2013/05/26

International Premier Tennis League Launched

Paris, France (May 24th, 2013) – Mahesh Bhupathi, Boris Becker and Justin Gimelstob announced the launch of the IPTL - International Premier Tennis League on Friday.

The IPTL  is a city/country based franchise led league involving not only the current Men’s and Women’s players but also the Legends of the game.

The Franchises in the League will be city based across Asia. The first season of the IPTL will witness participation of 6 teams. Additional teams will be added in the 2nd and 3rd seasons of the League.

Each match will consist of 5 sets with no-ad scoring: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles and Legends Singles (Men)

The IPTL will be held in December 2014 as the Player Auction will be organized in Melbourne in January 2014. IPTL has confirmed player participation from Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Li Na, Thomas Berdych, Janko Tipsarevic, Lleyton Hewitt, John Isner, Caroline Wozniacki, Pete Sampras and Carlos Moya.

 

“I believe the future consumer wants to belong to something – and having a team they can support will be what motivates them to become a consumer of tennis. We have put together the ingredients to create something exciting that will activate the entire tennis industry,” said league founder and ATP doubles player Mahesh Bhupathi.

 

Former World No. 1 Boris Becker and Founding Partner of the league said, “This is what the sport needs, the best players in the world playing in a new time sensitive format that would get TV networks excited. Hopefully this can grow into a worldwide property with multiple team owners.”

 

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said that it’s a revolutionary idea: “It will change the image of the sport and help its popularity. I really look forward to be part of that competition and play.”

 

“It’s like a dream come true to play with Legends. Playing on a team is fun and really kind of cool. I like it.” said world No.1 Serena Williams.

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Djokovic and Nadal on the Same Side of Roland Garros Draw

Novak Djokovic

(May 24, 2013) No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic and No. 3 seed Rafael Nadal are on a collision course to meet in the semifinals of the French Open as both men are on the same side of the draw.  Last year Nadal defeated Djokovic in the final for his seventh Roland Garros crown. On Friday morning at the Museum of the French Tennis Federation in Paris, the draws for the second tennis major of the year were held.

Djokovic will face David Goffin in the opening round, second seed Roger Federer will play a qualifier while Nadal will face off against Daniel Brands.

As for the women, No. 1 Serena Williams  coming into Roland Garros on a 24-match winning streak, opens up against Anna Tatishvilli with two seed  and defending champion Maria Sharapova taking on Su-Wei Hsieh. No. 3 seed Victoria Azarenka, on Sharapova’s half of the draw begins her quest against Elena Vesninia.

Williams who won Roland Garros back in 2002, lost her first round match in Paris last year to No. 111 Virginie Razzano, the only time, the American has ever lost in the first round a of a “Grand Slam” event.

Possible Men’s quarterfinals:

No. 1 Djokovic vs No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic

No. 3 Rafael Nadal vs No. 7 Richard Gasquet,

No. 4 David Ferrer vs No. 5 Tomas Berdych,

No. 2 Roger Federer vs No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Men’s Draw

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v David Goffin (Belgium)

Ivan Dodig (Croatia) v Guido Pella (Argentina)

Alex Kuznetsov (U.S.) v Lucas Pouille (France)

Alejandro Falla (Colombia) v 26-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria)

22-Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine) v Dmitry Tursunov (Russia)

Bernard Tomic (Australia) v Victor Hanescu (Romania)

Simone Bolelli (Italy) v Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan)

Qualifier v 16-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany)

12-Tommy Haas (Germany) v Guillaume Ruffin (France)

Qualifier v Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain)

Andrey Kuznetsov (Russia) v Ryan Harrison (U.S.)

Carlos Berlocq (Argentina) v 19-John Isner (U.S.)

29-Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) v Pablo Andujar (Spain)

Federico Delbonis (Argentina) v Qualifier

Fernando Verdasco (Spain) v Marc Gicquel (France)

Nicolas Mahut (France) v 8-Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia)

3-Rafael Nadal (Spain) v Daniel Brands (Germany)

Martin Klizan (Slovakia) v Michael Russell (U.S.)

Qualifier v Lukas Rosol (Czech Republic)

Qualifier v 27-Fabio Fognini (Italy)

24-Benoit Paire (France) v Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)

Lukasz Kubot (Poland) v Qualifier

Grega Zemlja (Slovenia) v Santiago Giraldo (Colombia)

Jesse Levine (Canada) v 13-Kei Nishikori (Japan)

9-Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) v Thiemo de Bakker (Netherlands)

Qualifier v Horacio Zeballos (Argentina)

Kenny de Schepper (France) v Robin Haase (Netherlands)

Albert Ramos (Spain) v 21-Jerzy Janowicz (Poland)

28-Florian Mayer (Germany) v Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan)

Florent Serra (France) v Nikolay Davydenko (Russia)

Qualifier v Qualifier

Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukraine) v 7-Richard Gasquet (France)

5-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) v Gael Monfils (France)

Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) v Rogerio Dutra Silva (Brazil)

Igor Sijsling (Netherlands) v Juergen Melzer (Austria)

Jurgen Zopp (Estonia) v 32-Tommy Robredo (Spain)

20-Andrea Seppi (Italy) v Leonardo Mayer (Argentina)

Blaz Kavcic (Slovenia) v Qualifier

Martin Alund (Argentina) v Edouard Roger-Vasselin (France)

Qualifier v 11-Nicolas Almagro (Spain)

14-Milos Raonic (Canada) v Xavier Malisse (Belgium)

Qualifier v Michael Llodra (France)

Qualifier v Evgeny Donskoy (Russia)

Qualifier v 23-Kevin Anderson (South Africa)

31-Marcel Granollers (Spain) v Feliciano Lopez (Spain)

Joao Sousa (Portugal) v Go Soeda (Japan)

Qualifier v Albert Montanes (Spain)

Marinko Matosevic (Australia) v 4-David Ferrer (Spain)

6-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) v Aljaz Bedene (Slovenia)

Jarkko Nieminen (Finland) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (France)

Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) v Gilles Muller (Luxembourg)

Benjamin Becker (Germany) v 25-Jeremy Chardy (France)

17-Juan Monaco (Argentina) v Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Spain)

Viktor Troicki (Serbia) v James Blake (U.S.)

Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) v Nick Kyrgios (Australia)

Philipp Petzschner (Germany) v 10-Marin Cilic (Croatia)

15-Gilles Simon (France) v Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)

Adrian Mannarino (France) v Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay)

Jan Hacek (Czech Republic) v Qualifier

Lukas Lacko (Slovakia) v 18-Sam Querrey (U.S.)

30-Julien Benneteau (France) v Ricardas Berankis (Lithuania)

Tobias Kamke (Germany) v Paolo Lorenzi (Italy)

Qualifier v Qualifier

Qualifier v 2-Roger Federer (Switzerland)

 

Possible Women’s quarterfinals:

No. 1 Serena Williams vs No. 8 Angelique Kerber

No. 2 Maria Sharapova vs No. 7 Petra Kvitova

No. 3 Victoria Azarenka vs No. 6 Li Na

No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska vs Sara Errani

Women’s Draw

1-Serena Williams (U.S.) v Anna Tatishvili (Georgia)

Qualifier v Caroline Garcia (France)

Monica Niculescu (Romania) v Johanna Larsson (Sweden)

Kiki Bertens (Netherlands) v 26-Sorana Cirstea (Romania)

19-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) v Andrea Hlavackova (Czech

Republic)

Petra Cetkovska (Czech Republic) v Olga Pushkova (Russia)

Qualifier v Qualifier

Stephanie Foretz-Gacon (France) v 15-Roberta Vinci (Italy)

10-Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) v Laura Robson (Britain)

Qualifier v Bojana Jovanovski (Serbia)

Pauline Parmentier (France) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia)

Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) v 22-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)

29-Varvara Lepchenko (U.S.) v Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (Croatia)

Romina Oprandi (Switzerland) v Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)

Jana Cepelova (Slovakia) v Christina McHale (U.S.)

Mona Barthel (Germany) v 8-Angelique Kerber (Germany)

4-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) v Shahar Peer (Israel)

Mallory Burdette (U.S.) v Donna Vekic (Croatia)

Qualifier v Mandy Minella (Luxembourg)

Urszula Radwanska (Poland) v 30-Venus Williams (U.S.)

24-Julia Goerges (Germany) v Qualifier

Virginie Razzano (France) v Claire Feuerstein (France)

Chanelle Scheepers (South Africa) v Mathilde Johansson (France)

Petra Martic (Croatia) v 14-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia)

11-Nadia Petrova (Russia) v Monica Puig (Puerto Rico)

Madison Keys (U.S.) v Misaki Doi (Japan)

Irena Pavlovic (France) v Shelby Rogers (U.S.)

Simona Halep (Romania) v 20-Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain)

32-Sabine Lisicki (Germany) v Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden)

Maria-Teresa Torro Flores (Spain) v Qualifier

Ayumi Morita (Japan) v Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan)

Arantxa Rus (Netherlands) v 5-Sara Errani (Italy)

16-Li Na (China) v Annabel Medina-Garrigues (Spain)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (U.S.) v Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spain)

Tatjana Maria (Germany) v Qualifier

Coco Vandeweghe (U.S.) v 27-Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan)

23-Klara Zakopalova (Czech Republic) v Kaia Kanepi (Estonia)

Stefanie Voegele (Switzerland) v Heather Watson (Britain)

Ashleigh Barty (Australia) v Lucie Hradecka (Czech Republic)

Nina Bratchikova (Portugal) v 12-Maria Kirilenko (Russia)

13-Marion Bartoli (France) v Olga Govortsova (Belarus)

Kristyna Pliskova (Czech Republic) v Qualifier

Melinda Czink (Hungary) v Francesca Schiavone (Italy)

Flavia Pennetta (Italy) v 21-Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium)

31-Alize Cornet (France) v Maria Joao Koehler (Portugal)

Irina-Camelia Begu (Romania) v Silvia Soler-Espinosa (Spain)

Qualifier v Annika Beck (Germany)

Elena Vesnina (Russia) v 3-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)

7-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) v Aravane Rezai (France)

Peng Shuai (China) v Camila Giorgi (Italy)

Qualifier v Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium)

Jamie Hampton (U.S) v 25-Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic)

18-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) v Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia)

Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v Garbine Muguruza (Spain)

Kristina Mladenovic (France) v Lauren Davis (U.S.)

Kimiko Date-Krumm (Japan) v 9-Samantha Stosur (Australia)

16-Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) v Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine)

Marina Erakovic (New Zealand) v Elena Baltacha (Britain)

Qualifier v Alexandra Cadantu (Romania)

Karin Knapp (Italy) v 17-Sloane Stephens (U.S.)

28-Tamira Paszek (Austria) v Melanie Oudin (U.S.)

Zheng Jie (China) v Vesna Dolonc (Serbia)

Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) v Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria)

Hsieh Su-Wei (Taiwan) v 2-Maria Sharapova (Russia)

The tournament begins on Sunday.

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Djokovic Upset, Serena, Nadal and Federer into Rome Semifinals as Sharapova Withdraws

 

Novak Djokovic

(May 17, 2013) No. 1 Novak Djokovic blew a 6-2, 5-2 lead, only to fall to Tomas Berdych 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open.

“It’s a very strange situation,” Djokovic said. “I played very well and was two points from winning. Then the entire match changed and I was a different player.”

“I know I can play well on clay and so I shouldn’t allow myself to have these drops and let’s hope it won’t happen for Roland Garros,” Djokovic said to media in regard to the upcoming French Open. “I’m fine. I just lost my rhythm.”

As for the women’s No. 1, she did not disappoint. Serena Williams extended her current win streak to 22 with a 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of Carla Suarez Navarro.

“I’ve been pretty consistent, and pretty healthy – knock on wood,” Williams said to press. “I feel great – never felt better.”

Martina Navratilova holds the record for the longest women’s win streak in the Open Era at 74 matches back in 1984.

“I guess this is the best period in my career, but I don’t really think about it,” Williams said of the winning streak on the WTA website. “For me it’s just about winning matches and winning tournaments and being consistent.”

No. 2 Maria Sharapova withdrew from the tournament prior to her quarterfinal match against Sara Errani due to an illness.

“I was already a bit off in Madrid and played though it and it came back last night and I got sick again and it’s not smart to compete again,” said Sharapova. “Obviously with the French Open coming up it is important to make smart decisions.”

Rafael Nadal was extended to three sets in his victory over countryman David Ferrer 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to move into a semifinal match against Tomas Berdych.

Roger Federer capped off the day’s play with a 6-4, 7-6(2) win over Jerzy Janowicz to move into a semifinal match-up against Benoit Paire who dismantled Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-0.

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA
Rome, Italy
May 13-19, 2013
Red Clay/Outdoors

Results - Friday, May 17, 2013
WTA Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 62 60
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) w/o (viral illness)
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 16 63
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 46 60 75 (saved 2mp)

WTA Doubles – Quarterfinals
(2) Petrova/Srebotnik (RUS/SLO) d. (WC) Jankovic/Lucic-Baroni (SRB/CRO) 62 61
Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. Cibulkova/Niculescu (SVK/ROU) 64 64

ATP Singles – Quarter-finals
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d [1] N Djokovic (SRB) 26 75 64
[2] R Federer (SUI) d J Janowicz (POL) 64 76(2)
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d [4] D Ferrer (ESP) 64 46 62
B Paire (FRA) d M Granollers (ESP) 61 60

ATP Doubles – Quarter-finals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 64 75
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) d [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 16 64 10-6
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) d [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) 76(5) 64

Order Of Play – Saturday, May 18, 2013

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [Q] S Halep (ROU) – WTA

Not Before 2:00 PM
[3] V Azarenka (BLR) vs [7] S Errani (ITA) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[6] T Berdych (CZE) vs [5] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 8:00 PM
B Paire (FRA) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 1:30 pm
S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) vs [2] N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) – ATP
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA – After suitable rest

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Internazionali BNL d’Italia – Rome – Thursday Results, Friday Schedule

Roma

INTERNAZIONALI BNL D’ITALIA
Rome, Italy
May 13-19, 2013
Red Clay/Outdoors

Results - Thursday, May 16, 2013
WTA Singles – Third Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 60 61
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (16) Sloane Stephens (USA) 62 61
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 61 20 ret. (left thigh injury)
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (5) Li Na (CHN) 76(2) 75
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. (12) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 63 20 ret. (left knee injury)
(9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) 75 26 61
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. (13) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 64 62
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (LL) Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 62 63

WTA Doubles – Quarterfinals
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. (6) Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) 64 63
Kudryavtseva/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) d. Hlavackova/Martic (CZE/CRO) 63 61

WTA Doubles – Second Round
(2) Petrova/Srebotnik (RUS/SLO) d. Marosi/Tatishvili (HUN/GEO) 62 75
Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. (4) Huber/Martínez Sánchez (USA/ESP) 76(6) 61
(WC) Jankovic/Lucic-Baroni (SRB/CRO) d. (7) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) 16 63 1210 (Match TB)
Cibulkova/Niculescu (SVK/ROU) d. Raymond/Robson (USA/GBR) 64 64

ATP Singles – Third Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d A Dolgopolov (UKR) 61 64
[2] R Federer (SUI) d G Simon (FRA) 61 62
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) w/o (vertigo)
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] E Gulbis (LAT) 16 75 64
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d K Anderson (RSA) 75 62
B Paire (FRA) d [7] J del Potro (ARG) 64 76(3)
J Janowicz (POL) d [9] R Gasquet (FRA) 36 76(2) 64
M Granollers (ESP) d J Chardy (FRA) 64 16 75

ATP Doubles – Second Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) / P Starace (ITA) 61 64
T Berdych (CZE) / R Stepanek (CZE) d [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) 75 64
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) d [Alt] L Rosol (CZE) / V Troicki (SRB) 75 61
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) d D Inglot (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) 62 63
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) 63 76(4)

Order Of Play – Friday, May 17, 2013

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
[1] S Williams (USA) vs C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
Not Before 4:00 PM
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [5] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[7] S Errani (ITA) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 9:00 PM
J Janowicz (POL) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 12:00 noon
B Paire (FRA) vs M Granollers (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 2:00 PM
[Q] S Halep (ROU) vs J Jankovic (SRB) – WTA
Not Before 4:00 PM
[9] S Stosur (AUS) vs [3] V Azarenka (BLR) – WTA
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) vs T Berdych (CZE) / R Stepanek (CZE) – ATP – After suitable rest

PIETRANGELI start 12:00 noon
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) vs [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 3:00 PM
D Cibulkova (SVK) / M Niculescu (ROU) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA
[WC] J Jankovic (SRB) / M Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs [2] N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA – After suitable rest

COURT 2 not before 3:00 PM
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) vs [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) – ATP – After suitable rest

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Madrid Open – Wednesday Results, Thursday Schedule

 

 

madrid logo

MUTUA MADRID OPEN
Madrid, Spain
May 4-12, 2013
Red Clay/Outdoors

Results – Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Women’s Singles – Third Round
(6) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 36 64 75
(16) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Laura Robson (GBR) 57 62 76(5)
(WC) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) w/o (right arm injury)

Women’s Singles – Second Round
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. (3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 16 62 63
(WC) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. (8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) 26 62 63
(13) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 67(5) 61 64
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. Julia Goerges (GER) w/o (GI illness)
Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 63 61

Women’s Doubles – Second Round
Kuznetsova/Pennetta (RUS/ITA) d. (1) Hlavackova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) 62 64
Husarova/Lisicki (SVK/GER) d. (2) Petrova/Srebotnik (RUS/SLO) 75 57 106 (Match TB)
(3) Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) d. Chan/Govortsova (TPE/BLR) 63 63
Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) d. (5) Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) 75 61
(WC) Soler-Espinosa/Suárez Navarro (ESP/ESP) d. Dekmeijere/Kalashnikova (LAT/GEO) 76(2) 64

Men’s Singles – Second Round
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) d D Istomin (UZB) 75 62
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d B Paire (FRA) 63 64
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d J Janowicz (POL) 67(3) 63 62
[7] J Tsonga (FRA) d [Q] R Haase (NED) 76(5) 76(2)
M Youzhny (RUS) d [11] N Almagro (ESP) 76(4) 46 62
[13] T Haas (GER) d [WC] T Robredo (ESP) 63 75
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) d V Troicki (SRB) 75 62
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [Q] S Giraldo (COL) 63 63
K Anderson (RSA) d J Monaco (ARG) 76(5) 36 64

Men’s Doubles – Second Round
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) d M Cilic (CRO) / L Dlouhy (CZE) 76(3) 76(3)
J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) d [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) 62 76(4)
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) d J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) 36 64 11-9

Men’s Doubles – First Round
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) d J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 62 64
T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) d G Dimitrov (BUL) / M Raonic (CAN) 64 64
[Alt] J Monaco (ARG) / H Zeballos (ARG) d M Llodra (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) 62 26 11-9
Order Of Play – Thursday, May 9, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
S Lisicki (GER) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [13] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 3:15 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP
Not Before 8:00 PM
V Lepchenko (USA) vs [7] S Errani (ITA) – WTA
Not Before 9:30 PM
[3] A Murray (GBR) vs [16] G Simon (FRA) – ATP

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 2:00 pm
K Anderson (RSA) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
F Verdasco (ESP) vs [7] J Tsonga (FRA) – ATP
[13] T Haas (GER) vs [4] D Ferrer (ESP) – ATP
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 12:00 noon
Y Shvedova (KAZ) vs [WC] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) vs [WC] P Andujar (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 4:00 PM
[WC] D Hantuchova (SVK) vs K Kanepi (EST) – WTA
E Makarova (RUS) vs [14] M Bartoli (FRA) – WTA
K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) vs [3] E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) – WTA – TBA After Rest

PISTA 4 start 12:00 noon
[4] R Kops-Jones (USA) / A Spears (USA) vs [WC] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) / C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs C Black (ZIM) / M Erakovic (NZL) – WTA
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) vs J Husarova (SVK) / S Lisicki (GER) – WTA – After Suitable Rest
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) – ATP- After Suitable Rest
T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs [8] J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

PISTA 5 start 12:00 noon
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) vs M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) – ATP
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) – ATP
[Alt] J Monaco (ARG) / H Zeballos (ARG) vs [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP

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Djokovic Falls to Dimitrov in Second Round of Madrid

Grigor Dimitrov

Grigor Dimitrov

By Tumaini Carayol

(May 7, 2013) MADRID – Under the burning lights and brash crowd of the Manolo Santana court, Grigor Dimitrov finally justified his “showtime” moniker, stealing the show by capturing the greatest victory of his career in a mammoth 7-6(6), 6-7(8), 6-3 victory over the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open on Tuesday evening.

From the beginning, the Bulgarian made his presence known as he complemented strong, assured serving with a steady flow of typically silky forehand winners. The first set would showcase a struggle for the upper-hand as the contest remained on serve though the underdog held the upper hand.

A set point presented itself for Djokovic at 4-5, but the opportunity quickly escaped. Once again, Djokovic found himself up 6-4 in the tiebreak, before some majestic play flipped the script and left the world No. 1 reeling as a young pretender stole the set.

The second act was defined by two incidents. At 7-6, *4-2, 30-40, Djokovic slipped and hurt his injured right ankle.  A medical timeout followed as the crowd booed mercilessly. As he returned and ran freely, the boos and whistles rose as the crowd began to chant Dimitrov’s name.

The second incident occurred at 5-5 deuce Dimitrov predictably began to cramp. The Bulgarian hobbled into the tiebreak, and as his mobility returned, he pressed furiously for a straight sets victory, but failed.

In stark contrast to the prior two sets, the third set fell flat as Dimitrov broke in the opening game before marching on to victory.

Though undeniably angry, Djokovic was quick to praise his opponent afterwards.

“Well, he was the better player. The better player won the match, no question about it. You know, I could have played better. You know, I had my chances. I was fighting until the end, so that’s a positive thing. I always try to give my best in these moments, and he was the better player. I congratulate him. He played great tennis and he deserved to win.

The world No. 1 was, however, quick to mention the ankle injury he sustained during Davis Cup and left him without proper preparation.

“Well, for 12 days after Monte‑Carlo I haven’t touched the racquet. I didn’t know up to Saturday if I’m going to come here or not because of the ankle.

“But in the end, you know, I made the decision to come because I like to play in this tournament. You know, maybe could have been different; maybe not. Now it’s too late to think about what I decided.

Meanwhile, Dimitrov was ecstatic in victory.

“Of course it’s always great to win a match like that. Of course he’s the No. 1. Of course it’s a great feeling.”

“But it’s just the beginning of the tournament. It was just second round if you think about it, so just got to get ready for the next matches and make sure that you can do that again.”

Tumaini Carayol is in Madrid covering the Madrid Open for Tennis Panorama News. He is a contributing writer at On The Baseline, and writes about professional tennis at his site Foot Fault. Follow his tournament updates on @TennisNewsTPN and his personal twitter @TumCarayol.

 

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Djokovic, Federer and Nadal Meet the Press in Madrid

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal

By Tumaini Carayol

(May 5, 2013) MADRID – As the Madrid Open sprang rapidly into action, the press room experienced a rush as the three greatest male players of the generation descended one-by-one into the spotlight as the revolving door of matches punctuated the first Sunday’s play.

 

Arriving first was the home and tournament favorite, Rafael Nadal. A year ago, the Spanish champion met his clay-court nadir as the slippery blue experiment left the No. 1 in a red fury. Against countryman Fernando Verdasco in the last 16, the champion’s game deserted him as, from 5-2 up in the third set, the Spaniard inexplicably found himself unable to guide even the tamest of strokes between the white lines. A landslide of 5 lost games in succession followed, as one of the most shocking capitulations in recent times was completed and Nadal was booted out of his home tournament..

 

A year, a French Open title, a long layoff, a triumphant return, and – vitally – a surface change later, such demons appeared long gone as the champion fielded questions exclusively in Spanish. During his first practice on the new surface, the French Open champion could be seen positively discussing the change of surface with fellow player Kevin Anderson, and it was reflected in his comments today.

 

“The courts this year fortunately are really good. I think they are great. The only thing I can say is thank you to the tournament, you know, for the money that they have invested to have the highest quality courts in here.

 

“I think that obviously the court last year was not up to the level that we needed. It was not prepared to be a competitive court.

 

“But the courts are impressive this year. Obviously the courts of the year before were better than the courts of last year, but they were not really great.

Federer 3

Roger Federer

Roger Federer followed. After a stuttering start to 2013, his lengthy and much-discussed short hiatus from tennis was a notable discussion point and has been subject to much apprehension However, the 17-time Grand Slam champion was quick to play down any ill-effects his break may have caused, instead stressing the positive effects of his break.

 

“Just been home and practicing hard as I was hoping to. I feel good now, you know. Took me a little time to get over my back issue from Indian Wells. But at the same time, that collided with my vacation anyway, which was okay.

 

“So I didn’t lose much time there. Now I feel good. Obviously extremely excited being back on tour. Sort of entering all the tournaments from here through to the US Open really, so it’s going to be a long stretch. You want to be ready for it. I’m very excited, which is a good thing

 

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

Next came Novak Djokovic, who himself felt a victim to last year’s blue debacle. During his ten-minute conference, the Serb tackled a multitude of subjects, but it was his impromptu grand speech after being asked about Wimbledon’s dramatic increase in prize money that stole the day of interviews.

 

“Let me remind you there is not only ten players in the world,” he announced, scanning the room confidently. “There are thousands and thousands of players that are trying to participate in Grand Slams.

 

“Also let me remind you for a player who’s ranked over 100 in a world who plays qualifications and has to travel to Australia, he’s not able to cover his expenses of the travel, hotel, play the tournament, stay there for a few weeks, and to have a coach.

 

“So he has to choose between something. I think the people are taking that for granted a little bit. I am aware of the fact that the top players are earning big money; there is no question about that. This is not about top players. It’s about all the players, especially the ones who are lower ranked and struggling to have a decent life and also play all the biggest tournaments in the world.

“Grand Slams are the biggest, most prestigious, respectful events we have in tennis with the longest tradition. We definitely are thankful and we salute the decision of the increase of prize money from all four Grand Slams.”

 

“It’s a positive step, because players are also the ones who are bringing a lot of benefits to the Grand Slam. This kind of correlation and collaboration should be mutual, both ways.

 

“So we’re moving in the right direction. I believe that now many players are happy with the decisions that were made this year.”

 

And with that, the World No. 1 left the room. The time for talking was finally over – it was time to play.

 

Tumaini Carayol is in Madrid covering the Madrid tournament for Tennis Panorama News. He is a contributing writer at On The Baseline, and writes about professional tennis at his site Foot Fault.

 

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Djokovic Ends Nadal Streak and Wins Monte-Carlo Masters

Novak Djokovic

(April 21, 2013) Novak Djokovic won his first title at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Sunday by besting 8-time defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6 (1). The win also snapped Nadal’s 46-match win streak at the Monaco tournament and earned Djokovic his 14 Masters Series title. He’s now won 8 out of the 9 Masters events – he needs to win Cincinnati to have them all.

Djokovic kissed the clay court after the win and during the trophy presentation thanked Nadal.

“Rafa, thank you for allowing me to win it once,” Djokovic said. “I couldn’t ask for a better start to the clay season.”

Djokovic was not sure if he was going to compete in Monte Carlo due to an ankle injury sustained during his tie-clinching match for Serbia over the United States in Davis Cup.

“I cannot be happier than I am in this moment knowing what I’ve been through the whole week, actually two weeks,” said Djokovic. “If somebody told me 10 days ago I’d be winning the trophy, I wouldn’t think it’s so realistic, to be honest.”

“I think he played a little bit better than me, especially in the first set,” Nadal said. “I felt that I was playing really well the second set and I was having more chances than him.”

Djokovic roared out to a 5-0 first set lead with points to take the set 6-0. Nadal held and broke Djokovic to get to 2-5. Djokovic broke back to take the first set 6-2.

Nadal upped his game in the second set and took a 4-2 lead and was drawn even at 4-4. Nadal broke Djokovic in the 11th game of the match and broke Nadal at love to send the second set into a tiebreak.

“When I was 6-5 down, I think out of next 10, 15 points, I lost only one. So that’s an unbelievable effort at that stage,” Djokovic said. “Analyzing the game and the matches that I had against him in the past on different surfaces, I know if I can play on that level for long period of time, I have a very good chance of winning.”

“Of course, I want to win Roland Garros. That’s no secret,” said Djokovic. “But I need to keep on having the right positive mindset for the next tournaments that are also very important. I’m just trying to stay healthy.

“I’m right in the place where I want to be in this moment confidence wise and game wise. I just need to do what I have always done: stay committed, rest well, prepare well, and then I have the next two weeks for those things [to get] ready for next challenge.”

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Djokovic to Meet Nadal in Monte-Carlo Final

 

Djokovic 6 228

(April 20, 2013) Novak Djokovic will meet Rafael Nadal for the first time since last year’s French Open final when they play for the Monte-Carlo Masters title on Sunday. Both men advanced to the final in straight sets.

Nadal ousted Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the semifinals on Saturday to earn a spot in the final and extend his win streak there to 46, while Djokovic ran through Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-1. This will; be the 16th time they’ll face each other with a title on the line. Nadal leads Djokovic 8-7 head-to-head in finals, 19-14 overall.

Nadal is looking for his ninth straight Monte-Carlo title.

“At the start of the week, the way I felt in the first match, if somebody told me I’d be playing finals, I’d be very happy to hear that,”  said Djokovic  who has been dealing with an ankle injury this week. “I’m handling it much better than I was at the start of the week. It has been improving and the pain has been decreasing. It’s much, much less than before.”

“I know what I need to do,” Djokovic said of trying to beat Nadal. “Of course, it’s easier said than done.”

RESULTS – SATURDAY, 20 APRIL, 2013

Singles – Semi-finals
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d F Fognini (ITA) 62 61
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d [6] J Tsonga (FRA) 63 76(3)

Doubles – Semi-finals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS) 63 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 64 63
SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 21 APRIL, 2013

COURT CENTRAL start 2:00 pm
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [3] R Nadal (ESP)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB)

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Djokovic Limps, Serbia Advances: World No. 1 overcomes ankle injury to eliminate U.S. in World Group Quarterfinals

Djokovic 6 32

DAVIS CUP: DJOKOVIC LIMPS, SERBIA ADVANCES

World No. 1 overcomes ankle injury to eliminate U.S. in World Group Quarterfinals

 

By Junior Williams

 

(April 7, 2013) BOISE, Idaho -  The toughness of Novak Djokovic was on full display Sunday at the Davis Cup World Group Quarterfinals.

The world’s top ranked singles player battled through an ankle injury suffered early in the match and defeated American Sam Querrey 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-0 to give Serbia a 3-1 victory against the United States, earning a berth in the semifinals.

 

Midway though the third game of the first set with the score tied at 1-1, Djokovic crumpled to the ground in pain and had to be carried off the court by members of the Serbian team, stunning thousands on hand at Taco Bell Arena who were wondering if the six-time grand slam winner would continue playing the match.

 

After receiving treatment for several minutes, Djokovic — who led Serbia to its first and only Davis Cup championship in 2010 — returned to the court amid cheers from the crowd, and went on to actually break Querrey to put Serbia up 2-1.

 

Djokovic said his physiotherapist “did everything in his power after (the injury) happened to make sure I can continue playing. Because in his interest, my interest, and everybody, of course I want to continue on playing. I don’t want to retire the match.

 

“We did tests that indicated I could continue on, that it wasn’t an extreme ligament strain. That allowed me to continue on. I took some medications.”

Djokovic also made it clear he didn’t want to let Serbia down: “Obviously it’s very strong emotion when you play for your country. I guess that’s the biggest reason why I kept playing.”

 

The watch was on to see how well Djokovic would serve following the injury. He went on to hold that game, but it was clear that the ankle was bothering him as he hobbled during and after rallies. The U.S. broke back at 3-3 on a Djokovic double fault.

 

In the eleventh game of the set, Querrey’s forehand into the net cord gave Serbia a break and a 6-5 lead. Djokovic had to save three break points to close out the set.

 

Querrey bounced back in the second set despite a pectoral injury which prevented him from executing his trademark booming serves. The top-ranked American had no aces in the entire after striking six in the first. Querrey saved two break points to go up 6-5, and went on to win the second set tiebreak 7-4. The U.S. secured a mini-break at 6-4 when Djokovic took a Querrey return in mid-air and hit it wide of the sideline. A Djokovic shot into the net on the next point gave the U.S. the game and knotted the match at a set apiece.

 

But in the third set, a Querrey double fault gave Serbia a break and a 2-0 lead. After that, it was all Djokovic. His mobility improved as did his groundstrokes and his service game. The Serb hit twelve winners in the set to Querrey’s five, and had a 70-percent first serve percentage.

As for Querrey, the 20th-ranked player in the world couldn’t overcome his pectoral injury. The result: A 48-percent first serve percentage in the set, and three double faults. For the entire match, he ended up with more double faults (eight) than aces (seven).

 

“It hurt on my serve,” said Querrey. “I wasn’t able to get my usual pop, and that’s tough when you’re playing against the best returner in the world. I was trying, but, yeah, it was just kind of sore there second, third and fourth sets. ”

 

The first game of the fourth set saw Querrey broken at love, and Djokovic swept the remainder of the games.

 

“You take away Sam’s serve,  that is a different change” said U.S. Davis Cup Captain Jim Courier. “That would be like stripping Novak of his movement. That’s one of Sam’s two big key weapons. His serve went from 130 to barely over 100 at times just because he couldn’t get it there because of his pec.”

 

After the final point of the 2 hour 35 minute match, the world number one raised his arms in victory and was lifted off the ground and hugged by his Serbian teammates, whom he saluted in the post-match news conference.

 

“It wasn’t about my win Friday or today,” said Djokovic. “It was just about the team win, the team effort. That’s something that is very special and beautiful about this competition. You can represent your country and you get to be part of a team. You get to feel the team spirit that carries you on to victory.”

 

Next up for Serbia: A home tie against Canada, fresh from a quarterfinal victory over Italy. As for what’s next for Djokovic, he said he first has to assess the seriousness of his ankle injury. “I was planning to play Monte-Carlo,” said the world number one. “I live there and train there, so it feels like a home tournament to me. I love playing there, so I’m going to do everything in my power to recover for that tournament.”

 

“How realistic it is, to be honest, I don’t know. I don’t know what to tell you right now. It’s still too early.”

 

The home loss is a bitter pill to swallow for the U.S., whose Davis Cup season has come to an end. The Americans — whose last home defeat was in 2011 to Spain in Austin, Texas — now must wait until a September draw after the semifinals and World Group Play-offs — to find out who their first opponent will be for the 2014 campaign.

 

But Captain Courier had some kind words for Boise, saying the city “did an outstanding job welcoming both teams … It was a tremendous atmosphere. It’s one of the pluses about the way Davis Cup is played today is the atmosphere.

 

“I think Boise has a lot to be proud of.”

 

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