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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.

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.

Novak Djokovic Wins His 4th Title at Dubai

ATP 500 Dubai - Men's Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 3 Tomas Berdych - 75 63

And Nole remains unbeaten in 2012 as he lifts his 2nd trophy of the season.

He's actually won 5 of the last 6 tournaments he's entered.

Nole improves to 36-19 in ATP finals.

He now has 4 titles each at Dubai & Aussie Open - his most anywhere.

Although he can add a 4th this year in Canada and Beijing.

Post match: So this is definitely one of my favourite tournaments...

Winning it four times now is something that I definitely enjoy.

Now he'll head to Indian Wells looking for a 3rd title in the Cali desert.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins ATP Title at Marseille

ATP 250 Marsille - Men's Final

3 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 1 Tomas Berdych - 36 76(6) 64

And with the win Jo-Willie enters double digits in titles: 10.

8 of those 10 are at the 250 level - he needs to step it up, no?

Let's give him props as he turned back a match point to raise the trophy.

Post match: This is a great victory. I stayed in the match

even when it was very difficult and waited for my chance.

I survived and took my chance when it came. I’m very happy.

This shows me that I’m on the right way. The draw was very strong here.

Cool stuff. Now on to bigger titles please. Dubai this week would work.

Novak Djokovic Thru to Semifinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Tomas Berdych - 61 46 61 64

This is certainly Nole's 'Happy Slam' to be sure...

This is his 4th trip to the Sf's - once there he has always won the title.

This is also Nole's 11th consecutive Slam Sf dating back to Wimby 2010.

Of course he has a long way to go to break that ol' Fed Sf record of 23.

Post match about his quick recovery time after his 5 hour 4th rounder:

In the situations where you play a Grand Slam where you have to be ready

for five-hour matches, and then of course if you go through those matches

you have to be ready to recover in just a day and a half time.

I have a great team of people around me that are doing the best they can

in their expertise to make me feel ready physically, mentally,

emotionally, every match, every challenge.

Novak Djokovic Wins Epic 5 Setter to Reach Quarterfinals at Australian Open then Rips Off His Shirt

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

1 Novak Djokovic d 15 Stanislas Wawrinka - 16 75 64 67(5) 12/10

I don't like to call pre-semifinal matches instant classic but...

I'll surely make an exception with this 5:02 match.

I mean, Nole was a set and 2-5 down before turning things around.

And then he nearly couldn't win the damn thing.

Post match: It was one of the longest, most interesting,

and most exciting matches I played in my career.

He will face 5 Tomas Berdych in the Qf's: 11-1 for Novak.

I know I can recover. I know I have it in me.

I wasn't worried too much about the physical part. I was ready for it.

I was ready to go the distance, and I've done so.

Hopefully I can take that day off tomorrow and recover for the quarters.

I don't mind these epic Nole matches when the result is that shirt strip.

Juan Martin Del Potro into Quarterfinals at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Fourth Round

9 Juan Martin Del Potro d 7 Tomas Berdych - 76(6) 16 63 75

This is Juan's 6th trip to a Slam Qf: 2-3 and 2nd time at RG: 1-0.

Remember: He was a semifinalist here in 2009.

That was a memorable 5 set classic loss to Roger Federer.

Post match: I'm really glad to go through, to play [the] quarter-finals again.

I want to play the best I can. I'm looking forward to the next match.

And he will face 3 Roger Federer again next: 11-2/RF.

This'll be their 5th meeting this year - Roger has won them all in straights.

Juan has beaten Rog twice, both times in 2009 including the USO final.

Can he turn the tables and grab a 3rd win over the GOAT tomorrow?

Photo: Reuters

Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal to Play Monte-Carlo Final

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Semifinals & Final Preview

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62

2 Rafael Nadal d 9 Gilles Simon - 63 64

1 Novak Djokovic vs 2 Rafael Nadal - H2H: 16-14/RN

Welcome to episode #31 of this tangled and thrilling rivalry.

8 is the magic number tomorrow as these two contest yet another final.

Rafa is going for 8 straight titles in the Principality.

This is Rafa's fave tourny & he will not want to relinquish his coveted title.

Nor will he want to lose another match on clay to his current nemesis.

This is Rafa's 30th Masters 1000 final: 19-10.

Novak is gunning for his 8th consecutive victory over Rafa.

He's playing with a heavy heart as his beloved grandfather died this week.

He will play for him and try to win his 1st title in his adopted hometown.

This is Novak's 2nd M-C final: 0-1 - and 19th Masters 1000 final: 11-7.

They played once previously at M-C - Rafa won a 3-setter in the '09 final.

Battle #31 will be a cracker and is definitely not one to miss.

Photos: Rafa from Reuters & Novak from Getty Images

Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych to Meet in Semifinal at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Quarterfinals

1 Novak Djokovic d Robin Hasse - 64 62

6 Tomas Berdych d 3 Andy Murray - 67(4) 62 63

1 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 8-1/ND

This is Novak's 4 trip to the M-C Sf's (1-2) - he was runner-up in 2009.

If you don't know who beat him in that final then leave this blog now!

At the Masters 1000 level this is Nole's 28th Sf: 18-9.

As for Tomas - this is his second time in the M-C Sf's: 0-1.

His previous Sf was a loss in '07 - and if you have to ask...

At the Masters 1000 level this is his 8th Sf: 2-5.

This has the makings of a great match.

Photos: Reuters

Grigor Dimitrov into 4th Round at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Third Round

Grigor Dimitrov d 7 Tomas Berdych - 63 26 64

This win represents Grigor's first ATP match win over a top 10 player.

And it's his first trip to a Masters 1000 4th round.

His match winning reaction clearly celebrated both.

Many feel that this 20 year-old is one of the 5 or 6 future stars of the game.

I agree.

He entered Miami ranked #101 - he will at least move up into the 80's.

He will next face 9 Janko Tipsarevic who leads their H2H 2-0.

In fact, Grigor has yet to take a set - but that could change this week.

Win or lose - Grigor is on the verge...

Photos: Reuters

Andy Roddick Loses at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

7 Tomas Berdych d 30 Andy Roddick - 63 46 62

It's getting hard to watch Andy tumble down the rankings.

He's currently ranked #31 and didn't defend his 4th rounds points here.

I'm afraid he will slip a bit more and may not even be seeded at Miami.

In truth, Andy has struggled with various injuries for about a year.

I'd sure like to see him make a nice push back up the rankings.

He's currently the #3 ranked American behind Mardy Fish and John Isner.

That has to be tough as he spent about a decade as the US #1.

Good luck in Miami.

Photo: Getty Images

Weekend Winners for February 5, 2012

Montpellier: 1 Tomas Berdych d 3 Gael Monfils - 62 46 63

Tomas wins his 7th ATP title - his 5th in Europe.

***

Zagreb: 3 Mikhail Youzhny d Lukas Lacko - 62 63

Mikhail wins his 8th ATP title - his W/L in finals is now 8-10.

He also won the doubles title with Baghdatis. He has 9 dubs titles.

***

Vina del Mar: 1 Juan Monaco d 7 Carlos Berlocq - 63 67(1) 61

Juan wins his 4th ATP title - and his first since July '07.

His W/L in finals is now 4-8. This win sure must've have felt good.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Tomas Berdych is First Big Upset at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - First Round

Q Stephane Robert d Tomas Berdych - 26 26 63 63 97

WOW.

Two sets up on a qualifier and the Berdman can't seal the deal.

Remember, he was a semifinalist last year too.

YIKES.

Robert will next face Fognini - one lucky duck is gonna be a 3rd rounder.

Photo: Getty Images

Thomaz Bellucci Gains Semifinal Birth at Madrid

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Quarterfinal

Thomaz Bellucci d 7 Tomas Berdych - 76(2) 63

Playing in his 19th Masters 1000 event Thomaz makes his first semifinal.

I've been waiting a while for the Brazilian to make some noise.

He will play the winner of Djokovic/Ferrer.

Currently ranked #36 - a Sf result will bump him up to around #23.

That's great news seedings-wise as the tour heads toward the French.

Well done Thomaz.

Photo: Reuters

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.

Novak Djokovic Thru to 4th Straight Semifinal at Dubai

Dubai ATP 500 - Quarterfinal

2 Novak Djokovic d Florian Mayer - 75 61

Novak started slow but once he got going he won 8 of the last 9 games.

This is Novak's 4th straight Sf showing at Dubai: 2-1.

He lost the '08 Sf to Federer then won the tournament the last 2 years.

Novak is undefeated this year: 11-0 - including winning the AO title.

He will play #3 seed Tomas Berdych in the Sf's tomorrow - H2H: 5-1/ND.

Tomorrow's match ought to be a very hard fought and fun.

Remember, Tomas kept Novak from the Wimbledon final last July.

Novak spanked him back in the Qf's at the Australian Open.

They may just be in the forming stages of an interesting rivalry.

To quote Murphy Jenson: COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Quarterfinal

3 Novak Djokovic d 6 Tomas Berdych - 61 76(5) 61

So instead of wilting in the Australian heat Novak has been bringing the it.

No sun: And he'll play nothing but night matches the rest of the way.

Except for that TB set lost in the 2nd round - Novak has been on fire.

And he's set up another blockbuster with Roger Federer in the semi's.

The '08 champ advances to his 2nd AO Sf: 1-0. He beat Roger in that one.

This is also Novak's 10th Slam Sf: 3-6. He also beat Roger in his last one.

Novak: Coming in here I was physically prepared, mentally motivated...

Today has been a real test, because he's No. 6 of the world...

I've played some of my best tennis in the last couple months.

So I have nothing to lose playing Federer, who's the title defender here.

We all know everything about him.

I have to believe in myself in order to win that match.

Australian Open Day 5: A Quick Summary

The following are all third round matches, natch.

8 Andy Roddick d Robin Hasse - 26 76(2) 62 62

Rough start. Picked it up in the 2nd. Then cruised to victory.

Remember Robin was voted 'most improved' by the ATP last season.

Semi bound year: Odd years find A-Rod in the Sf's: '03, '05, '07, '09.

To get there he'll need to get thru Wawrinka next & probably Federer.

Andy vs Stan - H2H: 2-1/SW. Both Stan wins were from Andy retirements.

14 Maria Sharapova d Julia Goerges - 46 64 64

Talk about gutting one out. This was a thriller from 1st to last ball struck.

This is furtherest she's been at the Aussie Open since she won in '08.

This is also her 3rd straight 4th round showing at a Slam.

I've said it here many times last year: She's due a good Slam result.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Kei Nishikori - 62 64 63

He picked this up right where he left us with Tipsarevic.

And in his Clavin's no less.

The '09 Sf'ist has now matched last years result.

To improve on that he'll have to get thru Tomas Berdych - H2H: 6-4/TB.

That will be a really great 4th rounder for sure.

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Dominika Cibulkova - 64 63

Caro turned the tables on the half-pint that beat her last week in Sydney.

Then went into the presser and wowwed the journos by interviewing herself.

Google it. It's funny.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Monica Nicolescu - 60 76(2)

Has she yet been on a bigger court tha Margaret Court?

This is Fran's 14th visit to a Slam 4th round: 5-8.

She have a fun one next against Svetlana Kuznetsova: 8-4/SK.

6 Tomas Berdych d 28 Richard Gasquet - 62 76(3) 62

Here's a shocker: Tomas is 3-9 in Slam 4th round matches.

Two of those 3 wins came last year at Roland Garros & Wimbledon.

And he followed them up with Sf & RU runs respectively.

Also, he has David Ferrer breathing down his neck for that #6 ranking.

And nothing is certain with Verdasco next.

23 Svetlana Kuznetsova d 11 Justine Henin - 64 76(8)

Shocker #1: This is only Sveta's 3rd win over Justine in 19 matches.

Shocker #2: This is the very first time she won a tie-break over Justine.

Shocker #3: Sveta really tried to give this match away to Justine.

Ok, that last one isn't a shocker - but when you serve for it twice...

***

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Smile Showdown: Fernando Verdasco vs Tomas Berdych

Wow, how bored am I?

Fern & Tomas are playing the Kooyong Classic this week.

Remember, Fern won this exo title last year.

Both boys finished 2010 in the top 10 - Tomas at #6, Fern at #9.

They both enjoyed a very strong 1st 6 months of 2010 then they tapered.

In fact, in Fern's last 6 tournies he's won only 2 matches.

But in this showdown of smiles I'll go with Fern all day long.

I SAID I WAS BORED.

Photos: Getty Images from Kooyong presser today.