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Madrid Open, Saturday Results, Sunday Schedule

May 12, 2012 By

Madrid, Spain
May 5-13, 2012
Blue Clay/Outdoors

Results – Saturday, May 12, 2012
Singles – Semifinals
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 62 64
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. (Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 76(5) 60

Doubles – Final
(5) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) 61 36 104 (Match TB)

Singles – Semifinals
[3] R Federer (SUI) d [7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 62 63
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d [10] J Del Potro (ARG) 76(5) 76(6)

Doubles – Semifinals
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) 67(3) 76(6) 12-10
[6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) d [7] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) 64 16 10-7

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 13 MAY, 2012

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
[6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) vs [4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – ATP DOUBLES FINAL

Not Before 1:30 PM
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [9] S Williams (USA) – WTA-SINGLES FINAL

Not Before 4:30 PM
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP SINGLES FINAL

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
A Fernandez (ESP) vs [2] N Kuhn (ESP) – Sub 12 Boys Final

Not Before 12:00 PM
[1] P Arias (ESP) vs L Cortez (ESP) – Sub 12 Girls Final

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Blue Clay Blues – Part Seven

May 12, 2012 By

Saturday’s player quotes about the blue clay courts being used at this year’s Madrid Open:

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro

 

Yeah I think you can just see it, how every player feels. There’s nothing else to say. That’s all. The conditions, as I always say, are the same for every single player. Everyone can see it, but it’s very difficult.

 

Asked about playing next year in light of Djokovic and Nadal threatening not play next year if the blue clay remains:

This is not the moment for thinking about that. Right now I feel bad because I lost and I did my job as best as possible. Afterwards the people in charge of the tournament will decide what there are going to do next year.

Blue Clay Blues – Part Six

Blue Clay Blues – Part Five

Blue Clay Blues – Part Four

Blue Clay Blues – Part Three

Blue Clay Blues – Part Two

Blue Clay Blues

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Federer to play Berdych for Madrid Open Title

May 12, 2012 By

Roger Federer is a win away from moving up to No. 2 in the world. On Saturday at the Madrid Open the Swiss defeated Serbian Janko Tiparevic 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals. Tomas Berdych captured the other semifinal clash by skimming past Juan Martin Del Potro 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6).

 

Should Federer claim the Madrid Open title he would leapfrog Rafael Nadal and become No. 2 in the rankings. He would also tie for the lead in Masters titles with Nadal at 20. The Swiss was last No. 2 in the world back in March 2011.

“I’m focused on what I’m doing here this week, trying to play well and get far, said Federer about the possibility in moving up to No. 2. “Coming through the first round, that was always the first goal and that’s what I’ve been able to do. I have been feeling better and better as the tournament went on. It’s tough conditions today. There was a lot of wind and so forth. I’ve had so many times with a lot on the line and this is no different. It’s going to be a tough match. Berdych is playing well himself. It’s quick conditions and he can be a big threat in the finals like that.”

Federer who holds a career 10-4 head-to-head record against Berdych discussed Sunday’s match-up. “Well I expect quick points and big shots from both sides. I hope I can play a big match on my serve and take it from there. He can impose his game with his serve and that makes him a tough player to play against. He got me in big matches in my career in Wimbledon and at the Olympics. I got him back at the same places. Still I remember those losses vividly. I think that we match up pretty well against each other because of the shot making.”

Saturday’s victory also puts Federer past the 70 million dollar mark in career earnings.

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Serena Williams and Azarenka to Meet in Madrid Open Final

May 12, 2012 By

No. 1 Victoria Azarenka will take on Serena Williams for the Madrid Open title on Sunday after both women disposed of their opponents in straight sets on Saturday.

 

Williams defeated qualifier Lucie Hradecka 7-6 (5), 6-0 while Azarenka beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-4. For Radwanska it was the sixth time this year she ousted from a tournament by Azarenka.

 

“We have completely different styles of game so I am not going to judge if I am more powerful or less powerful than Radwanska,” Azarenka stated. “She has a different style, she likes to make you move, change the pace and throw of your rhythm, plus she’s very good with her hands to try to come in. I play more aggressive, I try to take control so I have a different style of game. Today I played well, especially in the first set. In the second set it got a little bit even. I don’t think I was playing that well during my service game but I was still able to turn things around and come back playing well right after my service game on the return. I think it was a good match, I played well and we’ll see.”

 

Williams was in a battle in the first set with the 105th ranked Hradecka who knocked out Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and US Open champion Sam Stosur on the way to the semisfinals. “We were both serving really and she served amazing in the first set,” Williams said. She just did everything really well and I was able to come through in the tie break. After that I was able to relax, to make less errors and make more shots and be more aware out there. I think that helped me.”

Azarenka who has a 1-6 against Williams spoke about meet her in the final:”Well, the head to head with her… Well, I don’t know how to explain that. We have played a lot of matches and I was young. I mean, I was much younger, I was just coming on the tour but I have always been competitive against her. She’s one of the best players in the world and one of the toughest opponents to play against so, we’ll see but as I said it’s going to be a different story. We had a very good match last year at the US Open so I can take some positive things out of that one… Here is going to be the first time I play her on clay, so we’ll see.”

 

Williams on playing Azarenka in the final: “I’m feeling good. I mean, Victoria has been so consistent in her game this year. She is so consistent, so amazing and so, just nearly perfect. I am going to the final with nothing to lose. She’s the top the rank player and she’s going in there with everything to win.”

 

“Yes, I think confidence is key whether you are consistent or not. I think that with her doing so well and being so consistent, she probably feels like she can win and I think that’s the way you have to feel.”

 

By reaching the final Williams will move up to No. 6 in the rankings.

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Madrid Open – Friday Results, Saturday Schedule

May 11, 2012 By

Mutua Madrid Open
Madrid, Spain
May 5-13, 2012
Blue Clay/Outdoors

Results – Friday, May 11, 2012

Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (8) Li Na (CHN) 36 63 63
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. (2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 61 63
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (Q) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 64 64
(Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. (5) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(8) 76(6)

Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
(5) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. (4) Kirilenko/Petrova (RUS/RUS) 75 67(4) 105
Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) d. Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) 64 76(4)

Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
[7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) d [1] N Djokovic (SRB) 76(2) 63
[3] R Federer (SUI) d [5] D Ferrer (ESP) 64 64
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d [15] F Verdasco (ESP) 61 62
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) d [16] A Dolgopolov (UKR) 63 64

Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
[2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) d [5] L Paes (IND) / R Stepanek (CZE) 63 67(2) 10-2
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d M Cilic (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) 75 62
[6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) d M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 75 76(5)
[7] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) d A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) 76(2) 76(5)

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 12 MAY, 2012

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:45 am
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [4] A Radwanska (POL) – WTA
[Q] L Hradecka (CZE) vs [9] S Williams (USA) – WTA

Not Before 3:30 PM
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs [3] R Federer (SUI) – ATP
[5] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) – WTA-DOUBLES FINAL

STADIUM 3 start 2:00 pm
[7] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) vs [6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP

Not Before 3:30 PM
[4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) – ATP

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Federer Pushes Past Ferrer to Gain Madrid Semis

May 11, 2012 By

Roger Federer moved past David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open semifinals. Federer will be playing Janko Tipsarevic in the semifinals on Saturday. Tipsarevic stunned countryman Novak Djokovic 7-6(2), 6-3.

In his post-match news conference, Federer was asked if he would not play the tournament if the blue clay returns to Madrid next year as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have threatened to do: If you want to be a good clay court player, you must be able to play everywhere,” said Federer.

“Madrid has taken a gamble with blue clay. It’s always a little different here because of the altitude and we must sit down with the other players to discuss it.

“It is slippy, there’s no doubt about that but that has been the case here for a few years. They haven’t yet found the perfect balance. Our job each day is to adapt to the conditions that we face.”

Federer has improved his 2012 record to 24-3.

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Djokovic Stunned by Tipsarevic, Continues to Slam Blue Clay in Madrid

May 11, 2012 By

Defending Madrid Open champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the tournament by his countryman Janko Tipsarevic 7-6(2), 6-3. Tipsarevic will play Roger Federer on Saturday for a spot in the final.

“I want to congratulate Janko for playing a great match today,” said Djokovic.” I think he’s actually playing one of the best tournaments of his career. I talked to him and he feels really good on the court and I’m glad, I want to wish him luck so he can go all the way. I think he can, he has the game, he has the confidence on the court, he has been hitting a lot of aces, winners for the first shots. He has being playing great, there’s no questioning that. For me, I want to forget this week as soon as possible and move on to the real clay courts.”

 

Djokovic continued to be upset about the blue clay. “When we came here we didn’t know what to expect because most of hadn’t tested this surface. It took us, I mean, it took me almost a week to try to get used to this surface. And somehow I found my way to win matches and play a decent level of tennis. I guess I’m really looking forward to coming back to the real clay because I don’t call this clay. I think this is something totally different and if they wanted to make a test of how it looks and how it feels, in my eyes they failed. I cannot say what the future will bring, they know what it’s going on. I just hope that the ATP will strongly consider what we think and what we feel and where we stand because if ATP has to protect the players and backs them up then there is no way that Madrid is going to keep the blue clay.”

 

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Serena Williams Powers past Sharapova, Azarenka Tested by Li Na in Madrid

May 11, 2012 By

Serena Williams sailed past No. 2 Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3, while No. 1 Victoria Azarenka came back to stop Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Friday to advance to the Madrid Open semifinals.

Williams dominated in her seventh consecutive win against Sharapova notching 28 winners. The victory lifts Williams’ record on clay this year to 11-0.

“(Serena) started the match extremely well and it was tough to get into the first set. She served really well,” said Sharapova.

Azarenka started her match serving poorly but recovered it to dominate the final two sets.

“There are a lot of things that I had to change and  come up with in order to surprise her because she was pretty unbelievable on the first. You know, hitting all the lines, hitting the corners, so I didn’t really have a chance, especially on the return. So I had to turn something around, I don’t know if it was confidence or if it was self belief or just pushing myself to be better and really wanting to win the match. I don’t what happened I  am just glad that I could turn things around and start to dictate my game and get into the match and build that confidence that I had from there.”

“I was thinking I had to change and come up with things to surprise her because she was playing unbelievable in the first set,” Azarenka said. “I had to turn something around.”

In what seems to be a requisite question from the media in Madrid, Azarenka was asked about her opinion of the blue clay in Madrid.

“But I don’t want to sit here and complain about it. Nothing is going to change this year. We can talk after the tournament about maybe possible changes or something.

“I think that you have your answer there, I mean, there’s not only one player complaining about it. I am not a fan of this court, I can say that for sure but I don’t want to sit here and complain about it. I have to play. Nothing is going to change this year. We can talk about possible changes after the tournament but during the tournament, I don’t see the point. I have to be focused on my game and those are the conditions I have to deal with.”

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Blue Clay Blues – Part Five

May 10, 2012 By

Thursday’s player quotes about the blue clay courts being used at this year’s Madrid Open:

Rafael Nadal

The ATP and the tournament can do what they want. I tried my best since I arrived here on Thursday trying to prepare as best I can for the tournament. I wasn’t good enough to adapt my game to this court. The only thing I know is that if things continue like this, I’m very sad, but next year it will be one less tournament in my calendar.I think the tournament is great but that is a bad decision.

The movements are very important for me and here I cannot move so I cannot hit the ball the way that I want.

I think the tournament is great but that’s a bad decision. Change the bad decisions or continue with the bad decisions so everybody is free to do what they want. That’s fine. It’s not the day to talk a lot about that it’s the day to talk about … Fernando played better than me and that’s why I lost and not because of the court. It is the same for both of us and that’s the real thing.

If you put the Cincinnati tournament on grass just before the U.S. Open do you think people are going to be happy? I don’t think so. That’s a similar situation. It’s not drastic I am just being consistent.

I am not prepared to risk something happening next year if nothing changes.

I am going to Rome now with maybe a bit of a lack of confidence which I don’t deserve after all the work I have put in here. The color has to change and it has to be a proper clay court.”

 

I think that the surface is the same for all. It’s equal for everyone. In tennis there are some things that make a difference, that differentiate one from the other; the way that you stand on the court, control you have and obviously mobility is another issue and to commit a few errors in here is not good for me. It’s not on my side. You get the control from your legs and here you cannot get it from your legs and afterwards on clay the difference is quite simple. The one that wins is the one that commits less errors, is able to move better. In here you can have the point more or less dominated and they strike quite well and you’re out of the game so I think that the games are equal and anyone can win. The one who wins is Always the one who deserves it the most. I’ve lost, I wasn’t good enough to adapt to the surface and perhaps there are others who can adapt and they will have many victories.

 

Novak Djokovic

They are saying it’s exactly the same as the red clay which is not true because there is a big difference.

You are tripping and slipping and sliding all the time and winner will be the one who doesn’t get hurt until the end of the week because a lot of players fell down.

Generally it’s a new experience and the way it looks this year hopefully the last experience.

 

Roger Federer

He (Nadal) was against it from the start and so was I so obviously for him to go out in the third round is disappointing.

He never felt comfortable on the surface, it is a tough surface and that only makes you angry even more.

It is a tough surface and that can only add to the anger even more. It’s a tough loss and the frustration and I can understand what he means.

Blue Clay Blues – Part Four

Blue Clay Blues – Part Three

Blue Clay Blues – Part Two

Blue Clay Blues

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Madrid Open – Thursday Results, Friday Schedule

May 10, 2012 By

MUTUA MADRID OPEN
Madrid, Spain
May 5-13, 2012
Blue Clay/Outdoors

Results – Thursday, May 10, 2012
Women’s Singles – Third Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) w/o (GI illness)
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 76(1) 64
(9) Serena Williams (USA) d. (6) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 16 63 62
(Q) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 61 67(3) 63
(Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 62 76(5)

Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) d. (2) Peschke/Srebotnik (CZE/SLO) 64 64
(4) Kirilenko/Petrova (RUS/RUS) d. (7) Shvedova/Voskoboeva (KAZ/KAZ) 61 62
(5) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. (WC) Cibulkova/Husarova (SVK/SVK) 64 75
Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) d. Dulko/Suárez (ARG/ARG) 67(5) 62 105 (Match TB)

RESULTS – THURSDAY, 10 MAY, 2012

Men’s Singles – Third Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d S Wawrinka (SUI) 76(5) 64
[15] F Verdasco (ESP) d [2] R Nadal (ESP) 63 36 75
[3] R Federer (SUI) d [14] R Gasquet (FRA) 63 62
[16] A Dolgopolov (UKR) d [4] J Tsonga (FRA) 75 36 76(2)
[5] D Ferrer (ESP) d [11] N Almagro (ESP) 76(5) 36 76(8) – saved 3 M.P.
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d [12] G Monfils (FRA) 61 61
[7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) d [9] G Simon (FRA) 76(3) 57 61
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) d M Cilic (CRO) 62 64

Men’s Doubles – Second Round
A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) d [1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 46 64 18-16
[2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 63 76(4)
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d [3] M Llodra (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 64 64
[5] L Paes (IND) / R Stepanek (CZE) d R Gasquet (FRA) / G Monfils (FRA) 63 64
[6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) d F Cermak (CZE) / F Polasek (SVK) 46 76(7) 10-7
M Cilic (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) d [8] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) 76(1) 63

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 11 MAY, 2012

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
[1] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [8] N Li (CHN) – WTA
[9] S Williams (USA) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 3:30 PM
[6] T Berdych (CZE) vs [15] F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [7] J Tipsarevic (SRB) – ATP
[3] R Federer (SUI) vs [5] D Ferrer (ESP) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 1:00 pm
[10] J Del Potro (ARG) vs [16] A Dolgopolov (UKR) – ATP
Not Before 4:00 PM
[4] A Radwanska (POL) vs [Q] V Lepchenko (USA) – WTA
[5] S Stosur (AUS) vs [Q] L Hradecka (CZE) – WTA

COURT 5 start 1:00 pm
E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) vs N Llagostera Vives (ESP) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) – WTA
[5] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs [4] M Kirilenko (RUS) / N Petrova (RUS) – WTA
M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs [6] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP
TBA-Not Before 5:00 PM
[5] L Paes (IND) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs [2] M Mirnyi (BLR) / D Nestor (CAN) – ATP

COURT 7 start 3:00 pm
A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) vs [7] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP
M Cilic (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) vs [4] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – ATP

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