Federer Not Happy with Masters Cup Surface; Davenport Clinches No. 1
Posted on November 11, 2005
Semifinals Set, Davenport Clinches No. 1 at WTA ChampsA loss was still a win Thursday for Lindsay Davenport, who along with opponent Maria Sharapova advanced into the semifinals from round robin play when the Russian teen outlasted her 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 at the WTA Championships in L.A.
"I played smart tennis," said Sharapova, who after match point dropped her racquet, raised her arms and appeared to think about doing a victory lap. "I took out her strengths. It was exciting to beat someone who's been playing such amazing tennis. I'm very, very happy about it."
Davenport meanwhile shook the umpire's hand and was packing her bag for an exit when Sharapova finally caught up with her for a handshake that was less than warm.
"I wasn't mad," Davenport said. "She is a little dramatic when she wins and it takes her a while to get to the net."
Davenport finishes the round robin with a 2-1 record, while Sharapova still has a match left at 2-0. Also in Green Group action Thursday, Patty Schnyder defeated Nadia Petrova 6-0, 5-7, 6-4, with both players eliminated from semifinal contention.
Depending on how the draw settles after Friday's matches, Davenport and Sharapova could face each other again in the final.
In Black Group play Amelie Mauresmo clinched a semifinal spot for herself and French countrywoman Mary Pierce with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Elena Dementieva.
"I'm feeling very consistent out there on the court," Mauresmo said. "So it's a good satisfaction for me. I played well in Philadelphia last week -- it gave me confidence."
The result means Kim Clijsters and Dementieva are eliminated from semifinal contention, and Davenport secures the year-end No. 1 ranking over the Belgian.
On court Friday are Mauresmo vs. Pierce, Sharapova vs. Petrova, and Clijsters vs. Dementieva.
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From the ATP: "The formal opening of Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai will be marked by a convey of Mercedes-Benz cars that will bring the players to Qi Zhong Stadium for Saturday afternoon's Welcome Ceremony. Each singles player and doubles team will arrive at the stadium in a Mercedes-Benz, and will be dropped off just outside the stadium where fans lining the red carpet entrance will have the opportunity to get autographs from their favorite tennis stars. The competitors at the $4.45 million championship event will then head into the stadium to take their place on stage with local dignitaries and government officials to declare the official start of Tennis Masters Cup. Matches will get underway at 1 p.m. Sunday in Shanghai."...Zimbabwe's Wayne Black says he will join brother Byron in retirement after participating in next week's Masters Cup doubles...Roger Federer in Shanghai: "I am not a huge fan of the surface, to be honest. It makes me feel strange and it just doesn't take my spin the way I would like it to be...anyway, hopefully I can get used to it after quite a few practice sessions over the week."...From VamosRafael.com: "Rafa [Rafael Nadal] is in Shanghai preparing for the Masters Cup, which begins on Sunday. The news of the draw, and of his new haircut, are now overshadowed by even bigger news on our Messageboard: Rafa has a girlfriend. Speaking to the Chinese press, Rafa's coach, Uncle Toni, explained, "He always said he's single, to the media, also kept me in the dark. However, there's nothing I wouldn't know about this kid. He always thought this is a well-kept secret, actually his girlfriend's waiting for him back in Mallorca." Toni stressed Rafa has not changed since winning Roland Garros. "He's still dating the same girl. His girlfriend's a fellow Mallorcan, I guess they met long ago," said Toni, and added, "But I guess a lot of girls will be terribly upset after knowing the truth." And a lot of guys...Peter Bodo writing for the TennisWorld blog: "This morning, I bumped into a former ATP employee who was no less shocked by how unprofessional the top women pros have been. "If I'm a Sony-Ericsson executive, I'm throwing chairs around the office and marching into the WTA offices and demanding to re-negotiate the deal. Because if the tournament isn't that important to the players or the WTA, I've been sold a bill of goods. Why should it be so important to me, if it's not so important to them?""