TennisToday

David Ferrer Thru to Final at French Open

French Open - Men's Semifinal

5 David Ferrer d 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 61 76(3) 62

It took 11 years and 42 Slams for David to finally gain his 1st final.

And it's very well deserved.

He had come up empty in his last 5 semifinal attempts.

He takes a massive losing record against Rafa with him - H2H: 19-4/Rafa.

Post match: I'm very, very happy. This tournament is very special for me

and to be the first final of Grand Slam in Roland Garros is amazing.

Now I want to enjoy this moment, to rest tomorrow,

and to try my best in the final.

I know he's the favourite, but I am going to be focused every point.

I will try to do my best.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Upsets Roger Federer in Quarterfinals of the French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinals

6 Jo-WIlfried Tsonga d 2 Roger Federer - 75 63 63

I'm not sure I want to call this an upset.

I think most hardcore tennis fans kind of saw this one coming.

I know I did.

If Jo-W can win his Sf he'll be the 1st Frenchman into the final in 25 years.

He'll have a tough one against David Ferrer who has a 2-1 lead on Jo-W.

So yea, no pressure there!

Post match: Everybody's been expecting a lot from me since the beginning

of this tournament. Not only this tournament, but every day.

So I'm used to it. Now what is important, is to stay focused, to think about

my next match. Because it will be extremely tough against a player who

didn't lose a single set and won with a very striking score in the Qf's.

David Ferrer Thru to Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

4 David Ferrer d 32 Tommy Robredo - 62 61 61

Well. This was a no brainer. Poor Tommy must've been extremely pooped.

This is David's 3rd straight Slam Sf and 6th over all. He is 0-5.

Boy, if ever he had a shot at a final - this would be it.

And if that weren't enough - he is the only man not to drop a set.

David next faces Jo-Willy in the Sf's and has a 2-1 H2H against him.

Post match: I think it's quite normal [that] the crowd is going to be

supporting Jo. He's French and I am very happy he's made it that far.

I'll do everything I can to make it to the final. I have to remain focused.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Thru to 4th Round at French Open

French Open - Men's Third Round

6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Jeremy Chardy - 61 62 75

Interesting to note that this is only his 6th time playing at Roland-Garros.

His W/L on the red dirt of Paris is 15-5.

If he can get past Federer in a possible Qf he may just give France a champ.

Post match: A few years back nobody believed in me and now people

believe in me much more. So I hope I will do them justice.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins 1st Round at French Open

French Open - Men's First Round

6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Aljaz Bedene - 62 62 63

Obvs I follow tennis pretty closely; I've never seen Aljaz's name before.

Jo-W is France's best bet to win the title.

He is also heading to a tasty Federer showdown in the Qf's.

He'll need to clean up that 50% first serve percentage.

Post match: It's positive, because winning without seeing a high percentage

of first serves, that's good. That means everything else is in place and

that when I iron the service out, then I will be even better.

Sure. But Bedene is one thing- the GOAT is quite another.

Andy Murray & Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Both Upset in 2nd Round at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

Marcel Ganollers d 3 Andy Murray - 63 67(5) 00 Ret'd

Jerzy Janowicz d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 76(5)

Well they arrived at Rome together they may as well leave together.

I mean, they should both be heading to Paris and prep for Roland Garros.

So why not keep flying together?

May I suggest a different form of transport tho...

They were both seeded in Roger Federer's half of the draw.

I wonder if Roger put something in the Fed Force One cabin air?

And really? Fed Force One? Major eye-roll over here.

Jerzy Janowicz has Epic Shirt-Rip After He Upsets Jo-wilfried Tsonga at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

Jerzy Janowicz d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 76(5)

Hey Jerzy, you do realize this was just a second round match right?

I mean, even Nole saves this stuff for big matches like Grand Slam wins.

But thanks for the peek.

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic to Meet in 2013 Monte-Carlo Final

ATP MAsters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Final Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 19-14/Rafa

Round 34 will be played on Rafa's turf. Well, Nole's turf too.

Rafa is going for a 9th straight title at MC and Nole has made MC his home.

Let's breakdown the head-to-head a little more:

Clay: 12-2/Rafa --- Finals: 8-7/Rafa --- at M-C: 2-0/Rafa

On paper it looks like Rafa's match. But he's still on the comeback trail.

It'll be a huge test. But Factor in Nole's ankle problem.

Who know's. I'd bet Rafa in a 3 set thriller. But really it's 50-50.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Semifinals

3 Rafael Nadal d 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 76(3)

For the 2nd match in-a-row Rafa made a mess of the 2nd set.

Let's see... he served for it twice and had match point in 2 JW games.

Rafa will go for a 9th straight title in a tourney he calls his favorite.

It's amazing. It's unprecendented. It's historic.

***

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Semifinals

1 Novak Djokovic d Fabio Fognini - 62 61

What ankle injury?

Nole is in his 3rd MC final - he lost the last 2 to RafaL '09 & '12.

He is looking for his 14th M1000 title and 37th on the ATP tour.

His main focus this year is a title at Roland Garros.

This would be a major first step in obtaining that goal.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Feliciano Lopez and ATP Stars Giving Dolphin Love

You know the tour is in Miami when these Dolphin Harbor pics show up.

Lucky ass damn dolphin.

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 61

In under an hour y'all.

Nole has won his last 3 tournies: Tour Finals, Aussie Open and Dubai.

He is looking for his 3rd title here ('08, '11) and a 4th final.

He will need to get thru 7 Juan Martin Del Potro - H2H: 8-2/Novak.

Novak has taken their last 4 meetings - he's won 9 of their last 10 sets.

Post match: I tried to pay attention to my game.

I really didn't care about how my opponent felt. I just tried to focus on

the job I needed to do, and my performance was really good.

I served really well and used the shots around the court well,

and that's what matters for me.

I'm looking forward to a Nole/Rafa final. Make it happen boys.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins ATP Title at Marseille

ATP 250 Marsille - Men's Final

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 1 Tomas Berdych - 36 76(6) 64

And with the win Jo-Willie enters double digits in titles: 10.

8 of those 10 are at the 250 level - he needs to step it up, no?

Let's give him props as he turned back a match point to raise the trophy.

Post match: This is a great victory. I stayed in the match

even when it was very difficult and waited for my chance.

I survived and took my chance when it came. I’m very happy.

This shows me that I’m on the right way. The draw was very strong here.

Cool stuff. Now on to bigger titles please. Dubai this week would work.

Arnaud Clement Watch: Davis Cup Captain Debut

If you follow this blog you know I have a little thing for Arnie.

I was sad when he retired last year. But look, he's still around.

He's the new French Davis Cup captian. Woo hoo.

First day of round 1 he led his boys Jo-Willie and Reeeeshard to wins.

One more rubber victory and it's on to the quarterfinals.

Shirtless/Sexy Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into 3rd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Go Soeda - 63 76(1) 63

The beast and 2008 runner-up is ready to go one step further:

I have had some good results already, but I want to [take] the next step.

It's maybe to win one [a major].

I'm doing everything to achieve these things. I don't have too many goals.

I'm down with that.

Bryan Brothers Win Gold at London Olympic Games

Olympic Men's Doubles Gold Medal Final

1 Bryan Brothers d 2 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Michael Llodra - 64 76(2)

Like Serena just before them the Bryan's complete a career golden slam.

The only big titles they have yet to win: Indian Wells & Shanghai.

And Shanghai is understandable as it's relatively new.

Indian Wells is the tricky one as singles players have dominated the dubs.

But here at the London Games they took care of the singles slummers.

In 5 matches the future Hall of Famers only faced one real doubles team.

Bob gushed after the match:

This is the biggest win of our career right here. It's unbelievable.

Then is was Mikes turn: To play on Centre Court at Wimbledon and...

Win the gold medal is a dream come true. We could stop tomorrow and...

We got a big smile on our face for the rest of our lives.

Way to go boys. Now go get that Indian Wells trophy.

Photo: Getty Images

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins Marathon Match to Move into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Second Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Milos Raonic - 63 36 25-23

This was a fun one on Court 1 today at SW19.

This was the longest 3rd set in Olympic history.

It was also the most games in a best-of-three match at any Games.

Post match: At the end, I was just very happy for my country.

I did it for them, and that's it. I think it is something good.

To have some good matches like this at the Olympics.

It's good for tennis, it's good for sports and...

I'm just really happy with the way I played today.

The Men's Semifinals All Set for Wimbledon 2012

Wimbledon - Men's Semifinal Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-12/Federer

They've played 7 times during '11 & '12 - Nole has taken 6 of those 7.

Each man has lost 6 matches this year. Nole: 41-6. Fed: 44-6.

This is Nole's 16th tip to a Slam Sf: 8-7 and 4th at Wimby: 1-2.

Except for the set he dropped in the 3rd round he's reached the Sf's easily.

Remember: He is the defending champion.

Roger returns to the Wimby Sf's after losing in the Qf's the last 2 years.

This is his 32nd Slam Sf: 23-8 and 8th at Wimbledon: 7-0.

He is looking for his 7th title which would tie him with Sampras.

But wait, there's more: A title would also put him back to #1.

That would also tie him with Sampras with most weeks ever at #1.

And the week after that he'd have the record to himself.

***

4 Andy Murray vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-1/Murray

The one time Tsonga beat Andy was way back in '08.

This is Jo-W's 5th trip to a Slam Sf: 1-3 and 2nd straight at W: 0-1.

As for Andy... this is his 10th Slam Sf: 3-6.

This is his 4th straight Sf at Wimby: 0-3. The last 2 losing to Rafa.

But with him out of the way...

Andy could become the first Brit in a Wimbledon final since 1938.

No pressure. None at all.

***

I'm picking Djokovic vs Murray for Sunday's final.

Hey, I'm in good company as those are Boris Becker's picks as well.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer Set Up Blockbuster Semifinal Showdown at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Quarterfinals

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 61 57 57 76(6) 61

3 Roger Federer d 9 Juan Martin Del Potro - 36 67(4) 62 60 63

Both champs were down 2-sets-to-1. Both dug deep. Both won in thrillers.

And it was all happening at the same time. INSANE.

They've set up a rematch of last years Sf which Rog won.

***

Novak actually saved 4 match points in that 4th set.

This is his 4th RG Sf: 0-3 and 15th at a Slam: 7-7.

Post match: As a tennis player, this is what you live for.

This is what you practise for all these years, to be part of...

An incredible performance, incredible match encounter here...

In Roland Garros with the home players.

I'm really glad that I could win today.

***

This is only the 3rd time Roger's come back from 2-sets-to-love at RG.

This marks Rog's 7th RG Sf: 5-1 and 31st at a Slam: 23-7.

In fact, 31 ties Roger with Jimmy Connors' record of most Slam Sf's.

Post match: I have been struggling to find my rhythm.

I did feel it in the first set, even though he was up two sets.

I was finding a way back and starting to feel better.

***

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-11/RF

Novak has won the last 2 and 5 of the last 6.

They last played a couple weeks ago in Rome & it was Nole in straights.

This is their 9th meeting at a Slam: 5-4/RF - 1 final, 7 Sf's and 1 4th R.

Blockbuster: It really doesn't get much better than this.

Photos: Getty Images

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into Quarterfinals at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Fourth Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 18 Stanislas Wawrinka - 64 76(6) 36 36 64

This is the furthest Jo-W has gone at RG.

Oddly enough this is only his 5th appearance at RG. W/L: 12-4.

He is trying to become the 1st French man to win since Noah in '83.

This match was held-over from yesterday owing to darkness.

Post match: Today, I came on the court [in] good spirits.

I had a good night. I slept well. I was ready to play again.

He will face Novak in the quarters - H2H: 5-5. Hmmmmmm.

Photos: Getty Images

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins 1st Match at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's First Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Andrey Kuznetsov - 16 63 62 64

After a shocking 1st set Jo-W woke up and moved into the 2nd round.

He has 3rd round points to defend here.

And is on a collision course with Novak Djokovic in the quarters.

Post match: Vous n'êtes jamais sombre.

Whatever that means.

Novak Djokovic into Rome Semifinals to Face Roger Federer

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Quarterfinals

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 75 61

3 Roger Federer d Andreas Seppi - 61 62

Novak reaches his 4th Sf in Rome - a round where he has never lost.

He will face long-time rival Roger Federer - H2H: 14-10/RF.

They haven't played this year but they played 5 times in '11: 4-1/ND.

Novak is the defender and has won this tournament twice.

Roger has never won in Rome dispite 2 final round showings.

This will be an interesting encounter if for no other reason than ranking.

Roger is closing in on Novak's spot at the top.

Between Nole, Roger & Rafa - the next few months will be very interesting.

Game on boys.

Photo: From Novak's Facebook