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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.

Serbia Wins World Team Cup in Dusseldorf

Even without Novak Team Serbia is a handsome lot.

They beat a very sturdy Czech team.

This is their second team title in Dusseldorf - they also took it in 2009.

Ok boys, get your butts to Paris.

Andy Murray Wins First Match at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

3 Andy Murray d Viktor Troicki - 60 63

This is Andy's 6th trip to M-C - he's been to a pair of Sf's: '09 & '11.

Remember, he lost a memorable 3-setter to Rafa last year.

About the new do... he says he cut it himself.

If this tennis thing doesn't work out he can always barber.

Photo: Getty Images

Ryan Harrison Advances at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - 2nd Round

Ryan Harrison d 25 Viktor Troicki - 76(5) 63

Nice win for Ryan as he moves his W/L on the year to 8-6.

Remember, this was a sort of breakout tourny in '11 as he made the 4th R.

With Murray's loss last night his path to repeat that success got easier.

He'll play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Murray's slayer) and oddly enough...

They've played once before: Last year, same tourny, same round, Ryan won.

There's a lot riding on this kid's shoulders. He seems to like it.

So do I.

Chef Janko Tipsarevic Grilling some Burgers

Grillin' like a villian.

Janko took to his Facebook to post this pic & compliment his friend:

Even tho he lost today, Viktor will be top 10 latest after US Open.

You heard it hear first...

Viktor suffered a tough loss to Andy Murray today 7-5 in the 5th.

Janko could be onto something...

Vik only has 275 points to defend from now thru the US Open.

Two Serbs in the top 10 - who'da thunk it?

Andy Murray Advances to Quarterfinals with a 5 Setter at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Fourth Round

4 Andy Murray d 15 Viktor Troicki - 46 46 63 62 75

This is the 5th time Andy has come back from 2 sets down to win.

He also showed tons of heart coming back from 2-5 in the 5th.

Andy earns his 2nd RG Qf: 0-1 and 8th in a Slam: 5-2.

And all this with an admitted tendon tear in his ankle.

That can't be good with Wimbledon fast approaching.

Andy: [It hurts but] I have more pills in me than Ozzy Osbourne.

Photo: Reuters

Viktor/Victoria Move into 4th Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros

Men: 15 Viktor Troicki d 21 Alexsandr Dolgopolov - 64 36 63 64

Serbia's second banana is putting together a very sweet run.

4th rounder: This is now the farthest he's ever gone in a Slam.

And he may just get thru the next one too against Andy Murray.

Andy went over on his ankle in his match today... It's a wait and see.

***

Women: 4 Victoria Azarenka d 30 Roberta Vinci - 63 62

As many hours as I watch I have yet to see Vika strike a single ball on TV.

Future champ: Brad Gilbert has tipped her to take the title next Saturday.

That is if she doesn't retire another match this year.

Photos: Reuters

Serbian Davis Cup Team Receive Diplomatic Passports

Forget Spain - this may just be the best looking Davis Cup team ever.

Team Serbia will continue to defend their title in July against Sweden.

Photo: Stevanovic/Milosavljevic

David Ferrer Moves into ATP Monte-Carlo Semifinal

Monte-Carlo ATP Masters 1000 - Quarterfinal

4 David Ferrer d 11 Viktor Troicki - 63 63

The win puts David into his 2nd and consecutive Sf in MC: 0-1.

This will also be his 7th Masters 1000 level Sf: 1-5.

David is sure backing up his great 2010 quite nicely, isn't he?

David: I had a very good season so far. I have some good confidence.

That helps me to be consistent in my game on clay.

I hope it's going to continue.

It may just as he next plays Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 3-2/DF.

David has a 2-1 lead on clay, tho Jurgen one the last one at RG last year.

It ought to be a fun one tomorrow.

Photo: Rueters

Novak Djokovic into Quarterfinals at Indian Wells

Indian Wells ATP Masters Series 1000 - Fourth Round

3 Novak Djokovic d 16 Viktor Troicki - 60 61

Stunning: Novak has lost only 6 games in 3 matches at Indian Wells.

He also remains undefeated on the year: 15-0.

In fact, in the 4 tournaments played he has only dropped 3 sets.

So far it really does seem that 2011 may just be his year.

It's still way too soon to know - but he's owned the 1st few months.

About an hour after this match they lost their doubles match.

The good news for Viktor is that he defended his 4th R points here...

And may move up from #18 as #16 Ljubicic is set to plummet.

Photos: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Into 4th Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Third Round

3 Novak Djokovic d 29 Viktor Troicki - 62 ret.

Viktor pulled the plug owing to a strained stomach muscle.

Too bad too, I think tennis junkies were looking forward to a long fun one.

But lookie here: Novak hasn't expended very much energy yet...

This could work well for him as he looks for a 2nd Slam title.

This is his 17th trip to the 4th round in a Slam: 14-2.

Novak will next play 14 Nicolas Almagro (Spain's #4 player) - H2H: 1-0/ND.

Oh, and this happened today too:

Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 3: A Quick Summary

I've been to busy to keep up. So here is one giant post.

As you read keep in mind all of yesterday's matches were second round...

2 Roger Federer d Gilles Simon - 62 63 46 46 63

A genuine bonafide thriller.

Roger hadn't been dumped from a Slam this early since RG '03.

He improved his career record of winning with a 2 set lead to 166-0.

Gilles still remains 1 of 3 active players with a winning H2H over Fed.

Nadal & Murray are the others. He can only (potentially) face 1 - in the final.

4 Venus Williams d Sandra Zahlavova - 76(6) 60 64

An incredible match of fighting spirit.

V pulled a groin muscle at the end of the tie-break.

She leaves court for treatment only to return to serve-up a bagel.

Although injured V has never retired from a Slam match.

Let's see how that feels tomorrow though.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Janko Tipsarevic - 26 46 64 76(0) 60

This thing was an absolute head-stracher.

Janko served for it twice and completely bungled 3 match points.

And once he lost that 4th set TB - he basically lost all heart to play.

This is probably sting for awhile.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Rebecca Marino - 63 57 97

Yet another of the crazy matches played yesterday.

This is Fran's 6th visit to the 3rd round: 2-3. She's never been to the Qf's.

3 Novak Djokovic d Ivan Dodig - 75 76(8) 60 62

Little signs of struggle and frustration in those 1st 2 sets.

But no doubt Novak is happy with the last 2 sets.

This is his 5th straight year thru to the 3rd round: 4-0.

Nole will next face fellow Serb and good friend Viktor Troicki: 6-1/ND.

Remember, Troicki very nearly got him at the US Open last year.

14 Maria Sharapova d Virginie Razzano - 76(3) 63

The former champion, Maria won the last of her 3 Slams here in 2008.

In the 9 Slams she's played since she has gotten to the Qf's (and lost) once.

Stupid shoulder.

Good news: She lost 1st round last year so her ranking will pop a bit.

8 Andy Roddick d Igor Kunitsyn - 76(7) 62 63

I often wonder if Andy let's himself daydream about tennis w/o Federer.

Cuz they are on yet another collision course to meet here in the Qf's.

Observation: Too many slice backhands. That won't cut it next week.

30 Andrea Petkovic d Anne Keothavong - 26 75 60

From the brink Petko digs deep for the magic.

She has only ventured past the 2nd round at a Slam once before:

Her Sf showing at the US Open last year.

She next plays Venus who, as we mentioned before, is quite injured.

29 Viktor Troicki d Nicolas Mahut - 64 62 16 63

It sure feels like that Davis Cup high has lingered, doesn't it?

Too bad DC teammates must play in the next round.

I wonder whose hair is growing back faster?

Viktor has now been to the 3rd round at all 4 Slams. Never further.

8 Victoria Azarenka d Andrea Hlavackova - 64 64

This is Vika's 14th visit to a 3rd round in a Slam: 6-7.

Remember last year she was wheeled off her Qf match after fainting.

One to watch: She has a legitimate shot at a deep run this year.

14 Nicolas Almagro d Igor Andreev - 75 26 46 76(10) 75

Hey whoa whoa whoa, I thought you were a clay courter.

Even so, this is Nico's 3rd straight year to the 3rd round: 1-1.

One might even fancy his chances in his next round against Ljubicic.

I said: Might.

28 Richard Gasquet d Adrian Mannarino - 63 76(4) 64

Lovely to see Richard winning a couple rounds in a Slam.

He lost 1st round here last year so he'll be happy to be collecting points.

He will next face Tomas Berdych with whom has a winning H2H: 2-1.

That should be a real fun one.

***

Phew, now I can get a few things done before Day 4 begins.

This time difference between Melbourne & Los Angeles is a killer.

Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images

Gilles Simon Wins ATP Title in Sydney

Sydney ATP 250 - Men's Final

Gilles Simon d 4 Viktor Troicki - 75 76(4)

From the looks of things this was probably a very good match.

This is Gilles 8th ATP title in just 10 finals played.

He extends his streak of at least 1 title a year to 5 - pretty impressive.

Simon will play Yen-Tsun Lu in the 1st round - H2H: 1-0/GS.

Tough luck: He is slated to face the GOAT in the 2nd.

Viktor is set to open against Dmitry Tursunov - H2H: 2-0/VT.

With Viktor having played the final today - this one could be a tussle.

Viktor is seeded to meet fellow Serb & friend Novak in the 3rd round.

Now that would be a quite a chop-lickin' match.

Photo: Getty Images

Gilles Simon & Viktor Troicki to Play for Sydney Title

Sydney ATP 250 - Men's Final Preview

4 Viktor Troicki vs Gilles Simon - H2H: 0-4

In fact, Viktor has never even purchased a set off of Gilles.

But they haven't play in over a year & this is a new/improved Viktor.

Viktor is looking to add a 2nd title to the maiden one he just won in Moscow.

Gilles is seeking an 8th. Funny, I don't remember him winning 7 titles.

Lemme think. Ah yes, now I do. There was that lovely little run in '08.

Viktor is the 2nd ranked Serbian - Gilles the 5th highest Frenchman.

***

Semifinal Results

4 Viktor Troicki d Florian Mayer - 64 76(4)

Gilles Simon d 3 Ernests Gulbis - 76(1) 60

Um, Ernie... bagels are not on the diet.

Photos: Reuters