TennisToday

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.

Rafael Nadal Relaxes as Wimbledon Continues Without Him

The best way to forget a stinging first round loss at Wimbledon?

Grab some friends and float around Ibiza fishing and relaxing.

But damn, look at the tape on that knee...

Who knows when next we will see him play again.

Novak Djokovic & Brothers Spend a Day at the Beach

Is there a better way to get over a stinging loss like the one in Paris...

Than with your bro's on the beach? (Photo from Novak's Facebook page.)

It's weird how some players can get over a loss faster than their fans.

Hell, I'm still gutted over Monica Seles' loss at the '08 French Open!

And her '02 loss at Wimbledon.

Anyway, Nole next tournament will be Wimbledon.

He's defending a Sf at SW19 - and should easily be able to repeat that.

Unless Wimby farts up a #5 seeding for Rafa and they meet in the Qf's.

Anyway, have fun Nole - you've got some work to do in London.

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.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Thru to 4th Round at French Open

French Open - Men's Third Round

6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Jeremy Chardy - 61 62 75

Interesting to note that this is only his 6th time playing at Roland-Garros.

His W/L on the red dirt of Paris is 15-5.

If he can get past Federer in a possible Qf he may just give France a champ.

Post match: A few years back nobody believed in me and now people

believe in me much more. So I hope I will do them justice.

Janko Tipsarevic Thru to 2nd Round at French Open

French Open - Men's First Round

8 Janko Tipsarevic d Nicolas Mahut - 62 76(4) 61

Hey lookie here, Janko snapped a 3 match losing streak.

Post match: A straight set victory against any Frenchman is a

big victory in my book, especially at Roland Garros.

That's a true story.

Janko put his season into the positive with a W/L of 12-11.

As a result he fell out of the top 10 last week after a long stay.

And Janko has 4th round points to defend in Paris.

He next plays fellow former top 10er Verdasco - H2H: 4-2/Janko.

He's seeded to face his friend and fellow Serb Nole in the Qf's.

I'm not sure he'll get there but ya never know.

Tommy Haas seems like the better bet.

Grigor Dimitrov Thru to 2nd Round at French Open

French Open - Men's First Round

26 Grigor Dimitrov d Alejandro Falla - 64 1-0 Ret.

Falla had some tummy trouble.

Grigor seems to be coming into form on the clay.

Remember he took down Djokovic at the Madrid Masters.

And he's on a 3rd round collision course with Nole here at Roland-Garros.

Could be quite interesting.

And Grigor has already matched his best result here - from last year.

He's heading one direction - UP.

Jerzy Janowicz has Epic Shirt-Rip After He Upsets Jo-wilfried Tsonga at Rome

Rome Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

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

Hey Jerzy, you do realize this was just a second round match right?

I mean, even Nole saves this stuff for big matches like Grand Slam wins.

But thanks for the peek.

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.

Rafael Nadal Survives Quarterfinal Scare at Monte-Carlo

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

3 Rafael Nadal d Grigor Dimitrov - 62 26 64

It may not have been pretty but Rafa's kept his quest for a 9th title alive.

Rafa just won his 45th straight match at MC and is now 20-1 for 2013.

But this match was very much one that could have gotten away from him.

Post match: I know that when you have these tough matches,

it is decisive to keep fighting. If you keep fighting, you will lose some ones,

but you will have a chance to win a lot of ones, too.

I gave that fight. Finally he had his chance, and I had my one,

and I converted. That's it. I think I played better the last couple of games.

Obviously I'm trying to find better rhythm all the time.

In my opinion, I did it in the end. It was great.

For his Rafanatics it was great.

Davis Cup 2013 Quarterfinal Results

Serbia d USA: 3-1

Major props to Ilija & Nenad for that stunning upset of the Bryan Bros.

I don't think anybody saw that coming.

It's been 20+ years since a #1 has played Davis Cup on US soil.

Boise got him. And then Nole twisted his ankle in his 2nd match.

Hope he's not too hobbled to play Monte-Carlo.

Argentina d France: 3-2

This was the only tie this weekend that went to a 5th rubber.

Berlocq's epic upset of Simon turned him into the unlikely team hero.

I hope he bought up all those newspapers.

Czech Rep. d Kazakhstan: 3-1

Bleh.

Finally Lukas Rosol has something else to talk about.

Canada d Italy: 3-1

This was the other tie with an insane doubles rubber - 15-13 in the 5th set.

Canada had never advanced to the Qf's before. Why stop there?

Their Sf will pit them against Serbia - in Serbia. Hmmm.

Novak Djokovic Wins Opener at ATP Miami 2013

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Men's 2nd Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Lukas Rosol - 61 60

Novak was off the court in under an hour - 53:20.

Remember: Rosol was the clown that took out Rafa at Wimby last year.

Hat trick alert: Nole is going for 3 in-a-row and a 4th title at Miami.

Post match: It is a great start. After Indian Wells, I tried to rest.

There are different conditions here, but tonight was perfect for tennis.

I enjoyed every moment of it and I love this court.

He's also loving the beach romping with his pup.

***

Photo: Pinched from Nole's Facebook page.

Shirtless Sexy Fernando Verdasco Warm Up at indian Wells

Jus' cuz.

You're welcome ladies and gays.

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 61

In under an hour y'all.

Nole has won his last 3 tournies: Tour Finals, Aussie Open and Dubai.

He is looking for his 3rd title here ('08, '11) and a 4th final.

He will need to get thru 7 Juan Martin Del Potro - H2H: 8-2/Novak.

Novak has taken their last 4 meetings - he's won 9 of their last 10 sets.

Post match: I tried to pay attention to my game.

I really didn't care about how my opponent felt. I just tried to focus on

the job I needed to do, and my performance was really good.

I served really well and used the shots around the court well,

and that's what matters for me.

I'm looking forward to a Nole/Rafa final. Make it happen boys.

Sexy and They Know It: Novak Djokovic & RedFoo Play Football Together at Indian Wells

That soccer pitch at Indian Wells is a fun way to watch these players.

Saturday I watched Nole and Redfoo knock the ball around.

All smiles and relaxed.

Novak was pushed to 3 sets in his opener against Fabio Fognini.

Time to get serious.

Fernando Verdasco Enjoying His Injury Time Off

Well, if you have to sit out of the tour why not float around the Bahamas.

I'm sure he'd rather be mixing it up with the boys in Acapulco.

Fern is aiming for an Indian Wells return.

Hope so.

Janko Tipsarevic Speaks to His Slump on Facebook

Poor guy sounds like he's in the dumper.

He posted this sad photo on his Facebook with the paragraph:

Hard period for my career... Injury, Davis Cup, 3 first rounds in a row..

Not feeling particularly good. I will search for consolation in endless

hours of practice and hope that Indian Wells and Miami go better.

A big "thanks" to some of you who, are giving me your love and support,

cause now I really, really need it.

You're allowed to have a little slump. It won't last long. Trust.

Since his injury retirement in the Aussie 4th round...

He's yet to win a set in 3 1st round losses including yesterday at Dubai.

That will change at Indian Wells.

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:

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: