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.

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 Wins 8th French Open Title

French Open - Men's Final

4 Rafael Nadal d 5 David Ferrer - 63 62 63

8.

Rafa moves up to 3rd with Roy Emerson on the Slam list with 12.

Only Pete Sampras with 14 and Roger Federer with 17 are ahead of him.

He improved his French Open record to 59-1. A sick winning percentage.

Rafa also notched his 20th win over Ferrer and 4th of the 2013 season.

He is also the 1st man to qualify for the season ending tournament.

In a rankings quirk the win actually saw his ranking fall back to #5.

But he is firmly atop the Race to London rankings by a mile.

With 90 points to defend the rest of the year - lookout Nole...

Hi8tory: No man has ever won 8 titles at any one Slam before.

History: And no man has ever won a Slam 9 years running.

Post match: Eight times here is a lot. I never thought about that.

But I will keep practising with the same passion and intensity to bring

my tennis to the highest level possible.

***

Rafa has played 9 tournaments this year and made the finals of all 9.

He's won 7 of them making him the tour leader.

Next up is Wimbledon where he's won it twice: '08 & '10.

It's also the place where he lost early in '12 & left the tour with an injury.

This year plan on Rafa hitting Wimby with a hunger for a big points gobble.

Rafael Nadal Wins 7th Title at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Final

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 61 63

I think we can stop calling this a comeback already. He's beyond back.

In 8 tournaments this year he's gone to all 8 finals and won 6 of them.

Including 3 Masters 1000's (IW, Madrid & Rome) and 2 500 events.

After his Sf win he moved to #1 in points earned in 2013.

This is Rafa's 7th time biting the trophy at Rome.

This is his 56th ATP title and 24th at the Masters 1000 level.

Of his 56 titles a whopping 30 have come from 4 tournaments:

Monte-Carlo 8; Barelona 8; Rome 7 & French Open 7.

And he's a good and safe bet to make it 8 in Paris.

And the win moved Rafa up to #4 and rightfully Spain's #1.

He also improved his H2H against Federer to 20-10.

Post match: If you told me four or five months ago that after eight

tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals,

I would say you are crazy. To win three Master 1000 and two 500

tournaments is more than I ever dreamed.

His Rafanatics can say that too.

***

Rafa also got some dopey GQ style award this week too:

Rafael Nadal Dips Deep to Reach Rome Semifinals

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 4 David Ferrer - 64 46 62

That photo says one thing and one thing only: RELIEF.

Rafa'll play his 8th Sf at Rome: 7-0. In fact he's only had 2 losses at Rome.

If memory serves I think a commentator said Rafa's never lost a Sf on clay.

Today's win moves him to #1 on the Race to London rankings.

That's stunning considering he didn't play the Australian Open.

Spare a thought for Ferrer - the guy has suffered 3 losses to Rafa this year.

And these last 2 were oh-so close. And to add insult-to-injury...

A title at Rome will move Rafa ahead of David to #4 in the rankings.

Seriously, who saw any of this coming?

Serena Williams & Maria Sharapova: Bikini Babes Set to Battle for #1 in the Final at Madrid

Madrid WTA - Women's Final Preview

1 Serena Williams vs 2 Maria Sharapova - H2H: 12-2/Serena

Sf milestones: Serena becomes 1st player to win 30 matches this year.

And Maria joined an elite club by winning her 500th WTA match.

Maria has not beaten Serena since 2004.

In their last 11 matches Maria has managed only 3 sets.

Also in those last 11 - in 6 of them Serena only gave up 5 games.

Their last showdown was in the Miami final in March.

Maria managed to make it a 3 setter but got blown out in the 3rd 6-0.

Can she make it interesting tomorrow? Certainly. Hopefully.

And let's not forget that they are playing for the #1 ranking.

In the battel of banging bikini bods I'm playing it safe - both win.

Serena Williams Opens Madrid Title Defence with Win

Madrid WTA - Women's 2nd Round

1 Serena Williams d Lourdes Dominguez-Lino - 62 75

You know you can't handle Serena's recent Vibe bikini photo shot. Truth.

And I am not touching this whole Sloane Stephens thing.

Except to say there will be no rematch at Madrid.

Sloane couldn't get out of the 1st round.

But Serena did and is seeking a second straight title at Madrid.

And she needs to win or lose in the same round as Maria to remain #1.

It makes for a tantalizing final. And I hope it happens.

 

Grigor Dimitrov Upsets Novak Djokovic in an Epic 2nd Round Match at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

Grigor Dimitrov d 1 Novak Djokovic - 76(6) 67(8) 63

Welcome to the big time G! It's been a long time coming.

His #28 ranking will already be getting a nice bump on Monday.

Maybe even a big bump if he keeps going thru the draw.

Post match: It's a great win for me. Good day at the office.

I know it's a big thing, of course. But you got to stay on the ground.

Hopefully you're going to face these guys for years.

You never know how it's going to be next time...

You got to be ready and try to work at it every day and

see it as just another test to do and something exciting to look forward.

Tommy Haas Wins ATP Title at Munich

Munich ATP 250 - Men's Final

3 Tommy Haas d 4 Philipp Kohlschreiber - 63 76(3)

At 35 Tommy becomes the oldest ATP title winner in 5 years.

This is his 14th title and 4th in Germany: Stuttgart '01; Halle '09 & '12.

The win will bump him up a spot to #13. Next stop: top ten! Surely.

Post match: It's a sensational feeling to be quite honest.

It was another one of those milestones that I hoped for,

to maybe win this title one year. To have done that, this late in my career,

is a big highlight for me. Every time you win a title,

it's a reflection of putting everything together the whole week.

It doesn't happen that often. You're really proud of those moments.

Ryan Harrison Opts for Challenger Tournaments and Moves Up the Rankings

Before the start of the Savannah challenger tourny Ryan was ranked #100.

With the trophy lift on Sunday he bumped that ranking up to #81.

Will lightning strike twice?

This week he's playing the challenger at Tallahassee.

I suppose that feels better than qualifying for tourneys in Europe.

He'll need to go across soon tho.

But in the meantime gobble those challenger points Ryan.

Grigor Dimitrov into His Maiden Masters 1000 Quarterfinal at Monte-Carlo

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

Grigor Dimitrov d Florian Mayer - 62 64

Baby Fed Grigor finally makes his first quarterfinal at a Masters event.

A loss tomorrow will bump him from #36 to around #25.

I say 'a loss' because he next will play the King of Clay.

About that: I know tomorrow is another point of view,

since clay court you're playing against the greatest of all time.

There's that feeling and anxiety that you want to come out and

do the best you can. I think most of all you have to keep a good composure.

Remember: He's 22 next month - the age Roger kicked off his GOAT-ness.

Tommy Haas Celebrates 35th Birthday with a Rise in the Rankings

Following his Sf showing at Miami Tommy is up to #14.

It's the highest he's been ranked since he was #11 in January of '08.

Remember he enjoyed his rankings best of #2 for 6 weeks in 2002.

Can he get back into the top 10?

The last time he was a top 10er was a 5 week stint at #9 in '07.

He's only 740 points behind Tipsarevic at #10.

A few nice runs in upcoming tournies and he could well do it.

As an old guy myself I'd love for him to get there.

Juan Monaco Wins Hamburg Title & Enters Top 10

Hamburg ATP 500 - Final

3 Juan Monaco d WC Tommy Haas - 75 64

This is Juan's 3rd title of the year, 6th of his career & 2nd at the 500 level.

Of course all of them have come on clay.

With the win he'll move into the top 10 for the first time.

Tandil: Never mind Argentina - the city of Tandil has 2 top 10-ers next week.

Monaco & Del Potro will be side-by-side at #'s 9 & 10 - doing Tandil proud.

The German Open began in 1892 - he becomes the 3rd Argentine to win.

Following in the triumphant footsteps of 2 Guillermo's: Vilas and Coria.

Post match: It's amazing [to break the Top 10], it's a dream come true.

I will always remember this great week...

Because it's very important for me and my team.

It was a big goal we had pre-season when we were practising very hard.

About the quick turn-around for the Olympics next week he said:

To change the courts is not going to be easy for me...

 But I have five days for practice to be with the guys there.

So, let’s see how it goes. This tournament will bring me big confidence and,

I’m feeling great, no injuries. So, I will try my best in London.

Juan lost in the 3rd round at Wimby so yea, we'll see.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer Breaks Record for Most Weeks at #1

Today Roger Federer break his tie with Pete Sampras for most weeks at #1.

Make it 287 at the top of the pile. That's about 5 1/2 years.

He enjoyed his 1st week at #1 way back in February 2, 2004.

At 31, Rog becomes the 2nd oldest man to hold the top spot: Andre Agassi.

Roger, after he tied the record:

I never stopped believing...it all worked out. I got great momentum...

Great confidence and it all came together. It's a magical moment for me.

I was so close to the record two years ago and...

It is really amazing to be No. 1 again.

I played and won a lot of tournaments since the US Openlast year...

I’m happy that all the hard work I have been putting in has paid off.

***

Roger is only 75 points ahead of Novak Djokovic.

They both have the Olympics as their next tournament.

With no points to defend the race for #1 is on again in London.

Can Roger make it a SW19 double?

Juan Monaco into Semifinals at Stuttgart

ATP 250 Stuttgart - Quarterfinals

2 Juan Monaco d Q Pavol Cervenak - 61 75

Juan posted this photo from Stuttgart to his Facebook page captioned:

Taking a little rest at the players room after my today victory!

Juan is in the hunt for his 3rd title this year: Vina del Mar & Houston.

Juan is currently ranked a career high of #14...

And inching ever closer to the top 10 - a major goal of all players.

Those 4 ranking spots are going to be crazy tough to make up...

Nearly 500 points separate him from #10 Almagro.

That's a lot of distance but not impossible - he's a decent summer away.

We're pulling for him.

Ferrer & Roddick: Wimbledon Warm-Up Winners

David & Andy are seeded for a 3rd round showdown at Wimby next week.

***

ATP 250 s-Hertogenbosch - Final

1 David Ferrer d Q Philipp Petzschner - 63 64

This marks David's 15th ATP title and 2nd at this event: '08.

He and Rafa & Roger lead the tour with 4 titles each this season.

David heads to Wimby after having lost in the 4th round last year.

He will open against Dustin Brown and is in Murray's quarter.

Post match: I'm very, very happy. I've won two times here.

This is special for me because grass is maybe my worst surface.

***

ATP 250 Eastbourne - Final

6/WC Andy Roddick d Andreas Seppi - 63 62

Make it 601: With his Sf win Andy notched his 600th career match win.

And it was a long time coming as he hadn't won a match since March.

This marks his 31st title and 1st since Memphis in Feb '10.

Andy has now won at least 1 title in 12 consecutive seasons.

Andy & Roger are the only active players with 600 wins & 12 title years.

He will play Jamie Baker in his opener at W and is in Murray's quarter.

Rising again: The win will bump him up from #33 to about #25.

As the USA's #3 player he's still far behind Isner (#10) & Fish (#12).

Something tells me he'll finish 2012 ahead of at least one of them.

Rafael Nadal Wins 6th Masters 1000 Title at Rome

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Final

2 Rafael Nada d 1 Novak Djokovic - 75 63

Rafa posted this photo on Facebook simply captioned:

Now at home... Very happy!!

The win lifts Rafa back over Roger Federer in 2 avenues:

He breaks their tie of 20 Masters 1000 title - this is Rafa's 21st.

And Rafa moves back up to #2 after Roger held it for a single week.

He will head to Roland Garros as the 2nd seed.

This is Rafa's 6th title at Rome and 49th title on the ATP tour.

After losing 7 in-a-row to Novak, Rafa has now won the last 2.

Their head-to-head now stands at 18-14 in Rafa's favor.

Rafa won 3 of the 4 clay tournaments he entered this year:

Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.

He must be considered the heavy favorite going into Paris.

No?

Novak Djokovic into Rome Semifinals to Face Roger Federer

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Quarterfinals

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 75 61

3 Roger Federer d Andreas Seppi - 61 62

Novak reaches his 4th Sf in Rome - a round where he has never lost.

He will face long-time rival Roger Federer - H2H: 14-10/RF.

They haven't played this year but they played 5 times in '11: 4-1/ND.

Novak is the defender and has won this tournament twice.

Roger has never won in Rome dispite 2 final round showings.

This will be an interesting encounter if for no other reason than ranking.

Roger is closing in on Novak's spot at the top.

Between Nole, Roger & Rafa - the next few months will be very interesting.

Game on boys.

Photo: From Novak's Facebook

John Isner Becomes New American #1

With his Sf win at Houston John passed Mardy Fish in the rankings to #9.

And thus, ladies and gentlemen, we have a new American #1.

Big congrats, John.

He is in stellar company becoming only the 12th player since 1973.

The 12: Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi,

Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Brad Gilbert, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick,

James Blake, Mardy Fish and John Isner.

John: Even coming out of college it’s something I never could have imagined.

But as I started to improve and play better a little bit...

I knew that this could be something that was attainable for me.

I’m very thrilled. And now I have my highest ranking ever as well, No. 9.

That was my next goal, after I got to 10.

Now my newest goal is to get to eight, then seven, and then six.

Rafael Nadal into 4th Round at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Third Round

2 Rafael Nadal d 25 Radek Stepanek - 62 62

Is that a halo? Well, his fan do think he's rather godlike.

After 2 matches Rafa has given up a mere 6 games.

He will next face 16 Nishikori - how many will he give up to Kei?

We'll see. Their H2H is 3-0 to Rafa. They last met here in the same round.

The score was 64 64 - I'm going to say it'll look about the same tomorrow.

***

BTW, there is a scenario where Roger steals #2 away from Rafa next week.

Photo: Reuters