2013/05/19

Nadal – Federer XXX for Rome Title

Federer and Nadal

(May 18, 2013) It will be Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer part 30 on Sunday in the Foro Italico for the Italian Open title. Nadal had little trouble with Novak Djokovic conqueror Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4 while Federer had to struggle to hold off Benoit Paire 7-6 (5), 6-4.

“We are here in 2013 and he is No. (3) in the world and I am No. 5 after not playing months and we are still playing good, and I hope that this is not going to be the last time,” Nadal said.

“It’s nice to have these revival moments for both of us,” Federer said. “I’m sure we’re both looking forward to it. I clearly am.”

Sunday’s final will be Nadal’s eighth straight final since his comeback from a knee injury in February.  Nadal owns a 19-10 record versus Federer, a dominating 12-2 on clay. Their last four meetings they are 2-2.

“Eight finals in a row is wonderful,” said Nadal to media. “Four to five months ago it was impossible to think about this. I hope to play very well. Any result will be fantastic.”

This will be the Swiss’ first final in 2013.

For a closer look at their head-to-head records.

 

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

Results - Saturday, May 18, 2013
WTA Singles – Semifinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (Q) Simona Halep (ROU) 63 60
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d (7) Sara Errani (ITA) 60 75

WTA Doubles – Semifinals
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. Kudryavtseva/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) 62 61
Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. (2) Petrova/Srebotnik (RUS/SLO) 62 61

ATP Singles – Semifinals
[2] R Federer (SUI) d B Paire (FRA) 76(5) 64
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d [6] T Berdych (CZE) 62 64

ATP Doubles – Semifinals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) 64 67(2) 10-3
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) d S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) 63 76(3)

Order of Play – Sunday, May 19, 2013

CENTRALE start 11:00 am
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA

Not Before 1:30 PM
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [3] V Azarenka (BLR) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 3:00 pm
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP

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Serena Williams to Take on Azarenka in Rome Final

SerenaWilliamsWilsonPhoto

(May 18, 2013) Serena Williams extended her unbeaten streak to 23 after demolishing Simona Halep 6-3, 6-0 to move into the finals of the Italian Open. She’ll meet No. 3 Victoria Azarenka who won after 2 rain delays over Sara Errani 6-0, 7-5.

Williams won her only title in Rome back in 2002, she went on to win her only French Open after that. Roland Garros begins next Sunday.

“I love the clay, “Serena told media.” I haven’t had many wins at Roland Garros but I do love it. I love to slide.

“My goal is just to win a match there this year.” Last year Williams lost in the first round for the first time in her career at a major.

Azarenka has made it back into a final, the first one since defeating Williams in Doha in February.

“I know the score looks easy in the first set, but it was not easy to play,” Azarenka told the WTA site. “And in the second set I was happy with the way I played but I didn’t take all my chances. I lost focus and Sara is a great fighter and started to play hard and go for her shots, so I had to change my game a little bit. I think I could have done more in the second set but she’s a great player and I’m happy to win.

“Over the last couple of years clay is the most challenging surface for me, but I’m feeling more and more comfortable on it and this week is proof. I’m finding my game on this surface right now.”

Williams is gunning for her fourth straight title – she won Miami, Charleston and last week in Madrid. Williams holds a 11-2 edge in her battles with Azarenka.

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

Results - Saturday, May 18, 2013
WTA Singles – Semifinals
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (Q) Simona Halep (ROU) 63 60
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d (7) Sara Errani (ITA) 60 75

WTA Doubles – Semifinals
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. Kudryavtseva/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) 62 61
Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. (2) Petrova/Srebotnik (RUS/SLO) 62 61

ATP Singles – Semifinals
[2] R Federer (SUI) d B Paire (FRA) 76(5) 64
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d [6] T Berdych (CZE) 62 64

ATP Doubles – Semifinals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) 64 67(2) 10-3
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) d S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) 63 76(3)

Order of Play – Sunday, May 19, 2013

CENTRALE start 11:00 am
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA

Not Before 1:30 PM
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [3] V Azarenka (BLR) – WTA

Not Before 4:00 PM
[5] R Nadal (ESP) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 3:00 pm
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) – ATP

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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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Back Issue Forces Murray to Retire, Nadal Easily Advances In Rome

Andy-Murray

(May 15, 2013) Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka withdrew from the Italian Open with injures, while Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova had easy wins on Wednesday in Rome.

Andy Murray pulled out of his match with Marcel Granollers after splitting sets with a back injury which could put him in doubt for the French Open which begins on March 26.

“We’ll have to wait for Paris,” Murray said to the ATP website. “I’d be very surprised if I were playing in Paris.”

“I’ll need to take some days off and see how it settles down, but a few days can make a difference.”

Wawrinka withdrew from the tournament with a thigh injury prior to his match with Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Nadal began his Roman campaign with an easy 6-1, 6-3 win over No. 25 Fabio Fognini. He will face Ernests Gulbis next.

“Tomorrow I play against an opponent who is very dangerous,” said Nadal to  the ATP website. “He’s playing well and he’s having a great season. I had a tough match against him in Indian Wells this year…He’s an aggressive player, big serve, big shots from the baseline, and I have to be playing great if I want to have any chance.”

Jerzy Janowicz tore off his shirt in celebration after his upset of No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

“I was really happy especially because I didn’t get off to a good start to the season and I was sick,” said Janowicz who had been dealing with an ear infection. “So this was really important for me.”

“I knew going into the match I needed to be sharp and as quick as possible, and I did a few specific things well out there, and that’s about it” Sharapova said of her 6-2, 6-2 win over Garbiñe Muguruza. Sharapova faced only 1 break point during the entire match

Roma

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

Results - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WTA Singles – Second Round
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (Q) Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) 62 62
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 62 60
(5) Li Na (CHN) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 63 61
(7) Sara Errani (ITA) d. Christina McHale (USA) 75 57 62
(9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 76(5) 60
(12) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 63 61
(13) Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. (WC) Nastassja Burnett (ITA) 61 64
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) 57 61 63
(16) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. Kiki Bertens (NED) 46 63 62
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 62 60
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. Romina Oprandi (SUI) 64 62
Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 63 61
(LL) Lourdes Domínguez Lino (ESP) d. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 64 64

WTA Doubles – Second Round
(1) Errani/Vinci (ITA/ITA) d. Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) 75 64
(6) Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. Schiavone/Stosur (ITA/AUS) 64 63
Hlavackova/Martic (CZE/CRO) d. Castaño/Duque-Mariño (COL/COL) 63 76(4)
Kudryavtseva/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) d. Govortsova/Moulton-Levy (BLR/USA) 26 64 107 (Match TB)

WTA Doubles – First Round
Raymond/Robson (USA/GBR) d. (WC) Kuznetsova/Pennetta (RUS/ITA) 67(2) 64 107 (Match TB)

ATP Singles – Second Round
M Granollers (ESP) d [3] A Murray (GBR) 63 67(5) ret. (lower back)
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) d F Verdasco (ESP) 57 75 63
[5] R Nadal (ESP) d F Fognini (ITA) 61 63
J Janowicz (POL) d [8] J Tsonga (FRA) 64 76(5)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) w/o (right thigh)
J Chardy (FRA) d [16] K Nishikori (JPN) 64 61
P Kohlschreiber (GER) d A Ramos (ESP) 64 61
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) d V Troicki (SRB) 61 61
B Paire (FRA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 67(3) 64 76(4)
G Simon (FRA) d M Youzhny (RUS) 75 63

ATP Doubles – Second Round
[2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) d J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 64 67(4) 10-8
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) d [WC] F Cipolla (ITA) / F Volandri (ITA) 64 63
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) d [8] J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) 76(4) 76(3)

ATP Doubles – First Round
[WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) / P Starace (ITA) d M Baghdatis (CYP) / J del Potro (ARG) 63 26 10-8
T Berdych (CZE) / R Stepanek (CZE) d D Bracciali (ITA) / A Seppi (ITA) 64 62

Order Of Play – Thursday, May 16, 2013

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs A Dolgopolov (UKR) – ATP
[7] S Errani (ITA) vs [12] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) vs [5] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[16] S Stephens (USA) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 9:00 PM
G Simon (FRA) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
K Anderson (RSA) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP
[7] J Del Potro (ARG) vs B Paire (FRA) – ATP
[1] S Williams (USA) vs [14] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER) – ATP
Not Before 7:00 PM
J Janowicz (POL) vs [9] R Gasquet (FRA) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
J Jankovic (SRB) vs [5] N Li (CHN) – WTA
[Q] S Halep (ROU) vs [13] R Vinci (ITA) – WTA
J Chardy (FRA) vs M Granollers (ESP) – ATP
[8] P Kvitova (CZE) vs [9] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) vs [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) vs [4] L Huber (USA) / M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 12:30 PM
K Marosi (HUN) / A Tatishvili (GEO) vs [2] N Petrova (RUS) / K Srebotnik (SLO) – WTA
T Berdych (CZE) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) – ATP – After suitable rest
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs [6] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA – After suitable rest
D Cibulkova (SVK) / M Niculescu (ROU) vs L Raymond (USA) / L Robson (GBR) – WTA – After suitable rest

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) vs D Inglot (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) – ATP
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) / P Starace (ITA) – ATP
C Suarez Navarro (ESP) vs [LL] L Dominguez Lino (ESP) – WTA
Not Before 4:00 PM
A Morita (JPN) vs [3] V Azarenka (BLR) – WTA

COURT 4 start 12:30 pm
[Alt] L Rosol (CZE) / V Troicki (SRB) vs [5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) – ATP
Not Before 2:00 PM
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) vs [7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) – ATP

COURT 6 not before 12:30 PM
A Hlavackova (CZE) / P Martic (CRO) vs A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA
[7] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) vs [WC] J Jankovic (SRB) / M Lucic-Baroni (CRO) – WTA – Aftr suitable rest

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Serena Williams Gets Some Family Revenge, While Djokovic, Federer Advance Easily in Rome

Roma

(May 14, 2013) World No. 1 Serena Williams exacted some family revenge with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Laura Robson on Tuesday in the second round of the Italian Open. Robson ousted Venus Williams on Monday.

“It was a good match – she played really well and really smart, “Williams said to reporters. She’s just a great player and I think she has such a big future, and I really like her as a person, too.”

The win extended Serena’s winning streak to 20. Her last loss came in the finals of Doha.

The up and coming 19-year-old British woman said that Williams in No. 1 for a reason. “She played really well today. She didn’t give me many opportunities. I thought it could have been a little bit closer – I had some break points I didn’t take advantage of…. but it was a learning experience and hopefully I’ll play against her again soon.”

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer rebounded from early losses in last week’s Madrid  Open with easy wins in Rome on Tuesday.

No. 1 Djokovic sailed past Spanish qualifier Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-3 while No. 2 seed Federer demolished Italian wild card Potito Starace 6-1, 6-2 to move into the third round.

“It was a good performance for a start, although I know I can do better,” Djokovic said to media. “My game has to be better for the next challenge. I didn’t have a good week in Madrid but I came here early and did a lot of practice.”

Djokovic who suffered a right ankle injury during Davis Cup, appeared steady on the court against Montanes. The top seed said that he didn’t practice for 12 days between winning the Monte Carlo Masters in April and the beginning of the Madrid Open.

“I was playing with a degree of injury,” Djokovic continued. “With Paris and London coming up I need to be 100 percent,  the positive thing is that my ankle is well and I’m playing without pain, and I did not want an injury in the most important part of the year.”

Upsets on the men’s side in Rome included. 11th seed Marin Cilic ousted by Kevin Anderson,  12th seed Nicolas Almagro falling to Julien Benneteau and 13th seed Tommy Hass losing to Mikhail Youzhny.

On the ladies side, No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska fell to In the women’s second round to Simona Halep 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2 and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki lost to world No. 48 Bojana Jovanovski, wasting 4-0, and 5-2 leads in the final set to be defeated 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

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

Results – Tuesday, May 14, 2013
WTA Singles – Second Round
(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. Laura Robson (GBR) 62 62
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. (4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 67(2) 61 62
(8) Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) 64 06 75

WTA Singles – First Round
Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) d. (10) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 26 64 76(5)
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (11) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 36 62 76(1) (saved 2mp)
(12) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. (Q) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 63 63
(13) Roberta Vinci (ITA) d. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 67(2) 75 64
(14) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 16 62 62
Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. (15) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 63 26 62
(16) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. (WC) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 63 63
Julia Goerges (GER) d. (Q) Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 26 64 64
Varvara Lepchenko (USA) d. (Q) Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) 64 62
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 64 60
Romina Oprandi (SUI) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 62 60
Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 76(0) 63
Christina McHale (USA) d. (WC) Karin Knapp (ITA) 75 62

WTA Doubles – First Round
(6) Mattek-Sands/Mirza (USA/IND) d. Aoyama/Dekmeijere (JPN/LAT) 61 63
(7) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. Kalashnikova/Rosolska (GEO/POL) 61 61
Mladenovic/Voskoboeva (FRA/KAZ) d. Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) 61 62
Schiavone/Stosur (ITA/AUS) d. Hantuchova/Medina Garrigues (SVK/ESP) 63 61
Hsieh/Peng (TPE/CHN) d. (WC) Camerin/Knapp (ITA/ITA) 75 64
(WC) Jankovic/Lucic-Baroni (SRB/CRO) d. Goerges/Minella (GER/LUX) 64 61

ATP Singles – Second Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] A Montanes (ESP) 62 63
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [WC] P Starace (ITA) 61 62
[6] T Berdych (CZE) d D Istomin (UZB) 64 60
[7] J del Potro (ARG) d [Q] A Kuznetsov (RUS) 63 62
[9] R Gasquet (FRA) d G Dimitrov (BUL) 64 64
K Anderson (RSA) d [11] M Cilic (CRO) 63 76(7)

ATP Singles – First Round
J Benneteau (FRA) d [12] N Almagro (ESP) 76(2) 64
M Youzhny (RUS) d [13] T Haas (GER) 64 63
[15] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [Q] C Berlocq (ARG) 57 63 63
F Verdasco (ESP) d H Zeballos (ARG) 63 36 63
V Troicki (SRB) d [LL] L Rosol (CZE) 36 61 64
J Chardy (FRA) d F Lopez (ESP) 36 75 76(4)
G Simon (FRA) d [WC] F Volandri (ITA) 63 26 64

ATP Doubles – First Round
D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d J Chardy (FRA) / T Huey (PHI) 63 76(4)
[WC] F Cipolla (ITA) / F Volandri (ITA) d F Fognini (ITA) / M Klizan (SVK) 63 46 10-6
[Alt] L Rosol (CZE) / V Troicki (SRB) d J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) 62 64
Order Of Play – Wednesday, May 15, 2013
CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
[8] J Tsonga (FRA) vs J Janowicz (POL) – ATP
M Granollers (ESP) vs [3] A Murray (GBR) – ATP
[Q] G Muguruza (ESP) vs [2] M Sharapova (RUS) – WTA
Not Before 7:30 PM
F Fognini (ITA) vs [5] R Nadal (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 9:00 PM
J Goerges (GER) vs [3] V Azarenka (BLR) – WTA

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
J Zheng (CHN) vs [5] N Li (CHN) – WTA
Not Before 12:00 PM
M Youzhny (RUS) vs G Simon (FRA) – ATP
[16] K Nishikori (JPN) vs J Chardy (FRA) – ATP
C Suarez Navarro (ESP) vs R Oprandi (SUI) – WTA
Not Before 7:00 PM
V Troicki (SRB) vs [Q] E Gulbis (LAT) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
[WC] N Burnett (ITA) vs [13] R Vinci (ITA) – WTA
[7] S Errani (ITA) vs C Mchale (USA) – WTA
A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP
[4] D Ferrer (ESP) vs F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
[3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) vs [WC] F Cipolla (ITA) / F Volandri (ITA) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[Alt] C Castano (COL) / M Duque-Marino (COL) vs A Hlavackova (CZE) / P Martic (CRO) – WTA
B Jovanovski (SRB) vs J Jankovic (SRB) – WTA
A Ramos (ESP) vs P Kohlschreiber (GER) – ATP
[1] S Errani (ITA) / R Vinci (ITA) vs K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) – WTA – After suitable rest
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [2] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) – ATP – After suitable rest

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[Q] M Oudin (USA) vs [14] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA
Not Before 1:00 PM
S Peng (CHN) vs [9] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA
Y Wickmayer (BEL) vs [LL] L Dominguez Lino (ESP) – WTA
F Schiavone (ITA) / S Stosur (AUS) vs [6] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA – After suitable rest
U Radwanska (POL) vs A Morita (JPN) – WTA

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
O Govortsova (BLR) / M Moulton-Levy (USA) vs A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) – WTA
B Paire (FRA) vs J Benneteau (FRA) – ATP
[16] S Stephens (USA) vs K Bertens (NED) – WTA
[WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) / P Starace (ITA) vs M Baghdatis (CYP) / J Del Potro (ARG) – ATP

COURT 6 start 12:00 noon
V Lepchenko (USA) vs [12] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
T Berdych (CZE) / R Stepanek (CZE) vs D Bracciali (ITA) / A Seppi (ITA) – ATP
[WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) vs L Raymond (USA) / L Robson (GBR) – WTA
[8] J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) – ATP

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Internazionali BNL d’Italia – Rome – Monday Results, Tuesday Schedule

Roma

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

Results – Monday, May 13, 2013
Women’s Singles – First Round
(9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 62 63
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 63 60
Sabine Lisicki (GER) d. (Q) Mallory Burdette (USA) 61 62
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 46 63 62
Laura Robson (GBR) d. Venus Williams (USA) 63 62
Ayumi Morita (JPN) d. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 61 63
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 76(5) 61
(Q) Simona Halep (ROU) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 61 61
(Q) Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP) d. (Q) Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 16 60 62
(Q) Melanie Oudin (USA) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 26 75 42 ret. (left Achilles injury)
(WC) Nastassja Burnett (ITA) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 62 62

Women’s Doubles – First Round
Kudryavtseva/Rodionova (RUS/AUS) d. (5) Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) 75 75
Cibulkova/Niculescu (SVK/ROU) d. (8) Zhang/Zheng (CHN/CHN) 63 61
Hlavackova/Martic (CZE/CRO) d. Birnerova/Buryachok (CZE/UKR) 60 61
Govortsova/Moulton-Levy (BLR/USA) d. Chan/Jurak (TPE/CRO) 36 63 1311 (Match TB)
Marosi/Tatishvili (HUN/GEO) d. (WC) Burnett/McHale (ITA/USA) 57 64 106 (Match TB)

Men’s Singles – First Round
[11] M Cilic (CRO) d [Q] A Golubev (KAZ) 64 62
P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [14] M Raonic (CAN) 76(2) 64
[16] K Nishikori (JPN) d [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) 62 64
[Q] A Montanes (ESP) d M Klizan (SVK) 36 75 63
A Ramos (ESP) d [Q] J Hajek (CZE) 75 60
[Q] E Gulbis (LAT) d J Nieminen (FIN) 62 76(6)
F Fognini (ITA) d A Seppi (ITA) 64 61
[Q] A Kuznetsov (RUS) d X Malisse (BEL) 62 31 ret. (right wrist)
B Paire (FRA) d J Monaco (ARG) 76(4) 16 64
J Janowicz (POL) d [Q] S Giraldo (COL) 75 62
[WC] P Starace (ITA) d R Stepanek (CZE) 46 64 63

Men’s Doubles – First Round
D Inglot (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) d J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) 75 67(8) 12-10
S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) d G Dimitrov (BUL) / F Nielsen (DEN) 64 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 67(3) 75 10-4

Order Of Play – Tuesday, May 14, 2013

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
E Vesnina (RUS) vs [13] R Vinci (ITA) – WTA
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [9] R Gasquet (FRA) – ATP
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs [Q] A Montanes (ESP) – ATP
Not Before 7:30 PM
[WC] P Starace (ITA) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) – ATP
Not Before 9:00 PM
[1] S Williams (USA) vs L Robson (GBR) – WTA

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
[13] T Haas (GER) vs M Youzhny (RUS) – ATP
[WC] F Volandri (ITA) vs G Simon (FRA) – ATP
[16] S Stephens (USA) vs [WC] F Pennetta (ITA) – WTA
[4] A Radwanska (POL) vs [Q] S Halep (ROU) – WTA
Not Before 7:00 PM
D Istomin (UZB) vs [6] T Berdych (CZE) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
[10] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs B Jovanovski (SRB) – WTA
[8] P Kvitova (CZE) vs S Lisicki (GER) – WTA
[Q] C Berlocq (ARG) vs [15] S Wawrinka (SUI) – ATP
[7] J Del Potro (ARG) vs [Q] A Kuznetsov (RUS) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
H Zeballos (ARG) vs F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
J Benneteau (FRA) vs [12] N Almagro (ESP) – ATP
[15] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs U Radwanska (POL) – WTA
[11] M Cilic (CRO) vs K Anderson (RSA) – ATP

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
[Q] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs [12] M Kirilenko (RUS) – WTA
[WC] K Knapp (ITA) vs C Mchale (USA) – WTA
Not Before 2:00 PM
D Hantuchova (SVK) / A Medina Garrigues (ESP) vs F Schiavone (ITA) / S Stosur (AUS) – WTA – After suitable rest
J Knowle (AUT) / F Polasek (SVK) vs T Haas (GER) / X Malisse (BEL) – ATP
[WC] F Cipolla (ITA) / F Volandri (ITA) vs F Fognini (ITA) / M Klizan (SVK) – ATP – After suitable rest

COURT 3 start 11:00 am
[Q] L Tsurenko (UKR) vs V Lepchenko (USA) – WTA
K Mladenovic (FRA) vs [14] D Cibulkova (SVK) – WTA
K Flipkens (BEL) vs Y Wickmayer (BEL) – WTA
N Grandin (RSA) / V Uhlirova (CZE) vs K Mladenovic (FRA) / G Voskoboeva (KAZ) – WTA
S Aoyama (JPN) / L Dekmeijere (LAT) vs [6] B Mattek-Sands (USA) / S Mirza (IND) – WTA

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
J Chardy (FRA) vs F Lopez (ESP) – ATP
[LL] L Rosol (CZE) vs V Troicki (SRB) – ATP
J Chardy (FRA) / T Huey (PHI) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) – ATP
A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs R Oprandi (SUI) – WTA
[7] A Groenefeld (GER) / K Peschke (CZE) vs O Kalashnikova (GEO) / A Rosolska (POL) – WTA

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
J Goerges (GER) vs [Q] A Hlavackova (CZE) – WTA
J Zheng (CHN) vs M Rybarikova (SVK) – WTA
[WC] J Jankovic (SRB) / M Lucic-Baroni (CRO) vs J Goerges (GER) / M Minella (LUX) – WTA
[11] N Petrova (RUS) vs C Suarez Navarro (ESP) – WTA
[WC] M Camerin (ITA) / K Knapp (ITA) vs S Hsieh (TPE) / S Peng (CHN) – WTA

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Internazionali BNL d’Italia – Rome – Sunday Results, Monday Schedule

Roma

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

Results – May 12, 2013

Men’s Singles – First Round
[9] R Gasquet (FRA) d S Querrey (USA) 62 76(8)
A Dolgopolov (UKR) d [WC] M Viola (ITA) 64 63
K Anderson (RSA) d J Melzer (AUT) 61 62
D Istomin (UZB) d J Isner (USA) 57 76(5) 63
M Granollers (ESP) d N Davydenko (RUS) 63 64
G Dimitrov (BUL) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 63 64

Order Of Play – Monday, May 13, 2013

CENTRALE start 12:00 noon
R Stepanek (CZE) vs [WC] P Starace (ITA) – ATP
V Williams (USA) vs L Robson (GBR) – WTA
F Fognini (ITA) vs A Seppi (ITA) – ATP

Not Before 7:30 PM
F Schiavone (ITA) vs K Bertens (NED) – WTA

Not Before 9:00 PM
[16] K Nishikori (JPN) vs [WC] P Lorenzi (ITA) – ATP

SUPERTENNIS ARENA start 11:00 am
J Monaco (ARG) vs B Paire (FRA) – ATP
[11] M Cilic (CRO) vs [Q] A Golubev (KAZ) – ATP
S Hsieh (TPE) vs [9] S Stosur (AUS) – WTA
J Jankovic (SRB) vs T Pironkova (BUL) – WTA

Not Before 7:00 PM
P Kohlschreiber (GER) vs [14] M Raonic (CAN) – ATP

PIETRANGELI start 11:00 am
S Lisicki (GER) vs [Q] M Burdette (USA) – WTA
[WC] N Burnett (ITA) vs A Cornet (FRA) – WTA
J Nieminen (FIN) vs [Q] E Gulbis (LAT) – ATP
[Q] S Giraldo (COL) vs J Janowicz (POL) – ATP

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
M Niculescu (ROU) vs S Peng (CHN) – WTA
E Makarova (RUS) vs [Q] M Oudin (USA) – WTA
[Q] A Montanes (ESP) vs M Klizan (SVK) – ATP
S Kuznetsova (RUS) vs [Q] S Halep (ROU) – WTA

COURT 2 start 11:00 am
S Cirstea (ROU) vs A Morita (JPN) – WTA
[Q] A Kuznetsov (RUS) vs X Malisse (BEL) – ATP
[Q] G Muguruza (ESP) vs [Q] M Johansson (FRA) – WTA
K Marosi (HUN) / A Tatishvili (GEO) vs [WC] N Burnett (ITA) / C Mchale (USA) – WTA – After suitable rest

COURT 4 start 11:00 am
A Ramos (ESP) vs [Q] J Hajek (CZE) – ATP
A Kudryavtseva (RUS) / A Rodionova (AUS) vs [5] R Kops-Jones (USA) / A Spears (USA) – WTA
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) vs D Inglot (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) – ATP
A Hlavackova (CZE) / P Martic (CRO) vs E Birnerova (CZE) / I Buryachok (UKR) – WTA

COURT 6 start 11:00 am
M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) vs J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) – ATP
G Dimitrov (BUL) / F Nielsen (DEN) vs S Gonzalez (MEX) / S Lipsky (USA) – ATP
[8] S Zhang (CHN) / J Zheng (CHN) vs D Cibulkova (SVK) / M Niculescu (ROU) – WTA – After suitable rest
O Govortsova (BLR) / M Moulton-Levy (USA) vs H Chan (TPE) / D Jurak (CRO) – WTA

 

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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 Advances, Nadal Cruises, Murray, Berdych and Del Potro Upset in Monte-Carlo

 

Rafael Nadal photo by William Lucas/Inovafoto

Rafael Nadal photo by William Lucas/Inovafoto

(April 18, 2013) Eight-time defending  Monte-Carlo Masters champion Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak at the tournament to 44 matches, while No. 1 Novak Djoovic had to rally from a set down for a second straight day to move into the quarterfinals. No. 2 seed Andy Murray was not so fortunate falling to No. 13  Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2.

Novak Djokovic still nursing a twisted right ankle rallied past Juan Monaco 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday.

“It was very difficult for me today,” Djokovic said to media. “Another tough match. I am trying to take things day by day. I didn’t know what to expect today and I’m really glad that I won.”

“It’s another big test obviously, again a two-hour match,” the No. 1 continued. “Obviously I’m not physically out there feeling my best. Somehow feels that I always miss that half a step. But I’m trying. I’m fighting. After I lost the first set today, I tried to find that inner strength. I found it again. So that’s a positive thing. Every day brings a new challenge and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Djokovic will face Jarkko Nieminen in the quarterfinals. Nieminen stunned No. 5 seed Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4).

The left-hander Finn is into his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarterfinal since 2006 Paris.

It was another easy win For Nadal on Thursday as the 8-time Monte-Carlo champion stopped Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2, 6-4. Nadal will take on Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals.

“He’s playing well,” Nadal said of Bulgaria’s Dimitrov. “He’s able to play very well, very aggressive, very good technique. He’s (a) complete player.”

For No. 2 seed Andy Murray, it’s a match he’ll want to forget. In less than an hour the Brit fell to Stanislas Warwinka 6-1, 6-2.

“Just looked at the stats … 24 unforced errors is far too many,“ said a disappointed Murray. “That’s a set’s worth. That’s where half the points went. “I hope that’s not going to be the case over the next five, six weeks. I’ve had tough losses on the clay before and I’ve come back well from them. Hopefully today will be the same.”

“He’s an amazing player. He’s always tough to beat,” said Wawrinka to media. “Therefore, to beat Andy that easy was a big surprise, for sure. I’m playing really good, really strong, really confident with my game. I know what he’s looking for in his game. He’s playing slow, he’s playing from the baseline, he’s not putting so much pressure. For me on clay, it’s perfect.”

The loss means that Murray will fall to No. 3 in the rankings next week, surpassed by Roger Federer.

Italy’s Fabio Fognini recorded the biggest upset of his career as he knocked out fourth seed Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2. It’s his second career win over a top ten player.

RESULTS – THURSDAY, 18 APRIL, 2013

Singles – Third Round
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d [14] J Monaco (ARG) 46 62 62
[13] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [2] A Murray (GBR) 61 62
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d [16] P Kohlschreiber (GER) 62 64
F Fognini (ITA) d [4] T Berdych (CZE) 64 62
J Nieminen (FIN) d [5] [WC] J del Potro (ARG) 64 46 76(4)
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) d J Melzer (AUT) 63 60
[7] R Gasquet (FRA) d [9] M Cilic (CRO) 75 64
G Dimitrov (BUL) d F Mayer (GER) 62 64

Doubles – Quarter-finals
M Raonic (CAN) / B Tomic (AUS) d [3] R Lindstedt (SWE) / D Nestor (CAN) 76(7) 63

Doubles – Second Round
[4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED) d C Fleming (GBR) / J Marray (GBR) 64 61
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) d I Dodig (CRO) / R Stepanek (CZE) 62 62
J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND) d [6] M Bhupathi (IND) / R Bopanna (IND) 62 63
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [7] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) 76(7) 64

SCHEDULE – FRIDAY, 19 APRIL, 2013

COURT CENTRAL start 10:30 am
[6] J Tsonga (FRA) vs [13] S Wawrinka (SUI)
G Dimitrov (BUL) vs [3] R Nadal (ESP)
F Fognini (ITA) vs [7] R Gasquet (FRA)
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs J Nieminen (FIN)

COURT DES PRINCES start 10:30 am
[5] M Mirnyi (BLR) / H Tecau (ROU) vs D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP)
J Benneteau (FRA) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [4] A Qureshi (PAK) / J Rojer (NED)
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs J Melzer (AUT) / L Paes (IND)

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