TennisToday

Roger Federer Upset in 2nd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Second Round

Sergiy Stakhovsky d 3 Roger Federer - 67(5) 76(5) 75 76(5)

Roger likes his records so maybe he wanted to take worst loss ever too.

Debatable of course but he is the GOAT and GOAT on grass.

Not to mention 7-times champ including last year.

So yea, I think this eclipses both of Rafa's losses the last two years.

Sergiy post match: You're playing the guy and then you're playing his legend,

which is following him because he won it seven times. He's holding all

possible career records here, I think, winning matches and everything.

You're playing two of them. When you're beating one, you still have the

other one who is pressing you.

You're saying, ‘Am I about to beat him? Is it possible?

***

And Roger sounds a little crabby in his post: I still have plans to play for

many more years to come. It's normal that after all of a sudden losing

early after being in the quarters 36 times, people feel it's different.

You guys hyped it up so much: me playing Rafa, and we're both out.

So there's a letdown clearly. Maybe it's also somewhat a bit disrespectful

to the other opponents who are in the draw still. I think it sends a

message to you guys as well that maybe

you shouldn't do that so often next time around.

Roger Federer Wins 1st Title of 2013 at Halle

Halle ATP 250 - Men's Final

1 Roger Federer d Mikhail Youzhny - 67(5) 63 64

The GOAT needed to dig deep in his last 2 matches.

He dropped the 1st set in both of those matches to Haas & Youzhny.

But in the end he won his 6th title at Halle.

It had to feel good as he hadn't won a title since Cincy last summer.

There is only 1 tourney where he has more titles: Wimbledon with 7.

And further - he tied McEnroe at 3rd on the list of all-time titles at 77.

He has quite a ways to go to catch leader Jimmy Connors at 106.

Methinks that Connors record is safe.

Post match: I am happy it worked for me today. I was satisfied with my

game in the past 10 months. Maybe people thought I was playing badly.

That was not the case. I was playing well but, when it mattered,

the others were just better. Today it worked well.

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!

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.

Roger Federer Wins Historic 5 Setter to Gain Quarterfinals at the French Open

French Open - Men's Fourth Round

2 Roger Federer d 15 Gilles Simon - 61 46 26 62 63

Roger's 35 match quarterfinal streak was in jeopardy for a sec there.

But Roger being Roger dug deep and powered thru the last 2 sets.

There was also an injury scare as Rog rolled over his ankle a in the 2nd.

The victory also marked the GOAT's milestone 900th ATP match win.

He is only the 4th player to reach 900.

Post match: I knew 900 was on the line. I'm just happy I have been able

to win a lot of matches throughout my career, [giving] myself an

opportunity over and over again. I love this game.

Every time you turn around he's breaking records.

A Qf win over Tsonga and he'll own the record for most FO match wins.

He loves those records.

Leonardo DiCaprio Attends French Open

And Leo got a couple great matches too. Including the epic Fed 5-setter.

Commentator Ted Robinson suggested that Leo was an Oscar winner.

Um, he wishes!

Just keep making those films with Scorcese. And it'll happen. Eventually.

Roger Federer Thru to 4th Round at French Open

French Open - Men's Third Round

2 Roger Federer d Julian Benneteau - 63 64 75

Rog joined Twitter a week ago and already has almost 300k followers.

Yesterday he tweeted this photo from the iconic Eiffel Tower captioned:

I really enjoyed going on top of the Eiffel Tower

for the first time in my life today.

He's also enjoying a romp thru the draw as he's won 9 straight sets.

This is the GOAT's 46th trip to the 4th round of a Slam: 39-6.

And he's looking to get into his 37th consecutive Slam Qf.

Yea, that's building on a ridiculous streak - and record.

Roger Federer Wins 1st Match at French Open

French Open - Men's 1st Round

2 Roger Federer d Pablo Carreno-Busta - 62 62 63

Rog took the first bite of his cupcake draw.

Post match: I think I started all three sets well, was able to get in the lead.

Then playing from the lead against a player like him, it's always easier,

and so I put a lot of emphasis on that.

***

The next big cupcake bite will be Devvarman in the next round.

Seriously, Sprinkles has nothing on this draw.

Roger Federer is Title-less heading into the French Open

This is the 1st time since 2000 that Roger heads to Paris without a title.

Interestingly he's only been in one final - yesterday at Rome.

And Rafa handed him his butt.

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

Tho I doubt many people are picking him to win over Rafa & Nole.

Roger before the final: I am playing well and I am healthy, so I have

everything to play for next week [ahead ofRoland Garros].

This week was good to get an idea about what is working.

News flash to Roger: That forehand is NOT working.

Post match: I was missing too many easy forehands...

Oh. He knows already.

Even so, I'd still put him thru to the Sf's at the French.

Andy Murray & Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Both Upset in 2nd Round at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

Marcel Ganollers d 3 Andy Murray - 63 67(5) 00 Ret'd

Jerzy Janowicz d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 76(5)

Well they arrived at Rome together they may as well leave together.

I mean, they should both be heading to Paris and prep for Roland Garros.

So why not keep flying together?

May I suggest a different form of transport tho...

They were both seeded in Roger Federer's half of the draw.

I wonder if Roger put something in the Fed Force One cabin air?

And really? Fed Force One? Major eye-roll over here.

Kei Nishikori Upsets Roger Federer in 3rd Round at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's 3rd Round

14 Kei Nishikori d 2 Roger Federer - 64 16 62

The boy beats his idol.

He was my idol. Actually, to beat him, that was one of my goals

for my tennis career. It happens on clay and it's amazing.

It's not really my favourite surface.

I wasn't really expecting this. 6-2 in the third, that's not easy against him.

I played well. I was a little bit tight of course, but he didn't make many

first serves in the third set and I was able to attack his second.

I was even more aggressive in the third set.

I'm pretty happy the way I played.

Roger Federer Starts His Clay Season with a Win at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

2 Roger Federer d Radek Stepnaek - 63 63

Not only a winning start to his clay season but also his title defence.

Remember: Roger was the champion on that goofy blue clay last year.

It's a good time in tennis to be over 30:

[It's] nice to have that generation of players next to you.

Because if I [were] the only guy over 30, it would feel a bit awkward,

to be honest. But I'm not… it's definitely inspiring seeing all

the other players, many guys over 30 years old,

still playing on Tour and playing well.

Roger Federer MIA at ATP 1000 Monte-Carlo

And the GOAT is practicing ahead of his clay court season.

Looks like his back feels much better.

But he's elected to skip Monte-Carlo next week. He'll see him in Madrid.

And he's jumping into the fire as he'll play there as the defending champ.

He also has Sf showings to defend at Rome and Roland Garros.

He's taken the approach of resting and playing the big ones...

At some point that's gonna start backfiring on him, I would think.

But we are talking about Roger Federer so he'll probably shut me up.

 

Rafael Nadal Wins Match #29 Over Rival Roger Federer at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 64 62

Rafa improves his mastery over Rog to 19-10 in their H2H.

And he pulled even in matches played on hard court: 6-6.

Out of respect Rafa did not celebrate this victory after match point.

It was painfully obvious that Roger was not playing at 100%.

I mean, Gimelstob used the word 'compromised' for Rog a million times.

It became a tequilla shot game in my head. So annoying.

Post match: I played a fantastic first set, in my opinion.

The second set was strange.

The second set, I think Roger didn't fight as usual.

He probably had some problems and he didn't feel enough comfortable

to keep fighting. Both of us tried to play our best. I played much better

than yesterday. My movements today were much, much better than

yesterday, so I'm very happy for that, especially after a long match

yesterday, to be able to compete well the next day.

He gets Tomas Berdych in the semis on Saturday.

Tough one but I'm going full-stop vamos.

Photo: Pinched from Rafa's Facebook.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to Meet in Quarterfinal Blockbuster at Indian Wells

Tonight we are getting Roger vs Rafa edition 29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

On hard courts they are 6-5/Roger.

They both went to 7-5 in the 3rd in their previous matches.

They have only met before the Sf's one other time - Miami '04. Rafa won.

This is the 1st time they've played since the Sf here last year. Roger won.

This is also the most Slams on a court in the history of men's tennis: 28.

I've canceled all plans tonight as I'll have a date with the Tennis Channel.

***

About the photo: Ana, Rafa, Roger, Vika & Nole...

Breaking ground on the new court 2 at Indian Wells. Ready for 2014.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Bump into Each Other at Indian Wells

And they are seeded to bump into each other in the quarterfinals as well.

That would represent match #29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

Tho Roger has a tricky draw to get there & who knows how Rafa will play.

But everyone is looking toward it. Me included.

***

Rafa's 7 month injury layoff caused him to fall to #5 in the rankings.

And he really has no room to move up to #4 before Roland Garros.

Ferrer would have to fall apart in the next couple of months...

And Rafa only has Madrid to add points to his ranking.

This clay court season is going to be very interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

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:

Andy Murray Thru to 3rd Final at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Semifinal

3 Andy Murray d 2 Roger Federer - 64 67(5) 63 67(2) 62

What a great match. Both guys dug really deep to give us this one.

At over 30 it just seemed Roger just kinda ran out of gas.

And don't get me started on the weird gamesmanship in the 4th. Ugh, Rog.

Andy improves his winning H2H over the GOAT to 11-9.

He is also closing the gap on Rog and that #2 ranking.

This is Andy's third Aussie final: in '10 he lost to Fed & '11 he lost to Nole.

Post match: I hope on Sunday I can play a good match.

...having won against Novak before in a Slam final will help mentally.

[But] he's playing extremely well.

I think Nole has the slight edge but the match could go either.

Gonna be a fun one for sure.

Novak Djokovic Thru to 4th Final at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Semifinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 4 David Ferrer - 62 62 61

I am a big Ferrer fan and I knew this wasn't going to be much of a match.

But props to David - he will be rewarded with the #4 ranking on Monday.

Novak reaches his 4th Aussie final - a round he's never lost: '08, '11-'12.

He is going for a rare hat-trick.

This is also his 10th Slam final: 5-4.

He'll play the winner of the Federer/Murray match being played tonight.

Either way... I picked Nole to win 2 weeks ago and I'm sticking with him.

Post match: It's going to be a great match, obviously.

They're great rivals and also the best players in the world at this moment.

They will definitely perform their best for sure in semi-finals.

I wouldn't rate anybody as a favourite.

Just considering myself, I'll be ready for whomever I play against.

Right.