TennisToday

The ATP Moves to Dubai, Acapulco and Delray Beach this Week

Dubai ATP 500 - Top Seeded Players

1. Novak Djokovic - Winner '09

2. Andy Murray - Quarterfinalist '08 '09

3. Nikolay Davydenko (above) - Semifinalist '08

4. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Debut

Acapulco ATP 500 - Top Seeded Players

1. Fernando Verdasco - Runner-up '04

2. Fernando Gonzalez - Quarterfinalist '03

3. David Ferrer - Round of 16 '03 '04 '05

4. Juan Carlos Ferrero - Semifinalist '07

Delray Beach ATP 250 - Top Seeded Players

1. Tommy Haas - Winner '06

2. Ivo Karlovic - Round of 32 '04

3. Benjamin Becker - Semifinalist '07

4. Jeremy Chardy - Semifinalist '09

Top 2 Seeds Lose to Set-Up Rotterdam Final

semifinal result >>> final match - h2h:

5 Mikhail Youzhny (above) d. 1 Novak Djokovic - 76(5) 76(6)

>>> Youhzny vs Soderling - h2h 1-1

3 Robin Soderling (below) d. 2 Nikolay Davydenko - 76(3) 64

Photos: Reuters 

Davydenko Leads ATP Rotterdam Quarterfinal Results

quarterfinal result >>> semifinal matchup - h2h

1 Novak Djokovic d. Florian Mayer - injury w/o

>>> Djokovic vs Youzhny - h2h 3-2

6 Mikhail Youzhny d. 4 Gael Monfils - 57 62 63

*****

3 Robin Soderling d. Julien Benneteau - 60 61

>>> Davydenko vs Soderling - h2h 4-6

2 Nikolay Davydenko (above) d. Jurgen Melzer -63 62

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Leads Quarterfinalists in Rotterdam

Tomorrow's quarterfinal match - head2head > today's results:

1 Novak Djokovic vs Florian Mayer - Mayer w/o (injury)

> Djokovic d. Chiudinelli 64 62 - Mayer d. 5 Robredo 64 36 63

***

4 Gael Monfils vs 6 Mikhail Youzhny - h2h 0-2

> Monfils d. De Bakker 63 62 - Youzhny d. Ilhan 64 64

********

3 Robin Soderling vs Julien Benneteau - h2h 3-2

> Soderling d. Sijsling 76(6) 62 - Benneteau d. Berrer 64 64

***

2 Nikolay Davydenko vs Jurgen Melzer - h2h 5-1

> Davydenko d. Baghdatis 63 62 - Melzer d. Seppi 62 62

Photo: Rueters

Monday Rankings: Rafael Nadal Slips to #4 in the World

This is pretty seismic folks.

Not being able to defend his title in Australia and getting dumped in the quarterfinals has cost Rafael Nadal dearly as he drops from #2 to #4 in the rankings. Except for 3 weeks last August '09 Rafa has been in the top 2 since July 25, 2005 and during that time he spent 40 weeks at #1.

If Rafa doesn't return to the tour soon and in title winning form straight away it'll get worse before it gets better. He has a tons of points to defend between now and the French Open; if he can't deliver Del Potro and Davydenko will also leap over him. Won't that make for a potentially interesting draw at Roland Garros, no?

Rafa's fall to #4 means that Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray move past him marking career highs for them at #'s 2 and 3 respectfully. Also making his debut in the top 10 for the first time is Marin Cilic, he slips in at #10 and many tennis insiders feel he will reside within the top 10 for many years to come.

Oh yea, like I need to mention it but Roger Federer is #1 and closing in on Pete Sampras' record of total weeks on top.

Over on the women's tour Serena Williams widens her lead at #1 over Dinara Safina while Caroline Wozniacki moves to a career high of #3.

Two other women enjoy career high marks as Victoria Azarenka moves up one to #6 and Li Na jumps seven to #10.

And what of Justine Henin? She isn't yet eligible for a ranking but crudely calculating the two runner-up finishes she has produced in her two tournaments back from retirement she would squeeze in somewhere around #40.

Photo: Reuters

2nd Men's Semifinal Set for Australian Open

And it's a potential barn-burner: Roger Federer vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Nikolay Davydenko came into his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer brimming with confidence having beaten the #1 player twice in the last two months. Roger made it known prior to the match that those matches were best of 3. Fair enough.

Nikolay came out blazing. He handled Federer like a park player blasting winners corner to corner. Federer actually looked a bit dazed there for awhile until... something happened in the middle of the 2nd set.

Nikolay cruised to a 62 opening set and had break points to go up a double break in the second when he completely unraveled. At one point Federer ran off 13 straight games - which is more than you need to win in a two-out-of-three sets match. Nikolay managed to get a break back in the 4th to make things a little interesting but it was just way too late. In the end the score read for Fed, 26 36 06 75.

The commentators suggested that Nikolay blame the Williams Sisters for his loss. They took so long to contest theirs that his day match turned into a night match and just when the sun went away so too did his game. I think they were right.

Federer/Davydenko didn't finish until 1:30 AM in Los Angeles and I needed to go to bed so I didn't watch the Tsonga/Djokovic. I recorded it but when I do that I really don't ever watch the whole thing. So I fast-forward watched it.

Seems like Novak got up 2 sets to 1 and then got ill. He even left the court to throw up in the 4th set. Brad Gilbert kept saying "fitness fitness" - how about he just got sick. I remember a French Open final that Steffi Graf lost because her period came, would that too be fitness? Sometimes you just get ill.

Or maybe this is just more bad rankings luck for Novak - this is the 3rd or 4th time that he has gone into a match with the #2 ranking all his with a win. He is stuck at #3.

Photos: AP/Getty Images  

The Winners for Day 8 of the Australian Open

All 4th round winners who move into the quarterfinals.

Roger Federer d. Lleyton Hewitt - 62 63 64

15 straight for Rog. Complete domination.

Serena Williams d. Samantha Stosur - 64 62

Serena is the only player (including the men) to not lose serve.

Victoria Azarenka d. Vera Zvonareva - 46 64 60

Hot girl on girl action. The tennis I mean.

Nikolay Davydenko d. Fernando Verdasco - 62 75 46 67(5) 63

I'd rather see these two kiss.

Li Na d. Caroline Wozniacki - 64 63

First time thru to a Slam quarterfinal.

Novak Djokovic d. Lukasz Kubot - 61 62 75

Storming through y'all.

Venus Williams d. Francesca Schiavone - 36 62 61

Everyone is looking forward to a Venus/Serena semi.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Nicolas Almagro - 63 64 46 67(6) 97

I do too.

Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images

(Some) Winners from Day 6 at the Australian Open

All moved into the 4th round today.

Roger Federer d. Albert Montanes - 63 64 64

50-7 - including 3 titles in '04, '06, '07.

Serena WIlliams d. Carla Suarez Navarro - 60 63

She looks great but can she win in an even year.

Samantha Stosur d. Alberta Brianti - 64 61

Another match in Rod Laver Arena. Awfully spoiled in Melbourne.

Novak Djokovic d. Denis Istomin - 61 61 62

Kubot next, expect the same score line.

Caroline Wozniacki d. Shahar Peer - 60 64

Those earrings belong on a red carpet somewhere.

Venus Williams d. Kasey Dellacqua - 61 76(4)

She bent over and I swear it looked like she wasn't wearing panties.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Tommy Haas - 64 36 61 75

Celebrating like it's the final. Um, it's only a 3rd round match bud.

Lleyton Hewitt d. Marcos Baghdatis - 60 42 ret.

How old did Baghdatis look?

Fernando Verdasco d. Stefan Koubek - 61 ret.

One of three men's matches today that wasn't completed.

Nikolay Davydenko d. Juan Monaco - 60 63 64

Maybe he'll play on a show court when he makes the final?

Photos: AP/Rueters/Getty Images

(Some) Winners from Day 4 of the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic d. Marco Chiudinelli - 36 61 61 63

Slow start bud. Next up: Istomin. Who? Exactly.

Serena Williams d. Petra Kvitova - 62 61

Clearly in a hurry to meet Prince William.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Taylor Dent - 64 63 63

Next up: Tommy Haas. Not to be missed.

Fernando Verdasco d. Ivan Sergeyev - 61 62 62

FACE

Venus Williams d. Sabylle Bammer - 62 75

Some blogs are saying V wasn't wearing panties... not going there.

Nikolay Davydenko d. Illya Marchenko - 63 63 60

I'm still saying he ends Fed's 22 Slam semi streak in the quarters.

Marcos Baghdatis d. David Ferrer - 46 36 76(4) 63 61

Survives the cramps and then brings out them moobs. Total eww.

Photos: Reuters

Hey, My Friend Brad Sent Me Photos from Aussie Open

He is attending the first four days, these are from Day 2.

DelPo

Davydenko on the practice court.

The ridiculously dressed ball-kids of the AO10.

An odd looking statue of 'The Rocket' Rod Laver.

T.O. or something.

Photos: Brad Francini

(Some) Winners from Day 2 at the Australian Open

All move into the 2nd round.

Novak Djokovic d. Daniel Gimeno-Traver - 75 63 62

Jelena Jankovic d. Monica Niculescu - 64 60

Fernando Verdasco d. Carsten Ball - 67(4) 76(1) 75 62

Venus Williams d. Lucie Safarova - 62 62

Nikolay Davydenko d. Dieter Kindlmann - 61 60 63

Ana Ivanovic d. Shenay Perry - 62 63

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Sergiy Stakhovsky - 63 64 64

Lleytom Hewitt d. Ricardo Hocevar - 61 62 63

Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

A Look at the Men's Draw for the Australian Open

Ha, I knew the minute Nikolay Davydenko beat Roger Federer in Doha that they would end up in the same quarter. But let's just look at this quarter by quarter, shall we.

First Quarter:It's a familiar spot for Roger Federer at the very top of the draw where he has spent most of the last 6 years. Roger could face former #1 Lleyton Hewitt in the 3rd round which is the same round they played a tight match in at the US Open. And that match happens to be my banner photo.

Roger seems to have a pretty clear path to the quarters where he probably face the projected winner of the Fernando Verdasco/Nikolay Davydenko 4th round encounter. Davydenko has beaten Roger the two times they've met - and they were both quite recent. Roger is looking to advance to his 23rd consecutive Slam semifinal - could that streak be broken here?

Predicted semifinalist: Nikolay Davydenko

Second Quarter:This is the weak quarter. Ain't no way Novak Djokovic isn't going to the semifinals here. His projected seeded player is #8 Robin Soderling who is nursing an injury. Possible upset player include #16 Tommy Robredo, #18 Tommy Haas and dangerous floater Richard Gasquet.

Predicted Semifinalist: Novak Djokovic

Third Quarter:Now things get interesting. This quarter houses #4 Juan Martin Del Potro, #7 Andy Roddick, #11 Fernando Gonzalez, #14 Marin Cilic, #19 Stanislas Wawrinka, #21 Tomas Berdych and #25 Sam Querrey. Care to make a guess? I will...

Predicted Semifinalist: Andy Roddick

Fourth Quarter:This would seemingly look to be a Rafael Nadal/Andy Murray quarterfinal but both players have drawn tricky potential 4th round matches. Rafa could face tough guy Radek Stepanek and Andy may face Gael Monfils. I don't think either man will disappoint so look for a blockbuster quarter and a rockin' night match in Melbourne.

Predicted Semifinalist: Rafael Nadal

Final: Rafael Nadal over Nikolay Davydenko in 4

Weekend Winner Wrap-Up - January 10, 2010

Brisbane International in Australia

Andy Roddick d. Radek Stepanek - 76(1) 76(8)

Kim Clijsters d. Justine Henin - 63 46 76(6)

Chennai Open in India

Croatian Marin Cilic  Photo: Eurosport

Marin Cilic d. Stanislas Wawrinka - 76(2) 76(3)

Qatar Open in Doha

Nikolay Davydenko d. Rafael Nadal - 06 76(8) 64

ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand

Yanina Wickmayer d. Flavia Pennetta - 63 62

Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia

Spain's Tommy Robredo & Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez d.

Great Britain's Andy Murray & Laura Robson - 2 matches to 1

Davydenko Tops Nadal in Tight Doha Final

That is one funky-ass lookin' trophy. I don't think I'd want that in my home.

You almost have to say it - Nikolay Davydenko is quite possibly the best player on the men's tour at the moment. And you might just be a fool not to bet on him to win the Aussie Open in a couple weeks.

Hell, he's got Roger's number. He's got Rafa's number. In fact, today e became only the second player to beat Roger and Rafa in the same tournament twice, the other being David Nalbandian. He also became the 38th player in the Open Era to reach 20 titles.

But his 20th was no walk in the park. Nadal blitzed him in the 1st set and held two matches points in the 2nd set tiebreak before Nikolay snatched it away and broke Rafa in the final game of the match winning it, 06 76(8) 64.

Gotta say that shot-making today was a real treat. These two boys banged winners from all over the court and although I was 100% behind Rafa it's hard not to be happy Nikolay. And he's got that cute wife too.

And what of Rafa? True he hasn't won a tournament since Rome back in May (last week's exo doesn't actually count). But I think his results coming back from injury have been pretty decent, hell I can name at least 5 players in the top 10 who wold love to have his post Wimbledon season. Mmm, Verdasco springs to mind.

Watching Rafa's play the last couple weeks I feel that (along with Roddick and Devydenko) he is a top 3 contender at AO10. And I'm not so sure he would have lost today if that match were best-of-five in the Aussie heat.

Rafael Nadal & Nikolay Davydenko to Meet in Doha Final

Leave it to Nikolay to spoil the party - Roger/Rafa will have to wait.

A second serving of Federer brings a sly smile.   Photo: AP

So for 12 straight matches #6 Nikolay Davydenko kept coming up on the losing end in tangles with #1 Roger Federer. Then suddenly the Russian pulls out an impressive win in November and today backed it up with another - this time it was a straight set affair, 64 64. Is this another name Roger needs to add to his list of players who've figured him out?

Davydenko must now be considered a serious contender to win at the Australian Open, this much he has proved in the last few months with wins in Shanghai and London. And you just know that Roger Federer is going to draw Nikolay in his quarter - these strangeness's in tennis happen all the time. You heard it here first!

The Bull roars.   Photo: Getty Images

Only one word can best sum up Rafa's victim today: destroyed. Did Serbian Viktor Troicki even show up? Maybe a little at the tail end of the match, 61 63. De-stroyed.

This makes for an interesting final. Rafa and Nikolay are even in their head-to-head, 4-4. The Russian won the last two but those were in the second half of last year when Rafa was coming back from the knee injury. He now looks to be just about 100% and with both boys playing top notch this ought to be a good one.

Must set alarm. Must watch stream.

And I bet it was a winner too.   Photo: Getty Images

Federer, Nadal & Davydenko: Top 3 Seeds Move into Doho Semifinals

Oh, Viktor Troicki joined them with a win over Lucasz Kubot, 46 64 76(1).

Photo: Reuters 

World #1 Roger Federer sure was flirting with disaster today and had Ernests Gulbis not burned through his challenges he might just have pulled off the upset. In their first-ever meeting Roger very comfortably rolled through the first set taking it 62. The second set found Gulbis with a rise in game and on his first set point leveled the match taking the set 64. In the end Roger's experience won the match in a tight 3rd set 64. That was some shaky stuff Rog.

Roger will need to pick up his game if he wants to reach the final as his next opponent is the in-form Russian Nikolay Davydenko. Davydenko won his match against Ivo Karlovic in two tie-break sets 76(4) 76(7). Ivo never managed to get to deuce in any of Davydenko's service games - that's great tennis folks. Nikolay handed Roger his first defeat in a dozen tries last month in London... tomorrow's semifinal should be a telling affair heading into the Australian Open.

 Photo: Reuters

And then there's the Spaniard named Rafael Nadal. #2 in the world whom so many dumb-dumbs keep trying to write off. He played qualifier Steve Darcis and it was lights out all the way. In fact it was a TKO as Darcis retired the match with Rafa up 61 20. Darcis complained of lower back pain and probably decided not to further injure himself with the Aussie qualifying tournament looming next week.

Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer Quite Impressive in Doha 2nd Round Wins

And move themselves closer to that 21st meeting y'all.

Loving the refreshing sherbet colors Rafa.   Photo: Getty Images

For the second day in a row #2 Rafael Nadal straight setted an Italian - today's vicitm was #62 Potito Starace, 62 62. I know they call him 'The Bull' but for the last couple days 'The Gladiator' would make an apt substitution.

Are Roger's arms actually getting scrawnier?   Photo: Getty Images

#1 Roger Federer was made to work a wee bit harder in his match against #53 Evgeny Korolev and still managed to win it in just under an hour, 62 64.

Rafa will tangle with qualifier Steve Darcis (who sent Younes El Aynaoui into retirement today) and Roger will face the winner of the Seppi/Gulbis match being contested now.

Not to be overlooked, #6 Nikolay Davydenko swept past #56 Marco Chiudinelli, 63 64. He is Federer's probable semifinal opponent and Davydenko would dearly love to make it two-in-a-row against Roger.

Now if only the Tennis Channel were airing this...

Top Seeds Federer and Nadal Advance to Doha '10 Final

Well, that is the headline I'm hoping to write next weekend anyway.

Roger and Rafa elevate tennis in Doha with some promotional shenanigans.

If these two boys can't give us the 21st installment of their legendary rivalry this weekend then we might just be in for a wild 2010.

Rafa's starts his march to the final against newlywed Simone Bolelli of Italy in the 1st round. The highest ranked opponent in his half of the draw is #19 Mikhail Youzhny. Rafa worried? No. Final booked.

Roger has the trickier path to the final with the #6 ranked player Nikolay Davydenko as his projected semifinal opponent. Nikolay won their last match at the year-end finals in London a few weeks back - not many players beat Rog two-in-a-row so...

I'm holding: Top Seeds Federer and Nadal Advance to Doha '10 Final

The Players at the Abu Dhabi World Tennis Exo

From left to right we have Stanislas Wawrinka, Robin Soderling, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, David Ferrer and........ Boy George?

Seriously, click on the photo to make it larger, it's still Boy George.

It. Just. Won't. Stop.

Robin Soderling & David Ferrer Win Abu Dhabi Openers

Remember when players use to warm-up for the AO in Australia?

Robin Soderling practicing in Abu Dhabi. Photo from their website.

Sudden Swedish tennis star (continuing to rise?) Robin Soderling dismissed Swiss #2 and newlywed Stanislas Wawrinka in two tight tie-break sets, winning them 4 and 2 in the opening round of the Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

In the 6-man exhibition Soderling will next face #1 Roger Federer in the semifinals. He brings with him the weight of a dismal head-to-head record - Federer has beaten Soderling all 12 times they've played. In fact, in sets played Roger leads an astounding 28-2. The good news for Robin? Lately a few players have been taking care of those 0-fer records against Rog, we'll see...

In the other match played today the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga substitute #17 David Ferrer of Spain came from a set down to beat Russian #6 Nikolay Davydenko, 26, 62, 64. That was probably a fun shot-making match to watch. I suppose I could have streamed the match but living in Los Angeles I was sound asleep.

In a battle of the Spaniards Ferrer will face #2 Rafael Nadal (who says he is ready for a great season) tomorrow for a place in the final. Oddly enough they have only played each other 11 times - you'd think it would have been more, no? Rafa leads their series 8-3, winning the last 4. Ferrer last beat him at the '07 Masters Cup.

Now who on Earth doesn't want to start the year good and proper with a Roger/Rafa final? ME TOO. For old time sake!!!