TennisToday

Juan Monaco into 3rd Round at Hamburg

Hamburg ATP 500 - Men's Second Round

5 Juan Monaco d Gael Monfils - 64 64

Remember: Juan is the defending champion here.

To continue his defense he'll next play up-and-comer Benoit Paire.

Benoit won their only match - a 3-setter at Rome this year.

Pressure on: Juan will need to repeat to stay in the top 20.

John Isner is 60 points behind and will leap-frog with a loss.

Vamos Pico!

***

Pico posted this pic on Facebook from the gym at Hamburg.

Marion Bartoli & Sabine Lisicki to Meet in Wimbledon Final

Wimbledon - Women's Semifinals

15 Marion Bartoli d 20 Kirsten Flipkens - 61 62 (Above)

23 Sabine Lisicki (below) d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 64 26 9-7

15 Marion Bartoli VS 23 Sabine Lisicki - H2H: 3-1/Sabine

***

If you had these two as your finalists please report to the prize office.

There waits for you a million dollar payout!

***

Marion post match: I just enjoy my time this year so much at Wimby

obviously. [I'm] having a lot of fun outside the court as well and

really carry[ing] on this great spirit with a smile.

Such a great character. It's really hard for me not to like her. A lot.

I even told her so at Indian Wells a couple years ago. Long story.

***

Sabine post match: I am overwhelmed, so happy. Steffi Graf texted

me good luck before the match. She told me to go for it.

I fought my heart out for every single point, and believed I could

still win no matter what the score was. In the third set when I was

3-0 down I told myself I had come back against Serena and

I could do it again. It gave me so much confidence.

Well now it makes sense - she had Steffi blowin' up her phone!

***

Both gals have certainly earned their places in the final...

But my Breakfast at Wimbledon will find me cheering for Bartoli.

I sure hope Bond shows up Saturday.

Andy Murray Wins Epic Quarterfinal Match at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Quarterfinal

2 Andy Murray d Fernando Verdasco - 46 36 61 64 75

Talk about a thriller. An epic thriller. An instant classic for sure.

This is the 7th time Andy has come back from 2 sets down.

I can't even imagine how Henman Hill must have rocked today.

Post match: You're more concerned about losing the match,

not thinking so much that, 'I'm going to lose at Wimbledon.'. You're

concerned how the match is going and that you may lose.

But when you've been in that position a lot of times, you know how

to think through it and not get too far ahead of yourself.

I definitely didn't rush when I went two sets to love down.

I slowed myself down, if anything, and that was a good sign.

***

Andy is trying to get into his 4th straight Slam final.

He was runner-up last year, won the USO and was RU at the Aussie.

Remember: He skipped Roland Garros.

He'll play Jerzy Janowicz - H2H: 1-1. Jerzy won their last match.

It has the makings of yet another Centre Court thriller.

Sloane Stephens Thru to Quarterfinals at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Fourth Round

17 Sloane Stephens d Monica Puig - 46 75 61

Sloane is the last American standing - in either singles draw.

Nobody saw that coming.

This is Sloane's 2nd Slam Qf (both this year): 1-0.

She will next face 15 Marion Baroli (a former finalist) - H2H: 1-0/Bartoli.

Post match: It will definitely be tough.

She [Bartoli] plays really well on grass. She made the finals here.

Obviously, she's a good player. I'm going to have to go out,

do my best, compete, give 100%, and see how it goes.

David Ferrer Thru to Quarterfinals at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Fourth Round

4 David Ferrer d Ivan Dodig - 67(3) 76(6) 61 61

One more match win and David will have been to the Sf's at all 4 Slams.

On top of that this is his 7th straight Slam Qf.

With Federer's loss David will move up to a career high of #3.

On Wednesday he will face 8 Juan Martin Del Potro - H2H: 6-2/Ferrer.

Post match: He's a very great player. It's going to be difficult.

I need to play my best tennis to beat Del Potro. And on a grass court

I think it is more difficult. He plays better than me on grass. Last year

I beat him, but I think I played my best match on a grass court.

***

I'd like him to get that Sf result (or better) on his resume.

Jamie Hampton Gains Her 1st Ever WTA Final - At Eastbourne

WTA Eastbourne - Women's Semifinal

Q Jamie Hampton d 5 Caroline Wozniacki - 67(8) 75 63

Jamie beat Caro once in the juniors now she can boast an official WTA win.

The win will push Jamie to new heights - the top 30.

Her qualifying days will now be a thing of the past.

And hello American hopeful pressure.

Poat match: I didn't come just to play the qualifying. I try to enter every

tournament & think to get deep in the tournament, & look to win the title.

So coming off my Roland Garros run I had a good amount of confidence,

and I was hoping to get deep into this tournament this week too.

***

US hopeful vs US hopeful: Jamie just drew Sloane in Wimby 1st round.

So there's that bummer US hopeful news from London today.

Caroline Wozniacki into Semifinals at Eastbourne

WTA Eastbourne - Women's Quarterfinals

5 Caroline Wozniacki d Ekaterina Makarova - 46 60 63

The '09 champ is still in the hunt for her 1st title of the year.

She will face American Jamie Hampton for the 1st time.

Well 2nd, they played against one another in the 2005 US Open juniors.

Hampton won that one. Caro doesn't even remember it. LOL

Caro: I'm not sure - I mean, I've played so many matches before,

so I don't remember.

I don't know why that really strikes me as funny. But it does.

Prolly cuz you know Jamie tells anyone who'll listen.

I would.

Rafael Nadal is Seeded 5th for 2013 Wimbledon

The seedings have been released for the coming Championships and...

Rafael Nadal has been placed as the tournaments 5th seed.

Wimbledon ignored giving Rafa a deserving discretionary bump.

Most in the tennis world think he should at least be the 4th seed.

There is one word to use here: dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

Let's see... Rafa is a 2-time champ and 3-time runner-up.

4th seed David Ferrer has been a quarterfinalist exactly once.

Moreover, Rafa has beaten David all 4 times they've played this year.

AND - we don't even need to compare their 2013's. It's no contest.

Well, as payback I hope Rafa gets placed in Murray's quarter...

Only then will Wimby get that they've made a serious blunder.

It's worth repeating: dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb.

***

Photo: Rafa's first practice yesterday at Wimby,

 

Lleyton Hewitt Thru to Semifinals at Queen's Club

ATP 250 Queen's Club - Men's Quarterfinal

Lleyton Hewitt d 3 Juan Martin Del Potro - 62 26 62

Someone is busy turning back the clock to his glory years.

Remember: Lleyton is a 4-time champion here: '00-'02 & '06.

At 32 he's looking to become the tournies oldest winner as well.

He'll next face the defender 5 Marin Cilic in the Sf's - H2H: 1-0/Lleyton.

The only time they played was last year at the London Games.

So Lleyton's gotta feel good about his match tomorrow...

Post match: Cilic is going to be another tough one, very similar to my

match against [Sam] Querrey yesterday and against del Potro today.

In terms of that, I have had good preparation for playing him,

but, he's the defending champ here.

Novak Djokovic & Brothers Spend a Day at the Beach

Is there a better way to get over a stinging loss like the one in Paris...

Than with your bro's on the beach? (Photo from Novak's Facebook page.)

It's weird how some players can get over a loss faster than their fans.

Hell, I'm still gutted over Monica Seles' loss at the '08 French Open!

And her '02 loss at Wimbledon.

Anyway, Nole next tournament will be Wimbledon.

He's defending a Sf at SW19 - and should easily be able to repeat that.

Unless Wimby farts up a #5 seeding for Rafa and they meet in the Qf's.

Anyway, have fun Nole - you've got some work to do in London.

Roger Federer into Semifinals at Halle

ATP 250 Halle - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Roger Federer d WC Mischa Zverev - 60 60

This was the 2nd time in his career Roger has double bageled someone.

Roger has only played 1 final so far this year - a loss to Rafa at Rome.

He hasn't won a title since Aug. 12 at Cincinnati.

Those are not familiar to Federer fans. It's quite a draught.

In fact, this is the latest he's gone in a season without a title since '99.

Since his last win (of his 5 here) at Halle he's been runner-up twice.

Including his loss last year to Tommy Haas.

Speaking of, Roger will play Tommy in the Sf's tomorrow.

So yea, we'll see.

Andy Murray Wins 2 Matches Today to Gain Quarterfinals at Queens Club

He's baaaaa-ack.

After a little injury layoff he's back on the grass at Queen's Club.

Tho he didn't play the French Open his ranking actually improved to #2.

But he's got lots of grass court points to defend. Or not...

He's got 1200 runner-up points to defend at Wimbledon and...

He's got 750 points just being erased because he can't defend the Olympics.

Also interesting to note - his home Slam may bump him to 3rd seed.

Federer may have the funky Wimby seeding formula in his favor.

Let's see if they have the nerve!

Rafael Nadal Thru to Semifinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Rafael Nadal d 9 Stanislas Wawrinka - 62 63 61

Rafa won this match on the 8th anniversary of his 1st title (above).

Rafa is into his 8th French Open Sf: 7-0.

He'll face his main rival these days, Novak Djokovic - H2H 19-15/Rafa.

On clay: 12-3/Rafa. At the French Open: 4-0/Rafa. In finals: 8-8.

However... Since 2011 their H2H is 8-3/Nole.

And they've played once this year. On clay. Monte-Carlo final. Nole won.

So I'm going to say that Rafa is a bit of an underdog in this one.

Post match: So now I am in semi-finals, three matches in a row without

losing a set. The last two matches, I only lost one [game on] serve.

That's starting to be very positive numbers. Only numbers, but most

important thing at the end is the feeling, and the feeling is

completely different.  If I was not happy five days ago about my level,

today I say I am happy that I am in semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic Thru to Semifinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 12 Tommy Haas - 63 76(5) 75

Nole has stated that this is the title he wants this year.

He is 2 wins away.

And it's kind of fitting that he'll have to go thru Rafa to get it too.

Seems tragically unfiiting that it's at the semifinal stage.

Post match: Now I have a big challenge in front of me & I'm ready for it.

I have been playing well. I know that this is the biggest challenge for me

in Roland Garros, no question about it,

and I'm sure that it's going to be quite a good match.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Upsets Roger Federer in Quarterfinals of the French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinals

6 Jo-WIlfried Tsonga d 2 Roger Federer - 75 63 63

I'm not sure I want to call this an upset.

I think most hardcore tennis fans kind of saw this one coming.

I know I did.

If Jo-W can win his Sf he'll be the 1st Frenchman into the final in 25 years.

He'll have a tough one against David Ferrer who has a 2-1 lead on Jo-W.

So yea, no pressure there!

Post match: Everybody's been expecting a lot from me since the beginning

of this tournament. Not only this tournament, but every day.

So I'm used to it. Now what is important, is to stay focused, to think about

my next match. Because it will be extremely tough against a player who

didn't lose a single set and won with a very striking score in the Qf's.

David Ferrer Thru to Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Men's Quarterfinal

4 David Ferrer d 32 Tommy Robredo - 62 61 61

Well. This was a no brainer. Poor Tommy must've been extremely pooped.

This is David's 3rd straight Slam Sf and 6th over all. He is 0-5.

Boy, if ever he had a shot at a final - this would be it.

And if that weren't enough - he is the only man not to drop a set.

David next faces Jo-Willy in the Sf's and has a 2-1 H2H against him.

Post match: I think it's quite normal [that] the crowd is going to be

supporting Jo. He's French and I am very happy he's made it that far.

I'll do everything I can to make it to the final. I have to remain focused.

Sara Errani Thru to Semifinals at the French Open

French Open - Women's Quarterfinals

5 Sara Errani d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 64 76(6)

It took her 29 tries as she finally notched her 1st win over a top 5 player.

Deja vu: This is the second straight year that Sara has made the Sf's at RG.

Post match: There is no pressure from last year because I'm not

thinking about last year. That was then, this is now.

They are completely separate. Playing Serena will be very difficult

because she is so strong. Physically she's an incredible athlete and

she has a lot of power. It will be tough, although maybe better

on clay than any other surface.

H2H: 5-0/Serena - and that nil isn't going to change on Thursday.

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 Celebrates 27th Birthday with $th Round Win at French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

3 Rafael Nadal d 13 Kei Nishikori - 64 61 63

Rafa finally got a comfortable win in his 4 matches at Roland-Garros.

Rafa: Today I played a bit better than in the previous days.

He'll still needs to improve his level if he's to bite an 8th trophy.

Anyway after the match the tourney presented him a towering cake...

As the crowd serenaded him with a French version of Happy Birthday.

He is 5-0 on his actual birthday and improves his RG record to 56-1.

Rafa'll face Wawrinka in the Qf's - Stan hasn't won a set in 9 matches.

He is on course to play Novak in a blockbuster Sf match on Friday.

Most agree that the winner of that match will likely take the title.

Few Sf's have ever been so weighty - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Rafa and Nole still have another match to win to get us there.

But they will. Of that I have no doubt.

Tommy Robredo Continues His Improbable Run into the Quarterfinals at French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

32 Tommy Robredo d 11 Nicolas Almagro - 67(5) 36 64 64 64

Tommy has sooooooooooo earned those tears of joy.

I mean. How on earth is he into the quarters?

This was his 3rd straight match coming back from 2 set to none.

The last man to win 3 straight 0-2's was Cochet at Wimby back in 1927.

And this is a guy that started the season outside the top 100.

And if that weren't enought - he's over 30.

I did say improbable, didn't I. Beret's off to you Tommy.

This is Tommy's 4th trip to the RG quarters: 0-3.

Post match: I think that being in the quarter-finals again, it's amazing,

and also with three comebacks the way I did. I just need to enjoy it

because I think that in tennis, we need to enjoy it when we do great

things and keep focused. Because if it's possible, why not? [I could be]

one time in the semi-finals here.

***

Who has the nerve to doubt him now?

But Tommy faces a tall test next against Ferrer - H2H: 6-2/Ferrer.

But didn't we all say that about his match today?

Exactly.