Archive for the ‘Tennis News’ Category
Roger Federer out of the French Open
When writing these blogs, I always set aside one or two for things that may come up unexpectedly in the tournament; newsworthy side anecdotes, steamy revelations, thrilling upsets. This time last year I had to squeeze in one about Rafael Nadal being beaten by a certain Robin Soderling, and that was probably the most shocking bit of news I have so far had to write about, up there with Juan Martin del Potro winning at the US Open.
Well what happened only about an hour ago, in my eyes, beats Nadal going out of the French Open early, beats Delpo taking the US title. Roger Federer, the world number one, has been ousted from the tournament in a stunning upset, and who was the orchestrator of his demise? Robin Soderling, again. The phrase ‘pulling a Soderling’ seems offensive now; this man is not just a one-trick player, he has a real mental and physical strength that could outstrip an on-form Federer at a Grand Slam.
Things seemed business as usual at the start of the match, with Federer taking the first set 3-6. But nobody beats Robin Soderling 13 times in a row. It didn’t take long for things to start swinging the Swede’s way. He broke Federer in the second set and took it 6-3, and soon the momentum was picking up and Federer seemed unable to stop it. His serve faltered, and the Swede’s serve only got better and better. Federer handed him a few opportunities with some unenforced errors, and Soderling picked more »
The Night Before the Day Before
Tomorrow, my university exams begin. Tomorrow, the players will be waking up with a sensation in the pit of their stomach that tells them that a Grand Slam is starting soon. Of course I would rather be in a position to play some fabulous tennis under the hot French sun instead of sitting an exam, but we all have our lot in life. And over the next two weeks whilst I will be slogging through timed essays, the top tennis players in the world will be taking part in second Grand Slam of the year at Rolland Garros.
The draw came out today, and so now the players know their fate as to how the tournament may play out for them. Two casualties have already altered everyone’s view of what the final may be; Juan Martin del Potro will be out for what looks like all of the Grand Slams this year, with his wrist still recovering from surgery. And the Henin/Clijsters final we have all been waiting will have to be postponed, with Kim Clijsters out with an injury sustained in the Davis Cup.
So what should be affecting your favourites for this year’s French Open?
Some are questioning Roger Federer’s ability to take his next in a long string of Grand Slam titles with other strong players nipping at his heels, and a difficult half of the draw. After all, Rafael Nadal is back on blistering form, having taken a host of titles after his 11 month dry spell. With Nadal’s more »
Clay Season underway
Andy Murray’s year not improving…
Poor Andy Murray’s year is not looking any brighter. Starting with that blaze of form at the Australian Open, the loss in the finals and the following few months seem to have knocked it all out of the Scot. At home he is garnishing criticism for not playing in the GB Davis Cup team, and out on the circuit he is being knocked out of the earliest of the early rounds. His latest disappointment was at the Monte Carlo masters. He had a bye in the first round, but was out in the second, losing 6-2 6-1 to Philip Kohlschreiber. ‘Muzza’ is going to have to pick himself up from this quickly; last year his clay season was an impressive improvement on the surface, and if he gets a bad season under his belt who knows what that’ll do to his confidence come Wimbledon.
…but Rafael Nadal’s year improving significantly
It’s been a bit of the grind the last eighteen months or so for the Majorcan. Fortunately for Rafa fans, he appears to be back to fighting fitness ready for his favourite season of the year. Those vibrant clay courts just wouldn’t be the same without him. His latest title, and first for a while, was taken at the Monte Carlo Masters, beating Fernando Verdasco 6-0 6-1. This is the sixth consecutive time he has won his tournament. Well, some people are just greedy like that. With his form as blistering as it is at the moment, he looks on track to get his old French Open title back from Federer. Finger more »
News Titbits
Navratilova announces breast cancer diagnoses
Martina Navratilova, the former tennis champion with 18 Grand Slam titles, announced that she as recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, it was caught at a very early stage and was detected through a routine mammogram. The doctors have given her an excellent prognosis, and she will undergo an operation and six weeks of radiation therapy in May. She gave a stark warning for women with regards to their vigilance over checking for breast cancer; Navratilova pointed out that she has always kept her body in fantastic shape, a good diet and high fitness, and yet this did not make her immune. She had left it four years since her last check-up: ‘…don’t make excuses’.
Serena still injured
Serena Williams is still struggling after her win at the Australian Open, with her knee continuing to play up. She has decided to withdraw from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Earlier on in the year she also had to withdraw from the Paris Indoor Open, all important tournaments and weeks she is spending off the court. This means that her preparation for the French Open is coming under some serious trouble.
Roddick wins in Miami
It’s been four years since his last Masters title, but Andy Roddick finally nabbed it in Miami at the Sony Ericsson Open. After making the final in Indian Wells last month, more »
Miami Glamour
Under the gleaming Miami sun, tennis has come to town. Players have been sampling what the place has to offer left right and centre, with sightseeing and even a bit of swimming with dolphins on the cards for the players. Alongside this chance to hear about the players in a more relaxed state of mind, there’s also a round up of the Miami tournament on this blog.
Fernando Verdasco was caught on camera tearing up the waves on a jet ski, looking right at home in the sunshine with the cityscape behind him. Novak Djokovic took a day off from training to do the tourist thing; Universal Studios, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, a sojourn on the beach. With a new relaxed image, he seemed happy to take his early exit at the Indian Open in his stride. You may have heard about his doubles match with partner Mel B from the Spice Girls for the Miami Open’s ‘Kids Day’. Try to catch some video on that if you can.
A group of players even had the chance to swim with dolphins, including Fernando Gonzalez, Robin Soderling and David Ferrer, who squeezed themselves into wetsuits and had a splash with the dolphins at the famous Seaquarium in Miami. Some of the WTA Tour players joined in, including Kristen Flipkens, Julie Coin and Alexandra Dulgheru.
Miami is a second home for Andy Murray; the Scot owns an apartment in the sunny city, and trains there for a substantial part of the year. The last few days he has been taking some flak for not doing enough for his country’s (rather dismal) performan more »
