TennisToday

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:

Serena Williams Wins Title at Rome

WTA Rome - Women's Final

1 Serena Williams d 3 Victoria Azarenka - 61 63

Seriously. Over 30 and playing the best tennis of her career.

Proof: Serena is riding her longest win streak at 24 matches.

She twice enjoyed a 21-match streak during her Serena Slam year.

She has won 4 tournaments on-a-row and her 6th on the season.

Something tells me nobody will stop her from winning her next 7 matches.

You know... at the French Open.

Repeats? The last time Serena won at Rome she also won at the French.

Post match: Last year I was feeling excellent on clay but didn't do that

great at Roland Garros- this year I'm cautious and I want to work hard and

stay focused and win every point I play, and not slack at all.

***

Oh girl, they should just put you in the trophy ceremony already.

Victoria Azarenka Thru to Semifinals at Rome

Rome WTA - Women's Quarterfinal

3 Victoria Azarenka d 9 Samantha Stosur - 64 16 63

This is Vika's 2nd trip to the Sf's at Rome: 0-1.

Remember: Vika is still on the comeback trail after an ankle injury.

Post match: It's all a process - I'm just trying to improve day to day,

and I feel it's happening. I will probably never be truly satisfied,

but I'm on a good road. Winning matches is very important,

because it gives you opportunities to play more matches.

That's really what I'm looking for right now.

 

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?

Tomas Berdych Upsets Novak Djokovic in Quarterfinals at Rome Masters 1000

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's Quarterfinal

6 Tomas Berdych d 1 Novak Djokovic - 26 75 64

This was Tomas' 4th trip to the Qf's at Rome.

And it was nearly his 4th loss - he was down 26 25 before hotted-up.

In the process Tomas snapped an 11 match losing streak to Nole.

Post match: One day you have to break [the run] and

I am happy that it was today. It was a great game and I am happy.

I was trying to stay positive from the beginning.

He didn't give me a single chance. I was trying to stay there and

there are matches when you don't get a single chance,

but then if you get one, then you are ready. Then everything could

turn the other way and this is what happened.

Next up he plays Rafa. And he has a 12-match losing streak in this H2H.

Juan Martin Del Potro Meets Pope Francis

It's like an Argentine brotherhood.

DelPo: It was an incredible experience with Pope Francis, something

that I'll never forget. It was a dream come true for a guy like me.

It was an unforgettable moment. I was very nervous before meeting him,

to be able to congratulate him and talk with him. He was nice. Everybody

knows he is very humble. Today was a day that I'll remember for ever.

Further: He recognised me and that surprised me.

We talked for a few seconds. He told me that he knew I was playing at

the tournament in Rome, he blessed me and wished me the best.

I congratulated him and thanked him for the opportunity to talk to him.

***

Well he didn't bless him with a win as DelPo lost his next match.

Rafael Nadal Begins Title Defence at Rome with Win

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

5 Rafael Nadal d Fabio Fognini - 61 63

It's still odd to type the 5 next to Rafa's name.

That will change if he takes the title as he'll move past Ferrer to #4.

That would be his 7th. But that's getting WAY ahead of ourselves.

He's got a tough draw to get to the final: possible Ferrer Qf & Nole Sf.

With Andy & Jo-W going out today Roger is the best bet to be in the final.

Round 3: Rafa will next face Q Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 5-0/Rafa.

The photo above is from a kid's clinic held yesterday.

 

Novak Djokovic Back to Winning Way at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Q Albert Montanes - 62 63

Looks like Nole and his pup Pierre wil be sticking around Rome for a bit.

Unlike at Madrid where he suffered an odd early loss.

Remember, he lost the final at Rome last year to Rafael Nadal.

They are on course to meet in the Sf's this year.

The two-time Rome winner ('08 & '11) had this to say post match:

It was a good performance for a start, even though I know I can do better.

I know my game has to be better in order to win my next challenge.

But I’m heading in a good way because I didn’t have a great week in

Madrid and didn’t have much practice.

I came here very early; from Wednesday I spent a lot of hours on the

court working hard, trying to prepare myself for what’s coming up

this week and also after the tournament in Rome, two Grand Slams

in less than a month time. It’s a very important period for all of us and

I need to be physically, mentally, fresh and fit and

I think I’m on the right way to be like that.

Laura Robson Beats Venus Williams in 1st Round at Rome

Rome WTA - First Round

Laura Robson d Venus Williams - 63 62

I hate to say it but methinks Venus is over.

And Laura will suffer the revenge factor immediately...

She gets Serena in the next round.

Serena will want to punish her for spanking Venus.

They've never played before. I think it'll be a fun one.

Novak Djokovic is Waiting for the Rest of the Tour at Rome

With his early exit at Madrid Nole got to Rome sonner than expected.

He has great memories at Rome as a 2 time champ: '08 & '11.

Last year he was runner-up to Rafa in a straight set affair.

Surely there will be no early round upsets this coming week.

Look for Nole to be fresh and make a deep run.

Possibly even a trophy lift?

I'd love to see another edition of Nole/Rafa again before Roland Garros.

Maria Sharapova Defends Title at Rome

WTA Rome - Final

2 Maria Sharapova d 8 Li Na - 46 64 76(5)

Talk about a crazy match. Easily the 3rd player in this one was the rain.

Li Na lead by winning the 1st set and was up in the 2nd 4-0...

Then she completely collapsed as the rain fell harder.

Play was finally suspended just before the 3rd set tie-break.

Which Maria won narrowly. Crazy, crazy match indeed.

The win marks Maria's 26th WTA title and 2nd in Rome.

It's also her 2nd title of 2012 - both coming on clay!

In fact, 4 of her last 5 titles have been on clay - going back to 2010.

Who knew Maria Sharapova was a clay court specialist???

Suddenly she is looking like the one to beat at Roland Garros.

(See, I can write nice things about a player I can't stand!)

Photo: Getty Images

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

The Williams Sisters into Rome Quarterfinals

WTA Rome - Third Round

9 Serena WIlliams d Anabel Medina Garrigues - 63 61

WC Venus Williams d 5 Samantha Stosur - 64 63

Each has won this title once. Venus in 1999 and Serena in 2002.

Crazy that 10 years (plus) since their titles they are in the Qf's.

And by crazy I mean amazing.

Serena is now 13-0 on clay this season.

Venus' run here should be enough to get her on the US Olympic team.

Tomorrow V will play 2 Maria Sharapova - this will be telling.

They are tied at 3 wins each. Venus on the last 2. A long long time ago.

DVR is set.

David Ferrer into Rome Quarterfinals

ATP Masters 1000 Rome - Third Round

6 David Ferrer d 11 Gilles Simon - 60 76(5)

How's this as a mark for an amazingly consistent career:

This is David's 27th trip to a Masters 1000 quarterfinal: 18-8.

His 1st Masters Qf appearance was way back at Hamburg in 2004.

It's his 3rd at Rome - he won his previous 2 and advanced to the final in '10.

David is 30, currently ranked #6 and owns 14 ATP titles including 3 this year.

He will play the winner of Murray/Gasquet.

He's a man to admire.

Photos: Top Getty Images - bottom from David's Twitter

Andy Murray Celebrates 25th Birthday with Tight Win at Rome

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Second Round

4 Andy Murray d David Nalbandian - 61 46 75

Andy is becoming an old man! But... and this is a big but...

Only 13 men in the Open Era won their maiden Slam after their 25th bday.

I hope he becomes the 14th.

Photo: Andy's Facebook

Novak Djokovic's Amazing Winning Streak Extends with ATP Title at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Final

2 Novak Djokovic d 1 Rafael Nadal - 64 64

WOW. Just, wow.

2011 recap: 37-0 with a run of 7 titles - 4 of them at the Masters 1000 level.

He'll be the 1st player since John McEnroe in '84 to head to RG with a loss.

And to be fair to Nole - the Aussie Open was played in Dec not in Jan.

This marked Nole's 25th career title, 2nd at Rome and 9th MS1000 trophy.

Today Novak became the 1st player to beat Rafa 4 consecutive times.

All in MS1000 finals: Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome.

His other 3 titles this year were at Australian Open, Dubai & Belgrade.

He also joins Rafa & Roger's record of 4 MS1000 titles in a single year.

And with 4 more still to play this season...

With only Qf points to defend at RG the countdown to #1 should not be long.

It's worth repeating: WOW. Just, wow.

Photo: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova Wins WTA Title at Rome

Rome WTA Final

7 Maria Sharapova d 6 Samantha Stosur - 62 64

Maria picked up her 23rd title and 3rd on clay while also moving up to #7.

Satisfying week as Maria hadn't won a title since last May.

She also hadn't won a title this big since '09.

One thing is for sure... Maria must now be considered a favorite at RG.

Not sure which is heavier: The trophy or that ginormous engagement ring!

Photo: Reuters

Maria Sharapova into Final at WTA Rome

Rome WTA - Semifinal

7 Maria Sharapova d 1 Caroline Wozniacki - 75 63

After 2 previous Sf showing Maria will finally play for the title in Rome.

Of her 22 titles she is looking to add a 3rd on clay.

Upward: A win tomorrow will boost her ranking up a spot to #7.

She'll play tough-customer Samantha Stosur - H2H: 7-0/MS.

In fact of their last 3 matches Sam has managed only 11 games.

OUCH.

Photo: Getty Images

Monica Seles Attends Novak/Andy Sf Match in Rome

Monica is in Rome to receive the Golden Racket as a past champion.

She won the title in '90 over Navratilova & in '00 over Mauresmo.

She also lost in 2 finals - '91 & '92, both to Gabriela Sabatini.

Back in the day I was all about Monica.

At the time my roommate was German and a BIG Steffi Graf nut.

Some of their matches in the early '90's got real loud in our house.

Seeing Mo today sure brought back some great memories.

Rafael Nadal into Final at ATP Rome

Rome ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal

1 Rafael Nadal d 16 Richard Gasquet - 75 61

Rafael is looking for his 6th title in Rome in his 6th final in the Eternal City.

This is also his 6th straight ATP final of the year: 2-3, all losses to Novak.

Rafa has been to the finals of all 5 Masters 1000 events played in 2011.

Remember: He has only lost ONE match in Rome (in '08) - he's 31-1.

Something tells me he wants Novak in the final tomorrow for win #32.

Rafa: If I play Novak, I have lost my status as favorite...

So I will not have the 100 per cent pressure.

Hmmm...

Photo: Reuters