TennisToday

Roger Federer Wins 1st Title of 2013 at Halle

Halle ATP 250 - Men's Final

1 Roger Federer d Mikhail Youzhny - 67(5) 63 64

The GOAT needed to dig deep in his last 2 matches.

He dropped the 1st set in both of those matches to Haas & Youzhny.

But in the end he won his 6th title at Halle.

It had to feel good as he hadn't won a title since Cincy last summer.

There is only 1 tourney where he has more titles: Wimbledon with 7.

And further - he tied McEnroe at 3rd on the list of all-time titles at 77.

He has quite a ways to go to catch leader Jimmy Connors at 106.

Methinks that Connors record is safe.

Post match: I am happy it worked for me today. I was satisfied with my

game in the past 10 months. Maybe people thought I was playing badly.

That was not the case. I was playing well but, when it mattered,

the others were just better. Today it worked well.

Old Man Tommy Haas Reaches Quarterfinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

12 Tommy Haas d 29 Mikhail Youzhny - 61 61 63

At 35 Tommy is the oldest Qf-ist at the FO since 1971.

It also took him 12 attempts in Paris to reach his 1st Qf at the FO.

He'll get Novak next - H2H: 4-3/Novak.

Remember: Tommy just beat Novak (in straight sets) at Miami in March.

So, who knows. This Qf could be very in-ter-est-ing.

Post match: It is one of the biggest challenges in tennis,

if not the biggest one right now, playing against the No. 1 player.

[He is] somebody that's very, very eager to win this title –

[the] one that's missing in his collection.

Rafael Nadal into Quarterfinals at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's 3rd Round

5 Rafael Nadal d Mikhail Youzhny - 62 63

Well the King of Clay's road to the title just got easier today.

Roger was sent out & is joining Novak in Rome sooner than he'd have liked.

This is Rafa's 7th tourney since returning.

He's been to the finals of all 6 so far - winning 4 of them.

It is a dream return to the tour but you won't hear that from him:

Since I've been back, I haven't had the security that I am

in my perfect moment. I just have to try and feel that I am

getting better and better day after day.

So, I have to have my feet on the ground. I made it to the

quarter-finals of Madrid. For me, it's lovely to be able to say that today.

I'll try to enjoy the quarter-final match tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray & Rafael Nadal All Advance at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Second Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Mikhail Youzhny - 46 61 64

Phew... That was a little closer than Nole might have liked.

But remember he suffered a severe ankle twist just 10 days ago.

It can't be 100% so he's lucky to be playing. Let's see how far he goes.

*** 

2 Andy Murray d Q Edouardo Roger-Vasselin - 61 64

Andy has been in M-C practicing for a week or so...

He's keen on proving himself on clay.

He's never been to a clay court final on tour.

Tho he's been to a couple Sf's here at M-C.

He got a tough draw this week so that 1st clay final may have to wait.

***

3 Rafael Nadal d Marinko Matosevic - 61 62

In the 9 years Rafa has played here he's lost ONE match.

And he's only given up EIGHT sets. These are crazy stats.

In his eight straight title runs he's not lost a set before the Sf's.

That won't change tomorrow against 16 Kohlschreiber either.

David Ferrer into 4th Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Third Round

6 David Ferrer d 27 Mikhail Youzhny - 60 62 62

Talk about flying under the radar and this is the #6 seed.

But if we're telling the truth he's the 3rd or 4th best player on clay.

He has matched his result from last year & is looking for a 3rd Qf here.

David will next face countryman 20 Marcel Granollers - H2H: 3-0/DF.

Post match: I think I managed to keep my focus throughout the match.

It was very important to start well, and I had to start attacking and...

Play very high balls. I managed to keep my focus throughout the match...

All the points were good for me. I'm very satisfied.

And we are not mad at a little tummy porn.

Photo: FFT

Weekend Winners for February 5, 2012

Montpellier: 1 Tomas Berdych d 3 Gael Monfils - 62 46 63

Tomas wins his 7th ATP title - his 5th in Europe.

***

Zagreb: 3 Mikhail Youzhny d Lukas Lacko - 62 63

Mikhail wins his 8th ATP title - his W/L in finals is now 8-10.

He also won the doubles title with Baghdatis. He has 9 dubs titles.

***

Vina del Mar: 1 Juan Monaco d 7 Carlos Berlocq - 63 67(1) 61

Juan wins his 4th ATP title - and his first since July '07.

His W/L in finals is now 4-8. This win sure must've have felt good.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Philipp Petzschner Upsets Top Seed in Munich

Munich ATP 250 - Second Round

Philipp Petzschner d 1 Mikhail Youzhny - 76(5) 36 62

Munich was hit with nothing but upsets today.

PP is ranked #76 at the moment with Sf points to defend this week.

He'll play Potito Starace (who beat #6 seed Stakhovsky) in the Qf's Friday.

They've never played - but I'm thinking PP may have home court advantage.

Photo: AP

Robin Soderling Wins a Thriller in Rotterdam to Move into Quarterfinals

Rotterdam ATP 500 - Second Round

1 Robin Soderling d Philipp Kohlschreiber - 63 57 76(7)

In playing their 4th match together Robin finally beat Philipp: 3-1/PK.

And boy does that scoreline look like it was a great match.

Robin is trying to defend the title he won here last year.

He will next face 6th seed Mikhail Youzhny in the Qf's - H2H: 4-1/RS.

Robin has won their last 4 matches - and they weren't even close.

Remember, Mikhail retired the match to Robin in last years final.