Not Altogether Unexpected

We're going to have an intriguing - not altogether unexpected, but certainly surprising - lineup in the semis of Monte Carlo. Rafa - well, everyone would have expected that. He made mincemeat of Nicolas Lapentti and then went on to make mincemeat of Ivan Ljubicic. If he doesn't win the tournament, then I would be prepared to eat my couch. Just putting that out there.

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We have Djokovic, who has played to his seed, if nothing else. He's been playing a bit better of late after his poor showings in the early part of the year. He's certainly not up to his standard at this time last year, but he seems to have adjusted reasonably well to the clay, despite going three sets against Fernando Verdasco. I think a lot of people underestimate the all-surface nature of the Djokovic game (I do it wilfully on account of his repellent personality, but whatever) - he actually made it to the semis of all four majors before Nadal did. I wouldn't like his chances in making it beyond his seed, but he's pretty decent on the red stuff. If I liked him more, I would say well done.

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Those two are expected - then we get into slightly more hairy territory. I don't think anyone would have picked Stan to come through his quarter - probably not even Stan. Whatever, I say - let bygones by bygones, I have forgiven him for the Federer defeat and I'm sure as hell pulling for him now. His big break was making the final of Rome against Djokovic last year and it'd be sweet to go him one further. He's totally at home on the red stuff and I want to see him make his mark.

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And then either Murray will take the fourth spot after a win over the newly-back Kolya Davydenko. He is not at home on clay and so it's going to be interesting to see how he goes this season. So far, so good, it seems - Davydenko is not just any opponent.

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But the winner? Who is going to pick against Rafa? Go on, I dare you.

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Today's Results

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Monte Carlo Rolex Masters (Monte Carlo)

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Rafael Nadal def. Ivan Ljubicic, 6-3 6-3

Novak Djokovic def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-2 4-6 6-3

Stanislas Wawrinka def. Andreas Beck, 6-2 6-4

Andy Murray def. Nikolay Davydenko, 7-6 (7-1) 6-4

Rafael Nadal def. Nicolas Lapentti, 6-3 6-0

Andy Murray def. Fabio Fognini, 7-6 (13-11) 6-4

Nikolay Davydenko def. David Nalbandian, 6-4 5-7 6-3

Ivan Ljubicic def. Simone Bolelli, 7-5 7-6 (7-2)

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Family Circle Cup (Charleston)

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

Caroline Wozniacki def. Virginie Razzano, 6-2 6-0

Sabine Lisicki def. Elena Vesnina, 6-4 6-0

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Barcelona Ladies Open (Barcelona)

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Francesca Schiavone def. Lucie Safarova, 6-3 7-5

Roberta Vinci def. Anastasiya Yakimova, 6-3 6-3