TennisToday

ATP & WTA Weekend Winners for July 29, 2012

Kitzbuhel ATP 250 - Final

3 Robin Haase d 1 Philipp Kohlshcreiber - 67(2) 63 62

Robin wins his 2nd carrer title as he defends at Kitzbuhel.

As a result he moves up to a career high ranking of #33.

Post match: I'm happy I won here again.

I don't think many players have won here twice.

It doesn't happen too often nowadays. I'm very proud of that.

***

Los Angeles ATP 250 - Final

2 Sam Querrey d Ricardas Berankis - 60 62

Sam put a beatdown on the first time ATP finalist.

This is Sam's 7th title and 3rd at LA. The win moves him up to #38.

Post match: I feel like I always play well here.

I grew up kind of playing around this area and...

I’m really comfortable out there on the courts.

It’s fun to play in front of my friends and family.

It all came together this week, and especially today.

ATP Title Winners for July 31, 2011

Los Angeles ATP 250 Final

Ernests Gulbis d 1 Mardy Fish - 57 64 64

Ernie captures his 2nd ATP title - interstingly, both on American soil.

Heading back up: The win bumps him up 29 ranking spot to #55.

A year ago he enjoyed his highest ranking of #21.

Let's see if he can keep it going - I think he belongs in the top 20.

Ernie: It means a lot to me. It's my second title.

It gives me a huge boost in confidence.

***

Gstaad ATP 250 Final

8 Marcel Granollers d 4 Fernando Verdasco - 64 36 63

Marcel also captures his 2nd ATP title - and first since Houston in '08.

It’s very important for me because I won my first tournament in 2008...

Which was a little unexpected, and three years later I won here.

So there is a lot of work behind today and I feel amazing.

The win bumps him to a career high ranking of #33.

DomiNation: Another Spaniard winning another title.

***

Umag ATP 250 Final

2 Alexandr Dolgopolov d 4 Marin Cilic - 64 36 63

Big congrats to Alexandr on winning his maiden ATP title.

2nd times a charm: He lost his first final in February at Costa Do Sauipe.

He becomes the 6th first-time titlist of 2011.

Alex rises 5 spots in the rankings to #21 - 1 spot below his ranking high.

Alex: I was first in the rankings in Ukraine, but I hadn’t won a title...

And everyone was talking about that a bit. It’s a good moment.

I’ll keep on working and try and get higher and higher in the rankings.

Photos: Reuters/AP

Ryan Harrison Thru to Los Angeles Semifinals

Los Angeles ATP 250 - Men's Quarterfinal

Ryan Harrison d Yen-Hsun Lu - 36 63 64

ATP leader: This is Ryan's 12th match win of '11 after dropping the 1st set.

This is also his 2nd straight ATP Sf - he lost last week in Atlanta to Fish.

Ryan may have a rematch with Fish tomorrow. Fish plays Kunitsyn tonight.

He becomes the 1st US teen to reach back-to-back Sf's since Roddick in '02.

Ranking rise: With a Sf showing he will rise to around #83.

The future of American tennis is looking good to me.

Photo: A crappy pic I took of my TV.

Dmitry Tursunov on the Comeback Trail

Dmitry spent most of '06-'09 moving around the rankings in the 20's and 30's. An injury in '09 forced him out of the game for nearly a year. He is currently ranked #514 but should be on the rise soon. Yesterday he won his first round match in DC with a tight 3-set win over Teymuraz Gabashvili, 57 75 64. Tomorrow he will play top seed Tomas Berdych - H2H: 4-1/TB. I really made this entry because I watched the first 2 sets of his 3-set win in the 1st round of qualifying last week and wanted to share the video I shot with you guys.

Querrey & Azarenka Win ATP & WTA Titles in California

Los Angeles ATP 250

2 Sam Querrey d 1/WC Andy Murray - 57 76(2) 63

How on earth Sam won this title I'll never know - he was done a 100 times.

He is the 1st player to defend in LA since Andre Agassi in '01 & '02.

This is Sam's 4th title on the year, 2nd only to Rafael Nadal who has 5.

The American's have 4 legit US Open contenders - seriously:

Andy Roddick, John Isner, Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish.

Sam has a 1st round bye in Washington, DC next week.

***

Stanford WTA

8/WC Victoria Azarenka d 5 Maria Sharapova - 64 61

After a string of Spring match retirements Vika finally gets it together.

This is her 1st tournament win in '10 and 4th of her career.

Great week also beating the defender (Bartoli) & the top seed (Stosur).

You know what they say - those who grunt the loudest... ah, not really.

She was scheduled to play in San Diego next week. She's since pulled out.

Janko Tipsarevic Loses Match AND Wedding Ring

Whoops!

Janko tweeted a pic of his frustration & this funny little string of comments.

1. No comment. Should have never lost with all the chances I had... So hard to be positive now, trying thou.

2. Don't know why, but for me, always the next day is harder mentally after a stupid loss. Any interesting tips on how to feel better??

I suggested Jagerbombs, but noooooo:

3. From all the things I could have done: get wasted, run, eat like a pig, swim... I have decided that the best would be if I lose my wedding ring...

Bryan Brothers Break Doubles Team Record in L.A.

#62

Los Angeles ATP 250 Doubles Final

1 Bryan Bros d Eric Butorac & Jean-Julien Rojer - 67(6) 62 10-7

A big congrats to the Bryan Brothers. It's a big moment for them.

And very sweet to do it in their own back yard.

Two questions: Why couldn't Tennis Channel air this live?

And why not let them play after the singles so some people would be there.

History in the making at noon? Really?

To break the Woodies tie at 61 they had to come back from a set & a break.

They confessed afterward it was due to nerves.

The Bros won their 1st title in Memphis in 2001 over O'Brien & Stark.

Their 1st Slam came at Roland Garros in '03 over Haarhuis & Kafelnikov.

The Bros still have a ways to go to break the Slam team record.

And there are a few players that have more doubles titles individually...

But with at least 5 more years on tour - they'll take care of those in time.

Well done boys.

Photo: Getty Images

Pam Shriver Pokes Fun at Chubby Kid in L.A.

Last night while Pam Shriver was in the middle of commentating the Murray/ Lopez match ESPN2 cut away to this kid working over his ice cream.

Pam stopped mid-thought and joked, "Let's hope this kid is playing a best 2 out of 3 set match tomorrow."

NO CHUBBY SHRIVERS!

Murray & Querrey to Play for Los Angeles ATP 250 Title

Los Angeles ATP 250 Final

1/WC Andy Murray (above) vs 2 Sam Querrey - H2H: 4-0

These two lucky ducks have played some crazy matches to get here.

In fact, Sam saved a match point in the Sf against Tipsarevic.

Despite the lopsided H2H this one ought to be a doozey.

Murray won (pretty easily) their only match in '10 - at Wimbledon.

Andy is looking for his 1st title on the year - Sam his 4th.

Sam is 2nd behind Rafa (5) in titles won this year. He would narrow the gap.

***

Semifinal Results

1/WC Andy Murray d 4 Feliciano Lopez - 60 16 64
2 Sam Querrey d 6 Janko Tipsarevic - 67(3) 76(5) 64

Photo: Reuters

William Shatner Attends Matches in L.A. Last Night

Capt. Kirk enjoyed the Murray/Lopez semifinal last night.

Murray squeaked it out 6-4 in the 3rd after a blowout 6-0 1st set.

Hey, Shat - wanna feel old?

Andy Murray was born 18 years after Star Trek went off the air.

Photo: Getty Images

Venus Williams Signs Books at ATP Event in L.A.

How great does Venus look?!

Confession: I still need to buy & read this thing.

Photo: Getty Images

(Speaking of) Janko Tipsarevic Answers Fan Questions

Why does this feel like an old Soviet interrogation video?

Semifinals are all set for Los Angeles ATP 250

Los Angeles ATP 250 - Semifinals

1/WC Andy Murray vs 4 Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 2-0

Oddly enough Andy is still looking for his first title of the season.

In fact, in 11 tournies played this year he's only been to Sf's 3 times: 1-1.

This is Feli's 3 semi too: 1-1. He went on to win the title in Johannesburg.

This match feels ripe for an upset - just have a feeling.

***

2 Sam Querrey vs 6 Janko Tipsarevic - H2H: 1-0

The only match they played was 4 years ago in Indy: 3 tight sets.

Janko has yet to win an ATP tour title... I wouldn't mind it happening here.

Defending champ Sam has 3 titles in '10 - & looking for a 5th final this year.

***

Quarterfinal Results

1/WC Andy Murray d Alejandro Falla - 76(3) 61
2 Sam Querrey d Rainer Schuettler - 62 36 76(4)
6 Janko Tipsarevic d 3 M Baghdatis - 63 75
4 Feliciano Lopez d WC James Blake - 36 76(6) 64

Gotta feel for Rainer and James - all those chances blown.

Andy Murray Hits Santa Monica Beach

Here's a nice treat for all you Murray fans...

Hey Tennis Nuts in Los Angeles - Where the Hell are YOU?

An empty stadium for a quarterfinal match? Not good.

It didn't look at all like this last week in Atlanta.

You may ask why I'm not there... I have an excuse - my damn back went out.

I'm hoping to be well enough tomorrow to attend.

The Bryan Brothers are Oh-So Close to Breaking Doubles Record in Los Angeles

Can the record breaking #62 be coming this weekend? It looks very possible.

Two matches away. Stay tuned...

Baseballer Barry Bonds attended their match last night in LA.

Photo: Bryan Brothers Twitter

Andy Murray Begins US Summer Swing Tonight in L.A.

Los Angeles ATP 250 - 2nd Round

1/WC Andy Murray vs Q Tim Smyczek - H2H: 0-0

Ticket holders don't be late as this may be quick - #4 vs #192.

I actually went out and watched Tim beat Clement in the 1st R of quallies.

Andy is 22-10 for '10 and has went to win a title this season.

***

Andy is currently ranked #4 and that is certainly no stranglehold either.

Andy is only 350 points ahead of #5 Robin Soderling.

And as far as points to defend up to the Open: Andy 1,360 - Robin 10.

And guess what? Nikolay Davydenko isn't too far behind them at #6...

That might just be the real reason L.A. got such a high-profile player.

***

Andy said this about the recent split with coach Miles Maclagan:

"I don't think there's a problem with my game. I just need to get better. That's something that maybe hasn't happened the last four or five months, something that hopefully by getting a new coach and a new sort of coaching team in place, that will help me do that, and hopefully achieve my goals."

Photo: Cindy Lum

Janko Tipsarevic Moves into Quarterfinals in Los Angeles

Los Angeles ATP 250 - 2nd Round

6 Janko Tipsarevic d Somdev Devvarman - 76(9) 62

Newlywed Janko is currently ranked #46 - he has been as high as #33 in '08.

He has been to two ATP finals tho he has yet to hoist his 1st trophy.

Janko is fairly new to Twitter & is an interesting & very fun player to follow.

Tweeted that he wants to play with Novak in a wig in mixed at the Olympics.

This is Janko's 5th Qf of 2010: 3-1.

In Friday's quarterfinal he will play Marcos Baghdatis - H2H: 2-0/MB.

Photo: I took it in Indian Wells in March while he practiced with Lopez.

Ernests Gulbis Signs Autographs in Los Angeles

How happy is that kid? I'd love to ask this him, "Roger or Rafa?"

And I'd love for this kid to shrug, "Why not both?"

Yes, I made a bit of a statement there. Why not both!

Photo from LA Open Twitter page.

Serena Williams Hangin with James Blake after Win in LA

Los Angeles ATP 250 - 1st Round

W/C James Blake d Leonardo Mayer - 61 64

Blake has seen his ranking slip to #117. He is also the 9th ranked American.

James has next to no points this summer to defend - improvement looms.

There are nagging whispers of retirement soon.

I think he should go on the doubles tour - he'd be well welcomed.

Photo: Serena's Twitter