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Fabio Fognini into Semifinals at Monte-Carlo - His 1st at the Masters 1000 Level

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Men's Quarterfinal

Fabio Fognini d 7 Richard Gasquet - 76(0) 62

He has never even been close to a Masters 1000 Sf before.

He's played 32 M1000 main draws and has been to the 3rd round 3 times.

That's it.

His reward - he gets Novak in the semi's: 4-0.

He has taken 2 sets off of Nole including last month at Indian Wells.

And who knows how Nole's bum ankle will turn up tomorrow.

Post match: This is one of the best performances ever for me.

It's my first semi-final at a Masters 1000.

I have another opportunity to play with a great player here in the

centre court in front of so many people, special friends and family.

Andy Murray & David Ferrer to Play for Title at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Men's Semifinals

2 Andy Murray d 8 Richard Gasquet - 67(3) 61 62

3 David Ferrer d 15 Tommy Haas - 46 62 63

Those were a couple of fun come-from-behind victories.

Much better matches than the women's Sf's - if we're being honest.

Andy is playing for his 9th Masters title and 2nd at Miami.

Between '08-'11 Andy won 2 Masters titles a year. But none last year.

Although he did manage 2 much bigger titles: the Olympics & US Open.

As for David, he's playing for his 2nd Masters title.

Remember he won his 1st at the final Masters of 2012 at Paris.

He's over 30 and playing the best tennis of his career.

Andy & David are nearly even in their 11 matches - H2H: 6-5/Murray.

They split their 2 encounters last year.

On hard courts tho it's a different story - 5-1/Murray.

I think this will be a very close and entertaining match. Alarm set.

Richard Gasquet Wins Marathon to Move into Quarterfinals at Miami

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

8 Richard Gasquet d 10 Nicolas Almagro - 67(3) 75 76(3)

This is Richard's 10th Masters 1000 Qf: 5-4.

He will next face Tomas Berdych - H2H: 4-3/Gasquet.

Richard is beginning to show signs of nice improvement.

Remember: He's won 2 titles already this year.

And a trophy lift here would tie him with Rafa for most on the season.

Oh... I have gotten waaaaaay ahead of things.

 

Arnaud Clement Watch: Davis Cup Captain Debut

If you follow this blog you know I have a little thing for Arnie.

I was sad when he retired last year. But look, he's still around.

He's the new French Davis Cup captian. Woo hoo.

First day of round 1 he led his boys Jo-Willie and Reeeeshard to wins.

One more rubber victory and it's on to the quarterfinals.

A Slimmed-Down Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Earns Quarterfinal Slot at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 9 Richard Gasquet - 64 36 63 62

It must suck to have to play a good friend.

But if I'm being honest I like kicking my pals asses in Words With Friends.

This is Jo-W's 4th trip to the Aussie Qf's: 2-1.

Remember, he was a surprise finalist in '08 losing to Nole in 4 tight sets.

He'll get the GOAT next: 3-8 in Federer's favor.

Jo-W seems to have a renewed work ethic:

When you work hard and you're focused on what you're doing,

I mean, you are obliged to improve again.

Even if it takes time, for sure I will improve my game.

And new coach Roger Rasheed is whipping Jo into shape.

Here's the proof - a slimmed-down version of the big Frenchman:

Richard Gasquet Wins 2013 Doha Title

ATP 250 Doha - Men's Final

2 Richard Gasquet d Nikolay Davydenko - 36 76(4) 63

Turn the beat around: Reee-shard was down a set and a break.

In winning the Falcon trophy he picks up his 8th ATP title.

Time flies: When the hell did he get to be 26?

Post match: I'm really happy with the way I played and fought.

He was playing fast in the first set.

I just try to keep focused and to fight a lot, and I did it.

I’m really happy with the way I won. It's important for me to win the final.

Richard made the 4R of all 4 Slams last year...

Can he better that in a couple weeks in Melbourne?

He'll likely be seeded #9 so he'll need some draw luck errr, chanceux.

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.

Richard Gasquet Upsets Roger Federer at ATP Rome

Rome ATP Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

16 Richard Gasquet d 3 Roger Federer - 46 76(2) 76(4)

Long wait: Richard won their 1st meeting back in '05 - Roger won the next 8.

To be honest Rome is one of 2 Masters 1000 were he's not performed well.

Ridiculous to say as he's been to 2 finals - but compared to the others...

Strange fact: Roger has only won 3 Masters 1000 titles in the last 4 years.

This is Richard's 1st Qf at Rome & 8th at a Masters 1000: 5-2.

He will next face Tomas Berdych tomorrow - H2H: 2-2.

That'll be one to watch for sure.

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Indian Wells

Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

3 Novak Djokovic d 18 Richard Gasquet - 62 64

Novak improves his undefeated year to 16-0 - with a loss of only 3 sets.

The '08 champ moves into his 3rd Sf at Indian Wells: 2-0.

This will be Novak's 20th Masters 1000 Sf: 11-8.

He has held up his end of the battle for #2 - it's up to Federer now.

If Fed loses to Stan in the Qf or Novak beats Fed in the Sf's - he'll be #2.

Novak: Confidence plays a very important role in the life of a tennis player.

If you can roll on that run and try to use that confidence,

then you can have a lot of success and you can really play well.

That's what it's all about, my game these days... It's a very mental game.

Photo: Getty Images

Richard Gasquet Dumps Andy Roddick to Move into Qf's at Indian Wells

Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 - Fourth Round

18 Richard Gasquet d 8 Andy Roddick - 63 76(5)

Hey, welcome back to the top 20 Richard!

Oddly enough (or maybe not) this will only be Richard's 6th Masters 1000 Qf.

He played well from the get go - but nearly choked it away in the 2nd.

Andy will rue the fact that he didn't grab that 2nd set.

Bad behavior: But he sure gave the chair plenty of guff.

Andy will lose his runner-up points but will keep his #8 ranking.

But he heads to Miami as the defending champ...

Crunch time Andy.

***

I shot the photo on Saturday during Richard's practice session.

Richard Gasquet into 4th Round at Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000

Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 - Third Round

18 Richard Gasquet d 10 Jurgen Melzer - 61 63

Richard likes Indian Wells it seems - this is his 4th trip to the 4th round.

But he's 0-3 once he gets there.

I took this photo on Saturday during Richard's practice session...

I was thrilled to see Sebastien Grosjean coaching him!

Remember, he & Arnaud Clement won the doubles title here in '04.

iPhone Photos from My Day at Indian Wells Tennis

Here are 10 iPhone photos I shot on Saturday.

***

Julien Bennetaeu and the lovely Indian Well background.

My favorite pic of the day - the one & only Andrea Petkovic.

David Ferrer slinked into this golf cart just after his loss to Ivo Karlovic.

The lovely Vera Zvonareva signing autographs.

Rafael Nadal caused a near-frenzy as he hit the practice courts.

Thomas Berdych works up a sweat in practice.

Jelena Jankovic working on her hair - then her volleys.

Janko Tipsarevic rocking the Oakley's in practice.

Richard Gasquet serves. Big.

And future (super)star Milos Raonic of Canada.

Roger Federer & Novak Djokovic to Meet in Dubai Final

Dubai ATP 500 - Final

1 Roger Federer vs 2 Novak Djokovic - H2H: 13-7

We are living in rich tennis times with quite a few ripe rivalries on the ATP.

And Roger and Novak will renew theirs in the Dubai final.

This will be the 2nd meeting this year, Novak won their Aussie Open Sf.

In fact, Novak has yet to lose a match in '11: 11-0.

Roger in turn has only lost the single match to Novak & is 14-1 on the year.

WOW: Roger has now been to the Sf's or better in his last 11 tournaments.

His last loss before the Sf's was all the way back to the Qf's at Wimbledon.

This is the 6th tournament Roger has been to at least 6 finals.

He is looking for his 5th title in Dubai. Novak is seeking a 3rd straight here.

Novak has only once beaten Roger back-to-back: in '09 at Miami & Rome.

Neither played well in Indian Wells or Miami last year so...

A real heated race for the #2 ranking will crank up in the month of March.

We're ready.

***

Semifinal Results

1 Roger Federer d Richard Gasquet - 62 75

Richard was up 5-3 in the 2nd - total meltdown. Sheesh.

But hey, this result will get him a breath away from the top 20.

Where. Richard. Belongs.

2 Novak Djokovic d 3 Tomas Berdych - 67(5) 62 4-2 ret.

Awe. Just when we were getting a great match - a muscle pulls.

Get well soon Tomas.

Australian Open Day 3: A Quick Summary

I've been to busy to keep up. So here is one giant post.

As you read keep in mind all of yesterday's matches were second round...

2 Roger Federer d Gilles Simon - 62 63 46 46 63

A genuine bonafide thriller.

Roger hadn't been dumped from a Slam this early since RG '03.

He improved his career record of winning with a 2 set lead to 166-0.

Gilles still remains 1 of 3 active players with a winning H2H over Fed.

Nadal & Murray are the others. He can only (potentially) face 1 - in the final.

4 Venus Williams d Sandra Zahlavova - 76(6) 60 64

An incredible match of fighting spirit.

V pulled a groin muscle at the end of the tie-break.

She leaves court for treatment only to return to serve-up a bagel.

Although injured V has never retired from a Slam match.

Let's see how that feels tomorrow though.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Janko Tipsarevic - 26 46 64 76(0) 60

This thing was an absolute head-stracher.

Janko served for it twice and completely bungled 3 match points.

And once he lost that 4th set TB - he basically lost all heart to play.

This is probably sting for awhile.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Rebecca Marino - 63 57 97

Yet another of the crazy matches played yesterday.

This is Fran's 6th visit to the 3rd round: 2-3. She's never been to the Qf's.

3 Novak Djokovic d Ivan Dodig - 75 76(8) 60 62

Little signs of struggle and frustration in those 1st 2 sets.

But no doubt Novak is happy with the last 2 sets.

This is his 5th straight year thru to the 3rd round: 4-0.

Nole will next face fellow Serb and good friend Viktor Troicki: 6-1/ND.

Remember, Troicki very nearly got him at the US Open last year.

14 Maria Sharapova d Virginie Razzano - 76(3) 63

The former champion, Maria won the last of her 3 Slams here in 2008.

In the 9 Slams she's played since she has gotten to the Qf's (and lost) once.

Stupid shoulder.

Good news: She lost 1st round last year so her ranking will pop a bit.

8 Andy Roddick d Igor Kunitsyn - 76(7) 62 63

I often wonder if Andy let's himself daydream about tennis w/o Federer.

Cuz they are on yet another collision course to meet here in the Qf's.

Observation: Too many slice backhands. That won't cut it next week.

30 Andrea Petkovic d Anne Keothavong - 26 75 60

From the brink Petko digs deep for the magic.

She has only ventured past the 2nd round at a Slam once before:

Her Sf showing at the US Open last year.

She next plays Venus who, as we mentioned before, is quite injured.

29 Viktor Troicki d Nicolas Mahut - 64 62 16 63

It sure feels like that Davis Cup high has lingered, doesn't it?

Too bad DC teammates must play in the next round.

I wonder whose hair is growing back faster?

Viktor has now been to the 3rd round at all 4 Slams. Never further.

8 Victoria Azarenka d Andrea Hlavackova - 64 64

This is Vika's 14th visit to a 3rd round in a Slam: 6-7.

Remember last year she was wheeled off her Qf match after fainting.

One to watch: She has a legitimate shot at a deep run this year.

14 Nicolas Almagro d Igor Andreev - 75 26 46 76(10) 75

Hey whoa whoa whoa, I thought you were a clay courter.

Even so, this is Nico's 3rd straight year to the 3rd round: 1-1.

One might even fancy his chances in his next round against Ljubicic.

I said: Might.

28 Richard Gasquet d Adrian Mannarino - 63 76(4) 64

Lovely to see Richard winning a couple rounds in a Slam.

He lost 1st round here last year so he'll be happy to be collecting points.

He will next face Tomas Berdych with whom has a winning H2H: 2-1.

That should be a real fun one.

***

Phew, now I can get a few things done before Day 4 begins.

This time difference between Melbourne & Los Angeles is a killer.

Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images

Quotes & Pics from French Davis Cup Presser

Guy Forget: We wish we would have a big stadium like this in France. It's very nice. I think it's made for big moments like this one.

Michael Llodra: It's always an honour to play for your country. I beat Djokovic in Bercy but Davis Cup is totally different than ATP events.

A journalist asked about Gasquet not liking Llodra which produced a kiss. Mmm, didn't a kiss get you in some trouble before?

Arnaud Clement: I'm ready for doubles. I don't know yet if I'm going to play, that's a question for the captain, but I'm ready to go on court.

Action begins Friday - live on Tennis Channel.

Handsy: What exactly is going on there Gilles?

Photos: Davis Cup & Gael Monfils Twitter pages

French Davis Cup Team at Practice in Belgrade

Gael tweeted this pic today, captioned: On our way back to the hotel.

Look! '07 Wimbledon doubles champs Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra.

Above you got your team captain Guy Forget with Richard Gasquet.

Below you have the top ranked Frenchman, Gael Monfils.

OK, twist my arm - another pic of Arnaud. J'adore!

And Gilles Simon. Hmm, 3 singles players for 2 slots. What's a Guy to do?

Photo: Getty Images/Reuters/Gael's Twitter

A Look at the French Davis Cup Team at Practice...

Look out Serbia - butter-up those croissents cuz here come the French.

Jo-Willy is injured & can't play. This could turn into Michael Llodra's hero tie.

Not sure about you - but I'm looking forward to this final next weekend.

Photos: Getty Images

ATP's Top 5 Players All in Action Tomorrow in Shanghai

Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 - Men's Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal vs 13 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-0

Rafa brushed past Jurgen in the Roland Garros Sf's.

2 Novak Djokovic vs Richard Gasquet - H2H: 2-1

Remember when Richard was suppose to be a contender along with Novak?

3 Roger Federer vs Andreas Seppi - H2H: 6-0

Ok, I was worried about Isner - not so Seppi.

4 Andy Murray vs Q Jeremy Chardy - H2H: 2-0

Andy is trying to stay at #4, ahead of Soderling.

5 Robin Soderling vs 11 David Ferrer - H2H: 7-3

David won their match last week & could help Murray with that #4 thing.

Photo: Getty Images

Dmitry Tursunov Rising - Wins 2-in-a-Row in Tokyo

Tokyo ATP 500 - Men's Second Round

Dmitry Tursunov d Richard Gasquet - 76(2) 16 64

Dmitry is on the comeback trail - having been out from USO.09 to RG.10.

When he left the tour he was ranked #36 - he is currently #432.

He has been playing challengers and qualifying wih a few direct accepts.

Since his return at RG he is W/L 3-5 - including 2 matches in Tokyo.

Rising: With this win he will move up about 200 ranking spots.

In the Qf's he'll play #1 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 2-0/RN.

Twitter: He is easily the best tennis player tweeting. Love following him.

Well, except that he can start tweeting photos already!

The photo below I took of him in the quallies in Los Angeles in July.

Top photo: Getty Images

A Bit of a Recap of Day 4 at the US Open

Sorry guys, I wasn't around much today. And only have time for this quickie.

I'll be fully focued tomorrow - jut in time for the rain. I hate rain delays!

***

US OPEN - SECOND ROUND MATCHES

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Kai-Chen Chang - 60 60

Caro has lost a whopping 2 games in 2 matches. Uh, steamrolling.

Arnaud Clement d Eduardo Schwank - 63 5-5 ret.

The old boy wins again. It's his 6th time to the USO 3rd round: 4-1.

2 Roger Federer d Andreas Beck - 63 64 63

Roger is looking for his 7th straight USO final. He's won 5: '04-'08.

4 Jelena Jankovic d Mirjana Lucic - 64 36 62

Two matches - two 3-setters. Ouch.

Beatrice Capra d 18 Aravane Rezai - 75 26 63

USA's Bea won the second WTA match of her career. This years Believe?

Richard Gasquet d 6 Nikolay Davydenko - 63 64 62

Gasquet keeps giving us hope... Lot's of decent wins this season. Nice.

5 Robin Soderling d Taylor Dent - 62 62 64

Surprisingly, this is only Robins 9th trip to a 3rd round at a Slam: 4-4.

Kei Nishikori d 11 Marin Cilic - 57 76(6) 36 76(3) 61

5 hour match and they both looked like they were going to drop dead.

Photos: Wozniacki - Getty Images. The rest - Reuters