TennisToday

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.

ATP's Weekend Arm Raisers for Feb 26, 2012

ATP 250 Buenos Aires - Final

1 David Ferrer d 2 Nicolas Almagro - 46 63 62

And that's title #13 in a solid career and his 2nd on the year - so far.

David moves his H2H over countryman Nicolas to 9-0.

He'll continue the Golden Swing of South America at Acapulco this week.

ATP 500 Memphis - Final

Jurgen Melzer d 4 Milos Raonic - 75 76(4)

This marks the 4th time Jurgen has lifted an ATP trophy.

He had a remarkable seed-toppling week also downing 1 Isner & 3 Stepanek.

Moving up: The win bumps him 19 placed to #19.

No rest: Jurgen is playing singles and doubles at Delray Beach this week.

I'm exhausted just typing these 4 sentences.

ATP 250 Marseille - Final

4 Juan Martin Del Potro d Michael Llodra - 64 64

DelPo bags career title #10 on the ATP tour.

He will not defend his title at Delray Beach opting instead to play at Dubai.

He's (rightfully) back playing with the big boys.

Photos: Reuters, AP, Reuters

Madrid Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

1 Rafael Nadal d Michael Llodra - 62 62

Well, this was always going to be a big ol' mismatch, no?

Rafa extended his clay winning streak to N impressive 36 matches.

Remember, he last lost on clay in the 4th R at Roland Garros in '09.

He moves into his 5th Sf at Madrid: 3-1 & 38th at a Masters 1000: 27-10.

He'll play the the winner of Roger Federer/Robin Soderling...

Either way - that's mouth-watering match coming at us tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters

Federer & Djokovic Advance at Dubai with Identical Score

Dubai ATP 500 - First Round

1 Roger Federer d W/C Somdev Devvarman - 63 63

2 Novak Djokovic d Michael Llodra - 63 63

Only 4 matches away from another Fed/Djoker blockbuster.

Tennis is full of great rivalries at the moment - theirs is right at the top.

Well, ok. Second from the top.

Roger will next play Marcel Granollers for the first time

Novak will play Feliciano Lopez - H2H: 2-0/ND.

The title count between Fed/Djoker & their opponents tomorrow: 86-3.

Whoops.

Strip Tennis Anyone?

You know I 100% love that kooky Michael Llodra! Like, big time.

Looks like Henri Leconte has watched in a lot of Jerry Lewis over the years.

And poor Ryan, doesn't quite know how to play along.

Two Frenchmen & a New Yorker - its bound to get a little crazy.

Davis Cup Final: France Takes 2-1 Lead Over Serbia with EPIC Doubles Win

R3 Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra d Nenad Zimonjic & Viktor Troicki -

36 67(3) 64 75 64 - EPIC.

Great win for Arnaud this late in his career...

Captain Guy Forget called his performance, "a lighthouse in the fog."

The last 5 finals have been won by the winners of the doubles point.

Remember: The team of Clement & Llodra won Wimbledon in 2007.

Also 'memba: Serbia did come back from 1-2 in the Sf's against Czech team.

If you regularly read this blog than you know I'm totally gay for Arnaud!

Eff it. Here's one more. Cuz he done me sooooo proud:

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

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