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.

Fabio Fognini & Calros Berloqc Win Maiden titles at Stuttgart & Bastad - Mahut Takes Title at Newport

Stuttgart ATP 250 - Men's Final

5 Fabio Fognini d 2 Philipp Kohlschreiber - 57 64 64

Post match: Finally, after two finals, I have won. I played great,

great tennis this week. I am really happy to have won the final.

Awww. I like this cat.

Bastad ATP 250 - Men's Final

Carlos Berloqc d 8 Fernando Verdasco - 75 61

Carlos becomes the 9th over-30 tourney winner this season.

***

Newport ATP 250 - Men's Final

WC Nicolas Mahut d Lleyton Hewitt - 57 75 63

Post match: When you want to win a final, everything can happen.

I just can’t believe it’s true.

It's his 2nd career title - the 1st was last month at s'Hertogenbosch.

Nico partnered with Roger-Vasselin to take the doubles title.

And *surprise surprise* Nico's part of the over-30 crowd.

Fernando Verdasco Thru to Bastad Final

Bastad ATP 250 - Men's Semifinal

8 Fernando Verdasco d 5 Grigor Dmitrov - 76(3) 57 75

Fern advances to his 18th career final and is looking for a 6th title.

After a bit of a crap year Fern hits the grass with a pair of Qf's.

Remember, he was a breath away from a Wimby semi.

Well, the good play continues back on the clay in Bastad.

I'm glad to see he having some good results.

Photo: Fern Instagram'd this photo after his Qf win.

Andy Murray Wins 2013 Wimbledon Title

Wimbledon - Men's Final

2 Andy Murray d 1 Novak Djokovic - 64 75 64

FINALLY!

The 77 year drought has come to an end.

The look of disbelief on Andy's face after match point said it all.

It was a mixture of relief and 'wake-me-I'm-dreaming' delight.

I could bore you with stats so let's just hear from Andy:

Winning Wimbledon, I think, is the pinnacle of tennis.

I still can't believe it. Can't get my head around that. I can't believe it.

This one will take a little while to sink in, I'm sure.

***

Andy just turned up the heat on the race for year-end #1.

Since 2004 the Wimby winner has finished the year top of the pile.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves.

Today's win was one for the ages. Great Scot - well done.

Marion Bartoli Wins Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Final

15 Marion Bartoli d 22 Sabine Lisicki - 61 64

WOW.

Two weeks ago NOBODY saw this coming. But what a wonderful story.

And so gracious and humble in her win.

This felt like Schiavone winning the French a few weeks back.

47: The most Slams ever played before winning a 1st Slam.

Post match: Honestly I still can't believe it. I've dreamed about this

moment for so long. For me, winning Wimbledon is beyond my wildest

dreams, let alone with an ace - but I've been practicing my serve for

so long, I guess I saved it for the best moment!

I'm so happy to be holding this trophy.

This has been my dream since I was six years old.

***

A new sporting legend and been christened in France.

Congrats girl! Your life will never be the same.

Novak Djokovic & Andy Murray to Meet in Wimbledon Final

Wimbledon - Men's Semifinals

1 Novak Djokovic d Juan Martin Del Potro - 75 46 76(2) 67(6) 63

2 Andy Murray d 24 Jerzy Janowicz - 67(2) 64 64 63

1 Novak Djokovic VS 2 Andy Murray - H2H: 11-7/Novak

Both great matches. Novak's an instant classic.

In fact, Novak has played in the 2 best matches of the year...

This one and his Sf loss to Rafa at the French Open.

Novak: It was one of the best matches that I've been a part of, one of the

most exciting definitely. I'm privileged to be a winner of this match.

Something tells me a 3rd greatest match of the year is in the offing Sunday.

They last met in the Aussie Open final - Novak won that one in 4.

The last time Andy beat Novak was in the US Open final last year.

Andy also beat Novak the only time they played on grass at the Olympics.

Andy: Novak is playing very well. We've only played once on grass before,

at the Olympics last year. I'll take that thought into my head on Sunday.

Ok, I'm pulling for Andy. Just to get it over with.

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.

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.

Novak Djokovic Thru to Quarterfinals at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's Fourth Round

1 Novak Djokovic d 13 Tommy Haas - 61 64 76(4)

Novak is thru to his 25th Slam Qf (17th straight): 19-5.

Remember he is looking for a 2nd title at SW19 to add to his 2011 trophy.

He will have a tough Qf against 7 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 13-2.

That may not seem too tough but consider the 2 losses.

Their most recent was a Berdych win in Rome this year.

And the other loss was their only match on grass: Sf here at Wimby in '10.

Post match: I lost to him the only time we played on grass back in 2010.

I think that I am playing really, really good tennis at this moment.

Maybe even better than 2011, when I won this tournament.

I am confident on the court and trying to maintain this level.

I hope I will succeed.

***

Considering this has been an upset riddled Wimby - nothing is certain.

Photo: From Novak's Facebook just days before the start of Wimbledon.

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.

Sabine Lisicki Upsets Serena Williams at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Fourth Round

23 Sabine Lisicki d 1 Serena Williams - 62 16 64

Add another big upset victim to this 2013 version of Wimbledon.

I mean, it's been one big-ass shock after another.

Nobody on this planet thought Serena would not take this title.

BUT... Sabine owns reigning French Open champs at Wimby.

Make it 4 years running: Fran in '10, Li Na in '11, and Maria last year.

Post match: Of course it gave me a little more energy knowing she won

the French Open and I've beaten the French Open champion three times

in a row in my last three appearances. It was a good omen.

They always happen to be on the side of the draw I'm on.

Maria Sharapova Upset in 2nd Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Women's Second Round

Larcher De Brito d 3 Maria Sharapova - 63 64

It was a very whacky Wednesday at Wimbledon. VERY.

And Maria fell victim to to the day joining a list of upsets & retirements.

And when the hell has one seen her slip on court that many times?

Post match: I don't think I've ever fallen three times in a match before

in my career so that was a little strange, but that's certainly not an excuse.

I think today I've seen a lot of players fall and take a few hits and

a few injuries. I think that's just part of the game, part of what we

have to deal with as tennis players.

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.

Rafael Nadal Upset in 1st Round at Wimbledon

Wimbledon - Men's First Round

Steve Darcis d 5 Rafael Nadal - 76(4) 76(8) 64

Well, Rafa had to come back to earth at some point.

But crashing down this bad was not something anybody expected.

I mean, who throught he could actually LOSE points after this fortnght???

This is his first loss at a Slam in the 1st round.

This was only Rafa's 3rd loss this year AND Steve's 2nd 2013 match win.

This loss may have also hurt Rafa's shot at year-end #1.

It's tough to finish on top of the pile with no points from 2 Slams.

Was it the knee? He refused to mention it in his presser. So probably.

UGH.

Post match: Two weeks ago I was in a fantastic situation,

winning a fantastic tournament [at Roland Garros]. Two weeks later,

I lost here in the first round. That's the positive and the negative

thing about this sport. It is tough losing in the first round.

ATP & WTA Winners at Eastbourne & 's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch ATP 250 - Men's Final

Q Nicolas Mahut d 2 Stanislas Wawrinka - 63 64

This is the feel good story of the weekend.

At 31 Nicolas is the oldest 1st time ATP winner since 2005.

Before this tourney he had a W/L of 1-2 for the 2013 season.

Post match: It's amazing. I cannot believe I won today.

Eastbourne ATP 250 at - Men's Final

Feliciano Lopez d 2 Gilles Simon - 76(2) 67(5) 60

Feli wins his 3rd title and 1st on grass - and 1st in 3 years.

Post match: I think grass is my best surface,

and to have at least one title on grass is very nice feeling.

***

Interesting to note: both men's winners this weekend are over 30.

WTA Eastbourne - Women's Final

Elena Vesnina d Q Jamie Hampton - 62 61

Elena picks up her 2nd title (both 2013) - Jamie will wait for her 1st.

Post match: But I kept believing in myself. I knew I would win this title.

I knew it was going to happen. It's not self-confidence - I knew if I kept

working hard and believing in myself, it would come. And it did.

WTA 's-Hertogenbosch - Women's Final

Simona Halep d 4 Kirsten Flipkens - 64 62

2 weeks - 2 titles. Last week she won at Nurnberg.

So she's on a nice little 10 match winning streak.

Will she be too tired to do much at Wimbledon?

Post match: I'm really happy. I want to enjoy this evening.

It's a special moment for me.

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.

Andy Murray Wins 3rd Title at Queens Club

Queen's Club ATP 250 - Men's Final

1 Andy Murray d 5 Marin Cilic - 57 75 63

Queen's Club becomes the 1st tourney where Andy has collected 3 titles.

He could not have asked for better Wimbledon prep.

Post match: I feel good. I'm a bit tired. Because of the weather it's been

mentally a quite draining week. I'll probably take a day off tomorrow and

start hitting on Tuesday, quite light, and get myself fresh, work on a

couple of things in the build-up to Wimbledon.

***

Andy donated his prize money to the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Where pal & tennis pro Ross Hutchins recieved treatment for Hodgkin’s.

Well done, Andy.

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.

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.