Craig Hickman's Tennis Blog

World Tour Finals Final

2009-11-29T08:53:00.004-05:00

Reuters/Getty

The one who defeated Roger Federer en route to this final should take the title.

Oh, wait. They both did that.

Okay. So. The one who returns serve most aggressively should take the title. Nikolay Davydenko is capable of serving into the corners when you least expect him but Juan Martín del Potro won't be as frustrated by the Russian's delivery as he was by the Swede's so he should find himself with more looks to break serve. But Kolya returns serve about as well as anyone, leads their head-to-head 2-1, and gave del Potro quite a shellacking at this event last year. Still, the Tower of Tandil is a different player now than he was a year ago.

I've no doubt both of them can hoist the tour's final 2009 trophy, so I'll take another third-set breaker, a tub of popcorn, and may the most composed man win.

World Tour Semifinals Preview

2009-11-28T09:18:00.005-05:00

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Group A has the advantage. Roger Federer and Juan Martín del Potro had a day off, Robin Soderling and Nikolay Davydenko did not.

The Russian has the shortest turnaround and the worst record of all against his opponent. I still don't understand why Kolya hasn't been able to defeat the world No. 1 even once. They have played tight sets, but Kolya always manages to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I'm not sure Raja will be in any mood to even allow him to get close today. I'll be surprised if the Swiss doesn't win in straights.

Getty

Getty

I, for one, am going to thoroughly enjoy watching the Rude Power boys duke it out. They've split their only two meetings with the Argentinean winning their only match in 2009. But that was way back in Auckland, which seems like a lifetime ago. The Swede won a set last night to avoid facing Raja in this round, so let's see what he has left to bring against del Potro. I see a third set breaker. Bring on the popcorn.

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Day 7 - Semifinals Order Of Play

Day Session: 12.30 pm GMT (7.30 am ET)

Mirnyi/Ram vs. Cermak/Mertinak

Followed by
[1] Roger Federer vs. [6] Nikolay Davydenko

Night Session: 7 pm GMT (2 pm ET)

Bhupathi/Knowles vs. Bryan/Bryan

Followed by
[8] Robin Söderling vs. [5] Juan Martín del Potro

There should be no night session for the semifinals. In both singles and doubles, it gives the day-session winners an advantage they don't need heading into the finals tomorrow.

Face Of The Day

2009-11-27T18:08:00.004-05:00

Reuters

Novak Djokovic of Serbia strums his racquet face like a guitar after winning his ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena against Rafael Nadal of Spain in London November 27, 2009. It wasn't enough. The defending champion was eliminated from the event a few minutes ago.

World Tour Finals Day 6

2009-11-27T07:24:00.014-05:00

Reuters

Argentina and Manchester City soccer player Carlos Tevez watches compatriot Juan Martín Del Potro take on Switzerland's Roger Federer during their ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena in London November 26, 2009.

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Day 6 Round Robin Order Of Play

Day Session: 12.30 pm GMT (7.30 am ET)

Dlouhy/Paes vs. Mirnyi/Ram

Followed by
[2] Rafael Nadal vs. [3] Novak Djokovic

Rafa is playing for pride. And his No. 2 ranking. If Djoke wins the title, he can replace the Spaniard as second best. Djoke can lose the match and still advance, but he'll need Kolya to lose as well.

I think.

Night Session: 7 pm GMT (2 pm ET)

Bryan/Bryan vs. Kubot/Marach

Followed by
[6] Nikoloay Davydenko vs. [8] Robin Söderling

Can Andy Roddick's substitute win the title as he did in 2005? Stay tuned.

Yesterday's Results

Reuters

Group A Singles
A Murray (GBR) d F Verdasco (ESP) 64 67(4) 76(3)
J Del Potro (ARG) d R Federer (SUI) 62 67(5) 63

Matches don't get much tighter than these.

If you're a fan of Murray, you're not coming up from under today. First time ever a player is eliminated in a round robin tiebreak decided by number of games won.

Guess he had a brutal draw after all.

Group A Doubles
D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) 64 76(9)
F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 64 64

Group A Final Standings

Singles
(1) Roger Federer 2-1 - Wins group with 44-40 games record
(5) Juan Martin del Potro 2-1 - Advances with a 45-43 record

(4) Andy Murray 2-1 - Eliminated by one game with 44-43 record
(7) Fernando Verdasco 0-3 - Eliminated after loss to Murray

Doubles
(3) Mahesh Bhupati/Mark Knowles 2-1
(5) Frantisek Cermak/Michal Mertinak 2-1

(8) Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski 1-2
(1) Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic 1-2

Face Of The Day

2009-11-26T21:16:00.002-05:00

Reuters

Britain's Andy Murray reacts during his ATP World Tour Finals tennis match against Spain's Fernando Verdasco at the 02 Arena in London November 26, 2009.

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One game. Eliminated from the event by just one game. He must be spitting bullets.

World Tour Finals Day 5

2009-11-26T09:04:00.007-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to those who observe it today.

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Raja has clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking, but he could still be eliminated if the US Open champion defeats him in straight sets and if the Scot defeats the Spaniard in straights. At least that's what Jimmy Arias said yesterday.

Reuters

Round Robin Day 5 Order Of Play

Center Court - 12:30 PM Start

Nestor/Zimonjic vs. Bhupathi/Knowles

Followed By
[4] Andy Murray vs. [7] Fernando Verdasco

At 7pm
Cermak/Mertinak vs Fyrstenberg/Matkowski

Followed By
[1] Roger Federer vs. [5] Juan Martín del Potro

Yesterday's Results

Reuters

Group B Singles
R Soderling (SWE) d N Djokovic (SRB) 76(5) 61
N Davydenko (RUS) d R Nadal (ESP) 61 76(4)

Robin played well, but Djoke was beyond tired. The second set was a capitulation. The more the lithe Serb misfired, the better the lumbering Swede scrambled about the court.

Kolya never really let Rafa in the match and when he did, the former world No. 1 didn't really know what to make of the opportunity. The first man eliminated (?), Rafa can return to Mallorca and start getting ready for next season. Yeah. I'm suggesting he skip Davis Cup.

Group B Doubles
B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) 63 64
L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) d M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR) 46 64 16-14 - saved 3 M.P.

Quote For The Day

2009-11-25T19:40:00.002-05:00

Getty

"It's great. Top eight, top nine guys in the world here. I mean, I won two matches in straight sets against the World No. 2 and No. 3. I couldn't have asked for anything more. So far I'm enjoying it a lot. But there's still at least two more matches to go. I hope to do really well in those two, as well."--Robin Söderling, on becoming the first player to qualify for the semifinals

World Tour Finals Day 4

2009-11-25T10:01:00.008-05:00

AP

U.S.'s Andy Roddick, left, with Chief Executive Officer of Lacoste, Christophe Chenut after he announced his renewal of his sponsoring contract with Lacoste in a press conference during the ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the 02 Arena in London, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. Roddick qualified for but pulled out of the ATP World Tour Finals due to an injury.

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Round Robin Day 4 Order Of Play

Center Court - 12:30 PM Start

Kubot/Marach vs Mirnyi/Ram

Followed By
[3]Novak Djokovic vs. [8]Robin Söderling

At 7pm
Bryan/Bryan vs. Dlouhy/Paes

Followed By
[2]Rafael Nadal vs. [6]Nikolay Davydenko

Yesterday's Results

Group A Singles
R Federer (SUI) d A Murray (GBR) 36 63 61
J del Potro (ARG) d F Verdasco (ESP) 64 36 76(1)

Raja finally beat the Scot from a set down and secured the year-end No. 1 ranking. He also proved that he wasn't exactly showing his ass when he claimed that the outcome of this match-up depends more on him than his opponent. The encounter featured some great shotmaking but I imagine the final set wouldn't have been so lopsided if Murray wasn't in such visible physical discomfort.

The US Open champ is still alive.

AP

Czech Republuc's Frantisek Cermak, left, and Slovakia's Michal Mertinak celebrate after winning their ATP World Tour Finals tennis match against Canada's Daniel Nestor and Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic at the O2 Arena in London, Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009.

Group A Doubles
F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 63 64
M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) d M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 36 63 10-7

World Tour Finals Day 3

2009-11-24T08:48:00.006-05:00

Getty

Andy Roddick of USA watches the men's singles first round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 23, 2009 in London, England.

from andyroddick on twitter: its an unreal event that has been put together at the O2.... i really miss playing but it was good being around the energy of it again

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Round Robin Day 3 Order of Play

Centre Court – start 12:30 pm

Bhupathi/Knowles vs. Fyrstenberg/Matkowski

Not Before 2:15 pm
[5] J del Potro (ARG) vs [7] F Verdasco (ESP)

At 7:00 pm
Nestor/Zimonjic vs. Cermak/Mertinak

Not Before 8:45 pm
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs. [4] A Murray (GBR)

Yesterday's Results

Getty

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, right, swaps shirts with Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, left, after their ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Monday Nov. 23, 2009.

Group B Singles
R Söderling (SWE) d R Nadal (ESP) 64 64
N Djokovic (SRB) d N Davydenko (RUS) 36 64 75

As I said in the comments, Rafa is barely on the court these days. I do enjoy Söderling's "rude power" and wouldn't mind seeing him doing well here but I don't think he's going to win another match.

Djoke and Kolya really know how to turn a single match into three. Some of those games were 15 minutes. Got a bit too nervy for me at the end, but it was a well-fought war.

Group B Doubles
M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (BLR) d B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 64 64
L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) d L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) 63 76(3)

World Tour Finals Day 2

2009-11-23T09:02:00.005-05:00

AP

A spectator cheers on Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro during the ATP World Tour Finals tennis match against Britain's Andy Murray at the 02 Arena in London, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.

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Today is the rematch between Rafa and Robin, their first since the earthquake in Paris.

Who's taking it?

Round Robin Day 2 Order Of Play

[2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs [7] M Mirnyi (BLR) / A Ram (ISR)

Not Before 2:15 pm
[2] R Nadal (ESP) vs [8] R Soderling (SWE)

At 7:00 pm
[4] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) vs L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT)

Not Before 8:45 pm
[3] N Djokovic vs [6] N Davydenko (RUS)

Yesterday's Results

Group A Singles
A Murray (GBR) d JM del Potro (ARG) 63 36 62
R Federer (SUI) d F Verdasco (ESP) 46 75 61

Group A Doubles
M Fyrstenberg (POL) /M Matkowski (POL) d D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 64 64
M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) d F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) 63 63

World Tour Finals Day 1

2009-11-22T07:29:00.009-05:00

AP

Tennis players, from left, Fernando Verdasco, Juan Martin del Potro, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling, pose for a photograph alongside a London bus in Westminster, London Friday Nov. 20 2009.

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Who's jaded? Who's injured? Who's ready to play lights out tennis and take this trophy undefeated? The inaugural ATP World Tour Finals, formerly the Masters Cup, will be contested in East London beginning today before sold-out crowds.

Round Robin Day 1 Order Of Play

Centre Court – start 12:30 pm

[1] D Nestor (CAN / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs [8] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL)

Not Before 2:15 pm
[4] A Murray (GBR) vs [5] J del Potro (ARG)

The US Open champion has a bum knee or back or shoulder or something. The local favorite ought to prevail in straights.

Getty

At 7:00 pm
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) vs [5] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK)

Not Before 8:45 pm
[1] R Federer (SUI) vs [7] F Verdasco (ESP)

The Australian Open runnerup ought to handle his injured opponent in short order.

Here's hoping the gimpy players have something to trouble the top dogs with.

Getty

Yes. That's right. Night matches in London. Joy of joys.

Canadian Player Niemeyer Retires

2009-11-20T12:02:00.003-05:00

AP

Canada's Frederic Niemeyer serves to Roger Federer, from Switzerland, during the second round of play at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, in Montreal.

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MONTREAL -- Frederic Niemeyer officially retired from professional tennis during a news conference Thursday, but he won't be leaving tennis altogether.

Niemeyer instead will join Tennis Canada as a personal coach for promising 18-year-old Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont. Niemeyer will train Raonic in Montreal and also will travel with the teenager 18 weeks a year on the pro tour.

Raonic made his ATP Tour debut at this year's Rogers Cup in Montreal, winning his first two matches against No. 77 Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia and No. 113 Michael Llorda of France to advance through the qualifying. He then delighted an overflow crowd at the BN grandstand court, taking 11th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez to the limit before losing 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4.

Montreal Gazette

Luis Horna of Peru also hung up his raquet in recent days.

Getty

Lima, Nov. 13 (ANDINA) - Luis Horna, one of the greatest players in Peru's tennis history if not the best, announced in tears his retirement from professional tennis at age 29.

The 2008 Roland Garros doubles champion announced he will retire from professional tennis after the "Challenger of Lima", starting this upcoming weekend.

"I've decided to retire from professional tennis after the Challenger of Lima," were the first words Horna said at a press conference he called to announce his future at professional tennis and Davis Cup.

"Lucho" was away from courts during several months this season due to a series of injuries. Recently he had suggested the possibility to going on some more years, but he seemed to need some break.

"I don't say no to Davis Cup. I could be in the future in the team," said Horna, when asked about it, although he didn't specify if his comeback would be as a player or as collaborator in the national team, whose main goal for next year is to get back to Group 1 of the American Zone.

He added that the best moment in his career was when he represented Peru at the Davis Cup. "It was when we took Peru to the World Group," he added.

Horna said that this victory was even more important than when he won the Roland Garros doubles title.

Horna will become a tennis trivia answer. He is the last player to beat Raja in the opening round of a Slam at Roland Garros 2003.

Quote For The Day

2009-11-18T16:23:00.001-05:00

"[Andy] Murray can still [trouble me with counter-punching] to some degree, but when I play too good or too offensive I can take it away from him now. And I’m too physical, whereas in the beginning I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t get around backhands and stuff. Now I can mix up my game too well for him to get under my skin. When we both play well it’s a close match, but I always feel it’s the attacker who holds the key to success, so it’s up to me whether I win or lose, not up to him. That’s why I don’t mind the match-up, to be honest."--Roger Federer

Final Draw

2009-11-18T15:38:00.012-05:00

Getty

The draws for the World Tour Finals were completed early today.

Singles

Group A
Roger Federer (SUI)
Andy Murray (GBR)
Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)
Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Group B
Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Robin Soderling (SWE)

Group A is more injured than Group B so the top two seeds should get through without much fuss. The Russian could play spoiler in Group B.

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Doubles

Group A
Daniel Nestor - Nenad Zimonjic
Mahesh Bhupathi - Mark Knowles
Frantisek Cermak - Michal Mertinak
Mariusz Fyrstenberg - Marcin Matkowski

Group B
Bob Bryan - Mike Bryan
Lukas Dlouhy - Leander Paes
Lukasz Kubot - Oliver Marach
Max Mirnyi - Andy Ram

Andy Roddick Withdraws From London

2009-11-17T15:29:00.008-05:00

Getty

Andy Roddick of the United States fields questions from the media at a press conference after retiring from his match against Stanilas Wawrinka of Switzerland during the 2009 Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 13, 2009 in Shanghai, China.

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Neil Harman of the Times Online has reported that Roddick has withdrawn from the World Tour Finals with a knee injury.

Andy Roddick, who departed from London in July on a wave of appreciation for the way he handled defeat in one of the most memorable Wimbledon finals in the event's history, has lost his battle to be fit to perform in the first staging of the Barclays ATP World Tour finals in the capital.

The American world No.6 has withdrawn from the eight-man extravaganza - which starts on Sunday at the 02 Arena in south-east London - having been unable to overcome the knee injury that forced him to pull up lame against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in his opening round of the Shanghai Masters last month. It had been feared for some days that the 27-year-old would not have enough time to recover sufficiently to give his all and he had to bow to the inevitable today.

Swede Robin Söderling will replace him and France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will be first alternate.

Wickmayer, Malisse Attack WADA

2009-11-16T08:13:00.002-05:00

This could be fun.

Suspended Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse are launching appeals with European authorities challenging the legality of the whereabouts rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Victory at the European Commission in Brussels and the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights could force WADA to change its rules on when and where athletes can be tested out of competition.

“The indispensable fight against doping is not the issue here. The problem is the lack of proportionality of certain measures,” their lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Read the rest...

Histrionics And Disappearing Acts

2009-11-15T12:52:00.010-05:00

Getty

I'm usually thoroughly entertained when watching a final between two players I don't like. For a set and a half today, such was the case. The ascendant player was opening the court with viciously angled forehands and striking winners from everywhere with an illusionist's disguise, a marksman's precision. The player fighting from behind was extending rallies with incredible retrieving and every once in a while stinging his opponent with his own power.

But then Novak Djokovic started the first of his recurring disappearing acts after leading 3-0 in the second set and Gael Monfils started his patented histrionics to get the crowd all revved up and in his opponent's face.

Disappearing acts aren't entertaining and histrionics isn't tennis. When will these two grating personalities figure that out?

When a final-set breaker ends on a double fault from the player who was beating his heart to prove he has one, and the eventual champion follows suit after victory and goes all cave man and shit, I wasn't sure any longer that a tennis match had just unfolded.

More like an experimental piece of performance art between two actors exploring the nuances of fear and false bravado.

Glad it's over.

Good for Djoke for pulling out another victory before a hostile crowd. For finally winning a Masters shield in 2009. For beating the world No.'s 1 & 2 in successive weeks. For closing out a long season as the best best-of-three player on the ATP.

Bercy Final Open Thread

2009-11-15T09:18:00.006-05:00

Getty

French Gael Monfils returns to Serbian Novak Djokovic, during their Paris Masters ATP tournament final tennis match on November 15, 2009 at the 'Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy' in Paris.

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The first big title of 2009 for the world No. 3 or another Bercy title for a native son playing his first Masters final?

Reuters

Rama Yade French Junior Minister for Youth and Sports attends the final of the Paris Masters tennis tournament between Gael Monfils of France and Novak Djokovic of Serbia November 15, 2009.

Face Of The Day

2009-11-14T15:47:00.005-05:00

Getty

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on prior to his semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the ATP Masters Series at the Palais Omnisports De Paris-Bercy on November 14, 2009 in Paris, France.

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Singles - Semifinals
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [2] R Nadal (ESP) 62 63
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d [13] R Stepanek (CZE) 64 57 64

Doubles - Semifinals
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [8] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) 67(2) 64 10-2
M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) d [7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) 64 62

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Two finals in as many weeks when I don't care who wins.

I'm going to enjoy it once more.

Face Of The Day

2009-11-13T21:59:00.002-05:00

Getty

France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reacts during his quarter final tennis match against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the ATP Paris Indoor Master tournament, on November 13, 2009 at the Palais-Omnisport-Paris-Bercy in Paris.

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Singles - Quarterfinals
[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.M. del Potro (ARG) 40 ret. (abdominal strain)
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d [12] M Cilic (CRO) 36 64 64

Doubles - Quarterfinals
[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

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Rafa's defeat of Tsonga ensured that Fernando Verdasco has qualified for the final eight in London.

Three out of four isn't bad.

Bercy Drive-By Preview

2009-11-13T06:16:00.009-05:00

Reuters

Djoke over Söderling in straights
Jo-Wilfried over Rafa in straights*
Monfils over Cilic in 3
Stepanek over JMDP in 3

Would serve me right if I got all four predictions wrong, but the losers will have to get out of their own ways to end up on the side of victory.

*Tsonga withdrew from doubles citing a wrist injury, so....

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Singles - Third Round
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d [14] T Robredo (ESP) 63 36 75
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] A Clement (FRA) 62 62
[13] R Stepanek (CZE) d [4] A Murray (GBR) 16 63 64
[5] J Del Potro (ARG) d [10] F Gonzalez (CHI) 67(6) 76(6) ret. (leg) - saved 7 M.P.
[9] R Soderling (SWE) d [6] N Davydenko (RUS) 63 36 64
[12] M Cilic (CRO) d [7] F Verdasco (ESP) 36 63 64
[8] J Tsonga (FRA) d [11] G Simon (FRA) 62 63
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 64 63

Doubles - Quarterfinals
[8] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d J Kerr (AUS) / T Parrott (USA) 62 64

Doubles - Second Round
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [WC] A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) 63 64
[2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) w/o (Tsonga - wrist)
C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [6] J Knowle (AUT) / A Ram (ISR) 75 64

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Hard to say who's playing the best tennis. It's a toss up between Stepanek, Djoke, Monfils, and Tsonga at this point. This point. Would make for interesting semifinals as well. But Rafa is still hanging on, lucky his Spanish opponents couldn't close him out. Is he about to turn a corner? If Tsonga is injured, he could get out of jail free once again.

Faces Of The Day

2009-11-11T19:11:00.016-05:00

Reuters

Julien Benneteau of France reacts after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Paris Masters tennis tournament November 11, 2009.

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Another day, another outstanding performance by a native son.

First time I saw Julien Benneteau strike a ball was back in 2004. He was beating the crap out of eventual runner-up Guillermo Coria in the third set of their round of 16 at Miami. He had all the shots and was using them viciously.

And then he choked.

Since then he hasn't done anything significant except upset a top player at this or that event. But he's got the weaponry and if he's inspired, he's more than dangerous.

Today was Roger Federer's turn to feel the sting of the French underachiever. And the world No. 1 didn't play poorly. He seemed a bit shell shocked with a tendency toward tentative, but he wasn't flailing like he does when's he's completely disinterested or befuddled.

He wanted to win this match.

But Bennetau let the crowd lift him over the finish line, just as his compatriot the day before. He served brilliantly, retrieved like a backboard, and outsmarted Raja when it mattered most. He wept after victory. Sat down in his chair, cradled his face in his hands.

And wept.

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I'm still trying to decide if the all-Spanish affair that took more than three hours to complete was the worst match I've seen on the ATP in 2009.

Rafal Nadal played like an amateur. Nicolas Almagro choked like a headcase:

Five. Match. Points.

I don't think I've seen anything like it.

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Reuters

Marat Safin of Russia reacts during his match against Juan Martín Del Potro of Argentina in the Paris Masters tennis tournament November 11, 2009.

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The Mercurial One bid tennis farewell. The newly crowned US Open champion ended his idol's career.

Poetry.

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Singles - Second Round
J Benneteau (FRA) d [1] R Federer (SUI) 36 76(4) 64
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d N Almagro (ESP) 36 76(2) 75 - Saved 5 M.P.
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d J Monaco (ARG) 63 75
[4] A Murray (GBR) d J Blake (USA) 62 67(3) 76(4)
[5] J Del Potro (ARG) d [WC] M Safin (RUS) 64 57 64
[9] R Soderling (SWE) d I Karlovic (CRO) 64 76(6)
[10] F Gonzalez (CHI) d J Isner (USA) 75 76(3)
[12] M Cilic (CRO) d [Q] L Kubot (POL) 67(3) 64 62
[13] R Stepanek (CZE) d V Troicki (SRB) 64 60
[14] T Robredo (ESP) d T Berdych (CZE) 64 64
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d [Q] D Guez (FRA) 64 75
[Q] A Clement (FRA) d [16] T Haas (GER) 57 63 76(8) - Saved 1 M.P.

Doubles - Second Round
S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) d [3] M Bhupathi (IND) / M Knowles (BAH) 64 67(6) 10-7
[8] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) 63 64
J Kerr (AUS) / T Parrott (USA) d [4] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) 67(5) 64 10-5
M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) d [5] W Moodie (RSA) / D Norman (BEL) 64 75
[7] M Fyrstenberg (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) d J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) 64 76(5)

Paging Freud

2009-11-11T18:21:00.006-05:00

"You know what they say about a man with big feet, don't you?"

"Big shoes?"

"He'll never fall down." Pause. "What are you, about seven-and-a-half max?"

Silence.

::

No, that wasn't an exchange between two men in a bar. That was tennis commentary from Jason Goodall (who posed the first question) and Robbie Koenig during the Andy Murray - James Blake bore.

Seriously.

It came right on the heels of discussing Max Mirnyi's new baby.

Face Of The Day

2009-11-10T22:05:00.009-05:00

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Juan Monaco of Argentina gestures during to a match against Jeremy Chardy of France during the ATP Paris Masters tennis tournament on November 10, 2009.

::

Singles - Second Round
[6] N Davydenko (RUS) d B Becker (GER) 62 61
[7] F Verdasco (ESP) d A Seppi (ITA) 67(3) 64 64
[8] J Tsonga (FRA) d A Montanes (ESP) 61 75
[11] G Simon (FRA) d I Ljubicic (CRO) 63 36 76(4)

Singles - First Round
N Almagro (ESP) d M Chiudinelli (SUI) 62 64
[Q] D Guez (FRA) d S Wawrinka (SUI) 63 64
J Monaco (ARG) d J Chardy (FRA) 76(6) 75
J Benneteau (FRA) d P Petzschner (GER) 46 75 63
[Q] A Clement (FRA) d F Lopez (ESP) 63 61

Doubles - First Round
B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) d P Cuevas (URU) / O Marach (AUT) 61 76(6)
M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) d J Del Potro (ARG) / F Gonzalez (CHI) 76(2) 62
C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) d J Monaco (ARG) / R Nadal (ESP) 46 75 15-13 - saved 2 M.P
J Kerr (AUS) / T Parrott (USA) d M Damm (CZE) / J Erlich (ISR) 63 64
J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) d [WC] S Grosjean (FRA) / F Santoro (FRA) 63 36 10-5

The roaring crowd lifted him over the finish line.

Say what you will about Gilles Simon but, on one leg, he gutted out a victory over Ivan Ljubicic who, after the battle, couldn't get out of there fast enough.

It's tough losing a tight match in a final-set breaker to a player on one leg. Especially when you actually have a serve.

Despite his frail frame and wisp of weaponry, Simon has gonads.

::

It was shocking to see how Arnaud Clement tore Feliciano Lopez a new hole.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the defending champ, got through, Julien Benneteau outlasted a choking Philipp Petzschner, and David Guez, a homegrown qualifier, upset Stanislas Wawrinka.

Not a bad day for France, Jeremy Chardy the only casualty.

::

Paris Masters Open Thread

2009-11-09T08:25:00.010-05:00

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French Sebastien Grosjean jumps to smash a ball against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic during their ATP Paris Indoor Master Tournament tennis match on November 9, 2009 at the Palais Omnisport de Bercy in Paris.

MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER, 2009

Singles - First Round
[Q] L Kubot (POL) d A Beck (GER) 64 36 64
A Seppi (ITA) d P Kohlschreiber (GER) 63 63
V Troicki (SRB) d P Mathieu (FRA) 76(4) 30 ret. (right calf)
J Isner (USA) d [Q] A Falla (COL) 46 76(10) 75 - saved 3 M.P.
[WC] M Safin (RUS) d [Q] T Ascione (FRA) 64 46 76(3) - saved 3 M.P.
I Karlovic (CRO) d P Cuevas (URU) 76(3) 64
A Montanes (ESP) d V Hanescu (ROU) 36 63 76(3)
I Ljubicic (CRO) d [WC] S Grosjean (FRA) 76(2) 64
T Berdych (CZE) d [Q] V Millot (FRA) 63 76(4)

Doubles - First Round
[WC] A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) d J Levinsky (CZE) / F Polasek (SVK) 36 61 10-4
S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) d J Chardy (FRA) / G Simon (FRA) 64 36 10-7
J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) d J Coetzee (RSA) / M Melo (BRA) 63 64

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French national football team captain Thierry Henry (L) and a team mate attend the Paris Bercy Indoor Masters ATP tennis tournament, on November 9, 2009 in Paris.

::

Getty

French Gunther Low, 'air guitar' world champion, performs before the start of the ATP Paris Indoor Master Tournament first round tennis match, on November 8, 2009.

::

Even though it's way late on the ATP calendar, this has been one of my favorite tournaments over the years. Fast indoor carpet. (Oops. That was changed to a hard court recently.) Enthusiastic fans. Nightclub/rock concert atmosphere. Some great mini-classics contested over the years.

The Top 4 are entered and, if there are no last-minute withdrawals, all can face some trouble before the quarterfinals. Rafael Nadal has drawn defending championg Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters, but may have to face nemesis Tomas Berdych in the third round. Roger Federer won't be troubled by Fernando Verdasco in the quarters, but he could get all he can handle from Gael Monfils in the third round. Will be interested to see how he recovers from losing his home crown to Novak Djokovic, who could have a challenge from Feliciano Lopez in the third round, before facing Nikolay Davydenko in the quarters. Andy Murray draw the toughest quarter and could cruise or lose at any point before facing Juan Martín del Potro in the quarters.

It should be interesting to see which top players still have the physical and mental drive to stand tall on Sunday, or will a new champion be crowned?