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Roger Federer Wins BNP Paribas Masters 1000 at Paris

BNP Paribas Masters Series 1000 at Paris - Final

3 Roger Federer d 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 61 76(3)

Rog wins his maiden Paris Indoor title - without dropping a set this week.

This also marks his 18th Master 1000 title - 1 behind leader Rafael Nadal.

He also passed the 800 match win milestone earlier in the week: 802-186.

Roger bags his 69th career title - and 2nd in as many weeks.

With the O2 mere days away one must think he's a solid pick for #6.

The win will keep him at #4 - where he will probably finish the year.

Remember, he's defending points from winning at the O2 last year.

Rog also joins Andre Agassi in winning the 2 big title in Paris.

Well done Roger, see you next week.

Petra Kvitova Upsets Kim Clijsters to Win Paris Title

Paris WTA - Final

4 Petra Kvitova d 1 Kim Clijsters - 64 63

Petra overpowered Kim - plain and simple. She is the real deal.

Both 20: With Caroline Wozniacki they are the 2 best under 21-year-olds.

This is Petra's 3rd WTA title & 2nd of the year - already.

She is currently ranked #18 but I think that will be rising quickly.

This was her 6th win over a top 10 player & 2nd over a #1 (Safina).

Well kind of: Technically Kim doesn't become #1 until tomorrow.

As for Kim, I think it's time to get home and relax. She has played a lot.

In '11 so far she has played 3 finals (1-2) and Fed Cup. Next: Indian Wells.

No Lemon: Also this week Kim learned that Alec Baldwin has a crush on her.

Lastly: Always lovely to see you Amelie. You are missed.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters Set to Return to #1 After Quarterfinal Win in Paris Today

Paris WTA - Quarterfinal

1 Kim Clijsters d Q Jelena Dokic - 63 60

With her blistering today win Kim will will return to #1 on Monday's rankings.

She last held the top spot almost exactly 5 years ago.

Tennis history: Kim will become the 1st mother to hold the #1 ranking.

Previously she was #1 a total of 19 weeks between 2003-06.

She is poised to extend that number greatly.

Remember, she has ZERO points to defend at Roland Garros. She didn't play.

Kim has never finished a year ranked #1 - tho she has come close...

She finished '03 & '05 ranked #2 and last year at #3.

Could this be the year? I wouldn't bet against it happening.

All this from a player who claims she's only play another year and a half.

Congrats Kim.

Photo: Getty Images

Robin Soderling Wins Title at Paris ATP Masters 1000

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Final

4 Robin Soderling d 12 Gael Monfils - 61 76(1)

I dont think I've ever seen Robin smile so much. I could get used to that.

In 5 finals this season Robin wins his 2nd title: also Rotterdam ATP 500.

This is his 6th career title & his 1st Masters 1000 - his biggest prize yet.

The win will also move him ahead of Andy Murray to a ranking high of #4.

He joins Stefan Edberg ('90) & Thomas Enqvist ('96) as Swedish winners here.

Robin sure plays well in Paris - winning today & 2 finals at the French Open.

Postmastch: I now have 2 favorite tournaments, here and Roland Garros.

Spare a thought for Gael - just not enough left after 3 straight 3-setters.

And last year Gael lost in the final to Novak Djokovic...

RS to Gael: It's hard to lose 2 finals in a row. I did it, in this town actually.

While this was the last official tournament of the year - neither boy is done:

Robin will head to London for the season-ending championships at the O2.

And Gael will head to Belgrade to try and win the Davis Cup for France.

Earned it: I don't know about them but I glad to have this next week off!

Photo: Reuters top - Getty Images bottom

Robin Soderling & Gael Monfils to Play for Paris Masters 1000 Title after Thrilling Day of Tennis

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Final Preview

4 Robin Soderling vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 2-0

You know you just witnessed a great day of semifinal tennis when...

1. Both finalists save multiple match points to advance: Robin 3, Gael 5.

2. Both semifinal matches are settled in 3rd set tie-breaks: Fans win.

3. All 6 sets of tennis have a 7 in them, including 5 tie-breaks: Thrillers.

Both boys are looking for (and worthy of) their 1st Masters 1000 title.

Let's hope today was an idictation of what to expect tomorrow.

I'm happily exhauted.

***

Quarterfinal Results

12 Gael Monfils d 1 Roger Federer - 76(7) 67(4) 67(4)

Yet another match Rog has lost this year after holding match point(s).

Trending?: Another player wipes away his 0 in his H2H with Rog this year.

4 Robin Soderling d Michael Llodra - 67(7) 75 76(6)

I told you guys yesterday that this was gonna be a great match!

Stay tuned: Llodra still has a big win possibly awaiting him in Serbia.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Roger Federer & Gael Monfils Set-Up Semifnal Match at Paris ATP Masters 1000

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 5-0

Bad news for Gael: Roger is tearing up opponents this week. And last.

Good(ish) news for Gael: Roger has erased a few 0's in his H2H's this year.

With a partisan crowd this match could be a highly entertaining affair.

Um: Roger is 20-1 H2H against the 3 remaining players in the draw.

***

For the first time in this tournaments history 2 Frenchmen are in the Sfs.

Davis Cup: Pretty sure Gael & Michael are the singles players in Belgrade.

***

Quarterfinal Results

1 Roger Federer d 11 Jurgen Melzer - 61 76(4)

Don't worry Jurgen, Roddick is still thinking about a certain missed volley too.

12 Gael Monfils d 4 Andy Murray - 62 26 63

I only got to watch the 3rd set - Andy looked really tired.

Both Andy's got some crappy scheduling all week if you ask me.

Roddick kept playing 1st up - Murray kept playing last up. So not cool.

Photos: Reuters

Robin Soderling & Michael Llodra Set-Up Semifinal Match at Paris Masters 1000

Put some gloves on 'em and let 'em duke it out tomorrow.

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal Preview

4 Robin Soderling vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 0-2

3 of their 5 sets have gone to TB's so expect one or two tomorrow.

Home crowd: Can they carry their man Llodra thru to the final?

Neither man has played a Masters 1000 final - this is only Robin's 3rd 1000 Sf.

Interesting that Llodra has two titles to Soderling's one this season.

***

Quarterfinal Results

4 Robin Soderling d 8 Andy Roddick - 75 64

Well, Andy did what he needed to do in Paris: qualify for London.

Which bracket would these guys rather get placed at the O2, Rafa or Roger?

Hint: Roger is on fire right now. Rafa is coming off an injury...

Michael Llodra d 10 Nikolay Davydenko - 75 61

ND led the 1st set 5-3 then came unglued losing 10 of the next 11 games.

Gotta tell ya tho - watching Llodra play all-court tennis was refreshing.

Quarterfinals Set at Masters 1000 Paris Tomorrow

Paris ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 11 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 2-0

Interesting that both are 29 and have only played twice - this year.

They played at Wimbledon & US Open - Roger won all 6 sets. Kinda easily.

3 Andy Murray vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 3-1

Both have a similar W/L records this year: 44/15 for Andy, 43/18 for Gael.

4 Robin Soderling vs 8 Andy Roddick - H2H: 2-2

Andy has won both of their matches this season. 4 matches - 5 tie-breaks.

This might just be the match of the day.

10 Nikolay Davydenko vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 4-1

So Llodra gave us a preview of the Davis Cup final beating Novak today.

Note to Team Serbia: Slow down the courts.

Photo: AP

Roger Federer: "...it's glamorous - the tennis life."

Who is he, Sheila E?

This is the recent ATP Uncovered video added to their site today.

Why does Roger always recite a laundry list of his great accomplishments?

It's an odd way to speak during interviews. I think.

We know you are the greatest Rog, we don't need the constant reminders.

Top 8 Seeds in Action Tomorrow at Paris Masters 1000

All 8 are in action in the 3rd round tomorrow in Paris.

1 Roger Federer vs Radek Stepanek - H2H: 9-2

2 Novak Djokovic (above) vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 1-0

3 Andy Murray vs 13 Marin Cilic - H2H: 4-1

4 Robin Soderling vs Stanislas Wawrinka - H2H: 1-2

5 Tomas Berdych vs 10 Nikolay Davydenko - H2H: 1-8

6 Fernando Verdasco vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 0-1

7 David Ferrer vs Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-1

8 Andy Roddick vs Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 2-0

5 of the 8 are playing for 3 spots in London. All could be settled tomorrow.

DVR set. Gonna be a long day tomorrow!

Photo: Getty Images

Fernando Verdasco Wins in Paris - Keeps O2 Hopes Alive

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

8 Fernando Verdasco d WC Arnaud Clement - 36 63 60

Odd match: It turned around on a late challenge from Fern at 1-3 in the 2nd.

The win kept Fern in the hunt for the tour-ending tournament in London.

He'll need a Sf showing & Andy Roddick will need to stumble before the Qfs.

Stranger things have happened.

The best news about Fern today was the haircut. Thanks Fern. 100% better.

It's so nice I'll show it twice:

Photo: Getty Images

Frenchmen Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra Win 1st Round Matches in Paris

Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Men's First Round

WC Arnaud Clement d Feliciano Lopez - 67(8) 76(7) 63

Michael Llodra d Potito Starace - 64 61

Wild stat: Arnaud never faced a break point in his match today.

Arnaud will next play Fern Verdasco: 1-1, Michael will play John Isner: 0-1.

Arnaud & Michael were once frequent doubles partners...

Even winning WImbledon together in 2007.

They hadn't play in some time until the Davis Cup Sf's - which they won.

They are playing dubs here in Paris...

Which is an obvious hint to who is playing doubles for France in Belgrade.

Aw, I love when they are together.

Rafael Nadal Injury Presser in Paris - London Calling

The year-end title is really the only thing missing from his resume. It would make a fitting cap to an incredible year, no?

Some quotes from his press conference in Paris today:

The injury is not a big problem but I have to be careful, because if I had an injury now it could be difficult to play London and to play well at the beginning of the season next year.

It is a goal for me to try to improve the image of last year in London. I think I am focused to try to do this. We will see what happens; I am focused on trying to play well there.

It is probably the most difficult surface against the most difficult opponents for me, so probably is the most difficult tournament for me to win during the year.

Photo: Getty Images

Michael Russell's Tennis Express Commercial

OMG, if I see this commercial one more time...

Hey Tennis Channel, you know you don't have to play it every other break.

"A woman's dress... don't ask me how that got in there."

***

Oh and - moments ago Michael lost to Radek Stepanek in Paris, 62 60.

Rafael Nadal & Minnie Mouse Attend 'Tangled' Premiere at Disneyland in Paris

Cute cute cute cute cute and cute - x 1,000,000,000!

Thanks to Rafaholics! Many more photos on her blog.

Rafael Nadal Withdraws from Paris ATP Masters 1000

Ok Rafanatics you can breathe - it's not the knees.

Seems he picked up a shoulder problem practicing his serve this week.

From Rafa's statement: It is nothing to be worried about but the doctor told me I have to spend those days doing intensive treatment and functional rehabilitation with physiotherapy.

See you in London.

Photo: I took it while he practiced his serve in Indian Wells, March '10.