TennisToday

Semifinals All Set at Abu Dhabi Exihibition

Today matches looked to be entertaining and went like this:

Tomas Berdych d Marcos Baghdatis - 63 36 75

Robin Soderling d Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 64 67(5) 61

***

So the semifinals tomorrow look mouthwateringly like this:

Rafael Nadal vs Tomas Berdych

Roger Federer vs Robin Soderling

***

Yea, Rafa and Roger will surely give us a Happy New Year!

Rafael Nadal Wins 3rd Match at ATP World Tour Finals in London

ATP World Tour Finals - Group A Round Robin

1 Rafael Nadal d 6 Tomas Berdych - 76(3) 61

Rafa's undefeated in Group A & will face Andy Murray in the Sf's tomorrow.

He advances to the WTF Sf's for the 3rd time: 0-2.

The 1st set today was an intense and highly entertinaing lock-of-horns.

Complete with Rafa getting the most mad I've ever seen him. Loved it.

That's why he's #1: Tomas didn't have any answers for Rafa in the 2nd set.

Rafa: Three victories against top 8 on most difficult surface for me -

I'm very very happy.

Imma be happy if we get a 2nd Rafa/Roger match this year in the final.

Especially as both seem to be playing their top-level best at the moment.

A fitting end to the season, actually.

Photo: Reuters

Tomas Berdych Wins 1st Match at ATP World Tour Finals in London

ATP World Tour Finals - Group A Round Robin

6 Tomas Berdych d 8 Andy Roddick - 75 63

Andy dude, I woke up early so I could watch a good match. Wha ha-happen?

I don't like crabby Andy at all... And where is aggressive Andy? Lost op.

Tomas kept his Sf hopes alive with the solid win - Andy is pretty much done.

Tomas post-match: I'm playing first time this kind of system, the groups.

There's still a chance. Now it's down to myself and my next opponent.

Next up: Tomas'll get a shot againt Rafa on Friday. And on a fast court...

Prepare for a cracker. (Haha, American's don't say that!)

Photo: Reuters

ATP World Tour Finals - Day Four Preview

ATP World Tour Finals - Day Four Preview

1 Rafael Nadal vs 3 Novak Djokovic - H2H: 15-7

They have only played once this year - that memorable US Final.

Previous to that Novak got Rafa the last 3 times (in '09), including RR here.

Marquee match: One of these two will remain undefeated in Group A.

***

6 Tomas Berdych (above) vs 8 Andy Roddick - H2H: 2-6

Andy has won their last 4 matches and 9 of the last 10 sets.

Andy got a bit unlucky in his match with Rafa the other day...

I'm thinking he'll be ready to get on the board tomorrow.

Photo: Getty Images - Berdych at the Nissan Zone at the O2

Novak Djokovic Win 1st Match at ATP World Tour Finals in London

ATP World Tour Finals - Group A Round Robin

3 Novak Djokovic d 6 Tomas Berdych - 63 63

Three matches played in the O2 - three virtual blowouts.

The '08 champion never even faced a break point in the 1st match of the day.

Post-match: I couldn't ask for a better start of the tournament...

You have to be really on the top of the game in order to win...

There is no easy match [or] easy opponent.

MIA: Tomas hasn't maintained his form after his impressive RG & W runs.

He confessed to nerves after the match. Which is understandable.

It won't get any easier a he prepares to face Nadal and Roddick in RR play.

Photo: Getty Images

ATP World Tour Finals - Day Two Preview

ATP World Tour Finals - Group A Round Robin

1 Rafael Nadal (above) vs 8 Andy Roddick - H2H: 5-3

Rafa beigins his search for the only trophy missing from the mantle.

But hey hey hey, they've played once in '10 and Andy took that one.

Seems odd that they are meeting for only their 9th time in 7 years.

***

3 Novak Djokovic vs 6 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 3-1

They've split 2 matches this year - but Tomas won the big 1 at W in the Sf's.

Can Tomas take advantage of his 1st ever WTF match?

Tomorrow's match will be telling and should be quite entertaining.

Setting alarm now...

Photo: Getty Images

ATP World Tour Finals Begin Tomorrow at the O2 Arena in London - A Look at the 8 Players

The Class of 2010

L-R: Andy, Tomas, Novak, Rafael, Roger, Robin, Andy and David.

Round robin play begins tomorrow with 2 matches a day until the Sf's.

Group A: Rafael, Novak, Tomas, A-Rod

Group B: Roger, Robin, A-Mur, David

*** The Players***

RAFAEL NADAL

Ranking: 1

Previous best was a pair of Sf showings in '06 & '07.

Rafa's had one of the all-time great seasons. 7 titles including last 3 Slams.

The year-end title is about the only title missing from his resume.

Rafa would be the 1st to tell you that the O2 courts don't suit him tho...

ROGER FEDERER

Ranking: 2

Roger has won this title 4 times: '03, '04, '06, '07.

Roger won 4 titles & became 1st player to win a title at each level in one year.

Slam: Aussie Open; MS 1000: Cincinnati; ATP 500: Basel; ATP 250: Stockholm

If all of the above is called 'slipping' or 'getting old' - people need to get a grip.

He's had a pretty similar year to '03 - and he was the second coming then...

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Ranking: 3

He won this title in 2008 - when it was played in Shanghai.

Novak had a rough start to the season but finished pretty strong.

2 titles (Dubai & Beijing) and a runner-up finish at the US Open.

His Sf win at the Open is easily one of the matches of the year.

He was also on the losing end of some great matches too. Melzer anybody?

ROBIN SODERLING

Ranking: 4

His previous best was a Sf showing in his first appearance last year.

Robin just snuck in and stole that #4 ranking in the last couple weeks.

It'll be up for grabs as he & Murray battle for it as the week unfolds.

Many believe Robin is a Slammer-in-the-making. Will 2011 be his year?

ANDY MURRAY

Ranking: 5

Andy makes his 3rd appearance at the WTFs - he was a Sfist in '08.

As with Wimby - will the hometown pressure hurt him at this tourney too?

Maybe wait until Istanbul? But it seems Andy is due a victory in London...

TOMAS BERYCH

Ranking: 6

Tomas is making his debut at the WTFs.

Tomas had a career year - no titles but final at Wimby & Sfs at RG.

He had such a terrific spring/summer. He kinda petered out after W tho.

DAVID FERRER

Ranking: 7

This is David's 2nd trip to the WTF's. Remember he was runner-up in '07.

David put together some great results in '10: 2 titles, 5 finals, 11 Sfs.

You read that right: 11 semifinals this season.

Now if only he had done better at the Slams: not a single quarterfinal.

I'm very curious/eager to follow his results next year.

ANDY RODDICK

Ranking: 8

This is the 8th straight year Andy's qualified. He was a Sfist in '03, '04, '07.

He basically earned his place on the back of a stellar March.

He was the runner-up in Indian Wells and champion in Miami.

I think Andy would agree that injury & illness this year mucked things up.

Major props: Andy has remained the top ranked American.

And I have a feeling that won't change in 2011. Sorry Sam. Sorry John.

Photos: Getty Images

Top 8 ATP Men's Tennis Players Pose for Sweet Portraits Ahead of the World Tour Finals in London

What a handsome group. Let's get this thing started already!

Photos: Getty Images

The ATP O2 Finalists Visit 10 Downing St. in London

Loving these dapper photos. But Dave - didn't you get the black suit memo?

Photos: Getty Images

Tomas Berdych Goes Paintballing for the O2

Tomas plays in his 1st Tour Final Championships - starting Sunday at the O2.

This went up today on eBay for charity. Go bid on it.

Top 8 Seeds in Action Tomorrow at Paris Masters 1000

All 8 are in action in the 3rd round tomorrow in Paris.

1 Roger Federer vs Radek Stepanek - H2H: 9-2

2 Novak Djokovic (above) vs Michael Llodra - H2H: 1-0

3 Andy Murray vs 13 Marin Cilic - H2H: 4-1

4 Robin Soderling vs Stanislas Wawrinka - H2H: 1-2

5 Tomas Berdych vs 10 Nikolay Davydenko - H2H: 1-8

6 Fernando Verdasco vs 12 Gael Monfils - H2H: 0-1

7 David Ferrer vs Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-1

8 Andy Roddick vs Ernests Gulbis - H2H: 2-0

5 of the 8 are playing for 3 spots in London. All could be settled tomorrow.

DVR set. Gonna be a long day tomorrow!

Photo: Getty Images

Fernando Verdasco Loses Match in Valencia - Seriously Hurts Chances for Year-End Champs in London

Valencia ATP 500 - Second Round

Gilles Simon d 3 Fernando Verdasco - 61 63

Fern is currently at #9 in the race for the 8 man field in London.

He'll need to put together something really special next week in Paris.

And need #6 Berdych, #7 Ferrer & #8 Roddick to faulter.

A-hem: But his play has been crap since his Qf loss at the US Open: 1-4.

Ya never know tho - alternates seem to get in every year.

Go Fern!

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Looking (and Playing) Fine in Beijing

Beijing ATP 500 - Men's First Round

1 Novak Djokovic d WC Mao-Xin Gong - 61 63

Novak never faced a break point while breaking Gong 4 times to advance.

Novak will next play Mardy Fish - H2H: 5-0/ND, including 2 this year.

 

Novak, along with others, looking dapper at the player's party last night.

Let's see, we've got Dinara & Sam on Fern's shoulders, Caro, Tomas & Andy.

I'm guessing that all equals good times.

Novak is a breath away from qualifying for the year-end finals in London.

He is currently #2 in the regular rankings and #3 in the year-to-date.

With a lot of points to defend this year, Novak may finish '10 at #3.

To finish ahead of Roger this year - well, he has his work cut out for him.

Photos: Getty Images

Davis Cup Semifinal Day Five Results

France defeats Argentina 5-0

4. Gilles Simon d Eduardo Schwank - 76(5) 67(6) 63

5. Arnaud Clement d Horacio Zeballos - 75 61

The weekend didn't just belong to Llodra - Clement won two matches too.

The French team will now be going to their 10th DC title - in France.

Their last title came in 2001 defeating Australia at Melbourne Park.

Common denominator: Arnaud Clement was part of that '01 team.

***

Serbia defeated Czech Republic 3-2

4. Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62 64

5. Janko Tipsaveric d Radek Stepanek - 60 76(6) 64

Nice come from behind win for Serbia - dinner at Novak's!

This would be a great way to cap Novak's year - with a DC title.

I do love this photo of him:

***

USA defeated Colombia 3-1

4 Mardy Fish d Santiago Giraldo - 36 63 75 46 86

This keeps the US in the World Group for the Cup in 2011.

It also allows Patrick McEnroe to step down with a win.

Mardy is the first USplayer to win 3 matches since Pete Sampras in '95.

Not surprising -the Bryan Bros kept Roddick & Blake to singles for 10 years.

Photos: AP/Getty Images/Reuters

Davis Cup Semifinal Day Two Results

France defeats Argentine 3-0

3. Clement & Llodra (FRA) d Schwank & Zabellos (ARG) - 64 75 63

Nine-times the champion France advances to it 16th Davis Cup final.

They previously won in 1927-'32, '91, '96 & '01. Their last final was in '02.

With the big stars sidelined Michael Llodra stepped in and stole the tie.

***

Czech Republic leads Serbia 2-1

3. Berdych & Stepanek (CZE) d Dokovic & Zimonjic (SRB) - 36 61 64 61

How much you wanna bet Novak is playing singles tomorrow? Sorry Viktor.

The Czech Republic is seeking it's 2nd straight final - they lost to Spain in '09.

Serbia, a young nation, is trying to advance to its 1st final.

***

And in the World Group Play-Offs

The US leads Colombia 2-1

3. Fish & Isner (USA) d Farah & Salamanca (COL) - 64 64 67(5) 63

You get the feeling Isner is playing tomorrow instead of Querrey?

Maybe Fish can clinch the 1st match & PMac'll give Ryan Harrison a 1st taste.

Photos: Getty Images & Reuters

Davis Cup Semifinals Day One Results

Well, of course Arnaud is gonna cheat to the camera. I expect nothing less.

France leads Argentina: 2-0

1. Michael Llodra (FRA) d Juan Monaco (ARG) - 75 46 75 63

2. Gael Monfils (FRA) d David Nalbandian (ARG) - 64 26 64 63

Note: Argentina has never come back from 2 match dwon in DC play.

With Novak out owing to flu Janko steps in to rescue the day...

Serbia and Czech Republic are tied 1-1

1. Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Viktor Troicki (SRB) - 46 62 64 64

2. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) d Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 75 62 26 76(5)

One wonders: Can the Serbs get to their first final without Novak playing?

*****

And the US squad is in Colombia trying to stay in World Group play...

USA is tied with Colombia 1-1

1. Mardy Fish (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) - 46 61 64 36 64

2. Santiago Giraldo (COL) d Sam Querrey (USA) - 62 64 75

Hind-sight: Even before Querrey played I thought Isner was a better choice.

Roger Federer Escapes in a Thriller in Toronto

Toronto ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

3 Roger Federer d 7 Tomas Berdych - 63 57 76(5)

That headline could easily read: Berych Chokes Match Away.

Or, Rude Toronto Crowd Rattles Berdych at Crucial Times in 3rd Set.

Anyway you look at it - that was a GREAT match.

Revenge: Roger snapped a two match losing streak to Tomas.

Roger lost in Canada in '09 in the Qf's so he's adding points this week.

This is Roger's 2nd Masters Sf this season: 1-0 in Madrid.

Photo: Getty Images

Quarterfinals Set for Toronto ATP Masters 1000

Toronto Masters 1000 - Quarterfinals

1 Rafael Nadal vs Philipp Kohlschreiber - H2H: 0-0

This is Rafa's 11th tourny in '10 - he has failed to make the Sf's twice.

He has made at least the Sf's of all 5 Masters 1000 played so far this year.

This is Philipp's 6th Qf (1-4) & 2nd in a Masters 1000 (Monte Carlo) for '10.

***

4 Andy Murray vs David Nalbandian - H2H: 0-2

They haven't played in a couple of years.

The way David is playing lately this could be a really good match.

In '09-'10 David has played in 1 Slam & he's in only his 7th Masters 1000.

***

3 Roger Federer vs 7 Tomas Berdych - H2H: 8-3

Tomas won their 1st meeting at the Athens Olympics in '04.

Then is was 8 straight for Roger through the glory (glorious) years.

2010 has seen Tomas take Fed out twice including a big win at Wimbledon.

Can he make it 3-in-a-row. Or can the Fed turn the tables. Stay tuned...

***

2 Novak Djokovic (above) vs Jeremy Chardy - H2H: 4-0

In 4 matches Jeremy has yet to win a set.

This is his 3rd Qf on the season (0-2) the other 2 were in 250 events.

This is Novak's 3rd Masters 1000 Qf in 2010: 1-1.

Photo: Reuters

Sexy Shirtless Tomas Berdych Practices at DC ATP 500

 

Top seed Tomas lost last night in singles to Xavier Malisse...

This morning he was shuttered practicing for his doubles semifinal today.

Tomas & Radek Stepanek will play #4 Julien Knowle & Andy Ram.

Thanks to TennisRomi for tweeting these today - nice work!

David Nalbandian Leads Semifinalists at DC ATP 500

In watching Nalbandian last night - he looked a lot thinner.

Washington DC ATP 500 - Semifinals

8 Marcos Baghdatis vs Xavier Malisse - H2H: 0-0

Once the tour moved to grass Xavier has been winning a lot more.

Since Queens Clubs he's 13-5 - with 2 Sf showings: 0-1.

This is Marcos' 4th Sf of '10: 2-1. He won Sydney in January.

He has put together a healthy looking W/L this year: 30-17.

It's almost twice the number of match wins he enjoyed last year.

And the reason he's #25 and moving up on Monday.

***

4 Marin Cilic vs WC David Nalbandian (above) - H2H: 0-1

That win was back in '06 - in a Davis Cup blowout.

David is playing in only his 5th tourney of the year & 1st Sf.

He's been to 2 Qf's and has won all 3 Davis Cup matches this year.

David is looking to advance to his 21st career ATP final: 10-10.

Marin had a great January - 2 ATP 250 titles & Sf at Aussie Open.

Since, he has lost a lot of matches & has only been to 2 Sf's: 1-0.

At the least this should be a great match.

***

Quarterfinal Results

Xavier Malisse d 1 Tomas Berdych - 64 36 62
8 Marcos Baghdatis d 3/WC Fernando Verdasco - 76(3) 64
4 Marin Cilic d Janko Tipsarevic - 76(4) 64
WC David Nalbandian d 13 Gilles Simon - 36 62 63

Photo: Getty Images