TennisToday

The 2012 US Open Champions

Men's Champion - Andy Murray

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Women's Champion - Serena Williams

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Men's Doubles Champions - The Bryan Brothers

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Women's Doubles Champions - Sara Errani & Roberta Vinci

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Mixed Doubles Champions - Bruno Soares & Ekaterina Makarova

Andy Murray Wins Maiden Slam at the US Open

US Open - Men's Final

3 Andy Murray d 2 Novak Djokovic - 76(10) 75 26 36 62

FINALLY.

This seemed forever in the coming. And he nearly choked it away.

These two boys produced a near 5 hour instant classic.

And it was a breathtaking pleasure to behold... that shotmaking, wow.

In the end Andy was 5th-time lucky - just like his coach.

Post match: After the third and fourth sets it was tough mentally for me...

Novak is so, so strong. He fights till the end in every single match and

I don't know how I managed to come through in the end.

It's well documented that the last Brit won a Slam 76 years ago.

Scratch that - Andy has finally put GB back on the Slam map.

Referring to Fred Perry: I’m sure he’s smiling from up there

that someone has finally managed to do it from Britain.

And a real fight for year-end #1 is on - the win moves him up to #3.

I’m definitely going to try. It’s something I’d love to do, to get to No. 1.

The race just got good.

Serena Williams Wins 4th US Open Title

US Open - Women's Final

4 Serena Williams d 1 Victoria Azarenka - 62 26 75

2012 will go down in the tennis history as the Summer of Serena.

She cleaned up the 3 big titles on offer: Wimbledon, Olympics & US Open.

And she came from the brink to win her 15th Slam...

Vika was up 5-3 and Serving for it. Serena broke and won the next 3 games.

Serena even admitted: I was really prepared for my runner-up speech.

Only 5 woman have more Slams than Serena (AO-5, W-5, USO-4, RG-1):

Court with 24, Graf 22, Moody 19 and both Navratilova and Evert with 18.

Serena's first USO title came in 1999 - she has title in 3 different decades.

Post match: Yeah, three decades - the '90s, 2000s, 2010s, that's kind of cool.

It's exciting to have this opportunity. And 13 years is a long time between...

the first and the last.

For me to get this 13 years later, and that I'm at No.15 now, it's so cool.

David Ferrer Wins Thriller to Gain Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Men's Quarterfinal

4 David Ferrer d 8 Janko Tipsarevic - 63 67(5) 26 63 76(4)

That folks is a match David had no business winning.

David fought back from 1-4 down in that 5th set to force a TB and win.

I have a rule for 'instant classics' - they must be played in the Sf's or finals.

If I were to make an exception, this would be a match to make the case.

Just wow.

This is now David's 2nd US Open Sf ('07), 4th at Slam & 2nd of '12 (French).

He is a force to be considered.

After all he has a tour-tying 5 titles (with Federer) on the season.

His reward? A Sf with another Serb, Djokovic. H2H: 8-5/Novak.

But the way Novak played Juan Martin last night... Yikes is the word.

Post match: It was a very emotional match,

one of the best emotional matches of my career.

My opponent, he also deserved to win this match.

In one tie-break it's a lottery, and I had luck in important moments.

Andy Roddick Loses at the US Open and is Sent into Career Retirement

US Open - Men's Fourth Round

7 Juan Martin Del Potro d 20 Andy Roddick - 67(1) 76(4) 62 64

This kid done good. Real good.

A Slam: '03 US Open. Davis Cup champion. Year-end #1 in '03.

9 straight years finishing in the top 10: '02-'10.

32 ATP titles: on hard court - 21, on clay - 5, on grass - 5, on carpet - 1.

12 years winning at least 1 title - including 2 this year: Eastbourne & Atlanta.

Andy played in 5 Slam finals. The 4 he lost were at the play of Roger Federer.

I'll never forget that bricked volley that cost him the '09 Wimby title.

Andy is probably the player most affected by the Federer era.

Post match about his career: I've loved every minute of it.

As did we. See you at the Hall of Fame in 5 years.

Serena Williams Sails into Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Women's Quarterfinal

4 Serena Williams d 12 Ana Ivanovic - 61 63

Serena's incredible summer season continues.

In 5 matches she has lost 16 games. That's less than 2 a set folks.

Who will beat her here? Certainly not Errani.

This is the 3 time champions 7th trip to the Sf's: 5-1.

She hasn't hoisted the trophy since '08 - she looks really hungry.

Post match: I feel like I'm going to get more focused and serious

and start playing Serena tennis in the next couple of rounds,

if I get to play two rounds, that's my goal.

I don't think I came into this tournament playing my best,

but I've played better in the last two matches.

I hope I have two left. I'll give 200%.

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Jeez, really? It feels like it's 200% to me.

Victoria Azarenka Takes Down Defending Champ Stosur to Gain Semifinals at US Open

US Open - Women's Quarterfinal

1 Victoria Azarenka d 7 Samantha Stosur - 61 46 76(5)

With the win Vika is guaranteed to retain her #1 ranking on Monday.

After the 1st set blowout this became a highly entertaining match.

The shot-making was of the highest caliber - pity either had to lose.

Afterward Vika expressed her thoughts on her Twitter account:

What a great match today! Fight and battle is what we live for…

Really happy to be competing… Thank u for all the support #NYC love it.

Ana Ivanovic Gains 1st Slam Quarterfinal in 4 Years

US Open - Women's Fourth Round

12 Ana Ivanovic d Tsvetana Pironkova - 60 64

This is her 1st Slam Qf since she won Roland Garros in 2008.

Just goes to show that if you chip away long enough...

Post match: I have been in the fourth round here quite a few times,

so to make that step and reach a quarterfinal, as well as first time since '08,

I'm very thrilled. It has been a roller coaster the last four years.

There were good moments and tough ones, but it's all a process.

I understand it better now.

So what's next? How about a Qf match with 4 Serena Willams.

Which is a giant yikes as Serena has won her last 3 sets all at love.

In 3 matches Ana has never taken a set. That won't change on Wednesday.

Philipp Kohlschreiber Upsets John Isner Late into the Night in 3rd Round Action at the US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

19 Philipp Kohlschreiber d 9 John Isner - 64 36 46 63 64

This match tied as the latest finish at the US Open ending at 2:26 am.

This is Philipp's 6th trip to a 4th round at a Slam: 1-4.

The 1 win just came at Wimby so can he make it 2 Slams in-a-row?

He'll next face 8 Janko Tipsarevic - H2H: 2-2. Very doable.

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As for Isner... He couldn't get past the 3rd round at all 4 Slams this year.

And all 4 of those losses were defeats in 5 sets. Sucks, but it's ok.

My problem is this... In 19 Slams played he's been to the 4th round 3 times.

And has exactly ONE quarterfinal showing - at the US Open last year.

BUT - if you listen to the ridiculously biased commentating of Gimelstob...

You'd think he was a serious contender at every Slam.

Um Justin, there is zero evidence of that, zero.

To be clear - my problem is not John, it's Justin.

I get that they are chums but it should not cloud his blatherings.

On a positive note: John cleaned up well for Vogue this month:

Andy Roddick Aint Done Yet

US Open - Men's Third Round

20 Andy Roddick d Fabio Fognini - 75 76(1)46 64

He and his buddy put on a really fun show this afternoon.

And Andy lives to play one more match.

Surely the night match on Ashe would be a great way to play it.

It'll be a battle of former US Open champs as...

'09 champ Del Potro will play the next villian in this great drama.

The H2H: 3-1/DelPo.

Post match Andy admitted to being tired:

Absolutely, I was tired. I don't have to bluff anymore.

I know where I'll be Tuesday night, plopped in front of the TV...

Unabashedly cheering Andy on.

David Ferrer: A Quiet 4th Seed Advances to 4th Round at US Open

US Open - Men's Third Round

4 David Ferrer d Lleyton Hewitt - 76(9) 46 63 60

Has there ever been a quieter 4th seed at a Slam?

I mean, nobody is talking about him as a potential anything.

And this is a guy that is tied with Roger with the most titles this year with 5.

He is 16-3 at the Slams in '12: which equals 2 Qf's and a Sf at Roland Garros.

Well I'll talk about him.

David has a great shot at repeating is '07 Sf showing here.

Looming for him potentially are Gasquet, Tipsarevic and *gulp* Isner.

I guessing David doesn't moving quietly thru the draw. Vamos.

Laura Robson: The Giant Killer at the US Open

US Open - Women's Third Round

Laura Robson d 9 Li Na - 64 67(4) 62

Welcome to the coming out party y'all.

In round 2 she sent Kim Clijsters into retirement.

Then followed that up with her 1st top 10 win over Li Na.

Next up she will face her 3rd straight Slam champion, Sam Stosur.

Can she keep it up?

Post match: I wasn't really looking past the first round.

You better extend that hotel reservation - you're nearing the 2nd week.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters Moves into Retirement After 2nd Round Loss at the US Open

US Open - Women's 2nd Round

Laura Robson d 23 Kim Clijsters - 76(4) 76(5)

And with that we've lost Kimmy for the second (and last) time.

Post match: Since I came back it's been a great adventure for me,

my team and my family, and it has all been worth it,

but I'm excited for the next part of my life.

On a personal note, Kimmy was my favorite women's player.

I was lucky enough to watch her play a couple of times.

The first was in '03 - a Qf win on Lenglen at Roland Garros.

The second was later that summer defeating Sharapova in Los Angeles.

I also got close to her several times on the practice courts at Indian Wells.

In those encounters she was always so generous with her fans.

Kimmy is beloved and will be greatly missed. But what a career...

4 Slams (3 US Opens; 1 Aussie), 41 WTA titles including 3 year-end titles.

She was also ranked #1 in singles (for 20 weeks) and doubles.

So long Kimmy, it was a pleasure enjoying you career with you.

See you in 5 years when you are inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Women's Tennis: All the 2011 Slam Winners Crash Out in the 1st & 2nd Rounds at Their Next Slam

That's a crazy - a troubling - stat.

The latest victim came yesterday at the Australian Open...

Sam Stosur was sent off by Sorana Cirstea 76 63 in the 1st round.

Telling the truth tho Sam has never faired well in her home Slam.

She follows AO.11 champ Kim Clijsters who lost in the 2nd R at the French.

RG.11 champ Li Na in the 2nd R at Wimbledon.

And W.11 champ Petra Kvitova in the 1st R at the US Open.

Let's hope this trend curse comes to an end.

Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

Your 2011 US Open Champions

Novak Djokovic - Men's Singles Champion

Samantha Stosur - Women's Singles Champion

Philipp Petzschner & Jurgen Melzer - Men's Doubles Champions

Liezel Huber & Lisa Raymond - Women's Doubles Champions

Jack Sock & Melanie Oudin - Mixrd Doubles Champions

Photos: Getty/Reuters

Rafael Nadal Chats with Regis & Kelly

Regis honey, keep it in your pants!

Rafael Nadal gets two whole minutes on Today Show...

Don't you just love when regular folk try to talk tennis!

This just feels sooooooo awkward...

 

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Your United States Open Champions for 2010

Rafael Nadal - Men's Singles Champion

Kim Clijsters - Women's Singles Champion

Bob & Mike Bryan - Men's Doubles Champions

Vania King & Yaroslava Shvedova - Women's Doubles Champions

Liezel Huber & Bob Bryan - Mixed Doubles Champions

Photos: Reuters

Rafael Nadal Wins 1st US Open Title

US Open - Men's Final

1 Rafael Nadal d 3 Novak Djokovic - 64 57 64 63

CAREER SLAM

Throw that Olympic title in there and let's make that a Golden Career Slam.

Only two other players own the Golden Slam: Andre Agassi & Steffi Graf.

This becomes Rafa's 9th Slam - only 6 other players have more:

Federer 16, Sampras 14, Emerson 12, Laver 11, Borg 11, Tilden 10.

At 24 he is 3 Slams ahead of Federer's pace of his seeminly untouchable 16.

Not since Laver in '69 has a player done the French, Wimbledon, US sweep.

The Career Slam is complete: AO '09, FO '05-'08 & '10, W '08 & '10, US '10.

No Federer: In Rafa's 3 Slam final wins this year he beat Roger's defeater:

Rolands Garros: Soderling. Wimbledon: Berdych. US Open: Djokovic. 

This is Rafa's 6th title on the year: 3 Slams & 3 Masters 1000.

Rafa really only has the year-end championships missing from his resume.

London calling?

Spare a thought for Novak... he tried hard to snatch that away from Rafa.

He's now been to 3 Slam finals: 1-2. He is the '08 Aussie Champ.

No shame in losing the other 2 to Roger & Rafa. Both at the Open: '07 & '10.

Novak's day will surely come again.

Photos: Top Reuters, Bottom Getty Images

Look who's Calling Lines for Rafael & Novak...

It's Shino, the foot-fault calling line judge Serena made famous last year.

She just got a shout out from Mr. Dick Enberg himself. Oh my.

Watch those feet boys.