2013/05/19

Madrid Open – Friday Results, Saturday Schedule

madrid logo

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

Results – Friday, May 10, 2013
Women’s Singles – Quarterfinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (WC) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 06 75
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Kaia Kanepi (EST) 62 64
(16) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (6) Angelique Kerber (GER) 63 61
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 64 63

Women’s Doubles – Semifinals
Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) d. Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) 67(5) 60 107 (Match TB)
Black/Erakovic (ZIM/NZL) d. (WC) Soler-Espinosa/Suárez Navarro (ESP/ESP) 61 63

Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d [3] A Murray (GBR) 76(3) 64
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d [4] D Ferrer (ESP) 46 76(3) 60
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [7] J Tsonga (FRA) 62 67(9) 64
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) d [14] K Nishikori (JPN) 63 75

Men’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) 76(2) 63
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) d [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) 64 62
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) 62 76(3)
J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) d [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) 62 64


Order Of Play – Saturday, May 11, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [7] S Errani (ITA) – WTA

Not Before 1:00 PM
[16] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 3:30 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs [WC] P Andujar (ESP) – ATP

Starting at 7:00 PM
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
C Black (ZIM) / M Erakovic (NZL) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) – WTA Doubles Final

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 2:00 pm
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) – ATP
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

 

Share

Nishikori Upsets Federer; Nadal, Murray Move on in Madrid

nishikori

(May 9, 2013) The new red clay of Madrid claimed another seeded casualty on Thursday when No. 2 Roger Federer was upset by Kei Nishikori  6-4, 1-6, 6-2 in the third round of the Madrid Open. Top seed Novak Djokovic was ousted on Tuesday.

No. 3 seed Andy Murray escaped Gilles Simon 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6),  while No. 5 seed Rafael Nadal had an easy time with Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-3.

A poor serving game by Federer gave Nishikori the first set.  In the second set Federer grabbed the momentum but lost it in third.

As for Nishikori, it was a fourth win over a top 5 player for the man from Japan. “He was my idol and to beat him was one of the goals for my tennis career,” said the world No. 16. “Beating Roger is, yeah … I need a couple of days to celebrate.”

“He was the better player today for sure, Federer said. “I was lacking control from the baseline, and that pretty much carried through from start to finish, Overall I’m disappointed with my play,” Federer said of the match.

“I’m not sure how well Kei thought he played. I didn’t think he had to play his very best either, which is even more disappointing”

“Clearly the favorite for this tournament is Nadal,” Federer said.

Nishikori will next play Pablo Andujar for a place in the semifinals.

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

Results – Thursday, May 9, 2013
Women’sSingles – Third Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (13) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 63 61
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) 62 75
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 75 63
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. (14) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 62
Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (WC) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 63 64

Women’s Doubles – Quarterfinals
Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) d. (3) Makarova/Vesnina (RUS/RUS) 64 62
(WC) Soler-Espinosa/Suárez Navarro (ESP/ESP) d. (4) Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) 46 62 104 (Match TB)
Black/Erakovic (ZIM/NZL) d. Kuznetsova/Pennetta (RUS/ITA) 46 61 105 (Match TB)
Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) d. Husarova/Lisicki (SVK/GER) 62 36 107 (Match TB)

Men’s Singles – Third Round
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) d [2] R Federer (SUI) 64 16 62
[3] A Murray (GBR) d [16] G Simon (FRA) 26 64 76(6)
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) d [13] T Haas (GER) 75 46 64
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d M Youzhny (RUS) 62 63
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d K Anderson (RSA) 76(5) 75
[7] J Tsonga (FRA) d F Verdasco (ESP) 46 63 62
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) d G Dimitrov (BUL) 36 64 61
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) d D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) 55 ret. (right leg)

Men’s Doubles – Second Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) 76(6) 75
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 76(4) 63
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) d [Alt] J Monaco (ARG) / H Zeballos (ARG) 63 36 10-5
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) d M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 64 60
T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) d [8] J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) 75 61

Order Of Play – Friday, May 10, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [WC] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) – WTA
K Kanepi (EST) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 3:15 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs [4] D Ferrer (ESP) – ATP
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) vs [14] K Nishikori (JPN) – ATP
Not Before 8:00 PM
[3] A Murray (GBR) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) vs [7] J Tsonga (FRA) – ATP

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
C Black (ZIM) / M Erakovic (NZL) vs [WC] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) / C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 3:00 PM
E Makarova (RUS) vs [7] S Errani (ITA) – WTA
[6] A Kerber (GER) vs [16] A Ivanovic (SRB) – WTA
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 2:00 pm
J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) vs [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP
[7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) vs [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) – ATP
Not Before 4:00 PM
K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) – WTA
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) – ATP

Share

Madrid Open – Tuesday Results, Wednesday Schedule

madrid logo

 

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

Results – Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Women’s Singles – Second Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (WC) Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) 62 75
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Christina Mchale (USA) 61 62
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. (11) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 76(2) 46 64
(14) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (Q) María-Teresa Torró-Flor (ESP) 64 26 64
Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (15) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 76(4) 76(3)
(16) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 62 62
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 62 46 64
(WC) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (LL) Madison Keys (USA) 76(3) 63

Women’s Doubles – Second Round
(4) Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) d. Lepchenko/Rodionova (USA/AUS) 76(2) 76(6)
Black/Erakovic (ZIM/NZL) d. (WC) Jankovic/Lucic-Baroni (SRB/CRO) 63 60
Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) d. Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) 26 64 108 (Match TB)

Women’s Doubles – First Round
(WC) Soler-Espinosa/Suárez Navarro (ESP/ESP) d. (8) Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) 76(6) 46 108 (Match TB)
Pavlyuchenkova/Safarova (RUS/CZE) d. (WC) Muguruza/Torró-Flor (ESP/ESP) 64 62

 

Men’s Singles – Second Round
G Dimitrov (BUL) d [1] N Djokovic (SRB) 76(6) 67(8) 63
[2] R Federer (SUI) d R Stepanek (CZE) 63 63
[3] A Murray (GBR) d F Mayer (GER) 76(11) 76(3)
D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) d [8] R Gasquet (FRA) 75 36 64
F Verdasco (ESP) d [12] M Raonic (CAN) 64 26 76(7)
[16] G Simon (FRA) d J Chardy (FRA) 64 76(5)
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) d J Isner (USA) 64 64

Men’s Singles – First Round
J Monaco (ARG) d [9] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 76(5) 63
[13] T Haas (GER) d A Seppi (ITA) 61 62
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [WC] M Copil (ROU) 64 64
[Q] S Giraldo (COL) d M Klizan (SVK) 62 64
B Paire (FRA) d [Q] J Souza (BRA) 61 76(0)
M Youzhny (RUS) d F Fognini (ITA) 76(4) 26 76(5) – Saved 3 M.P.
[WC] T Robredo (ESP) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 64 62
V Troicki (SRB) d M Granollers (ESP) 75 46 62

Men’s Doubles – First Round
M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d [WC] N Almagro (ESP) / O Marach (AUT) 41 ret. (Almagro – left hip)
M Cilic (CRO) / L Dlouhy (CZE) d [WC] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) / D Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) 61 46 10-4

Order Of Play – Wednesday, May 8, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
K Kanepi (EST) vs C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
[3] V Azarenka (BLR) vs E Makarova (RUS) – WTA

Not Before 3:15 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs B Paire (FRA) – ATP
[Q] R Haase (NED) vs [7] J Tsonga (FRA) – ATP

Not Before 8:00 PM
D Istomin (UZB) vs [4] D Ferrer (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 9:30 PM
[16] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs L Robson (GBR) – WTA

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
J Janowicz (POL) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
[13] T Haas (GER) vs [WC] T Robredo (ESP) – ATP
J Monaco (ARG) vs K Anderson (RSA) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
M Youzhny (RUS) vs [11] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
[Q] S Giraldo (COL) vs [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
V Lepchenko (USA) vs J Goerges (GER) – WTA
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) vs V Troicki (SRB) – ATP

Not Before 3:00 PM
[6] A Kerber (GER) vs S Kuznetsova (RUS) – WTA
K Mladenovic (FRA) vs [13] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
[8] P Kvitova (CZE) vs [WC] D Hantuchova (SVK) – WTA

PISTA 4 start 12:00 noon
[5] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) – WTA
L Dekmeijere (LAT) / O Kalashnikova (GEO) vs [WC] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) / C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA – After SuitableRest
H Chan (TPE) / O Govortsova (BLR) vs [3] E Makarova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) – WTA – After Suitable Rest
J Husarova (SVK) / S Lisicki (GER) vs [2] N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA

PISTA 5 start 12:00 noon
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) vs J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) – ATP
[4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) vs J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) – ATP
G Dimitrov (BUL) / M Raonic (CAN) vs T Haas (GER) / R Stepanek (CZE) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

Not Before 3:00 PM
[1] A Hlavackova (CZE) / L Hradecka (CZE) vs S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) – WTA – After Suitable Rest

PISTA 6 start 12:00 noon
M Llodra (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) – ATP
M Cilic (CRO) / L Dlouhy (CZE) vs [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) – ATP
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) – ATP

Share

Madrid Open – Monday Results, Tuesday Schedule

MutuaMadridOpenLogo

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

Results – Monday, May 6, 2013
Women’s Singles – Second Round
Laura Robson (GBR) d. (4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 63 61
(6) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 64 62
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 75 26 64

Women’s Singles – First Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 75 62
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 76(8) 76(3)
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(7) 62
Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) d. (WC) Sílvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) 61 61
(Q) Christina McHale (USA) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 75 57 61

Women’s Doubles – First Round
(5) Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. Hantuchova/Medina Garrigues (SVK/ESP) 76(3) 46 104 (Match TB)
Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) d. (7) Zhang/Zheng (CHN/CHN) 64 61
Kuznetsova/Pennetta (RUS/ITA) d. Cibulkova/Huber (SVK/USA) 63 57 106 (Match TB)
Black/Erakovic (ZIM/NZL) d. (WC) Cornet/Schiavone (FRA/ITA) 76(3) 61
Lepchenko/Rodionova (USA/AUS) d. Jurak/Marosi (CRO/HUN) 64 63
Chan/Govortsova (TPE/BLR) d. Arvidsson/Larsson (SWE/SWE) 67(2) 75 108 (Match TB)

Men’s Singles – First Round
[11] N Almagro (ESP) d [Q] T Kamke (GER) 64 00 ret. (right hip pain)
[12] M Raonic (CAN) d N Davydenko (RUS) 75 76(5)
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) d J Melzer (AUT) 63 62
G Dimitrov (BUL) d [WC] J Marti (ESP) 62 64
[Q] R Haase (NED) d A Dolgopolov (UKR) 63 67(6) 62
F Mayer (GER) d [LL] M Matosevic (AUS) 62 67(3) 64
K Anderson (RSA) d [Q] J Levine (CAN) 62 62
J Janowicz (POL) d S Querrey (USA) 63 64
D Istomin (UZB) d [Q] X Malisse (BEL) 63 62
D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) d F Lopez (ESP) 26 64 62
J Isner (USA) d [Q] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 75 76(8)

Men’s Doubles – First Round
J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) d M Melo (BRA) / M Youzhny (RUS) 76(6) 64
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) d D Bracciali (ITA) / F Fognini (ITA) 63 76(5)
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d F Mayer (GER) / A Seppi (ITA) 61 64

Order Of Play – Tuesday, May 7, 2013

 

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
[Q] M Torro-Flor (ESP) vs [14] M Bartoli (FRA) – WTA
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [WC] L Dominguez Lino (ESP) – WTA

Not Before 3:15 PM
R Stepanek (CZE) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP
[3] A Murray (GBR) vs F Mayer (GER) – ATP

Not Before 8:00 PM
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs G Dimitrov (BUL) – ATP

Not Before 9:30 PM
[Q] C Mchale (USA) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
[9] J Tipsarevic (SRB) vs J Monaco (ARG) – ATP
[8] R Gasquet (FRA) vs D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) – ATP
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs [WC] T Robredo (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
[12] M Raonic (CAN) vs F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
J Isner (USA) vs [WC] P Andujar (ESP) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
F Fognini (ITA) vs M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
[13] T Haas (GER) vs A Seppi (ITA) – ATP

Not Before 3:00 PM
[15] D Cibulkova (SVK) vs S Lisicki (GER) – WTA
S Kuznetsova (RUS) vs [11] N Petrova (RUS) – WTA
[16] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [Q] C Scheepers (RSA) – WTA

PISTA 4 start 11:00 am
[Q] S Giraldo (COL) vs M Klizan (SVK) – ATP
[WC] M Copil (ROU) vs [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP
J Chardy (FRA) vs [16] G Simon (FRA) – ATP

PISTA 5 start 11:00 am
[Q] J Souza (BRA) vs B Paire (FRA) – ATP
V Troicki (SRB) vs M Granollers (ESP) – ATP
[WC] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [LL] M Keys (USA) – WTA

PISTA 6 start 11:00 am
Y Shvedova (KAZ) vs K Flipkens (BEL) – WTA
[WC] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) / C Suarez Navarro (ESP) vs [8] S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA
K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) vs N Grandin (RSA) / V Uhlirova (CZE) – WTA
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / L Safarova (CZE) vs [WC] G Muguruza (ESP) / M Torro-Flor (ESP) – WTA

PISTA 7 start 11:00 am
C Black (ZIM) / M Erakovic (NZL) vs [WC] J Jankovic (SRB) / M Lucic-Baroni (CRO) – WTA

Not Before 12:30 PM
[4] R Kops-Jones (USA) / A Spears (USA) vs V Lepchenko (USA) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA
M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs [WC] N Almagro (ESP) / O Marach (AUT) – ATP
[WC] D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) / D Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) vs M Cilic (CRO) / L Dlouhy (CZE) – ATP – After Suitable Rest

Share

Robson Upsets Radwanska in Madrid

LauraRobson for Wilson

By Tumaini Carayol

(May 6, 2013) Though the smell of sun lotion still lingered permanently in the air, by the time Laura Robson and Agnieszka Radwanska shuffled onto the third biggest court in the Caja Magica, the sun that earlier shone down furiously over the stadium had long since departed. Replacing the impossible shadows it created was a level shade as visibility reached 20/20 for the first time all day.

 

Since the Australian Open, Robson had managed only two victories in her previous nine WTA matches. Her game appeared to collapse, playing to the level of lower-ranked opponents she should beat. So when Laura Robson and Agnieszka Radwanska were paired together, though their names appeared an interesting match on paper, the idea that the Brit would actually win on clay seemed impossible.

 

Despite that, as Robson stepped up to the baseline the very first time, something had changed. From the very first point – a well-struck first serve followed by an irreverent forehand down-the-line winner – she appeared cool and confident, a deadly combination. That point would set the tone for the remainder of the match as the following games showcased Robson at her ball-striking best. There is a tendency for people to make rash comparisons with Robson’s fellow big-hitting lefty Petra Kvitova, but whilst the Czech also combines great technique and clean shotmaking, Robson’s aggression is a product of her perfect timing as opposed to the brutal natural power Kvitova wields.

 

Still, the fourth seed initially held resolute on her opening service games, forcing return errors and refusing to relinquish the parity that graced the first six games. However, as Robson slowly began to find her range on her return of serve – particularly her angled crosscourt backhand return – the match brisquely cracked open.

 

At 4-3, Robson charged. During the prior game, Robson had quite literally charged down a deft lob from Radwanska, spectacularly turning the point on its head with defense that was unimaginable a year earlier. She carried this momentum into the following game and, after brushing aside a number of Radwanska game points, she was offered her first break point. Only a routine second serve forehand return stood between the Brit’s forehand flew long. However, presented with an identical forehand on her second set points moments later, Robson showed great maturity to simply put the return back into play. Radwanska’s forehand crashed straight into the net and she had her first game.

 

With the remaining shackles released, Robson refused to look back as she held her serve to love, sealing the set with a laughably composed ad-court serve out wide followed by a simple forehand winner to the opposite corner. Only one game was lost in the second set as she powered to the biggest victory of her career, demolishing the fourth best player in the world on her worst surface.

 

In essence, the Brit moved in perfect unison with the stadium as, in the cool shade of zero pressure, she shone once again.

Share

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.

 

Share

Lucky Loser Keys Stuns Li Na in Madrid

Madison Keys

Madison Keys

(May 5, 2013) MADRID – American teen Madison Keys, who lost in the qualifying of the Madrid Open, benefited from the withdrawal of Tamira Paszek to get back into the tournament as a lucky loser. The “lucky loser” became a winner on Sunday when she upset No. 5 Li Na 6-3, 6-2 in the first round, getting a call 10 minutes before match time that she would play.

“I had practiced really early this morning and then kind of sat around waiting all day,” Keys said to media.

“And then like 10 minutes before the match I got a text message saying ‘yeah you’re going on so go get ready’.”

“Just having no idea and then all of a sudden I was excited and the adrenalin was going and all that,” she said.

“I just kind of started playing and felt really good and I was able to win.

“Not overthinking it all day and sitting around and kind of worrying about it I think really helped.”

For Keys, it was her first win over a top 5 player.

Defending Madrid Open champion Serena Williams came back from a 1-3 deficit in the first set to defeat Kazakh qualifier Yulia Putintseva 7-6(5), 6-1.

“Yulia and I train sometimes at the same facility, the Mouratoglou Academy in France – I see her around a lot and see her working really hard,” Williams said. “Honestly, I obviously have to – and want to – play better as each match goes on here. I felt a little sluggish out there today, but I’m happy I won.”

After last year’s controversy over the blue clay, this year it’s back to red in “I think these clay courts are really good,” Williams said. “I think they’re a little bit faster than the ones I was practicing on in Paris. For me, that’s always a good sign.”

“I’ve been in Europe for a little over a week; maybe a week and a half. Not super long, but not long enough. I was training in Paris for a few days and I just came to Madrid a couple days early.”

 

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

Results – Sunday, May 5, 2013
Women’s Singles – First Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (Q) Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 76(5) 61
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 62 64
(LL) Madison Keys (USA) d. (5) Li Na (CHN) 63 62
(6) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 36 63 62
(8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 46 75 64
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (10) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 62 64
(11) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (Q) Camila Giorgi (ITA) 63 46 64
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (12) Roberta Vinci (ITA) 61 16 62
(13) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 21 ret. (asthma)
(14) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 63 30 ret. (lumbar spine injury)
(15) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 63 62
(16) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. (Q) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 67(10) 63 62
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 62 75
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 30 ret. (left abductor strain)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 62 63
Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 63 67(6) 62
(Q) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 67(1) 63 63
(Q) María-Teresa Torró-Flor (ESP) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 62 75
(WC) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (LL) Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 63 63

Women’s Doubles – First Round

Dekmeijere/Kalashnikova (LAT/GEO) d. Goerges/Shvedova (GER/KAZ) 75 63
Husarova/Lisicki (SVK/GER) d. Raymond/Robson (USA/GBR) 75 61

 

Men’s Singles – First Round
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) d [10] M Cilic (CRO) 67(6) 64 61
[16] G Simon (FRA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 26 75 63
F Verdasco (ESP) d D Goffin (BEL) 76(2) 62
J Chardy (FRA) d H Zeballos (ARG) 64 76(3)
R Stepanek (CZE) d B Tomic (AUS) 63 62

Order Of Play – Monday, May 6, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
C Suarez Navarro (ESP) vs [9] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA
[Q] A Dulgheru (ROU) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 3:15 PM
F Lopez (ESP) vs D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) – ATP
[Q] T Kamke (GER) vs [11] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 8:00 PM
[3] V Azarenka (BLR) vs A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 9:30 PM
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [WC] J Marti (ESP) – ATP

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
K Mladenovic (FRA) vs [WC] S Soler-Espinosa (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 1:00 PM
[14] K Nishikori (JPN) vs J Melzer (AUT) – ATP
[12] M Raonic (CAN) vs N Davydenko (RUS) – ATP
J Isner (USA) vs [Q] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) – ATP
J Janowicz (POL) vs S Querrey (USA) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am

[6] A Kerber (GER) vs A Cornet (FRA) – WTA
Not Before 1:00 PM
K Anderson (RSA) vs [Q] J Levine (CAN) – ATP
S Cirstea (ROU) vs [7] S Errani (ITA) – WTA
L Robson (GBR) vs [4] A Radwanska (POL) – WTA
[Q] R Haase (NED) vs A Dolgopolov (UKR) – ATP

PISTA 4 start 11:00 am

[Q] C Mchale (USA) vs S Peng (CHN) – WTA
[LL] M Matosevic (AUS) vs F Mayer (GER) – ATP
D Bracciali (ITA) / F Fognini (ITA) vs J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) – ATP
F Mayer (GER) / A Seppi (ITA) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

PISTA 5 start 12:00 pm
[Q] X Malisse (BEL) vs D Istomin (UZB) – ATP
Not Before 2:00 PM
M Melo (BRA) / M Youzhny (RUS) vs J Chardy (FRA) / L Kubot (POL) – ATP
D Cibulkova (SVK) / L Huber (USA) vs S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) – WTA

PISTA 6 start 12:00 pm
H Chan (TPE) / O Govortsova (BLR) vs [Alt] S Arvidsson (SWE) / J Larsson (SWE) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
[7] S Zhang (CHN) / J Zheng (CHN) vs K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) – WTA-After Suitable Rest
D Jurak (CRO) / K Marosi (HUN) vs V Lepchenko (USA) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA

PISTA 7 start 2:00 pm
[WC] A Cornet (FRA) / F Schiavone (ITA) vs C Black (ZIM) / M Erakovic (NZL) – WTA-After Suitable Rest
[5] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) vs D Hantuchova (SVK) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP) – WTA

Share

Madrid Open – Saturday Results, Sunday Schedule

MutuaMadridOpenLogo

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

Results – Saturday, May 4, 2013

Women’s Singles – First Round
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 63 61

Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. Mona Barthel (GER) 64 61

Julia Goerges (GER) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 64 61

Alizé Cornet (FRA) d. Kiki Bertens (NED) 75 76(8)

Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 63 61

Laura Robson (GBR) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 67(4) 62 62
(WC) Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) d. (WC) Simona Halep (ROU) 62 46 64

(WC) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Sloane Stephens (USA) 63 75

Women’s Doubles – First Round

(WC) Jankovic/Lucic-Baroni (SRB/CRO) d. (6) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) 76(5) 76(1)
Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) d. Moulton-Levy/Rosolska (USA/POL) 63 76(6)

Women’s Singles Qualifying – Final Round

(2) Christina McHale (USA) d. Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 62 64

(13) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) d. (3) Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 76(4) 64

(6) Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) d. Melanie Oudin (USA) 63 61

(14) Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. (8) Madison Keys (USA) 62 75

María-Teresa Torró-Flor (ESP) d. (9) Johanna Larsson (SWE) 63 61

Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) d. (WC) Arazane Rezai (FRA) 36 63 76(5)

Camila Giorgi (ITA) d. Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) 62 16 63

(WC) Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. (WC) Sara Sorribes-Tormo (ESP) 62 16 62

Order Of Play – Sunday, May 5, 2013

MANOLO SANTANA start 10:50 am
V Williams (USA) vs [WC] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) – WTA
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [Q] Y Putintseva (KAZ) – WTA

Not Before 3:15 PM
D Goffin (BEL) vs F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP

Not Before 5:00 PM
T Paszek (AUT) vs [5] N Li (CHN) – WTA
[WC] P Andujar (ESP) vs [10] M Cilic (CRO) – ATP

ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO start 11:00 am
[10] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs Y Shvedova (KAZ) – WTA
[8] P Kvitova (CZE) vs Y Wickmayer (BEL) – WTA
T Pironkova (BUL) vs [4] A Radwanska (POL) – WTA
J Benneteau (FRA) vs [16] G Simon (FRA) – ATP
B Tomic (AUS) vs R Stepanek (CZE) – ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
[6] A Kerber (GER) vs S Hsieh (TPE) – WTA
Qualifying – X Malisse (BEL) vs [WC] P Riba (ESP) – ATP – Q
[16] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [Q] B Mattek-Sands (USA) – WTA
J Chardy (FRA) vs H Zeballos (ARG) – ATP
[12] R Vinci (ITA) vs V Lepchenko (USA) – WTA

PISTA 4 start 11:00 am
Qualifying – M Matosevic (AUS) vs T Kamke (GER) – ATP – Q
Qualifying – J Souza (BRA) vs P Mathieu (FRA) – ATP – Q
A Morita (JPN) vs S Cirstea (ROU) – WTA
L Raymond (USA) / L Robson (GBR) vs J Husarova (SVK) / S Lisicki (GER) – WTA

PISTA 5 start 11:00 am
Qualifying – G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs R Ramirez Hidalgo (ESP) – ATP – Q
[Q] M Torro-Flor (ESP) vs F Schiavone (ITA) – WTA
Qualifying – M Llodra (FRA) vs R Haase (NED) – ATP – Q
[Q] C Giorgi (ITA) vs [11] N Petrova (RUS) – WTA
K Zakopalova (CZE) vs [13] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA

PISTA 6 start 11:00 am
[15] D Cibulkova (SVK) vs [Q] L Tsurenko (UKR) – WTA

Not Before 12:30 PM
Qualifying – S Stakhovsky (UKR) vs S Giraldo (COL) – ATP – Q
J Jankovic (SRB) vs [Q] C Scheepers (RSA) – WTA
J Zheng (CHN) vs S Kuznetsova (RUS) – WTA

PISTA 7 start 11:00 am
E Vesnina (RUS) vs [14] M Bartoli (FRA) – WTA
F Pennetta (ITA) vs K Kanepi (EST) – WTA
Qualifying – I Sijsling (NED) vs J Levine (CAN) – ATP – Q

Not Before 3:00 PM
L Dekmeijere (LAT) / O Kalashnikova (GEO) vs J Goerges (GER) / Y Shvedova (KAZ) – WTA
L Safarova (CZE) vs E Makarova (RUS) – WTA

Share

Pavlyuchenkova Earns First Clay Court Title at Portugal Open

 

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova photo courtesy of Taste of Tennis

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova photo courtesy of Taste of Tennis

(May 4, 2013) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won her first clay court event of her career by defeating Carla Suarez Navarro for the Portugal Open title. It’s the Russian’s fifth title on the WTA tour and second on tour this year as she won in Monterrey.

 

“I definitely had a slow start,” Pavlyuchenkova said.  “I was a little bit disappointed about that, it was the third match this week I started like that. Also, Carla was playing really well – it wasn’t easy to play my game because she was holding me back on the baseline, putting a lot of spin on the ball and moving me around. But I just tried to start playing point by point, fighting every point. It wasn’t easy, but I just tried to dig deep and fight and that really helped me in the end.”

 

“Today I had chances to win the first set but Nastia was playing so well at those moments, and then she played really, really well in the second set,” Suarez Navarro said. “She just kept getting better as the match went on and deserved to win today. But it was a really good week for me – I’m very happy I was able to make another final here.”

 

Both women will remain at No. 19 and No. 23, respectively when the rankings come out on Monday.

PORTUGAL OPEN
Oeiras, Portugal
April 29-May 5, 2013
Red Clay/Outdoors

Results – Saturday, May 4, 2013
Women’s Singles – Final
(3) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. (4) Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 75 62

Women’s Doubles – Final
(2) Chan/Mladenovic (TPE/FRA) d. (4) Jurak/Marosi (CRO/HUN) 76(3) 62

Men’s Singles – Semifinals
[1] [WC] D Ferrer (ESP) d [3] A Seppi (ITA) 61 64
[2] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [Q] P Carreno-Busta (ESP) 63 36 61

Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
[1] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) d [4] D Bracciali (ITA) / F Fognini (ITA) 64 46 10-6

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 5 MAY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 12:30 pm
[1] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) vs [3] S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA)

Not Before 3:30 PM
[1] [WC] D Ferrer (ESP) vs [2] S Wawrinka (SUI)

Share

All-German Final Set for Munich

 

BMW open

ATP World Tour 250
Munich, Germany (+2 hours GMT)
29 April-5 May, 2013 Surface: Clay


Singles – Semi-finals
[3] T Haas (GER) d I Dodig (CRO) 64 63
[4] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d D Brands (GER) 67(4) 63 76(5)

Doubles – Semifinals
M Baghdatis (CYP) / E Butorac (USA) d J Cabal (COL) / R Farah (COL) 76(3) 16 10-7

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, 5 MAY, 2013

CENTRE COURT start 10:45 am
J Nieminen (FIN) / D Tursunov (RUS) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / E Butorac (USA)

Not Before 1:00 PM
[4] P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs [3] T Haas (GER)

Share