Federer, Nadal Advance In Paris; Djokovic v Isner As All Top 7 Seeds In Action Thursday
Posted by Staff on October 30th, 2013 @ 10:38 pm
Tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both won comfortable opening round matches Wednesday at the final regular season ATP stop of the year, the Paris Masters.
“It feels great, I’m so happy,” said Federer. “It’s been a tough year so this is a little bit of a highlight. It was one of the goals I set myself at the start of the year and I’ve been able to achieve it. …
Tsonga Succumbs To Nishikori In Paris, Sends Federer To Finals; Djokovic Wins 13th Straight
Posted by Staff on October 29th, 2013 @ 10:46 pm
Roger Federer finally clinched his spot in the year-end ATP Finals after contender Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost to Kei Nishikori in the second round of the Paris Masters today.
Tsonga entered the day in 10th position but with the event in his home and indoors, he was expected to make a run, but those dreams were dashed today in a 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(7) heartbreaker to Nishikori.
“I believe he managed well, because I …
Djokovic Opens Indoor Season Tuesday In Paris; Nadal Focused On Strong Year-End Finish
Posted by Staff on October 28th, 2013 @ 11:20 pm
Novak Djokovic begins his final push to reclaim the No. 1 ranking Tuesday at the Paris Masters. Djokovic, who has won 12 straight matches and 18 of his last 19, will be in second round action against little-known French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Coming of an undefeated Asian swing with titles in Beijing and Shanghai, Djokovic still has a shot, albeit a very slim one, to finish the year No. 1, but …
Serena Williams, Del Potro, Youzhny Claim Titles
Posted by Staff on October 27th, 2013 @ 8:53 pm
Serena Williams Sets Records with Year-end WTA Title
World No. 1 Serena Williams ended the season on a high note Sunday, recovering from a three-setter the previous day to outlast China’s Li Na 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 for the year-end TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships title in Istanbul.
“I don’t know how I got through that one,” Williams said. “I’ve just had a really long year, and I’m just really excited, honestly. I …
Preview: Gasquet, ATP Players on Hot Seat at Paris Masters
Posted by Staff on October 26th, 2013 @ 7:45 pm
BNP PARIBAS MASTERS (Paris Indoor)
Paris, France; Surface: hard
Seeds: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Juan Martin Del Potro, Roger Federer, Tomas Berdych, Stanislas Wawrinka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic, Tommy Haas, Nicolas Almagro, John Isner, Jerzy Janowicz, Gilles Simon, Fabio Fognini
Floaters: Dmitry Tursunov, Ernests Gulbis, Fernando Verdasco, Gael Monfils, Vasek Pospisil, Michael Llodra, Grigor Dimitrov, Marin Cilic
Notes: The final tournament of the year before the year-end championships…Three berths remain …
Serena Tries To End Season With 4th WTA Championship Title, Meets Li Na In Final
Posted by Staff on October 26th, 2013 @ 7:16 pm
World No. 1 Serena Williams will try to cap one of her best seasons with a title at the year-end WTA Championships on Sunday. In the semifinals today, a fatiguing Serena hung on to defeat Jelena Jankovic in three sets 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. She’ll now face Li Na in the all 30-plus title match.
“I’m just really trying out here,” Williams said after nearly losing a 5-1 final set lead. “I …
Fresh Federer Faces Del Potro In 2012 Basel Title Rematch; Ferrer In Valencia Final
Posted by Staff on October 26th, 2013 @ 6:53 pm
For the second straight year hometown hero Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro will square off in the Basel final after both earned tough three set semifinal wins on Saturday.
Federer, who lost to Del Potro last year in the Basel championship match 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, edged Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-5. The 23-year-old Canadian was seeking a first career ATP final and led Federer 3-1 in the third …
Marin Cilic Reinstated From Doping, Will Play Paris
Posted by Staff on October 26th, 2013 @ 12:10 am
The ITF announced Friday that Marin Cilic’s nine month doping ban has been reduced to four after hearing an appeal from the Croatian.
Cilic, who was found to have taken illegal substances during the Monte Carlo event in April, will be allowed to return to the ATP circuit on October 26. And Cilic took advantage of the lesser sentence by playing the Paris Masters where he drew a qualifier in …
Federer Denies Dimitrov In Basel; Serena Leads Semis At WTA Championships
Posted by Staff on October 25th, 2013 @ 11:56 pm
In a long-awaited showdown between master and apprentice, Roger Federer took down Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 7-6 in the quarterfinals today in Basel.
Federer flew out to a quick first set in under 40 minutes, twice breaking an overwhelmed Dimitrov. But the Bulgarian nosed out ahead in the second. Then with momentum on his side Dimitrov failed to serve it out, and Federer took the match in a tiebreak much to the …
Serena Into Semis, Determining Matches Friday at WTA Championships
Posted by Staff on October 24th, 2013 @ 11:35 pm
Serena Williams is treating the WTA Championships much like she did the regular WTA season — like her personal beatdown tour that is quickly coming to an end.
On Thursday Williams moved to within two matches of ending the season definitively on top, defeating Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-3 to move to 3-0 in round robin play and secure a semifinal berth.
“I’m just glad to still be alive in the tournament — …
Federer Will Look Into Mirror Friday When He Faces Dimitrov In Basel
Posted by Sean Randall on October 24th, 2013 @ 11:04 pm
It’s just a quarterfinal at the Basel ATP 250 500 event, but you could make the case that Friday is Grigor Dimitrov’s biggest day of his tennis career. The young 22-year-old Bulgarian with the near-identical strokes to one Roger Federer will finally play Mr. Federer.
Much like when Federer beat Sampras a decade ago in Pete’s backyard at Wimbledon and the “torch” was passed, Dimitrov gets his shot at …
Roger Federer: Losing To Tommy Robredo At The US Open Was “Complete Horror” [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on October 24th, 2013 @ 11:29 am
In an extended sitdown interview with Steffi Buchli on SRF 2’s “SportLounge” earlier this week, Roger Federer expanded on his season and the state of his game.
Federer discusses the amicable end of his relationship with coach Paul Annacone. Now 32, Roger sounds content just going forward with Swiss Davis Cup coach Severin Luthi.
Federer also spoke candidly about his shock loss to Tommy Robredo at the US Open. Federer admitted that …
Victoria Azarenka Sounds Mentally And Physically Exhausted
Posted by Tom Gainey on October 24th, 2013 @ 10:51 am
Victoria Azarenka admitted yesterday that she’s exhausted. Following a straight set loss to Jelena Jankovic at the WTA Championships in Istanbul, Vika said all the tennis she’s played is catching up to her both mentally and physically.
“It’s been a tough year,” Azarenka said on Wednesday. “It’s been tough two years, so that consistency I have been playing with, it’s sometimes difficult to keep all the time. You know, everybody goes …
Serena Williams Admits She Doesn’t Like Playing Tournaments After The US Open
Posted by Tom Gainey on October 24th, 2013 @ 10:44 am
Serena Williams admitted yesterday after a second round robin win at the WTA Championships in Istanbul that she doesn’t care much for playing WTA events after the US Open.
“I have always traditionally ended my year after the Open,” Serena said Wednesday. “You guys are lucky that I was able to make it out two tournaments. That’s like a record for me. I love that the season is getting, you know, …
Watch Genie Bouchard Give The Weather Forecast In Montreal [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on October 24th, 2013 @ 9:53 am
Rising star Genie Bouchard ended her 2013 season by appearing on her home Montreal TV news station CTV to give the weather forecast. The rising Canadian star, who had just returned from Asia, stumbled and bumbled a little, but with her stunning looks and newfound fame she’ll do just fine after some more reps.
After finishing No. 144 last year, the 19-year-old Bouchard is ranked a career-high No. 32 this week. …