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Tommy Haas Upsets Novak Djokovic at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Men's 4th Round

15 Tommy Haas d 1 Novak Djokovic - 62 64

Wow. Who on this planet saw this one coming?

I mean, Tommy is a week away from his 35th birthday.

Nole had not played his 1st ATP match when Tommy 1st played at Miami.

This is the second time in Tommy's career he's beaten a #1 player.

The first time was against Andre Agassi all the way back in 1999.

Tommy improves his Miami record to 14-11. This is his 1st Qf here.

He'll will face Gilles Simon - he has a winning record - H2H: 4-1/Haas.

Can the old guy make an improbable run to the Sf's or *gasp* final?

Novak Djokovic Wins Opener at ATP Miami 2013

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Lukas Rosol - 61 60

Novak was off the court in under an hour - 53:20.

Remember: Rosol was the clown that took out Rafa at Wimby last year.

Hat trick alert: Nole is going for 3 in-a-row and a 4th title at Miami.

Post match: It is a great start. After Indian Wells, I tried to rest.

There are different conditions here, but tonight was perfect for tennis.

I enjoyed every moment of it and I love this court.

He's also loving the beach romping with his pup.

***

Photo: Pinched from Nole's Facebook page.

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 61

In under an hour y'all.

Nole has won his last 3 tournies: Tour Finals, Aussie Open and Dubai.

He is looking for his 3rd title here ('08, '11) and a 4th final.

He will need to get thru 7 Juan Martin Del Potro - H2H: 8-2/Novak.

Novak has taken their last 4 meetings - he's won 9 of their last 10 sets.

Post match: I tried to pay attention to my game.

I really didn't care about how my opponent felt. I just tried to focus on

the job I needed to do, and my performance was really good.

I served really well and used the shots around the court well,

and that's what matters for me.

I'm looking forward to a Nole/Rafa final. Make it happen boys.

Sexy and They Know It: Novak Djokovic & RedFoo Play Football Together at Indian Wells

That soccer pitch at Indian Wells is a fun way to watch these players.

Saturday I watched Nole and Redfoo knock the ball around.

All smiles and relaxed.

Novak was pushed to 3 sets in his opener against Fabio Fognini.

Time to get serious.

Novak Djokovic Wins His 4th Title at Dubai

ATP 500 Dubai - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 3 Tomas Berdych - 75 63

And Nole remains unbeaten in 2012 as he lifts his 2nd trophy of the season.

He's actually won 5 of the last 6 tournaments he's entered.

Nole improves to 36-19 in ATP finals.

He now has 4 titles each at Dubai & Aussie Open - his most anywhere.

Although he can add a 4th this year in Canada and Beijing.

Post match: So this is definitely one of my favourite tournaments...

Winning it four times now is something that I definitely enjoy.

Now he'll head to Indian Wells looking for a 3rd title in the Cali desert.

Novak Djokovic and the Turtles of Dubai

When Nole isn't busy being the #1 player in the world ---

He's saving turltes. Thug life.

***

He's the top seed at ATP 500 Dubai and seeking for his 4th title in the UAE.

Federer is the second seed and he's hungry for a 6th title at Dubai.

Oh yea, and there are 30 other guys in it to win it.

Like for instance 6th seed Janko Tipsarevic:

The 2013 Australian Open Champions

Novak Djokovic - Men's Champion

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Victoria Azarenka - Women's Champion

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The Bryan Brothers - Men's Doubles Champions

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Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci - Women's Doubles Champions

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Jarmila Gajdosova & Matthew Ebden - Mixed Doubles Champions

Novak Djokovic Wins 4th Australian Open Title

Australian Open - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 3 Andy Murray - 67(2) 76(3) 63 62

Novak wins a first-ever Open Era hat-trick and 4th title Down Under.

This also the Serb's 6th Slam and 35th ATP title.

Post match: Winning it three [times] in a row, it's incredible.

It's very thrilling. I'm full of joy right now.

It's going to give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season,

that's for sure.

Yes, that is for sure.

And Nole has his eyes set on completing the career Slam:

I want to go all the way at [Roland Garros].

I went to the final last year and had a great match against Rafa,

but he's always the favorite on that surface

and he's the ultimate player to beat on clay.

But I think if I continue on playing well, stay healthy, I can have a chance.

Again, that is for sure.

Novak Djokovic Thru to Semifinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Tomas Berdych - 61 46 61 64

This is certainly Nole's 'Happy Slam' to be sure...

This is his 4th trip to the Sf's - once there he has always won the title.

This is also Nole's 11th consecutive Slam Sf dating back to Wimby 2010.

Of course he has a long way to go to break that ol' Fed Sf record of 23.

Post match about his quick recovery time after his 5 hour 4th rounder:

In the situations where you play a Grand Slam where you have to be ready

for five-hour matches, and then of course if you go through those matches

you have to be ready to recover in just a day and a half time.

I have a great team of people around me that are doing the best they can

in their expertise to make me feel ready physically, mentally,

emotionally, every match, every challenge.

Novak Djokovic Wins Epic 5 Setter to Reach Quarterfinals at Australian Open then Rips Off His Shirt

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

1 Novak Djokovic d 15 Stanislas Wawrinka - 16 75 64 67(5) 12/10

I don't like to call pre-semifinal matches instant classic but...

I'll surely make an exception with this 5:02 match.

I mean, Nole was a set and 2-5 down before turning things around.

And then he nearly couldn't win the damn thing.

Post match: It was one of the longest, most interesting,

and most exciting matches I played in my career.

He will face 5 Tomas Berdych in the Qf's: 11-1 for Novak.

I know I can recover. I know I have it in me.

I wasn't worried too much about the physical part. I was ready for it.

I was ready to go the distance, and I've done so.

Hopefully I can take that day off tomorrow and recover for the quarters.

I don't mind these epic Nole matches when the result is that shirt strip.

Aussie Open Champs Cruise with Their Trophies

And the trophies have gloved handlers. So super annoying.

***

Women's champ Vika has never defended a title before. Anywhere.

And Serena is seeded to meet her in the Sf's. Mmmmmm.

Sorry Vika but Serena is my pick to collect her 6th Aussie Open title.

***

As for Nole - he's going for a hat-trick and a 4th over-all Down Under.

He's won 3 in-a-row once before: Dubai '09-'11.

And I'm predicting he'll do it again in Melbourne 2 week from now.

Novak Djokovic takes Bike Ride in Melbourne on Eve of Potential Historic Run

Novak seems relaxed as he goes for a 4th Aussie Open title.

He's also looking to become on the 3rd man to make it 3 in-a-row.

The other 2: Roy Emerson with 5 in-a-row & Jack Crawford with 3.

That's some good company.

***

Photo borrowing from Novak's Facebook page.

Novak Djokovic Wins World Tour Finals in London

World Tour Finals - Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 2 Roger Federer - 76(6) 75

Nole wins his 2nd WTF title - his 1st coming at Shanghai in 2008.

He will finish the year with the #1 ranking for a 2nd straight year.

He won 6 titles this year including 1 Slam (Aussie) & 3 Masters 1000's.

The win over the GOAT inches their H2H closer - 16-13 in Roger's favor.

Nole: This was my time, my moment,

and I needed to step in and really believe in my ability.

So throughout the whole season I've had lots of success and

had some disappointing losses at big events, in a couple major finals.

Adje Nole.

Andy Murray Wins Maiden Slam at the US Open

US Open - Men's Final

3 Andy Murray d 2 Novak Djokovic - 76(10) 75 26 36 62

FINALLY.

This seemed forever in the coming. And he nearly choked it away.

These two boys produced a near 5 hour instant classic.

And it was a breathtaking pleasure to behold... that shotmaking, wow.

In the end Andy was 5th-time lucky - just like his coach.

Post match: After the third and fourth sets it was tough mentally for me...

Novak is so, so strong. He fights till the end in every single match and

I don't know how I managed to come through in the end.

It's well documented that the last Brit won a Slam 76 years ago.

Scratch that - Andy has finally put GB back on the Slam map.

Referring to Fred Perry: I’m sure he’s smiling from up there

that someone has finally managed to do it from Britain.

And a real fight for year-end #1 is on - the win moves him up to #3.

I’m definitely going to try. It’s something I’d love to do, to get to No. 1.

The race just got good.

Novak Djokovic & Petra Kvitova Win Canadian Open Titles

ATP Masters 1000 Toronto - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 14 Richard Gasquet - 63 62

He breaks his tie with Sampras by winning his 12th 1000 title.

Not a bad way to shake off the disappointment of the Olympics.

Post match: I truly did not expect myself to win this tournament...

after the emotional losses in the Olympic Games. I really took it hard.

I tried to bounce back and recover; I've done great, I have to say.

WTA Montreal - Final

5 Petra Kvitova d 10 Li Na - 75 26 63

Better late than never: This marked Petra's first final of the season.

That's a pretty long drought since winning the season-ender in Oct.

This also marked her first final in North America.

Post match: I have asthma so I have trouble breathing sometimes,

but it wasn't too humid here this week. It's only a problem in North America,

unfortunately, because here it's more humid than Europe or Australia,

where it's very hot but not that humid. Humidity is the main problem for me.

Novak Djokovic Handles Andy Roddick Easily to Move into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Men's Second Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Andy Roddick - 62 61

This match promised to be better but Novak never let Andy in the match.

Remember: Roddick came into the Games on a bit of a roll.

But Noval wasn't having it.

Post match: It was the perfect match in every sense.

I delivered my best game, I think, so far this year on grass courts.

I didn’t expect to serve as many aces...

But both of my matches that I’ve played here I’ve served really, really well.

So that’s something encouraging for the next challenge.

Novak Djokovic into 2nd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Men's First Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Fabio Fognini - 67(7) 62 62

Novak was called off the court at 7-all in the tie-break owing to rain.

They came back out and he promptly lost the next two points.

Unfazed, he raced thru the last two sets.

Remember: Nole is the reigning bronze medalist from Beijing.

Novak took to Facebook about the Opening Ceremonies:

I’ll never forget the last night's spectacle!

The excitement, adrenaline, the atmosphere - everything was just perfect!

A great, positive energy was felt among athletes...

As well as among the massive audience.

I haven’t felt anything like that in a long time and...

I'm still under the strong impression.

It really gave us a special motivation boost for the start of the games.

Maria Sharapova & Novak Djokovic Spent Some Pre-Olympics Time Together

Maria has yet to play the Olympics. Novak won bronze in Beijing.

Novak posted the photo above on his Facebook today captioned:

Hello everybody!

I am back in "office" and warming up for the Olympic games :)

Thought i could hit couple of balls with Maria Sharapova and trust me...

She didn't take it easy on me. :)

And then Maria shared this pic on Facebook saying:

Novak and I are back on the set of another Head Tennis commercial.

And all I can say is that this one is sweet revenge.

***

And all I can say is - who is that guy photobombing? He looks fun.

The Men's Semifinals All Set for Wimbledon 2012

Wimbledon - Men's Semifinal Preview

1 Novak Djokovic vs 3 Roger Federer - H2H: 14-12/Federer

They've played 7 times during '11 & '12 - Nole has taken 6 of those 7.

Each man has lost 6 matches this year. Nole: 41-6. Fed: 44-6.

This is Nole's 16th tip to a Slam Sf: 8-7 and 4th at Wimby: 1-2.

Except for the set he dropped in the 3rd round he's reached the Sf's easily.

Remember: He is the defending champion.

Roger returns to the Wimby Sf's after losing in the Qf's the last 2 years.

This is his 32nd Slam Sf: 23-8 and 8th at Wimbledon: 7-0.

He is looking for his 7th title which would tie him with Sampras.

But wait, there's more: A title would also put him back to #1.

That would also tie him with Sampras with most weeks ever at #1.

And the week after that he'd have the record to himself.

***

4 Andy Murray vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - H2H: 5-1/Murray

The one time Tsonga beat Andy was way back in '08.

This is Jo-W's 5th trip to a Slam Sf: 1-3 and 2nd straight at W: 0-1.

As for Andy... this is his 10th Slam Sf: 3-6.

This is his 4th straight Sf at Wimby: 0-3. The last 2 losing to Rafa.

But with him out of the way...

Andy could become the first Brit in a Wimbledon final since 1938.

No pressure. None at all.

***

I'm picking Djokovic vs Murray for Sunday's final.

Hey, I'm in good company as those are Boris Becker's picks as well.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic into 3rd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Second Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Ryan Harrison - 64 64 64

Make that 9-in-a-row for Nole at SW19. 5 more wins to defend.

And it was one of those rare indoor matches...

Since the addition of the roof it has only been closed 8 or 9 times.

Post match: It was great to be under the roof once again.

I thought it was a very exciting match to be a part of as a player...

And I thought the crowd enjoyed it as well.

***

It was a good week for Ryan as he was named to the US Olympic team.

He's young. His day will come.

Photo: Getty Images