Category: Tennis (Page 9 of 27)

      Kirilenko upsets Sharapova at Austalian Open

      January 17, 2010 /

      We already have an upset at the 2010 Australian Open. It took three achingly long hours, but Maria Kirilenko defeated countrywoman Maria Sharapova 7-6, 3-6, 5-4 in the first round. Dressed for late-night dancing in Hawaii rather than competitive tennis, Maria Sharapova never got comfortable as she struggled with her serve and stumbled around the court. After overcoming a shoulder injury, we expected Sharapova to arrive reinvigorated and close to top form. During her loss against Kirilenko, however, it’s obvious that something is simply wrong with her game.

      As for Kirilenko, this is one of the biggest victories of her career. The women’s draw at this tournament is loaded with decorated players, but that shouldn’t frighten Kirilenko. Given her performance in this match, she should give any of them a run for their money.

      Pic of Sharapova (and her night club outfit) after the jump.

      Continue reading »

      Tennis

      Don’t forget about the 2010 Australian Open

      January 16, 2010 /

      The 2010 Australian Open kicks off tomorrow (Monday in Australia) and the year’s first Grand Slam has plenty to offer. Amidst health concerns, Rafael Nadal will look to defend his title against world No. 1 Roger Federer and a streaking Nikolay Davydenko. On the women’s side, seven-time Grand Slam champion Justine Henin makes her return to professional tennis after retiring in 2008. Also, we get to see how a large crowd treats 2009 champion Serena Williams, who’s notorious temper tantrum still lingers. The action, like the weather, should be intense.

      Live coverage of the Australian Open begins Sunday at 7 PM ET on ESPN 2.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Tennis

      Davydenko captures Qatar Open title

      January 10, 2010 /

      Following his straight-set victory against Roger Federer, Nicolay Davydenko overcame early struggles to defeat Rafael Nadal 0-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 in the Qatar Open final.

      From FOXSports.com:

      Davydenko led 4-1 in the second-set tiebreaker but unforced errors allowed Nadal to twice serve for the match. However, the Spaniard sprayed his returns wide, and Davydenko broke two times to Nadal’s one in the third set to close it out.

      The sixth-ranked Russian’s third straight victory over Nadal improved his overall record to 5-4.

      “I did not come here expecting to win. I am surprised that I have won,” Davydenko said. “It is an amazing feeling to have won here. I have played semifinals and finals here but never won.”

      It was a second consecutive title for Davydenko after winning the London World Tour Finals on Nov. 29. He also beat Nadal and Roger Federer in that event.

      David Nalbandian of Argentina is the only other player to beat Federer and Nadal in the same tournament on two occasions — at the Madrid Masters and Paris Masters in 2007.

      Players rarely beat both Nadal and Federer in the same tournament, but now Davydenko has done it twice. That’s quite a feat. However, the 28-year-old is yet to win a Grand Slam, which is his main criticism. Given Davydenko’s unpredictable success in Qatar, he could finally get his due in less than two weeks at the Australian Open.

      Tennis

      Davydenko sneaks by Federer, will face Nadal in Qatar final

      January 9, 2010 /

      Well, we can all thank Nickolay Davydenko for spoiling the year’s first chance at an important Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer collision. Davydenko upset Federer 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in the Qatar Open semifinal for his second-straight win against the world’s top player.

      “I’d beaten him once, so I knew I could beat him again. Then I thought, why not this time? I concentrated more on baseline and serves,” Davydenko, who has lost 12 times to Federer, told a news conference.

      “In the second set, it was getting tougher as both of us were tired and couldn’t run fast. It was a difficult situation but fortune favoured me. I think my serve has improved lately.”

      Federer committed 37 unforced errors and had no answer to many of the world number six’s powerful cross-court shots.

      “He deserved the lead, held it and finished the game. Hats off to him. It isn’t that I played too badly, but he played better,” said Federer.

      I just wish I could watch the match at home. Davydenko will undoubtedly have a tough time against world No. 2 Nadal who is blowing by opponents once again. A victory on Sunday would be a nice confidence boost for both players as they head into the Australian Open, which runs from Jan. 18-31. Nadal won that Grand Slam last year in a grueling five-setter against Federer.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Tennis

      Nadal prevails in Abu Dhabi

      January 2, 2010 /

      Rafael Nadal is showing signs of returning to form. In the final of the Capitala exhibition tournament, Nadal defeated Robin Soderling 7-6 (3), 7-5 to kick off the new season and prove he’s tired of the criticism.

      From FOXSports.com:

      Both players held serve throughout the first set before the second-ranked Spaniard won the tiebreaker. Nadal then broke decisively in the sixth game of the second set at Zayed Sports City.

      Soderling ended Nadal’s 31-game unbeaten run on clay at the French Open last year and beat him again at the season-sending ATP Tour World Finals in London.

      Roger Federer defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-1, 7-5 for third place.

      Nadal said overtaking Federer was not his main focus for 2010.

      “Everybody wants the No. 1 ranking, but, believe me, for me it is not my goal for this year,” the Spaniard said. “To play competitively throughout and win as many tournaments as I can, that is my goal. To be happy playing, to be healthy and to play like I have played over the last two days.”

      Nadal will play in next week’s Qatar Open, the Australian Open beginning Jan. 18 and the ABN AMRO starting Feb. 8 in the Netherlands before taking a break. He injured both knees and his abdomen last season, missing Wimbledon among other tournaments.

      While Roger Federer’s dominance last year was exciting, Nadal’s struggles hurt the sport. If he can learn to take care of his knees, Nadal will prolong his career and break plenty of notable records.

      Tennis

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