WIMBLEDON, England —Rafael Nadal swept Tomas Berdych in straight sets Sunday to win his second Wimbledon title and eighth Grand Slam championship.
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tennis. Show all posts
July 4, 2010
Serena claims 13th Grand Slam triumph
WIMBLEDON, England -- Getting set to accept her latest Wimbledon trophy, Serena Williams lifted both arms and held aloft 10 fingers. Then, raising only her right hand, she wiggled three more fingers, bringing the total count to 13.
July 21, 2009
Tennis: Safina returns to winning ways
Dinara Safina recorded a first round win in the Banka Koper Slovenia Open in Portoroz today.
The world number one eased past local wild-card Tadeja Majeric 6-0 6-4 in her first match since her All-England Club ambitions were so ruthlessly exposed by Venus Williams in their semi-final match-up on Centre Court.
Sixth seed Lucie Safarova beat Great Britain's Katie O'Brien 6-4 6-4 but third seed Kaia Kanepi was a surprise loser, going down 6-1 6-2 to the impressive Olga Govortseva of Belarus.
July 19, 2009
Tennis: Kim Clijsters eyeing full-fledged comeback
Kim Clijsters is married and a mom these days. Now she hopes to again become a year-round professional tennis player.
The former top-ranked woman is ending a two-year retirement this summer, revving up with appearances in the World TeamTennis Pro League next week, followed by a three-tournament test run. After returning to the U.S. Open for the first time since winning it in 2005, Clijsters will decide if a full-fledged return to the tour next season is feasible.
“I’ve been training like a professional, with my mindset to coming back as a full professional. I’m just going to see after the U.S. Open how the whole trip went and just see which things I have to adjust,” Clijsters said Friday. “Because it’s a new experience for me, as well, traveling with a family and just being back on tour and everything. It’s going to be completely different than it has been when I was on tour for 10 or 12 years in the past.”The 26-year-old Belgian left the sport in May 2007 to start a family. She married American Brian Lynch that year, and their daughter, Jada, was born in February 2008.
Clijsters called what she’s doing now “starting back all over. I hardly played for two years.”
She reached No. 1 in the singles and doubles rankings in August 2003, and won 34 career singles titles overall, including her Grand Slam championship at Flushing Meadows. She also was the runner-up at four major tournaments.
Clijsters was given wild cards to enter WTA tournaments at Mason, Ohio, and Toronto, followed by the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 31.
“We should only be so lucky that she would come back on a permanent basis,” U.S. Open tournament director Jim Curley said. “Regardless of where we are—and where people think we are—as a sport, when the opportunity presents itself for a former Grand Slam singles champion and popular fan favorite to come back after retiring, that can only have a positive impact.”
Before those three events, Clijsters is making her return to competition with World TeamTennis.
She will play matches at St. Louis on Tuesday and Philadelphia on Wednesday.
“It’s great for the sport that Kim is back,” World TeamTennis founder Billie Jean King said. “Kim has a great game and personality for WTT, so our fans are the real winners here.”
Clijsters is looking forward to making her WTT debut with the St. Louis Aces.
“You want to have that tension again, and the official type of matches. Although it’s not the same as a normal tournament, the atmosphere, I think, is there—and the tension and the pressure and the nerves and everything,” Clijsters said.
She’s been in New Jersey, staying with Lynch’s family while getting ready for her return, so these initial trips aren’t as daunting as they might be if Clijsters were in Belgium.
The past several months of preparation have been enjoyable. Still, she can’t wait to compete.
“I like practicing,” Clijsters said, “but I like playing matches better.”
And she’ll have an important new fan tagging along. How much of Clijsters’ matches that fan actually will see is another matter.
“I don’t know how much Jada will be able to sit in the stands,” Mom said, “but she’ll definitely come.”
The former top-ranked woman is ending a two-year retirement this summer, revving up with appearances in the World TeamTennis Pro League next week, followed by a three-tournament test run. After returning to the U.S. Open for the first time since winning it in 2005, Clijsters will decide if a full-fledged return to the tour next season is feasible.
“I’ve been training like a professional, with my mindset to coming back as a full professional. I’m just going to see after the U.S. Open how the whole trip went and just see which things I have to adjust,” Clijsters said Friday. “Because it’s a new experience for me, as well, traveling with a family and just being back on tour and everything. It’s going to be completely different than it has been when I was on tour for 10 or 12 years in the past.”The 26-year-old Belgian left the sport in May 2007 to start a family. She married American Brian Lynch that year, and their daughter, Jada, was born in February 2008.
Clijsters called what she’s doing now “starting back all over. I hardly played for two years.”
She reached No. 1 in the singles and doubles rankings in August 2003, and won 34 career singles titles overall, including her Grand Slam championship at Flushing Meadows. She also was the runner-up at four major tournaments.
Clijsters was given wild cards to enter WTA tournaments at Mason, Ohio, and Toronto, followed by the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 31.
“We should only be so lucky that she would come back on a permanent basis,” U.S. Open tournament director Jim Curley said. “Regardless of where we are—and where people think we are—as a sport, when the opportunity presents itself for a former Grand Slam singles champion and popular fan favorite to come back after retiring, that can only have a positive impact.”
Before those three events, Clijsters is making her return to competition with World TeamTennis.
She will play matches at St. Louis on Tuesday and Philadelphia on Wednesday.
“It’s great for the sport that Kim is back,” World TeamTennis founder Billie Jean King said. “Kim has a great game and personality for WTT, so our fans are the real winners here.”
Clijsters is looking forward to making her WTT debut with the St. Louis Aces.
“You want to have that tension again, and the official type of matches. Although it’s not the same as a normal tournament, the atmosphere, I think, is there—and the tension and the pressure and the nerves and everything,” Clijsters said.
She’s been in New Jersey, staying with Lynch’s family while getting ready for her return, so these initial trips aren’t as daunting as they might be if Clijsters were in Belgium.
The past several months of preparation have been enjoyable. Still, she can’t wait to compete.
“I like practicing,” Clijsters said, “but I like playing matches better.”
And she’ll have an important new fan tagging along. How much of Clijsters’ matches that fan actually will see is another matter.
“I don’t know how much Jada will be able to sit in the stands,” Mom said, “but she’ll definitely come.”
Tennis: Soderling, Monaco reach Swedish Open final
BASTAD, Sweden (AP)—Second-seeded Robin Soderling beat fellow Swede Andreas Vinciguerra 6-1, 7-6 (6) Saturday to set up a meeting with Juan Monaco in the Swedish Open final.
Monaco, an unseeded Argentine, routed two-time defending champion Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-2 in the other semifinal on the slow clay.
Soderling, this year’s surprise French Open finalist, saved a set point in the second-set tiebreaker when trailing 6-5. He won it when Vinciguerra netted a forehand return.
Vinciguerra, a wild-card entry ranked No. 460, broke Soderling’s serve only once to level at 3-3 in the second set.
The 12th-ranked Soderling reached his first final at Bastad.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “This is a tournament in which I really want to do well. I played well in the opening set. When I broke him early in the second I relaxed too much on the court and he came back.”
Vinciguerra said he would support Soderling in Sunday’s final.
“Robin played incredible, I hope he wins the final,” Vinciguerra said.
Soderling will try to become the first Swedish winner of the tournament since 2000, when his coach, Magnus Norman, won the title.
Monaco broke the third-seeded Robredo three times in the opening set and raced to a quick 5-1 lead in the second after securing two more breaks of the Spaniard’s serve.
“I think it was my best match of the year,” Monaco said. “I played the important points very well and I didn’t give him a chance to get into a rhythm.”
Monaco is the first Argentine to reach the Swedish Open final since Mariano Zabaleta, who won back-to back titles in 2003-04.
Robredo is 23-7 in Bastad after playing the tournament for nine straight years.
Monaco, an unseeded Argentine, routed two-time defending champion Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-2 in the other semifinal on the slow clay.
Soderling, this year’s surprise French Open finalist, saved a set point in the second-set tiebreaker when trailing 6-5. He won it when Vinciguerra netted a forehand return.
Vinciguerra, a wild-card entry ranked No. 460, broke Soderling’s serve only once to level at 3-3 in the second set.
The 12th-ranked Soderling reached his first final at Bastad.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “This is a tournament in which I really want to do well. I played well in the opening set. When I broke him early in the second I relaxed too much on the court and he came back.”
Vinciguerra said he would support Soderling in Sunday’s final.
“Robin played incredible, I hope he wins the final,” Vinciguerra said.
Soderling will try to become the first Swedish winner of the tournament since 2000, when his coach, Magnus Norman, won the title.
Monaco broke the third-seeded Robredo three times in the opening set and raced to a quick 5-1 lead in the second after securing two more breaks of the Spaniard’s serve.
“I think it was my best match of the year,” Monaco said. “I played the important points very well and I didn’t give him a chance to get into a rhythm.”
Monaco is the first Argentine to reach the Swedish Open final since Mariano Zabaleta, who won back-to back titles in 2003-04.
Robredo is 23-7 in Bastad after playing the tournament for nine straight years.
July 18, 2009
Tennis: Injured Verdasco out in Swedish Open
Fernando Verdasco limped out of the Catella Swedish Open quarter-finals but Tommy Robredo made it safely through.
Verdasco, the world number nine, pulled a calf muscle in the first game of his match against Juan Monaco and although he attempted to soldier on, the Spaniard was 1-6 1-3 down when he called it a day after 55 minutes.
"I had real pain when serving, especially since the injury was in my my right leg," said Verdasco.
"It was not easy for me - I tried to continue playing but when I saw that I had no chance to win I retired before injuring myself further."
Monaco will now face Robredo, who claimed the title in Bastad last year and in 2006.
The third seed needed 77 minutes to see off Georgia's Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-4 6-0 and is on course for a third claycourt title of 2009.
In the other half of the draw, French Open finalist Robin Soderling thrilled his home crowd by edging a tight match against another Spaniard, Nicolas Almagro.
The world number 12 was given a tough workout but crucially claimed three breaks to one to win 7-5 6-3.
Verdasco, the world number nine, pulled a calf muscle in the first game of his match against Juan Monaco and although he attempted to soldier on, the Spaniard was 1-6 1-3 down when he called it a day after 55 minutes.
"I had real pain when serving, especially since the injury was in my my right leg," said Verdasco.
"It was not easy for me - I tried to continue playing but when I saw that I had no chance to win I retired before injuring myself further."
Monaco will now face Robredo, who claimed the title in Bastad last year and in 2006.
The third seed needed 77 minutes to see off Georgia's Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-4 6-0 and is on course for a third claycourt title of 2009.
In the other half of the draw, French Open finalist Robin Soderling thrilled his home crowd by edging a tight match against another Spaniard, Nicolas Almagro.
The world number 12 was given a tough workout but crucially claimed three breaks to one to win 7-5 6-3.
July 17, 2009
Tennis: Keys to success
By Chris Chase
With her powerful groundstrokes and rocket serves, Madison Keys looks like a seasoned veteran when she's on the tennis court. It's when she stops playing and you can get a look at her face that you realize she's the youngest woman out there.
The nearly-invisible braces, the remaining hint of a baby face; I guessed she was about to become a freshman when I saw her at the Washington Kastles-Philadelphia Freedoms World TeamTennis match last week.
Then I opened the media guide to check: Birthdate: 2/17/1995
I was sort of correct. Keys will be a freshman alright, albeit in high school, not college.
She's 14-years old and playing in a professional tennis league. Fourteen! The T-shirt I'm wearing right now is older than Madison Keys. "The Simpsons" had peaked by the time she was born. Yet, on Monday night, Keys bested Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in the singles event at their World TeamTennis match.
Now, before we make too big a deal about this, World Team Tennis singles matches are glorified exhibitions. The different scoring, fan interaction and coaches challenges make the five-game sets vastly different than a standard women's tennis match (although that's entirely the point). And, though Serena was surely trying to win, a loss doesn't carry nearly the same weight that it would in a WTA tournament.
But enough about that. Even though the match didn't mean much, for Keys to best Serena by a 5-1 margin is impressive. I don't care if she did it on Nintendo Wii, when you get the best of Serena Williams it's time to take notice.
Keys is the youngest player in World TeamTennis history (she was 17 days younger than Maria Sharapova when she made her debut). She's coached by John Evert (brother of Chris) and has moved with her family to train under him in Florida. Interestingly, she got her start in tennis at age 4 when she was watching Venus Williams on television and asked her dad for the same outfit. Her father told her that she could have it, but only if she got a racket too.
Keys won her debut WTA match in March and advanced to the Orange Bowl semis in the under-16 tournament as a 13-year old.
Because of WTA rules that limit the amount of tournements played by girls under the age of 18, Keys wouldn't be eligible to be a tour regular until 2013. Serena Williams, for one, might be happy to hear that.
With her powerful groundstrokes and rocket serves, Madison Keys looks like a seasoned veteran when she's on the tennis court. It's when she stops playing and you can get a look at her face that you realize she's the youngest woman out there.
The nearly-invisible braces, the remaining hint of a baby face; I guessed she was about to become a freshman when I saw her at the Washington Kastles-Philadelphia Freedoms World TeamTennis match last week.
Then I opened the media guide to check: Birthdate: 2/17/1995
I was sort of correct. Keys will be a freshman alright, albeit in high school, not college.
She's 14-years old and playing in a professional tennis league. Fourteen! The T-shirt I'm wearing right now is older than Madison Keys. "The Simpsons" had peaked by the time she was born. Yet, on Monday night, Keys bested Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in the singles event at their World TeamTennis match.
Now, before we make too big a deal about this, World Team Tennis singles matches are glorified exhibitions. The different scoring, fan interaction and coaches challenges make the five-game sets vastly different than a standard women's tennis match (although that's entirely the point). And, though Serena was surely trying to win, a loss doesn't carry nearly the same weight that it would in a WTA tournament.
But enough about that. Even though the match didn't mean much, for Keys to best Serena by a 5-1 margin is impressive. I don't care if she did it on Nintendo Wii, when you get the best of Serena Williams it's time to take notice.
Keys is the youngest player in World TeamTennis history (she was 17 days younger than Maria Sharapova when she made her debut). She's coached by John Evert (brother of Chris) and has moved with her family to train under him in Florida. Interestingly, she got her start in tennis at age 4 when she was watching Venus Williams on television and asked her dad for the same outfit. Her father told her that she could have it, but only if she got a racket too.
Keys won her debut WTA match in March and advanced to the Orange Bowl semis in the under-16 tournament as a 13-year old.
Because of WTA rules that limit the amount of tournements played by girls under the age of 18, Keys wouldn't be eligible to be a tour regular until 2013. Serena Williams, for one, might be happy to hear that.
July 15, 2009
Williams visit Obama at White House
Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- It was tennis before baseball for President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
Before heading off to St. Louis to throw the first pitch at the All-Star Game, the president welcomed Wimbledon champion Serena Williams to the White House.
"It was amazing," Williams said before her World Team Tennis match with the Washington Kastles. "I love President Obama; he has such an unbelievable presence, and he seems to be so normal -- and he noticed my shoes. I think that was the highlight of the whole day, was he liked my shoes."
Williams said she was wearing five-inch heels for the presidential visit.
"He asked me, 'Should I be wearing high heels?' So I thought that was kind of funny because he may have been right," Williams said. "Because it is a job hazard for me, but I insist on wearing them."
Williams got to meet Michelle Obama and the rest of the first family.
"I didn't know she had such an amazing personality," Williams said. "She had me cracking up and laughing. I knew she was a great person, but now I really understand how important this first family is to the United States. And the kids were just so cute and sweet, and the dog was nice."
WASHINGTON -- It was tennis before baseball for President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
Before heading off to St. Louis to throw the first pitch at the All-Star Game, the president welcomed Wimbledon champion Serena Williams to the White House.
"It was amazing," Williams said before her World Team Tennis match with the Washington Kastles. "I love President Obama; he has such an unbelievable presence, and he seems to be so normal -- and he noticed my shoes. I think that was the highlight of the whole day, was he liked my shoes."
Williams said she was wearing five-inch heels for the presidential visit.
"He asked me, 'Should I be wearing high heels?' So I thought that was kind of funny because he may have been right," Williams said. "Because it is a job hazard for me, but I insist on wearing them."
Williams got to meet Michelle Obama and the rest of the first family.
"I didn't know she had such an amazing personality," Williams said. "She had me cracking up and laughing. I knew she was a great person, but now I really understand how important this first family is to the United States. And the kids were just so cute and sweet, and the dog was nice."
Tennis: Nadal to return in Montreal
Injured former world No.1 Rafael Nadal of Spain is set to return to Canada to defend his Rogers Cup title in Montreal next month. The current world No. 2 is “slowly recovering from his injury,” reported his official website RafaelNadal.com.
The Spaniard was not able to defend his Wimbledon crown because he pulled out of the grand slam citing tendinitis in both knees. His website added that Nadal went to Barcelona to undergo more medical exams under the supervision of Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.
The Spaniard underwent exams “to see the evolution of the insertion tendinitis of both Quadricipitals Tendons through an MRI and radiography.” “The evolution of his injury is positive and the player will continue with his physiotherapy and muscular work,” said Ruiz-Cotorro. The netter’s doctor added that Nadal “will resume his tennis activity in a progressive way.” Nadal is scheduled to return to the practice courts on Monday, July 20, to get ready for his Montreal title defense.
The Rogers Cup is an ATP World Tour Master event that will be held from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16 at the Uniprix Stadium. Nadal has already returned to Manacor to continue with his recovery plan. “I am really looking forward to practice again and to do again what I most like: to play tennis.” “I am happy with the way the tests went and of the positive evolution of the injury as the doctors are saying,” he remarked Nadal. “The event in Montreal is important and I expect to be there fit to play. Until then I need to continue to work on my recovery and practice well,” Nadal added. Nadal won the Rogers Cup in Toronto last year by defeating German Nicolas Kiefer, 6-3, 6-2.
The Spaniard was not able to defend his Wimbledon crown because he pulled out of the grand slam citing tendinitis in both knees. His website added that Nadal went to Barcelona to undergo more medical exams under the supervision of Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.
The Spaniard underwent exams “to see the evolution of the insertion tendinitis of both Quadricipitals Tendons through an MRI and radiography.” “The evolution of his injury is positive and the player will continue with his physiotherapy and muscular work,” said Ruiz-Cotorro. The netter’s doctor added that Nadal “will resume his tennis activity in a progressive way.” Nadal is scheduled to return to the practice courts on Monday, July 20, to get ready for his Montreal title defense.
The Rogers Cup is an ATP World Tour Master event that will be held from Aug. 8 to Aug. 16 at the Uniprix Stadium. Nadal has already returned to Manacor to continue with his recovery plan. “I am really looking forward to practice again and to do again what I most like: to play tennis.” “I am happy with the way the tests went and of the positive evolution of the injury as the doctors are saying,” he remarked Nadal. “The event in Montreal is important and I expect to be there fit to play. Until then I need to continue to work on my recovery and practice well,” Nadal added. Nadal won the Rogers Cup in Toronto last year by defeating German Nicolas Kiefer, 6-3, 6-2.
July 13, 2009
Tennis: Spain through after tough test
Defending Davis Cup champions Spain were made to battle all the way in their World Group quarter-final against Germany.
Spain, without the injured Rafael Nadal, clinched a 3-2 win over their European rivals as Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated Andreas Beck 6-4 6-4 6-4 in today's deciding rubber.
Germany, trailing 2-1 overnight, levelled the tie earlier today as Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Fernando Verdasco 6-4 6-2 1-6 2-6 8-6 in a thrilling match at the Puerto Banus bullring.
Kohlschreiber's efforts in defeating the world number nine were in vain, however, as former world number one Ferrero eased to victory against Beck as Spain set up a semi-final encounter with Israel, who wrapped up a 4-1 win against Russia in Tel Aviv.
Having booked a first ever appearance in the final four by easing to an unassailable 3-0 lead yesterday, Israel had to share the honours in the reverse singles today as Igor Andreev restored some pride for Russia with victory over Dudi Sela, who retired injured when trailing 3-4 in the first set.
Harel Levy ensured Israel ended on a high note, however, taking his second singles win of the weekend as he defeated Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7/2).
Croatia marched into the last four after taking an unassailable 3-1 lead over the United States.
With the US trailing 2-1 after yesterday's rubbers, all eyes were on James Blake to level the tie for the Davis Cup's most successful nation, but he failed to rise to the challenge of Croatian number one Marin Cilic, who posted a hard-fought 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-2 win to settle the tie.
"I think this was one of the best matches I've played," Cilic said on daviscup.com.
"Today I played a lot of it on adrenaline, the crowd was carrying me throughout the match. I really played well, I felt good on court, moved really well, and even though I lost the third set I felt I was playing well and my tactics were perfect, so I kept going and eventually broke him."
The dead rubber will see Roko Karanusic face US doubles specialist Bob Bryan.
In Ostrava, Radek Stepanek played through the pain barrier to claim a priceless win over Juan Monaco and guide the Czech Republic into a semi-final clash with the Croats at the expense of last year's beaten finalists Argentina.
With the Czechs resuming 2-1 ahead overnight, world number five Juan Martin del Potro levelled the tie with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over Tomas Berdych to take it to a decider.
Stepanek, battling a knee problem, was rarely in trouble in the fifth and final rubber against Monaco, taking the first set on a tie-break before easing away to a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 6-2 triumph which ensured the Czechs' first final-four appearance since 1996.
"It was the biggest effort I have ever done in Davis Cup," said Stepanek.
"I had to really dig deep to step on the court. After the doubles I was 90% sure that I'm not able to play singles, but I was assured by the doctors that it was not going to damage my knee.
"I had to lie to myself that it didn't hurt."
July 12, 2009
Tennis: Czech Republic 2 Argentina 1
The Czech Republic is one win away from reaching the World Group semi-finals for the first time since 1996 after Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek combined to win the crucial doubles rubber 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 over Argentina’s Jose Acasuso and Leonardo Mayer in Ostrava on Saturday.
The Czech Republic, who defeated Italy 4-1 to win the Davis Cup in 1980, converted six of 14 break point chances while only surrendering serve once to clinch a 2-1 advantage in the tie after one hour and 50 minutes. The victory extends Berdych’s perfect Davis Cup doubles record to 7-0 and takes Stepanek to a 6-1 mark. The duo was also victorious in the Czech Republic’s first-round tie against France, defeating Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra.
"I’m pretty happy with how it went today. We were surprised with the nomination of the Argentinean team but that’s their decision. We played a solid match," said Berdych.
"We’ve always played great doubles matches in Davis Cup, we haven’t lost yet," added Stepanek. "We had a great start to the match, broke them twice and won the first set 6-1. We were on top of them and we kept it going until the end of the match."
World No. 20 Berdych will have the chance to seal the tie for the host nation when he faces No.5-ranked Juan Martin del Potro in the first of the reverse singles on Sunday. Looking ahead to the clash, Berdych commented: "Right now, we are in a position where Juan Martin (del Potro) really needs to win this match, if not his team is going to lose. So I’m looking forward to it, I will have the whole crowd behind me and he will need to win."
Should del Potro win to draw Argentina level, the tie would be decided in the fifth rubber – featuring Ivo Minar against Juan Monaco.
Israel 3 Russia 0
Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram clinched an historic victory for Israel as they battled past Russia’s Igor Kunitsyn and Marat Safin 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(3), 4-6, 6-4 to give the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the quarter-final in Tel Aviv.
The victory puts Israel into the semi-finals of the World Group for the first time. On Friday, Harel Levy and Dudi Sela had given the host nation a commanding 2-0 overnight lead with victories over Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny respectively.
"I actually can't describe how I feel," confessed Israeli team captain Eyal Ran. "I am so proud to be an Israeli today, to be a part of this team, so proud to be part of this sport and Davis Cup tennis. It was a classic tie."
Erlich and Ram had played together just once since a second-round exit at the US Open last year, combining to reach the final of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Ramat Hasharon shortly after Erlich’s return from an elbow injury.
The duo served for the match in the third set, but their Russian opponents hit back to level the match at two-sets-all. Erlich and Ram held their nerve though to break serve for the seventh time in the final game of the match to seal victory after three hours and 51 minutes. They improved to an 11-3 record in Davis Cup doubles play together.
"For the first time I have absolutely nothing to say, usually I just can't stop talking and I started to cry like a little boy," an emotional Ram said courtside.
Erlich added: "I feel great. I think that was my biggest achievement ever. After the team won in Sweden, I said to myself I have to be here, not only in good shape, but in great shape and I'm very, very happy I could achieve that and perform today like I was never (out injured).
The loss marked two-time former champion Russia’s earliest exit from the ITF team competition since 2004, when it lost in the first round to Belarus.
In the semi-finals, Israel will face either Germany or Spain.
Croatia 2 United States 1
World No. 1 doubles players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan handed 32-time champion the United States a lifeline in its quarter-final clash with Croatia as they produced a devastating display to crush Roko Karanusic and Lovro Zovko 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 in Porec on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Bryans improved to a 16-2 record together in Davis Cup after converting six of seven break point chances and committing just one unforced error in the 68-minute match.
"We're really happy we're back in this thing," said Mike Bryan. "We wanted to keep it short after they played for about nine hours yesterday. The guys believe we can actually win this tie, and that's the biggest thing."
The United States had stared down a 0-2 deficit overnight after five-set losses for James Blake and Mardy Fish on the opening day. The 2007 champion will look to recover from a 0-2 deficit in a Davis Cup tie for just the second time after first doing so in the 1934 final against Australia.
"That's an amazing stat," said Bob Bryan. "It's unbelievable, but we've got an unbelievable group of guys here. If you saw yesterday's two singles matches, everyone gave everything they had, Mardy [Fish] was bleeding, James [Blake] lost a heartbreaker but he's in good spirits today, so I think they're going to come out fired up, and on paper we're looking pretty good."
Croatia is looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2005, when it went on to become the 12th different nation to win the Davis Cup with victory over the Slovak Republic in the final.
In the reverse singles on Sunday, Marin Cilic will have the chance to win the tie 3-1 for Croatia when he faces James Blake – who surrendered a two-set lead before losing in five sets against Ivo Karlovic on Friday. A deciding rubber would be played between Karlovic and Mardy Fish.
Spain 2 Germany 1
Spain regained the advantage in its quarter-final clash with Germany as Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco defeated Nicolas Kiefer and Mischa Zverev 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-7(6), 6-3 in Marbella on Saturday.
Verdasco had given Spain the lead with a five-set win over Andreas Beck on Friday, before Kohlschreiber clipped the hosts back by dismissing Tommy Robredo in straight sets to leave the tie balanced at 1-1 after the first day’s play.
Verdasco and Lopez had a multitude of 18 break point chances on the red clay courts at Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus and made their opponents pay on six occasions as they won the first two sets and rallied from missing a match point at 6-5 in the third set tie-break to wrap up their fifth Davis Cup win together in three hours and 15 minutes.
Spain has won its past 17 ties played on clay, and the past 15 ties it has played at home. The defending champion is looking to reach back-to-back semi-finals for the first time since 2004. To set up a semi-final clash with Israel, Spain will need either Verdasco or Robredo to win one of the reverse singles on Sunday.
July 6, 2009
Epic win gives Federer record 15th Slam
Written by Ronald Atkin (http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/match_reports/2009-07-05/200907051246803778140.html)
Roger Federer became tennis's greatest men's champion, watched by a legion of champions, as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes to claim his sixth Wimbledon crown. It was also a record 15th Grand Slam title for the Swiss master, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
It was a truly momentous climax to the 2009 Championships as the 27-year-old Swiss became the most successful man in the sport. Sampras, previous holder of that title, had been an unannounced surprise visitor to Wimbledon – where he has not been seen since 2002.
The American arrived three games into the contest, but then sat as enraptured as the rest of the crowd as the two gladiators battled through 77 games, the most seen at any Wimbledon final.
In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal's feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus.
That this was going to be a contest between two big blasters was evident from the opening game, when Roddick slammed down two aces and in the next Federer replied with a couple of his own. That Federer had won 18 of their previous 20 matches was not a consideration on this day. For a start, Roddick, white cap pulled low over his eyes, was clearly a fitter and slimmer version of the man who had already lost to Federer in two Wimbledon finals, and he matched Federer stride for stride, shot for shot, ace for ace as they hurtled through the opening set, completing 10 games in just 25 minutes.Then came the first sign of a falter. It was from Roddick, who fell 0-30 behind on serve, and Federer upped his level in pursuit of a break of serve which would have left him to serve for the set. He could not have tried harder, or played better. Four times he stood at break point, and on each occasion Roddick battled back to fend off the threat and was finally off the hook, courtesy of a pair of Federer forehand errors.
Perhaps it was the inspiration of surviving such a crisis, but Roddick bounced back brilliantly and when Federer offered him a glimpse of success with a faulty cross-court backhand to go break point down, the American struck. A brilliant forehand down the line forced Federer to project a forehand wide and it was Roddick who went a set in front after 39 minutes.
This was precisely the start Roddick needed to prove that he was a changed man from the opponent so frequently dominated by Federer in the past. Impressively aggressive and quick to close in on the net whenever the chance arose, he continued to stretch Federer in the second set with scorching serves of speeds beyond 135mph and a steadiness which was producing 80% of first serves on target.
Federer's discomfort at being so brashly challenged on a court he has come to regard as his own was beginning to show as the second set moved into a tiebreak. As the Centre Court audience roared in disbelief, two errors by the Swiss left Roddick with four points for a two-set lead. Now was the time for Federer to unveil the genius that had stood him such good stead in previous Wimbledon finals - and he responded in brilliant fashion, winning the next six points in a row as, for the first time, Roddick's nerves betrayed him.
Two volleying errors on his own serve let Roddick down before, on Federer's first set point, the American drove a forehand over the baseline and it was level pegging again after one hour 23 minutes.
In that second set Federer had conceded only five points on serve, with Roddick not far behind with seven.
The third set followed the course of the second, with both men holding serve comfortably, except when Roddick escaped from break point down in the sixth game. Though the American's first serve began to shed some of its potency, the two men moved into another tiebreak. And this time it was Federer who not only moved into the driver's seat with a mini-break on the third point but cemented that advantage, growling "C'mon" as he went ahead by six points to three, holding three set points.
When Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly
Would Roddick stage a similar fightback to Federer's in the previous set? He certainly gave it a go, rescuing two set points on his own serve before Federer struck, following a potent serve with a forehand put-away to move in front by two sets to one with the match two hours 11 minutes old.
Roddick's indomitable attitude had its reward in the fourth set. He conjured two break points in the fourth game and though Federer saved one with his 24th ace, the American trapped the Swiss as he closed in on the net on the next point.
Steadily and impressively, Roddick built on the break, with the only scare coming when, at 5-2., he fell heavily. There were fears of a similar ankle injury to the one which had caused his withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen's Club, but this was not the occasion for something like that. He shook himself down, carried on, and held serve in the next game with that trusty weapon, a service winner. All square again after two hours 43 minutes.
So to the deciding set, with Federer threatening to strike early as he reached break point for the sixth time in the match, only to be frustrated again as the American pumped down his 20th ace at 138mph. With no tiebreak in the fifth set, this one had to be played out. And so it was, amid mounting excitement and with Federer beginning to show the first signs of uncertainty.
This reached a climax as Federer faced two break points at 8-8, only to serve his way out of trouble and as the games ascended into double figures for each man the set became the longest fifth set in Wimbledon's history.
Federer's ace count passed the 50 mark and then, finally, it was Roddick who cracked in the 30th game of the set. Three mishits off the frame indicated he was fatigued and when Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly, leaping into the air with joy as another Roddick mishit sailed long.
Roger Federer became tennis's greatest men's champion, watched by a legion of champions, as he beat Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes to claim his sixth Wimbledon crown. It was also a record 15th Grand Slam title for the Swiss master, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
It was a truly momentous climax to the 2009 Championships as the 27-year-old Swiss became the most successful man in the sport. Sampras, previous holder of that title, had been an unannounced surprise visitor to Wimbledon – where he has not been seen since 2002.
The American arrived three games into the contest, but then sat as enraptured as the rest of the crowd as the two gladiators battled through 77 games, the most seen at any Wimbledon final.
In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal's feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus.
That this was going to be a contest between two big blasters was evident from the opening game, when Roddick slammed down two aces and in the next Federer replied with a couple of his own. That Federer had won 18 of their previous 20 matches was not a consideration on this day. For a start, Roddick, white cap pulled low over his eyes, was clearly a fitter and slimmer version of the man who had already lost to Federer in two Wimbledon finals, and he matched Federer stride for stride, shot for shot, ace for ace as they hurtled through the opening set, completing 10 games in just 25 minutes.Then came the first sign of a falter. It was from Roddick, who fell 0-30 behind on serve, and Federer upped his level in pursuit of a break of serve which would have left him to serve for the set. He could not have tried harder, or played better. Four times he stood at break point, and on each occasion Roddick battled back to fend off the threat and was finally off the hook, courtesy of a pair of Federer forehand errors.
Perhaps it was the inspiration of surviving such a crisis, but Roddick bounced back brilliantly and when Federer offered him a glimpse of success with a faulty cross-court backhand to go break point down, the American struck. A brilliant forehand down the line forced Federer to project a forehand wide and it was Roddick who went a set in front after 39 minutes.
This was precisely the start Roddick needed to prove that he was a changed man from the opponent so frequently dominated by Federer in the past. Impressively aggressive and quick to close in on the net whenever the chance arose, he continued to stretch Federer in the second set with scorching serves of speeds beyond 135mph and a steadiness which was producing 80% of first serves on target.
Federer's discomfort at being so brashly challenged on a court he has come to regard as his own was beginning to show as the second set moved into a tiebreak. As the Centre Court audience roared in disbelief, two errors by the Swiss left Roddick with four points for a two-set lead. Now was the time for Federer to unveil the genius that had stood him such good stead in previous Wimbledon finals - and he responded in brilliant fashion, winning the next six points in a row as, for the first time, Roddick's nerves betrayed him.
Two volleying errors on his own serve let Roddick down before, on Federer's first set point, the American drove a forehand over the baseline and it was level pegging again after one hour 23 minutes.
In that second set Federer had conceded only five points on serve, with Roddick not far behind with seven.
The third set followed the course of the second, with both men holding serve comfortably, except when Roddick escaped from break point down in the sixth game. Though the American's first serve began to shed some of its potency, the two men moved into another tiebreak. And this time it was Federer who not only moved into the driver's seat with a mini-break on the third point but cemented that advantage, growling "C'mon" as he went ahead by six points to three, holding three set points.
When Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly
Would Roddick stage a similar fightback to Federer's in the previous set? He certainly gave it a go, rescuing two set points on his own serve before Federer struck, following a potent serve with a forehand put-away to move in front by two sets to one with the match two hours 11 minutes old.
Roddick's indomitable attitude had its reward in the fourth set. He conjured two break points in the fourth game and though Federer saved one with his 24th ace, the American trapped the Swiss as he closed in on the net on the next point.
Steadily and impressively, Roddick built on the break, with the only scare coming when, at 5-2., he fell heavily. There were fears of a similar ankle injury to the one which had caused his withdrawal from the pre-Wimbledon event at Queen's Club, but this was not the occasion for something like that. He shook himself down, carried on, and held serve in the next game with that trusty weapon, a service winner. All square again after two hours 43 minutes.
So to the deciding set, with Federer threatening to strike early as he reached break point for the sixth time in the match, only to be frustrated again as the American pumped down his 20th ace at 138mph. With no tiebreak in the fifth set, this one had to be played out. And so it was, amid mounting excitement and with Federer beginning to show the first signs of uncertainty.
This reached a climax as Federer faced two break points at 8-8, only to serve his way out of trouble and as the games ascended into double figures for each man the set became the longest fifth set in Wimbledon's history.
Federer's ace count passed the 50 mark and then, finally, it was Roddick who cracked in the 30th game of the set. Three mishits off the frame indicated he was fatigued and when Federer was offered the first Championship point he grabbed it eagerly, leaping into the air with joy as another Roddick mishit sailed long.
Record-setting Slam rife with tension
By Greg Garber (Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon09/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=4306940)
WIMBLEDON, England -- At some point early in the fifth set, this seriously splendid match seemed to become more important than the history it might make.
For the second consecutive year, the posh patrons here at the All England Club were treated to a scintillating men's final that spilled into extra time. A year ago, Rafael Nadal took down Roger Federer 9-7 in the fifth in one of the most acclaimed matches of all time. And now this on a Sunday afternoon that turned into evening:
Federer, attempting to break Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam singles victories, against Andy Roddick, a player of admittedly lesser skills, but dogged and determined and, upon reflection, heroic while playing the match of his life. Actor Russell Crowe, watching in the gorgeous, golden light, may have wondered whether he was watching the best and bloodiest clashing scenes from "Gladiator." As the games of the fifth set spun into double digits, BBC broadcaster and three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said it reminded him of a soccer game decided on penalty kicks.
But even with the unnatural tension hanging on every point, Federer and Roddick played on, moving forward, making massive shot after massive shot. It wasn't until the ultimate point -- the 436th of the match -- when Federer finally broke Roddick's serve.
As a result, he was a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 winner over Roddick. In terms of games, it was the longest fifth set in Grand Slam history. After four hours, 18 minutes, Federer finally moved past Sampras on tennis' all-time list. His 15th major title was, appropriately, his most difficult to secure.
"It's not really one of those goals you set as a boy," Federer said. "Man, it's been quite a career. It feels amazing. You don't play tennis to set records. It's one of the greatest ones to have.
"It's staggering that I've been able to play so well for so long. It's crazy that I've been able to win so many in such a short time." Roddick won the first set and seemed to have the match won when he held four set points in the second-set tiebreaker. The All England Club spent more than $100 million to keep the weather out, but Roddick staged his own, unlikely reign delay, so to speak.
Sampras, who was on hand for the match, said, "I feel bad for Andy -- you can see he's distraught. This was his chance. Roger -- the great ones -- at the end, he had just a little bit more."
The raw numbers were simply staggering:
• The final set lasted 95 minutes, a match in and of itself.
• Federer hit a career-high 50 aces and an amazing 107 winners, leavened by only 38 unforced errors. Roddick had 27 aces and 74 winners.
• The match required 77 games, the most ever in a Wimbledon final.
"The match could have lasted a few more hours," Federer said. "It was a crazy match. My head is still spinning."
Sampras was 31 when he won his last Grand Slam, the 2003 U.S. Open. Federer turns 28 next month, and you get the idea he might run up that number significantly. For a better perspective, consider this: Sampras played in 52 majors to achieve his record. Sunday was only Federer's 41st Grand Slam event.
A little more housekeeping: Federer won his sixth Wimbledon title in a span of seven years and became only the third player to win six or more, joining Sampras and William Renshaw, who each won seven titles. How well does Federer's game play on the grass? He's won 48 of his last 49 matches here.
Appropriately, Federer will regain his world No. 1 ranking Monday, 46 weeks after Nadal took it from him.
Rewind the clock 13 months, when Federer was blinded in the final at Roland Garros in 2008, when he won only four games in three sets against Nadal. At Wimbledon, the two rivals played one of the best matches ever, and even though he was only a point away from winning, Federer lost. And then it happened again early this year at the Australian Open. When he wept openly during the trophy presentation, he seemed to be mourning the passing of his dominance, for he had lost to Nadal in three Grand Slam finals within eight months.
And now this: back-to-back titles, first at Roland Garros -- a first for Federer and the completion of a career Grand Slam -- and now at Wimbledon, where he lost so painfully a year ago.
After weeks of speculation, ultimately Sampras did the right thing. He got on a plane Saturday with his wife, Bridgette, and weathered the 12-hour flight from Los Angeles.
He hadn't been on the grounds here at the All England Club since 2002, when he exited ignominiously in the second round. Sampras arrived fashionably late, during a changeover break, with the score 2-1 for Roddick at 2:15 p.m. local time. Wearing a stylish gray suit with a light blue shirt and tie to match, Sampras walked down the steps of the Royal Box and took his seat among the pantheon of tennis greats that included Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. He stood briefly to acknowledge the crowd and received a round of warm applause.
Federer said he learned that Sampras was coming late Saturday. He said that he actually felt nervous when Sampras entered the Royal Box.
"I said hello to him [after he arrived]," Federer said. "I don't usually do that, but I didn't want to be rude." In the end, Roddick never gave up.
He'd fall into small holes and repeatedly serve himself out. He began to labor physically when the score hit 10-all, and while serving at 14-15, he understandably looked exhausted.
He trailed in the last game love-30, but he kept digging out. Roddick had saved each of the six break points against him but had nothing left for the seventh. Federer stroked a big backhand, and Roddick could barely get a racket on it.
When Roddick, tears in his eyes, received the silver runner-up tray -- for the third time -- the crowd gave him a roar for a champion. They chanted his name.
"I just want to say congratulations to Roger," Roddick said, his voice breaking. "He deserves everything he gets. Well done, mate.
"It was a pleasure playing here today in front of all these great champions. I still hope that my day will be up there as the winner of this tournament."
Federer will not be content with 15 major titles. He arrived for his postmatch interview wearing a shirt bearing his new agenda: There is no finish line.
Fueled by Federer's surprising win at the French Open, the debate has been raging for a month now. Does the record of 15 major titles make Federer the greatest men's player of all time?
Laver, the player usually invoked in this discussion along with Sampras, isn't willing to go that far.
"I've always thought that you're the best in your era," Laver said Sunday. "That, to me, is a pretty good compliment to your game, to your tennis, over your career. If Roger gets to 16, 17 Grand Slams, people in the press are the ones that are wanting to say it: 'Who's the best ever?'
"My thought is that if you're the best in your era, you know, and you probably don't even know who Bill Tilden is, but was he the best ever? So it's hard for anyone, I think, to come out and say who's the best ever."
Afterward, the greatest of the past champions gathered for a photo opportunity in the All England Club. There they were, the Mount Rushmore of men's tennis, from left to right: Borg, Sampras, Federer and Laver -- 22 Wimbledon titles among them. And they all touched the trophy again.
For Sampras, there is no debate.
"He's got everything," Sampras said. "He's a legend. Now he's an icon. He's got 15 majors -- that's a lot of majors. That's a lot of work.
"Greatest? I have to give it to him. The critics say Laver, and Nadal's beaten him a few times, but in my book he is."
Greg Garber is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
WIMBLEDON, England -- At some point early in the fifth set, this seriously splendid match seemed to become more important than the history it might make.
For the second consecutive year, the posh patrons here at the All England Club were treated to a scintillating men's final that spilled into extra time. A year ago, Rafael Nadal took down Roger Federer 9-7 in the fifth in one of the most acclaimed matches of all time. And now this on a Sunday afternoon that turned into evening:
Federer, attempting to break Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam singles victories, against Andy Roddick, a player of admittedly lesser skills, but dogged and determined and, upon reflection, heroic while playing the match of his life. Actor Russell Crowe, watching in the gorgeous, golden light, may have wondered whether he was watching the best and bloodiest clashing scenes from "Gladiator." As the games of the fifth set spun into double digits, BBC broadcaster and three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker said it reminded him of a soccer game decided on penalty kicks.
But even with the unnatural tension hanging on every point, Federer and Roddick played on, moving forward, making massive shot after massive shot. It wasn't until the ultimate point -- the 436th of the match -- when Federer finally broke Roddick's serve.
As a result, he was a 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 winner over Roddick. In terms of games, it was the longest fifth set in Grand Slam history. After four hours, 18 minutes, Federer finally moved past Sampras on tennis' all-time list. His 15th major title was, appropriately, his most difficult to secure.
"It's not really one of those goals you set as a boy," Federer said. "Man, it's been quite a career. It feels amazing. You don't play tennis to set records. It's one of the greatest ones to have.
"It's staggering that I've been able to play so well for so long. It's crazy that I've been able to win so many in such a short time." Roddick won the first set and seemed to have the match won when he held four set points in the second-set tiebreaker. The All England Club spent more than $100 million to keep the weather out, but Roddick staged his own, unlikely reign delay, so to speak.
Sampras, who was on hand for the match, said, "I feel bad for Andy -- you can see he's distraught. This was his chance. Roger -- the great ones -- at the end, he had just a little bit more."
The raw numbers were simply staggering:
• The final set lasted 95 minutes, a match in and of itself.
• Federer hit a career-high 50 aces and an amazing 107 winners, leavened by only 38 unforced errors. Roddick had 27 aces and 74 winners.
• The match required 77 games, the most ever in a Wimbledon final.
"The match could have lasted a few more hours," Federer said. "It was a crazy match. My head is still spinning."
Sampras was 31 when he won his last Grand Slam, the 2003 U.S. Open. Federer turns 28 next month, and you get the idea he might run up that number significantly. For a better perspective, consider this: Sampras played in 52 majors to achieve his record. Sunday was only Federer's 41st Grand Slam event.
A little more housekeeping: Federer won his sixth Wimbledon title in a span of seven years and became only the third player to win six or more, joining Sampras and William Renshaw, who each won seven titles. How well does Federer's game play on the grass? He's won 48 of his last 49 matches here.
Appropriately, Federer will regain his world No. 1 ranking Monday, 46 weeks after Nadal took it from him.
Rewind the clock 13 months, when Federer was blinded in the final at Roland Garros in 2008, when he won only four games in three sets against Nadal. At Wimbledon, the two rivals played one of the best matches ever, and even though he was only a point away from winning, Federer lost. And then it happened again early this year at the Australian Open. When he wept openly during the trophy presentation, he seemed to be mourning the passing of his dominance, for he had lost to Nadal in three Grand Slam finals within eight months.
And now this: back-to-back titles, first at Roland Garros -- a first for Federer and the completion of a career Grand Slam -- and now at Wimbledon, where he lost so painfully a year ago.
After weeks of speculation, ultimately Sampras did the right thing. He got on a plane Saturday with his wife, Bridgette, and weathered the 12-hour flight from Los Angeles.
He hadn't been on the grounds here at the All England Club since 2002, when he exited ignominiously in the second round. Sampras arrived fashionably late, during a changeover break, with the score 2-1 for Roddick at 2:15 p.m. local time. Wearing a stylish gray suit with a light blue shirt and tie to match, Sampras walked down the steps of the Royal Box and took his seat among the pantheon of tennis greats that included Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. He stood briefly to acknowledge the crowd and received a round of warm applause.
Federer said he learned that Sampras was coming late Saturday. He said that he actually felt nervous when Sampras entered the Royal Box.
"I said hello to him [after he arrived]," Federer said. "I don't usually do that, but I didn't want to be rude." In the end, Roddick never gave up.
He'd fall into small holes and repeatedly serve himself out. He began to labor physically when the score hit 10-all, and while serving at 14-15, he understandably looked exhausted.
He trailed in the last game love-30, but he kept digging out. Roddick had saved each of the six break points against him but had nothing left for the seventh. Federer stroked a big backhand, and Roddick could barely get a racket on it.
When Roddick, tears in his eyes, received the silver runner-up tray -- for the third time -- the crowd gave him a roar for a champion. They chanted his name.
"I just want to say congratulations to Roger," Roddick said, his voice breaking. "He deserves everything he gets. Well done, mate.
"It was a pleasure playing here today in front of all these great champions. I still hope that my day will be up there as the winner of this tournament."
Federer will not be content with 15 major titles. He arrived for his postmatch interview wearing a shirt bearing his new agenda: There is no finish line.
Fueled by Federer's surprising win at the French Open, the debate has been raging for a month now. Does the record of 15 major titles make Federer the greatest men's player of all time?
Laver, the player usually invoked in this discussion along with Sampras, isn't willing to go that far.
"I've always thought that you're the best in your era," Laver said Sunday. "That, to me, is a pretty good compliment to your game, to your tennis, over your career. If Roger gets to 16, 17 Grand Slams, people in the press are the ones that are wanting to say it: 'Who's the best ever?'
"My thought is that if you're the best in your era, you know, and you probably don't even know who Bill Tilden is, but was he the best ever? So it's hard for anyone, I think, to come out and say who's the best ever."
Afterward, the greatest of the past champions gathered for a photo opportunity in the All England Club. There they were, the Mount Rushmore of men's tennis, from left to right: Borg, Sampras, Federer and Laver -- 22 Wimbledon titles among them. And they all touched the trophy again.
For Sampras, there is no debate.
"He's got everything," Sampras said. "He's a legend. Now he's an icon. He's got 15 majors -- that's a lot of majors. That's a lot of work.
"Greatest? I have to give it to him. The critics say Laver, and Nadal's beaten him a few times, but in my book he is."
Greg Garber is a senior writer for ESPN.com.
June 23, 2009
Federer, Djokovic, Sharapova advance in US Open
WIMBLEDON, England -- The new roof wasn't tested. Roger Federer was -- briefly.
The retractable roof stayed open Monday for the first match on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and Federer fell behind early before charging past Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Novak Djokovic also advanced to the second round by beating Julien Benneteau 6-7 (8), 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-4.
In his first match since winning the French Open, Federer failed to convert his first four break-point chances and then lost serve to trail 3-2. But he immediately broke back, broke again in the final game of the opening set and dominated from there.
"I'm very happy with my first round," Federer said. "I thought it was a very solid performance."
Seeking his sixth Wimbledon title, Federer won for the 41st time in his past 42 matches at the All England Club. The lone loss came in last year's final to Rafael Nadal, a match hailed by some as the sport's best ever.The tournament began in cloudy but dry weather. When it rains, the translucent roof on the 87-year-old stadium will be closed so play can continue.
"I guess the moment will come that I'll play indoors here," Federer said. "But you don't really hope for it during the match."
The No. 2-seeded Federer is a strong favorite to win his 15th major title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras.
Federer made his entrance sporting a sleek new white warm-up outfit with gold trim that included a jacket with a turned-up collar, a vest, slacks and two-toned shoes. The crowd roared when he appeared, and he responded with a wave and smile.
There were more cheers -- and a few whistles of approval -- when he removed his jacket to reveal the vest.
"Kind of a little bit more modern look -- a bit more military jacket this time, but obviously staying true to Wimbledon with the white colors," Federer said. "I hope people like it."
By the time the match started, Federer had stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He was assigned to play the first match on Centre Court after defending champion Nadal withdrew Friday because of sore knees.
"Rafa deserves it obviously more than I do this year," Federer said. "But somebody had to do it, so I'm very happy that they chose me. It gets your heart beating, that's for sure."
After being broken early, Federer held every service game. He finished with 10 unforced errors and hit 42 winners from all over the court.
One winner was a running backhand from several steps beyond the sideline, which he ripped up the line into the corner to win the point. It was a spectacular shot even by Federer's standards, and the stoic Swiss celebrated with a raised fist as the crowd roared.
Djokovic converted his third match point on Monday when Benneteau pulled a backhand wide. Djokovic looked to the sky and crossed himself, relieved to advance after more than 3½ hours of play.
Benneteau hurt his left knee in the final game when he slid into the back wall chasing a shot. Sprawled on the grass, he iced the knee, and play resumed following a six-minute delay.
Three points later, Djokovic closed out the win. He's seeded fourth and considered one of the biggest threats to Federer's bid for a sixth Wimbledon title.
No. 17 James Blake was the first seeded player eliminated, but fellow Americans Mardy Fish and Vince Spadea advanced.Blake failed to convert a set point in the third set, squandered a 5-0 lead in the ensuing tiebreak and lost to Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Blake was also eliminated in the first round at the French Open last month.
"I still feel like I can play with anyone in the world, but it's just for some reason lately it has been very inconsistent," Blake said. "I know I still have the ability. It's just frustrating, because it's happening at big tournaments where I'm having my not-so-good performances."
No. 28-seeded Fish never lost serve and led 6-3, 6-2, 4-1 when Sergio Roitman retired with a right shoulder injury. Roitman, ranked 124th, fell to 0-12 in Grand Slam matches.
"There's nothing that I can do about it," he said. "It's not that I'm not going to sleep at night because of that."
The 34-year-old Spadea, who has been eliminated in the first round at Wimbledon nine times, defeated Paul Capdeville 6-0, 6-4, 7-5.
Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling, seeded 13th, rallied to beat Gilles Muller 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2. No. 21 Feliciano Lopez lost to Karol Beck 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.
Soderling again relied on the big serve and booming forehand that helped him beat Nadal at Roland Garros, hitting 31 aces and saving all eight break points on Monday.
Soderling is an eight-year veteran on the tour but had his big breakthrough when he beat Nadal in the fourth round in Paris. He lost to Federer in straight sets in the final and could face the Swiss star again in the fourth round here.
No. 7 Fernando Verdasco, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 11 Marin Cilic, No. 15 Tommy Robredo, No. 18 Rainer Schuettler, No. 22 Ivo Karlovic, No. 27 Philipp Kohlschreiber, No. 29 Igor Andreev and No. 32 Albert Montanes also advanced.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
The retractable roof stayed open Monday for the first match on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and Federer fell behind early before charging past Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan 7-5, 6-3, 6-2.
Novak Djokovic also advanced to the second round by beating Julien Benneteau 6-7 (8), 7-6 (1), 6-2, 6-4.
In his first match since winning the French Open, Federer failed to convert his first four break-point chances and then lost serve to trail 3-2. But he immediately broke back, broke again in the final game of the opening set and dominated from there.
"I'm very happy with my first round," Federer said. "I thought it was a very solid performance."
Seeking his sixth Wimbledon title, Federer won for the 41st time in his past 42 matches at the All England Club. The lone loss came in last year's final to Rafael Nadal, a match hailed by some as the sport's best ever.The tournament began in cloudy but dry weather. When it rains, the translucent roof on the 87-year-old stadium will be closed so play can continue.
"I guess the moment will come that I'll play indoors here," Federer said. "But you don't really hope for it during the match."
The No. 2-seeded Federer is a strong favorite to win his 15th major title, which would break the record he shares with Pete Sampras.
Federer made his entrance sporting a sleek new white warm-up outfit with gold trim that included a jacket with a turned-up collar, a vest, slacks and two-toned shoes. The crowd roared when he appeared, and he responded with a wave and smile.
There were more cheers -- and a few whistles of approval -- when he removed his jacket to reveal the vest.
"Kind of a little bit more modern look -- a bit more military jacket this time, but obviously staying true to Wimbledon with the white colors," Federer said. "I hope people like it."
By the time the match started, Federer had stripped down to shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. He was assigned to play the first match on Centre Court after defending champion Nadal withdrew Friday because of sore knees.
"Rafa deserves it obviously more than I do this year," Federer said. "But somebody had to do it, so I'm very happy that they chose me. It gets your heart beating, that's for sure."
After being broken early, Federer held every service game. He finished with 10 unforced errors and hit 42 winners from all over the court.
One winner was a running backhand from several steps beyond the sideline, which he ripped up the line into the corner to win the point. It was a spectacular shot even by Federer's standards, and the stoic Swiss celebrated with a raised fist as the crowd roared.
Djokovic converted his third match point on Monday when Benneteau pulled a backhand wide. Djokovic looked to the sky and crossed himself, relieved to advance after more than 3½ hours of play.
Benneteau hurt his left knee in the final game when he slid into the back wall chasing a shot. Sprawled on the grass, he iced the knee, and play resumed following a six-minute delay.
Three points later, Djokovic closed out the win. He's seeded fourth and considered one of the biggest threats to Federer's bid for a sixth Wimbledon title.
No. 17 James Blake was the first seeded player eliminated, but fellow Americans Mardy Fish and Vince Spadea advanced.Blake failed to convert a set point in the third set, squandered a 5-0 lead in the ensuing tiebreak and lost to Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (5). Blake was also eliminated in the first round at the French Open last month.
"I still feel like I can play with anyone in the world, but it's just for some reason lately it has been very inconsistent," Blake said. "I know I still have the ability. It's just frustrating, because it's happening at big tournaments where I'm having my not-so-good performances."
No. 28-seeded Fish never lost serve and led 6-3, 6-2, 4-1 when Sergio Roitman retired with a right shoulder injury. Roitman, ranked 124th, fell to 0-12 in Grand Slam matches.
"There's nothing that I can do about it," he said. "It's not that I'm not going to sleep at night because of that."
The 34-year-old Spadea, who has been eliminated in the first round at Wimbledon nine times, defeated Paul Capdeville 6-0, 6-4, 7-5.
Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling, seeded 13th, rallied to beat Gilles Muller 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-1, 6-2. No. 21 Feliciano Lopez lost to Karol Beck 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.
Soderling again relied on the big serve and booming forehand that helped him beat Nadal at Roland Garros, hitting 31 aces and saving all eight break points on Monday.
Soderling is an eight-year veteran on the tour but had his big breakthrough when he beat Nadal in the fourth round in Paris. He lost to Federer in straight sets in the final and could face the Swiss star again in the fourth round here.
No. 7 Fernando Verdasco, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 11 Marin Cilic, No. 15 Tommy Robredo, No. 18 Rainer Schuettler, No. 22 Ivo Karlovic, No. 27 Philipp Kohlschreiber, No. 29 Igor Andreev and No. 32 Albert Montanes also advanced.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
June 8, 2009
Federer wins French for career Slam
PARIS -- Roger Federer beat Robin Soderling, tied Pete Sampras and won the French Open at last.
Undeterred by an on-court intruder, Federer defeated surprise finalist Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, matching Sampras' record."It's maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders," Federer said. "I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace, and no longer hear that I've never won Roland Garros."
On his fourth try in a Paris final, Federer became the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam championships.
"Now the question is: Am I the greatest of all time?" Federer said. "We don't know, but I definitely have many things going for me because I've finally won all four Grand Slams, and I'm particularly happy reaching Pete's 14."
Sampras said Federer deserves to be at the top of the all-time list.
"I'm obviously happy for Roger," Sampras told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he lives. "Now that he has won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion."
Midway through the match, a spectator ran onto the court and tried to put a hat on Federer. That only briefly delayed Federer's march to the title.
When the stylish Swiss hit a service winner on championship point, he fell on his knees to the clay that had vexed him for so long, screamed and briefly buried his face in his hands. He was teary by the time he met Soderling at the net, and fans gave Federer a standing ovation as he raised his arms in triumph.
The supportive crowd included Andre Agassi, the most recent man to complete a career Grand Slam when he won at Roland Garros 10 years ago. Agassi presented Federer with the trophy."I'm so happy for you, man," Agassi said.
"You're the last man to win all four Grand Slams," Federer said. "Now I can relate to what it really feels like. ... It feels good to be for once on the podium as the winner. It's a magical moment."
Tears ran down Federer's cheeks as the Swiss national anthem played.
"Roger, really, congrats to you," Soderling said. "You really gave me a lesson in how to play tennis today. And to me you're the greatest player in history. So you really deserved to win this title."
Federer owed Soderling a thank-you for easing his path by upsetting four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
"I kind of was relieved, because he was going to be the hardest one to beat," Federer said.
Nadal defeated Federer at Roland Garros the past four years, including three consecutive times in the final.
A matchup against the No. 23-seeded Soderling was much more inviting. The Swede had never previously been beyond the third round at a Grand Slam tournament, and he fell to 0-10 against Federer.
"Yesterday, me and my coach were joking," Soderling told Federer during the trophy ceremony. "You've beaten me nine times in a row, and we were joking nobody can beat me 10 times in a row. But we were wrong."Playing in cool, windy weather and occasional rain, Federer raced to a quick lead and kept it. Soderling appeared nervous at the start of his first Grand Slam final, and Federer kept him scrambling with penetrating groundstrokes to both corners and an occasional drop shot.
Then came the day's biggest surprise. The match was between points in the second set when a spectator waving a flag climbed through the photographer's pit and onto Federer's side of the court.
"That gave me a fright," Federer said. "He looked at me, and I was not sure what he wanted. ... It was a touch scary."
Federer backed away toward the backstop, but the fan caught up with him and tried to put a hat on Federer's head. Security personnel seemed slow to react before chasing the man to the other side of the court, and he was tackled, then carried out.
There was silence from the stunned crowd, then the familiar chant of "Ro-ger! Ro-ger!" when the bizarre episode ended. Federer readjusted his headband, Soderling gave him a thumbs-up sign and play resumed.
Soderling's strokes steadied, and he pushed the second set to 6-all. But Federer played a brilliant tiebreaker, hitting aces on all four of his service points, and Soderling could only smile ruefully.
Federer broke again to start the third set and kept that lead the rest of the way. He never lost serve, and despite the difficult conditions, he had more winners than unforced errors -- 41 to 24.
While Federer benefited from Nadal's surprising departure, the journey to the title wasn't easy. Federer rallied from a two-set deficit in the fourth round to beat Tommy Haas, and survived another five-setter against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals.
"I've had a tough draw," Federer said. "Of course, it's not Nadal on the other side of the net, but I beat him a couple of weeks ago on clay [in Madrid], so I really feel like I really deserve it."
Federer won his 14th Grand Slam championship at age 27. Sampras, who never reached a French Open final, was 31 when he won his last major title. Federer will try for No. 15 beginning in two weeks at Wimbledon, which he has won five times.
He has also won the U.S. Open the past five years, and he has three Australian Open titles.
Besides Federer and Agassi, the other men to win all four Grand Slams tournaments were Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.
Undeterred by an on-court intruder, Federer defeated surprise finalist Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday to complete a career Grand Slam and win his 14th major title, matching Sampras' record."It's maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders," Federer said. "I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace, and no longer hear that I've never won Roland Garros."
On his fourth try in a Paris final, Federer became the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam championships.
"Now the question is: Am I the greatest of all time?" Federer said. "We don't know, but I definitely have many things going for me because I've finally won all four Grand Slams, and I'm particularly happy reaching Pete's 14."
Sampras said Federer deserves to be at the top of the all-time list.
"I'm obviously happy for Roger," Sampras told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he lives. "Now that he has won in Paris, I think it just more solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game, in my opinion."
Midway through the match, a spectator ran onto the court and tried to put a hat on Federer. That only briefly delayed Federer's march to the title.
When the stylish Swiss hit a service winner on championship point, he fell on his knees to the clay that had vexed him for so long, screamed and briefly buried his face in his hands. He was teary by the time he met Soderling at the net, and fans gave Federer a standing ovation as he raised his arms in triumph.
The supportive crowd included Andre Agassi, the most recent man to complete a career Grand Slam when he won at Roland Garros 10 years ago. Agassi presented Federer with the trophy."I'm so happy for you, man," Agassi said.
"You're the last man to win all four Grand Slams," Federer said. "Now I can relate to what it really feels like. ... It feels good to be for once on the podium as the winner. It's a magical moment."
Tears ran down Federer's cheeks as the Swiss national anthem played.
"Roger, really, congrats to you," Soderling said. "You really gave me a lesson in how to play tennis today. And to me you're the greatest player in history. So you really deserved to win this title."
Federer owed Soderling a thank-you for easing his path by upsetting four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
"I kind of was relieved, because he was going to be the hardest one to beat," Federer said.
Nadal defeated Federer at Roland Garros the past four years, including three consecutive times in the final.
A matchup against the No. 23-seeded Soderling was much more inviting. The Swede had never previously been beyond the third round at a Grand Slam tournament, and he fell to 0-10 against Federer.
"Yesterday, me and my coach were joking," Soderling told Federer during the trophy ceremony. "You've beaten me nine times in a row, and we were joking nobody can beat me 10 times in a row. But we were wrong."Playing in cool, windy weather and occasional rain, Federer raced to a quick lead and kept it. Soderling appeared nervous at the start of his first Grand Slam final, and Federer kept him scrambling with penetrating groundstrokes to both corners and an occasional drop shot.
Then came the day's biggest surprise. The match was between points in the second set when a spectator waving a flag climbed through the photographer's pit and onto Federer's side of the court.
"That gave me a fright," Federer said. "He looked at me, and I was not sure what he wanted. ... It was a touch scary."
Federer backed away toward the backstop, but the fan caught up with him and tried to put a hat on Federer's head. Security personnel seemed slow to react before chasing the man to the other side of the court, and he was tackled, then carried out.
There was silence from the stunned crowd, then the familiar chant of "Ro-ger! Ro-ger!" when the bizarre episode ended. Federer readjusted his headband, Soderling gave him a thumbs-up sign and play resumed.
Soderling's strokes steadied, and he pushed the second set to 6-all. But Federer played a brilliant tiebreaker, hitting aces on all four of his service points, and Soderling could only smile ruefully.
Federer broke again to start the third set and kept that lead the rest of the way. He never lost serve, and despite the difficult conditions, he had more winners than unforced errors -- 41 to 24.
While Federer benefited from Nadal's surprising departure, the journey to the title wasn't easy. Federer rallied from a two-set deficit in the fourth round to beat Tommy Haas, and survived another five-setter against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals.
"I've had a tough draw," Federer said. "Of course, it's not Nadal on the other side of the net, but I beat him a couple of weeks ago on clay [in Madrid], so I really feel like I really deserve it."
Federer won his 14th Grand Slam championship at age 27. Sampras, who never reached a French Open final, was 31 when he won his last major title. Federer will try for No. 15 beginning in two weeks at Wimbledon, which he has won five times.
He has also won the U.S. Open the past five years, and he has three Australian Open titles.
Besides Federer and Agassi, the other men to win all four Grand Slams tournaments were Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.
May 26, 2009
Federer, Nadal, Safina win first-rounders at French
PARIS (AP)—The King of Clay eclipsed another mark Monday, this time breaking the French Open men’s record for consecutive wins.
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal looked his usual dominant self in the first round, beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 for his 29th straight win on the red clay at Roland Garros.
“At the beginning, I didn’t quite get the best feelings, but I won in three sets. That’s very positive,” Nadal said. “I should have won more easily … but it was a difficult match.”
Roger Federer, the man Nadal beat in the last three French Open finals, had an easier time in his opening match, defeating Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
Dinara Safina, the top-seeded player in the women’s draw, advanced with No. 3 Venus Williams and unseeded Maria Sharapova.
Nadal’s win bettered the French Open record held by Bjorn Borg, who won 28 straight from 1978-81. Nadal also equaled the overall tournament record, matching the 29 straight that Chris Evert won between 1974-75 and 1979-81. Evert did not play at the French Open from 1976-78.
Nadal was broken three times by Daniel, but the top-seeded Spaniard remained perfect on the French Open’s red clay as he tries to become the first player to win five straight titles at Roland Garros.
“His backhand is better than his forehand, but I think I made it a bit easy for him,” Nadal said. “That’s my opinion.”
Federer has won 13 major titles, but he still needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
Against Martin, who missed the last two French Open tournaments because of injury and then by failing to qualify, Federer appeared to play effortlessly.
“Once I got the upper hand, things were pretty much in control,” Federer said. “I served well when I had to, and mixed it up. That’s how I want to play. I’m happy to be through without a fright.”
Also advancing on the men’s side were sixth-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, No. 17 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, No. 23 Robin Soderling of Sweden, No. 24 Jurgen Melzer of Austria, No. 28 Feliciano Lopez of Spain, No. 30 Victor Hanescu of Romania and No. 32 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France. No. 19 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic lost to Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3.
Roddick beat French wild-card entry Romain Jouan 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to win a match at the French Open for the first time since 2005.
Safina routed Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0, spraying shots to all parts of the court.
“I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this,” said Safina, who with Marat Safin forms the only brother-sister combination to have held the No. 1 ranking.
Keothavong had a couple of chances against Safina, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set, and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn’t hold on.
“When that’s happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn’t able to do that,” said Keothavong, who saved four match points before Safina hit a forehand winner down the line. “It just kept getting harder and harder.”
Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic won 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open last year, and Serena Williams did it in 2003.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, survived a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. She won the match’s first five games, while Mattek-Sands asked for a medical timeout during the first set so a trainer could look at her right wrist.
“I’m definitely a third-set player,” Williams said. “Once I get to the third set … I feel a new level coming.”
Williams has never won the French Open, but she did reach the final in 2002 when she lost to little sister Serena. Overall, Williams holds a 36-12 record at Roland Garros, giving her the most wins of any player in the women’s draw at the tournament.
Sharapova played with a bandage on her right shoulder, and she struggled in the first set before beating Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The unseeded Russian was broken three times in the first set, but she opened the second with four straight wins before being broken once again. Before the start of the next game, Yakimova called for a trainer to work on her lower back.
“I started pretty lousy,” said Sharapova, playing a Grand Slam match for the first time since last year’s Wimbledon. “I was just a little sloppy. But I totally changed it around, and I started playing a lot better and more aggressive.”
No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, No. 13 Marion Bartoli of France, No. 15 Zheng Jie of China, No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, No. 22 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary also advanced to the second round.
In upsets, No. 23 Alisa Kleybanova of Russia lost to Polona Hercog of Slovenia 6-2, 4-6, 6-1; No. 14 Flavia Pennetta of Italy was eliminated by Alexa Glatch of the United States 6-1, 6-1; No. 26 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia lost to Mariana Duque Marino of Colombia 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; and No. 17 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland fell to Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4, 6-3.
Top-seeded Rafael Nadal looked his usual dominant self in the first round, beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 for his 29th straight win on the red clay at Roland Garros.
“At the beginning, I didn’t quite get the best feelings, but I won in three sets. That’s very positive,” Nadal said. “I should have won more easily … but it was a difficult match.”
Roger Federer, the man Nadal beat in the last three French Open finals, had an easier time in his opening match, defeating Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
Dinara Safina, the top-seeded player in the women’s draw, advanced with No. 3 Venus Williams and unseeded Maria Sharapova.
Nadal’s win bettered the French Open record held by Bjorn Borg, who won 28 straight from 1978-81. Nadal also equaled the overall tournament record, matching the 29 straight that Chris Evert won between 1974-75 and 1979-81. Evert did not play at the French Open from 1976-78.
Nadal was broken three times by Daniel, but the top-seeded Spaniard remained perfect on the French Open’s red clay as he tries to become the first player to win five straight titles at Roland Garros.
“His backhand is better than his forehand, but I think I made it a bit easy for him,” Nadal said. “That’s my opinion.”
Federer has won 13 major titles, but he still needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
Against Martin, who missed the last two French Open tournaments because of injury and then by failing to qualify, Federer appeared to play effortlessly.
“Once I got the upper hand, things were pretty much in control,” Federer said. “I served well when I had to, and mixed it up. That’s how I want to play. I’m happy to be through without a fright.”
Also advancing on the men’s side were sixth-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States, No. 10 Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, No. 12 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, No. 17 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, No. 23 Robin Soderling of Sweden, No. 24 Jurgen Melzer of Austria, No. 28 Feliciano Lopez of Spain, No. 30 Victor Hanescu of Romania and No. 32 Paul-Henri Mathieu of France. No. 19 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic lost to Simone Bolelli of Italy 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3.
Roddick beat French wild-card entry Romain Jouan 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to win a match at the French Open for the first time since 2005.
Safina routed Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0, 6-0, spraying shots to all parts of the court.
“I was just playing point by point, game by game, and it ended up like this,” said Safina, who with Marat Safin forms the only brother-sister combination to have held the No. 1 ranking.
Keothavong had a couple of chances against Safina, but she wasted two break points in the third game of the first set, and led 40-0 in the fourth game of the second but couldn’t hold on.
“When that’s happening to you all you want to do is get on the scoreboard, but I wasn’t able to do that,” said Keothavong, who saved four match points before Safina hit a forehand winner down the line. “It just kept getting harder and harder.”
Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic won 6-0, 6-0 at the French Open last year, and Serena Williams did it in 2003.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, survived a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. She won the match’s first five games, while Mattek-Sands asked for a medical timeout during the first set so a trainer could look at her right wrist.
“I’m definitely a third-set player,” Williams said. “Once I get to the third set … I feel a new level coming.”
Williams has never won the French Open, but she did reach the final in 2002 when she lost to little sister Serena. Overall, Williams holds a 36-12 record at Roland Garros, giving her the most wins of any player in the women’s draw at the tournament.
Sharapova played with a bandage on her right shoulder, and she struggled in the first set before beating Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The unseeded Russian was broken three times in the first set, but she opened the second with four straight wins before being broken once again. Before the start of the next game, Yakimova called for a trainer to work on her lower back.
“I started pretty lousy,” said Sharapova, playing a Grand Slam match for the first time since last year’s Wimbledon. “I was just a little sloppy. But I totally changed it around, and I started playing a lot better and more aggressive.”
No. 12 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, No. 13 Marion Bartoli of France, No. 15 Zheng Jie of China, No. 20 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia, No. 22 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain and No. 29 Agnes Szavay of Hungary also advanced to the second round.
In upsets, No. 23 Alisa Kleybanova of Russia lost to Polona Hercog of Slovenia 6-2, 4-6, 6-1; No. 14 Flavia Pennetta of Italy was eliminated by Alexa Glatch of the United States 6-1, 6-1; No. 26 Anna Chakvetadze of Russia lost to Mariana Duque Marino of Colombia 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; and No. 17 Patty Schnyder of Switzerland fell to Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-4, 6-3.
May 18, 2009
Safina wins in Madrid Open women's finals
MADRID (AP)—Top-ranked Dinara Safina won the Madrid Open on Sunday, beating Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 6-4 to earn her second straight title on clay heading into the French Open.
Safina overpowered the 18-year-old Dane with 24 winners and three break points at the “Magic Box” tennis center. The Russian’s 11th career title follows her victory in Rome last week. She is 14-1 on clay this season.
“Since I became No. 1 I’m playing better and better,” the 23-year-old said.
Wozniacki faced a top-ranked player for the first time and will become the first Dane to crack the top-10 in next week’s rankings after reaching her third final of the season.
Safina will go into Roland Garros buoyed by her recent success on clay after finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and Stuttgart earlier this year.
She got off to a quick start against Wozniacki, whom she was playing for the first time, scoring a break in the third game after both held serve to start. Another break proved enough for her to take the first set.
“I was feeling very comfortable from the start of the match and I was trying to be as aggressive as I could,” said Safina, who was bothered by a slight knee problem. “But even in the key moments I was very strong.”
Wozniacki, who hadn’t dropped a set in reaching the final, hit a forehand long to be broken again at the start of the second and then could only watch as Safina slammed a two-handed backhand down the line to lead 2-0.
Wozniacki looked set to clinch her first break point in the fourth game, but couldn’t return a lob after coming to the net and Safina went up 3-1.
In the eighth game, Wozniacki set up three of her five break chances with some delicate drop shots, but her good work was undone by several of her 22 unforced errors.
Safina overpowered the 18-year-old Dane with 24 winners and three break points at the “Magic Box” tennis center. The Russian’s 11th career title follows her victory in Rome last week. She is 14-1 on clay this season.
“Since I became No. 1 I’m playing better and better,” the 23-year-old said.
Wozniacki faced a top-ranked player for the first time and will become the first Dane to crack the top-10 in next week’s rankings after reaching her third final of the season.
Safina will go into Roland Garros buoyed by her recent success on clay after finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and Stuttgart earlier this year.
She got off to a quick start against Wozniacki, whom she was playing for the first time, scoring a break in the third game after both held serve to start. Another break proved enough for her to take the first set.
“I was feeling very comfortable from the start of the match and I was trying to be as aggressive as I could,” said Safina, who was bothered by a slight knee problem. “But even in the key moments I was very strong.”
Wozniacki, who hadn’t dropped a set in reaching the final, hit a forehand long to be broken again at the start of the second and then could only watch as Safina slammed a two-handed backhand down the line to lead 2-0.
Wozniacki looked set to clinch her first break point in the fourth game, but couldn’t return a lob after coming to the net and Safina went up 3-1.
In the eighth game, Wozniacki set up three of her five break chances with some delicate drop shots, but her good work was undone by several of her 22 unforced errors.
Federer ends Nadal's clay winning streak in Madrid
MADRID (AP)—Roger Federer got a badly needed confidence boost ahead of the French Open, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday to win his first title of the season at the Madrid Open.The second-ranked Federer broke a sluggish Nadal once in both sets before firing his sixth ace to win his 15th Masters Series title on the second match point. Federer also won here in 2006 when the event was played indoors on a hard court.
“There are no positives, there is little to analyze,” said Nadal, the 2005 champion. “He broke and broke and I went home.”
It was only the second victory Federer has on clay against his top rival, with the other coming at the Hamburg final two years ago. The win also ended Federer’s five-match losing streak to Nadal, a stretch that included losses in the finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia.
Federer called his first win over Nadal since the 2007 Masters Cup “very satisfying.” Especially after being left in tears in February following his defeat to Nadal at Melbourne.
“I thought I took all the right decisions today. In the end it was a perfect game for me,” the Swiss player said after drawing even with Nadal in Masters titles. “(You) stay positive and I did. I got the win I needed badly.”
Federer also ended Nadal’s 33-match clay winning streak. The Spaniard will be going for a fifth straight title at the French Open beginning on May 25.
“I don’t think he’s going to take any damage away from this,” Federer said. “I’m sure he’s going to be rock solid in Paris again.”
Nadal sounded so after only a fifth loss in his last 155 matches on clay.
“To me, this tournament has nothing to do with Paris. This tournament is practically another surface compared to Paris,” said Nadal, who was troubled with the odd bounces and faster pace brought on by higher altitude. “The conditions favored him more than me.”
Only Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe have met in more finals—20—as the pair played for a 16th time with Nadal having earned 11 titles. He leads the overall series 13-7.
Federer and Nadal joked after receiving their trophies in a scene that contrasted with the one in February when Federer was in tears after losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final.
“Sorry to spoil the party,” Federer told the crowd from the Manolo Santana center court, where the rivals played in front of Nadal’s biggest supporters for the first time.
Federer, who is also the only top-10 player to have ever beaten Nadal on clay, saved two Nadal break chances before converting his first try in the ninth game.
Federer slapped a forehand winner down the near line to set up the point and converted when Nadal weakly backhanded into net. Federer served out to love to take the opening set.
“He was simply better than me,” Nadal said.
Nadal’s grueling semifinal win against Novak Djokovic took its toll as he failed to reach many balls he would normally get.
“It doesn’t help to play four hours yesterday,” Nadal said.
Federer applied a soft drop to set up a break chance in the fifth game of the second set and took a 3-2 lead after Nadal hit long.
Nadal rallied the 12,500 spectators at the “Magic Box” after setting up a break chance in the final game, but the Spaniard slapped his cross-court backhand wide.
Federer netted his first match point but replied with his 25th winner to close it out. Nadal, who has won five titles this season, had only 12 winners.
“Things are falling into place and of course it’s the right time to get the victory,” said Federer, who will try for his first French Open title after a first Masters title since Cincinnati in 2007.
“There are no positives, there is little to analyze,” said Nadal, the 2005 champion. “He broke and broke and I went home.”
It was only the second victory Federer has on clay against his top rival, with the other coming at the Hamburg final two years ago. The win also ended Federer’s five-match losing streak to Nadal, a stretch that included losses in the finals at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Australia.
Federer called his first win over Nadal since the 2007 Masters Cup “very satisfying.” Especially after being left in tears in February following his defeat to Nadal at Melbourne.
“I thought I took all the right decisions today. In the end it was a perfect game for me,” the Swiss player said after drawing even with Nadal in Masters titles. “(You) stay positive and I did. I got the win I needed badly.”
Federer also ended Nadal’s 33-match clay winning streak. The Spaniard will be going for a fifth straight title at the French Open beginning on May 25.
“I don’t think he’s going to take any damage away from this,” Federer said. “I’m sure he’s going to be rock solid in Paris again.”
Nadal sounded so after only a fifth loss in his last 155 matches on clay.
“To me, this tournament has nothing to do with Paris. This tournament is practically another surface compared to Paris,” said Nadal, who was troubled with the odd bounces and faster pace brought on by higher altitude. “The conditions favored him more than me.”
Only Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe have met in more finals—20—as the pair played for a 16th time with Nadal having earned 11 titles. He leads the overall series 13-7.
Federer and Nadal joked after receiving their trophies in a scene that contrasted with the one in February when Federer was in tears after losing to Nadal in the Australian Open final.
“Sorry to spoil the party,” Federer told the crowd from the Manolo Santana center court, where the rivals played in front of Nadal’s biggest supporters for the first time.
Federer, who is also the only top-10 player to have ever beaten Nadal on clay, saved two Nadal break chances before converting his first try in the ninth game.
Federer slapped a forehand winner down the near line to set up the point and converted when Nadal weakly backhanded into net. Federer served out to love to take the opening set.
“He was simply better than me,” Nadal said.
Nadal’s grueling semifinal win against Novak Djokovic took its toll as he failed to reach many balls he would normally get.
“It doesn’t help to play four hours yesterday,” Nadal said.
Federer applied a soft drop to set up a break chance in the fifth game of the second set and took a 3-2 lead after Nadal hit long.
Nadal rallied the 12,500 spectators at the “Magic Box” after setting up a break chance in the final game, but the Spaniard slapped his cross-court backhand wide.
Federer netted his first match point but replied with his 25th winner to close it out. Nadal, who has won five titles this season, had only 12 winners.
“Things are falling into place and of course it’s the right time to get the victory,” said Federer, who will try for his first French Open title after a first Masters title since Cincinnati in 2007.
May 17, 2009
Federer against Nadal again, in Madrid Finals
MADRID (AP)—Roger Federer will face Rafael Nadal for a championship.On clay. In Spain.
The two rivals set up their first clash since the Australian Open when Nadal saved three match points to beat Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9) on Saturday.
Playing their fourth match this year, they needed a Masters Series record 4 hours, 3 minutes to decide matters at the Magic Box tennis center. Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-4 in their semifinal.
Top-ranked Nadal’s 33rd straight win on clay lifted him into his seventh final this season, but he will be nursing a right knee injury into Sunday’s match.
Federer has lost his last five matches against Nadal, including the finals at the French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open in February, when the Swiss player was in tears after the defeat.
“What’s important for me is to get past that semifinal hurdle that I haven’t been able to get past in the last couple of months,” Federer said ahead of their 16th meeting in a final. “I feel like playing him anywhere is a challenge. The extra flair here is that it’s in Spain.”
Nadal, who won in the Spanish capital in 2005 when the event was played on indoor hard court, is 9-1 on clay against Federer, who didn’t doubt Nadal would be in top shape for the pair's first match in Spain.
“They asked me the same question in Australia,” said Federer, who faced Nadal after he had won a grueling five-set match against Fernando Verdasco. “I think with the adrenaline and the crowd he’s going to be the Rafa we know tomorrow.”
It’s the mental aspect that Federer will have to prepare for as he comes face-to-face with Nadal for the first time since the Spaniard denied him a chance to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam wins.
Djokovic was also left red-eyed after feeling in control for most of Saturday’s match.
“It’s frustrating when you play so well and you can’t win,” No. 4-ranked Djokovic said.
Nadal complained of discomfort in his right knee before the match, which hampered his ability to move as he made uncharacteristic errors that allowed for an early break in the first set.
Nadal had his leg wrapped in the second set before leveling.
In the deciding tiebreaker, Djokovic watched Nadal hit forehand winners down the near line to save his first two match points. The Serb then beat Nadal with a passing shot to save a match point of his own.
But leading 9-8, Djokovic sent the ball out and then netted on Nadal’s next match point to end the longest three-set match in the history of Masters tournaments, the ATP level below the Grand Slams.
“I love these matches, it’s very special to play these matches,” said Nadal, who improved to 27-1 in clay semifinals. “If I don’t fight here, when am I going to fight?”
Despite 50 unforced errors against Djokovic, Nadal’s perseverance paid off as he rallied the 12,500 spectators with crucial winners to reach his 26th clay-court final. He has won 25 of those.
Djokovic, who missed a chance to take the No. 3 ranking from Andy Murray, added his latest loss to Nadal to those recently in the Olympics, the Davis Cup, and finals at Monte Carlo and Rome.
“I played one of my best on this surface, so … I don’t think you need my comments, you saw everything,” Djokovic said. “A couple of points decided the winner.”
Federer improved to 5-0 against del Potro, who has yet to take a set off the former No. 1. He will be going for his 15th Masters title—and first in nearly two years—which would allow him to equal the 22-year-old Nadal’s tally. Only Andre Agassi has won more with 17.
The two rivals set up their first clash since the Australian Open when Nadal saved three match points to beat Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (9) on Saturday.
Playing their fourth match this year, they needed a Masters Series record 4 hours, 3 minutes to decide matters at the Magic Box tennis center. Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-4 in their semifinal.
Top-ranked Nadal’s 33rd straight win on clay lifted him into his seventh final this season, but he will be nursing a right knee injury into Sunday’s match.
Federer has lost his last five matches against Nadal, including the finals at the French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open in February, when the Swiss player was in tears after the defeat.
“What’s important for me is to get past that semifinal hurdle that I haven’t been able to get past in the last couple of months,” Federer said ahead of their 16th meeting in a final. “I feel like playing him anywhere is a challenge. The extra flair here is that it’s in Spain.”
Nadal, who won in the Spanish capital in 2005 when the event was played on indoor hard court, is 9-1 on clay against Federer, who didn’t doubt Nadal would be in top shape for the pair's first match in Spain.
“They asked me the same question in Australia,” said Federer, who faced Nadal after he had won a grueling five-set match against Fernando Verdasco. “I think with the adrenaline and the crowd he’s going to be the Rafa we know tomorrow.”
It’s the mental aspect that Federer will have to prepare for as he comes face-to-face with Nadal for the first time since the Spaniard denied him a chance to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam wins.
Djokovic was also left red-eyed after feeling in control for most of Saturday’s match.
“It’s frustrating when you play so well and you can’t win,” No. 4-ranked Djokovic said.
Nadal complained of discomfort in his right knee before the match, which hampered his ability to move as he made uncharacteristic errors that allowed for an early break in the first set.
Nadal had his leg wrapped in the second set before leveling.
In the deciding tiebreaker, Djokovic watched Nadal hit forehand winners down the near line to save his first two match points. The Serb then beat Nadal with a passing shot to save a match point of his own.
But leading 9-8, Djokovic sent the ball out and then netted on Nadal’s next match point to end the longest three-set match in the history of Masters tournaments, the ATP level below the Grand Slams.
“I love these matches, it’s very special to play these matches,” said Nadal, who improved to 27-1 in clay semifinals. “If I don’t fight here, when am I going to fight?”
Despite 50 unforced errors against Djokovic, Nadal’s perseverance paid off as he rallied the 12,500 spectators with crucial winners to reach his 26th clay-court final. He has won 25 of those.
Djokovic, who missed a chance to take the No. 3 ranking from Andy Murray, added his latest loss to Nadal to those recently in the Olympics, the Davis Cup, and finals at Monte Carlo and Rome.
“I played one of my best on this surface, so … I don’t think you need my comments, you saw everything,” Djokovic said. “A couple of points decided the winner.”
Federer improved to 5-0 against del Potro, who has yet to take a set off the former No. 1. He will be going for his 15th Masters title—and first in nearly two years—which would allow him to equal the 22-year-old Nadal’s tally. Only Andre Agassi has won more with 17.
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