World No. 1 Serbian Tennis Ace Novak Djokovic dropped serve three times against Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek on Thursday afternoon in Cincinnati, but pulled through to claim a 6-3, 6-3 victory and a place in the Western & Southern Open quarter-finals.
The 24-year-old Serbian Djokovic, who now improves to a 55-1 season match record, is undefeated in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 action this season (2011). He captured a record fifth Masters 1000 title of the season on Sunday in Montreal.Djokovic has won 29 matches without any loss in ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in 2011.
Djokovic will next play World No. 8 Monfils in the quarter-finals for a second straight week. In Montreal, the World No. 1 Novak conceded just three games to the Frenchman to wrap up the victory in 74 minutes.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
ATP - Berdych and Murray win their third ound matches
In men's third-round matches, Czech Tomas Berdych beat Nicolas Almagro, of Spain, 6-2 6-2 and fourth seeded Briton Andy Murray defeated American Alex Bogomolov 6-2 7-5.
ATP - Rafael Nadal beats Fernando Verdasco in three tiebreak sets
The 25-year-old Nadal pulled out a 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (11-9) victory over Verdasco in three hours and 37 minutes to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament.
The second-seeded Nadal improved to 12-0 lifetime against the unseeded Verdasco.
Nadal next faces American seventh seed Mardy Fish who outlasted France's Richard Gasquet 7-5 7-5.
The second-seeded Nadal improved to 12-0 lifetime against the unseeded Verdasco.
Nadal next faces American seventh seed Mardy Fish who outlasted France's Richard Gasquet 7-5 7-5.
WTA - Daniela Hantuchova set to take on No 2 Vera Zvonareva
World No.2 Vera Zvonareva advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating Petra Martic 6-2 6-2.
Zvonareva next faces world No. 23 Daniela Hantuchova, who defeated Marion Bartoli 6-3 5-7 6-3.
Zvonareva next faces world No. 23 Daniela Hantuchova, who defeated Marion Bartoli 6-3 5-7 6-3.
WTA - Tennis Queen Maria Sharapova into Cincinnati quarter-final against Sam Stosur
The world No.10 Sam Stosur booked a place in the quarter-finals of the WTA Tour event in Cincinnati with a 6-4 3-6 6-4 win over French Open champion Li Na, setting up a clash with seventh-ranked Sharapova.
It was Stosur's third win over Li this season, and a repeat of her victory over the Chinese star in the same round last week at Toronto.
Sharapova, who holds an 8-0 record over Stosur, including two victories this year at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and the Italian Open in Rome, brushed aside world No.13 and compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-3.
Sharapova appears to be near the top of her game as she gears up for the US Open, which begins in less than two week
It was Stosur's third win over Li this season, and a repeat of her victory over the Chinese star in the same round last week at Toronto.
Sharapova, who holds an 8-0 record over Stosur, including two victories this year at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and the Italian Open in Rome, brushed aside world No.13 and compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2 6-3.
Sharapova appears to be near the top of her game as she gears up for the US Open, which begins in less than two week
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
ATP - David Nalbandian posts 6-4 6-4 win in Cincinnati
ARGENTINIAN veteran David Nalbandian defeated Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-4 to book a second-round clash with world No. 4 Andy Murray at the ATP Cincinnati Masters.
Murray will be keen to atone for a poor showing at last week's Montreal Masters, where he lasted just 69 minutes in his opening match, a 6-3 6-1 loss to South African Kevin Anderson.
In other results at Cincinnati, Italy's Fabio Fognini upset 14th-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-4 6-1.
The 38th-ranked Fognini beat the 16th-ranked Troicki for first time in three matches.
France's Richard Gasquet became the first seeded man to advance without a bye, although he needed a second-set tiebreaker to overcome Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Spain's Fernando Verdasco defeated Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 7-6 (7-4), while Feliciano Lopez fought off fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 4-6 6-3 6-4.
Alex Bogomolov Jr. also cruised past Robby Ginepri 6-4 6-3 in a matchup of Americans.
Murray will be keen to atone for a poor showing at last week's Montreal Masters, where he lasted just 69 minutes in his opening match, a 6-3 6-1 loss to South African Kevin Anderson.
In other results at Cincinnati, Italy's Fabio Fognini upset 14th-seeded Viktor Troicki of Serbia 6-4 6-1.
The 38th-ranked Fognini beat the 16th-ranked Troicki for first time in three matches.
France's Richard Gasquet became the first seeded man to advance without a bye, although he needed a second-set tiebreaker to overcome Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Spain's Fernando Verdasco defeated Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 7-6 (7-4), while Feliciano Lopez fought off fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 4-6 6-3 6-4.
Alex Bogomolov Jr. also cruised past Robby Ginepri 6-4 6-3 in a matchup of Americans.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wimbledon - Maria Sharapova reaching top form at Wimbledon
MARIA Sharapova has returned to top form, safely reaching Wimbledon's fourth round to banish the uneasy memories of a rollercoaster first week.
The 2004 champion dismissed Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-3 in only 74 minutes in cool, overcast conditions.
The win catapults Sharapova into the last 16, where she will face Chinese 20th seed Shaui Peng,
Fifth seed Sharapova struggled against British teenager Laura Robson in the second round after destroying Russian compatriot Anna Chakvetadze in the opening phase.
Peng overcame Hungarian Melinda Czink - Sam Stosur's first-round conqueror - 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
The 2004 champion dismissed Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-3 in only 74 minutes in cool, overcast conditions.
The win catapults Sharapova into the last 16, where she will face Chinese 20th seed Shaui Peng,
Fifth seed Sharapova struggled against British teenager Laura Robson in the second round after destroying Russian compatriot Anna Chakvetadze in the opening phase.
Peng overcame Hungarian Melinda Czink - Sam Stosur's first-round conqueror - 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
ATP & WTA - Who's seeded where for Wimbledon
SEEDINGS for Wimbledon, which starts on Monday
MEN
1. Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2. Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
3. Roger Federer (Switzerland)
4. Andy Murray (Great Britain)
5. Robin Sodering (Sweden)
6. Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)
7. David Ferrer (Spain)
8. Andy Roddick (US)
9. Gael Monfils (France)
10. Mardy Fish (US)
11. Jurgen Melzer (Austria)
12. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France)
13. Viktor Troicki (Serbia)
14. Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland)
15. Gilles Simon (France)
16. Nicolás Almagro (Spain)17. Richard Gasquet (France)
18. Mikhail Youzhny (Russia)
19. Michael Llodra (France)
20. Florian Mayer (Germany)
21. Fernando Verdasco (Spain)
22. Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine)
23. Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia)
24. Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)
25. Juan Ignacio Chela (Argentina)
26. Guillermo García-López (Spain)
27. Marin Cilic (Croatia)
28. David Nalbandian (Argentina)
29. Nikolay Davydenko (Russia)
30. Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil)
31. Milos Raonic (Canada)
32. Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)
WOMEN
1. Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
2. Kim Clijsters (Belgium)
3. Vera Zvonareva (Russia)
4. Li Na (China)
5. Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)
6. Maria Sharapova (Russia)
7. Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
8. Serena Williams (US)
9. Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)
10. Marion Bartoli (France)
11. Sam Stosur (Australia)
12. Andrea Petkovic (Germany)
13. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia)
14. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland)
15. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia)
16. Jelena Jankovic (Serbia)
17. Julia Goerges (Germany)
18. Kaia Kanepi (Estonia)
19. Ana Ivanovic (Serbia)
20. Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium)
21. Peng Shuai (China)
22. Flavia Pennetta (Italy)
23. Shahar Peer (Israel)
24. Venus Williams (US)
25. Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia)
26. Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia)
27. Maria Kirilenko (Russia)
28. Jarmila Gajdosova (Australia)
29. Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)
30. Roberta Vinci (Italy)
31. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US)
32. Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic)
No 2 seed Kim Clijsters (Belgium) has pulled out this morning.
MEN
1. Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2. Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
3. Roger Federer (Switzerland)
4. Andy Murray (Great Britain)
5. Robin Sodering (Sweden)
6. Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)
7. David Ferrer (Spain)
8. Andy Roddick (US)
9. Gael Monfils (France)
10. Mardy Fish (US)
11. Jurgen Melzer (Austria)
12. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France)
13. Viktor Troicki (Serbia)
14. Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland)
15. Gilles Simon (France)
16. Nicolás Almagro (Spain)17. Richard Gasquet (France)
18. Mikhail Youzhny (Russia)
19. Michael Llodra (France)
20. Florian Mayer (Germany)
21. Fernando Verdasco (Spain)
22. Alexandr Dolgopolov (Ukraine)
23. Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia)
24. Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina)
25. Juan Ignacio Chela (Argentina)
26. Guillermo García-López (Spain)
27. Marin Cilic (Croatia)
28. David Nalbandian (Argentina)
29. Nikolay Davydenko (Russia)
30. Thomaz Bellucci (Brazil)
31. Milos Raonic (Canada)
32. Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus)
WOMEN
1. Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
2. Kim Clijsters (Belgium)
3. Vera Zvonareva (Russia)
4. Li Na (China)
5. Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)
6. Maria Sharapova (Russia)
7. Francesca Schiavone (Italy)
8. Serena Williams (US)
9. Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)
10. Marion Bartoli (France)
11. Sam Stosur (Australia)
12. Andrea Petkovic (Germany)
13. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia)
14. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland)
15. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia)
16. Jelena Jankovic (Serbia)
17. Julia Goerges (Germany)
18. Kaia Kanepi (Estonia)
19. Ana Ivanovic (Serbia)
20. Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium)
21. Peng Shuai (China)
22. Flavia Pennetta (Italy)
23. Shahar Peer (Israel)
24. Venus Williams (US)
25. Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia)
26. Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia)
27. Maria Kirilenko (Russia)
28. Jarmila Gajdosova (Australia)
29. Ekaterina Makarova (Russia)
30. Roberta Vinci (Italy)
31. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US)
32. Lucie Safarova (Czech Republic)
No 2 seed Kim Clijsters (Belgium) has pulled out this morning.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
ATP - Tsonga sinks Nadal at Queen's
RAFAEL Nadal has crashed out of Queen's at the hands of French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Tsonga pulled off a shock 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-1 win in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon warm-up event this morning.
Nadal arrived at Queen's admitting he felt exhausted in the aftermath of his record-equalling sixth triumph at the French Open and he was unable to cope with Tsonga's sublime display.
Despite his tiredness this was still a major blow for the Spaniard, who had reached seven successive finals before this defeat, and it leaves him short of game time on grass ahead of the defence of his Wimbledon title later this month.
"After losing the second set, mentally I lost my concentration. It has been a lot of matches in a row and after that break in the third set it was a mountain for me to come back," said Nadal.
"I am a little tired. I wasn't there like usual and certainly I think I need a little bit of break."
Tsonga added: "The first time I reached the world top 100 was here at Queen's and today I have beaten the world number one," said Tsonga. "It was close to my best tennis - it has to be to beat Rafa."
Tsonga pulled off a shock 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-1 win in the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon warm-up event this morning.
Nadal arrived at Queen's admitting he felt exhausted in the aftermath of his record-equalling sixth triumph at the French Open and he was unable to cope with Tsonga's sublime display.
Despite his tiredness this was still a major blow for the Spaniard, who had reached seven successive finals before this defeat, and it leaves him short of game time on grass ahead of the defence of his Wimbledon title later this month.
"After losing the second set, mentally I lost my concentration. It has been a lot of matches in a row and after that break in the third set it was a mountain for me to come back," said Nadal.
"I am a little tired. I wasn't there like usual and certainly I think I need a little bit of break."
Tsonga added: "The first time I reached the world top 100 was here at Queen's and today I have beaten the world number one," said Tsonga. "It was close to my best tennis - it has to be to beat Rafa."
Sunday, May 22, 2011
French Open - Novak Djokovic dancing to his own beat
SURELY this is not how you prepare to win your second consecutive grand slam event and take over the top ranking - unless you are "The Djoker".
With dance tunes cranking at chest-thumping volume, thousands of fist-pumping fans on their feet and famous French DJ Bob Sinclar impersonating Bjorn Borg on the other side of the net, Novak Djokovic spent a large slice of French Open eve relaxing the best way he knows how.
Clowning around to the delight of the packed stands for a kids' day at Court Philippe Chatrier, the Australian Open champion showed the very essence of his barnstorming season in which he has won 37 consecutive matches.
Rafael Nadal, who must defend his Roland Garros title and hope Djokovic fails to reach the final if he is to stop the Serb from replacing him as world No.1, put it in one word: Confidence.
"Everybody knows how good Novak is and how good he can be, but it was the same a few years ago," Nadal said.
"Right now he's winning, and with the victories, your confidence is higher and higher every time."
Nadal has branded Djokovic the favourite, although the latter returned the compliment.
Roger Federer, the 2009 champion, believes the focus on their rivalry can work to his advantage.
"Last year I was the defending champion. The year before and the years before that I was trying to win Paris for the first time," Federer said.
"So I've always had that big cloud hanging over and the 'am I ever going to win the French Open' question.
"That's been answered. I think this year, maybe they expect more from Rafa and Novak and that could be a good thing for me and more pressure for them."
While he did not look like a man under pressure, Djokovic acknowledged he was not invincible.
"I don't feel unbeatable, nobody is unbeatable, even though I had an incredible run that keeps going," Djokovic said.
"I'm really not trying to think about the run that I have, or I'm not trying to think about when this run will end because that will mean that I'm thinking about losing."
Djokovic was also proud to play his part in shaking up the men's game.
"I think it's good for the sport to have another rivalry in tennis," he said.
With dance tunes cranking at chest-thumping volume, thousands of fist-pumping fans on their feet and famous French DJ Bob Sinclar impersonating Bjorn Borg on the other side of the net, Novak Djokovic spent a large slice of French Open eve relaxing the best way he knows how.
Clowning around to the delight of the packed stands for a kids' day at Court Philippe Chatrier, the Australian Open champion showed the very essence of his barnstorming season in which he has won 37 consecutive matches.
Rafael Nadal, who must defend his Roland Garros title and hope Djokovic fails to reach the final if he is to stop the Serb from replacing him as world No.1, put it in one word: Confidence.
"Everybody knows how good Novak is and how good he can be, but it was the same a few years ago," Nadal said.
"Right now he's winning, and with the victories, your confidence is higher and higher every time."
Nadal has branded Djokovic the favourite, although the latter returned the compliment.
Roger Federer, the 2009 champion, believes the focus on their rivalry can work to his advantage.
"Last year I was the defending champion. The year before and the years before that I was trying to win Paris for the first time," Federer said.
"So I've always had that big cloud hanging over and the 'am I ever going to win the French Open' question.
"That's been answered. I think this year, maybe they expect more from Rafa and Novak and that could be a good thing for me and more pressure for them."
While he did not look like a man under pressure, Djokovic acknowledged he was not invincible.
"I don't feel unbeatable, nobody is unbeatable, even though I had an incredible run that keeps going," Djokovic said.
"I'm really not trying to think about the run that I have, or I'm not trying to think about when this run will end because that will mean that I'm thinking about losing."
Djokovic was also proud to play his part in shaking up the men's game.
"I think it's good for the sport to have another rivalry in tennis," he said.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
WTA - Hot Maria Sharapova reaches Rome Final
Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova in the final, after she beat world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-3 in a match littered with service breaks.
Sharapova rolled back the years with a performance of crisp power hitting to eventually prove too much for her Danish opponent.
She broke Wozniacki early on but when she led 4-3 there were four breaks in a row until the Russian finally held serve to take the set 7-5.
The service struggles continued at the start of the second set as four of the first five games went against the server.
That saw Wozniacki open up a 3-1 lead but Sharapova wouldn't let her consolidate and reeled off the final five games as she consistently found the corners with rasping ground-strokes.
Sharapova rolled back the years with a performance of crisp power hitting to eventually prove too much for her Danish opponent.
She broke Wozniacki early on but when she led 4-3 there were four breaks in a row until the Russian finally held serve to take the set 7-5.
The service struggles continued at the start of the second set as four of the first five games went against the server.
That saw Wozniacki open up a 3-1 lead but Sharapova wouldn't let her consolidate and reeled off the final five games as she consistently found the corners with rasping ground-strokes.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
ATP Tennis - Novak Djokovic survives scare to set Nadal showdown
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic’s winning streak looked under severe threat for a time against Thomaz Bellucci, but the Serbian held strong to prevail 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday and give himself the chance to topple reigning champion Rafal Nadal in a blockbuster final at the Mutua Madrid Open,
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
ATP - Victory 28 and rising for Djokovic
NOVAK Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both extended their win streaks with opening victories at the ATP-WTA Madrid Masters overnight as Roger Federer waited for his chance to join them in the third round.
Djokovic, who beat South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4, extended his run of 2011 success to 28 consecutive matches, putting the Serb within striking distance of the record for the all-time best season start in tennis.
The second seed now has a chance to draw level with Ivan Lendl, who went 29 matches without defeat at the start of the 1986 season.
Nadal won a 35th consecutive match on the surface, efficiently dispatching former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis 6-1 6-3 in just under 90 minutes. Nadal has not lost on clay since 2009 in the French Open fourth round to Robin Soderling.
The top-seeded title holder next faces a high-voltage third-round showdown with Argentine Juan Del Potro, who thrashed Marin Cilic 6-3 6-0 after complaining of hip pain a day earlier.
Third seed Federer was opening against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez later having won all seven of their previous encounters.
Djokovic, the world No.2, says he is only interested in replacing Nadal atop the ATP rankings.
"It's a great honour and flattering to be part of the elite, but it's not my priority,'' said Djokovic.
"I'm only taking it one match at a time and just hoping I can keep winning.''
Djokovic, who beat South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-4, extended his run of 2011 success to 28 consecutive matches, putting the Serb within striking distance of the record for the all-time best season start in tennis.
The second seed now has a chance to draw level with Ivan Lendl, who went 29 matches without defeat at the start of the 1986 season.
Nadal won a 35th consecutive match on the surface, efficiently dispatching former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis 6-1 6-3 in just under 90 minutes. Nadal has not lost on clay since 2009 in the French Open fourth round to Robin Soderling.
The top-seeded title holder next faces a high-voltage third-round showdown with Argentine Juan Del Potro, who thrashed Marin Cilic 6-3 6-0 after complaining of hip pain a day earlier.
Third seed Federer was opening against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez later having won all seven of their previous encounters.
Djokovic, the world No.2, says he is only interested in replacing Nadal atop the ATP rankings.
"It's a great honour and flattering to be part of the elite, but it's not my priority,'' said Djokovic.
"I'm only taking it one match at a time and just hoping I can keep winning.''
Monday, May 2, 2011
Novak Djokovic wins the Serbia Open to capture his 23rd title
Djokovic continued his undefeated run on tour this season as he took down his fifth title of the year.
Novak Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez of Spain in the championship match from ATP Belgrade on Sunday.
Djokovic faced a little bit of a challenge in the match as Lopez took the world number two to a tiebreaker. However Djokovic, like top players often do, won the tense points and then the Serbian raced to a straight sets victory after that.
The match ended at 7-6, 6-2 with Djokovic claiming both his 5th title of the 2011 season and his 23rd title overall in his career.
Djokovic will now prepare for the 2011 ATP Madrid Masters draw, a tournament that has already seen some results come in for the main draw.
The Madrid Masters is a significant because it will be the first clay court event of 2011 that has both Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in it. Djokovic was expected to play in Monte-Carlo in April however he withdrew with a knee problem and that enabled Nadal to win the title without having to face the world number two.
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