TennisToday

Arnaud Clement Watch: He's in Brisbane Y'all...

At 32, Arnaud is inching ever closer to retirement.

So I plan to follow him intensely during 2011 - and beyond.

Yea, some called it stalking. But honestly, it's just called a harmless crush.

***

Arnaud is currently ranked #78.

Last year in Brisbane he lost in the 1st round to doper Wayne Odesnik.

This year he'll open against a qualifier. He's in the Mardy Fish quarter.

Ouch: Next week he's defending runner-up points in Auckland.

An early loss will drop him out of the top 100.

See... ouch.

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

Robin Soderling & Michael Llodra Set-Up Semifinal Match at Paris Masters 1000

Put some gloves on 'em and let 'em duke it out tomorrow.

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal Preview

4 Robin Soderling vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 0-2

3 of their 5 sets have gone to TB's so expect one or two tomorrow.

Home crowd: Can they carry their man Llodra thru to the final?

Neither man has played a Masters 1000 final - this is only Robin's 3rd 1000 Sf.

Interesting that Llodra has two titles to Soderling's one this season.

***

Quarterfinal Results

4 Robin Soderling d 8 Andy Roddick - 75 64

Well, Andy did what he needed to do in Paris: qualify for London.

Which bracket would these guys rather get placed at the O2, Rafa or Roger?

Hint: Roger is on fire right now. Rafa is coming off an injury...

Michael Llodra d 10 Nikolay Davydenko - 75 61

ND led the 1st set 5-3 then came unglued losing 10 of the next 11 games.

Gotta tell ya tho - watching Llodra play all-court tennis was refreshing.

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

Michael Russell's Tennis Express Commercial

OMG, if I see this commercial one more time...

Hey Tennis Channel, you know you don't have to play it every other break.

"A woman's dress... don't ask me how that got in there."

***

Oh and - moments ago Michael lost to Radek Stepanek in Paris, 62 60.

David Ferrer Wins Hometown Title at Valencia ATP 500

Valencia ATP 500 - Final

4 David Ferrer d LL Marcel Granollers - 75 63

Not just his hometown - David owns 10% of this tournament.

This is David's 2nd title in 5 finals this year & his 9th overall.

The win also moves him up to #7 on the Race to London rankings.

Book your flight: Only a disaster in Paris next week will keep him from O2.

As for Marcel, this showing will get him close to his career high of #44.

Paris: David has a 1st round bye - Marcel will face David Nalbandian.

Hang in there guys - this ridiculously long season is almost over.

Photo: Getty Images

Philipp Kohlschreiber Visits Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna

Well lord knows I'm a total sucker for penguins.

I kinda like this Kohlschreiber - who is currently ranked #35. He was nice to me at Indian Wells. Well, he smiled at me polotely as he walked by me to the practice courts. That's enough to make me a lifelong fan!

Schönbrunn Zoo is the oldest zoo in the world and Philipp had this to say (via ATP site) about his encounter with the little tuxedo'd creatures, "It was a lot of fun. The small penguins jumped on me, not caring that I [was] bigger than them, [as they went] for the fish. I was told they have pretty sharp beaks so I was a bit scared for my fingers."

I guess zebra are cool too. Not penguin cute tho.

He'll play top seed Jurgen Melzer tomorrow in Qf's at Vienna - H2H: 3-0/PK.

Photos: Wr. Stadthalle/Bildagentur Zolles

Janko Tipsarevic: "Biggest Choke Ever" in Moscow

Moscow ATP 250 - Men's First Round

Horacio Zeballos d 8 Janko Tipsarevic - 46 64 63

Afterward the tough loss Janko Tweeted: Biggest choke EVER...All my life playing like shit when I defend the points(finals here last year) on the same week... sigh... no comment...

He foreshadowed some of this earlier in the week as he was returning home from the Asian swing:

1. If something will shorten my life, its the flight complications that happen to me on the ATP tour...

2. Omw to Shangai airport... Ticket change was made, lets see if the plan works...

3. Dubai airport is freeking huge... Needed to walk 25 minutes to my transfer desk... So full of energy now after a 9h flight from Shangai...

4. After a 24h trip I am home. Even thou I will be here for like 20h, before I go to Russia, it helps sleeping at least 1 night in your own bed!!!

***

This is a good insight to the part of the tour that the fans don't see. All that travelling has to take its toll. Although, that photo he tweeted above (on his way to Asia) doesn't look like the inside of any part of an airplane I've ever been seated in... Yes, eternally stuck in coach am I.

Roger Federer & Andy Murray Play for Shanghai Title

Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 - Men's Final Preview

3 Roger Federer vs 4 Andy Murray - H2H: 5-7

Andy is one of the few players Roger has a losing record against.

They've played twice in '10: Aussie final to Roger - Toronto final to Andy.

Roger advances to his 29th Masters final: 17-11, Andy his 7th: 5-1.

Roger is looking to tie Rafael Nadal with most Masters titles with 18.

Hey, has Roger pulled from next week's Stockholm tourney yet?

***

Semifinal Results

3 Roger Federer d 2 Novak Djokovic - 75 64

With his win Roger will move back up to #2 dropping Novak down to #3.

Looking at the rankings Roger should stay at #2 until the Aussie Open.

I jinxed him: I woke up at 5-all in the 1st - just when Novak fell apart.

4 Andy Murray d Juan Monaco - 64 61

Juan's result here will move him up to about #30 on Monday's rankings.

No matter the result tomorrow Andy is still stuck (forever) at #4.

Photos: Roger from Reuters, Andy from Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Leads Quarterfinalists at Shanghai

Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 - Men's Quarterfinal Preview

13 Jurgen Melzer vs Juan Monaco - H2H: 1-4

Jurgen won last week in Tokyo. All Monaco wins have come on clay.

Jurgen is looking for a late season surge into the London finals.

Currently #11 in the race to O2 a Qf win would greatly help his cause.

4 Andy Murray vs 12 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 3-1

Andy clinched his spot in London today - Jo-W is sitting at #12 in the race.

The two played an entertaining (for 2 sets anyway) match at W this year.

***

3 Roger Federer vs 5 Robin Soderling - H2H: 13-1

Easily (or potentially) the match of the day.

Robin beat him in an historic Qf match at Roland Garros this year.

Roger returned the favor last month in the Qf's at the US Open.

This is Roger's 47th Masters Qf: 35-11. This is Robin's 7th: 2-4.

2 Novak Djokovic vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - H2H: 3-0

Novak has only dropped 8 games in 2 matches in Shanghai.

This is Novak's 27th Masters Qf: 18-8. It's Guillermo's first.

Guillermo has had a nice Asian swing - winner in Bangkok & Qf's in Tokyo.

He took out #1 Rafa in Bangkok - can he down #2 tomorrow?

Photo: Getty Images

ATP's Top 5 Players All in Action Tomorrow in Shanghai

Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 - Men's Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal vs 13 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-0

Rafa brushed past Jurgen in the Roland Garros Sf's.

2 Novak Djokovic vs Richard Gasquet - H2H: 2-1

Remember when Richard was suppose to be a contender along with Novak?

3 Roger Federer vs Andreas Seppi - H2H: 6-0

Ok, I was worried about Isner - not so Seppi.

4 Andy Murray vs Q Jeremy Chardy - H2H: 2-0

Andy is trying to stay at #4, ahead of Soderling.

5 Robin Soderling vs 11 David Ferrer - H2H: 7-3

David won their match last week & could help Murray with that #4 thing.

Photo: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Leads Semifinalists at Tokyo ATP 500

Tokyo ATP 500 - Men's Semifinal Preview

1 Rafael Nadal vs Viktor Troicki - H2H: 3-0

This is Rafa's 12th Sf of 2010: 7-4 - and Viktor's 3rd: 0-2.

Viktor has never taken a set off of Rafa but has managed a tie-break.

Encouraging: Viktor ranked is #54 - last week Rafa was beaten by #53.

***

5 Gael Monfils vs Radek Stepanek - H2H: 3-2

They played a match earlier this year - Radek won in a blowout.

This is Gael's 4th Sf of 2010: 1-2 - and Radek's 2nd: 1-0.

Tired? Gael saved a MP against Roddick in the 3rd set tie-break.

Not tired: Radek got a wolk-over in his match yesterday.

Photo: Getty Images

Semifinals Set to Go at Beijing Stop for ATP & WTA

Beijing ATP 500 - Men's Semifinal Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs WC John Isner - H2H: 1-0

There only match was this year in Davis Cup - a 5 set thriller in fact.

Novak is the defending champion & is closing in on a spot in London.

This is Novak's 7th Sf of 2010: 2-4 - and John's 5th: 4-0.

Both players are seeking their 2nd title of the season.

Been a while: Novak won Dubai in Febraury & John won Auckland in January.

8 David Ferrer vs Ivan Ljubicic - H2H: 5-1

These 2 spoiled the party beating Murray & Soderling respectively yesterday.

Ivan won their 1st match in '03 - been all David since, including 1 this year.

This is David's 10th Sf of 2010: 3-6 - and Ivan's 2nd: 1-0.

Both have won 1 title this year - David in Acapulco & Ivan in Indian Wells.

London calling? David has 45 points to defend for the rest of the year.

***

Beijing Women's Semifinal Preview

1 Caroline Wozniacki vs 15 Shahar Peer - H2H: 3-1

They have split matches this year - Caro at the Aussie, Sharhar in Dubai.

The real question here is, how does Caro's knee feel the day after?

This is Caro's 9th Sf of '10: 6-2 - and Sharhar's 6th: 1-4.

2 Vera Zvonareva vs 9 Li Na - H2H: 3-3

They have yet to play this year but they split 2 matches in '09.

This is Vera's 6th Sf of '10: 5-0 - and Na's 5th: 1-3.

Both have 1 title this year - Vera in Pattaya City, Na in Eastbourne.

Vera has an outside shot at year-end #1. Seriously.

Photo: Reuters

Dmitry Tursunov Rising - Wins 2-in-a-Row in Tokyo

Tokyo ATP 500 - Men's Second Round

Dmitry Tursunov d Richard Gasquet - 76(2) 16 64

Dmitry is on the comeback trail - having been out from USO.09 to RG.10.

When he left the tour he was ranked #36 - he is currently #432.

He has been playing challengers and qualifying wih a few direct accepts.

Since his return at RG he is W/L 3-5 - including 2 matches in Tokyo.

Rising: With this win he will move up about 200 ranking spots.

In the Qf's he'll play #1 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 2-0/RN.

Twitter: He is easily the best tennis player tweeting. Love following him.

Well, except that he can start tweeting photos already!

The photo below I took of him in the quallies in Los Angeles in July.

Top photo: Getty Images

ATP Men's & WTA Women's Title Count for 2010

WINNER'S TODAY

Kuala Lumpur: Mikhail Youzhny (above) d Andrey Golubev - 67(7) 62 76(3)

Bangkok: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez d Jarkko Nieminen - 64 36 64

2010 MEN'S TITLISTS

SIX titles: Rafael Nadal

FOUR titles: Sam Querrey

THREE titles: Juan Carlos Ferrero

***

TWO titles: Nicolas Almagro, Juan Ignacio Chela, Marin Cilic,

Roger Federer, Mardy Fish, Michael Llodra, Albert Montanes,

Andy Roddick, Fernando Verdasco, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Mikhail Youzhny

***

ONE title: Marcos Baghdatis, Thomaz Bellucci, Juan Ignacio Chela,

 Nikolay Davydenko, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

Richard Gasquet, Andrey Golubev, Ernests Gulbis, Lleyton Hewitt,

John Isner, Ivan Ljubicic, Feliciano Lopez, Andy Murray,

David Nalbandian, Gilles Simon, Robin Soderling, Stanislas Wawrinka,

WINNER TODAY

Caroline Wozniacki d Elena Dementieva in Tokyo yesterday - 16 62 63

2010 WOMEN'S TITLISTS

FIVE titles: Caroline Wozniacki

FOUR titles: Kim Clijsters

TWO titles: Elena Dementieva, Justine Henin, Alisa Kleybanova,

Anastasia Palyuchenkova, Aravane Rezai, Maria Sharapova,

Francesca Schiavone, Agnes Szavay, Serena Williams, Venus Williams

***

ONE title: Victoria Azarenka, Iveta Benesova, Alona Bondarenko,

Anna Chakvetadze, Alexandra Dulgheru, Julia Goerges,

Jarmila Groth, Jelena Jankovic, Kaia Kanepi, Alla Kudryavtseva,

Svetlana Kuznetsova, Kateryna Makarova, Mariana Duque Marina,

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Li Na, Tamira Paszek, Flavia Pennetta,

Anastajia Sevastova, Sam Stosur, Yanina Wickmayer, Vera Zvonareva

Photos: Getty Images

Youzhny & Golubev to Play for Title in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur ATP 250 - Men's Final Preview

4 Mikhail Youzhny (above) vs 8 Andrey Golubev - H2H: 3-0

All three of their matches have been played within the last 12 months.

The set count is mostly all Mikhail: 7-1, including a blowout at the US Open.

Andrey has been to one final in his career winning Hamburg in July.

This is Mikhail's 4th final of '10: 1-2 - winning Munich in May.

His career record in finals is 6-9. His 1st title came in Stuttgart back in '02.

Mikhail is in the midst of a renaissance year & may just qualify for London.

A win tomorrow &decent results in Shanghai & Paris should do the trick.

Photo: Getty Images

Nieminen & Garcia-Lopez to Play for ATP Title in Bangkok

Bangkok ATP 250 - Men's Final Preview

Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (above) vs Jarkko Nieminen - H2H: 0-1

They played once before - six years ago in Beijing.

Giant killer: Guillermo is the 4th player outside top 10 to beat Rafa in '10.

Both guys are closely ranked - Guillermo is #53 while Jarkko is #60.

Both are looking for their 1st title on the season and 2nd in their career.

Photo: Getty Images

Mikhail Youzhny & Marcos Baghdatis Visit Bird Park in Kuala Lumpur

Cool video, but why did they need their tennis rackets?

Thanks to C Note for the heads up.

Rafael Nadal Leads Semifinalists at Bangkok ATP 250

Bangkok ATP 250 - Men's Semifinals

1 Rafael Nadal vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - H2H: 2-0

Not only is Rafa the top seed - he's the only seeded player left in the draw.

In 2 matches fellow Spaniard Lopez has managed to win 10 games off Rafa.

This is Rafa's 11th Sf of '10: 7-3. He is looking for his 7th title this year.

For the 1st time this season he is scheduled to play 3 straight weeks.

Following Bangkok he will play at Tokyo ATP 500 & Masters 1000 Shanghai.

The knees must be feeling pretty good.

***

Jarkko Nieminen vs Benjamin Becker - H2H: 2-2

Their H2H for '10 is in Jarkko's favor 2-1, including a win last week in Metz.

All 3 matches this year have been fairly tightly contested.

Both are the same age, both ranked in the 60's & both have 1 career title.

This is Jarkko's 2nd Sf of '10: 1-0 and Benjamin's 3rd: 0-2.

So which one will lose to Rafa on Sunday?

Combined they've taken 1 set off Rafa in 6 matches: Jarkko, Barcelona '06.

Photo: Getty Images