Sending A Message

Well, I'm sure Djokovic/Ferrer was not exactly the final that the Dubai tournament organisers were hoping for - it is definitely a poor bastard cousin of Federer/Nadal, which they seemed all set for until a few weeks ago - but it could have been a lot worse for them. And, though I might have pulling for Ferrer, at least their big guy pulled it out and won the tournament for them. But it's going to be very interesting to see what happens with Dubai next year, after the whole Shahar Peer debacle... we saw one political pull-out here this year in the form of Roddick (massive kudos) - but will we see more next year, when players have more time to consider their schedule?

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Guess those appearance fees will have to be jacked up even higher...

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But my real interest at the moment isn't in Dubai - or even Acapulco or Delray Beach. No, it's all about the Maccabi Men's Challenger in East Bentleigh, where a very interesting final has been set up, after Marinko Matosevic blew right past Colin Ebelthite and Bernard Tomic ground it out in straights over Brydan Klein.

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The latter result is probably the most interesting, considering that Davis Cup is coming up. Both Klein and Tomic were on the squad (though did not make the actual team) in Chile last year. Both made it to the second round at the Australian Open this year. But Klein got the call up ahead of Tomic. This is probably purely because he's a bit older, and also he's had some really good results in Challengers lately (remember how he just won two in a row?) but I bet Bernard is a little irritated. I would not be surprised at all if he wanted to prove something with this match, to send a message - a message something along the lines of, 'hey, yeah, remember me? Don't forget me next time, bitches.'

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So it's going to be a good final tomorrow. You've got to pick Tomic on talent - and also because I know virtually nothing about Matosevic except that he has the same birthday as Roger Federer - but you never know what's going to happen in tennis, and that's the beauty of it.

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Today's Results

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Novak Djokovic def. David Ferrer, 7-5 6-3

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Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Acapulco)

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Nicolas Almagro def. Martin Vassallo Arguello, 6-4 6-4

Gael Monfils def. Jose Acasuso, 6-3 6-4

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Mardy Fish def. Florent Serra, 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4)

Evgeny Korolev def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 6-2 6-2

Boys Light Up

There's tennis going on all over the world right now - in Dubai, in Acapulco, in Delray Beach - but there's another tournament going on that no one's really going to write about, and it's in my own country, so I think that makes it my duty.

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That, of course, would be the Maccabi Men's Challenger in East Bentleigh. It may only be a Challenger, but I think it offers some signs of hope for the future - how often do you see four Aussie blokes in the semis of a tournament, even one of the satellites? Sure, it is on home soil, but I'm not sure how much I believe in the home court advantage in tennis... it's not like cricket or football or anything like that, where you can legitimately know the way a stadium plays better than your opposition. So, good on you, Aussie boys - it's going to be an Aussie holding up the trophy for sure!

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The four we have to choose from are Colin Ebelthite (winner of the December Showdown), Marinko Matosevic (who shares a birthday with Roger Federer), Brydan Klein (newest member of the Davis Cup team) and Bernard Tomic (boy wonder). Ebelthite and Matosevic are one semi, then the blockbuster, one would imagine, would be Klein and Tomic in the other, Australian Open junior champs from '07 and '08 going head to head. That should be an absolute corker.

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Who do I want to win? Well, to tell the truth, I don't much mind. It'd be good to see Klein go well so he has a big lead-in to Davis Cup next week... Ebelthite's been round for a while and could use some love... I don't know a whole lot about Matosevic but he's definitely on the up and up... and I always pull for Tomic, as you all know. But it's just so great to see Aussie boys doing so well, even if it is 'just' a Challenger. Tennis drought my foot. We've got some good boys - and even if they aren't #1, they doesn't mean we can't still be very proud of them.

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Today's Results

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Novak Djokovic def. Gilles Simon, 3-6 7-5 7-5

David Ferrer def. Richard Gasquet, 6-2 6-2

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Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Acapulco)

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Men's Draw

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Gael Monfils def. Leonardo Mayer, 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 4-1 retired

Jose Acasuso def. Tommy Robredo, 7-5 6-2

Nicolas Almagro def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver, 6-2 7-6 (7-2)

Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Daniel Koellerer, 6-3 7-6 (8-6)

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Women's Draw

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Flavia Pennetta def. Iveta Benesova, 6-3 6-3

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Jeremy Chardy def. Marcos Baghdatis, 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3)

Christophe Rochus def. Stefan Koubek, 6-3 7-6 (8-6)

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PS. Another gratuitous spruik for my other blog, The Black Valentine's Day Manifesto - http://blackvalentinemanifesto.wordpress.com. It has nothing to do with tennis - it's more about ... well, being 23 and living in Canberra, I suppose. So if you've ever wondered what I do when I'm not writing Tennis From The Backseat or crying over Roger Federer matches (a question which I'm sure has kept you awake at night) please check it out!

No Name Alert

Ha ha ha, I bet the organisers of Dubai are absolutely wringing their hands with despair. Not only is Andy Murray, one of their last great drawcards, out of the tournament, he's out with a walkover - so he didn't even play. Another great player promised, another not delivered. That's four huge names now out - Federer, Nadal, Murray and Roddick.

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So can Djokovic carry the profile of the tournament? He's a pretty big name, but when you consider that we've had a Federer/Nadal final (aka. the ultimate final) in this tournament before and should have been on that track again this year, I'll bet the organisers are weeping silently into their dinner plates.

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At least the other three guys left - Ferrer, Simon and Gasquet - are not total no names. If you had total randoms there, I'd bet there'd be a lot more weeping.

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Speaking of no names, who is this Daniel Koellerer? And Leonardo Mayer? I've vaguely heard the names before, but I definitely couldn't put faces to them or tell you anything at all about them, but now they're both in the quarter-finals at Acapulco. I (probably unlike the organisers of Dubai) like a good no name here and there, so I'll keep a bit of an eye on them. I'm always looking for new inductees into my Stars fold - and Lord knows I need one this week. As far as I can tell, the last Star standing is Jeremy Chardy... and I'm going to stop right here, before I repeat every single thing I said about Ernests Gulbis yesterday.

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Oh, actually, I lied. One more thing. Very nice to see Agnes Szavay doing well in Acapulco. I had her earmarked for success a while back, and then she seemed to disappear - she's in this tournament as a lucky loser, case in point. I'd like to see her realise her potential - and prove me right.

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Today's Results

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Novak Djokovic def. Marin Cilic, 6-3 6-4

Richard Gasquet def. Andy Murray, walkover

Gilles Simon def. Fabrice Santoro, 7-6 (7-3) 6-1

David Ferrer def. Igor Andreev, 7-5 6-1

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Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Acapulco)

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Men's Draw

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Gael Monfils def. Thomaz Bellucci, 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (5-7) 6-1

Tommy Robredo def. Kevin Kim, 6-2 6-0

Nicolas Almagro def. Potito Starace, 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (5-7) 6-3

Jose Acasuso def. Juan Ignacio Chela, 7-5 6-3

Daniel Gimeno-Traver def. Albert Montanes, 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5)

Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Marcel Granollers, 6-4 6-3

Leonardo Mayer def. Carlos Moya, 6-4 7-5

Daniel Koellerer def. Alberto Martin, 6-4 5-7 7-6 (7-4)

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Women's Draw

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Venus Williams def. Greta Arn, 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-4

Flavia Pennetta def. Pauline Parmentier, 6-1 6-3

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova def. Carla Suárez Navarro, 6-4 7-5

Iveta Benesova def. Klara Zakopalova, 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

Maret Ani def. Gisela Dulko, 7-6 (8-6) 6-3

Petra Cetkovska def. María José Martínez Sánchez, 3-6 6-4 6-1

Agnes Szavay def. Roberta Vinci, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Mardy Fish def. Vince Spadea, 6-4 6-1

Dear Mr Gulbis

Now, Ernests, I don't want to put any pressure on you. I know you're going to perform when you're ready. I know you're still a dangerous youngster, rather than being a full-fledged threat. I know you're going to grow into your game, and I know you're going to be in the top ten one day, and I know you're going to mature mentally and you're going to be something pretty special.

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But Ernests, please. Kei's done it. Marin's done it a couple of times. Thomaz nearly did it last week. When is that title going to come?

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It's not that Ernests isn't performing. He's the third seed this week in Delray Beach, and you don't just get there by hanging about in the top hundred. But he's also the third seed who just got beaten and dumped out of the tournament in the first round. Sure, it was by Marcos Baghdatis, who is definitely someone who should be seeded and who you wouldn't like to run into in the first round, but still. He hasn't always been running into Marcos Baghdatis in the first round - and it's not that he isn't capable of beating Marcos. Remember his first first round of the year? That's right, he beat some no name player called Novak Djokovic. And I think Gulbis revealed when he had Nadal on the ropes last year that he can challenge just about anyone.

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So, Ernests, I am going to wait for you. I know you're a good player, and you've had some good performances, and it is going to happen one day. But please... can you string those performances together one week? Waiting for you to win a title is a little like waiting for Marat Safin at the moment. And I know you can do it.

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So... win a title for me, Ernests. That's all I ask.

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Today's Results

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Novak Djokovic def. Jan Hernych, 6-3 3-6 6-4

Andy Murray def. Arnaud Clement, 6-2 6-3

Gilles Simon def. Teimuraz Gabashvili, 6-1 6-2

David Ferrer def. Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-4 6-2

Marin Cilic def. Julien Benneteau, 6-3 4-6 7-5

Igor Andreev def. Dmitry Tursunov, 5-7 6-4 6-3

Fabrice Santoro def. Marco Chiudinelli, 3-6 6-1 7-6 (7-1)

Richard Gasquet def. Simone Bolelli, 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

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Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Acapulco)

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Men's Draw

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Daniel Koellerer def. David Nalbandian, 1-6 6-3 6-4

Gael Monfils def. Olivier Patience, 7-6 (7-4) 6-4

Tommy Robredo def. Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, 6-4 3-6 6-3

Nicolas Almagro def. Santiago Gonzalez, 6-4 6-2

Jose Acasuso def. Brian Dabul, 6-3 7-5

Marcel Granollers def. Fabio Fognini, 7-6 (7-3) 7-5

Carlos Moya def. Pablo Andujar, 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 6-2

Alberto Martin def. Marcos Daniel, 6-4 7-5

Kevin Kim def. Juan Monaco, 1-6 3-0 retired

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Women's Draw

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Mathilde Johansson def. Tathiana Garbin, walkover

Venus Williams def. Nuria Llagostera Vives, 6-4 4-6 6-2

Flavia Pennetta def. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-3 6-1

Carla Suárez Navarro def. Viktoriya Kutuzova, 7-5 6-3

Gisela Dulko def. Ioana Raluca Olaru, 6-3 6-2

María José Martínez Sánchez def. Arantxa Parra Santonja, 6-2 6-3

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova def. Andreja Klepac, 2-6 6-1 6-4

Mathilde Johansson def. Rossana de los Ríos, 6-4 6-1

Maret Ani def. Patricia Mayr, 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4

Greta Arn def. Edina Gallovits, 6-2 6-3

Agnes Szavay def. Anna Orlik, 7-5 7-5

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Mardy Fish def. Frank Dancevic, 7-5 6-3

Marcos Baghdatis def. Ernests Gulbis, 7-5 6-2

Evgeny Korolev def. Igor Kunitsyn, 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

Jeremy Chardy def. Tommy Haas, 7-6 (9-7) 6-3

Yen-Hsun Lu def. Lleyton Hewitt, 7-5 2-6 6-2

Dudi Sela def. Philipp Petzschner, 6-3 4-1 retired

Gilles Muller def. Ryan Sweeting, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Vince Spadea def. Denis Gremelmayr, 2-6 7-5 6-1

Mischa Zverev def. Taylor Dent, 6-4 6-3

Andrey Golubev def. Evan King, 6-2 6-4

Still Smiling

Let's talk about some slightly older news today - the reports that negotiations are apparently on between my man the Fed and Darren 'Killer' Cahill to set up some kind of coaching arrangement.

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And I have to say that my reaction is wholeheartedly positive. I'm not one of those people who has been all "man, Roger, get a coach, you'll never achieve anything until you do!" though I think I have expressed the occasional wish that he get some advice. I don't think there's anything wrong with the job he's doing on himself. He's clearly a very bright man, he probably has the greatest tennis mind on court (if you look at the Australian Open, you'll notice that Rafa beat him with insane winners that not a single other soul could ever have touched, not by outsmarting him) and if that isn't enough, his girlfriend Mirka has a few ideas of what to do with a tennis racquet.

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And then he has Severin Luthi travelling with him just about full time... though one must imagine Severin is a bit annoyed with him right now, what with the whole Davis Cup incident... anyway, in short, the Fed's current arrangement is pretty sweet.

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So why do I think hiring Killer Cahill is a good idea? Simply because it can never, ever hurt to have fresh blood and fresh ideas, and Killer's got to be one of the top guys out there. He's worked with a whole lot of champions, and he's done a great job with them. Look at what he did with a ridiculously young and inexperienced Aussie Davis Cup team in Chile last year - pushed them to a 3-2 result when by all rights they should have been beaten 5-0. So if Roger makes the announcement that he's hired Darren sometime in the near future, I'll be smiling.

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And if he doesn't? Well, I'll still be smiling.

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Today's Results

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Novak Djokovic def. Flavio Cipolla, 6-3 6-2

Gilles Simon def. Mohammed Ghareeb, 5-7 6-4 6-4

Richard Gasquet def. Marat Safin, 6-3 5-7 6-3

Philipp Kohlschreiber def. Michael Lammer, 6-1 6-1

Julien Benneteau def. Jurgen Melzer, 1-6 6-3 6-3

Simone Bolelli def. Viktor Troicki, 6-3 6-4

Jan Hernych def. Mikhail Youzhny, 4-6 6-1 6-4

Igor Andreev def. Rik de Voest, 6-4 6-0

Arnaud Clement def. Rainer Schuettler, 1-6 6-3 6-3

Dmitry Tursunov def. Andreas Seppi, 6-1 6-4

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Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Acapulco)

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Men's Draw

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Albert Montanes def. Bruno Echagaray, 6-1 6-4

Thomaz Bellucci def. Nicolas Devilder, 3-6 6-4 6-4

Leonardo Mayer def. Diego Junqueira, 7-6 (7-1) 6-3

Potito Starace def. Oscar Hernandez, 6-4 6-2

Daniel Gimeno-Traver def. Nicolas Lapentti, 6-4 5-7 6-3

Juan Ignacio Chela def. Pablo Cuevas, 2-6 6-3 6-2

Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Ivan Navarro, 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-3)

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Women's Draw

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Iveta Benesova def. Olga Savchuk, 6-2 6-0

Roberta Vinci def. Lucie Safarova, 6-4 6-4

Tathiana Garbin def. Jill Craybas, 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-3

Petra Cekovska def. Lourdes Domínguez Lino, 6-2 6-2

Pauline Parmentier def. Melissa Torres Sandoval, 6-2 6-3

Klara Zakopalova def. Emilie Loit, 4-6 6-4 7-5

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Dudi Sela def. Philipp Petzschner, 6-3 4-1 retired

Gilles Muller def. Ryan Sweeting, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Vince Spadea def. Denis Gremelmayr, 2-6 7-5 6-1

Sam Querrey def. Guillermo Canas, 7-6 (7-3) 6-4

Florent Serra def. Jarkko Nieminen, 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

Stefan Koubek def. Bobby Reynolds, 6-4 6-3

Christophe Rochus def. Roko Karanusic, 6-3 6-4

Robert Kendrick def. Paul Capdeville, 4-6 6-2 6-1

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PS. Just a reminder to check out my other blog, The Black Valentine's Day Manifesto, if you are so inclined. It's growing pretty fast and it's a whole lot of fun - even if it has nothing to with tennis!

http://blackvalentinemanifesto.wordpress.com

Tennis and Bushfires

Can I just say THANK YOU to Andy Roddick for winning in Memphis, taking out the Worm. I was beginning to think that Radek had magical powers, and I wasn't so keen on the notion. So thank you, A-Rod.

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Not a lot of play today, except in Dubai, where a very bare looking draw started today. No Federer, no Nadal, no Roddick (the only one of the three who pulled out for specifically political reasons... but I wonder...). The draw is now headlined by Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic - and we've already lost our first seed, Ivo Karlovic, who went down to qualifier Marco Chiudinelli. So I think we might see a pretty anti-climactic Dubai this year...

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But today I mostly want to talk about the Tennis Australia bushfire appeal, which I think is totally wonderful and a very admirable initiative. According to the website, some contributions thus far are:

• A commitment from Tennis Australia and Tennis Victoria to work with government and local communities to ensure all facilities are rebuilt, restocked with equipment and restaffed with coaching and administrative help
• Long term plans for tennis days, coaching days, competitions and clinics to help the morale of the communities and further engage community spirit through the sport
• Dozens of Victorian coaches donating their time and resources to run clinics throughout the year in schools and clubs
• Thousands of dollars of donations of cash, equipment and services at club and community level from players, coaches, fans, officials and staff from everywhere from Kooyong to the Gold Coast.
• Offers of signed paraphernalia for auction from players throughout the world, co-ordinated by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the ATP World Tour officials.
• Donations and offers of help from current players like Bernard Tomic, past players like Geoff Masters, Wayne Arthurs, Alicia Molik, Todd Woodbridge and others
• Lleyton and Bec Hewitt investigating with Tennis Australia the possibility of a fund raising day which will involve past and present players

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It may seem cheesy, but I think it's wonderful to see everyone pulling together to help out after such a tragedy. Hats off, Tennis Australia.

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

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Andy Roddick def. Radek Stepanek, 7-5 7-5

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Andy Murray def. Sergiy Stakhovsky, 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 5-3 retired

David Ferrer def. Ivan Ljubicic, 3-6 6-2 6-1

Marin Cilic def. Janko Tipsarevic, 2-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4

Marco Chiudinelli def. Ivo Karlovic, 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (9-7)

Teimuraz Gabashvili def. Laurent Recouderc, 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-3

Fabrice Santoro def. Victor Hanescu, 6-4 6-2

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Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (Delray Beach)

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Guillermo Garcia-Lopez def. Steve Darcis, 6-3 6-3

Lleyton Lifts

As I write this, Tommy Robredo has four match points against Juan Monaco in the final of Buenos Aires... of which he has now lost three, but even if he loses the match, then my point still stands. He's one of the guys to beat at this point in the season. Watch this space.

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Another one who's been good to watch this week has been - surprise, surprise - Lleyton Hewitt. I know I'm jumping on this bandwagon a little late, but he's seriously been playing some inspired stuff. He won more points than Roddick did in that match, and if he hadn't played such a dodgy breaker in the second...

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He has said that he wants to get back into the top ten, and while I think that one's a little out of his grasp, if he continues to play like he did in Memphis this week, he certainly has a shot of finding himself well within the top fifty again. A Grand Slam seeding is a good goal for him, I think... and with his current level of play, it should be no trouble.

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And Tommy Robredo just won in Buenos Aires. That's two tournaments on the trot. Not bad, eh? And Victoria Azarenka just won her second career title in Memphis. Are we going to see her and her bad attitude take a run at the top ten?

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

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Victoria Azarenka def. Caroline Wozniacki, 6-1 6-3

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Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)

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Tommy Robredo def. Juan Monaco, 7-5 2-6 7-6 (7-5)

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Open 13 (Marseille)

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Michael Llodra, 7-5 7-6 (7-3)

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Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)

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María José Martínez Sánchez def. Gisela Dulko, 6-3 6-2

Robredo Rolls In 2009

You know who has been a real surprise package for the whole of this season - a guy who is totally ominous form but whom no one is talking about? Tommy Robredo. Seriously, the guy is on a major roll at the moment, and no one has said a word.

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Let's look at the Aussie Open. Until his round of sixteen loss to the also in-form Andy Roddick, he gave up something like eleven games over only three matches. The phrase I heard someone use was 'cantering through the draw' and it was about right. I saw about a set of his second round victory against Viktor Troicki, who gave Rafa Nadal some serious trouble in the first round the year before, and Tommy absolutely went to town on him.

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Then Tommy won a difficult final in Costa do Sauipe against hometown hero and Star of the Future Thomaz Bellucci, which can't have been easy. And now he's absolutely steamrolled his way through the field in Buenos Aires. He won his semi against local boy Jose Acasuso in pretty hot-looking form, and will go on now to face another local, Juan Monaco, in the final. Monaco did take top seed David Nalbandian in his semi... but come on, it's Dave. If LameDave showed up, then blind Freddy could beat him.

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So I'd put pretty good money on Tommy winning again. Are we going to see a streak like the one big Juan Martin del Potro had last year, where he won four tournaments on the trot? I certainly think it's a distinct possibility. And if Tommy keeps up this form into Roland Garros, I certainly would not be surprised to see him go deep. I think Roger and Rafa would be a bit too much for Tommy, but if he's drawn in the Djokovic or Murray quarters, then I would not be surprised AT ALL to see him in the semis.

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In fact, that is my early prediction for the French Open. Should Robredo be drawn in the Djokovic or Murray quarters, he'll be in the semis. You heard it here first.

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)
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Radek Stepanek def. Dudi Sela, 6-3 6-1

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Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)

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Juan Monaco def. David Nalbandian, 2-6 7-5 7-6 (7-2)

Tommy Robredo def. Jose Acasuso, 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

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Open 13 (Marseille)

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Novak Djokovic, 6-4 7-6 (7-1)

Michael Llodra def. Gilles Simon, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Venus Williams def. Virginie Razzano, 6-4 6-2

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Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)

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Gisela Dulko def. Edina Gallovits, 6-2 6-3

María José Martínez Sánchez def. Patricia Mayr, 7-5 7-5

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PS. I'd just like to applaud Bernard Tomic for the wonderful work he did yesterday, raising money for the victims of the Victorian bushfire tragedy. I don't know how much coverage this natural disaster has got worldwide, but it was one of the biggest disasters we've had here in a long time, with 208 people (currently) perishing in blazes all over Victoria. This was coupled with terrible floods in Queensland and northern New South Wales. So kudos, Bernard, for doing your bit.

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PPS. It has nothing to do with tennis, but if you have a spare moment, check out my other blog, The Black Valentine's Day Manifesto. I started it a week ago because of the massive response I had to a note I posted on Facebook, and it's really started ot take off! So check it out, if that's your cup of tea.

On The Shoulder

Some sad news for Aussie tennis this morning - Casey Dellacqua is out till the middle of the year with a shoulder injury. She's having surgery on Monday and will be out for the French Open, hoping to be back by Wimbledon.

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What that means is that she's out of the Fed Cup playoff in April against Switzerland, and that is very, very sad, because I was gunning for her to get played against Patty Schnyder, because I think their games match up really well, what with the whole lefty thing and whatnot. But obviously it's important for her to get better. It's been pretty clear that she hasn't been playing as well at the moment as she did in her breakout season last year, particularly early on, and so if she can get it fixed, she should. Sad to see you out, Casey - get better soon.

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Not a whole lot more to report today - other than that I really would have liked to see the match between Azarenka and Lisicki in Memphis. Azarenka won it - but it was in a third set breaker, and she got pushed all the way by Sabine, who is, as we know, the first inductee into my Stars of the Future club from the women's side. It's going to be very interesting to watch how her career progresses... she was seeded #6 at the tournament (where she made it to the semis) and I think it's only a matter of time before she gets higher. Nice one, Sabine!

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And I just realised who popped his head up in Marseille, losing in the quarterfinal to Michael Llodra. That would be the scary Russian, Mikhail Youzhny. I wrote a bit last week wondering where he'd been - could this be the beginning of a mini-resurgence?

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And what is with the Worm beating everyone? He just took out big Juan Martin del Potro. Not pleased.

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

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Men's Draw
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Dudi Sela def. Igor Kunitsyn, 4-6 6-4 6-2

Radek Stepanek def. Juan Martin del Potro, 7-6 (9-7) 6-4

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Women's Draw

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Victoria Azarenka def. Sabine Lisicki, 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-1)

Caroline Wozniacki def. Anne Keothavong, 6-1 6-0

*

*

Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)

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Jose Acasuso def. Oscar Hernandez, 6-1 6-2

Tommy Robredo def. Franco Ferreiro, 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

Juan Monaco def. Maximo Gonzalez, 6-2 6-3

*

*

Open 13 (Marseille)

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Novak Djokovic def. Mischa Zverev, 6-3 6-3

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Feliciano Lopez, 6-2 6-7 (1-7) 6-4

Michael Llodra def. Mikhail Youzhny, 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3)

Gilles Simon def. Julien Benneteau, 6-2 6-4

*

*

Barclay Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Venus Williams def. Serena Williams, 6-1 2-6 7-6 (7-3)

Virginie Razzano def. Kaia Kanepi, 6-1 6-2

*

*

Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)

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Gisela Dulko def. Mathilde Johansson, 6-1 6-2

María José Martínez Sánchez def. Betina Jozami, 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4

Edina Gallovits def. Masa Zec Peskiric, 6-3 6-0

Patricia Mayr def. Ioana Raluca Olaru, 6-1 6-2

The Shahar Question

One thing I haven't written about recently is possibly one of the biggest political dramas in recent memory in tennis - Shahar Peer being denied a visa into Dubai. This has provoked a lot of comment and reaction within the tennis world... I can't say I really know enough about the situation to comment. Still, I'm going to now.
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I know that Israel is not exactly the good guy on the world stage right now - but should Shahar's nationality preclude her from competing in her sport? She's not the mastermind behind the whole Israel situation (and neither is Andy Ram, whom I understood also had visa difficulty) but there is precendent for her being barred - not in tennis, necessarily, but in sport, certainly. Anyone else recall the ban put on South Africa for a while there? I particularly remember it in reference to cricket, but I'm pretty sure it spread across the world as a whole. So - is tennis the same? Can Shahar Peer be precluded from playing because of her country's political situation?
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The WTA says no. Dubai says yes. Either way, you have to feel sorry for the girl, because no matter what her nationality, I don't think anyone could say this is her fault. Anyone see the protesters stalking her around Auckland this year? The poor girl looked so scared. And who could blame her?
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Dubai is getting a bit of a bad rep because of this, and I must confess it just struck me... this whole saga comes out, and then Federer pulls out. Now Nadal has pulled out. Coincidence? ...yeah, probably. But the organisers of Dubai must be tearing their hair out, having lost the two best players in the world, and I bet Shahar has allowed herself a quiet chuckle or two over that one.
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Today's Results
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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)
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Men's Draw
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Radek Stepanek def. Stefan Koubek, 6-2 6-4
Igor Kunitsyn def. Philipp Petzschner, 3-6 6-4 6-4
Lleyton Hewitt def. Chris Guccione, 6-2 7-6 (7-4)
Juan Martin del Potro def. Ernests Gulbis, 6-3 6-4
Christophe Rochus def. Mardy Fish, 6-2 6-4
*
*
Women's Draw
*
Victoria Azarenka def. Pauline Parmentier, 6-4 6-2
Sabine Lisicki def. Lucie Safarova, 6-3 6-4
Anne Keothavong def. Marina Erakovic, 6-2 1-6 6-2
*
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Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)
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Maximo Gonzalez def. Brian Dabul, 6-3 6-1
Juan Monaco def. Martin Vassallo Arguello, 6-4 2-6 6-2
*
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Open 13 (Marseilles)
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Novak Djokovic def. Jan Hernych, 7-5 6-4
Gilles Simon def. Rainer Schuettler, 6-4 4-6 6-2
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Simone Bolelli, 6-3 6-2
Julien Benneteau def. Georg Bastl, 6-1 2-6 6-1
Michael Llodra def. Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-3 7-6 (7-1)
*
*
Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)
*
Serena Williams def. Ana Ivanovic, 6-4 6-4
Venus Williams def. Elena Dementieva, 6-3 6-3
Virginie Razzano def. Vera Zvonareva, 7-6 (9-7) 7-5
Kaia Kanepi def. Elena Vesnina, 6-3 7-5
*
*
Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)
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Mathilde Johansson def. Katalin Marosi, 6-4 6-1
María José Martínez Sánchez def. Arantxa Parra Santonja, 6-4 6-3
Betina Jozami def. Carla Suárez Navarro, 4-0 retired
Gisela Dulko def. Rossana de los Ríos, 5-7 6-1 6-3

Snubbing Mr Milkshake

The Aussie Davis Cup team for the first round this year has just been announced, and we're looking at something pretty different to what we saw last time. Remember Chile, where we had that awesome young team, and we had a good seven people on the squad? Looks like they're not repeating that one this year. Our team is Lleyton Hewitt, Chris Guccione, Carsten Ball and Brydan Klein.

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Not a bad team, as far as they go, but I think there's one major snub in there - the guy that's been forgotten all year, ever since he lost in he play-off at the December Showdown. And it is such a shame, because he has played fabulously in Davis Cup just about every time he played. Where is Peter Luczak? I would have put you in, Mr Milkshake. I don't know if I would have played you, but you'd have been in the squad.

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And Bernard Tomic would have been in the squad as well. He's proven he can pull the upset on the senior scene - Potito Starace, anyone? - so why not give him another shot? Carsten Ball is, in my mind, a bit expendable - he's there for doubles, surely? Actually, that's a thought - where are our doubles specialists? Why is Paul Hanley not on the squad?

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And who is going to be the new coach? Darren 'Killer' Cahill has just stood down. I'm sad. I'm certainly not as impressed as I was with the awesome young squad last time... but then I am not the Davis Cup captain. I am impressed with the decision to put Brydan Klein in, however - with his recent results, he deserves it!

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Today's Results

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Regions Morgan Keenans Championships (Memphis)

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Men's Draw

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Mardy Fish def. Yen-Hsun Lu, 6-1 7-5

Robby Ginepri def. Simon Greul, 6-4 6-4

Philipp Petzschner def. Jarkko Nieminen, 6-3 6-4

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*

Women's Draw

*

Lucie Safarova def. Vania King, 7-6 (7-1) 6-3

Sabine Lisicki def. Stéphanie Foretz, 6-2 6-4

*

*

Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)

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Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Marcel Granollers, 6-7 (7-8) 6-0 6-3

Franco Ferreiro def. Pablo Cuevas, 6-2 6-4

*

*

Open 13 (Marseilles)

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Feliciano Lopez def. Dmitry Tursunov, 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-1)

Mikhail Youzhny def. Andreas Seppi, 7-6 (7-2) 6-3

Novak Djokovic def. Jeremy Chardy, 7-6 (7-4) 6-4

Paul-Henri Mathieu def. Gael Monfils, 4-6 6-4 7-5

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Andrey Golubev, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Michael Llodra def. Rik de Voest, 7-6 (7-2) 6-1

Georg Bastl def. Marc Gicquel, 6-4 6-3

*

*

Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Serena Williams def. Zheng Jie, 6-4 6-2

Kaia Kanepi def. Jelena Jankovic, 6-2 7-5

Elena Dementieva def. Anabel Medina Garrigues, 6-1 6-3

Vera Zvonareva def. Marion Bartoli, 5-2 retired

Venus Williams def. Alizé Cornet, 6-3 6-2

Ana Ivanovic def. Camille Pin, 6-2 7-6 (7-5)

Elena Vesnina def. Dominika Cibulkova, 4-6 6-1 4-0 retired

Virginie Razzano def. Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2 1-6 6-2

*

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Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)

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Edina Gallovits def. Klara Zakopalova, 6-3 6-4

Ioana Raluca Olaru def. Maret Ani, 6-4 6-2

The Stan Show

What’s the first thing I see when I get up this morning on quality Australian breakfast television? Mel Doyle’s irritatingly chirpy face and the news that Roger Federer is out of Dubai and the first round of the Davis Cup with a persistent back injury. I nearly cried.
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I bet half of Switzerland is crying now too, because you’ve got to think that the likelihood of them winning that tie is pretty small now. It’s all on the shoulders of Stan Wawrinka – who is very capable and who can definitely do it, but he ain’t no Roger. He’s a lifelong second banana. So he’s going to have to beat a bit of Roddick, a bit of Blake, whomever else the US throw at him… and probably play doubles, one would assume. It’s going to be the Stan Show, if Switzerland is to pull this one out.
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This back injury forced Roger out of Paris, but I had no idea it was still hanging around. I think there’s a valuable lesson to one Novak Djokovic in there. Federer was injured and NO ONE EVER KNEW ABOUT IT. Not a thing. Not one thing.
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But it’s just so sad… still, it’ll be good to have him fully fit and comfortable.
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In actual tennis overnight, a win for my man Ernests Gulbis! He took out Taylor Dent, which was sweeeeeet.

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)
*
Men’s Draw
*
Florent Serra def. Robin Soderling, 6-4 6-7 (1-7) 6-2

Ernests Gulbis def. Taylor Dent, 6-4 3-6 6-2

Marcos Baghdatis def. Kei Nishikori, 7-5 6-3

Christophe Rochus def. Donald Young, 6-4 6-3
*
*
Women’s Draw
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Victoria Azarenka def. Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro, 6-2 6-2

Marina Erakovic def. Melanie Oudin, 4-6 6-2 6-3

Michaella Krajicek def. Kristina Barrois, 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-0)

Severine Brémond def. Kirsten Flipkens, 6-4 6-0

Stéphanie Foretz def. Melinda Czink, 6-2 4-6 6-2

Chanelle Scheepers def. Lucie Hradecka, 6-1 5-7 7-6 (7-5)
*
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Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)
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Oscar Hernandez def. Nicolas Almagro, 6-2 1-6 6-3

Tommy Robredo def. Potito Starace, 5-7 6-3 6-3

Carlos Moya def. Maximo Gonzalez, 6-4 6-4

Jose Acasuso def. Daniel Munoz-De La Nava, 6-2 7-6 (7-4)

Martin Vassallo Arguello def. Albert Montanes, 6-2 6-3

Marcel Granollers def. Thomaz Bellucci, 7-5 7-5

Pablo Cuevas def. Eduardo Schwank, 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-0

Juan Monaco def. Sergio Roitman, 6-0 6-0

Fabio Fognini def. Pablo Andujar, 6-3 6-2

Diego Junqueira def. Nicolas Massu, 3-6 6-4 6-4

Franco Ferreiro def. Ivan Navarro, 1-6 6-4 6-2
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Open 13 (Marseille)
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Gilles Simon def. Grigor Dimitrov, 4-6 6-3 7-5

Arnaud Clement def. Marat Safin, 4-6 6-3 6-2

Rainer Schuettler def. Laurent Recouderc, 6-1 6-4

Mischa Zverev def. Illya Marchenko, 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4

Andreas Seppi def. Jerzy Janowicz, 7-6-(7-5) 5-7 7-6 (7-3)

Simone Bolelli def. Richard Bloomfield, 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-1)

Julien Benneteau def. Fabrice Santoro, 4-6 6-4 6-2
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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)
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Serena Williams def. Sara Errani, 4-6 6-2 6-0

Virginie Razzano def. Dinara Safina, 6-4 6-2

Jelena Jankovic def. Monica Niculescu, 6-3 6-2

Elena Dementieva def. Sybille Bammer, 7-5 6-2

Vera Zvonareva def. Vera Dushevina, 6-0 6-3

Venus Williams def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-0 6-1

Alizé Cornet def. Julia Schruff, 6-1 6-2

Marion Bartoli def. Francesca Schiavone, 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-3

Dominika Cibulkova def. Tsvetana Pironkova, 7-6 (7-5) 6-4

Zheng Jie def. Samantha Stosur, 3-6 7-5 7-5

Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Alona Bondarenko, 6-2 7-5

Kaia Kanepi def. Sania Mirza, 7-5 6-2

Daniela Hantuchova def. Ayumi Morita, 7-6 (7-1) 6-2

Camille Pin def. Urszula Radwanska, 6-7 (6-8) 7-5 2-0 retired
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Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)
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Masa Zec Peskiric def. Flavia Pennetta, 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-4)

Carla Suárez Navarro def. Johanna Larsson, 7-6 (7-4) 6-4

Gisela Dulko def. Tamaryn Hendler, 6-2 6-4

Nuria Llagostera Vives def. Olga Savchuk, 6-2 6-0

Mathilde Johansson def. Catalina Castaño, 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 6-4

María José Martínez Sánchez def. Anastasiya Yakimova, 6-1 6-3

Ioana Raluca Olaru def. Lourdes Domínguez Lino, 5-7 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

Rossana de los Ríos def. Olivia Sanchez, 4-6 6-0 6-1

Patricia Mayr def. Tzipora Obziler, 6-2 6-3

Maret Ani def. María Emilia Salerni, 5-7 6-2 7-5

Betina Jozami def. Mariana Duque Marino, 5-7 6-0 6-1

Katalin Marosi def. Greta Arn, 7-5 3-6 7-5

Arantxa Parra Santonja def. Viky Nuñez Fuentes, 6-2 6-1

The Curious Case of the Dangerous Worm

Whoa. The Worm seems to have it all going on at the moment. He may not have made such a good showing at the Aussie Open, getting crushed four, love and love by Nando Verdasco, but he's been doing well in the subsidiary tournaments. A title in Brisbane and now one in San Jose - defeating two hometown boys, Roddick in the semis and Fish in the final, along the way.

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What is it with the Worm? I've watched him play a number of times and I still can't quite figure out what makes him such a dangerous player. Because he is a dangerous player, as his results will attest - but watching him play, I cannot tell what facet of his game is the one that makes him dangerous. Does he leech off the spirits of his WTA-girlfriends, both of whom have become rubbish since they dated him? Or has he been defeating people with the power of his picnic-blanket shirt? Maybe I will never know.

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Some good results overnight for a) one of my favourite players, Dmitry Tursunov, who won his opener in Marseille (correct me if I'm wrong, but has he won this title before?) and b) an Aussie, Chris Guccione, who qualified for Memphis and then won his first round match, knocking off local Vince Spadea. I'm perpetually disappointed in Guccione so it's nice to have a bit of a change!

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Though speaking of Aussies I am not currently disappointed in, Brydan Klein has made it two from two on the satellite circuit this year - he won a Challenger event last week, and this year has walked away with a Futures title from Mildura. Useful rankings points - watch this space!

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And, because I was too busy writing about how wonderful Rafa is yesterday, I forgot to give a proper shout out to one of my Stars, who had a great week. Thomaz Bellucci lost a close match in the final of Costa do Sauipe to Tommy Robredo - a great showing. As a result, he's jumped twenty places in the rankings. Nice on, Thomaz!

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Now when is Ernests Gulbis going to reach a final, hmm? (No pressure, Ernests.)

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Oh, and nice work to Ana Ivanovic for conquering an Aussie Open demon and beating Alisa Kleybanova. Still a long way to go, but it's nice to see her taking it a step at a time.

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Today's Results

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Radek Stepanek def. Mardy Fish, 3-6 6-4 6-2

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Regions Morgan Keenan Championships (Memphis)

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Men's Draw

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Chris Guccione def. Vince Spadea, 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-5)

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Women's Draw

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Lucie Safarova def. Melanie South, 6-2 6-2

Sabine Lisicki def. Ekaterina Bychkova, 6-3 6-3

Michaella Krajicek def. Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-1 6-4

Pauline Parmentier def. Julie Coin, 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-1

Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro def. Alexa Glatch, 6-3 6-3

Vania King def. Alexandra Stevenson, 6-2 7-6 (7-5)

Michelle Larcher de Brito def. Sofia Arvidsson, 6-2 6-0

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Copa Telmex (Buenos Aires)

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Brian Dabul def. Nicolas Devilder, 5-7 7-5 6-4

Juan Ignacio Chela def. Alberto Martin, 6-3 6-2

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Open 13 (Marseille)

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Dmitry Tursunov def. Teimuraz Gabashvili, 3-6 6-2 6-2

Jan Hernych def. Kristof Vliegen, 6-3 3-6 6-4

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Elena Vesnina def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, 6-4 3-6 6-0

Ana Ivanovic def. Alisa Kleybanova, 7-5 6-4

Urszula Radwanska def. Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4 6-3

Alizé Cornet def. Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 6-4 6-1

Marion Bartoli def. Ai Sugiyama, 6-0 4-6 7-6 (8-6)

Dominika Cibulkova def. Sorana Cirstea, 6-4 6-2

Anabel Medina Garrigues def. Andreja Klepac, 6-3 6-1

Ayumi Morita def. Anna Chakvetadze, 7-5 6-2

Alona Bondarenko def. Olga Govortsova, 6-4 6-3

Francesca Schiavone def. Casey Dellacqua, 6-1 6-1

Daniela Hantuchova def. Stefanie Voegele, 7-5 6-2

Samantha Stosur def. Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-4 6-3

Monica Niculescu def. Peng Shuai, 3-6 7-5 6-2

Virginie Razzano def. Kateryna Bondarenko, 7-5 6-2

Camille Pin def. Agnes Szavay, 2-6 6-2 6-3

Sania Mirza def. Ekaterina Makarova, 7-5 6-2

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Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas (Bogota)

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Edina Gallovits def. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, 6-2 6-2

Petra Cetkovska def. Sandra Zahlavova, 7-5 6-2

Dutch Courage

One of the things I love about Roger Federer is that he never gives up in a tennis match, even in times of injury. "Roger Federer doesn't retire - otherwise he doesn't walk out on court," he said once (possibly slightly paraphrased). Who can forget the final of the Masters Cup '05, when he gamely fought out a five-set, five-hour battle with David Nalbandian - effectively on one leg? All to make sure the match finished in a true fashion - that he either pulled off a spectacular victory, or his opponent won, fair and square.

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Well, now we can add Rafael Nadal to the fold, because he just did exactly the same thing in Rotterdam. After injuring his knee in the second set, he continued to play - and continued to try to win. And he damn near almost succeeded, too, though he obviously did fade in the third set. But you have to admire the man's guts. I'd say that if this had been a semi or a quarter or something, he'd have retired - but it was a final, and he wanted it to be decided properly (ie. not the Justine Henin AO '06 way).

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The injury happened in the first game of the second set, and it was followed by one of the most bizarre things you will ever see in a game of men's tennis - eight consecutive breaks of serve. And it was Rafa who came out on top, winning the set 6-4. It's incredible that he could do that - he couldn't serve properly because of his knee, so he adjusted and went for broke on Murray's serve, almost breaking him at will. He is a real champion, that man.

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In the end, I think it's almost better that he lost, because he showed his true colours even more clearly. He wanted to give Andy the win properly, and not just hand it to him on a plate. He wanted it to be earned, to be deserved. And he was not at all averse to being the deserver. Hats off, Rafa.

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Andy Murray def. Rafael Nadal, 6-3 4-6 6-0

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Tommy Robredo def. Thomaz Bellucci, 6-3 3-6 6-4

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Radek Stepanek def. Andy Roddick, 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Amelie Mauresmo def. Elena Dementieva, 7-6 (9-7) 2-6 6-4

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Zvonareva def. Sania Mirza, 7-5 6-1

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Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships (Dubai)

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Zheng Jie def. Anastasia Rodionova, 6-1 6-1

Kaia Kanepi def. Tamira Paszek, 2-6 6-2 6-0

Sybille Bammer def. Mariya Koryttseva, 6-1 6-4

Alisa Kleybanova def. Anna Lapushchenkova, 3-6 6-3 6-2

Sara Errani def. Chan Yung-Jan, 6-4 6-4

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova def. Maria Kirilenko, 6-2 6-4

Tsvetana Pironkova def. Viktoriya Kutuzova, 6-2 6-3

Elena Vesnina def. Li Na, 1-6 6-4 6-4

Julia Schruff def. Petra Kvitova, 6-3 2-6 6-4

Vera Dushevina def. Yan Zi, 2-6 6-4 6-3

Rafandy

What a blockbuster final we have in Rotterdam! The organisers must be beside themselves with excitement/relief (unlike the organisers of Brisbane when their big gun, Novak Djokovic, got culled in the first round and their #2, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, got bundled out not long afterwards). It's going to be a very intriguing match, I think - it's Nadal/Murray, incidentally, which I should probably add before I start ranting on and on about it.

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The big matches recently have gone the way of Murray, I think you'd say - there was the semi at the US Open last year (imagine - if Nadal had won that match and gone on to beat Federer for the title he would have a career Grand Slam right now... a 'Rafa Slam,' actually!) and then more recently there was that big exo in Abu Dhabi where they both went at it guns blazing. But then you consider that Rafa's coming in off one of the biggest victories of his career... and seriously, at this point in time, you'd have to be a silly fool to beat against the Boss.

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Though the Rafandy match up interesting match up because of the psychology of it, particularly on Murray's side - I don't think Rafa is in Andy's head like he's in, say, Roger's. Andy has no doubts that he can take Rafa out, and he's willing to go for it. It's the sort of fearlessness that Novak Djokovic (spit spit) used to have, though I think he's lost it now. So it will be an interesting one (as I have said about forty times now). I'm not betting against Rafa, but I'm not counting Andy out.

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Work that one out.

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Something I am not impressed with is the final in Paris - we were all set to get Serena/Jankovic, which could have been awesome, and instead we're getting Dementieva/Mauresmo. Not that these ladies don't deserve it and not that it won't be a good match, but... please, Serena. Injured already?

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And I would like to give out a shoutout to Thomaz Bellucci, who just made it to his first career final in Costa do Sauipe. Nice to see the Stars shining!

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Rafael Nadal def. Gael Monfils, 6-4 6-4

Andy Murray def. Mario Ancic, 6-1 6-2

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Thomaz Bellucci def. Frederico Gil, 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-4)

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Mardy Fish def. James Blake, 6-3 6-2

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Elena Dementieva def. Serena Williams, walkover

Amélie Mauresmo def. Jelena Jankovic, 6-2 0-6 6-1

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Zvonareva def. Shahar Peer, 6-1 6-4

Sania Mirza def. Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-4 5-7 6-1

Black and Blue?

Couple of interesting results overnight - not ground-breaking or anything, but interesting nonetheless. I would have paid a lot of money to have been able to see that match in Rotterdam between Rafa 'The Boss' Nadal and Jo-Dub Tsonga. It looked like a tight one - and thinking back to the semi of the Aussie Open in '08, it's a pretty good match up for Jo-Willy. I think I'm right in saying he'd rather play Rafa than Roger. He still lost, but he gave the Rafabot a good run for his money. I'd bet Rafa isn't in his scintillating Open form here, but still a challenge is a challenge. That one would have been interesting, I think.

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And then in San Jose, we have Mardy Fish not just challenging, but actually beating Juan Martin del Potro. And in pretty comprehensive fashion as well. Now, I would not have picked that one at all. I wouldn't have thought Mardy Fish was anything like a match for the big Argentine.

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People have talked a lot about what the loss to Nadal must have done to Federer's confidence after the Australian Open. But that was a five set match, and Federer could have won if he played better in the big moments. Has anyone stopped to think what must have happened to Juan Martin del Potro's confidence? I mean, sure, hello, quarter finals = great achievement, but can there be anything more crushing for a player than an absolute beatdown like that? We haven't a deconstruction like that quarter final. It was an absolute demolition job. And JM is supposed to the world #6. He's supposed to be close to guys ranked #2. Federer comprehensively showed that that wasn't the case.

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I think Federer is a special case - for him, the closely-fought epics (ie. the Aussie Open and Wimbledon) hurt more than the beatdowns (ie. Roland Garros). But for everyone else? You get beaten three, love and love, and your confidence is going to take a beating. This has got to be the first time in a while JM has lost to someone ranked significantly lower than him. Did he just have an off-day or is his confidence bruised black and blue?

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Rafael Nadal def. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4

Andy Murray def. Marc Gicquel, 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 3-0 retired

Gael Monfils def. Julien Benneteau, 7-6 (7-4) 6-1

Mario Ancic def. Mikhail Youzhny, 6-4 6-2

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Tommy Robredo def. Jose Acasuso, 6-2 6-1

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Mardy Fish def. Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3 6-4

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Serena Williams def. Emilie Loit, 6-4 6-1

Jelena Jankovic def. Alizé Cornet, 5-7 6-4 6-4

Elena Dementieva def. Nathalie Dechy, 6-3 6-2

Amélie Mauresmo def. Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-2 6-0

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Zvonareva def. Peng Shuai, 6-2 6-3

Magdalena Rybarikova def. Caroline Wozniacki, 6-4 6-1

Sania Mirza def. Tamarine Tanasugarn, 7-5 6-4

Shahar Peer def. Vera Dushevina, 6-4 4-6 6-2

Boys From Oz

Doesn’t take long for the boss to get back on the horse, does it? Only ten days or so after his big win at the Aussie Open, he’s off in Rotterdam beating Bolelli and Dimitrov. Admittedly he’s looking a lot scratchier than he was in Melbourne, but no one can keep that level up. Not even the Rafabot.
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The Aussies, unlike Rafa, are not doing so well. We seem to have sorted out our problem with the Aussie girls – I think we’re looking pretty good with our Dokic/Stosur/Dellacqua assortment – but the boys? Um… Guccione and Hewitt both crashed out in San Jose pretty early. Hewitt has been a champion, but is, let’s face it, on the way out. He’s never going to get back into the top ten. And Guccione is just never going to that good, when it comes down to it. And that’s just the way it is.
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This is why when it comes to men’s tennis in Oz, we have to look to the future, because it looks a bit better. I don’t think anyone would gainsay the talent of Bernard Tomic (though they might gainsay the demeanour of his father… Damir mk. 2). And how about Brydan Klein? We should talk about him for a minute, because unlike our current ATP-level boys, he’s doing quite well. He won a Challenger title in Tassie last week, and now he’s defending his title at a Futures event in Mildura. I don’t think he has the raw ability of Tomic – Tomic could be a #1 player one day, and I doubt Klein will ever get that far – but he could be a bit of all right. That’s for sure.
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And I’d just like to finish with a shout-out to one of my Stars, who is holding his own pretty well this week. Check out Thomaz Bellucci, playing in Costa do Sauipe in his home country of Brazil. Could this be a breakout week for him?
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Today’s Results
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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)
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Rafael Nadal def. Grigor Dimitrov, 7-5 3-6 6-2

Andy Murray def. Andreas Seppi, 7-6 (7-4) 7-5

Mario Ancic def. Gilles Simon, 6-4 3-6 6-3

Gael Monfils def. Michael Llodra, 6-4 6-4

Marc Gicquel def. Paul-Henri Mathieu, 6-4 6-3
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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)
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Nicolas Almagro def. Martin Vassallo Arguello (ARG) 64 64

Tommy Robredo def. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 62 62

Jose Acasuso def. Pablo Cuevas (URU) 63 62

Frederico Gil def. Marcel Granollers (ESP) 75 36 63

Eduardo Schwank def. Rui Machado (POR) 26 76(4) 76(6)

Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Brian Dabul (ARG) 61 62

Thomaz Bellucci def. Lukasz Kubot (POL) 57 64 64

Alberto Martin def. Nicolas Devilder (FRA) 62 76(4)
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SAP Open (San Jose)
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Radek Stepanek def. Chris Guccione, 6-2 7-6 (7-1)

Tommy Haas def. Christophe Rochus, 6-2 7-5
Juan Martin Del Potro def. Andrea Stoppini, 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5)

James Blake def. Vince Spadea, 6-3 6-4

Sam Querrey def. Marcos Baghdatis, 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5)

John Isner def. Ramon Delgado, 7-6 (11-9) 6-4
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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)
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Serena Williams def. Karolina Sprem, 6-1 6-2

Jelena Jankovic def. Li Na, 6-0 3-6 6-2

Elena Dementieva def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-4 6-2

Alizé Cornet def. Daniela Hantuchova, 1-6 6-4 6-2

Amélie Mauresmo def. Monica Niculescu, 6-1 6-2
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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)
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Vera Zvonareva def. Yaroslava Shvedova, 6-4 6-4

Caroline Wozniacki def. Ksenia Pervak, 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 3-0 retired

Tamarine Tanasugarn def. Neuza Silva, 6-3 6-2

Shahar Peer def. Yuliya Beygelzimer, 6-4 6-1

Magdalena Rybarikova def. Ivana Lisjak, 6-4 2-6 6-2

Sania Mirza def. Vitalia Diatchenko, 6-4 6-0

The Boss

Was just reading Tennis Australia's little 'Off the Court' article, and at the bottom, there was a little story about how Rafa is planning to play Davis Cup in the first round - to effectively get straight back on the horse after his disappointment about not playing the final last year. All fine and dandy - nice one, Rafa - but what I found very intriguing (aka. what I did not realise) was that Spain are taking on Serbia.

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Now that is going to be a good tie.

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We haven't seen Rafa play Djokovic for a while now, and I really hope we get the opportunity to see it here, because I feel, and have long felt, that Novak sort of forgets about Rafa, even now when he's #1. Sure, there was that battle they had last year where the winner of the match got the #2 spot (Rafa won) but you always feel that Djokovic is focused wholly on overtaking Federer. When Federer was #1, he was all about toppling the king. Now Federer is #2, it's all about sticking it to him. And Rafa? Well... um... hfhweirfhj.

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I hope Rafa sticks it to him. I think he needs to show him who's boss. And that's all I have to say about that.

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Meanwhile, in Fed Cup action, looks like Jelena, Sam, Casey and Stubbsy will be taking on Switzerland for a spot in World Group II. This could be an interesting one. The highest ranked player out there will be Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, with Timea Bacsinszky presumably playing the other singles rubbers. The match up I would really love to see? I want David Taylor and Nicole Bradtke to take a punt and put Casey Dellacqua out there against Schnyder. Dellacqua beat her at the Aussie Open last year, and I think it's primarily because they're both lefties - Schnyder, who relies so heavily on placement, has a lot of advantage taken away. The Swiss girls lost 3-2 to Germany last week, with Schnyder being the 2 and the rest of the team being the everything else, so if the Aussie girls can negate Schnyder...

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Ugh. Look at me talking about tennis like a team sport - especially since I practically am Swiss when it comes to tennis. Shame on me.

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(Oh, and since my post of a couple of days ago, Mikhail Youzhny seems to have found a bit of form, taking out Ferru in Rotterdam. This is all obviously due to me.)

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Today's Results

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ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Mikhail Youzhny def. David Ferrer, 6-2 3-6 6-2

Rafael Nadal def. Simone Bolelli, 4-6 6-2 7-5

Gilles Simon def. Philipp Kohlschreiber, 7-5 7-6 (7-1)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Jesse Huta Galung, 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4)

Mario Ancic def. Rainer Schuettler, 7-5 6-2

Michael Llodra def. Ivo Karlovic, 4-6 6-3 6-4

Marc Gicquel def. Evgeny Korolev, 3-6 6-3 6-2

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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)

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Tommy Robredo def. Thiago Alves, 6-4 6-2

Juan Carlos Ferrero def. Albert Montanes, 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-2

Jose Acasuso def. Juan Monaco, 7-6 (7-3) 6-4

Nicolas Devilder def. Daniel Silva, 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Thomaz Bellucci def. Potito Starace, 6-3 6-4

Brian Dabul def. Paul Capdeville, 6-1 retired

Pablo Cuevas def. Oscar Hernandez, 4-6 6-4 6-1

Rui Machado def. Ivan Navarro, 6-4 6-1

Frederico Gil def. Pablo Andujar, 3-6 6-4 6-3

Fabio Fognini def. Caio Zampieri, 0-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2

Lukasz Kubot def. Daniel Gimeno-Traver, 7-6 (9-7) 1-6 6-3

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Radek Stepanek def. Chris Guccione, 6-2 7-6 (7-1)

John Isner def. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, 7-6 (11-9) 6-4

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Emilie Loit def. Kaia Kanepi, 2-6 6-3 6-1

Serena Williams def. Iveta Benesova, 6-1 6-4

Jelena Jankovic def. Francesca Schiavone, 7-5 7-6 (7-2)

Elena Dementieva def. Aravane Rezai, 6-4 6-3

Patty Schnyder def. Alona Bondarenko, 6-4 7-6 (7-3)

Amélie Mauresmo def. Sara Errani, 6-2 6-0

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Vera Dushevina def. Sybille Bammer, 6-4 7-5

Peng Shuai def. Galina Voskoboeva, 7-6 (7-4) 6-0

Tamarine Tanasugarn def. Akgul Amanmuradova, 6-2 7-6 (7-4)

Shahar Peer def. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, 6-1 6-0

Magdalena Rybarikova def. Kimiko Date Krumm, 6-2 4-6 6-4

Vitalia Diatchenko def. Ryoko Fuda, 6-3 1-6 6-3

250: Almost But Not Quite

So does anyone understand this new ATP system?
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I was totally down with it before - you had your Grand Slams, you had your Masters Series events, then you had all the other ones (International Series, I think they were called.) But now we've seemed to move into some whicketty-whack new age. Grand Slams are still the same - I think there would be some serious protesting if that got messed around with - and I think I get that 1000 events are analogous to Masters Series events, but what, WHAT is the difference between a 500 event and a 250?
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My interest is piqued after reading a story about Rafa presenting a plaque to the tournament director of Rotterdam to mark the first 500 event on the ATP world tour. Fine and dandy - but what does that mean? Why does Rotterdam get to be a 500 while Costa do Sauipe and San Jose are only 250? Who made that call? Why did they make that call? Rotterdam is sweet, yeah - but is it special?
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You know what's going to happen, yeah? The top guys are all going to flock to the 500 tournaments and not play the 250s, which means we're basically going to create another circuit level between ATP and Challenger, the almost-but-not-quite. I appreciate that the tier system has worked okay over in the WTA… but seriously, what was wrong with the old system, ATP guys?
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(Oh, and kudos to Brydan Klein for winning a Challenger tournament! Onya!)
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Today's Results
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ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)
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Andreas Seppi def. Thiemo de Bakker, 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-1)
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Brasil Open (Costa do Sauipe)
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Nicolas Almagro def. Ricardo Hocevar, 7-6 (7-4) 7-5
Marcel Granollers def. Flavio Saretta, 6-2 2-6 6-1
Eduardo Schwank def. Diego Junqueira, 6-1 7-5
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SAP Open (San Jose)
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Radek Stepanek def. Dominik Meffert, 5-7 6-3 6-1
Christophe Rochus def. Igor Kunitsyn, 6-2 7-6 (9-7)
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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)
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Agnieszka Radwanska def. Oxana Lyubtsova, 6-1 6-1
Alizé Cornet def. Anastasija Sevastova, 6-1 6-3
Alisa Kleybanova def. Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-2 7-6 (7-3)
Monica Niculescu def. Timea Bacsinszky, 6-4 6-3
Emilie Loit def. Nicole Vaidisova, 6-1 6-4
Karolina Sprem def. Petra Kvitova, 6-3 6-1
Daniela Hantuchova def. Ekaterina Makarova, 6-2 6-2
Nathalie Dechy def. Sorana Cirstea, 6-2 1-6 6-2
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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)
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Vera Zvonareva def. Andreja Klepac, 6-4 6-3
Caroline Wozniacki def. Chan Yung-Jan, 6-3 6-0
Sybille Bammer def. Urszula Radwanska, 6-4 3-6 6-1
Yaroslava Shvedova def. Tamira Paszek, 6-3 6-4
Sania Mirza def. Nicha Lertpitaksinchai, 7-6 (7-4) 7-5
Neuza Silva def. Jessica Moore, 6-2 6-1
Yuliya Beygelzimer def. Anastasia Rodionova, 6-2 6-2
Ivana Lisjak def. Sesil Karatantcheva, 6-2 4-6 6-3

The Amazing Disappearing Act of Mikhail Youzhny

Whatever happened to Mikhail Youzhny?

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I noticed this when I was at the Australian Open, actually, but there was so much else going on that I didn't give any more thought to it. A couple of years ago he was making major semis and beating Rafa and doing all kinds of things, including accidentally smashing his head open with his own tennis racquet. Now - where is he?

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It's kind of silly to ask the second he turns up again - he had a first round win against a qualifier in Rotterdam. But seriously, has he been injured? He lost first round at the Aussie - I can't remember who to, but I was surprised. Has he just been out of form? He's certainly taken a dive down the rankings - I'm not sure exactly where he fits in now, but he's unseeded in Rotterdam, and he was certainly unseeded at the Australian Open. That certainly never used to be the case. I can't remember him ever actually making it into the top ten, but he was certainly up there in the #11, #12 region for a while, and I remember him being the Russian #2 (behind Davydenko) was a long time. He's definitely behind both Safin and Tursunov now - oh, and Andreev, and maybe even Kunitsyn and Gabashvili. Anyone know what went down with him?

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And in the women's side, the mysterious one has got to Agnes Szavay. I heard all these good things about her last year, and yet every name her name pops up, it seems to be a first round loss. So what's going on there?

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Today's Results

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ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament (Rotterdam)

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Julien Benneteau def. Feliciano Lopez, 6-4 5-7 6-2

Mikahil Youzhny def. Laurent Recouderc, 6-4 6-4

Dmitry Tursunov def. Arnaud Clement, 6-0 6-3

Nikolay Davydenko def. Igor Andreev, 6-3 6-2

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SAP Open (San Jose)

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Florent Serra def. Jarkko Nieminen, 7-5 6-7 (1-7) 6-4

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Movistar Open (Vina del Mar)

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Fernando Gonzalez def. Jose Acasuso, 6-1 6-3

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Open GDF SUEZ (Paris)

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Li Na def. Agnes Szavay, 7-6 (8-6) 6-2

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PTT Pattaya Open (Pattaya City)

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Peng Shuai def. Mara Santangelo, 3-6 5-2 retired

Vera Dushevina def. Elena Bovina, 6-4 7-5

Galina Voskoboeva def. Jarmila Groth, 4-6 6-2 6-1

Ksenia Pervak def. Tomoko Yonemura, 6-1 6-1

Little Guys in the Big Time

All this talk of the Fed Cup and Aussie women's tennis has made me forget to write about one of the staples of this blog - my Stars! And two of them in particular have done very well this week, so - a little tribute.

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Let's start in Johannesburg, with my Frenchman, Jeremy Chardy. Not one of the more active of my Stars, it is fair to say - he hasn't been burning quite as brightly as some of the others. Nonetheless, whenever I forget about him, he comes out and proves that, yes, he does belong in my Stars program, and this week he did it by reaching the final in Johannesburg, where he did lose, yes - but it was to fellow Frenchie Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and even though he's a Star, Jo-Dub is a bit spesh right now. He was seeded fifth in this tournament, which shows you how he's sneaking up the rankings - so well done, Jeremy. Hope to see more of you.

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And not only did we have a finalist in South Africa, we had a winner in Zagreb. I think it's fair to say that second seed Marin Cilic, who cruised home over fellow Croat Mario Ancic, has well and truly made it. I think he's the first of my Stars that I can legitimately say I picked when he was way down in the rankings and has since made the big time. Seriously, how good is this boy? Two titles this year already, and it's only February. I think we can expect big things from Marin this year - big things. He might even be this year's surprise Juan Martin del Potro, the random young guy who suddenly becomes a gun and makes it to the season-ending championships. Though I do hold out hopes that Gulbis will give him a run for his money...

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And meanwhile, back to Fed Cup - I expected Russia to sweep China, even though neither Safina nor Sharapova were playing the tie, but Italy sweeping France? I never would have picked that one. On one side, you have Schiavone and Pennetta, the other, Cornet and Mauresmo. A sane person would pick the French girls to win every time, yeah? How bizarre. But good work to the Italians, nonetheless.

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Today's Results

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SA Tennis Open (Johannesburg)

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Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Jeremy Chardy, 6-4 7-6 (7-5)

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Movistar Open (Vina del Mar)

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Fernando Gonzalez def. Pablo Cuevas, 6-3 6-2

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PBZ Zagreb Indoors (Zagreb)

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Marin Cilic def. Mario Ancic, 6-3 6-4