Henin v Sharapova for No 1; Masters Cup Begins
Posted on November 11, 2006
Masters Cup Kicks Off in ShanghaiThe Masters Cup kicks off late Saturday EST in the U.S., Sunday in Shanghai, with Argentine David Nalbandian as the defending champ.
World No. 1 Roger Federer will look to put a stamp on a dominating season, in a difficult round robin grouping with Nalbandian, who he lost to in last year's final, Ivan Ljubicic and Andy Roddick.
The second round robin group contains two year-end championship rookies in Tommy Robredo and James Blake, battling an injured Rafael Nadal who attempts to return from an abdominal injury, and the in-form Nikolay Davydenko.
Federer is 10-3 vs. Ljubicic and 11-1 vs. Roddick, and has dominated Nalbandian, losing last year's final on a gimpy ankle.
After an early loss at the final event of the year, the Master Series-Paris, Blake back-doored his way into the championship when competitors Mario Ancic and Tommy Haas failed to go the distance.
Day One in Shanghai features Federer vs. Nalbandian in a replay of last year's final, and Ljubicic vs. Roddick in a serve-a-thon. Roddick has lost his last two against Ljubicic, and hasn't beaten a Top 10 player in 2006.
Mauresmo, Henin, Sharapova, Clijsters Into WTA Champs Semis
Current No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo has been eliminated from the race for the year-end No. 1 ranking, but that didn't stop her from coming from a set down Friday to defeat Justine Henin-Hardenne 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2 to advance out of round robin play into the semifinals.
"I'm just very, very happy and very proud about (coming back from Tuesday's loss)," Mauresmo said. "The next day, I went back on the court and let the frustration out and also came back yesterday and today from one set down to finally get the win."
Henin-Hardenne, despite the loss, also moved into the semis after a 2-1 round robin record.
"I walked on to the court to win the match," Henin-Hardenne said. "I proved it during two sets. I had a lot of motivation. I played well during two sets. It wasn't good enough at the end..."
Title favorite Maria Sharapova kept her round robin record perfect after a 6-1, 6-4 thumping of fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Kim Clijsters also moved into the semis after blistering Russian Elena Dementieva 6-4, 6-0.
Lining up for the Saturday semifinals are Henin-Hardenne vs. Sharapova in a clash that could decide the year-end No. 1 ranking, and Mauresmo vs. Clijsters.
"It's going to be a good match. I beat her in the US Open and I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Sharapova said. "She's playing good tennis again after months of injuries, and I'll go out there and give my best and do my best."
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TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Whirlpool has extended their sponsorship of the WTA Tour for another three years...From the ATP: "Former ATP World No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten will end a ninth-month hiatus next week when he plays the Asuncion Challenger as part of the South American Challenger Circuit, the "Copa Petrobras." The three-time Roland Garros champion has received a wild card into the singles and doubles draws. Kuerten has played just one singles match this season: a first-round loss to fellow Brazilian Andre Ghem in Costa do Sauipe in late February. "On Saturday by the end of practice I was sure about my good condition and felt prepared to compete again," Kuerten said. "I'm very motivated and my adrenaline is running high. I've been playing sets in the last three weeks and playing this event will help me a lot. Like I said before, I was going to announce when I feel good and this is what just happened."...From Doug Robson writing for Tennisreporters.com: "Is Justine Henin-Hardenne No. 1? That's a question that, mathematically, can't be answered until the 24-year-old Belgian emerges from her semifinal showdown against Maria Sharapova Saturday afternoon. If she reaches the final, Henin-Hardenne will finish the season atop the women's tennis heap, no matter who takes the trophy in Madrid, at least according to the rankings computer. If Sharapova wins and goes on to beat the winner of Saturday's other semi pitting Amelie Mauresmo against Kim Clijsters, the Russian teen will own the No. 1 ranking."...From Tennis.com: "Swiss tabloids report Boris Becker has lost his driver's license after being caught speeding in a Swiss district."...From India's Cybernoon.com: "Neo Sports Plus is a channel especially for the viewers who are passionate about different sports unlike Neo Sports which caters to only cricket. Neo Sports announced the launch of their new 24-hour sports entertainment channel, Neo Sports Plus at a press conference yesterday afternoon at the CCI. Starting exactly an hour after schedule, five sports personalities were present for the launch (which probably explains the delay). Shooter Anjali Bhagwat, billiards player Michael Ferriera, badminton champ Pulela Gopichand, table tennis player Kamlesh Mehta and ace tennis player Sania Mirza were all present to lend their support to the new channel. The 'unveiling' of these personalities was done in a rather dramatic way. Appearing on the podium wearing white masks and the Indian cricket team's official blue jersey (?), the five removed their masks to pulsating music and flashing lights!"...From AndyRoddick.com: "This is the first time Andy has set foot in the Qi Zhong Stadium in Shanghai. Andy is having a red-hot second half of 2006, and his first practice with Nadal on Friday reflected that as Andy prepares to face Ivan Ljubicic in his first Round Robin match on Sunday."
Also see:
Tennis-X.com ATP Masters Cup Contest -- Win a Racquet
http://www.tennis-x.com/release/2006-11-10/2098.php