11 Gilles Simon - 60 76(5)

How's this as a mark for an amazingly consistent career:

This is David's 27th trip to a Masters 1000 quarterfinal: 18-8.

His 1st Masters Qf appearance was way back at Hamburg in 2004.

It's his 3rd at Rome - he won his previous 2 and advanced to the final in '10.

David is 30, currently ranked #6 and owns 14 ATP titles including 3 this year.

He will play the winner of Murray/Gasquet.

He's a man to admire.

Photos: Top Getty Images - bottom from David's Twitter

Sharapova, Simon & Bertens Also Win Titles Today

WTA Stuttgart - Final

2 Maria Sharapova d 1 Victoria Azarenka - 61 64

Hey, she got a new car. And a new bruise after that shoulder bump.

She wins her first title since Cincy last August.

She's had 3 tough final round losses this year: Aussie Open, IW & Miami.

Maria beat 3 of the 4 reigning Slam champs this week: Vika, Petra & Sam.

Well done.

***

ATP 250 Bucharest - Final

1 Gilles Simon d Fabio Fognini - 64 63

Gilles enters double-digits in titles with 10 - his first of the season.

This is also the 3rd time he's hoisted the trophy in Bucharest.

The win probably won't be enough to bump him up from #12.

Allez: But with little to defend in Madrid/Rome - 'up' could be in the offing.

***

WTA Fes - Final

Q Kiki Bertens d Laura Pous-To - 75 60

Never heard of either of these girls AND I'm a tennis junkie.

Loving her name tho - Kiki. Awesome.

***

Photos: Maria: Reuters; Gilles: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal to Play Monte-Carlo Final

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Semifinals & Final Preview

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62

2 Rafael Nadal d 9 Gilles Simon - 63 64

1 Novak Djokovic vs 2 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 16-14/RN

Welcome to episode #31 of this tangled and thrilling rivalry.

8 is the magic number tomorrow as these two contest yet another final.

Rafa is going for 8 straight titles in the Principality.

This is Rafa's fave tourny & he will not want to relinquish his coveted title.

Nor will he want to lose another match on clay to his current nemesis.

This is Rafa's 30th Masters 1000 final: 19-10.

Novak is gunning for his 8th consecutive victory over Rafa.

He's playing with a heavy heart as his beloved grandfather died this week.

He will play for him and try to win his 1st title in his adopted hometown.

This is Novak's 2nd M-C final: 0-1 - and 19th Masters 1000 final: 11-7.

They played once previously at M-C - Rafa won a 3-setter in the '09 final.

Battle #31 will be a cracker and is definitely not one to miss.

Photos: Rafa from Reuters & Novak from Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and Gilles Simon Set Up Semifinal Meeting at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Quarterfinal

2 Rafael Nadal d Stanislas Wawrinka - 75 64

9 Gilles Simon d 4 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 75 64

2 Rafael Nadal vs 9 Gilles Simon - H2H: 4-1/RN

This is Rafa's 8th straight M-C Sf: 7-0. And 42nd Masters 1000 Sf: 29-12.

He is the 7-time defending champion with a whopping 42-1 W/L record.

Gilles on the other hand: his 1st M-C Sf & 3rd at the Masters 1000: 1-1.

He'll be up against it tomorrow as Rafa has lost SIX sets at M-C since '03.

Something tells me we're looking at another Novak/Rafa final.

Photos: Getty Images

ATP Players Swim with the Dolphins at Miami

Looks like the dolphin had a blast.

Gillies Simon is seeded #13 at the ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami.

He has a 1st round bye and will play the winner of Seppi/qualifier.

He is in the Murray/Berdych quarter.

Gilles is 5-5 at Miami with his best showing last year: Qf.

Ryan Harrison is currently ranked #73.

He will open against Potito Starace for the right to play Roger Federer.

He is 0-2 at Miami - losing two years running in the 1st round.

Bernard is currently ranked #36.

He will open against Sergiy Stakhovsky for the right to play David Ferrer.

He is 0-1 at Miami losing in the 1st round last year.

John Isner Coming of Age at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Quarterfinal

11 John Isner d 13 Gilles Simon - 63 16 75

John is poised to join the top 10 for the first time.

His Sf showing may not be quite enough but a win over Novak might do it.

And/or another strong week at Miami. (Oh that tricky rankings math.)

This is John's 2nd Masters 1000 Sf. He lost a thriller to Tsonga at Paris '11.

Speaking of Novak - they've played twice and Novak has won twice.

But that was in 2010 - John is playing much better. But, Novak is too.

Should be quite an interesting match. Can John gain his first 1000 final?

It's possible. I say this Sf is only 55-45 in Novak's favor. Maybe even 51-49.

Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 3: A Quick Summary

I've been to busy to keep up. So here is one giant post.

As you read keep in mind all of yesterday's matches were second round...

2 Roger Federer d Gilles Simon - 62 63 46 46 63

A genuine bonafide thriller.

Roger hadn't been dumped from a Slam this early since RG '03.

He improved his career record of winning with a 2 set lead to 166-0.

Gilles still remains 1 of 3 active players with a winning H2H over Fed.

Nadal & Murray are the others. He can only (potentially) face 1 - in the final.

4 Venus Williams d Sandra Zahlavova - 76(6) 60 64

An incredible match of fighting spirit.

V pulled a groin muscle at the end of the tie-break.

She leaves court for treatment only to return to serve-up a bagel.

Although injured V has never retired from a Slam match.

Let's see how that feels tomorrow though.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Janko Tipsarevic - 26 46 64 76(0) 60

This thing was an absolute head-stracher.

Janko served for it twice and completely bungled 3 match points.

And once he lost that 4th set TB - he basically lost all heart to play.

This is probably sting for awhile.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Rebecca Marino - 63 57 97

Yet another of the crazy matches played yesterday.

This is Fran's 6th visit to the 3rd round: 2-3. She's never been to the Qf's.

3 Novak Djokovic d Ivan Dodig - 75 76(8) 60 62

Little signs of struggle and frustration in those 1st 2 sets.

But no doubt Novak is happy with the last 2 sets.

This is his 5th straight year thru to the 3rd round: 4-0.

Nole will next face fellow Serb and good friend Viktor Troicki: 6-1/ND.

Remember, Troicki very nearly got him at the US Open last year.

14 Maria Sharapova d Virginie Razzano - 76(3) 63

The former champion, Maria won the last of her 3 Slams here in 2008.

In the 9 Slams she's played since she has gotten to the Qf's (and lost) once.

Stupid shoulder.

Good news: She lost 1st round last year so her ranking will pop a bit.

8 Andy Roddick d Igor Kunitsyn - 76(7) 62 63

I often wonder if Andy let's himself daydream about tennis w/o Federer.

Cuz they are on yet another collision course to meet here in the Qf's.

Observation: Too many slice backhands. That won't cut it next week.

30 Andrea Petkovic d Anne Keothavong - 26 75 60

From the brink Petko digs deep for the magic.

She has only ventured past the 2nd round at a Slam once before:

Her Sf showing at the US Open last year.

She next plays Venus who, as we mentioned before, is quite injured.

29 Viktor Troicki d Nicolas Mahut - 64 62 16 63

It sure feels like that Davis Cup high has lingered, doesn't it?

Too bad DC teammates must play in the next round.

I wonder whose hair is growing back faster?

Viktor has now been to the 3rd round at all 4 Slams. Never further.

8 Victoria Azarenka d Andrea Hlavackova - 64 64

This is Vika's 14th visit to a 3rd round in a Slam: 6-7.

Remember last year she was wheeled off her Qf match after fainting.

One to watch: She has a legitimate shot at a deep run this year.

14 Nicolas Almagro d Igor Andreev - 75 26 46 76(10) 75

Hey whoa whoa whoa, I thought you were a clay courter.

Even so, this is Nico's 3rd straight year to the 3rd round: 1-1.

One might even fancy his chances in his next round against Ljubicic.

I said: Might.

28 Richard Gasquet d Adrian Mannarino - 63 76(4) 64

Lovely to see Richard winning a couple rounds in a Slam.

He lost 1st round here last year so he'll be happy to be collecting points.

He will next face Tomas Berdych with whom has a winning H2H: 2-1.

That should be a real fun one.

***

Phew, now I can get a few things done before Day 4 begins.

This time difference between Melbourne & Los Angeles is a killer.

Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images

Gilles Simon Wins ATP Title in Sydney

Sydney ATP 250 - Men's Final

Gilles Simon d 4 Viktor Troicki - 75 76(4)

From the looks of things this was probably a very good match.

This is Gilles 8th ATP title in just 10 finals played.

He extends his streak of at least 1 title a year to 5 - pretty impressive.

Simon will play Yen-Tsun Lu in the 1st round - H2H: 1-0/GS.

Tough luck: He is slated to face the GOAT in the 2nd.

Viktor is set to open against Dmitry Tursunov - H2H: 2-0/VT.

With Viktor having played the final today - this one could be a tussle.

Viktor is seeded to meet fellow Serb & friend Novak in the 3rd round.

Now that would be a quite a chop-lickin' match.

Photo: Getty Images

Gilles Simon & Viktor Troicki to Play for Sydney Title

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

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

It's an all Spanish final at Valencia ATP 500

Valencia ATP 500 - Final Preview

4 David Ferrer vs LL Marcel Granollers - H2H: 1-0

They played a tight 2-setter in Barcelona earlier this year on clay.

Lucky indeed: Marcel only got into the draw when Jo-Wilfried pulled out.

This is the 5th all-Spanish final of 2010.

This is David's 5th final of the season: 1-3. He won at Acapulco.

A win tomorrow would pretty much qualify him for a spot in London.

***

Semifinal Results

4 David Ferrer d 2 Robin Soderling - 63 36 63

LL Marcel Granollers d Gilles Simon - 64 64

Hey, it's nice to see Gilles playing well again. Oui?

Photos: Getty Images

Semifinals Set at Valencia & Basel ATP 500 Stops

Valencia ATP 500 - Semifinal Preview

2 Robin Soderling (above) vs 4 David Ferrer - H2H: 8-3

Robin has won 3 of the 4 matches they've played this season.

Including a 5-set titanaic battle at Wimbledon.

Both boys are looking for their second titles of 2010.

Ferrer is trying to lock up qualifying for London - this would really help.

Gilles Simon vs Marcel Granollers - H2H: 1-1

Simon looks to be heading back up the rankings after an injury timeout.

As for Marcel he even out his season today: 20-20 W/L.

***

Basel ATP 500 - Semifinal Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 4 Andy Roddick - H2H: 19-2

These two have not played since that epic Wimbledon final in '09.

Roger is looking to make his 3rd straight tour final and 5 of the last 6.

Since losing in the Sf's at W Roger has posted a nice looking 25-3 W/L.

Not 100%: Andy has spent quite a bit of the season either ill or injured.

2 Novak Djokovic vs Viktor Troicki - H2H: 5-1

These two have played 3 pretty close matches this year.

Including a 5-set thriller at the USO that Viktor probably should've won.

Davis Cup: In a fews weeks time they may just be celebrating together.

Photo: Getty Images

Davis Cup Semifinal Day Five Results

France defeats Argentina 5-0

4. Gilles Simon d Eduardo Schwank - 76(5) 67(6) 63

5. Arnaud Clement d Horacio Zeballos - 75 61

The weekend didn't just belong to Llodra - Clement won two matches too.

The French team will now be going to their 10th DC title - in France.

Their last title came in 2001 defeating Australia at Melbourne Park.

Common denominator: Arnaud Clement was part of that '01 team.

***

Serbia defeated Czech Republic 3-2

4. Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62 64

5. Janko Tipsaveric d Radek Stepanek - 60 76(6) 64

Nice come from behind win for Serbia - dinner at Novak's!

This would be a great way to cap Novak's year - with a DC title.

I do love this photo of him:

***

USA defeated Colombia 3-1

4 Mardy Fish d Santiago Giraldo - 36 63 75 46 86

This keeps the US in the World Group for the Cup in 2011.

It also allows Patrick McEnroe to step down with a win.

Mardy is the first USplayer to win 3 matches since Pete Sampras in '95.

Not surprising -the Bryan Bros kept Roddick & Blake to singles for 10 years.

Photos: AP/Getty Images/Reuters