Three-time champion Andy Murray eased past Fernando Verdasco today 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the Queen’s quarterfinals.

“It wasn’t perfect, but I felt I dug myself out of a few difficult situations when I was behind on my serve,” said Murray. “Especially in the second set, [I] played some good points there, [served] a few aces.

“I will definitely need to make sure I start a bit sharper than I have in …

Thanasi Kokkinakis got a grass tennis lesson yesterday from Gilles Simon during a 64, 62 loss at the Queen’s Club second round. But the 19-year-old Australian took some fun out of it, joking afterward that at least he got to see some popular faces in the crowd.

“I saw that,” Kokkinakis said we told Top Gear present Jeremy Clarkson was watching in the stands. “Got a bit distracted, actually. Oh, there …

With just 10 days or so from the start of Wimbledon, the prognosticators are getting ready. Among them is French Open champion Stan Wawrinka who offered his favorites to win when asked yesterday after losing to Kevin Anderson in Queen’s.

“I put Novak, Roger, Murray,” Wawrinka said of his Wimbledon favorites.

“Novak is No. 1,” he went on. “He’s been playing so well since last years now and especially this year. I’m …

German star Sabine Lisicki blasted a WTA record 27 aces en route to a 6-1, 7-6(4) win over Belinda Bencic today in the second round at Birmingham.

“It’s nice to have another record!” Lisicki said on court. “It’s obviously a good weapon to have on grass. And I love playing on grass, so it’s nice to be back at the Aegon Classic Birmingham.”

Last summer, Lisicki hit the fastest serve ever …

Roger Federer gained revenge on Ernests Gulbis for a French Open loss last year, sending off the Latvian 6-3, 7-5 to reach the Friday quarterfinals in Halle.

“It is a grass-court match and he’s got a big serve, so regardless of what his level is, he’s always going to be tough for himself and for the opponent,” said Federer. “I served well when I had to and I’m pleased about the …

Last week Boris Becker jumped into the fire pproclaiming that Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer don’t like each other. It wasn’t much of a revelation as the two have had their issues, especially early on and you rarely see them together in exos. But there has been little evidence of animosity of late.

However Becker, in his new book “Wimbledon: My Life and Career at the All England Club”, …

Energetic superstar Nick Kyrgios is already burning out. Just 20, the Australian phenom is feeling the grind of the pro circuit.

Battling an illness after an elbow problem last month, Kyrgios lost in just 49 minutes to Stan Wawrinka at Queen’s on Tuesday, and afterward he hinted at taking a break before Wimbledon.

“I have been sick for the last week,” Kyrgios said.

“Probably going to stay in my house for a …

Rafael Nadal wasn’t pleased with a loss yesterday to the tricky Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round at Queen’s Club. Nadal was up 42 in the third set but didn’t win another game falling 63, 67, 64.

“I played against uncomfortable player in the first round here and I had my chance,” Nadal said. “I didn’t play a bad match, but matches sometimes here decide in just a few things, and …

Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon grass prep is already over after the former No. 1 blew a 4-2 lead in the final set to lose the final four games and the match to Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 at Queen’s Club in London today.

“I was a break up in the third, and then he played some good points,” said Nadal. “I missed a few balls… Nothing to say against me. I played …

The players agree, the extra week between the French Open and Wimbledon this year is a welcome, long-awaited change. Among the supporters is Roger Federer, the best grass court player of the generations. And speaking to the media in Halle on Monday, the Swiss thinks the added week will help players improve on the surface.

“I definitely think there are going to be more players that are better prepared because I’m …

Andy Roddick is returning to tennis this summer, joining good friend Mardy Fish in the doubles event in Atlanta next month. Fish, who has been battling an anxiety disorder from a heart condition since 2012, will also play in the singles with the goal of also appearing at the US Open, though not  in the doubles with Roddick who has a baby coming.

“Unfortunately I can only look to Atlanta, just …

Roger Federer title defense in Halle nearly ended on opening day. Facing Philipp Kohlschreiber in a rematch of their 2008 final, Federer found himself down 5-4 with the German serving in the final set breaker. But the Swiss won the last three points to earn victory 7-6(8), 3-6, 7-6(5).

“I’m very relieved,” said Federer who had some interesting moments in the match. “Philipp served at 5-4 in the tie-break. It’s …

Roger Federer showed off some of his vast shot-making skills today in Halle. Early in the third set against Philipp Kohlschreiber, Federer came up with this gem, hitting a lob from behind-the-back and it paid off. Kohlschreiber was able to return it but Federer put his smash reply away with a forehand passing shot winner.

Earlier in the match Roger slipped up on the grass:…

The news continues to be bad for Juan Martin del Potro. The Likeable Argentine returned in March after post-Australia surgery but his left wrist wasn’t good healthy enough.

Del Potro had remarked he was hoping to play the clay, but he never did, nor did he play at the French Open. And now the latest news is he will have a third surgery on his left wrist next Thursday.

Today, a disconsolate …

The grass is here and arguably the best player on the surface is still Roger Federer. The Swiss is in Halle this week where he has won the title seven times, including last year which he said helped launch he back up the rankings.

“I’ve been playing great for the last 12 months,” Federer said. “I had the feeling that everything went well after I played at Halle last year, except …