ATP Men's Tennis

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Final Online Free Video Streaming

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:13:00 +0000

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Final Online Free Video Streaming

Sunday November 15th 2009
Paris BNP Paribas Masters Final
Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils

07:30 ET to 11:30 ET
Link

Gael Monfils to meet Novak Djokovic at Paris final

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Gael Monfils to meet Novak Djokovic at Paris final

Gael Monfils defeated Radek Stepanek 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 to reach the final at the Paris BNP Paribas Masters where he will play against Novak Djokovic, who beat Rafael Nadal easily.

Monfils broke in the fifth game before clinching the set when Stepanek sent a backhand wide.

In the second set, Monfils served for the match at 5-4 but Stepanek broke him twice in row behind strong play at the net.
Monfils and Stepanek exchanged service breaks in the third and fourth games of the deciding set, which looked like it was going to be decided by a tie-break until the ninth game. At 4-5, Stepanek recovered from 15/40 but Monfils converted his third opportunity to take the win.

“I found a solution by digging deep in my mental resources,” Monfils said. “I gave the proof that I’m a great player.”

"I think we played great match, both of us," said Stepanek. "I think I kind of wasted the first set, when I had a great start. And I made - in the four games I lost in a row - three very easy mistakes, which cost me the first set.

"I had to dig in deep and fight back [at] the end of the second set. I got on top of him and put him under pressure, attacking to the net a lot. I was volleying better, because throughout the match I had moments when I was volleying pretty bad and missing easy volleys."

He knows he’ll have to find more inner strength against Djokovic.

“I’m burnt out, but tomorrow it will be a fierce mental battle,” Monfils said.

"I don't feel tired anymore. I know tomorrow I'll give my life on the court. I've been playing more than two hours today and the day before. It's no longer a physical issue. It's mental now. I want to win. I'm not listening to my body anymore. I'll give it all." he added.

About playing against Monfils in the final, Novak Djokovic said:
“He is one of the players who is very unpredictable. He can play really, really fast. And with a big serve, he can do a lot of damage to opponents.”

Source Reuters/ATP
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic defeats Nadal to reach final in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Novak Djokovic defeats Nadal to reach final in Paris

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3 and made it all the qay into the final of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

Djokovic was dominant from the start and didn’t face a single break point during the match. He won 83% of first-serve points and produced 31 winners.

The world number 3 broke Nadal at love to lead 4-2 with a backhand winner down the line. He didn’t lose a point in the next two games, overwhelming his rival with powerful groundstrokes and subtle drop shots.

Nadal was broken at love for the third time in a row when Djokovic hit another forehand down the line for a 2-0 lead in the second set. The Serb twisted his ankle in the seventh game after firing a crosscourt backhand passing shot. But he held serve and closed out the match with a forehand winner.

"There's not much to say about today's performance, except it was perfect," said Djokovic. "[It was] exactly the way I wanted it. I have done, tactically-wise, everything that I imagined to do and planned to do before the match. I was very aggressive.

"[I] took the early control of the match over my opponent, and it paid off. I was hitting winners from all over the court and really trying to keep that momentum going throughout the whole match. I didn't give him many chances to come back into the match." Djokovic added.

"He played very well," admitted Nadal. "He played unbelievable, in my opinion. I didn't play bad. That's the truth. But with this level of Novak’s, [it] is very difficult to play at this level, especially [on] this surface. I finish the tournament playing much better than [how] I started [it]."

In sunday's final, Novak Djokovic will play against the winner of the match between Gael Monfils and Radek Stepanek.

Source AP/ATP
Photo AP

Gilles Simon to play at Brisbane International 2010

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Gilles Simon to play at Brisbane International 2010

Gilles Simon confirmed that he will start his 2010 tennis season at the Brisbane International.

Simon said he was excited participate at the Brisbane tennis event in 2010 and cannot wait to see what the city has to offer.

“I have heard quite a lot from my friends on the tour about the Brisbane International. They have told me that it is a great tournament, a fantastic place to visit and that the people are very friendly. With the same court surface as the Australian Open, the new stadium and facilities and temperatures similar to that in Melbourne, I cannot wait to start my 2010 campaign at the Brisbane International.” said Simon.

He has joined Gael Monfils, Andy Roddick and James Blake in the men’s draw.

“Simon has won six career titles and has been a finalist on two other occasions. He was also a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open in 2009. Simon will be a welcome addition to the men’s draw at the Brisbane International and I look forward to seeing him in action in January.” Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said.

Source ATP

Video: Rafael Nadal Paris 2009 Friday Interview

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:26:00 +0000

Video: Rafael Nadal Paris 2009 Friday Interview

Rafael Nadal talks about his win over Tsonga in the Paris quarter-finals and his looming semi-final showdown with Novak Djokovic.

Tennis Video: Paris 2009 Friday Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Tennis Video: Paris 2009 Friday Highlights

Rafael Nadal continues to threaten Roger Federer's claim to the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title as the Barclays ATP World Tour finals field is set.

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Online Free Video Streaming

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Online Free Video Streaming

Saturday November 14th 2009
Paris BNP Paribas Masters Semifinals
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic
Gael Monfils vs Radek Stepanek
08:00 ET to 13:00 ET
Link

Rafael Nadal beats Tsonga to reach Paris semis

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Rafael Nadal beats Tsonga to reach Paris semis

Rafael Nadal scored a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and set up a semifinal meeting with Novak Djokovic at the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

Nadal struggled on his serve early in the first set, but managed to save five break points—including holding for 3-3 after being down 0-40. He gradually found his rhythm and pressured Tsonga with strong returns before breaking the Frenchman with a passing shot to lead 6-5. Nadal clinched the set with a forehand winner.

Rafa broke for a 6-5 lead in the second set when Tsonga missed two consecutive backhands.

“It was a very important victory for me,” Nadal said. "[It was] probably the first big victory after my comeback from the injury. So I'm very happy for that. I started the tournament playing almost terrible, and right now I'm in the semi-finals. I played aggressively during all the match. I went to the net a lot of times and had good volleys. I think I served really well, much better than the rest of the days. In important moments I had a few aces, so that give me a lot of confidence."

Novak Djokovic, who will play against Nadal tomorrow, defeated Robin Soderling 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

"(Nadal) is a big champion and plays really well on all surfaces. He is a big fighter," Djokovic said.

"It looked tense (against Soderling) because physically I didn't really feel 100 per cent," said Djokovic. "I just hope I can recover for the upcoming challenge."

About playing against Djokovic Nadal said:
"Probably he's the player who's playing better in this part of the season. He's doing really good end of the season. It's going to be a challenge for me and a good test. I know he's the favourite on this kind of surface, but I'm here to keep improving and we will see what happens tomorrow."

Source ATP/Reuters
Photo AP

Monfils and Stepanek to meet at Paris BNP Paribas Masters Semis

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:28:00 +0000

Monfils and Stepanek to meet at Paris BNP Paribas Masters Semis

Gael Monfils defeated Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris where he will face Radek Stepanek, who advanced after Juan Martin Del Potro retired, after losing the first four games, from their match.

Del Potro was suffering from a groin injury from his previous match.

Cilic broke Monfils' serve twice in the opening set to take a lead but the Frenchman hit back immediately to break serve at the start of the second set before levelling the match. Monfils then broke serve in the fifth game of the decider and went on to seal victory.

"When I play in front of my family and the French crowd, I feel immediately a lot better," said Monfils. "I believe in myself. I don't have much autonomy, but I believe in it. I try to do my best, and my level of game gets higher. I move well. I surprise myself."

Source ATP
Photo AP

Fernando Verdasco qualifies for ATP World Tour Finals in London

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Fernando Verdasco qualifies for ATP World Tour Finals in London

Fernando Verdasco qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in London thanks to his compatriot and friend Rafael Nadal who beat Tsonga today.

Robin Soderling and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s defeats in the Paris Masters quarter-finals mean Verdasco becomes the eighth player to qualify for the Nov. 22-29 season finale for the world’s top eight player.

Verdasco joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko at the London event.

Source and Photo AP

Paris BNP Paribas Masters Friday, 13 November, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Paris BNP Paribas Masters Friday, 13 November, 2009

Singles - Quarter-finals
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d [8] J Tsonga (FRA) 75 75
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [9] R Soderling (SWE) 64 16 63
[13] R Stepanek (CZE) d [5] J Del Potro (ARG) 40 ret.
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d [12] M Cilic (CRO) 36 64 64

Doubles - Quarter-finals
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) 63 76(3)
[7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d [2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 64 76(7)
M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) d S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) 63 67(3) 10-7

Novak Djokovic reaches semifinals in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:37:00 +0000

Novak Djokovic reaches semifinals in Paris

Novak Djokovic beat Robin Soderling 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 and made it into the semifinals of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

After losing the first set, Soderling used his strong forehand to take a 2-0 lead in the second after Djokovic hit a backhand long to lose his serve. The Swede added another break before serving out the set.

The two players held serve in the third until the eighth game, when Soderling made two unforced errors and double-faulted to give Djokovic three break points. The world number 3 converted the second when Soderling sent a backhand into the net.

“It was a real struggle,” said Djokovic. “In the second set I wasn’t moving very well; I was fighting myself, letting him play and control the match. I managed to focus when I needed to and hold the nerves and I’m happy to be in the semi-finals.”

This win marks Djokovic's 15th tour-level semi-final of the season and he leads the ATP World Tour with nine final appearances.

"If I could maybe think of something I could have done this year better, that would be bigger tournaments and couple of titles there in [ATP World Tour Masters] 1000 events that I had a chance for that. And maybe Grand Slams that I haven't done the best job there.

"But I had a very consistent season. In all the smaller tournaments, I have been winning and reaching the late stages. So I gained the momentum in last two months. I picked up the great form, and that's what is very important for me prior to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, where I will have to play in order to defend the title."

Novak Djokovic will next play against Rafael Nadal, who defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Photo AP
Source ATP

Video: Rafael Nadal Paris 2009 Thursday Interview

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Video: Rafael Nadal Paris 2009 Thursday Interview

Rafael Nadal reflects on his comeback win against fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Masters.

Video: Rafael Nadal Illes Balears Commercial 2010

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Video: Rafael Nadal Illes Balears Commercial 2010

Check out this new commercial that Rafael Nadal did to promote the Illes Balears ...

Thanks to Carla for letting us know about it;)

Marcos Baghdatis to play Medibank International Sydney

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Marcos Baghdatis to play Medibank International Sydney

Marcos Baghdatis will play at the Medibank International in Sydney in 2010.

Baghdatis joins Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka in the men’s field at Medibank International Sydney 2010.

“I am very pleased to be competing again in the Medibank International Sydney. It is a wonderful city and one of my favourite places to visit,” Baghdatis said.

“I hope to do well in Sydney. The crowd was great and supported me when I played there a few years ago and I am looking forward to returning.”

“Marcos is one of the most enigmatic and entertaining players on the ATP World Tour and we can’t wait for him to return to the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre next January,” Medibank International Sydney Tournament Director Craig Watson said.

“He has had a tough couple of years with injuries but is definitely on his way back to the form he displayed at the Australian Open in 2006. I know all the sports fans in Sydney will be thrilled to see him back at the event.”

Baghdatis was supposed to play at the Kooyong Classic Tennis exhibition but he withdrew because he prefered to play in Sydney because this is an ATP event with ranking points. He place at the Kooyong Classic will be taken by Juan Martin Del Potro.

Photo credit should read SOREN ANDERSSON/AFP/Getty Images
Source ATP

Video: Marat Safin honored in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Video: Marat Safin honored in Paris

After losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters, Marat Safin retired from professional tennis and he received an award and was shown a video of some great moments of his career....

Tennis Video: Paris 2009 Thursday Highlights

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:58:00 +0000

Tennis Video: Paris 2009 Thursday Highlights

Radek Stepanek upsets World No. 4 Andy Murray on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Masters, while Rafael Nadal posts an impressive comeback win for a second straight day.

Video: Paris 2009 Thursday Feature French Tennis

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Video: Paris 2009 Thursday Feature French Tennis

BNP Paribas Masters tournament director Cedric Pioline reflects on the success of French tennis and the Federation's ability to spot talent early on.

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Online Free Video Streaming

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Watch Tennis Live Paris BNP Paribas Masters Online Free Video Streaming

Friday November 13th 2009
Paris BNP Paribas Masters

06:00 ET to 16:00 ET
Link

Rafael Nadal battles past Robredo to reach Paris quarters

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:44:00 +0000

Rafael Nadal battles past Robredo to reach Paris quarters

Rafael Nadal defeated Tommy Robredo 6-3 3-6 7-5 to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

Nadal needed two hours and 20 minutes to shrug off a brave challenge from Robredo.

Robredo had his chances, serving for the match in the third set, leading 5-4, but Nadal recover and seal victory.

"The better new is I didn't play my best but I played much better than yesterday," said Nadal. "I felt the ball much better than yesterday. For moments, I felt I have the control of the ball. I have the chance to play big rallies without having mistakes. So that's very important for me."

Nadal has a chance to end the season as the world number 1 thanks to Roger Federer’s second-round exit.

Rafael Nadal will next play against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Gilles Simon 6-2 6-3.

“The conditions will be good for him with a fast court and the crowd on his side,” Nadal said. “He will be the favourite but I’ll do my best.”

Source AP
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Andy Murray upset by Stepanek at Paris Masters

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +0000

Andy Murray upset by Stepanek at Paris Masters

Radek Stepanek upset Andy Murray 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

Murray broke serve twice as he raced out to a 5-0 l,ead in the opening set and swiftly wrapped up a one-set lead. Stepanek was able to recover quickly, attacking Murray at every opportunity and reaping the rewards with a service break in the second game of the second set.

Stepanek broke to lead 2-0 in the decider and again later for a 5-2 advantage. Murray was able to recoup one of the breaks but Stepanek made no such mistake at the second time of asking and served out the win.

Murray couldn’t overcome a lack of sleep following his three-set win over James Blake that ended at 1:45 a.m. on Thursday.

“It’s obviously limited recovery after a long match,” Murray said. “It’s 4 a.m. by the time you get to bed. So it’s not perfect preparation for a match. But you still come out and you try and give it your best shot. Wasn’t good enough.”

"Obviously to win a tournament after that long out was great," said Murray, reflecting on his win in Valencia. "I wanted to try and play as many matches as possible. I would have signed up for playing seven matches and winning six of them before these couple of tournaments, and it was kind of just what I needed before London. I get nine days' rest to get rid of all the niggles and stiffness. I'll be feeling good going in there, I'm sure; a lot better than I would have been if I had gone out early both weeks."

Source Reuters/ATP
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Paris BNP Paribas Masters Thursday 12 November: As it happened

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Paris BNP Paribas Masters Thursday 12 November: As it happened

12.54: Fernando Gonzalez has just walked off! We can't believe it! JMDP is through to face ravishing Radek Stepanek tomorrow in the quarters.

12.52: Fernando misses a forehand by a thou! Set point DelPo. Can he serve? Nando longs! 8-6! Final set! No, Gonzalez walks off! Del Potro has won!

12.49: Fernando challenges a serve that was way out. DelPo punishes the second. 6-3, three set points. Great return, DelPo's too tired to reach for it. 6-4. Ditto, 6-5. Two set points saved. DelPo longs one, tries a Hawkeye but to no avail. 6-6 at the second change-over!

12.47: Second serve then DelPo paints the line with a cross-court forehand. 4-3 Delpy. Gonzo serves a second 'en, DelPo fires it in at his feet. 5-3 DelPo.

12.44: Gonzo 1-0 after a big serve. 2-0 Gonzo, mini-break with a great longline backhand. 2-1, serve and follow-up. Gonzo to serve. Misses a forehand down the line. 2-2. Big serve, 3-2 Gonzo. Big serve, 3-3, mini-change-over.

12.42: Game! Tie-break!

12.41: Long from Gonzo, Ju-Ad Martin. Deuce. Ju-Ad Martin. Deuce. The two of them are exhausted. Ju-Ad Martin.

12.40: Let! Big serve, pushes him wide and taps away a smash. Seven saved.

12.39: 15-40, two more match points. Second serve... incredible backhand into the corner. Sixth one saved...

12.35: Gonzo holds, 6-5. That one took 43 seconds.

12.31: Gonzo nets one. Ju-Ad Martin Del Potro. Ace! 5-5! 8 min 43 seconds, that game lasted!

12.30: DelPo punts one wide. 5th match point... Saved with a big follow-up forehand.

12.29: DelPo again goes back onto the Forehando forehand. Big mistake. Huge. Fer-ad-do. Match point number 4. Second serve, saved!

12.28: DelPo goes back onto the Forehando forehand. Big mistake. Huge. Fer-ad-do. Match point. Big service and a great follow-up (gutsy stuff). Deuce.

12.27: 15-40! Two match points! DelPo then paints the outside of the line! 30-40... Forehando tries the same and juuuust misses. Deuce!

12.24: 5-4 Gonzo. DelPo, bust gut and all, serving to stay in the match and to prolong our night-shift (how I'm going to get the kids to nursery school on time in the morning when I get back home after the tournament is beyond me - I'm jetlagged in my own time zone! 3 am - 10 am is not a normal night's sleep).

12.18: DelPo's now having his tummy massaged by the physio. Will it be a case of last man standing? Maybe they'll both pull out and Marat will have to come back and play the quarter-final tomorrow against Stepanek...

12.16: 3-3, deuces wild on the Gonzo serve this time. They're both exhausted. And so are we. They're preventing me from finishing my round-up and my preview, fer gad's sake! Anyone still out there? What's the most exotic country that can write in? Aha, 4-3 Gonzo. A five-minute, double-figure deuce game. And here comes the physio to strap up Gonzo's knee...

12.09: 3-3. DelPo holds but he's had to stare down four break points in his last two service games. He's moving rather languidly out there, is the almost two-metre-tall Argentinean.

12.02: 3-2 Feru forehando. He's three games nearer to the end-of-season Masters.

11.56: More deuces wild, this time on the foal's service (Potro is a foal apparently). Ah, scratch that - 2 each apiece. Once again, Lionel Richie is singing "All night long" in my ear...

11.48: Nope, 2-1 Forehando. And he's having a spray applied to his knee. What's up with Fena, to use his real nickname?

11.46: 1-1, deuces wild on the Gonzo serve. Is this where the tide turns?

11.34: From 1-5 to 7-6, courtesy of an enormous net cord. Gonzo dominates on the second serve and bashes a forehand down into the corner. Gonzo takes the opener 8-6!

11.32: Or maybe not. Jinxmeister Lilley strikes again as the gods pick up the alea and re-jacta it. DelPo is afraid of the forehand but Gonzo inside-outs him and nabs the two mini-breaks back. The promptly hands one back over, out of politeness. DelPo serves for the set, pummels the backhand, comes to the net, lobs too deep but still dominates the net then... nets. ARGH! 6-6.

11.29: Gonzo nabs one back with a cross-court forehand measured at 145 kph but it's 5-1 at the change-over. The die has been cast. Alea jacta est, as they said in ancient Rome (hey, you learn things on this blog).

11.27: Of the Pot decides that enough is enough and mini-breaks. Twice. Semi-tie-bagel (that's 3-0 to the rest of the world).

11.26: Of the Pot takes it to deuce, but there's no stopping Forehando (tee hee). "Tie! Break! (clap clap cap) Tie! Break! (clap clap cap)" the 8,000 spectators roar as one. Well they ought to, in my opinion.

11.18: 6-5 Del Potro. Quick holds but some explosive points and the crowd are loving every minute of this combat. I incidentally love the nickname Forehando which has been coined down below by Sia. Blogtastic.

11.12: 5-4, Del Potro, break-back Andes Mountain. After Gonzo had looonged one with the court wide open first up, the writing was on the wall and DelPo should have had the first set in ze pockette, as they say here in an attempt to be cool and English (English is cool, in case you didn't realise. Honest). Hawkeye and Gonzo's best efforts took it to deuce however, and then two absolutely larraped forehands saw Gonzo break back!

11.04: 5-3 Del Potro. Keen to have another go at breaking, Gonzo holds to love, the final point confirmed by Hawkeye as he leant back and unleashed a backhand two shots into the exchange which flashed down the line and curled away once it had kissed the paint, like a coquettish lover.

11.01: 5-2 Del Potro, but the big fellah needed to dig deep there. Gonzo was whipping forehands left, right and centre and carved out enough break points to win a couple of sets (four of them), let alone the game, but the lofty Argentine was not found wanting when the questions were asked. Cliché-tastic, that last sentence was.

10.50: 4-2 Del Potro, break. Bang. One of those big backhands, right down the line. Gonzo had been relying on his second serve but that's not a long-term option against the big Argentine stallion.

10.44: 3-2 to Of the Pot. The 1.98m Argentine had dropped only one point on serve and is a perfect 9 from 9 on his first service. Gonzo has only got 40% over but his second offering has been good enough so far - he's only lost two points in two games. Who will blink first?

10.37: 2-1 DelPo. Both South Americans hold at a canter, DelPo on the back of some of his trademark "almost kneel into them" two-handed backhands, Gonzo with his "stride into the net and slap a side-arm" smashes. I'm sure you can picture them.

10.16: Here come the protagonists for the final Round of 16 match, Juan Martin Marat-slayer Del Potro and Fernando wiped his butt on a line in protest at a call at Roland Garros in the semis this year Gonzalez. Gonzo needs to win to stay in the Tour Finals in London. He won the first three of the meetings between the two in 2006 and 2007, but JMDP beat him at Washington, on hard courts, in the semis this year.

10.15: Speaking of Tsonga, he and Benneteau pulled out of their doubles match with the Bryan Bros, for obvious reasons I suppose for Jo.

10.13: Tsonga - Nadal tomorrow afternoon - yes please!

10.09: Nadal wins 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. 4-5 down and he just turned on the turbo. That was Nadal in a state of grace. Amazing to see. Against Almagro it was his opponent who froze, but here the Matador from Manacor just stepped up to the plate and took the cliché by the scruff of the neck. Amazing.

10.07: 15-40! T-Rob saves the first, more by luck than judgment, stranded at the net.

10.05: 0-30... Second serve...

10.04: 6-5 Nadal. Held at a canter. What can T-Rob pull out of the bag now?

9.59: 5-5! Rafa breaks back after a deuce! Wow did he ever take the game by the scruff of the neck there!

9.57: 30-40 as T-Rob longs one.

9.55: 15-15. Rafa blasts, T-Rob hits up a desperation one which clips the line but Rafa puts it away like the pro that he is. 15-30 as T-Rob longs one...

9.52: 5-4 Robredo! Rafa double-faults at 30-40! His second of the match. T-Rob will serve for the match! Oh boy! Ay caramba!

9.43: 4-3 Nadal. Sparkling tennis as the former world No1 pushes his opponent waaay back. T-Rob then fires in an improbable passing shot that Rafa reaches for and sends over the net, dying to perfection.

9.39: 3-3, just as emphatic. T-Rob dominates at the net and then finishes off with an ace - his sixth. 100 euros have gone to charity so far in this match.

9.37: 3-2 Nadal. To love. Emphatic. He's only dropped three points on serve this set.

9.33: 2-2. T-Rob pummels the ball left and right and Nadal chases down almost every one. Tommy's having to paint the lines but he's managing it. Seeing Rafa here in Paris scampering left and right, wearing out a channel behind the baseline, brings back fond memories.

9.23: 1-1. T-Rob holds to 15, two first serve winners, two second servers. He's giving as good as he's getting, is the man from San Cugat des Valles.

9.23: 1-0 Rafa to open the decider. He sprints to his chair for a quick towel of his racquet then jogs to the other end. Determination.

9.17: 6-3 and second set for Robredo! Three aces, 83% of first service points won, no break points conceded and he took one of the two that came his way. Well done that man!

9.08: 5-2 Robredo as he holds to 15, finishing off by curling an ace past Nadal. Interesting times!

9.04: 4-2 Robredo! The shorter-haired Spaniard carves out a break point then hangs tough at the net, diving to send a drop volley dying just over the net. He rolls over stuntman-style and clenches a fist as the crowd roar.

Nestor and Ziki defeat the Frenchies 3 and 4, and we have tomorrow's programme: Söderling - Djokovic (starting at 2 pm) then Tsonga versus the winner of this one in the afternoon, Monfils - Cilic then Stepanek versus DelPo or Gonzo in the evening.

8.54: These two have met five times and T-Rob has yet to even take a set - mind you, that was the case with Stepanek and look what he did to Murray. They played twice in 2005 and 2006, then there was a gap until the recent Shanghai tourney, where Rafa won at a canter, 6-1 6-4.

8.53: 3-2 T-Rob in the blink of an eye. The Robster is unawed by either the 1,000th ace or indeed his storied opponent. Good for him.

8.52: 2-2, and Rafa bangs down an ace - the 1,000th of the tournament, meaning that BNP Paribas will donate 10,000 euros (and counting) to charity. Well done Rafa, and well done of course to the tournament sponsors.

8.49: 2-1 Robredo, despite another Dementieva-esque running forehand from Rafa, which thanks his rubber wrist curls around his opponent and into the back corner of the court. Rafa's the one conjuring up the fireworks at the moment, T-Rob is keeping pace but looks unlikely to step up a gear. Jinx alert anyone?

8.43: 1-1. Rafa equalises at a canter. T-Rob's maybe going to have to drop back a bit to return serve, or come right forward and gamble. He's between two stools at the moment.

8.39: 1-0 Robredo, despite a running forehand winner down the line from Rafa which elicits gasps. Sorry about the scoreboard - some people are having problems, others not. Try CTRL F5. Other than that, it's out of our hands at the moment but we are trying to get someone on the case.

8.36: Nestor and Zimonjic, the Belgrade boys, have taken the first set from Clément and Llodra out on No1 Court.

8.33: 6-3, first set Nadal. The former world No1 holds to 15 with a service winner placing the exclamation mark on the opening set. There was little to choose between the two players, but Rafa took his break chance and T-Rob didn't. End of.

8.28: 5-3 Nadal, break. Voilà! T-Rob comes to the net but Rafa is alert to the danger and chips then bashes one past him. The Majorcan pounces on a second serve at 30-40 and the break is broke.

8.24: 4-3 Nadal. Rafa follows suit. Are they both secretely preparing for the tie-break? I'm looking forward to it already (certain jinx - here comes the break). T-Rob to serve, Rafa way back behind the baseline, wearing out a channel in the hard-court floor as he scampers hither and thither. T-Rob's on the front foot, right on the baseline.

8.21: 3-3. War of attrition? T-Rob pulls out the heavy artillery and holds to love.

8.17: 3-2 Nadal. Rafa pulls ace No2 out of the bag when he needs it. This match is over half-an-hour long already – a war of attrition.

8.13: 2-2. Robredo holds after a break point. This is going to be a long match, full of long rallies – a welcome change after Stepanek – Murray. We're now at deuce in game 5 - settle in and get some coffee. Rafa's just saved a break point. The fans are going to get their money's worth tonight - like they did last night!

7.58: Robredo holds to 15, all on first serves, Nadal holds to 30, mainly on second serves. 2-1 Rafa. Early days, but Rafa’s having to work again, like he did against Almagro.

7.52: Nadal holds to open – too early to tell how he’s looking tonight yet.

7.47: Murray’s about to go into his press conference and apparently he is carrying a groin injury. We’ll soon find out. And here on Centre Court Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo is just getting under way – Rafa again wearing that awful lime green top, blue check shorts combo.

7.38: Stepanek wins 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Big serves, including an ace that Murray couldn’t Hawkeye away, try as he might, and the Czech is good value for his win that will see him face the winner of tonight’s final third round match between Juan Martin del Potro and Fernando Gonzalez. Muzz was on fire for a set but far too passive after that – perhaps because of the fatigue of playing three toughs sets at gone midnight last night, perhaps because he’s a passive kind of player. Either way, he’s out.

7.33: 5-4 Stepanek, Murray holds thanks to a couple of aces and despite an exquisite Radek drop. Can he break again?

7.29: 5-3 Stepanek, Murray breaks. Stepanek punts two long, then a netted forehand gives him a break point and he finally hits a service return winner like he was doing in the first set. Too little too late? If he hadn’t allowed that second break...

7.25: 5-2 Stepanek. At 30-all, Murray punts one wide second shot in – a totally unforced error – then double-faults. Pffft.

7.21: 4-2 Stepanek. Big serves and Murray cuts an impotent figure against them. The game whistles by in a matter of seconds.

7.19: 3-2 Stepanek. Murray holds to love, with ace No3 of the set and No8 of the match for good measure, but Stepanek gives you the impression that he’s saving his strength to hold serve, which is all he needs to do.

7.17: 3-1 Stepanek. Two double faults from Radek – the first ones of the match – are the only points Murray picks up, and Radek aces one for good measure. Muzz is in trouble here...

7.13: 2-1 Stepanek. Big serving from Andy but he’s going to need some big returning and not just accurate slicing and patience – it’s not a virtue against Radek.

7.09: 2-0 Stepanek. Radek Hawkeyes an ace then lobs onto the baseline when Murray comes in (only because he had to). Murray’s lost all the elan he had in the first set and is just relying on Radek making mistakes, but the Czech is forcing the issue before it comes to that.

7.05: 1-0 Stepanek, break in the first game. Murray saves two break points, then Step clips a beaut of a winner after a mammoth rally on deuce. The Czech then comes to the net and Murray’s lunging cross-courter is a thou’ wide. Murray is being far too passive and letting Radek Step all over him...

6.58: 6-3 Stepanek, one set all. Chip and charge from Murray but Stepanek lobs him. At 30-all with the set in the balance, Radek comes to the net and dictates. Big serve on set point and the Czech levels the match – the first time he has ever taken a set off Murray. Here comes the decider, and the No13 seed has the wind in his sails.

6.53: 5-3. Murray goes 0-30 down, then it’s service winner, chip and charge (a rare sight), service winner, but Radek goes inside-out to bring it back to deuce. Ad-ek Stepanek, a big serve gets it back to deuce. Radek then drops, Andy comes in and defends the net to carve out an Ad-y Murray, then the Czech skew-whiffs one wide. Game. The longest so far in a very staccato match.

6.47: 5-2. Stepanek goes 0-15 down but a helpful net cord gets him on the right track. Murray’s slicing radar has suddenly gone off. That's as many games in a set as Radek has ever taken off Andy, and it looks like there's more to come.

6.44: 4-2. Service winner, ace, Steps nets after a rally, service winner. Blink and you’ll miss the action here, but the match has hardly hit the heights thus far.

6.41: 4-1. Stepanek’s turn to Hawkeye an ace. He’s wearing an enormous pair of luminous blue shorts, the kind that Shaquille O’Neal would go to the beach in.

6.39: 3-1. Muzz serves like Brenda Schultz McCarthy and he’s troubled the scorers at last in this second set. Still early doors, mind.

6.37: 3-0. Radek’s turn to semi-bagel. His first serve is still awry but his second is spot on, kicking like a mule, and that’s negating Murray’s returning as he’s used to a bit of pace.

6.31: 2-0. Radek slices Murrayesquely on fore and backhand then pounces with a killer two-handed backhand to carve out the first deuce on the Muzz serve (indeed, of the match). Another one follows and then there is a break point. Murray drops, Radek sees it early and that’s that. Break to Radeak Stepaneak.

6.27: 1-0 Stepanek. More kick-serving from the Czech lady-killer and Murray could barely get the splice of his racquet to the last one. Radek’s keeping everything veeeery low over the net, as is his wont, but Murray’s the kind of agile player who can dig them out and fight fire with fire.

6.22: 6-1. First set Murray. No bagel but a breadstick for dinner, une baguette, as 'twere. A Murray ace was challenged by the lad fae Dunblane and turned out to be in, and he finished the set off by scampering in to recover a Steps drop and out-drop the dropper, clipping a backhand just over the net cross-court. Sterling (or should that be Bank of Scotland?) stuff.

6.20: 5-1. Stepanek tries kick serving and that works. Still only one bagel (6-0) in the tournament so far, and Steps is the one who inflicted it, on Serb Victor Troicki.

6.16: 5-0. Stepanek tries return and volley now and it works a couple of times, but Andy’s final serve is big enough to negate the threat of the Czech. Yeesh, I’m going to be able to have dinner, read the paper, catch up on e-mails, ring the kids, delete the txts from my phones and sort out the receipts in my wallet all before the evening session starts at this rate...

6.14: 4-0. Stepanek is usually a good hard-courter but his brand of serve and volley isn’t working, mainly because Murray is returning better than Lazarus.

6.10: 3-0 to the Muzzmeister, ace No1 for the match being the cherry on the half-bagel. The strange thing is, his service isn’t working yet – only five of 11 made it over the net. He won every point on those five though, and half of his second services as well so that’s enough.

6.05: Murray has never lost so much as a set to Stepanek in three encounters, the most recent being Cincinnati earlier this year. Five 6-4s and a 6-1, so how’s about a 6-4 6-1 today then? Or maybe a 6-1 6-4 as he has just broken Radek to 30 to lead 2-0. Pin-point returning so far from Muzzer. He carved out three break points and needed all three, plus confirmation from Hawkeye that Radek’s last effort did indeed slice wide of the line by a thou’ (yes, we have Hawkeye on both courts this year).

6.01: Murray serves to open and holds to 30. He banged down over a score of aces yesterday but was snatching at most of his other shots too early in the rally, which is why he had all the trouble in the world getting past James Blake.

5.54: Monfils wins 6-4 6-3 in 83 minutes. He’ll play Marin Cilic in tomorrow’s quarter-final.

5.52: Out come Murray and Stepanek onto Court No1. I reckon they were waiting for LaMonf to finish off Bennet and then put Muzz and Steps on Centre, but Bennet’s a battler, as Roger Federer can attest (it’s still deuce on the Monfils serve at 5-3 on Centre).

5.49: Benneteau has battled gamely, but this is the end, beautiful friend, the end. 5-3, LaMonf serving. Or is it the end? 30-40... no, deuce.

5.31: Hot-dog! LaMonf slides in after a drop, Bennet lobs and LaMonf hits a beaut of a between-the-legger that Bennet can only net. The crowd love it. 1-4, deuce. Murray – Stepanek begins in 15 minutes by the way.

5.23: Monf holds breaks holds. Bennet looks like he spent all his cartridges in yesterday’s Franco-Swiss battle.

5.13: Cilic wins, 3-6 6-3 6-4! Wow, I got a prediction right. That means that Verdasco is reliant on Söd or Gonz not making the final or J-Dub not winning. If Jo-Wil makes the final but loses, he'll finish five points, five measly points, behind Verdasco.

5.10: Verdasco saves a second match point at 40-30 on the Chillitch service. Gutsy stuff. He then lobs to perfection and Cilic raises his finger as it was not called out. And he was right! Third match point and he saves it again. Deucetty deuce.

5.07: 6-4, La Monf sneaketty breaks, breaketty sneaks in the tenth game.

5.04: 5-4 Cilic after Verdasco saved a match point. If he loses here, he’s reliant on one of the two guys behind him (Söderling and Gonzalez) making the final or Tsonga winning the tourney if he is to get to London for the ATP Tour World Final.

4.57: 4-3 as Verdasco serves big and wide, like a lefty should, and then nets the follow-up – argh! Break Cilic and he’s eight points away from a quarter-final against the winner of Bennet’ – LaMonf, which is locked at fours at the moment.

4.51: 3-3 in both matches. Bennet’s haring around the court like he did last night against Fed and the crowd are most appreciative. As is the case on court No1, which is well attended by a goodly number of fans, might I add.

4.29: 6-3, Cilic holds at a canter and we'll have a decider on No1 court.

4.27: 5-3 as Verdasco curls a snake of an ace down the middle that Cilic tries to get a racquet to, but the ball does a hip-sway and swerves like a rugby winger, dropping the shoulder and heading for the try line.

4.26: 5-2 Cilic, while on Centre Court, Julien “Fed-slayer” Benneteau is warming up against Gaël “Sliderman” Monfils, who reckons that the reason why he slides so much, even on hard courts which is pretty dangerous for the ankles, is because his legs aren’t strong enough. A frank admission there, I think you’ll agree. He's 14 cm taller than me but the same weight, which might imply that he needs to bulk up - or I need to lose a pound or too, but I disagree there.

4.21: Aha, he doesn’t need to serve well if Verdasco is going to double-fault, which he does on break point, which is a tad inconvenient for the handsome Spaniard who is a rival of Radek Stepanek’s for the affections of the women tennis players. 4-2 Cilic (pronounced Chillitch as opposed to Sillick).

4.17: 3-2 Cilic in the second set, with service. No aces for the big Croat in the first set, two in the second – he’s only won 68% of first serve points, and that's his main weapon.

4.07: 6-2 6-3 Tsonga, game tset and match! The big fellah with the outlandish ‘do will face the winner of Robredo – Nadal in the quarters tomorrow. 13 aces for Tsonga – he stepped it up in the second set and won 90% of points on his first serve throughout the match. Much respect between two of the four musketeers at the end of the match. A third musketeer is about to come out to play – Gaël Monfils, who will face Julien Benneteau.

4.00: 4-2 Tsonga. TSimon’s tstruggling out there. Rest and recuperation is only two or three games away, Gilles, and we’ll always have that incredible second round win over Ljubi to remember. Gilles himself said he didn’t know where the shots were coming from –“I never play drop-shots or backhand chips, even in practice,” he said, so maybe it’ll help him improve his all-round game. Not today though – it’s now 5-2. Tsimon tserving against Tsonga to tstay in the tsournament, and indeed to tsave his tseason.

3.53: ‘Nando ‘Dasco takes the opener 6-3, while Tsonga has tserved up a tsemi-bagel to the knee-ly challenged Gilles Simon. No mercy at Bercy from one Frenchie to another.

3.46: ‘Nando ‘Dasco saves a break point and holds to make it 5-2. I could do with both matches keeping up their fast paces as I have a massage book at 4.30. And to anyone who complains, I point out the fact I blogged for 15 hours yesterday, then started again this morning after a nine-hour break (in which I did a round-up, an audio round-up and a preview). Have a heart, people...

Tsonga served up five aces in the first set which is peanuts for the bouffant-haired one – he’s usually a ten per setter, but I suppose he only got to serve four times, so I’ll let him off. Particularly since he’s just sent a two-handed backhand straight down the line which drew cheers in the press office.

3.43: First tset Tsonga tsix-two, at a tstroll. Tsolid tstuff from the big fellah.

3.38: Looks like Gillou will be resting his knee earlier than we thought. 5-2 after Tsonga tsneaks a break. Ewww... 15-40 on the Tsimon tserve to tsave the tset. 40-30, then a first serve is called out but Hawkeyed back in. Tsimon tserves the tsame again and it’s deuce.

4-2 Verdasco on No1. And some of your captions today have been brilliant by the way. Keep them coming in.

3.31: Verdasco stands up to the Cilic serve and carves out three break points early doors. The third is the charm and he goes on to hold to back it up. 3-1 to Tabasco after a mere 13 minutes. Gilles meanwhile is holding his own against J-Dub, as I call Monsieur J-W Tsonga.

3.20: Tsimon tsaves a break point and it’s 1-1. His right knee is as tightly strapped as it was the other knee when he reinjured it against Ljubicic but doesn’t appear to be hampering him. It’s a tear in the tendon that has bugged him since the French Open, but Tuesday’s match didn’t make it any worse, an MRI confirmed. Apparently it’ll need two months rest – after Bercy, Gilles can take time off as he’s not at the Masters, but it’ll be touch and go as to whether he can play in the Aus Open.

3.16: Tsonga tselects to tserve and holds. 1-0. Verdasco is going to serve on Court No1 – good idea, make Cilic wait before he can start banging down the aces.

3.08: Two more third round ties about to get under way: Verdasco .v. Cilic on No1, Tsonga .v. Tsimon in the Frenchie derby. And yes, I am going to say Tsonga Tsimon all afternoon so get used to it, tsuckers...

2.58: Djokovic signs plenty of autographs and off he goes. If he can add a few slices in amongst his power, he’d be my tip to win the trophy. Let’s see how Stepanek plays later on today (I reckon he’ll cause Murray a few problems) as he’s my fancied outsider (and let’s face it, he’s fancied alright. Martina Hingis, a former Miss Czech Republic, Nicole Vaidisova – Steps is a hit with the laydeez).

2.51: Djokovic defeats Clément 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with Söderling in tomorrow’s quarters. DJ Fred Viktor sends La Clé on his way to the tune of “Don’t you want me?” by The Human League.

2.44: 5-2 after Hawk-eye saves La Clé on match-point and he goes on to hold! He’ll have a spare shirt in reserve, just in case he can turn the match on its head and push it to a third set... (Note to self: must stop finishing entries with dot dot dot...)

2.26: La Clé’s struggling to unlock Djoker’s defences and he’s just been Serbed with a semi-bagel. Un demi pain pour Monsieur Clément, s’il vous plait... 3-0 to Nole.

2.19: La Clé changes shirts, as he does after every set in every match – more out of comfort than superstition, he says – but it’s to no avail. The Djoker, resplendent in an amber t-shirt and black shorts, had broken to open. Djoker broker. He’s no choker.

2.11: Nole has a double break, or un double-break as they say over here (it’s all in the accent). As it was yesterday against Monaco, it’s all two-handed backhands, no slice with the Djoker. Power is what counts for him. And there we go, 6-2, first set.

1.58: Cermak and Mertinak are through to round 3 of the doubles, while on Centre Court, we had three breaks and then two holds. What is this, WTA?! Nole leads 3-2 and is about to serve. He often loses his opening serve does the Djoker. Must be a Serbian thing as Jelena Jankovic is the same...

1.24: Here come the Djoker and the key out on court!

1.13: Söderling wins 6-3 3-6 6-4 and will face the winner of Djokovic - Clément, and they're next up on Centre Court.

1.11: 5-4 Söderling and he now has two break - and match - points! Are we about to get a result?

1.05: 4-4 on Centre Court. Tighter than my wallet when I’m walking along the Champs Elysées past all the swanky boutiques...

12.48: The caption competition is working properly now - sorry about the technical glitch. Delphine is beside herself with despair at having reined in your artistic talents for 45 minutes.

12.45: Kas and Kohlschreiber, who defeated Nadal and Monaco in the first round, are now into the last 16 with a straight sets win over Julian Knowle and Andy Ram, who were No6 seeds (well they still are No6 seeds, but a fat lot of good it will do them between now and the end of the week).

Söderling leads 2-1 with serve in a decider that is likely to go all the way. Who knows – maybe we can beat last night’s record of a 2 am finish...

12.34: 6-3 and we’re into a decider. Davy won his second serves, Bobby didn’t. Davy versus Bobby – sounds like a battle of American teen idol singers from the 60s...

12.27: Davy holds after a battle, Sod holds comfortably and it’s 5-3, Davy Denko Donny Darko to serve for the set. And while you’re waiting for the bald Russian to take it to a decider.

12.07: Hoo cha cha, or however you say that in Russian. Davy Denko half-bagels the Sodster! 3-0 and he’s half-way to levelling it up. Whatever the doc made him swallow was obviously the right stuff and Kolya, as we like to call Russian Nikolay’s, is hanging tough. He broke to love, did Kolya, and held to 15 and love either side. Rapido pronto.

11.49: 6-3 Söderling. Davy Denko looks alright, it looks like the physio just gave him a painkiller or maybe some salts. Four aces for Bobby Sod, little to choose between them but the Swede took the break points when it mattered.

11.49: 5-2 Söderling and Davy Denko has called on the physio, who doesn’t appear to be treating him as yet. Maybe it’s to give him some tips on returning Bobby Sod’s tip top serve...

11.33: Söderling’s acing up a storm, as you’d expect, but he’s also returning like Connors. Three break points carved out and the third was the charm. 3-1 to Bobby Sod but Davy Denko is battling away, deuces wild on the Serve-rling.

11.17: Söderling opens and holds, Davydenko does likewise. Cagey stuff to open with.

11.00: Morning all, Drew Lilley here to take you through another absolutely jam-packed day of tennis. And if it's half as good as yesterday, then we're in for a treat. While we're waiting for play to get under way.

Article from Paris website

Photos: Rafael Nadal and girlfriend Maria Francisca Xisca Perello in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Photos: Rafael Nadal and girlfriend Maria Francisca Xisca Perello in Paris

Check out some photos of Rafael Nadal and girlfriend Maria Francisca Xisca Perello in Paris during the romantic night after dining at 'Cafe de La Paix'.

Photos MTF

Paris: Djokovic, Tsonga and Soderling into quarterfinals

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:14:00 +0000

Paris: Djokovic, Tsonga and Soderling into quarterfinals

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Gilles Simon 6-2 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris BNP Paribas Masters.

Tsonga said his main goal was to capture another title at the Bercy hall.

"I'm not here for the Finals; I'm here for Bercy," insisted Tsonga afterwards. "I will only qualify if I win this tournament, so I'm not thinking about London. I'm thinking about Bercy. I'm thinking about defending my title, or even more, about going to get a new title instead of thinking about London."

Tsonga served 13 aces and lost just four points on serve. He broke serve twice in the first set, winning four straight games from 2-2, and an early break in the second set proved enough to secure victory and improve to a 3-1 record over Simon.

"My level of game is good right now, but during the past weeks I didn't play well," lamented Tsonga. "I played a good first match here, and today, of course, it was not a very tight match, but I was feeling the ball well. I served very well in spite of the circumstances, so in fact I feel a bit better than last year (when he won the title). But it's going to be difficult [to defend the title], because the other players also improved a lot compared to last year, like Novak or Soderling and other players. They're all very good."

Simon, who is suffering a knee injury, was never in contention.

“It’s tough when your opponent is injured but I just tried to treat this as a normal match,” said Tsonga.

In the quarterfinals Tsonga will play the winner of the match between Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo.

Robin Soderling also advanced to the quarters after beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 3-6 6-4.

Davydenko qualifies for the World Tour Finals in London because Fernando Verdasco was upset 3-6 6-3 6-4 by Marin Cilic.

Soderling opened up a 3-1 when he converted his third break-point opportunity. He was forced to save one break point in the fifth game and came close to a 5-1 lead. Soderling eventually closed out the first set in 46 minutes, having won 67 per cent of service points and hit four aces.

Davydenko sprang into action and broke Soderling's serve to love in the second game of the second set. He maintained the advantage and levelled the score line at one-set apiece.

In the decider Davydenko was forced to save two break points in the second game, but at 4-5 he gifted Soderling two match points with an unforced error. Nikolay hit a backhand long on the first match point to give Soderling the win.

Soderling will next face Novak Djokovic, who defeated Arnaud Clement 6-2 6-2.

“Robin has a big chance to qualify for London and he’s certainly going to give it his best,” Djokovic said. “He’s a big server, he can play great tennis on different surfaces and he’s playing the year of his life, so it will be tough.”

“I’m really not thinking about London,” Djokovic said. “I want do well here. I know it’s a very important tournament and I just hope to continue the high level of performance I’ve had in the last two months,” he added.

“I never made the quarter-finals before but I still think I can play some good tennis on this surface so I’ll just try to get on the court for every match to win it,” he said.

Source Reuters/ATP
Photo AP

Juan Martin Del Potro to play Kooyong Classic 2010

noreply@blogger.com (WTA and ATP Tennis Blogs) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Juan Martin Del Potro to play Kooyong Classic 2010

Juan Martin del Potro will replace Marcos Baghdatis at the Kooyong Classic 2010 tennis exhibition.

The Kooyong Classic will be played on January 13-16 as a preparation for the Australian Open 2010.
Del Potro was offered a place in the eight-man field after Baghdatis said he wanted to switch to the Sydney International tennis event.

“It is most unfortunate to lose Marcos from an already announced field, but I understand his situation,” Kooyong Classic tournament director Colin Stubs said.

“This event was instigated to provide the world’s top players with the best possible preparation for the Australian Open, but it will not always suit.”

Novak Djokovic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Fernando Verdasco, Fernando Gonzalez, Robin Soderling and Tommy Haas had will be also participating of this event while Roger Federer remains undecided.

Source Reuters