Novak Djokovic Receives No. 1 Trophy, Plays Davydenko Tonight; Clijsters Returns [Video]
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Novak Djokovic was honored in special ceremony Monday at the Rogers Cup Montreal. Djokovic received the No. 1 trophy from outgoing ATP CEO Adam Helfant.
“It’s an extreme honor for me to receive this trophy knowing the names of the players who have won this trophy in the past tennis history,” said Djokovic. “Of course it’s a pleasure to receive it here, where I have won the biggest tournament of [my career at] that time in 2007.”
Djokovic became the 25th player to hold the No. 1 ranking after reaching the Wimbledon final last month.
Djokovic, who is 48-1 this year with a tour-leading eight titles, will play his first match as a No. 1 tonight against former Top 5 Nikolay Davydenko. Djokovic leads the Russian 3-2 in their career series but the two haven’t played since 2009.
Defending champion Andy Murray is also in action vs. big-serving Kevin Anderson and after a good win yesterday over Jarkko Nieminen Juan Martin Del Potro returns against Marin Cilic.
“I’m doing well this season,” said Del Potro who missed all of last summer because of a wrist injury. “I already won two tournaments. I made the semifinals. I beat Top 10 players. Many good things for me in this year. But, of course, I’m looking forward for the next Grand Slam. It’s my favorite. And I will be there [for the first time since winning the title in] 2009, so it will be fantastic for my confidence.”
Djokovic and Serbian friend Janko Tipsarevic were victorious in doubles yesterday beating Mark Knowles and Philipp Petzschner 5-7, 6-3, 12-10.
Rafael Nadal and his Spanish compatriot Marc Lopez were as fortunate losing to Tomas Berdych and Florian Mayer 6-3, 7-6(5).
Roger Federer and Nadal will play their first singles matches on Wednesday.
In Toronto, Kim Clijsters will test her ankle and play her first match since mid-June against Zheng Jie. Stanford winner Serena Williams opens here Canadian campaign against Alona Bondarenko. Ana Ivanovic and new Top 10er Andrea Petkovic are also scheduled.
Tennis Channel has live coverage of matches from both Toronto and Montreal today.
MONTREAL SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, 9 AUGUST, 2011
CENTRAL start 12:00 noon
[10] R Gasquet (FRA) vs F Mayer (GER)
Not Before 2:00 PM
K Anderson (RSA) vs [4] A Murray (GBR)
Not Before 5:30 PM
M Baghdatis (CYP) vs J Isner (USA)
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs N Davydenko (RUS)
BN COURT start 12:00 noon
[Q] P Petzschner (GER) vs [9] G Simon (FRA)
J Chela (ARG) vs [WC] V Pospisil (CAN)
[15] F Verdasco (ESP) vs [Q] T Kamke (GER)
Not Before 7:30 PM
M Cilic (CRO) vs [16] J Del Potro (ARG)
TORONTO SCHEDULE
Centre Court (from 11.00hrs)
1. Andrea Petkovic vs. Eugénie Bouchard
2. Zhang Shuai vs. Ana Ivanovic (NB 13.00hrs)
3. Aleksandra Wozniak vs. Shahar Peer (NB 15.00hrs)
4. Alona Bondarenko vs. Serena Williams (NB 19.00hrs)
5. Zheng Jie vs. Kim Clijsters
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